beloved bel

On the second afternoon we decided to explore the little town of Bad Gastein.  This is the city of thermal baths, just like Bath in the UK.  Previous kings and queens would take a little holiday here to enjoy the thermal baths known for their healing properties.  Unfortunately - to our surprise - today it is becoming a somewhat derelict town compared to it's days of former glory.  There are many empty hotels and properties owned by foreigners that have not been refurbished to what they should be.  The local council is lacking funds to repair or improve the existing buildings.  Thankfully there is still a small and steady stream of tourists coming to this little town: in summer for the walks and hikes in the mountains, and in winter this is ski wonderland.  There are many good slopes all around here in the Alps. We took a map and gave ourselves 2h for a walk, giving us enough time to return for a shower and then *running hands on tummy gleefully* time for another sumptuous dinn

I can't believe I have not blogged about our mini honeymoon! I have mentioned before, but a few years ago I went for a trip with Marketa to Austria, deep in the Austrian Alps and whilst we enjoyed ourselves tremendously, it was a little awkward cos we were constantly surrounded by either lovey-dovey couples staring into each others eyes during the romantic dinners, or we were surrounded by happy families; imagine the same lovey-dovey couples with cute, well behaved kids.  I mean, their kids are cute, good looking and well behaved (yes they do co-exist).  And good-looking like their lovey-dovey parents. Geez we were wondering what's going on around us. When we left, we promised each other we would take our partners back here "so we can also be like one of those lovey-dovey couples..." http://belindagoeslondon.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/glimpse-of-heaven-part-1.html To be honest, that was just an excuse to come back because this place is just bursting awesomeness.  It