Folks, welcome to Switzerland. The land of the cows and the home of the Jungfrau. Man, these people love their cows. If it wasn't for the Alps and the flags everywhere I'd swear I was in India... :D Lauterbrunnen is about 20 mins out of Interlaken - it's a cosy little town, with a church that does weird things with its bells. I mean, these bells are ringing randomly day or night, and for an interminable time. There does not appear (to a foreigner) to be any particular pattern or reason. Just when you think you've figured it out, it'll gong 15 times at 12.45pm on a Thursday. Hmmm...
I seriously love Switzerland. This country is so beautiful and relaxing (and baffling!) - I've never seen so many waterfalls in one place! The place we're staying also has a massive river running through - yep, a white water river. :D Very tempting to just jump on an inner tube and go wild - although, I have no doubt that it would take 15 mins for me to reach the Mediterranean and be somehow floating down an ocean current off the coast of Western Australia by tomorrow afternoon. :D
Have met up with some girls I was travelling with earlier and we all ended up bunking together, so it's worked out well - also pretty cruisily. Sleeping in and strolling 'round is mostly the order of the day. Today we came in to Interlaken which seems to kind of exist for the sole purpose of extreme sports.
I have to say the most amusing thing about Lauts was having one of our mates clamber (while completely trolleyed! i.e. smashed) through our window, fall smack onto the floor, with his pants around his ankles. Thankfully, there was underwear present, and in his near-comatose state he was very amiable and given to following instructions - the pants were soon pulled up, and he was soon coasting out our door - until we noticed the blood! He appeared to have gashed himself as he fell in the window! So I managed to hail one of our other mates to try and get him back to his cabin, but my drunken friend decided to fall over his own feet and smash his face on some random concrete object on the ground. Unconscious on the ground, we all scrabble around trying to figure out what to do. In the meantime, he arouses and has very obviously broken his nose. Quite badly. And obviously has no idea, 'cos he's calling my friend "Dennis" (even though his name is Simon!) and going on and on about Dennis being his mate, etc. I have to tell you that in the situation I wasn't laughing, but in hindsight, it really was quite amusing. And had he been more lucid I'm sure he would've found it quite amusing, too - managing to fall in the window of a cabin with 4 semi-naked girls and with no way of escape! :D What an entertaining fellow...!
Further report on the ear infection: I have come to the conclusion that it kind of defeats the purpose of staying here much longer... On the antibiotics and the train, I will be burling off to Bern tomorrow for hopefully a bit more of an entertaining stay. :D
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Grounded
Just an update on the itinerary and what's going on. I arrived in Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland) last night - on schedule. However, I woke up this morning with a nasty middle ear infection. Mum: don't ask me how much the doctor cost. Let's just say I'm glad I've got travel insurance! So, middle ear infection in Switzerland means:
1. No skydiving. yep, was seriously gonna do it - I was all but booked in.
2. No going to the "top of Europe" which of course is the whole reason for being here... can you believe it?! So I'm stuck at the campsite all day today and tomorrow.
Consolation: I might be able to make it to some waterfalls very nearby - hopefully they`re not up some massive hill.
To the point: Switzerland is absolutely gorgeous. The view where I'm staying is absolutely stunning, surrounded by beautiful Alps and waterfalls. Oh, and to top it off I've met up with some girls I was travelling with earlier - de ja vu!
1. No skydiving. yep, was seriously gonna do it - I was all but booked in.
2. No going to the "top of Europe" which of course is the whole reason for being here... can you believe it?! So I'm stuck at the campsite all day today and tomorrow.
Consolation: I might be able to make it to some waterfalls very nearby - hopefully they`re not up some massive hill.
To the point: Switzerland is absolutely gorgeous. The view where I'm staying is absolutely stunning, surrounded by beautiful Alps and waterfalls. Oh, and to top it off I've met up with some girls I was travelling with earlier - de ja vu!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Nice Nice and Monaco :D
Nice was nice. Except, once again, the area we were staying in. Pretty seedy. Although, to it's credit, it was a pretty easy walk to the "old town" and the aussie bar that we watched the italian match in. Don't talk to me about it. we were so gutted...
Some great beaches, some great rollerblading stunts along the boardwalk (these guys were seriously PROFESSIONAL!) and some good friends. Met some random aussies and spent some time with them dinnering, shopping, etc. Oh! And there was a *great* chicken shop around the back which did a *mean* grilled chicken. In case you haven't realised, I'm eating my way 'round europe. :D
Oh, and went to Monaco for a few hours. Odd place. I have never seen so much money in the one place at the one time. Yachts galore, cruise ships, people walking 'round with personal minders who carry their shopping out to their flash cars and hold umbrellas to keep the sun off them. Sadly, I was a *little* under-dressed to enter the casino for a gawk - sadly, it also had a 10E door charge which I was most unwilling to pay. :D The coastline is absolutely gorgeous and i was very tempted to just pop off the train at the numerous stops between Nice and Monaco - just for a little dip in the beautiful ocean or a laze on the beach.
Some great beaches, some great rollerblading stunts along the boardwalk (these guys were seriously PROFESSIONAL!) and some good friends. Met some random aussies and spent some time with them dinnering, shopping, etc. Oh! And there was a *great* chicken shop around the back which did a *mean* grilled chicken. In case you haven't realised, I'm eating my way 'round europe. :D
Oh, and went to Monaco for a few hours. Odd place. I have never seen so much money in the one place at the one time. Yachts galore, cruise ships, people walking 'round with personal minders who carry their shopping out to their flash cars and hold umbrellas to keep the sun off them. Sadly, I was a *little* under-dressed to enter the casino for a gawk - sadly, it also had a 10E door charge which I was most unwilling to pay. :D The coastline is absolutely gorgeous and i was very tempted to just pop off the train at the numerous stops between Nice and Monaco - just for a little dip in the beautiful ocean or a laze on the beach.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Cinque Terre
Well, I ended up bed-ridden for a day after having a completely exhausting day - I think all my "travelling" caught up with me - I slept for about 30 hours in two days. The weather was great (what I saw of it) I did a walk between two of the towns and completely regretted it. :D Great beaches though, and all the towns are very quaint. I was staying in a little 3-bedroom apartment and somehow managed to end up with a room to myself!! It was good to spread out my stuff for a few days and not have to worry about packing everything up and locking it all up when I was going to the bathroom or something...
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Firenze
The place we're staying in is so far out of town that I can hardly be bothered going to town . . . but of course, you have to when the place you're staying in is such a hole! :D Florence is nice enough, but not much to see sight-wise, so once I'd done Ponte Vecchio and checked out the David replica (no, I'm not going to bother seeing the original), that was kind of it! Needless to say, I also tried the best gelati place in Florence. Meh - I don't know what all the fuss was about - frankly, I think the best gelati was in rome.
I did, however, manage to party the night away while watching the Croatia game. Man, it was going off and so good to be with a bunch of drunk yobbos again yelling at the croatian fans: "you're going home in the back of the divvy van" :D It did my heart proud. Awesome match, too - I seriously hoped someone taped it 'cos I'd love to see it again!
I did, however, manage to party the night away while watching the Croatia game. Man, it was going off and so good to be with a bunch of drunk yobbos again yelling at the croatian fans: "you're going home in the back of the divvy van" :D It did my heart proud. Awesome match, too - I seriously hoped someone taped it 'cos I'd love to see it again!
Monday, June 19, 2006
European observations
Pringles. They are EVERYWHERE. Jalapeno, Smoked bacon, paprika - you name it, they flavour it. Seriously, I reckon every single traveller in Europe has bought at least one packet (small or large) at some point in their trip. I have no doubt made up for all those that don't!! It's so easy to pay 3E (about $5.20) for them, too, which of course is ridiculous. I refuse to pay more than 2E, which of course means I have to find them in a supermarket or tobaccinist somewhere. I think i paid 1.70E? Something like that. My diet has quickly become Pringles, Gelati and dinner. Sorry, mum! :D
Water fountains - gotta love them. Paying for water is ridiculous when you can get it falling out of a random wall! In venice I wasn't quite sure what they were and what was going on, but I have since been advised that they are fine, so man, if I can drink Roman water and have it for free, I'll be there. :D The water is always absolutely freezing as well, which is great, especially since the weather has been so hot.
There are beggars everywhere here as well. It's very sad and difficult to get used to, since we don't see that kind of thing at home. Sadly, they have become expert in making people feel guilty if they don't give them anything. What I'm particularly unimpressed about is when a mother has a small child with her and she makes the child beg by going up to people to ask for money. makes you wonder where they live and if they really do have enough money to feed their child - what kind of parent makes their child beg for money?? I'm talking about 3-4 year olds!! Very sad...
I've heard of a few instances of pick-pocketing. One of the buses that stops out the front of our hostel (in Rome) is notorious for it apparently. Funnily enough, you can actually spot the people who are pick-pocketers since they're not ashamed of it or try to hide it, but gee, they're good at what they do. They can unzip your bag, pull out your stuff, and zip your bag back up without you having any clue. Thankfully I haven't been hit, or seen anyone hit, but it happens. Also heard of a girl having stuff stolen out of her bag in the hostel.
Water fountains - gotta love them. Paying for water is ridiculous when you can get it falling out of a random wall! In venice I wasn't quite sure what they were and what was going on, but I have since been advised that they are fine, so man, if I can drink Roman water and have it for free, I'll be there. :D The water is always absolutely freezing as well, which is great, especially since the weather has been so hot.
There are beggars everywhere here as well. It's very sad and difficult to get used to, since we don't see that kind of thing at home. Sadly, they have become expert in making people feel guilty if they don't give them anything. What I'm particularly unimpressed about is when a mother has a small child with her and she makes the child beg by going up to people to ask for money. makes you wonder where they live and if they really do have enough money to feed their child - what kind of parent makes their child beg for money?? I'm talking about 3-4 year olds!! Very sad...
I've heard of a few instances of pick-pocketing. One of the buses that stops out the front of our hostel (in Rome) is notorious for it apparently. Funnily enough, you can actually spot the people who are pick-pocketers since they're not ashamed of it or try to hide it, but gee, they're good at what they do. They can unzip your bag, pull out your stuff, and zip your bag back up without you having any clue. Thankfully I haven't been hit, or seen anyone hit, but it happens. Also heard of a girl having stuff stolen out of her bag in the hostel.
Ancient Rome
Myself and a travel buddy decided to do a self-guided "Ancient Rome" tour. We started off at the Colosseum - that was great!! I got some video footage - simply because it's so vast that you can't really get the gist and do it justice with photos. I'll whack some photos in later.
After the Colosseum we followed the "trail" and walked through the Forum, then the Pantheon, then the Trevi Fountain. No, I did not throw a single coin in the fountain - I'm not into that kind of thing. Oh, and of course I topped it all off with some gelati. For lunch. :D
After the Colosseum we followed the "trail" and walked through the Forum, then the Pantheon, then the Trevi Fountain. No, I did not throw a single coin in the fountain - I'm not into that kind of thing. Oh, and of course I topped it all off with some gelati. For lunch. :D
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Return to Rome
Once again, I have fallen out of bed at a time that should be banned. We all jumped on the bus and drove further south along the coastline. Now, you think the Great Ocean Road is bad? The amalfi coastline is DREADFUL. I had to sit in the front seat and still felt absolutely horrible. We stopped in Amalfi itself for morning tea, but I only ended up nibbling on a plain bread roll and drinking water...! :D No gelati or custard-filled something for me. :D Then we went to another town further inland (Ravello) - very quaint, cute, but couldn't be bothered. Coastline is beautiful, and there are lemon and olive groves EVERYWHERE. driving was amusing, too. :D there are so many hairpin turns, and we were in a massive coach, so i don't know how many times we had to make 3 or 5 point turns on a corner, and this guy was a local!! :D a bit hairy scary at times... then, we stopped in Naples (Napoli). *So* unimpressed. Very dirty, messy, falling apart, and a really negative vibe in the place. i could count on one hand the number of people on the bus who were interested in stopping. afterwards, I found out our guide didn't even want to stop there!! it was really hot too (apparently about 33-35 degs) and since we were all exhausted from a couple of really busy days we just couldn't be bothered. everyone was just hanging to get to rome. arrive in rome we did, and i had time to shower and see the second half of the aussie vs brasil match. disappointing with the outcome, but was impressed with the attack the aussies kept up. wasn't a steady flow of brasil attacking, and the aussies had some good pressure happening. missed a few good goal opportunities, though. As soon as brasil scored their second goal i went into the restaurant for dinner to avoid the rush at the end of the match - ended up having dinner with 3 girls who i'd been in sorrento with, and caught up with an old friend. ended up sharing a cabin with a couple of girls on holidays from an exchange program in france. Interesting conversations...!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Isle of Capri
Today I got up at ridiculous o'clock (which, considering I'm on holidays, could be anything before 11am - today, specifically, I am talking about 7am) to get a bus, then a ferry out to the island of Capri. WOW. That place is GORGEOUS. Apparently the hideaway of the rich and famous, and I can understand why. I couldn't get over the colour of the water... it was seriously amazing!! I spent lots of time on various ferries as well, did a ferry tour (for about an hour or so) all the way 'round the island, including stopping off at a place where the famous blue grotto is. Very amusing. We're in this big ferry, and all these little row-boats are sitting in the bay and come and swarm 'round the ferry to take passengers into the grotto - four at a time. The guys are amusing how they can stand on the boat, get people in and out, and row, and never lose their balance! hilarious. :D A lot of people were impressed - but for something that lasted about 1 min I didn't think it was worth 8.50E. Anyway, after we get back to the mainland, jumped on a funicular (kind of like a bus/tram/train thing that goes up the side of the mountain - oh, kind of like a cable car on the ground, without the cable, but with rails) to go up to "capri town" - don't know what it was called down the bottom, but it was all the same to me. it was a bit posher up top, but not surprised, since the views were divine. took some more photos, checked out some gardens and enjoyed the views. Once again, ate gelati (yes, this is becoming a daily meal). :D After that we hit the beach!! The water was beautiful... seriously, it is a beautiful colour (difficult to describe), but sadly the beach isn't sand, it's rocks!! and small rocks at that. varying in size from a 5 cent piece to about the size of a large fist. VERY difficult to walk on. So much so that i walked down and back from the water once. as tempting and beautiful as the water was, it wasn't worth the pain of going back down again, so I lazed on the beach. Oh, and now I have a ridiculous tan that I haven't even been trying to get... Seriously, I think this could be the brownest I have ever been in my life! I've got a pretty serious set of raccoon (i.e. sunglasses!) eyes happening... :D Watch mark is pretty pronounced! Oh, and my feet as well. Have an upside-down Y happening from my sandals. :D very funny. Ah, after beaching, ferried back to Sorrento, hung out with a few of the girls, grabbed some dinner, got some of my photos burnt to CD (got two copies, so I'll post one set to you, and keep one set on me) and then headed back to the campsite. Watched the Italy vs USA match - very disappointing. Pretty scrappy game. Wasn't impressed. And that was the end of the day! :D
I *have* to come back here sometime... It is amazing! I'll attach some pics just so you can see how gorgeous the water is!
I *have* to come back here sometime... It is amazing! I'll attach some pics just so you can see how gorgeous the water is!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Heading south...
Today I drove down the Amalfi Coast and went to Pompeii!!!! Very exciting...
Anyway, packed bus (about 50-odd) and managed to hit it off with a chick in the check-out queue. :D Lauren's from Geelong and been living in London for a year. She's travelling for about another 2 weeks, then a week in Noosa then going home. :D Drive down the coast was beautiful. But before all that, we had a guided tour at Pompeii. Very very very hot... Took some good photos, but we noticed there were a lot of things we didn't get to see. Disappointingly, there are quite a few areas of the ruins that are still being excavated, and even more that are undergoing restoration. So, pretty much all the famous pictures of Pompeii we didn't get to see. Oh well. Was still pretty good. After Pompeii we cruised on down to Sorrento. Right on the coast, gorgeous scenery, and where we ended up staying for 2 nights. We went in to town that night for dinner (which was GREAT!) and the waiter STUFFED me with tiramisu. It was DIVINE!! Seriously, the best tiramisu I've ever had in my life... wow. :D I ate all of mine, finished off Lauren's, then Sandra's, and Danny doesn't eat tiramisu, so I ate his, and I was done (I realise you don't know any of these people, but it doesn't matter!). The head waiter came out and was so impressed by me saying that his tiramisu was "perfetto" that he brought out another piece and told me he'd give me some limoncello (a local lemon alcoholic aperative) if I finished it all. I'd already had a bit of a slurp of some limoncello. Ooh! Powerful stuff. Not a fan - too much "cello" and not enough "limon". :D So of course, I wasn't fussed, but he was obviously going to be VERY offended if i didn't finished the tiramisu. Well, finish it I did, and he was very happy. :D told me to come back if ever i wanted tiramisu again and he'd give me a plate (with his hands about a foot apart) of it. :D not surprisingly, i smiled, said "grazie" and rolled out. :D everyone thought it was hilarious and was very impressed. :D
I do, however, have one grip. Here I am. For two days. In a TENT. There was nothing remotely resembling the word "TENT" when I booked accommodation. Somehow they construed "TENT" to mean "private room". :-
Anyway, packed bus (about 50-odd) and managed to hit it off with a chick in the check-out queue. :D Lauren's from Geelong and been living in London for a year. She's travelling for about another 2 weeks, then a week in Noosa then going home. :D Drive down the coast was beautiful. But before all that, we had a guided tour at Pompeii. Very very very hot... Took some good photos, but we noticed there were a lot of things we didn't get to see. Disappointingly, there are quite a few areas of the ruins that are still being excavated, and even more that are undergoing restoration. So, pretty much all the famous pictures of Pompeii we didn't get to see. Oh well. Was still pretty good. After Pompeii we cruised on down to Sorrento. Right on the coast, gorgeous scenery, and where we ended up staying for 2 nights. We went in to town that night for dinner (which was GREAT!) and the waiter STUFFED me with tiramisu. It was DIVINE!! Seriously, the best tiramisu I've ever had in my life... wow. :D I ate all of mine, finished off Lauren's, then Sandra's, and Danny doesn't eat tiramisu, so I ate his, and I was done (I realise you don't know any of these people, but it doesn't matter!). The head waiter came out and was so impressed by me saying that his tiramisu was "perfetto" that he brought out another piece and told me he'd give me some limoncello (a local lemon alcoholic aperative) if I finished it all. I'd already had a bit of a slurp of some limoncello. Ooh! Powerful stuff. Not a fan - too much "cello" and not enough "limon". :D So of course, I wasn't fussed, but he was obviously going to be VERY offended if i didn't finished the tiramisu. Well, finish it I did, and he was very happy. :D told me to come back if ever i wanted tiramisu again and he'd give me a plate (with his hands about a foot apart) of it. :D not surprisingly, i smiled, said "grazie" and rolled out. :D everyone thought it was hilarious and was very impressed. :D
I do, however, have one grip. Here I am. For two days. In a TENT. There was nothing remotely resembling the word "TENT" when I booked accommodation. Somehow they construed "TENT" to mean "private room". :-
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
My little "religious" altercation
Today I did the Vatican tour - the most expensive tour I've done yet (30E - that's about $50-55). But to tell the truth, it really was worth it. It included the Sistine Chapel, St Paul's Basilica and the Vatican Museum. We had little headsets so it meant I could stroll 'round and not really be with the group which was great. It was tour group city!! Absolutely insane - mainly because the Pope had spoken that morning (he speaks every Wed at about 11am I think?), and then the crowds all massed to the Vatican. Waited in the queue in the sun for about 50 mins. Not bad, considering you can wait up to 2 hours... Imagine that... Very impressed with the interior, etc. I'm not into paintings, etc, but frescoes I *can* appreciate!! Oh, and I nearly had a punch-on with a tour guide in the Sistine Chapel. :D HILARIOUS!!!
Here're the facts:
*Sistine Chapel - silence is to be maintained
*Sistine Chapel - tours are not to be conducted within in any kind of manner
*my guide had switched off our headsets because she wasn't conducting a tour
And now here's the story: me - standing still; tour guide - talking at a normal volume into her little microphone, walking in the opposite direction to which I am facing; old italian momma (OIM) - walking in the same direction as the tour guide, but on my right hand side. OIM reaches across me and grabs the guide on the arm, very agitated and rattles off something to the tour guide - essentially telling her to be quiet because she's in the Sistine Chapel. tour guide, continuing to conduct her tour, looks at the OIM but is not really listening to her. guide stops talking, I poke her on the arm and say: "silenzio!" (i.e. be quiet), as both the OIM and I are frowning at her. guide looks at the OIM, then at me, then starts getting aggro at me!! :D she pokes me on the arm, and then the dialogue is as follows:
TG: Don't you touch me!
S: Be quiet, you're in the Sistine Chapel!
TG: What, you want me to punch you? Huh?
S:you're in a church...?
TG: blah blah blah
...and off she stormed. :D I thought it was HILARIOUS since she obviously thought she was intimidating... I was fully thinking "surely you don't think that I'm scared of you? I just think you're an idiot for conducting a tour in the Sistine Chapel and then challenging someone who tells you to be quiet?" Saw her a few times outside the chapel and was so tempted to go up to her and say: "how about now? now works for me..." :D But I decided not to, since we were still in the Vatican city... :D Anyway... many people (including a couple of the busabout guides) have found the story extremely amusing - especially since a couple of the girls were there (oh, I met up with a couple of girls on the tour who I'd been travelling with from Berlin -> Vienna). One of the guides kind of collects anecdotes from some of the travellers so she's gonna use that one. :D
and then I played some more pool... I'm detecting a definite theme here...
Here're the facts:
*Sistine Chapel - silence is to be maintained
*Sistine Chapel - tours are not to be conducted within in any kind of manner
*my guide had switched off our headsets because she wasn't conducting a tour
And now here's the story: me - standing still; tour guide - talking at a normal volume into her little microphone, walking in the opposite direction to which I am facing; old italian momma (OIM) - walking in the same direction as the tour guide, but on my right hand side. OIM reaches across me and grabs the guide on the arm, very agitated and rattles off something to the tour guide - essentially telling her to be quiet because she's in the Sistine Chapel. tour guide, continuing to conduct her tour, looks at the OIM but is not really listening to her. guide stops talking, I poke her on the arm and say: "silenzio!" (i.e. be quiet), as both the OIM and I are frowning at her. guide looks at the OIM, then at me, then starts getting aggro at me!! :D she pokes me on the arm, and then the dialogue is as follows:
TG: Don't you touch me!
S: Be quiet, you're in the Sistine Chapel!
TG: What, you want me to punch you? Huh?
S:
TG: blah blah blah
...and off she stormed. :D I thought it was HILARIOUS since she obviously thought she was intimidating... I was fully thinking "surely you don't think that I'm scared of you? I just think you're an idiot for conducting a tour in the Sistine Chapel and then challenging someone who tells you to be quiet?" Saw her a few times outside the chapel and was so tempted to go up to her and say: "how about now? now works for me..." :D But I decided not to, since we were still in the Vatican city... :D Anyway... many people (including a couple of the busabout guides) have found the story extremely amusing - especially since a couple of the girls were there (oh, I met up with a couple of girls on the tour who I'd been travelling with from Berlin -> Vienna). One of the guides kind of collects anecdotes from some of the travellers so she's gonna use that one. :D
and then I played some more pool... I'm detecting a definite theme here...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
When in Rome...
Firstly, let me tell you about where I'm staying. It's like a massive caravan park, kind of on the outskirts of town, with a massive supermarket over the road, a bus stop out the front, and on site they have a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. You could seriously stay here and never see Rome!!
Today we're off to Rome! Left a few of the girls in Venice - they were staying a couple more nights. And the rest of the girls got off at Ancona to get the ferry to the Greek islands. :( on my own again, but I know they were stoked to be finally hitting the sand and heat! :D
Today we're off to Rome! Left a few of the girls in Venice - they were staying a couple more nights. And the rest of the girls got off at Ancona to get the ferry to the Greek islands. :( on my own again, but I know they were stoked to be finally hitting the sand and heat! :D
Monday, June 12, 2006
Bienvenuti a Venezia!
Venice has been wonderful! You have to love a city that you don't need a map to get around in.
We stayed in a "campsite" outside of town - we were just near the Marco Polo Airport and yeah, it was kind of like living in Coolaroo. Stacks of planes going over at ridiculous o'clock in the morning!! Met up with an old travel buddy (on the way from Salzburg to Venice) so it was good to have a mate to hang around with again. Had some friends she'd also palled up with while she was in St Johann so we all just kind of hung out together.
The first day dawned and we decided the first thing we *had* to do was have a gondola ride - lots of fun! We complained to our gondolier that we weren't getting our money's worth because he wasn't singing... He much preferred to coach me in my italian!! Also took a photo of him on the phone...while "driving" - surely somewhere, somehow, that has to be illegal?? The grand canal is absolutely gorgeous - lots of things you don't really think about that they do completely differently. EVERYTHING is done on the river. You're moving house? You do it with a gondola. Having renovations done on your place? In comes the gondola with all the gear on it. :D Hilarious! And mostly it's a case of the pushiest - not the biggest - wins. After that, we all kind of went our separate ways and went off and did whatever. We (my friend and I) went and checked out the Palazzo (palace) which was great, then vegged out at a cafe for a bit. This is also the *first* day of excellent weather that has continued through. I haven't worn socks since I hit Venice!! :D In the arvo we strolled 'round the streets, ate gelati and just enjoyed the local culture. We met up for dinner with everyone later in the day which was great. Sat in the middle of a square under umbrellas, then strolled back to the bus to get back to the campsite. Then I played pool for a bit (okay, until the wee hours of the morning!) and met some new folk.
Our second and final day in Venice, we bought a "hopper" ticket and then queued for St Mark's church. The hopper ticket (our own name for it - don't know what it's really called!) means for ... 12E? ... you can hop on and off any bus, train or ferry for the entire day - until 6am the next day I think? So hop we did!! :D There are quite a few islands off the coast of Venice (since Venice itself is made up of stacks of islands!) and each of the islands have a particular thing they are renowned for. Burano: lace, lace and more lace... There was also some really corny (for lack of a better word) lace, too. But the island itself is really quaint. Very small (you could probably walk all over it in about an hour), and is really a mini Venice! Little canals everywhere, very picturesque. Took a few photos. Murano: glass. They blow and colour glass into any and every shape!! They really do have some amazing stuff. I bought a ring and a necklace - the colours in them both make them look like they've got that gold paper or something inside them? Very pretty... I had been looking at rings and stuff when I was in the Czech republic, but nothing grabbed my eye and since they were pretty expensive I wanted to make sure I really liked it if I was going to justify buying it. In the end, I didn't get anything. So I figured paying 5E for a necklace and 7E for a ring on Murano was pretty good... :D Ah...next was Torcello: they have a church and that's pretty much it! Can't say I was impressed... the design looked like it had a really strong Spanish influence. Very dilapidated and run-down, though. A couple of the girls went inside and they said they found it really freaky... Statues of things being killed, snakes, etc. Very odd. Glad I didn't fork out the dosh. Strolled 'round outside and took photos, then back on the ferry again and back to Venice. Managed to get a ferry that took us straight to where the bus stopped, so saved our legs quite a bit!
We stayed in a "campsite" outside of town - we were just near the Marco Polo Airport and yeah, it was kind of like living in Coolaroo. Stacks of planes going over at ridiculous o'clock in the morning!! Met up with an old travel buddy (on the way from Salzburg to Venice) so it was good to have a mate to hang around with again. Had some friends she'd also palled up with while she was in St Johann so we all just kind of hung out together.
The first day dawned and we decided the first thing we *had* to do was have a gondola ride - lots of fun! We complained to our gondolier that we weren't getting our money's worth because he wasn't singing... He much preferred to coach me in my italian!! Also took a photo of him on the phone...while "driving" - surely somewhere, somehow, that has to be illegal?? The grand canal is absolutely gorgeous - lots of things you don't really think about that they do completely differently. EVERYTHING is done on the river. You're moving house? You do it with a gondola. Having renovations done on your place? In comes the gondola with all the gear on it. :D Hilarious! And mostly it's a case of the pushiest - not the biggest - wins. After that, we all kind of went our separate ways and went off and did whatever. We (my friend and I) went and checked out the Palazzo (palace) which was great, then vegged out at a cafe for a bit. This is also the *first* day of excellent weather that has continued through. I haven't worn socks since I hit Venice!! :D In the arvo we strolled 'round the streets, ate gelati and just enjoyed the local culture. We met up for dinner with everyone later in the day which was great. Sat in the middle of a square under umbrellas, then strolled back to the bus to get back to the campsite. Then I played pool for a bit (okay, until the wee hours of the morning!) and met some new folk.
Our second and final day in Venice, we bought a "hopper" ticket and then queued for St Mark's church. The hopper ticket (our own name for it - don't know what it's really called!) means for ... 12E? ... you can hop on and off any bus, train or ferry for the entire day - until 6am the next day I think? So hop we did!! :D There are quite a few islands off the coast of Venice (since Venice itself is made up of stacks of islands!) and each of the islands have a particular thing they are renowned for. Burano: lace, lace and more lace... There was also some really corny (for lack of a better word) lace, too. But the island itself is really quaint. Very small (you could probably walk all over it in about an hour), and is really a mini Venice! Little canals everywhere, very picturesque. Took a few photos. Murano: glass. They blow and colour glass into any and every shape!! They really do have some amazing stuff. I bought a ring and a necklace - the colours in them both make them look like they've got that gold paper or something inside them? Very pretty... I had been looking at rings and stuff when I was in the Czech republic, but nothing grabbed my eye and since they were pretty expensive I wanted to make sure I really liked it if I was going to justify buying it. In the end, I didn't get anything. So I figured paying 5E for a necklace and 7E for a ring on Murano was pretty good... :D Ah...next was Torcello: they have a church and that's pretty much it! Can't say I was impressed... the design looked like it had a really strong Spanish influence. Very dilapidated and run-down, though. A couple of the girls went inside and they said they found it really freaky... Statues of things being killed, snakes, etc. Very odd. Glad I didn't fork out the dosh. Strolled 'round outside and took photos, then back on the ferry again and back to Venice. Managed to get a ferry that took us straight to where the bus stopped, so saved our legs quite a bit!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Cup Fever
Munich. Need I say more? The hub (aside from Berlin) of all football fever. And yes, it's as crazy as it sounds. Funnily enough, I'd read that the Town Hall was a beautiful building, so I went off on the trek to find it, check it out and get some pics. Do you think I could find it? Nooo... I think I walked the couple of blocks about 3 times before I realised that the reason I couldn't find it was because they had a massive stage and screen set up in front of it for the cup. *sigh* Reminded me of the massive football (bigger than a house) mounted behind the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin. Charming. Like to see that on a postcard!
Now this is where my journey takes a little twist. For the first time on my trip I am not sleeping on a bunk, sharing with at least 3 other people and living on pringles for breakfast. :D It's alright, it's not a secret - my mum knows about that little vice I picked up. While I am in Munich I am staying with Andrea - ah, the lovely Andrea! Now, Andrea is a cousin to one of the girls I work "with"...or "for" if you wish to be politically correct. Andrea's english was *excellent*, she met me at the hostel where I was dropped off, cooked me dinner, and did my washing. I was considering adopting her as my mother but then figured that Matthias would have had a few words to say about it. :D Andrea's stellar performance peaked when she whipped out a guidebook and some maps that she'd found for me.
Today I went to Dachau (a WWII concentration camp) - they had a documentary which they show in the main hall which was very moving. Lots of visual displays as well, but I was pushed for time so I was very disappointed that I didn't get to read very much. The impact I felt was a little different to what I'd expected - most of the buildings have been destroyed and all that are left are the foundations - they've reconstructed a couple of sets of barracks so that you get the idea, but it's difficult to imagine the enormity of it all if it's just looks like a bare kind of space, instead of row after row of building - I think I counted about 30 rows of barracks? Something like that. And the "Work will make you free" sign was on the front gate, as always.
On a lighter note, tonight is the beginning of the World Cup. I'm spending the evening with a bunch of Andrea's friends at a BBQ - don't ask me what they eat or do at a German BBQ...
Now this is where my journey takes a little twist. For the first time on my trip I am not sleeping on a bunk, sharing with at least 3 other people and living on pringles for breakfast. :D It's alright, it's not a secret - my mum knows about that little vice I picked up. While I am in Munich I am staying with Andrea - ah, the lovely Andrea! Now, Andrea is a cousin to one of the girls I work "with"...or "for" if you wish to be politically correct. Andrea's english was *excellent*, she met me at the hostel where I was dropped off, cooked me dinner, and did my washing. I was considering adopting her as my mother but then figured that Matthias would have had a few words to say about it. :D Andrea's stellar performance peaked when she whipped out a guidebook and some maps that she'd found for me.
Today I went to Dachau (a WWII concentration camp) - they had a documentary which they show in the main hall which was very moving. Lots of visual displays as well, but I was pushed for time so I was very disappointed that I didn't get to read very much. The impact I felt was a little different to what I'd expected - most of the buildings have been destroyed and all that are left are the foundations - they've reconstructed a couple of sets of barracks so that you get the idea, but it's difficult to imagine the enormity of it all if it's just looks like a bare kind of space, instead of row after row of building - I think I counted about 30 rows of barracks? Something like that. And the "Work will make you free" sign was on the front gate, as always.
On a lighter note, tonight is the beginning of the World Cup. I'm spending the evening with a bunch of Andrea's friends at a BBQ - don't ask me what they eat or do at a German BBQ...
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
The hills are alive...
...with the sound of Smeee... :D Yes folks, I am in Salzburg!! And yes, I did the Sound of Music (SOM) tour. Julie Andrews, eat your heart out. :D Now, I'm a SOM fan along with the best of them, but to tell the truth I did wonder about my decision to do the tour. I'd already paid the money though, so I figured there was no point in *not* going. So, tour I did. To the soundtrack of the SOM. That's right folks. The bus was alive...with the sound of the chick across from me proudly singing (quite loudly I might add) to prove that she knew all the words. I knew all the words, too, but realised how downright*weird* it was to be proud of the fact. I will admit, I hummed a little, and yes, I even sang (to myself) the chorus of a classic or two (or in fact the whole song, as is the case for the 'Lonely Goatherd').
Now, despite the fact this was the SOM tour, I have to admit that I enjoyed the scenery that the drive offered a lot more than the actual SOM relics we were on our way to visit... For example, the pergola that Rolfe and Leisel pranced around in (who cares?), the fact that the front and the rear of the house in the film are in fact two different houses? Mere trivia. But the Alps - did anyone see those Alps? While everyone else was snapping the lake the kids fell into (yes, I did get a photo or two, too), I was facing the opposite direction looking at the mountains. :D I'm a sucker for the scenery.
Oh, another tour I did - the glacier tour! Wow! Talk about amazing! And freezing... On go my two jumpers!! Now, I've been to the snow, but I have *never* seen it snow before - that is, until now!!! :D It was *snowing*!! I have video footage, too. :D Oh, and then an AVALANCHE!! :D Talk about amazing... we all thought there was a storm or something and then realised it was a massive wall of snow rolling down the mountain no more than 30 metres away! I came back with a whole lot of blurry photos (not enough light), wet pants (snow) and a new headband. :D What's a tour if you don't buy some trinket?
Now, despite the fact this was the SOM tour, I have to admit that I enjoyed the scenery that the drive offered a lot more than the actual SOM relics we were on our way to visit... For example, the pergola that Rolfe and Leisel pranced around in (who cares?), the fact that the front and the rear of the house in the film are in fact two different houses? Mere trivia. But the Alps - did anyone see those Alps? While everyone else was snapping the lake the kids fell into (yes, I did get a photo or two, too), I was facing the opposite direction looking at the mountains. :D I'm a sucker for the scenery.
Oh, another tour I did - the glacier tour! Wow! Talk about amazing! And freezing... On go my two jumpers!! Now, I've been to the snow, but I have *never* seen it snow before - that is, until now!!! :D It was *snowing*!! I have video footage, too. :D Oh, and then an AVALANCHE!! :D Talk about amazing... we all thought there was a storm or something and then realised it was a massive wall of snow rolling down the mountain no more than 30 metres away! I came back with a whole lot of blurry photos (not enough light), wet pants (snow) and a new headband. :D What's a tour if you don't buy some trinket?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Coffee, choirs and ballet
Hit the road, Jack - we're going to Vienna!! :D Folks, Vienna is a beautiful city - not to mention my hostel! Swish! Once again we have swipecards (like Berlin), but this time the cards open our *lockers* as well!
A quick rundown on my activities: Yesterday we (Nicole and I) went and queued up to see the Viennese Boys Choir! Wow - in a church funnily enough! They were great! We had great standing spots, but I ended up having a coughing fit after their 2nd number (due to the copious amounts of incense they were throwing around), so I had to elbow my way through the crowd back outside - I ended up watching it on a screen in the foyer which was better, anyway! Until of course, they came down from the balcony and stood right up near the altar. Then I couldn't see a thing. But the whole service was in German, so no matter where I was standing it was going to be interesting.
After that, we wandered 'round town for a bit (saw the library which was amazing!), then last night we went to the ballet! Talk about excellent! Never been to the ballet before, and to see it in Vienna was particularly exciting - we saw Coppelia. By then though, my coughing had receded somewhat, it's just that I had three *very* large people sitting in front of me - one of the ladies had hair like a raccoon. Seriously. It was shameful. Her hairdresser should be shot. In some country somewhere I'm sure it would be illegal to have hair that bad.
Today we went and visited a massive palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) which has beautiful, beautiful rooms. Did my first "audio" tour which was a little interesting - it's good though - it means you can zoom on through if you're not really interested in something or pushed for time . . . The grounds are pretty extensive, too, so much so they even have a miniature zoo. Hmmm . . . Anyone who can afford to have their own private miniature zoo obviously has too much money. Oh, and when I say "miniature" zoo, I don't mean all the animals are "miniature", I mean that they just have less on display than your stock-standard zoo. Up on top of the hill they also have an excellent vantage point of the city - talk about some great photos! Another walk back through the gardens and a final dinner with some friends was a lovely way to top it all off.
Food highlights: I know you're going to think this is really weird, but in Vienna I found the *best* Indian I have ever eaten in my life - I had no idea that that was what Rogan Josh was meant to taste like!! Mmmm...! We also went to an other place (no, not on the same night!) that had something we dubbed the "Excalibur" which is one meal with enough food for about 6 people... Basically they bring out a massive sword mounted on a stand with 6 schnitzels and 6 pork chops (with some kind of basting). Underneath the sword are chips, chilli con carne and some chicken wings (with some other kind of basting). Talk about major meat overload! Now I'm a pretty good carnivore in the best of circumstances, but this was even too much for me!! Phew! What an effort. :D Needless to say we didn't finish it. Bargain meal!
A quick rundown on my activities: Yesterday we (Nicole and I) went and queued up to see the Viennese Boys Choir! Wow - in a church funnily enough! They were great! We had great standing spots, but I ended up having a coughing fit after their 2nd number (due to the copious amounts of incense they were throwing around), so I had to elbow my way through the crowd back outside - I ended up watching it on a screen in the foyer which was better, anyway! Until of course, they came down from the balcony and stood right up near the altar. Then I couldn't see a thing. But the whole service was in German, so no matter where I was standing it was going to be interesting.
