Don't go to so many places in such a "short" period of time (Take the time to smell the roses).
Venice is amazing.
French people are snobby.
Traveling to non-English/Chinese speaking countries isn't that bad.
...
Europe Trip: $4500
A bundle of memories: $4500 (not priceless! :O)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
07/08/09 - London to Seattle
We woke up early, got on the tube to Heathrow, and got on a plane to Vancouver, then to Seattle.
Radey has one last incident where she thinks my dad won't pick us up.
Radey has one last incident where she thinks my dad won't pick us up.
06/08/09 - London Redux Day 2
We visited the Tower of London. Radey had a LOT of Pim's. It rained really hard.
05/08/09 - London Redux Day 1
We were really tired, arriving at around 6. Dropped our bags off, and wandered around until we could check in (I slept like a hobo on a bench in Hyde Park). After checking in, we took a nap. The room was really really hot though.
Went out, bought some food, ate, and went to sleep again.
Went out, bought some food, ate, and went to sleep again.
04/08/09 - Edinburgh Day 3 to London
Walked around Edinburgh, after dropping our stuff in a locker.
Took a night bus to London, arriving at 5:50... ick.
Took a night bus to London, arriving at 5:50... ick.
03/08/09 - Edinburgh Day 2
Took a haunted tour of the catacombs (overpriced, don't do it.)
Edinburgh castle was pretty cool.
We met the two Cali girls on the way back from the center, and got dinner with them.
Edinburgh castle was pretty cool.
We met the two Cali girls on the way back from the center, and got dinner with them.
02/08/09 - Edinburgh Day 1
We wandered Edinburgh. Radey wanted to go to The Elephant House, which is where Harry Potter was birthed. We walked through Grassmarket, which had some random vendors. Radey got a spiced apple juice, which was quite good. We eventually found the cafe, which was on a higher level than we were looking. The tea is fine, but don't get any of their food, which was quite overpriced.
Bought groceries for dinner, during/after which we met two girls from Santa Clara, and three Aussies (2 M, 1 F), and went out drinking (started as a haggis tasting tour, but kitchens close early!). Ended up in a club, and then went back to the hostel.
Bought groceries for dinner, during/after which we met two girls from Santa Clara, and three Aussies (2 M, 1 F), and went out drinking (started as a haggis tasting tour, but kitchens close early!). Ended up in a club, and then went back to the hostel.
01/08/09 - Inverness to Edinburgh
We took a bus from Inverness to Edinburgh. The walk from the bus station to the hostel was really really long. The Haymarket Bar has really cheap pitchers of mixed drinks.
31/07/09 - Inverness Day 1
We took a boat cruise to/on Loch Ness. After this, Radey had some delicious Thai soup, and a lot of beer. Talked to a cute French girl before going to bed.
30/07/09 - Glasgow Day 1 to Inverness
We had a fairly late bus to Inverness considering how early we got up (had to check out by 10.) With a few hours to burn, we wandered around Glasgow, which has some massive shopping areas. The chicken pastries are delicious (and terrible for you, I'm sure.)!
Arriving in Inverness, we find it is a small city. The hostel is decent.
Arriving in Inverness, we find it is a small city. The hostel is decent.
29/07/09 - Clifden to Glasgow
We woke up early, caught the 9:20 bus out of Clifden to Galway. We wandered around Galway for a while. From Galway, a bus took us to Shannon Airport, and an one hour flight landed us in Prestwick. A short train ride, and we arrived in Glasgow. We got kind of lost, looking for our hostel, but eventually managed to find it. It was kind of crummy. A lot of people in it.
28/07/09 - Clifden Day 1
We went for a walk. It was rainy. There wasn't much to do. Went to the supermarket and bought some food. Easy peel oranges are ftw!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
26/07/09 - Doolin Day 3
Our plans to go to the Aran Islands were foiled by bad weather!! The ferries aren't going out today since the wind is so strong. Oh no! What do we do?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
25/07/09 - Doolin Day 2
Walk along the seashore.
Update:
We woke up this morning at ~9:30, and head out. There is a "market" which was really just a few tables set up in their local community center. We walk down to the pier to see about getting to the Aran Islands. There is a weather warning up for tomorrow, so they might not be shipping! Hopefully we will be able to visit, otherwise Radey and I will be quite disappointed (Rome all over again?).
Near the pier is a rock cliff. Its a bunch of extruded rock, with large lateral cracks running through it. There are some sections with plants growing in them. On top of one area of the rock are walls, built from chunks of the very rock upon which the walls sit. Radey enjoyed the walk.
After this, we walk to the Doolin Cafe, and I have a delicious salmon salad, while Radey has a seafood chowder. Radey's sinuses are giving her issues, so we head back to the hostel, and she has a rest. I update the blog.
"Radey is in constant pain from her sinuses." - Radey
Update:
We woke up this morning at ~9:30, and head out. There is a "market" which was really just a few tables set up in their local community center. We walk down to the pier to see about getting to the Aran Islands. There is a weather warning up for tomorrow, so they might not be shipping! Hopefully we will be able to visit, otherwise Radey and I will be quite disappointed (Rome all over again?).
Near the pier is a rock cliff. Its a bunch of extruded rock, with large lateral cracks running through it. There are some sections with plants growing in them. On top of one area of the rock are walls, built from chunks of the very rock upon which the walls sit. Radey enjoyed the walk.
After this, we walk to the Doolin Cafe, and I have a delicious salmon salad, while Radey has a seafood chowder. Radey's sinuses are giving her issues, so we head back to the hostel, and she has a rest. I update the blog.
"Radey is in constant pain from her sinuses." - Radey
24/07/09 - Galway to Doolin Day 1
Take the bus from Galway to Doolin. Walk the Cliffs of Moher.
Update:
Bump into a person I worked with in Connecticut last summer in the morning. Small world.
We arrive in Doolin at 12:30, and check into our hostel. The owner, Karl, advises walking to/through/along the Cliffs of Moher. We take him up on his suggestion. Should have brought galoshes!!! The entire way is wet and muddy, and occasionally frightening. There is a fence you can cling to when the path gets too narrow, or even climb over to mingle with the farm animals. Unfortunately, right before we get to the really scenic spot, we reach a section of fence that Radey refused to cross, claiming an inability to do so. We walk up to the road, and walk to the Visitor's Center, which was only another 1/4th mile or so. We catch the bus back. The walk took around 4 hours, covering a significant portion of their local map.
Conclusion of the Cliffs trip: Wet and muddy. :(
We get back and visit the tiny grocery/convenience store. There is a very limited selection of goods there. I'm not sure what the townspeople do for food...
Update:
Bump into a person I worked with in Connecticut last summer in the morning. Small world.
We arrive in Doolin at 12:30, and check into our hostel. The owner, Karl, advises walking to/through/along the Cliffs of Moher. We take him up on his suggestion. Should have brought galoshes!!! The entire way is wet and muddy, and occasionally frightening. There is a fence you can cling to when the path gets too narrow, or even climb over to mingle with the farm animals. Unfortunately, right before we get to the really scenic spot, we reach a section of fence that Radey refused to cross, claiming an inability to do so. We walk up to the road, and walk to the Visitor's Center, which was only another 1/4th mile or so. We catch the bus back. The walk took around 4 hours, covering a significant portion of their local map.
Conclusion of the Cliffs trip: Wet and muddy. :(
We get back and visit the tiny grocery/convenience store. There is a very limited selection of goods there. I'm not sure what the townspeople do for food...
23/07/09 - Dublin to Galway
Rode a bus to Galway, takes 4 hours. Walk around galway, get some food.
Update:
The bus drives us through a lot of Irish countryside. It's pretty cool how all the plots are divided by low stone walls. After the bus ride, we are in Galway. We check into our hostel, and walk through the latin quarter, getting some stuff to eat. There is live music at some of the pubs in the evening, and we check out The Westin. It was alright, nothing spectacular. I guess the old days of entire bars singing together have long since past. :P
Update:
The bus drives us through a lot of Irish countryside. It's pretty cool how all the plots are divided by low stone walls. After the bus ride, we are in Galway. We check into our hostel, and walk through the latin quarter, getting some stuff to eat. There is live music at some of the pubs in the evening, and we check out The Westin. It was alright, nothing spectacular. I guess the old days of entire bars singing together have long since past. :P
22/07/09 - Dublin Day 2
Walked around.
Update:
We take a walk south, through Trinity College, and St. Steven's Park. There is a shopping area to the NW of St. Steven's, and we meander through that. We walk back up, past the hostel, and get our tickets to Galway at the bus station. Radey gets a stomachache, so we head back to the hostel. I think I was probably on the computer while she slept...
