Tuesday July 24, 2007
Up at 6 AM in order to get to Luton for our flight to Scotland. Once again was picked up. We're getting very spoiled. Whatever happen to backpacking and living in Hostel? Landed in Scotland and rented a Europcar, a Fiat. Small little thing. Almost got killed and honked once. I think UK drives on the wrong side of the street to deter Americans, a least to scare them shitless. Found our hotel, a miniature castle. Love it. Our courtyard view is spectacular. This is a MUST for anyone. Had lunch at a local pub outside of the hotel. They ran out of steak, so they went across the street to get one. Now that is service. Love the beer once again.
Last Meal In London
We were both just pooped out from traveling. Ordered room service and just chilled out.
Love This Pic.
I just love that face.
Last Dinner in Bilbao
We really didn't drink all those....Brett did.
Beach Day?
At the Beach
Kind of cold at the beach. You won't see us in the water.
Lunch
Lunch by the water, a feat with 20 plus people.
Waiting to Eat
Feed us!
Judgement
This is were the judges are, I wish I could be in there.
Paella Festival
Annual Bilbao paella festival. Groups gather and cook paella, it'll be judged and winner will have bragging rights for one year.
Family
This is where the family congregate.
Wedding
Derek's parent to your left, Derek and Andrea, Andrea's parent the right and sweet Val, Derek's grandmother to your right.
Wedding
We're at the kid's table. Lot more fun.
Wooh Baby
Top of the Guggenheim. Brett's just overwhelmed by the two beauties. Or is that just me ripen under the sun in the same outfit I've worn for the last two days?
Itchy Litte Spider
Outside of the Guggenheim.
Guggenheim
The entire building is covered with titanium. Bret's trying to pry one off.
Doggie
This is at the front of Guggenheim.
Bilbao
Jess, Becky and Bret walking to the Guggenheim. This is the day after we've lost our luggage, both of us are wearing the same clothes, unwashed hair and no makeup... lovely.
Last Night in Barcelona
Since dinner in Barcelona doesn't start til 9pm or later we did what we both like to do, me watching TV and him playing spider on the computer.
Chruch of Barcelona
Under Construction.
Coffee
Europeans know how to make a good cup of Joe.
By the Dock
You see alot of art around Barcelona. I think these two sculpture represent a woman and a man morphing into mermaids.
Barcelona
We forgot what this is but we're sure it's something important. This is about the time when we're pretty much tourist it out. Seen enough old stuff.
Barcelona
This is on the Ramba, there are many street entertainers such as the fruit lady.
French food
Sad to say but the French do not know how to cook.
Size
This is just one end of the palace. Let see, the Eiffel Tower, the Versailles... you think the French have a size problem?
Garden
To call this the garden is a joke, more like a miniture water park.
Napolean
This famous picture of Napolean's coronations took up the entire wall of the coronation room. According to our guide, the women in the middle sitting is Napolean's mother, who did not attend the coronation but Napolean had the painter paint her there anyway.
Royal Bed Chamber
The King's bed. The fabric has gold woven into it, maybe even by little French children because of their small nimble fingers. I wouldn't put it pass the French.
Hall of Mirrors
Back then, glass were very expensive, so of course, they had an entire hall made of glass.
Queen's Chamber
According to our guide, this bed is where all the Queens gives birth... in public!!! So that there can be no questions about the royalty of the child. Now that is just asking too much from a women.
Versaille
Ceiling of the royal chamber pot room. Now why do they need all this when you're just going to the bathroom is beyond me.
Versaille
Church in the palace, who would've thought.
French Tour Guide
Aaah Manuele, how you smell, I shall never forget you Manuele, just because my nose won't let me.
Versailles
Only the west wing of the palace.
Versailles
This is just the petite palace. It's where the kings go to get away from the court.
Art
This is another one of my favorites. The winged bull of the palace of Sargon II. (Mesopotamia era)
Art
This one is mine. This is the Code of Hammurabi, the first set of laws to be "set in stone". Hey Jess, I think you would appreciate this too.
Art
There are too much art works to show but this one is JW's favorite. This is one of the pillar that held up a huge building once. There were 36 in only one section of this building.
