Spain (Ibiza)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Another earlish start to catch the bus to the airport for our 10am flight - breakfast was at the airport - another brunch breakfast of sandwich and coffee!!
I was dead excited!! Ibiza Ibiza Ibiza!!!
We arrived around 11am - a nice short flight - but we had to wait for the bus to take us to the other side of the island - San Antonio
Then we had a bit of a mission to find our hostel - spent about an hour trying to find it - but once arrived (early afternoon) and settled, i headed for a wander around San Antonio and found a cheap internet cafe to get a much needed facebook fix!!
After a siesta we had some cheap food and drink, pre bought from the supermarket, and headed into the centre of town for some yummy cocktails :)
Scott got really drunk really quickly and i was knackered so we got back to the hostel around 1am.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009
We both slept in until mid morning - much needed sleep in i thought!
We had done quite well with the hostel, having our very own little beach a 30second walk away, which is where i spent the day lounging around in the sunshine working on my tan and swimming in the sea! Although i wasnt brave enough to go topless like all the other girls.
Wednesday night we got dressed up ( i went shopping in the arvo and bought some leopard print material) and we headed out to the old zoo for a wicked night out.
Im not sure who the DJ's were but they were good! and the location was such a good idea, they had a DJ in one of the water enclosures, so he was on the platform in the middle and everyone was dancing in the seated area on the outside!
It was a relativley early night - home by 2pm
We were going to go to the after party at Priviledge - the biggest club in the world, but we couldnt take our cameras in - and we didnt really want to leave them with the other hundreds of cameras!!

Thursday 3rd September
 So today I decided that instead of spending another day on the beach (which was extremely tempting) I would go over and check out Ibiza Town - I took the bus in the morning (paid bout €4 return) and headed to the other side of the island. It wasnt as picturesque as San Antonio - there were buildings everywhere and no beach - so i wandered round there for a few hours, but i got bored too quickly as it didnt feel like i was away from London.
So then headed back to San Antonio, and met Scott at the main town, and we headed out on a boat cruise around the island. The sun was shining and the water looked good -
It was a glass bottom boat so at certain points we could see all the fish and everything - which was pretty neat!
we stopped at one point and everyone went swimming - NOT ME - i had seen the size of the jelly fish and there was no way i was getting in thaat water!! haha
Was a great afternoon !!
Later we got dressed and sat and watched the sunset (so gorgeous) we then bought tickets to Space and met a couple girls who were heading there too so we shared a cab -
The drinks were not so cheap here €13 for a vodka & lemonade - needless to say I only had 1.
Scott went home at 2am, but i stayed out with the girls and partied until it closed!
Got back to the hostel at 8am - got to see an Ibiza sunrise!

Friday 4th September
So after about 3 hours sleep we got woken by the maid who was telling us we had to check out by midday - I WAS NOT HAPPY!!
We had about 6 hours until we needed to leave to go to the airport so we headed to Ibiza Town, listened to some music, had some food, i bought a top and then we headed back to San Antonio and i had a snooze in the sunshine on the beach.
We got to the airport for our 12midnight flight and i had another snooze whilst waiting to board!
I think i just seen take off - and then slept the whole way back to London
AND slept on the bus into London too!!

I did come back with an ultimatley nice tan - although it disappeared a few days later!

The beach outside our hostel!

Sunset on San Antonio Beach!

Spain (Barcelona)

Friday, August 28, 2009
we were up early and into city, catching that replacement bus service certainly made things slower. We started the day off with a Fat Tire Bike Tour – which I highly recommend. The tour guide was fantastic and we got to see most of the city in 4 hours.
We stopped at the Barcelona Cathedral, and then headed to the famous Sagrada Famillia, Antoni Gaudi's creation. We also went through the park and headed past the bull fighting arena, stopped at the Arc De Triompf (Barcelona Version) and down the main road to the beach! This was where we stopped for some lunch and a well earned rest! We got chatting to a kiwi couple Megan and Grant who were lovely, and we decided to go out for a drink after we got back to the bike shop. The boys didn’t care where as long as they got beer, so an Irish pub it was!
We then headed back to the hostel, I had a quick shower and change and headed back into the city to meet back up with Megan and Grant and go to watch a Flamenco show in a little bar in the square!  This was one of the highlights of Barcelona for me, the 2 dancers were fascinating to watch, and they had so much passion showing not only in their faces but through their dancing as well.
The background singers were amazing; they were so enthusiastic and made the show come alive. It only lasted about 30 minutes but was definitely worth the time and money.
We wandered up the famous La Rambla where people were dancing, singing, painting,

