My Spanish isn't too good either
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Dog on board
24 October 2012
Our guide suggested that we must be a reputable bunch of tourists after we had been stopped at a highway roadblock by the Spanish Guardia Civil.
Firstly the officers checked the passports of the driver and guide and quizzed them about their passengers. A sniffer dog and his handler then boarded the coach to have a whiff of its contents then they checked the under coach luggage compartments. All clear! Our group members must be a clean living group.
After we were given the all clear and set off our driver suggested that they may have been looking for Moroccans hidden under the engine.
Our guide suggested that we must be a reputable bunch of tourists after we had been stopped at a highway roadblock by the Spanish Guardia Civil.
Firstly the officers checked the passports of the driver and guide and quizzed them about their passengers. A sniffer dog and his handler then boarded the coach to have a whiff of its contents then they checked the under coach luggage compartments. All clear! Our group members must be a clean living group.
After we were given the all clear and set off our driver suggested that they may have been looking for Moroccans hidden under the engine.
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| Roadblock Ahead |
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| They're coming to take us away |
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| Our guide is interrogated |
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Porto
Unfortunately I can't connect two devices to the internet at this hotel so, as I first connected with my smartphone, I have to use it for my blog post.
Since we hit Spain we have been on the go. Thank heavens we had four quieter days in Berlin before we joined this tour of Spain and Portugal.
We left Salamanca, Spain for a picturesque drive to Portugal and felt quite at home as we passed many eucalypt forests. After a tour of Porto City we had a seafood lunch of traditional Portuguese dishes before going to a Port tasting. We now have a bottle of white port to add to our overloaded suitcases.
Porto on the Duoro River is right on the Atlantic. Pictured below is one of the bridges over the river. Does it remind you of another famous structure? In Paris? Yes, it was designed by Monsieur Eiffel of tower fame.
The other snap is of two old travellers by the river.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Schmick hotel
20 October, 2012
On arrival at the Madrid Airport Hilton late last night we were upgraded to a huge corner room that was one of the best equipped we have ever stayed in.
Sadly many of the staff we encountered were either incompetent or couldn't care less. A bit of customer service training for staff would enhance the superb building and facilities at this hotel.
On arrival at the Madrid Airport Hilton late last night we were upgraded to a huge corner room that was one of the best equipped we have ever stayed in.
Sadly many of the staff we encountered were either incompetent or couldn't care less. A bit of customer service training for staff would enhance the superb building and facilities at this hotel.
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| Work area in our huge room |
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| Breakfast room/Restaurant from lift shaft |
Berlin by boat
19 October, 2012
We have had an amazing four days in Berlin assisted by unseasonally warm weather. Our hotel, The Radisson Blu, is fabulous and well-situated (for a change I chose well - thank you Trip Advisor for your assistance) on the River Spree and next to Unter den Linden.
We have done a combo of bus tours (hopon hopoff) and losts of walking around this city that is a major construction zone. This morning we opted for a 1 hour cruise down the Spree to gain a different perspective on the city.
Here are a few happy snaps from that excursion.
We have had an amazing four days in Berlin assisted by unseasonally warm weather. Our hotel, The Radisson Blu, is fabulous and well-situated (for a change I chose well - thank you Trip Advisor for your assistance) on the River Spree and next to Unter den Linden.
We have done a combo of bus tours (hopon hopoff) and losts of walking around this city that is a major construction zone. This morning we opted for a 1 hour cruise down the Spree to gain a different perspective on the city.
Here are a few happy snaps from that excursion.
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| Multitasking |
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| Parliamentary Library |
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| Do the right thing - Berlin style (I think) |
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| Radisson Blu |
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| Oldest Church in Berlin - St Nicholas |
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| Domed church on left is my fave building |
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| Large map of Berlin with prominent places pinned |
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| We went under lots of bridges |
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| Worker salute |
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| Reichstag |
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| Angele Merkel's office - known locally as the washing machine |
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| Double decker bridge links parliamentary buildings |
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| Most of this bridge survived bombing in the war |
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| Autumn leaves - a novelty for an Australian |
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