UK Trip 2006-2007: October 2007

Croatia 08 - 10.08.2007

After meeting up with Slavko and Kathy at Munich Airport, we picked up the hire car and proceeded to drive all day to get to Croatia. We traveled on the newly constructed motorways, and I did most of the driving – on the wrong side of the road! We passed through Austria and Slovenia on the way with passport checks mandatory when entering and leaving each country. Some more stamps in our passports then we were on our way!

It was getting dark as we got to Croatia, and so we decided to stay with Kathy’s sister the first night. The next day we walked around where Kathy grew up and even saw the cellar of her old home where she grew up. The cellar is all that remains now.

Kathy’s home as a child – the Cellar is all that remains

Nada’s second cousin Martia

Pumpkins ahoy!

Spring water from the hills

After seeing some of the beautiful country Croatia has to offer, we headed in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia to stay with Kathy’s other sister, which is where we were based for the next few days.

Croatia (via Munich) 07.08.2007

After saying goodbye to all the great people we have met and worked with in Bristol, we grabbed a hire car and left Bristol with just a suitcase and small backpack each, prepared (we hoped!) for the next 7 weeks of grueling travel…

We drove to Stansted airport, left the hire car and boarded a flight to Munich, Germany. We are still on our way to Croatia, however we are meeting Nada’s parents in Munich and then driving to Croatia. Nada’s father, Slavko, booked a hire car from Munich as it was far cheaper and easier than getting a car in Croatia.

Acres of Corn

Upon arriving in Munich we took the train into the city centre, on the way passing endless acres of corn. Arriving at the hotel we had one night to see as much of Munich as possible before meeting Slavko and Cathy at the airport the next morning (early flight). Nada immediately found a Munich Beer Sights tour so I said lets go do it now! Five minutes after arriving at the hotel we were on our way to the tour start point.

Beer museum display items

During the tour we sample many beers whilst also walking/subwaying around Munich to places such as the beer museum, we had a traditional meal with Oompa bans etc, and we finished off at the Hofbrauhaus House, the traditional beer hall where Hitler once spoke at. Now you can have a beer there, but they only come in 1 Litre Steins – hurrah!!!

Oompa Bands

1 Litre Steins - Prost! (German for Cheers!)

Overall it was a great tour and a top way to get a brief introduction to Munich – apart from the rain which was quite heavy all night. The beer made up for that though!

Farewell to Bristol and England 06.08.2007

After a busy year of working and traveling through England and Europe, we made the decision to finish up in Bristol and make our way back to Australia. We did have a little detour planned on the way… via Croatia to see Nada’s extended family, then western Europe for 28 days, then Scotland, then Egypt for 8 days! We should be home in 7 weeks or so…

Just before we left, Ed and Zoe had us over for a traditional English Roast. Complete with Yorkshire Puddings and all. Fantastic meal and a great evening, even though I had a fair bit of red wine!

Ed and his 'soon to be world famous' Yorkshire Puddings!

We of course had to clean our apartment from head to toe before leaving and also ship back items we had collected over the past year.

After getting the apartment ready to hand the keys back, we headed out for one last walk around Queens Square to reminisce on the great times we had whilst overseas, in particularly in Bristol. Of all the places in the UK, I think we chose well picking Bristol. Great people, great Bristolian accents, Great Ciders, Close to Cornwall, has its own airport, and just so much more relaxed and quieter than London!

Queens Square