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Today was slightly overcast but still really warm, not such clear skies today!! :( it even rained in the afternoon!!
We headed back into the city, we went to the eastern area, and checked out Mount Montjuic.
We headed up the front entrance up towards the The National Art Museum of Catalonia, instead of having to walk up the hundreds of stairs to get to the top, they had conveniently created escalators for us to use :) Was such an amazing view of the beaches along Barcelona! It would have been cool to take the cable car to the other side!
We then walked along the roads and past the Plaza de Cataluna and went to Pablo Picasso's museum, which was another highlight of the trip. I found the museum really interesting cos it started off showing Picasso's really early work, right through (in order) to his latest stuff. im not a huge musuem fan but i really enjoyed this museum. And bought a few postcards too!
We then headed back to the hostel for some Mojitos and Tortillas. One of the American guys there was a chef and we all put in €8 and he (and we helped) made a huge helping of tortillas and a extra large helping of Mojito mix. We later took the left over mix and went down to the beach.
The evening was just amazing - it was so warm on the beach at 11pm and there were great little bars all along the beach - local bars!! and fireworks even went off :)
Tim and I left the beach and went to a bar for some drinkies then back to the hostel about 3am!

Sunday, August 30, 2009
I had a very nice sleep in this morning - after the drinking the previous night a sleep in was definatley what i needed!!
Tim was supposed to come with me down to the beach but by 12noon the sun was shining and i wanted to chill on the beach!! so me and tim's friend Allen headed down to bask in the sunshine!!
We went swimming, drank some beers and got burnt all afternoon - it was brilliant!!
The evening was spent chatting and drinking to fellow travellers in the hostel
I think it was the best way to spend a Sunday!
I really wish i had taken Beccy's last name! she was so cool to chat to, and it would have been nice to keep in contact!!

Monday, August 31, 2009
Today was our final day in Barcelona! I was a little bit sad - there was still so much to see and do - the city was so big and with hidden treasures!!
We headed back in quite early and started the day in a queue for Gaudi's apartment - the wait was definatley worth it though, his house was amazing!! With random little corners and quirky little toys - then the roof  - Oh My God! It was incredibly, with a view overlooking most of the city it was like walking around in one of those mazes you go into at carnivals - the ground was all undulating - it was similar to walking on mini rolling hills!
We then headed up tp Gaudi's Park in the North part of the city - it was a bit of a mission, i think today i was struggling to get motivated to walk more than any other day so far! I just could not be bothered today!
But yet again it was worth the walk - the park was amazing - with eccentric random little designs all over the place. And a giant lizard at the front entrance.
From here, we wandered (slowly) back into town and went to the Cathedral - where i had to buy a head scarf for my shoulders to enter - i always get an eeiry feeling when i enter churches and this was no exception. Sends chills down my spine. The outside was pretty cool too - with a little garden and fish and a drinking fountain. The inside was spectacular (of course) it has quite an interesting history behind it - which is ...
"The cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona, a young virgin who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in Barcelona. One story is that she was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snowfall in mid-spring covered her nudity. The enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street (according to tradition, the one now called 'Baixada de Santa Eulalia'). The body of Saint Eulalia is entombed in the cathedral's crypt."
From there we went and wandered along La Rambla - it was so different during the day and i found myself clutching my bag the whole time! We stopped at little corner cafe for some Sangira and people watched for a while, i was very tempted to buy a pet squrriel from one of the stalls along La Rambla but i dont think he would have made it back into London!
I was totally knackered by the early evening - and the night was spent back at the hostel for a "home" cooked dinner ... and an early night!