Update:
We take a walk south, through Trinity College, and St. Steven's Park. There is a shopping area to the NW of St. Steven's, and we meander through that. We walk back up, past the hostel, and get our tickets to Galway at the bus station. Radey gets a stomachache, so we head back to the hostel. I think I was probably on the computer while she slept...
21/07/09 - Dublin Day 1
Got to the hostel, walked around, went to sleep.
Update:
So we flew into Dublin bright and early, and take a bus from the airport to the city. After we arrive, we drop off our backpacks at the hostel (check in is at 2) and wander the streets of Dublin, grabbing some bagels at a local shop. We attempt to visit the two theaters listed on our map, but the one we could locate was not playing Harry Potter. We walk past Trinity College, and look through a bookstore.
Eventually it becomes time to check in. We get some food from the local supermarket, check in, and eat lunch. The reception lets us know where we can find the larger theaters, and we head out that way. Arriving at one theater, we miss a screening by 10 minutes, and have an hour or so to burn. We walk towards the other large theater, but get sidetracked by a large mall. Wandering through the mall, we come out on a large pedestrian only street, lined with shops. We go through it, go back to the theater, and find out that
SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!
Then we go back to the hostel, and sleep, as we've been up since 5 in the morning.
Update:
So we flew into Dublin bright and early, and take a bus from the airport to the city. After we arrive, we drop off our backpacks at the hostel (check in is at 2) and wander the streets of Dublin, grabbing some bagels at a local shop. We attempt to visit the two theaters listed on our map, but the one we could locate was not playing Harry Potter. We walk past Trinity College, and look through a bookstore.
Eventually it becomes time to check in. We get some food from the local supermarket, check in, and eat lunch. The reception lets us know where we can find the larger theaters, and we head out that way. Arriving at one theater, we miss a screening by 10 minutes, and have an hour or so to burn. We walk towards the other large theater, but get sidetracked by a large mall. Wandering through the mall, we come out on a large pedestrian only street, lined with shops. We go through it, go back to the theater, and find out that
SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!
Then we go back to the hostel, and sleep, as we've been up since 5 in the morning.
Monday, July 20, 2009
20/07/09 - Namur to Charleroi
Woke up, packed up, ate breakfast, sat around in the train station playing pinball on my computer, took a train to Charleroi, took a bus from the station to the airport, took a shuttle from the airport to our hotel, checked into the hotel, and here we are.
Radey still isn't feeling too well, but I think she's a bit better than yesterday. Hopefully she'll be well tomorrow.
Oh, I caught a glimpse of The Citadel, one of the sights to see in Namur. It is like a fort, built into a hill. It's pretty cool, but my camera was in my backpack. :(
Radey still isn't feeling too well, but I think she's a bit better than yesterday. Hopefully she'll be well tomorrow.
Oh, I caught a glimpse of The Citadel, one of the sights to see in Namur. It is like a fort, built into a hill. It's pretty cool, but my camera was in my backpack. :(
19/07/09 - Namur Day 1
Radey is sick sick sick. :( We actually had an "incident" today, if you want to put it dramatically.
So this morning, Radey is not feeling well, and wants to stay in bed. The map shows a supermarket nearby, so I go out to get her some ginger ale and chicken soup. The map is a liar.
Failing to locate the nearby supermarket, I find a convenience store a few blocks further down. They tell me there is a market in the city center, and even further south. I start walking, eventually running into some people with grocery bags, who say I'm headed in the right direction. At this point, I've been gone for about an hour. I thought Radey would be okay, as she should have been asleep.
When I finally make it back from the supermarket, Radey is not in the room. (I'm kind of angry at her for leaving it in the first place! >:|). The key to our room is at the reception, and the lady behind the counter said we were not allowed to be in our rooms from 10:00 to 4:00. What kind of people kick a sick girl out of her room, especially when it didn't need cleaning or anything? I guessed that Radey went out to look for me, but I have no idea where she would have gone. The city is a bus ride away, and she couldn't have known that I had walked to the other supermarket. I walk through the nearby park, looking for her, and failing to find her, go back to the hostel and wait for her to return. I was pretty worried, and started praying.
Radey shows up about two minutes after I prayed. Sometimes (or all the time!), God is super cool about answering prayers. Apparently she had fallen asleep on a bench in the park. I must have walked right past her! Happily reunited, we have some of the chicken soup I bought, and Radey goes back to bed.
Yeah, so we did not really get to see much in Namur...
So this morning, Radey is not feeling well, and wants to stay in bed. The map shows a supermarket nearby, so I go out to get her some ginger ale and chicken soup. The map is a liar.
Failing to locate the nearby supermarket, I find a convenience store a few blocks further down. They tell me there is a market in the city center, and even further south. I start walking, eventually running into some people with grocery bags, who say I'm headed in the right direction. At this point, I've been gone for about an hour. I thought Radey would be okay, as she should have been asleep.
When I finally make it back from the supermarket, Radey is not in the room. (I'm kind of angry at her for leaving it in the first place! >:|). The key to our room is at the reception, and the lady behind the counter said we were not allowed to be in our rooms from 10:00 to 4:00. What kind of people kick a sick girl out of her room, especially when it didn't need cleaning or anything? I guessed that Radey went out to look for me, but I have no idea where she would have gone. The city is a bus ride away, and she couldn't have known that I had walked to the other supermarket. I walk through the nearby park, looking for her, and failing to find her, go back to the hostel and wait for her to return. I was pretty worried, and started praying.
Radey shows up about two minutes after I prayed. Sometimes (or all the time!), God is super cool about answering prayers. Apparently she had fallen asleep on a bench in the park. I must have walked right past her! Happily reunited, we have some of the chicken soup I bought, and Radey goes back to bed.
Yeah, so we did not really get to see much in Namur...
18/07/09 - Brugge to Bruxelles to Namur
Yeah, we did a bit of travelling today. Each ride took us about an hour.
We woke up, did some minor grocery shopping, bought some chocolates, and went to the station. When we arrived in Brussels, we mostly walked around, and took in some of their sights. I don't remember anything particularly interesting.
Radey was not feeling too well, her cold having taken a turn for the worse. When we arrived in Namur, we checked into our hostel, and Radey slept as I browsed the web. Heh, there is a new game I want to play when I get back. XD
Nothing too exciting, sorry guys.
We woke up, did some minor grocery shopping, bought some chocolates, and went to the station. When we arrived in Brussels, we mostly walked around, and took in some of their sights. I don't remember anything particularly interesting.
Radey was not feeling too well, her cold having taken a turn for the worse. When we arrived in Namur, we checked into our hostel, and Radey slept as I browsed the web. Heh, there is a new game I want to play when I get back. XD
Nothing too exciting, sorry guys.
Friday, July 17, 2009
17/07/09 - Bruges Day 3
We had to switch rooms today since we originally only booked for three nights. There was some confusion as to whether we were put in a room with enough room, but it turned out one of the guys who was not planning to check out hadn't told the staff yet. Riiiight.
For breakfast, we had apple pie and apple strudel and cappuccinos. Belgians don't actually have waffels for breakfast. :(
After that, we went to Ghent, a city about half an hour away from Bruges. They have a partially restored medieval fortress and a bunch of other old buildings...like some sort of clocktower and a church. I don't know, European stuff.
Update by Allen: I created a Photostream here for some of our other Bruges pictures. Check them out if you're bored.
For breakfast, we had apple pie and apple strudel and cappuccinos. Belgians don't actually have waffels for breakfast. :(
After that, we went to Ghent, a city about half an hour away from Bruges. They have a partially restored medieval fortress and a bunch of other old buildings...like some sort of clocktower and a church. I don't know, European stuff.
Update by Allen: I created a Photostream here for some of our other Bruges pictures. Check them out if you're bored.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
16/07/09 - Brugge Day 2
Woke up, looking for waffles. Finding the waffles, we visited the Church of Our Lady, which contains Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child.
Walking around some more, we found more waffles. We also walked through a park that was greatly overrated. Headed back to the hostel, looking up Harry Potter. Decided to wait to see Harry Potter in Ireland. Updated blog. Sentence fragments?
Update by Radey:
We had some ice cream (I had the rose flavor, Allen had strawberry) and then we had fries for dinner. After that, we got some more ice cream. I had a mysterious fruit flavor and Allen had watermelon.
The map of Bruges at our hostel marked "Places to Kiss" with little hearts, so we decided to go to all of the hearts on the map.
Walking around some more, we found more waffles. We also walked through a park that was greatly overrated. Headed back to the hostel, looking up Harry Potter. Decided to wait to see Harry Potter in Ireland. Updated blog. Sentence fragments?
