Budapest, I think, was the most British city. But the crazy hippy hostel made up for it. Yet again we spent the first day wondering around the city, with our new Welsh friend. We explored the castle and there was a big soviet gun that I wanted to take home! Our second day there we went wine tasting. 2 hours out of Budapest on the train there was a horseshoe road full of cellars selling lots and lots of wine where a small glass of wine was 100 forint, or about 30p!!! We tasted 1 glass of wine before moving onto the next cellar. With minutes to spare we bought a big tub of wine each to have with takeaway pizza, Richard had a poison pizza but I just stole some guys leftovers!
Our next day was spent lazing around and finishing up the rest of our plans. We were running out of time on our inter rail (and money...Too much partying!) so we had to miss Warsaw, Berlin, Munich and Prague out. But that just means I have another trip to plan!!
Monday, 7 June 2010
Vampire Hunting
Night trains:4
Lost socks:2
Squatters:0
On the train to Bucuresti we found the perfect hostel - Funky Chicken Hostel, 'No reservations, but guaranteed accommodation for everyone who turns up'. How could we not go with a name like that! However when we turned up after our impossibly long train journey we were greeted with the three worst words to a backpacker, 'no rooms available'. They sent us to another hostel whiich was pretty nice, who gave us the name of a beer hall with directions to go get some food. Where we had a big meal and beer for
Rich's birthday. We explored the rest of the city and headed to Brasov in Transylvania. We had plans to go out that evening, for Richards birthday but our train was an hour late which meant that we got to the hostel at half 11.
When we arrived at the hostel there was a cat curled up on the carpet to which I said 'aww, cute, you have a cat' the girl replied 'yes, we have 5'. I didn't think any more of this until the word kitten was used. They had 5 kittens all curled up together in a box that were repeatedly offered to me for free. They were so small and the cutest things ever! They'd only just opened their eyes and just getting up to walk. I couldn't leave them alone. The cat had been stolen by a group of Frenchies and left in the hostel before getting fatter and fatter until one day it just exploded.
The next day we went to visit Draculas castle, its not at all like anything I was expecting. It was just so simple and unvampire like. In one room there was a shut door and Richard said 'hey Rhianna, open that door' so expecting it to be locked I gave it a push and it opened up to some steps leading down. I quickly pulled it shut, but the door handle came off into my hand!!! I can't beleive I broke Dracula's castle!
We went to see another castle that was crazy huge with something like 50 rooms. Everything was just so castle-like and it even had a secret passageway. We had to wear ridiculous little slippers over our shoes but it was definately worth the visit. I think Dracula chose the wrong castle to claim!
When we got back to the hostel we were bombarded by 20 Romanian kids who spoke no english. So we spent the next hour playing cards with them before heading out for a celebratory drink with yet another Aussi and a Welsh.
In the morning us and the welsh walked up a massive hill to the hollywood-style Brasov sign, explored the city and got the the worlds most uncomfortable nighttrain to Budapest!
Lost socks:2
Squatters:0
On the train to Bucuresti we found the perfect hostel - Funky Chicken Hostel, 'No reservations, but guaranteed accommodation for everyone who turns up'. How could we not go with a name like that! However when we turned up after our impossibly long train journey we were greeted with the three worst words to a backpacker, 'no rooms available'. They sent us to another hostel whiich was pretty nice, who gave us the name of a beer hall with directions to go get some food. Where we had a big meal and beer for
Rich's birthday. We explored the rest of the city and headed to Brasov in Transylvania. We had plans to go out that evening, for Richards birthday but our train was an hour late which meant that we got to the hostel at half 11.
When we arrived at the hostel there was a cat curled up on the carpet to which I said 'aww, cute, you have a cat' the girl replied 'yes, we have 5'. I didn't think any more of this until the word kitten was used. They had 5 kittens all curled up together in a box that were repeatedly offered to me for free. They were so small and the cutest things ever! They'd only just opened their eyes and just getting up to walk. I couldn't leave them alone. The cat had been stolen by a group of Frenchies and left in the hostel before getting fatter and fatter until one day it just exploded.
The next day we went to visit Draculas castle, its not at all like anything I was expecting. It was just so simple and unvampire like. In one room there was a shut door and Richard said 'hey Rhianna, open that door' so expecting it to be locked I gave it a push and it opened up to some steps leading down. I quickly pulled it shut, but the door handle came off into my hand!!! I can't beleive I broke Dracula's castle!
We went to see another castle that was crazy huge with something like 50 rooms. Everything was just so castle-like and it even had a secret passageway. We had to wear ridiculous little slippers over our shoes but it was definately worth the visit. I think Dracula chose the wrong castle to claim!
When we got back to the hostel we were bombarded by 20 Romanian kids who spoke no english. So we spent the next hour playing cards with them before heading out for a celebratory drink with yet another Aussi and a Welsh.
In the morning us and the welsh walked up a massive hill to the hollywood-style Brasov sign, explored the city and got the the worlds most uncomfortable nighttrain to Budapest!
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Our international compartment
Our night train was terrible. We had to pay on the train for the beds, but found that the free seats weren't too bad. We found a room with 3 other people so it wasn't too bad. After talking to them all we discovered that one was from Morocco but lived in France , another was from India but lived in Switzerland and the Third was from Bulgaria. We also found out that he had a wife, 3 kids, 2 girls and a boy, and 2 grandchildren, Also that he spoke no word of English, but he was very enthusiastic and kept going till we all knew what he meant. He was even more excited that we were all from different places, and every 2 minutes would shout 'international compartment!!' Yay! But as soon as we got to passport control, he was up and off the train before anyone could catch him. I think he didn't have a passport...
