Photo gallery will be published to www.genosajko.com in the near future.
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Wednesday, June 29
Home Sweet Home
Flight time from Boston - 66 minutes. Time taken to deplane, clear customs and get luggage - 16 minutes. At the airport, our driver and car were waiting. Thanks Paul D. Time from airport to home - 33 minutes. Waiting in the driveway with the garage door open for someone to bring us our keys because my sister-in-law locked all the interior doors. Priceless.
Boston to Halifax
0456. Final moving day.
Europe as always was great. If only they could figure out that water is water and not carbonated or mineral (or gas as they call it) water. And use ice, plenty of ice.
Europe as always was great. If only they could figure out that water is water and not carbonated or mineral (or gas as they call it) water. And use ice, plenty of ice.
Tuesday, June 28
Lisa speaks of Frankfurt and Lufthansa
Nearly ready to start leg 4 of the 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' interminable homeward journey. The weather in Frankfurt is just awesome... A heatwave has been besetting western Europe and it's supposed to reach 37 today. However, we're now safely ensconced within the air-conditioned luxury of the lufthansa First Class Terminal. Oh my. A personal assistant to greet you at the door and take your passports to check you in, a private no-waiting security check, unlimited premum snacks (cashews, macadamia nuts and cherries,oh my!), made to order drinks, buffet and a la carte dining, and bathtubs!!! I don't think I'm a snob but good heavens I like perks :-). Oh yeah, and the PA will collect us for our 6:15pm flight around 5:45 to takes to the CAR to drive to the plane. Hahahahaha. Love it.
We didn't do much in Frankfurt, though it appears to be a lovely green city. We walked by the river for a bit- very hot, but pretty, had a quick bite to eat, then returned to the hotel for a welcome, but somewhat unexpected, nap. We were both zonked.
When we got going again, we wound up at an Irish pub for supper. Still very very hot out at 8pm, but this spot was open air and quite busy so we enjoyed it. After walking around a bit more, we noticed that our hotel was on the edge of the red light district. It was still light at 10pm when we headed back after dinner so it didn't make much difference, but there certainly were a few tawdry shops around. And possible hookers, lol.
Slept well despite the nap, and had ambitions to be up early to explore a bit more but didn't quite make it. We did get out to the Jewish museum for an hour or so, which would have been a lot more engaging had I spoken German. Really interesting displays, with lots of German-only text, so all I could do was look at the pictures. Would like to have got to the museum of money but it was too far away for this lightning trip. And I was lucky to get Geno into another museum at all - I think I burned him out in Turkey.
We didn't do much in Frankfurt, though it appears to be a lovely green city. We walked by the river for a bit- very hot, but pretty, had a quick bite to eat, then returned to the hotel for a welcome, but somewhat unexpected, nap. We were both zonked.
When we got going again, we wound up at an Irish pub for supper. Still very very hot out at 8pm, but this spot was open air and quite busy so we enjoyed it. After walking around a bit more, we noticed that our hotel was on the edge of the red light district. It was still light at 10pm when we headed back after dinner so it didn't make much difference, but there certainly were a few tawdry shops around. And possible hookers, lol.
Slept well despite the nap, and had ambitions to be up early to explore a bit more but didn't quite make it. We did get out to the Jewish museum for an hour or so, which would have been a lot more engaging had I spoken German. Really interesting displays, with lots of German-only text, so all I could do was look at the pictures. Would like to have got to the museum of money but it was too far away for this lightning trip. And I was lucky to get Geno into another museum at all - I think I burned him out in Turkey.
Lufthansa First Class Lounge
As we approach the airport, the taxi driver takes us onto a private ramp/area of the airport. The entrance to the lounge. The car door opens and we are given a warm greeting.
Then we are escorted inside to the ticket desk. We do the formalities, then go through security, ie xray and pat down with the magic wand.
From there were are escorted into the lounge. It has a marvelous bar, relaxation area, sitting area, private offices fully equipped, cigar room with N/C cigars, dining room with both a la carte and buffet, spa, showers, sleeping rooms, and who knows what else as I don't have time to walk around the whole place.
