Archive for May, 2019

Oma & Opa in Europe, 2019

Sunday, May 19th, 2019

This year in March, we met my parents in Germany, rented a car and travelled through southern Germany (Munich, Traunstein, Berchtesgaden, Nuremberg, Cologne, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Ahlen-Westfalia), Austria (Salzburg, Melk, Schönberg am Kamp, Vienna) and the Czech Republic (Česky Krumlov, Prague). It was fantastic to hit the road with them, visiting historic sites and seeing friends and family. Lovely!

As usual, click on the links to see a bigger picture.

Oma & Opa & Zen in Traunstein.
Traunstein Zen Opa Oma

A wonderful dinner with friends in Traunstein.
Traunstein Naoko Zen Opa Oma Gisela Heinz

A perfect picture in Salzburg.
Salzburg Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Getreidegasse, Salzburg.
Salzburg Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Visiting my old school in Salzburg.
Salzburg Oma Opa Peter Naoko Zen

At the monastery in Krems.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

At Maria’s in Schönberg am Kamp.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Oma & Opa in Schönberg am Kamp.
OMa Opa

With our wonderful friend Theresa in Schönberg am Kamp!!
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Theresa

With my parents at Schönberg am Kamp.
Oma Opa Peter

Dinner in Schönberg am Kamp.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert Theresa

A beautiful morning in front of the Stefansdom in Vienna.
Oma Opa Naoko Zen Norbert

Near the Stefansdom in Vienna.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

In Vienna near the Stefansdom.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

Hello, Vienna!!!!
Oma Opa

Eine kleine Bierli! In Vienna!!
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

With Norbert in the Kleine Bierl in Vienna. Great meal, great times.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

Saying goodbye to our wonderful friends in Schönberg am Kamp!!
Zen Naoko  Oma Opa Norbert Theresa

Dinner at Švejk Restaurant in Česky Krumlov, named after The Good Soldier Švejk.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Late afternoon in Česky Krumlov!!
Peter Naoko Oma Opa

Hanging out at the castle in Česky Krumlov.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

On the Charles Bridge in Prague.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Oma, Opa, classic car. Prague.
Oma Opa

Wandering the streets of Prague on our second day, after the Charles Bridge.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Prague wandering!!
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Waiting for the driver to arrive in Prague…
OMa Opa

Awesome sausages in Nuremburg!!
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Great sausage restaurant in Nuremberg.
Peter Naoko Oma Opa

Cologne, the cathedral by night.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Roswitha

With our wonderful relatives in Ahrweiler!!
Roswitha Naoko Zen Siegfried Liesbeth Irmtraud Oma Opa

Our relatives gathered in Ahlen, Westfalia.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Gerhard Ruth Manfred Inge Simon Michael

Oma, Uncle Manfred, Uncle Reinhard, on a beautiful day in Ahlen-Westfalia.
Oma Manfred Gerhard

At Dieblich, on the Mosel river.
Oma Opa Naoko Zen

At Dieblich, on the Mosel river.
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At Deutsches Eck in Koblenz. The cool people!!
Oma Opa

A beautiful dinner with the Schultheis family in Heidelberg.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Dieter Naoko Hana Lena

Heidelberg
Oma Opa

Near the castle in Heidelberg.
Oma Opa

Heidelberg Castle 5.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

A wonderful lunch after seeing the cherry blossoms in Heidelberg.
Naoko Dieter Naoko Oma Opa Zen

Lovely lunch after cherry blossom viewing in Heidelberg!!
Peter Naoko Oma

Europe trip 2019

Friday, May 17th, 2019

In March-April we went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe, Naoko, Zen & I and my parents. We were with Oma & Opa for two weeks in a rental car, three generations together, visiting Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, then back into Germany, seeing old friends & relatives in Austria & Germany. We said goodbye to my parents in Frankfurt, then drove on for another week in Paris, where we gave up the car and became flaneurs!

Here are some pictures from the trip. As usual, click on the thumbnail pic to see a larger picture.