At 3.30 am, passport control got too us, I asked the guy if I got a stamp in my passport. But apparently I didn't, I said 'ooh never mind' and he looked at me and said 'souvenir, yeah? yeah i'll stamp your passport,' he took them back off me and i got up to go with him, but he said 'no, you stay here, I bring them back' and was gone with the 2 other guys and off the train with our passports.. Oops.
I was sat there worrying that I wouldn't get our passports back, but soon we were joined by some Romanian Mafia! There was the main guy, with about 10 bags, an even bigger guy who just stood outside the door with his arms folded, and a tiny little man who I reckon was the guys agent. Me and Richard looked at each other like ' oh dear,' I thought they were going to steal from us while we were asleep. They were however very nice, but I was still scared. The guy left the compartment leaving the little guy sleeping in the corner when the Indian man appeared back in our compartment. He just didn't shut up. We were just nodding along, agreeing, and stuff and then I realised that Rich was pretending to be asleep and left me talking to this guy on my own! Eventually there was a gap and I closed my eyes and hoped he wouldn't carry on talking.
Then the engine started. We still didn't have our passports back. Rich was just about to get up to go chase them down, when the guy appeared with our passports, and a stamp for leaving Greece, and another for Entering Bulgaria. My only 2 stamps!
At 3.30 am, passport control got too us, I asked the guy if I got a stamp in my passport. But apparently I didn't, I said 'ooh never mind' and he looked at me and said 'souvenir, yeah? yeah i'll stamp your passport,' he took them back off me and i got up to go with him, but he said 'no, you stay here, I bring them back' and was gone with the 2 other guys and off the train with our passports.. Oops.
I was sat there worrying that I wouldn't get our passports back, but soon we were joined by some Romanian Mafia! There was the main guy, with about 10 bags, an even bigger guy who just stood outside the door with his arms folded, and a tiny little man who I reckon was the guys agent. Me and Richard looked at each other like ' oh dear,' I thought they were going to steal from us while we were asleep. They were however very nice, but I was still scared. The guy left the compartment leaving the little guy sleeping in the corner when the Indian man appeared back in our compartment. He just didn't shut up. We were just nodding along, agreeing, and stuff and then I realised that Rich was pretending to be asleep and left me talking to this guy on my own! Eventually there was a gap and I closed my eyes and hoped he wouldn't carry on talking.
Then the engine started. We still didn't have our passports back. Rich was just about to get up to go chase them down, when the guy appeared with our passports, and a stamp for leaving Greece, and another for Entering Bulgaria. My only 2 stamps!
Ferry to Greece & Athens
Setting off from Venice was beautiful. When we got on the boat, we were shown into a huge room full of people in sleeping bags and little tents. We dumped our stuff, layed out our sleeping bags and then I realised that we weren't in a room at all. We were on the deck. The roof just covered about half of the deck with no wall separating us from the outside. I passed one of the side decks and saw some dudes hanging up hammocks. What a genius idea.
We arrived in Patras at 5am, our earliest start so far! we then waited 2 hours with three Americans for our train to take us away to Athens. I was expecting a nice long nap on the train, but we had to swap from train to bus and back again. So by the time we got to the hostel I completely passed out on the bed!
We went back to the train station to sort out some tickets to Istanbul and had to hang around before a very big jolly man came to help. We gave him dates for the trains and threw his arms in the air and said 'no trains, no trains' with an awfully big grin on his face. I'm preeetty sure he was drunk. We checked out the city and went back to the hostel bar for our free shots of ouzo and more drinks where we met Alessia from Switzerland.
Filled up with pancake and coffee, we spent the next day exploring the old Athens in the sun. We saw all the greek remains and went for a wander round the museum. We found a nice little cafe down a side street, and got a free dough-nut each. They were so good!!
We caught a train to Thessaloniki the next day to get a bus to Istanbul, but after spending all day looking for the tourist information, which was closed, we decided to unfortunately miss out Turkey and continue north. We walked back to the station along the sea front and caught our second night train to Bucharest.
We arrived in Patras at 5am, our earliest start so far! we then waited 2 hours with three Americans for our train to take us away to Athens. I was expecting a nice long nap on the train, but we had to swap from train to bus and back again. So by the time we got to the hostel I completely passed out on the bed!
We went back to the train station to sort out some tickets to Istanbul and had to hang around before a very big jolly man came to help. We gave him dates for the trains and threw his arms in the air and said 'no trains, no trains' with an awfully big grin on his face. I'm preeetty sure he was drunk. We checked out the city and went back to the hostel bar for our free shots of ouzo and more drinks where we met Alessia from Switzerland.
Filled up with pancake and coffee, we spent the next day exploring the old Athens in the sun. We saw all the greek remains and went for a wander round the museum. We found a nice little cafe down a side street, and got a free dough-nut each. They were so good!!
We caught a train to Thessaloniki the next day to get a bus to Istanbul, but after spending all day looking for the tourist information, which was closed, we decided to unfortunately miss out Turkey and continue north. We walked back to the station along the sea front and caught our second night train to Bucharest.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Italy
So once we had sorted out our accomodation we went to check out all the Romanness. At the Colloseum a guy rounded us up and got us a tourguide and in for cheap (Rich was conviced it was a scam!). Our tour was crazy boring, but i guess it was pretty interesting. After that we got a tour of the roman forum with a really funny guide. And Rich liked him because he walked extra fast. It was all so amazing. The guy told us that he was doing a tour of the vatican the next day so we signed up. That evening we explored the streets of rome and had a 3 euro pizza and a bottle of wine!!
