My very good old friend for over 47 years Mr. Peter Gloystein arranged a triple birthday fest in beautiful and romantic Venice. Mrs. Marita Vossmeyer , a Finnish/ German lady and me on 24th, and Peter on 25th. We had a great Dinner Party at Bauer Hotel, drinks at Harry's Bar and nicht caps until very early morning at the Hotel bar, opened late just for us. We were 62 persons, all ages from 13 countries, majority from Germany. With Marita and Peter and their families I knew about 20 of guests from the past, but got also many new friends, especially a German lady Mrs. Brigitte Schmid, with whom I spent a lot of time. I also was very delighted that my younger son Tomas could join the party. Peter took care of all the party costs, I wonder if he ever tells me the total amount.
On my birthday the weather was absolutely beautiful and sunny, and I enjoyed the traffic on Grand Canal sipping wine on a terrace before the party beginn. Lovely trip of 4 days, even with troubles to get back to Helsinki on 26th.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
A Yangtze-River cruise from Shanghai to ChongQing Sept.22.- Oct.4. 2015
We a group of 22 had a direct night flight from Helsinki to Shanghai, where we stayed for two days.
I have there my favourite bars and night clubs, which I naturally did introduce to my very good friend for 47years, Mr. Seppo Panhelainen, whom I had over-spoken to participate this trip.
I did have a short romantic time with a nice Chinese song bird but that was all except that she did sing for me all the evening.
Shanghai means "On the Sea" and is also named "Paris of the East" and "Pearl of the Orient" has a great history with international business and banking center before WW2. This can still be seen trough Victorian late-19th century architecture but also today's Chinese supermodern architecture.
This puzzling city is a must to any world -traveller.
On the 4th day we boarded on "Victoria Sophia", our home for next 9 days. The ship had maybe 120 passengers, our Finnish group was the biggest, then people from Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Germany etc. plus 2 Chinese couples.
We immediately found out that Chinese cooking on board was very good , and the young personal very friendly , especially the pretty waitresses at The Yangtze Club on deck 5, where Seppo and I spent most of our free time, and became good friends with those girls, aged 18 - 22. They did remember our first names from the beginning of the cruise, and hugged us warmly when leaving the ship in ChongQing.
There was all kind of programs during the days when sailing but we two were most happy sipping the-daily-specials with 30% discount at the Club, where we could sceneries flowing by.
First stop in Yangzhou was interesting, a real old fashion Chinese city, where time had stopped 200 years ago. This charming city was known already 2500 years ago as a trading center and for it's artists for centuries. It's claimed that Marco Polo was serving here 5 years theYuan dynasty under Kublai Khan in 1280's. We visited a Marco Polo Memorial and Museum.
We also stopped in Wuhan, a modern university city but did not have time to explore the city better except a tiny museum. Here Mao had his Summer place and he crossed the river Yangtze swimming a mile or so, is told.
The Three Gorges Dam Project on the 9th day is the largest water conservancy project ever done by man. It was fully completed in 2009 after 6 years hard work. The Dam is 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 130 meters wide at the bottom and 18 meters wide at the top. The place with its surroundings was absolutely impressive, but also very beautiful with many gardens and flowers.
During next days we cruised trough most gorgeous and magnificent landscapes, spectacular mountains up to 2000 meters, they rise steeply to the skies on the both side of river banks. Here we saw first time clear blue sky up above with real shining sun. Until this, days had been smoggy or foggy or both.
On 12th day we arrive to ChongQing, leave the ship and visit right away the Zoo famous for it's Pandas. I saw 3 of them, but it is not quaranteed, that you'll see any.
This huge city 33millions people is the biggest in the world but quite uninteresting, with it's non -English-speaking-people. Not even in 5 star hotel. Goodbye China!
I have there my favourite bars and night clubs, which I naturally did introduce to my very good friend for 47years, Mr. Seppo Panhelainen, whom I had over-spoken to participate this trip.
I did have a short romantic time with a nice Chinese song bird but that was all except that she did sing for me all the evening.
Shanghai means "On the Sea" and is also named "Paris of the East" and "Pearl of the Orient" has a great history with international business and banking center before WW2. This can still be seen trough Victorian late-19th century architecture but also today's Chinese supermodern architecture.
This puzzling city is a must to any world -traveller.
On the 4th day we boarded on "Victoria Sophia", our home for next 9 days. The ship had maybe 120 passengers, our Finnish group was the biggest, then people from Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Germany etc. plus 2 Chinese couples.
We immediately found out that Chinese cooking on board was very good , and the young personal very friendly , especially the pretty waitresses at The Yangtze Club on deck 5, where Seppo and I spent most of our free time, and became good friends with those girls, aged 18 - 22. They did remember our first names from the beginning of the cruise, and hugged us warmly when leaving the ship in ChongQing.
There was all kind of programs during the days when sailing but we two were most happy sipping the-daily-specials with 30% discount at the Club, where we could sceneries flowing by.