In Changi Airport in Singapore, heading out to Europe for (Zen’s) first time!
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On the KLM flight to Europe!
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First meal in Europe – lunch!!
Naoko Zen

In front of the Hofbräuhaus!
Naoko Zen

The Hofbräuhaus!!
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Beer at the Hofbräuhaus!!
Peter Zen

At the Marienplatz in Munich.
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Breakfast in Munich.
Peter Naoko

The Europa statue at the Theresienwiese, where every year the Oktoberfest is held. At this time it was empty.
Naoko Zen

Munich’s Viktuelienmarkt.
Peter

Checking out paintings in the Alte Pinakotek in Munich. This is a painting by Albrecht Aldorfer that made a strong impression on me when I saw it first at age 15.
Peter Zen

With our friend Ingrid in front of a Leonardo da Vinci painting!!
Ingrid Naoko Peter

One of the many big halls in the Alte Pinakotek!
Ingrid Naoko

Surfing on the Eisbach river in Munich. Amazing!!
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Surfing on the Eisbach river in Munich. Amazing!!
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In a beergarden in the English Garden in Munich.
Naoko Ingrid Zen

Zen chatting with his grandparents in a brewery in Traunstein.
Traunstein Zen Opa Oma

Breakfast in Traunstein.
Traunstein Naoko Zen

Posers in Salzburg!!
Salzburg Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

Cool doorway in Salzburg.
Salzburg Zen

Salzburg!!
Salzburg

My old school in Salzburg.
Salzburg Oma Opa Naoko Heinz

The Untersberg in Salzburg, Austria.
Salzburg

At the Königsee in Berchtesgaden, south Germany.
Berchtesgaden Kónigsee

On the Alpine trail in Southern Germany!
Zen Heinz Opa Naoko

Morning frost on the car!
Traunstein Naoko Zen Peppy

The monastery in Melk.
Naoko Zen Opa

Schönberg am Kamp.
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Checking out the beautiful cat in Schönberg am Kamp.
Naoko

Hanging with Norbert in Schönberg am Kamp.
Norbert Zen

Opa and the kitty in Schönberg am Kamp.
Opa

The monastery in Krems.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

Krems.
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Zen at the monastery at Krems.
Zen

With my parents at Norbert’s house at Schönberg am Kamp.
Oma Opa Peter

Norbert and Naoko at Schönberg am Kamp.
Norbert Naoko

Having a nice dinner in Schönberg am Kamp.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert Theresa

Stefansdom in Vienna.
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Stefansdom in Vienna.
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Stefansdom in Vienna.
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Near the Stefansdom in Vienna.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

Vienna time.
Peter Naoko

Vienna time.
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Vienna time.
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At lovely Schönbrunn.
Naoko Zen

At Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.
Naoko

Norbert’s cat at Schönberg am Kamp.
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With friends and family in Schönberg am Kamp.
Zen Naoko  Oma Opa Norbert Theresa

Norbert’s cat
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Chilling in Česky.
Zen

In the kitchen of the serviced apartment in Česky Krumlov.
cialis best buy

Česky Krumlov.
Naoko Zen

Česky Krumlov.
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Lovely Česky Krumlov beer.
Peter Naoko

Česky Krumlov by night.
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Česky Krumlov by night.
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Česky Krumlov morning.
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Door in Česky Krumlov.
Peter Zen

Česky Krumlov.
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Česky Krumlov.
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Česky Krumlov.
Naoko Zen Opa

Česky Krumlov morning.
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Česky Krumlov.
Naoko

Prague.
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Prague Old Town Square with the Gothic Church of Mother of God before Týn.
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Prague Old Town Square.
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Prague Old Town Square at night, with the Gothic Church of Mother of God before Týn. This was the view from our apartment.
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Prague Orloj, the famous medieval astronomer’s clock.
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Prague Old Town Square in the morning with the Gothic Church of Mother of God before Týn. A Chinese model was taking photos at 6:30 AM.
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The Charles Bridge in Prague.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa

