My plan was to end the trip in Santorini, because I had heard it was so ridiculously visually stunning and I thought that a couple days in the Greek Islands...well you cant end the trip better than that.
And I underestimated just how true that would be. On that note -
I took the 5 hour ferry ride from Greece. I mis timed the distance to get to the port thought and literally got on the ferry as the passenger gate was closing! Right behind me was Ryan, who I met the day before in Delphi. He was with his buddy Brian who lives in California. I ended up hanging with them the entire weekend and they were way cool and I cant imagine me having as good of a time as I did if we didnt hang outand party the entire time! Being solo on the island would be fun but this turned out to be epic of mass proportions.
The 5 hour ferry ride passed the different Cyclade islands, and Santorini is actually the furthest one. It is a volcanic island, so as we arrived to the port we could see the volcano and then the main island. Words dont begin to describe the scene on the island. The postcard views of the white homes, churches, shops on the mountain side. The crystal blue water. We hadnt seen the beach yet, but Ill talk about that in a sec.
The 3 of us took a bus to the top of the island - VERY STEEP CLIMB - and arrived to pandomonia as we got off the bus. In Greece, everything is negotiable and here it was multiplied by 10. Probablz 30 different hotel hawkers are trying to sell rooms at their little hotels. This one guy showed us a nice picture of a room, and said it had 3 beds. 50 EURO for a night. We said great!
We got there and there were only 2 beds. We asked where the 3rd bed was and he said after we paid him he would bring it. We asked to see the bed, but he declined to show us. We asked where the pool was he promised us. He said it was temporarily removed! Whatever...so we found this awesome little hotel - Hotel Summertime - that overlooked the island, had 3 beds! - and was 50 EURO for each night.
Sold.
We dropped our stuff and headed to the beach via bus, which takes about 15 minutes. There are MANY beaches and ALL are volcanic beaches. The beach is stunning because it is black...a black beach with blue water. Just awesome. This beach wasnt as much sandy as it was black little rocks. We found an area by - of course - some topless women, and grabbed some beers and laid in the sun for a couple hours and of course went in the water, which was so refreshing.
After that we got some dinner right on the water. I had lamb chops, which were phenomenal. We then showered and got ready to party for the night. We had a beer at this bar that overlooked the partcard city views in Fira (we stayed in Fira, the main town on the island and the one that has the most scenic views) as the sunset.
We then found the best bar Ive been to all month! A bar where the main server is from America, but its a Greek bar that has a reputation for locals AND tourists to come to. But its not touristy, and a bar on an island this beautiful where people are on vacation. Well..people come there to have a good time! Great happy hour, and we had their 2 EURO tequila shots. A lot of then. And plenty of beers...we hit it hard and stayed there until about 2am. I then ate 1 streetside Gyro - FYI, the Gyros are so good. Tons of garlic and paprika, thez are better than mexican food late night! I had my lamb gyro, walked back to the hotel and then did a u turn to get a 2nd gyro -- pork. I went to bed full and a little wobbly.
Sunday we woke up hung over but then proceeded what I literally think is the best day Ive ever had.
Words dont do justice and the pictures might try, but anyways we rented quads - 4 wheeled scooters - to take us all over the island. Best idea ever! We drove to about 5 beaches. To get to the 1st one, we drove up along the cliffside of the island, where we could see miles and miles of scenic volcanic coastline. We then headed to Perissa beach, which is a black volcanic beach that is a bit more sandy than the one we were at on Saturday.
The views were outstanding, and the little village over there was very chill and little huts were all over the beach. We hang out there for a couple hours and had a beer.
We then drove to the most ridiculous beach Ive ever seen. Red Beach. Seriously. The volcanic red beach has red rocks and sand and the side mountain is red as well. The blue water against the red beach...we got some great pictures and it was surreal how cool it was. Had another beer on the beach for an hour or so, and got some pictures also of these cool rock formations that locals have made there.
