Left Nice today, heading to Avignon, for one last stop in France before (fingers crossed I can find a way to get there) Switzerland. It was a bit of a trial getting here, to begin with my first bus was running 35 minutes late, so I missed the connecting bus by 5 minutes (silly me for thinking 30 minutes would be enough to change buses at the same bus station), which left me an hour and a half wait for the next bus. Eventually made it to Avignon, and to the only hostel in town, to be told that the reception didnt open until 5pm. On asking if I could store my bags until 5 I was told "no, it is winter!" Well does that really make a difference in there being a room available to store bags-apparently you can store them when you check out for the day, but not if you arrive early!
So I spent a couple of hours wandering around with my backpacks. It is a lovley city, old city walls, beautiful buildings, and on the other side of the river, another village I will visit tomorrow. Just need to find either a bus or a train to Switzerland for tomorrow night or Saturday morning.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Warm??? in France??? in Winter???? thats not right!!!
Monaco Palace
Warm in France-in January, how scary!!!!
Nice
Luxemburg
Oscar Wilds grave
I have done some traveling in the last few days. My last day in Paris was spent going round cimetiere du Pere Lachaise, where many famouse people are buried such as Oscar Wild and Jim Morreson. I then caught a train to Luxemburg where I spent a day exploring the city of Luxemburg. As it was a Sunday it was a ghost town, no-one round, nothing open, misty and very pretty. It was also cold, and the ground was covered in ice in the morning. As a result I managed to fall down some stairs and bruise many parts of my body!!!
I then caught an overnight train to Nice, spent the afternoon exploring the city (was not as nice as I expected, quite dirty and run down looking), and then today went out to Eze and Monaco-both lovley places. Monaco is only tiny, covered it in a couple of hours!!! Was also nice and warm (Ok so 12 odd degrees and sunny counts as warm when you have had snow and freezing for several months) and spent a couple of hours in the morning just wearing a t-shirt-kinda scary but lovley!!!
Warm in France-in January, how scary!!!!
Nice
Luxemburg
Oscar Wilds grave
I have done some traveling in the last few days. My last day in Paris was spent going round cimetiere du Pere Lachaise, where many famouse people are buried such as Oscar Wild and Jim Morreson. I then caught a train to Luxemburg where I spent a day exploring the city of Luxemburg. As it was a Sunday it was a ghost town, no-one round, nothing open, misty and very pretty. It was also cold, and the ground was covered in ice in the morning. As a result I managed to fall down some stairs and bruise many parts of my body!!!
I then caught an overnight train to Nice, spent the afternoon exploring the city (was not as nice as I expected, quite dirty and run down looking), and then today went out to Eze and Monaco-both lovley places. Monaco is only tiny, covered it in a couple of hours!!! Was also nice and warm (Ok so 12 odd degrees and sunny counts as warm when you have had snow and freezing for several months) and spent a couple of hours in the morning just wearing a t-shirt-kinda scary but lovley!!!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Bayeux Tapestry
Made a day trip today to see the Bayeux tapestry. Only took 2 1/2 hours each way from Paris, on a nice expensive train trip. Was so worth every cent I payed. The tapestry is actually an embroyded cloth, but is almost 1000 years old (made it 1070), and certainly doesnt look like it is that old. It depicts the battle at Normandy where William the Conqueror defeated Henry/Harold, (someone) to become king-ok so it was pretty cool, just forget a bit of the history!
I spent about 40 minutes looking at it before I got kicked, its about 50cm wide and 70 meters long, so a lot of looking. It was truly amazing, made in only 10 different colours, which depsite the time, havent faded.
Unfortunately, the museum closes between 12.30 and 2.00, so I had to find something else to do while it was closed. They actually kicked me out at 12.10-thats so not 12.30, so I had 2 hours to kill, only to discover that just about everything in the town (not a huge place to begin with) closes between about 12 and 2. I ended up having a look at the cathedral, wandering up to the British war cemetary from the Normandy landing in World War 2, and then had a wander through the lovley old streets of the town, before it was 2.00, and I headed back to the tapestry.
Here I spent another hour and a half looking at the tapestry before having a quick look at the museum which was there, and then making the long treck back to Paris.
