Well I just got to Amsterdam now, got a bit of free time before dinner.
Looking forward to a canal cruise tonight and heading into the redlight district. Hopefully will also get to go to a coffee shop sometime tonight too.
Im like the only Kiwi of the 37 of us on this tour group I think, although thereś a couple of aussies. Im almost out of time with the internet so this is a short post. Will try and get some more pics up tomorrow.
Will also be going to see Anne Frankś house tomorrow too and the Anne Frank museum.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The oldest Pub in London
Well, now I can say I drank at one of the oldest pubs in London - The George Inn. Apparently even William Shakespeare himself drank there. Yep, Shakespeare was a real boozer XD...lolAnyway, I met up with my cousing Gabrielle yesterday (that's her in the picture with me at The George. That was really great cos I haven't seen her in like 20 years! lol. Man, got sore as feet walking around London for like three hours - saw the London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Trafalger Square, Covent (or Convent) Garden and a whole lot of other parks and sights here! By the way, We Will Rock You and The Lion King musicals are showing here at the moment but -dammit - didn't get a chance to see them!
My Contiki Tour starts tomorrow and we're leaving at 6.45am! So better get an early night. I'll be cruising the Canal in Amsterdam tomorrow night and maybe having me a joint or a cookie in one of the famous "coffee" shops.
-M
PS: I had some fish and chips here but they're SOOOO expensive! I miss Pondies! It cost like £4 for one fish and a half a scoop! That's like $12! ripped!
I came to London and it bloody rained!!
London is SOOOOOOOOO big! I nearly got lost today, but thank god for the tube! The pic is of me at Tower Bridge. Anyway, bloody rain in London, worse than Auckland! You can even buy a tshirt that says "I Came to London and it rained". First day here was fine, second day was fine until the evening then today - the day I decide to do the Original Bus Tour it has to be pissing down with rain! By golly, couldn't even sit on the top deck of the doubledecker and it just ain't the same at the bottom.
I went to Tower of London today! Great thing to do here to learn about the town's history and see the Crown jewels - providing you're willing to pay the £16 entry fee. It was alright, but probably would've been better if I'd waited for one of the Yeaman Guard tours. It was fun for the first hour but got a bit dry after a while. I didn't realise people actually lived at the tower though, like the Yeaman Guards (Beefeaters -though why they're called that I don't know).
One interesting thing about the Tower of London: The Legend of the Ravens (beautiful bird by the way): It is said that if the Ravens leave the tower it is a sign the monarchy will fall.
Ofcourse, now the poor birds have had their wings clipped so they couldn't leave if they wanted to, I think that's kind of cheating!
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is commonly the one people mistake for the nearby and rather plain London Bridge, the latter being the first bridge across the river Thames. One famous case is an American guy who bought the London Bridge for $2.2million (US) thinking he was buying the Tower Bridge. London Bridge was demolished and relocated the the USA and another London Bridge was rebuilt. (Stoopid american huh - u think he was related to George Bush??? XD)
Anyway, London Bridge has also been taken down and rebuilt several times, hence the song "London Bridge is falling down" - I learned that bit from the Original Bus Tour.
By the way, if you ever come to London, I totally recommend the Original Bus Tour to get your initial bearings! £18 for a 24hour ticket and u can hop on and hop off wherever you like. Just, try and go on a sunny day.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Red-eyed in London
Now I can truly say that I have riden on the London underground Tube and walked up Oxford Street. And now I'm here in an internet cafe passing the time until I can check into my hotel room and finally have a shower after the 24-hour long-haul flight. Lucky I thought to change into some fresh clothes at the airport or I'd still be in my grotty, smelly flight clothes!
Oh yes and Waimarama and Putahi, I got you some grills. But their was only 1 left so you're going to have to flip for it.