First stop in Yangzhou was interesting, a real old fashion Chinese city, where time had stopped 200 years ago. This charming city was known already 2500 years ago as a trading center and for it's artists for centuries. It's claimed that Marco Polo was serving here 5 years theYuan dynasty under Kublai Khan in 1280's. We visited a Marco Polo Memorial and Museum.
We also stopped in Wuhan, a modern university city but did not have time to explore the city better except a tiny museum. Here Mao had his Summer place and he crossed the river Yangtze swimming a mile or so, is told.
The Three Gorges Dam Project on the 9th day is the largest water conservancy project ever done by man. It was fully completed in 2009 after 6 years hard work. The Dam is 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 130 meters wide at the bottom and 18 meters wide at the top. The place with its surroundings was absolutely impressive, but also very beautiful with many gardens and flowers.
During next days we cruised trough most gorgeous and magnificent landscapes, spectacular mountains up to 2000 meters, they rise steeply to the skies on the both side of river banks. Here we saw first time clear blue sky up above with real shining sun. Until this, days had been smoggy or foggy or both.
On 12th day we arrive to ChongQing, leave the ship and visit right away the Zoo famous for it's Pandas. I saw 3 of them, but it is not quaranteed, that you'll see any.
This huge city 33millions people is the biggest in the world but quite uninteresting, with it's non -English-speaking-people. Not even in 5 star hotel. Goodbye China!
Monday, September 21, 2015
Croatian islands 22.-29.8
After 3 hours flight from Helsinki to Split, Croatia, we a group of 22 arrived to our home for next 7 nights, a 37 meters long small cruiser. After a good lunch on board we left to Makarska, one very popular and lively tourist spot to overnight there. Following morning after breakfast we sailed to Mljet National park, and we did stay there until next morning, when we continued to Dubrovnik .
I have been in this interesting city many times and I knew where to go. In the old town on a tiny street I found a nice and friendly wine bar with good selection of local reds. I had an interesting talk with the young waiter, and with the bill he gave me a present, a black T-shirt with essential Dionisos - emblem at the back side of the shirt, the name of the bar. It was my size, and I like it very much as I like Croatian people generally but their gorgeous women especially. Next afternoon we were already at Korcula island, which suppose to be the birth place of Marco Polo. The medieval Korcula town is very exciting and pretty. Also here I knew my old routes and did not join the group excursions even we had a charming guide. I almost never take part anywhere in group excursions. I just like to explore places and things by myself. A day later we were on Hvar island known as a resort of many royal families and international celebrities. I enjoyed there a dozen of very fresh oysters with a bottle of local rose'. On the seventh day then we had a beach holiday in Bol at the southern part of the island of Brac. We had however stopped everyday somewhere for an hour or so for swimming in beautiful surroundings. The water was everywhere crystal clear and some 26c. warm. The last evening we spent in Split, from where we flew next morning back home.
This trip was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable. The food, that is the breakfast and lunch + one captains dinner on board was generally very good. All days were just sunny , but as cruising there always was a nice breeze, and not too hot even the air temperature was 28-30 c.
I warmly can recommend this journey to anybody.
I have been in this interesting city many times and I knew where to go. In the old town on a tiny street I found a nice and friendly wine bar with good selection of local reds. I had an interesting talk with the young waiter, and with the bill he gave me a present, a black T-shirt with essential Dionisos - emblem at the back side of the shirt, the name of the bar. It was my size, and I like it very much as I like Croatian people generally but their gorgeous women especially. Next afternoon we were already at Korcula island, which suppose to be the birth place of Marco Polo. The medieval Korcula town is very exciting and pretty. Also here I knew my old routes and did not join the group excursions even we had a charming guide. I almost never take part anywhere in group excursions. I just like to explore places and things by myself. A day later we were on Hvar island known as a resort of many royal families and international celebrities. I enjoyed there a dozen of very fresh oysters with a bottle of local rose'. On the seventh day then we had a beach holiday in Bol at the southern part of the island of Brac. We had however stopped everyday somewhere for an hour or so for swimming in beautiful surroundings. The water was everywhere crystal clear and some 26c. warm. The last evening we spent in Split, from where we flew next morning back home.
This trip was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable. The food, that is the breakfast and lunch + one captains dinner on board was generally very good. All days were just sunny , but as cruising there always was a nice breeze, and not too hot even the air temperature was 28-30 c.
I warmly can recommend this journey to anybody.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Aegean Sea Cruise on 22.6 -3.7.2015
I flew on June 21. to Istanbul to start next day an 11 nights cruise with "Rhapsody of the Seas" owned by Royal Caribbean. There is nothing very special to report of the ports. I knew them all from my previous visits. In Kusadasi / Turkey, two shop owners did remember me, and of course I did buy some shirts with "Very Special" price as an old friend. In next ports Bodrum / Turkey and Rhodes, Santorini /Greece I did concentrate to visit nice bars for good local wines. In Piraeus I did not even bother to leave the ship because I do consider Piraeus as a boring city, and in Athens I only am interested in the night life at Plaka, and we had to be back onboard at 17.00. In Mykonos ( my favorite place) I was strolling around and looking unsuccessfully for the pelicans, with some stops for a glass or two.
