Europe

In retrospect...

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:46:00 +0000

"The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as foreign land."

G.K. Chesterton

Couldn't have put it any better myself :)

My First McDonalds :)

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sun, 25 Aug 2002 22:43:00 +0000

So the day of departure has arrived. Our grand plans of visiting the Prado or El Rastro before leaving have gone out of the window. We’re tired and want to go home. It’s been a fun filled, but tiring five weeks.

After waiting six hours for our flight (!) we had to wait a further one and a half because of two passengers having to be thrown off the plane by the Spanish police!

Clure (Col’s sister) met us at the airport, but Colin drove us home. After being in the country for only 45 mins Colin got caught speeding!

After having my first McDonalds of the trip, I drove back to Kendal. I’ll unpack tomorrow Zzzzzz

El Valle de los Caídos

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sat, 24 Aug 2002 23:41:00 +0000

This morning we’re off to El Escorial to try to find El Valle de los Caídos (where Franco is buried). The journey turned into a bit of a farce. In Madrid we were told the buses were fairly regular, however we arrived at 11:30 only to be told the next bus to El Valle de los Caídos is at 15:15. So we got some food and headed to the park…

15:15 took ages to arrive, but when it eventually did we headed into the hills… The first glimpses of the Holy Cross were magnificent. The whole place was very atmospheric. Even more so when a huge thunderstorm arrived! It felt a little creepy walking along the crypt (262m long carved out of the rock), but better than being out in the thunderstorm :)

After photographing the monument from every conceivable angle we caught the bus back to Madrid and went to the Reina Sofía. What a quality place! The place was full of Picassos, work by Salvador Dali and an exhibition of photos by Elliot Ergwitt (my favourite).

After this we headed for food and then bed.

Inter-Rail Ticket Expires

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Fri, 23 Aug 2002 22:39:00 +0000

After a poor breakfast of bread and butter, we caught the train to Cuenca (with 1 min to spare!).

We really wanted to see the ‘Casas Colgadas’ (hanging houses), but we felt a bit jipped once we got there. The houses do not hang – the balconies do, so what?

After wandering around the town (a World Heritage Site), we hopped on the train back to Madrid to find the geographical centre of Spain.

Colin wasn’t feeling too good, so we cooked (for only the second time in five weeks!) and had an early night.

Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Thu, 22 Aug 2002 19:37:00 +0000

Awoke to a thud of fresh washing on my bed – God bless Mags :)

After grabbing breakfast and a surprisingly non-teary goodbye, we once more checked in for a trip on the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) for our trip to Madrid…

Having sorted our accommodation from Mags’, we spent the rest of the day just bimbling around Madrid.

Life’s a beach

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Wed, 21 Aug 2002 20:34:00 +0000

Our last day with Javier and Mags, so we’re heading off to the beach!

When we returned we all went for cocktails near the Giralda. It was such a funny evening – José only knew the odd word of English and my Spanish was of a similar standard, but we had such a good laugh!

It would have been nice to finish the holiday here. I have had such a wonderful time in Seville. Everyone we have met has made us so welcome :)

I hope that I see Mags and Javier again sometime soon…

The Room of Naked People

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Tue, 20 Aug 2002 21:32:00 +0000

Continuing our tour of typical Spain, we set off to find a village that Javier’s (Mags’ boyfriend) Dad “used to f*#king own”!

Aracena (meaning expensive meal) is a quaint little village – all the houses are the traditional white (Pueblo Blancos). We wandered around the village and then grabbed a bite to eat.

After food, ‘Javier’s Tours’ took us down into the caves where King Solomon’s Mines was filmed. The caves are full of lots of weird and wonderful sights, including Sala de los Desnudos (The Room of Naked People – see the picture). I wonder how it got it’s name?!? :)

Next stop on the tour was Italica, where there is an extensive collection of Roman remains, including a 25 000 seater amphitheatre.

Final stop of the day was the bar for a few drinks and an English lesson for Patra (Mags’ Sister). She was taught the noun Minger and the verb to ming. Very useful word – until she went home and said “Goodnight Minger” to Mags – d’oh!

Quack Quack Orange

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Mon, 19 Aug 2002 22:28:00 +0000

After being so lazy yesterday, we were up and out early. First stop was the police station – it wasn’t me! Colin used to live in Spain and had to sort an old issue – sounds dodgy to me, so I didn’t pry.

