Phinook, Granada, Spain

KoboldJoe


Posted Oct 31, 2011, 5:06 pm
Now i think that i am large enough for a Trip, a really nice Trip for a longer Time.....
At this Time i live near a Big big Lake in Switzerland and many times i do a Trip in the Mountains.
My Master is a really nice little Boy and he plays a lot with me. I love him and i have a really big Place in his Heart....
I think my Master will be a little sad that I want to go on a big trip, but I know he will always be happy if he will hopefully see the great Pictures from my Trip around the World.

I'm so excited ....

I enjoy the last few days and show you some pictures ...

KoboldJoe


Posted Oct 31, 2011, 5:30 pm
My Big Brother, named PHOENIX

KoboldJoe


Posted Oct 31, 2011, 5:31 pm
and my little Brothers named Phineas and Pherb
KoboldJoe


Posted Oct 31, 2011, 5:35 pm
and my lovley  MASTER named Finlay...
I will miss him already , i hope it is a nice experience in the next Time

KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 1, 2011, 3:32 pm
in the next few Days i will do all what i like... i show all some Pic before i start my Trip.

That is my lovly place where i live

KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 6, 2011, 12:10 pm
this day  i gone the last on my lovley chilbi for a long long time. I think it will be many Fun and i am so nervous waiting for Yogibär....

it will be a nice day and my Mom will post perhaps some Pics later. :D
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 9, 2011, 3:48 pm
Today i get nice Traveler.... Tv Yogibear stay a nice Time at my Home B)

i now i will search my First ne Host....i am nervous
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 17, 2011, 8:22 am
Hoi,
last days a little bit illy and yesterday i small Trip with all my brothers and my new Friends named  Yogibear and a new Guest since 1 Hour named PIEKS

here some Pics from yesterday :)
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 20, 2011, 9:21 pm
Hey,
yesterday we make a little Party in a Swiss Biker Bar Route202 with all my Friends they are stay here :)
We had a Original Swiss Cheese Fondue and i hope you are happy about the Pics.

and that was my last Evening for a long Time in my lovley Route202
Tomorrow i will start my Trip Around the world
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 27, 2011, 5:52 pm
we do a little Trip in the Rappenlochschlucht with our Guest and Friends
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 27, 2011, 5:54 pm
nice weather and walk around the Bodensee and nice Sun in the Mountains
KoboldJoe


Posted Nov 30, 2011, 6:31 pm
Now it is Time to start my Trip. i am so happy and i dont know what happend but i think it will be a nice Time :)

but a little Joke before i gone B)
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 5, 2011, 11:19 pm
Mum, dad….

I arrived at my first destination very late all alone. The travel was very shaky and a little bit cold, but despite all the circumstances, I am arrived safely. During my trip I thought I had seen a light, but I think it was a dream. First I was welcomed from Fritzle, Violet,Nippy,Benni,Bubble & Coba, who is holding the top of my box. After that, I gave them chocolate-greetings from Switzerland and a postcard of my home. The toys shared the chocolate with me and gave me an advent calendar as a welcome gift. So I opened 5 doors and ate my chocolate. Yummy  :cyclops:

Now I’m very tired from my travel, so I go to bed.  :thinking:

CU tomorrow.

Bye bye  :D

jo_mlp


Posted Dec 6, 2011, 8:53 pm
hi mum, hi dad...  :D

yesterday, before i go to bed the other toys told me: tomorrow is 6th of december, it's nicholas. So they bring the biggest boot they found at my hosts living room & we have cleaned the boot & bring it to the corridor, so the nicholas can fill it at night. Next morning (today) we looked very carefully whether the nicholas has filled the boot. it was filled up to the top. So we have today a big nicholas-party. Every toy has his own chocolate-nicholas - yummy. i was so happy about this. It was the best party recently  :rolleyes:

Love u - bye bye  B)

Phinook
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 7, 2011, 10:07 pm
Hello Mum, hi dad,

the party yesterday was soooooo long, so i didn't wake up early  :rolleyes:

It's 8 o'clock and my host is gone to work, so I had to make my own breakfast  :(

Outside it is sooo cold and windy, that is nothing for the little phinook. I made ​​myself a cozy day at my host's home.  ;)

bye

phinook
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 8, 2011, 10:19 pm
Hi mum, hi dad,

today i put away my travel-box & i saw, thats not the adress, that i stay here at my host - it's a other adress  :thinking:

To get out, why is that, i travel to the adress that is wrote on my box. So i arrive at a office. I knock on the door and a little mouse is opening the door. Her name is: Mofi. She is the chief of this company.  B)

She showed me some thing on the computer and we talked a little bit about my host  :D We talked about me and then she sayed: at the day i arrived, she received my box from the courier. She saw, that is a toyvoyager-box, so she was curious to see if I survived the trip well and opened the box. But i slept soundly, so she closed the box and made a stamp "very urgent" on it and forwarded company-internal to my host.

MUM, DAD: that was the light that I dreamed first day!!!  :D


By the way: her company has a BIG FAT copy machine, so i had some fun with it. I thought I was lying on a solarium  B)

bye bye - love u

Phinook  ;)
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 9, 2011, 6:54 pm
Hi mum, hi dad,

today i cooked original Swiss sausage salad for my hosts.  :) That is a prescription that I brought from home  ;)

First i cut the sausage, cucumbers and the cheese. After that i cut the onions. while i cutting the onions, i have sooooo many tears in my eyes, i didn't see the camera, so i can't show you a picture of that.  B) The mixing all of that was very difficult, i had take a podium. The swiss sausage salad was very tasty - yummmmmmmmmi  :p

Phinook
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 11, 2011, 11:06 pm
Hi,

Today we were jogging and stretching in the forest. It was very stressful, but I've kept up well  :rolleyes: After a refreshing shower  :D we went to the biggest tower in Stuttgart, the "Stuttgarter Fernsehturm" (Television-tower). It is very high: 217 Meters over the ground  :o and is the first television-tower of the world. I was able to look through the binoculars (with the help of my hosts :rolleyes:) to my headquarter switzerland, it was great  B) On the tower was a gastronomy, so we took a great hot chocolate & a very yummy chocolate-cake.

summarized, it was a great day  :D

bye bye

Phinook
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 13, 2011, 8:12 pm
Hi mum, hi dad,

today i must helped my host to repair a difficult electronic circuit  :D I had to measure, look into the oscilloscope (that makes very funny waves on the screen :rolleyes:) and finally than I have found the error, I soldered the new components onto the circuit board  ;) It was very interesting.

bye bye

Phinook  :cyclops:
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 17, 2011, 6:02 pm
Hi  :D

today, mofi is calling me to help her in the wood workshop to manufacture some windows  :stare:

so, we must together snore some timber, that i must insert into the machine and entering the data of the windows. Then i push the start-button and the machine ejects the frames. After assabling the frames i must grind it, that was very funny, because i could drive with the machine over it  ;)

Finally, I counted all the windows. That's very easy  :p

After working, we go something to drink.

bye bye

Phinook  :)
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 18, 2011, 10:39 pm
Hi mum, hi dad,

yesterday twixx and baerle are arrived in Stuttgart. We unpacked them out of the box and arrange a very cool welcome-party  B) Today i have mixed feeling, because i must continue traveling to Meißen in the next few days  :rolleyes:

Phinook
jo_mlp


Posted Dec 19, 2011, 11:39 am
Hi mum, hi dad,

today is a sad and a happy day at the same time. I am sad about to leave all the toys here in stuttgart and happy to travel to Meißen in order to experience new adventures.  :rolleyes:

for farewell we get a pretzel with coffee  :p

I am writing to you as soon I arrived in Meißen.