My parents in Prague.
Oma Opa

The Charles Bridge in Prague.
Peter Naoko Zen

Nuremberg.
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Nuremberg.
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Nuremberg.
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Getting some much-needed breakfast items in Nuremberg.
Peter

Nuremberg, site of the rallies.
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At the Anders home in Fritzdorf.
Naoko Zen

With our relatives in Ahrweiler.
Roswitha Naoko Zen Siegfried Liesbeth Irmtraud Oma Opa

With my cousin Roswitha in Ahrweiler.
Roswitha Naoko

At our relatives’ house in Fritzdorf.
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Old house in Ahrweiler.
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With my dad and my Uncle Siegfried.
Opa Siegfried Peter

Cologne cathedral.
Oma Opa Naoko Zen

Evening at the Cologne cathedral.
Zen

Evening at the Cologne cathedral.
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Roswitha

Evening at the Cologne cathedral.
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Early morning Cologne – getting the buns for breakfast!!
Peter Naoko

The Cologne cathedral.
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With relatives in Westphalia.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Gerhard Ruth Manfred Inge Simon Michael

On the Mosel in Dieblich.
Naoko

In Dieblich on the Mosel River.
Oma Opa Naoko Zen

In Dieblich on the Mosel River.
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In Koblenz at Deutsches Eck.
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In Koblenz at Deutsches Eck.
Peter Naoko

In Koblenz at Deutsches Eck.
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Silhouette inside the Monument of German Unity at Deutsches Eck in Koblenz.
Peter

Heidelberg castle.
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Nice lunch after seeing the cherry blossoms in Heidelberg.
Peter Naoko Oma

At dinner with friends and family in Heidelberg!!
Naoko Zen Oma Opa Dieter Naoko Hana Lena

Heidelberg castle!!
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Heidelberg castle by day.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

View from Heidelberg castle!!
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Cherry blossom viewing in Heidelberg.
Zen

A nice lunch after some cherry blossom viewing in Heidelberg.
Naoko Dieter Naoko Oma Opa Zen

On the old bridge in Heidelberg. The castle is in the background.
Peter Naoko

Leaving Heidelberg.
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In the village of Foameix near Verdun. We chose it because it was in the middle of our drive from Heidelberg to Paris. Cool town!
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French pizza in Étain, near where we were staying in Foameix.
Zen

Memorial to the dead in Verdun.
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War cemetary in Verdun.
cialis canada pharmacy

Breakfast at au Bois de mon Coeur in Foameix, France.
Naoko Zen

Checking out the supermarket on our first night in Paris!
Naoko

Strutting in Paris.
Naoko Zen

City Hall in Paris.
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Strutting in Paris.
Naoko Zen

Strutting on the Champs Elysees in Paris.
Naoko Zen

At the Arch de Triomphe.
Peter Naoko Zen

Checking out the Metro in Paris.
Naoko Zen

First view of the Eiffel Tower.
Peter Naoko Zen

Chilling at the Eiffel Tower.
Peter Naoko

The amazing Concorde Bridge in Paris.
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At the Seine near the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre.
Peter Naoko Zen

Paris sunset.
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Perspective in Paris.
Naoko Zen

The Brasserie experience!!
Naoko Zen

The brasserie experience.
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Paris metro.
Naoko Zen

Big train clock in Musée d’Orsay.
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Musée d’Orsay.
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Musée d’Orsay perspective.
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Scenes at the Musee d’Orsay.
Naoko Zen

Paris sunrise from our apartment.
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Paris scenes.
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Paris, Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
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Paris, the Pantheon.
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First view of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Notre Dame de Paris

Paris, the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris

Paris, the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris Peter Naoko Zen

Crepe in the Quartier Latin in Paris.
Naoko

Lebanese food in Paris. We at at this place more than once.
Naoko

Entering the Louvre.
cialis canada pharmacy

Mona Lisa, my baby and me.
Peter Naoko

Louvre masterpiece.
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Louvre masterpiece.
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Louvre masterpiece.
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Our hood in Paris.
Peter

