Fantasyland

The first place to visit in Disneyland with kids of 6 and 7 is Fantasyland. All of the Disney classics are represented here: Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Snow White etc. 

It is also where the rides are not so 'thrilling' so a good "land" to start. There were big crowds, and we had to endure long queues (45-60 minutes), but that's Disneyland! The boys were really patient. Pinocchio and Snow White rides seemed confused in their stories, and they were really a bit baffling. Peter Pan was great, everyone's favourite so far- but the biggest queues. 

 

We did the Alice in Wonderland maze (good fun), 'It's a small world' (someone's idea of torture to have Munchkins singing the same thing over and over whilst you are stuck in a boat) and Nicole and the boys did the Tea Cups. Phil is not a big fan of rides that just go around and around. The boys liked the 'Dumbo the flying elephant' ride. 

 

The Opera House painted on the wall as you leave "It's a Small World"

We had dinner in the park at a buffet-style restaurant, very good quality but Disney prices.  The continued our experience until about 8.00. After this, we walked back to the hotel (about 1.5km), checked in, and collapsed into bed!

Disneyland Paris

It is very hard to get used to these European school terms. 3 terms for the school year, and half way through each term, there is "half term holidays" for a week. I think the longest they are at school before a break is about 6 weeks. I don't know how families where both parents work manage this? We have about 4 more weeks of holidays here than we would in Australia.

This half term we decided to take the kids to Disneyland Paris. We have been promising the kids that we would go there once they were old enough. After some research on the internet, we thought once Cameron turned 6, he would be able to go on most of the rides. 

About 6 weeks before we left for Disneyland, I did my homework. I checked the website for the park, and wrote down all the rides and which movies they related to. Thankfully my friends Chantal, Sonia and Michelle came to the rescue and let us borrow their Disney dvd's and story books that we didn't have. We got the kids to watch Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, The Lady and the Tramp, Aristocrats, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan and so many more before we headed off to Paris. We had lots of the "modern" dvd's, like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, but none of the "classics" This proved to be really helpful, as we went through the different rides, the kids knew the characters and the story lines of each story. It made the rides more relevant, and they were able to point out a lot of the characters.  I was really pleased that the hard work before the trip paid off.

The Disney hotel we stayed at was called Sequoia Lodge.. For anyone interested in Trivia Nights, here is a fact Alexander worked out himself . 

"Mum, the word Sequoia has every vowel in it" 

The hotel was quite nice, and it's themed as the Wild West. It was very comfortable. At breakfast each morning a couple of different characters would wander over to each table for photos.This is where we got to meet Eeyore, Goofy and Pluto. 

Sometimes you have to get the boys to pull a silly face, before they sit still for a "nice" photo!Thank goodness for digital cameras, and I don't have to pay money to have these silly pictures developed. just hit that delete button! :)

 

Here is a photo of Phil and the kids outside the front of Disneyland. Mickey Mouse is made of shrubs and bushes of different colours. Unfortunately the very front of the building of the main Disney hotel was under renovations, hence the lovely grey fabric over 2 sections of the hotel.  

No Muggles in this house!

For 2 euros, the kids can dress up in Halloween clothes at school today. This is how our blond and brown

hair boys left for school today.

Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter.

Alexander's friend Emily is going as Hermoine, and Isaiah is going as Harry Potter.

Cameron's friend Jemimah is Hermoine and BJ is Harry Potter too.

They both wanted to be Harry!

The smell of fresh bread in the morning...

I got the bread machine out for the first time since we have been in Berlin. 

The local supermarket has bread mix suitable for the machine, so I have been buying this. 

I set the timer on the machine the night before, and at 6am, the bread is finished, and we wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread, and it is ready for school lunches.

Phil, Back to 'Normal'

Following our holiday in Australia, and plenty of visitors, we are now settling back to 'normal'. 

This is also happening on the work front. Since returning from Australia I have travelled to: 

Bad Saarow (outside Berlin) .

Romania: A quick trip with no time for anything but work. A brief late-night visit to the casino was enough to give me nicotine poisoning (I had the shakes and couldn't sleep). There was so much smoke it even drove a smoking colleague from Germany into giving up! 

Serbia: A really good trip, with a late afternoon dash to the local golf course. We played until we could see no more (but the sounds of our balls crashing into the trees in the rough carried all too well!). We only managed to get 7 holes completed, but I shot 40 for these, and hit 8 trees as well! Too bad we didn't finish at a decent time so we could at least get nine holes in, but that's the way it goes.

Turkey: Fast and furious! Two 11 hour days with dinner after, and a final day of 8 hours before rushing to the plane (if driving in Istanbul traffic can ever be considered rushing!) However, there is so much to do I think I will need to go back in January for a week.... Terrible weather - Rain, wind and cold. Great food - kebabs on the first night and seafood by the Bosporous on the second! 

In the coming weeks: Russia,, France Malaysia, Vietnam, Austria and possibly Finland.

 So, it's back to normal - or rather, back to absolute madness.