Update by Radey:
We had some ice cream (I had the rose flavor, Allen had strawberry) and then we had fries for dinner. After that, we got some more ice cream. I had a mysterious fruit flavor and Allen had watermelon.
The map of Bruges at our hostel marked "Places to Kiss" with little hearts, so we decided to go to all of the hearts on the map.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
15/07/09 - Bruges Day 1
Brugge is small and walkable. Cheap food. Lots of chocolate and beer. Loud bells.
Update:
Wednesday is a market day. This means a lot of people drive enormous truck-like stalls into Marketsquare, and set up shop. We walked through, looking at all the fresh produce, and various dairy products. We grabbed two waffles, and ate as we walked.
At some point, we decided to go up the belfry, which was a rather treacherous climb.
At the top, there was an awesome view of... everything?
There were marks on the window sills pointing to various cities, and giving the distance.
Apparently Paris is 290 mysterious units of distance away. Radey was surprised by the loud hammerings on the bell, as the tower began to play some song. As we were about to head down, we were both surprised by the very loud gonging of the hour.
Back on the street, we walked down Geldmuntstraat, which contains many stores selling many differnt things. Radey demanded some chocolate sea shells, and I got a chocolate hedgehog. At some point, I also got a cone of fries. Wandering southwards, we found "The Beer Wall" which is a wall displaying the 500+ varieties of Belgian beer, which were all sold in their shop. I got a Leffe 9, and Radey got two fruit beers.
I forgot to mention that I caught whatever Radey has/had, and was pretty tired. We crashed back at the hostel for a few hours, afterwhich we went back downstairs (which is a bar), and Radey got a cherry beer. She liked it. We then went out and got dinner at The Hobbit, which had decent and plentiful pasta. We went for a stroll, taking a few night shots of Bruges and retired for the evening.
Update:
Wednesday is a market day. This means a lot of people drive enormous truck-like stalls into Marketsquare, and set up shop. We walked through, looking at all the fresh produce, and various dairy products. We grabbed two waffles, and ate as we walked.
At some point, we decided to go up the belfry, which was a rather treacherous climb.
At the top, there was an awesome view of... everything?
There were marks on the window sills pointing to various cities, and giving the distance.
Apparently Paris is 290 mysterious units of distance away. Radey was surprised by the loud hammerings on the bell, as the tower began to play some song. As we were about to head down, we were both surprised by the very loud gonging of the hour.
Back on the street, we walked down Geldmuntstraat, which contains many stores selling many differnt things. Radey demanded some chocolate sea shells, and I got a chocolate hedgehog. At some point, I also got a cone of fries. Wandering southwards, we found "The Beer Wall" which is a wall displaying the 500+ varieties of Belgian beer, which were all sold in their shop. I got a Leffe 9, and Radey got two fruit beers.
I forgot to mention that I caught whatever Radey has/had, and was pretty tired. We crashed back at the hostel for a few hours, afterwhich we went back downstairs (which is a bar), and Radey got a cherry beer. She liked it. We then went out and got dinner at The Hobbit, which had decent and plentiful pasta. We went for a stroll, taking a few night shots of Bruges and retired for the evening.
14/07/09 - Amsterdam to Bruges
Traveled to Bruges. Had a lovely dinner.
Update:
We took a train out of Amsterdam and went to Bruges. After wandering for a while, we finally located our hostel, and checked in. We walked around town, getting waffles, and our bearings. For dinner, we went to a place called The Passage and I got mussels and fries, and Radey had a Waterzooli (or something, a chicken vegetable soup). It was quite yummy, and we had the restaurant practically to ourselves, as it was quite late when we arrived. We walked through lamp-lit lanes back to our hostel, and went to sleep.
Update:
We took a train out of Amsterdam and went to Bruges. After wandering for a while, we finally located our hostel, and checked in. We walked around town, getting waffles, and our bearings. For dinner, we went to a place called The Passage and I got mussels and fries, and Radey had a Waterzooli (or something, a chicken vegetable soup). It was quite yummy, and we had the restaurant practically to ourselves, as it was quite late when we arrived. We walked through lamp-lit lanes back to our hostel, and went to sleep.
13/07/09 - Amsterdam Day 1
Wandered around Amsterdam. Took a walking tour.
Update:
Our hostelmates were pretty cool. It was two guys from Swizterland and the sister of one of them. We walked across Amsterdam to get to the meeting place for the free walking tour.
The tour took us through Amsterdam. There was the Red Light District, the Anne Frank house, the narrowest house in Amsterdam (in which one cannot fall completely over sideways), and various other sites. There were a few amusing facts, like how some prostitutes have a cup of urine to throw at tourists who take their picture while they are windowing. Also, New Zealand has the highest percentage of weed users.
After the tour, we wandered around, debating whether or not to take a boat tour, which we decided against. We had some nice pizzas for dinner, and retired early.
12/07/09 - Copenhagen to Amsterdam
Spent all day traveling.
Update:
Radey was still sick. We had to transfer a few times, and the trip took forever. We wanted to take the overnight, but when we attempted to reserve one in Berlin, they were already full. We arrived at around 9:00, found something to eat, and went to bed.
Update:
Radey was still sick. We had to transfer a few times, and the trip took forever. We wanted to take the overnight, but when we attempted to reserve one in Berlin, they were already full. We arrived at around 9:00, found something to eat, and went to bed.
11/07/09 - Copenhagen Day 1
Walked around Copenhagen, marveling at how bloody expensive everything is.
Update:
Radey was sick. We went to the National Museum, which was a great deal (as it was free). They had exhibits of prehistoric man, with many artifacts and even a small exhibit of runestones. Also had Viking stuff.
And this cool cylinder perspective:
We walked up and down the Strogan (sp?), the longest shopping street in Europe, and bought $11 "soft ice" which Radey had covered with rainbow sprinkles. >.> Radey got fussy and we went back to the place we were staying, and took a nap.
After we got up, we went to Tivoli Gardens, and walked around. There was a jazz festival in town, and Dee Dee Bridgewater was performing with the Tivoli Symphony Orchestra outdoors. Radey had promised me fireworks, but there weren't any. She's a butt.
Update:
Radey was sick. We went to the National Museum, which was a great deal (as it was free). They had exhibits of prehistoric man, with many artifacts and even a small exhibit of runestones. Also had Viking stuff.
And this cool cylinder perspective:
We walked up and down the Strogan (sp?), the longest shopping street in Europe, and bought $11 "soft ice" which Radey had covered with rainbow sprinkles. >.> Radey got fussy and we went back to the place we were staying, and took a nap.
After we got up, we went to Tivoli Gardens, and walked around. There was a jazz festival in town, and Dee Dee Bridgewater was performing with the Tivoli Symphony Orchestra outdoors. Radey had promised me fireworks, but there weren't any. She's a butt.
Friday, July 10, 2009
10/07/09 - Berlin to Copenhagen
Today was full of shenanigans. We wake up, and are ready to go, leaving the hostel at about 10:40 to catch an 11:25 train to Hamburg, then to Kobenhavn, arriving around 6:30, we'd drop off our stuff, and check out the local amusement park. That was the plan.
We drop by the local grocery store to pick up a few things to tide us over on the trip. A couple Rittersport bars, some pastries and milk for breakfast, and a carton of iced tea for lunch, which would be consumed with some leftovers for lunch. We walk to the S-bahn stop, and ride it to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. When we get to the station, it is about 11:10, and there is a train waiting for us at the specified platform. We get on.
As you've probably guessed, this was the wrong train. We got on, looking for our seat numbers. Seat 82 is missing for whatever reason (thank God, or we might not have made it to Copenhagen today), and a couple locals ask us where we're headed. We tell them Hamburg.
Cinematic moment:
Them:"This train is headed for Frankfurt!"
Me: "So this is the wrong train then?"
Them: "Yes."
*Lurch*
Us: "Crap."
Fortunately, the train wasn't a high speed direct one to Frankfurt. We hopped off at the next stop, and there is another train to Hamburg from the station (the name escapes me) leaving at 12:25. At this point, Radey discovers that she left the rose we'd bought in Prague at the hostel. :(
Needless to say, we missed our reserved connection to Kobenhavn (8 euros wasted!), and have to catch the 3:25 one, without seat reservations. It wasn't crowded, and no one evicted us from our seats, which was good...
...Except when we had to all get off the train due to "technical difficulties," ride a bus to the next nearest station (20 minutes of driving through the Danish countryside), which has the train to take us the last 40 minutes to Kobenhavn Hbf.
Danish Countryside:
We arrive at 8:40. The "hostel" we are in is pretty nice. It's a Danish woman's home converted to allow large numbers of guests.
Oh, did I mention they loaded the train onto a ferry?
