Day 15 - 22 Sept 09:
A lot of people decided to rent cars today to get into town and Bec, Amanda and I decided to try and catch the bus into town because it was heaps cheapest option.
We get up and dressed and decide to try and catch the 11.30 bus into town. There are about 10 of us that are waiting to catch the bus. We all waited for about 30 minutes and then some people gave in and got cabs and so Amanda, Bec and I waited until 12.45 for the bus. We then decide that we were going to lay by the pool instead and catch up on some sleep. We walk to the market up the road and get some snacks. The biggest ice cream cone EVER!! And a packet of chips. We take our food and go to lay by the pool and 10 minutes later….what shows up….THE BUS!!! “Oh well!” We lay by the pool and some other people show up and we are having a good time.
We had dinner by the pool and then rented our sheets for the Toga Party later that night. We headed back to our room and got ready for the Toga Party. Only I paid attention during the demonstration of toga making so I dress Amanda, Bec and myself. Bec went on the hunt for greenery and comes back with an awesome find; so much stuff to choose from!! We get dressed and decide to have some pre-drinks in our room because we bought Grappa in Sorrento and did not want to carry it around anymore. Grappa is pretty much the Italian version of Eau d’Vie. We each have a shot of it and just about die. We head down the hill and find some other people partying on their balcony. We go and get the Grappa and convince some others to have some shots as well. The pictures are priceless!!
Finally get down to the Toga Party and roll in Posse style! The drinks and dancing commences and Amanda even danced!!! It proceeded to be a messy night and whoever decided that a tile dance floor would be the best was stupid. People are spilling their drinks, which I contributed to as well, and dropping bottles and such. I definitely got taken out on the dance floor and hit my knees pretty hard as well as my head. Bec buys me a drink and we do yoga breaths and Amanda takes me up to the room to make sure I don’t have a concussion. So my night is cut short but the stories the next morning are amazing!!
25.9.09
I’m On a Boat!
Day 14 - 21 Sept 09:
Waken up by a call at 8.30 fro Chachi that says, ‘The bus was meant to leave 2 minutes ago, get down here.’
After the mess of last night, no one knew what time breakfast and George’s Boat was! During Chachi’s introductions of the optionals, he did not give us a choice, we had to do this one; 30E gone.
Definitely 30E well spent. We got onto George’s Boat and got an introduction and we were off to do some water sports at our first stop. We get there and I was not planning on doing anything but sleeping on the beach and trying to catch up on my sleep from the night before that I did not get.
But after watching the first few people do Parasailing, it looked way too fun to not do. Bec and I decide that the 32.50E is worth it to parasail. We are watching everybody take off and some are graceful and some almost hit the deck during takeoff. It was Bec and my’s goal to look at least a little bit graceful.
We were number 12 and when Bec was running down the deck to take off, she couldn’t run properly and we didn’t realize that the reason she could not run properly was because she was not sitting in her harness correctly. Now she wasn’t going to fall to her death, but she was definitely uncomfortable for the 5 minutes we were up in the air. While I am sitting in the harness, Bec is definitely star fishing it in her harness. Bec’s camera is waterproof so we took it up in the air with us and got some photos.
After parasailing we had lunch and fought with the wasps. Who would have thought that there would be some big ass wasps and hornets in Greece? Not me, that’s for sure. We had our first take of Tziki (sp?) dip. Garlic and cucumber!! Yummy!!
After lunch a bunch of us decided that we were going to ride on the banana raft. The Banana is a raft that holds 10 people sitting in 2 lines of 5. It was tons of fun but the hardest thing to get back into when you fall off! There were lots of sore people the next day from trying to get back into that dang banana!
We laid on the beach for a while, while everyone was doing tubes and stuff and we left about 3pm from water sports.
We then headed to Skinny Dippy Island. Yes, the name implies exactly what you are thinking, and I’m thinking, “When in Greece…” 41 out of 50 partook in Skinny Dippy Island #1. My tip for skinny dipping, take your swimsuit with you into the water and go first!
We then got back on the boat, George informs us that that was a practice round and we were now going to the real Skinny Dippy Island. Only 20 of us partook in Skinny Dippy Island #2, still great fun though.
When we got back we took a nap in our room and woke up for dinner. There was going to be a pool party later that night and we wanted to be fresh for the party. We got up for dinner and decided to take another nap between dinner and the party because we had about 2 hours. We woke up 14 hours later at 9 the next morning…Whoops!
Waken up by a call at 8.30 fro Chachi that says, ‘The bus was meant to leave 2 minutes ago, get down here.’
After the mess of last night, no one knew what time breakfast and George’s Boat was! During Chachi’s introductions of the optionals, he did not give us a choice, we had to do this one; 30E gone.
Definitely 30E well spent. We got onto George’s Boat and got an introduction and we were off to do some water sports at our first stop. We get there and I was not planning on doing anything but sleeping on the beach and trying to catch up on my sleep from the night before that I did not get.
But after watching the first few people do Parasailing, it looked way too fun to not do. Bec and I decide that the 32.50E is worth it to parasail. We are watching everybody take off and some are graceful and some almost hit the deck during takeoff. It was Bec and my’s goal to look at least a little bit graceful.
We were number 12 and when Bec was running down the deck to take off, she couldn’t run properly and we didn’t realize that the reason she could not run properly was because she was not sitting in her harness correctly. Now she wasn’t going to fall to her death, but she was definitely uncomfortable for the 5 minutes we were up in the air. While I am sitting in the harness, Bec is definitely star fishing it in her harness. Bec’s camera is waterproof so we took it up in the air with us and got some photos.
After parasailing we had lunch and fought with the wasps. Who would have thought that there would be some big ass wasps and hornets in Greece? Not me, that’s for sure. We had our first take of Tziki (sp?) dip. Garlic and cucumber!! Yummy!!
After lunch a bunch of us decided that we were going to ride on the banana raft. The Banana is a raft that holds 10 people sitting in 2 lines of 5. It was tons of fun but the hardest thing to get back into when you fall off! There were lots of sore people the next day from trying to get back into that dang banana!
We laid on the beach for a while, while everyone was doing tubes and stuff and we left about 3pm from water sports.
We then headed to Skinny Dippy Island. Yes, the name implies exactly what you are thinking, and I’m thinking, “When in Greece…” 41 out of 50 partook in Skinny Dippy Island #1. My tip for skinny dipping, take your swimsuit with you into the water and go first!
We then got back on the boat, George informs us that that was a practice round and we were now going to the real Skinny Dippy Island. Only 20 of us partook in Skinny Dippy Island #2, still great fun though.
When we got back we took a nap in our room and woke up for dinner. There was going to be a pool party later that night and we wanted to be fresh for the party. We got up for dinner and decided to take another nap between dinner and the party because we had about 2 hours. We woke up 14 hours later at 9 the next morning…Whoops!
Corfu-licious
Day 13 - 20 Sept 09:
We had to be on the bus by 7 to make our 2pm ferry to Corfu. Everyone slept on the bus and Idim being the machine that he is, we skipped our first services stop and went straight onto the second.
Now that we were heading into Greece we had to learn that everything runs on ‘ish’ time. So this means that if the bus is supposed to come at 2.00, it won’t actually come at 2, it will come at 2-ish. Trying to drive us punctual Americans nuts, they are! Haha.
So our ferry was supposed to leave at 2, but being on -ish time, it definitely did not leave at 2, more like 2.45; our first lesson in -ish time.
Once on the ferry we ordered our tour t-shirts, and then I went for a mad nap!! I woke up in time for dinner and joined everyone on the back patio for some convo. Dinner was good and despite leaving the dock late, we arrived into Corfu on time.
Once we got to Corfu Village we loaded our bags into a van to get them up the hill, after the hill in Sorrento, I’m thinking ‘This hill can’t be worse than that…’ WRONG!!!
We meet the reps and go up to our rooms. This hill is like driving up the side of a mountain doing switchbacks….and we have to walk it because our rooms are halfway up the hill, not as bad as they could have been, but not the best either.
