Amsterdam......

                                                                                                                        2nd -5th July 2011
Destination Holland......

Surprise surprise another mammoth drive about 9ish hours. Destination Barrd just out of Amsterdam to stay with another couchsurfing family, Bella, her husband and her two girls, Celina and Leonie.

Spent a day in Amsterdam alas not long enough so much to see, to do and explore.  We took a peddle boat out for an hour and peddled around some of the canals, and generally spent most of our time just walking around soaking up the atmosphere.

We had a great time with Bella and the girls, they got on famously with Eden.
Next stop London!!!

Maxine a friend, Bella, Celina and Lizzy the dog.

The hills are alive........

                                                                                                                                   29th - 2nd July 2011

Destination Austria......

 We arrived at our 3rd couchsurfing destination after another mammoth drive of about 10 - 12 hours. They are becoming part of the norm!!! We stayed with Angela, Marcus, Jonas, and Lauren for three nights in a small village called Weissenbach very close to the German border. It is a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains.

The next day we thought we would do something very cultural by putting down a hangi. We had a great time preparing it and spent the evening under the trees waiting for our hangi to be cooked. A late start but by about 11pm it was ready. Well worth the wait if I don't say myself it was bloody good!!!!

preparing our hangi

The weather wasn't so good while we were there but the rain was a pleasant change form the heat.
Angela and Marcus have 16 sheep called Racka. They are nearly extinct a very rare breed originating from Hungary. They have exceptional horns!!!!

Thank you so much Angela, Marcus, Jonas and Lauren for your hospitality, generosity and great conversation. We had a lovely relaxing time with you and your family. Loved the dumplings!!!!
It wasn't long enough, we would have loved to have stayed longer.

Croatia ....

                                                                                                                                25th - 29th July 2011

Spent 4 nights in a small town called Fazana, a small seaside town on the Adriatic coast of Istria.

Opposite Fazana is the Brijuni National Park where we spent an afternoon going around it and it's several small islands by boat...lovely!!!

Our ride

Visited a town called Pula where there was a remarkable well preserved Roman amphitheatre. It is a venue for summer concerts and performances. It is built entirely of local limestone and was designed to host gladiatorial contests. Built in the 1st century wow!!!!