The second half of my flight from Singapore onwards was terrible from the moment I found out I was seated right in the middle of the middle section. OK, Maybe I'm slightly exagerating but it was pretty shitty. Like, the people on both sides of me were sleeping so if I wanted to get out to go to the loo or something I had to wake them up. But I didn manage to snatch a few hours sleep although I still feel crap today.My eyes are sore and bloodshot! I went to Tesco (U know like Lily Allen mentions in her song Ldn) to buy some cleareyes but I don't think they have it here, I think it's only in NZ. But anyway, I bought some eye drops and they worked alright but that was a couple of hours ago and I think I'm ready for another dose.
Oh yeah, I'll probably already said this in my email this morning but for those who didn't get an email, BOTTLED WATER IS LIKE SOOO CHEAP HERE!! I bought a small Evian from Tesco for 40p and the big bottles were only 70p. I mean even though that's triple the price in NZ dollars its still cheaper than fizzies here! Something we needa hit our government up on eh!
London
It's like sooo old ay! Like these huge stone buildings everywhere! You know the houses on Coronation Street, well that's what all of London's like! Ok, the roads aren't all cobblestoned right in the city but it's like different sought of tarseal to our roads and there are SOOOO many one-way streets. Honestly, it' s worse than Wellington. BTW I can so see how people get hit by double-decker buses, you should see how fast they go down Oxford Street, not that I've nearly got hit yet. No, that was a Black Cab that beeped at me when I jaywalked across a little lane than didn' t even look like it was big enough for cars to go on.
Might go over to Hyde Park this arvo and maybe Westminster Abbey if it's still open. Do the Davinci Code tour! :D Haven't taken any pics yet but might this arvo. Will check out the Anzac memorial in Hyde Park!
That's all for now.
BTW Those jetlag pills REALLY suck! Don't buy them, it's a waste of money! I'm still jetlagged meanest. But I'm determined not to go to bed until night so I can try and get into the northern hemisphere circadian rhythm faster.
-M
-M
Oh yes and Waimarama and Putahi, I got you some grills. But their was only 1 left so you're going to have to flip for it.
The second half of my flight from Singapore onwards was terrible from the moment I found out I was seated right in the middle of the middle section. OK, Maybe I'm slightly exagerating but it was pretty shitty. Like, the people on both sides of me were sleeping so if I wanted to get out to go to the loo or something I had to wake them up. But I didn manage to snatch a few hours sleep although I still feel crap today.My eyes are sore and bloodshot! I went to Tesco (U know like Lily Allen mentions in her song Ldn) to buy some cleareyes but I don't think they have it here, I think it's only in NZ. But anyway, I bought some eye drops and they worked alright but that was a couple of hours ago and I think I'm ready for another dose.
Oh yeah, I'll probably already said this in my email this morning but for those who didn't get an email, BOTTLED WATER IS LIKE SOOO CHEAP HERE!! I bought a small Evian from Tesco for 40p and the big bottles were only 70p. I mean even though that's triple the price in NZ dollars its still cheaper than fizzies here! Something we needa hit our government up on eh!
London
It's like sooo old ay! Like these huge stone buildings everywhere! You know the houses on Coronation Street, well that's what all of London's like! Ok, the roads aren't all cobblestoned right in the city but it's like different sought of tarseal to our roads and there are SOOOO many one-way streets. Honestly, it' s worse than Wellington. BTW I can so see how people get hit by double-decker buses, you should see how fast they go down Oxford Street, not that I've nearly got hit yet. No, that was a Black Cab that beeped at me when I jaywalked across a little lane than didn' t even look like it was big enough for cars to go on.
Might go over to Hyde Park this arvo and maybe Westminster Abbey if it's still open. Do the Davinci Code tour! :D Haven't taken any pics yet but might this arvo. Will check out the Anzac memorial in Hyde Park!
That's all for now.
BTW Those jetlag pills REALLY suck! Don't buy them, it's a waste of money! I'm still jetlagged meanest. But I'm determined not to go to bed until night so I can try and get into the northern hemisphere circadian rhythm faster.
-M
-M
Thursday, May 24, 2007
I'm in Singapore!!