Spain (Valencia)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The flight to Valencia from Madrid was only 1 ½ hours, we spent longer sitting at the airport waiting for our flight than we did actually on the flight!
We arrived nice and early – 7.30am and were greeted by some cooler weather – think it was low 30's but was a humid kind of heat but at least we weren’t sweating at that time of morning.
We caught the metro into town – surrounded by aussies and kiwis!
After a small dilemma about which direction to head from the metro exit (me saying we go right and Scott saying we go left – so we go left for about 10 -15 mins until Scott then says I never said this is the right way to go! So we turned around and went back the other way towards the hotel… stopping along the way at a café along the way for some yummy and cheap breakfast – again the language barrier caused difficulty but we pointed to the menu and got what we had ordered this time.
After checking in and showering we headed out to check out Valencia and all it had to offer, the temperature had climbed a little and it was warming up- was kinda muggy, not too sunny but still warm, reminded me of Auckland.
We walked 10 mins into the city centre from our hotel and stopped at the information centre to pick up some maps then wandered the first entry point of the city – it was like an entrance way to a castle. It was a giant concrete pillar type structure that we walked up the stairs to the top to get a great view of the city.
We wandered through Virgin Square but neither of use were to keen to pay to go inside the church so just peered in from the doorway, we wandered aimlessly through the little streets before jumping on a bus and heading down to the Science and Art area of Valencia. It was a real modernised man made area, bright white with high tower pillars and a huge museum and a man made pool (looked like a river) running all the way down. It was impressive! And certainly didn’t match the other area of town!
We then walked in the humid heat to the Americas Cup Village only to be disappointed that it was all closed off due to the Formula 1 being on the week before! So we trammed and metro’d back to the hotel for a siesta – something we were definitely getting into on our trip!
We headed out for dinner in the city – nothing to fancy, jus tapas and wine!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Up bright and early with the thousands of other crazy tourists to cram ourselves onto the 9am train from Valencia to Bunol – 30 minutes out of the city!
We arrived in Bunol and walked through the small town into the area of festivities.
The locals were all out on the closed off roads eating and drinking in large numbers. A lot of people were drunk and others were getting there. We got ourselves a beer and headed across the bridge to where the street was already jam packed full of people waiting in anticipation for the worlds largest food fight to begin. We were hours early so had time to kill – we managed to bump into Scotts friend and her sister and friends – which was good.
At midday the mayhem began – we were about half way down the tiny road, the houses which lined the road were covered in plastic and the people were standing on their little landings throwing buckets of water on top of us Before the food fight
When the first tomato truck came up the hill the people went crazy! Since there were thousands of us crammed into this small space we now had to make room for this big truck to come through! So everyone squished up against the wall – not good for the claustrophobia levels! The truck managed to stop right in front of us and dumped a huge pile of soft, soggy, smelly tomatoes at our feet and before it had time to drive further past us the people all jumped in! We could barely move but the tomatoes were flying! Some people were on the ground swimming in the tomatoes others were smashing others with the soft fruit!
I took a lot to the face and realised how disgusting it all actually was! The smell of it was the worst and then there was the salty taste – ewww its making me cringe just writing about it! Was great fun though, im not sure if Ive ever had permission to throw my food around like we did! I wish my brother had have been there and then we could have had the food fight we've always wanted!
After 4 truck loads of tomatoes, a t-shirt turned pink and a face/head full of seeds we decided to make our way up the hill back to the train station…. Stopping along the way to get rinsed off by the locals who kindly stood outside to hose the many hundreds of tourists and locals Action shot of the water
I took off my top layer of t-shirt and ditched my shoes as we headed up the hill – they no longer looked like the grey sneakers I had purchased for £5
The train back to Valencia was just as busy as the one out but this time everyone was chatting and smelled like old tomatoes mixed with sweat! GROSS!
We went back to the hotel where I washed my hair 3 times and still hadn’t gotten rid of the smell
We then headed into the city and met up with another one of Scott’s mate from Van Tour and we went and had paella and beers at a cheapish place, then went and had drinks at Virgin Square where there was dancing going on, on the stage set up in the middle of the square.
The walk back to the hotel was long and quiet - we kinda got lost and i got nervous cos the streets were so empty - and then we couldnt figure out where exactly we were - it was a mission indeed but we got there in the end!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday was our last day in Valencia; we checked out and headed back into the city – stopping off at the park to see an impressive playground in the shape of Gulliver. Then we sort of wandered around the city seeing the parts we hadn't seen, we checked out the big markets and I was tempted to buy some fresh fruit or something yummy but bought some postcards instead. We then caught the bus down to the seaside and walked along the beach in the beautiful sunshine.
We checked our facebook and bank accounts online - as we had some time to kill until we needed to be at the train station.
Our train to Barcelona was at 5pm but was delayed so we had a bit of a wait in the ElStacion De Nord. I didn’t mind the 3 hour train ride north, it was quite comfy and we travelled up the coast so it was a scenic train ride.
We had a bit of a mission to find the hostel though, there were closures on the metro so we had to take a replacement bus, but we got there in the end – about 11pm and settled into our new accommodation – a hostel!

