2 Year Anniversary of this Blog

“See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.”

Ray Bradbury

I have been writing this for two years.  My first posting was on this day in 2011.  It has been fun for me to do, but I am running out of ideas, and now it is starting to be a chore to come up with new things to write.  So I am going to take a break from it.  I may come back and write again, if I think of new things to write about.  When we travel, and we will, I may post reports of those trips.  We are taking a short vacation to Hawaii soon, both to Oahu and the Big Island, but I have already written about those places, so probably won't post anything on that trip.  But we are planning a trip to Portugal, where we will meet up with our friends from Scotland.  I am already planning the trip, and I plan to actually fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days and then take the train to Bruges, Belgium and spend a day there, and then go on to Lisbon to meet our friends.  That is a trip we will certainly report on when we return.  Until then..................

What To Do When Things Go Wrong

 "You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem."

 Eldridge Cleaver

Imagine you are on a vacation, one you have paid a lot of money for, and have spent many months anticipating.  It is a tour you booked through a company.  But things are not quite the way you pictured them.  Things are not going smoothly, for what ever reason.  Do you continue along with the tour and complain when you get home, or do you take action to change things while you are on the trip.  And if you decide on the last, how do you go about doing that.

We recently took a trip to Africa.  The trip was very expensive, probably the most expensive trip we have ever taken.  And yes it was through a tour company.  Going to Africa is possible on your own, but certainly easier with a tour company, which will set everything up for you.  We thought the trip was excellent.  Sure, there were a few little snafu's, but after all it is Africa, so some allowances should be made.  But there were several in our group who were not happy.  We didn't even realize they weren't happy, because the way things were set up, we didn't always have interaction with other members of the group.  We were separated into 3 different land rovers for our daily safari's, and we tended to stick with the same group even in the evenings, to a certain extent.  So we were surprised when we found out that some of the group did not feel they were getting the right service.

At the Tanzania Border
We had vendors and others who approached us 

Everything was fine with the whole group until we crossed the border into Tanzania.  We had to wait at the border to pick up new drivers and tour guides, because the law says that the drivers from Kenya cannot continue on into Tanzania.  In a perfect world the new drivers would have been there waiting for us, since they knew we were arriving.  However, we did have to wait for over an hour.  We found out that the Tanzania drivers had a flat tire, and they got delayed partly because of that.  But our Kenyan drivers stayed with us until they arrived, and yes, it was hot, and yes there were people there who were asking for handouts and to sell us things.  I did not have a problem with that, having seen the roads throughout Africa I could certainly understand how there could be delays, and I was enjoying interacting with the people, and even bought a few things.  But that was a major complaint of some of the group.

Some also complained that the luxury tents we had along the way were not as luxurious as they thought they would be.  I personally found them to be quite comfortable, and felt they were part of the experience. 

One person in our group was traveling with her 2 teenage daughters and she was the first one who complained to the company.  She actually called the company that she booked with and had her driver fired on the spot.  She later said that she did not feel safe with him, which surprised all of us. But having got to know her a little bit, I tend to think she over-reacts.  She may not have in this situation, but I know she over-reacted to some other things with the group, which led most of us to believe she was over-reacting again.  Whether she was right to do what she did or not, who knows, but she did take action.  Would you have done the same?

Our group with our driver Juma

After this incident there was more talk between the group about how we felt.  The 4 other people my husband and I were with were happy with our driver and with the service we were receiving.  We had no problems.  We did find out that there were others in the group who had some complaints. They had decided to wait till they got home to put in their comments, but since action had already been taken, the company was immediately wanting our feedback.  They wanted to know if we were unhappy with our drivers and did we want them replaced also.  We loved our driver, Juma, and were concerned he would lose his job because the other driver was fired, and there were some complaints about the third driver.  Everyone in our land rover expressed our happiness with our driver. 

After we returned home the company contacted me and wanted to know everything that had happened and how I felt about the trip.  They were accessing whether to keep the company they had hired in Tanzania or to get a new company.  They were interested in everything that had happened and our feelings.  They sent me a voucher good for a discount on our next trip with them, even though I was basically happy with the service we received.  I'm not sure if they sent the unhappy people a larger voucher, it is certainly possible.

So, if this happens to you, would you call immediately, or wait until you got home.  I guess it would depend on how unhappy you were, and if calling then would change anything.  In her case, she was happier with a new driver.  If you were unhappy about something that had already happened and it couldn't be changed, then complaining when you got home might at least give you a partial refund or a voucher for future travel. 


Our Tent in the Serenget
Some didn't think these qualified as luxury tents

If you do need to put in a complaint, then how do you go about it.  In her case, she used her cell phone and called.  I know my cell phone would not have worked in Africa, but I could have emailed the company and probably have gotten a quick response.  If you are complaining after you get home, then there are several ways to go about it.  If you booked through a travel agent then I would go and tell the agent what happened.  The agent will have a company representative with that company and going directly to the rep will have more pull then on your own.  As a travel agent I handled complaints such as that for clients, and usually got very positive results.  If you booked on your own then the best thing is to put it in writing and either email or mail the letter to the company.  Even if you call them, they will ask for something in writing, so best to just start that way.

But however you handle it, if you are unhappy then you should let the company know.  It is your vacation, you paid a lot of money to go, and you should have happy memories when you come home.  If something has spoiled it, then talk to the company.  You may get a refund, or not.  But by telling them the problem, you may stop it from happening in the future, and help someone else.

Destination - Lisbon

"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."

 Hilaire Belloc 

"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.”

