My weekend by Bodensee part 2 Day with Hannah

On the Sunday 13th January 2013, after breakfast in the hostel I took a train from Friedrichshafen Ost to the Stadt station where I met Hannah. Hannah suggested we should go to :Lindau. However on the way we stopped for a short break in Kressbon, a small village and we had coffee & cherry & pear cake in Le Picher, a little coffee shop. Here are two photos I took in Kressbon

We continued our journey to Lindau which is in Bavaria, and very close to the Austrian border. The Altstadt & harbour are an island (Insel) and connected to the main land by the road bridge, Seabruecke and Eisenbahndamm for pedestrians and cyclists. When we arrived we walked to the look at the harbour whose entrance has the lion of Bavaria on one side and a lighthouse (Neuer Leuchtturm).

Hannah & I took a walk to the Altstadt, with the step gabled Rathaus (Town hall),  Peterskirche & Diebsturm (Brigend's tower).

We had some lunch (pizza & tea) in Baeckerei Buerklin in Maximillian Strasse.
In the evening Hannah had arranged to see a film in a another town Ravensburg, a town now famous for its jigsaw puzzles. As Hannah had some time before she needed to go to the cinema we were able to explore the medieval fortified town centre. We climbed the steep staircase from the white Mehlsack (Flour sack) Tower to Veitsburg, a baroque castle, from where we admired the views of the Ravensburg.

After I left Hannah at the cinema, unfortunately the film was only in German, I went to Marianplatz to find a bar-restaurant and had chicken fricasse, Leibinger bier in a typical German bar  called Cafebar Central.
After dinner I took the 18.52 train to Friedrichshafen Stadt & spent the evning walking around the harbour area, I had a beer in the station bar & took a train back to friedrichshafen Ost, from where I returned to the hostel,

My first day in Cyprus & a day away from it all

I arrived in Polis around 6pm on Sunday, when it was too dark to see much of the town, and so after having breakfast in the apartment-hotel and calling in to the bank (to change currency) I took a local 622 bus to visit the baths of Aphrodite. There were English & Bulgarian tourists on the bus with me & when we arrived we all walked through a botanical garden to a small pool with water falling like a shower, which is according to legend the pool where the goddess bathed before she took her walk to Regina's castle & monastery. Many photos are taken at the spot, but bathing in the pool is not allowed. Visitors can walk the route to Regina's castle which is now a ruin, there is still an oak tree and a natural drinking fountain and the route is well sign posted. While walking, the sun was shining and it was warm & pleasant. I met a couple Michael & Carol from Ireland, who showed me Aphrodite's walk which also took us over the cliff top. Here we had a short break and had a little snack & drink.

After the walk I joined Michael & Carol who offered me a lift to Lakki (Latchi) a former fishing harbour, but now a place where there are bars and restaurants (many specialising in sea food) and we had our lunch in the Faros (lighthouse) bar and sat outside overlooking the sea. I had a jacket potato with cheese & salad & Keo beer.

After lunch I decided I needed to walk off the lunch and walked along the beach which becomes Polis's beach

and then back to my apartment where I stayed for the evening.

My first trip to Cyprus 24th November 2013

In November 2013 I had a week off and decided I would visit Cyprus, the weather in England was cold & wet, the weather in Cyprus is usually warm & sunny with daytime temperatures reaching about 21-23 degrees Celsius. Easy Jet fly to Paphos from London Gatwick, with the flight departing about 07.30. I had decided to stay the night in Masslink Guest House in Horley. As part of the service the guest house offer a taxi to the airport, so I was refreshed for the day ahead.

After the flight we arrived in Paphos at 14.05, and went outside  to catch the 612 bus at 14.35 to Paphos harbour bus station, and I soon realised the scenery & architecture was so different to that in England. Pahphos has relics from pre-Roman, Roman, Colonial & modern times. I need to get another bus (618) to the Karavella Bus station where I had to wait for a bus to get me to Polis Chrysochous  (a 645 due at 17.00). However the sun was shining and I spoke with a German traveller (going to Nicosia) while I was waiting for the bus.
The 645 was a large coach, and many working people also joined the bus with me. Cyprus bus services are subsidised and each journey is 1 Euro 50, including the 30 km trip to Polis. Journey time about 56 minutes. When I arrived the owner of the Mariela hotel met me and he drove me to the hotel and I checked in with him, while I had a glass of beer and a piece of cake. I had an apartment which included a kitchen/bedroom/living room and an ensuite bathroom. I went in to the town and tried to find somehwere to buy some supper, but decided as there was nothing suitable opened I bought some bread, Tea, milk and beer from a local supermarket (just before it closed). In my apartment I also had a TV, which had some English speaking & music channels and wi-fi.

