Friday, June 20, 2014

London to Holyhead, Wales to Dublin, Ireland

This morning we took a taxi from our hotel to the Euston Station in London. 
We then took a train from London to Holyhead, Whales. 
We hopped on a bus to the port and walked a LONG way (with all our luggage) to a ship. 
The ship got us to Dublin, Ireland. 
We jumped in a taxi to our hotel in Blanchardstown, Ireland. 
All that sounds smooth as a whistle, right? 
Regardless, 11 hours later, we arrived at our hotel. 


So, remember the hotel from the previous entry we said you would hear more about? 
Well, this is looking out one of the big front windows across the street to the park. 
This looks like an amazingly peaceful park, doesn't it? It's not quite the same after dark. 
One highlight was getting to see a man pee on that tree in the middle of this picture. 



This is just to the left of that tree--lots of noisy basketball action on that court at night.



This is out the same window to the right. 
Oh the smell of smoke lofting across the street into our open windows.
No air conditioning here--but at least none was needed!
All action came to a halt at about 11 p.m. and we were able to go to sleep.
 I guess curfews are enforced here (unlike at home).
We were, however, greeted with more smoke at 5:00 a.m.



Watching for our train platform assignment at the Euston Station/London.
Quite the busy place.



Virgin Trains (less luggage space above)--we piled all our stuff by the exit door between cars.



Some quality father/son James Bond "ing" movie time on the way to Whales. 



 Now it's time for some poor quality pictures from our train.
 I guess you can click on them and take a closer look if you prefer.



More James Bond.



Poor little boat in the middle.



More lousy quality pictures. 



And another--it really was a nice train ride and quite beautiful. 
Just can't get good pictures.
The weather has been no less than perfect since we left the USA. 



You know we've had quite some experiences around the world with different types of toilets.
This is by far our favorite toilet! 



A restroom that talks to you--
After you click on "open"-just walk right in. 
Then, a pleasant voice comes on and says, 
"Hello! Enjoy your experience, but please don't flush nappies, sanitary towels, paper towels, gum, old phones, unpaid bills, junk mail, your ex's sweater, 
hopes, dreams or goldfish down this toilet."
I just stood there listening to this voice and thought to myself, 
"Did she really just say what I thought she said? I have to listen again."
So, I exited  and re-entered. Sure enough, that is what was said. 
That is when I noticed it written on the toilet as well. 
Oh my goodness, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard.
 It's amazing what a little humor can do for a public restroom experience.



I love signage. It sure sucks the frustration out of normal procedures. 
This is much easier than the Eurostar train with no guidance--just a guessing game of which big button on the floor to step on in order to flush or get hand washing water. 
 This restroom was much simpler! And heck, it talked to you!



One more bad picture. I wish I could have hopped off the train and taken decent pictures of all the sheep, goats, cows, horses, farms, etc.
 Just beautiful.



Loading the bus from the train to the ship. 



Our view leaving Holyhead Wales--starting our journey to Dublin, Ireland. 



Okay, this is pretty amazing. 
This man (red shirt) and his wife (blue shirt/grey hair) were just delightful. 
After visiting with them for quite some time, we discovered that
 they know Dax's customer in Chorley, England. 
Can you believe that? Small, small world.



We have been on many "ferries"--but not like this ship! 
It even had a movie theater, children's play area, store, restaurants, etc.



I went outside to snap a couple of photos. 
Whew, it was sooooo windy and cold.
I could hardly stay standing. 



Back side.



Those of you who know us realize that we do this everywhere we go--
in the audience of Vegas shows, at the Nashville airport on a shuttle bus, at the market in Nanjing, with the Zulus in South Africa. We call this "altoid teeth"--nothing quite like being dead serious and then smiling at total strangers the the midst of normal conversation.
Oh yeah, Mom/Dad thanks for giving me braces.  :)



Isaiah was playing Minecraft while sitting by us and someone kept killing him (in the game).
So, we took a stroll around the ship and found who was responsible! 
He had a great time "minecrafting" with new friends.
Yes, we even had free wifi and phone service. Amazing. 
(Isaiah is in the red shirt).



Almost to Dublin.



Arrived-Dublin Port, Ireland. 



We had a 40 minute cab ride to our hotel during rush hour. 
Loved our driver. Quite interesting. Cheerio matey!
Isaiah was sacked out in the back seat.



Finally dinner!



Last photo of the evening--dinner, done!



