July 19- July 25: Croatia/Ireland(and the USA)
Zagreb, Croatia:
I think we were both pleasantly surprised by the city. We took a few days and saw most of the sites. Great pictures are now up on facebook. I think we were both exhausted at this point. We hadn't had much sleep between the long ferry ride, an all day wait in Venice for an over night train ride to Croatia through Slovenia. Just a day later and an all night wait in the airport for our trips to the U.S. and Ireland. Lisa went back for Rachel's wedding and I headed out to Ireland.
Ireland:
My initial experience in Dublin was interesting. Long story short: three bus drivers and two and a half hours later I made it to my hostel. However, the bus drivers were extremely friendly, they just kept forgetting to tell me where my stop was located.
Dublin itself is a fun city. I wondered around for the greater part of the day. I met an Auburn grad who gave me an Ireland tour book, which has already come in handy.
I made my way down to Lisdoonvarna. I have already taken a long walk through the countryside, 5 hours long, roadsigns aren't fantastic. The staff at the hostel have now set me up with some great walking maps.
The walk was relaxing. I only saw one person for the first two hours. Everywhere you look there are rockwall fences. I have already discovered they have excellent seafood chowder. My goal is to find out which local restaurant has the best.
Being in a hostel is a change from camping. I took a shower without shower shoes, it is more like a hotel, free internet, and even TV.
I will have to get Lisa to fill you all in on the goings on in the states. She is with her family and has a week of wedding festivities. Congrats to Rachel and Kip!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
2 months
July 18:
It has been exactly two months since we left on our adventure. Today we were to have a long wait for our ferry departure, but as I referred to in our last post, God is good, we met some new friends. We actually met them on the bus to a campsite the day before and somehow we were on the same bus again.
They showed us around Patras and we had an incredible last day in Greece as a result. Thanks Carin and family!
We've been in 10 countries in two months.
It has been exactly two months since we left on our adventure. Today we were to have a long wait for our ferry departure, but as I referred to in our last post, God is good, we met some new friends. We actually met them on the bus to a campsite the day before and somehow we were on the same bus again.
They showed us around Patras and we had an incredible last day in Greece as a result. Thanks Carin and family!
We've been in 10 countries in two months.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Week 8
July 9- July 17 Greece
This has been the craziest week of travel.
First, we took a 36 hour ferry ride from Venice to Patras, Greece. We slept under the stars on the deck of the boat and saw the most incredible sunrise.
Once arriving at Patras we made our way to a campsite that is possibly the most scenic yet! We decided to stay an extra night as a result.
Then, it was off to Athens, or rather Rafina, in route to the island of Mykonos. The campsite there also had a great view but getting there was a small adventure in itself, let's just say 90 degree weather, two backpacks, two tired American girls, and one really big hill!
Mykonos is an incredibly beautiful place. We took a day to wonder around in the small town center. I've never seen so much white before and streets that made you feel caught in a maze. We met some folks from all over the world ...Ireland, Rio, Spain, Australia, and Georgia.
One day we tried to locate a lighthouse that was on our map. We had a nice stroll around some rocky beach fronts but weren't succesful in finding what we were in search of.
Took a ferry back to Rafina and a day to explore Athens. Then, a travel day back to Patras to catch the return ferry to Italy.
Reflections:
This week was full of small setbacks with travel and difficulty in getting correct information but it's funny how God at each time sent us some small blessing along the way.
For example, on our travel day from Mykonos back to Rafina we were talking about how we hadn't gotten to talk in depth with many people. I was in the middle of my explanation when a girl from Australia walked up and sat beside us and just started talking.
Later, at the Port I got yelled at by a grumpy store owner, again just when I was about to lose my cool I hear a Georgia accent ask if I went to school at Auburn. It was a mother, friend, and daughter. The daughter studying on a summer at sea.
Finally, the same long day...no bus to a campsite, another exhausting walk and I found a bakery on the way with one of my favorites. Upon arriving at the campsite and settling in I was ready to eat. We sat by a view of the ocean and I discovered the wrong pastry. I was just about to throw something when two guys walk up and gave us a watermelon.
Lisa and I both just laughed. I guess we have bad days even in the midst of seeing beautiful places and living out dreams.
I know this is becoming a long post. One last story. Today on our way back to Patras we encountered a train strike, these happen often in France and Greece, this lead to an almost 12 hour travel day that should have been about 5. However, again in the middle of the chaos we experienced part of the craziness with about a dozen others also traveling Europe.
Our verse for this month was Psalm 17:15
We continue to realize that only when we seek God first are we truly satisfied. In spite of crazy days in travel or everyday life, God is there making Himself known in big and small ways.
This has been the craziest week of travel.