We drop by the local grocery store to pick up a few things to tide us over on the trip. A couple Rittersport bars, some pastries and milk for breakfast, and a carton of iced tea for lunch, which would be consumed with some leftovers for lunch. We walk to the S-bahn stop, and ride it to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. When we get to the station, it is about 11:10, and there is a train waiting for us at the specified platform. We get on.
As you've probably guessed, this was the wrong train. We got on, looking for our seat numbers. Seat 82 is missing for whatever reason (thank God, or we might not have made it to Copenhagen today), and a couple locals ask us where we're headed. We tell them Hamburg.
Cinematic moment:
Them:"This train is headed for Frankfurt!"
Me: "So this is the wrong train then?"
Them: "Yes."
*Lurch*
Us: "Crap."
Fortunately, the train wasn't a high speed direct one to Frankfurt. We hopped off at the next stop, and there is another train to Hamburg from the station (the name escapes me) leaving at 12:25. At this point, Radey discovers that she left the rose we'd bought in Prague at the hostel. :(
Needless to say, we missed our reserved connection to Kobenhavn (8 euros wasted!), and have to catch the 3:25 one, without seat reservations. It wasn't crowded, and no one evicted us from our seats, which was good...
...Except when we had to all get off the train due to "technical difficulties," ride a bus to the next nearest station (20 minutes of driving through the Danish countryside), which has the train to take us the last 40 minutes to Kobenhavn Hbf.
Danish Countryside:
We arrive at 8:40. The "hostel" we are in is pretty nice. It's a Danish woman's home converted to allow large numbers of guests.
Oh, did I mention they loaded the train onto a ferry?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
09/07/2009 - Berlin Day 1
Allen was up half the night playing a stupid flash game online (ot was super fun -Allejn), so we got a late start. There was a long line for the Reichstag, and it started raining/being windy while we were waiting.
Eventually, we were let inside, and after a thorough security check, went up the elevator and received a free audioguide that pointed out and explained the city sights as well as the history/architecture of the building. It uses lots of "green" type technology to heat itself and even collects rain water through a hole in the center of the dome.
We spent the rest of the day outside, which was kind of bad for Allen since his coat went missing in Prague. Either he left it there, or it was stolen. Personally, I think the asshole Canadians staying in our room took it/hid it, since they also took his sheets.
Anyway, we were outside because we were looking at the Topography of Terror, an exhibit detailing the Nazi regime. The building that will house it won't be completed until 2010.
Next, we walked to Checkpoint Charlie, a place that documented the escapes of people over the Wall. There was a lot of information about the Wall there, most of it depressing (people shot trying to escape), though some of it was more humorous (a guy who randomly escaped by walking out of sight next to a bus passing through a checkpoint).
Now we're back at the hostel and there are some loud, obnoxious Americans staying here. Naturally, they're from California.
Eventually, we were let inside, and after a thorough security check, went up the elevator and received a free audioguide that pointed out and explained the city sights as well as the history/architecture of the building. It uses lots of "green" type technology to heat itself and even collects rain water through a hole in the center of the dome.
We spent the rest of the day outside, which was kind of bad for Allen since his coat went missing in Prague. Either he left it there, or it was stolen. Personally, I think the asshole Canadians staying in our room took it/hid it, since they also took his sheets.
Anyway, we were outside because we were looking at the Topography of Terror, an exhibit detailing the Nazi regime. The building that will house it won't be completed until 2010.
Next, we walked to Checkpoint Charlie, a place that documented the escapes of people over the Wall. There was a lot of information about the Wall there, most of it depressing (people shot trying to escape), though some of it was more humorous (a guy who randomly escaped by walking out of sight next to a bus passing through a checkpoint).
Now we're back at the hostel and there are some loud, obnoxious Americans staying here. Naturally, they're from California.
08/07/09 - Prague to Berlin
This morning, we headed to the train station. The wrong train station.
In this post, I will leave in all my crummy typoes, to show you how bad my typing skills are... starting... NOW!
We spent the rest ouf our coronas on belgium chocolate truggles, where were delicious. Having spent all our koronas, we had to go to the convenience store to swap 2 euros for 40 kc, so that we could ride the metro to the CORRECT train station, to get our butts to bverlin. The train ride was uuneventful. We watched underworld Rise of the Lucans. Radey was not impressed.
In Berlin, we hung out at the hostel, and did not go on a pub crawl. :( We also worked out figuring out exacllty what we wanted to do. Which we know now. :D
In this post, I will leave in all my crummy typoes, to show you how bad my typing skills are... starting... NOW!
We spent the rest ouf our coronas on belgium chocolate truggles, where were delicious. Having spent all our koronas, we had to go to the convenience store to swap 2 euros for 40 kc, so that we could ride the metro to the CORRECT train station, to get our butts to bverlin. The train ride was uuneventful. We watched underworld Rise of the Lucans. Radey was not impressed.
In Berlin, we hung out at the hostel, and did not go on a pub crawl. :( We also worked out figuring out exacllty what we wanted to do. Which we know now. :D
07/07/09 - Prague Day 1
Hmm...
We walked up and down cobblestone streets all day. It was pretty hot. I forgot my camera.
But seriously. We went walked from our hostel out to the castle. Along the way, we visited the Museum of Torture Instruments. They had displays of the various things the Church used to hurt people with during the Inquisition/witch hunts. I didn't find the displays to be as informative nor as interesting as they could have been. Radey seemed to enjoy it though.
After the museum, we (or I) got suckered into a concert in one of the churches in Prague. I think this one was held in the church of St. Salvador. The concert did not start til 6, so we proceeded across a big, impressive bridge and towards the castle. Inside, most of the exhibits required separated entrance fees, so the only thing we really saw was a big church. There was a lot of stained glass. One of our hostelmates felt that the outside was prettier than the inside. She might be right, not sure.
We ate lunch in a small bagel place, where the server constantly asked patrons "was good?" The food was alright.
We wandered around Old Town until it was time for the concert. It was nice, though I did not feel the accoustics were very good inside the church. The programme was a bunch famous classical music, like vivaldi, bach, mozart, and others.
We had dinner at a Czech restaurant that had some sort of arrangement with our hostel, netting us 15% discounts. Mairead had chicken stuffed with salmon, and I had a "Czech meal" of duck, potato, and cabbage. It was good and filling.
We walked up and down cobblestone streets all day. It was pretty hot. I forgot my camera.
But seriously. We went walked from our hostel out to the castle. Along the way, we visited the Museum of Torture Instruments. They had displays of the various things the Church used to hurt people with during the Inquisition/witch hunts. I didn't find the displays to be as informative nor as interesting as they could have been. Radey seemed to enjoy it though.
After the museum, we (or I) got suckered into a concert in one of the churches in Prague. I think this one was held in the church of St. Salvador. The concert did not start til 6, so we proceeded across a big, impressive bridge and towards the castle. Inside, most of the exhibits required separated entrance fees, so the only thing we really saw was a big church. There was a lot of stained glass. One of our hostelmates felt that the outside was prettier than the inside. She might be right, not sure.
We ate lunch in a small bagel place, where the server constantly asked patrons "was good?" The food was alright.
We wandered around Old Town until it was time for the concert. It was nice, though I did not feel the accoustics were very good inside the church. The programme was a bunch famous classical music, like vivaldi, bach, mozart, and others.
We had dinner at a Czech restaurant that had some sort of arrangement with our hostel, netting us 15% discounts. Mairead had chicken stuffed with salmon, and I had a "Czech meal" of duck, potato, and cabbage. It was good and filling.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
06/07/09 - Munich to Prague
We didn't manage to catch the early train, so we got on the one that left at 12:44. It was a six hour ride with a transfer in Schwandorf. Allen watched Slumdog Millionare and Mosters vs. Aliens on his laptop while I read Anna Karenina and tried to memorize some Czech phrases (I didn't succeed).
When we arrived in Prague, it turned out our directions were severely flawed and we had no idea where our hostel was actually located. It took about an hour of walking around to finally find it. Luckily, while we were wandering around, we found an ATM where we could withdraw some money since we didn't have any koruny.
We got some food from the convenience store across the street, ate it, and went to sleep. CITRON WATER!
When we arrived in Prague, it turned out our directions were severely flawed and we had no idea where our hostel was actually located. It took about an hour of walking around to finally find it. Luckily, while we were wandering around, we found an ATM where we could withdraw some money since we didn't have any koruny.
We got some food from the convenience store across the street, ate it, and went to sleep. CITRON WATER!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
05/07/09 - Munich Day 3
Today was interesting. As we were heading out, Radey commented that it looked like rain, so we grabbed an umbrella. Oh boy did it rain! My shoes and socks are still drying. Hopefully they will be okay by tomorrow.
