Munich - The City of beer and sausages! More wet weather too :( nevertheless we had an awesome time. We begqn with a free walking tour (you tip the guide what ever you wish to) around town. Here we saw a cheesy glockinspeil clock tower, the beer hall where Hitler rallied at his first public speech sparking the Nazi rebellion which ultimately led to WW2. We also saw the site of the failed assasination attempt of Hitler prior to the commencement of the war, his body guard was shot 11 times protecting him, amazingly he too survived! How different history could of been if the assasination attempt was successful.
We also partied a little harder in Munich, James in particular! We met some American University graduates at our hostel who assisted with this! The beer crawl was a must on our agenda (Munich beer halls are the home of October fest) and it met our expectations drinking plenty of one litre steins qnd jager bombs (Jagermeister is very cheqp in Germany, so to is red bull). There is also a purity law in Germany defining that only five ingredients are included in beer, none of which includes preservatives therefore you can drink litres of beer with little hangover effects. Unfortunetley the same can not be said for Jagerneister!
Following a rough start to our second day(for James anyway) we visited Dachu concentration camp. The camp was set up in 1933 and was the longest running camp upon which many of the other camps were modelled upon. Thankfully the gas chambers were not utilised at this camp however, thousands of people still lost their lives here. There was a very sad and eiree feel to the camp knowing the tragedies that occurred in the very locations we stood. In particular the crematoriums were confronting.
Stuttgart - After some hard nights out on the booze in Munich we were ready for a quieter chilled out time. This wish was granted in Stuttgart. Firstly our accommodation was perfect, a quiet qnd quaint hotel with very friendly staff and great breakfast (always a plus). We also indulged in some sunbaking in the park, a visit to the local swimming pool and of course a few more drinks in the beer gardens. Once again we also hired bikes to explore the town.
Stuttgart is the home of Mercedes too so of course we visited the Mercedes museum which was great. Finally we finished off by visiting the sky beach bar, located on the roof top of a department store. The bar is only open in the summer time and is created to resemble a beach, 8 tonnes of sand is brought in to create this. Well worth a visit!
Signing off from Germany for now and on to Paris for the second time round!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Switzerland (Lauterbrunnen & Lucerne) - 16 to 21 July
LAUTERBRUNNEN - Upon arriving in Lauterbrunnen we were greeted by perhaps a more Melbourne feel with wet and wintery weather. We stayed in Jungfrau camping ground with two other busloads of Contiki travellers who showed their true colours in the 'Bunker Bar' on arriving by throwing up on our Busabout guide as soon as she walked in...
We stayed in a cosy wood cabin and while the facilties were basic, we finally had a kitchen to cook again (minus a fridge). The town was smaller then we expected. Set in a valley which you could walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes. Due to Swiss law the town dwellings all remain the same and new houses have to abide by the same rules. All new houses require bunkers to be installed under the homes and even look like they would have 50 years ago.
Our time here included white water rafting in the glacier waters (very cold), plenty of waterfalls, a day trip halfway up the mountain to Murren. Unfortunately that day was overcast and we couldn't make the trip to the Schilthorn summit (which had the purpose built lookout made for one of the Bond movies). Dee was thankful we didn't climb to the top anyway because the summit was only 0 degrees and she had forgotten to take her jacket!
Some shopping time was also spent in the much bigger town of Interlaken, with some essential purchases including an umbrella and of course true Swiss chocolate. Our last night was capped of with James experiencing a traditional Swiss dinner called Rosti (stewed fried potatos with ham and onions).
LUCERNE - Our highlight of Lucerne would have to be our daytrip to Mount Pilatus. The day we arrived the whether was great and we had learnt from Lauterbrunnen that when it is sunny you make the most of it. The trip to Mount Pilatus included a 10 minute sprint to the ferry (we were in a hurry again!) which we made, for a 90 minute cruise along the lake to the bottom of the mountain. This was then followed by a funicular ride (old fashioned cable train designed to climb steep gradients) directly up the face of the mountain to the summit. At one stage the incline is 46 degrees which is the steepest in Europe. The 360 degree views from the summit were spectacular. Unfortunately it wasn't cold enough for snow, being 15 degrees at the summit and a much warmer 30 degrees at ground level. The return trip included a 20 person gondala ride, then a smaller cable car trip to the bottom. These and a bus ride home meant we had covered nearly all forms of transport known to man in one day!
