TravelStream™ news feed for member dewolffamily on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/dewolffamily en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:40:29 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231725600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231725600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231725600/tpod.html Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:40:29 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Hollywood, California, United States

Well, we made it to LA.

Our time in London was so incredibly cool. Paul and Malcolm are the best hosts. We had a home away from home. The kids really enjoyed the gin and tonic time before dinner LOL.

Apart from a party night with Paul, Malcolm, Dave and Kate we did do a helluva lot of sight seeing. We saw Buckingham palace, with the changing of the guards. Lis and I went in the London Eye (that took some courage from me...). We went to explore the tower of London. The science museum was high on Coen's list and we all did enjoy that. Lis and I went to the Clink Prison while it was getting dark. In the small Dickens-like streets it was a great atmosphere. We walked in St James' park (they have pelicans that were shivering of the cold). We did another double decker tour and a Thames cruise. We were quite dissapointed that the English charge quite a lot of money for tourist to see the churches. Both St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey would costs us 25 pounds each. Now I really believe it is wrong to charge for a church (even in France it was for free). So we decided to skip them both... Coen ventured for a short while to the Imperial War museum, and we managed to squeeze some shopping time in as well.

It was freezing cold in London but we did still loads of walking. It is such a marvellous city. Then at night we would return to a warm home.

We made a lot of use of the London Public transport. Train, bus and underground made it quite easy to get around.

On Wednesday we said goodbye to our friends and got on our way to LA. We first had to fly from Heathrow to Munich. We had a three hour stopover and had to turn our pockets and bags inside out to find some Euro's. We had a cup of coffee in Munich and then boarded our almost 12 hour fligth to LAX. We flew Lufthansa and we all thought that the service was pretty crap. Those flight attendants are not very friendly. We arrived pretty tired on LAX and than that unbelievable security circus started. Long, long queues for fingerprinting, photo's and a small interogation. What a load of bull. I understand that they are careful but if they do all this extra work, then it might be an idea to have more people working. After finally getting through and finding our bags (which were already taken off the caroussel) we found ourselves in another line, for customs this time. It took for ever.

We took a shuttle to our motel and just crashed. Our motel is cheap, and for good reason. But we can't complain. We are on Hollywood Boulevard.

We did another tour on a bustour. We walked almost all of the blvd and saw the Kodak and the Chinese Theatre. In front of the Kodak a lot of wanna-be's are all dressed up and you can take pictures, as we did. We have seen quite a lot during our bustour and tofay we decided to do some more exploring on some spots.

We went to the farmers market in Fairfax. Now don't let the name fool you. It is not just produce and there are a lot of great shops. Lis and I scored some good outfits. Then we went to Rodeo Dr in Beverly Hills. That street is really great to wlk around. And no, we didn't buy anything there I'm afraid.

After that we walked through Beverly Hills Park. On our way back home we dropped in in one of the enormous vintage shops. Yesterday we bought some great stuff there and again today we all had a ball browsing and finding some real gems.

On our way to dinner now. Thai and Chinese are well represented in our part of the blvd so it will be something Asian tonight.

Tomorrow is our last day in LA and we decided that we are going to do Disney Land. So up at the crack of dawn. We will report about that when we get back to NZ because the day after tomorrow we fly home.

Our 6 weeks have just flown by, looking forward to catch up with you all. Chill the wine and beer we are almost home

xoxox
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230205860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230205860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230205860/tpod.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:57:48 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

Ok, put this on your 101-things-to-do list. Christmas in Paris is absolute beautiful. All cafe's and restaurants are open during the day. We went to the Eiffel tower (which was open but we are not keen on heights). We saw it all and started walking down the big gardens. We then moved to the Champs d'Elysee. There was a huge Christmas market along the Champs d'Elysee. We had some crepes and enjoyed the crowds and the atmosphere. We ended up at the Arc de Triumph. I was blown away by the sheer size of the Arc. Had been there in the past but couldn't remember it being so huge!. We cooked a nice meal that night and had a marvelous Xmas day. On boxing day we went to the Louvre, us and the rest of the city. It was packed. Our main purpose was to see the Mona Lisa. It was a bit of a mission with the thousands of people there but we managed. We also saw some of the Dutch masters, great. All in all Paris is fun, and very worth while. Our whole family loved it.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231072920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231072920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1231072920/tpod.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:49:15 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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London, England, United Kingdom