Phinook B)
Nine


Posted Dec 21, 2011, 4:43 pm
Hi Mum and Dad,

I'm now finally arrived in Meissen...  :)

It was an exciting journey... I almost did not arrive because the house number was wrong, I was afraid that I'm lost...  :o

Now I'm here... puhh!  :p
After the shock I have received of three friends...
Now I have to rest...

I love you
Phinook

KoboldJoe


Posted Jan 19, 2012, 10:56 am
Hello,
i am back as well and see my great Family. My lovley Dude is here too. and now we have some nice Hours together before i too start a long Trip to australia.
i am tired and will sleep a Moment
fleursmum


Posted Feb 13, 2012, 6:19 am
Hi Everyone,

I am here!! I am very lucky to get here - my travel bag was very ripped - there was a sticker on it to say the Post Centre in Sydney had fixed it up but when I was collected today at the post office the end of my travel bag was ripped off!!!! :o I had a bit of a rough time! But I am here now and Sue will do some photos soon - I am off to have a big hug with Freaky!! He can tell me all about this part of Australia!!!

Love and hugs to Finlay  :D and everyone else

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 13, 2012, 7:12 am
Hi Everyone,

Here I am!! :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6868005271_e611bf925a.jpg
with Diddl-Maus, Flummi, Binky, SchokoCookie, Freaky, Shane, Hasune, Meav and ME!! Yay!!  :D

Do you think this is enough TV's for me to have achieved a Life Mission?  :thinking:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6868007059_64205c242e.jpg
I had a hug with Freaky!! :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6868008965_2a9858d10c.jpg

And I met Tupai, the chowchow!!  :o  No, he was ok, his whiskers tickled when he sniffed me!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6868010795_48c46133ae.jpg

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 17, 2012, 8:25 am
Hi Everyone,

We went to work with Sue today to the library
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6890390247_7d5d7f464f.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6890392175_8f54d4a44e.jpg
I had a read of a very interesting book by Graham Base
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6890393173_5e54a52f6f.jpg

Love to all
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 17, 2012, 8:29 am
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6890394175_17c324443d.jpg

I hitched a ride of Tupai to go outside but I couldn't look!! :o

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6890395169_4875bb0e2c.jpg
Here I am in the back garden
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6890400943_272258eeb1.jpg
this is part of the yard on the other side of the house
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6890402137_86dc023ca5.jpg
this is the front of the house


Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 19, 2012, 9:07 am
Hi Everyone - Hi Finlay!!  :D

Tonight we went to an outdoor concert and got to see Rod Stewart!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6900985385_d5f03c8889.jpg
Here we all are enjoying the last of the afternoon sun  B)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6900993729_779c5e916f.jpg
Here we go - mmm...I think that man is looking at us, maybe he doesn't know what Toy voyagers are and how we like to travel and have adventures?  ;)
We had a good night with lots of dancing and singing.."We are sailing, We are sailing..."  :D

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 26, 2012, 6:50 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!!

Hey you would have liked where I went today - we saw lots of Australian animals, and guess what!!! I met a kangaroo today!!  :D

We went to the Ballarat Wildlife Park to see the animals
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6784194348_1731ca9f41.jpg
Here we go!!  B)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6930242907_83a9af5fdd.jpg
First we saw some sleeping koalas -they do a lot of sleeping because they only eat gum leaves and it doesn't give them much energy!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6784127068_d11e0ee447.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6784128442_9394c2f0cc.jpg
Sue held me up for a closer look!  :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6930246495_8c4bbbe1bd.jpg
Next we saw the Tasmanian Devil - can you see it over towards the back lying by the log? See how red it's ears look? When the settlers first went to Tasmania they could hear the Devils screaming -they do a lot of that - and they could see the red ears in the bush but not the animal, so they got called Tasmanian Devils. They must have been very scarey for the settlers at first.  :o
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6784130562_9985d3d541.jpg
here is one a bit closer - they don't stand still much so it is hard to get a photo!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6930249649_2b9dca90b6.jpg
Ohh! I think this might be a bit too close! :o
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6784145380_da74e69034.jpg
Next I met Tilly the koala! She was very nice and she has a tiny tiny baby in her pouch! That was very exciting! :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6930269833_dea5766d2b.jpg
Then I met a kangaroo!! Wow! I had a sniff
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6930268791_7f5c9981a0.jpg
and the kangaroo has a sniff!! Tee hee!! The whiskers tickled!! :p
This is a grey kangaroo - they are very friendly with people especially when people feed them!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6784155040_a934eabb0d.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6930275115_16dca0fe7e.jpg
here we have a mob of red kangaroo - they aren't so used to people so they are fenced off in their own enclosure.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6930279353_e82a86a8e9.jpg
Then I met Patrick the wombat - he is nocturnal which means he sleeps in the day and comes out to do things at night. He didn't mind having a photo with me though - it was quite comfy in his bed in the straw.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6930285669_625bdc9a86.jpg
this is a giant tortoise - it isn't Australian but we took a photo to show you anyway  :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6784175810_99519cb743.jpg
we can't remember what this is - but it was a big lizard kind of person
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6930299989_bf7591f2ff.jpg
then we saw one of these
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6930306581_ab0d21df06.jpgand two of these - we think one is a fresh water crocodile and the other salt water! They had lots of teeth!!

Hope you liked the animals Finlay  :D

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 26, 2012, 6:55 am
Hi Everyone,

Today we went with Sue and her family for a family gathering at Harcourt - it was very hot - 35 degrees C so we didn't stay outside for very long. Harcourt valley is a very nice place - there are a lot of apples grown here.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6784203300_9bd8c5d8cf.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6784205402_671f45c9a5.jpg

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 27, 2012, 7:53 am
Hi Family, Hi Finlay!! :D

Today it was very very hot - all I could do was sit around on the couch but later in the afternoon the clouds started to build up in the sky
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6788084814_b86ca20572.jpg
the it got really dark like night time
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6788095310_90b20a47d6.jpg
then we had thunder and lightening for most of the night. The weather is strange here!!