Today we saw the two museums that we missed yesterday. Radey seemed like she had a good time in them. The older museum had a facination with hunting scenes, which got a bit droll after the upteenth painting. There were also a few twisted renditions of Hell. The more modern museum had a few Van Goghs, some Delacroix on loan, and a few Monets. Radey can probably give you the details later.
After sloshing around the museum in our soggy shoes, we had lunch around Marienplatz. The wursts I had were delicious! For 5.50, they were probably the best value I've gotten for food in Europe.
After lunch, we walked a little more, and then went back to the Tent. Watched Role Models, which was pretty funny. Hardy har har. Today was pretty relaxed, which was nice. Had goulosh (sp?) for dinner, and Radey had a cucumber salad. We're going to try to get on the 8:40 train to Prague tomorrow, but seeing as how I haven't woken up before 9:30 yet, I don't know how likely this will be.
Today we saw the two museums that we missed yesterday. Radey seemed like she had a good time in them. The older museum had a facination with hunting scenes, which got a bit droll after the upteenth painting. There were also a few twisted renditions of Hell. The more modern museum had a few Van Goghs, some Delacroix on loan, and a few Monets. Radey can probably give you the details later.
After sloshing around the museum in our soggy shoes, we had lunch around Marienplatz. The wursts I had were delicious! For 5.50, they were probably the best value I've gotten for food in Europe.
After lunch, we walked a little more, and then went back to the Tent. Watched Role Models, which was pretty funny. Hardy har har. Today was pretty relaxed, which was nice. Had goulosh (sp?) for dinner, and Radey had a cucumber salad. We're going to try to get on the 8:40 train to Prague tomorrow, but seeing as how I haven't woken up before 9:30 yet, I don't know how likely this will be.
04/07/09 - Munich Day 2
This morning, we woke up and went to Karlsplatz. It was pretty crowded the whole way to Marienplatz, which is down a street lined with shops and restaurants. A band was playing. We heard Smoke on the Water and the James Bond theme. I bought 250 grams of strawberries on the way. They were only 1 euro!
In Marienplatz, the mechanical clock was chiming out a freaky little tune while the automatons twirled around.
When we had had enough of that, we went in Peterskirche and had a look around. Supposedly, it's the oldest church in Munich. There were bones and they scared Allen.
It was time for lunch after that. We walked over to Viktualienmarkt and ate some tasty soup. I had a fish soup and Allen had beans and weiner soup. We washed it down with a mixture of freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, and lemon juice.
We went to the Alte Pinakothek (an art museum), but decided to visit tomorrow (Sunday) instead, as it is only 1 euro on Sundays.
So, we visited the BMW Museum instead. It's everything you've ever wanted to know about BMW! The best part was the cars on display. They had the cars from Golden Eye and The World Is Not Enough--the actual ones that Pierce Brosnan drove for the movies.
Allen ran into his friend outside the museum. I guess he was from the CS department at the UW. We saw some of the Olympic Park.
After we ditched Allen's little friend, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant. I know, I know...we were just in Italy. But I really wanted some Italian food...
In Marienplatz, the mechanical clock was chiming out a freaky little tune while the automatons twirled around.
When we had had enough of that, we went in Peterskirche and had a look around. Supposedly, it's the oldest church in Munich. There were bones and they scared Allen.
It was time for lunch after that. We walked over to Viktualienmarkt and ate some tasty soup. I had a fish soup and Allen had beans and weiner soup. We washed it down with a mixture of freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, and lemon juice.
We went to the Alte Pinakothek (an art museum), but decided to visit tomorrow (Sunday) instead, as it is only 1 euro on Sundays.
So, we visited the BMW Museum instead. It's everything you've ever wanted to know about BMW! The best part was the cars on display. They had the cars from Golden Eye and The World Is Not Enough--the actual ones that Pierce Brosnan drove for the movies.
Allen ran into his friend outside the museum. I guess he was from the CS department at the UW. We saw some of the Olympic Park.
After we ditched Allen's little friend, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant. I know, I know...we were just in Italy. But I really wanted some Italian food...
Friday, July 3, 2009
03/07/09 - Munich Day 1
We took the night train from Venice to Munich. I barely slept because it was so incredibly hot in our compartment. It must have been 100 degrees, so I ended up out in the corridor for several hours. I don't know how anyone else could stand it.
At 6:30 AM, we arrived in Munich and headed for The Tent. It's exactly what it sounds like: a tent. A giant tent. Two giant tents, in fact, that apparently hold 250 people between them. The staff are all really nice here and speak English.
A lot of people in Munich seem to speak English, actually, though several have assumed that I am German.
After checking in and picking out bunks and a locker, we got on the tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, only a few stops away. It is a large palace in the middle of Munich, built by Ludwig I and modeled after Versailles.
It's definitely not Versailles, but the gardens make a huge effort. It's like a park, complete with people jogging down the paths. There were some older baby ducks following their mom in a pond and another duck came and starting chasing them around. It was pretty funny.
The best part of the Schloss was the Gallery of Beauties. Ludwig was obsessed with feminine beauty and had various portraits painted of women he liked. Allen thought they were "alright" except for the one that looked like a man. That one wasn't alright.
Our next destination was the Deutches Museum. We stayed there until it closed at five o'clock, so probably around four hours. There was so much to see there, and we didn't even see it all. There were six floors packed with educational exhibits about everything from the history of boats to computer science.
Highlights include the recreation of an alchemy lab and a cave...which I don't recall the name of, and the cross sections of ships. Allen liked the U-1 submarine--the original!
At around two, we noticed it getting a bit stormy outside. It began pouring down rain and continued to thunder and lightning for a good two hours. It was still raining by the time we left the museum, and we still hadn't taken showers since riding the train, so we headed back to The Tent. For dinner we went to a grocery store and got sandwich fixings and some Ritter Sport chocolates. Allen wanted me to mention that I pulled out his first white hair (he insisted I pull it out so he could look at it). We did laundry in an actual washer and dryer for the first time since arriving. It's all quite exciting.
At 6:30 AM, we arrived in Munich and headed for The Tent. It's exactly what it sounds like: a tent. A giant tent. Two giant tents, in fact, that apparently hold 250 people between them. The staff are all really nice here and speak English.
A lot of people in Munich seem to speak English, actually, though several have assumed that I am German.
After checking in and picking out bunks and a locker, we got on the tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, only a few stops away. It is a large palace in the middle of Munich, built by Ludwig I and modeled after Versailles.
It's definitely not Versailles, but the gardens make a huge effort. It's like a park, complete with people jogging down the paths. There were some older baby ducks following their mom in a pond and another duck came and starting chasing them around. It was pretty funny.
The best part of the Schloss was the Gallery of Beauties. Ludwig was obsessed with feminine beauty and had various portraits painted of women he liked. Allen thought they were "alright" except for the one that looked like a man. That one wasn't alright.
Our next destination was the Deutches Museum. We stayed there until it closed at five o'clock, so probably around four hours. There was so much to see there, and we didn't even see it all. There were six floors packed with educational exhibits about everything from the history of boats to computer science.
Highlights include the recreation of an alchemy lab and a cave...which I don't recall the name of, and the cross sections of ships. Allen liked the U-1 submarine--the original!
At around two, we noticed it getting a bit stormy outside. It began pouring down rain and continued to thunder and lightning for a good two hours. It was still raining by the time we left the museum, and we still hadn't taken showers since riding the train, so we headed back to The Tent. For dinner we went to a grocery store and got sandwich fixings and some Ritter Sport chocolates. Allen wanted me to mention that I pulled out his first white hair (he insisted I pull it out so he could look at it). We did laundry in an actual washer and dryer for the first time since arriving. It's all quite exciting.
02/07/09 - Venice Day 3
Bleeeeeh. Wandering around the streets of Venice with 100000000 pound backpacks is lovely. We felt disgusting.
Since we didn't do much, here is my reflection on Venice: Nicest place we've been so far. There are no cars nor bikes, so to get anywhere, you either take a boat, or walk. We hear locals greeting each other often, with cheerful "Cia-oooo"s. The pacing of life just seems more relaxed and carefree. I would love to retire to Venezia one day. Crusing along the canal, there was a kind of solomn tragedy about the abandoned buildings, once so grand, and now slowly sinking away.
Cute moment: A couple in a gondola were being serenaded by their gondoliers, while drifting under a bridge. A girl standing on the bridge chimed in sweetly.
Not so cute: Massive bite on my arm:
The outer discolouration spread further after this picture.
Since we didn't do much, here is my reflection on Venice: Nicest place we've been so far. There are no cars nor bikes, so to get anywhere, you either take a boat, or walk. We hear locals greeting each other often, with cheerful "Cia-oooo"s. The pacing of life just seems more relaxed and carefree. I would love to retire to Venezia one day. Crusing along the canal, there was a kind of solomn tragedy about the abandoned buildings, once so grand, and now slowly sinking away.