The next day we set out nice and early to meet with our tour guide and grab a coffee. We crowded round with the rest off Italy to watch and wave at the Pope as he circled round in his Pope-mobile. We got into the Vatican museum for cheap and learnt all about Michelangelo's love for naked men before breaking my neck looking at his sistine chapel. We went out for lunch and the best ice cream in Rome!!! We went to look at the castle but i was disapointed to find that we had to pay to get in. So we sat and watched some sneaky little birds steal bread from pigeons. On our way back to the hostel, it started to rain. And when i say that i mean torrential downpour and the street had become a river within minutes. We took cover under a porch with a group of tourists and had to say no thanks to about 50 people who were trying to sell umbrelllas. Half an hour in the rain and we discovered a little cafe so we sat in there and wrote some postcards while waiting for the rain to ease.
When we arrived at the accomodation we'd had to move rooms, but noone had any idea where we were sleeping so that night we ended up in an appartment with a fold out sofa bed, a kitcchen in the wardrobe and an ensuite all on a dorm budget.
The next day was Pisa day. We arrived and followed the crwod for half an hour towards the leaning tower. I was highly disapointed by it's lean (or lack of... Rich's photo exagerates this just a little too much) and it was surrouned by buildings, tourists holding it up and stalls all selling the same thing. After wandering around we got on the train to florence which was beautiful. That evening we strolled the streets and and amazing Italian pasta. We spent the next morning in the sun exploring, saw michelangelo's the copy of David and had some more yummy ice cream. We arrived at the station early so went and lay on the grass outside the station for half an hour. 10 minutes before the train we saw a man get peppersprayed. It wasnt like a quick squirt into the guys eyes, it was a full on pppppppppppssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh kinda spray all over his face til he was sat on the floor. And then another quick psh, just to make sure. He called for backup and within 30 seconds 6 cops had arrived had dragged him away in handcuffs!! I thought they might have gotten their guns out, but I guess I can't have everything!
Venice was another beautiful city. It was so weird to walk out the station and see boats floating past. We got the bus boat down the main canel to our hostel on the island. We had take away pizza and sat on the front watching the sun set and listening to a guy play banjo.
The next daywas another day spent walking round the city. On our way back to the station we headed roughly the right way, but several times the road we were following suddenly stopped because there was a canal and no bridge. But eventually we found our way and boarded our 36 hour ferry ride to Greece!
The next day we set out nice and early to meet with our tour guide and grab a coffee. We crowded round with the rest off Italy to watch and wave at the Pope as he circled round in his Pope-mobile. We got into the Vatican museum for cheap and learnt all about Michelangelo's love for naked men before breaking my neck looking at his sistine chapel. We went out for lunch and the best ice cream in Rome!!! We went to look at the castle but i was disapointed to find that we had to pay to get in. So we sat and watched some sneaky little birds steal bread from pigeons. On our way back to the hostel, it started to rain. And when i say that i mean torrential downpour and the street had become a river within minutes. We took cover under a porch with a group of tourists and had to say no thanks to about 50 people who were trying to sell umbrelllas. Half an hour in the rain and we discovered a little cafe so we sat in there and wrote some postcards while waiting for the rain to ease.
When we arrived at the accomodation we'd had to move rooms, but noone had any idea where we were sleeping so that night we ended up in an appartment with a fold out sofa bed, a kitcchen in the wardrobe and an ensuite all on a dorm budget.
The next day was Pisa day. We arrived and followed the crwod for half an hour towards the leaning tower. I was highly disapointed by it's lean (or lack of... Rich's photo exagerates this just a little too much) and it was surrouned by buildings, tourists holding it up and stalls all selling the same thing. After wandering around we got on the train to florence which was beautiful. That evening we strolled the streets and and amazing Italian pasta. We spent the next morning in the sun exploring, saw michelangelo's the copy of David and had some more yummy ice cream. We arrived at the station early so went and lay on the grass outside the station for half an hour. 10 minutes before the train we saw a man get peppersprayed. It wasnt like a quick squirt into the guys eyes, it was a full on pppppppppppssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh kinda spray all over his face til he was sat on the floor. And then another quick psh, just to make sure. He called for backup and within 30 seconds 6 cops had arrived had dragged him away in handcuffs!! I thought they might have gotten their guns out, but I guess I can't have everything!
Venice was another beautiful city. It was so weird to walk out the station and see boats floating past. We got the bus boat down the main canel to our hostel on the island. We had take away pizza and sat on the front watching the sun set and listening to a guy play banjo.
The next daywas another day spent walking round the city. On our way back to the station we headed roughly the right way, but several times the road we were following suddenly stopped because there was a canal and no bridge. But eventually we found our way and boarded our 36 hour ferry ride to Greece!
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Our first Gypsy
We survived our first Gypsy in Milano!
After our trip on the glacier express we got the train to Zurich and then to Milano ready for an over-night train to Roma!!!
But when we arrived in Milan, there was only 15 minutes to spare and to get a reservation for the train. So we raced down two escalators to the ticket offfice only to find it closed up for the night 2 minutes before. We found a ticket machine but couldn't figure it out, especially when it was firing Italian at us.