In the evening we stumbled by the annual Blues festival (yes another festival). They had the likes of Macy Grey, Shaggy and K.D. Lang playing there over the two week festival. Some more drinks that night, however Dee did decide to pass on the 20 Franks (AUD 21) champagne glass that was being sold and stuck to the Heinekens.... we were warned that Switzerland is expensive and we now agree.
Other sights we visited were the famous Lion monument that symbolised the lives lost in the civil war and a hike to the fortified tower wall, that still has 8 remaining towers from the old ages.
Next is Germany for some beer hall action...
We stayed in a cosy wood cabin and while the facilties were basic, we finally had a kitchen to cook again (minus a fridge). The town was smaller then we expected. Set in a valley which you could walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes. Due to Swiss law the town dwellings all remain the same and new houses have to abide by the same rules. All new houses require bunkers to be installed under the homes and even look like they would have 50 years ago.
Our time here included white water rafting in the glacier waters (very cold), plenty of waterfalls, a day trip halfway up the mountain to Murren. Unfortunately that day was overcast and we couldn't make the trip to the Schilthorn summit (which had the purpose built lookout made for one of the Bond movies). Dee was thankful we didn't climb to the top anyway because the summit was only 0 degrees and she had forgotten to take her jacket!
Some shopping time was also spent in the much bigger town of Interlaken, with some essential purchases including an umbrella and of course true Swiss chocolate. Our last night was capped of with James experiencing a traditional Swiss dinner called Rosti (stewed fried potatos with ham and onions).
LUCERNE - Our highlight of Lucerne would have to be our daytrip to Mount Pilatus. The day we arrived the whether was great and we had learnt from Lauterbrunnen that when it is sunny you make the most of it. The trip to Mount Pilatus included a 10 minute sprint to the ferry (we were in a hurry again!) which we made, for a 90 minute cruise along the lake to the bottom of the mountain. This was then followed by a funicular ride (old fashioned cable train designed to climb steep gradients) directly up the face of the mountain to the summit. At one stage the incline is 46 degrees which is the steepest in Europe. The 360 degree views from the summit were spectacular. Unfortunately it wasn't cold enough for snow, being 15 degrees at the summit and a much warmer 30 degrees at ground level. The return trip included a 20 person gondala ride, then a smaller cable car trip to the bottom. These and a bus ride home meant we had covered nearly all forms of transport known to man in one day!
In the evening we stumbled by the annual Blues festival (yes another festival). They had the likes of Macy Grey, Shaggy and K.D. Lang playing there over the two week festival. Some more drinks that night, however Dee did decide to pass on the 20 Franks (AUD 21) champagne glass that was being sold and stuck to the Heinekens.... we were warned that Switzerland is expensive and we now agree.
Other sights we visited were the famous Lion monument that symbolised the lives lost in the civil war and a hike to the fortified tower wall, that still has 8 remaining towers from the old ages.
Next is Germany for some beer hall action...
Paris - 13 to 16 July
Well this city deserved a whole section to itself...Paris! Yet again we managed to arrive in a city for a festival, this time of year right across Europe its festival crazy and in Paris it was Bastille Day (French day of independence). Its incredible how much you can fit into 2 full days when you get your mind to it. Bastille day started of with a trip to the Arc De Triomphe (with no cars allowed to enter as it was closed of for the parade). It is the most dangerous roundabout in Europe with 12 roads leading into it and an accident every 8 minutes and to top it of cars that enter are not covered under their insurance.
That day also included a window shop down the Champs Elysee, no purchases for Dee although a visit to Louis Vutton explained why.....500 - 2000 Euro for a purse alone! It was a massive store and probably 1 in a 100 people in there were actually legimately shopping and not checking out the prices.
Next on the agenda was the Louvre Museum to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. Good day to pick to as it was Bastille Day the museum was open for free which meant no lines for tickets. Every man and his dog was taking a picture of Mona, flash and all. James managed to catch a photo aswell, as you can tell by the pictures. Following on from there we went to Notre Dame Cathedral. Dees highlight of the day was fullfilled when we ate Crepes perched on the bench over the Seine river. The day was finished with a picnic of salami, cheese and wine under the Eiffel Tower to watch the Bastille Day fireworks with 500,000 others!