Frank Herbert
 

Tram in Lisbon

As Portugal's capital city, Lisbon holds a concentration of historical and cultural attractions and is the nation's most cosmopolitan city.  Lisbon is a charming mix of now and then.  Old wooden trolleys travel up and down the hills, there are cobbled streets and bird-stained statues, and Art Nouveau cafes to relax and have a cup of coffee.  There are parks, and squares, and old world architecture. Lisbon is one of the few European capitals with both a river and a coastline, the city spreads along the north bank of the River Tagus and meets the ocean.


Lisbon

We have plans to go to Lisbon in 2014.  I have never been there before, although we were close to the border when we were in Spain in 2001.  We will not be on a tour, so I am starting to look into where in Portugal we plan to go, and what there is to see.  I'm sure our first stop will be in Lisbon, so that is where I am starting.  We plan to explore other areas of Portugal, including the Algarve area, which is where we will most certainly spend at least a week.  But Lisbon will be our starting point.

So what is there to see and do in Lisbon?  Like most European cities, just walking around the historic area of the city will be a joy.  The cities in Europe are so different from our cities, with so much history and culture to see.  And for those of us into photography, it is a joy to point our cameras at all the old architecture.  Lisbon will certainly have lots of things for us to see.

My first purchase in Lisbon will most likely be a Lisboa card, which is a Lisbon City Pass and is a great way for tourists, like myself, to save money when seeing the local attractions.  Once purchased, the card offers free or discounted entrance to more than 80 Lisbon museums, sights, and tours, including the Jeronimos Monastery, the Belem Tower and the National Pantheon.  It also gives you free transportation around the city, because the Lisboa Card includes all trips on the Metro, public buses, trams and the Elevadores.  It even covers some sights outside the city, to some of the nearby cities.  The card costs approximately 18 Euros for adults, and 11 Euros for children.

Lisbon is made up of 7 hills, and at the top of each hill an amazing view awaits.  While the hills can be steep for climbing, there are many funiculars and trams connecting them.  the Lisboa Card will come in handy in getting you around the city.

There are three main districts that you should definitely visit while in Lisbon.  They are the Alfama,  Bairro Alto and Belem.  I will probably start my sightseeing in the Belem area of Lisbon, which is where the Age of Discovery began.  Ships commanded by the likes of Vasco da Gama and Henry the Navigator set their sails here returning with tales of adventure, bloodshed, and riches. Discovering a sea route to India, Gama helped aide in Portugal's rise to one of the world's greatest empires. Belem is where two of the most popular tourists sights are - The Belem Tower and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.


Pastel del Belem- a custard pastry famous in Lisbon

Belem is also where you can purchase a Portugese taste treat known as Pastel del Belem.  These are cream tarts that are famous throughout Portugal, but were first created in 1837 in Lisbon.  The best place to buy these are where they originated in a shop called Casa Pasties de Belem.  Enjoy one with a sprinkling of cinnamon and powdered sugar, with a cup of coffee, or whatever you enjoy to drink.  It is a good way to start off your sightseeing day in the Belem area of  Lisbon.


Belem Tower

Belem Tower is probably the most famous of the local sights.  In Portuguse, it is Torre de Belem or the Tower of St. Vincent.  It is a fortified tower located in the mouth of the Tagus River and is the gateway to Lisbon.  The Tower has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  The tower was  commissioned by King John II and was built in 1515 to guard the harbor of Lisbon.

The tower is open 10AM - 5PM (Oct.- Apr) and 10AM - 6:30PM (May - Sept.).  It is closed on Mondays.  It cost 5 Euros to enter, or with the Lisboa Card it is free.

The Monastery

The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos  (Monastery of Jeronimos) is just a short walk away from the tower.  Its intricate decorations and peaceful spaces will leave you inspired.  It was built in the 16th century and is considered one of Lisbon's most magnificent buildings. Here you will go inside the church to view the architecture, and visit the tombs.  You can also visit the cloisters and there is a garden to walk through.  The monastery is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Inside the Museu da Marinha

Museu Da Marinha (Maritime Museum) is near both the tower and the monastery.  This is the place to go if you want to understand how Portugal rose to become one of the greatest maritime and trading powers in the world.  The museum houses maps, documents, navigational instruments and models of ships from the era of discoveries through to this century.

Palacio da Ajuda is also in Belem.  Just above the pink National Palace (the official residence of the President of Portugal which is not open to the public), is the former Ajuda royal palace, built between 1796 and 1826.  It was occupied by the royal family and remained the royal residence until the abolition of the monarchy in 1910.  It is sumptuously furnished with tapestries, sculptures, oriental carpets and historic paintings.  There is a display of the royal jewelry, crystal and other treasures.  It is still used for state occasions. 



View of Alfama district
taken from the Miradouro de Santa Catarina

The Alfama district is the most famous part of town, which is a labyrinth of alleys, miniature squares and whitewashed houses rising in tiers from the Tagus River.  This is quite a contrast with the area below Alfama.  The low-lying district closer to the river is the Baixa district which was totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1765 and was rebuilt with a precise grid form with magnificent squares and alleys.  But the Alfama district, with its winding cobbled streets and alleys, is best explored on foot during the mid-morning market time or in the early evening with the streets teem with locals.   Exploring the streets and alleyways is a good way to get a feel for Lisbon's Moorish past. A climb through the Alfama district to the castle on top is rewarded by stupendous views over the Tagus and its suspension bridge.

