Week 12
27th July 2010 Berlin to Venice
Well an interesting morning! We had googled the airport and found they had long term parking for 80 euros a week. We asked at the camp how much to leave our camper for two weeks and were told same price 15 euros per night or 105 euros per week (although I am sure due to language constraints they had no idea we were actually just going to leave the van there!). Because the airport was 40km away we decided to take the option to leave the camper at the airport.
We set of in plenty of time and headed to airport. Well no parking for us. The long term parking had the usual height restriction, we certainly couldn’t get into the parking building and the short term parking was going to cost a fortune. We talked to a local who advised us to drive a couple of kms from the airport to a residential area and just leave the van on the side of the road. I was not that comfortable about doing that although he assured us it was quite safe.
We were not feeling too happy at this stage with a plane to catch and the prospect of leaving the camper in a worrying location and then the issue of getting back to the airport in time!!
We saw a campervan sales place as we were heading away from the airport and we did a U turn (in front of a police car) and went back to see if we could get in to it but no all closed up and fenced off but where we pulled in to look was a hotel and they had a hotel carpark so off inside I went and asked if we could park there. Yes we could said the lady on the desk and asked for how long – she nearly fell off her chair when I said two weeks but said it was usually 19 euros a day but she would do a special rate. We ended up paying 70 euros for two weeks, van is reasonably secure behind the hotel building and it was only a 500 metre walk to terminal dragging the suitcase.
Phew – I am not sure she realized it was a camper (I think she thought it was a car – language again – so we dropped the camper and were off) She didn’t even take our name or phone number but I guess they have been paid and they do have the camper!!
Flight was one and a half hours to Venice and no allocated seats. We were lucky enough to score the very front seats with plenty of leg room etc.
We arrived at Venice and it was hilarious there is not really too many signs or info about what you need to do. Anyway got the bags, went through nothing to declare line and headed to ticket booth. Apparently the only way to Venice is to catch the bus as far into Venice as it can go and from there its all water taxis.
When you get to the bus terminal there are no signs to where you catch water taxis and it was teeming with people – we are dragging two suitcases – travel is definitely for the young!!
We got our taxi tickets and worked out our hotel was at San Marco probably about 30 mins from bus terminal. You are jammed on like cattle and the main waterway of Venice is teeming with boats – little boats, big boats etc. It is quite amazing and quite different to anywhere else we have been!!
We arrive at San Marco and then we try to find the hotel. Hmmm it was supposed to be 50 metres from water taxi terminal but which way?? Of course we headed off still dragging the suitcases – now over the cobbled ground – in the wrong direction.
We talked to some Canadians but no they had not seen our hotel anywhere.
While we were talking a porter came up to us with a big trolley – I will take you to your hotel – we asked him if he knew where it was. He first told us it was back a few water taxis stops but we knew that was not the case. He then got out his cell phone and jabbered in Italian to someone and then said come on I will take you. So of course I asked how much – 20 euros for a maximum of 50 metres!!! No I said I cannot afford, he dropped to 15 euros, no I said I cannot afford so off he went in a huff.
We contined walking and dragging the suitcases but no idea really where to go. It was absolutely teeming with people which also was not easy. Anyway next minute the porter was back – look he said I will take you to your hotel for 5 euros for each bag. In the end we said ok because it seemed quite a good option at that point.
Well it was a well spent 10 euros, I just followed laughing my head off. He set off at an incredible pace just pushing through the people ringing his bell madly to get everyone out of the way. Geoff and I charging behind him trying not to lose sight of our bags!! The whole thing was just a hilarious start to our first visit to Venice.
We never would have found the hotel it was just a sign on the road that when you walk you are looking up not down – especially with all the people. Lovely hotel in a great location.
We then text Julie and Selwyn and it was great to see them. We spent some time just catching up and then Selwyn headed us off – we wanted to give him a guide number! Looked around the shops, had an ice cream etc.
Back to hotel to have shower, freshen up and off to meet my friend Belinda who just happened to be in Venice today (she leaves tomorrow). So we walked about 10 mins and over the other side of the canal to meet her and her friend Kay for appertifs. It was really great.
We then had dinner at the Hard Rock café as Julie and Selwyn are a bit over pasta and pizza!!
