Look Wot I Did On My Hols ;)
Dec. 21st, 2008 12:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pandopWe had a really nice time at the markets. No mishaps this time :)
First off we took an optional excursion on Monday morning to the town of Monshau. There is a 'mill' there (not a real mill, now a craft centre), and the town itself was very pretty. Sadly the most interesting thing in the town, the Rotes Haus wasn't open on Mondays (this seemed to be a pattern for this holiday). Still it was nice to be up in the mountains and out of the fog. There was snow too, proper pretty snow, not like the manky slush we get here.
In the afternoon we went back into Aachen, for the markets. I was very glad to finally see inside the Dom. Although it would appear that the English speaking tours (the only way you can see the Gallery, and thus the really interesting stuff) are only on Saturday and Sunday now! (see above for things being closed). I would also like to have time to see the Treasury some time too. In fact, I think Aachen would be nice for a summer trip, as apparently the Terme is very popular.
There was no way I could get any decent photos of the inside of the Dom, sadly, as I have neither the skills or a suitable camera. I was rather pleased with this photo of the outside though
On tuesday we had a full day in Koln. As this was now the fourth time we have been there, we were able to spend more time looking around the city, and we of course went to the Dom again. There was so much in there that I wanted to take a photo of, and couldn't. Partly due to the skills/camera issues, and partly due to the absolute hordes of teenagers in the Dom - it was so crowded and noisy :( I did get a photo of this marvellous tomb though:
The shopping in Koln was rather successful. I scored yarn (more about that tomorrow) and a bargain cake tin (reduced from €12.95 to €5!):
It is only 20cm wide at its widest, but I love it. We also saw the most magnificent gingerbread house in a bakery window. It was a good metre or so high!
We still managed 2 markets though, our favourite two which are closest to the Dom :) It was still foggy all day though. This was also the place where we filled our tacky souvenier quota - pasta in the shape of Koln Dom! (We have had this before, it is decent pasta)
The hotel we had for Sunday-Wednesday morning was in Bad Aachen, and was a little odd. There was lots of painting on the walls - in particular the room we had breakfast in had murals of vines/vineyards and wine. The main ladies loos downstairs were amazing though
On wednesday we went to Valkenburg in The Netherlands. We decided not to go to the Markets at all here as they are in caves, and Mum hadn't been keen on the uneven floor last time, especially when it was crowded. So instead we did what the locals do - we went to Hema, one of my favourite shops, where I stocked up on goodies. Didn't get quite everything I wanted, but was happy with what I did get (choccies, and funky knee highs!). Nice lunch there too.
The overnight hotel we had on Wednesday night was a lot better than the main hotel, I thought - although not so highly decorated ;)
All in all I was not too disappointed with the change, as I do like all three places we went to on this holiday, and I still got to go to two World Heritage sites (Aachen Dom and Koln Dom), even if they weren't the two I had originally planned ;)
First off we took an optional excursion on Monday morning to the town of Monshau. There is a 'mill' there (not a real mill, now a craft centre), and the town itself was very pretty. Sadly the most interesting thing in the town, the Rotes Haus wasn't open on Mondays (this seemed to be a pattern for this holiday). Still it was nice to be up in the mountains and out of the fog. There was snow too, proper pretty snow, not like the manky slush we get here.
In the afternoon we went back into Aachen, for the markets. I was very glad to finally see inside the Dom. Although it would appear that the English speaking tours (the only way you can see the Gallery, and thus the really interesting stuff) are only on Saturday and Sunday now! (see above for things being closed). I would also like to have time to see the Treasury some time too. In fact, I think Aachen would be nice for a summer trip, as apparently the Terme is very popular.
There was no way I could get any decent photos of the inside of the Dom, sadly, as I have neither the skills or a suitable camera. I was rather pleased with this photo of the outside though
On tuesday we had a full day in Koln. As this was now the fourth time we have been there, we were able to spend more time looking around the city, and we of course went to the Dom again. There was so much in there that I wanted to take a photo of, and couldn't. Partly due to the skills/camera issues, and partly due to the absolute hordes of teenagers in the Dom - it was so crowded and noisy :( I did get a photo of this marvellous tomb though:
The shopping in Koln was rather successful. I scored yarn (more about that tomorrow) and a bargain cake tin (reduced from €12.95 to €5!):
It is only 20cm wide at its widest, but I love it. We also saw the most magnificent gingerbread house in a bakery window. It was a good metre or so high!
We still managed 2 markets though, our favourite two which are closest to the Dom :) It was still foggy all day though. This was also the place where we filled our tacky souvenier quota - pasta in the shape of Koln Dom! (We have had this before, it is decent pasta)
The hotel we had for Sunday-Wednesday morning was in Bad Aachen, and was a little odd. There was lots of painting on the walls - in particular the room we had breakfast in had murals of vines/vineyards and wine. The main ladies loos downstairs were amazing though
On wednesday we went to Valkenburg in The Netherlands. We decided not to go to the Markets at all here as they are in caves, and Mum hadn't been keen on the uneven floor last time, especially when it was crowded. So instead we did what the locals do - we went to Hema, one of my favourite shops, where I stocked up on goodies. Didn't get quite everything I wanted, but was happy with what I did get (choccies, and funky knee highs!). Nice lunch there too.
The overnight hotel we had on Wednesday night was a lot better than the main hotel, I thought - although not so highly decorated ;)
All in all I was not too disappointed with the change, as I do like all three places we went to on this holiday, and I still got to go to two World Heritage sites (Aachen Dom and Koln Dom), even if they weren't the two I had originally planned ;)
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Date: 2008-12-21 03:29 pm (UTC)Yay for Christmassyness!
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Date: 2008-12-21 03:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-22 07:55 am (UTC)Maybe next year... maybe...
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Date: 2008-12-22 08:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-22 08:40 am (UTC)The only reason I've seen a lot of things back home is that I've been showing Basti, his parents and our friends around :)
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Date: 2008-12-23 03:03 pm (UTC)