Our Adventure Begins.... to Ibiza (I Bee Tha)

Wake up calls were made to everyone’s room at 6:30 am and then everyone met at 7 am, except Joel.  I ran up to see how much time he needed, and he was still asleep, so I told him to just meet us at the aeroport. 

We walked down the streets of the Gotik Quarter to the main train station Franca, about a 15 minute walk, bought train tickets, and hopped on the next train on platform 6, which arrived at 7:32.  Someone thought that train didn’t go to the aeroport,  so we all hopped off started walking to platform 4, when a train station security, said get back on Platform 6 train and exit one stop to Passeig de Gracia and take the next aeroport train. We did and expecting the train to leave in 1 minute ran back over to Platform 6 (dragging our luggage and carry ons). The train didn’t leave the station for 15 minutes. It was now 7:48 am. At the Gracia stop, we all jumped off, didn’t have to change platforms, but had to wait 5 minutes. There were about 100 other aeroport luggage passengers. The aeroport was 5 stops away.  It couldn’t take longer than 10 minutes and we’d still be there an hour early.

We arrived 30 minutes later, however,  and all boarded an airport shuttle bus, along with everyone else who was on the whole train, to take us to Terminal 1, it was now 8:15 am. The shuttle bus had to go what seemed like 5 miles to the terminal and drove past our airline, so when we exited we had to run 4 sliding doors down. This took 10 minutes. Those who boarded a previous shuttle bus had already tried to check in. It was 8:35 am, but a last boarding call had been made already and they would not check us in.  I spoke with 3 supervisors and by 8:48 I gave up. We were told we could be reticketed for $50.00 a person, but we wouldn’t leave until the next day. (We were NOT told that if we did not pay that $50.00 fee then, we would automatically lose our return flight). I took a moment to breathe, and then I followed the seven kids who were already on the other side of the terminal purchasing tickets for the next flight to Ibiza on a different airline, Vueling. I also purchased 9 more tickets on the same flight, but on my computer and were able to get a lower price.  Everyone went through the gates and sat for 2 hours.

By the time we arrived to Ibiza we were ready to sleep on a beach for 3 days and that is exactly what everyone did. 

There were rafts in the water, taxis to the other side of the island to secluded beaches, scooter rentals and late nights that ended up in watching the sunrise on the beach.

Our hotel was RIGHT ON THE WATER. Connected to 4 beaches which were like secluded blue lagoons. The beaches were topless and everyone admitted they’ve seen more boobs, all ages and sizes then they expected.

The club scene lived up to its reputation starting with the day beach parties at Bora Bora and then at clubs with names such as Amnesia, Pacha and Privilege to see their favorite DJ’s such as David Guetta, Nero and Swedish House Mafia. Unforgettable club DJ videos are on the travelers cameras.

Flights back had to be bought, and the cheapest deal was for Thursday night red eye. Although, when I made this purchase I just assumed everyone would be alright with another day in Paradise, there were sad shrugs as their last day in Barcelona to make any souvenir purchases, or go see sites they hadn’t fit in before Ibiza,  was taken from them. Understandable disappointment. Adventures always have swift consequences thrown in somewhere.

Expected to arrive at 1:30 am to the Barcelona hotel, grab luggage out of storage and then leave Friday morning at 8 am by TAXI, as their flight departs Barcelona at 10:35 am. These travelers will have had a 22 day "Trip of a Lifetime".

Note: Joel has been given an August 30^th deadline for the documentary which will be sent to the address on the application (most likely parent's house, not college dorm) so Parents in one month you will get to have a firsthand look at the wonderful memories your kids had on this Deux Mille Douze trip!

Thanks again for all of your support, and if you are interested in a Parent Euro Trip let’s plan it!!!!

Barcelona Beaches!!!!!

Friday the 13th

We arrived at 10:30 am at Estacio de Franco, found the subway outside and around the train station and paid 2 euro for one stop. Then we walked through two placas (squares, or piazzas) to our hotel. It was AIR CONDITIONED, as the first thing we complained about, coming from the cold Paris rain, was the heat and humidity. Only one of the six rooms were available, so everyone piled their luggage into that room, got their bike clothes on and walked a block down and waited for our bike tour guide Clayton from Australia, He took the group on a wonderful historical tour and everyone was able to see the exteriors of Sagrada Familia,

Gaudi's famous cathedral that is still not finished, the Barcelona Cathedral, the Gaudi house, and other historical buildings that are less famous.