Bye Bye Valencia -  HELLLOOOO Barcelona!

Spain (Madrid)

Friday, August 21, 2009 
So today after our flight was 1 hour delayed (damn Ryanair!) we managed to arrive safely into Madrid, navigate our way to the hotel and get a good nights rest.
I got such a suprise at how warm it was at night! Was great!
Our hotel was perfect, large and roomy, with air con!!
The lift was TINY! Seriously - there were 2 lifts and one of them was only a 2 man lift, WITHOUT bags! Was hilarious!!


Saturday, August 22, 2009 
our first day in Madrid we had a bit of a sleep in and headed out.
The temperature was already climbing and getting hot! And of course me coming from chilly London it was taking its toll on me... I had a headache by lunchtime and discovered how important water was in the heat!
We didnt have much planned for the day so we just wandered around the city and checked out the sites, the Plaza's and buildings.
The main Plaza - Plaza Mayor was huge and seemed to be a busy bustling place. Somewhere where you could sit (in the shade) and people watch for hours I imagine.
We got a good feel for the city walking all around - and after a tapas lunch we headed to Reitro Park in the Bourbon area of Madrid. Smoking inside!!
By this time the temperature had already reached 42 degrees and at around 4.30pm we decided to head back to the hotel for a siesta as we were both hot and sweaty and tired from the heat.
After our much needed siesta we headed out for a tapas dinner and some beer at a small resturant. We then decidded to stop for a drink on the way home, and got chatting to some American's - one of whom was a pilot..
On the walk home we stopped at the Plaza Mayor.. Man what a difference between the day and night times!
During the day there were childrens entertainers, spidermans, mickey mouses with balloons and more, but by night they were gone and there were people dressed in scary costumes, heads on boards, definatley not an area for the small kids after dark. Was almost like a ghost house or something similar. Was pretty awesome though!


Sunday, August 23, 2009In the morning we headed out to Ventas to buy our tickets for the bull fight that evening, we decided to go to a little local place for some food.
Still cant get used to the smoking in doors! Scott ordered a beef burger and I ordered a ham and cheese sandwhich – we both pointed to our choices on the menu (in hope to avoid confusion) But 10 minutes later 2 chicken burgers and chips arrived in front of us!! And they were disgusting… Obviously our Spanish isn't too great!
We then headed back into the city and checked out the Sunday Flea Markets - where you could buy anything from food to clothes to household applicanes to toys to dvds to porn! It was insane! So much random stuff and so much junk!
Later in the evening we headed to the bull fight – I was a bit nervous having heard the things that happen at bull fights and having so many people tell me how cruel it is etc etc… but after the 2nd one I was enjoying it. Yes it was cruel to the bull that eventually dies but hey – all in the name of a cultural sport right!?!
So it started out with the matadors tormenting the bull… flashing their pink capes to get the bull to chase them, then they quickly duck in behind these little wooden man sized pocket holes in the arena… this winding the bull up and getting him running round chasing whoever he can. Then they have to soften his neck muscles, and to this they again wave their pink capes to get his attention and as he runs towards on of the matadors the other one quickly throw mini dagger spike things into his back and neck. Again making him angry! (Of course) And if that wasn’t enough, they then bring out 2 horses, the matadors flash their capes and the bull charges for the horse which is blinded by carpet (covering his body and eyes) and the man on the horse stabs the bull in the back of the neck and spine, weakening the bull so he is ready for the main matador to show his stuff!
The main matador then comes out dressed up all pretty and branding his red cape… ducking, diving and twirling away from the bull every time he slowly charges The Sunday Markets
This goes on for about 10 minutes – whilst the crowd chant "Olay" every time he does a good one! Then afterwards – for the finale, the matador brings out his sword and as the bull charges the matador sharply stabs the bull in the back of the neck, just behind the head with such force that he goes down to the ground (sometimes it takes the matador a few tries, or the bull gets stabbed but doesn’t go down for a few mins, but after being tormented by the other matadors again he starts walking round in circles and eventually falls to the floor. A matador then comes over and finishes him off with a small dagger to the back of the spine.
Then the horses come out with heroic music playing and they drag the bull away!!
This routine was repeated 4 or 5 times by different matadors to impress the judges and the crowds.
So was that so bad? No, yes the bull dies but hey, he has fun doing it!
After the bull fight we then went back to the main square and had some sangria at a little local pub/restaurant by the Puerta De Sol.


