Thursday, June 30, 2016

Avignon

The bridge of Avignon

The Papal Palace



Inside the Popes Palace the Pope had his study and bedroom painted with frescoes around the 14th century.

The shopping list for the coronation of the Pope Clement V1 on May 19th 1342 included
60 pigs
101 lambs
118 cows
1023 sheep
1195 geese
7428 chickens
39400 eggs
50000 pies
quite staggering sometimes they would feed 2000 people.


Plenty of restaurants in plazas abound.

walking tour of Arles

Arles has a roman ampitheatre in the town which is now used as a bull fighting ring.



Streets of Arles




Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Arrived in Arles

We have arrived at the mouth of the Rhone river at Arles to start our cruise.


There were three coach buses that left from Monaco to give an idea of the number of people on the cruise. Looks like it should be a good cruise.

Monaco to Arles

Today was the start of the cruise with a bus ride from Monaco to Arles (pronounced without the s ).
It was a 3 1/2 hour bus ride up the highways of France. Most of it is 3 lanes reduced to 2 lanes as we came into Arles. Native vegetation is oaks,  and other shrubby trees. In one place they had planted eucalyptus trees to replace trees after bush fires.

( Sorry photo to come ).

Japanese Garden

There was a small Japanese Garden down on the beach of Larvotto Beach.



View from Palace in Monaco

It is a steep climb up to the Palace in Monaco.















This is the view looking down over the marina. There was a show jumping festival down at the marina where the marques are.

The old town around the palace at the top has small narrow corridors with restaurants and souvenir shops.


Casino of Monte Carlo

The casino of Monte Carlo was just a short walk up from the hotel. All the expensive cars were out the front.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Our hotel on the F1 grand prix course

We are staying in Monte Carlo at the Fairmont Hotel right on the water.
View from the hotel for breakfast.

lemon lime and bitters

Having troubles ordering a lemon lime and bitters. Hamburg all I could get was a lemonade. This one is based on lemon juice.

larvotto beach

Larvotto beach just down the road from the hotel


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Some Comparisons

Looking across the Hamburg skyline at some of the similarities between the models of Miniature Wonderland.
Radio Tower


Elbe Philharmonic Hall


Miniature Wonderland


Lion King Musical Theatre





St Michael's Church

We took the elevator up to the top of St Michael's Presbyterian Church. Just above the clock tower.


View from the tower.


Miniature Wonderland

Rod finally made it to Miniature Wonderland




Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Arts and Craft Musuem

We walked up to Hamburg Central Station and next door was the Arts and Craft Museum. There was a collection of dresses from the 1920 - 1940. A piece of crewel work but mainly a mixture of pottery and artifacts from ancient times to modern times. There was a display of sneakers from modern times.
 

ready for miniature wonderland

Today we walked down to Miniature Wonderland ready for tomorrow's visit.

Monday, June 20, 2016

View from Hotel in Hamburg


View from the Hotel in Hamburg. There is a canal that runs behind the hotel and no skyscrappers. Most buildings are this high and there are a lot of tall terraces around.

Friday, June 17, 2016


Today I lunch nearly in the clouds in the Sky Park restaurant Ce Le Vi which is above the three towers you saw in the background of the first photo.



This is looking back at our Hotel.


This is the afternoon shower coming across.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Have arrived safely in Singapore.


This is the view from the Pan Pacific Hotel down at the marina in Singpore.