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Europe Trip 06/07

a travel blog by itisme



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The flight Brisbane, Bangkok, Frankfurt

Brisbane, Australia

The trip so far has been reall full on. The flight from Brisbane to Bangkok was first class, with over 25 movies to choose from, great service and ok meals (for plane food). I think however that one tends to forget how long the trip to Europe takes. Having got to bed late on the Saturday night before leaving by the time I was in Bangkok I was really tired. I however tried to stay awake on the first leg of the flight as I knew this was the shorter trip of the two and if i was to sleep I may not be able too on the second flight. I am so glad I didn´t sleep as I was to find out that with Thai airlines the second leg of the flight from Bangkok to Frankfurt was to be with an older plane which to my surprise had no individual tv´s only one large screen with which only one tv comedy and one movie xmen was played for the entire 11 hours.

This however was not the worst part of the trip. The last man to get on the plane was huge, I am talking whale size. He had to book two seats on the plane and just my luck they were next to me. Not only was he large, but smelt like a rubbish trip. I tell you I nearly cried when he sat down as I considered the prospect of having to sit next to this smell the entire 11 hours. I was also to find out that due to his size it was difficult for him to get out of his seat and thus when I wished to stretch my legs this was a huge problem. When I needed to get out I couldn´t wake him as he was sleeping so deeply (indicated by the snoring hehehe) and must get a thai employee to wake him and then must wait 10minutes as he struggled out of the seat hahaha. Being clever however and having the spare seat (which he must also book because of his size) I did manage to have room to stand up in my seat and also stretch my legs. I think the main reason he had two seats was because he couldn´t fit in one and must use the table of the next seat to eat because his stomach was sooooo large. Well as with all travel we manage these things and because I was soo tired after the first meal on the plane was served (about 30mins after take off), the lights were turned off and for the first time in my life I could actually sleep on a plane. I was soooo thankful that I could put the blanket over me and my nose and just sleep. I did wake on and off throughout the flight and having a window seat I had quite a light show from the sky as I looked down on the cities and countries that we were passing. In some ways not having the personal tv or any onboard entertainment meant that I got to see a lot more of the scenery below and overall enjoyed the flying experience. In saying that however after being on a plane for so long the last 3 hours of the flight went particularly slowly.

I must say that Thai airline pilots are great, we had little turbulance, with easy take offs and landings. I was impressed with the overall service. After about 6 plane meals however i was very glad to arrive in Germany.

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Brisbane, Australia
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Frankfurt Neustadt

Frankfurt, Germany

I knew I had arrived in Germany when I could look out my window and see the ice forming on the plane window. I absolutely love being back here and it really feels as if I never left. I was very surprised at the airport to walk out and find ina waiting there for me. I was so shocked to see her that I couldn´t even talk. She was very close to tears and it was only to hit me in the car back to Neustadt that I was sitting in a car in Germany with Ina and thats when I got teary. I must however say that the tears may also have been from my tight grip on my car seat as we travelled over 160km on the autobahn home. I tell you it has been so long since I have travelled that fast and took me at least 30 minutes to get used to the speed, especially when cars in front seemed to be slowing and we were still travelling towards them at bullet speed. Though we did make it safely to Neustadt.

Did i mention that within 5 minutes of seeing Ina at the airport she got me a pretzel.... I can´t tell you how great it was to eat a real german pretzel again. Ina and I then went back to her flat, by this time it was only 8:30 in the morning and thus we ate and then decided to head to Heidelburg for the day. I had a great time and the jetlag was not at all bad as I had managed to sleep on the plane.
Heidelburg was beautiful and of course we drank a lot of gluhwein at the christmas market. I really liked the bridge and river and the castle looked very impressive looming down from the hill on which it stands behind the main town centre. I did also notice that Heidelburg was a uni town and thus there were a lot of young people around, especially at the gluhwien stand at the christmas market (i wonder why ahahah... might have had something to do with the alcohol and trying to warm up).

