London calling

Hey all. Sorry it's been a while. Been busy and kinda didn't think things would be interesting. I now have three hours to waste so here I am recapping and remembering my last four days in London.

Day 1- really busy day this was. Started my day with a trip to portabello road markets which were so amazing and full of things I wanted to buy. Keep in mind I needed to curb my spending by London due to lack of space. Didn't see any bed knobs like in bed knobs and broomsticks though. Then walked around Notting hill and photographed a random house with a blue from door like in the movie toting hill. Nt the actual building as that has now been painting with a black door. See my motivation for my London trip? Any themes you have noticed? Yes this was a trip partly drivipen by my love of movies. Next went to covent garden to look at the market and meet up with Chaz from my Asia tour and her friends for some pub fish n chips. I have to say only good meal I have eaten in London and will most likely got back there for another one tonight being my last night. Next was my small group tour through bucking am palace which was exquisit. They don't make buildings like they used to. Apparently the tour we did is like the one they do in summer, but in summer there are thousands of people with audio guides and everything is roped off. Where as we were even allowed to touch things :-). Was a real loser and bought a hand towel and fash washers with gold buckingham palace stitching and a diamond jubilee mug. Then got privately escorted through the front courtyard under the infamous balcony and out a gate just off the main gates. People out the front go crazy thinking you are someone special and take heaps of photos then get disappointed when they realize you are not 'someone'. Then head to see the lion king. Easily one of my favorite musicals ever! And that's saying something.

Day 2- this was my big tourist day. Went up the tower bridge, through the tower of London, over London bridge, into the London dungeon and toured around the globe theatre. Then attempted to hit Oxford street. Dumbest idea in the world. Went to h and m but was disappointed the dress I waited since Berlin to buy wasn't in store in England. Got overwhelmed and had an internal hissy fit and gave up on shopping. In the evening went to the hard rock for dinner and got my usual Tshirt. Yes that Tshirt number ummm four for the trip I think. (Venice, Prague, Amsterdam and London). Headed off to see totem by cirque du soleil at royal Albert hall. The hall is huge and really pretty. The show was awesome but admittedly not my favorite cirque show. Too much fluff and not enough gym centered tricks. Highlights we're Russian bar, frogs n the horizontal bars and the rings. Trapeze was also good but why they dressed them in yellow I have no idea. After the show caught up with Darren (head coach on the show) and met some of the performers back at his flat. Was really fun and they signed my program.

Day 3- travelled to a,Paton court palace and back to the time of Henry the eightieth. Palace was really cool even if not all of it is the original building. Later headed back to Oxford street and found primary. omg it is huge and way better than shops at home. If my suitcase wasn't already full I think I would have like two more suitcases full of clothes. Next time I come back to London I am bringing a suitcase filled with pillows, a pair of jeans a jumper and pjs. That's it. Yes very light travel next time. Headed to the rainforest cafe for dinner. Meal was a bit crappy but it was great to remember being there back in the day with the gym girls. Would have been more fun to take Isabel there. Show tonight was ghost the musical. Very similar to the movie along the story line and special effects were really really cool and clever. At first I was really sinical and didn't like it but by the end I grew to appreciate it. Not my type of musical but on a whole a very well put together show.

Day 4 (today)- begun the day near the palace again. Headed down the mall to trafalgar square going past Clarence house (home of Charles). Then headed past the horse guards and downing street to Westminster abbey. Inside there were so many tombs of people I didn't think would be in there. I mean the have a whole section dedicated to poets and writers. Favorite part of was stain glass windows and seeing sir isaacs tribute. Was good to picture the royal wedding too and realizing just how hard it would have been for people at the wedding to see it without tv screens. We definitely got the best view on tv (bar that of the important royals at the front). Then headed back for the changing of the guards at horse guards. Then to Lambeth palace ( where the knightbus squeezes between two red buses). Then spent like 30 mins walking along the Thames river near tower bridge trying to get a photo for my mm who complained about the sun in the set I got on day 2. Finally got one I think she will approve of lol. Then got a photo of leaden hall market aka diagonal alley. Couldn't find the pub the leaky cauldron was used as. Then off to Camden markets. Glad I didn't come here before I realized my lack of packing space coz I could have gone mental buying clothes and trinkets. Now hanging and resting in my hotel room until I see my last show of the trip - Matilda the musical. Must remember to get Andrew a program.

Happy times but ready to go he for a real meal with vegetables! Mum if you read this Kiev or roast with veggies and gravey please. Or out for Chinese with the babies.

Hope you have enjoyed my blog I realize it would have been better if I could add my pics here too. Cya

Sex drugs and rock n roll also mown as Amsterdam!