We then drove to a couple litte beaches and then went to the lighthouse on the most southern end of the beach. There we could see most of the entire island. Very cool.
By the way, hauling ass on a quad on roads and on dirt paths and towards the beach. Ridiculous!
We then found this restaurant nestled into a cliff overloking the water. Its a family owned little quaint restaurant. I had the best meal of the trip! I ordered sea bass...they brought a whole bass (not filleted...the whole fish, head and everything) with a fresh butter and pepper seasoning. Came with carrots and potatoes, and the best couscous Ive ever had. the couscous was fresh and served in a lettuce wrap.
As an appetizer we had vegatable in a sauce with fresh cheese and bread to dip it in...Wow.
10 out of 10, just awesome. Ryan had grilled calamari and Brian had the salmon pasta, and we tried a little of each plate. Its crazy how good it was!
We agreed that this island is the place to bring a girlfriend or wife for sure, and we thought and I very much agree that a honeymoon should be here.
We then drove back full, and showered up to go out again. We had a couple beers at 1 bar to watch the USA and Brazil soccer game, and then we went back to the same bar as last night. Tropical Santorini, thats the name.
The bartender thanked us for coming back in and bought us some complimentary shots and we proceeded to really go as hard as the night before! I dont think on an island like this it matters if its Sunday or Saturday, every night is the same!
We had a gyro again before stumbling home, and seriously. I cant top that day, and its the best way to end the trip by far, hands down.
I took a flight this morning to Athens, and then flew to Munich, where Im staying tonight in a hotel (my own room!) before heading from Munich to Amsterdam tomorrow am, and then Amsterdam to Seattle tomorrow pm.
This is my last blog, and this trip has been everything Id hoped it would be. Far exceeded my expectations. Learned a lot about the world, history, and people. My biggest impressed was how similar everybody is despite all the differences.
I learned about different cultures, found out a lot about my family when I visited the Gloudemans in Amsterdam, and learned a lot about myself actually. Best 30 days ever...Im ready to download the pictures!
Thanks for reading...Im going to download the pictures now only on facebook but instert them in this blog so I and others if you want can re read and actually see what Im describing.
Cheers...Prost...Yammas! (Cheers, Cheers, Cheers)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Athens, Greece - June 24th - 26th
I woke up Wednesday morning ready to head to Athens...I had a noon flight from Vienna. However, I had NO CLEAN clothes, and my underwear...well Im sure they didn't smell too good! So I did laundry, which didn't get done until 10:15. So I haeded to the metro, and realized the timing was too tight so I got a taxi and arrived at the Vienna airport at 11:15 and made my 2 hour flight to Athens.
I arrived in Athens and took the 45 minute train to the city...I arrived at the Student and Travelers Inn, which is literally 300 yards from the Acropolis and is in the middle of Plaka, which is the historical, famous and awesome little area just northwest of the Acropolis.
Plaka - it has small cobblestoned streets lined with outdoor restaurants, bars, and shops. There are probably about 20 different little outdoor tavernas (bars) all along this area. Its absolutely amazing. I put my stuff down in the inn and wondered around the city.
Note -- the weather is OPPOSITE Vienna. Very hot, probably 90 - 100 degrees here.
Now before I tell this story let me say I pride myself on being not a naive American, and being very cognizant of my surroundings and not being taken for a scam. I have made it 4 weeks with no such issues. On that note...
I was wandering the city looking at a map when a guy game up to me and started talking to me. He asked me if I was lost. I said no, just walking around. He directed me where I was and then said he owned a bar and I should come with him for some free Ouzo (their local liquor). I said sure!
So I got to the bar and he poured me some Ouzo...then this pretty girl sat next to me. She talked to me for about 10 minutes and seemed very interested. She asked me if I wanted to buy her a drink. I said I don't buy girls drinks! I really dont...well, she kept asking and flirting so I said OK. I bought her champagne which is what she wanted. She then asked me to sit on the couch with her....it was at this time I knew something was up. "Is this a brothel?" I asked her. She laughed. No, No, I said what do you do? Turns out her job is a "Hostess" - her job is to get drinks bought for her it turns out. She gets a profit.
