It's all going to end soon!!!

We had a wonderful week in Paros. It was just magic. Our home by the sea was wonderful - you could see the water from every window in the house. How lucky were we. We would swim and read and sleep and eat and drink and then walk into town to beautiful whitewashed winding alleys and romantic restaurants. Really wonderful.

Paddy and Abbey left on Friday and we must admit we really missed them for the last couple of days we were on Paros. It just didn't seem the same and on Saturday we just lay around and we each nearly read a book. I was reading "Three Cups of Tea", a wonderful book about Greg Mortenson who builds schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A really good read. We caught the ferry on Sunday at 6 pm and had a trauma when we got to Athens' port, Piraeus. There were no trains and the taxis were on strike and we waited an hour for a bus to get into town. We finally arrived at our hotel at 3 am and I have been really zonked today. John however keeps powering on = nothing daunts him. He just said, I am in Athens, I can't sit in a room. We have been out most of the day but I have needed a few breaks. Not to worry tomorrow he is taking me to his favourite place in Athens, the Pynx, where you get a spectacular view of the Acropolis. Thanks to Paddy we have a few good tips for restaurants and shopping.

It is interesting to be in Athens again. Last time we were here was with Lanie in 2004. Nothing much has changed though the Greeks seem to be aware that hard times are ahead. It's hot and sunny here. It really is a delightful country and the people are friendly and helpful. We have loved it.

Well, our three months officially comes to an end on Saturday. We can't believe it. We have one day in KL on the way home. We leave here on Wednesday, fly to London, wait for 8 hours, then board our flight to KL on Wednesday night. We get to KL at 7 pm on Thursday night and leave for Brisbane at 9 pm on Friday night. So it will be a big week. We really have had a wonderful time this holiday. It has been very special. Come to think of it, they are all pretty special.

Every time we go away, we seem to get bad news of someone dying. Last time, it was my cousin Leandra. Gerry Dalton has just written to say Fr Michael Morahan, an old school mate and principal of Villanova for many years, died suddenly. So sad and a reminder to us that life is relatively temporary. Somber for my last post.

thanks everyone for following our blog. Hope you have enjoyed reading of our travels. I will leave you with one last photo, the time of which was probably the most special of our holidays. Cheers.

Paros

We are now officially in Paradise. A beautiful white and blue house by the deep blue water which we can see from every window and with our boy and his girl. It doesn't get much better.

Paros is an amazing island and the little town we are staying near Naousa is a perfect example of a Greek village. WE have been swimming in a different little bay each swim and have a fridge full of feta, olives, capers, sundried tomatoes, salad, Mythos and other good stuff.

Paddy is well and now very relaxed though his reaction when his mouse button just stuck wouldn't indicate that. No, he is wonderful company and Abbey and he are great travellers. They get in and do everything and really enjoy themselves. He only has about 7 weeks left in Afghanistan when he gets back and has relished the challenges he has faced there. Think he likes Greece a whole lot better though.

We are off to buy a big fish to cook for dinner. I am typing this at a beach side hotel, sipping a frappe and watching the sunset. Loverly!!!

Cheers
John Deb Paddy and Abbey.
xxxxx

The road trip is over!!!

and we are back in Prague. We can't believe we have actually done it and we feel amazingly privileged to have been able to do such a mammoth trip. We have loved every minute of it and are totally overawed by Poland and the Czech Republic. When we took the car back yesterday, we were within two minutes of the drop off point and got pulled up by the police for going through a pedestrian zone. They really have no sense of humour the Czech Police. He said it would cost us 5000 korunas. We said we had no money and he said well 500 korunas. We said, hey no, we have no money, we have to go to a Bankomat. He said, well, it's free this time then and let us go. We had done 7600 kms when we dropped it back.

We had a wonderful time in Cesky Krumlov. Loved the canoeing. We paddled for about 15 kms, through 6 shoots (little dams) and while others were capsizing around us we got through unscathed. Starting to think we are nearly ready for the Olympics. Lucky cause it was a bit cold in the river. The time in CK was made even more special by our accommodation on the last night (we moved) which was an apartment right on the river and we looked out to the castle and its beautiful painted tower. This was owned by a wonderful Czech lady (a real wag) who had spent quite a bit of time in Australia and had been in CK for about 30 years. She was great and looked after us like old friends. It was fabulous being in the old city. John met up with a South American guy and had a good hit of tennis one afternoon and Alvaro gave us some very helpful hints on CK and Prague as he had spent months in each.