Whilst Colin was at the police station, Mags and I wandered around her old uni – a lot prettier than Lancaster :)

Once we met up with Colin again we took a walk through Maria Luisa Park and then on to the Cathedral – the World’s largest gothic structure. Next we climbed the Giralda, but there wasn’t a step in sight! Just ramps all the way to the top – Mags said it was so they could take horses up there – why? I have no idea. The views of Seville were breathtaking, but I’m not too sure the horses would have been that interested.

On our way back we visited the Plaza de España – where the new Star Wars was filmed. No lightsabres tho :(

We met Mags family for the first time tonight. They are all really nice – although I speak no Spanish and only her Dad knows a few phrases of English, so communication is a bit of a problem. Well for me anyway. Colin on the other hand never stops bambling on – he seems to have been adopted as their son :)

The family took us for a meal where we tried virtually everything on the menu! It was a good night, although I was a little frustrated at not being able to join in as freely as I would have liked – I either had to rely on Mags to translate or guess what everyone was saying. I don’t think I did too bad… Mags’ Dad told us a joke that ended “quack quack orange”.

I think I got it :)

One week to go…

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sun, 18 Aug 2002 19:58:00 +0000

Had a lazy day by the pool and in front of the telly :)

Off to Seville…

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sat, 17 Aug 2002 22:56:00 +0000

Another day, another early start and another train – to be honest, all this travelling is getting me down now :(

Unfortunately we couldn’t stop in Cuenca due to all the trains being full, so we are now heading to Seville…

We caught the REX from Valencia to Madrid, where we switched trains onto the AVE to Seville. Checking in to the AVE was like checking in for a plane. The AVE is supposed to travel at 300km/h – it didn’t feel that fast, probably because it was soooooo comfy :)

Mags met us at the station – it was 18:30 and 41°C – this is going to be a hot one! We finished the day with tapas and drinks.

Sweatin’ cobs

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Fri, 16 Aug 2002 21:54:00 +0000

When we arrived in Valencia, it was a steaming 36°C so we took refuge in a local café. There we met a very friendly old man and drank a Horchata (an almond milkshake) – v. nice! From there Colin sorted the accommodation – well his Spanish is better then mine :)

As it cooled, we wandered along the course of the old river, which is now full of gardens. We also explored the Miguelete, which (allegedly) houses the Holy Grail – it was basically a small bronze cup.

Sightseeing over, we stopped for an original Valencian Paella. Colin says he would like to live here, but I don’t see the attraction – it’s too damm hot!

Barcelona!

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Thu, 15 Aug 2002 22:55:00 +0000

First stop this morning was Castell de Montjuic - the views could have been spectacular, but it was too damm hazey.

We weren't that impressed with the Olympic Stadium, but our next stop blew us away...

The Nou Camp stadium was truly amazing - I'd love to come back here when there is a game on.

Next to La Rambla - the main street of Barça - for a real catalan hot choc ("so thick that you can stand your spoon in it"), unfortunately the place was closed (it's a religious holiday). Still it's another great reason to come back here!

La Sagrada Familia - a cathedral designed by Gaudi - was the next stop on our tour. Although it's not finished, it is stunning and well worth the climb up the towers - even tho the bridge between them was a bit airy! Inspired by Gaudi's cathedral, we went to find his park, but then...

It pissed it down :(

So we raced back to the YH to dry off, after which we went and ate some lobster. I really loved Barcelona and would love to stay here a little longer, but we've a train to catch!

I'll come back another day...

Goodbyeeeee

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Wed, 14 Aug 2002 20:25:00 +0000

Got up later than we planned, but we still managed to catch the 10:30 bus to La Tour de Carol (which for some strange reason cost twice as much as it did on the way in!?) The bus got us to the train with minutes to spare – so it was a rushed goodbye to Dave and Doug.

We arrived in Barcelona at 16:30 and booked into the YH on La Rambla. Did some domestic duties – washing, changed traveller’s cheques,…

Things only seemed to be getting going on La Rambla at 1am, but we were knackered so we headed to bed and to our surprise we were the first in our dorm!

Lac Nou(de)!?