We get our bags and go explore our new rooms. After 4 nights of having no room where we were sleeping, our room was HUGE in Corfu!! Bec, Amanda and I decided to room together because at the end of the day, we do not have to be social with each other, we can just lay in bed and sleep, good choice!
They opened up the bar for us and we met Spiros…..Spiros is the best bartender in the world!! He makes mad strong drinks for the 5E we are paying for a cocktail, definitely worth it. In most of his drinks, there is 2/3 alcohol and 1/3 mixer!! Needless to say that after 3 of Spiros’ cocktails and a flurry of no sleep, there is some nakedness that ensues at the pool downstairs later.
Finally went to bed and 4.30am.
George’s Boat Tomorrow!!
We had to be on the bus by 7 to make our 2pm ferry to Corfu. Everyone slept on the bus and Idim being the machine that he is, we skipped our first services stop and went straight onto the second.
Now that we were heading into Greece we had to learn that everything runs on ‘ish’ time. So this means that if the bus is supposed to come at 2.00, it won’t actually come at 2, it will come at 2-ish. Trying to drive us punctual Americans nuts, they are! Haha.
So our ferry was supposed to leave at 2, but being on -ish time, it definitely did not leave at 2, more like 2.45; our first lesson in -ish time.
Once on the ferry we ordered our tour t-shirts, and then I went for a mad nap!! I woke up in time for dinner and joined everyone on the back patio for some convo. Dinner was good and despite leaving the dock late, we arrived into Corfu on time.
Once we got to Corfu Village we loaded our bags into a van to get them up the hill, after the hill in Sorrento, I’m thinking ‘This hill can’t be worse than that…’ WRONG!!!
We meet the reps and go up to our rooms. This hill is like driving up the side of a mountain doing switchbacks….and we have to walk it because our rooms are halfway up the hill, not as bad as they could have been, but not the best either.
We get our bags and go explore our new rooms. After 4 nights of having no room where we were sleeping, our room was HUGE in Corfu!! Bec, Amanda and I decided to room together because at the end of the day, we do not have to be social with each other, we can just lay in bed and sleep, good choice!
They opened up the bar for us and we met Spiros…..Spiros is the best bartender in the world!! He makes mad strong drinks for the 5E we are paying for a cocktail, definitely worth it. In most of his drinks, there is 2/3 alcohol and 1/3 mixer!! Needless to say that after 3 of Spiros’ cocktails and a flurry of no sleep, there is some nakedness that ensues at the pool downstairs later.
Finally went to bed and 4.30am.
George’s Boat Tomorrow!!
The Vatican, Real Italy (Sorrento), and the BEST Gelato EVER!!
Day 11 - 19 Sept 09:
This morning we got to go to the Vatican.
Yesterday Chachi had told us to not join a tour that we didn’t pay for because it was tacky…but today he tells us to do so because that way we don’t have to stand inline between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica…this is our plan for the day.
We get to the entrance to the Vatican and have to stand in line because it isn’t open yet. Chachi leaves us and meets us later.
Once inside the Vatican you can only go into the Sistine Chapel building from the security checkpoint. The building winds its way through a museum of sorts of Christian art. There is everything from tapestries to paintings to contemporary art as well. We finally got to the Sistine Chapel. I was surprised that it wasn’t round, I had expected it to be round, it was square instead. At first while inside I was not sure that it was the Sistine Chapel but after looking around and seeing all the people and guards walking around making sure that people weren’t taking pictures. Of course Bec and I got some sneaky pictures…who do you take us for?
After leaving the Sistine Chapel we tack onto a tour and walk through the tombs of the Popes. The only security guards were around Pope John Paul II’s tomb. After walking out of the Sistine Chapel we realize that the tour we tacked onto isn’t speaking English…haha…so we find a tour that is speaking English and attempt to follow them into St. Peters Basilica. We made a mistake, it looked like the building of St. Peter’s Basilica was the building we just came out of so we left the tour we were following and just decided to get in on our own.
After we got into St. Peter’s Square we took a look at the line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica and it was horribly long….so what do Bec and I do? Cut about 3,000 people in line! YAY for acting like pushy American Tourists!!! So at this checkpoint to get into St. Peter’s Basilica they are just checking bags. There is a wooden fence that starts the line and then the line wraps around St. Peter’s Square. Bec and I walk over to the wooden fence, just where it ends and when the line moves, we just cut in line….and it works!! We only waited in line for about 10 minutes.
Once inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the church that they have pulled apart Rome for, it is beautiful. There is so much to look at, from the floor to the ceiling and everything on the walls.
Chachi meets us after St. Peter’s Basilica to take us to lunch and a pizza place that is quick so that we can get on the road to Sorrento. The pizza place is small and so we don’t all fit inside. I get inside and get lunch for me and Bec. I get just what looks like bruschetta and cheese pizza. Its only when I get outside that I realize that the ‘bruschetta’ had anchovies on it….Bec and I spilt the cheese pizza and Bec, with her traveler’s hat on, Bec decided to try an anchovy. She spits it out immediately and then gags…needless to say that we threw out the rest of the pizza.
We walk to the train station to meet Idim at the end of the line to get on the bus to drive to Sorrento. We go into the train station and Chachi sends us down to the platform to get on the train. When the train comes, my group assumes that Chachi is with the other group and vice versa. It is about 30 seconds in, that we realize that Chachi isn’t on the train…what to do, what to do….he didn’t tell us exactly where we were going, “Oh Well.” There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians when this problem arose. We get off at the second stop and decide to wait to see if Chachi is on the next train. He is! We get on and meet Idim at the end of the line.
We drive to Pompeii and get our first experience of the mafia. They pay the coach’s parking fees in return for us eating at their restaurant. We have about 20 minutes and then have to meet our tour guide for our walking tour of Pompeii.
1/3 of Pompeii is still under ash and will never be recovered. We saw everything from bakeries to a snack store to the city brothel!! Inside the brothel there were frescos on the wall for the customers to pick as to what they wanted.
On the drive from Pompeii to Sorrento we saw a Lemonade Stand!! It was a giant plastic lemon complete with lemon squeezer!! Too bad we didn’t stop to see how their lemonade compares…
Once in Sorrento it was nice to be in ‘Real Italy.’ There were no other tour buses and we were not hassled at all. We had a bit of free time before dinner and walked around a market street. Some of the stuff was beautiful!!
Dinner was very nice and very Italian!! After dinner we had some more free time until we went to the campsite. Bec, Andrew and I walked to the end of the street and went into an Italian Supermarket and bought some grappa. Chachi told us about his favorite gelato place in all of Italy. There were probably 100 flavors of gelato. It took me about 15 minutes to decide what flavors to get. I decided on chocolate orange, chocolate mousse and a Kinder flavor (Kinder is a brand of candy). It was very very good, if anyone ever goes there it is on the main street in Sorrento and about 3 blocks up on the right-hand side with a waterfall on the inside…you cant miss it.
Once we got to the campsite, we had to walk down a giant hill After getting to our closet of a room, Bec and I walk back up the giant hill to get Wifi!! First Wifi of the trip!! On the way back to our cabins we get lost….we walked around the campsite in the dark for about 30 minutes before meeting up with Amanda and T who are also lost. We get to a point where we see our cabin name on a sign but can’t find it. We start calling ‘Chachi!!!’ and who walks down the hill with his suitcase, CHACHI!!! We are laughing and cracking up so much that he first asks who is sober, Bec and I raise our hands, and he points us in the right direction. Our cabin had a beautiful view of the water. We were bums that night and went to sleep cos we had to leave early the next day.
This morning we got to go to the Vatican.
Yesterday Chachi had told us to not join a tour that we didn’t pay for because it was tacky…but today he tells us to do so because that way we don’t have to stand inline between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica…this is our plan for the day.
We get to the entrance to the Vatican and have to stand in line because it isn’t open yet. Chachi leaves us and meets us later.