So there we were in a rush and then this lady appeared out of thin air. And came and pressed all these buttons. I was paranoid that she was going to do some crazy Gypsy voodoo and somehow get herself a ticket for free. Or steal $1000. (I couldn't find a pound button!) But luckily for us she managed to book us on the train we needed at the time and price without stealing anything from us. I was impressed. We grabbed our tickets and turned to run back to our train, but she was already begging with a handful of change, so Richard threw some change into her hand and legged it up the escalator before I'd even realized. That run to the train with my 10 tonne rucksack about killed me!
We were given sheets and a pillow in a packet. And water in a little sealed pot. We shared our cabin with an Italian who couldn't speak a word of English but he was very friendly. I was surprised by how well I slept on the train and we arrived in a very sunny Roma at 7am. We had to walk across the city to find our hostel, it was hard work trying to keep at Richard's pace with my bag. An hour later I spotted that the temperature was 24 degrees, in the shade - Our first sunny day! No wonder I was so warm!
Once we had found the central station, we locked up our baggage and headed out with The Book to find somewhere to stay. On our 3rd attempt we found ourselves in a launderette/internet place and were unsure that it was the right place, but the people were pretty happy and wouldn't let us leave. When we asked if they had spare bed, his response was yeah yeah! But he then disappeared to the computer to check on hostelbookers. After a few phone calls to other hostels and he found us two beds in a dorm. Relieved we'd found somewhere to stay we went to the place to pay, and headed straight back out for a coffee and a croissant for breakfast. Once we had left our luggage with the hostel, we went out to explore our first day in Rome.
After our trip on the glacier express we got the train to Zurich and then to Milano ready for an over-night train to Roma!!!
But when we arrived in Milan, there was only 15 minutes to spare and to get a reservation for the train. So we raced down two escalators to the ticket offfice only to find it closed up for the night 2 minutes before. We found a ticket machine but couldn't figure it out, especially when it was firing Italian at us.
So there we were in a rush and then this lady appeared out of thin air. And came and pressed all these buttons. I was paranoid that she was going to do some crazy Gypsy voodoo and somehow get herself a ticket for free. Or steal $1000. (I couldn't find a pound button!) But luckily for us she managed to book us on the train we needed at the time and price without stealing anything from us. I was impressed. We grabbed our tickets and turned to run back to our train, but she was already begging with a handful of change, so Richard threw some change into her hand and legged it up the escalator before I'd even realized. That run to the train with my 10 tonne rucksack about killed me!
We were given sheets and a pillow in a packet. And water in a little sealed pot. We shared our cabin with an Italian who couldn't speak a word of English but he was very friendly. I was surprised by how well I slept on the train and we arrived in a very sunny Roma at 7am. We had to walk across the city to find our hostel, it was hard work trying to keep at Richard's pace with my bag. An hour later I spotted that the temperature was 24 degrees, in the shade - Our first sunny day! No wonder I was so warm!
Once we had found the central station, we locked up our baggage and headed out with The Book to find somewhere to stay. On our 3rd attempt we found ourselves in a launderette/internet place and were unsure that it was the right place, but the people were pretty happy and wouldn't let us leave. When we asked if they had spare bed, his response was yeah yeah! But he then disappeared to the computer to check on hostelbookers. After a few phone calls to other hostels and he found us two beds in a dorm. Relieved we'd found somewhere to stay we went to the place to pay, and headed straight back out for a coffee and a croissant for breakfast. Once we had left our luggage with the hostel, we went out to explore our first day in Rome.
Florence
Monday, 24 May 2010
Does Uncle Alun have a moustashe?
Our next day of trains was exciting. The first took us through the forest and out of Germany into Switzerland. The second took us to a little station where we saw our very first bit of sun. From there our next train took us up into the mountains, with spectacular views. That day we spent our weeks budget on trains, but it sure was worth it! We arrived in a ski village called Zermatt, The hostel was nice but the showers were rubbish! We got tickets for the rack railway, from Zermatt to the top of the Alps which were covered in waist deep snow! With only 15 minutes before the last train back down, We raced to the very top and took photos. Unfortunatley it was rather cloudy, but it was still amazing to see.
When we got back down to Zermatt, guided by the book we went to this little restaurant and had Fondue! It didn't look like much with a small saucepan of cheese few little potatoes and some bread, but trust me that night I've never been so full!
The day after we went on the Glacier Express. 8 hours on 'The World's Slowest Express Train'. That was incredible. We sat down in our seats, in second class, and it really was amazing. The seats were comfy, and even fit Richard in them, the windows gigantical and we were even waited on so we couldn't say no to a meal. We saw all the views of Switzerland from the little towns in the valleys to the snowy mountain-tops. A definate must do if anyone ever visits Switzerland!
When we got back down to Zermatt, guided by the book we went to this little restaurant and had Fondue! It didn't look like much with a small saucepan of cheese few little potatoes and some bread, but trust me that night I've never been so full!
The day after we went on the Glacier Express. 8 hours on 'The World's Slowest Express Train'. That was incredible. We sat down in our seats, in second class, and it really was amazing. The seats were comfy, and even fit Richard in them, the windows gigantical and we were even waited on so we couldn't say no to a meal. We saw all the views of Switzerland from the little towns in the valleys to the snowy mountain-tops. A definate must do if anyone ever visits Switzerland!
Park, my ass!
The Hostel took us on a pub crawl that night and I'm sure everyone else who went was Canadian. We all stopped on the brigde to have a shot, made by the hostel, of what I swear was just tobasco sauce and vodka. We all had lots of fun sampling the German beer and singing kareoke. No I did not sing! Eventually at 6am we decided it was a good idea to go to bed. The next day we explored the city with a couple of the Canadians and I had my very first European ice cream!