Gallery Hopping

Since the boys have gone back to school, I have decided to visit more art galleries 

Here are the galleries I have been to in the past 6 weeks. I let the mums from school know that I am going, and anyone is welcome to join me. 

Rembrandt:- Quest of a Genius 

I went to this one with Ann from school. The audio guide for this exhibition was brilliant! 

  

East German Museum 

The GDR ceased to exist 17 years ago.This museum shows everyday life in the GDR. It is an interactive museum, and was really interesting. Cotton was not widely available behind the wall, so most clothes were made from polyester. The clothes had an awful feel to them. I hate to think what it would be like to wear them every day, especially in Summer. I went to this museum with Sonia, Michelle, Jacqui and Wendy, it was a great insight to what life was like behind the wall. Note....lots of nude swimming in Summer! 

  

Art Forum The 11th ART FORUM BERLIN - showing contemporary art, fresh, energetic, full of quality - the best artists and their galleries from Berlin, Germany, Europe, the USA,Latin America, Asia and Australia. I went to this one alone.

Museum Berggruen Picasso – The Draftsman The Museum Berggruen is celebrating its tenth birthday with an exhibition of Pablo Picasso's drawings. Since the opening of the museum in 1996, this artist - who has shaped the visual concepts of the 20th century like no other - is the central focus of the presentation "Picasso and his Time" which 1.5 million visitors have already seen. None of the mums were interested in this one either. I am guessing they are not a fan of artwork after 1910.

Bike Riding & Squirrels

The weather has been great for bike riding.  Even the squirrels are out and about. Graeme managed to get this photo before he scuttled off again

We are seeing heaps of squirrels around as the chestnuts and acorns are all falling from the trees.

 

  

Granma and Grampa visit...

We have had Granma and Grampa come and go for the past 5 weeks. 

They were here for the first week of their holiday, Denmark for a week, back to Berlin or a week, England for a week, then back to Berlin again. In between this they have caught the train to Hamburg and Dresden for a quick tour. 

Here is Cameron watching Grampa fix the glider that Grampa gave him.

Cameron takes a break with Granma, from trying to catch butterflies with his net. 

Phil, Alexander and Granma outside our place. Before election day, all the parties were out handing out balloons, badges, and lollies. A walk to Theodore Heuss Platz meant the kids got heaps of freebies.

We know Berlin!

Last year the Charity committee at school organised a treasure hunt. We decided to play along, but it was really difficult. We had only been in Berlin for 2 months, very little German, and no real idea where anything was. Phil was away for work, the kids and I foolishly attempted it by ourselves. It was a bit of a disaster,and I don't think any of us had a good time, except for when we decided to give up and have chips and then icecream.

This year we were more prepared. We knew the public transport system much better, (we rely on public transport as we don't have a car here), we can speak and read the language, and know where landmarks, streets and buildings are! 

We  called our team the Woolloomooloo Wombats.  We chose it because if we did win a prize, it would be funny to see the principal try and say Woolloomooloo.  The boys thought that would be funny.

The boys were great at finding the things on our list, and we got back to school before anyone else. Of course that was not a true indication of how we went, as we had to wait until the answers were added up. 

 

When the other teams came in, and points were counted up, we had an award ceremony. Mrs Jackson (both kids Year 1 teacher) announced the awards. We won first place, and she pronounced Woolloomooloo perfectly.! The boys were thrilled! Our prize, a board game, Harry Potter DVD's, cinema vouchers, pens, chocolates and other goodies, even a couple of bottles of wine for the parents! 

WE had to either drawa a picture of some of the items, or take a photo.  Thsnk goodness for digital cameras. Below are some of our entries.

We found the eagle on the lamp post.

The East/West links on the Ku'damn

The World Cup Berlin Bear! This one was difficult for most teams, however, I found this during World Cup, so I knew exactly where to go.

Reichstrasse Fest

The Reichstrasse Festival happens twice a year. The street is closed from Theodore Heuss Platz, down to Neu Westend UBahn. A stage set up at each end, and one in the middle. 

There is lots of interesting bands and a lot of beer drinking. It as great to get something to eat from one of the stands, take a seat near the stageslisten to the,  music, and watch quite a bit of drunk dancing.  People watching is great!  

The highlight for the kids was the bungee jumping trampolines. 

Alexander was happy to jump up and down. Cameron tried to do more than 2 somersaults in a row. Number 3 was usually too difficult, and he would hit the trampoline head first, and laugh very loudly. He needed to speed up the first somersault. He says next time he will definitely succeed! 

Trampolining makes you thirsty for blue slushy drinks!

Sunday in Paris

We started the morning seeing the front of the Moulin Rouge. Sadly,no Ewan McGregor in sight. An interesting district of Paris, which I think might be more interesting in the evenings.

We wandered through Montemartre, and the Sacre-Coeur,(the white church). I loved the area, I would spend every weekend up there if I lived in Paris. The paintings were terrific and it had a great atmosphere.