At the end of the bike tour, everyone was able to lay out on the beaches with a cold drink and food.
After returning the bikes, the unanimous decision was made to go back to the beach.


Everyone met at 8:30 in the lobby and walked a few blocks down La Rambla

to a dinner of 60 plates of tapas. WOW. It was a mixture of fish, chicken, pork and sausages.

After dinner, it was a night out to a few dance clubs, Razzmatazz was the main focus as there was a DJ that the group knew that went on at 4 am. Joel didn't bring his camera, and actually enjoyed his night out not working!!!!

Sabado the 14th. 

Knowing not to wake anyone up by now(...yes I have learned my lesson) I couldn't get anyone to stand in line for the Sagrada Familia interior tour at 9 am, so I blogged until they woke up (not bad, only about noon) then joined them all at an outing to a beach town outside of Barcelona. Just a mere forty kilometers south on the train, is the infamous Sitges beach. It was the most beautiful beach town. Think Venice Italy walkways all leading down a hill to the softest sandy beach, a wonderful wide walkway with cafes with outside tables overlooking the sand and umbrellas and chairs and warm water! An amazing do nothing day. (It was a topless beach and many of the travelers felt the sunny freedom and tried to tan any bathing suit lines away!)

Tonight after dinner another evening full of dancing, but its 11:11 and no one has come back from dinner to dress. Joel and Jeff are napping and I believe I am done blogging and better rest too if we are all going to be out until 4 am. I guess tomorrow the Dali morning trip might have to be postponed to an afternoon trip after all.

Tomorrow the line up is to take the train two hours north to Figerous up on the hill overlooking the ocean to see the Dali museum, then come back (another two hours) and then try to get them to stand in line to see the interior of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia then try to get them to want to take the metro north to Parc Guell and walk up a hill to see Gaudi's tile bench seats. It'll be like pulling muscles from a shell, but I will let you know how strong and convincing I am, I believe a night of dancing will win over any idea I have. I must work harder on my persuasion techniques.

ALL in ALL, everyone is healthy. The two girls sickness magically went away upon arriving in Barcelona. Hannah's foot was hurting this afternoon walking to the beach, but she is a trooper. The boys are cliquey and have their separate boy trip going, but we see them now and then to give them second hand directions. Joel pops in and out of various group tour trips and I am constantly encouraging them to "fit in a few monuments please" but today the beach won us all over. I think we miss home.

6 days and counting.

Bon Jour Paree!

Wh

Monday July 9th 

Leaving Amsterdam was hard on everyone, it was such a mellow, friendly, and aesthetically pleasing city. But, we all met in the lobby at 9:30 brought the keys to the front desk and walked one last time down the cobblestoned streets of Amsterdam. We call it the sound of the thundering herd, and Joel was able to capture it. The rollers of the duffle bags on the cobblestones, when everyone is quiet morning tired is quite an original sound, one that will be missed.

But, we were headed to new French sights and sounds and the Paris City Metro exit sound became our new group mantra. "Doo do da doo"

Our group had really comfortable seats together in the 90's and 100's on Coach 16, and used them all to sleep. I know there should be pictures uploaded, but I can't find them...so..."Where are those pictures Joel?" is my blog mantra to a WONDERFUL male chaperone. FYI: I have finally found an excellent male figure that plays and has fun with the kids, is always watching over them, AND enjoys their daily choices. It is so nice to trust someone taking them out their outings.

The first outing we did upon arrival in Paris is to meet at the Eiffel Tower.

Then we ate baguette sandwiches and drank Orangina (in cans) under the tower on Parc du Champ de Mars.
Then the group gathered around the South West Leg of the Eiffel Tower to catch the bike tour through Paris!

The only difference from this city and the other bike tours, is that the cars WILL run over bicyclists, so I was nervous, but everyone came back, without any scrapes. Go CALI!

The travelers were able to see the exteriors of: Notre Dame,

The Arc De Triomphe, The Louvre, The Pantheon, Sainte-Chapelle, The Pompidou and the large Hotel Des Invalides. The most excited part of the trip, besides Gelato off of Pont Neuf was seeing the lock bridge over the Seine (but there are lock bridges EVERYWHERE in Paris now).

After the bike tour, everyone was able to take a Seine River cruise down and around Ile de la Cite (the island of Notre Dame) and back up the river just in time to see the sparkling Eiffel Tower.

On the walk home, everyone went back to the Eiffel Tower and met locals hanging out at the Champs de Mars.