Once inside the Vatican you can only go into the Sistine Chapel building from the security checkpoint. The building winds its way through a museum of sorts of Christian art. There is everything from tapestries to paintings to contemporary art as well. We finally got to the Sistine Chapel. I was surprised that it wasn’t round, I had expected it to be round, it was square instead. At first while inside I was not sure that it was the Sistine Chapel but after looking around and seeing all the people and guards walking around making sure that people weren’t taking pictures. Of course Bec and I got some sneaky pictures…who do you take us for?
After leaving the Sistine Chapel we tack onto a tour and walk through the tombs of the Popes. The only security guards were around Pope John Paul II’s tomb. After walking out of the Sistine Chapel we realize that the tour we tacked onto isn’t speaking English…haha…so we find a tour that is speaking English and attempt to follow them into St. Peters Basilica. We made a mistake, it looked like the building of St. Peter’s Basilica was the building we just came out of so we left the tour we were following and just decided to get in on our own.
After we got into St. Peter’s Square we took a look at the line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica and it was horribly long….so what do Bec and I do? Cut about 3,000 people in line! YAY for acting like pushy American Tourists!!! So at this checkpoint to get into St. Peter’s Basilica they are just checking bags. There is a wooden fence that starts the line and then the line wraps around St. Peter’s Square. Bec and I walk over to the wooden fence, just where it ends and when the line moves, we just cut in line….and it works!! We only waited in line for about 10 minutes.
Once inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the church that they have pulled apart Rome for, it is beautiful. There is so much to look at, from the floor to the ceiling and everything on the walls.
Chachi meets us after St. Peter’s Basilica to take us to lunch and a pizza place that is quick so that we can get on the road to Sorrento. The pizza place is small and so we don’t all fit inside. I get inside and get lunch for me and Bec. I get just what looks like bruschetta and cheese pizza. Its only when I get outside that I realize that the ‘bruschetta’ had anchovies on it….Bec and I spilt the cheese pizza and Bec, with her traveler’s hat on, Bec decided to try an anchovy. She spits it out immediately and then gags…needless to say that we threw out the rest of the pizza.
We walk to the train station to meet Idim at the end of the line to get on the bus to drive to Sorrento. We go into the train station and Chachi sends us down to the platform to get on the train. When the train comes, my group assumes that Chachi is with the other group and vice versa. It is about 30 seconds in, that we realize that Chachi isn’t on the train…what to do, what to do….he didn’t tell us exactly where we were going, “Oh Well.” There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians when this problem arose. We get off at the second stop and decide to wait to see if Chachi is on the next train. He is! We get on and meet Idim at the end of the line.
We drive to Pompeii and get our first experience of the mafia. They pay the coach’s parking fees in return for us eating at their restaurant. We have about 20 minutes and then have to meet our tour guide for our walking tour of Pompeii.
1/3 of Pompeii is still under ash and will never be recovered. We saw everything from bakeries to a snack store to the city brothel!! Inside the brothel there were frescos on the wall for the customers to pick as to what they wanted.
On the drive from Pompeii to Sorrento we saw a Lemonade Stand!! It was a giant plastic lemon complete with lemon squeezer!! Too bad we didn’t stop to see how their lemonade compares…
Once in Sorrento it was nice to be in ‘Real Italy.’ There were no other tour buses and we were not hassled at all. We had a bit of free time before dinner and walked around a market street. Some of the stuff was beautiful!!
Dinner was very nice and very Italian!! After dinner we had some more free time until we went to the campsite. Bec, Andrew and I walked to the end of the street and went into an Italian Supermarket and bought some grappa. Chachi told us about his favorite gelato place in all of Italy. There were probably 100 flavors of gelato. It took me about 15 minutes to decide what flavors to get. I decided on chocolate orange, chocolate mousse and a Kinder flavor (Kinder is a brand of candy). It was very very good, if anyone ever goes there it is on the main street in Sorrento and about 3 blocks up on the right-hand side with a waterfall on the inside…you cant miss it.
Once we got to the campsite, we had to walk down a giant hill After getting to our closet of a room, Bec and I walk back up the giant hill to get Wifi!! First Wifi of the trip!! On the way back to our cabins we get lost….we walked around the campsite in the dark for about 30 minutes before meeting up with Amanda and T who are also lost. We get to a point where we see our cabin name on a sign but can’t find it. We start calling ‘Chachi!!!’ and who walks down the hill with his suitcase, CHACHI!!! We are laughing and cracking up so much that he first asks who is sober, Bec and I raise our hands, and he points us in the right direction. Our cabin had a beautiful view of the water. We were bums that night and went to sleep cos we had to leave early the next day.
When In Rome....
Day 10 - 18 Sept 09:
Today was a whirlwind of events. Because of the ferry schedule for Corfu, we only got 1 night in Rome instead of 2, but we got 1 night in Sorrento instead, a bonus of sorts for us.
Today we were on the bus at 7 after a long night out at Space. Everyone on the bus slept until 10, when we had to get off at the services. Even Chachi got in some shut eye!! We got into Rome at about 12.
Once in Rome, Chachi took us to see the Spanish Steps, which get their name because the Spanish Embassy is right across the street, way to go you lazy Italians with your naming of stuff! He also took us to see the Trevi Fountain which I did throw coins into for good luck! Bec’s mum messaged her with her tips of the day for Rome. The most important one was that Mum had the best gelato she reckons she’s ever had near the Trevi Fountain…so what do Bec and I do? We get gelato, it was only after getting gelato that we realize that Chachi had left us! So…we ran to catch up with the group. After catching up with them, Bec and I realized that the only 2 things we will ever run for are alcohol and gelato!! The Trevi Fountain was short and sweet because we had a walking tour to get to.
For our optional walking tour our guide’s name was Gabriella. We met her and immediately walked to the Roman Forum. I couldn’t believe that Rome is a city on top of a city, meaning that Rome from the Romans time was 5 meters below what Rome is today. There are 4 levels of Rome going as deep as 10 meters!! Gabriella didn’t give us as much information as I had hoped. It was a combination of being hungover and really hot that made all of us not pay a whole lot of attention. Gabriella then took us to the Coliseum (?). The Catholic Church stripped the seats from the Coliseum for St. Peters Basilica.
After leaving the Coliseum we were all hankering for some water, and we found the best thing of all!! FROZEN WATERBOTTLES!!! I didn’t care that they were 2E apiece, they were fabulous indeed!!
At the Coliseum one of the girls on the tour, Tegan, collapsed and we found out that she had left Australia with appendicitis without having it removed. We call Chachi and he meets her and Alana at the train station and take her to the local emergency room.
After the Coliseum we meet our tour back at the meeting spot and wait for Chachi for about 30 minutes. Chachi meets us and takes us to see the Pantheon. While we were there we couldn’t get in because there was a wedding inside the Pantheon!! I got a peek inside and it was beautiful. The Pantheon has no electricity going to it, the only light is the hole in the ceiling.
We then walked to have our walkabout dinner in Rome. Chachi was heading back to the hospital to meet Tegan, so Idim was going to pick us up in the Piazza Navona after dinner. Bec, Amanda and I met up with a couple of the other girls and I had pasta with red sauce and bacon…very, very good!!
We meet Idim after dinner and head back to the campsite in the dark for our quick turnover in Rome.
The Cabins were very nice! The rooms were huge and the cabins are new this year, its too bad that we don’t get to stay there another night.
Today was a whirlwind of events. Because of the ferry schedule for Corfu, we only got 1 night in Rome instead of 2, but we got 1 night in Sorrento instead, a bonus of sorts for us.
Today we were on the bus at 7 after a long night out at Space. Everyone on the bus slept until 10, when we had to get off at the services. Even Chachi got in some shut eye!! We got into Rome at about 12.
