Vienna...through Harry's eyes

Vienna -- St. Michael's Wing to the Habsburg Royal Winter Palace in Vienna
St. Peter's Church
Baroque Holy Trinity Memorial to the plague epidemic of 1679
St. Stephen's Catholic Church

Vienna. I like to say, “Take any section of the Chugach mountains in Alaska, stick em in the lower 48 and you’d have a potential national park. In the same way, take a building in Vienna . . . any along the Danube Canal . . . and each has the bones of a beautiful museum. I mean, yeah I know I’m probably repeating myself (which I do often right here!), but man oh man my eyeballs and brain are totally in tune to the architecture and class of the buildings, palaces, cathedrals, and monuments in Wien (Vienna). Kim chose the Schonbrunn Palace as our optional tour. It was worth the trip I’ll tell ya. For opulence, there is none quite like it. Then I saw the garden ‘out back’ and inhaled. You’ll see pics sometime. The place was crawling with tourists . . . like us. Kink gave me ‘boss’ status when we started and I used the whip today. Ha! We rolled over cobble stones til whatever is loose in our heads rattled. Then we took a circuitous route to the second floor. Very carefully nipping at the heels of the crowds, we picked our way through the Palace. It ain’t over. Remember the gardens? The walkways are massive and . . . hard sand. Baby, we plugged along until Kink cried ‘uncle’. Kim is a trooper who freely wanders within the tour and without. She’s doing terrific and having that ‘time of your life’ thing. What fun! A lounge chair on the upper deck held me in the right position as the sun set. Kim went to get a book from a new friend, Virginia.

Our morning tour was typical ride-tour guide-overview of the city with all the important points of interest described and seen. Our free time before lunch on the ship was spent walking the pedestrian only boulevards and alleys of shops and history. Yes. These streets, too, are cobblestoned. (OK, I’ll quit saying it for now.) Found a sausage stand and got a couple a big buggas. Yum!

A really lovely city. Vienna.

Tomorrow will find us in Melk and Linz. Go find it on a map. More later.

Passau, Regenburg, and Nuremberg (all in Germany) end our river journey. Prague will come into play as we embark on independent travel for that leg of our time in Europe.

Love to all. Harry

A note from Harry...from Budapest

Yesterday. Sunrise as we traveled upstream showed in bright, brilliant orange. Twinkling and flashing in east facing windows on monuments and buildings, Budapest appeared. What a feast for the eyes; pulled from Buda to Pest, back n forth over n over. A morning bus/walking tour to highlights followed by a free afternoon. Cobbled streets puts Kink in endless rumbling and me in strained sweat. But we do not fall back or slow anyone. We’re in the thick of the tour and he’s shooting photos to match Kim’s penchant for everything that fills the lense. What fun! After a few hours of this, Kink decides to stay on the ship for the afternoon. Kim n me take off. St Stephen’s Catheral, the Budapest Opera House, side streets, a weekend market and a bit of shopping (It was Sunday n the commercial district is off). Our plan to have a nice dinner in town ends, instead, back on the ship. Sore feet and the heat do us in. But what fun!! Night falls, the lights on the famed Chain Bridge come on, as do the Palace, Fishermens Bastion, St Mathias and best of the Buda side. Later, as we depart the city, the Parliament Bldg floats into view. It’s too much for me to tell about. You just gotta come see it and I hope we do again someday.

Bucharest, Romania shows all the signs of a country recovering from communism. Bulgaria was a complete surprise as I/we had no preconceptions or knowledge, really, about the place or history. Ohhh man, the countryside is rolling like the Condon-Grass Valley-Sherman County area but miles of fields of sunflowers. Donkey n wagon was a common sight. Small red-tile-rooved villages with unkept landscapes, poor, own veggie gardens and grape arbors surround each home. We past through many. Dipped our legs in the Black Sea, enjoyed a night walk in Ruse. 1^st-4^th century fortresses in Belogradchik and Veliko Tarnovo were awesome in strategic placement and what we can see. We are loving what we’re doing. The Danube, while not ‘blue’, is about as major a waterway as there is in the world. Small towns along its banks bring the binoculars on our ship (about 140 passengers this trip) up each time. Of course, for me, there are fishermen all along and I watch them and wonder as a fisherman would.

The history of these eastern European countries is about conquering, battles, wars, revolutions, resentments, recoverings, being run over, making bad decisions, and its inability to unite to repel outside attacks. It’s a history of war. The evidence is old, recent and obvious. Kim n I have a better grip of what has gone on here, and why it is what it is today.

Kink is so grateful for the assistance we provide. Let me tell you, . . . there are times . . . . But all in all, no meals are missed, he has been on every tour (everyday) except his choice to stay aboard in Budapest, he attends the daily on-board talk presentations, and has joined Kim n me ‘up top’ on the upper deck some evenings. He has slowed a lot. People have been patient. We’ve made some friends who, without boast, hang around Kink n me n da wheelchair at rough spots and steep inclines. Good men.

