See the Hoban Family Facebook page for more pictures.
Welcome to a few fun snipits of our life. Feel free to look around. We enjoy sharing our expiences with you.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Oslo, Norway
Written By: Dan
The trip to Norway was a long day. Two flights, a layover, and time change took up most of the day. Tuesday was the first day out. Exploring Oslo was easy and fun. The hotel was a quick walk down Karl Johnas street to the waterside. Karl Johnas street has many shops, cafes, and street performers to keep tourists entertained.
At the end of Karl Johans street the the Nobel Peace center. This building houses museum dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize. The main floor highlights a new attractions, people spreading peace, and education on their causes. This time it was about three girls in Afghanistan recording their daily lives. It was sad, yet uplifting at times. They showed life can still go on even in the darkest of situations. The upstairs is dedicated to current and past winners of the prize. It has many interactive displays with information about the winners, causes, and accomplishments. Another highly recommended stop.
I also took a Fjord tour on Tuesday. The two hour tour was interesting, but a little long. 15 minutes could have summed it up. Major sights (the fortress, Oprah house, Art Museum) are located near the dock, so many of the "sights" were covered within 5 minutes of departure. This left 115 minutes to explore the islands, houses, and peninsulas. The houses were neat. You had a better understanding about life in Norway. Owning a boat and living on an island is not special for Norwegians. 1 in 4 people own a boat in Norway. Just about every family has a vessel of some sort. Water is a way of life for these people. Many take boats instead of cars to work. No wonder the Vikings were so adept sailors.
A Surprise on the way back from the Fjord tour was a street skiing competition downtown. They were determining the National team. This entailed paving a new track, setting up a stage, and PA system. Races went all day, and were only broken up by concerts on the stage. The races, announcers, and interviews were not in English, so I had no idea what was happening - but I enjoyed it none the less. I know have a favorite Norwegian ski team to root for - United Bakeries.
Oslo is a great city to visit. It is compact, walkable, and the weather in June is unique, if not enjoyable. The sun sets a little before midnight, and rises at about 3:30am this time of year. Days seem longer, because they are. We often didn't seek out dinner until around 10 or 11, and didn't feel the need for bed until 1 or 2 am. This made morning meets a little difficult, but worth it.
Karl Johans Street. Picture taken at 12:39 am.
The only drawback of Norway is prices. Because of the strong economy, thriving oil business, and high standard of living prices for just about anything are some of the highest I have experienced. Right on par with Venice, Toyko, and London. I stopped at a shop and purchased a magnet for my mom, tee shirt for Annie, and a mug for the house. The price was equivalent to $125 US. At one point I ordered a $22 beer. Prices here would make an extended trip financially difficult, and not really worth it from a "pay for what you get" perspective. Still, Oslo was a memorable experience. And the furthest North I have ever been.
The trip to Norway was a long day. Two flights, a layover, and time change took up most of the day. Tuesday was the first day out. Exploring Oslo was easy and fun. The hotel was a quick walk down Karl Johnas street to the waterside. Karl Johnas street has many shops, cafes, and street performers to keep tourists entertained.
At the end of Karl Johans street the the Nobel Peace center. This building houses museum dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize. The main floor highlights a new attractions, people spreading peace, and education on their causes. This time it was about three girls in Afghanistan recording their daily lives. It was sad, yet uplifting at times. They showed life can still go on even in the darkest of situations. The upstairs is dedicated to current and past winners of the prize. It has many interactive displays with information about the winners, causes, and accomplishments. Another highly recommended stop.
I also took a Fjord tour on Tuesday. The two hour tour was interesting, but a little long. 15 minutes could have summed it up. Major sights (the fortress, Oprah house, Art Museum) are located near the dock, so many of the "sights" were covered within 5 minutes of departure. This left 115 minutes to explore the islands, houses, and peninsulas. The houses were neat. You had a better understanding about life in Norway. Owning a boat and living on an island is not special for Norwegians. 1 in 4 people own a boat in Norway. Just about every family has a vessel of some sort. Water is a way of life for these people. Many take boats instead of cars to work. No wonder the Vikings were so adept sailors.
A Surprise on the way back from the Fjord tour was a street skiing competition downtown. They were determining the National team. This entailed paving a new track, setting up a stage, and PA system. Races went all day, and were only broken up by concerts on the stage. The races, announcers, and interviews were not in English, so I had no idea what was happening - but I enjoyed it none the less. I know have a favorite Norwegian ski team to root for - United Bakeries.
Oslo is a great city to visit. It is compact, walkable, and the weather in June is unique, if not enjoyable. The sun sets a little before midnight, and rises at about 3:30am this time of year. Days seem longer, because they are. We often didn't seek out dinner until around 10 or 11, and didn't feel the need for bed until 1 or 2 am. This made morning meets a little difficult, but worth it.
Karl Johans Street. Picture taken at 12:39 am.
The only drawback of Norway is prices. Because of the strong economy, thriving oil business, and high standard of living prices for just about anything are some of the highest I have experienced. Right on par with Venice, Toyko, and London. I stopped at a shop and purchased a magnet for my mom, tee shirt for Annie, and a mug for the house. The price was equivalent to $125 US. At one point I ordered a $22 beer. Prices here would make an extended trip financially difficult, and not really worth it from a "pay for what you get" perspective. Still, Oslo was a memorable experience. And the furthest North I have ever been.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Glasgow, Scotland
Written by: Dan
We arrived to Scotland yesterday after a long trip. The flight from Detroit left Friday night, around 10pm and arrived to London the next morning. After a long layover and short flight to Glasgow we didn't have much energy to explore the city. We did manage to walk to a place for dinner named Gamba. The food was excellent. Local fish, and fine scotch. I ordered Sole, prepared only with lemon and butter, yet it was some of the best fish I have tasted.