Art
This is for the guys.
Sculpture
Is this not incredible! This is stone!
Resting
This place is so big, we had to rest our feet.
Monalisa
You gotta have a tall Iowa farm boy to take this picture above the crowd.
The Lady... or man.
Boy, did the "Da Vinci Code" made her famous.
Italian
This is a ceiling.
Louve
This is just a small part of the ceiling as you're walking into the Italian wing.
Entering the Louve
Lines getting the museum, only 9 euro each.
Couple pics.
That's the thing about a couple on vacation... it's either pictures of one or the other, or see up their noses.
Go Green
This building's has a living wall. It is covered with plants growing on it.
Eiffel Tower
Doesn't this look like we're looking up some lady's skirt?
Eiffel Tower
This one if for you Denny.
Eiffel Tower
There are many symbols in this picture. Can you see it?
Palace
The Luxumbourg Palace, a manicure garden and ponds can be viewed looking out from the palace.
French Dog
"Mademoiselles... I need to poop". You reckon French dogs barks French?
Louve
This place is huge!
Louve
The glass Pyramid at the Louve.
Cafe
A glass of vino, an original French onion soup, aaah life is good.
Norte Dame
Sitting by the Seine with Norte Dame in the back.
Hotel Room
Hmmm... pink bedsheet? Room size smaller than our kitchen? This is going to be fun.
Hotel
Outside of our hotel window. That's the St. Micheal's Church.
Elevator
World's smallest elevator. JW could hardly fit in it.
At the Hotel
Huh? Is this a closet?
Train
In the lap of luxury.
Train Station
All aboard!
Eating is Good
JW, Becky and the newest bride Andrea. Derek you are a lucky man.
Out with the Smith
I swear I wasn't drinking that much.
Hercules?
This one is for the girls, sorry I couldn't get a closer pic.
Buckingham Palace
Yes! The Queen is in. Flag is up.
Buckingham Palce
Is the Queen in?
Embassy
Another pics of the embassy.
Danish Embassy
We walked back just to get this picture. Nana, you would be proud.
Back to London
Same hotel, different room, very different scenery.
Inverness
A true castle at the heart of Inverness, main city of the Highlands.
Loch Ness
Gorgeous, the lake and the man.
Loc Ness
"Nessie, here Nessie, Nessie".
Driving
This is something to get use to.
Indian Resturant at Nair
Strange that you can find ethnic food anywhere, even in a little Scottish town.
Scotland country side
Hey dad! Check out the John Deere.
Macallan
JW wants to take these home.
Nair
An old church, built in the 1700's.
Outside
I look like the Indian servant girl the Lord brought over.
Photo Op
A portrait my Lady?
Newton Castle
Wow!
Lost?
Where are we?
Scotland
Just got in to Newton Hotel. Check out our little Euro car.
Pub
Fish and Chip. Yummy!
Phone Booth
Of course we must have a picture of the famous English phone booth.
Porter Potty
Love this! Especially with Becky's small bladder and love of beer.
Parliment
This was taken on our boat ride on the Thames. This building really is spectacular.
Big Ben
Bus Ride
One of the lovelier day in London. Cold out though.
Marble Gate
This is where the use to hang people. Lovely isn't it?
Le Caprice Resturant
Us with the doorman and his bowler hat. Mr. M threaten Mrs. M about getting one.
Night out of Town
Mr and Mrs M., Amir, their driver and Becky. This is their newest car, a Macab (some very expensive line of Mercedes that's suppose to rival a Rolls)
Market
The very patient husband.
Market
I'm so happy because I just got a bargain on spices.
Market
Yummy!!!!
Market
Food ventors at Portebella, they've got organic cheese, olives, and wonderful olive oils.
Breakfast
Another hearty breakfast. Hey, Clason, recognize the t-shirt.
The View
The picturesque courtyard, the view is spectacular.
Room
Here I am working hard on the computer.
Hotel
Our hotel, looks good from the outside.
Aah Guiness!
Aaah Guiness!
The handsome stud
Notice the raincoat?
Harrods
This building is huge!
Under Harrods
Mass of Humanity
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