The weather here is cold, but not awful. Ina said that it is the warmest winter in about 1300 years. In warm I am meaning around 1 degree during the day and colder at night. For Germans however at this time of year 1 degree is very warm. Tuesday I went into Neustadt as Ina had to go to school and the city is beautiful as well, with small streets, multi-coloured very old buldings, a main church surrounded by a typical christmas market and of course I have started to collect the gluhwien cups again. On thursday we are to head back to Hungtagen (spelling???). Phillip and Martina (also went to HGW in Waldshut when I was there) are also travelling back with us, so it will be good to see them both again and catch up. OOO also I went to the German cinema last night, with Ina and her cousin. It was great becuase I can still understand the majority of the German and am enjoying using, hearing and understanding the language again. I definitely know I am back in Germany as my main foods include, gluhwien and pretzels hehehe... just kidding. till next time. oh and photos have been taken and hopefully will be loaded on the site soon.

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Frankfurt, Germany
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Hohentengen und Waldshut

Hohentengen, Germany

On Thursday last week Ina, myself, Phillip and Martina travelled back to Hohentengen. The trip took about 3 to 4 hours, mind you this was at a speed of around 180km. Hohentengen was a small village, much smaller than waldshut with about 3000 people living there. Ina's family owns the bakery and it was so much fun being able to eat all the food (especially her fathers pretzels). I think my favourite meal of the day became the breakfast while we had so many different breads etc. Also cola, fanta, applesaft shorle, lemonade, coffee and hot chocolate were on tap. I think though that one of the highlights was coming home after being at a party and having Ina's dad show me how he makes everything. I even made my own pretzel hehehe. On thusday night we went to the local pub and of course being a small villiage we met Ina's aunt and also ina's friend Renee (a guy who also went to the HGW with me when I was here).

On Firday Ina and I visited her uncle and then went to Zurich for the afternoon. In Zurich's main train station at the moment they have a swarzschof (spelling) crystal christmas tree. Basically it is a tree that is decorated with swartzchof crystals. It was really something different and of course I took pictures. I am hoping to get pictures on the site tomorrow. Zurich was great fun. Ina and I did a little shopping and walked through the old part of the city where the main church is. After doing the tourist thing all day that night we went to a fest (a town party) in Hoherheim. It was so much fun to go out again in Germany and go to another fest. I met alot of new people and also people I hadn't seen since 2003. Basically a fest consists of a bad dj who play a mix of old english songs, old german hits and a few new songs, alcohol and lots of smokers as is typical in Germany. It is a bit hard to get used to the smokers again and I really don't like how my clothes smell when I come home. Oh well just a different culture I guess. Hoherheim was a great night and after a few hours sleep ina and I were up the next morning finishing off some stuff for her mum and also visiting her godchild (her aunts kid). Saturday afternoon we went to a birthday and that was an experience because everyone there had a very strong dialect and it is really hard German to understand. Though with the use of hands, feet and a little English I was able to communicate with most people hehehe. Saturday night there was a really large party in Lowen (a club) and that was great fun as I met people from school that I hadn't seen in ages. Ina, some guy, dominik and I didn't end up leaving until 4 in the morning whent the music was turned off. It was a really good night and a lot of fun to see everyone again.

Now I am back in Waldshut and am now staying with Nadja and Marianne. Tonight is Heilig Abend (similar to christmas eve). In Germany Christmas runs over three days Heillig Abend, the first chirstmas day and then the second chirstmas day (translated). It was sad to say goodbye to Ina's family and they kept saying that they wished I could spend christmas with them, but because of the short time I have here I had to say goodbye. I am hoping maybe to see them one more time before I leave at the end of the week. Ina and I are definitely catching up again as we didn't want to say goodbye just yet, not on Heilig Abend with all the family stuff going on. I will see her most likely anyway on Thursday night because all of her class mates, people I was with in 2003 at HGW are all meeting up in Waldshuit so that should be fun.

Tonight at the Boegers we are having meat fondue with Nadja, her uncle, mayself and her mum and then nadja and I are going to go to Casablanca ( a cocktail bar) and meet up with all my waldshut friends again. Tomorrow Miriamme, Nadja's other uncle and his family and the two aunts are all coming here for the first of the two christmas day (which actually is the second christmas day becuase Heillig abend is the first). That is the update for now. Will write again soon. HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Hohentengen, Germany
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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update

Basel, Switzerland

Soo much has happened since I last wrote. Last week in Waldshut was so full on, but so much fun. Everyday I met with friends. Tuesday I went to Schlucsee (spelling??) with Nicole, Fabian and Hanna. We walked about two hours to get to a small house where we met nicole"s mum, dad and brother. Wed I went to Feldburg with the girls and then had a raclett evening at Lindas. Thursday I sent a huge packet home and met up with Dominik, as I did on Friday as well. I left on Sat and that was really hard saying goodbye to everyone again. Anyway got to keep going my bus to sorrento leaves in less than 15 min.