Love and hugs
Phinook
xx00xx
fleursmum


Posted Feb 27, 2012, 8:03 am
Hi Everyone,

This morning when I woke up the sun had gone
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6934218551_b7638d830a.jpg
there was rain and thunder and lightening, Sue had to go to work so we decided to stay home and watch tv.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6934222323_e27333dd15.jpg
Freaky and I shared the remote control - it is called the power button in this house!!  ;)

Later in the day Sue came home with a box - I was very curious
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6934223787_b7ec53fb7b.jpg
Hey it is another travelling toy
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6788111182_16e1aea89c.jpg
I had better get off the lid so he can get out!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6934226947_53e3267d62.jpg
It is Big Foot and he has travelled all the way from Finland! he has lots of lovely things with him too! We TV's are all talking about having a midnight feast tonight!! :D

Later we all got together to say goodbye to SchokoCookie - he is off to Norway tomorrow. He has a special blanket to keep him warm in case it is still cold over there.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6788118538_22016859fc.jpg

Love and hugs

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 1, 2012, 6:21 am
Hi Everyone,  Hi Finlay!!  :D

Another TV arrived today - it is LittleLucy from Germany - she has been in Japan for a visit and now is here with us.
Hope you are all well - hugs to Finlay
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6942883953_16d0622aef.jpg

Love
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:07 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay  :D

We are heading for St Leonards for the weekend but we stopped to get some bollard photos at Geelong on the way.  The bollards tell the story of the history of Geelong and are all along the beach front at both Western and Eastern Beach. We have seen just a few.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6808306240_db63b72d19.jpg
these are the life savers - it is a bit windy here my ears are blowing everywhere!!  :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6808314218_cd5d57d13f.jpg
Here is the sea captain at Cunningham Pier
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6954424609_384d7d2145.jpg
and another travelling man - I think he is ready to go he is checking his watch? What do you think?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6954437787_6a5041fb9d.jpg
Here we are looking to the boat marina and Eastern Beach
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6954440401_fe41093c46.jpg
this beautiful lady was talking to
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6954444123_2520398ef2.jpg
this sailor off a ship!  :D

More soon

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:11 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

We are here at St Leonards and bot it is windy!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6808342130_e7811aba6b.jpg
Diddl-Maus and I had to hang on so we didn't get blown away!! Sue told us the water here is usually calm because it is the Port Phillip Bay not the ocean - but it gets very rough in windy weather.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6808357724_f8e255df9a.jpg
Getting blown inside out here!! Heading back to the house now, more soon,

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:14 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

Oh Boy! It is windy and raining today - no fun for going to the beach!  :(

We had a look from the car
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6808364642_aee3bdd632.jpg
Mmmm...stuck my head out the window
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6808365984_9d110c7a6a.jpg
Nup, too windy and wet and cold!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6808367068_c1243670ed.jpg
Too rough at the boat launching ramp too - off home again for me!

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:19 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

Maybe today is a good day for the beach??  B)  I am ready!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6808379910_d40a7b6590.jpg
Wow it is a different place today! We are going for a walk along the beach behind me

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6954490261_4f02be6fef.jpg
But first we take in the atmosphere!!  :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6954498649_2bdbe0b3bd.jpg
Ah look, someone must have lost their balloons in the windy weather yesterday - they are stuck in the power lines!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6808399778_30f115be24.jpg
very nice here today!! :D

Love and hugs

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 8, 2012, 4:11 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay!! :D

Today we took Diddl-Maus to the Zoo - she achieved one of her missions!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6812112772_6ed8c86843.jpg
I tried to sniff this butterfly in the butterfly house but as I got close it flapped away!!  :(
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6958230577_d50e669dbe.jpg
Here is part of the elephant family
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6812128760_22806fdd61.jpg
Off to see the orang utans - and we did but Sue was so busy looking she didn't take any photos for us to show you!!  :rolleyes:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6812137538_7ab67b693f.jpg
Mmmm....we must be in the Africa section now - there is an ostrich and a zebra
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6958250021_2c20edb8ba.jpg
Hey Finlay , more gray kangaroos,
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6812146124_35b65d2d4e.jpg
an emu
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6812155314_38f0cf2eab.jpg
and two koalas up a gum tree!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6812165066_5b28990cba.jpg
some baboons watching me watching them!! :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6812167912_db43dc1435.jpg
some little piggy people called Peccaries
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6812176332_a281bac8bb.jpg
off to see the seals now
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6812179390_9b46267fa5.jpg
we liked this sign outside
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6812184674_3a66ba9e49.jpg
They swim really fast!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6812186816_a96ea1a43b.jpg
Mmmmmm.......lunch!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6812189674_7cddb7eb4c.jpg
a little rest in the Japanese Garden before we head home
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6958303301_309947e13e.jpg
I liked this seat back Finlay, with the monkeys on it.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6812194626_d58cd51a0a.jpg
I mad a friend!! You could have sat on this guy Finlay for a photo!! B)
That's all from the Zoo!

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 9, 2012, 8:31 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay  :D

Today we gave Meav a big hug goodbye - she is travelling on to Germany now.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6817403128_a3858595fe.jpg

Love to all
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 13, 2012, 6:17 am
Hi Everyone !  :D Hi Finlay!! :D

Tonight we are staying in the city
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6828846438_56796567d6.jpg
this is inside the hotel building - this is a very old building that has been renovated and turned int o a hotel but some of the old features have been kept - like this window which is in the inside courtyard
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6828851910_74f3d73dfd.jpg

More tomorrow
Love and hugs
Phinook

xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 13, 2012, 6:47 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

Today we left the hotel
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6828857832_bd2b986630.jpg
here I am in Little Bourke Street looking towards Chinatown
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6974987001_bba7af06b3.jpg
we drove and parked down near the Yarra River - here I am looking at the new soccer and rugby stadium - at night the roof panels light up and show different colours
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6974997577_aeffb28f54.jpg
looking towards the city
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6975002101_46469f3f0b.jpg
BigFoot and I are sitting on one of the bridges that crosses the Yarra - behind us is the MCG - the Melbourne Cricket Ground where the Australian Rules football is played and of course the cricket!!  :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6828884478_35851b2aa0.jpg
St Paul's Cathedral
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6975012173_262e740521.jpg
Flinders Street train station
This weekend is the Moomba festival so there are side shows, water skiing and lots going on around the city and by and on the river
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6828921268_a26dbe79ce.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6828920310_26c3093322.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6975043909_c6b943f345.jpg
This man made this for the Birdman Rally - people make a flying machine and jump into the river - the idea is to fly/glide 10 metres, most just go straight down!! :(  This man made a Dame Edna statue - sadly as I about to take a photo it blew over and the head fell off!! I say it later on the news and it was fixed but went straight down in to the water!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6975046719_d17a2b0fb8.jpg
Now we are walking back along the other side of the river away from the city and the crowds of people
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6828928290_1cc90ee0ed.jpg
Back past the soccer stadium
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Second last look at the river (some people call it an upside down river because of it's colour  :D)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6828931326_e7257f0d19.jpg
A few quiet minutes sitting before we go across the bridge to where the car is parked.