Tower of Ulysses in Castle Sao Jorge

The Castle of São Jorge is a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic area of Lisbon.  Saint George's Castle can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Its oldest parts date from the 6th century.  It is now an oasis of peace, but just past the main gate is a statue of King Afonso Henriques and a series of cannons, reminders of the castle's original purpose. What remains of the Alcaçovas Palace where medieval kings lived, is a stone building now housing a restaurant, and round the back, a small archaeological museum in three underground chambers (including the one where Vasco da Gama was once received by King Manuel).

Most of the castle was destroyed over the years, especially in the Great Earthquake, but still includes a long extension of walls and 18 towers. Visitors can climb the towers and walk along the ramparts for the best views of the city, or relax in the gardens where peacocks, geese and ducks strut around. One of the castle's inner towers, the Tower of Ulysses, holds the Câmara Escura, a periscope that projects sights from around the city.  



Bairro Alto

The Bairro Alto district also attracts visitors.  This is the bohemian quarter of the city, rising to the west in steep streets and stone staircases and lined with restaurants and bars.  This is a good place to head for an evening meal.  The area can seem sketchy, but it's as safe as the rest of the city.  The area is a favorite among locals.  The lower part of this district is the elegant Chiado with fashionable department stores and tea houses.  You can catch a lift from there up the hill.




Miradouro de Santa Catarina

The Miradouro de Santa Catarina is a place you should visit for more great views of the city  Next door to the Bairro Alto is the neighborhood of Santa Catarina.  This area has streets of pastel-painted houses but very few restaruants and bars.  It is mostly known for its garden with a terrace offering river views. Within this terrace you will find a stone figure of Adamastor, a mythical sea monster from the poem "The Lusiads."  There is also a pleasant café where locals go to admire the dawn view over the Tagus.  You will also have a great view of the 25th of April Bridge over the Tagus,  which is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

If you would like to take a tour of the city or a day tour to some areas near Lisbon there are lots of companies available.  But the one that I would book if I was doing a tour is with a company called "We Hate Tourism Tours".  They seem to do more individual type tours, and not the usual things that anyone can see.  From the reviews I read online from people who had taken the tour, it was more like being shown the area by a good friend who lived there.  Not the typical big bus experience for sure.



When you wander the back streets of a city
you see how people live and get a feel for
the city.

There are certainly many more things and areas to see around Lisbon.  Like anyplace you visit you need to just get a feel for the place, and to do that you should wander around by foot, as much as possible, and sample the food, do some people-watching and just soak up the sights and sounds of the city.  You should visit the local flea markets or open markets when you see them.  There is even a Thieves Market, which is in the area of Igreja de Sao Vincente de Fora.  Here you can browse through all sorts of interesting things to purchase.  There are also some pretty good antique shops and stalls that you will find while exploring.  Just walking around exploring a new city is my favorite part of traveling.


**pictures taken from the internet

 

Destination - Bruges, Belgium

"If you set out to design a fairy-tale medieval town it would be hard to improve on central Bruges. Picturesque cobbled lanes and dreamy canals link exceptionally photogenic market squares lined with soaring towers, historic churches and old whitewashed almshouses."

 

Bruges, Belgium

 

Bruges is a charming city of medieval architecture and cobbled streets.  Since 2000, the Historic Center of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its "outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries."  Canals, cobblestone paths, and medieval and gothic buildings give the city an old world feel.

I have not yet been to Bruges, although it is one of the stops we plan to make in 2014 when we meet up with our friends from Scotland.  My plan is to fly to Amsterdam, then take the train to Bruges, and then on to Lisbon, where we will meet them.  We'll have 6 days on our own and then 2 weeks with them in Portugal, which should gives us some time to explore.  So now I am looking at what there is to do in those cities.

The area of Bruges that most tourists spend all their time in, is the Historic Center of Bruges which is contained within a canal, or moat.  Nearly everything of interest and importance is within this convenient cobbled stone area between the train station and Market Square.

Market Square and the Bell Tower

Market Square (Markt) - This is the heart of the city. It is ringed by banks, the post office, restaurants and dominated by the 290 foot high bell tower.  Most of the buildings are gabled and quite majestic. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the square.  Geldmuntstraat, just off the square, is a delightful street with many fun shops and eateries. 

Bell Tower (Belfort) - This bell tower has presided over the square since 1300.  It is 366 steps to the top, and the view is worth the climb and the small charge.  It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Just before you reach the top you should peek into the room with the 47 bells which are played on the quarter hour. 


 

Burg Square

Burg Square - This is Bruges civic center, historically the birthplace of Bruges and the site of the 9th century castle of the first Count of Flanders.  Today it is the scene of outdoor concerts and a place for people to gather.  It is surrounded by six-centuries of architecture.

Flemish art and the Gruuthuse Museum which is a 15th century mansion of a wealthy merchant and displays period furniture, tapestries, coins and musical instruments. Those are probably the most well known of the museums in the city.  There is also a lace museum - The Face of Lace.  Belgium is famous for its lace.


Madonna & Child

There are churches with wonderful architecture to see.  The two most frequented by tourists would be the Basilica of the Holy Blood (which supposedly has some of Christ's blood), and Church of Our Lady which stands as a memorial to the power and wealth of Bruges in its heyday.  It has on display a sculpture by Michelangelo - Madonna and child.  This exquisite sculpture was the master's only work to leave Italy in his lifetime.  One oddity, high up in the church wall, is the personal observation room of the Gruuthuse family who lived in the adjoining palace, now the Gruuthuse museum.