I became irritated and a bit emabarrassed. Buy me another drink! She said. Uh, no. I want my check I said. The cost - 30 euro for the drink. I had been had, and I cant believe I fell for it! Anyways..good story but lesson learned. :)
I took a quick shower and decided to have dinner and drinks at a Taverna close to where I was staying. I had Soulvaka and a couple beers, and then had a beer at another taverna with live Greek Dancing. Pretty cool! Older people dancing Greek Style...you don't see that in the States!
Thursday I did a walking tour in Athens. I joined a group that included 5 Americans and we walked the entire city and were able to spend a lot of time in the different historical sites - Agora, Temple of Zeus, and of course the Acropolis with the famous Parthenon. I have been to Rome, but to see sculptures and carvings over 2500 years old...Wow. Its amazing to think how they did this years ago with no modern machinery.
I took of course lots of photos...and everything is so beautiful its impossible to take a bad pictures. We were lucky too because the Acropolis museum - with lots of artifacts and sculptures - was closed for a couple years and just reopened last week so were able to see everything.
The Acropolis...Wow just incredible. To walk up and see the Parthenon and ancient Roman columns. Its overwhelming and pretty cool to realize what you are actually seeing.
Its also pretty interesting to see how the old and new blend in. Right by the Parthenon and Agora there are newer shops and restuarants.
After the breathtaking - and strenuous - walking, we decided to all meet up for dinner and drinks later on in the night. So after a nice shower and some rest, I met up the American group for dinner. I invited my Argentinan roommate as well, so me, Francisco (the Argentinan), Jimmy, Kristen, and Stephen headed out. I also invited a girl I saw by herself, Brie, to come with us as well.
We had the most delicious Gyros for dinner (oh...and for lunch we had Gyros with french fries INSIDE the gyros...money) and had a shot and a beer. We then headed out for the night. We had some beers, some shots, and then got beers to go at a store and walked up right by the Acropolis. Wow...beers in front of the Acropolis with it lit up at night. It was like we had the area all to ourselves.
Got some great pictures! Went to bed (Francisco kept thanking me for bringing the pretty American girl Brie who he took a uh...good like to!!)and was ready to crash after a long day.
Today was fantastic. Took a 9:00 bus to the main bus station where I took a 10:30 bus to Delphi, site of the ancient historical Greek ruins including the Apollo. I met an American guy, Ryan. Turns out his friend's sister is Gianna Piccardo, who went to UPS and I knew - small world! Also met 2 french girls that were traveling as well.
It was a 3 hour bus ride - LONG but just beautiful. Delphi is on the NW coast of Greece, and it is an UPHILL climb. We arrived to this little village and there me and Ryan toured the historical site. The ancient Greeks believed this was the center of the world - literally - and build temples and sanctuaries to the Greek Gods. The sites include a huge ampitheater, the famous Apollo, and lots of statues, columns, and artifacts.
The buildings started in 1400 BC, and finished roughly to 200AD, so it essentially pre-dated Athens. I walked around for 4 through the sites and the museum. I must say..it was better than I envisioned. Everything was carved and perched on a side of a mountain with Olive Trees and Rock formations, and you could see the sea in the background.
After lots of good pictures, Ryan and I got a beer and some Soulvaki, and then took the 3 hour busride back to Athens. We arrived tonight tired, and we parted ways as I had to head back to my inn for the night. Here I met Shane - who I met the night before - and we had some beers and BS'd about America, traveling, and of course Michael Jackson passing away.
Tomorrow I am taking the 5 hour ferry to Santorini, where Ryan is taking the same ferry and the Americans are there waiting to have some fun! I am on the tail end of my trip and I think I want to extend and spend another day on the Greek Islands but we will see.
Back to USA soon....but Santorini and the Greek Islands are my last stop!
