All is well! we just couldn't get on the internet for a few days, so I've been writing in my book, yes using a pen rather than a keyboard.
18 December 2008
After being picked up by the trolly dolly from hell (thanks Kyle!) we set off from Auckland airport, nervous, scared and apprehensive about our big journey. The excitement hadn't quite set in, just worrying about overweight bags and so many etickets to juggle. K surprised me at the airport with a bright blue mp3 player, preloaded with all sorts of songs, videos of funny NZ things (like the gingerbread haka video ... see youtube... and the 42 below vodka ad) and games too. very nice!
Well, the leaving of the mother land was a piece of cake, after the plane pushed back, had an electrical fault, pushed back in, pushed back out, and we set off to Melbourne. Inflight entertainment on Emirates was first class, watched finding Nemo, and Keily watched rerun's of Fawlty Towers... again!
Landed at Melbourne and had to walk about 15 minutes all around the building, only to go through an x-ray check and back to one floor up from where we started. We waited for the plane to get sorted again and back on for the long leg of the journey. Have to admit it was a bit daunting but in fact it was not so bad. There was just about enough leg room for us, the food was actually very good and once again the screens in the seat in front provided enough entertainment.
Arrived at Dubai airport to an easy check through transit, and then a bit of a wait. Thankfully Pip had sent some Dirhams earlier in the year so we got a sticky bun each to keep the hunger at bay before further overfeeding on the next flight.
Set off to Munich... this time the plane was like an old Air NZ, kind of bus seats, rather than the plush kind on first Emirates flight, but OK for the 6 hours. Snoozed on and off (by now had less than 4 hours sleep on whole trip). After getting passport stamped, zipped through customs in about two seconds, one man at the door and he didn't even look up!
Headed to hotel after being picked up by Globus guy.
Had great plans for a short nap and then out for dinner... wellllll K slept for 12 hours! Me for a few less, but a solid sleep none the less.
It's now... who knows what day!
20 Dec - Munich time
Breakfast in the hotel was wonderful, every kind of food you could imagine to suit any taste, K had kippers!
So.. what to do with the day.
We felt so brave, we caught the underground to the city centre, though I am sure we paid too much for our tickets... oh well.
Wandered around the main railway station, and found our first taste of Christmas in Germany. The best idea from there seemed to walk the streets to catch the flavour of the city, so off we went... oh sore feet! K bought some cool gloves and we wandered for 1 1/2 hours or so through the streets in freezing cold with light drizzle. Walked through what seemed like financial district - not many shops, but passed a circus and heard a seal barking. Back to railway station, chose NOT to go to Burger King... but then when we got into the bagel shop the signs were in English anyway.
P's feet very sore - I really needed to buy some new shoes for walking. K kept looking at his flash gloves!
We headed off again on some other streets, and I found some wonderful boots. Bright orange and waterproof Goretex. 30 Euro on special. Very warm and comfortable.
We then found the best way to waste money and paid 1 Euro and 10 Cents EACH to use the toilet in the railway station.
By now we were totally stuffed and gave in and went to Burger King in the station for some lunch but ... 6 Euro each kind of stretched the budget.
We walked more to work off the BK, then caught the train back to the hotel. We saw a market in the distance so walked down to see our first Christmas market. It was still drizzling so not the lovely romantic snowy image you might imagine. Some great stuff, lots of lovely glass balls, and then some obviously produced for the tourist. We could have bought lots. Awesome wood carvings and had painted things. My favourite were the hand felted slippers, one pair made to look like strawberrys, and another where one was pink with white spots, the other white with pink spots - perfect for Sophie!
I'll leave this post to head down for dinner in Prague... and return to tell you about dinner in Munich!
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