First, we took a 36 hour ferry ride from Venice to Patras, Greece. We slept under the stars on the deck of the boat and saw the most incredible sunrise.
Once arriving at Patras we made our way to a campsite that is possibly the most scenic yet! We decided to stay an extra night as a result.
Then, it was off to Athens, or rather Rafina, in route to the island of Mykonos. The campsite there also had a great view but getting there was a small adventure in itself, let's just say 90 degree weather, two backpacks, two tired American girls, and one really big hill!
Mykonos is an incredibly beautiful place. We took a day to wonder around in the small town center. I've never seen so much white before and streets that made you feel caught in a maze. We met some folks from all over the world ...Ireland, Rio, Spain, Australia, and Georgia.
One day we tried to locate a lighthouse that was on our map. We had a nice stroll around some rocky beach fronts but weren't succesful in finding what we were in search of.
Took a ferry back to Rafina and a day to explore Athens. Then, a travel day back to Patras to catch the return ferry to Italy.
Reflections:
This week was full of small setbacks with travel and difficulty in getting correct information but it's funny how God at each time sent us some small blessing along the way.
For example, on our travel day from Mykonos back to Rafina we were talking about how we hadn't gotten to talk in depth with many people. I was in the middle of my explanation when a girl from Australia walked up and sat beside us and just started talking.
Later, at the Port I got yelled at by a grumpy store owner, again just when I was about to lose my cool I hear a Georgia accent ask if I went to school at Auburn. It was a mother, friend, and daughter. The daughter studying on a summer at sea.
Finally, the same long day...no bus to a campsite, another exhausting walk and I found a bakery on the way with one of my favorites. Upon arriving at the campsite and settling in I was ready to eat. We sat by a view of the ocean and I discovered the wrong pastry. I was just about to throw something when two guys walk up and gave us a watermelon.
Lisa and I both just laughed. I guess we have bad days even in the midst of seeing beautiful places and living out dreams.
I know this is becoming a long post. One last story. Today on our way back to Patras we encountered a train strike, these happen often in France and Greece, this lead to an almost 12 hour travel day that should have been about 5. However, again in the middle of the chaos we experienced part of the craziness with about a dozen others also traveling Europe.
Our verse for this month was Psalm 17:15
We continue to realize that only when we seek God first are we truly satisfied. In spite of crazy days in travel or everyday life, God is there making Himself known in big and small ways.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Week 7
June 30- July 3: Chartres, France
Our last night in Bern was dinner with a family from Bern International Church, it was refreshing to be in a house and have a good meal. Thanks Patty and family!
We made our way back to France to see my friends, Lois and Jean-Eyves, both of whom I meet in Japan. It was so much fun to catch up with them and meet their daughter and JE's family. We were treated to multiple courses at each meal and might have gained a few pounds. We took a tour of Chartres and went inside a famous cathedral. We ended our time there with a BBQ, swimming, and left with clean clothes. Thanks to Lois, JE, and family!
July 4:
In order to get to Italy we had to make our way through Paris. Due to some train scheduling, we spent a little more time at the station than usual and spent the fourth by the river. We met some new friends and had an international circle, a Canadian, Taiwanese, French, and the two of us. This made our wait much more pleasant.
July 5- July 8: Venice, Italy
Venice is by far our favorite place we have visited. The canals run throughout the city making it hard to navigate, we got lost in a thunderstorm and found shelter with about a dozen others. We took a boat ride to Murano and spent most of our time just taking it all in.
We will have pictures up eventually. We will have a limited amount on the blog, the majority will be on facebook.
Our last night in Bern was dinner with a family from Bern International Church, it was refreshing to be in a house and have a good meal. Thanks Patty and family!
We made our way back to France to see my friends, Lois and Jean-Eyves, both of whom I meet in Japan. It was so much fun to catch up with them and meet their daughter and JE's family. We were treated to multiple courses at each meal and might have gained a few pounds. We took a tour of Chartres and went inside a famous cathedral. We ended our time there with a BBQ, swimming, and left with clean clothes. Thanks to Lois, JE, and family!
July 4:
In order to get to Italy we had to make our way through Paris. Due to some train scheduling, we spent a little more time at the station than usual and spent the fourth by the river. We met some new friends and had an international circle, a Canadian, Taiwanese, French, and the two of us. This made our wait much more pleasant.
July 5- July 8: Venice, Italy
Venice is by far our favorite place we have visited. The canals run throughout the city making it hard to navigate, we got lost in a thunderstorm and found shelter with about a dozen others. We took a boat ride to Murano and spent most of our time just taking it all in.
We will have pictures up eventually. We will have a limited amount on the blog, the majority will be on facebook.
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