Hoorray we are in the UK.
We flew with Easyjet LOL. We can recommend them hehehe. Flight was ok, no complaints there, you get what you pay for. After a really intense search we found Paul's house in Surbiton in London. We had a great reception here. We met Paul's flat mate and we had a great night with food and loads of alcohol. I can see myself turning into an alcoholic here, so tonight I will drink less. Today we are taking it slow. It looks like the Holland experience is taking it's toll on Lis today. She's not feeling too well but in the shower now. We are going for a walk in the city to clear our heads. We will upload some photo's later today.
Talk soon xoxox
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230466920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230466920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230466920/tpod.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:41:31 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Nootdorp, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

So here we are. Back in the Motherland. We had a family get together at 12 noon at Coen's brothers place in Delft. There I met my sister in law for the first time and we all got to meet our new little niece/cousin Melissa. We had an absolute blast with everybody there. We stayed till midnight!Coen's parents booked us into a local hotel, which turned out to be a 4 star hotel, divine. Double bubble bath and a room so large you can play hind and go seek in it.We stayed in this hotel for 4 nights.
In Holland our program was mad. The family meeting, looking up some of my family, seeing many friends etc etc.
We did New Years Eve at the former neighbours new house. It was a real party. All the kids from "way back then' came and they played board and card games. During the night Sam and Olivier were already lighting up the place with fireworks,but OMG at midnight all hell broke loose. It's impossible to describe what happens in that country at 12 midnight. The noise kills our hearing ability and the fire works are amazing. 16 million people lit for 69 million euros (that just over 120 million dollars) worth of fireworks. It was spectacular. We had the best time and got home about 4 am. The kids went their own way. They both picked up where they left off with their friends. Elisah even went to Antwerp (again) with some friends. They all fitted in some ten pin bowling and went clubbing. An R18 club has no problems letting these underage girls in. Of course Lis ended on the stage dancing hahaha. They really had a original Dutch experience. 
We did the New Years reception at the soccer club (with Leo and Pauline from New Plymouth). It was great to see so many friends in one go again. We drank and laughed, just like in the old days.
We moved our camp after four nights in the hotels  to Ben and Jolanda's house. They were so hospital, just lovely. We had a load of fun with them and we all just got along so well.
We saw so many people in Holland and still did not have time enough to see them all, that's always a shame. I feel guilty for having to short cut our program. We allocated 2 hours for every visit, but some had to be shorter and some we just couldn't fit in. And to be honest: it's exhausting visiting non stop.
We just had the best time ever in Holland. We had a farewell dinner in a Greek restaurant followed by some drinks at Ben and Jo's house.
Holland felt good again. Love the place and the people. Lots of tears when we left again (hate that part).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230380160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230380160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230380160/tpod.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:21:50 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium

We have left Paris and are on our way to Holland. As we are on holiday we don't want to drive to much. So we are doing a pittstop in Antwerp in Belgium. There is a special market on Sunday mornings, so our timing is impeccable. We walked around the town for a while and Lis and I did some great shopping. We visited a pub and had some "bitterballen" yum yum. We had a great meal in quite an odd restaurant close to the market square. Dinner was fab! The market on Sunday morning started later because of the season, so we went for a lovely brekkie. We bought some Belgium specialties on the market and then got in the car.....to the Netherlands.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230168420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230168420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1230168420/tpod.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:50:19 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

Christmas Eve and we are in Paris. We have the most funky appartment yet. It's big; like a real house hahaha. We had an easy trip here. I drove almost all the way. I love negociating the busy Paris traffic, according to Sam I have an F*** off attitude when I drive the car. So I easily managed to get through some roundabouts without any lanes and the Peripherique was fun!!!
So here we are. We done our shopping this morning and have everything we need for dinner tonight (on the stove, will be done soon) and for Christmas day. It's easy to make up a Christmas meal for 4 just going through the supermarket. I have a few photo's of Lis in the yoghurt aisle (the photo is from just 1 side of that aisle...).

