Monday, July 26, 2010

Sydney - Seoul -Frankfurt

Thursday 22nd July
Trip from Sydney to Seoul was pretty long, and we were delayed leaving sydney, so that wasn't so much fun! We took off at 9am, and landed in Seoul at 5.40 thier time, (6.40 our time). Had a very comfortable overnighter here in the Hyatt!! Oh, yay! King bed and room to myself!
We awoke to thunder and lightning, apparenty a result of a typhoon somewhere nearby which we had been skirting around when flying in, it was a bit bumpy.

We met up with the other 30 people who had flown out of Melb, and some of the coaches also met us here, as they arrived also, so now we numbered 56!

Interesting place Seoul airport, Incheon. We saw a procession of what was apparently the announcement of royalty, a group on national dress, looked pretty impressive with their swords and scythe looking things!

Friday 23rd july
Flight from Seoul to Frankfurt, even longer, but we had a better appointed plane with screens in headrests, so it was like going to a movie marathon!! I watched 4 movies!! We flew out of Seoul at 1.30ish, and landed in Frankfurt at 5.40ish (that was 1.40am ish our time) arrrgghhh! Then we had to make our way to the train station via the free airport shuttle, and then from the train station a walk to the hotel. Longest walk ever!!! We finally got thier, checked in, which is fun with 56 people, let me tell you! We went for dinner and then finally got to bed, i ended up being awake for about 26hours, was a bit weary!

Saturday 24th July
Next day in Frankfurt, kids had a light training session in the morning, and then the chaperones with the kids in groups got let loose on Frankfurt! we did what all good tourists do, shopped, bought german sims for our phones and took copiuos photos! I will post some when I get a bit more time. The wi-fi in this hostel is only working intermittently and it is user pay. The weather since we have arrived has been slightly cool, 17-18 degrees and a bit overcast. We visited some local markets, and I have bought an oil painting of the Frankfurt skyline, just loved it, and it was 25 euro, roughly 32 AUD...so that is my foray into the world of fine art!! Probably will cost me a bomb to have it framed!

Sunday 25th July
Happy birthday mum!! it is my dear mums 84th birthday today, and managed to find a pay phone and use my phone card and call her, she certainly got a surprise! Also had to go and do some shopping, we have a couple of kids with the group who are highly allergic, and/or intolerant to a variety of things, so in true mummy fashion, off i went to hunt and gather! Of course, there was time to stop for coffee!
We had to move From Hotel Everest to the Frankfurt Hostel today....so dragged our bags up to the bus stop this time and caught bus to the hostel. Hostel is nice and reasonably clean, and once again after check in we were let loose on this area of Frankfurt! A group of us went to the Main Tower, (Main being named after the river which runs through the city). This tower has 360 degree views over the city, it was realllllyyyyyy high up and even though it wasn't a really clear day, the views were great.

MMMMnnnnn, hostel food, jurys out on that one for the moment, here for a couple of days, will let you know.

Today also saw the U/23 Girls Australian team win gold at thier games in italy - how damn exciting is that!! it was a tightly contested match, with the game point lasting 12 minutes! Congratulations to some of our local gals in that side, as well as our own U/19 captain who was also playing in that tournament, she is to join us later on monday.

Monday26th July
So, here we are in rainy Frankfurt! So not what I expected from an European summer! I guess on the upside, it has allowed the body clock to adjust easier without being too hot and uncomfortable. I think we have got our clocks in sync, we aren't nearly as tired as we were!!
Both the girls and boys team have thier first pre-tour match (consider it thier warm up matches!) this evening, so it will be really good to see them play, as we had yesterdays game rearranged and it makes todays the first match. Will sign off for now, and get back to you if the wi-fi permits with another update , and will attempt some photos for you all. Prost! (cheers!)

No comments:

Post a Comment