Palace Versailles
Catacombes-a little bit freaky
Pantheon
Yes I wasnt really impressed by the Mona Lisa!
I spent about 40 minutes looking at it before I got kicked, its about 50cm wide and 70 meters long, so a lot of looking. It was truly amazing, made in only 10 different colours, which depsite the time, havent faded.
Unfortunately, the museum closes between 12.30 and 2.00, so I had to find something else to do while it was closed. They actually kicked me out at 12.10-thats so not 12.30, so I had 2 hours to kill, only to discover that just about everything in the town (not a huge place to begin with) closes between about 12 and 2. I ended up having a look at the cathedral, wandering up to the British war cemetary from the Normandy landing in World War 2, and then had a wander through the lovley old streets of the town, before it was 2.00, and I headed back to the tapestry.
Here I spent another hour and a half looking at the tapestry before having a quick look at the museum which was there, and then making the long treck back to Paris.
Palace Versailles
Catacombes-a little bit freaky
Pantheon
Yes I wasnt really impressed by the Mona Lisa!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa
After leaving Amsterdam, (spent another couple of days there, going to more museums such as the Rembrandts and National History), and a lovely day at Zaanse Schans, a historic village not far out of Amsterdam, I caught an overnight bus to the city of lights, Paris.
After arriving at 6 in the morning, dropping my bags off at the backpackers, I headed out to explore the city, somewhat in zombie land due to a lack of sleep. Started off with a walking tour of the city (love these, run on a tips basis, so you pay what you feel it is worth, takes in the main sights, and is usually with a wacky person who has moved here from England or Australia to live (or at least thats where my tour leaders have come from).
After finishing the tour I wandered down to the Eiffel Tower, climbed it (nearly died in the process, although I have been walking heaps, I am not used to going up stairs anymore, everywhere over here is flat!). I then took some photos at night of the Tower and the Arc de Triumph.
The next day was spent being a tourist, the Louvre, Pantheon, Catacombes, and climbing the Arch de Triumph. I found the Mona Lisa very disappointing, maybe because we are so used to seeing it, or because they keep you at a distance, but I wasnt moved by it that much. Did however to a flying visit of 2 1/2 hours in the Louvre and managed to see less than 1 of the 4 floors, and didnt stop to read anything in that time-you could spend hours there.
Found the Catacombes a bit disturbing, you really need to visit these with someone else. Located 20 meters under Paris, they house millions of bones displayed decorative designs-the idea of someone in teh 1700s so people could go and visit them.
Today found me out at Palace Versailles, which was lovely, despite there being Union action so they opened 2 hours late, which meant I had to spend an hour wandering the lovley gardens before I could go in.
After arriving at 6 in the morning, dropping my bags off at the backpackers, I headed out to explore the city, somewhat in zombie land due to a lack of sleep. Started off with a walking tour of the city (love these, run on a tips basis, so you pay what you feel it is worth, takes in the main sights, and is usually with a wacky person who has moved here from England or Australia to live (or at least thats where my tour leaders have come from).
After finishing the tour I wandered down to the Eiffel Tower, climbed it (nearly died in the process, although I have been walking heaps, I am not used to going up stairs anymore, everywhere over here is flat!). I then took some photos at night of the Tower and the Arc de Triumph.
The next day was spent being a tourist, the Louvre, Pantheon, Catacombes, and climbing the Arch de Triumph. I found the Mona Lisa very disappointing, maybe because we are so used to seeing it, or because they keep you at a distance, but I wasnt moved by it that much. Did however to a flying visit of 2 1/2 hours in the Louvre and managed to see less than 1 of the 4 floors, and didnt stop to read anything in that time-you could spend hours there.
Found the Catacombes a bit disturbing, you really need to visit these with someone else. Located 20 meters under Paris, they house millions of bones displayed decorative designs-the idea of someone in teh 1700s so people could go and visit them.
Today found me out at Palace Versailles, which was lovely, despite there being Union action so they opened 2 hours late, which meant I had to spend an hour wandering the lovley gardens before I could go in.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Random fact on Amsterdam
After a few days exploring Amsterdam, and doing a couple of tours, I have picked up a few random facts
Marajuana isnt actually legal here, it is just decriminalised (meaning it is deniably admissable, as long as it isnt hurting anyone and it brings in money for the city, no-one is going to do anything about it)
You dont go to a coffee shop for a coffee (it is kinda hazy in there!)
