Then on the we are going to see Olympique de Marseille play Stade Reims on the 7th May, again at the velodrome. A soccer game in Europe should be amazing and a must do while we are here.
Below is the stadium - pretty impressive!
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Wahoo we are off to the rugby and the soccer
So excited:- We have rugby tickets to see top of the table Toulon vs Clemont on April 3rd at the new State Velodrome which seats 67,000 people. Toulon is where Ma'a Nonu is playing.
Then on the we are going to see Olympique de Marseille play Stade Reims on the 7th May, again at the velodrome. A soccer game in Europe should be amazing and a must do while we are here.
Below is the stadium - pretty impressive!
Then on the we are going to see Olympique de Marseille play Stade Reims on the 7th May, again at the velodrome. A soccer game in Europe should be amazing and a must do while we are here.
Below is the stadium - pretty impressive!
Day 4 and 5 - 'chill day' and then going solo on the buses and trains
Monday 21st March: today we had a chill day sorting the apartment, getting some school work done and going to the soccer turf for a couple of games. Nice to have some down time before more action tomorrow.
Tuesday 22nd March: This morning we left the apartment with Karl to organise our transpass card for public transport. The following pictures are of the view Karl has on his daily walk to the metro.
We caught the metro to a main station to get our Transpass cards - we can get a montly pass with our photo on which means that we can go on any train, tram or bus - great option for exploring. Today after Karl headed off to work we went further on the Metro and then caught Bus no. 50 to a big shopping complex where we explored for the day buying the little bits and pieces which we needed for the apartment like a bread board, sharp knife and some containers. They had a huge IKEA which was fun to explore. We managed the bus and the metro which was most exciting.
We found a big toy store which we explored and found a French monopoly which we just had to buy - the properties are all in French and include such things as Avenue Des Champs-Elysees and Avenue Mozart - we should be all good playing it until we get to the ? and Community Chest! Time to upskill on our French.
We managed to get ourselves home, rested and then went to our local supermarket to stock up on food and to the boulangerie to get our baguette. Great day!
Karl worked late today as he finally has his samples for his project - he spent the whole day in the lab which is something he has not done for some years. Home in time for dinner and wine though!
Tuesday 22nd March: This morning we left the apartment with Karl to organise our transpass card for public transport. The following pictures are of the view Karl has on his daily walk to the metro.
We caught the metro to a main station to get our Transpass cards - we can get a montly pass with our photo on which means that we can go on any train, tram or bus - great option for exploring. Today after Karl headed off to work we went further on the Metro and then caught Bus no. 50 to a big shopping complex where we explored for the day buying the little bits and pieces which we needed for the apartment like a bread board, sharp knife and some containers. They had a huge IKEA which was fun to explore. We managed the bus and the metro which was most exciting.
We managed to get ourselves home, rested and then went to our local supermarket to stock up on food and to the boulangerie to get our baguette. Great day!
Karl worked late today as he finally has his samples for his project - he spent the whole day in the lab which is something he has not done for some years. Home in time for dinner and wine though!
Monday, 21 March 2016
Day 3 - dipping toes in the Mediterranean
Sunday 20th March and it was marathon day in Marseille. Needless to say we did not participate and the route of the run was the same route that we were planning to bus! Opps. So we went walking - we went to the park on the other side of the port - where there was grass to play on! Yay! and of course the kids found other kids and had a blast - sport seems to have a common language. Lachlan managed to ask if he could play in French and they were off..........
After they exhausted themselves we walked further around to our nearest beach
(about 20 minutes walk from our house) and the kids dipped their toes in the Mediterranean - cold!
After beach play we headed off to find lunch and found a cute little French restaurant - no photos sorry - was too hungry! Had a great lunch and then caught the bus tot he end of the line and to explore the rest of the beaches within the Marseille city region. Lots of beaches and lots of parks - very cool and can see us spending lots of time there as the weather warms.