July 10thParis Jour Deux

The next morning was spent at Versailles.

 Everyone, except our two sick girls, made it to the glorious chateau. Everyone was in awe at the excessiveness and I even encouraged them to get in the row boats on the lake! Marie Antoinette's house was also a hit for the girls.

After Versailles, groups split up after lunch of Croque Monsieurs at local corner cafes. (where's the pictures Joel?)

Groups went to the Louvre, back to the Eiffel Tower and inside Notre Dame.

Everyone was having so much fun using the Metro. Mary's hotel was literally on the corner of the Oberkampf Metro stop, so it was very easy to get home.

We were one stop south of the Republique Metro stop, where most trains transferred. It was so nice to watch everyone easily get around the Metro system to their focused sites of interest.

We all met back at the hotel for our group dinner, which was on the top of Sacre Coeur

The view of Paris was stunning,

but I think everyone was too hungry to eat up a view, so we headed straight through the streets of Montmartre to the quaintest Parisian restaurant with probably our best meal yet!

Le Poulbot was barely big enough to fit us all in for dinner, but we did! (where's the pictures Joel?)


Most travelers weren't interested in walking down Clichy to see Moulin Rouge or the s-e-x shops (thank God), so they headed home to dress up for their evening out at "the Social Club", but Amanda and I went and got her portrait done at Place du Tertre. (This is the famous square where all of the portrait artists hang out until midnight.) Amanda looked scrupulously for her artist, found him, and sat with a smile on her face. The final black and white portrait is elegant! We then saw the evening lights of Paris and then with courage, walked down the middle of Clichy. We got our view of Folies and Moulin Rouge, then popped in a taxi for home.
We arrived back as soon as most were leaving for The Social Club, a dance club in Paris!

July 11th Mercredi

Paris Jour Trois

The Social Club turned out to be exactly the dance club the kids had been looking for, but couldn't find in Amsterdam, so they danced into the morning. 

Only one traveler, Amanda, and Joel and I made it to Pere LaChaise in the morning to see Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison's cemetery, but I thought I'd post some pics so the kids can see them. It was a 10 minute walk east from our hotel and what an amazing site!

When we arrived back at the hotel, most everyone had woken up, eaten at the corner cafe and was filling in their day with what they hadn't done the day before, so again small groups went to the Louvre, D'Orsay, the Arc De Triomphe and inside Notre Dame. Hunter was trying to talk a group into going to Monet Gardens, only Lily and myself were takers, but the way this group works is, "I'll go if everyone goes" and no one makes the first move, so sorry Hunter, you'll have to come back on your honeymoon!

July 12th 

Our last day in Paris was mostly a last chance day. It was drizzling a rain mist over the city all day and we had to find indoor places to visit. Musee D'Orsay was a huge draw as everyone loved the Impressionist paintings of Manet, Monet and Renoir. My favorite were the postimpressionists of Toulouse-Lautrec and more of Van Gogh. I heard one travelers say, "I saw that Van Gogh painting in Amsterdam, I wonder which one is the real one" it made me smile that one of our kids can actually say that line now!!!! This trip is a success!

With feet hurting, but the female iron will to continue, Parisian shopping was beckoning the girls. We made it through Sant Denis and Sant Martin yesterday, but were headed to Hausmann Boulevard to see the seven floored Galeries LaFayette. It was the month of July, and their 50% off sale was in full bloom. More tourists were at this mall than at the Louvre, and woah Nellie, the girls were off! Faster than a Prague lightening bolt, lingerie, leather jackets, blouses, jewelry, they saw it all and enjoyed every second of it!
AND
We all made it back to the lobby by 6:30pm to catch our 8:30 train to Barcelona.

Where there were 4 in a sleeper car. Everyone slept like a baby and woke up in Espana.

Amsterdam Day 10?

It's challenging to keep track of the days. But Saturday July 7th turned out to be a very memorable day for most of the group in Amsterdam.  Even though we have a set itinerary directed at a few highlights of the city, this tour is a custom tour, designed around the travelers preferences. The only thing I insist upon, is communicating to me what those preferences are. It turns out relaxing in Amsterdam was the main focus for the travelers. But I did get them to a few main sites.

At 10 am we all met in the street in front of the Hotel to walk the "long" walk to the Anne Frank Huis and museum. On the way I found a bridge to have the group pose.

I knew it would be an hour wait for the entrance into see Anne Frank's house and the group was shocked at how long the line actually was.
 Joel took pictures of the line starting from the front of her house which is the brick building directly left of the modern museum windows on the right.

the line continues on around the museum and continues on

 and on 

and on and on and on.