Day Two was a little less jam packed, but never the less busy. With a visit to the Sacre Couer (holy church) with a climb to the top of the very narrow 300 step spiral staircase, to see some spectucular views of Paris. Following our hiking efforts we ventured through the cobblestone streets of Montmarte where we shared some more drinks and watched the portrait artists in action, amazing! Our visit to Paris was capped of with a night time bike tour with a crazy Texan tour guide. As he would say we 'dominated' the streets and perhaps pissed off alot of french drivers with our pack of riders crowding the streets. The ride also included a night cruise along the Seine with yes once again more alcohol, this time red wine.
We return again to Paris on the 26th July, hopefully to see the end of the Tour de France...
That day also included a window shop down the Champs Elysee, no purchases for Dee although a visit to Louis Vutton explained why.....500 - 2000 Euro for a purse alone! It was a massive store and probably 1 in a 100 people in there were actually legimately shopping and not checking out the prices.
Next on the agenda was the Louvre Museum to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. Good day to pick to as it was Bastille Day the museum was open for free which meant no lines for tickets. Every man and his dog was taking a picture of Mona, flash and all. James managed to catch a photo aswell, as you can tell by the pictures. Following on from there we went to Notre Dame Cathedral. Dees highlight of the day was fullfilled when we ate Crepes perched on the bench over the Seine river. The day was finished with a picnic of salami, cheese and wine under the Eiffel Tower to watch the Bastille Day fireworks with 500,000 others!
Day Two was a little less jam packed, but never the less busy. With a visit to the Sacre Couer (holy church) with a climb to the top of the very narrow 300 step spiral staircase, to see some spectucular views of Paris. Following our hiking efforts we ventured through the cobblestone streets of Montmarte where we shared some more drinks and watched the portrait artists in action, amazing! Our visit to Paris was capped of with a night time bike tour with a crazy Texan tour guide. As he would say we 'dominated' the streets and perhaps pissed off alot of french drivers with our pack of riders crowding the streets. The ride also included a night cruise along the Seine with yes once again more alcohol, this time red wine.
We return again to Paris on the 26th July, hopefully to see the end of the Tour de France...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
London & Spain - 28 June to 12 July
LONDON - we made it into London on the 27 June, after we had a 3 and a half hour delay due to engine problems and having to switch planes at Changhi Airport. Michelle (Dee´s sister) greeted us at Heathrow to show us the way to her home town Tooting Bec. Due to our late arrival we needed to get of the tube and on to the night bus. This meant we got of at Piccadily Circus and right into the nightlife of London... you know you have made it to London once you walk onto the Piccadily streets. Neon signs, people everywhere and the smell of London, ahhh our home for 6 months. This was also quite an adventure with 40 something kilos worth of luggage and Michelle being so excited to show us the sights as we navigated our way to the bus. We made it onto the bus safely and michelle insisted we sit on the top floor of the double decker. This was great until James smacked a not to happy passenger with his pack not once but twice!
During our next four days, we did the touristy stuff like visit Greenwich Park (where the GMT line is), Westminister, cruise down the Thames, Big Ben and The London Eye passby´s and the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Piccadily Circus. James reunited with the Melbourne crew and the rest of the night was history.. good times!
During our next four days, we did the touristy stuff like visit Greenwich Park (where the GMT line is), Westminister, cruise down the Thames, Big Ben and The London Eye passby´s and the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Piccadily Circus. James reunited with the Melbourne crew and the rest of the night was history.. good times!
On Monday we made it to Wimbledon, and when we say made it, it was just like that. Trains, buses and queues. They make you line up in the park for 2 hours and then you walk through the Wimbledon Royal Golf Course. 3 hours later we were in. Strawberries and cream, PIMS and tennis on the hill. It was a great day for some aussie action: Hewitt, Dalacquoa, Pratt, Stosur... oh and Woodbridge just standing in the outer courts waiting for people to greet him [its in the past Woody, move on]. Saw some great tennis and some English sunshine, we have sock marks to prove it... well Dee a "flip flop" mark!
NICE - We left to officially start our 2 months of travel around Europe on the 1st July. A fast train to Luton airport, and easyjet flight and 4 hours later we were in Nice. Not a bad city (I guess people are right when they compare it to the Gold Coast), minus the pebble beach. Had some Italian (I know not French food) for dinner and a few drinks at a bar in the main square that night. One night only in Nice and we were off to Barcelona the next day.