Oh wowee! Here I go, Marino the world traveller has begun. I'm just sitting in the terminal waiting for boarding in about 10 minutes for my transfer flight to Frankfurt, Germany and then on to HEATHROW in London.
Apart from being reminded by the friendly customs lady at Auckland that I need to sign my passport befor I can used it (da-duh!) the flight went really well. Was not as bad as I expected. Great service on Singapore Airlines! Highly recommended. And I got not not one but TWO big meals and despite what people say about airline food, it was not half bad! They even had fresh apples as snacks and not to mention the free booze! (not that I overindulged or anything).
Man, FREE internet at the airport is bloody brilliant!!! Except that I'm only limited to 15 minutes. The time remaining is ticking by below me, making me a little nervous! Only 6minutes left so better wrap up!
What can I say about Singapore?
This airport is fucken huge! Makes Auckland International look like a domestic airport in the sticks!!! Although, I was abit worried when I walked passed a row of security guards with these huge GUNS slung in their arms, ready. They looked like soldiers eh! But no one else seemed to be worried so it must be just the norm here!
Anyway, 3minutes to go. Will wrap up now and try and update when I get to London!
-M
Apart from being reminded by the friendly customs lady at Auckland that I need to sign my passport befor I can used it (da-duh!) the flight went really well. Was not as bad as I expected. Great service on Singapore Airlines! Highly recommended. And I got not not one but TWO big meals and despite what people say about airline food, it was not half bad! They even had fresh apples as snacks and not to mention the free booze! (not that I overindulged or anything).
Man, FREE internet at the airport is bloody brilliant!!! Except that I'm only limited to 15 minutes. The time remaining is ticking by below me, making me a little nervous! Only 6minutes left so better wrap up!
What can I say about Singapore?
This airport is fucken huge! Makes Auckland International look like a domestic airport in the sticks!!! Although, I was abit worried when I walked passed a row of security guards with these huge GUNS slung in their arms, ready. They looked like soldiers eh! But no one else seemed to be worried so it must be just the norm here!
Anyway, 3minutes to go. Will wrap up now and try and update when I get to London!
-M
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Leaving tomorrow
Well, leaving to Auckland anyway. Nan and Pa have been so wonderful as to drive me up to Auckland tomorrow to catch my plane on Thursday afternoon (mind you, they get a much diserved holiday in the Coromandel too XD)
The adrenaline is building up with the excitement of the anticipation of the day of take off approaching faster. OK, I don't think that sentence made any sense. My mind is jumping all over the place at the moment!!!
Anyway, adding to my list of must-dos and considering the major food conoseur I am (XD) here is another list of must-eats. So next to each country I'm visiting I will put atleast one type of food that I absolutely HAVE to try while there. I REALLY want to make the most of the my ONE day in each country. And in answer to those people that have been asking (u all know who you are): NO I WILL NOT BE JUST EATTING WEDGES AND CHIPS ETC...
London - Real English fish and chips (I'm in the mother country, so why not I say, let's see if we're better or worse than the homeland at cooking fish and chips).
Amsterdam - Only one thing that I MUST try - a hash cookie. XD
Munich - A stein of beer.
Venice - Real Italian pizza or pasta.
Lucerne - Something Swiss, any ideas anyone, I don't know anything about Swiss food but I'll find something when I get there and keep you posted.
Paris - A real French Crepe.
And to Alex at work, yes I accept your challenge to learn one swear word from each country I go to. I already have one for Germany: Shizen Cop (Shit head), courtesy of Josephine the German exchange student who came to Wairoa College. XDXD
To everyone else, if you have a blogger or google account you can leave comments at the end of my posts. So feel free if there's anything you wanna let me know or if you have a message for me. If you don't have a google or blogger account can always email me, I'll try and check my email when I can while I'm away, but due to cost issues for using a cyper cafe and 'cause I'm suc a tight arse (lol) I might not be able to reply. I won't right my email address here, those who will email me should already have it. Those on my Bebo friend list can also post comments there and I might upload some photos to Bebo and/or Ringo.