It is our last day in Prague tomorrow as on Saturday we fly out to Santorini and our boy!!! We are of course really keen now to get going and see Paddy and Abbey. I am not sure if there is wifi on Paros so might not be able to update this but you all know me - don't think I could go a week without logging on somewhere.

Love to all.

On the road again

Hi everyone,

We are writing this from Cesky Krumlov a beautiful little town south of Prague where we have settled for four days after five days on the road.

After we left Krakow, very reluctantly, we headed west and our aim was to spend these few days exploring the more obscure areas of Poland and the Czech Republic. Well, it was wonderful. We love both these countries and the more time we spend here the more enthralled we become.

Probably the highlights of the five days on the road were Olomouc (pronounced Olla-moat) a small university town in central Czech Republic. It is like a mini Prague without the tourist. Why the tourists haven't discovered this place is a mystery because it is an enchanting place with loads to see. From Olomouc we headed south and ended up on the Danube River in Durnstein. Now those of you who know us will have heard the story of how once we lobbed into someone's house and sat down and asked for wine all the time thinking it was a restaurant. the guy gave us two glasses each before he told us it was a private home. This was in Durnstein and it is a picturesque village set right on the Danube. We had an apartment here where when we looked out the window all we could see was the Danube flowing by. It was great. The next day we drove about 60 kms along the river and then up over the mountains back to Telc in the Czech Republic. Loved Telc as well. We have seen many little towns with gorgeous squares and very explorable old cities. Telc is high on the list of favourites.

After visiting a couple of Czech castles we finally reached Cesky Krumlov. It is a very pretty place but is overrun with tourists and is one of those places primed for tourism. We have spent the last couple of days exploring the town and having a drive down the river. Tomorrow we are going canoeing. today as we were driving along the river, I swear the whole population of the Czech Republic was in a boat on the river. We have just come home from having a Bohemian feast which was very very tasty. The food here has been sooo good, the beer really cheap ($1.20 for .5 litre), the people very friendly and helpful and the countryside astonishing.

There is thunder claps outside at the moment. We have had a beautiful sunny day today - here's hoping it's the same tomorrow for time on the river!!!

Krakow

We are saying goodbye to Krakow tomorrow after a five day stay. It has been absolutely delightful and although the weather has left a bit to be desired it really has not stopped us doing anything. For example, today is has been quite heavy rain for most of the day. John went walking the ghetto this morning again and we left the apartment about 9.30. We drove out to Plaszow Concentration Camp where the Jews of Krakow were sent and was featured in Schindler's List and had a look at the site and memorial there. From there we went into town and drove around the Kasimierz area. We then went to the square and made phone calls home. It was wonderful to chat to Cait and Lanie and Ben at length and quickly to Eileen, Mum and Dad and Lynda. This has been our first chat with them all and we were pretty excited. From there we went to see the oldest Uni in Poland where they have a remarkable clock that chimes and music plays at 1 pm. We were craving a coffee by then and usually try and find a special place to have a coffee every Sunday. Well, did we find it - in the form of a jazz club. There was an incredible band playing and a singer and we had our coffee over a couple of hours. Magic!!!

From there we wanted to go and pick up some souvenirs and presents and by then it was about 4.30 so we thought we might come home and watch Wimbledon final, had dinner and and now it's nearly 9 and we have to pack up and get ready to leave. So although it's been raining we have filled the day, had a great time and feel relaxed. Last wet day, we went around to Oscar Schindler's factory which is just around the corner from where we are living. They have made it into a museum on the Nazi occupation of Krakow and it was without doubt one of the best museums I have been too. When we found out there was only a small section on Schindler we thought we'd just do a quick walk through but got more and more enthralled as we went on. We also went out to the salt mine at Wieliczka. Now that was interesting. You walk down about 360 steps to the first level tunnels where the miners have carved figures out of the salt. There is a whole cathedral carved out of salt as well as centuries old equipment. You eventually get down to the third level. Thankfully there is a lift to take you back up.

John went out to Auschwitz yesterday. I opted not to go as I get too despaired. Is that a word? John had a good day and took his time looking at both Auschwitz and Birkeneau. He said it has not changed a lot since he was last there in the 70s. I went shopping and had a relaxing day. Much better for me.

So we have had a good look around, lots of wonderful experiences here. We are heading off to the west and will have one more night in Poland in Paczkow and then head back to the Czech Republic. Paddy leaves tomorrow for Dubai for a couple of days and then off to Athens so not long now till we see our boy in the Greek Islands.

All is well. Thanks for writing everyone. It's good to hear news of home.