Red light district doesnt only have red lights, but also blue lights (the blue ones mean they may look the part, but dont have the right bits)
You dont go swimming in the canals, as it is dangerous (there are 3 layers to the canals, the mud at the bottom, teh water on the top, and the bikes in the middle which are the dangerouse part)
The houses can lean one of two ways, sideways (which means they are sinking), or forwards (which is intentional, as they all have hooks at the top to bring stuff up and inside because the stairs are too narrow and steep, and they didnt want to bash the front of the houses, so angled them outwards. They later worked out they could just put the hook on a longer pole)
The red light district really isnt all that bad (OK so I wouldnt go there alone at night, but with someone else at night, or alone during the day its fine)
So what else have I been up to. Well there have been museums (Van Gogh, Rijmuseum, Diamond, Jewish History), tours around the main sights (canal tour, they are really pretty), the smallest hose in the city, Dam Square, Anne Franks house, Famous coffee shop, highest point in Amsterdam (a massive 1.5 meteres above sea level).
Today I went out to Delft, which is a lovely little town, famous for the Delft Blue pottery. It has a very pretty city centre, spent the day wondering around, and made it to the Delft Museum and factory, where I parted with way too much money for a tiny little pottery clog!!!
Marajuana isnt actually legal here, it is just decriminalised (meaning it is deniably admissable, as long as it isnt hurting anyone and it brings in money for the city, no-one is going to do anything about it)
You dont go to a coffee shop for a coffee (it is kinda hazy in there!)
Red light district doesnt only have red lights, but also blue lights (the blue ones mean they may look the part, but dont have the right bits)
You dont go swimming in the canals, as it is dangerous (there are 3 layers to the canals, the mud at the bottom, teh water on the top, and the bikes in the middle which are the dangerouse part)
The houses can lean one of two ways, sideways (which means they are sinking), or forwards (which is intentional, as they all have hooks at the top to bring stuff up and inside because the stairs are too narrow and steep, and they didnt want to bash the front of the houses, so angled them outwards. They later worked out they could just put the hook on a longer pole)
The red light district really isnt all that bad (OK so I wouldnt go there alone at night, but with someone else at night, or alone during the day its fine)
So what else have I been up to. Well there have been museums (Van Gogh, Rijmuseum, Diamond, Jewish History), tours around the main sights (canal tour, they are really pretty), the smallest hose in the city, Dam Square, Anne Franks house, Famous coffee shop, highest point in Amsterdam (a massive 1.5 meteres above sea level).
Today I went out to Delft, which is a lovely little town, famous for the Delft Blue pottery. It has a very pretty city centre, spent the day wondering around, and made it to the Delft Museum and factory, where I parted with way too much money for a tiny little pottery clog!!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Amsterdam
Dam Square
Anne Franks house
I arrived in Amsterdam today, only had a couple of hours to explore before it got dark, so after dropping my bags off at the backpackers, I headed out to the Anne Frank Musuem, in the house where they hid. It was an moving experience, to think they 8 people lived in such cramped rooms, all the while there were people working next door/underneath who had no idea they were there-dont know whether I could have dont it. I found it quite moving-even though it was very simply done.
I then had a quick wander around the city, as there was no point in going to any museums before the closed, and had a look at the red light district-yes there really are women in windows (sorry mum, it is Amsterdam, had to be seen!) Tomorrow it is off to more museums, and more exploring.
Anne Franks house
I arrived in Amsterdam today, only had a couple of hours to explore before it got dark, so after dropping my bags off at the backpackers, I headed out to the Anne Frank Musuem, in the house where they hid. It was an moving experience, to think they 8 people lived in such cramped rooms, all the while there were people working next door/underneath who had no idea they were there-dont know whether I could have dont it. I found it quite moving-even though it was very simply done.