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Tue, 13 Aug 2002 22:03:00 +0000

After a bit of a lie in, we opted for a day in the hills. Our route took us to Lac Nou, which the guide described as ‘never very cold’ (lying bastards!). It was hard work slogging up the mountain, but the scenery was well worth it and the swim in the lake was very cold, but also refreshing – just what we needed. Although the two naked Spaniards were not what we needed! On the way down Colin got lost and when we pointed this out to him, he stormed off and sulked.

That evening we had our last meal with Dave and Doug as tomorrow we part company – we head to Barcelona and they head to Paris.

No offence to Colin, but I do think having a bigger group made the trip more enjoyable – cheers lads!

Happy Birthday Mum!

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Mon, 12 Aug 2002 20:00:00 +0000

Got no sleep last night, but after 16 hours of travelling we finally made it to Andorra. The drive through the Pyrénées was amazing and it’s cheap here - £20 for 5 litres of Whisky!

Got lucky with the accommodation again - €9 per night, although all four of us are in the same room!

Had a lazy day due to the lack of sleep last night - drunk lots of Hoegaarden and went to bed…

Nah, I’m just Avignon…

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sun, 11 Aug 2002 21:58:00 +0000

With two weeks to go we hopped on the train to Avignon, where Dave, much to everyone’s annoyance persisted in cracking the same wanky joke over and over again! Here’s an example:

Dave: “The bridge in Avignon is now finished.”

Us: no reply

Dave: “S’not really – I’m just Avignon”

Thank God there isn’t much time left with them!

Anyhow, we went to the unfinished bridge (how bizarre!?). After eating two crêpes, we caught the train out of town to Lyon…

Found a nice little restaurant where I was the only one brave enough to try snail (not bad) and tripe (not good). Finally, we caught the night train to Toulouse - €1,50 for a seat. Hope I get some sleep!

Complet!

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sat, 10 Aug 2002 20:06:00 +0000

Up early and on the train to Marseille!

The train to Marseille was horribly overcrowded, but luckily we got on early enough to get a seat. By now we are well practiced when arriving in a new place. Toilet (usually Dave having a number 2), tourist info (for a map) and accomodation (which all too often has been easy!). Only not this time...

Everywhere was 'complet', so we ended up staying in a right hole AND I'm having to share a double bed with Doug :(

After dumping our bags and filling our bellies, we took a boat to Chateau d'If. This is the place (so the tour guides tell us) that inspired Alexander Dumas to write the Count of Monte Christo. A lovely little place :)

We were all so knackered that in the evening we just went for some Morrocan food (there's a big North African influence here) and then went to bed.

Happy Birthday Dave!

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Fri, 09 Aug 2002 22:48:00 +0000

Since the Nice YH is so nice (no pun intended!) we're stopping here another night, but first we're off to Cannes. The whistle-stop tour started with a trip to the Palais de Festival - where the film festival takes place. Next we got attacked by a very polite french boy!?

After grabbing a quick sandwich - where Doug used his GCSE French to perfection "Je m'appelle Jambon et Fromage Sandwich S.V.P." - we headed to the beach...

The sun was hot, the sea was cool and the girls were naked :)

Finally back to Nice for food, beer and a bit of Italian singing!?

Halfway there

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Thu, 08 Aug 2002 19:32:00 +0000

With the half way point rapidly approaching (12 noon) we high tailed it out of Italy, through France and into Monaco. You could smell the money as soon as we arrived!

Given the prices, I think it's a good thing we're only staying for a couple of hours. Still, walking around the park was free, so that's what we did. Check out their ten (well, ok - eight) commandments - ridiculous!

Next went to the casino - Colin wasn't brave (or stupid) enough to go in, but I dashed past the first set of guards, only to be thrown out by the second set :( so we decided to trundle around ther port and look at the big boats - the best name had to be Lady Candy.

We then made our way back to the train station to meet Dave and Doug - they had survived! After swapping stories we all came to the conclusion that Italy was shit.

Finally we caught the train to Nice and made our way (under Doug's guidance - I know!) to the YH, which is really swanky and quite cheap! Food, beer, chatted up girls (including a beer stealing Australian!), Dave puked, then bed.

La Lanterna

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Wed, 07 Aug 2002 18:06:00 +0000

After our first decent nights sleep in ages, we headed to the harbour in search of breakfast. We had chickpea pancakes at La Lanterna (Italy's oldest lighthouse). The rest of the morning was spent wandering the narrow street of the old town and eating licquorice icecream.