Was a little worried about what I might find here but was really surprised by how much I liked it. It's not just about the drugs and red light district (funny that). Started the day with a bike tour and beware they have as many bikes as people in the city. then headed off on my own to see the Rijks museum home of many Rembrant and Vermeer painting. My favorite of which was the milkmaid (girl with a pearl earring is not here unfortunately it's in the Hague). Then went to the van gogh museum which funnily enough is nearly the shape of an ear. Lots of cool paintings. Wish starry night was there but apparently it's in new York (or if you watch notting hill julia roberts owns it and gives it away.) Got an imitation though.
Next went to the Anne frank house and museum which was really cool and reminded me of the book, which incidentally I have just started to read before I realized this was here.
Later went to the main square and came very close to buying a Louvie Vuitton wallet. Ended up buying a dress to wear tonight. Also some souvenirs.
End of tour party tonight followed by a canal cruise. LONG bus day tomorrow. Back to London via Brugge and Calais.

Night peeps

Berlin

So far Berlin is one of my favorite cities. I haven't liked to say any were my favorite because they are so different but I have enjoyed my day today. Had a walking tour with one of the most entertaining guides we have had on the tour so far. He through in lots of jokes and interesting stories. We saw the reinstag or German government building, German history museum, check point Charlie museum, jewish memorial, victims of socialism memorial and some other cool sites. Later went up a tv tower that was the highest point and got a good view of the city and the sun actually came out. Haven't see the sun since Florence.

Later went to see if I could see a movie in English but all the ones in English I had already seen. Nearly was tempted enough to see girl with the dragon tattoo in German but I figured the Americans had already buggered it up anyway. Went shopping instead. So much I wanted to buy and couldn't. Will have to wait until London.

Went to a flag shop today and bought a flag badge for every country I have visited (with the exception of Cambodia and Vanuatu). Hoping to combine them with a fabric map of the world and some form of photos to make a cool display.

Have given up quotes of the day as I keep forgetting them.

Cya all

Salzburg and Prague

In Salzburg the home of Mozart and scenes from the sound of music. Got here late due to road closures from the snow. Went ice skating in the city centre which was fun until it bucketed down with snow. Bit hard to skate when u can't see.

In Prague went to the main square with an astrological clock and some pretty churches. Also the main cathedral, castle and saw the changing of the guard. Got some babushkas which were cute. One shop even had afl ones (sorry mrs t no collingwood one you)

Walked up a massive tower at the castles cathederal. 287 steps with a meter width of room. 20 full 360 revolutions and a heart rate of 160 for th most awesome view I have ever seen.

Absolutely knackered from so much walking. We take the bus via Dresden tomorrow to Berlin.

Venice - the city that's sinking

Went off through Venice today. Had a quick gondola ride which was fun but freezing. It was -1 today. Bought some really cool masks. Saw a murano glass and lacemaking demonstration. had lunch at the hard rock as most of us were craving something that wasnt pizza or pasta. Is was great to have a nice juicy steak. Of course will most likely have pasta or pizza for dinner.

Went to a da Vinci exhibition which was all his inventions recreated. He was so had of his time it is insane.

Tomorrow off to Salzburg for one night then off to Prague which I believe will be my favorite city as I have heard it is beautiful.

Off to do some window shopping now.

Ciao

On the road again

This one will be short and boring so feel free to skip it.

Travelled from Rome to Venice today. No I haven't seen camels yet as we are staying slightly out of Venice. We had a transit driver today to give Colin a break so we had Alessandro. Young good looking Italian lol. Went to Verona to see Juliet's balcony. If u have seen letters to Juliet cut the balcony's courtyard in half and fill it with souvenir shops and crap and u have the balcony.

Bus ride was quite good. I am jealous of their roadhouses called auto grill. Best food ever!!!

Vatican city and Rome take 2

Early wake up this morning for our tour of Vatican city. The tour was really good and we went to St. peters basilica, the museum and Sistine chapel. Unfortunately was couldn't take photos in the Sistine chapel but it was so beautiful and intricate. I can't believe how much work went into it that long ago. The museum had lots of awesome artwork in it too.
Next we went off to the colosseum and the ruins around the forum. The ruins were so awesome, I really wanted to run through them where pele couldn't walk. The colosseum was massive and I was really impressed with the way it was made. You could almost close your eyes and picture things happening there.
Later got a bit lost trying to do some shopping. Ended up getting a cardigan from some really rude ladies, a Rome Tshirt and some pics. 
Tonight we will be having a toga party at the hostel bar. Should be fun.

Quote of the day: from our Vatican tour guide who seemed to be high on espresso or something "see what picture you got on your ticket, the pictures like to change. But not like in Harry potter they are not that cool."