I am asked if I would like a drink. Yes please. Vodka and grapefruit in a tall glass full of ice, extra pulp. No problem. It was terrific! I do have time for a few more...
But first, I gotta pee.
I'm back. Too much info? The wash room is ridiculous. Shoe shine machines. The sink and "business" areas separated by super quiet automatic sliding glass doors. Doors open and close just like on the set of "Get Smart".
"Thank you!" I was just interrupted by another Vodka and grapefruit.
Anyway, walking back from the washrooms I checked out the shower rooms, equipped with bath robes, slippers, etc. Two of the rooms have a large bath tub.
I then cruised through the dining area. There is even a big meat slicer where you an get a slice of meat to your specifications.
The cigar room, cool. I'm going to skip that room.
Bar menu infinite. Paul, check this out.
The only thing not included here is the spa. The massage chairs are included but that seems so impersonal.
So Lisa suggests we should do lunch. I ordered calamari and schnitzel from the menu. Half way thru my schnitzel we are interrupted - "Ms. Murphy, your bath is ready". And she up and leaves me with my schnitzel, which by the way I thought was going to be wiener schnitzel. I finished my lunch alone, had a few shrimp, and was done.
Hmmm, I should have a shower.
So I went to the lady at the desk to inquire. I said, "I'm told you are the lady to see about a shower". She told me to take room number one. There are four rooms, as I approached them, all the doors were opened except number one, so I opened it to see a half naked Lisa. She says she locked it. Right. I didn't see any pool boys around so maybe she did think she locked it. Maybe the lady thought I was looking for Lisa and gave me her room number. Who knows. Well since I'm here I thought we might as well - have a shower!
As I strip down to get in the shower, the room has a bath tub on one end, a shower on he other end, the door opens. Two ladies look in, apologize, and me there with my wiener schnitzel at my side. Lisa laughs and closes the door. Says she did think she locked it, again. Right. Complicated locks? The shower was great.
Lisa stole a duck.
Back in the lounge... Time passes...
"Mr. Sajko << name pronounced perfectly as it always is in Europe >>
and
Ms. Murphy,
your car is ready to take you to the plane."
We head down a flight of stairs to passport control, two guys at a desk who look pretty bored, stamp stamp, out the door to the waiting driver and Porche, and away we go, through double gated security. We are now on the tarmac. We navigate a few lanes, around a few corners, around a bunch of planes and then turn in where our plane is.
From here, up an elevator to the first class ramp onto the plane. Our chauffeur is given the security wand check before he is allow to take us and our luggage into the plane. He stows our luggage and wishes us farewell.
Oblivious to us, everyone is already on the plane and ready to go, including the other 6 first class passengers. Time for drinks before we head our for our seven and a half hour flight to Boston.
Caviar is the appetizer. Lisa doesn't like fish, but this isn't fish, this is pre-fish. Hmm, wonder if I can sell that angle to her...
Then we are escorted inside to the ticket desk. We do the formalities, then go through security, ie xray and pat down with the magic wand.
From there were are escorted into the lounge. It has a marvelous bar, relaxation area, sitting area, private offices fully equipped, cigar room with N/C cigars, dining room with both a la carte and buffet, spa, showers, sleeping rooms, and who knows what else as I don't have time to walk around the whole place.
I am asked if I would like a drink. Yes please. Vodka and grapefruit in a tall glass full of ice, extra pulp. No problem. It was terrific! I do have time for a few more...
But first, I gotta pee.
I'm back. Too much info? The wash room is ridiculous. Shoe shine machines. The sink and "business" areas separated by super quiet automatic sliding glass doors. Doors open and close just like on the set of "Get Smart".
"Thank you!" I was just interrupted by another Vodka and grapefruit.
Anyway, walking back from the washrooms I checked out the shower rooms, equipped with bath robes, slippers, etc. Two of the rooms have a large bath tub.
I then cruised through the dining area. There is even a big meat slicer where you an get a slice of meat to your specifications.