A weekend by Lake Constance (Bodensee) Saturday 12th January 2013

In January 2013, my niece Hannah was working in Friedrichshafen in Germany as part of her degree course. Hannah was studying German & Russian languages at Durham University.
In January 2013, I had a "long" weekend plus some annual leave I needed to take, and so I planned a short break. Conveniently Monarch Airlines operate flights from London Gatwick to Friedrichshafen. I had an early start on the Saturday 12th and set off from Calcot by National Express Coaches to Gatwick, which arrived in good time for the 07.30 flight, which arrived Friedrichshafen about 10am local time. The airport is close to the railway and in about 10 minutes after walking to the station I was able to catch a train to Friedrichshafen Stadt station. I met Hannah outside the station, and she showed me around the city, including a leafy park which has many statues.

 We walked to the Schlossturm (Castle tower) & returned to climbed an observation tower by the harbour from which we saw the lake (Constance) Switzerland & Austria on the other side. As the sun was shining, we sat outside and had our lunch and drinks (cauliflower & celery soup & passion-fruit juice) from the "Kaffee, Wein, Brot" cafe (one of the many bars and cafe on the harbour-side)

After lunch we took a local bus to Landradsampt (called in at Hannah's flat after shopping at a local supermarket), and then a bus to Meersburg, a quaint lake-side village with a castle & half-timbered houses. We visited one of the cafes which overlook the lake & served tea and cakes. On the lake-side there is a "Magic pillar"

As the darkness started falling on us we took a bus from the Ferry point back to Landradsampt, and we had supper at Hannah's flat, I also met some of her friends. We had risotto. Hannah & I took the train to "Ost" (East) station & we found the DJH Hostel, where I checked in and after chatting to a young couple I had an early night.

Virtual Tourist Manchester's Christmas markets Meeting 16th November 2013

I was awake about 8.10 and as Ashton Hill hostel has a kitchen with a kettle & microwave, I had some tea & porridge for breakfast before going to meet the Virtual Tourist group. I went out about 10am & walked to Starbucks opposite Albert Square. It is here where we have met for the past few years. I had a gingerbread latte. 

I joined Kirsty & Adds & other people from the group while we looked around  the stalls around the town hall. I also bought a "mulled wine" in a seasonal mug. Later I met Lia & Jeff, who were also interested in visiting the Lowry Gallery in Salford. So we decided to go together. We took a Tram 1023 to Salford Quays, then walked around the former dock area. Near to the BBC Media Centre there is the Lowry Arts Centre which as an arts centre which hosts concerts & other event. Also in the same building is the LS Lowry gallery which contains the largest collection of LS Lowry paintings & drawings, many of which are landscapes of industrial Lancashire in the mid 20th century. In addition there is an area set for special exhibitions & in November 2013 the Lowry gallery also hosted as "Performer as Curator" an Alison Goldfrapp exhibition. Alison Goldfrapp is well known as a musician in the electronic & synthpop genre & has several hits in a career since 1989. Alison performs under her surname with Will Gregory. Her albums have sold well. Alison is interested in art, fantasy & fairytales, and examples of there were included in the exhibition. There were also excerpts from films including:-
The lost highway by David Lynch
The Wicker man (Britt Eckland singing)
"Hansel & Gretel" a silhouette cartoon made by Lotte Reiniger
& videos of songs that Alison included in an early album. 
Annabel & Jo (films by Alison Goldfrapp)
The art centre gas an excellent shop of Lowry art memorablia & a cafe/Tea shop which serves fair trade hot & soft drinks, cakes & sandwiches.
At 15.10-15.20 Tram 1072 Media centre to St Peters Square. I went to meet up with the group again, and walked from St Ann's Church to the Cathedral area among the market stalls in New Cathedral Street, I also took some time to listen to talented musician girls, one playing guitar & both signing in harmony. Among the songs (covers of recent hits) they sung were "Girl on Fire" & "Story of my life" I also wondered arpund the cathedral & surrounding streets until meeting the VT people outside the Old Wellington, another Nicholson pub, in a distinctive Elizabethan house. Here Virtual Tourist had a table booked for 5pm & we settled to good food & beer. I had chicken & mushroom pie with fresh vegetables & chips. I also had apple crumble with custard. 
Later we went to a typical "backstreet" English town pub called the "Wheatsheaf" Hotel. The pub was very crowded, but served real ale & there was also a "disco" specialising in Tamla Motown & Northern soul music. We all chatted & stayed until about 11.45pm. 

