Business Trip

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0400

Perth, Australia

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:00:00 +0800

Paris, France

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:49:06 +0200

Paris, France

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:00:00 +0200

We watched the 8:15PM show.

Paris, France

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0200

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0200

Paris, France

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:55:38 +0200

Lisse, Netherlands

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0200

Rembrandt was born in Leiden, Holland. This painting is entitled, "Storm on the Sea of Galilee". It was painted in 1633 and is missing!

Kate, Just a few photos I took with my I-Phone. I will post more from my SLR camera when I have enough time to go through them. What is your favorite color?

Leiden, Netherlands

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:00:00 +0200

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0200

Florence, Italy

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0200

I was able to catch the 12:39PM train out of Venice. I rode in First Class to Florence. We got a free drink and free snack on the journey. But, the train had no free wi-fi service:( I arrived at the Florence (Firenze SMN) Train Station at 2:25PM. I debarked the train with my luggage and felt very peaceful. I was alone and had never been to Florence before! I walked down the train platform to the main walkway of the terminal. A black boy, I happened to see out of the corner of my eye was walking like he was out of it. I slowed down so I wouldn't run into him. Next, thing I know he had adjusted his speed so he could run into me. He touched my rear where my pocket was and said excuse me. That's when I realized he had made me a mark to try to pick pocket (I know that young boy didn't want to feel my butt for sheer pleasure!!!!) He got nothing because I had a purse with a long strap draped across my body and nothing in my pockets. Now, I know to be extra careful here when in crowds. I am careful when I travel alone anyway, but I will have my guard and my senses up extra while here:). After that little incident, I remained calm and peaceful and walked outside to the taxi rank. A female taxi driver immediately pulled up and took me to the NilHotel. It was a 10 minute drive from the train station. I checked in with no problem. The receptionist told me Walt would have to register tomorrow night when he gets in. I proceeded to my room, #532, and began planning my two days in Florence. At 8PM, I went down to the hotel restaurant to have supper. I decided on Tagliata di Manzo con Potate (Grilled Beef Sirloin with Potatoes), Insalata mista (Mixed Salad), still water, a glass of Chardonnay, and Torta al Cioccolato (Chocolate Cake). The reason I ate so late is because the restaurant didn't open for supper until 7:30PM. I forgot European people eat late! After supper, I went to the front desk to find out how and when to book the tours I want to book. Then, I headed back to my room where I looked up how to pick my suitcase lock and got my things ready for tomorrow's adventure:) I decided to do the Hop On, Hop Off Tour on Monday and the Morning Florence Guided City Tour on Tuesday. My maps are circled and ready to go for tomorrow and camera batteries are fully charged!! :) __________________________________________________________________

Mestre, Italy

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:00:00 +0200

Venice, Italy

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:57:31 +0200

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0400

Perth

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:34:02 +0800

The Emirates Driver picked us up at 3:30AM. She gave us the ride from hell on the way to the airport. First she ran over a construction cone in the middle of the road that got stuck under the car. Then, she decided to pull over to the side of the road and try to pull the darn thing out from under the car. Of course, she couldn't! Second, she continued to sit at the red light after the light turned green. Walt had to tell her it was green before it dawned on her. She almost missed the green arrow completely. Finally, she took the first round about on the airport road so fast, I thought I was going to fly out of the car. Best we could figure is, she didn't get any sleep before she picked us up. Her poor judgement will be reported to the proper people. We did make it to the airport in one piece. Poor Walt's hand had to be hurting because I was squeezing the crap out of it!!!!