The cigar room, cool. I'm going to skip that room.
Bar menu infinite. Paul, check this out.
The only thing not included here is the spa. The massage chairs are included but that seems so impersonal.
So Lisa suggests we should do lunch. I ordered calamari and schnitzel from the menu. Half way thru my schnitzel we are interrupted - "Ms. Murphy, your bath is ready". And she up and leaves me with my schnitzel, which by the way I thought was going to be wiener schnitzel. I finished my lunch alone, had a few shrimp, and was done.
Hmmm, I should have a shower.
So I went to the lady at the desk to inquire. I said, "I'm told you are the lady to see about a shower". She told me to take room number one. There are four rooms, as I approached them, all the doors were opened except number one, so I opened it to see a half naked Lisa. She says she locked it. Right. I didn't see any pool boys around so maybe she did think she locked it. Maybe the lady thought I was looking for Lisa and gave me her room number. Who knows. Well since I'm here I thought we might as well - have a shower!
As I strip down to get in the shower, the room has a bath tub on one end, a shower on he other end, the door opens. Two ladies look in, apologize, and me there with my wiener schnitzel at my side. Lisa laughs and closes the door. Says she did think she locked it, again. Right. Complicated locks? The shower was great.
Lisa stole a duck.
Back in the lounge... Time passes...
"Mr. Sajko << name pronounced perfectly as it always is in Europe >>
and
Ms. Murphy,
your car is ready to take you to the plane."
We head down a flight of stairs to passport control, two guys at a desk who look pretty bored, stamp stamp, out the door to the waiting driver and Porche, and away we go, through double gated security. We are now on the tarmac. We navigate a few lanes, around a few corners, around a bunch of planes and then turn in where our plane is.
From here, up an elevator to the first class ramp onto the plane. Our chauffeur is given the security wand check before he is allow to take us and our luggage into the plane. He stows our luggage and wishes us farewell.
Oblivious to us, everyone is already on the plane and ready to go, including the other 6 first class passengers. Time for drinks before we head our for our seven and a half hour flight to Boston.
Caviar is the appetizer. Lisa doesn't like fish, but this isn't fish, this is pre-fish. Hmm, wonder if I can sell that angle to her...
Frankfurt Tag Zwei
Lazy day.
Turns out we did have time for a quick visit to the Jewish Museum. It was in a formerly well off Jewish home in the Jewish district near the river. Of all the museums I've visited over the years, this was the most somber. The Jewish people have been discriminated against and persecuted since the beginning of time, so most of the displays are of suffering and despair and their fight for survival.
Note the make of the typewriter...
Seems our hotel that lisa booked is in the red light district. I am not talking traffic lights but trafficking lights. Thee are sex shops between ice cream parlors and MacDonalds. Check the view outside our main lobby.
Only plan, 2pm pickup for drive to the airport, specifically, Lufthansa first class lounge before our flight to Boston. Seems we leave here around 6pm and get their at 8pm. Now that is a fast plane!
Monday, June 27
Short walk...
Went for a short walk, mainly to get a beer. Stopped at Riley's Irish Pub. What did we order? A couple of Coronas.
I see so many Mercedes here. I see many BMWs including Z3's and Z4's; not noticing as many Volkswagens. What's up with all the German cars on the road?
10:15pm, not dark yet. They are further north than we are so they get (to my estimation) an extra hour of daylight during the longest days of the year. Of course that means their shortest days would be an hour less than ours.
Still so tired... Snore...
Victoria Hotel
I see so many Mercedes here. I see many BMWs including Z3's and Z4's; not noticing as many Volkswagens. What's up with all the German cars on the road?
10:15pm, not dark yet. They are further north than we are so they get (to my estimation) an extra hour of daylight during the longest days of the year. Of course that means their shortest days would be an hour less than ours.
Still so tired... Snore...
Victoria Hotel
Frankfurt am Main in the PM
Now low on sleep, Lisa and I went for a walk around Frankfurt am Main. We headed the Der Main River. We walked up one side of the river and back the other way.
I got one on one with my friends. They seemed skittish.