Another end of a very cool day. Karl heads to work tomorrow and so it is going to be a cleaning, sorting and chilling day for the rest of us.
 |
| This is me at the playgound with the Fort Saint Jean where we were yesterday morning and by our house in the background - very very cool and very very old! Walking the ramparts will be our norm - this is crazy! |
(about 20 minutes walk from our house) and the kids dipped their toes in the Mediterranean - cold!
 |
| Karl and I stayed away from the water - it was rather chilly today...........such a lovely spot looking out at the islands in the Med - can't want to visit them! |
Another end of a very cool day. Karl heads to work tomorrow and so it is going to be a cleaning, sorting and chilling day for the rest of us.
Day 2 - 18th March - jet-lagged!
Today I was up and awake at 4.30am - however while we are in some weird time-zone Karl is well and truly on French time so we are a bit out of whack!
The kids, upon waking, were keen to go to the boulangerie for croissants again - delish!
We then went exploring - firstly to the shopping centre as the boys were in need of new shoes and a soccer ball.
Time for soccer in the coolest location
This is a public astro-terf right in front of the Cathedrale De La Major - amazing! We have been here to play every day so far - mostly on our own but one day Lachlan joined in with some other kids and played. It is only 5 minutes walk from our apartment and across the road from the supermarket we go to.
After the soccer, we headed home for lunch and then to Forte Saint Jean which is just by us and then on the bus to head to Notre Dame Cathedrale - known by the locals as the "good mother" - it was amazing. Both of these places will require much more exploration. The forte we can go to anytime as it is so close. Plan is to take the ipad so boys can do some photos and write some information for their school blogs. The fort was started in the 12th century, reworked in the 15th c and fortified in the 17th c.
We then caught the bus to Notre Dame Cathedrale Marseille which was amazing.....you can see it in the distance from the next photo up on the forte
Wow - what amazing sights in our new city - what an amazing adventure. Still super tired - so home for food and bed - yay!
The kids, upon waking, were keen to go to the boulangerie for croissants again - delish!
We then went exploring - firstly to the shopping centre as the boys were in need of new shoes and a soccer ball.
After the soccer, we headed home for lunch and then to Forte Saint Jean which is just by us and then on the bus to head to Notre Dame Cathedrale - known by the locals as the "good mother" - it was amazing. Both of these places will require much more exploration. The forte we can go to anytime as it is so close. Plan is to take the ipad so boys can do some photos and write some information for their school blogs. The fort was started in the 12th century, reworked in the 15th c and fortified in the 17th c.
 |
| Notre Dame De La Garde Basilica - Marseille "the good mother" - amazingly beautiful! The basilica was consecratedin 1864. Its esplanade affords one of the finest views over Marseille. |
Wow - what amazing sights in our new city - what an amazing adventure. Still super tired - so home for food and bed - yay!
Friday, 18 March 2016
In Marseille - all together
After a great sleep it was time to get up as the boys were keen to go to the boulangerie for croissants for breakfast - there is, of course, one close bye and so off we went. Time to practice French - "je voudrais quatre croissant s'il vou plait" - I would like four croissant please - yay! Croissant eaten down by the water - perfect french start to our day.
Next it was back to the apartment to do some unpacking and give Karl his present from Hong Kong and the boys were keen to fly the drone.
Next it was off to explore the port area. The boys spotted the ferris wheel and so on we went - very cool and very high and such amazing views. Beautiful sunny day with just a light sea breeze.
As we had been wandering past a lot of restaurants we were hungry and it was time for lunch - delish and more opportunity to practice our French. I really need to get practicing my French more at home! We then continued to explore, got some food at the supermarket for dinner and headed home.
Got the boys dinner and off to bed and then Karl and I had our dinner - red wine, baguette, cheeses and salami for our dinner,,,,,,,,,,,
Perfect start to our French experience.
Next it was off to explore the port area. The boys spotted the ferris wheel and so on we went - very cool and very high and such amazing views. Beautiful sunny day with just a light sea breeze.
 |
| The metro sign which of course you can fit in. |
 |
| So many cool nooks and crannies with views to the water |
 |
| There is this crazy mirrored roof area - very random! |
Got the boys dinner and off to bed and then Karl and I had our dinner - red wine, baguette, cheeses and salami for our dinner,,,,,,,,,,,
Perfect start to our French experience.