Monday, August 24, 2009Monday was a cooler day 32 degrees!  We had a nice sleep in and then headed back to the temple at the Plaza De Espana, it was an ancient Egyptian temple which overlooked the western area of the city and was quite unique I thought.
We then walked along and went inside the Royal Palace… We weren't allowed to take any photos inside the palace which was a shame… but there wasn’t anything too fascinating about it really, another extravagant palace where the King and Queen once lived. Still good to go inside though!
We had a bit of time to kill after that so we headed out the Real Madrid Stadium. I really wanted to do a tour of the place but it was 15€ and the queue was way too long to bear! It was pretty impressive though and I believe there was a game on there that night too!
For dinner we went to a for Paella and Tapas and Spanish Beer – mmmmm paella
I believe that this was the restaurant where I learnt the true meaning of "smoked ham" as the guy behind the bar was slicing up Scotts ham for his meal whilst smoking on his cigarette! Mmmmm smoked ham!
We had an early night tonight as we had a 6am flight to Valencia which meant a 4am wake up call!

Ascot Races!!

Anna and I got tickets with Pillow Tours for a day at the races!

The days started at 6am for me. I got up and ready and put in my hair extensions and met Anna and the tour group at Temple tube station.

We then headed up to Ascot leaving London at 9am and arriving there very early at 10.30am. We were one of the first groups to arrive!
The sun was shining so they cracked open the Pimms and we met some girls from Australia (one from NZ) and shared some chips and dip and wine.

We headed in at about 2pm and watched some races, drank some more wine.

We had a free £5 bet which i placed on early. I also placed another £4 on another race but unfortunatley I didnt win anything!!!

We left Ascot at about 5pm and i went home and got changed and headed back out on the town with my flat mates!

Was an awesome day! Met some really cool people and was lots of fun getting all dressed up and sipping on wine all day!

Amsterdam

Thursday, March 19, 2009 
So I was picked up by George and her dad at bout 11am... and we headed to the airport.
We arrived in Amsterdam about 3pm and caught the train into the city.
Settled into our hotel and went to check out Dam Square.
By the time we got out of the hotel it was about 6pm so we went for a walk up to the hash museum - which had a massive growing room which could get you high from the fumes!
We then found a grill place for dinner - they were playing music and trying to get us to dance!
Even made us stay for another drink and 20% off our meal!
We then walked to the red light district - had a drink - and wandered around. It wasn't as seedy as i had imagined and most (not all) of the girls were pretty hot!
We headed back to the hotel by 11pm and crashed out for the night.


Friday, March 20, 2009 

So Friday we were up early and out the door by 9am!