Once in Rome, Chachi took us to see the Spanish Steps, which get their name because the Spanish Embassy is right across the street, way to go you lazy Italians with your naming of stuff! He also took us to see the Trevi Fountain which I did throw coins into for good luck! Bec’s mum messaged her with her tips of the day for Rome. The most important one was that Mum had the best gelato she reckons she’s ever had near the Trevi Fountain…so what do Bec and I do? We get gelato, it was only after getting gelato that we realize that Chachi had left us! So…we ran to catch up with the group. After catching up with them, Bec and I realized that the only 2 things we will ever run for are alcohol and gelato!! The Trevi Fountain was short and sweet because we had a walking tour to get to.
For our optional walking tour our guide’s name was Gabriella. We met her and immediately walked to the Roman Forum. I couldn’t believe that Rome is a city on top of a city, meaning that Rome from the Romans time was 5 meters below what Rome is today. There are 4 levels of Rome going as deep as 10 meters!! Gabriella didn’t give us as much information as I had hoped. It was a combination of being hungover and really hot that made all of us not pay a whole lot of attention. Gabriella then took us to the Coliseum (?). The Catholic Church stripped the seats from the Coliseum for St. Peters Basilica.
After leaving the Coliseum we were all hankering for some water, and we found the best thing of all!! FROZEN WATERBOTTLES!!! I didn’t care that they were 2E apiece, they were fabulous indeed!!
At the Coliseum one of the girls on the tour, Tegan, collapsed and we found out that she had left Australia with appendicitis without having it removed. We call Chachi and he meets her and Alana at the train station and take her to the local emergency room.
After the Coliseum we meet our tour back at the meeting spot and wait for Chachi for about 30 minutes. Chachi meets us and takes us to see the Pantheon. While we were there we couldn’t get in because there was a wedding inside the Pantheon!! I got a peek inside and it was beautiful. The Pantheon has no electricity going to it, the only light is the hole in the ceiling.
We then walked to have our walkabout dinner in Rome. Chachi was heading back to the hospital to meet Tegan, so Idim was going to pick us up in the Piazza Navona after dinner. Bec, Amanda and I met up with a couple of the other girls and I had pasta with red sauce and bacon…very, very good!!
We meet Idim after dinner and head back to the campsite in the dark for our quick turnover in Rome.
The Cabins were very nice! The rooms were huge and the cabins are new this year, its too bad that we don’t get to stay there another night.
SPACE!!!
Day 9 - 17 Sept 09:
Today was our free day in Florence.
We started off at a leather demonstration as Florence is famous for its leather. We had a crash course on how to tell the fake stuff from the real stuff…look for suede! They also had a gold and silver shop where I bought a Turkish puzzle ring. If you take if off it falls apart.
After the leather works tour we had some free time to wander around Florence before our walking tour. Bec, Amanda and I went to a market and I bought a leather tie on bracelet for dirt cheap, don’t really care if its real leather or not haha.
On our walking tour the main thing we saw was the Duomo. It was an absolutely huge building with green and white stripes and designs on the outside and a red dome. The thing that suck out to me the most is that it is all naturally colored!
After our walking tour, we had an Italian lunch of pizza and bruschetta and to line up to see David at the Academia Gallery. We waited in line for about 45 minutes to get inside. David is made from one block of marble and is absolutely HUGE!! I didn’t expect it to be that big. There is no taking photos of him, but Bec snuck one anyways haha, that rebel.
Tonight was the optional Tuscan dinner. Everyone on the tour did it. It was so much food that by the time it got to the main dishes, after having bruschetta, 2 types of pasta, and bread I was so full that I didn’t even eat the mains!! Wine and water was also included in the dinner, although these waiters were not as lenient as our French waiters were with the vino.
After dinner we walked to the Space Electronic Disco! Immediately after leaving dinner we saw a bar that advertised 5E for 5 shots!! So what did Bec and I do…went to the bar to get our 5 Euro worth and then had to run to catch up with the group!!
It was only after we got to Space that Bec remembered that she needed to get money out. I went with her and we walked for 20 minutes through a pretty dodgy part of Florence to get her the money so she could drink.
At the bar they are cash free and you get a card to give to the bartender to punch every time you get a drink. Once one section is full, you pay for what you have drunken at the cashier and get another card. Our bartender was Gigi, even though the bar was cash free, if you gave Gigi a cash tip, he would make you a very stiff drink!!
I don’t even know what time I got back to the campsite, but I knew that we were leaving at 7 am the next morning for Rome.
Today was our free day in Florence.
We started off at a leather demonstration as Florence is famous for its leather. We had a crash course on how to tell the fake stuff from the real stuff…look for suede! They also had a gold and silver shop where I bought a Turkish puzzle ring. If you take if off it falls apart.
After the leather works tour we had some free time to wander around Florence before our walking tour. Bec, Amanda and I went to a market and I bought a leather tie on bracelet for dirt cheap, don’t really care if its real leather or not haha.
On our walking tour the main thing we saw was the Duomo. It was an absolutely huge building with green and white stripes and designs on the outside and a red dome. The thing that suck out to me the most is that it is all naturally colored!
After our walking tour, we had an Italian lunch of pizza and bruschetta and to line up to see David at the Academia Gallery. We waited in line for about 45 minutes to get inside. David is made from one block of marble and is absolutely HUGE!! I didn’t expect it to be that big. There is no taking photos of him, but Bec snuck one anyways haha, that rebel.
Tonight was the optional Tuscan dinner. Everyone on the tour did it. It was so much food that by the time it got to the main dishes, after having bruschetta, 2 types of pasta, and bread I was so full that I didn’t even eat the mains!! Wine and water was also included in the dinner, although these waiters were not as lenient as our French waiters were with the vino.
After dinner we walked to the Space Electronic Disco! Immediately after leaving dinner we saw a bar that advertised 5E for 5 shots!! So what did Bec and I do…went to the bar to get our 5 Euro worth and then had to run to catch up with the group!!
It was only after we got to Space that Bec remembered that she needed to get money out. I went with her and we walked for 20 minutes through a pretty dodgy part of Florence to get her the money so she could drink.
At the bar they are cash free and you get a card to give to the bartender to punch every time you get a drink. Once one section is full, you pay for what you have drunken at the cashier and get another card. Our bartender was Gigi, even though the bar was cash free, if you gave Gigi a cash tip, he would make you a very stiff drink!!
I don’t even know what time I got back to the campsite, but I knew that we were leaving at 7 am the next morning for Rome.
Firenze
Day 8 - 16 Sep 09:
Today was a travel day from Antibes to Florence.
On the way we stopped at a traditional French Perfumery to see how perfume is made. They use all natural ingredients and use a steaming process to make the perfumes. They make traditional perfume, eau de toilette, eau de parfum and cologne. They all have a different concentration of perfume, with perfume being the highest at 24% and cologne being the least at 5%.
Our next stop was in Pisa. The tower was so incredible. You can’t believe that the tower is leaning that much. We just stopped to see the tower as there is nothing of interest in Pisa besides the tower. The tower is in the middle of a courtyard with other buildings around it! I was under the impression that it was by itself, not with other buildings around it. Amanda, Bec and I then proceeded to take the traditional photos of holding the tower up. We tried to get creative and succeeded a bit.
We got to the Florence campsite and drove back into Florence to go to a Karaoke Bar called the Red Garter. The karaoke bar is an American Bar. We were there for happy hour and got a 1 Liter pitcher of cocktails for 15 Euro!! Bec and I split a pitcher of Long Island Californian…so instead of the coke it had orange and cranberry juice.
All 3 of us made the smart decision and went back with Idim on the coach at 10.15. We would be thanking our stars tomorrow.
Today was a travel day from Antibes to Florence.
On the way we stopped at a traditional French Perfumery to see how perfume is made. They use all natural ingredients and use a steaming process to make the perfumes. They make traditional perfume, eau de toilette, eau de parfum and cologne. They all have a different concentration of perfume, with perfume being the highest at 24% and cologne being the least at 5%.
Our next stop was in Pisa. The tower was so incredible. You can’t believe that the tower is leaning that much. We just stopped to see the tower as there is nothing of interest in Pisa besides the tower. The tower is in the middle of a courtyard with other buildings around it! I was under the impression that it was by itself, not with other buildings around it. Amanda, Bec and I then proceeded to take the traditional photos of holding the tower up. We tried to get creative and succeeded a bit.