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 13, 2012, 6:50 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay!!  :D

Today Sue was weeding the garden and doing the washing and other boring things!! ;)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6975056983_39b1785860.jpg
I played weight lifting with the garden Buddha!! :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6975066993_131a1b3a48.jpg
BigFoot and I nearly got thrown out with the weeds - we had to scramble over the side of the container!!  ;)

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 3:05 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

Today we got to have a snack of cheese and biscuits because Diddl-Maus achieved a life mission which was to eat Swiss cheese!! We need more of these missions!!! ;)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6842628530_5b17f6557f.jpg

Love and hugs
Phinook
xx00xx
fleursmum


Posted Mar 25, 2012, 8:32 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!!  :D

Today we had a walk on the beach here, it was cloudy but not cold, and there were lots and lots of dogs on the beach! :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6867077338_22465004d1.jpg
Here I look like I am flying over the water!!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/6867082348_cb3fa89ef8.jpg

a little sit on the beach

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/6867083734_4c7d1335ba.jpg
the Blairgowrie Yacht Club buildings.

Love and hugs

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 2, 2012, 7:53 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!! :D

Hope you are all ok??

We went with Sue to visit a friend and then to go scrap booking and saw a little park on the way, so we stopped for some photos

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6891687760_3b1879cc3c.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/7037783475_6524e2dceb.jpg

Thinking of you all

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 4, 2012, 8:55 am
Hi Everyone!!  :D  Hi Finlay!! :D

Today we helped with the washing - it has been a very nice day
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/6897881682_3018dd0a04.jpg

I hid in the peg bucket!!  ;)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/6897881942_bae2aeed32.jpg

Here is a look down the garden
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6897882384_d3471d13c5.jpg

and here Tupai and I have a little chat about the rabbits we have seen in the garden

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/7043978939_dd14662f22.jpg
he was busy watching he didn't have much to say  ;)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/6897883122_8b0193c244.jpg
feel like a kick Finlay?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/6897883540_04b4f436aa.jpg

in the front yard now!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/7043982141_8e793d08b2.jpg

the dam is down the bottom of the garden - it is needing more rain to fill it up again.

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 4, 2012, 8:58 am
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!  :D

Lazy day at home today - we sat on the hammock and enjoyed the sun!! B)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5036/6897889874_7b17da51fe.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7043986217_359c4f1a19.jpg

We are off to the beach for the weekend so will be in touch when we get back again.

Love and hugs
Phinook
xx00xx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 11, 2012, 8:12 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!! :D

Today we are heading for St Leonards for the Easter weekend. A new TV has arrived - we were keen to meet this new traveller

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5112/7059865911_ec4c96d5d5.jpg

Here I am checking out the travel bag!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7059866755_5b45d32602.jpg
Having a look inside!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/6913783786_83e73be6a5.jpg

It is Tica from Germany!!

On our way we stopped at the bollards again

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/6913791558_062a981375.jpg

here I am with the brass band

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/6913792400_da1e93ed4d.jpg
Miss Geelong
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/7059881325_31fa12261b.jpg
Eastern Beach
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/6913801370_b6b2510274.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7059885683_400a183703.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/7059886569_a844a003e9.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/6913807660_910fa73cb5.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6913808728_fde29cc969.jpg
Yum ice cream van
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/6913778320_a497cb2624.jpg
Nice park in Geelong!!

More soon
Love and hugs

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 11, 2012, 11:24 pm
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay! :D

Early morning photo today to watch the sin rise over the bay - then back to bed!!  ;)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7059898111_b24d081e18.jpg

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 11, 2012, 11:43 pm
Hi Everyone! Hi Finlay!! :D

Today we took the dog for a walk on the beach here - we couldn't walk for long though because the tide was very high - it is called a king tide - if we kept walking we would have been in the water swimming!!  ;)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7059902537_d3694677da.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6913825756_b4a04023cf.jpg

Very nice here Finlay!!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/6913824828_82c02c96ee.jpg

Love an hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 12:09 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay!! :D

Now we are further down the coast at Barwon Heads - this is where the Barwon Rover comes out to the sea - it is very windy here but the sun is hot!!  B)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/6913831000_da1ca2fa4b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/6913839892_7717118efe.jpg

More soon
Lots of love
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 1:19 am
hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay!! :D

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/6913849460_fe91a8c761.jpg

Here I am at Point Lonsdale - it is very windy here but the sun is warm.
When the big ships leave Melbourne they travel along Port Phillip Bay and go out past Point Lonsdale to Bass straight and out to sea.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/7059931591_8d2815807c.jpg

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 1:49 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay! :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/6913862198_c01cc97a70.jpg

We had a walk on the beach this afternoon - it was a bit cloudy but still warm.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/7059945815_6787fe1d58.jpg


Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 1:55 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay!!  :D

Good day for a walk on the beach!!  B)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5271/7059948515_f39a142a48.jpg

Love to all
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 2:06 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!!  :D

Look what happened today!! The Easter bunny came for a visit!! :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6913873606_5e7d48fe33.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6913880704_4145945196.jpg

Mmmmm...think that one is all gone!!

Love and hugs

Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 17, 2012, 9:56 am
Hi Everyone!  Hi Finlay! :D

We are back at St Leonard's again for the weekend and now we are off on a bike ride!  B)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/6933097300_8d235993eb.jpg

Ready to go!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7276/6933099910_a0aebbdac7.jpg

Going past the beach

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7079176791_190c4db413.jpg

a rest at the boat launching ramp

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/7079176493_674cf7c47c.jpg

one pelican here today

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/7079177177_6013d8df06.jpg

riding through the camping ground

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7079180421_8e9e46ebfa.jpg

another rest - more for Sue than us I think!! ;)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7079180803_b100e7b90c.jpg

here we are at the pier

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/6933107408_75e0542084.jpg

past the shops and along the road

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7079187335_590eb184a7.jpg

turning the corner into Bluff Road

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6933114256_34e6e8a5a0.jpg

past a reserve and walking track

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/7079188647_4f8642fbd2.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7079189049_9c7e5f15be.jpg

and home for a rest in the sun!! I enjoyed that!!  :D

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 7:51 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!! :D

Another ride on the bike today just to the shops and back

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5039/6952239614_93a4719bfc.jpg

more pelicans today

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6952239914_ce96f8c565.jpg

just sitting relaxing and watching the world go by

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/6952240716_9db541aeea.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6952240994_815cc20975.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/6952241260_c5e6d76e68.jpg
a snooze in the bike helmet!!  ;)

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 8:47 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!!  :D

We had a walk on the beach today - it was a beautiful day  B)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5111/6952243038_3df98e00ec.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7098315235_c74cc07079.jpg

Good view huh!!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/7098316367_302b935f08.jpg

Hey Finlay - do you want to come and play on this beach with me ??

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/7098317217_be9f9fcf3a.jpg

on the big seat

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7098317957_f9bc6f9b34.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/6952246852_a78d4b13a4.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/6952248108_2633919c8e.jpg

Love to all
Phinook
xxooxx
fleursmum


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 9:03 am
Hi Everyone!! Hi Finlay!! :D

I have decided to come home and spend time with Finlay..see you soon

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/6952249560_809572fa69.jpg

Said my goodbyes here,

Love and hugs
Phinook
xxooxx
Fendi


Posted Jul 3, 2012, 9:32 am
Hello Mom!

On Thursday I arrived to Finland! And what adventures I have already seen...

