2008 Travels Part II

Since the first email/post here is what I have been up too. After Florence it was of to the beautiful Cinque Terre. Caught the train from La Spezia. Learnt something really important on that train – you’re not supposed to use the loo’s in the Italian trains when they are parked in the station. Whoopsee…

Spent a great four nights at a campsite in a village called Deiva Marina. Spent two days exploring the Cinque Terre and the third day I headed to Portofino. Was really great to be not in a city. No sirens wailing. Instead, I could lie in me tent and listen to the sounds of church bells, and the sound of people singing. Wanted to go on a boat to visit a stature of Christ underwater off the coast, but it wasn’t to be. From there it was back to London.

Late September my sister Brady and I headed to Cairo, Egypt for 3 nights. It was a crazy few of days. Very hot! We were on a tour just by ourselves, and the tour guide tried to teach us the history of Egypt and religion all in two days! I got told off so many times - for not looking at the guy while he was talking and for taking photos while the guide was talking... He had no idea really. After all, we were paying him! It wasn't like photos were banned, he just thought I should be looking at him while he was talking. Brady informed him that I could listen and take photos at the same time! My brain was so overloading from trying to listen to everything. All in all we had a pretty good (if a little mind boggling) time. One of my favorite parts was being driven along Pyramids Road (in our air conditioned tour van). It was really interesting to watch all the people going about their everyday life. I particularly enjoyed seeing the old white VW combi vans which seem to be used as some kind of bus network.

After deciding to take off on Busabout again, I was money poor but reasonably time wealthy, so I caught a bus to Paris (long day!). Had been to Paris before but had more to see. Managed to see the Moulin Rouge (at night), Sacre Cour, visited Rue de Quatre September (or whatever it was - the street that appears to be named after my birthday). Stayed at a rather new backpackers - great place with a great view. Back on Busabout I headed for Switzerland. Spent three nights in Lauterbrunnen. A tad cold, but very beautiful! Went up to Gimmelwald, a beautiful little village complete with chalets and cows with bells. While up there, I saw a guy wearing a Waikato Draught shirt and a Maori bone carving. A Waikatonian I thought! So, I asked him if he was going to steal some cow bell's to take home and use at the Rugby. Unfortunately, he didn't speak much English. Obviously a European with a Waikatonian friend!

Next stop was Munich (just for one night but I enjoyed it so much more than the first time). The autumnal colours of the trees were splendid! Back to Paris where I went in to see the Eiffel tower at night with some people from Busabout. Was cool to have people to go out and explore with - one of the worst things about traveling alone as a female is not feeling safe out at night (it is up there with not having someone to look after your pack when you want to use the loo, or not having anyone to talk to about the cool stuff you are seeing).

After three more nights in Paris, it was on to Amsterdam five nights. Did a cycle tour of the city, and another night tour with our Busabout guide. Visited the Van Gogh Museum, and other things Went on a day trip to Den Haag (The Hague) to visit the M C Escher museum (dude who did the famous 3d illusion graphic works). Also visited Rotterdam (possibly just because I had heard of it in the song called 'Rotterdam' by The Beautiful South, and was curious to see what was there!)

Next was Berlin. I was supposed to be there for two nights, but thought it was three. Forgot to catch my plane so had to fork out extra for another flight... Berlin was ok, was a bit over the travelling by then and keen to get back to London!

Back to London for a long weekend, then a cheap bus to Bristol. Visited the famous bridge and the camera obscurer (still think these things are great!) then off to Cardiff to Penny and Tutty's Welsh retreat. Ok, so it may just look like a 2 bedroom house, but I was so excited by having a bed in a room all to myself! It was great to chill out for a few days and try and suss my life out! Thanks for your hospitality guys!

Trained to Birmingham for dinner with Sharlene. Then, trained on to Stratford-Upon-Avon. At this stage, I should note how nice it was to be backpacking around an English speaking country. I hadn't really done this since my Ireland trip in April 2007. It was a lot less stressful. Also, as it was November (not really high tourist season!) the Hostel's weren't very packed. Once you get into the countryside, the YHA provides 2 pillows (bliss) and are housed in some cool old buildings. So, I arrived at Stratford-upon-Avon in the dark, on the last train of the night (only about 9pm though). I didn't feel too scared walking into town. Planned to cycle round the Shakespeare properties but hiring a bike proved a bit harder than envisaged. Got a cheap day bus pass (even after the bus driver was rude to me telling me I should be on the tourist bus). Met some nice old ladies on the bus who pointed out the direction of Ann Hathaway's cottage. From here it was back to London to catch a little Guy Fawkes Action.

Two nights later I joined a group of Kiwi's heading to Vienna (via Bratislava in Slovakia) for a friend's 30th. Had to catch a taxi to the airport at something like 3am in the morning. Wouldn't have done it alone but it was fine with a group of people. Stayed at a hotel in Vienna. Was excited to not only have my own bed, and room, but bathroom too. Bit gutted that the cleaner obviously thought my flash toilet bag (aka a plastic bag all the way from Greece 3 months earlier) was rubbish and chucked it. It was a fun weekend and great to actually be traveling with people I knew!

From Vienna it was straight to Nottingham (where some of the crazy Brittish louts on the plane were arrested when we got off for harassing the Ryan air hostesses!). Nottingham didn't really do much for me, though I didn't really give it a chance. Instead, I gapped it to York on the bus. Love the YHA here too, and spent the night chatting to a South African girl and some kiwi guys (very amusing – kind of stereotypical) while also doing my washing. York Minster was cool, the Shambles weren't quite as shamblistic as I had imagined though.

Trained to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to catch up with my flatmate from London last year. Had a great time sampling Newcastle's version of butter chicken and getting a guided tour round some cool old buildings and the bridges of Newcastle by night. Didn't really want to leave as it definitely exceeded my expectations. Caught the train (but only just) to Edinburgh. Didn't realise until I was on the train that we got to go via the coast. It was a beautiful day and I wish I could have stopped at some of the villages along the way. Edinburgh hadn’t changed much since I was there last year. Onto rainy Glasgow, where it was raining. Was there for a night to check out some Charles Rennie Mackintosh buildings – very cool to see the Glasgow School of Art. A Ryan Air 13 pound flight took me south, where I visited Helen and Ricky’s Bournemouth Retreat. Similar to the Welsh Retreat mentioned earlier, it was great to catch up with Helen and Ricky and nice to escape from the hostels for a couple of nights.

Once back in London, I went on my last day trip out of London. I will miss these heaps! The destination was Whitstable, at the mouth of the Thames. After a Sunday roast, a walk down the beach and a pint on the waterfront it was getting dark and time to head back to London.

Headed back home via LA. I like movies, but, I’m not really into following the lives of movie stars. Did a tour and had a bit of a look around, but didn’t do too much.

I think that just about covers this years travels! It has been great to see old friends and meet new ones! A big thank you to those of you who have given me a bed/couch/piece of floor! It has been much appreciated!