Our next train took us to Frieburg and from there to Titisee. Right in the middle of the Black Forest. Titisee turned out to be the worst excuse for a tourist town ever! Apart from the fact it had no tourists. It was completely empty and there was a park with a sign that said 'No dogs, No ball games, No picnics, And stay off the lawn' I mean what kind of park has no picnics!!!! But I guess it had a lovely huge lake to look at, but you couldn't even swim in it!
We found the hostel, found a microwave, cooked our uncle ben's and set up camp in a room with four enthusiastic Chinese ready for a day of walking and exploring Germany's black forest. Next morning we got up bright and early for breakfast before Richard fell back to sleep wasting my precious walking time! When he woke we got a free bus to the middle of nowhere and bought another Giant pretzel, those things were yummy! We went to get maps for our walk but unfortunatlely the tourism office was having a nap (Rich: for the rest of the day), so with my Genius idea I took a photo of the map in the town and we set off into the forest. Somewhere along the walk I asked an apparently ridiculous question that resulted in a 3 hours physics lesson from Richard. That day I learnt all about forces, atoms and electricity. (Rich: She somehow seems to have missed 5 years worth of Physics lessons!)
Our next train took us to Frieburg and from there to Titisee. Right in the middle of the Black Forest. Titisee turned out to be the worst excuse for a tourist town ever! Apart from the fact it had no tourists. It was completely empty and there was a park with a sign that said 'No dogs, No ball games, No picnics, And stay off the lawn' I mean what kind of park has no picnics!!!! But I guess it had a lovely huge lake to look at, but you couldn't even swim in it!
We found the hostel, found a microwave, cooked our uncle ben's and set up camp in a room with four enthusiastic Chinese ready for a day of walking and exploring Germany's black forest. Next morning we got up bright and early for breakfast before Richard fell back to sleep wasting my precious walking time! When he woke we got a free bus to the middle of nowhere and bought another Giant pretzel, those things were yummy! We went to get maps for our walk but unfortunatlely the tourism office was having a nap (Rich: for the rest of the day), so with my Genius idea I took a photo of the map in the town and we set off into the forest. Somewhere along the walk I asked an apparently ridiculous question that resulted in a 3 hours physics lesson from Richard. That day I learnt all about forces, atoms and electricity. (Rich: She somehow seems to have missed 5 years worth of Physics lessons!)
Friday, 21 May 2010
And Schnitzels
We eventually got on another train that took us down the other side of the Rhine river with lots of lovely views of German mountains and villages.I followed Richard off the train, out the station and round the corner into Frankfurts Red Light District! Seriously I did not want to be in a red light district.. with my brother. But apparently that was where the Hostel was, I however didn't believe him so after rummaging aroung in my bag to find the leaflet I was proven wrong!
We checked in at 6:45 and were informed that the hostel were taking people out for a traditional German meal. So we agreed and very quickly found our room, got ready and gathered with two French guys. We were led by a german who worked at the hostel for a 15 minute walk to a little German place the other side of the river. 40 minutes later we arrived. Lucky for us they all spoke English, but unluckily for the French who didn't know what sauerkraut was, we had difficulty trying to explain what a cabbage was. I decided on German noodles- a bowl of thick noodles covered with cheese, with Apfelwine and lemonade. Richard went for the Schnitzel (according to The Book as the food of Germany) and a a big German beer!
We spent the next day using the free laptop rental!! To plan more route, places to stay and things to do. Once we had decided, we set of for another train journey round the mountains and to get our scenic route back to Frankfurt. Nearing the end of our trip we saw a very fancy castle type thing that we tried to take photos but there was way too many trees, but the train stopped and it was where we had to change trains. So we very quickly headed up the hill through this very unreal little village, it really looked like there should have been little wax people wearing lederhosen dotted around. We found the building took photos and headed back to the train and back to frankfurt for takeaway pizza!
We checked in at 6:45 and were informed that the hostel were taking people out for a traditional German meal. So we agreed and very quickly found our room, got ready and gathered with two French guys. We were led by a german who worked at the hostel for a 15 minute walk to a little German place the other side of the river. 40 minutes later we arrived. Lucky for us they all spoke English, but unluckily for the French who didn't know what sauerkraut was, we had difficulty trying to explain what a cabbage was. I decided on German noodles- a bowl of thick noodles covered with cheese, with Apfelwine and lemonade. Richard went for the Schnitzel (according to The Book as the food of Germany) and a a big German beer!
We spent the next day using the free laptop rental!! To plan more route, places to stay and things to do. Once we had decided, we set of for another train journey round the mountains and to get our scenic route back to Frankfurt. Nearing the end of our trip we saw a very fancy castle type thing that we tried to take photos but there was way too many trees, but the train stopped and it was where we had to change trains. So we very quickly headed up the hill through this very unreal little village, it really looked like there should have been little wax people wearing lederhosen dotted around. We found the building took photos and headed back to the train and back to frankfurt for takeaway pizza!
Pretzels
I was glad to be out of the Koln hostel, it smelt funny! Apart from the free internet it really wasn't that good. We went out to check out the Dom which was practically next to where we were staying so after about an hour of taking photos and exploring the inside we walked round the rest of the city, in the rain, to find it was just full of shops and a huge lego woody! We walked across the bridge and down along the river back to the station where we both bought our first German Pretzel!
