Portugal

Here we are on Portugal's sunny southern coast: The Algarve.  The beaches are lovely, with plenty of sand and sunshine.  The flowers and exotic rock formations in Lagos are quite spectacular.


Beach
Carveiro, Portugal

Flower
Lagos, Portugal

 

Coastline
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal



Coastline
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal



Sea Cave
Ponta da Piedade, Portugal

Gaelic Hurling Semi-Finals

Nicole, Matthew and Greg went to Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, Ireland Sunday, August 11th to see the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi Finals between Dublin and Cork.

The skill level of the players was very impressive, and the game was fast paced and exciting.  The game was very close until the final few minutes when Cork broke away from a 22-22 tie to win 27-22.  Cork will now advance to play the winner of other semi final game between Limerick and Clare.  The final championship game will be Sunday, September 8th.



Dublin vs. Cork
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland





Cork Player Advancing
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland



Dublin Player Shot on Goal
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland



Cork Player Inbound
Croke Park
Dublin, Ireland

Rollerblading in Derry / Londonderry

Sunday, August 4th Matthew, Nicole and Jennifer rollerbladed along the River Foyle.  They crossed the Peace Bridge at Derry / Londonderry.



Nicole & Jennifer
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

Matthew & Jennifer
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland



Matthew & Nicole
Peace Bridge
Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

Guild Hall
Londonderry, Northern Ireland



Praha, Czech Republic

Leaving Vienna by train we arrived in "Prague" on Thursday, July 25th.

In the 14th century Prague was one of Europe's leading cities.  Today, the city feels vibrant and free after the fall of communism in 1989.  Old Town Square is ringed by buildings with Art Nouveau facades; medieval market stalls have been replaced with cafes and souvenir shops.  Our favorite building was the Old Town Hall famous for its astronomical clock - we loved watching it strike the hour with sweeping hands, celestial symbols, revolving disks and trumpet accompaniment.  It is the oldest working clock in the world.  We enjoyed one of the most pleasant strolls in Europe, crossing the glorious Charles Bridge.  Finally, we saw the "changing of the guard" at Prague Castle.

Prague is a fantastic city to visit and we highly recommend it!



Astronomical Clock
Prague, Czech Republic

 

View from the Charles Bridge
Prague, Czech Republic



St. Nicholas Church
Prague, Czech Republic



Old Town Square Building
Art Nouveau Architecture
Prague, Czech Republic



Prague Castle - Changing of the Guard
Prague, Czech Republic



Prague Castle Guard
Prague, Czech Republic

Vienna, Austria

Jennifer, Matthew & Nicole traveled by train from Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria.  Considering the language barrier (we do not speak Hungarian or German) this was no easy feat.

While in Vienna we toured the Vienna State Opera House.  We learned about the Austria - Hungarian Empire, and saw the opulence of the Crown Jewels and Imperial Apartments / Hofsburg Palace.  Our favorite palace belonged to Prince Eugene: Belvedere Palace.  The gardens at Schonbrun Palace were quite impressive as well.
 

Belvedere Palace
Vienna, Austria




Gardens at Schonbrun Palace
Vienna, Austria

 


Mozart Statue with Treble Clef of Flowers
Vienna, Austria



Hofsburg Palace
Vienna, Austria



Nicole Dressed Up
Vienna State Opera House
Vienna, Austria



Greetings from Budapest

On July 20th Jennifer, Matthew & Nicole flew from Dublin, Ireland to Budapest, Hungary.

For two days we toured Budapest riding around town on a Hop-on, Hop Off "Double Decker" Maroon Bus.  We learned that Buda and Pest are actually two cities that straddle the Danube River.  We visited the famous Turkish thermal Szechenyi Baths for a soak on a hot day.  We went to a Hungarian Folk Dance show where ladies danced with carafes of "Bulls Blood" wine on their heads.  Favorite sights included the  Fisherman's Bastion, Chain Bridge, Parliament and St. Stephan's Cathedral.





Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest, Hungary

 

Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest, Hungary



Chain Bridge
Budapest, Hungary

Parliament
Budapest, Hungary

 

Danube River Cruise - Nicole
Budapest, Hungary



Danube River Cruise - Matthew
Budapest, Hungary

 

Danube River Cruise - Jennifer
Budapest, Hungary



St. Stephan's Cathedral
Budapest, Hungary