Cute moment: A couple in a gondola were being serenaded by their gondoliers, while drifting under a bridge. A girl standing on the bridge chimed in sweetly.
Not so cute: Massive bite on my arm:
The outer discolouration spread further after this picture.
01/07/09 - Venice Day 2
Was previously left blank, update:
In retrospect, we did not really do much except ride the vaporettos. We started off visiting San Marco's Basilica. Photography is not allowed within, so we have no pictures of the interior to share with you. Suffice it to say, I was once again amazed by what people do with mosaics.
After a brisk walk through the dark and dank interior of San Marco's, we headed out to Lido. Lido... is basically Italy's California. The coastline was all sandy beach, and lazy, leathery Italians. It was beautiful. We took the bus up then down the long island. There was supposed to be a shipwreck somewhere near the island, but we were unable to locate it. Off to Murano, an island famed for its glass artisans.
Getting to Murano was a pain. We boarded the wrong vaporetto, which took us several stops in the wrong direction before we realized our error. When we finally arrived, we were unable to actually locate anyone blowing glass. It was a huge disappointment. We wandered up one of the streets, window shopping, and then headed back to the hotel, to retrieve our EuroPasses in order to book seats to Munich. We ended up with reservations for an overnighter leaving the next day at 22:50, and arriving at 6:30.
After booking our seats, we took a short nap in the hotel, and headed out to the vaporettos again, this time with the objective of doing some sightseeing on them. Riding the number one to the top of the canal, we got front seats for the trip back down. Night was falling rapidly as we made our winding way, snapping horribly blurred pictures of grand faces of the buildings lining the canal.
We arrived in San Marco's Piazza a while after dark, to the sonorous song of Andrea Bocelli, who was in concert that evening. We were seranaded all the way back to the hotel, catching a few strains of famous operas.
In retrospect, we did not really do much except ride the vaporettos. We started off visiting San Marco's Basilica. Photography is not allowed within, so we have no pictures of the interior to share with you. Suffice it to say, I was once again amazed by what people do with mosaics.
After a brisk walk through the dark and dank interior of San Marco's, we headed out to Lido. Lido... is basically Italy's California. The coastline was all sandy beach, and lazy, leathery Italians. It was beautiful. We took the bus up then down the long island. There was supposed to be a shipwreck somewhere near the island, but we were unable to locate it. Off to Murano, an island famed for its glass artisans.
Getting to Murano was a pain. We boarded the wrong vaporetto, which took us several stops in the wrong direction before we realized our error. When we finally arrived, we were unable to actually locate anyone blowing glass. It was a huge disappointment. We wandered up one of the streets, window shopping, and then headed back to the hotel, to retrieve our EuroPasses in order to book seats to Munich. We ended up with reservations for an overnighter leaving the next day at 22:50, and arriving at 6:30.
After booking our seats, we took a short nap in the hotel, and headed out to the vaporettos again, this time with the objective of doing some sightseeing on them. Riding the number one to the top of the canal, we got front seats for the trip back down. Night was falling rapidly as we made our winding way, snapping horribly blurred pictures of grand faces of the buildings lining the canal.
We arrived in San Marco's Piazza a while after dark, to the sonorous song of Andrea Bocelli, who was in concert that evening. We were seranaded all the way back to the hotel, catching a few strains of famous operas.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
30/06/09 Rome to Venice Day 1
We got up early and the security guard drove us to the train stop, where we found our way to Rome Termini and onto our train to Venice.
When we arrived, we decided to walk to our hotel because it costs 6.50 euros to ride the vaporetto. Venice isn't very big and it wasn't too hard, though it was really hot, especially with out backpacks. Due to there being virtually no cheap accomodations open in Venice, we are staying in an actual hotel with an actual bed, shower, toilet, TELEVISION, and towels! It's pretty amazing. I miss TV.
We went to Rialto where there are a bunch of market stalls and looked at all the glass things. We got some food items, including fresh fruit cups. There are a lot of shops with cute little glass animals like birds and bunnies and various breeds of dog. Some of them are really tiny and adorable!
After that, we got some gelato and headed for St. Mark's Square. It was too late to go in the basilica, so hopefully we will tomorrow. We're also hoping to go to a few islands tomorrow, like Lido and the other one...which I can't remember the name of right now, but they make all the glass there.
Right now we're in a bar with free wifi. There's a guy playing guitar and covering songs. He's a good singer, especially since he's Italian and singing in English.
For some reason Allen has the idea that whiskey tastes good and is now falling asleep, so we should probably go now.
When we arrived, we decided to walk to our hotel because it costs 6.50 euros to ride the vaporetto. Venice isn't very big and it wasn't too hard, though it was really hot, especially with out backpacks. Due to there being virtually no cheap accomodations open in Venice, we are staying in an actual hotel with an actual bed, shower, toilet, TELEVISION, and towels! It's pretty amazing. I miss TV.
We went to Rialto where there are a bunch of market stalls and looked at all the glass things. We got some food items, including fresh fruit cups. There are a lot of shops with cute little glass animals like birds and bunnies and various breeds of dog. Some of them are really tiny and adorable!
After that, we got some gelato and headed for St. Mark's Square. It was too late to go in the basilica, so hopefully we will tomorrow. We're also hoping to go to a few islands tomorrow, like Lido and the other one...which I can't remember the name of right now, but they make all the glass there.
Right now we're in a bar with free wifi. There's a guy playing guitar and covering songs. He's a good singer, especially since he's Italian and singing in English.
For some reason Allen has the idea that whiskey tastes good and is now falling asleep, so we should probably go now.
29/06/09 Rome Day 2
We tried to get up early and ended up leaving the campsite at around 9:30 and headed to the Colloseum. The wait wasn't too bad at all, but it cost 12 euros each to get in!
There was only a discount for youths from the EU. Luckily, the ticket also covered Palantine Hill and the Roman Forum.
We really liked the Colloseum, but the rest of the day was filled with disappointments. There was some sort of holiday in Rome related to St. Peter, so the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum were all closed! It wasn't possible to stay any longer because we had already made reservations for Venice.
We did a lot of walking and saw the Fountain of Trevi and that was pretty cool, but both our cameras were out of batteries at that point and we didn't get any pictures!
After this, we went back to the campsite to prepare for our train ride to Venice the next day. We had to get up early, but didn't have an alarm clock, so we decided to drink a bunch of water and hope for the best.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
28/06/09 - Rome Day 1
We woke up pretty late, and headed int Rome.
Th Vatican was really crowded. The line moved fairly quickly, so it wasn't too bad. The line was a lot longer as we were leaving. In the Vatican, we headed straight for St. Peter's Basilica. It is huge, and quite impressive. There are a lot of strange doors with statues of popes over them, which were all closed. Also, the center of the basilica was roped off, so we were restricted to the outskirts. The pictures are primarily mosaics, which were beautiful. There was also a statue by Michaelangelo. He carved it at the age of 24... Which is completely ridiculous. (That man was pure genius). We also went through the crypts. Unfortunately, the line to climb the dome was quite long, so we headed towards the museum...
Which was closed. We would have had free admission today, but the museum closes at 1:45 and we arrived at around 2:30. Oops. We are planning on hitting it up tomorrow.
We went from the museum to the train station, and booked seats to Venice for the 30th. We proceeded from the station to the National Roman Museum (name?). A 7 euro entry fee granted us access to what Rick Steves calls the largest exhibit of Roman art ever. There were some amazing mosaics, and a lot of marble busts. They also have an exhibit on the history of coinage, and a room that was a giant painting of a garden.
Tomorrow, we hope to see ancient Rome (whatever is not closed to us), and the Vatican Museum.
Th Vatican was really crowded. The line moved fairly quickly, so it wasn't too bad. The line was a lot longer as we were leaving. In the Vatican, we headed straight for St. Peter's Basilica. It is huge, and quite impressive. There are a lot of strange doors with statues of popes over them, which were all closed. Also, the center of the basilica was roped off, so we were restricted to the outskirts. The pictures are primarily mosaics, which were beautiful. There was also a statue by Michaelangelo. He carved it at the age of 24... Which is completely ridiculous. (That man was pure genius). We also went through the crypts. Unfortunately, the line to climb the dome was quite long, so we headed towards the museum...
Which was closed. We would have had free admission today, but the museum closes at 1:45 and we arrived at around 2:30. Oops. We are planning on hitting it up tomorrow.