You could also visit the City Hall's Gothic Room which is full of maps and paintings,  The Gothic Hall which dates back to the 1400's features painted and carved wooden ceilings and hanging arches.  And the Renaissance Hall has a chimney carved from oak.  If you are into heraldry this is a good place to stop and look around.



Chocolate Line Shop

But there is so much more too Bruges then just the history and the architecture.  For foodies you have to stop and try the  famous Belgium chocolates.  Some of the best places to buy chocolate are Dumon and The Chocolate Line.  In fact, there is a chocolate museum, The Choco-Story where you learn all about chocolate.  Don't forget that fries (or chips) were invented in Belgium, not France, and you will find stalls that sell these, and there is even a museum to visit about them, the Frietmuseum.  Bruges is also famous for their beer.  The local brewery, De Halve Maan, is open for daily tours, you will get one free sample of beer and there is a good café where you can get a good meal with of course, a beer.



boats on the canal

There are lots of tours available.  There are boat tours of Bruges' canals which are a great way to take in the medieval architecture of the city.  And a tour that I thought looked interesting was the Quasimodo Tours which specializes in full (and half) day tours of the historic castles, chateaus and landmarks of Flanders.  It even takes you to visit the WWI landmarks of Flanders Fields.  This tour would get you out of the city to show you some of the surrounding areas.

Just a 10 minute walk from the historic center of town you can visit the city's northeast area, where you will find authentic, lived in Bruges with its quiet cobbled streets of step-fronted houses in brick.  The houses quite often have hand-made glass windows and doors that are painted burgundy and dark green.  If you walk a little further you can get to the windmills next to the canal at Kruisvest.  You can also visit the Lace Centre, where you can learn all about Belgium's lace, which includes demonstrations.

Street Food in Bruges includes waffles

You'll find some good places to eat in Bruges.  The specialty of the city is mussels, cooked a variety of ways.  You can eat outside in the squares or along the canals.  These places are great for people watching and are popular with tourists.  Some of the better places are the bistros on the back streets where the locals eat.  There are also many bars or pubs where you can get a light meal or a drink.  And when visiting any new place, I love to try the street foods.  In Bruges that would be the fries and the Belgium waffles which are not eaten for breakfast but as a snack.



Belgium Chocolate

Bruges is a city for walking around in, for taking in the sights and the architecture and soaking up the atmosphere.  For enjoying the canals and taking a boat ride.  And certainly for enjoying the chocolate and the beer, both of which I love.  I'm looking forward to exploring this city.

 

Destination - Amsterdam

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.”

John Green

 

Amsterdam

 

I have never been to Amsterdam, but we are planning a trip in May of next year, and Amsterdam will be one of our stops.  The main part of the trip will be visiting our friends from Scotland and traveling with them throughout Portugal.  But I plan to first fly to Amsterdam and spend a few days there before going on and meeting them.  We will probably take the train from Amsterdam down to Lisbon, where we will meet up with them and travel from there.

When I think of Amsterdam I think of canals, and tulips, and maybe wooden shoes.  I also think about the red-light district which it is so famous for, and the fact that you can smoke marijuana there. And of course, I also think about Anne Frank and what happened to her and her family.  I think Amsterdam will be an interesting place to spend a few days.

The hidden room where Anne
and her family lived.

I think our first stop will be the Anne Frank House,  I have been a little bit fascinated with her since my teen years when I read her diary.  She was a brave girl, and that was a terrible time. 

The Anne Frank House is the house where Anne Frank lived when she wrote her famous diary.  She hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms at the rear of the building. As well as the preservation of the hiding place — known in Dutch as the Achterhuis — and an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, the museum acts as an exhibition space to highlight all forms of persecution and discrimination.

The house is open  from April 1 through October 31 daily from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm, (Saturdays from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm).  In July and August the museum is daily open till 10:00 pm.  November 1 through March 31 daily from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm (Saturdays from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm).  Last Admittance is 30 minutes prior to closing.  Unfortunately, the old part of the Anne Frank House, which includes the Secret Annex, is not accessible to wheelchair users because it is in the attic of the house. The new building with the current exhibition, the museum café and the museum store is accessible to wheelchair users. You enter this part of the museum, which has an elevator and a specially adjusted restroom, through a special entrance. The employees of the museum will help you.



Amsterdam - Prinsengracht Canal

After visiting the Anne Frank House we will certainly explore the canals.  There are 165 canals that encircle the city and keep the sea at bay.  The canals are criss-crossed with bridges to help you get around.  They are lined with museums, shops, galleries and cafes.  The most picturesque of canals is Prinsengracht, lined by shady trees and funky houseboats. This is where the Anne Frank House is located. A smaller canal areas that is worth visiting is the historic Brouwersgracht, one of the city's most desirable residential addresses.

Picture of the Red Light District of Amsterdam
Taken from the Internet
It isn't advisable to take pictures in this area

And at some point I'm sure we will wander
through the Red Light District which has cultivated such a notorious reputation. Situated in a rough triangle formed by the Central Station, it's the oldest part of the city. But its historical significance has been largely obscured by the popularity of window-shopping in the area. Along its streets, the multi-cultural community of prostitutes, junkies, clerics, carpenters and cops freely intermingle, exhibiting a strange kind of social cosiness. As a tourist, of course, I'll be a mere voyeur.  I am told that you should not take pictures in this area.  There have even been fights over this, and cameras have been destroyed.