It was a lovely balmy night and on the list of things to do in Venice was a gondola serenaded canal ride (after all Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world!) It was very nice and a peaceful time of the night to do it. The gondola was very informative and did sing to us now and then!
Feet sore and a bit swollen – not enough water today and lots of walking – a big day!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Two week holiday
Hi everyone. Am going to have a two week holiday while we are on the cruise so will update blog when we get back to Berlin about 12th August.
Watch this space!!!
Love Anna and Geoff x
Watch this space!!!
Love Anna and Geoff x
Week 12 25th July 2010 Stockholm, Sweden to Rostock, Germany and down to Berlin
Up and off to the ferry this morning. Very windy today so quite a rolling crossing however Geoff was not sick so that was good.
Trip was nearly 7 hours, so enjoyed reading, knitting and eating of course!
We arrived at Rostock and drove down the fast autobahn. Cars (like Porsches) come whizzing past (just like you told us Lew). Geoff is forever exclaiming look at that oh just look at that!! Seriously though they pass us at such a great speed it rocks the camper!
Traffic issues along the way but arrived at camp about 6.15pm. It was closed but there was a phone number to ring and a german on the other end??!! He came down to the camp but could not speak much English.
Anyway I had said to geoff there won't be any internet here but he saw the flicking red computer and would you believe it they have great Wi Fi. All for 50c per day so 1 Euro for our stay!! We managed to get the password and yes we were on.
So today has been a great day - washing, packing and most of the day skyping. I think Laura and I talked for 2 hours - she even helped with the packing just like she used to at home!! Great to talk to everyone else including Brian and Polly who were at Liz and Alton's. Had a three way Skype with Jane and Si, Mum and Dad and then later a good chat to Mum! Good to catch up too with Nick, Mel and little Kaisha (who was not really too interested although perked up when we mentioned nana with the wiggles car!!)
Today we were going to go the airport to check out the parking for tomorrow morning but just couldn't be bothered really so here's hoping no issues tomorrow. Geoff has hidden on top of the camper all the stuff we have bought along the way that we don't want to lose or get smashed if someone does do over the campervan at the airport park.
Off to Venice tomorrow - can't wait.
the ferry from Trelleborg, Sweden to Rostock, Germany
First views of Rostock
Note the crowded beach!
Scenery along the way to Berlin
We were smug with the traffic jam on the other side but soon it was us - very slow trip to Berlin!
Approach to camp
Camp at Berlin
lake nearby
Even a beach!
A lazy day at the camp
Trip was nearly 7 hours, so enjoyed reading, knitting and eating of course!
We arrived at Rostock and drove down the fast autobahn. Cars (like Porsches) come whizzing past (just like you told us Lew). Geoff is forever exclaiming look at that oh just look at that!! Seriously though they pass us at such a great speed it rocks the camper!
Traffic issues along the way but arrived at camp about 6.15pm. It was closed but there was a phone number to ring and a german on the other end??!! He came down to the camp but could not speak much English.
Anyway I had said to geoff there won't be any internet here but he saw the flicking red computer and would you believe it they have great Wi Fi. All for 50c per day so 1 Euro for our stay!! We managed to get the password and yes we were on.
So today has been a great day - washing, packing and most of the day skyping. I think Laura and I talked for 2 hours - she even helped with the packing just like she used to at home!! Great to talk to everyone else including Brian and Polly who were at Liz and Alton's. Had a three way Skype with Jane and Si, Mum and Dad and then later a good chat to Mum! Good to catch up too with Nick, Mel and little Kaisha (who was not really too interested although perked up when we mentioned nana with the wiggles car!!)
Today we were going to go the airport to check out the parking for tomorrow morning but just couldn't be bothered really so here's hoping no issues tomorrow. Geoff has hidden on top of the camper all the stuff we have bought along the way that we don't want to lose or get smashed if someone does do over the campervan at the airport park.
Off to Venice tomorrow - can't wait.
the ferry from Trelleborg, Sweden to Rostock, Germany
First views of Rostock
Note the crowded beach!
Scenery along the way to Berlin
We were smug with the traffic jam on the other side but soon it was us - very slow trip to Berlin!
Approach to camp
Camp at Berlin
lake nearby
Even a beach!