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Basel, Switzerland
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Sorrento

Rome, Italy

Italy is definitely different from what I expected. We started in Rome and celebrated new years there. Rome is absolutely massive as can be expected. I arrived last Sat and found my way from the airport to Termini station via the shuttle bus and then I tackled the metro with my massive bag and backpack....wearing of course my backpack on the front which is so stylish. The guy who sold me my metro ticket and the metro termini station said to wear it at the front as things could get stolen from it without me even knowing. I thought once at the metro stop I needed, that the hotel would not be far... How wrong I was... I walked for about 30 mins with my bags until I found my hotel. I was relieved to find that unlike the surrounding bad neighbourhood, the hotel was very very nice... Rome Park however had stuffed my booking up and I had my taxi paid for to go to another hotel 5 min away for the 1st night. The frist night hotel was really nice and Roma Park was also good but probably a little lower in the star rating. Rome New Years was fun. I met my enitre group there and then we headed out. I met three really nice girls Jessica (aussie), Lilly and Lauren (American). These girls are the best from the group I would say and I have had a lot of fun with them this week, eating Italian Icecream, comparing our different cultures and exploring the various cities. I am glad though that fireworks are banned in Australia. In Rome some of the "homemade" fireworks felt like mini bombs were going off.. I stayed inside so as not to be hit by one the the fireworks flying around... Definitely a different experience. I will manage to see more of Rome on the last two days of the trip and will write more about it then. To get to Sorrento on the second day we had about a 4 hour drive. The south of Italy to my surprise was a lot poorer than I imagined and I was told by the tour guide today that this is mainly due to the mafia and corruption ensuring that the money does not go where it is needed. Sorrento, however was a really beautiful town and the coastlines of Italy were amazing, even though it was a little overcast. Sorrento was wealthier than Napoli (Naples). The buildings in Naples were quite run down and all the major monuments had graffiti on them, which was a little disappointing. Though it was an insight into another culture and way of life. The extra meal in sorrento on the Monday night was FANTASTIC... I have never eaten so much in my entire life. We started with two entrees, then gnocchi, then pasta, then meat dish with veges, then cake, then lemon liquer (famous in the area). The Lemons are really really important to this region and jess and I found some at a market that were the size of large grapefruit. The second day in Serrento, the bus broke down for about an hour and then we were informed that the sea would be too high today for us to go to Capri, so that was cancelled. However, we did manage to get to Pompei. Pompei was one of the main reasons I chose this trip and I am so glad I got to go and see it. The society was so advanced, with pipes, streets, street crossings, fast food stores, brothels hehehehe and beautiful artwork. What was really interesting was the people. When they found Pompei they discovered that surrounding the bones there was a large space, where the body once would have been and thus then found a technique with plaster to fill the gaps and re-create what people were doing when they died. There is one of a pregnant woman and another of a man with his hands over his mouth, an indication of the type of death the suffered (through lack of air). I only have three minutes left on this computer will write again soon....


permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Rome, Italy
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Florence to le Spizia

Florence, Italy

WOW WOW WOW!!!! I must say that the scenery and standard of living has improved substantially since heading north. Florence was so full of history. I got to see all the major sights, including David. I also went to a Uffizi museum which was fantastic.... it holds the worlds largest renaissance collection of paintings.... I also went to a famous bridge there, on which many stores can be found. The statues even throughout the city were fantastic and quite unexpected on my behalf. Leather is very popular in Florence, however very expensive. I did however manage to find a gift for Jocie here which was great. On the way to Florence we stopped at a Tuscan winery for cheese and wine tasting, this was a meal in itself and very much enjoyed by the group. The included meals in the tour have been so so ... not fantastic, though tonights was pasta which was an improvement. Today we are in Le Spizia (spelling) and took a train to five towns along the coastline.... AMAZING is the only word. It is hard to describe exactly what I was, but it was beautiful!!!!!