Tomorrow, Dax will be working.
 Isaiah and I are looking forward to sleeping in and just hanging out. 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Paris back to London

This morning, Jean met us at the apartment to collect our keys and visit a bit. 
He was so kind to arrange a taxi for us 
 back to the train station (which will not only hold us, but also our luggage).


Leaving the Paris apartment.



Bye, Montmartre. We will miss you!



Passing time in Paris du Nord Train Station





 Well, I guess if you are on strike (trains/Paris), you are permitted to protest/strike 
without regard to damaging passengers' ears. 
I am fairly certain that the decibel level of those blow horns as we walk by are beyond dangerous. Yikes! 
We were so grateful to get past all that racket and to our platform. Ready to board!



Isaiah is cozy on the Chunnel back to London.



This is the Eurostar. We love the amount of luggage space above. 



In our hotel room not too far from the Euston Station in London.



Just more hotel room photos. 



Really small room--the beds actually face each other. 
The room is certainly taller than it is wide or long.
Also, there is no lift. Ahhh, we love our luggage. 
More details about this place in the next blog entry.



Went out for a walk and to St. Pancras Station area so Isaiah could feed the pigeons. 
The pigeons in Paris are far more fat than the pigeons in London.
I guess the kid is trying to help them gain weight.
You can see Dax's shadow and Isaiah's shadow on the left side of this photo.
 Isaiah is throwing some food out for the pigeons and Dax is in his ball cap sitting and watching.



Of course, while in the area, we had to swing by and eat at Prezzo's.



Isaiah (and Dax) being silly at Prezzo's. I think this interaction went something like, 
"Yeah, that's right. I chew and throw a wicked fast ball."



Giggle box!



Cutting up some more back in our hotel room.



He said, "I'm soooo British. Look at my extended pinky."



Tomorrow, we will catch and train and a ship to Ireland.








Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Our Last Full Day in Paris

Today was our last full day in Paris. Isaiah slept until nearly noon. We ate breakfast and lunch here at the apartment and spent the morning confirming some travel plans. We finally "got off the place" and went window shopping (shoes, pants, fish, cheese, and more cheese). We returned to the apartment and cleaned up for a dinner date. Isaiah enjoyed the apartment all to himself while we walked up the block for dinner. A relaxing day that felt like being at home--well without the worry about keeping up a house, going to work, and things like that. Ha! 


Simple lunch at "home"--



Window shopping. Note that Isaiah has an ice cream cone (again).



Cheese, imagine that!



Isaiah observed that this fish market in Montmartre 
is much cleaner than the fish market he went to in Shanghai.



More fish. 



Isaiah enjoyed identifying the types of fish
he has caught in the past.



Oh, more stinkin' cheese. 



What a thoughtful surprise from Isaiah tonight.
He suggested that we go out to dinner, 
while he stayed back and enjoyed the apartment all to himself!
You got it, kid. Deal!
And, he even assisted with photos before we left.



This cafe is just a short walk up our street.



Sorry for the blurry picture. I just couldn't wait to eat. 
I had the delicious filet de poulet risotto cremeux. 
I know, I know. 
Surprise, surprise, I didn't have a cheeseburger.



I don't know what Dax had. It was some sort of amazingly seasoned beef (COOKED)--caramelized onions with mushrooms and peppers in some kind of sauce.
The "side" dish on his left (that looks like a crock of cheesy potatoes) was incredible.
Take note, I don't like cooked vegetables, but these were wonderful.
Cauliflower, squash, zucchini, and carrots in a "cheese bake" that was to die for...



Love this man!





Another Amazing Day in France

Took the Metro to the Memorial de la Shoah Holocaust Memorial


**************************************************

We didn't take photos at the "Shoah"--but feel free to google it. 
It is quite the Memorial. 
About 76,000 Jews (of those-11,000 kids) were deported from France, 
with the collaboration of the Vichy government, 
as part of the Nazi plan to exterminate Judaism in Europe. 
Most were murdered from 1942-1944 in Auschwitz-Birkenan, 
others in Sobibor and Lublin-Maidanek camps. 
Only about 2,500 survived deportation. 


***************************************************

We hung out at Starbuck's, explored, went to the "Shoah"--and then, 
found a fantastic cafe for dinner.



Dax ate the first entree listed in the top left corner of this sign. 
Delicious!



Not to worry, the man did finish his dinner. No problems there!



This is what is left of Isaiah's dinner.
 He finished it within a whopping 5 minutes!



The remaining food from my dinner. 



Just more train photos...