Luxemberg, Brussels, & Amsterdam....

Well we took off for Luxembourg on Monday. What a beautiful and tiny country. The city was very friendly and warm. We traveled on through and headed to Brussels Belgium. yes we had waffles. TO DIE FOR. Please someone tell me what's wrong with waffles covered in bananas strawberries chocolate and powdered sugar..... right. And you wonder why my pants don't fit anymore!! While eating the waffle we looked on at the Manekin Pis.... yes the little boy peeing. Very interesting. Then we walked through the streets to the main square to marvel at the palace and Parliament house. This would be where i picked up the strawberries covered in white chocolate and the white chocolate cups with raspberries and blackberries. Yes they were Godiva.... wow. I got some for gifts as well so please no one feel to left out. after we sent postcards and got a magnet for Granny we headed back to the hotel and into the car to the Netherlands. Seeing all of the wooden windmills was so very cool. Little dutch stuff everywhere. We stopped in so that I could pick up a few of my very very very favorite new things. That's right ladies the new bra. I know some of you know about my Triumph find. LOVE IT! So... then we could drive on into Amsterdam for our night out in the Red Light District. Ok, we behaved very well. We caught a cab from our hotel and had dinner near the Dam Square. It was some kick ass Fondue! With lots of cheese from the area. Man that's whats stuck to my ass. (It's a good thing Kelly signed me up to go to her gym after work!) Then yes we walked the streets and watched all of the people do things that would get them arrested in other places! But it was very interesting. Did I mention we had two bottles of red at the restaurant so we would at least feel like we fit in! We headed back to the hotel before midnight for a goodnight sleep. We had miles to make the next day. We were headed back to Germany for me to catch my flight to Dublin. unfortunately I kind of messed up my flight details so instead of leaving Germany at 7:00 pm.. I didn't leave Germany until 10:00 om. BUT that turned out to be great. It left time for one last adventure. We headed out for a drive after we left the airport to waste time until my next flight. We found some ruins of a castle/fort/thing. The ruins were set way back from the road. So we found a place to park and headed off on a beautiful hike. It was a beautiful walk. Very hilly and trees and a river ran through it. Now let me tell you about a gentleman. Trey hoisted me over his shoulder and carried me across the river at one point so that i didn't have to hike in wet shoes. What a guy! After the hike though it was back to the airport. Trey helped me in with my stuff and we had a last meal at the airport. Then I flew off to Dublin. I stayed one last night there and then caught my plane back to the states the next day. Perfect............... just perfect. This morning I woke up in my room staring at the ceiing and thinking about what a trip of a life time this was.

Here Come The Drunks

Well for the last part of last week I wasn't so sure what to do with myself. We were at Trey's house for 3 consecutive days. Doing absolutely nothing... What is this vacation or something? Laid up watching tv and playing on our laptops. Please tell me why two people need to have three laptops... hmmm NERDS! The movers came and packed it up and moved it out. Good stuff. Now we can move on. We are now staying in the place where people who have nowhere to go on base.

On Friday night we went out with a few of Trey’s friends to have some Thai food. After dinner we went to hookah bar for a few quiet drinks and a little smoke from the hookah! This was my first time to hookah. First off… mom… dad… it’s completely legal it was just fruity tobacco. Although by looking at the pictures you would think we were up to no good! We had
cherry and then another one that was mixed fruit. We
turned in early knowing we were up for a big Saturday night.

