Trip to See Derek/Olomouc Czech Republic - Day One/Two

First of all; on this trip I did not write any notes as I traveled.  Also the editing of photos was completed when I was back in Canada, not at the end of each day which is my usual method of operation.  I arrived in Wein Austria about 5:00pm Saturday afternoon.  Found Derek waiting for me after about a 5 minute search of the airport.  We picked up some groceries in the airport and I had a sausage on a bun.  The Austrians make great sausage!  Headed to Olomouc which was about a 3 hour drive.  Headed out for a quick tour of the old town and then off for some dinner and beers.

Town Square in Olomouc

Full Size Eve (Art Gallery Olomouc)

This image in the art gallery shows that the town square has not changed much.

My mom had chairs like these, except these were from a 1930s design.

Beer Spa!  Not only are we drinking it but we are also soaking in it!

Entrance to the Spa

A popular local favorite:  Mixed dark and light beer.

Smoked Pig Knuckle:  Yum

The next day was Sunday so we continued with the local tour visiting three churches and an art gallery.  Interesting to see the modern design work (with lots of bau house influence) form the 1930s.  Lots of things where happening here (in design and art) before the Germans rolled in the late 30s.  Two of the churches were conducting mass so we only saw them briefly.  I will have to return for pictures on another day.  The weather was overcast and cold, (high around 0C).  Setup an appointment for  a beer spa, (one of the highlights of the trip).  You spent 40 minutes in hot tub (with water, oil and beer) then another 30 minutes in sauna then 30 minutes napping.  The spa also included a couple of beers!  When out for pig knuckle and more cheap beers!

Back from Czech Republic

Just a few pictures to give you a taste.  Great March Break trip to see my brother Derek.  He is currently working in the city of Olomouc.   I have not had time to post any pictures as of yet.  Highlight of the trip was the beer spa!  Also note the mixed beer.  The dark at the bottom and the lighter one on top.  Yummy.  

See the full gallery on Posterous

Sitting in TO airport

Sitting at heirloom bar/cafe enjoying a Sam Adams beer. I am off to Czech via Poland and Austria. Audrey and Kyle saw me off which was very nice. Did not have assigned seating. The travel agent hand not reserved a seat for me. We will see what kind of seating I will get. Looking forward to seeing Derek. The cafe has iPads at every spot. Cool! But they are pretty locked down so you don't have access to things like the iPads camera.

Snowshoeing in barrie

See the full gallery on Posterous

Audrey and I headed out for some snowshoeing in perfect winter weather!

Ducks ducks and more ducks

See the full gallery on Posterous

Winter is back

Storm hit last night. Thank god it did not arrive when we were driving pk, Lucy, and Melissa to the airport.

Back to Australia

See the full gallery on Posterous

Pk, Lucy, and Melissa are heading back home! May they have a safe journey. We will miss them deeply. By the way, check put the over 500lbs of luggage!

Paul's last day

The st joes staff see Paul off

New Years with Ruginis & Kenneally

See the full gallery on Posterous

Just some pictures from our new years get together.  Not a lot of pictures since taking them got in the way of drinking :)