A Big Trip, Starting in France

This year's summer trip was six weeks of moving all over Europe.  We began in Paris, where we met our friends Angie and Steve, stayed over, then we all headed for Tours, France and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  After the race, we flew to Munich for a few days then took the train to Graz, Austria to catch up with Angie and Steve again for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.  After that race, we trained to Vienna to visit the family and then on to Prague to catch our river cruise.  Cruised north toward Berlin on the River Elbe, stopping at Dresden and other spots along the way.  We spent two days in Berlin, then back onto the train headed for Amsterdam and onward to our favorite spa location, the Ons Krijtland Hotel in Epen, Holland, to hike and relax for a week.  We know, that sounds strange, but hiking, beer, a balcony, a good restaurant and relaxation go rather well together.  So let's begin the blow-by-blow.

Welcome to Le Mans from Bibendum:

Another 24 Hour event goes into the books.  Won this year by Porsche, after a long absence from the Le Mans game.  Winner was the #19 Porsche 919 Hybrid driven by Nick Tandy, Earl Bamber, and Nico Hulkenberg (of Formula 1 fame).  Second place was the other Porsche, driven in part by Mark Webber (also of Formula 1 fame).

Here are a few views that are different from previous years.  A view through the fence at dusk:

Over on the north side, just past the Dunlop bridge:

Food priorities, les pommes frites:

Checkered flag!

Salute to the winners and survivors:

Champagne!

And the fans take over the track:

Wiener Dog Count

The Nice trip count for 2015:  Gordon, 31.  Pati, 26.  Proving once again that when it comes to wieners, Gordon's got an eagle eye.

Now Departing Nice!

It's the last week of March.  We've burned the Carnaval King, visited Vienna, eaten every Chevre pastry in sight, and walked or hiked all over the place.  We've seen lots of wiener dogs (final count later...there's a few days left), observed the vernal equinox with a solar eclipse (hope that doesn't bode ill), and set in the last duck dinners of this trip.

Time to "spring ahead" to European Daylight Savings Time and pack out.  Here's looking at you, kid.

 

Imperial Crypt

A visit to the Imperial Crypt left us fascinated, not only by the opulence of the early royal burials, but by the fixation with the "death's head" that show up on most of the tombs.  The Imperial Crypt is the final resting place for the Habsberg royalty.  Here lie 12 emperors, 18 empresses, and everyone else in the family.  There's room for a few more.  Here we go:

Wow.  The crypt is cared for by the monks of the Capuchin church that houses it.  Those who passed away later lie in less opulent quarters, but equally watched over:

We're thinking of reading up on the history of this great dynasty, but a look at the size and complexity of this gang gives one pause.  It would be a task to figure them all out, especially since like most royalty, they all tend to have the same given names.  Wikipedia has a good article, search for Imperial Crypt Vienna.

Now That The Family's in Vienna...

We took a weekend trip to visit the gang.  We'd been in Vienna before on the ill-fated Viking River Cruise.  This trip was much better!  Vienna, in winter, is still beautiful.

On a whim, we all visited the butterfly house...took a while before we could take any pictures, because both the camera lenses were fogged over (hot for butterflies, but cold outside).  The butterflies fly free inside and they've got it pretty good, but the only way to get a picture is if one can catch them at lunch.

At the military museum, there is a very complete display and story of World War I.  A high point is this car:

This auto is where the "shot heard 'round the world" hit its mark.  The Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated by sniper's bullets on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo.  A bullet hole is still visible on the passenger's side of the car.

On a lighter note, Vienna constructs a very cool ice skating adventure in winter, complete with three rinks, wandering paths, and restaurants.  The SWW's stayed on more solid ground, but those who were younger and braver struck out:

Leo and Isaac didn't miss their chance to belly up to the bar.

Finally, we all took a hike up to the finest viewpoints in the area.  Here's the SWW's doing what they do best:  walking around.

Photo:  S. Woodahl

Nice Carnaval Parade 2015

A sampling of the fun at this year's Carnaval parade.  Always we have the big balloons.

Louie and company.  If anyone knows who the other guy is, let us know.  No, despite the sideburns, it's not Elvis.

This seems to have something to do with Putin orchestrating outcomes.

No one, but no one, can hide from children with confetti.

Needs no explanation:

The music machine in action!

And the grand finale.  Set to music, of course.

Arrivee Le Roi du Music! And Some Other Stuff!

                                  

King and Queen of Carnaval 2015:

Arrival of the floats for the Flower Parade.  It's actually called the Battle of Flowers.  During the parade, people on the floats throw flowers at the crowd.  No one seems to throw any back at them, though.

Flowers have bugs.

Why Gordon loves the Flower Parade:

That's the genuine article, too.  A no-kiddin' Brazilian Samba School from Rio.

The unsuspecting crowd had a surprise in store for them...

A couple of other pix from a walk over Mt. Boron to Villefranche.  This little guy thought we looked like his lunch wagon.

The view of Villefranche from Mt. Boron is stunning:

And, if anyone was wondering, the Koi fish in Monaco are still thriving at the Princesse Grace Japanese Garden: