Frankfurt day 3 (Heidelberg day trip)

With Heidelberg not even an hour away from our base in Frankfurt we decided to take a day trip to see the old town, castle, the philospher's way and of course the Christmas market.

View from lower balcony of castle wall

Roast pork and crackling buns

Ice rink part of the Christmas Market

View from the pedestrian bridge

Vetter's Brauhaus with beautiful copper kettles and hop chandeliers

Always time to stop for a Gluhwein

bye Heidelberg

Frankfurt Day 2

Finding the balance of right amount of layers of clothing that will keep you warm when you are standing still but not over heat you when you are walking and not too many that entering any establishment requires you to take off the equivalent of your entire wardrobe has been the goal of today.  I think we have worked it out.

So it is to the Nature Museum and Botanical Gardens for the morning.

 We took a wander over to the "old town" but it appears that everyone was at the Christmas markets, this was the second time we have headed over to this side of town and the both times it was very quiet - like a university town in midst of summer break - except it was freezing cold.
It was disappointing as all the pubs/restaurants on this side of town are so gorgeous and cute you just want them to be full of lively Germans having fun.

 We headed back over towards the Christmas markets via the old pedestrian bridge.  It appears the padlocks of love hanging of bridges is not just a Paris thing, it is here in Frankfurt (and I also saw it in Heidelberg)

 We spent the rest of the night at the Christmas Market venturing from bar to bar and eating sausage in between.  The markets are such a fun place to be. Although very touristy, it appears the locals enjoy it just as much, meeting up with groups of friends and making an afternoon/evening of it.

Frankfurt Day 1

We are both so happy to be back in Europe and today we were definitely glad that we decided to come at this time of year.  Germans like their Christmas and it is going to be so much fun to share this time of year with them.

We went for a little walk around our area while we waiting to be checked into our hotel.  Discovered we are in a great location for walking to the majority of the sights we want to see.

First on our list today was the Christmas Market.  We drank the mulled wine and ate a pretzel and behaved liked tourists ooohing and ahhing over all the things.

Chris is having lots of fun trying all the food.  Although I am also trying it, Chris actually likes the taste of it :)

Chris has been more successful with having interactions completely in German with people.  Generally if I ask for something they respond immediately in English, which is sometimes a relief and other times disappointing.

After wandering over to the old town section of the city on the other side of the river we decided to have a couple of drinks  before an early night (boring! stupid jet lag) cause tomorrow we have a 4 hour walking tour ahead of us.

GB and I were pro-renting. We wanted to live close to the city in a nice neighbourhood and take a European holiday every 2 years. This was the plan and how we were living for the past 6 years or so. This week saw us visiting a house inspection, having an appointment with a mortgage broker and considering a "family agreement" with GB's mum about living arrangements.

What has changed?

The latest rental property. We both really like the house, the huge garage (man cave) and outdoor entertaining area. Could even be the best house we have ever rented with regard to suitability to lifestyle and general amenities. Not including the location of course,which sucks. We find ourselves firmly planted in the middle of eastern suburbia, surrounded by Home Depot MEGA stores. The landlords / Real Estate have been the most frustrating part of it, since before we even moved in. 4 weeks ago, by sheer coincidence we discovered that they will not be renewing our lease at the end of the current 12 month lease (which ends several days after our wedding and a couple of weeks before our trip to Germany). This prompted many discussions about the ordeal and expense of moving house.

Decision made. We need to actually own somewhere so we don't have to move EVER AGAIN.

So what is the problem. I found a house that is just amazing and I love it and find that I am now so emotionally involved in the idea of having this particular house that the wait and negotiation that I have ahead is seriously making me distracted and short tempered. And we still don't have a go ahead for finance from the mortgage broker yet.....

But you can guarantee if we get this place we will be having one hell of a house warming!

Photo Journal of Thailand Resort Trip of 2012 (Geekboy and me)

This is what a resort holiday is all about. 4 nights, 5 days of hot humid weather. Polite lovely staff wanting to accommodate your whims, a free mini bar every day, great food, a private pool and pina coladas!

It was all about the our very own pool

Beach and Bar

Yet more pool time

Gardens, one our suites garden complete with hammock, the other the walk ways of the resort

Happy Hours

We did visit Patong for a day. Hated it.



I did like MEGA Buddha though



Sweaty!