As for other things to do, here are a few suggestions:

The Van Gogh Museum is an art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries.  The museum's collection is the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world.  Here are their hours of operation:

• 1 May 10 am - 6 pm./2 May to 1 September - daily 9 am - 6 pm,  Friday until 10 pm.
• 2 September to 26 December - daily 9 am until to 5 pm, Friday until 10 pm.
• 27 December to 5 January - daily 9 am until to 6 pm, Friday until 10 pm. 
• From 6 January to 1 May -daily 9 am until 5 pm, Friday until 10 pm.

Times subject to change at any time.

Stedelijk Museum - This bath tub shaped museum has an amazing collection of 20th and 21st-century artists. It holds pre-war works by Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, plus a selection of paintings and drawings by Malevich. Post-1945 artists include De Kooning, Judd, Lichtenstein, Nauman, Stella and Warhol.

Statue of Rembrandt
in the square.

Rembrandt Square is one of the most famous squares in the city.  It is a great place to wander through and people-watch, which is one of my favorite things to do when I am traveling.  There are quite often street performers who entertain the square and the cafe terraces where you can relax over a cup of coffee or a meal.  This former butter market is a one-stop entertainment hub, with diverse attractions on the perimeter of the square and in its immediate vicinity.  One such place is the Café Bolle Jan which is an Amsterdam institution and the sort of place visitors will find nowhere else – a crowded but convivial bar, its walls steeped in history, where Amsterdammers come to listen to traditional Dutch folk music.  There is a statue of Rembrandt in the Square.

Vondelpark is the perfect spot to have a picnic.  It is the largest green space in Amsterdam.  The park is a cultural hub, with a number of sculptures, including one by Picasso.  From June to September people gather here to meet up and there is quite often music, dance and kids' activities.



Bicycles are very popular
in Amsterdam

As for other things to do, you can rent a bike and join the locals in riding around the city.  You will also find lots of people skating in the city and there are skates for rent if you care to join them.  At the Begijnhof, you will find a secluded garden and courtyard which offers a hidden sanctuary where traffic sounds dim and the bustle of the city fades into the distance. 

Another thing to do would be to visit the local flea markets to discover the multi-ethnic spirit of Amsterdam. The most famous is the Albert Cuypmarkt, a large general market that snakes through the heart of Pijp. It offers a great insight into Dutch life, selling everything from smoked eel to Surinamese sherbets. Neighbourhoods have their own markets: the Dappermarkt in Oost and the Lindenmarkt in Jordaan are the most authentic. Also in the Jordaan, the Noordermarkt sells organic farmers' produce on Saturdays and hosts an antiques fair on Mondays – which is less touristy than the big, bustling bazaar of the Waterlooplein flea market.

You can take a canal cruise to see the sights

Of course, there are many tours that can be arranged, the best being walking tours which will give you a chance to orientate yourself to the city.  Take a canal cruise to explore Amsterdam's historic canals by boat. It's the perfect way to enjoy a romantic dinner or simply relax and sightsee. A bike tour is a good way to see the sites of the city. You can also discover the city by scooter or Segway.

Example of work by
The London Police

There are many more museums to visit.  It is a city full of museums and art.  You can also see art without visiting a museum.  Amsterdam has an active street art scene. Every corner of town is a place to discover images of all shapes and sizes, from freehand graffiti to stencils, sculptures and stickers.  Many urban galleries have picked up on the street art scene, including Go Gallery on the stately Prinsengracht, which sells works by The London Police (2 guys who have drawn bubble-headed cartoons all over the walls of Amsterdam) a stone's throw from a giant wall-side example of their monochrome bubble-headed cartoons.

While in Amsterdam make sure you try there food.  One of the best things about travel - in my opinion - is trying the locale food.  It makes you feel more apart of the place.  There are many nice restaurants and cafes along the canals of Amsterdam.  Most cafés open in the morning and don't shut until 1am or 3am during weekends.  There are many traditional dishes to try.  Amsterdam is also famous for its Indonesian cuisine, which comes from the post-war years when the food was introduced by Indonesian immigrants.  Try the rijsttafel (rice table), an extravaganza of veggie, fish, and meat, served in small but mouth-watering portions.

And don't forget the street food.  I love trying foods in other countries that you can pick up at little places on the streets of the city you are visiting.  These foods really represent the culture of the destination.  In Amsterdam the favorite street foods are:


Poffertjes

•  Poffertjes are small, fluffy pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour. These tasty treats are prepared using a special pan with several shallow indentations in the bottom to hold the batter and make perfectly puffed small pancakes. Poffertjes are typically served topped with powdered sugar and butter.
• Bitterballen are deep-fried snacks that are ubiquitous in cafes and bars all over the Netherlands. These savory orbs are battered in a crunchy breadcrumb coating and filled with a gooey mixture of chopped beef, beef broth, flour, butter, herbs and spices. They are typically served with mustard for dipping.
• stroopwafel (syrup waffle)  is a chewy cookie.  It was first made in the town of Gouda in the Netherlands during the 18th century. In fact, until 1870 stroopwafels were made only in Gouda and there were about 100 bakeries selling these treats in that city alone. 
• Hollandse nieuwe haring should be tried at least once. The raw herring fish is typically served with chopped onions, and can be eaten with or without bread.

Once you have seen the sights of Amsterdam, you might consider hopping on a train and going to one of the oldest theme parks in the world.  It is just a little over an hour away by train and would be something you could do in one day.   This would be a fun destination for you if you have children with you.