We got to the Florence campsite and drove back into Florence to go to a Karaoke Bar called the Red Garter. The karaoke bar is an American Bar. We were there for happy hour and got a 1 Liter pitcher of cocktails for 15 Euro!! Bec and I split a pitcher of Long Island Californian…so instead of the coke it had orange and cranberry juice.
All 3 of us made the smart decision and went back with Idim on the coach at 10.15. We would be thanking our stars tomorrow.
Nice is not Nice, but wet!!
Day 7 - 15 Sep 09:
Today we could choose to go to either Nice or Cannes or stay at the campsite. The majority of people went to Nice. We walked with a VERY hungover Chachi to the train station where he pointed us in the right direction and went back to bed. (We found out later that his tab at the bar was 150 Euro!!)
The train took about 30 minutes to get into Nice and we proceeded to walk down the main street, Avenue Jean Medicin, towards the Beach. We all had our swimsuits on in hopes of laying on the beach today. The sky was overcast and we were hoping the sun would show itself at some point. Amanda, Bec and I walked through the old part of Nice and found a farmers market. I bought some of the reddest strawberries I had ever seen!! They were very good too.
We were heading off to ‘Le Chateau’ to see a birds-eye-view of Nice. On our way we
decided that we had to stop and get Amanda a crepe because it was our last day in France and crepes are oh so French. We ate our very French crepe at a very French café and decided that we needed to put our feet in the very French French Riviera. The beaches in Nice are not of the sand variety, instead they are of the pebble variety. The rocks on the beach are very smoothed out from the salt water. Bec and I put our feet in the water and despite the cloudiness of the day, it was not too cold.
The 90 meter climb to the top of ‘Le Chateau’ was hard with a sick Bec in tow. She was such a trooper, not whinging at all!! The top was very beautiful, but would have been better with the sun out. We could still see the very distinct blue of the Mediterranean Sea as well as all the way up the coast of Nice to the airport.
At the top of ‘Le Chateau’ we made a plan, McDonalds, supermarket, then train home. Simple enough, right?
Now all of us do not normally eat McDonalds at home and you may ask, “Why are you going to McDonalds if you are in France, of all places?” Well to answer your question it is because they serve beer at McDonalds in France. Yes it is the afternoon but we are kind of hungry and decide that we need to soak up the tourist moment and get a beer at McDonalds. We order and go to sit down, crack open our beers and take the obligatory tourist photos. We then discover that the beer is not good AT ALL!! It is pretty much the equivalent of Key Light back home. We enjoy a few sips of our beer and our meal and head to the supermarket.
It is our last day in France and we decide that we need to have one last meal of Baguette and Cheese. We get our baguette and Laughing Cow cheese and head for the train…no dramas here….
On the way to the train station it starts to sprinkle. We get to the train station and realize that we have no clue where we are going and ask a station employee. They point us in the right direction and we proceed to the platform and get on the train. Expecting the train to go immediately, we get a bit irritated that it is still sitting there 10 minutes later. We sit on the train for an hour, and all 4 of us, Bec, Amanda, Alana and I take a nap. When we woke up and we were still in the Nice Station, we were worried that we were not on the right train and that we had missed ours. Bec gets up to confirm that we are on the right train and we are so no drama there…but now…why isn’t the train moving!?!?!?!
We eventually did get back to our stop, ‘Biot’ and now it is pouring buckets!! We catch up with Kim, Morgan, Carrin and Bradley getting off the train as well and begin the walk back to the campground. During the walk, it is raining enough and rain makes puddles and I got splashed by a bus driving through a puddle, good thing we are almost back to the campsite.
I went straight to the shower when I got back, it was a good, hot shower; the first real HOT shower I’ve had in 4 days. Amanda and I played cards until dinner. At dinner we
met Louie and Louise from Louisiana. They are Romi’s love handles. Romi is South African and has been living in America for 3 months and now she has Louie and Louise. She came up with these names, so don’t think that we did!!
Went to the bar after dinner and hung out there for a while, kinda a quiet night. Off to bed.
Today we could choose to go to either Nice or Cannes or stay at the campsite. The majority of people went to Nice. We walked with a VERY hungover Chachi to the train station where he pointed us in the right direction and went back to bed. (We found out later that his tab at the bar was 150 Euro!!)
The train took about 30 minutes to get into Nice and we proceeded to walk down the main street, Avenue Jean Medicin, towards the Beach. We all had our swimsuits on in hopes of laying on the beach today. The sky was overcast and we were hoping the sun would show itself at some point. Amanda, Bec and I walked through the old part of Nice and found a farmers market. I bought some of the reddest strawberries I had ever seen!! They were very good too.
We were heading off to ‘Le Chateau’ to see a birds-eye-view of Nice. On our way we
decided that we had to stop and get Amanda a crepe because it was our last day in France and crepes are oh so French. We ate our very French crepe at a very French café and decided that we needed to put our feet in the very French French Riviera. The beaches in Nice are not of the sand variety, instead they are of the pebble variety. The rocks on the beach are very smoothed out from the salt water. Bec and I put our feet in the water and despite the cloudiness of the day, it was not too cold.
The 90 meter climb to the top of ‘Le Chateau’ was hard with a sick Bec in tow. She was such a trooper, not whinging at all!! The top was very beautiful, but would have been better with the sun out. We could still see the very distinct blue of the Mediterranean Sea as well as all the way up the coast of Nice to the airport.
At the top of ‘Le Chateau’ we made a plan, McDonalds, supermarket, then train home. Simple enough, right?
Now all of us do not normally eat McDonalds at home and you may ask, “Why are you going to McDonalds if you are in France, of all places?” Well to answer your question it is because they serve beer at McDonalds in France. Yes it is the afternoon but we are kind of hungry and decide that we need to soak up the tourist moment and get a beer at McDonalds. We order and go to sit down, crack open our beers and take the obligatory tourist photos. We then discover that the beer is not good AT ALL!! It is pretty much the equivalent of Key Light back home. We enjoy a few sips of our beer and our meal and head to the supermarket.
It is our last day in France and we decide that we need to have one last meal of Baguette and Cheese. We get our baguette and Laughing Cow cheese and head for the train…no dramas here….
On the way to the train station it starts to sprinkle. We get to the train station and realize that we have no clue where we are going and ask a station employee. They point us in the right direction and we proceed to the platform and get on the train. Expecting the train to go immediately, we get a bit irritated that it is still sitting there 10 minutes later. We sit on the train for an hour, and all 4 of us, Bec, Amanda, Alana and I take a nap. When we woke up and we were still in the Nice Station, we were worried that we were not on the right train and that we had missed ours. Bec gets up to confirm that we are on the right train and we are so no drama there…but now…why isn’t the train moving!?!?!?!
We eventually did get back to our stop, ‘Biot’ and now it is pouring buckets!! We catch up with Kim, Morgan, Carrin and Bradley getting off the train as well and begin the walk back to the campground. During the walk, it is raining enough and rain makes puddles and I got splashed by a bus driving through a puddle, good thing we are almost back to the campsite.
I went straight to the shower when I got back, it was a good, hot shower; the first real HOT shower I’ve had in 4 days. Amanda and I played cards until dinner. At dinner we
met Louie and Louise from Louisiana. They are Romi’s love handles. Romi is South African and has been living in America for 3 months and now she has Louie and Louise. She came up with these names, so don’t think that we did!!
Went to the bar after dinner and hung out there for a while, kinda a quiet night. Off to bed.
On to the warm weather of the French Riviera….or so we think….
Day 6 - 14 Sep 09:
Today was a travel day from the Chateau to Antibes (An-teeb). Tonight we went to Monaco.
Antibes is between Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera. We are all preparing ourselves for some nice weather. We stayed in cabins. The cabins have 4 rooms, 2 to a room, and 2 bathrooms. The cabins were very nice and our first taste of the Contiki Campsites.
