Im in Heidleberg, Germany at the moment. Its a beautiful university town where one in five of the residents are uni students. Its built around a large river in the middle of a valley and surrounded by forest. Like the Swiss, the Germans are almost fanatical about their environment and their natural surroundings and the recycling system and the beauty of the country reflects it.
Anyway a few days ago we left Austria for the Czech Republic and Prague. On the way to Prague, we stopped off at a small town for lunch, which had a castle, some brown bears, really nice and cheap food and was the set of the majority of the movie 'Hostel'. After lunch we continued to the capital: Prague.
Prague is a really nice city and there are very few indications of its historically recent bad past. As with all the cities we've been to, we took a tour around the city and were shown the main sights by our tour manager, Kierra Lee. We saw the Basilica where 'Good King Wenceslas' (from the carol of the same name) lies, over the Charles Bridge, which took a pact with the devil to finish and onto the large astrological clock which, aside from Wenceslas Square is one of the main centers of Prague. In our free time, one of the guys, Dave and I went and had a look at the Communism museum which told not only the history of Communism in the Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia but Communism in general. We spent quite a long time in there reading all about the rise and fall of communism in that part of the world and I learned a massive amount about that time in history. We then walked up Wenceslas Square and saw the memorial to two Czech students who burned themselves to death in protest of the Communist Movement in Czechoslovakia. It wasnt all depressing however because later on that day we went on a cruise of the river with a massive included lunch (there were crepes, mmmm) and a commentary by one of the local guides. That night we went out and saw the Praguian night life at its best... Or at least at its best, on a wednesday night, at a small underground club where we had to leave before midnight to catch the last train home. Even so it was a good night with cheap beer for 35 Czech Crowns (€1 = 25 Crowns, you do the math) and dancing and of course, Absinth (its like shotting listerene).
The next day we left Prague and headed into Germany to Munich, two days before the start of Oktoberfest. On the way we stopped at one of the main Nazi Concentration Camps, Dachau. We were given time to look around at our own pace and see all we wanted to. It was a pretty chilling experience, the conditions and the torture prisoners were subjected to on a day to day basis were horrific and to actually be in the place where it happened multiplied the experience. I didnt have time to see the gas chambers or incinerators but even so, it packs quite a punch walking around the parade ground. Every German student, as part of their studies has to go visit a concentration camp and they are taught to always question their government, to ensure nothing like it ever happens in Germany again.
From the concentration camp we headed into Munich, the camp site was crazy! Barring the jamboree I dont think Ive ever seen so many tents together in one spot and never as crammed in as they were. There were drunk people EVERYWHERE and even at 6am in the morning there were still people making noice. During Oktoberfest, that campsite at least is a place that doesnt sleep.
I feel like Im starting to sound repetitive but Munich is a great city. There is a beautiful park, walking distance from the citys center which spans 1000 acres. Designed by an English man, its a great park where you can swim and even surf (yes surfing) in the river or have a beer at the biggest beer garden in Europe. We were shown the park and many other things on a bike tour with a crazy and very funny irish guy named Steve.
In the evening we went to a traditional beer hall to have a Pork Knuckle and a Stein for dinner. A few of the group during the day had bought the traditional German dress and wore if with full enthusiasm for the dinner. The pork knuckle was great but so big that with the accompanying full litre of beer, I couldnt finish it. I did however had 2 full steins and enjoyed a night of enthusiastic Prosting, tradition German music, traditional German dance (as well as the chicken dance) and lots of beer.
We left Munich the next day, on the first day of Oktoberfest but even though we missed the majority of it we still picked up the astmosphere and it convinced me that if you do want to come to Oktoberfest DONT stay at a campsite, stay in a hostel at least or better yet a hotel. There were a lot of fights (not any from our group but in general) and it kinda seemed like it could be a pretty dangerous place to stay.
We're in Heidelberg until tomorrow when we leave Germany and head to our last :( stop, Amsterdam!
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
The two Vs
Another quick one.
After Rome we headed on to Venice which was pretty cool. In the movies you see it as all canals but theres a lot more streets than that, although there are no cars around, or at least not in the places we went too. The streets or really lanes and alleys are crazy there, its so easy to get lost but at the same time really cool to try and find your way out again.
They have a massive winged rat (pigeon) problem over there and they sell feed bags that contains drugs or chemicals that reduces their fertility. They´re pretty crazy, if you have feed they´ll sit all over you, arms, head and those right near you too :P.
I went to the top of the San Marco Basilicas Bell Tower, which was pretty cool, you could see the whole city. While I was up there looking out the window and quietly minding my own buisness the large bell about half a meter above me head started to go off.... Scared the c$§p out of me! So. Very. Loud. And no warning either, I got a video of it which is kinda cool.
After Venice we headed off to Vienna which is where we are now. Vienna is a beautiful city, a lot more green than any of the Italian citys and more friendly too. We went to a Schnaps museum today which was really cool, along with the famous Absynth (sp?) they also made a type of Schnapps that contained 23 carat gold leafing in the bottom; thats right, you drink this gold. Very cool stuff.