On Saturday night we had Trey & his friend Chris’s going away party. A group of us went to Baden Baden to a casino. More gambling. This time I hit it hard. Black Jack all the way. We picked up another one of Trey’s friends, Jason, and he brought two bottles of wine for us to start the party with. Only Chris and I drank, but both bottles were gone before we got there. Once we arrived at the tables I threw down 110 Euros and started drinking champagne. After two glasses we left to go to dinner and I was at 220 euros. Rock On! We had a very fancy dinner that included bottles of red wine. After dinner we headed back to the tables to throw down some more cash. We had a hot table. Let’s just say that at one point I handed over 500 euros to a friend to hold so I didn’t spend it. So… after I lost several in a row I decided to walk… strait to the bar to celebrate again. My new friend Amanda and I drank it up then we hit the club for a little dancing! We finally got out of there around 11. Jason was our DD. Thank goodness we had him! It was a hilarious ride home. There was an accident on the autobahn and we were at a standstill for over an hour. Our drunken asses got out of the car. The boys all put on the most ridiculous hats and started dancing around. Trey had a bottle in hand! Don’t you know all the people who were in their cars we laughing their butts off at us. Needless to say we spent Sunday lying around all day…. All day…. We did meet the boys for dinner for a little post laughter and schnitzel. It sure was good and it helped out the hangover. This was one of the worst hangovers I’ve had…wow. Tomorrow Trey will do his final check out at work and then we will start Trey & Tiffany’s Terrific Trip Part II. We are headed for Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Home Sweet Germany

Well we have finally made it home, or back to Trey's home... or back to.... Well I'm not sure what you call it seeing how this is only Trey's home for two more days before they come get his stuff to ship it all back to the US of A. And then we are back in another hotel! But we are off the road. We drove to Bordeaux France on Monday night. We got there at about 2am so we hit the sack, and we hit it hard. Dang we covered a few miles. We woke up on Tuesday morning and headed toward Paris. We actually stopped just short of Paris in a little place I'm sure you've all heard of Versailles. Very large and very pretty. I think if I had to live in those times I'd be cool in a place like that! Well we only stayed in Versailles just long enough to see the palace, send post cards, and buy more fruit for Tiff. ( I gota say though... it does not hold a candle to the fruit in Spain.) Then we drove through Paris and started the last leg. We passed the time driving by playing car games. Do you ever get to old for car games?? Well it was good for a laugh and it took our mind off of the kilometers ahead of us. We got back into Germany about 9 pm. Not bad... I just can't believe that "Trey & Tiffany's Terrific Road Trip" has come to an end. Today we are cleaning up the house and getting things ready for the movers tomorrow. Ok, Trey is getting things ready and I am sitting on my butt. I did help wash the car and my laundry's getting done though! Just FYI.. I still have another week left until I am forced out of Europe so don't think that for one minute that you are done with me!! Again love & miss everybody.

Out of Africa

July 20-22

Well we left Valencia on the 20th and headed for Granada. Granada was a very beautiful medival city. When we got into Granada we decided we needed a night in. We were both pretty tired from the drive down. So we ended up calling in room service. We had our first taste of paella. Yummy yummy! I just loved it with the seafood and wonderful seasonings. After a good night of sleep we got up the next day to wonder out into the streets. Our first stop was at the Alhambra. The Alhambra was an old moors palace, the last strong hold before Spain gave them the boot. Then we started roaming the very tiny streets that surround the Alhambra. We did a bit of shopping while we were there. Trey was jealous of my white pants and of all the other local Spanish having white pants..... so he finally bought some white pants. He loves them! We also picked up postcards and yes a magnet for Granny. We stopped at another market for some more fresh fruit. This time we had nectarines, peaches, and plums. While the sweet warm juice was still dripping from the corners of my mouth I was in line to get another! It was sooooooo good. I got several more to get me through the next few days. After a great lunch of fresh salmon and more paella (and a great buzz from white wine for me) we headed back to the room for a nap and to freshen up before our night out. We went to a Flamenco show. Very cool to watch. This time I got a great buzz from red wine. I love the Spanish wine, I think it could be my new favorite! We ducked out early from the show because we planned on an early start the next morning. Very early.

