Day: August 3, 2023

Strasbourg: two points of view

/ brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

A lazy start. After our epic 3.5 hr film last night. (I still can’t believe we did that!) we loved our room. Quiet, great bed, no noisy neighbours.

Steve headed off for his solo exploration. He’d made a plan which included a few things I’d love to do and one I wouldn’t really care about. I’ll leave you to guess what that is as I describe his day as related to me over afternoon drinks.

He left around 9 and walked the winding streets to the cathedral and had no trouble getting in – no tourists around at this early hour.

One of the many little streets approaching the cathedral.

Making his way to the little sightseeing boat, he stopped off for breakfast. He could easily be French. Loves his pastries.

Not finding any boat or ticket office (which we have since found out the office for tickets is near the cathedral or online) he walked to the Petite France area. it’s a beautiful area established in the 16th Century for the fishermen , millers & tanners.

Then he took the tram to the place he was to get the bus. Only Steve could encounter a surly ticket inspector. He had failed to validate his ticket and nearly copped a fine! Luckily an older guard took pity and jumped off and validated the ticket, much to the displeasure of the young gun guard. A benefit of him having grey hair?

Then he boarded the bus to La Wantzenau. It’s about a 30 min ride. “What’s there?” I hear you ask

He arrived at the exciting La Wantzenau. Naturally he didn’t know where to get off, so at the end of the line the lovely lady driver took him to where he wanted to be. What a lady!

He was visiting one of the largest private museums devoted to WW2.

Rooms & rooms of vehicles, guns, uniforms.

He was there 3 hrs. Recommended for military buffs!.

Then the bus back. Another long story and a big walk back to our hotel where I was laying in wait for an afternoon glass of wine.

And what, I hear you ask, did I do?

I had a very leisurely start. Then brunch in a lovely cafe. A slice of quiche and a coffee. Feeling rested I decided to walk for awhile. I zigzagged through streets towards the Cathedral. Oh, how I love this charming city.

Loads of food shops.

I made it to the Cathedral. It brought back many happy memories. Today was a little windy and cool so I sheltered in a little cafe enjoying mint tea and writing yesterday’s blog.

I remember this restaurant from 2015

I walked back and choose a restaurant for tonight. Everything seems to get booked.

I’ve chosen Mamama. It looks cosy and the menu reads well.

Back to the hotel for a rest, a read and with the windows open I could listen to the sounds of the street below. Happy voices, children playing , wheelie bags being pulled over cobbles (did you know some villages in Italy have banned wheelie bags as they are destroying their ancient cobbles?)

Steve arrived back and we went to the bar down stairs in our cool hotel! And so we sat over a glass of wine and compared days. He loved his day and I’m happy with mine. He walked 13,000+ steps. I walked 3,100.

Tonight dinner and perhaps the light show on the cathedral if the rain holds off.

From Singapore to Frankfurt: a Day of Travel

/ brisbanefrannie / 6 Comments

After a huge first day in Singapore ( who said I’d take it slowly) we had a 12 hr flight to Frankfurt.

I love watching people in airports. The wanderers: those who are jet lagged and just walk in a trance and get in the way ( of wheelchairs like I was travelling in )

The device addicted : walk and look exclusively at their phone and similar to above – get in the way !

The shoppers: stop at every counter squirting perfume.

The eaters: crowd out the cafes to get the comfortable seats – or perhaps to avoid airline food.

The children : they’re not sure why they are here but go with the flow and have mum chasing them constantly.

Oh yes I had time to observe.

Arrival in Frankfurt was great. Wheelchair at the plane door with a very officious German man ordering me around. Wheeled me to a transit lounge to avoid going down stairs to the arrivals hall. Said he’d be back to go a short cut . Didn’t come back. Steve & I sat patiently. Steve would have wheeled me but he’d taken the chair. We asked the security lady who said he’d be back. Meanwhile where’s our luggage we wondered !

50 mins later they had to phone and get someone else to get us. Andreas was lovely. Found our luggage discarded by the carousel. Wheeled me through a myriad of corridors and voila we arrived at the train station.

We still had an hour before our train to Strasburg, so I was parked in a coffee shop nearest to our platform. A Starbucks. Not my favourite.

But humour remained as I people watched again & Steve wandered off to explore the station.

The train arrived. We made it into our seats. Steve thought there would be a restaurant bar on board. Perhaps if it were the Orient Express. 1st class just got us a numbered seat. Unfortunately for me we had to change trains. Then change platforms. Up and down – what a rush.

Second train got us into Strasburg at 12 and we walked slowly to our hotel.

Walking from the station.

The Boma Hotel is on Rue November an east 10 mins walk which for able bodies is a breeze. For me. Not so much.

Our room over looks the street. Has an opening window and is very good. Newly renovated it’s cool! Modern furnishings. A bar downstairs. And a helpful manager who booked me a massage.

I arrived by taxi to meet Isabelle, a charming , slim ( aren’t all French women ) and helpful. She tried hard but said in a sad voice. There’s something wrong inside. Ligament or cartilage damage. Luckily for Isabelle I’d had a quick shower after 16 hr travel from Singapore.

Back to the hotel for a rest, a little washing and a short walk out for dinner at Leo’s wine bar. ( its name made me miss our grandchildren) .

We had a beautiful lobster roll and a tomato burrata salad and ham with Parmesan. We shared.

Walking back to the hotel around 8.30, we couldn’t walk further, had eaten enough and as we walked past an art bourse cinema Steve suddenly suggested we see Oppenheimer. Amazing he never suggests a movie but he’d read about it & as it was early thought Why Not!

Staying awake for 3.5 hrs was a struggle after a very long day but we did it and fell into a super comfy bed.

Tomorrow. A Rest day for me and sightseeing for Steve. So luckily I’ve been here before. After a swim trek back in 2015 I had 5 days here by myself. I loved it then so happy to watch the world go by as Steve explores.

Read my blog from back then https://franstraveltales.com/2015/08/23/paris-to-strasbourg/