I arrived in Athens and took the 45 minute train to the city...I arrived at the Student and Travelers Inn, which is literally 300 yards from the Acropolis and is in the middle of Plaka, which is the historical, famous and awesome little area just northwest of the Acropolis.
Plaka - it has small cobblestoned streets lined with outdoor restaurants, bars, and shops. There are probably about 20 different little outdoor tavernas (bars) all along this area. Its absolutely amazing. I put my stuff down in the inn and wondered around the city.
Note -- the weather is OPPOSITE Vienna. Very hot, probably 90 - 100 degrees here.
Now before I tell this story let me say I pride myself on being not a naive American, and being very cognizant of my surroundings and not being taken for a scam. I have made it 4 weeks with no such issues. On that note...
I was wandering the city looking at a map when a guy game up to me and started talking to me. He asked me if I was lost. I said no, just walking around. He directed me where I was and then said he owned a bar and I should come with him for some free Ouzo (their local liquor). I said sure!
So I got to the bar and he poured me some Ouzo...then this pretty girl sat next to me. She talked to me for about 10 minutes and seemed very interested. She asked me if I wanted to buy her a drink. I said I don't buy girls drinks! I really dont...well, she kept asking and flirting so I said OK. I bought her champagne which is what she wanted. She then asked me to sit on the couch with her....it was at this time I knew something was up. "Is this a brothel?" I asked her. She laughed. No, No, I said what do you do? Turns out her job is a "Hostess" - her job is to get drinks bought for her it turns out. She gets a profit.
I became irritated and a bit emabarrassed. Buy me another drink! She said. Uh, no. I want my check I said. The cost - 30 euro for the drink. I had been had, and I cant believe I fell for it! Anyways..good story but lesson learned. :)
I took a quick shower and decided to have dinner and drinks at a Taverna close to where I was staying. I had Soulvaka and a couple beers, and then had a beer at another taverna with live Greek Dancing. Pretty cool! Older people dancing Greek Style...you don't see that in the States!
Thursday I did a walking tour in Athens. I joined a group that included 5 Americans and we walked the entire city and were able to spend a lot of time in the different historical sites - Agora, Temple of Zeus, and of course the Acropolis with the famous Parthenon. I have been to Rome, but to see sculptures and carvings over 2500 years old...Wow. Its amazing to think how they did this years ago with no modern machinery.
I took of course lots of photos...and everything is so beautiful its impossible to take a bad pictures. We were lucky too because the Acropolis museum - with lots of artifacts and sculptures - was closed for a couple years and just reopened last week so were able to see everything.
The Acropolis...Wow just incredible. To walk up and see the Parthenon and ancient Roman columns. Its overwhelming and pretty cool to realize what you are actually seeing.
Its also pretty interesting to see how the old and new blend in. Right by the Parthenon and Agora there are newer shops and restuarants.
After the breathtaking - and strenuous - walking, we decided to all meet up for dinner and drinks later on in the night. So after a nice shower and some rest, I met up the American group for dinner. I invited my Argentinan roommate as well, so me, Francisco (the Argentinan), Jimmy, Kristen, and Stephen headed out. I also invited a girl I saw by herself, Brie, to come with us as well.
We had the most delicious Gyros for dinner (oh...and for lunch we had Gyros with french fries INSIDE the gyros...money) and had a shot and a beer. We then headed out for the night. We had some beers, some shots, and then got beers to go at a store and walked up right by the Acropolis. Wow...beers in front of the Acropolis with it lit up at night. It was like we had the area all to ourselves.
Got some great pictures! Went to bed (Francisco kept thanking me for bringing the pretty American girl Brie who he took a uh...good like to!!)and was ready to crash after a long day.
Today was fantastic. Took a 9:00 bus to the main bus station where I took a 10:30 bus to Delphi, site of the ancient historical Greek ruins including the Apollo. I met an American guy, Ryan. Turns out his friend's sister is Gianna Piccardo, who went to UPS and I knew - small world! Also met 2 french girls that were traveling as well.