-M
The adrenaline is building up with the excitement of the anticipation of the day of take off approaching faster. OK, I don't think that sentence made any sense. My mind is jumping all over the place at the moment!!!
Anyway, adding to my list of must-dos and considering the major food conoseur I am (XD) here is another list of must-eats. So next to each country I'm visiting I will put atleast one type of food that I absolutely HAVE to try while there. I REALLY want to make the most of the my ONE day in each country. And in answer to those people that have been asking (u all know who you are): NO I WILL NOT BE JUST EATTING WEDGES AND CHIPS ETC...
London - Real English fish and chips (I'm in the mother country, so why not I say, let's see if we're better or worse than the homeland at cooking fish and chips).
Amsterdam - Only one thing that I MUST try - a hash cookie. XD
Munich - A stein of beer.
Venice - Real Italian pizza or pasta.
Lucerne - Something Swiss, any ideas anyone, I don't know anything about Swiss food but I'll find something when I get there and keep you posted.
Paris - A real French Crepe.
And to Alex at work, yes I accept your challenge to learn one swear word from each country I go to. I already have one for Germany: Shizen Cop (Shit head), courtesy of Josephine the German exchange student who came to Wairoa College. XDXD
To everyone else, if you have a blogger or google account you can leave comments at the end of my posts. So feel free if there's anything you wanna let me know or if you have a message for me. If you don't have a google or blogger account can always email me, I'll try and check my email when I can while I'm away, but due to cost issues for using a cyper cafe and 'cause I'm suc a tight arse (lol) I might not be able to reply. I won't right my email address here, those who will email me should already have it. Those on my Bebo friend list can also post comments there and I might upload some photos to Bebo and/or Ringo.
-M
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Seven Days!!!
OMG, to think that this time next week I'll be on a plane to LONDON!!! It is getting really exciting/crazy/nervous as I start counting down the days until lift off. I can't wait!! Last day of work on Tuesday then it's up to Auckland on Wednesday with Nan and Pa. It's been crazy-busy this last couple of days tying up the loose ends and making sure everythings sussed to go and nothings been forgotten or left behind!
Well! Now that I've got all that out of my system. I can get back to my work now.
Ma te wa!
Well! Now that I've got all that out of my system. I can get back to my work now.
Ma te wa!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
One week to go
Wow, to think that next Friday I will be checking into Heathrow Airport in London. Only a week to go. Leave for Auckland on Tuesday next week, so will probably try and get most of my packing done this weekend. Note to self to write a list, hate to forget anything!
OH, add to must do's list:
Amsterdam - visit the Secret Annex, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War 2 to escape prosecution. See what the place looks like in real life.
Can't believe I forgot that one, seeing as The Diary of Anne Frank was one of the most influential books I read as a child!
OH, add to must do's list:
Amsterdam - visit the Secret Annex, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War 2 to escape prosecution. See what the place looks like in real life.
Can't believe I forgot that one, seeing as The Diary of Anne Frank was one of the most influential books I read as a child!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Ticket to ride
My Contiki ticket finally arrived last week. Even got a cute little wallet free that I can put all my tickets, passports, cash etc.
Only 14 days to go now until I fly out on the 24th and getting more and more excited/nervous by the day. Still haven't arranged travellers cheques yet. Really annoying that the nearest branch for my bank is an hours drive away (Grrrr!). Note to self to try and arrange an afternoon off work at the end of next week so I can go through and arrange it.
Adding to my to do list:
London: Have Strongbow Cider and a packet of Smiths Cheese and Onion Crisps for lunch (my boss reckons it's the shit!)
Only 14 days to go now until I fly out on the 24th and getting more and more excited/nervous by the day. Still haven't arranged travellers cheques yet. Really annoying that the nearest branch for my bank is an hours drive away (Grrrr!). Note to self to try and arrange an afternoon off work at the end of next week so I can go through and arrange it.
Adding to my to do list:
London: Have Strongbow Cider and a packet of Smiths Cheese and Onion Crisps for lunch (my boss reckons it's the shit!)
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