Something for Easter!

Jason took this picture inside a shop in Salzburg in February. So, not really an Easter picture, but look closely. Yup! Those are eggs. Well, the hollowed out shape of eggs, decorated in the most ornate and lavish styles. This is one window in a huge shop -- filled from floor to ceiling with eggs! It was an incredible sight! So, since Easter was just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to share this picture. (Oh, and I like it and wanted a reason to post it!)

Maybe you were wondering what the seat of the European nation looks like? (Brussels, Belgium)

Beautiful. That's the answer!

A beautiful church! (Brussels)

I adore the Eurostar. Its the high speed train that runs from London to Paris and London to Brussels. I was dying to take another trip on the train, so I convinced my brother to take a few days and explore Brussels with me. Without our resident historian (Jason) we set off. And of course, our first stop? A beautiful Belgian cathedral!

This pulpit is actually inside of a different church than the one in the picture above. It doesn't matter though, because it is so ornate and gorgeous that I thought it was a must see regardless!

A quick glimpse... (Brussels)

You might be asking yourself...what's there to see in Brussels besides a beautiful cathedral? Well, in addition to be the home of the European Parliament...Brussels has a bit of everything!

Brussels has incredible culture...including a beautiful Royal Theatre House!

Brussels is full of greenery! This park was full of nature trails, benches for relaxing and ponds! The perfect anecdote to a full day of sightseeing!

Churches. You can't get away from them. (They still manage to impress me though!)

A Palace fit for a King! Truly!

One last thing... (Brussels)

Have you ever wondered if those yummy little items you love to eat are actually enjoyed in the country that they are named after? Well, for Belgium, I can say yes. Belgium waffles are loved by the Belgium people! So much so, that they are sold on the side of the street, from little windows next to shops, and of course, from mobile waffle vans. Chad was kind enough to allow me a photo of him next to the Gaufres van (translation...mobile waffle van)!!

At last...Iceland!

Even though it is the middle of winter, and of course there would be snow and ice everywhere, we couldn't resist my brother's invitation to meet him in Iceland. It was so worth it. Here are a couple of intro-pictures Jason took at sunrise on our first morning in Reykjavik!

I personally like this picture as the ducks are walking on the ice of the pond!

A bus ride to another world...(Iceland)

We were lucky enough to be treated to a private bus tour by Chad's friends to some of the most beautiful sights outside of the city of Reykjavik. Away goes the city and it begins to feels as though civilization is fading away as well!

The snow begins to surround the car and we begin to feel as though we are entering another world!

A giant frozen lake! (Iceland)

I have included Jason's picture of the sign when we stopped at the lake. I did this because the lake looks so frozen and covered in ice in these pictures you might not know it was there!

See the lake? We are standing right in front of it and it goes for as far as you can see in either direction!

In case you wanted to see it again!! Without us blocking your view!

An ancient and historic ground...(Iceland)

The Icelandic people make annual pilgrimages to this historic ground. It is the site of the first Parliament after the Icelandic people settled the island. It remains a sacred ground to this day.

The Icelandic people have created a beautiful walkway through these grounds. Bridges over the rivers and streams and pathways through the snow. Jason is standing on one of the bridges, ready to begin his walk through history!

Continental Drift! (Iceland)

This is Thingvellir (otherwise known as the site of the first Parliament in Iceland). It occupies a very special place in the hearts and minds of Icelanders. In 930 the Icelandic Parliament was founded there. Thus the medieval Icelandic commonwealth was established. Many important events in the history of the country have also taken place here, e.g. the official adoption of Christianity in the year 1000.

There is something else unique about the landscape behind me. Iceland actually belongs to two continents. It is split down the middle between Europe and North America.
These two continents are drifting apart, due to the tectonic plates, at the ‘soaring’ speed of 2 m per century. The land behind me is constantly sinking due to the land-masses splitting apart, and thus a huge valley, is forming.

How beautiful is this? (Iceland)

You might think that water looks eerily still and incredibly black...its not. Iceland is a volcanic island, and all of the ground in these pictures is lava rock. The water in this picture is the clearest and cleanest water I have ever seen. When we got up close, you could see all the way to the bottom and then some! It was amazing!

You might have forgotten that we were with my brother Chad!!

A Champagne Waterfall (Iceland)

Gullfoss (otherwise known as the Golden Waterfall) is a beautiful double-folding fall that many believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It thunders 32 metres over a fault into a gorge, with water coming from the glacial river Hvitá, which has its source underneath the glacier Langjökull.