In the afternoon we lay on the beach amongst all the old leathery women!

Get me outta Italy!!

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Tue, 06 Aug 2002 20:36:00 +0000

We are getting outta here! After a disappointing visit to Florence, Colin and I decided to go to Genova via Pisa.

The train arrived ten minutes late in Pisa, but that still left us 50 mins to see the tower and leave. We arrived back on the platform with five minutes to spare - the train had just left! Italy is beginning to piss me off. So now we have another two hours to kill in this pokey little tourist hole :(

Colin was so gutted - he gave in and went for a McDonalds. Meanwhile I went wandering around looking at all the tourist tack. I met Colin back at the station 45 mins before our train was supposed to leave, only to find that out train had been moved to 12:55 from 13:30. The same wasn't going to happen again, was it?

We ran to Binario 4 - like the board said - to find that the train had been sent to Binario 7 - BASTARDS!

Happy ending this time - we got out of Pisa :)

On our train journey to Genova, we saw the sea - it was such a beautiful shade of blue - maybe Italy isn't that bad after all...

For the first time on the whole trip, we found it difficult to find accomodation when we arrived in Genova! Or maybe we're just getting lazy :)

Colin and I rounded off the day by visiting the mafia for a seafood pizza and beers :)

Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Mon, 05 Aug 2002 19:26:00 +0000

As the morning arrived, so did we. It is here that, with a tear in their eye, we said goodbye to Dave and Doug... Well only until Nice, but that still means they have to look after themselves for four whole days - will they survive?

We decided that since we had carried a tent all this way, we might as well camp! So after finding a campsite and pitching the tent, we headed into town...

First impressions of Florence is how picturesque everything is. Second is how closed everything is! It's Monday and everything is shut :( So more wandering around the town. Ponte Vecchio (a cool bridge) and the Duomo (v. pretty marble church) were worth a look, but we came here to see all the famous art and sculptures and saw nowt!!

Tried getting a pizza, which was virtually impossible. Headed, eventually, back to the campsite for some sleep :(

Munich

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sun, 04 Aug 2002 16:21:00 +0000

We spent today taking in the sights and sounds of Munich. Nowt much to report really. So we decided to make like a tree and ... got a night-train to Florence :)

Don't go to Portugal!?

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Sat, 03 Aug 2002 21:20:00 +0000

The next city in our sights is Munich - only a short train journey away. After sorting accomomdation, etc... we split up. Dave went to get thrown out of a posh coffee shop (!?) and the rest of us went on Doug's tour of the Olympic Stadium. It was closed. Nice one Doug! *

We finished the day in a Brauhaus that was allegedly Hitler's local - you could see where they have painted over the swashstikas! We met some right wierdos in there. Neil (a blonde Robin Williams look-a-like), Chung (a guy who had a camera that looked like a Tie Fighter) and an American Essex girl from Cologne!?

Neil kept telling us not to go to Portugal as they steal your bags. In my humble opinion, it was stolen because he was stupid - he was sitting outside a street cafe and left his bag hanging on the back of his chair when he went to the toilet. He cam back to find his bag was gone - hardly surprising!? My favourite quote of his was "no boos man - wot tha fuck!?" :)

Finally, the plan was hatched - a route was chosen and out we walked - stealing two quality Biersteins. Lee and Doug - Master Criminals :)

* (It was closed as they were preparing for the European Athletic Championships that were being held here in a few days time.)

The hills are alive...

noreply@blogger.com (Guitey) — Fri, 02 Aug 2002 20:06:00 +0000

Left the overnight train in Feldkirch, Austria and hopped onto a bus heading for Vaduz (the capital of Liechtenstein). We wandered around Vaduz for a while, then headed up the hill to the castle where the Royal Family live. The views were impressive.

Next we wandered along the Rhein. As we crossed an old wooden bridge we had crossed into Switzerland! Not bad eh!? Three countries visited and it is only 11am :)

There really wasn't much to do in Liechtenstein - unless you want to buy dentures or stamps, so we got on a train bound for Salzburg...

In Salzburg, we visited the gardens from the Sound of Music (just so that I could take pictures for my Mum - I didn't really want to go!) and then headed across to the old part of town. Here we had some excellent food and quality beer.