Today the tour group also went to Pisa and the tower, which was great. The tower is much cleaner and smaller than I expected. However I did of course take the tourist photo with me holding it up hahahha... As you can probably tell by now, the tour is full on. We are seeing so much in such a small amount of time. As stated by the guide... this is no holiday heheheh... Have I mentioned the icecream and hot chocolate here is Italy.... IT IS TO DIE FOR!!!!!!! I think I will never enjoy hot chocolate or ice cream in the same way again hahaha.... Anway I have a bit of a cold tonight... from the long days and early rises in the morning (usually round 6 or 6:30) and for those of you who know me that is very very early for me to be rising ahhahahaha... Anyway I am off to bed as you are probably all rising. Hope you are all well and will write again soon....



permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Florence, Italy
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Milan then Missed Venice

Milan, Italy

Milan was as can be expected, in that there are many expensive shops and of course the day we went the sales began.... We basically checked out the main church there and then spent the rest of the day wandering the streets and stores throughout the city. Then as we were tired we went and had ice cream and hot chocolate... a fitting way to end a days shopping in my case and many others window shopping hehehe.

Sadly in Venice I was sick and thus spent the day in the hotel room. The hotel though was four stars and i had my own internet in my room on the tv, as well as movies, tv and music...

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Milan, Italy
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Verona

Verona, Italy

The city of Romeo and Juilliette.... We spent an afternoon here, looking at Juilliettes balcony, her grave and just generally taking in the city. Our guide said the Romeo and Juilliette were actually two people and that their story of their plight was well known before William S decided to turn it into a readable form... These little facts made the tour highly interesting as I learned about the culture and tales of the various cities and areas of Italy. I would have loved to stay a night in Verona just to hear the outside Opera that was going to be performing in the old theatre there... oh well this is Contiki

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Verona, Italy
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Contiki Trip End

Rome, Italy

The last two days were spent in Rome. In these two day we went and saw all of the major sites. We went to the Coliseum, the ruins nearby, St Peters Square (Basilica), the Vatican and a church which was decorated with the bones, skulls etc of its monks called the cappuccino monks (due to their robe colours back in the day)... We entered this church and in the basement area the walls, roof and floor are covered with the bones of the monks... something to see, yet quite confronting.... I really enjoyed seeing Rome at the end of the trip because this time we had more time than at the beginning and were able to see quite a lot in the days that were spent there. The last night we had the farewell dinner and this was for me one of the best dinners on the trip... Two Opera singers were walking round serenading the group and the food was particularly enjoyable... brueschetta mmmmm pasta, pesto mmmmm wine.....delicious.

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Rome, Italy
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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Rome to Munich

Munich, Germany

Well Contiki was now finished and can I just say what a trip. The best way to summarise it is to say... it is not a holiday, it is full on and you see a lot, but not always in detail... I really enjoyed the trip, but was glad to be having a break from the 6am rises and little sleep due to travel arrangements... I was also happy to say goodbye to the bus which I had spent a lot of hours on over the past 12 days... Contiki was however value for money and exceed my expectations though this was also due to the extensive knowledge of our tour guide and the effort she put into explaining the regions, cities, people and history of the places we visited.... with another guide the same experience I don’t think would have been had. The bus driver Leno was amazing as well... I have never seen such a skilled driver... he was truely unbelievable... mmmmm So now it was off to Munich... I left the hotel at 8 and was in Basel by 1:30.... I then had to wait a couple of hours till my flight to Munich, though in doing so I was saving money so I was not concerned. I arrived in Munich on Thursday night at about 8:40pm. I cannot tell you how nice it has been to take it easy over the past few days and not have to constantly be following a tour timetable... Munich is a great city. I have been window shopping (want to try and come back with some money in the bank hehehe) and have been to the Olympic Park as well as the main church here. I have been enjoying some great meals at the cafes in the area here and am just enjoying relaxing after the Contiki trip. I have even been able to finish my John Grisham Book and start another John Grisham that Dominik had here.....hehehe... I think that is the update for now...Tomorrow I head to England and start the last leg of my trip... I never realised but looking back 5 weeks is quite a long time and I have really enjoyed having the time out from everything in Brissy for a while (thanks to pa and his encouragement I am really glad I came)... seeing everyone in Germany has been great as well... I suspect however as soon as I am back there will be more Germans dropping by so I am excited about that...

permalink written by  itisme on November 23, 2006 from Munich, Germany
from the travel blog: Europe Trip 06/07
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