At 4 am the wake up call came in. We jumped up and were out of the room by 4:20. We had a ferry to catch. We headed to Tarrifa. The most souhern point in Spain. We caught a ferry across the Gibraltor Strait into Tanger Morroco. Wow. What an expereince. We booked a tour around the city as we were afraid of getting to lost and it's a good thing we did. We started with a drive around the city. We made our first stop to hang out with a few cammels. Trey bought himself his first little souvenir. A Fez hat.... hmmm. The price started at 70 Euros.... it came down to 5. It was probably only worth 2! Then on with drive. We finally stopped for the walking part of the tour in the Kasbah. Very cool part of town. (Besides all of the vendors and then the children and old folks asking for money.) There we saw some snake charmers. They charmed a live cobra. Then they had another snake that you could have your picture taken with. Um, thanks but no. Moving on we saw many Mosques. Very cool to see. That was I think the first time I've actually seen one, expecially that close. Then we stopped for lunch at the Ahmmed. We had some good food. I myself was all over the cous cous and the pastry for dessert! After lunch we wandered through the streets and did some shopping. I left with some wonderful spices. Saphron to name one. We left Africa at about 1:30 to head back to Spain. We drove out of Spain down the coast. They get a lot of wind here and we saw so many kite surfers. What a sport! They were everywhere with their colorful sails. We drove late into the night until we got to Lisbon Portugal. This is where we woke up this morning. After a really late start we checked out of the hotel and headed Cascais. There was a really great market with great souvenirs. The market sat along side a gorgeous rocky coast. Before leaving we granned some lunch at a little food stand. We ended up with the best little custard pies! I wish we had gotten several rolls of them. They were fabulous. We took our food and hit the road. Another long day of driving. This is almost the end of our road trip. Awwwwwwwww. We are off to France.

Diary of a Mad Women

July 17
Back In the Saddle
This weekend went by quickly. Friday night after I arrived Trey, myself, and his mom and dad all went out for some delicious Thai food. Yum Yum. On Saturday the folks left left to go back to the states. Trey and I just hung out during the day and then wet to a party that night. We both behaved well and there were no hangovers on Sunday. However, Sunday was a very lazy day and we just hung out and that was it. On Monday Trey had to go into work for a bit and then to get his new car ready to ship back home. He has been crying about it, but I don't know how to help him. But-after a few earned down days I am back full force. Today Trey and I hit the road running. We left Germany around 8am. After driving a few hours we got into Switzerland. We had a very scenic drive through the Alps. I think I rode with my mouth open It was breathtaking. We stopped and grabed some sandwiches, a magnet for Granny and a few postcards. As Trey drove I looked out the window and wrote out a few of the cards. Now Donna, yes you, Donna Hill. I finished writting out your post card at 2:30. Apparently the Swiss stop working at 3:00.... so we were on a mission to find a post.Well at 3:05 in a little town on the boarder we found a little post ran by a man who spoke only French.. no English and would accept no other form of payment besides Swiss Franks, which we didn't have...Well we did find a few in Trey's console and bada bing... you should get your card in a few weeks. After leaving Switzerland we drove into. Italy and down the Italian Alps into Turin. It was a very beauiful city. Very clean and friendly. We went down to the city centre for a wonderful walk and a fantastic pasta dinner. On our way home we popped into cafe and ordered up some gelato to cap the night and my stomach off. We are both very warn out now, infact Trey has been asleep for a while and now I am gong to nod off. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!! Love & Miss

July 18.
1500 Clicks and Counting
Well first off... I woke up in Italy. Need I say more. You know of all the places I've been to (and I think I've seen a few things) Italy is witihout a doubt my favorite country, but don't tell the others. It's just beautiful and full of everything. Anyhow, after a croissant we started our day. We drove out through those beautiful Italian Alps into France. This was a side of France I'd never seen before. We drove through some of the most romantic and beautiful villages. We stopped for lunch at a very simple cafe for some sandwhiches and pictures. The afternoon was spent in Monte Carlo! Wow. Amazing. I can't believe some people live that life. To be honest it's a bit much for me. Trey counted at least five Ferraris in 2 minutes. I spotted a Bentley with my name all over it. You name it and it's there. Cartier Prada Channel Rolex the list goes on and on. I didn't seen any knock off shops. We parked and then headed to the marina to get a look at the famous yachts. Now... that's a boat! Then we wandered into the casino. We only gambled for about 5 minutes. Together we put in 25 euros. Together we walked out with 135 euros!!!! And that's how you play. (BTW.... I won 78 euros on my own and started with 5 euros....). To celebrate our wins we headed to the gift shop and picked up postcards and a magnet for Granny. Then we stopped at a sidewalk cafe to people watch. I drank a very nice and well deserved glass of rose champagne. Way to go Tiff!!! Then back in the car. We drove back into France and ended up in a lovely hotel resting right along the French Riveira. We are sitting in our hotel room listening to the sounds of summer fun coming in off the veranda. The smells in this town are good enough to put two inches on you butt just from breathing. We are reviewing todays adventure over a bottle of French wine. Honestly... Is this my life. Why yes it is. Seriously, should you really have to pretend that you know 3 languages in one day....