The Ride - The Python
at Efteling Theme Park

Efteling is located in the town of Kaatsheuvel, in the municipality of Loon op Zand. This theme park is one of a kind. Once you arrive you will feel as if you have been transported to different world. The park offers a harmonious mix of fairy tales, folk tales and legends, spectacular attractions and rides, excellent restaurants, breathtaking scenery and enchanting venues. 

There is lots to do at Efteling.  There is a water show, a carnavel attraction where you learn about carnavels in 15 different coutnries including their costumes and music, there is a maze you can get lost in, and some high-speed rides such as Joris which is a double wooden roller coaster where 2 coasters (dragons) fight each other - it almost seems as if they will crash into each other but they don't, or the high speed bobsled down an icy mountain.  There is also the Flying Dutchman ride where you are sure to get wet, and you can visit Raveleijn which is a magical city which tells the adventure of five children who become knights.

Keukenhof Gardens

Amsterdam is a few hours away from the charming Dutch countryside. You could take a trip to see the Zaanse Schans windmills, the fishing village of Volendam, the miniature park of Madurodam, Alkmaar cheese market, or the famous Keukenhof Gardens, where there are over 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths to see.  All of these day trips would be possible to arrange through a local tour company, or you could rent a car and see them on your own.

I know I plan to do quite a few of the things above when we visit, and I am looking forward to seeing this city. 

 

Destination - San Antonio, Texas

“If I owned Texas and Hell, I would rent out Texas and live in Hell”

Philip Henry Sheridan

 

San Antonio at night

For my city destination series I have mostly stuck to places I have actually visited.  But I am running out of those, at least here in the states, so now I am starting to do ones of places I would like to visit. 

I'm not a big fan of Texas in general.  I've driven across the middle of it, and for one thing, it took forever, and then there was the scenery - or what I felt was the lack of scenery.  It was hot, and dry and all the same, and went on for what seemed like days.  And then there is the political views being expressed in Texas today, and their lovely governor, Rick Perry.  Not to my taste.  But I have always heard that there is one saving grace to Texas, and that is San Antonio.  I've also heard that Austin, which is nearby, is also nice.  So I actually have San Antonio on my list of places that I would someday be interested in visiting.  The rest of Texas I'm not so sure about.

Everyone knows that the Alamo is in San Antonio, and probably most people know about the River Walk area, which San Antonio is famous for.  But what else is there to do in San Antonio?  I will start my things to do list with the two obvious places, but we will explore from there to find out what else there is to see and do.

The Alamo- aka Mission San Antonio de Valero

The Alamo, originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is a former Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound and was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.  The mission was one of five missions established along the San Antonio River.  It was established in 1718, and had been closed for many years before the battle of the Alamo, which took place during the Texas Revolution, and became a symbol for  courage and sacrifice in the name of liberty.  "Remember the Alamo" became the cry for justice.

 For 13 days in 1836, close to 200 Texas defenders held the Alamo from over one thousand of General Santa Anna's troops from Mexico. The most famous of the defenders, William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett, died fighting overwhelming odds for freedom.  There is an IMAX movie which you can watch, which shows an accurate accounting of what happened.
Over 2.5 million people visit the Alamo yearly.  It is located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio.  Three buildings - the Shrine, Long Barrack Museum and Gift Museum - house exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas History. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens.   The Alamo is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their hours are 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on Sunday. To better serve visitors, the Alamo will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays until 7 P.M. during the months of June, July and August. 
        

Admission to the Alamo is free.  The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Inc. (DRT) receives no monetary help from local, state or federal government and depend solely upon money from sales in the Alamo Gift Museum, donations from individuals and private foundation grants to fund its educational programming and general operation.

The River Walk is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of Downtown San Antonio.  It is a public park which is open 365 days a year to the public, and is lined with restaurants, hotels and shops.  There are special events held along the River Walk every month.

River Walk area of San Antonio

One of the favorite thing for tourists to do, is to take a boat ride on the San Antonio River, which you get from the River Walk area.   They are exclusively offered by Rio Cruises. The company offers daily tours of the San Antonio River. The tours are narrated by experienced guides who regale visitors with anecdotes and historical trivia about the river and the quest to build a River Walk.  The boat tours are conducted in open-face boats that seat up to about 40 passengers. Tours depart daily from three different River Walk locations: Historia (under the Market Street Bridge and Alamo Street; Clearwater (at the Rivercenter Mall on the corner of Commerce and Bowie streets); and the Aztec Theater (at Crockett and St. Mary's streets). Cruises last from 35 to 40 minutes and take in 2.5 miles of river. They run daily from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. -15 to 20 minutes apart. Admission is $8.25 per person. Senior citizens (60 and older) and active military pay $6; children under 5 are $2.

Rio Cruises also offers water taxi service along the San Antonio River. Water taxis stop at 39 locations along the River Walk, and drivers have tickets on board for purchase at any one of these stops. Taxi service is available daily from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m.; one-way tickets are $5, 24-hour passes are $10 and three-day passes are $25.

Other things to do while in San Antonio:
 
The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower/restaurant on the southeastern fringe of Downtown San Antonio.  Located in downtown San Antonio, the Tower of the Americas provides guests with the most spectacular view of the city.   Enjoy the gorgeous panorama from the Tower's revolving restarant while having dinner at the Chart House Restaurant, or take in the scenery from the Observation Deck where you can also experience the thrilling 4D Theater Ride "Skies over Texas."  You can also learn about the history of the six flags that once flew over Texas from captivating murals that line the walls. There is also a café on the Observation Deck level.