BARCELONA - Our 12 bed dorm was awaiting us the day we arrived. It is a bit of fun sharing with others as you get to meet heaps of people, however one toilet & shower per dorm can get a little painful (especially for those people that blow dry there hair most mornings...), the city is amazing though. That night we experienced our first tapas bar and sangria (legitmate as it had heaps of fruit in it and plenty of red wine).
On our second day we did what was called a fat bike tour. For 20 euro you go on a very casual bike ride around Barcelona (it´s a flat town) and the guide points out all the sites and talks about them. This helped us for the next few days to decide what we wanted to do. A bit of department store shopping for Dee that day also. That night we went to the Magic Fountain. The fountain by night is a mega light show with some of the corniest music you can imagine, but it was worth the 5 euro bottle of white wine we took down there for consumption. We left at midnight and James was positive he was heading in the right direction back to the hostel, however we managed to walk further north instead of south. This lead us to end up in the ghetto part of town next to the local jail. A bit of orienteering advise from a local and we were soon back on track to the hostel after our 90minute walk which had originally took half an hour on the way there...
During the next few days we ate more baguettes, more tapas and drank more sangria (James more beer then sangria, still not a huge fan of red wine).
MADRID - This would have to possibly be our biggest eye opener city on arrival... two words, Gay Pride! We arrived right in the middle of the march!! Our bus was unable to access the hostel as the streets were closed off so the bus load of us jumped on the packed underground train to our hostel. We were sprayed with something.... as we walked up the stairs onto the street to people partying everywhere. Madrid is a vey busy and perhaps more dangerous city in comparison to barcelona. You couldn´t walk further than 20 metres without seeing police. I think this was particularly true around our hostel as we were in the heart of the city. A few prostitues also liked to hang about our street too!
Over our three nights in Madrid we did the touristy thing and visited Real Madrid´s home stadium, several museums and Retiro Park (second bigest park in europe). The stadium was huge with a capacity crowd of 80,000 seats and are classified the most successful ´football´team of the 20th century according to FIFA. It was pretty interesting however we managed to get told of twice by the security guards, once because James jumped the barrier... and a second time for sitting on the seats, tough security! We also had trouble with our backpacks again with Deanne managing to knock an entire bowl of coco pops onto the floor meant for all the hostel backpackers when rushing past the breakfast table....very embarrasing the spanish lady at the hostel wasn´t very impressed but strongly declined assitance with the clean up!
SAN SEBASTIAN - 5 nights in total was spent here our longest stretch in one place yet. Three nights of which was spent on a busabout tour for the running of the bulls festival. The festival is located in Pamplona which is about an hours bus ride from San Sebastian. The bus also departed at 4am which meant a 3.15am start to the day, ouch! You have to arrive early as the bulls run at 8am. The festival is amazing, the spanish people go absolutely crazy and party non stop for 9 days, day and night the street rubbish also reflects this! We all dressed in our whites which is essential to be part of the spirit of it all. James and Matty defied all warnings not to run but made it safely to the arena, thank god!! James´comments: The biggest adrenaline rush of my life, the frantic run around dead mans corner, up the hill where you wait for the bulls to pass you and then another frantic run into the arena so that they don´t lock you out.. for the record matty beat me in with a time of 2:31 and me 2:45... not really they don´t time it, but from start to finish it´s 800 metres. They can now tick this off their´life to do list´. Each morning they release 6 bulls each weighing in at around 600kgs in a stretch of road that takes only 3 minutes from start to finish for the bulls to run! Once in the arena the bulls run straight through to the others side and so you think all is safe until they then close all doors and release another 5 bulls, one at a time into the arena. However to some relief they are smaller however never the less much more fiesty!
San Sebastian prooved to provide us with our best and worst weather yet! Its an amazing place and perhaps a favourite so far. We spent 3 days relaxing on the beach working on our tans, hit the pubs and made a mistake in drinking cheap and nasty vodka ($AUD6 bottle) can´t even remember what it was called and nor do we want to. Our last 2 days were mucher cooler and brought some rain however we still braved the elements and visited the lookouts. Not the best for photo taking though!
So finally we are off to Paris tomorrow for some Tour de France action hopefully.
This is adious from Spain...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)