We stopped off to get a on the go muffin and coffee then headed to Anne Franks House.
We bet the queues as we had purchased our tickets online!!
We spent about an hour wandering around the place where Anne and her family spent their days hiding from the Nazi's during the war! It was emotional walking through there. Knowing that they actually lived there for that long!!
From there we walked down to the Markets and wandered along to the Heiniken Museum.
Where we spent another couple hours learning how the beer was brewed and watching all the ads from over the years and best of all tasting the beer ! Georgina didnt like it - so i drank hers!
Was good fun - probably my highlight of the trip cos there was so much to see and do in this museum!
Next on the list was lunch and the Amsterdam sign - it was by pure fluke we found the sign but glad we did cos it made for great pics!
We then paid €15 to get into the Van Gogh Museum - which was nothing too special. Im not a big arty person but was still good to go and check it out! Been there .. done that!
Afterwards we went and did a canal cruise which was definatley what we needed by this point - Our feet were killing us. The canal cruise was really nice - was such a good way to see all of the city!
Think the canal took 45 mins but was sure worth it!
We then deicded to go to a coffee shop by dam square - Abraxus - where we shared a joint and had a laugh - and then walked up Dam Rak - laughing our heads off cos we were so high!
We stopped off at the sex museum which was ... um ... interesting but kinda gross!
One place where i didnt take many photos! Just didnt seem right to take pics of photos of people having sex in so many different places and ways!!
We went back to the hotel and got changed and went out for dinner - we didnt go too far jus to a local resturant - about 5 mins from the hotel.. we were still kinda stoned and couldnt be bothered going too far! We were the only customers in the restuarant, but that didnt matter we had the muchies so ate our dinner pretty quickly!!
The day was exhuasting! The weather was great!! Sunny but the wind was cold!






Saturday, March 21, 2009
So today we got up early again and caught the train out to the little village of Zaan Schan in the neighbourhood town of ZaandaamIn the village was the clog making factory and cheese making factory as well as all the windmills!
Was a really strange little village kind of creepy cos it was so quiet but was interesting to see all the windmills etc.
There was a random duck or goose thing when we went to walk into one of the house thingys and every time we tried to side step it, the bloody thing would move in front of us!
We spent all of the morning out there - then caught a train back into Amsterdam
We headed to the pancake bakery to have giant pancakes for lunch!
Was yummy! George had a sweet one - choc sauce and ice cream and i had a savoury one - cheese and ham! Mmmmmm
We then decided it would be a good idea to go and have a space brownie for desert - at homegrown - a little coffee shop down the road from our hotel.
We had way too much weed and got way to stoned and ended up laughing then going back to the hotel to trip out and sleep.
We woke up bout 10pm and i went for a walk to get some food. Waffles and lemonade!

 

  

Sunday, March 22, 2009
So today we had a sleep in - after some very strange dreams!!
We packed up and head out.
we caught the tram down to Vondel Park then George decided we should try walking somewhere without the map and follow our instincs so i let her lead the way - and we almost got lost! haha.
We went and had some food then went back up to dam square
And went to Madame Tussads - which was awesome - the wax figures looked  so incredibley real!!
We spent ages in there and took loads of pictures!!
I think George Clooney looked the most real!
We then went and browsed through the big mall - Bijenkorft - it was like the harrods of Amsterdam - all the expensive stuff - Gucci, Dior etc! I wish!!
We wandered around Dam Square - there were so many people out and about today - the busiest day I think!
We did some tourist shopping and i bought the girls some hash pops and other bits and pieces!
Then went and had a drink in the hotel bar which was super expensive!
Then headed back slowly to the airport!
Was a rather quiet day - but it was good just to chill out and take it slow for the last day!
Think I got home about 12 midnight!

Athens

Thursday, February 26, 2009 
Thursday 26th of Feb.
This afternoon Kelly, Vaughan Josh and I flew to Athens. Josh didnt sleep all day so that made for an interesting 3 hour flight.
We stayed in an apartment a short walk to the main shopping area of Athens.
The thing that suprised me about Athens, was
1. the taxi drivers who were absolutley mental and drove so fast all the time.Then they would slam on the brakes to stop!
2. How dirty the city was. there were stray dogs everywhere, rubbish and general dirt!
3. Parking - the cars would park next to each other in the street and block each other in. and only 1 car could fit down a road (which should fit 2 cars!)












The Acropolis CLOSED cos of strikes!!