With a long day on Friday/Saturday, and Business/travel on Monday, we had little time to explore Scotland. However we did get out on Saturday for a bit. The city itself is quite nice. Smaller, kinda like Grand Rapids, with a varied, hilly landscape like San Francisco. The city is quite clean, and very walkable. Weather is the only limiting factor for getting around by foot. During our stay it was rainy and cloudy most of the time. Our cab driver on Saturday explained July is the best time of the year to visit, because that is the best weather of the year. It is June 10th today. I can't expect the weather getting much better in the next two weeks. However I don't remember Ireland being a tropical paradise in September either, so it is all relative. I think the best you get in Scotland is comparable to an early spring in Michigan.
Being in Scotland for a day meant we had to pick our battles (or adventures). We decided on a whiskey distillery. You learn quick in Scotland, they don't call it Scotch. It is whiskey. They call their Scotch whiskey, things like Jamson "Irish whiskey," and things like JD "crap." The distillery we choose was Glengoyne. Glengoyne produces a smooth, single malt, lowland whiskey. They have been doing so since long before it was legal to produce alcohol. The tour was fascinating. You learn quickly how Scotch is made, what makes Scotch great, and why other whiskeys are different. The best part of the tour might have been the end. Stacy, Saylor, and I were able to make and record our own blend. Making your own blend is quite unique. You are given samples from all over Scotland (Highland, Lowland, Islands, etc..) and explained their unique qualities. After that you are encouraged to test, sample, and blend. Your unique blend is to be measured and recorded. It's like a science experiment with booze (and a great deal of tasting). When all is said and done your blend is recorded in their records, and you are sent home with a sample of your very own. In the process you learn a ton about what kind of Scotches you like, where they are made, and the features you find appealing. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Scotland.
One thing we did not get to do, but sampled on the drive to and from the distillery was the countryside. It is most breath taking. Given extra time, I would spend a few days exploring the country, playing golf, and sampling more whiskey.
Glengoyne Distillary
Sunday ended with another great Scottish meal (fish), and more whiskey sampling in the hotel bar. Monday brought morning meetings, and a plane ride to Norway.
Scotland is one of the few places I think I must go back to. One day is not enough for this country. I've always said I want to bring Annie back to Ireland. I think I would add a Scotland trip as well.
We arrived to Scotland yesterday after a long trip. The flight from Detroit left Friday night, around 10pm and arrived to London the next morning. After a long layover and short flight to Glasgow we didn't have much energy to explore the city. We did manage to walk to a place for dinner named Gamba. The food was excellent. Local fish, and fine scotch. I ordered Sole, prepared only with lemon and butter, yet it was some of the best fish I have tasted.
With a long day on Friday/Saturday, and Business/travel on Monday, we had little time to explore Scotland. However we did get out on Saturday for a bit. The city itself is quite nice. Smaller, kinda like Grand Rapids, with a varied, hilly landscape like San Francisco. The city is quite clean, and very walkable. Weather is the only limiting factor for getting around by foot. During our stay it was rainy and cloudy most of the time. Our cab driver on Saturday explained July is the best time of the year to visit, because that is the best weather of the year. It is June 10th today. I can't expect the weather getting much better in the next two weeks. However I don't remember Ireland being a tropical paradise in September either, so it is all relative. I think the best you get in Scotland is comparable to an early spring in Michigan.
Being in Scotland for a day meant we had to pick our battles (or adventures). We decided on a whiskey distillery. You learn quick in Scotland, they don't call it Scotch. It is whiskey. They call their Scotch whiskey, things like Jamson "Irish whiskey," and things like JD "crap." The distillery we choose was Glengoyne. Glengoyne produces a smooth, single malt, lowland whiskey. They have been doing so since long before it was legal to produce alcohol. The tour was fascinating. You learn quickly how Scotch is made, what makes Scotch great, and why other whiskeys are different. The best part of the tour might have been the end. Stacy, Saylor, and I were able to make and record our own blend. Making your own blend is quite unique. You are given samples from all over Scotland (Highland, Lowland, Islands, etc..) and explained their unique qualities. After that you are encouraged to test, sample, and blend. Your unique blend is to be measured and recorded. It's like a science experiment with booze (and a great deal of tasting). When all is said and done your blend is recorded in their records, and you are sent home with a sample of your very own. In the process you learn a ton about what kind of Scotches you like, where they are made, and the features you find appealing. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Scotland.
One thing we did not get to do, but sampled on the drive to and from the distillery was the countryside. It is most breath taking. Given extra time, I would spend a few days exploring the country, playing golf, and sampling more whiskey.
Glengoyne Distillary
Sunday ended with another great Scottish meal (fish), and more whiskey sampling in the hotel bar. Monday brought morning meetings, and a plane ride to Norway.
Scotland is one of the few places I think I must go back to. One day is not enough for this country. I've always said I want to bring Annie back to Ireland. I think I would add a Scotland trip as well.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)