Canada

Since we had our passports we decided to take a weekend trip to Canada. The drive was nice but the boarder crossing was not so pleasant. But we were happy to get to Vancouver BC to do some exploring. We found a hotel and relaxed that night to be fresh for the next day.

We spent time downtown looking at shops and just looking around. We then went to Stanley Island which is pretty awesome. It is a large park with bike paths and an aquarium. We went to the Aquarium and Joshua loved it. They had a dolphin show and a lot of really cool fish. 

Later on we drove to Grouse Mountain. We took a gondola up to the top and decided we would try zip lining. This was crazy fun. I could not believe what a brave kid I have. Some of those lines are so high up a fall would guarantee death. 

After our fun filled day we decided to catch a ferry over to Victoria. We had never been on a ferry before but it was pretty neat. It was a beautiful ride over watching the sun set. When we reached Victoria we found a hotel to stay at to rest up for the night.

We got up in the morning and walked around the downtown and watched all the boats. There was celebration going on with miniature boats doing a boat dance to music. We also found it fun to watch the water planes land. Maybe because we had never seen them other than on TV.

We caught a jet boat/whale watching boat tour. Joshua LOVED this. The boat went so fast he had tons of fun. But we also saw tons of Orcas. This was amazing because they where in the wild and it was a large pod with a couple babies. Our guide told us that the whales where more active than he usually sees them. They where on the surface a lot. 

When we were done with that we did some more walking around and went to the beach until it was time to catch our ferry back to Port Angeles, Wa. 

The boarder crossing was even worse this time. Those men must hate their job because they were the meanest. Maybe they thought I was smuggling my kid in the country. :-)

Traveling Europe

My first big trip I planned in 2009 was to Europe. I wanted to see Europe and visit a friend was living there for a few years so I made the most of it. After picking up extra shifts at work and off we went! The airline, Lufthansa, had us in seats completely opposite on the plane but after letting them know the situation we were upgraded to business class. I cannot thank them enough for that! We had an amazing time on the plan watching movies, listening to music and actually able to lay flat and sleep. When we landed in Fankfurt, Germany and got on another plane to Rome, Italy. 

Flying in style

In Italy we caught a train to the city center then had to navigate our way to our hotel across the city. I felt the "oh no, what did I get myself into" at first but quickly figured things out. We visited all the major tourist attractions including museums, churches, neighborhoods. Walking was a bit much for Joshua so we did the hop on hop off bus a couple of times. Gelato helped out a lot too. Our hotel was called Pensione Paradise . I loved it because it was very small and really immersed us in the culture by not being American or touristy. Our favorite restaurant was Pepy's Bar.
We happened to be visiting during Palm Sunday. So this wave us a pretty neat opportunity to attend Palm Sunday service at the Vatican with the Pope. We had a pretty good spot and good thing cause as you can imagine it was packed. I loved all of Rome. So much history and beauty from walking in neighborhoods to the Borghese garden and parks to museums and archaeological sites.

The Colosseum 

While we were sleeping one night I was awoken to a lot of shaking. A 6.3 earthquake hit and destroyed the city of L'Aquila. We went about our day and when we arrived back at our hotel my mom was on the phone. It was morning back home and everyone was hearing of the devastation. Over 300 people died.

Trevi Fountain, Rome

After a week in Rome it was time to fly back to Fankfaurt. I rented a car and drove to my friends place a few hours away. I traveled around Bavaria, visiting mid evil town, castles and even a concentration camp in which I would later in my nursing career meet a man who was liberated from that exact camp. 

Alps from Fussen

Driving on the autobahn was fun but you would find yourself driving fast with no one behind you and minute later a car would appear out of nowhere. The food and chocolate was amazing. I loved greeting people in there own language. Germany reminded much of Oregon in that it was green. I loved driving along and looking over in countryside to see a castle out. We toured inside two castles. The Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The town of Fussen was very cute and I loved my hotel, Hotel Sonne. 

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Finding activities Joshua would enjoy helped a lot. We spent a day at Lego Land which he loved. He also liked the criminal museum in Rothenburg. Rothenburg is a beautiful medieval town. But I did find the road out a bit confusing. This is because I turned down a street and about halfway down I noticed people walking towards me and then sitting at a table eating in the middle of what I thought was the road. Oops, it was a big sidewalk. :-)

We were staying at my friends nearly every night so he had her kids to play with. To keep cost down we just did day trips.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

One road trip was to Prague. We both enjoyed this city. So much to see it was a shame I only had one day. I got pulled over after crossing the border from Germany to Czech which had me scared for a moment but I did not have my lights on which is a law that even during the day your lights must be on. I still turn my lights on to this day. Starbucks there messed up my order and the persons in front of me so they gave me extra coffees!!! I know, why did I go to a Starbucks instead of someplace local. We need coffee and it was the only one I saw. The city was easy to walk and very beautiful. The east side of the Charles Bridge seems more busy than the West at the time I went. We went to the Castle up on the hill. It was very beautiful and you also get great views of the city.

Prauge, Czech

We made another side trip to Salzburg, Austria. It was Easter weekend and everyone was out so it difficult to see the city. We drove around for a while and took a couple pictures. This just means that I have to go back! In all, we where gone for about two and a half weeks. This was the bringing of my passion for travel. 

Fountain of Neptune, Piazza Navona, Rome

Circus Maximus, Rome

Roman Forum

Inside the Vatican, Vatican City

The Colosseum 

Arch of Constatine

Outside the Colosseum

The Pope, Palm Sunday service

Nuremberg, Germany

Pottenstein

Dachau Concentration Camp

Munich, Germany

Dancing musical clock in Munich marketplace

Famous beer Haus

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Hohenschwangau

Mozart's House, Salzburg Austria

Fortress Hohensalzburg, Salzburg Castle

Prague, Czech Astronomical clock

Prague

Overlooking Prague

Guard outside Prague Castle

Outside Prague Castle

Rothenburg, Germany store

Rothenburg

Very interesting and fun museum in Rothenburg

A sign on an walk in the woods

My friend Cassandra and her kids (who I stayed with) and her German friend

How I planned my trip

When in Rome I highly recommend getting the Roma Pass. It gives you free transportation and entry into 2 museums which saves you money as well as discounts. Some places give you direct access without waiting in line. The pass is good for three days.

I have hundreds of more picture of so many beautiful places. We had a camera stolen in Rome with many pictures on it so I hope to make it back to see it all again and get more pictures.