We went from the museum to the train station, and booked seats to Venice for the 30th. We proceeded from the station to the National Roman Museum (name?). A 7 euro entry fee granted us access to what Rick Steves calls the largest exhibit of Roman art ever. There were some amazing mosaics, and a lot of marble busts. They also have an exhibit on the history of coinage, and a room that was a giant painting of a garden.
Tomorrow, we hope to see ancient Rome (whatever is not closed to us), and the Vatican Museum.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
27/06/09 Nice to Rome
We're taking a train to Milan and then Rome.
Update:
The train was pretty freaky, we were scheduled to arrive at 3:00 and make a connection on a train departing at 3:30. We arrived at 3:20.
On the train to Rome, I met two pretty cool people. One was a girl attending a university, and the other was a British woman who has been living in Italy for the past 40 years.
Our hostel is a bit NW of Rome, near the Prima Porta metro stop. It is kind of dumpy, almost a resort/luxury campground that has been allowed to decay a bit. The cabins we are in are small and cramped, and the beds are incredibly saggy. The restaurant is nice... but the food isn't that good. Oh well. Back to our rather boring day...
After arriving in Rome at 7:50, we took the metro to the hostel, ate dinner, and went to bed.
Update:
The train was pretty freaky, we were scheduled to arrive at 3:00 and make a connection on a train departing at 3:30. We arrived at 3:20.
On the train to Rome, I met two pretty cool people. One was a girl attending a university, and the other was a British woman who has been living in Italy for the past 40 years.
Our hostel is a bit NW of Rome, near the Prima Porta metro stop. It is kind of dumpy, almost a resort/luxury campground that has been allowed to decay a bit. The cabins we are in are small and cramped, and the beds are incredibly saggy. The restaurant is nice... but the food isn't that good. Oh well. Back to our rather boring day...
After arriving in Rome at 7:50, we took the metro to the hostel, ate dinner, and went to bed.
26/06/09 Nice Day 2
Today, we took a bus to Eze, a medieval village on a mountainside near Nice. It is pretty cool, a small village carved into a rock. We'll post pictures later.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
25/06/09 - Nice Day 1
We arrived in Nice (NEESE) at around 9 AM. After obtaining a map from the tourist info, we went to our hostel. Located just off one of the main streets in Nice, it is kind of a shabby place. We're typing this sitting in the hall, on the floor, as there are no seats and we don't get WiFi reception in our dorm.
When we arrived at the hostel, no one had checked out yet, so we were unable to check in to our dorm. We dropped our packs off behind the reception area, and walked around a bit. The beach area is alright, though it is a pebble beach. I guess French people don't mind pebble beaches, as it was super crowded, and there were people sunbathing on those hard, round pebbles. The water is a lovely blue, lighter towards shore, and suddenly darker a few hundred feet out.
After observing the water, we decided that we would want to go swimming, and shopped around for suits/trunks. We found some and then ate lunch in what looks like their equivalent of Bellevue Square. After that, we checked in, and are bumming around, waiting for the sun to lose its intensity.
When we arrived at the hostel, no one had checked out yet, so we were unable to check in to our dorm. We dropped our packs off behind the reception area, and walked around a bit. The beach area is alright, though it is a pebble beach. I guess French people don't mind pebble beaches, as it was super crowded, and there were people sunbathing on those hard, round pebbles. The water is a lovely blue, lighter towards shore, and suddenly darker a few hundred feet out.
After observing the water, we decided that we would want to go swimming, and shopped around for suits/trunks. We found some and then ate lunch in what looks like their equivalent of Bellevue Square. After that, we checked in, and are bumming around, waiting for the sun to lose its intensity.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
24/06/09 - Paris Day 4
Check out of hostel
Bum around
Overnighter to Nice, arrive at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Update:
Not much happened on Paris Day 4! We went to Luxembourg Gardens and sat around basically all day. There was a school band from the US playing for a while.
That evening, we stopped by a Monoprix (French grocery/general store chain) and got some candy, yogurt, scones, and lemon Schweppes.
On the train, we were staying in a compartment with six couchettes. We talked to a kid in French military training school who was on his way home for break.
Sleeping wasn't too bad, though I woke up a few times because the ride was kind of bumpy.
Bum around
Overnighter to Nice, arrive at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Update:
Not much happened on Paris Day 4! We went to Luxembourg Gardens and sat around basically all day. There was a school band from the US playing for a while.
That evening, we stopped by a Monoprix (French grocery/general store chain) and got some candy, yogurt, scones, and lemon Schweppes.
On the train, we were staying in a compartment with six couchettes. We talked to a kid in French military training school who was on his way home for break.
Sleeping wasn't too bad, though I woke up a few times because the ride was kind of bumpy.
23/06/09 - Paris Day 3
Versailles
Paris Illuminations
Update:
We woke up, ate breakfast, and took off promptly for Versailles. Apparently, we should have skipped breakfast. The lines were huuuuuuge! First, we had to line up to buy tickets into the palace, then we had to enter a longer queue for getting into the thing. The place was pretty cool. I was very confused viewing the painting of Napoleon's coronation, which I'd already seen at the Louvre. One of the curators explained that there were two copies of the painting, both originals.
After touring the Royal Apartments, we headed out to the gardens. The fountains are turned on for periods of time during the summer, with accompanying classical music. It was very nice. Adding to the places we would visit if we had museum passes were the Grande T- and the Petite T-, along with the Queen's Hamlet. The scale of the gardens is incredible. I cannot fathom how many groundskeepers they must have employed to keep it all looking green and weed free.
After Versailles, we went back to our hostel, and booked places in Nice and Rome.
Paris Illuminations was pretty interesting. I was dead tired though, and started falling asleep. Probably one of the most expensive naps I've taken. Basically, the tour is a busride through Paris at night. You see the Arc de Triumph, Eiffel Tower, and various other sights in their softly glowing night gowns. The Eiffel Tower was notable. Apparently for the millenium, they set up a bunch of lights to go off all over it, creating a sparkling effect. They liked it enough to turn the lights on for the first six minutes of each hour, every night.
Paris Illuminations
Update:
We woke up, ate breakfast, and took off promptly for Versailles. Apparently, we should have skipped breakfast. The lines were huuuuuuge! First, we had to line up to buy tickets into the palace, then we had to enter a longer queue for getting into the thing. The place was pretty cool. I was very confused viewing the painting of Napoleon's coronation, which I'd already seen at the Louvre. One of the curators explained that there were two copies of the painting, both originals.
After touring the Royal Apartments, we headed out to the gardens. The fountains are turned on for periods of time during the summer, with accompanying classical music. It was very nice. Adding to the places we would visit if we had museum passes were the Grande T- and the Petite T-, along with the Queen's Hamlet. The scale of the gardens is incredible. I cannot fathom how many groundskeepers they must have employed to keep it all looking green and weed free.
After Versailles, we went back to our hostel, and booked places in Nice and Rome.
Paris Illuminations was pretty interesting. I was dead tired though, and started falling asleep. Probably one of the most expensive naps I've taken. Basically, the tour is a busride through Paris at night. You see the Arc de Triumph, Eiffel Tower, and various other sights in their softly glowing night gowns. The Eiffel Tower was notable. Apparently for the millenium, they set up a bunch of lights to go off all over it, creating a sparkling effect. They liked it enough to turn the lights on for the first six minutes of each hour, every night.
22/06/09 - Paris Day 2
Quick update due to lack of time.
We did:
Eiffel Tower
Invalides
Eurail Passes
Update:
(I don't remember the details quite clearly, as this was a few days ago.)
We woke up, ate breakfast, and caught the Metro out to somewhere near the Eiffel Tower. We wanted to beat the crowds, but didn't. The line for the elevator was ridiculous. We got passes letting us walk up the stairs for 3.50 euros each, and hiked up. I took the stairs two at a time (a total of 670 steps, iirc). :P. The view up top was beautiful, though the sightseeing plaques posted along the railing were fairly useless.
After the Eiffel tower, we walked south, grabbing lunch on Rue Cler. There was a resturant serving fancy crepes. After lunch, we went to Invalides, and Mairead used the toilet. We did not enter, as she had no real interest in it. If we had bought the museum pass, we might have gone in.
Leaving Invalides, we went to Gare de Lyon to purchase our railpasses. Things got a bit complicated for us here. Apparently, the train to Barcelona was full, so we would need to pay a premium to get on board. We also learned about reservation fees. This was a rather unpleasant experience. Mairead freaked out. We went back to the hostel, and looked up plane tickets. It is still cheaper to do Europe by rail, but we had to cut Barcelona. We purchased our railpasses in Gare de Nord, and made reservations to Nice and from Nice to Rome. The passes cost 473 each, and reservations ran us 60 or so. Booking in advance is advisable.
For dinner, Radey had a fancy salad, and I had a three (tiny) course meal. The food was pretty good.
