Europe (23.4.2011 - 2.5.2011)
So I am seeing Europe at last. It will cost me a bomb if I am to join a tour group from Malaysia to visit the same number of countries I've been to. This is a once-in-a-life-time experience planned by my daughter and son-in-law since my wife and myself will be staying with them in England for more than a month. My son-in-law drove all the way from London to Germany, our first destination, and back.
Heidelberg, Germany (23.4.2011)
Our journey started at 5.00am as we wanted to catch the early train to cross to France.
The Euro Tunnel. Drive into it, sit tight, and in 35 minutes you will be in France! Part of the crossing will be under the sea.
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Lunch time. Brussels?! Just for a break as we still have a long way to go. So no other photos to show except this. |
Traveling within the European Union member countries is smooth as we crossed the borders from London to France, Italy, Belgium and Germany without any delay.
Heidelberg. My wife wanted to see this town as she had passed through the town during her earlier trip to Europe
many years ago.
The old bridge over the Neckar in Heidelberg. It was completed in 1788. It is a popular structure as there are many pictures of it - a tourist attraction.
This photo was taken from the castle on top of the hill, the main attraction when visiting Heidelberg.
many years ago.
The old bridge over the Neckar in Heidelberg. It was completed in 1788. It is a popular structure as there are many pictures of it - a tourist attraction.
This photo was taken from the castle on top of the hill, the main attraction when visiting Heidelberg.
Heidelberg Castle, the world famous ruined castle. The Frederick building was completed in 1607.
The damaged tower was left to ruin. The tower is huge when we stood next to it. We can see the town clearly from the castle.
The climb to the top of the hill where the castle is takes about 10 minutes. There is a funicular train to get up quickly. An attraction in the castle is the Great Tun. It is supposed to be the biggest wooden wine barrel in the world. It was constructed in 1751 from 130 oak tree trunks. It is 8.5m wide and 7m high and can hold more than 220,000 liters of wine.
The damaged tower was left to ruin. The tower is huge when we stood next to it. We can see the town clearly from the castle.
The climb to the top of the hill where the castle is takes about 10 minutes. There is a funicular train to get up quickly. An attraction in the castle is the Great Tun. It is supposed to be the biggest wooden wine barrel in the world. It was constructed in 1751 from 130 oak tree trunks. It is 8.5m wide and 7m high and can hold more than 220,000 liters of wine.
The Great Tun. The steps by the side are for visitors to climb to the top of the barrel.
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The walk up to the castle.
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 In the castle |
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After the castle it's a "roam" through the old town. It is beautiful and neat.
We took a walk along the Neckar, got down to the river-side to see the activities - boating, sailing & river-cruise. We walked toward the old bridge and thought of crossing it to the other side. Decided against it because of the distance and ended up along the narrow lanes full of shops, cafe and restaurants.
Well, Heidelberg is worth visiting even on a tight schedule. We would love to spend more time here if possible.
Our next destination - Italy.
Our next destination - Italy.
