I never thought that I would say this, but France and Turkey are right now on the shortlist for best European country.
We went to Turkey for 5 days. Saw Troy, and spent the night in Cannakale, then on to the famous Anzac cove memorial - pissed me off that all us Canadians got was a Vimy drive-by.
Headed to Istanbul for 3 days. I love Istanbul. Though our hotel wasn't the greatest, it made up for it in location. Went to a turkish bath (aka a human car wash) and was rubbed down by a woman. Bartered in the Grand Bazaar, and got some kisses (though others may have gotten more) from the overzealous vendors. Smoked an incredible amount of hookah, banana, chocolate, cappuchino, and tutti fruity.
Stumbled upon a museum with the rod of Moses, the sword of David, the Cup of Abraham and the head of John the Baptist. Have to check validity of this when I get home, but the same place had the beard of the prophet Mohammad.
Went to the shittiest dinner ever, and got on stage twice for belly dancing.
Drove to Bulgaria - really not too much to see. There was a huge cathedral. the vendors were all selling real Nazi stuff including pins, rings, smoke cases, and lighters... but I was too cheap.
Drove to Serbia today, and had 1 hour to walk around downtown. as it is Sunday there isn't really that much to see, though we walked on the bridge Arch Duke Ferdinand was shot on (which caused world war I.)
Smile! I hope you are all doing well. Tomorrow we are in Hungary, then on to Western Europe for the final leg of the voyage. Hard to believe I will be home in 2 weeks!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Egypt
I have just spent a week in egypt. True to their promise, Contiki planned a go go go week for us, full of all the sites they could muster in such a short period of time.
Firstly, our hotel in Cairo is haunted, I swear!
on our first full day we went to the pyramids where i was accosted by men selling goods. I went inside the middle pyramid (it was hotter than hell in there), and rode a camel to the sphynx (which was smaller than I thought).
we took an overnight train to aswan - more comfortable than the bus! then went on a boat to botanical gardens on the nile and to the bazaars in Aswan. I shopped too much - likely have to send stuff home before i get there - suitcase is very very full and i have half a trip left.
We flew to Abu simbel the next day - 30 minute flight to see a very cool temple - though we only spent 45 minutes there. The heat of the day is enough to kill a person - on the way home i noticed that i almost broke my thermometer (which was registering 50 degrees when i left it beside the pool). thank god for the pool.
We then drove to Luxor, where the next day we went to Kernak temple, Luxor temple and went to the valley of the kings (I went into 3 different tombs, but not king tut's = as i was in a foul mood by then.)
Got the Pharoah's revenge along with 10 (so far) of my travel companions.
Drove then to Herghada - a sea side resort town on the red sea. Spent today snorkelling and just hanging on a boat in the red sea before a 6 hour bus ride back to Cairo.
There is so much more, but apparently I have to sleep now and again!
Later!
Firstly, our hotel in Cairo is haunted, I swear!
on our first full day we went to the pyramids where i was accosted by men selling goods. I went inside the middle pyramid (it was hotter than hell in there), and rode a camel to the sphynx (which was smaller than I thought).
we took an overnight train to aswan - more comfortable than the bus! then went on a boat to botanical gardens on the nile and to the bazaars in Aswan. I shopped too much - likely have to send stuff home before i get there - suitcase is very very full and i have half a trip left.
We flew to Abu simbel the next day - 30 minute flight to see a very cool temple - though we only spent 45 minutes there. The heat of the day is enough to kill a person - on the way home i noticed that i almost broke my thermometer (which was registering 50 degrees when i left it beside the pool). thank god for the pool.
We then drove to Luxor, where the next day we went to Kernak temple, Luxor temple and went to the valley of the kings (I went into 3 different tombs, but not king tut's = as i was in a foul mood by then.)
Got the Pharoah's revenge along with 10 (so far) of my travel companions.
Drove then to Herghada - a sea side resort town on the red sea. Spent today snorkelling and just hanging on a boat in the red sea before a 6 hour bus ride back to Cairo.
There is so much more, but apparently I have to sleep now and again!
Later!
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Holy Italia
Wow, as per Sandra's comment, it has been awhile since I have posted. It really sucks that my photos won't come on here properly, especially since I have roughly 1500 by now (and there are a lot more people who have a lot more than I do).
italy was great, but not France! We spent the first couple nights in Venice. It is a great city, and I spent lots of time just wandering about by myself. I even got on one of those water buses! I can really say that I have been on public transit in most cities that we have been in! There wasn't really anything huge to see there, but just walk around and soak in the ambiance. And eat the pizza and gelato (Italy wasn't good for my waistline).