Friday, February 27, 2009 
Today we went out for breakfast just to a local cafe, was strange smoking in doors, kinda gross too!!
We caught a taxi to the Acropolis only to discover that it was closed due to a protest. So instead we went to the Agora which was the ancient Greek market place. Walking around it was easy to imagine how it once was. We also went into the museum and checked out the artefacts
  Later we went and had a platter lunch and walked around the Old Plaka district and walked past the Roman Forum and Tower of Winds also where I bought a fake Prada handbag for €15.
Was funny to bargain with the african guys who sell all that stuff cos as soon as they see the police coming they will sell it and run!
We walked back to the apartment stopping at the temple of Zeus and the Kallimarmaro (Olympic) Stadium.
For dinner we went local and walked down to one of the restaurants near our apartment 




(Temple of Zeus)

(Map reading  "how do we get back)

(olympic Stadium) 




















Saturday, February 28, 2009 
So this morning we got up and went to the same little place for breakfast coffee!
Our apartment was quite noisy and they cleared the bins every morning at about 4.30am so none of us got much sleep!
We went into the centre of Modern Athens and watched the changing of the guards. Then we went and walked around the shops until the boys got bored - so we went and got some lunch then walked through the big markets -the fish ones were smelly!! And Vaughan reminded me to watch my bag!!
We then headed towards Lykavittos Hill - where we walked up hills and stairs and then reached the gondola which took us the rest of the way up! Had an awesome view from the top and there was a cute little (old) church at the top. Was definately tiring and hard work!! Thank god we took the Gondola i dont think i could have walked all that way - Josh had it easy - he slept the whole time!!
Saturday night we went out into Plaka area for dinner. We shared a variety of stuff and then tried shots of ouzo! Which were disgusting - the shots were about twice the size of normal shots and were so hard to drink. I think Vaughan was the only one who finished his!

We also went for a walk and took photos of the Acropolis at night - was such a beautiful site at night! Took us a while to find the perfect place for the shot. At least it wasnt cold.
The weather was really nice today too - think it got up to 16'

Sunday, March 1, 2009
So today we went BACK to the Acropolis and it was open!! YAY! We spent the morning there checking out all the ancient Greek monuments. Seen the Temple of Athena (the goddess of victory)
The Parthenon which is probably the most recognisable monument out of all of them, also went and seen the 2 theatres which held festivals, competitions etc.
Its crazy to think that many of the buildings were built 6th millennium BC!
Sunday afternoon we walked through the national gardens then caught a train down to the coastal harbour of Piraeus. Where we went for a walk along the waterfront and seen all the different cafes and restaurants where on one side of the street there was the kitchen and bar area then on the water front the actual seating area was. Very different!
Sunday evening we walked and got a little lost but we eventually found the restaurant we had walked past on the way home. we had to ask the police for directions!

  

Waitangi Day Pub Crawl 2008

So this morning, Cathy and I went up to London early in the morning to join the other couple of hundred kiwis on the traditional Waitangi Day pub crawl.

Starting at Paddington at 10am they headed down to Notting Hill Gate where we joined in.
By this stage there were alot of drunken kiwis (yes i knew alot of them)
From there we walked to High Street Kensington - where we were not welcomed. Those rich stuck up people did not like hundreds of drunken kiwis at lunchtime on a saturday!

We then started walking to Gloucester Road but realised we were running very late thanks to pub stops, toilet stops and more.

So we jumped on a tube and headed along to Westminster where everyone else was.
(see image below)

The Haka was performed in the mud on the grass in front of Westminster at 4pm. Everyone was in really good spirits and it was an awesome atmosphere to be in!

From there we met up with Scott and went and had some food then headed home!

looking forward to the next one in 2010!