We´re heading to Praag tomorrow which should be fun, although these full days on the bus are getting a little tiresome.
Anyways I should probably head back to the meeting point now so I dont miss the bus back to the campsite, turns out they dont wait for anyone. If you´re late to the bus you gotta make your own way, even if its too another country.
After Rome we headed on to Venice which was pretty cool. In the movies you see it as all canals but theres a lot more streets than that, although there are no cars around, or at least not in the places we went too. The streets or really lanes and alleys are crazy there, its so easy to get lost but at the same time really cool to try and find your way out again.
They have a massive winged rat (pigeon) problem over there and they sell feed bags that contains drugs or chemicals that reduces their fertility. They´re pretty crazy, if you have feed they´ll sit all over you, arms, head and those right near you too :P.
I went to the top of the San Marco Basilicas Bell Tower, which was pretty cool, you could see the whole city. While I was up there looking out the window and quietly minding my own buisness the large bell about half a meter above me head started to go off.... Scared the c$§p out of me! So. Very. Loud. And no warning either, I got a video of it which is kinda cool.
After Venice we headed off to Vienna which is where we are now. Vienna is a beautiful city, a lot more green than any of the Italian citys and more friendly too. We went to a Schnaps museum today which was really cool, along with the famous Absynth (sp?) they also made a type of Schnapps that contained 23 carat gold leafing in the bottom; thats right, you drink this gold. Very cool stuff.
We´re heading to Praag tomorrow which should be fun, although these full days on the bus are getting a little tiresome.
Anyways I should probably head back to the meeting point now so I dont miss the bus back to the campsite, turns out they dont wait for anyone. If you´re late to the bus you gotta make your own way, even if its too another country.
Friday, 14 September 2007
Italia!
Well Im in Italy and have been for the last few days. After the Swiss Alps we headed to the French Riviera for a couple of nights and saw Nice and Monaco and went to the world famous Monte Carlo Casino which was in a word, classy. No loud music or like that, its like they've taken an art gallery and added (very expensive) drinks and black jack, roulette etc tables. It was pretty cool, we lost count of the number of Mercs we saw outside, lots of rich people.
Also took a bit of a swim in the mediterranian which was nice, especially on a hot day.
After the Riviera we headed to Florence where I had my birthday. Florence is nice, although if you want to find a piece of grass to sit on you'll be searching for a long time or paying €$9 for it. We were taken on a tour and saw the places where both Michelangelo and Leonardo DaVinci both lived, at the same time; they hated each other by the way. We walked past Georgia Armani's house, saw many MANY statues of various things and then fell asleep in front a the palace.. We were tired. I bought (kinda) a genuine italian leather wallet with my initials embossed in gold in it, went to pay and my credit card bounced so one of my new (and truely awesome) friends bought it for me then wouldnt let me pay her back! Needless to say, she is cool.
That night, we all went to a restraunt for a Tuscan meal then went to a Space Electronic Disco, sounds cheesy but it was awesome! I got lots of free drinks from friends, did some dances on podiums and got dared to get 22 kisses for my bday from my tour manager (I succeeded :P).
On to Rome where I am now. Rome is not too bad, but it doenst seem to agree with us. Saw the vatican and the collusseum today, was cool. am tired.,
Anyways need to go now, not sure how long i have left. Again no usb to add photos so sorry but i will add some when i am able, and have time.
HAve a good one everyone!
31
Also took a bit of a swim in the mediterranian which was nice, especially on a hot day.
After the Riviera we headed to Florence where I had my birthday. Florence is nice, although if you want to find a piece of grass to sit on you'll be searching for a long time or paying €$9 for it. We were taken on a tour and saw the places where both Michelangelo and Leonardo DaVinci both lived, at the same time; they hated each other by the way. We walked past Georgia Armani's house, saw many MANY statues of various things and then fell asleep in front a the palace.. We were tired. I bought (kinda) a genuine italian leather wallet with my initials embossed in gold in it, went to pay and my credit card bounced so one of my new (and truely awesome) friends bought it for me then wouldnt let me pay her back! Needless to say, she is cool.
That night, we all went to a restraunt for a Tuscan meal then went to a Space Electronic Disco, sounds cheesy but it was awesome! I got lots of free drinks from friends, did some dances on podiums and got dared to get 22 kisses for my bday from my tour manager (I succeeded :P).
On to Rome where I am now. Rome is not too bad, but it doenst seem to agree with us. Saw the vatican and the collusseum today, was cool. am tired.,
Anyways need to go now, not sure how long i have left. Again no usb to add photos so sorry but i will add some when i am able, and have time.
HAve a good one everyone!
31
Friday, 7 September 2007
Paris and the Swiss Alps
Ok this is going to be very quick. Firstly Paris was awesome, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph(sp?), the Lourve and Notre Dame where all fantastic. We also all (the contiki group) went to see a proper cabberie show which included all the proper elements; comedy, acrobatics and of course dancing.