After that, we wandered 'round town for a bit (saw the library which was amazing!), then last night we went to the ballet! Talk about excellent! Never been to the ballet before, and to see it in Vienna was particularly exciting - we saw Coppelia. By then though, my coughing had receded somewhat, it's just that I had three *very* large people sitting in front of me - one of the ladies had hair like a raccoon. Seriously. It was shameful. Her hairdresser should be shot. In some country somewhere I'm sure it would be illegal to have hair that bad.
Today we went and visited a massive palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) which has beautiful, beautiful rooms. Did my first "audio" tour which was a little interesting - it's good though - it means you can zoom on through if you're not really interested in something or pushed for time . . . The grounds are pretty extensive, too, so much so they even have a miniature zoo. Hmmm . . . Anyone who can afford to have their own private miniature zoo obviously has too much money. Oh, and when I say "miniature" zoo, I don't mean all the animals are "miniature", I mean that they just have less on display than your stock-standard zoo. Up on top of the hill they also have an excellent vantage point of the city - talk about some great photos! Another walk back through the gardens and a final dinner with some friends was a lovely way to top it all off.
Food highlights: I know you're going to think this is really weird, but in Vienna I found the *best* Indian I have ever eaten in my life - I had no idea that that was what Rogan Josh was meant to taste like!! Mmmm...! We also went to an other place (no, not on the same night!) that had something we dubbed the "Excalibur" which is one meal with enough food for about 6 people... Basically they bring out a massive sword mounted on a stand with 6 schnitzels and 6 pork chops (with some kind of basting). Underneath the sword are chips, chilli con carne and some chicken wings (with some other kind of basting). Talk about major meat overload! Now I'm a pretty good carnivore in the best of circumstances, but this was even too much for me!! Phew! What an effort. :D Needless to say we didn't finish it. Bargain meal!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Cesky wha?
Folks, welcome to Cesky Krumlov. Yes, we are still in the Czech Republic, but even now, after poring over a map, I have no idea where we are. :D
Cesky Krumlov is the home of cobbled streets, a castle, a freezing river (it feels and looks like it should be a river of ice), and two bears. Yes, two bears. Now, I've been to the zoo however many times it is appropriate for you to go to the zoo in your childhood, just like anyone else, so it's not like I haven't seen animals in cages before. But this . . . this is ridiculous. The "enclosure" (i.e. a massive concrete moat around the castle that they've decided to convert into an enclosure) is apparently an ancient tradition with the town from way-back-when. Unfortunately, the poor bears (1M, 1F) are stuck living with each other and the endless crowds of people hanging over them. It's all very sad really, watching them walking 'round and 'round the same path for 5 mins - I walked away. It was a bit depressing. Apparently they have had people attempting rescue missions for them. :D
One amusing situation did present itself, though. Today a friend (Nicole!) and I did the tour of the castle and decided to offer ourselves the lovely view on the way up by hanging out one of the windows. One of the bears decided to come walking up the hill and have a bit of a stroll 'round too, so I was within a couple of metres!!! It turned out someone had dropped their passport and/or travel documents out the window and the bear had spied it!! No, they weren't mine. :D So now I've got photos of the bear playing with the passport, tossing it 'round and ripping out pages. Amusing - and he was so close! :D
A couple of mates decided it would be a great spot of fun to go rafting down the river on the rapids. I didn't think that pneumonia was a great spot of fun, so I declined. When I tell you it was cold, I'm not exaggerating. It was *COLD*. Sheesh! I was rugged up and still chattering! :D The rain didn't help, either!
Oh, and I bought two hats. :D And had a conversation (of sorts) with an old drunk German guy who couldn't speak Czech. Or english. Or German either, by the sounds of it. :D "Schlafen" (i.e. sleeping) was said a lot. Very amusing. Still not quite sure what we were talking about.
Cesky Krumlov is the home of cobbled streets, a castle, a freezing river (it feels and looks like it should be a river of ice), and two bears. Yes, two bears. Now, I've been to the zoo however many times it is appropriate for you to go to the zoo in your childhood, just like anyone else, so it's not like I haven't seen animals in cages before. But this . . . this is ridiculous. The "enclosure" (i.e. a massive concrete moat around the castle that they've decided to convert into an enclosure) is apparently an ancient tradition with the town from way-back-when. Unfortunately, the poor bears (1M, 1F) are stuck living with each other and the endless crowds of people hanging over them. It's all very sad really, watching them walking 'round and 'round the same path for 5 mins - I walked away. It was a bit depressing. Apparently they have had people attempting rescue missions for them. :D
One amusing situation did present itself, though. Today a friend (Nicole!) and I did the tour of the castle and decided to offer ourselves the lovely view on the way up by hanging out one of the windows. One of the bears decided to come walking up the hill and have a bit of a stroll 'round too, so I was within a couple of metres!!! It turned out someone had dropped their passport and/or travel documents out the window and the bear had spied it!! No, they weren't mine. :D So now I've got photos of the bear playing with the passport, tossing it 'round and ripping out pages. Amusing - and he was so close! :D
A couple of mates decided it would be a great spot of fun to go rafting down the river on the rapids. I didn't think that pneumonia was a great spot of fun, so I declined. When I tell you it was cold, I'm not exaggerating. It was *COLD*. Sheesh! I was rugged up and still chattering! :D The rain didn't help, either!
Oh, and I bought two hats. :D And had a conversation (of sorts) with an old drunk German guy who couldn't speak Czech. Or english. Or German either, by the sounds of it. :D "Schlafen" (i.e. sleeping) was said a lot. Very amusing. Still not quite sure what we were talking about.
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