Tower of the Ameicas

Ticket includes unlimited access to Observation Deck, Flags Over Texas & the 4D Theater Ride!  There are extra charges for parking.
Adults: $10.95
Seniors & Military: $9.95
Children 4 - 12 years: $8.95
Children 3 years & under: Free

Witte Museum

The Witte Museum, is located adjacent to Brackenridge Park in Midtown San Antonio, on the banks of the San Antonio River. It is dedicated to natural history, science and South Texas heritage. The permanent collection features historic artifacts and photographs, Texas art, textiles, the world-renowned Hertzberg Circus Collection, cave drawings, Texas wildlife dioramas and the four-story H-E-B Science Treehouse; in addition to nationally acclaimed traveling exhibits.

H-E-B Science Tree-house

Located on the museum grounds overlooking the San Antonio River, the H-E-B Science Tree-house encompasses 15,000 square-feet and four-floors of hands-on science exhibits for all ages. A two-level little tree-house, crafted by artist Carlos Cortez, also overlooks the river and is connected to the main Tree-house building by elevated walkways.

The current exhibit at the Witte is on dinosaurs, the most fascinating creatures to have roamed the earth.  Experience the world’s largest and most advanced life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, complete skeletons, fossils, hands-on inter-actives, a paleontological dig site where visitors can unearth fossils as well as the opportunity to explore the most current scientific findings. Created with electronics instead of hydraulics, the animatronic models capture some of the most life-like motions ever created.  General admission does not cover this event, there is an additional charge.

The Witte Museum is open year-round except for the third Monday in October, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The general admission price includes the exhibits in the main building, the Witte Backyard and the H-E-B Science Tree-house. Please note that some special exhibits may have an additional fee or surcharge. Admission is free on Tuesdays from 3 pm until 8 pm, because of this Tuesday afternoons can be quite crowded.  Admission is - Adults (12-64) $10, Seniors and Active Duty Military are $9, children (ages 4-11) - $7, and ages 3 and younger - FREE.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

There are many other things you can do while in San Antonio.  You can take in a play at the Majestic Theatre.  The Majestic is a beautiful old theatre that shows Broadway road shows.  You could visit the San Antonio Botanical Gardens which has 38 acres in the center of the city, dedicated to plants. While there you could enjoy lunch in the bistro which is located in the Sullivan Carriage House which was reassembled on the grounds of the garden, brick by brick. 

Or you could visit Sea World or Six Flags Fiesta Texas both of which are in San Antonio.  We have a Sea World here in San Diego, and it is basically the same as the one in San Antonio.  It is always a fun day to visit, and if you are traveling with kids then it would certainly be a fun thing for them to do.  As for Six Flags Fiesta - it is full of wild rides for all ages as well as a water park. 

State Capital Building in Austin

Another thing you could do if you have time, is to take a side trip to Austin, the capital of Texas.  It is an 80 mile drive to get to Austin.  It would certainly be a nice one day trip, and you could be back in your hotel in San Antonio that night.  There are city tours of Austin that you could book, which would show you the sights of the city in a short time.  There is Zilker Park in the center of the city, which is 350 acres, and on the southeasten edge of the city is McKinney Falls State Park.  You could also visit the capital building.  Even though I am not a fan of Texas politics or its governor, the building is quite pretty, as are most capital buildings in the country.  The LBJ Presidential Library is also in Austin, and there is a lake named after Lady Bird Johnson. 

Whatever you decide to do while visiting the San Antonio area, have fun, and relax by the River Walk and watch the boats go by.  I've heard there are some good restaurants in that area, as well as some nice shops, which are always fun to check out. 

**photos taken from the internet, since I have not yet visited this city.

Destination - Philadelphia

"It is a handsome city, but distractingly regular.  After walking about it for an hour or two, I felt that I would have given the world for a crooked street.  The collar of my coat appeared to stiffen and the brim of my hat to expand, beneath its Quakerly influence."

Charles Dickens

 

Philadelphia

Betsy Ross' house

It has been over 20 years since I visited Philadelphia.  So I had to do a bit of research in order to give you information about what there is to see and do in the city.  As it was, I only spent one day in the city.  I was working for a credit union at the time, and was doing employee training.  The credit union had just hired a new employee for its one person branch in Hagerstown, Maryland, and sent me there to train her.  I was there for 2 weeks.  On the first Saturday that I was there I decided to drive up to Philadelphia and see the sights.  It was a bit of a drive, but since I had never been there I enjoyed my day of sightseeing.  I did not get back to my hotel in Maryland till around midnight, partly because I got very lost, trying to exit the city.

The main things I did that day were to visit the best known sights of the city.  I remember I paid to take a walking tour called "Walking in Franklin's Footsteps," which took me to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' house and to the Christ Church cemetery where Benjamin Franklin, and several other signers of the constitution, are buried.  We all threw a penny on Franklin's grave - it has become a tradition to do this, because of his saying "a penny earned, is a penny saved."

Franklin's Grave

The Walk in Franklin's Footstep Tour is still available to do, and I thought it was an interesting way to see the most famous of the sights of the city, which tells about how our country started.  This guided walking tour retraces the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin and his fellow patriots during the founding of our nation.  Highlights include Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Carprenters' Hall (where the Continental Congress met to discuss its grievances with England.)  Along the way, you will see Christ Church, the Betsy Ross House - where the flag was made, and the Christ Church Burial Ground which is the final resting place of Franklin and many historic leaders.  Each tour is approximatley 75 minutes long, and they are available November through April, weather permitting, and daily May through October.