It was a 3 hour bus ride - LONG but just beautiful. Delphi is on the NW coast of Greece, and it is an UPHILL climb. We arrived to this little village and there me and Ryan toured the historical site. The ancient Greeks believed this was the center of the world - literally - and build temples and sanctuaries to the Greek Gods. The sites include a huge ampitheater, the famous Apollo, and lots of statues, columns, and artifacts.
The buildings started in 1400 BC, and finished roughly to 200AD, so it essentially pre-dated Athens. I walked around for 4 through the sites and the museum. I must say..it was better than I envisioned. Everything was carved and perched on a side of a mountain with Olive Trees and Rock formations, and you could see the sea in the background.
After lots of good pictures, Ryan and I got a beer and some Soulvaki, and then took the 3 hour busride back to Athens. We arrived tonight tired, and we parted ways as I had to head back to my inn for the night. Here I met Shane - who I met the night before - and we had some beers and BS'd about America, traveling, and of course Michael Jackson passing away.
Tomorrow I am taking the 5 hour ferry to Santorini, where Ryan is taking the same ferry and the Americans are there waiting to have some fun! I am on the tail end of my trip and I think I want to extend and spend another day on the Greek Islands but we will see.
Back to USA soon....but Santorini and the Greek Islands are my last stop!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Prague, Czech Republic/Vienna, Austria - June 21st - 23rd
My plan the other night was to do a pub crawl, but I was so exhausted from walking all day that I instead headed out to to the Castle part of town and had a late dinner and beer. Had Pork Knee, cabbage, and dumplings. Traditional Czech meal...a little fatty but money! It took forever to get my bill (the waiters come about 2 times the entire meal in Czech) and I didnt even get home until after midnight.
Sunday I headed to Karlstejn Castle, a castle built in the 18th century. It took about 40 minutes to get there by train, and then I had to walk 1 mile uphill to get there. The street winded through this little village where they had lots of little restaurants (and of course tourist shops) and shops that led up the hill. About 1/2 mile through the walk I could the see the castle perched on top of the mountain. Huge castle that overlooks the entire valley - the views were amazing on top.
I walked around for a bit around the castle, but I didnt do the tour as it cost 15 USD and was guided. I dint want to pay the money or take the time so I headed back to the village and had lunch and a beer. Had traditional Czech Beef Goulash -- Beef, sausage, and dumplings ladeled with gravy and some horseradish. Money! Washed it down with a Pilz, the famous Czech Pilsner.
Note...they drink as much, maybe more than Germans and they have as many different kinds of beers.
After heading back to Prague on the train, I headed back to the Castle for a 4th time. This time I walked inside the Cathedral, and it was overwhelming. The stained glass, the enormity of the church, every little detail. It was unbelievable. I got some great pictures inside, and then wondered around the entire complex again.
After a long hike up the mountain, I headed back to Old Town to take some more pictures and then headed over to Lubos Smutka's house for dinner. I met his wife, Anna. They just got married 6 months ago and were definately newlyweds! Great couple, and asked me lots of questions about the USA, our politics, economy, etc. They were intrigued that I dont have a family (you will have kids, yes?) they asked me a few times but as most know that isnt exactly in the cards right now! I didnt divulge my relationship situation as that would have been an awkward conversation but I dodged it pretty well...but I think it goes to show that family is very important over there!
Dinner was great -- Spaghetti, salad, and fresh off the market strawberries. Homemade cooking! And they had tomatoes in the spaghetti...I hate tomatoes but ate all of them. Would have been rude not to, and I trekked through them pretty good. I had only 5 or 6 strawberries (they were freaking yummy) because Lubos devoured like 25 of them! They kept pouring me beer - I must have had 4 pints at dinner. I then headed back on a full stomach to go to sleep before a big travel day to Vienna.