When we got there we had to get ready for MONACO!!! Because of the short time between dinner and leaving for Monaco we had to get ready before dinner. It is not as big of a hurry as I thought it was going to be. I picked out my outfit, did my hair and makeup and went to dinner. After dinner we quickly got changed and left for Monaco.
The drive to Monaco was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Monaco it basically 2 hills with a valley in the middle where the harbor is. On one of the hills is the Royal Palace and Cathedral and on the other is the Grand Casino. The road winds its way up the hill for about an hour and we stop to go see the Royal Palace and Cathedral. We saw the place where Princess Grace’s car went off the cliff. We also saw some of the biggest yachts I have ever seen!! Chachi tells us some about the Royal Family and Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) and now Prince Albert. Prince Albert was a playboy and still is not married and does not have any legitimate male heirs. If he does not have a male heir, the longest ruling family dynasty will end. Monaco has gotten itself into a pickle.
On the way to the Grand Casino Idim takes the coach on the F1 track in Monaco and put his baby to the test!!! He absolutely passes, he’s a keeper.
It was a 10 Euro entry fee into the Grand Casino. The Grand Casino is extremely beautiful and is also extremely quiet. It is nothing like a Vegas Casino. The minimum buy-in at a Blackjack Table is 25 Euro. Amanda and I wander and find the Slot Machines. The cheapest slot machine is a 5 cent machine and even though Amanda and I wanted to play 1 cent machines, we gave in because we can now say that we gambled inside Monte Carlo!!! I won about 10 Euro at Monte Carlo. Amanda and I find Bec and decide to wander to the ‘Sun Casino.’ When we were walking outside I accidentally bumped into a guy and being in a foreign country and wanting to speak the language I try to say sorry but it ends up coming out, “Merci!” I just blushed and walked away.
The ‘Sun Casino’ is much more of a Vegas Style Casino. Amanda and I found some 2 cent Slot Machines and sat down to play. I ended up 74 cents up on the night including my entrance fee to Monte Carlo. Overall, a good night. Chachi went to the tables at the end of the night and ended up winning 100 Euro on Roulette!!
The drive back to Antibes was very long and we were all wanting to go out to the bar at the campsite when we got back. When we got back I changed out of my dress and headed back over to the bar. I only lasted for 3 drinks before I was too tired to go on. I was sooo tired that I did not hear what all was going on (our cabin was right across from the bar) but apparently it was a bit of a crazy night for those who stayed. Good thing that tomorrow is ours to do with what we want.
Today was a travel day from the Chateau to Antibes (An-teeb). Tonight we went to Monaco.
Antibes is between Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera. We are all preparing ourselves for some nice weather. We stayed in cabins. The cabins have 4 rooms, 2 to a room, and 2 bathrooms. The cabins were very nice and our first taste of the Contiki Campsites.
When we got there we had to get ready for MONACO!!! Because of the short time between dinner and leaving for Monaco we had to get ready before dinner. It is not as big of a hurry as I thought it was going to be. I picked out my outfit, did my hair and makeup and went to dinner. After dinner we quickly got changed and left for Monaco.
The drive to Monaco was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Monaco it basically 2 hills with a valley in the middle where the harbor is. On one of the hills is the Royal Palace and Cathedral and on the other is the Grand Casino. The road winds its way up the hill for about an hour and we stop to go see the Royal Palace and Cathedral. We saw the place where Princess Grace’s car went off the cliff. We also saw some of the biggest yachts I have ever seen!! Chachi tells us some about the Royal Family and Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) and now Prince Albert. Prince Albert was a playboy and still is not married and does not have any legitimate male heirs. If he does not have a male heir, the longest ruling family dynasty will end. Monaco has gotten itself into a pickle.
On the way to the Grand Casino Idim takes the coach on the F1 track in Monaco and put his baby to the test!!! He absolutely passes, he’s a keeper.
It was a 10 Euro entry fee into the Grand Casino. The Grand Casino is extremely beautiful and is also extremely quiet. It is nothing like a Vegas Casino. The minimum buy-in at a Blackjack Table is 25 Euro. Amanda and I wander and find the Slot Machines. The cheapest slot machine is a 5 cent machine and even though Amanda and I wanted to play 1 cent machines, we gave in because we can now say that we gambled inside Monte Carlo!!! I won about 10 Euro at Monte Carlo. Amanda and I find Bec and decide to wander to the ‘Sun Casino.’ When we were walking outside I accidentally bumped into a guy and being in a foreign country and wanting to speak the language I try to say sorry but it ends up coming out, “Merci!” I just blushed and walked away.
The ‘Sun Casino’ is much more of a Vegas Style Casino. Amanda and I found some 2 cent Slot Machines and sat down to play. I ended up 74 cents up on the night including my entrance fee to Monte Carlo. Overall, a good night. Chachi went to the tables at the end of the night and ended up winning 100 Euro on Roulette!!
The drive back to Antibes was very long and we were all wanting to go out to the bar at the campsite when we got back. When we got back I changed out of my dress and headed back over to the bar. I only lasted for 3 drinks before I was too tired to go on. I was sooo tired that I did not hear what all was going on (our cabin was right across from the bar) but apparently it was a bit of a crazy night for those who stayed. Good thing that tomorrow is ours to do with what we want.
Cha-tastic!!
Day 5 - 13 Sep 09:
When I woke up I looked to see if Bec was there, and indeed she was not and everything was still on her bed. Amanda and I were wondering where she was but were too tired to go and look for her. About 30 minutes later Bec pokes her head in the door and we ask where she ended up. She tells us that her first thought waking up was, “Who is spooning me?” Amanda and I crack up and ask her if she is alright. She is indeed ok and goes back to sleep, in her bed this time.
Today was a free day at the Chateau, it was our only chance to rest before the whirlwind of Italy begins. I am already getting sick and take the opportunity to rest.
We knew that we had to be up by 10AM to get our Picnic Lunches for today. If we wanted we could walk up to “The Top of the World.” Bec, Amanda and I decide to do this even though we are all feeling a bit dusty. The reps mislead us….it is not a walk but a HIKE up to ‘The Top of the World.” We finally got to the top, ate our lunch and took a nap. The view was nice, but it was just as nice, if not better, at the Chateau.
We got back to the Chateau around 2 and enjoyed a nice leisurely afternoon sitting on the most fabulous outdoor couches. The afternoon passed slowly because our first 2 meals were so close together that by dinner, everyone was starving.
Dinner was good and after dinner we proceeded to move back to the couches. I took a shower and turned in early because I felt a cough developing.
When I woke up I looked to see if Bec was there, and indeed she was not and everything was still on her bed. Amanda and I were wondering where she was but were too tired to go and look for her. About 30 minutes later Bec pokes her head in the door and we ask where she ended up. She tells us that her first thought waking up was, “Who is spooning me?” Amanda and I crack up and ask her if she is alright. She is indeed ok and goes back to sleep, in her bed this time.
Today was a free day at the Chateau, it was our only chance to rest before the whirlwind of Italy begins. I am already getting sick and take the opportunity to rest.
We knew that we had to be up by 10AM to get our Picnic Lunches for today. If we wanted we could walk up to “The Top of the World.” Bec, Amanda and I decide to do this even though we are all feeling a bit dusty. The reps mislead us….it is not a walk but a HIKE up to ‘The Top of the World.” We finally got to the top, ate our lunch and took a nap. The view was nice, but it was just as nice, if not better, at the Chateau.
We got back to the Chateau around 2 and enjoyed a nice leisurely afternoon sitting on the most fabulous outdoor couches. The afternoon passed slowly because our first 2 meals were so close together that by dinner, everyone was starving.
Dinner was good and after dinner we proceeded to move back to the couches. I took a shower and turned in early because I felt a cough developing.
19.9.09
Shock Your Mum!!
Day 4 - 12 Sep 09:
Today was a travel day from Paris to the Beaujolais Wine Region (near Lyon) and tonight was the “Shock Your Mother” party in “The Cave.” It was also Bec’s 22 Birthday!!!