We got on the next train to Frankfurt but we had to switch trains at Koblenz, when we arrived we had about 40 minutes to spare so we took a walk up to the river and back again reasy for the scenic train through the Rhine Valley. However we never actually made it up to the river and my mistake of saying lets go down the next road before turning around made us miss our train. Oops! We did though find a nice little staion cafe where we sat and people watched while drinking frozen yogurt. Yummy.
We got on the next train to Frankfurt but we had to switch trains at Koblenz, when we arrived we had about 40 minutes to spare so we took a walk up to the river and back again reasy for the scenic train through the Rhine Valley. However we never actually made it up to the river and my mistake of saying lets go down the next road before turning around made us miss our train. Oops! We did though find a nice little staion cafe where we sat and people watched while drinking frozen yogurt. Yummy.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Trains
We missed a train today. Twice!
We got up esspecially early to to catch the international train from Utrecht to Köln at half past 8. We raced to the staion, well I did trying to keep up with Richard's super duper speed and a crazy heavy rucksack on. We struggled to find the right train so we ask the information man to looked crazily scared that we had to run to catch the train. Racing round the station to find the stairs, which I swear were completely hidden from view, up down the stairs to stand right next to the train and watch it slowly pull off on it's way to Germany.
We went back up to the station as I was determind there was another way into Köln. After half an hour we found one that took us half an hour on the way, so to waste time we took the train to Arnhem. When arriving we found we still had 2 hours to wait til the international train we needed to catch. We wondered round the most emptiest city in Europe and decided to sit on platform 6B and wait. When eventually 11:37 appeared still with no train I stood up to see where it was to find it the other end of the platform in 6A hidden behind building works! We grabbed our rucksacks and ran like fools to catch the train we would NOT miss a second time only to yet again stand and watch it very slowly pull out and head off without us.
After sticking around in the freezing cold (yes it is freezing cold over here! I came here to enjoy the sun, not to sit around in boring England weather) we went for a hot chocolate and a coffee. Eventually at 13:37, 5 hours after originally planning, we were on our way to Köln! Yay!
We found our hostel, made our beds and went straight out again to catch a train on a scenic route to watch Germany's mountains fly by (Rich: makes a nice change, Netherlands are so flat and boring!).
I'm now sat in the Hostel completly exhausted, I have no idea why because we have sat on platforms and trains all day. After plans to see the city tonight which were very quickly destroyed by the rain, I found another free computer to use. But the 'Z' key and the 'Y' key the wrong way round which has confused the hell out of me these last two posts!
I'm all up to date with my posts now so we're off adventuring to Frankfürt tomorrow and we'll post at our next free computer!
We got up esspecially early to to catch the international train from Utrecht to Köln at half past 8. We raced to the staion, well I did trying to keep up with Richard's super duper speed and a crazy heavy rucksack on. We struggled to find the right train so we ask the information man to looked crazily scared that we had to run to catch the train. Racing round the station to find the stairs, which I swear were completely hidden from view, up down the stairs to stand right next to the train and watch it slowly pull off on it's way to Germany.
We went back up to the station as I was determind there was another way into Köln. After half an hour we found one that took us half an hour on the way, so to waste time we took the train to Arnhem. When arriving we found we still had 2 hours to wait til the international train we needed to catch. We wondered round the most emptiest city in Europe and decided to sit on platform 6B and wait. When eventually 11:37 appeared still with no train I stood up to see where it was to find it the other end of the platform in 6A hidden behind building works! We grabbed our rucksacks and ran like fools to catch the train we would NOT miss a second time only to yet again stand and watch it very slowly pull out and head off without us.
After sticking around in the freezing cold (yes it is freezing cold over here! I came here to enjoy the sun, not to sit around in boring England weather) we went for a hot chocolate and a coffee. Eventually at 13:37, 5 hours after originally planning, we were on our way to Köln! Yay!
We found our hostel, made our beds and went straight out again to catch a train on a scenic route to watch Germany's mountains fly by (Rich: makes a nice change, Netherlands are so flat and boring!).
I'm now sat in the Hostel completly exhausted, I have no idea why because we have sat on platforms and trains all day. After plans to see the city tonight which were very quickly destroyed by the rain, I found another free computer to use. But the 'Z' key and the 'Y' key the wrong way round which has confused the hell out of me these last two posts!
I'm all up to date with my posts now so we're off adventuring to Frankfürt tomorrow and we'll post at our next free computer!
The Netherlands
After spending the day in Antwerp we arrived in the Netherlands and headed straight to Utrecht to stay at the best hostel ever. From the moment I walked into the door I was amazed by the pully they had on the door from the reception area. Only 15 Euros a night each for a bed, a free kitchen, free bed sheets and free internet with a free computer. The people were amayingly nice and one of them, after discussing our trip, even disapeared out the room and came back with leaflets on hostels in Germany. And after 2 nights there we had to stay for a third.
We spent our first day there catching up on lost sleep, and planning on where to stay next. On our way to Rotterdam, in the station there was a man with tables and tables of tiramisu handing it out for free!! We had to stay and get our share, Richard gobbled his down but unfortunately for me I dropped mine on the floor. I was highly disappointed by this but it didn't matter because it shortly followed Richard being chatted up by an old man! Rotterdam turned out to be very unexciting and grey. It was however completly covered with sculptures. And after following them through a park we lost our way out and found our selves surrounded by ducks. This one duck waddled right up to us and at first I was amazed by how friendly it was, But then it bit me!
