MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

We hope you have fun scrolling through our year. I guess you could say we never have a dull moment, but there are times, believe it or not, when we just are very laid back and slow. The true Italian way of life is 'la dolce vita'. Like the rest of the world, in it's chaos, we're concerned, and watching carefully.

The Navy League has kept us busy and we've had many rewarding events. Ship visits, taking sailors to pizza in downtown Naples (an experience by itself), wineries, and picnics. We didn't have time to get to the States this year, but looking forward to May when we'll make the visit for a couple or three months. We look forward to seeing the rest of our family then. One son, Craig, and family are now living in Basel, Switz. They'll be down here with us between Christmas and New Year.

We, and my brother, Gene, are all fine.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of good news, good health, and much love.

Marilyn & Bob

BERLIN - AND HOME ON THANKSGIVING

Arriving in Berlin in the evening and a driving tour to see the lights and Christmas markets was exciting. A big city, of course, and good were on a driving tour again in the morning with a few stops, because there is no way to see so much when we had only that day. I was a real tourist, taking pictures at the original checkpoint setup. I took just one picture of the originals that were on display. In Potsdam, a few miles outside Berlin, was the summer palace of King Frederich II, San Souci. Next day, Thanksgiving, off to the airport and flew into Rome, where Bob picked Audrey & I up. My first time on a tour like this was quite an experience I never expected.

ON TO DRESDEN AND BERLIN

The Parliament building finished my walking tour. I had a wonderful afternoon to myself to get a special massage on my feet, legs, and shoulders. Surprisingly well done and exactly what I needed after all the walking I'd been doing. We left for Berlin, via Dresden, on the 25th. Every city has it's large church, and Palace. This border of horses and men are all tiles..... not murals.

MORE OF PALACE COMPLEX - PRAGUE

Continuing through the complex, we came to the church that showed more of the changes that went on through the ages, mainly the addition of 'flying butresses' to help with distribution of weight and support.

PRAGUE - THE WALKING TOUR

It's Nov 23, and we were dropped off at the top of a hill to take the walking tour. Prague, Praha, locally, is avery interest and beautiful city. The architecture shows the changes throughout the centuries, as the styles of the times and Emperors. The Palace is more of a complex than a stand-alone Palace. Once inside the wall, through the arch, beyond the Palace are museum and churches. At one point along the way, there was Gluwein available. Mmmmm good. Nice hot wine and spices felt great in the cold.

STOP ALONG THE WAY TO PRAGUE - TELC

This little town called TELC, (pronounced like Telch), is out in the country between Vienna and Prague, just inside the Czech border. We had a bit of a snow storm going through this area. The look of the town reminded me of the front of a movie set. Being in the snow, the look of the town and so quiet this time of year........ a bit eerie but fun. It was so cold that the big bowl of ghoulash soup tasted wonderful. We had that quite a few times.

VIENNA

Arriving in the late afternoon, we had a couple hours to rest and get ready to go to a luscious dinner at this SanSouci Restaurant and Concert Hall. We attended the concert (sorry, they wouldn't let us take pictures), with a singer, and dancers that did a Strauss waltz, of course. A beautiful evening. The next morning was a coach tour of the city with a couple stops. This very 'off the wall' architect, by the name of Hundertwasser, who was given permission in a certain area to do 'his thing'. Interesting and fun. A mission I was on in Vienna was to find out about my Grandmother and where to find her baptism certificate. I have the information and am following up on that. I spent a lot of the day walking in heavy rain and wind.

Still in Budapest - Nov 19

We went to a special winery, on the way to the restaurant, which was actually owned by the owner of both. As you can see from the picture, the people look very small next to this huge barrel. this is the oldest working barrel in the world. It holds 120 thousand liters, that's 30 thousand gallons of wine!!!! And the artwork is carved over the seal on that barrel. We all had a fun time at the restaurant. Musicians, dancers...... they do quite a show for the tourists. And needless to say, we all had our fill of wine......... having it literally poured down our throats. Yep, that's-a-me. We had a stop the next day on the way to Vienna for a photo op.... that's the great tour guide, Mike, on the left, and a terrific driver, George, on the right.

CROSSING THE DANUBE - BUDA-PEST

Before crossing from the Pest side of the Danube, to the Buda side, we look at the Parliament building, or buildings. We'll look at it from the Buda side, above. The look down the Danube is a cold, hazy day, but still beautiful. Behind me is the parliament building from the Buda side.

A COACH TOUR FROM BUDAPEST TO BERLIN

A friend asked me if I knew anyone who wanted to go on a tour to Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin.............it took me a couple minutes, and running it past Bob, who said, 'sure, go ahead'. And in November? It would be cold. Not a problem..... there wouldn't be a lot of summer crowds. So on the 18th, Audrey and I took off from Rome to Budapest, where we met up with the group from the US. It was all booked through Friendly Planet. I've never done one of these before so I was really looking forward to it. I'll try not to bore you with too much talk, but a lot of pictures. We start in Budapest, going to see the well known thermal and mineral pools.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND

The handy tram to everywhere in Basel. We rode to town and met Craig for lunch.

Abby, 7 1/2, Luke, 21 months, and Grandpa Bob

Is he a 'Halder', or what !!!!

Here's our new Executive...

From Garmisch, we drove to Zurich so Don & Shirley could catch their flight home. Since son, Craig, and family now live in Basel, and it's only an hour away....... so on we go to Basel. Craig has a new position with Novartis. This will make it easier to see them more often. We're really excited about that. Mike, and family are in New Bern, NC, so we see them on the way to and from Italy.

GARMISCH AND OBERAMERGAU

We went nearby to the Christmas town of Oberamergau. Christmas ornaments everywhere. the mountain top is behind the Edelweiss and is the famous Zugspitz. On the top there is a bridge, and walk over it and you are in Austria.

ON TO GARMISCH, GERMANY

Are we old enough to do this yet???

The Army has a wonderful hotel in Garmisch. Perfect for some R&R when the fellows and families need a holiday. The Edelweiss. Flowers everywhere and over every balcony.

STILL VERONA

Bob and Don's favorite thing to do is 'have a little refreshment' and people watch, while we ladies go window shopping. Then we come back and join'em.