The next day in Chania / Crete / Greece my program was very similar to previous days. We then had a day and night at sea in the sun shine and moon light, on the way back to Istanbul.
The life onboard was fun and I got some friends especially from both Irelands. I shall always remember a wonderful Belfast beauty Rachel, 22 for her friendship.
The next day in Chania / Crete / Greece my program was very similar to previous days. We then had a day and night at sea in the sun shine and moon light, on the way back to Istanbul.
The life onboard was fun and I got some friends especially from both Irelands. I shall always remember a wonderful Belfast beauty Rachel, 22 for her friendship.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
ALBANIA, MACEDONIA and KOSOVO , May 11. -17.
Very interesting round trip with a group of 20 by bus. Even those people in these poorest countries of Europe were very friendly but proud. Beggars I did not see many. Landscapes were very beautiful with snowy mountains over 2000 meters high and partly idyllic villages or towns from medieval times.
There were strange things to see like those tiny round bunkers all over in Albania, more than 700 000 all together. The former Albanian dictator Mr. Enver Hoxha used to see enemies allover, Sovjetunion, Yugoslavia, Rumania, Italy, Greece, Turkey and USA. Now the Albanians are great friends of Americans, and NATO- members since 2008. In a small town of Fier you could find in a park a statue of Mr. George W. Bush !
In Macedonia on third day we overnighted in a very beautiful city of Ohrid at the lake Ohrid , which lake is one of the oldest in the world, and famous tourist destination for the locals in Summer. The late Yugoslavian leader Tito used to have his Summer palace here.
We then continued to the capital of Skopje, which was over 80% destroyed by a terrible earth quake, killing over 1000 people in 1963.
In Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, we found the statue of Mr. Bill Clinton and a huge wall painting of him. It was our next stop to overnight, but not at all so charming place as Prizren, where we stayed for few hours on a way back to Albania. Back in Tirana, in the same 5star Hotel Rogner, where we had spent our first night already. It was nicely situated near city's night bar and disco areas in former "forbidden zone" during Hoxha's regime.
During the trip we enjoyed good food and nice wine with very inexpensive prices. Astonishing beautiful weather during whole week with different experiences made my stay unforgettable.
There were strange things to see like those tiny round bunkers all over in Albania, more than 700 000 all together. The former Albanian dictator Mr. Enver Hoxha used to see enemies allover, Sovjetunion, Yugoslavia, Rumania, Italy, Greece, Turkey and USA. Now the Albanians are great friends of Americans, and NATO- members since 2008. In a small town of Fier you could find in a park a statue of Mr. George W. Bush !
In Macedonia on third day we overnighted in a very beautiful city of Ohrid at the lake Ohrid , which lake is one of the oldest in the world, and famous tourist destination for the locals in Summer. The late Yugoslavian leader Tito used to have his Summer palace here.
We then continued to the capital of Skopje, which was over 80% destroyed by a terrible earth quake, killing over 1000 people in 1963.
In Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, we found the statue of Mr. Bill Clinton and a huge wall painting of him. It was our next stop to overnight, but not at all so charming place as Prizren, where we stayed for few hours on a way back to Albania. Back in Tirana, in the same 5star Hotel Rogner, where we had spent our first night already. It was nicely situated near city's night bar and disco areas in former "forbidden zone" during Hoxha's regime.
During the trip we enjoyed good food and nice wine with very inexpensive prices. Astonishing beautiful weather during whole week with different experiences made my stay unforgettable.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Capadocia / Turkey March 10.-17.2015
There was a very inexpensive offer to fly to Antalya and to continue to central Turkey, to Capadocia by bus tour. I decided to participate and could convince an old good friend Mr Seppo Panhelainen to join the trip. Our group around 40 persons did spend the first and the last days in a couple of 4-5 Star hotels on the Antalyan cost enjoying the Spring sun in the terraces. On the second day we crossed the surrounding snowy Taurus-mountains in over 1800 meters height and could see most fantastic views before arriving to Konya (ancient Christian colony of Ikonion). We then continued to Capadocia where we stayed for three nights, having every day different programs visiting ancient underground cities , cave churches and homes carved into those strange rocks and pylons in Göreme (Unesco's World Heritage Site). The most exciting experience however was an one-hour-flight with a hot-air balloon early in the morning, up to one kilometer over these magnificent landscapes. To fly there up and down with some 90 other colorful balloons was a remembrance for lifetime .
At last the trip was not so cheap. I bought a beautiful leather Winter jacket and a great Turkish carpet 2x3m. But I am happy and satisfied.
At last the trip was not so cheap. I bought a beautiful leather Winter jacket and a great Turkish carpet 2x3m. But I am happy and satisfied.
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