Looking for a nice place to eat on our wedding anniversary in Paris.
Naoko Zen

A lovely wedding anniversary dinner in Paris.
Peter Naoko

That was a nice place to eat!
Peter Naoko Zen

Paris Metro.
Naoko Zen

Paris, Sacre Coeur.
Peter Naoko Zen

Paris Montmartre.
Naoko Zen

Paris, Sacre Coeur.
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Paris, Sacre Coeur.
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Our last breakfast in Paris, bought bread here.
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Bastille Sunday market in Paris.
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Bastille Sunday market in Paris.
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Oysters & wine at the Bastille Sunday market in Paris.
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Paris bouquiniste near Notre Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris Naoko

The Seine near Notre Dame.
Notre Dame de Paris

At the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Our flight got cancelled, though…
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Chilling in a Holiday Inn Express with our survival packs full of yucky food.
Naoko Zen

PNZ in Europe

Thursday, May 9th, 2019

We’ve already been back form Europe for a month, but I haven’t put any pics up yet! I’ll do a proper job eventually, but here’s the pics that have all three of us (Peter, Naoko & Zen) in them, while some have other friends and relatives.

It was a great trip, a dream come true. I wish we were still there…

As usual, click on the links to see a bigger picture.

Stefansplatz in Munich!!
Peter Naoko Zen PNZ

In front of St Michael’s Cathedral in Munich.
Peter Naoko Zen PNZ

Munich.
Peter Naoko Zen PNZ

Munich – first dinner in Europe.
Peter Naoko Zen PNZ

In the English Garden in Munich.
Peter Naoko Ingrid Zen

Salzach River bridge in Salzburg.
Salzburg Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

In Salzburg on the Getreidegasse with my parents and our friend Heinz.
Salzburg Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

At the Chiemsee in Germany.
Peter Naoko Zen

In front of my old school in Salzburg, Austria.
Salzburg Oma Opa Peter Naoko Zen
Salzburg Oma Opa Peter Naoko Zen

At the Mondsee near Salzburg in Austria.
Mondsee Peter Naoko Zen
Mondsee Peter Naoko Zen

With my parents and friend Norbert in Krems, Austria.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

With my parents and our friends Norbert and Theresa in Schönberg am Kamp.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert Theresa

At lunch with my parents and friend Norbert in Vienna.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Norbert

In Vienna.
Peter Naoko Zen

Schönbrunn, Vienna.
Peter Naoko Zen

Česky Krumlov.
Peter Naoko Zen

In Česky Krumlov
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

In Česky Krumlov!
Peter Naoko Zen

Prague!!
Peter Naoko Zen

The Charles Bridge in Prague.
Peter Naoko Zen

In front of a medieval walled city.
Peter Naoko Zen

With my cousin Roswitha.
Peter Naoko Zen Roswitha

With my relatives in Rheinland-Palatinate.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa Gerhard Ruth Manfred Inge Simon Michael

With my parents in front of the Castle Heidelberg.
Peter Naoko Zen Oma Opa

In front of the Castle Heidelberg.
Peter Naoko Zen

Cherry Blossoms in Heidelberg.
Peter Naoko Zen

April 5th – on the streets of Paris after celebrating our wedding anniversary.
Peter Naoko Zen

Cherry Blossoms on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.
Peter Naoko Zen

In front of Paris city hall.
Peter Naoko Zen PNZ

On the Champs Elysees, Arch de Triomphe in the background.
Peter Naoko Zen

Near the Louvre in Paris.
Peter Naoko Zen

Eating Lebanese food in Paris.
Peter Naoko Zen

The Eiffel Tower!
Peter Naoko Zen

The Eiffel Tower!!
Peter Naoko Zen

In front of Notre Dame 10 days before it burned.
Notre Dame de Paris Peter Naoko Zen

In front of the Arche de Triomphe in Paris!!!!
Peter Naoko Zen

Lunch at a roadside cafe somewhere between the Arch de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
Peter Naoko Zen

At the Sacré Coeur church in Montmartre, Paris.
Peter Naoko Zen