A lazy day at the camp
Week 11 23rd and 24th July 2010 Stockholm, Sweden
23rd July 2010
Sure enough a good sleep in, did some washing and then left Arboga at nearly lunchtime. Stockholm only 2 hours from here. We were looking for a camp we found in the lonely planet but after driving round and round gave up and parked in a public carpark. We needed Swedish Kroner coins for the parking meter so we set off on foot to find a cash machine.
Found the machine about 300m from the park and got some lunch at a kiosk (to change notes). As luck would have it the metro station was right here too so got a 24hr ticket and off to town.
Our biggest mission today was to make sure we could book a ferry from Stockholm to Germany. We wandered around the new part of Stockholm and was told by someone to go back to Central station and there would be some shipping line desks. However we only found one desk and the lady said they only went to finland not Germany so try internet.
So on the internet we went and had to book from bottom of Sweden (Trelleborg) to Rostock at 7.30am Sunday morning.
We then took the metro to the old city which was lovely with cobbled streets, narrow alleys etc. Had a nice glass of wine at a Tapas Bar and watched the world go by.
Stockholm is very clean and we felt quite safe in this city (unlike some others).
Caught the metro back to our carpark and since we were paid until Monday morning decided just to spend the night there rather than look at 10pm at night for anything else.
24th July 2010
Up and off by 9.00am to town. However nothing really opens until at least 10am if not 11am so found a nice café with toilets etc and had a large coffee – another good one. Geoff had bought some shirts at a place nearby and wanted another. I also bought a couple for Nick because they are lovely shirts and a good price.
While we were sitting at the café I checked my NZ sim card because I needed to transfer money to Laura and without netcode sent to my mobile I couldn’t do it. We had no service on my Vodafone phone in Scandanavia which has been frustrating. Lo and behold in Stockholm it worked so off back to Central Station to transfer the money. We managed to get on Skype at this computer however with no camera you guys couldn’t see us but we could see you and hear you. It was quite funny! Although a bit frustrating.
Then we went on a boat cruise. Stockholm is made up of 14 islands and we only saw one hop on hop off bus so decided the water was the way to go. Not such a nice day today but enjoyed the boat.
Then off on metro back to car as we had to get to the bottom of Sweden today. It was a long long drive. We left at 2.30pm and only arrived at Trelleborg at 10.30pm. Of course too late for camps so a city carpark again for us.
The road down was quite scenic we have got used to seeing a new lake every so often. We drove beside a very large lake tonight. Nearer 10pm the light was amazing – hopefully captured in the photos!
The camper seems to chew gas – it is by far the biggest cost – so am going to revise the schedule going forward to have less kms per day (otherwise we will run out of money!)
Photo of GPS so we know where we left the van!
Views of Stockholm
Guard at the Palace
Not a usual sight in Sweden esp right hand drive
Old city
Beautiful paintings of Stockholm
Found a new sewing machine for Caroline or Carolyn!!
Hot pink mini - Jess and Nick!
Lakes on the way
beautiful sky
Sure enough a good sleep in, did some washing and then left Arboga at nearly lunchtime. Stockholm only 2 hours from here. We were looking for a camp we found in the lonely planet but after driving round and round gave up and parked in a public carpark. We needed Swedish Kroner coins for the parking meter so we set off on foot to find a cash machine.
Found the machine about 300m from the park and got some lunch at a kiosk (to change notes). As luck would have it the metro station was right here too so got a 24hr ticket and off to town.
Our biggest mission today was to make sure we could book a ferry from Stockholm to Germany. We wandered around the new part of Stockholm and was told by someone to go back to Central station and there would be some shipping line desks. However we only found one desk and the lady said they only went to finland not Germany so try internet.
So on the internet we went and had to book from bottom of Sweden (Trelleborg) to Rostock at 7.30am Sunday morning.
We then took the metro to the old city which was lovely with cobbled streets, narrow alleys etc. Had a nice glass of wine at a Tapas Bar and watched the world go by.
Stockholm is very clean and we felt quite safe in this city (unlike some others).
Caught the metro back to our carpark and since we were paid until Monday morning decided just to spend the night there rather than look at 10pm at night for anything else.