So we just found a sunny spot to sit and enjoyed ourselves talking and eating snacks. I had warned them that it was like a Magic Mountain ride; you wait for an hour to go 3 minutes. 

 After this famous Amsterdam attraction we went to the first pancake bakery in Amsterdam called, go figure The Pancake Bakery.
There was a menu with over 50 choices and everyone was floored at how delicious each one was and no one was able to finish how big they were. Smothered in ice cream, bananas nutella, or filled with cheese and meat, everyone was wonderfully spoiled.

The rest of the day was planned to go to Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and then the Heineken Museum. A few chose to also enjoy the green spacious Vondelpark.

So the rest of the day, groups walked from one attraction to the next. (most of the pictures are not uploaded yet, as the photo cards are SLOW and driving Joel bananas and we don't want to leave the computer out in the room, so we are trying to manage all activities and keep the photo cards rotating.)

The smiles on this trip are so beautiful.

After dinner on their own, the group met at 11 pm to take a tram and the metro to Biljborg (sp) Arena for the 40,000 people rave, Sensation. Everyone was dressed in white and very excited. There was a lot of drama before, during and after, and I will let the video tell those stories, but everyone danced until 5:30 am, took a quick taxi ride home for 25 euro! and slept till 3pm. The ones who did not attend Sensations went to some local clubs around town and came home at 5 am, and also slept in.

Day 11
We had encouraged the group to rent bikes, but it began to rain, and continued until 5 pm. So everyone was able to do their laundry after they were adequately rested. Everyone is healthy, happy and enjoying their European adventures. They are at a group dinner, I think they planned to go to a Chinese restaurant near Dam Square, but I haven't seen them yet to find out. Joel will surely take tons of pictures of their last evening in Amsterdam. We plan to meet at 9:30 am and catch an 11 am train to Paris.
I will post again on the last day of Paris (unless I find time before then, but Paris is a large city, and it won't be possible to keep going back to the hotel to rest as much).
Our first day in Paris (at least the plan I have for them is: Eiffel Tower, Bike Tour, River Cruise and Bed) I will let you know what we really do next time.

But...side note... This group are individually very independent and ready for their adult lives. My reins are loose, and they prefer them to be looser. Joel is an EXCELLENT male chaperone and we play good cop bad cop very well. I like that he is the good cop, as he is getting all the video footage of their "true" adventure, as I am the mom/bad cop and they don't open up too much with me (thank God)...
I am proud of your kids, though, as they are all very responsible and alert to traveling. I have been consciously  disappearing more from their days, and they are figuring it out, and feeling the true experience of being an independent traveler, which is my ultimate goal for my trips.

In Paris I will keep them more "focused" and in a group (hopefully), as there is sooo much to do, and not so many "relaxing" influences there, as Amsterdam. I hope their best experiences of this trip are yet to come. I do think they have already lived five years in a week, and am surprised how their batteries are staying so healthy!!!!
Please email me if you have any requests or comments, and I am sorry that I cannot figure out how to get the comment section to post, as it would be fun to share your input with each other as well!

Au Revoir

Amsterdam has an array of eclectic views

Next stop is Amsterdam, with it's canals and bicycles and beautiful buildings. 

When we arrive in AMS, the tram is directly outside of the Zuit train station, not the Centraal Station, which I had thought, but it was just as easy going 8 stops north as 5 stops south in this town. We boarded the #5 tram and it took us to the end of the street of our hostel.

 It is another larger hostel (similar to the Berlin hostel) and the group will have an hour to grab a bed, a shower if needed and meet me outside for their bike tour. 

We met Pete from Mike's Bikes, and I had requested him, as he has taken my groups for three years now, and he adds a historical view with humor of this town. He gave the group a quick history account of how Amsterdam came to be by saying that that the city used to be called Amstel in the Dam, and after so many beers shortened the name to Amsterdam. 

After a quick history lesson of Holland, he took them around to the main sites of the city. (these shots are mostly on video, which will be on the documentary). 

After the bike tour, everyone came back to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner. It was still daylight as we walked into the Old Town, Oude Kerk, or what you may know to be called the Red Light District. We walked down the main strip along the canal for a few blocks then made a right towards the Old Church, and it just happened to be a right, right through a busy street/alley which actually had the girls behind the glass windows. We were all given an accidental look at the true working girls. 