I then had a quick wander around the city, as there was no point in going to any museums before the closed, and had a look at the red light district-yes there really are women in windows (sorry mum, it is Amsterdam, had to be seen!) Tomorrow it is off to more museums, and more exploring.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Of peeing statues and disappointing Gent
Gent
Manneken Pis-the famouse peeing boy-he really is small, only about 60cm
Peeing girl
Peeing dog
After leaving Bruge-very sad it was a lovely city with the best chocolate and wafals-I headed to Gent, which I had heard was very nice. I dont know if it was because it was a Sunday and a lot of things were closed, or because I was sick (death would have been a nice alternative to how I was feeling), but I was thoroughly disappointed by Gent.
Had planned on staying there for the best part of 2 days, but after a mere 4 hours, I had seen everything there seemed to be to see. Therefore I made a quick exit the next day straight after breakfast and headed to Brussels instead-which from the day I have spent here, is much nicer, more to see (including 3 peeing statues, the original boy peeing, then to even it up, a girl peeing, and I suspect someone taking the micky, a dog peeing), and not nearly as dirty-and I am now feeling almost well again. Life is good.
So after more chocolate (Belgium does do good chocolate, and you have to keep trying incase you missed some good ones), more waffels (they change with the city), I have one more day sightseeing here, before I head to Amsterdam.
Photos soon when the net actually decided to co-operate and work on my computer!!!!
Manneken Pis-the famouse peeing boy-he really is small, only about 60cm
Peeing girl
Peeing dog
After leaving Bruge-very sad it was a lovely city with the best chocolate and wafals-I headed to Gent, which I had heard was very nice. I dont know if it was because it was a Sunday and a lot of things were closed, or because I was sick (death would have been a nice alternative to how I was feeling), but I was thoroughly disappointed by Gent.
Had planned on staying there for the best part of 2 days, but after a mere 4 hours, I had seen everything there seemed to be to see. Therefore I made a quick exit the next day straight after breakfast and headed to Brussels instead-which from the day I have spent here, is much nicer, more to see (including 3 peeing statues, the original boy peeing, then to even it up, a girl peeing, and I suspect someone taking the micky, a dog peeing), and not nearly as dirty-and I am now feeling almost well again. Life is good.
So after more chocolate (Belgium does do good chocolate, and you have to keep trying incase you missed some good ones), more waffels (they change with the city), I have one more day sightseeing here, before I head to Amsterdam.
Photos soon when the net actually decided to co-operate and work on my computer!!!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
At the beach...in the snow...fun times!!!
Bruges
Bruges
Snow on the beach
Southend pier
After leaving Scotland on yet another overnight bus (I like these, they allow you to travel, and still have the day to explore, albeit as a bit of a zombie depending on how much you have slept), I headed down to Southend-on-sea to visit my mums pen pal. Didnt sleep much on the bus, as the person next to me was taking over my seat, and so I was left with the 3/4 next to the window, not really enough to allow much sleep of any sort.
After making down to Southend, I eventually got the right number of Marie, and let her know I was there. She came and met me at the station, and we wandered down to the famouse Pier, Southends one claim to fame. Unfortunately, it had been snowing down over the whole of the UK (I was lucky to be able to get down from Scotland at all), and when we got to the pier, found that we couldnt use the lift as it was "closed due to adverse weather condtions" When we made it down the very icy steps to the pier it was also "closed due to adverse weather conditions". We couldnt even go up to the viewpoint....yup you guessed it "due to adverse weather conditions". We had a wander round the side to the edge of the beach to look at it instead, and I took my photos to prove I had been there, even if I couldnt walk on it. While walking along the edge of the beach, it began to snow again-mmm in the snow at the beach, who doesnt like that. Not that we could see any water the tide was that far out.
After heading round to a fishing village to have a look at the lovely old houses and buildings there, we headed back to Maries for a bit of a catch up, before I had to catch a train back up to London. Thank you very much for the day Marie and Bob, it was lovley to meet you both!!!
Back in London, I checked my email, only to see those dreaded words again..."due to adverse weather conditions, the Eurostar will be running on a reduced timetable until Sunday 10th January. We advise you to cancel or change your booking" Those are words I have come to hate. Luckily I was only staying about 50 meters from the station, so headed over to check if there was any way I would be able to get a train tomorrow, and was told to come at my normal checkin time, and they would put me on the first train, as I already had booking in Belgium.