Following Venice, we made our way into Florence. I wasn't expecting big things from there, but holy crap! the city is the heart of teh renaissance it seems. I got to see the fake statue of David, then paid the 10 euro to see the real one (real one is totally epic. fake doesn't even compare). I wanted to see where Machiavelli was tombed, but it was shut to the public. we really lucked out in florence, because it was a monday and everything is closed, but it was a national holiday, so it was all open!
my bank card didn't work in most of italy until we tried some random bank in Rome. Fuck you Scotiabank. Yeah, you heard me.
After Florence, we headed to Rome. Saw the forum, the colliseum, and the pantheaon. Our whole day there I decided to try the catholic way of things, and we made it to mass with the pope. We also happened to be within 15 feet of the pope when he did his little pope-mobile around. it was too cool! Then we were off to the vatican museum (which apparently doesn't have lines anymore) and spent the better part of an hour under the Sistine Chapel. Once you have seen that roof, any of the millions of art pieces in the museum don't even compare. it's like you can't tell what is real and what is not - he painted it in perfect 3D.
We went back into Rome at night for some pictures (took the ghetto train - yay public transit!) only thing is we thought the last train was at 11:30, it was at 10:40 and suddenly we were lost in Rome. Not cool. But Tram 2, and bus 200 later, and we were back in the ghetto where we were staying. Rome stinks like garbage. Not my favourite city at all.
The ruins at pompeii were really cool. I got a bunch of pictures of Mt. Vesuivius, and the brothels (which ironically are the best preserved buildings there.)
We then took an overnight, greek ferry to Greece. I had never spent the night on a boat before. I fared well, but our room smelled like diesel fuel.
We are staying on the Island of corfu right now. It is gorgeous. I love Europe because I can be out in the sun all day, yet not burn! I am pretty brown though.
Today we were out on George's boat (a vulgar, fat greek man who can cook up a storm!). I went paragliding on a whim - somethign I have always wanted to do.
And tomorrow - we are off to Athens. The next day ( I guess Monday) we fly out to Cairo. I don't expect to be online much for the next week or so - but keep commenting! I like to hear how everyone is doing, even if i don't have teh chance to respond right away!
smile!
italy was great, but not France! We spent the first couple nights in Venice. It is a great city, and I spent lots of time just wandering about by myself. I even got on one of those water buses! I can really say that I have been on public transit in most cities that we have been in! There wasn't really anything huge to see there, but just walk around and soak in the ambiance. And eat the pizza and gelato (Italy wasn't good for my waistline).
Following Venice, we made our way into Florence. I wasn't expecting big things from there, but holy crap! the city is the heart of teh renaissance it seems. I got to see the fake statue of David, then paid the 10 euro to see the real one (real one is totally epic. fake doesn't even compare). I wanted to see where Machiavelli was tombed, but it was shut to the public. we really lucked out in florence, because it was a monday and everything is closed, but it was a national holiday, so it was all open!
my bank card didn't work in most of italy until we tried some random bank in Rome. Fuck you Scotiabank. Yeah, you heard me.
After Florence, we headed to Rome. Saw the forum, the colliseum, and the pantheaon. Our whole day there I decided to try the catholic way of things, and we made it to mass with the pope. We also happened to be within 15 feet of the pope when he did his little pope-mobile around. it was too cool! Then we were off to the vatican museum (which apparently doesn't have lines anymore) and spent the better part of an hour under the Sistine Chapel. Once you have seen that roof, any of the millions of art pieces in the museum don't even compare. it's like you can't tell what is real and what is not - he painted it in perfect 3D.
We went back into Rome at night for some pictures (took the ghetto train - yay public transit!) only thing is we thought the last train was at 11:30, it was at 10:40 and suddenly we were lost in Rome. Not cool. But Tram 2, and bus 200 later, and we were back in the ghetto where we were staying. Rome stinks like garbage. Not my favourite city at all.
The ruins at pompeii were really cool. I got a bunch of pictures of Mt. Vesuivius, and the brothels (which ironically are the best preserved buildings there.)
We then took an overnight, greek ferry to Greece. I had never spent the night on a boat before. I fared well, but our room smelled like diesel fuel.
We are staying on the Island of corfu right now. It is gorgeous. I love Europe because I can be out in the sun all day, yet not burn! I am pretty brown though.
Today we were out on George's boat (a vulgar, fat greek man who can cook up a storm!). I went paragliding on a whim - somethign I have always wanted to do.
And tomorrow - we are off to Athens. The next day ( I guess Monday) we fly out to Cairo. I don't expect to be online much for the next week or so - but keep commenting! I like to hear how everyone is doing, even if i don't have teh chance to respond right away!
smile!
Friday, June 05, 2009
my attempt at pictures sucks
just know that i am doing well. have two days in greece, then off to egypt! yay team!
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