Nick posted the pics! They are not really organized yet and there are about 650 pcitures in total. Here are the links, one with pictures from my camera and one from Nick´s. Here are a few of my favourites if you have limited time:
Deborah - the best employee at United who helped us get on our flight to Germany
Oktoberfest - early evening , a few liters later and many beers later
We really weren´t kidding when we said it was snowing
The Steady Stead
Innsbruck
Bolzano, Italia - town surrounded by the Dolomites and here´s a fun one near our campsite
Driving through the Dolomites - C and i, Alpine Lake, Beer delivery by chopper, more Mountains, Frolicking, Group photo
In Klagenfurt, Austria with Heidi
Vienna - Ferris Wheel, Coffee shop
Finally, getting our bikes!
This is proof of the river crossing - nick, k and c
Here is a nice view of the Danube from one of the bridge crossings on our way to Bratislava and as we are getting into Bratislava in the dark. And here is Nick posing in the main promenade the next morning.
One of the nicest bikepaths we took was in Slovakia, from Bratislava to Gobcikovo. And here is Charlie´s attempt in cushioning his sore bum.
Here is a pic of the only ´hotel room´ where we could bring our bikes in. It was an abandoned university dorm and our only option in Gobcikovo. Here is another one to show how abandoned it was. And our lovely dinner.
The next night we arrived at Komarom, Hungary where we stayed with Edith and her husband in their very homey cottage.
Ah, and of course, a Trabant, they were all over Hungary.
The next destination was Eztergom, one of my favourite towns. Here is a nice view from our room in the attic at Lazlo´s 1600 home. And a beautiful sunset over looking the Danube atop the town. And of course we had to document our hungarian omelete breakfast the next morning with Lazlo´s wife.
This is Charlie and I about to collapse from exhaustion from climbing the hill from Eztergom to Szentendre. Apparently there is a Santa Fe Cafe just about anywhere in the world. Did we mention that Paprika is a Hungarian specialty?
And finally, arriving in Budapest!! We made it up to Castle Hill just as it was getting dark. We had a nice traditional Hungarian meal, and a stroll across the Chain Bridge.
The next day we visite the Hungarian History Museum, the Parlaiment ...and cafe, a stroll in some massive mall (we were looking for an internet cafe) where you were allowed to do just about nothing and a delicious dessert (it´s a Hungarian specialty but i can´t remember the name), upon Valeria´s recommendation, to end the night. Well, we did other things too but there are too many pictures for me to post them all (and i am getting tired...)! Definitely go check out all the other great pics on the websites!!
It was quite a struggle getting to Munich. We finally (but almost didn't) got on the flight to Frankfurt Sunday afternoon, thanks to the greatest United employee Deborah Borrow (have a picture, will post later) who managed to get us on the flight!!! Then we spent 3 hours at the Lufthansa ticket counter buying our RTW tix, then a 3.5 hour train ride to Munchen. This doesn't sound all that bad but it was hell yesterday since i didn't sleep on the plane and had to watch the ticket agent manually write out the tickets for my 20 travel segments.
Oktoberfest was quite a sight, i am surprised I am not hungover today but i don't feel great, but mostly because i have a cold and could not sleep last night and having to deal with the three boys snoring. It was a definitely a fun night, other than almost punching this drunk german guy trying to grab my ass.
Anyhow, go check out the FestPest blog and you'll see that we have dropped the bike trip :( because of the rainy weather. We rented a car for a week and are now trying to figure out where to go. We'll probably go through Austria and head down to Northern Italy, maybe some hiking in the Dolomites? oh, there is now talk of going to Lichenstein...
Well, we were supposed to leave for Frankfurt yesterday but of course, as luck would have it, we have to stop through cursed Chicago which was getting hit by thunderstorms and would have missed our connection to FRA. You would think that we could probably just get on another flight but no, all possible flights and connections that would get us to Germany are sold out, overbooked. So instead of taking the risk of sitting around at the airport for 3 days, we opted to take the next available flight where we could get a confirmed seat and that would be Sunday. Can you believe that?
Anyhow, it worked out alright other than the fact that we would be missing out on Okterberfest and we lose out on one day of biking, I am sure we'll be alright.
I blame this on Nick (sorry Nick). I have yet to go on a trip with Nick and not have airline problems, albeit that fact, things usually turn out alright in the end and it's not the end of the world, we will get there.
How anti-climatic. Now i don't know what to do with myself for the next two days, probably just hang out with my parents who are in town.
Oh, by the way, Nick put together a blog for the bike trip so go check that out for the next 2 weeks.