Au Revoir (french); Tot ziens (flemish); Sayonara and Aloha L.A! ______________________________


Hi everyone!

As most of you know, Ray has accepted a 2-year assignment with Toyota's European Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. For those of you who do not know, Belgium is located next to France, Germany and the Netherlands. The home of NATO and the European Union, it is considered the "gateway to Europe" with its easy access to many European countries. (Hint, hint--good excuse to come and visit!)

Ray started his new position in February, 2008. The girls and I arrived here in late March. We are living just outside the city of Brussels in the commune of Tervuren, Belgium.

Although we are sad to temporarily leave our family and friends, we are excited for this adventure. What an opportunity to leave our tiny box and experience life outside of America!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Princess Cruises, Day 4 - Helsingborg, Sweden




This morning, the Grand Princess arrived into Helsingborg, Sweden. Located on the southern tip of Sweden, at the narrowest point of the Oresund Strait (which separates Denmark and Sweden), this small coastal city is one of Sweden's oldest, dating back to 1085.

After loading up at the breakfast buffet, we disembarked the ship via tenders to Helsingborg. We quickly realized that the town was easily walkable, so armed with easy to read maps provided by the tourism office, we started on our way.

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through Helsingborg Port, where the girls enjoyed running around and chewing all the Yuki's bubblegum (sorry, Donna!) We saw such sights as the Radhuset (townhall), the Strogonet Square, Helsingborg Castle and Karnan Tower. Karnan Tower is the only remaining part of the Danish fortress which once controlled the entranceway to the Baltic Sea.

Radhuset (Townhall)


The kids in front of Radhuset

Karnan Tower

There at Helsingborg Castle, the weather warmed up (it was a bit chilly in the morning) and we had a picnic lunch in the warm sunshine while enjoying the beautiful view overlooking Helsingborg.





Soon, it was time to head back towards the ship, but not before stopping at Peter Beier Chokolade shop which stated in Wikitravel as one of the recommended "to buy" items here. True to the high prices in Scandinavia, a very small box of chocolates was about 210 Swedish Krona ($30USD), which I believe is even more expensive than the Belgium chocolates! Although they were quite good, I don't think Pierre Marcolini has anything to worry about...



We also stopped by Sankta Maria kyrka (church) along the way.

That evening after dinner, DS & PS had a great time at the Kid's Disco with their Pelican Club friends. Ray and I snuck-in to check out the party and found PS dancing right in the middle of the dance floor! She was even filmed in the ship's video which played on the ship's TV the following day. Check out the video clip!

A Scandinavian sunset (taken after dinner that evening)...




Then Ray and I snuck out and had a nightcap at the pool-side bar...



...until we got caught by the girls as they were walking back to Pelican's Club!


Norway, here we come!
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