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Europe 5 - Netherlands, Belgium, London, QM 2
July 3, 2004
“Back in the US, back in the US, back in
the USA”. The journey is over. We’ve traveled around the world
through 22 countries. There were times that we wondered “what
we were doing” and “would we make it?”. Mostly would Andrew
make it? None of us were seriously sick during the 10 months
of travel. That was the most important accomplishment. We’ve
learned many things and saw marvelous wonders. We learned to
appreciate teachers much more. Andrew won’t be home schooled
next year! The schooling was one of most difficult parts of
the trip.
Travel planning is not easy and takes more hours than you
would ever believed possible. Flexibility in that planning is
absolutely essential. We had to be willing to give up some
destinations and ideas because there wasn’t any way to make it
happen.
There will be one more entry where we will come up with best &
worst lists, travel tips, and other reviews. Thanks for
following us on this adventure around the world.
Europe 5 Journal
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June 24, 2004
 It’s June 24th. This is our only full day
in London. There are a number of things people want to do
today, so I’m sure we will split up. The Natural History
Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum have been mentioned.
I had wanted to go see Parliament from the peanut gallery but
decided not to venture that far from the hotel. London is full
of so many things for tourists to do and see. This is my 13th
visit to the city and I could still find fresh things. We love
Harrods food court and AD likes the toy department. I’ll be
happy if that’s all I do today.
DW & I are going out tonight with Andrew Bartram and his
fiancee Sosy. They have gotten engaged since we had dinner
together in Berlin. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to
celebrate with them……and watch England vs. Portugal play in
the semi-finals. London will be a madhouse tonight as everyone
comes out to cheer on their national soccer team.
Tomorrow we head for Southampton to board the Queen Mary II
and our 5 days at sea crossing the north Atlantic. We are all
looking forward to the rest, and recreation on board the ship.
It sails into New York harbor on the morning of July 1st. I
can’t wait to be on deck as we sail past the Statue of Liberty
and Manhattan. I’ll be thinking of all our forefathers as they
came to America in search of freedom, and the chance to make a
better life for their children.
June 16, 2004
 There's
only a week left in Europe before heading home to the USA
across the North Atlantic. Debbie, Claire and Phil have
arrived and the Jackson family will be complete with the
arrival of Daniel on Thursday. We're moving to a different
resort on Friday to be closer to Amsterdam. It will still be a
45 minute drive into the city but makes The Hague also
available to us. Our weekend will be spent touring (OH NO!)
art museums. They will be the last ones!
Before flying to London on Wednesday, we are driving to
Bruges, Belgium. It is a treasure of an old city that
fortunately got left behind. Sort of like the town that the
railroad missed, or the highway bypassed. What got left was an
intact 400 year old city, found by 20th century's tourist
industry. Many people have spoken highly of it during our
travels. We are all looking forward to the trip on the Queen
Mary. Can you imagine a ship that's a mile long? There are
even different ethnic restaurants to choose from.
Houston ...»
South America ...»
New Zealand ...»
Australia ...»
Bali / Singapore ...»
Thailand / Cambodia ...»
Nepal ...»
India ...»
France and Spain ...»
Tunisia and Spain
...»
Germany, Denmark and Poland
...»
Germany, Czech
Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France
...»
John's London Journal ...»
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