So Saturday came with me at the station at 6.30 am, thrilled to find out that my train was actually running-although there may be some delays...who cares, as long as I could get over to Belgium. Eventually made it Brussels, took an hour longer than it was supposed to as they had to reduce speed due to the weather, than after another hours wait for my next train, I finally made it to Bruges-was begining to wonder if I would ever make it with the wonderful weather over here.
Spent today sightseeing in Bruges, it is a fantastic little city, lovley old buildings, canals, chocolate, waffals, fries. Was planning on going to a chocolate museum, see some ice sculptures and go on a canal cruise, but the museum is closed for 2 weeks, and opens in 5 days (kinda random????), the ice sculptures have closed early as the roof collapsed and crushed them (bugger), and the canals are all covered in ice so no cruises....did manage to find some lovely windmills to look at though. Drowned my sorrows by eating lots of lovely handmade Belgium chocolates and nice warm waffals.
Bruges
Snow on the beach
Southend pier
After leaving Scotland on yet another overnight bus (I like these, they allow you to travel, and still have the day to explore, albeit as a bit of a zombie depending on how much you have slept), I headed down to Southend-on-sea to visit my mums pen pal. Didnt sleep much on the bus, as the person next to me was taking over my seat, and so I was left with the 3/4 next to the window, not really enough to allow much sleep of any sort.
After making down to Southend, I eventually got the right number of Marie, and let her know I was there. She came and met me at the station, and we wandered down to the famouse Pier, Southends one claim to fame. Unfortunately, it had been snowing down over the whole of the UK (I was lucky to be able to get down from Scotland at all), and when we got to the pier, found that we couldnt use the lift as it was "closed due to adverse weather condtions" When we made it down the very icy steps to the pier it was also "closed due to adverse weather conditions". We couldnt even go up to the viewpoint....yup you guessed it "due to adverse weather conditions". We had a wander round the side to the edge of the beach to look at it instead, and I took my photos to prove I had been there, even if I couldnt walk on it. While walking along the edge of the beach, it began to snow again-mmm in the snow at the beach, who doesnt like that. Not that we could see any water the tide was that far out.
After heading round to a fishing village to have a look at the lovely old houses and buildings there, we headed back to Maries for a bit of a catch up, before I had to catch a train back up to London. Thank you very much for the day Marie and Bob, it was lovley to meet you both!!!
Back in London, I checked my email, only to see those dreaded words again..."due to adverse weather conditions, the Eurostar will be running on a reduced timetable until Sunday 10th January. We advise you to cancel or change your booking" Those are words I have come to hate. Luckily I was only staying about 50 meters from the station, so headed over to check if there was any way I would be able to get a train tomorrow, and was told to come at my normal checkin time, and they would put me on the first train, as I already had booking in Belgium.
So Saturday came with me at the station at 6.30 am, thrilled to find out that my train was actually running-although there may be some delays...who cares, as long as I could get over to Belgium. Eventually made it Brussels, took an hour longer than it was supposed to as they had to reduce speed due to the weather, than after another hours wait for my next train, I finally made it to Bruges-was begining to wonder if I would ever make it with the wonderful weather over here.
Spent today sightseeing in Bruges, it is a fantastic little city, lovley old buildings, canals, chocolate, waffals, fries. Was planning on going to a chocolate museum, see some ice sculptures and go on a canal cruise, but the museum is closed for 2 weeks, and opens in 5 days (kinda random????), the ice sculptures have closed early as the roof collapsed and crushed them (bugger), and the canals are all covered in ice so no cruises....did manage to find some lovely windmills to look at though. Drowned my sorrows by eating lots of lovely handmade Belgium chocolates and nice warm waffals.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Snow!
A quiet start to the new year and decade, spent at home with Darren and his parents watching movies, completely missed the new year-realised about 12.30 that it was 2010!
Not been up to much in the new year, Scotland shuts down over the New Year, so it is hard to get out and do anything. I was planning on going down to Edinburgh on New Years Day to visit some friends from Australia who are over traveling at the moment, but no buses or trains run on New Years Day, so the plan was foiled!
I didnt get my white Christmas (damn you rain and warm weather, and being on the coast), but it is still snowy up where I am in Scotland, and still snows most nights, although not much, just enought to keep the snow on the ground and top up what melts, so I at least got a white New Years.
A few more days to be spent here, and then it is off to Belguim, and more exciting adventures.
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