So I realise people have been just sitting around eagerly anticipating the next edition of this soon to be top selling novel howeeever I don’t really have an
excuse as to why I haven’t written other than laziness and knowing I have SOO
much to write! So I am obviously going to start with my Contiki trip which I
can safely say is the best experience of my entire life this far, pretty big call
but I don’t think anything else has topped it! Right so I’ll go through city by
city on Contiki, then obviously I have spent the last almost 2 weeks in Wales –
this was really just chilling out nothing too exciting to report other than
spending time with the Welsh Swains so I’ll just touch on that. And I am
currently on the plane to New York City WOOHOOOO really amped but at the same
time also cannot wait for home.
CONTIKI BABY!
NICE / MONACO
So Monaco was one of the places on my ‘must see’ list and I
can definitely add Nice to the list of places I will tell other people they
HAVE to visit. So I chose this Contiki as opposed to one other because it went
to the French Riviera and also went to Vienna which the other didn’t. SUCH a
great decision I can definitely say if I was to live anywhere on the tour Nice
would be the place. The first night we got there Tamika and I were again given
the short end of the stick and got a dud room, however we were too excited
about Nice to really care too much. So that night we were headed out in our
‘best dressed’ (which on Contiki is like home clothes back at the Dunedin flat
were all so hobo looking – okay slight exaggeration but you get me, it’s hard
to cart around too many nice clothes hence constantly wearing the same dress in
all my photos, and you know how hard that would be for me especially!) to
Monaco for a dinner and Monte Carlo night. We headed up to the princes palace,
flag a flying so the dude was home. Actually one of our best dinners since we
actually got a choice unlike some of the other scummy as dinners on offer or
that we even paid for. So Monaco is like the most unique place in the world.
There is ZERO percent unemployment and ZERO income tax! How nuts is that. And
like its impossible to become a citizen, Brad and Ange have even been turned
away. So stoked if you happen to be born there I spose. So we spent the night
intending to spend a few euro rather I watched a few others play the slots then
we went somewhere more our style and my friend Emma and I (who are constantly
being called sisters or twins) had a drink and goss session instead. Way
better. Day Two in Nice Tamika and I decide to just get up when we wake up
since so far its been this rigid bloody Army schedule having to be on the bus
at a deadline etc. So we got up super late and honestly wandered for about
1.5hours trying to find a regular NZ/Aus type breakfast. SO impossible! NO I do
not want a bloody crepe for breakfast!! Well I kinda would but we knew we
shouldn’t haha. FINALLY we find some granola and a bacon type breakfast and
were good to go. We spent the rest of the day shopping up a storm, heaps of
fun. Our mission for lunch was frogs legs and snails and after searching a
while we found a place, I have to say I liked both a lot! I would legit choose
to eat both again. Spent some time down at the beautiful beachfront, we were
just basking in the sun, felt like we hadn’t seen sun in weeks it was amazing.
It is sunny there 300 days of the year – absolutely stunning esp the drive
along the French Riviera. Then that night we all went out for another nice
dinner then on to drinks at a cool irish bar and we later moved onto this bar
where it is like mandatory to dance on tables! That was so awesome it was a
live band playing all these classic 90s songs, so much fun. Sounds gross but it
was like sweat central in there got a bit gross after a while. So me Emma and
Dean (my new gay best friend, LOVE this guy) headed home. On the way home we
found this other bar down one of the alleys in Nice and we were like what the
hell, we wanted to go to more authentic bars so we could meet locals and get
more of a feel for the place. Plus Emma said her one goal was a kiss from a
French boy (mission successful thanks to my super wingman skills I must say) so
we stopped there for a bit then headed home. I can report – LOVE LOVE LOVE
NICE!!!