There are many other city tours available, including bus tours where you can hop on and off all day.  Those are nice because they tell you what you are seeing, and they save on walking.  There are also carriage tours, and tours on the trolley - which is an open air Victorian-style trolley, which has 20 stops throughout the city and is also hop on and off.  And there are some nighttime tours available.

If you are doing the city on your own and not taking a tour then the following are the main sights to see while visiting the city:

Independence Hall
Considered by many to be the birthplace of the United States itself, this red-brick Georgian-style building is where the Second Congressional Congress met off and on from 1775 to 1783. More importantly, it was
here that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, drafted and signed by our forefathers. While touring Independence Hall, you'll have the chance to see the Assembly Room where George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army.  You can also see surviving copies of the declaration, the Constitution and the Articles of Confederation, all displayed in the West Wing's Great Essentials Exhibit.  From March through December, you must obtain a ticket for a tour to visit Independence Hall (tickets are free, but there is a $1.50 ticket-handling fee).  You don't need a ticket to visit in January and February, but you must join a guided tour.  Independence Hall is open daily with tours beginning at 9 a.m. Generally, the final tour is given around 5 p.m. although they often continue later in the summer.

Liberty Bell Center
Now residing in a huge glass gazebo, this 2,080 pound piece of history was mounted in the belfry of Independence Hall.  It was used to mark important historic events, most notably at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Its chimes were last heard in 1846 for George Washington's birthday.  It was around that time that the bell's famous crack was formed, rendering it unusable.  The bell is on display, with Independence Hall in the background.  The center is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. although hours may vary depending on the season.  Admission is free.  A video presentation and exhibits trace the bell’s history from its debut at the Pennsylvania State House to its use as a symbol of freedom by abolitionists, and the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements.

National Constitution Center
Located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, this nonprofit, nonpartisan institution invites visitors to immerse themselves in the Constitution, its history and its ongoing significance. Visitors will be dazzled by "The Story of We the People", an exhibit with more than 100 multimedia elements, and by Signers’ Hall, where they can walk among 43 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers who were present the day the Constitution was signed.

Christ Church Burial Ground

This cemetery is one of America’s most interesting Colonial and Revolution-era graveyards, with 1,400 markers on two beautiful acres right in the heart of historic Philadelphia. The Burial Ground is the final resting place of some of our most prominent leaders including Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Burial Ground is open March-Nov. (weather permitting). Hours are: Monday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4.  Don't forget to throw a penny on Franklin's grave, its a Philadelphia tradition.

The Franklin Institute
Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the institute is one of the country's best science museums.  It houses exhibits ranging from the world's largest artificial heart (a walk-through mega pump that would be of accurate size for a 220 foot tall person) to a massive Baldwin 6000 steam locomotive.  It also has a planetarium which highlights our skies and the universe beyond.

Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest art museum in the country, and a must-see on the list of things to do in the city.  It sits majestically on a rise at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and reminds one of the Parthenon. The vast collections of art include holdings in Renaissance, American, Impressionist and Modern art.  Upstairs, breathe in other cultures and times through over 80 period rooms, from the medieval cloister to the Indian temple.

Reading Terminal Market

When it comes to satisfying your appetite in Philly, you can only eat so many cheese steaks. So when lunchtime rolls around, head to the Reading Terminal Market in the Market East District. This market is located beneath the Reading Railroad's 1891 train shed and harbors almost 100 different vendors. Here, you can sample food from around the world -- including Greek, Thai, Mexican and Indian specialties -- while perusing homemade crafts and jewelry. While there is a central dining area, many of the food stalls also have their own seating.  The Reading Terminal Market is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Love Park (John F. Kennedy Plaza)

After lunch, go relax and do some people-watching in Love Park.  Located across from City Hall, this urban plaza is a welcoming oasis for Center City workers on lunch breaks, families drawn by the soothing sounds of the large fountain, and even a few skateboarders willing to flout city law. The park takes its nickname from the iconic Robert Indiana Pop art sculpture found there.

Please Touch Museum
If you are visiting the city with children, then this is a must see museum.  Many say this children's museum is one of the best in the country.  If offers dozens of hands-on displays, related to everything from fine arts to construction zones.  You and the kids can travel to Wonderland with Alice, practice your reading skills in the Story Castle and hone your science skills in the lab.  There are daily arts and crafts projects, and a café on the premises (with healthy snacks that your kids will love).  It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is $15 per person.

Chinatown
Philadelphia’s Chinatown is one of many Chinatowns in the United States, with culture and history, and it is certainly worth stopping by and seeing this area. You can visit some of the most historical and important buildings to the Chinese community, look at brilliant and breathtaking art and sculptures done by Chinese artisans, or take a stroll through the streets while window shopping and people-watching. There are wonderful shops to explore, as well as some great restaurants to get some Chinese food.

There are of course many other things to see in the city.  There are many more museums.  You can visit the oldest zoo in the country, or take in a play at the Walnut Street Theatre which is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States.  You could hang out in Franklin Square where legend has it Franklin conducted his famous "kite and key" experiment in 1752 and has a statue commemorating the event.  Or you could take a walk through the Morris Arboretum on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania.

Philly Cheesesteak

Of course, there are many great places to eat while in Philly, but they are probably most famous for their Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, so while there, you just have to try one.  Two of the most famous places to go are - Pat's King of Steaks (which claims to be the home of the original cheesesteak), and just across the street is Geno's which gives Pat's heavy competition.  Both are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Whatever you decide to do while visiting this city, relax and enjoy the atmosphere, and remember that this is the birthplace of our country.