That evening we dossed around the hostel and met a Canadian, Simon. We spent all evening talking about our adventures and his. He bought me a hot chocolate, Richard a coffee and even gave me 2 Canadian dollors and an olympic 25c and we now have a place to stay if we ever visit Vancouver!
We spent all of yesterday walking around Amsterdam. The centre was full of 'coffee shops', bong shops and people. We settled in the square and watched a man from Ethiopia fit through a tennis racquet! A five minute walk out of the centre and it was transformed into canals and bikes. We went into the Anne Frank Haus had a coffee and arrived back at the hostel for another early night.
I'm a little disapointed by the little I have written for Amsterdam, essecially considering that it's the capital. I hope the rest of our trip is more excitng!
We spent our first day there catching up on lost sleep, and planning on where to stay next. On our way to Rotterdam, in the station there was a man with tables and tables of tiramisu handing it out for free!! We had to stay and get our share, Richard gobbled his down but unfortunately for me I dropped mine on the floor. I was highly disappointed by this but it didn't matter because it shortly followed Richard being chatted up by an old man! Rotterdam turned out to be very unexciting and grey. It was however completly covered with sculptures. And after following them through a park we lost our way out and found our selves surrounded by ducks. This one duck waddled right up to us and at first I was amazed by how friendly it was, But then it bit me!
That evening we dossed around the hostel and met a Canadian, Simon. We spent all evening talking about our adventures and his. He bought me a hot chocolate, Richard a coffee and even gave me 2 Canadian dollors and an olympic 25c and we now have a place to stay if we ever visit Vancouver!
We spent all of yesterday walking around Amsterdam. The centre was full of 'coffee shops', bong shops and people. We settled in the square and watched a man from Ethiopia fit through a tennis racquet! A five minute walk out of the centre and it was transformed into canals and bikes. We went into the Anne Frank Haus had a coffee and arrived back at the hostel for another early night.
I'm a little disapointed by the little I have written for Amsterdam, essecially considering that it's the capital. I hope the rest of our trip is more excitng!
Monday, 10 May 2010
The Last Of Belgium
Our free breakfast of 2 slices of bread at the hostel about summed the place up. As we headed for the Netherlands we made one last stop at Antwerp. We'd found a funky map at the hostel (the best thing about the place) that had all things to do, so we drew a route and followed the information. First through the amazing station (4th in the World's most beautiful train station list), then past a zoo where there was a window in the wall and therefore a view of the Giraffe's for free! The map then led us down a road for 20 minutes to these very big pretty Fairy houses. And really did look like something from a fairytale. Heading back towards the centre of the city we walked through the Jewish Quarter and through a Bunny park, but unfortnatley I think it was too wet for bunnies that day! The square had a remarkably old building with apparently 40 entrances and a statue of a man throwing a hand, that according to the map noone knows why! We spent the rest of the day wandering round the streets looking at the old buildings and little old alleyways and pigging out on supermarket bought waffels.
When arriving at the station we found some lockers for our bags. However I decided to save my 3Euros and carry it around with me, which turned out to be a bad mistake. By 3 hours Richard was practically dragging me through the streets, over the bridge to the castle and through, what I'm sure one of the Australians described to me as, the worlds smallest Chinatown. So in answer to your comment Mum my shoulders, along with my feet aren't doing ok. But after 2 days rest and a stroll round Rotterdam, we're all ready for a long afternoon in Amsterdam before heading into Germany in the early hours of tomorrow!
When arriving at the station we found some lockers for our bags. However I decided to save my 3Euros and carry it around with me, which turned out to be a bad mistake. By 3 hours Richard was practically dragging me through the streets, over the bridge to the castle and through, what I'm sure one of the Australians described to me as, the worlds smallest Chinatown. So in answer to your comment Mum my shoulders, along with my feet aren't doing ok. But after 2 days rest and a stroll round Rotterdam, we're all ready for a long afternoon in Amsterdam before heading into Germany in the early hours of tomorrow!
Sunday, 9 May 2010
More Belgium
Nights in Europe: 5
Hostels slept in: 3
Places visited: 6
Not done a post in a while due to the lack of internet (And Rhianna being tired!). But this Hostel has free internet and a computer to use it with - WooHoo! So get your reading glasses on because this is going to be a long one.
Spent Wednesday evening in Brussels for one drink of Leffe, much to Richard's enjoyment. The whole city lit up in the dark and was so beautiful- Got lots of photos to show. The pubs weren't particualrly busy apart from one Irish pub we past that was full and overflowing out the doors, I guess all irish pubs are!
Thursday morning we got up esspecially for Brussels biggest flea market. Was possibly the weirdest thing I've seen. There must have been everything yuou can think of laid out on rugs on the floor, with people rummaging around boxes of spoons, forks, kifes, old furniture, paintings, televisions, saws, hammers, fridges, jewellery, squirrel-like skins. There was a doll with no arms, a fork and a picture in a frame spread out on a fur rug. Back to the busiest street in Brussels to find the Manneken Pis absolutely naked!! (photo coming soon) And a REAL-LIFE Belgian Wafel, with bananas and Lots of cream. YUMMY! A long stroll around the rest of Brussels proved that there really was nothing more to see. But painting on the sides of buildings. Back to the hostel to spend the rest our evening planning our trip down to Switzerland!