Next day we were well on our way to Florence. We had a stop
at a French perfumerie on the way, not a good idea when most of the bus is
hungover but I bought a few things anyway since it was a cool place. Once we
arrived in ITALIA we had one stop in at Pisa and I must say, shithole! There is
literally nothing there except this leaning tower. So we got the typical photos
and that was that. Cant say id ever bother to return at allll. That night we
went out for a bit o karaoke which I was the ONLY person keen haha I managed to
convince three others and we did an epic rendition of Living on a Prayer – I
know you all wish you had witnessed this but there is photos don’t you worry.
Today was our friend chris’s birthday (or “Chrus” to them since hes a NZer,
some say Cous which means something quite different...) so he had this massive
barmaid with a big firework on it at the bar, so cool. The next day we had a walking tour given by a
local which was quite cool to hear all about the history of Florence. Walked
along the river and saw the little run ways the royals had all high and along
the city in case they ever needed to escape. After the walking tour Emma and I
spent the entire day shopping. SO stoked to find someone who shares in my
lifelong passion haha perfect shopping buddy. That night we had a proper
Italian feast with like SIX courses that just did not stop coming! Wine was
free flowin and people were getting amped for our big club night. After dinner
we headed to the biggest club in Florence. Unfortunately it was just FULL of
contiki people ie Australian central lame. But awesome because of all the
drunken hook-ups and awkward stories of the next day haha. I had a really fun
night though just hanging with everyone. Until one girl was literally spewing
on the dance floor eew so I took her home (later not so happy about this since
she turned out to be a mega bitch and didn’t make like any friends on the bus
and alienated her one friend, long story). All in all – really liked Florence
and we had an AMAZING hotel there.
First day in Rome we had a bit of a walking tour and
explored the Coliseum – that was really cool to see obviously a big site.
Tonight was just a bit of a chill night since we had had a huge night the night
before. The next day we had our Vatican City tour – amazing. I was amazed at
the size of the church and the Sistine chapel, both so beautiful crazy to think
how old it all is. Then we saw where the pope gave his speech or whatever – to
be honest it just reminded me of eurotrip haha such a good movie. After this we
decided we were hungry and then went
down the most infamous lunch of the trip. Dean, Tamika, Emma, Anthea and I were
super hungry so we just stopped at the first restaurant and me, tryyying to be
all cultural and that orders some Italian stuff. I end up spending TWENTY TWO
EURO on freaking hot spinach, ham and melon – I shit you not this is all I got.
Unbelievable. We couldn’t even talk about it after that, yet we had to tell the
whole bus just because of the pure ridiculousness of it. Should have got a 3
euro piece of pizza off the street and that would have been a million times
better – damn! Lesson WELL learnt. Then that night was a walk about dinner so
just choose your own. So me and the girls decided to treat ourselves sand get
facials, it was amazing! She didn’t understand a word of English but I came out
with quite a glow so I wasn’t complaining haha. Then we had a DELICIOUS meal in
this square. I had my first and only good Italian pasta of cannelloni (my
fave), along with a few nice cocktails and an interesting waiter. He obviously
knew the banter between Australia and NZ and since I was 1 nzer to 3 aussies he
knew who to take the piss out of “Australia stay, kiwi go!” to be precise. So
when I said “well hes not getting a tip” he gave me a free dessert haha was
stoked. So yes he got a tip!
Next day we were on our way to Venice. We had one stop in
Verona on the way where we saw Juliets balcony. Pretty cool, and nice place to
just wander around. The next day we were off to Venice. Venice definitely lived
up to expectations, it was so unique and beautiful. We had a walking tour in
the morning and then a cute little canal ride. Had a crackup driver (steerer??)
who tried to tip me out several times (not impressed) and wanted us to sing
spice girls and aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi (i obviously abstained from the
second part but you know I got into the first!) Then we went to a venetian lace
factory to see how they make that stuff. CRAZY complicated and intricate, one
thing can take like 8 months with several people – insane. And to be honest,
kinda ugly? I got gma something though for her card matches. Then we went to a
venetian glass place, got a little demo of how they make a vase, so cool seeing
him do it in front of us. Then spent the rest of the day wandering around and
shopping. Second lesson, this time on sitting down in a cafe, was learnt by all
of us. I ended up paying SEVEN euro for a freakin tea, literally a tea bag was
like 10 NZD – what the hell!! And everyone paid like double the price for the
drinks as opposed to if wed taken them away. So another lesson learnt however
sometimes we were just too cold to take the drink out and wanted to sit down.