Momma didn't seem to trust me.
It was hot. Over 35C at last check, in the 40s tomorrow. Europe is having a heat way with temperatures 10C above normal. That is where the NS heat is. Now that we have solved the problem, expect a fix in the weather over the next couple of days.
Wart hog statue in Frankfurt. Why?
There are bikes everywhere. Young, old, cheapo bikes, road bikes, people getting around the way they should in a city - without a car. Nice to see.
Found a place that was my lemon sherbet or what ever it is. Oh so yummy.
Found a place for a beer and light lunch.
Back to the hotel for a short (we thought) nap. Awoke at 730 pm. Still hot and bright. I expect sunset near 10pm, it is summer hear. We have wireless internet in the room, faster than any wired or any connection I have experienced back home.
I got one on one with my friends. They seemed skittish.
Momma didn't seem to trust me.
It was hot. Over 35C at last check, in the 40s tomorrow. Europe is having a heat way with temperatures 10C above normal. That is where the NS heat is. Now that we have solved the problem, expect a fix in the weather over the next couple of days.
Wart hog statue in Frankfurt. Why?
There are bikes everywhere. Young, old, cheapo bikes, road bikes, people getting around the way they should in a city - without a car. Nice to see.
Found a place that was my lemon sherbet or what ever it is. Oh so yummy.
Found a place for a beer and light lunch.
Back to the hotel for a short (we thought) nap. Awoke at 730 pm. Still hot and bright. I expect sunset near 10pm, it is summer hear. We have wireless internet in the room, faster than any wired or any connection I have experienced back home.
Istanbul to Frankfurt
Just like getting on the plane, we get off on the runway and bus to the terminal. I've been on more buses on this trip than I have been in the last 30 years.
Got our boarding pass, go to our gate, again the xray security check is at each gate. I thought it dumb on the way to South Africa, but now after thinking it through, it is more efficient. Rather than a single line where all passengers queue, and where passengers with 3 hours to wait get in the way of those with short connections, this system allows you to get in and to the gate quickly where you are then checked. For the second time I am sure, as you a checked as you enter the airport, whether a passenger or a well wisher.
Boarding...
My thoughts of Turkey again. 16th largest economy in the world. They are aiming at top 10 in the next 12 years - 2023 their 100th anniversary as a republic.
They are the second or third most sought after tourist destination, 26 million last year, 31 million estimated this year, aiming for 50 million.
There is so much to see and do here. Whether it be cultural, religious, adventure, sailing, historic... I'm impressed.
"I'll be back."
The flight was smooth, the food great, we were a bit tired. Cab ride from the airport - fun. All the cabs are Mercedes. He had it going 160km/hr or 100mph. Fast!!!
Hotel room is great. Time to shower and get organized. We only have 24 hours in Frankfurt.
Got our boarding pass, go to our gate, again the xray security check is at each gate. I thought it dumb on the way to South Africa, but now after thinking it through, it is more efficient. Rather than a single line where all passengers queue, and where passengers with 3 hours to wait get in the way of those with short connections, this system allows you to get in and to the gate quickly where you are then checked. For the second time I am sure, as you a checked as you enter the airport, whether a passenger or a well wisher.
Boarding...
My thoughts of Turkey again. 16th largest economy in the world. They are aiming at top 10 in the next 12 years - 2023 their 100th anniversary as a republic.
They are the second or third most sought after tourist destination, 26 million last year, 31 million estimated this year, aiming for 50 million.
There is so much to see and do here. Whether it be cultural, religious, adventure, sailing, historic... I'm impressed.
"I'll be back."
The flight was smooth, the food great, we were a bit tired. Cab ride from the airport - fun. All the cabs are Mercedes. He had it going 160km/hr or 100mph. Fast!!!
Hotel room is great. Time to shower and get organized. We only have 24 hours in Frankfurt.
Out Of Africa...
As we fly out of Africa, a trip we will never forget, a trip we were fortunate enough to share with our neighbors and friends Nancy and Paul, I leave you some images taken by Lisa. They are really great...
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