DAYS 1-3 EUROPE TRIP

17-19 May 2009

DAYS 1-3 EUROPE TRIP
CANBERRA - SYDNEY – BANGKOK - LONDON (HEATHROW ) - ROME

We are all packed for our big trip to Europe. We are on our way to explore the ancient worlds of Rome, Athens, Istanbul and Ephesus and Naples. This is to be followed by time in Lithuania catching up with family and friends and attending the big song festival. On our final day there will be at the celebration of 1000 years since the first mention of the nation of Lithuania in chronicles of the time.

It was a beautiful, warm autumn day in Canberra. Lovely autumn colours greeted us we drove through Canberra on our way to Sydney. The time flew past quickly as we drove. Our thoughts were on what we may see and experience on our trip. Before we knew it we were at hubby’s sister’s place. She and her husband were coming on the trip with us. We compared the size of the luggage we were taking and after a lovely dinner of balandėliai (cabbage rolls) relaxed in anticipation of what was ahead in front of the TV to watch the finals of Eurovision.

Monday morning was D – Day. I just wanted the morning to pass quickly as our flight was not till 5.00pm. After lunch the taxi was called and we were on our way to the airport. It did not take long to check in. Finally we were on our way. Eleven hours and 15 minutes later we were in Bangkok. Some of us slept, others watched movies, read or had a short nap. Ninety minutes later we were on our way again for the long leg of the trip – 12 hours and 15 minutes to London. This was a tedious journey. By the time we arrived in London we were tired. We had to change terminals and then stood around waiting to find out which gate we were departing from. Finally it was time to depart for the last leg of our flight – two hours to Rome. By the time we arrived (32 hours since leaving for the airport) we were exhausted. Before we knew it we had gone through immigration and walked straight out of the terminal. There were no forms to fill out, no declarations to sign. We caught a cab to Via Dacia in Tuscolo - our apartment for the next week.

We had to wait a while before the owner of the apartment came to give us the keys and show us through the apartment. It is small but has a lot of character. His son lives in it but is away at the moment but all his possessions are here. The apartment was on the 9th floor. There are several apartment blocks in the complex surrounding by a lovely well kept courtyard.

Before long my brother, who lives in Rome, arrived to greet us. We haven’t seen each other for 10 years. How wonderful to see each other again. After some catching up we all went out to explore the neighbourhood and to get some supplies.

It was early night as we were all exhausted.