Yesterday we still had a whole day in the Loire Valley and we decided to go to the Cadre Noir in Saumur. This is the equestrian school for the French Cavalry. On arrival the place was working but not open for visitors. We did walk around for a while and had a little look around. We then decided to go to the tank museum. That was a cold experience. Our last day in Amboise was very nice. Lis and I got some shopping done, which is very important.

So now we're in Paris. Sam asked his French friend Pauline where to go on Christmas eve in Paris. She advised Galleries Lafayette. And so off we went to have a look. OMG!!! the lights were so beautiful, as you can see in the pictures.  Thanks Pauline!!We had some really fun time there. You should have seen how busy it was. In the Louis Vuitton shop there was a queue!!!!!! Unfortinately I was not in that line hahaha. We saw the most amazing stuff at the galleries. I loved all the shops there. I can easily spend some time and money there, and then have a little drink in the Moet et Chandon Champagne Bar.......................

Well back to reality, which is probably even better. We are having a concert channel on our tv and we have Dire Straits on, great! We are all are having drinks and just chatting away. So enjoying this special time together, man, we really still work as a family, I'm so greatful.
So with a heart full of happiness I would like to wish you all a lovely Christmas with the people you love (sorry we can't be there)

Big big kisses and hugs

The De Wolfs
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229993700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229993700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229993700/tpod.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:15:24 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Amboise, Centre, France

What a beautiful area!! And guess what? We came across a couple that we still know from our old town, Nootdorp. This particular couple are in France to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary, Coen sold them their wedding bands 24 years ago and actually went to their wedding. Imagine out surprise when we met them at the Chenonceau Castle.What an extremely small world!!! After going round the castle Marcel and Erna took us out for coffee and a small lunch. It was really surreal to catch up with them in France. Their son Lucas used to be in Sam's class at school. And living in a small town we knew eachtother. We had a great time.

Btw Chenonceau is absolutely worth a visit. Coen and I have been there before and we really wanted the children to see all this with their own eyes. The chateau is very wellmaintained and you can imagine what is was like to live there as you wander through the rooms. What a treasure!!

I've put some photo's online, go have a look

xoxo
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229911680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229911680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229911680/tpod.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:35:52 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Amboise, Centre, France

Today was a day of travel. We moved our lazy behinds from Carcassonne to Amboise. We are now in the beautiful Loire Valley, ready to go and discover the enormous number of chateau's on offer. First on arrival we had to find our appartment. Man. it's brand new (basicly part of the resort is not finished). It is going to be interesting if the builders will wake us tomorrow, lol. The kids settled in in record time. We are a travelling machine by now. Suitcases get thrown into a corner and bam: We're home. Sam connected straight to the internet and Elisah staretd to work out the satelite tv. And lo and behold, we have a Dutch TV channel. So Coen and Sam are doing now what every respectable Dutchie does on a Sunday night: watch soccer. Lots of swearing going on I must say.

Tha appartment by the way, is sooooo nice. It's very posh.

Coen and I hit the local supermarket. O my god, those French really know what supers are all about. HUGE!!! and all the stuff on offer is beyond your imagination. The produce department has so many different veggies everythings available although it is winter. So you understand that we really enjoy doing our shopping here. I can fill a whole page just talking about all the food (and the waistline is confirming it all hehehe).

Anyway, we are taking it easy tonight. This place is going to be our base for the next 3 days. We are going to do some serious castle visiting and maybe get a chance to do some wine tasting....