Then last night we arrived in the Swiss Alps.... I am in love. This are is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Words cannot describe, WOW!! Im definitly coming back here to do more hiking at some point. Today a few of us are planning to do some hiking around and seeing some waterfalls while everyone else takes the mega expensive (127 Swiss Franks) train journey up to the top of a mountain I cant remember the name of at the moment.
Contiki so far has been awesome, Ive met some great people and have been partying everynight. Anyways gotta go, will do a proper update with some photos when I find some internet thats not a rip off. (5 franks for 20mins, pffft)
Then last night we arrived in the Swiss Alps.... I am in love. This are is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Words cannot describe, WOW!! Im definitly coming back here to do more hiking at some point. Today a few of us are planning to do some hiking around and seeing some waterfalls while everyone else takes the mega expensive (127 Swiss Franks) train journey up to the top of a mountain I cant remember the name of at the moment.
Contiki so far has been awesome, Ive met some great people and have been partying everynight. Anyways gotta go, will do a proper update with some photos when I find some internet thats not a rip off. (5 franks for 20mins, pffft)
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
More London
My week-and-a-bit in London has been awesome not to mention expensive and its almost up. Tonight is my last night in london before my contiki tour starts tomorrow at 6am. Last weekend I stayed at my friend, Ryan's who moved up here to work a couple of months ago. He lives in a big share house with about 8 or 9 other people. On saturday night they had a Rocky Horror Show themed party which ended up being an awesome night.
We went shopping for costumes at Camden Markets, a fairly famous market which hosts, among other things, a large array of alternative clothing shops including many heavily goth themed places, we also found a shop selling bright orange prison jump suits.
Eventually we came upon a place that was selling full length leather jackets and coats for only £10! Even though they were mostly old and worn we picked out a couple of long ones for Ryan and I and along with some spiky metal jewelry for me and an assortment of stockings and other womens cloths for ryan our costumes were done. We hung around a bit longer waiting for Alexis and Michael (mainly Alexis) to finish their shopping and then headed back to their house.
As stated above, the party was great with some absolutely awesome costumes and much alcoholic beverages. Here are some photos of the night, although various parent types might not appreciate them as much as others (which ensures they are now DEFINITELY going to look at them).
On thursday I went on the London Eye, the 135 meters high observation wheel, the biggest one in the world. I got some good photos of the view which I cannot show you because of the computer Im on but needless to say, the view was spectacular. That night I stayed with one of Anna's friends, Ami (sp?) because she was in greece for a wedding. He told me a lot about London and how it was in the 70's when he first moved here from Israel including many stories of his various antics with the famous people of the time.
On friday I went to see the Tower of London where the crown jewels reside and many enemies of the thrown have been held and sometimes tortured and executed; including one Guy Fawkes for his involvement plot to blow up the houses of parliament. The Crown Jewels were pretty cool with The First Star of Africa, the largest (up until recently I believe) diamond in the world.
Anyways that, among a few other things has been my week in London and it has been a great one. Many thanks to Anna, Ami, Ryan, Michael, Alexis, Damo, Clair, Ziad, Jo and Ming (so sorry if I missed anyone) for letting me stay at your collective houses and to the random nursing chick who took care of me when I was 'vulnerable' on saturday night.
For the next three weeks Ill be touring my way around Europe and getting little sleep (probably). Until next time, have fun!
We went shopping for costumes at Camden Markets, a fairly famous market which hosts, among other things, a large array of alternative clothing shops including many heavily goth themed places, we also found a shop selling bright orange prison jump suits.
Eventually we came upon a place that was selling full length leather jackets and coats for only £10! Even though they were mostly old and worn we picked out a couple of long ones for Ryan and I and along with some spiky metal jewelry for me and an assortment of stockings and other womens cloths for ryan our costumes were done. We hung around a bit longer waiting for Alexis and Michael (mainly Alexis) to finish their shopping and then headed back to their house.
As stated above, the party was great with some absolutely awesome costumes and much alcoholic beverages. Here are some photos of the night, although various parent types might not appreciate them as much as others (which ensures they are now DEFINITELY going to look at them).
On thursday I went on the London Eye, the 135 meters high observation wheel, the biggest one in the world. I got some good photos of the view which I cannot show you because of the computer Im on but needless to say, the view was spectacular. That night I stayed with one of Anna's friends, Ami (sp?) because she was in greece for a wedding. He told me a lot about London and how it was in the 70's when he first moved here from Israel including many stories of his various antics with the famous people of the time.
On friday I went to see the Tower of London where the crown jewels reside and many enemies of the thrown have been held and sometimes tortured and executed; including one Guy Fawkes for his involvement plot to blow up the houses of parliament. The Crown Jewels were pretty cool with The First Star of Africa, the largest (up until recently I believe) diamond in the world.
Anyways that, among a few other things has been my week in London and it has been a great one. Many thanks to Anna, Ami, Ryan, Michael, Alexis, Damo, Clair, Ziad, Jo and Ming (so sorry if I missed anyone) for letting me stay at your collective houses and to the random nursing chick who took care of me when I was 'vulnerable' on saturday night.
For the next three weeks Ill be touring my way around Europe and getting little sleep (probably). Until next time, have fun!
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