Today we did Bratislava, Slovakia. Ate ice cream and took in the scene in the town square. Tons of tourists. Why? It’s tourist season, silly. We are dem!

Did I say we’re having fun? Kim’s doing great with all the walking n sightseeing. We don’t miss any meals either.

5:30 each morning the captain is in the wheelhouse steering this gorgeous ship. I’m on the back rail in a workout. The sun rises. The Danube. We’ve got it to ourselves. Aloha to all. Harry

Budapest, Hungary

Today we entered Hungary, where part of my heritage is from. We sailed half the day, I actually slept in this am and missed breakfast!! I have to say the meals have been very good and I'm getting used to eating 3 full meals a day...and my waistline is showing it!!
Harry, on the other hand, is doing awesome and getting up at 5:30am, going to the top deck and working out. He has some exercise bungees that he uses as well as walking the deck. Tonight I joined him for some laps and I got a blister on my foot...not good.

I hope it doesn't bother me tomorrow...we have a full day in Budapest and I am thrilled! My Mom and I were there about 12 years ago and I never thought I'd return. We loved it then and I'm sure I'll feel the same again. It will be wonderful to see how it has changed, since we were there not long after the communists left.

Today was Kalocsa, a small rural town. We didn't arrive until the afternoon. We went on a Puszta Excursion to see their horse farm. It was wonderful to watch the cowboys, in their native dress ride their horses. There were teams of horses, from 2 to 4 to 6 to 8, racing around the arena. They wore wonderful costumes with their regional hats. Their were white oxen with long horns also pulling a 100 yr. old wagon. The highlight was the young man who had a team of 8 horses and he was standing on the last 2 and galloping them around the arena. It's something you may seen on the National Geographic station or magazine..very ancient and amazing. A pictures will certainly be a thousand words and it will make more sense seeing it.

At most of our excursions, they either feed us or give us cold drinks or wine. Today, since we were in Paprika country, they had homemade bread with paprika sprinkled on it along with their regional wine. I was able to buy some paprika to bring home. I did that the last time I was here and it was very good.

We then went to the town and were treated to a pipe organ concert at their huge Catholic Church!!!! It was terrific. When the organ played you could feel it to your soul!

This followed a quick stop at a restored, typical peasant's home. I just tried to imagine what my great grandparent's home looked like when they lived in this part of the world. I wish I had known them and also had asked my grandma and relatives more about what they had heard about the "old country" as they would call it.
So,I'll try to enter info tomorrow night, but we don't leave the city until after 9pm...so we'll see.

Comments from Kimi...and Harry too!

These were left in the comment section from a few posts below...aparently my mom is still having trouble with the blog and lack of highspeed internet!!! Enjoy! -Jessi

So for the past two days we have been in Serbia...such a war torn country and our guide today, in the city of Belgrade, was so emotional about what happened to them through the bombings and their dictator's rule. It is still very fresh and they are struggling to be a stable country.... to be able to participate in the European Union. We saw many beautiful buildings and preserved ruins...one was an intact fort.

This part of the world has had so many from the Romans to the Huns to the Turks to the Austro -Hungarian empire to the Communists dominating them. They don't really know who they are.

Yesterday, we went to the ruins of a Roman Military Camp and city that dates back to the 1st Century AD....amazing!!! They showed us tombs, their baths and lookout towers. They are working on unearthing their amphitheater.

I continue to enjoy watching the people live their daily lives....going to their churches, outdoor markets, visitng with friends and caring for their children.

The riverboat we are on is wonderful and we have meet people from all over the US and parts of the world.

Our friend Kink is doing well and Harry is managing the wheelchair in very difficult terrains. He is thankful he is in good shape.

Much more to come!!!

August 14, 2009 6:22 AM

Kim said...

Aloha all. Dang WiFi on de ship is constantly on the blink. Sorry for expectations we built to tell you stories daily on our supposed blog. Fab fun flight over here. Bucharest was our entry point in this part of the world and has tales of battle scars over centuries in its landscape and buildings. Onto Oltenita on the Danube and set sail for Silistra, Bulgaria. Bulgaria was a big surprise in its history, people, gorgeous countryside of fields of sunflowers!!!! We're talkin' like the wheat fields of Condon, Wasco, Grass Valley plain. Yeah, corn too. Donkey n wagon w/ farmer hauling produce a common thing. Old villages w/ red tiled rooves. To Varna; the seaside city on the Black Sea. Yes, we stuck our feet in the sea so we can say we did. Veliko Turnovo in the mountains. Vidin on the Danube. Belogradchik fortress in famous rocks (think Smith Rocks, OR). Serbia is a very mixed up and emotional place but the city of Belgrade is wonderful. Went to an archeological site outside of Kostolac, Serbia. 4th CENTURY dig!! Coin minted by Romans in 441 AD FOUND; one of many coins found in Roman baths site. That and other finds caught us in the throat when we ponder history in this part of the world. Lots of stuff like this. 1st century . . . 10th century, etc etc. Da Danube ain't blue. Plenty of fishermen all along the river. It's summer camping season and hundreds of campsites and cabins show families on vacation. Kink n wheelchair are a handful, as Kim can attest. Cobblestoned streets, uneven ground, rock/gravel, crossing crazy traffic (I literally raced Kink down a narrow two way street in the middle of Veliko Turnovo to a viewpoint we had passed in the bus. He gripped the arms of that wheelchair I'll tell ya. We three are having the time of our lives. I workout at 5:30am, get Kim n Kink up at 6. Then we hunker down with the winning combo of muesli and gobs of crisp bacon. I mean dis bacon is off da charts!! Ha! Other meals are great. I particularly love being up on the upper deck with my head on a swivel, binoculars in position, seeing all that my eyes can take in. Kim joins me sometimes. Kink naps. He has slowed A LOT. But, he continues best he can. We're having fun. Almost half way through the trip. Mahalo and blessings. Harry/Papa/Popz