Thursday evening me, my host-mom and her boyfriend baked together orange-chocolate cupcakes! They were so delicious! I ate so many cupcakes that my belly was hurting a little :/

On Friday the real adventure started.. Me and host-mom travelled to Kawacon in Joensuu! It was a nice trip, but I saw lots of weird people.. My host-mom told me that it's called cosplay. If you want to see what kind of people I saw, search Kawacon 2012 from Youtube.

Sunday morning we went to watch Kendo show, I was afraid those big warriors with scary masks. And they scream so loudly! I didn't get what was the point of screaming but my host-mom explained me that it has something to do with orderliness. In the evening we travelled by train back to Central Finland.

Now we are at summer cottage. This is very beautiful place near the lake, I wish I could go to swim but the water is too cold! Soon we are going back to pier, maybe taking some pictures and enjoy the sun.

I hope that everything is fine at home!
P.S The pictures will be added later (and now they are in wrong order but anyway! ;D)

With love, Phinook :)

Fendi


Posted Jul 5, 2012, 1:17 pm
Hey again!

Now we are back in town! The countryside life was quite nice but too much mosquitoes. But I really enjoyed sunny weather and warm wind. And good food! I can't understand how much we ate there, right after eating they started to do next food.. My favorite was pancakes whit whipped cream and fruits.

I didn't do much, I just laid on the pier enjoying the sun. I also read some weird cartoons with my host-mom, the pictures were great but story was quite difficult. And then I played with a bark ship! I would had like to made my own but my host-mom didn't want to go the forest because there was so many mosquitoes. It was little difficult to move from place to place, because there was so much water. Water was extraordinary high, so there was some kind of do-it-yourself bridge, we called it ninja way. You have to be real ninja if you want to use that way because the beam is slippery and thousands of mosquitoes are stalking if somebody goes by.

Now I'm going to take a nap and dreaming about new adventures!
All the best, Phinook : )
Fendi


Posted Jul 9, 2012, 9:10 am
Hey my dear ones at home !

Last few days have been quite boring, the weather has been rainy so I can't play outside. Luckily I have a new friend here, a little hedgehog called PieksiHH. He arrived on Thursday. But one night some days ago were really exiting! We were staying a night at my host-mom's boyfriend's home, and then after watching an old Disney movie, we went a night ride! We drove to Saarijärvi (a tiny town about 25 kilometers from Äänekoski) and back, and on the way we saw really beautiful views! There were no clouds on the sky so we saw a full moon, and of course because I'm a dog I had to howl little bit..

And day after that night ride, me and PieksiHH met a real dog. We went out for a walk with my host-mom and her friend, and that friend have a dog called Rita. She is so nice dog, I think I have little fell in love.

Today we are going to shopping! My host-mom told that there is only three clothing stores in Äänekoski, but I think it's enough for me. I hope I will get ice cream too! Host-mom will start soon to looking for a new host for me, I'm already looking forward to see new places!

I hope that you are feeling well!
Hugs, Phinook : )


Fendi


Posted Jul 12, 2012, 7:39 pm
Hi there!

Last few days have been full of action, I'm quite happy that soon I can rest some days when I'm travelling to the next place.

On Monday we didn't go to shopping, because my host mom's mom became little sick. Instead we went again to spend a evening at my host mom's boyfriend's home. There we played board games, Chess and Monopoly, and then we visit in sauna ! It was too hot and wet for me.

And on Tuesday we went to shopping to the Tuuri (Tuuri means luck in Finnish, it's one kind of shopping center). There were so many people! And big horseshoe statue. The whole week has been rainy, and there has also been thunder.

Wednesday was a interesting day, then we went to summer theatre! It was so nice show, even if I have no idea what they talked about. Songs sounded nice and we get free ice cream! The thunder has broken their freezer, so the ice cream was little bit melted and they give it away for free.
And there were also some animals, two ponies, black sheep and white bunny. Thet bunny was little bit scary because its eyes were red..

And today we were in Jyväskylä! But we didn't take pictures here because the camera's battery was reloading.

So that's what happened on that week, tomorrow I'm maybe travelling to Austria if it's fine for you, Mom! : )

All the best!
Phinook : )


Mausbären


Posted Jul 16, 2012, 8:06 pm
Dear Mum and dear little Master!

Today I arrived in Austria - and was immediately welcomed by Barney, the cat, who was looking for a ride to another country. The second I left my ride, Barney went in to go abroad. But it did not work out as Barney planned, because Host Mum wouldn't allow him to travel  ;)

Mausbären


Posted Jul 16, 2012, 8:13 pm
I also have to tell you a funny story about my arrival in Vienna: I first thought I got the wrong place! Everything looked so like Hawaii!!! The toys here even greeted me with Hawaiian flower arrangements- it was so nice!

Well, then I realised that I had mistaken a wallpaper for a real landscape- we all had a real laugh about it!  :D
(well. I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed because I wasn't in Hawaii for real and it was raining outside and not looking so nice.)

But when I got to meet a sibling of Mickey Mouse who is also staying here, I was very happy again. Because Mickey told me that the food here was as great as he was round  :D

I'm already looking forward to dinner now.

I miss you,

Phinook

Mausbären


Posted Jul 21, 2012, 7:56 am
Hi there!

Well, it is still raining here in Vienna, but nevertheless we are having fun!!

Today we -that's my new friend, and tourist guide Slinky- helped to bake a cake.

We first weight chocolate

and the melted it. Slinky wanted to eat a piece of chocolate right away, because it smelled soooooo good. I was hardly able to resist too. But host mum wouldn't allow us to eat them, because it was all needed for the cake

After the chocolate I added peanut butter, and then rice crispies- it is suppposed to be a crunchy filling layer for the cake. I can hardly wait to try it. :)

But I wil have to wait for a short time, as this will be a birthday cake for host grandmother.

Mausbären


Posted Jul 21, 2012, 7:58 am
:DToday we were finally able to try a bit of the cake. It was SOOOO YUMMY! :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 21, 2012, 8:12 am
Hi Finlay! hi Mum!

Today we already had a tournament of Tiroler Roulette, that's a game where you have to turn a spinner so that it pushes marbles into holes. Each hole gives you a different amount of points. Whoever reaches the highest number of points wins the tournament. - but you will understand much better, once you see the pictures. :D

It was so such an exciting game, and at first it didn't look good for me at all. But then I won B)
I even got an award for winning which was given to me by Garfield (this cat is not only everywhere, where lasagne is served, but everywhere with nice food ;)  )
I was very happy!!!



Mausbären


Posted Jul 24, 2012, 7:04 am
Hello Finlay! Hi Mum!

Today we went to play minigolf. It was so much fun! Especially as the weather was much nicer than before. It had finally stopped to rain =)

When we had finished our game, we enjoyed the sun a bit longer at a resaurant.

It was very nice  :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 24, 2012, 7:18 am
Hi there!