July 19
Viva Barcelona
I woke up this morning to the smell of salt water... and the sound of birds chiping.... and even though I couldn't hear it, I knew waves were crashing up on a beach very near by. I slid out of bed and into my suit, woke Trey up and we walked through the lobby of our hotel and out onto the beach. It was early so the beach was practicaly all our own. The water was ice cold. Very crispy. After standing knee deep for to long we dove in. It was a perfect morning. Slowly people began to wake up and join us for a swim. Let's think... what do you think about when you think about the riveira??? That's right boys... nude beaches. Apparently they start early! Now.... the one pair that got me belonged to a women who was running down the beach.... running. Does she not understand that you have got to strap those babys in or you will look like.... well exactly what she looked like!! About that time we knew it was time for us to hit the road once again. Today we headed off to Spain. We stayed right near the border in France so we were only an hour ish from Barcelona. Now you know how you go to some citys and you know that's where you are you can just feel it... Like when your in Paris... you know your in Paris. Or when your in NYC you know your in NYC. Well when your in Barcelona.. you know your in Barcelona. It was a fun ciy. Once we parked we headed out to the Temple de la Sagrada Familia (a cathedral). It was massive. Gaudi stared the building over 100 years ago. He died before the completiion..... They have been trying to finish his work and predict that it will be complete in the year 2020. I guess we should go ahead and book our tickets back! We then walked to the Museu Picasso. Then we made our way through the streets to La Rambla. This is the biggest pedestrian blvd in all of Europe. I was the coolest. Apparently Streett Preformers got their start in Barcelona and they are alive and well on the blvd. today!! There were also shops shops and more shops. We only picked up postcards and a magnet for Granny! Well, okay we picked up a bill of grocerys while we were at it as well. On our walk we found the Mercat Boqueria. This was THE LARGEST outdoor market I have ever been to and is famous world wide. It was overwhelming. We decided we would pick up some supplies to make our own dinner as we contiued to travel once we left Barcelona. Well we could feed an army! Let me list the wonderful things we purchased. dried apricots, chocolate nut balls??, almonds, a baguet, loaf of fresh wheat, jamon, dried sausage, gouda cheese, mozzarella cheese, a container of mixed cut up fruits, fresh pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The sweetest fruits I've ever had in my life... no lie. We were really wishing we were staying in Barcelona and in a room with a kitchen in it. They had vegtables of all kinds, some that were very unfamiliar. They had the freshest fish straight from the port that morning. Trey found a grouper fish that he really wanted. While looking at the fish laying there on the ice we noticed that it was still breathing. It doesn't get any fresher! So we left the market... finished our walk... found our car... and headed for Valencia. As we drove we ate and tasted all of our goodies. Even as I am writing this blog this evening I am finishing the raspberries and drinking a glass of chilled white Spainish wine. Another brilliant day. Did I mention the ladscape. Man... we are in spain. Olive trees, Orange trees, vineyards for miles. You can only imagine!!!