Then we were meant to meet at this meeting spot but can i just say venice is
the biggest maze inthe world! We got lost about 20 times trying to find it and
ended up asking like 10 people who all said different ways of getting there.
Finally after literally an hour and half we found the meeting place. Oooops.
Then we were off to a “Venetian Dinner” – the worst!! It was just like constant
plates of average as pasta and you had no idea how many courses were coming or were left. Definitely
no one was a fan of that dinner and we paid like30 euro. Insane. Plus we had
these super loud annoying dudes playing according right in our ear and were
just like goo away. Then they come over later and shove a bowl in our face
wanting a tip for shit music we didn’t even ask for! HELLLLLS NO. I didn’t give
a tip just awkwardly avoiding their gaze. Works a charm. So to sum up – also
loved Venice, so special! We all decided we want to be proposed to on a gondola
in Venice. Will have to remember that one. Chris almost proposed to all three
of us girls but we decided he could have dean instead much to deans dislike
haha.
MUNICH
Well I wasn’t exactly amped on going to Germany, purely
because I hate the accent/language and it just reminds me of Hitler and Nazis.
But I surprisingly really liked Munich for the one night we spent there. I
didn’t realised how forward and modern germany was as opposed to other European
countries (partic Italy which is still very much keeping to old traditional
style looks) its like holding together the EU apparently. So thats interesting.
Anyway we get to Munich and its like a bloody snowstorm and utterly freezing.
But we go to our walking tour anyway. Barely listen because im so cold so cant
say I know anything about munich to be honest. What I do know is that it has a
really cool beer house called Hofbraus! That was really fun. So after the tour
Emma and I went for the NICEST dinner at Hard Rock! We tried to be traditional
but after walking around and not seeing any English menus we settled for Hard
Rock and I must say – great decision! I had the most delicious salad. And
really cool to get to know more about Emma as time goes on, were very similar
and would definitely be good friends if we lived in the same city. Hoping she
and her brother will come to NZ in July so fingers crossed! Then we went to the
beerhouse. On walking in we see Jae, Maisey, Michelle and steph. Now this is a
story – theres was like this weird love circle between the four of them all
just vying after Maisey. It was like cringe how obsessed they all were.
Personally I didn’t see the attraction AT ALL but whatever. So we avoid the
shit out of them and meet up with other people from the tour. It was Lukes
birthday so a few stayed on later but we headed back on the bus. So my view on
Germany has definitely changed! The next day we headed to Dauchas concentration
camp. Very eye opening to see all that – we saw the gas chambers and crematoriam
and their living quarters (literally just wooden slats for beds). Going thrugh
the museum was interesting to read the story of the camp from start to finish.
Im not really into war history but I must admit it did really interest me how
it all came about. Scary to look at the gate and be like what must it have felt
like when they had the gate shut on them and were told, you will never leave
thru that gate again. So so sad. Anyway during our visit my poor Tazzie
roommate slipped on the ice and ended up breaking her wrist! It was terrible.
The ambulance had to come and take her and Chris (who went with her, so sweet
of him, we called them Contiki husband and wife partially because people from
the other bus thought they were married HA and also because they so should be!