24th July 2010
Up and off by 9.00am to town. However nothing really opens until at least 10am if not 11am so found a nice café with toilets etc and had a large coffee – another good one. Geoff had bought some shirts at a place nearby and wanted another. I also bought a couple for Nick because they are lovely shirts and a good price.
While we were sitting at the café I checked my NZ sim card because I needed to transfer money to Laura and without netcode sent to my mobile I couldn’t do it. We had no service on my Vodafone phone in Scandanavia which has been frustrating. Lo and behold in Stockholm it worked so off back to Central Station to transfer the money. We managed to get on Skype at this computer however with no camera you guys couldn’t see us but we could see you and hear you. It was quite funny! Although a bit frustrating.
Then we went on a boat cruise. Stockholm is made up of 14 islands and we only saw one hop on hop off bus so decided the water was the way to go. Not such a nice day today but enjoyed the boat.
Then off on metro back to car as we had to get to the bottom of Sweden today. It was a long long drive. We left at 2.30pm and only arrived at Trelleborg at 10.30pm. Of course too late for camps so a city carpark again for us.
The road down was quite scenic we have got used to seeing a new lake every so often. We drove beside a very large lake tonight. Nearer 10pm the light was amazing – hopefully captured in the photos!
The camper seems to chew gas – it is by far the biggest cost – so am going to revise the schedule going forward to have less kms per day (otherwise we will run out of money!)
Photo of GPS so we know where we left the van!
Views of Stockholm
Guard at the Palace
Not a usual sight in Sweden esp right hand drive
Old city
Beautiful paintings of Stockholm
Found a new sewing machine for Caroline or Carolyn!!
Hot pink mini - Jess and Nick!
Lakes on the way
beautiful sky
Week 11 - 22nd July 2010 Oslo, Norway to Arboga, Sweden
Great sleep, quick shower, homework (blogging) while Geoff cooked sausages and eggs for breakfast and off to Oslo.
Had a hop on hop off bus tour for the morning which was informative. Oslo is more spread out than other cities we have been in – lots of museums. Would have liked to have gone to the Sculpture park but our car was parked in a two hour park and we haven’t a lot of time in Scandinavia so decided to give it a miss.
After complete circuit we walked around a bit and I found the most amazing toy shop. It had about 10 big window displays (hard to take photos of with the glare). There was the most adorable little kitchens – a Miele one at half price (just as well too hard to get home) and a lovely little wood one – a bit like the one I loved in Taupo Laura. Then there was a whole shopping display with cash register etc – just loved it.
Back to the van with a takeaway coffee (cos of the parking meter). Great coffee in Denmark and Norway.
Headed out of town east towards Stockholm . We had lunch at a gorgeous spot. The scenery in Norway is quite spectacular. Beautiful lake after lake with forest all round. I can imagine it would be amazing in winter and lots of ski fields. Crossed the border into Sweden and drove until 6pm – just two hours out of Stockholm and found a very very quiet and cheap camp. Only one other campervan so a sleep in tomorrow probably!
Lots of fountains and sculptures in Oslo
Royal Palance
Sculpture park
The Toy Shop
Lunch spot
Had a hop on hop off bus tour for the morning which was informative. Oslo is more spread out than other cities we have been in – lots of museums. Would have liked to have gone to the Sculpture park but our car was parked in a two hour park and we haven’t a lot of time in Scandinavia so decided to give it a miss.
After complete circuit we walked around a bit and I found the most amazing toy shop. It had about 10 big window displays (hard to take photos of with the glare). There was the most adorable little kitchens – a Miele one at half price (just as well too hard to get home) and a lovely little wood one – a bit like the one I loved in Taupo Laura. Then there was a whole shopping display with cash register etc – just loved it.
Back to the van with a takeaway coffee (cos of the parking meter). Great coffee in Denmark and Norway.
Headed out of town east towards Stockholm . We had lunch at a gorgeous spot. The scenery in Norway is quite spectacular. Beautiful lake after lake with forest all round. I can imagine it would be amazing in winter and lots of ski fields. Crossed the border into Sweden and drove until 6pm – just two hours out of Stockholm and found a very very quiet and cheap camp. Only one other campervan so a sleep in tomorrow probably!
Lots of fountains and sculptures in Oslo
Royal Palance
Sculpture park
The Toy Shop
Lunch spot
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