Sun is still shining here in Vienna. If the weater lasts a bit longer, I might be able to go flying in a little plane. That would be sooooo cool! B)

Well, today my tourist guide decided we should do some sightseeing. So we went to the University of Vienna, which is a huge, historical and very impressive building- you will see it on the pictures.
but before we even arrived, we passed another beautiful building, namely the Votivkirche.

Then we arrived at the university, and I was awed. It was such an impressive sight! And it is so huge! I also loved the Arkadenhof, where there are statues of the most famous alumni of the university.

It was really great!

Tomorrow we will go to the Chemistry Department of the University which is also supposed to be of historical significance, as for example Einstein already worked there. I look very much forward to it.

Yours, Phinook
Mausbären


Posted Jul 24, 2012, 5:32 pm
Hi!

As I've already announced  ;) we went to the chemistry department of the university of Vienna today.

Just like the university itself, the department is also a very impressive building. It also has lots of statues of important chemists in it.

It is also much like a maze. If it wouldn't be for my friend, and tourist guide, I'm sure I would have gone lost. If you go there, you can walk through all the laboratories, which have interesting devices in them. Host Mum explained them all to us. The one we took a photo with is used for distillations.

I also had the chance to sit in the same lecture hall as Einstein and Heißenberg did. It was so exciting!  B)

Now, I want to try out some experiments by myself. I'm hoping I get a chance to do so soon  :D

In the evening host mum has a surprise for us. I'm already very curious...
Mausbären


Posted Jul 27, 2012, 8:32 am
Hello!

I have to tell you about the evenning suprise of the 24th:

We went to the premiere of Batman!

First we wanted to dress up for it, but then we decided against it. We were had so much fun anyway, and we were so lucky, because we met the stars of Madagaskar and were allowed to take pictures with them.
Mausbären


Posted Jul 29, 2012, 4:47 pm
Hi Finlay! Hi Mum!

Today we went into the jungle...well it wasn't really the jungle but it looked so similar. In fact we went to a garden and looked at different plants. It felt like we were making a trip through the most exciting bits of a jungle- I enjoyed it so much :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 30, 2012, 7:09 am
Hi there!

Today we had a barbecue. I impressed everyone with my skills on the grill  B)

I'm also very excited because I'll probably be able to go flying tomorrow - if the weather stays that way- The host family has a pilot license and wants to show me Austria from up in the air. I'm hoping that it works out  :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:22 pm
As today we went flying, I wanted to consult an expert- and guess who I found : DUMBO, the flying elephant himself  :D
It was so great talking to him, and to get tipps from the master himself.

To prepare for our flight my friend and I had to post a flight plan to the air traffic control center. That's done because in case of an accident, they can help you more easily because they can find you much faster.

Then we had to look in the flight book of our plane, to see if everything was in order with it.

After we did this we had a look at the map, to see how long it would take us to get to our destination. We wanted to go to Graz, which is the capital of Styria.
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:25 pm
Did you see the ruler? I got very confused by it  :o

In fact it is very useful as you can calculate your travelling distance and an estimate on how long it will take you to get there. So it is actually really cool B)
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:33 pm
Well, that was the preperation part of our flight. It was hard work, but somebody had to do it  ;)

When we were finished we went into the hangar - it was soooooooo cool in there. There were so many planes in there!!! I was blown away  :cyclops:

We decided to take some picture from inside and outside the hangar, so you can see what it looks like. If you look cosely at the picture of me
outside the hangar you can even see a plane landing right behind me. That was so exciting.

We took a rather big plane, which had four seats. It was great, because we had loads of space to get comfortable  :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:40 pm
And then we took off, I experienced flying like I never did before- because for once I was outside the envelope. I loved it!

I saw the danube from up above, and the melk building, the yellow building, which is quite famous. And of course I saw a beautiful landscape and lots of mountains, for which Austria is quite famous. I really enjoyed it.
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:51 pm
Then we finally saw Graz. It looks quite big from up above, and I couldn't believe that there was any city larger in this world - but I was told that Graz was actually on the small side of cities.

Well, whatever.... ;)

In Graz we landed on an international airport, so I was able to see a lot of other, bigger planes, and the Grazer tower, in which the air traffic control centre is situated.

We also went to get something to eat- a big steak- it was so yummy. I was also able to enjoy the sun for a bit :D
Mausbären


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 5:56 pm
When we flew back, I was allowed to sit in the front. I was able to have close look at the instruments, and I was even allowed to fly a bit by myself- and I managed it without a problem - of course, I have to thank Dumbo here :)

I really loved todays trip!

I send many kisses to you, Finlay, and to you hostmum! I will write to you soon!
Mausbären


Posted Aug 3, 2012, 9:01 am
Hi Finlay! Hi Mum!

After my first flight I wanted so badly to go again. And we really did. This time we flew over Vienna. It was amazing to see the city I currently live in from up in the air  :D

I saw lots of famous sights, like the Danube Tower, the Prater, and the Prater Stadion, in which many football matches take place.

Later on we went to eat at a Chinese Restaurant, and then we went swimming- so we did do quite a lot yesterday- and I really liked it =)

I'm planning to stay one more week in Vienna, in order to see some famous sights, like Schönbrunn, the Castle in which Sissi lived. Then on the 13th of August I would like to continue my travels.

I'll write to you soon!
Yours, Phinook
Mausbären


Posted Aug 14, 2012, 5:03 pm
Dear Finlay, Dear Mum!

As I got sick last week, I was not able to do as much sight seeing as I would have liked- in fact I did non  :(

But I am so much better this week, and I look forward to keeping you up-to-date with the things I am going to see. So expect to hear from me soon!  :D
Mausbären


Posted Aug 15, 2012, 3:23 pm
Hi there!

Today we've visited the Böhmische Prater. There are in fact three different "Prater" in Vienna. The best known is probably the Würstelprater, where the famous Riesenrad is located, then there is the "normal" Prater, which is no funfair, but an area with lots of trees and playgrounds. This Prater is located next to the Würstelprater (funny side fact: Würstelprater translates to sausage funfair  ;)  )
However, we went to the third Prater in Vienna, which is the Böhmischer Prater.

This one is located on a hill in Vienna, and a lot smaller then the Würstelprater, but very very nice! :D It is also surrounded by a little forrest, so we decided to go for a walk before we went into the Böhmischer Prater. We enjoyed a nice view :D
Mausbären


Posted Aug 15, 2012, 3:35 pm
Then we went into the Prater, and I was so brave!

I dared to ride a shark through the seas. It was quite dangerous, as you can see. But I guess that I just had to take the risk- because a man just has to do, what a man's gotta do  B)

We saw many sea animals on our ride and even skelletons of pirates. I then even helped to fight pirates. It was soooooo much fun!
Mausbären


Posted Aug 15, 2012, 3:47 pm
And I went on so many more rides. I'll just post you the pictures, so that you get an impression
Mausbären


Posted Aug 15, 2012, 3:59 pm
I have to tell you about two attraction especially

The first is the barrel organ that is standing in the Böhmischer Prater. Well, it's not exactly a barrel organ, but it is called carusell organ, and it it a rarity. It was built 1913 and sounds like an orchestra with 25 musicians. Overall it consists of 187 pipes - a quite large number, don't you think?