So cute even though Tamika has a boyfriend Chris had fallen pretty hard pretty
fast). So we were all worried about her but she got straight into surgery and
was ready to meet us in Prague after we headed there from Vienna
VIENNA
So when we first arrived in Vienna we had a little night
time bus tour around the city. Vienna is absolutely stunning. You can see the
money this place has, all the old buildings are beautiful and really well
maintained. We later arrived at our hotel which was totally out of town and
find theyve over booked dinner so we have no where for dinner! So contiki gives
us all 15 euro and we go down the road and get like 5 euro dinner and bring
them back to the hotel to eat in their restaurant, scooore. So the next day it
was snowing like I had never seen before, amazing! The snow was like up to our
knees it was awesome. We had so many snow fights and snow angel making, very
fun. That morning we went to the Swarovski store which was huge, too much to
choose from! Then we had a look around a cathedral (forget the name there was
so many over this trip), some shopping was had and then we were off on the bus
to the Schnapps factory! Had the coolest old dude who owned the place telling
us how they make it, really interesting. Learnt the difference between some
types of alcohol but then came the best part, the sampling! We tried heaps of
different liqueurs – loved a cherry one. Tried some absinthe and some other
intennnse spirits. Very cool! Then that night some people went to a classical
music night but I was not keen to pay 62 euro for that and neither was our
whole group so instead we went out for dinner at an Aussie bar – hate to say
this but BEST decision ever. I had the most delicious KANGAROO fajitas! God
even just thinking about it now, I have a new love for kangaroo for suure. Such
a fun night with everyone just chatting and having a few drinks. We all finally
got the good food we were after – that was steaks for most since we were SO
over bloody German schnitzels!
So we arrived in Prague and it was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING. Like
I did not have my warmest clothes on at all and we go for a freakin walking
tour as soon as the bus is parked. I literally thought my hands were going to
fall off so Dean gave me his gloves, so sweet. We walked around seeing all
these cool cathedrals and random sexual statues this one Prague designer has
stuck round Prague. Rubbed this golden penis statue thats meant to be good luck
in sex...interesting. FINALLY we arrive at our awesome hotel right in the
centre of town RIGHT NEXT TO A HUGE MALL – my ideal location. Finally see
Tamika – the poor girl is in a cast but in good spirits as usual. So that night
we have a dinner planned at the hotel and a pub crawl. Even though it was
utterly freezing we decide to go hard and go to the pub crawl – definitely the
best night out!! Free drinks for the first hour so I decide to make my own and
end up mixing six straight shots together semi on accident. That definitely got
us going! A few dramas that night when Steph tried to cut Emmas lunch – when
she has a boyfriend, not cool. Then steph hit tamikas arm and tells her its
just an arm...is she serious! So this almost starts two bitch fights with one
common denominator – bottom line steph is not a good person! And she had been
terrible to her friend Anthea so I offered anthea to room with me in prague
since i had my own room since Tamika was rooming with chris when they got back
from the hospital. Anyway it was a great night either way, had us a super cool
taxi driver who was erratically driving all over the roads and pumping all the
tunes all the way home – no English but who needs talking when theres music! So
the next day we have the morning off – this obviously means shopping. Anthea
and I wander around the mall make a few purchases then meet up with the others
in this square. From there we head to our boat ride lunch. SUCH a cool thing to
do. We had lunch along the river while getting to hear all about the Czech
Republic history from the tour guide – now that was something i found really
interesting. After this we have some spare time so for some horrible reason we
decide “when in prague” we MUST go to the “Sex Machine Museum” – NEVER GO HERE
IF YOU EVER GET THE CHOICE. It was actually vomit worthy I felt like throwing
up for about 2 hours after, it was scarring! Sick sick sick. So aside from
this, really impressed with Prague, again, loved the buildings – would say
Austria and Prague had the most beautiful architecture
The next day is our second night in Germany which is really
just more of a stop over on the way to Amsterdam. We were staying in the Rhine
Valley which has all the beautiful castles along the Rhine River. Kinda dumb
that we arrived at night so couldn’t exactly see many of the castles – saw a
few but would have been a lot better in the day time. That night we went to a
german stein making factory – cool to see how they make them and I wanted a
cool special edition contiki one which had all the places wed been but itwas
like 80 euro noooo thanks when i don’t even drink beer. Then to a Birkenstock
and cookcoo clock shop – again no thanks. Then off to our hotel which is
literally in the middle of no where. Driving round through like farm land and
forest for about an hour then we get to this small hotel off the beat and track
and I must say – very cool change. Nice to feel a bit more authentic. We had a
good dinner, actually one of the nicest cooked by the owners. Then we had a
wine tasting at their winery. Very interesting, we tried Eiswine which is like
super sweet wine almost like a syrup. So good but very sickly. So again,
Germany was a lot better than i expected and I definitely would go back, I
would go back to any of the places from the trip to be honest!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST – Amsterdam! Definitely my favourite
place of the whole trip, just so different and cool. First stop is a cheese and
clogs factory – literally is a two in one experience. So we see this guy make
some clogs right in front of us in about 5 minutes, so cool. And learn a bit
about cheese and get to sample some. It was amazing! I bought some smoked ham
cheese, so good. There was like stinging nettle, paprika etc etc, so random but
all really nice. Also bought some clog slippers, those babies will serve me
well for suuure. Must take a photo of the beauties. Then that night we had a
dinner at the hotel – worst yet! By this time we had already filled out our
evaluation of the tour – i think this was purposely timed hmm. Anyway we have
dinner and then are off to...a live sex show! When in Amsterdam, gotta be done.