I took the 5 hour train to Vienna Monday and arrived to the worst weather Ive had. Very rainy, very windy, and prettz cold. I bought an umbrella as I headed to the hostel but it broke in 5 minutes from the wind. I got to Wombatts (I stayed at one in Munich...GREAT hostel) soaking wet and went to my room to dry off. I headed out for dinner at a local Turkish restaurant (there is a big Turkish population here) and had chicken on a spit with rice and a couple of Turkish beers.
I then headed back to the hostel and had beers at the bar where I met Sarah (American) and Robbie (Australian). They were asking me what I was planning on doing Tuesday and I told them sight seeing and then going to Austrian wineries so they agreed to join me!
So I woke up Tuesday and headed to Stephanplatz, where the main sites are. This city is so beautiful and very picturesque - its hard to explain - but the weather was still so miserable that its a shame. It seriously was hard to walk and enjoy the city it was so horrible out.
Nevertheless it didnt rain for the 1st hour and I was able to see the main stuff in that time. Saw the main Cathedral, Stephansdom which was almost as grandiose as Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Walked over to the Hofburg Palace, which was the biggest palace/imperial set of buildings I have ever seen. Walked along the main streets (all the sites are within 1 mile really) and then the HEAVY rain started. I hated doing it, but I paid for a tour bus which was 1 hour INSIDE the dry bus and put on the english headsets and listened to the history and the narration as we drove by Mozarts house, the old streets, and went by museum after museum after museum! Every building dates 2oo-300 years practically so there were lots of statues, monuments, and even a Greek/French artictural theme it seemed like.
I headed back after the sites and met Sarah and Robbie and headed to Grinzing for wine! The small village is about 15 minutes outside of Vienna and it was the cutest (I cant believe Im using that word) village Ive ever seen. We didnt actually make it to the wineries themselves but there lots of wine taverns (Heuringer they call them). This was the best experience...we had huge glasses of white and red wine as a local played the accordian at the 1st place. Everybody was singing and clapping as he played and he loved it as he drank his wine and he even posed for some good photos with us!
We then headed to a 2nd Heuringer and had another glass of wine and then we each ordered a dish and shared it with each other. I ordered the Schnitzel, Sarah ordered the Sausage with Kraut, and Robbie got skewered grilled Turkey with Veggies. Absolutely money! The turkey was my favorite, the Schnitzel was a CLOSE second and the sausage was a very nearby 3rd. All good! 2 men were playing the instruments - 1 was playing violin, 1 the accoridan and they were playing American and Australian songs for us!
We tipped them well, but declined to buy their CD they were trying to sell us! We then headed back to the hostel and partied and played pool until close (2 30). I am now heading to Greece for my final big leg of the trip. Cant wait for Athens and the Greek Islands!
Sunday I headed to Karlstejn Castle, a castle built in the 18th century. It took about 40 minutes to get there by train, and then I had to walk 1 mile uphill to get there. The street winded through this little village where they had lots of little restaurants (and of course tourist shops) and shops that led up the hill. About 1/2 mile through the walk I could the see the castle perched on top of the mountain. Huge castle that overlooks the entire valley - the views were amazing on top.
I walked around for a bit around the castle, but I didnt do the tour as it cost 15 USD and was guided. I dint want to pay the money or take the time so I headed back to the village and had lunch and a beer. Had traditional Czech Beef Goulash -- Beef, sausage, and dumplings ladeled with gravy and some horseradish. Money! Washed it down with a Pilz, the famous Czech Pilsner.
Note...they drink as much, maybe more than Germans and they have as many different kinds of beers.
After heading back to Prague on the train, I headed back to the Castle for a 4th time. This time I walked inside the Cathedral, and it was overwhelming. The stained glass, the enormity of the church, every little detail. It was unbelievable. I got some great pictures inside, and then wondered around the entire complex again.