We were all standing outside waiting to put our luggage on the coach and I’m holding Bec’s contacts in water in glasses from the night before. I go to hand them to Bec and ask her if she knows which one is her Left and Right contact.
“There’s a Left and Right contact?” she says.
“Why yes Bec there is, haha,” we say.
During the drive we had to do introductions to the whole bus. We got to stand up at the front and hold Chachi’s microphone for the introductions. We had to tell an embarrassing story and I told the story of me breaking my nose at work.
In the Beaujolais Wine Region we stayed at a 16th Century Chateau. The Chateau was beautiful!! We got to our room and then had about an hour before we had our wine tasting.
At the wine tasting, we tasted a local red wine that is grown behind the Chateau. We met the owner of the winery and had a glass of wine with him. The wine was very clear and not super deep red.
We had our first Contiki dinner in the dining room at the Chateau. We were served by the ‘Cookies’ of the day.
After dinner we got ready for the shock your mother party. I was a beggar, Bec wore a towel, and Amanda wore a VERY bright yellow shirt and a sign that said, “Dear Mum, I actually do like standing out in a crowd.” Idim (Our Driver) was wearing a black wig and a red dress and Chachi (Our Tour Manager) was wearing a bikini top and skirt…Shock Your Mother indeed!!
We got to the party in ‘The Cave’ (in the basement of the Chateau) and proceeded to have a shot of ‘Eau de Vie” (Water of Life). It tasted like pure alcohol and burned. Eau de Vie is a local drink that is only made in the Beaujolais Wine Region and is made from what’s left after the local wine makers make their wine. It is heavily controlled by the police and it was a treat to have such a local drink. The night was a long one and was fueled by music and alcohol. It was an off night for Idim and Chachi so they could drink and have a good time with us.
Finally went to bed and Bec showed up there as well and told me that she was “going to rest my eyeballs for 4 minutes and then am going to find my camera and thongs.” I was very tired and passed right out.
Today was a travel day from Paris to the Beaujolais Wine Region (near Lyon) and tonight was the “Shock Your Mother” party in “The Cave.” It was also Bec’s 22 Birthday!!!
We were all standing outside waiting to put our luggage on the coach and I’m holding Bec’s contacts in water in glasses from the night before. I go to hand them to Bec and ask her if she knows which one is her Left and Right contact.
“There’s a Left and Right contact?” she says.
“Why yes Bec there is, haha,” we say.
During the drive we had to do introductions to the whole bus. We got to stand up at the front and hold Chachi’s microphone for the introductions. We had to tell an embarrassing story and I told the story of me breaking my nose at work.
In the Beaujolais Wine Region we stayed at a 16th Century Chateau. The Chateau was beautiful!! We got to our room and then had about an hour before we had our wine tasting.
At the wine tasting, we tasted a local red wine that is grown behind the Chateau. We met the owner of the winery and had a glass of wine with him. The wine was very clear and not super deep red.
We had our first Contiki dinner in the dining room at the Chateau. We were served by the ‘Cookies’ of the day.
After dinner we got ready for the shock your mother party. I was a beggar, Bec wore a towel, and Amanda wore a VERY bright yellow shirt and a sign that said, “Dear Mum, I actually do like standing out in a crowd.” Idim (Our Driver) was wearing a black wig and a red dress and Chachi (Our Tour Manager) was wearing a bikini top and skirt…Shock Your Mother indeed!!
We got to the party in ‘The Cave’ (in the basement of the Chateau) and proceeded to have a shot of ‘Eau de Vie” (Water of Life). It tasted like pure alcohol and burned. Eau de Vie is a local drink that is only made in the Beaujolais Wine Region and is made from what’s left after the local wine makers make their wine. It is heavily controlled by the police and it was a treat to have such a local drink. The night was a long one and was fueled by music and alcohol. It was an off night for Idim and Chachi so they could drink and have a good time with us.
Finally went to bed and Bec showed up there as well and told me that she was “going to rest my eyeballs for 4 minutes and then am going to find my camera and thongs.” I was very tired and passed right out.
13.9.09
Get your CabeRAT out!
Day 1 (of Contiki): 10 Sept 09:
We left London by 7am! We drove to the White Cliffs of Dover and jumped a ferry to Calais and then drove to Paris. O, in the bus between Calais and Paris we played speed dating to get to know some of the other people on the bus. Everyone but 2 were Australian!! If I come back speaking funny its because I am around Australians all the time!!
When we got there we found out that we were not staying at the campsite with the other Contiki tours but that we were staying at a hotel on the outskirts of Paris. After getting our rooms and putting our bags in there, Bec, Amanda and I went to the supermarket by our hotel and got some traditional French Food...
Crepes and Nutella
We decided to have a picnic in the park by the supermarket, we had the intention of dipping our crepes in the Nutella but....the Nutella was super hard so.....what did we use? A traditional French stick...yes a stick. We cleaned the stick up and thoroughly enjoyed our picnic of Crepes and Nutella!!
We then drove into Paris for a 'getting to know the city tour' with Idim (Adam) and Chachi (Ryan). We stopped at the Eiffel Tower and got some great night time pictures! We headed back to the hotel and had probably the only early night of this trip!
Day 2 - 11 Sept 09:
Today was our free day in Paris! Idim and Chachi dropped us off at the Eiffel Tower and we all stood in line to go to the top. While in line guys on the street were trying to sell us Eiffel Tower keychains and souvenirs....this is very illegal...and when the police showed up, they ran and hid in the bushes. It was very and cold at the bottom but when we got to the top it was much better. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is quite amazing!! The last time I was in Paris I only saw the tower at night and seeing it in the day is a completely different experience. We spotted the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elessys (sp?...damn French...)
After the Eiffel Tower we walked to the Arc de Triomph! I had only driven around it the last time I was here and seeing it up close was amazing!! At the Arc is a flame for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, We followed Chachi's orders and used the stairs underneath the ground to get to the Arc...that roundabout has no lines and no traffic rules!!
We then hopped on the Metro and attempted to take a large group to Notre Dame, due to overcrowding on the Paris Metro Amanda and I got separated and ended up at Notre Dame by ourselves. Perfectly alright...SOOOO beatiful!! We just did the free admission and walked around...one of the best examples of Gothic Architecture...Amanda got some beautiful pics of the church. After walking around inside we then walked around the building outside and it is as impressive as the inside.
When we finished with Notre Dame we headed to H&M to find some clothes for the "Shock Your Mother" Party at the Chateau the next night. Didn't find anything but then proceeded to attempt to find Bec for about an hour.
When we couldn't find Bec, Amanda and I went to the Musee D'Orsay!! We saw all the big artists inside; Degas, Gaudi, Cezanne...and VAN GOGH!!! Mainly who I wanted to see, his 'Starlight Over the Rhone' (the one hanging above my bed at home) was there and was amazing!
After the Musee D'Orsay, Amanda and I decided that we were done and made like the French and people watched on the lawn of the Louvre.
Chachi met us at 6.00 and took us to the Louvre carpark to get changed for our traditional Parisian Dinner and Caberet. I had French Onion Soup (simply called Onion Soup in France), Beef Burgandy, Cheese, and whipped cream for dessert.
After dinner we went to the Marilyn Monroe roundabout for pics of the Moulin Rouge before heading to our caberet, 'Nouvelle Eve.' Bec and I definitely disobeyed Chachi's orders and ran across the street without a cross walk, singing "Disobey Chachi's Orders, Disobey"!!
The caberet was quite fabulous and the champagne kept flowing as it was Bec's bday eve!
After the caberet we got back to the hotel and Bec realized that she left her cantact solution on the bus along with her contacts so we got her 2 cups and bottled water!! Thanks Kate for teaching me that trick, you just saved bec's eyes!!
Off to the French Riviera tomorrow!!
We left London by 7am! We drove to the White Cliffs of Dover and jumped a ferry to Calais and then drove to Paris. O, in the bus between Calais and Paris we played speed dating to get to know some of the other people on the bus. Everyone but 2 were Australian!! If I come back speaking funny its because I am around Australians all the time!!