 

  

Nathalie's train left in the afternoon, we sadly said good bye at the train station, then headed back to the hotel for a rest, ready for a fun evening.

The receptionist at the hotel tried to get tickets for Moulin Rouge on Sunday evening, but were all sold out. However he recommended another cabaret show, and we were able to get tickets for it, at half the price. The Paradis Latin Cabaret

The theatre was built in 1803 on orders from Napolean Bonaparte, then restored by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. A really lovely decorated building inside. The food was terrific, the wine was great, and an awesome show! We were really lucky, our table was right near the front. The seating was more spaced out that the Moulin Rouge, so we were happy we had the opportunity to see this show. After watching the show, and perhaps a bit too much wine, we were confident we could dancers too!

Back to Berlin on Monday morning. We had a fabulous weekend in Paris. 

Saturday in Paris, Let's walk

What a great day with our personal French tourist guides.  We wandered the streets of Paris, to Galleries Lafayette, Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, a boat cruise!

First, a boat tour down the River Seine, which was great. Lots of interesting buildings to see along the shores, with tons of information about the history of Paris. A good introduction to the city of Paris

Next, the Eiffel Tower. I was not keen on the long queues to wait to get to the top, but the four of us were able to talk and talk and laugh whilst we waited. This made the waiting time go a bit quicker. 

We went to the very top of the Eiffel Tower...a long way up. Exceptional views! Here I am with Sonia, Charlotte and Nathalie! 

We were a long way from Sydney.

We went to the Galleries Lafayette and was went to the observation platform to see some great views of the city. I lost my sense of smell in the perfume department, there were so many fragrances.

   

We had lunch at a great French restaurant. This was Nathalie and Sonia's dessert...they were very wobbly on those plates!I will leave it to your imagination on what we were discussing right at this moment.

A girls' weekend in Paris

Sonia and I left Berlin for a weekend in Paris. A good flight, but we could not identify the food served by Air France. We managed the train system really well, but not so good on the street directions to get to the hotel. The street signs in Paris were tricky to find and read, and I think I need to get my glasses rechecked. We eventually found the hotel A quick check in to put our bags in the room, then a 15 minute walk down to the Louvre! WOW.....fabulous. 

I saw the paintings I have only ever seen in my art books at school and university.  

Later that night, Charlotte (my French penfriend, living in England) and her friend Nathalie (French living in France) arrived. They quickly checked in to the same hotel, and we headed out to wander around Paris.

On our travels we wandered around the stores on the Champs- Elysees. We found the most amazing DVD and CD store, and lots more. Back at the hotel by 12.30am.

Singapore Sunflowers

On our way back to Berlin, with 4 kilos of Milo, 4 kilos of Vegemite and lots of other creature comforts. We were delayed in Singapore airport for 2 hours 

 

That meant we missed our connection to Berlin fromlook at while we were waiting in Frankfurt. We had to wait around for another 2 hours before the next flight to Berlin. Lucky these Sunflowers were so lovely in Singapore. There are always lots of interesting things to look at in the Singapore airport. Grateful we had the Nintendo games to keep us occupied in Frankfurt.

Rosie

Cameron's favourite dog. Rosie got her exercise this trip with Cameron chasing her, and Rosie chasing Cameron around Nana and Pa's house. 

Rosie will be relieved when we get back to Berlin, and she can have an undisturbed rest.

Phil -in South Africa

Unfortunately I had to leave Nicole and the boys in Australia, and head off to Singapore and South Africa for work. Both were great trips (business-wise) and also enjoyable from a personal perspective! 

In particular, I was fortunate that a colleague took me camping to the Vaal River, which is about 1.5 hours drive out of Jo'burg. It was the middle of winter, nights were freezing. I had bought some woolen longjohns in Australia and some suitable jackets, thankfully these kept me warm.  

It was really relaxing, the company was great and we had a Braai (BBQ in South African parlance!). It felt like camping back in Australia. We cruised on the river, had a few drinks, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Then it was back to Midrand for 5 very long, but worthwhile days of business, then back to Berlin to see the family again!

Eltham Mini Trains

Every Sunday, the Eltham Mini trains are open to the public. A great way to spend an afternoon.

A couple of train rides and then some football kicking in the park. 

 

Kelly, Ashton, Grace Alexander and Cameron 

Grace had a pony ride,Cameron wasn't interested, "ponies are for girls" he tells me! (Note to self....make sure all kids faces are clean, before trying to take photos) Sorry Grace!

Cameron's 6th birthday.

Cameron has many cakes when we come to Australia for the school holidays. Cakes with various relatives, and friends. 

When we get back to Berlin, we have promised to take him and his friends, ten pin bowling, and ice cream and more cake!

Hawthorn

Off to Nana's football club for their weekly dinner. Nana and Pa loved being able to show the boys to their friends. One of the players came to have a chat, Robert Campbell.  I had no idea who he was, but he was great with the kids, and the kids had no idea who he was either. . Mum's birthday is tomorrow and we had cake after dinner.