After dinner, everyone found their own way to relax and we were set to meet at 10 am the next morning. 

The Rest of Berlin:

Day 7

Surprisingly, everyone was up early (since they didn’t enjoy the club, they made it home at a decent hour). They were up in time to have the hostel’s  breakfast then everyone had planned out an itinerary for their own groups of five. The boys went up to the highest man made mountain overlooking the city, at an abandoned radio tower,

Gruneberg. Joel went with, and they took amazing pictures.

Another group was searching out Diane Arbus’ show at one of the 117 museums, they had tried yesterday but got lost on an adventure for 4 hours.

Another group planned to go on a boat ride, but didn’t choose to wait for an hour for the next boat to arrive, so they went down to Potsdamer Platz and had another view of the columns.

Then went walking through Tiergarten Park, and found an area with nude bathers (“mostly gross men”).

The evening was on their own, and since most had eaten a large lunch of the authentic Deutsch dish of burritos, they chose the German dish of Pizza to satisfy their local culinary palate.

The evening began with thunder and lightening, and then a rain storm arrived, all night. The boys were the only ones who wanted to venture into the night wetness.

I alerted everyone to the 6:15 wake up call, and planned to meet them in the lobby at 7 am.  

Day 8

At 6:15, I didn’t have to bang on the door at all on all 4 rooms! Everyone was already up and moving around.

When I arrived into the lobby 3 kids were already there. No time for me to find coffee!!! At 7:02, I did a head count, and Holy Scott, the group was all there! 7:02 am! Awards will be given!

At the train station, after deciding how to get to the right platform, they trucked off to get breakfast while I watched the bags. Their breakfasts consisted of Mc Flurries and McSausage Sandwiches. Hopefully, dinner will provide them with more nourishing flavors.

Trains: Platform 13 was announced, and after 2 trains pulled in, ours finally showed. Getting used to how trains come and go so quickly is nerve wracking, especially if you don’t know which one is yours. The Russian writing on the first train alerted to us that maybe it wasn’t headed to Amsterdam. The second train didn’t stop near enough to our position on the platform to try to find coach #6, so we didn’t even have a chance to get on it, and then train #3 showed up and the conductor led us to Coach #6. Each train coach has 120 seats and the way the train company books the trains, is that each city, at arrival, fills up one coach, as the platforms are not as long as the train. So, basically there are 120 people fighting to get into their seats (it is as tight as a plane, so it is impossible for luggage to pass by each other and there are two directions). I have asked Joel to film it on the next leg of the trip because this is where all the drama comes in!

Elements of Traveling Drama: (There’s the morning stress, the walking with heavy luggage stress, the learning how to travel in a group stress, the learning how to read maps at a train station stress, the waiting at the wrong platform stress, the almost boarding the wrong train stress, the finding your seat, but with Indians who don’t speak English in front of you stress. Then there’s the drifters looking to steal your reserved seat stress, and others’ luggage in your way stress and then trying to lift your heavy duffel bag above you stress while someone wants to shove past you stress and then someone (teacher) asks you a question and BONG the talons come out. I counted heads, found the 3 that boarded the wrong coach, led them to their seats and I was out of there.  My seat was half way down the coach, as I gave Hannah, our late sign up my seat, so she could sit with the kids.

Yet, now, looking down the train, 20 minutes out of Berlin, I didn’t see stress at all, I saw 18 sleeping babies. Remember those days when the temper tantrums exceeded your love and then they fell asleep and they were angels….That is how I feel right now. I will savor this 7 hours on the train.

Berlin was a beautiful stop on this trip, and one of the only ones, which will present us with such an array of architecture. The city showed both the devastation of mankind’s destructive side, as most of the buildings were modern. 

It showed the artistic side of mankind, as the museums were filled with ancient and modern artist’s work.  (This picture is from infamous 70's director/photographer Larry Clark, the kids did NOT go to this show, but Joel and I did, it was powerful and made me want to throw up and cry). 

It showed the brilliance of mankind, as the architecture of the Berliner Dom is absolutely massive in its size and beauty, 

It showed it’s eclectic acceptance and love of mankind as families strolled down the cobblestoned sidewalks with their young children on bikes, leading them to the most child nurturing parks, in a neighborhood where all the apartments were tagged as if it was a ghetto. 

The orange blossom trees lined all of the streets and the feeling of big city meets small neighborhood was mostly apparent one mile out of the major city center, and I am so proud of the travelers who went exploring further than the one mile radius.