Friday morning we were pleased to find that our Interrail tickets were valid and we could move out of Brussels. Spent the morning in a lovely little city called Gent. We were greeted from the station by bikes (see photo) and the kamikaze cyclists haven't stopped since! We followed a canal to find the entire centre and Cathedral was a building site-including the pavements! Recommended in 'The Book' we stopped for a boost in a little coffee shop, called Mokabon, that smelt wonderful. The place was so cosy and small it even made me feel big with my gigantic rucksack, and I'm sure Richard wiped someone out with his! The owners were amazingly friendly and were excited that they had appeared in our book. Contiuing our tour of the city we found more old medieval beautiful buildings and even more cyclists. A place definately to be found in The Chellies Guide to Europe!
Back on the train, for FREE!!! (Rich: It's not free! Rhianna: Let me think it's free) To Brugge. Very similar to Gent but taken over by tourists, and when I say that, everyone there was speaking English. With chocolatiers lining either side leading up the the huge square full of restaurants. We went to see what people beleive is the blood of Jesus but I was disapointed to find it had been put away. A walk around the city to see all the old buildings and back to the '3Euro for a giant spaghetti Bolognese' place to find it fully booked. Richard led me back through all the streets to find another cheap replacment. A hour later we settled on the first placed we saw opposite our original plan. With a margherita pizza in front of us Richard spotted out the window a huge group of people gathering in the street to steel our seats and our cheapo pasta!
We then, esspecially for Richard, went to a pub to try their very own Beer. Which with the free cheese I didn't find too bad. We moved onto our next pub purely for the free wi-fi connection and the fact it was in a cellar but when ordering our first very Belgian drinks there, we met 3 Australians. We spent the rest of our night with them enjoying more drinks and a qiuck dance. And headed back to the Hostel, in Brugge, for an early start.
Sorry about the extreme length, but this should keep those of you with no lives busy!
Hostels slept in: 3
Places visited: 6
Not done a post in a while due to the lack of internet (And Rhianna being tired!). But this Hostel has free internet and a computer to use it with - WooHoo! So get your reading glasses on because this is going to be a long one.
Spent Wednesday evening in Brussels for one drink of Leffe, much to Richard's enjoyment. The whole city lit up in the dark and was so beautiful- Got lots of photos to show. The pubs weren't particualrly busy apart from one Irish pub we past that was full and overflowing out the doors, I guess all irish pubs are!
Thursday morning we got up esspecially for Brussels biggest flea market. Was possibly the weirdest thing I've seen. There must have been everything yuou can think of laid out on rugs on the floor, with people rummaging around boxes of spoons, forks, kifes, old furniture, paintings, televisions, saws, hammers, fridges, jewellery, squirrel-like skins. There was a doll with no arms, a fork and a picture in a frame spread out on a fur rug. Back to the busiest street in Brussels to find the Manneken Pis absolutely naked!! (photo coming soon) And a REAL-LIFE Belgian Wafel, with bananas and Lots of cream. YUMMY! A long stroll around the rest of Brussels proved that there really was nothing more to see. But painting on the sides of buildings. Back to the hostel to spend the rest our evening planning our trip down to Switzerland!
Friday morning we were pleased to find that our Interrail tickets were valid and we could move out of Brussels. Spent the morning in a lovely little city called Gent. We were greeted from the station by bikes (see photo) and the kamikaze cyclists haven't stopped since! We followed a canal to find the entire centre and Cathedral was a building site-including the pavements! Recommended in 'The Book' we stopped for a boost in a little coffee shop, called Mokabon, that smelt wonderful. The place was so cosy and small it even made me feel big with my gigantic rucksack, and I'm sure Richard wiped someone out with his! The owners were amazingly friendly and were excited that they had appeared in our book. Contiuing our tour of the city we found more old medieval beautiful buildings and even more cyclists. A place definately to be found in The Chellies Guide to Europe!
Back on the train, for FREE!!! (Rich: It's not free! Rhianna: Let me think it's free) To Brugge. Very similar to Gent but taken over by tourists, and when I say that, everyone there was speaking English. With chocolatiers lining either side leading up the the huge square full of restaurants. We went to see what people beleive is the blood of Jesus but I was disapointed to find it had been put away. A walk around the city to see all the old buildings and back to the '3Euro for a giant spaghetti Bolognese' place to find it fully booked. Richard led me back through all the streets to find another cheap replacment. A hour later we settled on the first placed we saw opposite our original plan. With a margherita pizza in front of us Richard spotted out the window a huge group of people gathering in the street to steel our seats and our cheapo pasta!
We then, esspecially for Richard, went to a pub to try their very own Beer. Which with the free cheese I didn't find too bad. We moved onto our next pub purely for the free wi-fi connection and the fact it was in a cellar but when ordering our first very Belgian drinks there, we met 3 Australians. We spent the rest of our night with them enjoying more drinks and a qiuck dance. And headed back to the Hostel, in Brugge, for an early start.
Sorry about the extreme length, but this should keep those of you with no lives busy!
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Staying in a room with four bunkbeds and sharing with a dutch and an american! Had a nice lie in this morning before heading out to see brussels. Full of old fancy buildings, lovely little garden, but the best thing by far was the manneken pis wearing a jazzy yankee doodle type!!! With a nutritional lunch of bread and oranges by 4 o'clock we'd seen everything we wanted to. Back in the hostel now and after a day of keeping up with rich i'm absolute beat! Relaxing with a book and a possible snooze before heading back out and checking out the night life.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Arrived in Brussels.
Eventually figured out the trams and found one to the hostel.
Quote of the day: at the station in Brussels, when looking at the map for the toilet. "Only one toilet in this f***ing station. And you have to put money in it!"
Nullos score Rich:2660 Rhianna:640
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