This beautiful waterfall was actually created when part of the glacier Langjökull broke free and tore a gigantic rift through the valley, creating a river that travels 133 kilometres to the Atlantic Ocean.

A couple extras (just because)! (Iceland)

These are just cute photos! You can see, however, that the as the day goes on we are getting colder and colder!

Jason is sweet enough to brave the cold and allow me to take his picture in front of this gorgeous waterfall!

Gayle's Parting Pics!

So, you already know that I left our camera in America...our Christmas vacation was divided in two parts, the first half was with Jason's family in Indiana and the second half was with my family in Nevada. So my mom was sweet enough to send me some pictures she took with her camera! These are all taken right before we were heading to the airport to go back to London. Here, Chad's dog is doing something stupid and apparently very funny!!

Jason was sweet enough to take this "partial" family shot...only thing missing is my other brother Mark!

And look! A picture of Jason and I! How I love when we get pictures of the two of us together!!

I love Mexican food!

Because my family is so sweet, they were willing to submit to my constant cravings for Mexican food. As you can imagine, being roughly 6,000 miles away, Mexican culture and food hasn't really caught on here. Sure, there are 1000's of yummy ethnic restaurants throughout London...what's missing? Mexican. I can say, however, that we are lucky enough to live near two Mexican restaurants...some would argue the only two in London actually! And they are good..but nothing beats Mexican food back home! Even better is my brother Chad and Jason smiling for the camera!

A multi-generational shot! My mom, grandma and me!

So you've heard all about it...now here's the pictures! (Bad Gastein, Austria)

Straight off the airplane, we headed to our next mode of transportation -- a train! As I am standing outside the train station, we realised we just missed one train by five minutes, so we had a couple of hours to wait around for the next one!

Isn't this a lovely way to relax and wait for a couple of hours? Our first introduction to Austrian food and beer! Jason had beef goulash, whilst I had cheese pizza! (I am clearly not the daring one!)

Here's Jason standing outside the lovely cafe we had lunch in!

Austrian Trains (Bad Gastein, Austria)

The train ride from Salzburg to Bad Gastein takes about an hour and a half. It was by far one of the loveliest trains we have ever been on! Jason and I are sitting in our own compartment.

As you can see, we are carrying a lot of luggage! (Hey, we needed all our ski gear!) After all, we are expecting to see the snow soon!

Here is Jason standing on the platform in Bad Gastein! We are so thrilled to see the snow!

And finally...snow! (Bad Gastein, Austria)

Here is a picture of our hotel! Even though we had no idea, it was in the perfect location! Steps away from the gondola and right in the centre of the town!

And finally! Skiing!

Everyone has to eat! (Bad Gastein, Austria)

In Austria, the lunch spots are run by families and not the resorts! They all have large balconies with sun chairs on them! And of course, Austrian menus...lunch was a bit of a mystery, but overall, we ate very well!

And now, its time to reveal some truths. Say what you want about global warming, its happening in Austria. The snow is only high up...in fact everything I was reading about Lake Tahoe at the time and their snow woes, was happening here. Very little snow at the lower elevations, and the resorts are having a very slow season to say the least.

The lack of snow is more evident in this picture. Jason is actually standing in the fog line, but you can see the valley floor behind him, and guess what? Its totally brown. Hardly any snow in sight! (Doesn't Jason look happy anyway?)

After that yummy lunch! (Bad Gastein, Austria)

Time to head back out to the slopes!

Jason is ready to go!

And when the skiing ends? (Salzburg, Austria)

Look familiar? We are back at the train station, ready to head out for our next adventure! Salzburg! Home of Mozart and the Sacher Torte!

The Salzach river cuts through the heart of the city. We were totally surprised by Salzburg. Its known here in England for having gorgeous Christmas markets, but I must confess, its incredibly wonderful all year round.

Here, Jason is facing the opposite direction on the river from the picture of me. Our hotel was conveniently located on one side of the river, and all we had to do was a cross a bridge into the historic part of the city!

Two of Salzburg's main attractions. A Fortress on the hill and the Dom (on the right with the copper dome)...a gorgeous cathedral that Mozart used to perform in from time to time! Interesting to note, the Fortress is so well fortified that it has never been taken by force. Pretty incredible considering how many wars Austria has been involved. The Fortress was, however, surrendered to Napoleon!