We did:
Eiffel Tower
Invalides
Eurail Passes
Update:
(I don't remember the details quite clearly, as this was a few days ago.)
We woke up, ate breakfast, and caught the Metro out to somewhere near the Eiffel Tower. We wanted to beat the crowds, but didn't. The line for the elevator was ridiculous. We got passes letting us walk up the stairs for 3.50 euros each, and hiked up. I took the stairs two at a time (a total of 670 steps, iirc). :P. The view up top was beautiful, though the sightseeing plaques posted along the railing were fairly useless.
After the Eiffel tower, we walked south, grabbing lunch on Rue Cler. There was a resturant serving fancy crepes. After lunch, we went to Invalides, and Mairead used the toilet. We did not enter, as she had no real interest in it. If we had bought the museum pass, we might have gone in.
Leaving Invalides, we went to Gare de Lyon to purchase our railpasses. Things got a bit complicated for us here. Apparently, the train to Barcelona was full, so we would need to pay a premium to get on board. We also learned about reservation fees. This was a rather unpleasant experience. Mairead freaked out. We went back to the hostel, and looked up plane tickets. It is still cheaper to do Europe by rail, but we had to cut Barcelona. We purchased our railpasses in Gare de Nord, and made reservations to Nice and from Nice to Rome. The passes cost 473 each, and reservations ran us 60 or so. Booking in advance is advisable.
For dinner, Radey had a fancy salad, and I had a three (tiny) course meal. The food was pretty good.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
21/06/09 - Paris Day 1
Today there is a music festival in Paris. There are lots of bands playing on the streets this evening.
I woke up because Allen told me to, but then all he did was wash his clothes. He claims he didn't tell me to get up, but I think he did.
We went to Notre Dame. There were some birds for sale down the street and there was a sad one. After that, we wanted to go to the deportation memorial, but it was closed. So, we walked around and got some sandwiches and a raspberry tart. We sat on a bench on a bridge and ate them.
After that, we went to the Louvre. We wandered around for a while before deciding to go on a tour. We saw the foundation of the original Louvre and, of course, all the major artworks like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
We came back to the hostel because I was really tired. It was around 5 pm at this point. Allen went to sleep and refused to get up until after nine! For dinner, we got a pizza. :D
I woke up because Allen told me to, but then all he did was wash his clothes. He claims he didn't tell me to get up, but I think he did.
We went to Notre Dame. There were some birds for sale down the street and there was a sad one. After that, we wanted to go to the deportation memorial, but it was closed. So, we walked around and got some sandwiches and a raspberry tart. We sat on a bench on a bridge and ate them.
After that, we went to the Louvre. We wandered around for a while before deciding to go on a tour. We saw the foundation of the original Louvre and, of course, all the major artworks like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
We came back to the hostel because I was really tired. It was around 5 pm at this point. Allen went to sleep and refused to get up until after nine! For dinner, we got a pizza. :D
20/06/09 - London-Paris
We packed up in the morning and checked out. From the hostel, we went to Westminster Abbey and actually went in this time...with our huge backpacks. We were going to go to the British Library, but they were conducting bag checks and we didn't want to bother with it.
Our train to Paris left at 1:30 pm and we arrived at around 4:45 pm (Paris is an hour ahead). The hostel is fine. It's not in the city center, but the metro is easy to use. There's no wifi! We have to pay to use the computers here. :(
For "dinner" we had crepes from a street vendor. I had nutella and Allen had nutella and banana. We walked around for a while and saw the Bastille monument or whatever that thing is.
We were pretty tired so we went to sleep after that.
Our train to Paris left at 1:30 pm and we arrived at around 4:45 pm (Paris is an hour ahead). The hostel is fine. It's not in the city center, but the metro is easy to use. There's no wifi! We have to pay to use the computers here. :(
For "dinner" we had crepes from a street vendor. I had nutella and Allen had nutella and banana. We walked around for a while and saw the Bastille monument or whatever that thing is.
We were pretty tired so we went to sleep after that.
Friday, June 19, 2009
19/06/09 - London Day 3
Allen didn't sleep well last night, but I slept like nobody's business. Like a rock-hard rock.
We went to the Petticoat Lane Market, but didn't buy anything, although I wanted to. There were a lot of cute clothes, but I don't really have space for anything. Then, we went to Brixton Market because Allen wanted to buy some fruit, but all we got were little oranges. (Ten for a pound!!! -Allen)
After that, we went to the Tate Modern. There were a lot of weird things, but I actually liked the surrealism exhibit. They had a nice Dali painting. There was also a Monet painting and some Picassos in another exhibit. Other than those, the best part was the giant table and chairs. Unfortunately, pictures and climbing weren't allowed.
We walked through Green Park to Buckingham Palace.
We had some sandwiches in the park by a pond. While we were sitting on the bench, a kid walked by and asked his dad, "Is the Queen only allowed to swim in there?"
The rest of the day isn't very interesting. We went back to the hostel and took a nap, then went to McDonalds to use the wireless because the hostel's wireless hasn't been working. It is now, though! It took a really long time to connect.
I'm sad, though! We didn't get to go on any walking tours. There's a haunted London one, but I didn't realize it until it was too late to go. On Sunday, there's a Harry Potter tour, but we won't be here then.
Tomorrow, we leave for Paris, but first we're planning to go to the British Library (lugging our enormous packs... -Allen).
We went to the Petticoat Lane Market, but didn't buy anything, although I wanted to. There were a lot of cute clothes, but I don't really have space for anything. Then, we went to Brixton Market because Allen wanted to buy some fruit, but all we got were little oranges. (Ten for a pound!!! -Allen)
After that, we went to the Tate Modern. There were a lot of weird things, but I actually liked the surrealism exhibit. They had a nice Dali painting. There was also a Monet painting and some Picassos in another exhibit. Other than those, the best part was the giant table and chairs. Unfortunately, pictures and climbing weren't allowed.
We walked through Green Park to Buckingham Palace.
We had some sandwiches in the park by a pond. While we were sitting on the bench, a kid walked by and asked his dad, "Is the Queen only allowed to swim in there?"
The rest of the day isn't very interesting. We went back to the hostel and took a nap, then went to McDonalds to use the wireless because the hostel's wireless hasn't been working. It is now, though! It took a really long time to connect.
I'm sad, though! We didn't get to go on any walking tours. There's a haunted London one, but I didn't realize it until it was too late to go. On Sunday, there's a Harry Potter tour, but we won't be here then.
Tomorrow, we leave for Paris, but first we're planning to go to the British Library (lugging our enormous packs... -Allen).
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
18/06/09 - London Day 2
Mairead claims to have only slept two hours. I slept ~4. We woke up at ~4 AM, and went downstairs at 5 to send out an e-mail to our parents, and update the blog.
Today's Plans:
British Museum
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery
Hopefully I'll get an internet connection on my netbook somewhere, and be able to upload pictures.
Update:
We ended up doing everything listed. The British museum was pretty cool. They have a lot of stuff from ancient Egypt and Assyria:
Radey's favorite items were the obelisks and the Egyptian false doors.
After the British Museum, we went to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed within the Gallery.
After wandering the gallery for a while, jetlag and lack of sleep caught up with me. Radey seems to be dealing with it quite well >.>. We went to a pub and had lunch, hoping that would help. I had fish and chips, and Mairead had a cheese and chutney sandwich. We also tried a Pimm's, which was quite good. The lunch made me more tired, if anything. We wandered to Westminster Abby, and then headed back.
After a nap, we went out to Piccadilly Circus and walked all over.
Regent's Street has a bunch of large/classy shops. We went back to the hostel after this, picking up some chocolate, a Subway sandwich, and yogurt on the way. After eating, we went to bed.
Today's Plans:
British Museum
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery
Hopefully I'll get an internet connection on my netbook somewhere, and be able to upload pictures.
Update:
We ended up doing everything listed. The British museum was pretty cool. They have a lot of stuff from ancient Egypt and Assyria:
Radey's favorite items were the obelisks and the Egyptian false doors.
After the British Museum, we went to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed within the Gallery.
After wandering the gallery for a while, jetlag and lack of sleep caught up with me. Radey seems to be dealing with it quite well >.>. We went to a pub and had lunch, hoping that would help. I had fish and chips, and Mairead had a cheese and chutney sandwich. We also tried a Pimm's, which was quite good. The lunch made me more tired, if anything. We wandered to Westminster Abby, and then headed back.
After a nap, we went out to Piccadilly Circus and walked all over.
Regent's Street has a bunch of large/classy shops. We went back to the hostel after this, picking up some chocolate, a Subway sandwich, and yogurt on the way. After eating, we went to bed.
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