Ana, our exchange student-daughter from 2005-6 school year, now lives in Palma de Mallorca. She took the ferry to Ibiza for a 9 hour visit with us!! How wonderful to have this treasured time with Ana. Many USM friends will recall her as the atractive, athletic, fun Spanish girl who is an excellent hockey player.
Ana has continued her hockey career: playing on the Spanish National Ice Hockey and the Spanish Roller Hockey teams. She is currently studying for a career in physical therapy while working as a Manager of companies facebook websites –creating and updating. She is clearly a very bright and curious learner.
Ana’s family lives in Castellon and spend summer, on the beach of Alcosebbre, Spain.
Ferry: Palma de Mallorca to IbizaAna Ucedo LaordenLunch Amante Beach Club with AnaBeautiful setting for lunch.
Day 7 – Sunday, May 17: We explored the Left Bank in Paris and bumped into the 1,000 year old Church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the oldest church in Paris Clearly the building is in need of renovation! Interesting fact: The philosopher and mathematician, Rene’ Descartes’ remains are buried in the church. He is regarded as the father of modern philosophy for defining a starting point for existence, “I think; therefore I am”
Harvesting grass between runways, Airport LaBourget.Approach into Ibiza, SpainOld City of IbizaView from our room.Ibiza beaches
Day 8 – Monday, May 18: Paris > Ibiza, Spain
After breakfast in Paris we enjoyed blue skies for 2 hr 26 minute flight to the island of Ibiza, Spain, and lunch on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Ibiza enjoys a mixture of Greek and Moroccan style, this beautiful island is ideal for exploring its beautiful typical countryside.
Our hotel, Fenicia Prestige Thalasso Spa, is situated on the banks of the Santa Eulalia Rive
Paulina, Lucy and Georgia Dean–from Colorado Springs. Orlie Inverarity from Calgary, AC. Good looking crew on our World Journey.Paella…Group style!
Day 9 – Tuesday, May 19: Tom’s Birthday!
We board 41 foot boat for a cruise to Formentera for lunch. Many participants jumped into the Mediterranean Sea for a swim to the beach while others enjoyed a Zodiac ride to the beach restaurant.
Terrific Birthday!!
Tom’s birthday was celebrated with this relaxing day at sea, a fantastic dinner at Can Curreu with the classic burnning candle in the dessert and “Happy Birthday” sung by all! The additional birthday wishes from the hotel manager with a dessert in our room was “over the top”.
While many others tour Paris with a half-day city tour of the Eiffle Tower, Trocadero, St. Germain de pres, Notre Dame, Le Marais this morning Tom and I relaxed at the Plaza Athenee downloading photos (reliving our Trans-Atlantic Crossing). Outside our hotel is the prestigious Avenue Montaigne as well as the Champs Elysees which is great for shopping.
Tom and I took the Metro towards the Basilica Sacr’e Coeur de Montmartre. We walked MANY blocks to and from the beautiful Basilica.
All things PIG are interesting to the Baumanns!!Too early for lunch…..but, could be a good spot!Great lunch here….Wall mural….cat lovers paridise!Amazing soccer ball juggling — VERY entertaining!Iya Traore….foot ball player and free-styler, from Guinea. Overlooking the city of Paris.
This transportation looks inviting…but we are already here!!Basilique Du Sacre-Coer de MontmartreVery old, but functioning merry-go-round.One of two fountains at base of Basilica grounds.Sacr’e Coeur de Montmartre is a popular attraction. It was rather crowded on this beautiful Saturday.
This evening’s Les Bateaux Parisian dinner cruise was fantastic!
Les Bateaux Parisiens touring and diner on the Sienne with our group. Orlie, and son Jaysen Iverarity from Calgary.
Over taking on of our Pilatus comrades 1,000 ft below us.Iceland to Norway…track up. Atlantic crossing.Final approach to Stavanger, Norway.Looks very cold in the North Atlantic waters!Fueling in Norway.
Paris…..time for wine!
Flew to Norway for a technical stop at Stavanger. Our flight then continued to Airport LeBourget, Paris. This is where Lindbergh landed, May 21, 1927. Upon arrival, transfer to our deluxe hotel located in the 8th District near the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees.Hotel: Le Plaza Athenee Paris
A full day of private sightseeing part of our group made a visit to the famous Geyser hot spring area with numerous hot springs and geysers – one of them erupts every few minutes; take a look at the magnificent waterfall Gullfoss; visit the volcanic crater Kerid and the greenhouse village Hveragerdi; drive across Ljabakkavegur Pass to the Thingvellir National Park, a unique place of beauty, with its interesting geology and history; then across Mosfelsheildi Health to Reykjavik.
The day started with the whole group going to the Blue Lagoon. Tom and I traveled with another couple to the western side of Iceland—up to the Langjokull Glacier (at top we experienced a total white-out). Next stop was Hraunfossar Barnafoss where the water actually filters through the lava rock cliffs and falls into the river. The Deildartunguhver Hot Springs (100 C) which sends heat to three towns…always hot water available!
Langjokull Glacier…in a white-out.
Driver took us to the Glacier….into a blizzard, little to see.
Ready to taste the local brew!Puffin for dinner……by choice.
We completed our second water crossing first flying over ice-covered Greenland.
Upon arrival, we transferred to the Hotel Borg where we enjoy luxury accommodations in the very center of Reykjavik. The Hotel Borg overlooks the beautiful square of Austurvollur, and is situated across from Althingi, the Icelandic parliament and the cathedral.
Lower part of suite in Hotel Borg….bedroom.Upstairs living room with great view.
Hallgrimskirja church is Reykjavik’s main landmark and its tower is visible almost everywhere in the city. Construction began in 1945 and ended in 1986. The church features a gargantuan pipe organ.
Standing directly in front of church is a statue of Leif Eriksson–the first European to discover Ameria. (Landed 1,000 A.D.)
We flew over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Labrador on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop.
A settlement in the middle of nowhere!Wearing survival suit.
Spartan rooms for over night in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.Art work pictural of Kangerlussuaq
Then continued over southern Greenland’s beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq. As we approach the Arctic Circle and the “land of the midnight sun”, we had an astonishing 20 hours of daylight!