Virtual Tourist Meeting in Manchester part 1

After the concert the previous night , I returned to the hostel. I arrived in to the bar area when there was a karaoke evening. I also met two Australians who were staying in the same room. The following day I was awake about 7.30. St Christopher Hostels serve a Complimentary breakfast of Tea, juices, muesli & toast with cheese, ham, jam..

After breakfast I took the Central line to Oxford Circus & Bakerloo to Marylebone. I then travelled by train operated by Chiltern to Birmingham Moor Street (10.15-12.08), walked across Birmingham centre to New Street from where I travelled on a Cross Country voyager to Manchester Piccadilly. On arrival into Manchester I went by tram 3008 to Victoria Station, an example of a fine Victorian rail terminus, where also trains from all over Northern England & beyond arrive and depart.
Ashton Hill Hostel is a ten minute walk from this station. The hostel was built in 1908 & is a grade 2 listed building, previously used as a woman's hostel & a hotel serving passengers who wanted to be near Victoria railway station. I was warmly welcomed by Rebecca on reception who also showed me my room, the kitchen & bathroom facilities. I stayed in the hostel & had a cup of tea & scone, before I went into the centre & as arranged I met Virtual Tourist members in the Bank, a Nicholson pub which like many Nicholson pubs is in a splendid building. I first met Dao, then later more members came including Kirsty & Adds, Gill, Sarah, Sue, Lia & Jeff. After having a drink we went to the Red Hot House World Buffet. This is one of several "buffet" style places, and has "sittings" & we were booked in for 7-9pm. There a buffet "stations" each of which specialises in a type of food, Chinese, Thai, TexMex.. as well as "stations" to collect starters & desserts. Drinks had to be collected from a bar on another floor. After eating well we moved to a Wetherspoon pub called the "Moon under the water". Here I had some beer & chatted until about 11pm, when the pub became more crowded and they started playing LOUD music.
Jonathan

Weekend in Slovakia, my final day in Krakow

Tuesday 10th September

Although these episodes of my travelogue are titled "Weekend in Slovakia" my final day was spend in Krakow, covering a waking tour of the former Jewish areas of Kazimierz & Podgorze.

I had spent the night in the B-Movie hostel & I was up about 7.50, having corn-flakes, tea & toast for breakfast. I met several of the guests including Helena & Catherine. The sun shone and it became pleasently warm. I walked to the centre and arrived at about 10am to meet Tomek in Plac Mariacka/Rynek & many other visitors who were joining us for the free walking tour. Based on the Jewish history & including stops in Kazimierz & Podgorze. We also learned about the bread rolls which are sold in the streets of Krakow, zapiekanky from the stands in Plac Nowy, a new foot bridge which is popular with young people who use padlocks (lovers' name engraved) to show their devotion & commitment.
Our tour finished outside the former Oskar Schindler factory, which contains a museum, not just devoted to Oskar Schindler, but also to Krakow, the Cracovian people at the time of the second world war.
After saying "goodbye" to everyone I went to Plac Nowy and bought for my lunch a Zapiekanka Polska from one of the stalls. I then returned to the hostel, collected my bag, and took a No 52 tram at 15.00 to Dworzec Glowny (trailer 567) and then travelled on the 15.35 train to Balice, then a shuttle bus to Terminal 1 of Jan Paul II Airport. Quick through security, time for a Tyskie beer & chatted to couple while waiting to be called to the aeroplane. We then waited in line to board Airbus 380-800 EI-EFS which left Krakow on time & arrived ahead of schedule. While leaving the plane I started talking with a Polish lady called Wioleta. Quick through customs I was on the 19.45 Stansted express to London Liverpool Street. Underground train at 20.40- Liverpool St-Paddington (Hammersmith & City), FGW HST to Reading
and a No 26 bus back home to Calcot.