When we got there we found out that we were not staying at the campsite with the other Contiki tours but that we were staying at a hotel on the outskirts of Paris. After getting our rooms and putting our bags in there, Bec, Amanda and I went to the supermarket by our hotel and got some traditional French Food...
Crepes and Nutella
We decided to have a picnic in the park by the supermarket, we had the intention of dipping our crepes in the Nutella but....the Nutella was super hard so.....what did we use? A traditional French stick...yes a stick. We cleaned the stick up and thoroughly enjoyed our picnic of Crepes and Nutella!!
We then drove into Paris for a 'getting to know the city tour' with Idim (Adam) and Chachi (Ryan). We stopped at the Eiffel Tower and got some great night time pictures! We headed back to the hotel and had probably the only early night of this trip!
Day 2 - 11 Sept 09:
Today was our free day in Paris! Idim and Chachi dropped us off at the Eiffel Tower and we all stood in line to go to the top. While in line guys on the street were trying to sell us Eiffel Tower keychains and souvenirs....this is very illegal...and when the police showed up, they ran and hid in the bushes. It was very and cold at the bottom but when we got to the top it was much better. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is quite amazing!! The last time I was in Paris I only saw the tower at night and seeing it in the day is a completely different experience. We spotted the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elessys (sp?...damn French...)
After the Eiffel Tower we walked to the Arc de Triomph! I had only driven around it the last time I was here and seeing it up close was amazing!! At the Arc is a flame for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, We followed Chachi's orders and used the stairs underneath the ground to get to the Arc...that roundabout has no lines and no traffic rules!!
We then hopped on the Metro and attempted to take a large group to Notre Dame, due to overcrowding on the Paris Metro Amanda and I got separated and ended up at Notre Dame by ourselves. Perfectly alright...SOOOO beatiful!! We just did the free admission and walked around...one of the best examples of Gothic Architecture...Amanda got some beautiful pics of the church. After walking around inside we then walked around the building outside and it is as impressive as the inside.
When we finished with Notre Dame we headed to H&M to find some clothes for the "Shock Your Mother" Party at the Chateau the next night. Didn't find anything but then proceeded to attempt to find Bec for about an hour.
When we couldn't find Bec, Amanda and I went to the Musee D'Orsay!! We saw all the big artists inside; Degas, Gaudi, Cezanne...and VAN GOGH!!! Mainly who I wanted to see, his 'Starlight Over the Rhone' (the one hanging above my bed at home) was there and was amazing!
After the Musee D'Orsay, Amanda and I decided that we were done and made like the French and people watched on the lawn of the Louvre.
Chachi met us at 6.00 and took us to the Louvre carpark to get changed for our traditional Parisian Dinner and Caberet. I had French Onion Soup (simply called Onion Soup in France), Beef Burgandy, Cheese, and whipped cream for dessert.
After dinner we went to the Marilyn Monroe roundabout for pics of the Moulin Rouge before heading to our caberet, 'Nouvelle Eve.' Bec and I definitely disobeyed Chachi's orders and ran across the street without a cross walk, singing "Disobey Chachi's Orders, Disobey"!!
The caberet was quite fabulous and the champagne kept flowing as it was Bec's bday eve!
After the caberet we got back to the hotel and Bec realized that she left her cantact solution on the bus along with her contacts so we got her 2 cups and bottled water!! Thanks Kate for teaching me that trick, you just saved bec's eyes!!
Off to the French Riviera tomorrow!!
Mind the Gap
Hi Guys!
Its been quite a whirlwind of the first 3 days...London, Paris, and a Chateau....
I'm going to try to make this as organized as possible, hold on....
9 Sept 09:
We got to London at 12PM and went to meet Bec and Alex at the train station, we went to the hotel and dropped our bags and went on an expedition to find Harrods and Havianas (flip flops) for Bec...
We take the tube to the right stop and walk up and down the streets of Knightsbridge for an hour trying to find Harrods....Harrods being this huge 3 block by 3 block store and we can not find it to save our lives....so we do eventually find the store and proceed to walk in...we get stopped. The security guard tells us, "No Groups," now mind you that there are 5 of us, 'a group', and the security guard tells us to go to the next door. So we do and we get denied again...what are they afraid of? We tried this with like 4 doors. We then get the bright idea to split up and try to get in one at a time...NOPE....the sneaky guards know that we are together and don't let us in. We end up going to the tourist part of Harrods and talking to a guard in there. He tells us that they might let us in if we go in separate doors by ourselves...so we organize to find the Havianas and meet there IF we can get in...so we do get in and find the Havianas and Bec is in heaven!
Later that night we had a meeting for our Contiki and met Chachi (our tour manager) and Idim (our driver). After the meeting we went to meet the group and go to a pub for dinner. It is really hard finding a pub that can seat 30 people! We broke into 2 smaller groups and my group ended up walking from Russell Square to the West End and around...After 3 hours....we ended up at McDonalds!! So much for a nice pub dinner...
That night Bec slept on our floor in the hotel because the rooms were really expensive and ours was already paid for....8 more hours and then we are on Contiki!!
Thats all for now, breakfast is here and my internet is almost out of time!
Ta!
Its been quite a whirlwind of the first 3 days...London, Paris, and a Chateau....
I'm going to try to make this as organized as possible, hold on....
9 Sept 09:
We got to London at 12PM and went to meet Bec and Alex at the train station, we went to the hotel and dropped our bags and went on an expedition to find Harrods and Havianas (flip flops) for Bec...
We take the tube to the right stop and walk up and down the streets of Knightsbridge for an hour trying to find Harrods....Harrods being this huge 3 block by 3 block store and we can not find it to save our lives....so we do eventually find the store and proceed to walk in...we get stopped. The security guard tells us, "No Groups," now mind you that there are 5 of us, 'a group', and the security guard tells us to go to the next door. So we do and we get denied again...what are they afraid of? We tried this with like 4 doors. We then get the bright idea to split up and try to get in one at a time...NOPE....the sneaky guards know that we are together and don't let us in. We end up going to the tourist part of Harrods and talking to a guard in there. He tells us that they might let us in if we go in separate doors by ourselves...so we organize to find the Havianas and meet there IF we can get in...so we do get in and find the Havianas and Bec is in heaven!
Later that night we had a meeting for our Contiki and met Chachi (our tour manager) and Idim (our driver). After the meeting we went to meet the group and go to a pub for dinner. It is really hard finding a pub that can seat 30 people! We broke into 2 smaller groups and my group ended up walking from Russell Square to the West End and around...After 3 hours....we ended up at McDonalds!! So much for a nice pub dinner...
That night Bec slept on our floor in the hotel because the rooms were really expensive and ours was already paid for....8 more hours and then we are on Contiki!!
Thats all for now, breakfast is here and my internet is almost out of time!
Ta!
7.9.09
Travellers Comandments
I found this list of the Traveller's Commandments, I liked them quite a lot and am going to try to live by these the next four months.
Here they are.....
#1 - Thou shalt not to expect to find things as they are at home for thou hast left home to find things different.
#2 - Thou shalt not take things too seriously, for a carefree mind is the beginning of a carefree holiday.
#3 - Thou shalt not let other tourists get on thy nerves as we are all here for the same reason and thou are paying good money to enjoy thyself.
#4 - Thou must know at all times where thy passport lies, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
#5 - Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no pleasure. Few things are fatal.
#6 - Remember that thou art a guest in other lands and he that treateth his host with respect shall in turn be treated with respect. To learn to speaketh 'please' and 'thank you' in thy host's tounge will make thee thy hosts friend.
#7 - Thou shalt not judge the entire people of a country by one person who was a poor host.
#8 - Thou shalt remember to err is human and to forgive is divine.
#9 - When in Rome, thou shalt be prepared to do as the Romans do.
#10 - Thou shouldst remember that if thou were expected to stay in one place, thou would have been created with roots.
24 hours to go!!
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