Cologne, Germany #Day36

Today was Lara's birthday! We had celebrations in the morning~ 

Then we drove to Cologne~ 

An amazing bridge~ 

Locks covered the side fence for meters and meters! It just kept going. Better then the one in Paris! 

So much love in the world~

We went into the Cathedral to have a look around and then climb up the towers~

So. many. stairs. 

Worth it for the amazing view at the top!~

'The Mums' taking selfies hahha~

The bell tower~ medieval bells~

In the bell tower we started talking to two men who were testing/mending the bells~they told us lots of fascinating information! 

They found out it was Lara's birthday and they said they would ring the giant bell for us! It was amazing! The bell is only rung on special occasions (very rarely) but they pretended they were testing it! They had to tell no one to film otherwise they could loose their jobs! It was such a great experience and so nice of them! 

One of them was also telling us about his travels to Australia and when we left he told Mum~'My heart is in Australia' 

Hahahh

This smaller bell is the most important~It was crafted in 1448 and weighs 11 thousand tones~

We then walked through the old town~

Sunset from their balcony to end the day~ 

Mulheim, Germany #Day35

Today we left Belgium to travel to Germany! 

A drive, taxi, train, walk, bus, another train and car ride later we finally arrived safe and sound at my friend Alinas place! 

Alina came to Melbourne as an exchange student in 2013 and I told her I would come and visit her in Germany some day and two years later, here I am! It's so amazing to see her again and to meet her family and friends! :) 

Her sister made this sign for us!^so nice!

Chilly morning~ 

Mum concentrating~

Antwerp station~

3 hour bus trip~

Alina and her sister, Lara met us at Dusseldorf Central station which was right near the airport so we took a trip on the Skyline just for fun!~ 

They made a Bavarian dinner for us~white sausages & pretzels!~ 

Later on in the night there was a party for Laras birthday :) 

Antwerp, Belgium #Day34

A day trip to Antwerp~

We only had around 2/3 hours to see Antwerp so we had a quick look around! I will have to come back one day to see it properly as I'm sure we only got a very small taste of what Antwerp has to offer~ 

Worlds oldest hour glass~

The one in the middle is a real person! Very talented~

I think my secret talent is finding markets wherever we go! Haha ~

Tomorrow we are off to..

Germany!! To be reunited with my great friend Alina, so excited!