Persian rug

A beautiful gift - while we were in Istanbul Dave generously purchased this non-traditional persian rug.  We both liked the rustic colours and pattern, the rug consists of wool on cotton.  It's a lovely addition to the decor.

New car, Honda Jazz

It's a month old now but still lovely and shiny ... it's very light to handle and an automatic so ideal for all Gympie hilly intersections.  I'm a lucky gal!

Holiday ... the end

Some social shots ...

David wearing his Dad's medals

Beanie time at Gallipoli

one of the cabin girl's creations .. towel art!

an evening meal in the Erbenis restaurant



Samples of the fine dining!

Shopping expedition

11 May Disembarked boat by taxi at 1pm for departure at Amsterdam airport at 15:30. Arrived Dubai at midnight, left again at 2:45am and arrived in Brisbane just after midnight on Sunday 13 May.

My highlights … the streets of Budapest and Vienna appealed to my visual senses the most - pretty in an old way. Historically I found Nuremburg the most interesting. The Anzac experience was very touching and a special place to visit. Other favourite attractions included the private opera recital entertainment at the Hungarian State Opera House and the grandeur of the building, the evening at the Viennese concert with a chamber orchestra, and the abbey at Melk with it's beautiful old library

Riverboat cruising is a particularly relaxing way to travel, it's like a floating hotel with a choice of shore excursions and a variety of local entertainment in most ports. Food, service, crew and organisation by APT was perfect in every way. Overall a great holiday experience, only the long flights to and fro are downsides to enjoyment.

Holiday ... Amsterdam, Netherlands

We arrived in Amsterdam to a rainy day.  We disembarked for a guided tour of the canal system.  Thankfully the canal boats were  glass-topped so the tour of the canals was in comfort.  We cruised the canals which encircled the city with a great skipper who manouevred the tight turns with great skill.  We saw many houseboats and the lovely architecture of the buildings that lined the canals - charming churches, 16th century merchant houses and 17th century homes.

We went on a short city centre tour before heading back to the boat.

part of the floating flower markets

Some of the streets ...

 

Rembrandt

Holiday ... Cologne, Germany, Maastricht, Netherlands

 9th May

We disembarked the boat for a walking tour through the city centre of Cologne.  The major landmark was the gothic Cathedral of Cologne.

In the afternoon I went by coach to the Netherlands to see the historic city centre of Maastricht - home to Andre Rieu. 

It rained most of the time so we were restricted in going places outside.  We mainly looked through the boutiques.

 Bikes, bikes and more bikes!

A beautiful book store

beautiful architecture

 

Holiday... Rudesheim, Germany

Rudesheim is a popular winemaking town at the beginning of the Rhine Gorge.  We went in to a local vineyard and the vitner walked us through and we tasted 3 different wines in the vineyard.  It was quite leisurely, stopping along the way to taste a few of the typical wines produced there.  Most of the wines were white Reisling.  Great views surrounded by nice scenery!

Wine tasters.

Some of the market place.




Later in the day we sailed through the Rhine Gorge ... steep slopes, many covered by vineyards and dotted by castles, are accompanied by picturesque villages.  Within a 65 km section , approximately
20 odd castles exist. While cruising through the gorge we passed the famous "Loreley Rock", where the Rhine River has its narrowest and deepest stretch.





 




 Some of the many castles ....

Holiday ... Wertheim, Germany

 7th May - We continued along the Main (pronounced 'mine') River and sighted many quaint village along the way.  We docked in Wertheim which is a medieval town and is situated on the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main.  The town is dominated by the beautiful castle and the very centre of town is the "Markplatz" (market square) with quaint cafes and shops.

Burg Wertheim

City gates

 High Water Marks

Flood levels of the city of the years, the old town floods about every 5 years.  The residents in the old town have been banned by the local council from living on the bottom floor of their house.

Smallest house.  Narrow at the bottom and gets bigger further up.

 The smallest house was built by the major of Wertheim who wanted a house on the marktplatz.  Originally this area was a wider laneway, the major decided to build his house  in the laneway so he could have the prestige of having a house in the marktplatz.

Jewish Quarter - This was the house they used during WWII to gather the Jews before they were transported out of town.  Lina Klaus was the last Jew to be taken from this house on 21 Oct 1940.  An artist has placed the symbols on the house, the doves represent peace, the eye is the eye of God, the fish represents Christianity.



Most of the Jewish population that could afford it, immigrated to America.  None of those who remained survived.  Houses belonging to Jewish families are being recognised by the little plaques on the pavement.