August 14, 2009 1:16 PM

Friday August 14th, 2009

Things are amazing and the history abounds. There are days when the sights are so many that I can't take it all in. I am so very pleased that we have been given such a gift as this trip and Kink shared today how thankful he is that we would join him... so he could go on this trip. The weather has been perfect, warm, but little or no rain. Being on the Danube River gives a gentle breeze and is so beautiful and refreshing.

A few days ago, I think...hard to keep track of it all, we went through a gorge area with rock formations called the Iron Gate. It was windy and magnificent. There will be pictures when we return...but for now, I'll try to write as I can.

We are healthy and doing well. Kink is managing, along with my strong husband pushing the wheelchair! The Viking Riverboat staff and their guides are more than accomodating. There are a number of people with challenges....no wheelchairs except Kink.

So, if you have facebook, please check out the latest info.I.t was easy to update there

A message on Jessi's Blog

Iron Gate



My mom posted this on my blog this morning...thought I'd share it with you all!

Today Dad hiked up a rock structure to the ruins of a fortress...it was misty/rainy and I just stayed back and Kink did also.
We have met some wonderful, interesting people. It is amazing how many people have traveled all over the world.
The food is yummy and as hard as I try, I can't stay away from the bread!! Everyday I say...I am not going to eat bread, and then I "fall off the wagon." Well, I will need to really diet when I return.
Anyway, tomorrow is the Iron gate as we are in Serbia...tonight there was a presentation about Dracula..Josh would have loved it.
I guess tomorrow morning, at 6:30 am he and Elle leave for Italy...wow.
You can add any of this that you want into our blog. Wish I could get into the blogger site myself.
We love you all!
oms and papa

a note from yesterday

Romania and the Orthodox Church "Vatican"


Bucharest, Romania...oldest Othrodox church there

hey jess
off 2 Bulgaria all is good except sleep 4me. Pray I can sleep tonight.
Kink is ok,but very challenged physically,Dad is getting his workout!
more later. Beautiful weather &so interesting here.
luv u


Thanks for all your prayers for my parents...they are on a trip of a
lifetime and feel so comforted in knowing that so many people are praying for them!

Love, Jessi

a little update

but thankfully my mom's iTouch is! She's been able to send me some short e-mails that she'd love to share with all of you, they're having computer issuses but hope to get to a place soon that they'll be able to upload some photos for your viewing pleasure.

This is from noon today:

well another full day. Started at 7:00am with breakfast & then took
tour bus thru Bulgarian countryside. Looks alot like home.  Lots of
farming. Some machinery but lots of donkeys & carts along a/shepards &
their sheep, goats & cows. Too long on bus...2 hrs both ways. We went
to the Black Sea...water like Hawaii  & warm. We r having a great time lots of pigs &
good weather

Blog entries

Well, one more post before I go to sleep.

I guess there is no anonymous setting when you post a comment.

So, if you want to post, you have to go into blogspot and sign-up as a blogger.

There isn't any charge or anything.

If you don't want to do all that, then just email us at my email address kimileekwai@gmail.com

Well, we are all packed and ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. We feel like we have won the lottery!!!

We have decided to take out laptop, so that should mean you will not only read narrative of the

trip , but also see pictures!!!

Our dear friend, Kink, arrived safely this morning. We will see our son Max, JJ and baby Sunny this evening. It will be wonderful time for Kink to meet his latest great grandchild and visit with Max and J. Kink looks wonderful and seems to be doing well through his chemo. He will resume his treatments when he returns to Hawaii.

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes!! I hope that we are able to capture some of the wonder of this amazing journey. We'll do our best to post as we have interent available. Don't you just love technology?

Please be sure to leave us comments. If you aren't a blogger, just click on the comment bar, at the end of the entry. A white box will come up. Type your message(be sure to sign your name), go down to identity and check anonymous, then publish.

It will be fun to see who is traveling along with us.

Tomorrow it all begins!