Desperatly Seeking Lynda

Now - now.... no need to panic. Due to overwhelming popularity..... I will continue the blog. Just fyi i have made it to Germany. However, I do know better than to fly on Friday the 13th ever again. I arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hours early. I checked in.... and then stood in line for the security check point ... for 2 hours and 20 min. I cleared customs at 12:15 for a 12:2o flight from gate 50.... I was like a track star. I ran from security point with no shoes and laptop and liquids in hand. Only to find out that once I arrived at gate 50.... my gate was had changed to gate 53 which was a hike away. Thank goodness my fight was delayed... for another 2 hours. The flight that was supposed to leave at 12:20 didn't actually leave London until 3:30... So I finally got to Germany around 5. Now... whose tired. Oh.. did I mention i just got lucky. Lynda was still in line behind me at the security check point. Her flight left at 12:10. At this point I'm still not sure if she made it to Dublin to catch her flight home today or not. So.... Lynda if your out there holla at your girl.

So our last night in London was a great night. We went to a local pub for (finally) some good fish & chips along with a cider beer. The we caught the tube to Westminster and jumped on the London Eye at about 9 pm. It was very nice. It was dusk as we rode around. The views were fantastic. We were right over Parliment House and Big Ben with Westminster Abbey in the back. Nice. After strolling a bit we jumped back on the tube and headed to an Australia bar to meet up with Mel. While at the bar Lynda and I decided that it's official... We have been hit on by more men from different countries and cultures in 2 1/2 weeks than all of our lives back in the states. You couldn't keep them away, even when Lynda looked them straight in the eyes and said NO Don't even think about it. Apparently in some cultures that means go ahead and try.... hmmm.

Well Lynda, girl, I'm going to miss you. Thanks for taking care of me these past few weeks. Now I'm gonna "All by myself... Don't wanna be all by myself..."" But wait... I won't be. Now I have Trey. I know I'm corny. Anyhow Lynda I'd like to leave you with some emotional photo's of you and myself. Oh and Jim... I have no doubt that Jim is really missing us. It's a good thing I can laugh at myself and now with these pictures so can you an everyone else.. It's a good thing you had your camera out while I was sleeping. So enjoy....

Last Leg

Well, it's time for Lynda and I's time together to end.......... we are very sad. We have had a fantastic journey together. This past week in London has gone by like nothing. On Tuesday we went and saw Stonehenge and Bath. Lynda is trying to convince me that maybe someone did place those rocks there just for a joke.... maybe it's like that moon thing the Irish believe.... Well I'm going to stick with what I know best.... nothing. It was a really cool visit though. Just to be in the presence of what was. Very Cool. Anyhow we got back to London that night and went to Picadilly Circus for some dinner and drinks before heading home for sleep after a very long night. On Wednesday we had another very full day. We woke up and switched hotels. (We moved closer to the city center.) Then we headed for Tower Bridge Museum to check out the Family Jewels... the Crown Jewels. Then we visited Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, which we very much enjoyed. Then we jumped in a black cab (VERY LONDONISH!!) and headed for the Dorchester Hotel. Lynda and I indulged ourselves in a full afternoon of authentic High Tea. We started with um... 3 glasses of champagne (white and pink for variety), then finger sandwiches... another variety, then mains of crab-Salmon-some egg thing- and spinach tart. FABULOUS!!!! Then.... we followed with wonderful tea and of coarse a plate full of scrumptious desserts and scones. YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY! However, following our wonderful tea we were forced to return to our hotel for a much needed champagne nap.... After waking up and freshening up we headed for Dolis Hill to visit my friends Melissa and Erin. We had a few glasses of white wine and some very good conversation in their beautiful garden. We then caught the tube to Brick Lane for some late night dinner of Indian cuisine. This was one of my highlights. I love Brick Lane!!! This morning we actually slept in until 9!!! Then.... wait for it... we caught the premier of Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix. Loved it!! Again.. very londonish! The we spent our day roaming the streets of London going in and out of shops until we made out way to Harrods to coarse with the rich. After not buying a thing we headed to another very posh department store 'Harvey Nichols' for a final glass of our new favorite.. pink champagne! Now .. here we are... crying together as we write our last blog entry. It's okay if you are shedding tears with us. We understand. Tonight we are going to ride the London Eye and then meet with Erin and Mel for some final drinks. In the morning Lynda will head back to Dublin to catch her flight back to the states and I will head for Germany to start the 2nd part of my trip with Trey. So... Bon Voyage with love for the last time... Tiff & Lynda