Photos from Finland

Finland

  Friday 30th January
My flight arrived late in the evening so after Elina picked me up from the airport we went to her place first then headed out in the dark, freezing cold to go to her friends place.
Nothing too exciting as I was pretty tired! (and cold)


Saturday, January 31, 2009
So this morning when we woke up we discovered it was -18 degrees outside!!
I KNOW! HOW COLD IS THAT RIGHT! haha
So we stayed in doors for the morning, Elina's sister came over and we had some breakfast and slowly got ready (me wearing layers and layers of clothes)
We headed out about lunchtime and into the city and there was NO ONE on the streets - apparantley too cold for tourists! lol
So after checking out the parliment building and a few other random places, we went into a mall to warm up! and warm up we did - it was so warm inside compared to outside, was hard to adjust.
For the afternoon we headed outside again, and down to the water front - went inside this tent and it was +15 degrees inside and filled with little tables and chairs and a hot plate and a guy cooking hot food and serving warm drinks
Elina said these are very common and very popular! was definately an experience!
In the evening we headed back into the city and had some food and drinks then headed to a night club!
I felt totally out of place, not knowing the music or anything but stil had a really good night out!
Elina made me have this shot of something - and im so glad it didnt come back up! cos it was very close to doing so!

Sunday 1st February
So we had another sleep in this morning, possibly due to the fact that we had too much alcohol the night before...
Woke up and looked outside at a fresh dumping of white white snow EVERYWHERE! was so beautiful!
Early evening we went to Elina's friends house and got organised to go sledging!
I was very nervous as I havent done this since i was about 10 years old, and it was DARK!
But i took it slow and had a great time, we went down the big hill a couple of times then had races down this other hill and Elina broke her glasses when she came of her sledge!!
We then all huddled round the car and drank warm hot choc!!

Monday 2nd February 
So I was due to fly back to London today - but as it happens there has been snow all over England and all the airports are closed!! IMAGINE THAT!
Elina thinks its hilarious! I had to call my boss and tell him i couldnt get to work as I was stuck in Finland, he congratulated me on a interesting excuse! haha
So after alot of calls to Kelly and Easy Jet and a visit to the airport, I am due to fly out tomoro lunchtime,
flying SAS via Norway to Heathrow as all other Easy Jet flights are full until Thursday
So for the rest of today we went ice skating in the town square - I was definatly the odd one out, not being able to balance at first and having all these little kids whizzing past me!
We then went to a resturant and I tried Reindeer!! (with mash potatoes) was very strange!

Tuesday 3rd February
I do love flying but that was just ridiculous - I am so knackered after having to run to catch the connecting flight in Norway
Norway is very pretty though and it would be amazing to visit there!
It was sad to say goodbye to Elina but I had such a good weekend!!

Now back to work and the real world!

Scotland and 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Day 1. We met in London at 6.30 am and departed on 4 buses and headed up to Scotland.
After 10 hours and 2 stops in the North we made it to our hostel on the outskirts of town.
I was knackered after being ill the past few days so didnt drink this night, i chilled out, in preparation for tomorrow night!!


Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Day 2.
We got up at around 8am, alot of people nursing hangovers.
And went on a bus tour around Edinburgh. We got to see lots of cool things around Edinburgh on the tour and went up to Edinburgh Castle - we didnt go inside the castle but looked around the place.
We checked outwhere the party was gonna be that evening and what the plan was...
We then wandered around the city, had a coffee to warm up then caught our buses back to the hostel.
We had a few our to get ready and start drinking.
Then we headed into the city to party in the main street with a couple thousand other people.
It was -8 degrees outside but the alcohol kept us warm.
The main street was where it was all happening, 3 different styles of music and bands/DJ's playing, up on the other street was where all the rides where and then in the closed of part in the middle, Groove Armada were playing!
At midnight the fireworks went off and they were pretty impressive!!
Lasting about 5-10 minutes!
We stayed out til bout 2am then headed back to the hostel.

Thursday, January 1st 2009
It was another early start for those that could bear it - and we headed out to Stirling Castle -where the famous battle was and where brave heart was filmed, so needless to say on the bus ride there we watched Braveheart.
On the bus ride back, i think nearly everyone slept!!
There was more drinnking to be done that evening, karaoke night at the hostel and everyone that could drink did - was a fun night!

Friday, January 2nd 2009
It was another early start for the bus ride back to London!!
We made several stops and seen snow on the mountains as we left Scotland.
I think we arrived back in London at about 8pm and i then caught the train back to Brighton!

WELCOME TO 2009!!