The second thing I want to mention, is a ride. This one was build in 1919, and therefore is also very old. And even though today it is considered a ride for children, it then was considered very wild. There is a windpipe build in, because then the women all wear long dresses, and the wind that was produced was supossed to blow the dresses slightly up in the air (quite similar to Marilyn Monroe's famous picture)- and this was supposed to add to the fun of the ride

I thought it was super to learn about the historical backround of these rides :D
Later on we decided to go for a drink, because it was so hot.
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 12:48 pm
Hi there!

Today we decided that we want to do some more sight seeing- so we went to the Naschmarkt. The Naschmarkt is Vienna's best known market place. It is located more or less in the middle of the city and you really can get anything you want there. In fact I even think you can get stuff there you didn't know that you wanted, because you didn't know it existed  :o

Some of the things we saw included typical Austrian vegetables and fruits, but also more exotic fruits that you can only get in Asia. There was also a lot of Greek and Turkish Food, but also Chinese and Indian Shops. You could even buy traditional Austrian Clothes there, or traditional Chinese cooking equipment. Some of Vienna's best restaurants are also located here, as they want to be where the food is of the best and freshest quality :D

Being the dog I am, I was naturally fascinated with the amount of different meat they have there. In fact I would have posted only pictures of that, but host mum told me that I should rather show for the variety of things they offer at the Naschmarkt ;).
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 1:00 pm
I want to tell you about a few special things at the Naschmarkt.

The first is the pickle man, where you can buy cucumbers, sauerkraut and all kinds of food that is pickled directly out of the barrel. It's a very old fashioned way to do this, but it is supposed to taste best.  :)

Another interesting shop at the Naschmarkt is the vinegar. Again you can buy it directly out of the barrels, and there are soooo many different sorts, you really have a hard time choosing which one you want  :D

I also developed a deep love for the watermelons. I don't know why...
;)
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 1:13 pm
Hello to all of you  :D

Today I went for quite a big walk in Vienna- and I saw loads of stuff. First we went to the Karlsplatz, where we saw the Secession(a museum, which is over 100 years old), the Evangelisches Gymnasium, the Technical University of Vienna and the Karlskirche itself.

In front of the Technical University you can see a statue of Josef Ressel, a famous Austrian inventor (he helped to invent the propeller for ships)

The Karlskirche itself is especially extraordinary for its roof, which is made out of copper. I was confused by this first :thinking:
because, you see, copper would have quite a different color from what the roofs look like (just take a look at different coins) But in fact the color of the roof proves that it was really made out of copper. The green of the roof is called Patina. The copper becomes green if it is really really old- Quite interesting, don't you think?
;)
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 1:36 pm
After having seen the Karlsplatz and all the buidlings that surround it, we went to the Vienniese Opera. It isn't the Opera, where the Phantom of the Opera lived, but I think it was a very impressive building nevertheless.

It was build as a part of the Vienniese Ringstrasse, which the Emperor of Austria built, because he wanted to be rembered as well as Karl IV, who built many great buildings in Prague.

We then went to the Stephansdom, Vienna's largest church. Like many other buildings in the city, the Stephansdom has a legend about why it wasn't finished.

The legend says that a young man had to prove to the father of the girl he loved that he was the best builder in the city. He could do so only by building the north tower of the Stephansdom. He then got an offer from the devil himself (he appears in many Austrian legends). The devil told him that he would help him, but he mustn't say the name of any holy person within a year. The young man agreed to do so, and the building of the north tower got on very well. When it was as high as the roof of the Stephansdom, the young man one day saw his beloved girl standing at the church entry. He called her name "Maria", so she would look up and see him. Then he fell.

The north tower hasn't been completed until today.

Fact is that it probably wasn't completed because the gothic style in which the church was built went out of fashion while it was being built(took over 100 years)- and therefore it wasn't finished.

I thought that all this was very interesting, but I got tired from walking so much, so we went back home again.
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 1:50 pm
Hello Finlay! Hello to all the others! :cyclops:

Today is my last day in Vienna, because I'm leaving for Spain soon  :D

I wanted to do something special, so we did. We went to Schönbrunn which was the residence of the Austrian Emperor.

The castle or rather the whole residence (there is even a zoo included) was built to resemble Versailles. I don't know if it was successful (I haven't been to Versailles yet), but I thought that Schönbrunn was very impressive.

The only thing I cannot really imagine is that the whole building was supposed to be pink, and only isn't because the painters had made a mistake. I like it much better as it is- pink wouldn't be beautiful...
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 1:57 pm
Of course we explore the whole residence - apart from the zoo, that I've already mentioned, the castle is surrounded by huge gardens, with many fountains, and statues.

The whole statues and fountains have a Roman theme, because the Austrian Empire was supposed to be based on the Roman Empire.

Well, on the pictures you can see me, posing with statues, and in the gardens. People are not allowed to step onto the greens, but as a dog I was allowed to :p
Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 2:12 pm
When we got to the Neptune fountain (the roman god of the seas) I saw many ducks swimming in it. As it was very hot, I though that it would be a good idea to join them. So I did. I was really great- so refreshing!  :)

The building you can see above the Neptune fountain is called Gloriette, and it was used as a dining room for the kings and queens.
Today it is a restaurant, and a great viewing point.

After my bath, I tried what it felt like being one of the guards, in the small buildings that were made especially for them.

I then met some squirrels in the rose gardens. We immediately became friends (I thought about chasing them first -as a dog it would have been my duty - but it was too hot). By the way, the rose gardens are really fascinating. If you're standing somewhere in them you are surrounded by such a beautiful smell. I really enjoyed them :D

Last we saw the Butterfly house which is also located in Schönbrunn. There is also a desert house, where you can see the plants and animals which live in the desert.

Mausbären


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 2:18 pm
While I've really enjoyed my visit in Austria, I look very much forward to arriving in Spain soon (That's why I left just after we've been to Schönbrunn)

As you can see on the picture, this time I'm not able to enjoy the view from up in the air. However, I think I use the time to have a good nap, so that I am well rested when I arrive in Spain.
:D
JunCTionS


Posted Sep 9, 2012, 1:45 pm
Hi mum, hi dad,
I arrived safely in Granada Spain. Sorry I didn't write sooner, my hosts have been a bit busy and had not given me their wifi password.