We did not make a lot of pictures today but will upload some tomorrow

Talk soon
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229824020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229824020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229824020/tpod.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:07:44 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Lazy Saturday for the de Wolf Family. We decided last night that we would stay an extra night in Carcassonne, which means we have time enough to explore the area. We were quite tired of the hectic cities we've visited the last 2 weeks so it is great to be in a small town. In summer 3 million visitors come to this place, unbelievable. You can tell by the amount of hotels, campings and carparks that they are used to large numbers. Fortunately it's very quite over winter, still a few tourists around though. Carcassonne is a medieval walled town with an intact castle. It's very "king Arthur", to give you an idea. The walled town is beautiful with loads of cafe's restaurants and shops. It also has a quite sizeble fantastic Basilica. Stunning stained glass windows. We did the whole tour in the castle. It was quite scary all the on top. You can tell by the photo's that I really had my doubts......
We then had a coffee and a stroll through the town. Our appartment is just outside the walls as is the new town.We went to have a look at the Christmas market. Every place we've been so far has had one. This one was very cute. We also went to the main shopping street, nice :)

After that it was off to the local super to buy groceries and other essentials. We cooked in the appartment (very basic steak, green beans and wedges yum).

The children went to the gym (I had lots of other things to do, really!!).

We just finished dinner. Coen and Sam are on the couch watching snooker and Lis is doing some crosswords.

Today Elisah officially started to speak Dutch (and I keep speaking English to her hahaha). Her Dutch is pretty good and by the time we get to Holland she'll be sweet.

Better upload some photo's and enjoy the local wine (@ only 2 euro's a bottle, my girlfriends, jealous much?)

Drop us a line....

xoxoxox
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229727720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229727720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dewolffamily/1/1229727720/tpod.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:29:48 -0500 The de Wolf family World Trip! De familie de Wolf Wereld Reis!

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Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Well we are back in France. Yesterday was our last day in Barcelona. We have visited Camp Nou (the stadium of FC Barcelona). We did the whole nine yards; Stadium, Museum and 3D show. It took us quite a while to do it all. When we arrived the players just finished their morning training so we got to get a look at them too (bonus!!). We got there by tour bus, it one of those hop-on/hop-off buses. On the road we saw so many beautiful buildings and statues. Man it is such an awesome city. The Catalan language is really hard, doesn't resemble any Spanish or French I've ever learned LOL, but with some imagination we managed to eat, drink and get to every destination we wanted to go. Elisah bought the book Twilight and is really addicted to it. So the hunt is on for the sequel. We found them all in Spanish and even some books in English but not book 2. So Lis and I decided to go on a mission. Where do you find English books? Right, the airport. We went on a trip by Metro and Train, hahaha. Took us a little while and it was interesting to found our way around the metro. We managed to get to the airport and guess what?????? Barcelona is the only airport in the world where they don't have a fully equipped bookstore. There was a little dairy like shop with about 10 books. All the other shops where behind customs, boohoo :( .
So no book. Elisah is now convinced that she find her way around cities, after having to find her way to and from the airport.

We were back on time for dinner and we went on the hunt for a nice restaurant. We entered the Real Square where all the ligths are designed by Gaudi ( I love that man....) We had a great meal. We sat outside, mid winter but not really cold in Spain. What a great end for our stay in Barca.

Next day, check out and in the car. We booked an apartment in Carcassonne in France so we needed to get on the road. After our coffee stop Sam decided it was time for him to drive. Sun was shining, motorway in Spain and France let you go as fast as 130 KpH. Wooptiedoo, guess he liked that? He drove us out of Spain into France all the way to our home for the night.

So here we are in Carcassonne. First impression? We will probably stay another night. It's great to have an appartment to ourselves, beats a hostel anytime.....

Coe and I just did the shopping. We have unlimited internet so I don't think Elisah will sleep tonight. Tomorrow we are going to explore the town. Time for wine and dinner now.

I put some new photo's on the flickr site.

Talk again soon
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