But to be honest it wasn’t quite what we thought, like half just old ugly
strippers! But very funny when some girls and guys from our group got called
up. Then our tour guide showed us some streets “fatty lane” and “skinny lane” –
and all the prostitutes are just standing in their little windows waiting for
clients its just out of this world. So interesting. Then after that 5 of us
headed to some coffee shops which are like the weed selling shops. We decide to
“fifth” a space cake...we then realise this is ridiculous and end up getting
one each. Such a fun night involving a lot of laughs and many many waffles and
kebabs. So good! Day two we head to Anne Franks house, to get in a bit of culture
of Amsterdam other than sex. However such a huge line so we flagged that. We
decided to just wander around the streets, so cool with all the rivers every
block and all the bikes everywhere – bikes actually have right of way over
humans and cars! So we jump into a cheese store and i start nibbling at some
samples...tamika then informs me that i am eating out of the ‘used’ pile and am
therefore eating other peoples half eaten and thrown away cheese...EW. So
blonde at times. So the rest of the day was spent wandering and shopping. That
night is officially our last night together so we have a huge really nice
dinner out at the river. Got to sit with all the really good friends ive made
minus a few, just made me realise how amazing all the people I met were. After
the dinner we had a night cruise on the river in a glass boat with FREE
alcohol! So good so we down all we can then head to a shots bar. This bar has
like over 100 different shots – AMAZING. Had a kiwi one, mnm one, harry potter
one and the BEST was a marshmallow one where you havethe yum shot with fire all
round it then toast your marshmallow and have it as a chaser – epic. Later we
continue on to another cool bar in town and just dance into the wee hours of
the morning. Cant beat the 2 days we had in Amsterdam!!
LAST DAY – back to
London
So we have our last day on the coach taking the trip back to
London. So sad but as i said, everything is so different on the boat over
compared to the boat back (across England france) – like all new friends were
all so close. Once we got back to London we had one last dinner our group all
together then we had to say our goodbyes, so so hard but we were planning a
reunion in aussie and hopefully some coming over in july to visit and go
skiing. All in all contiki was the most amazing experience where i made some
lifelong friends , i couldn’t have asked for a better group ever ever ever. I
would recommend it to ANYONE.
So for the last two ish weeks I have just been chilling with
the family in Wales. Did a few touristy things like Cardiff castle but
otherwise just a lot of shopping, going for runs and generallyhanging out with
the family. Very nice to chill out after all the travelling of the last 3
weeks. Spent a great last night out for drinks with Jo Chloe Dan and Dave –
perfect ending to the trip. Last night was spent in a hotel right next to
heathrow and then today I am finally out of Europe and en route to New York –
SO FREAKING EXCITED. 5 days there, all planned out colour coded according to
day and map location MAN im a freak.
TILL NEXT TIME!