Hong Kong to Marseille, France
Today is the day we head to Marseille - wahoo!
Up at 5.30am to get ready to go - down to reception with
bags at 6.15am to check out and get taxi to airport. Main focus:- take all our gear.
Checked in, had breakfast and found our gate - no time for
duty free shopping with two boys in tow!
Our 12 hour flight left at 9.30am - Flight was pretty bumpy
at times but boys didn’t seem to mind they were focussed on their games and
movies. Tried to get them to sleep but
they were not keen and of course, both of them went to sleep with about 1 hour
til landing - typical!
Woke them up to get off, Lachlan woke pretty well but Connor
was like a zombie - mind you it was almost 10pm Hong Kong time and we had had a
late night and early morning and a busy few days.
-
PS - I saw the Eiffel Tower as we flew in to
Paris - exciting - tried to wake boys but no joy so I am still the only one
that has seen it!!!
We managed to get through the transit area and to a space
where we could sit - and Connor could sleep and we could wait 5 hours for our
next plane!!!! Joy!!!!!! It was great
that in Hong Kong they checked our bags right through to Marseille as our
travel agent had said we would need to collect and clear customs in Paris.
Thank goodness for small mercies!!!!
 |
| Poor tired Concon! |
This time seemed to take forever - I was too scared to go to
sleep in case we missed our flight and was a major struggle to keep my eyes
open. Finally it was time to board - we
were all alsleep within 5 minutes of take off and woke as we were landing 1
hour and 20 minutes later.
Off the plane and there was Karl and JC waiting -
home!!! Well home for 6 months!!!
Day 3 in Hong Kong - Disneyland
Disneyland Hong Kong
After another fabulous breakfast we headed off to the subway
to make our way to Disneyland Hong Kong which is on Lantau Island, about 45
minutes and 3 subway lines away.
Thankfully Edwin had given us a tutorial on the subway and we managed it
like pros. Edwin’s tip of buying our
return subway tickets on our arrival at Disneyland was also fantastic as we
were not having to wait in line with hundreds of others at the end of the
fireworks show and stepped straight on the train bound for home!
 |
| The Disneyline |
Disneyland was a huge hit with the kids and we rode and
explored all day long until the fireworks and light show at 8.45pm. Needless to say we were exhausted. One of the boys’ favourite rides was the Buzz
Lightyear Auto Blasters which we must have gone on about 10 times.
 |
| Around and about at Disneyland - below the Parade |
 |
| High fives for Connor |
 |
| Connor at the wheel! |
 | ||
Brave Lachlan took to the skies
|
 |
| These were so cute!!!! |
 |
| Crazy parachute ride was very cool |
 |
| Me and Connor on Slinky |
 |
| Off to climb and explore Tarzan's tree house |
 |
| Loads of rides! |
 |
| One of the favourites - astro blasters |
As Connor is only 6 years old he needed an adult to join him
on every ride - if he had been 7 he could have gone on his own or with Lachlan
- was tempted to tell him to say he was 7 however completely hypocritical when
we talk with the kids about the importance of being truthful - so there I was
riding every single ride!
This Disneyland is smaller than the ones in the US or Paris
and was a perfect one day experience where you could explore everything. It was great and not very busy at this time
of the year with our longest wait being 15 minutes and most we could walk
straight onto - perfect.
We had a photo with goofy and pluto which was hilarious as
Connor was wearing a football shirt goofy decided a football move and then he
and the boys were doing dance moves - very funny!
 |
| Us with Goofy and Pluto and below the boys having a wee dance off with Goofy! |
 |
| Cuddles with Goofy and Pluto - they took a shine to Connor |
We got home about 10pm - time for bed as we needed to be up
at 5.45am to get ready for our flight to Marseille, via Paris.
Connor’s favourite
- having a photo with goofy and pluto and astro blasters
Lachlan’s favourite
- space mountain roller coaster and astro blasters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)