When I first arrived I was greeted by a bear and a rottweiler! I was sleepy at first
http://i.imgur.com/2UzZj.jpg

but when they told me they were also ToyVoyagers and that they were friendly
http://i.imgur.com/0xV9H.jpg

I was excited to meet them so I went out fast
http://i.imgur.com/y7pNs.jpg

Here they are, they are actually very nice, their names are Capote and Sir James
http://i.imgur.com/QIINJ.jpg

Today we took the bus to go to the city center and Susy, a new toy voyager came with us. She arrived from amazon headquarters a few days ago and she's very excited to start her journey. Any volunteers to host her?
http://i.imgur.com/DcwfZ.jpg

Here's me in front of a famous hotel in the city center. 
http://i.imgur.com/vVDtU.jpg

That's the main postoffice building, I once slept there.
http://i.imgur.com/d2iQ1.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/RFEsT.jpg

This is the town hall, my hosts told me that usually it has a lot of flowers but since it's so hot right now there's none.

http://i.imgur.com/p7dfi.jpg

We walked by a lot of tiny streets full of moor shops. I wanted a hat for me but they were too big!

http://i.imgur.com/QqDox.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1MLF3.jpg

Here's me and my friends at the Bib-Rambla square. At the back you can see one of the towers of the Cathedral.
http://i.imgur.com/Og0p7.jpg

Don't I look cute?
http://i.imgur.com/hLhI7.jpg

Finally when we came home we helped our host mommy to make a birthday cake for a friend. I should also mention that our host daddy helped a little bit too.

http://i.imgur.com/67prq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Uqy1l.jpg

We had a lot of fun, but we fell sleep while the cake was in the oven and so they took it for the birthday without taking a picture.

http://i.imgur.com/h9v6l.jpg

It was a great day! Granada's really nice! 
Love,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 14, 2012, 1:49 pm
Hello mum and dad,
Today I joined my host parents to run some errands and on our way back we stopped in a few nice places. Here's the local Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring).
http://i.imgur.com/kiXcx.jpg

There are many pretty buildings in Granada, here's a government building in the center.
http://i.imgur.com/kvOKS.jpg
Love,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 14, 2012, 1:59 pm
Hi everyone!,
This weekend we went on a trip to the countryside, we spent the weekend on a countryhouse with some friends. The view was beautiful, here you can see the small town of Otívar:
http://i.imgur.com/KmVJP.jpg
Like many Andalucian towns all the houses are painted white and it looks very pretty.


We had a barbecue made in this rustic oven:
http://i.imgur.com/PV4Cc.jpg

and we got to play in the well. We also threw in coins and made wishes.
http://i.imgur.com/Fmn0L.jpg

Cheers,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 14, 2012, 2:31 pm
Hi!
Today we spent the day walking through the city center, here's me in a nice Andalucian style building:
http://i.imgur.com/OwNO3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5gKtb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5nqsf.jpg

The medieval door that you see behind me used to be the entrance to Granada during the 12th century. It's called the Puerta de Elvira:
http://i.imgur.com/HoByD.jpg

Then we took a bus, the building you can see here was an old jail and is now the current hall of justice for Andalucía:
http://i.imgur.com/RxpCa.jpg

We arrived to the famous "Mirador de San Nicolás", a very nice lookout out point to see the Alhambra and the whole city of Granada:
http://i.imgur.com/54VFi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LJxbd.jpg
The Alhambra was a fortified city built by the moors with several palaces inside.

Here's part of the old fortified wall that used to surround Granada.
http://i.imgur.com/9crmy.jpg

After all that walking I had some really good paella and a refreshing soda.
http://i.imgur.com/q0vsq.jpg

Then we went down to the city center walking through the Albaycín, which was the old Moorish neighborhood. The Albaycín has very small streets and it's very easy to get lost.
http://i.imgur.com/SBQ7h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4cnic.jpg

On our way down we found a very nice cat.
http://i.imgur.com/CHmPy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lYfpp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9OQqq.jpg

Here's another view of the Alhambra:
http://i.imgur.com/jpP1d.jpg

Finally when we got down we found a very pretty ice cream shop:
http://i.imgur.com/rujhv.jpg

I shared a vanilla ice cream with Susy.
http://i.imgur.com/TTuVP.jpg

We visited some arab shops and I finally found a hat for me!. Here's me with my cordobian hat:
http://i.imgur.com/jy4rt.jpg

In one store they had a nice fountain with big fishes in it:
http://i.imgur.com/bmBv6.jpg

What a nice walk we had today!
Love,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 23, 2012, 8:36 pm
Hello Mom,
Today we made a very special cake, it was extremely chocolaty, very colorful and pretty.
We wanted to make a nice pattern with M&M candies, so first we practiced on a plate, and after trying several ideas we went with one we found online:
http://i.imgur.com/hgRqd.jpg

Then, when we felt we were ready, we all helped put in the candies on a chocolate cake we had made earlier. Our hosts shared the cake with some friends and everybody was impressed by our work :).

http://i.imgur.com/B2xL0.jpg

Buen Provecho!
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 23, 2012, 8:53 pm
Today we went to the Zoo! :D
We traveled to Madrid and while there our hosts decided to have a nice afternoon seeing the many pretty animals of the Madrid Zoo.

We saw so many I can't even remember what was the name of this animal!
http://i.imgur.com/NZlXn.jpg

The zoo was very big and fun, and had many shows including one with dolphins! Here I am in front of a dolphin spinning on the ground!
http://i.imgur.com/gZjRP.jpg

Here you can see monkeys and it was a lot of fun because there were some animals to which you could give food sold by the zoo, and the monkeys were very good at catching it!
http://i.imgur.com/v147b.jpg

Here's a nice camel, he was very friendly and would come nearby to say hi
http://i.imgur.com/ZjCnT.jpg

And here we all are with giraffes, a zebra and an ostrich:
http://i.imgur.com/fJuBf.jpg

Look at the cute little penguins :)
http://i.imgur.com/9ejOJ.jpg

And although they were too busy playing in the background behind the trees, here I am with the famous pandas that were born here two years ago, Po and De De. You can also see mommy panda eating with her back to the public:
http://i.imgur.com/9aMvd.jpg

Finally here I am with my good friend Sir James and a flamingo!
http://i.imgur.com/LTfhM.jpg

It was a lot of fun seeing so many animals from so many places,
Cheers,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 23, 2012, 10:53 pm
Hello from glamorous Marbella!

It is a very pretty city, but we didn't take many pictures, we tried to just relax.

Here's a view of the dawn from our room:

http://i.imgur.com/c23UH.jpg
You can see a bit of the mediterranean sea on the left of the first picture.
http://i.imgur.com/oLR2q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Bikc9.jpg

Love,
Phinook
JunCTionS


Posted Oct 24, 2012, 1:34 am
Hello mom, hello master,
Today I'm going back home, after this great trip I'm glad I'll see you again soon. Granada said goodbye to me with a really nice rainbow (although you can't see it very clearly in the picture):
http://i.imgur.com/kpwEv.jpg

Also the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which is visible from Granada, got snowed just in time for me to see it before leaving.
http://i.imgur.com/hZ8p5.jpg
It's very pretty.

My friends joined me one last time to say goodbye.
http://i.imgur.com/jaDcs.jpg

So I got in the box
http://i.imgur.com/2mUMp.jpg

had to take off my Cordobian hat so that I could fit
http://i.imgur.com/EBhNi.jpg

And suddenly, Susy decided to join me!
http://i.imgur.com/DUKPT.jpg
I'm really glad to have someone to talk to along the way, and she seems very happy to start her journey.

So Sir James and Capote helped close the box
http://i.imgur.com/FqdZr.jpg

And here we are ready to go to the post office.
http://i.imgur.com/BU0O0.jpg
I'm very eager to see my master again

Love,
Phinook

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