After a long hike up the mountain, I headed back to Old Town to take some more pictures and then headed over to Lubos Smutka's house for dinner. I met his wife, Anna. They just got married 6 months ago and were definately newlyweds! Great couple, and asked me lots of questions about the USA, our politics, economy, etc. They were intrigued that I dont have a family (you will have kids, yes?) they asked me a few times but as most know that isnt exactly in the cards right now! I didnt divulge my relationship situation as that would have been an awkward conversation but I dodged it pretty well...but I think it goes to show that family is very important over there!
Dinner was great -- Spaghetti, salad, and fresh off the market strawberries. Homemade cooking! And they had tomatoes in the spaghetti...I hate tomatoes but ate all of them. Would have been rude not to, and I trekked through them pretty good. I had only 5 or 6 strawberries (they were freaking yummy) because Lubos devoured like 25 of them! They kept pouring me beer - I must have had 4 pints at dinner. I then headed back on a full stomach to go to sleep before a big travel day to Vienna.
I took the 5 hour train to Vienna Monday and arrived to the worst weather Ive had. Very rainy, very windy, and prettz cold. I bought an umbrella as I headed to the hostel but it broke in 5 minutes from the wind. I got to Wombatts (I stayed at one in Munich...GREAT hostel) soaking wet and went to my room to dry off. I headed out for dinner at a local Turkish restaurant (there is a big Turkish population here) and had chicken on a spit with rice and a couple of Turkish beers.
I then headed back to the hostel and had beers at the bar where I met Sarah (American) and Robbie (Australian). They were asking me what I was planning on doing Tuesday and I told them sight seeing and then going to Austrian wineries so they agreed to join me!
So I woke up Tuesday and headed to Stephanplatz, where the main sites are. This city is so beautiful and very picturesque - its hard to explain - but the weather was still so miserable that its a shame. It seriously was hard to walk and enjoy the city it was so horrible out.
Nevertheless it didnt rain for the 1st hour and I was able to see the main stuff in that time. Saw the main Cathedral, Stephansdom which was almost as grandiose as Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Walked over to the Hofburg Palace, which was the biggest palace/imperial set of buildings I have ever seen. Walked along the main streets (all the sites are within 1 mile really) and then the HEAVY rain started. I hated doing it, but I paid for a tour bus which was 1 hour INSIDE the dry bus and put on the english headsets and listened to the history and the narration as we drove by Mozarts house, the old streets, and went by museum after museum after museum! Every building dates 2oo-300 years practically so there were lots of statues, monuments, and even a Greek/French artictural theme it seemed like.
I headed back after the sites and met Sarah and Robbie and headed to Grinzing for wine! The small village is about 15 minutes outside of Vienna and it was the cutest (I cant believe Im using that word) village Ive ever seen. We didnt actually make it to the wineries themselves but there lots of wine taverns (Heuringer they call them). This was the best experience...we had huge glasses of white and red wine as a local played the accordian at the 1st place. Everybody was singing and clapping as he played and he loved it as he drank his wine and he even posed for some good photos with us!
We then headed to a 2nd Heuringer and had another glass of wine and then we each ordered a dish and shared it with each other. I ordered the Schnitzel, Sarah ordered the Sausage with Kraut, and Robbie got skewered grilled Turkey with Veggies. Absolutely money! The turkey was my favorite, the Schnitzel was a CLOSE second and the sausage was a very nearby 3rd. All good! 2 men were playing the instruments - 1 was playing violin, 1 the accoridan and they were playing American and Australian songs for us!
We tipped them well, but declined to buy their CD they were trying to sell us! We then headed back to the hostel and partied and played pool until close (2 30). I am now heading to Greece for my final big leg of the trip. Cant wait for Athens and the Greek Islands!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Munich, Germany/Prague, Czech Republic - June 18th - 20th
I woke up on Thursday morning and had a local Apple Scone. Fantastic. I then took the 30 minute train/bus ride to Dachau, which the first concentration camps used by the Nazi Regime.
As I walked to the site, the mood was pretty sobering as this is where hundreds of thousands of Jews, priests, foreigners and really any anti-Nazi proponents lost their lives. As I walked past the welcoming point to grab a map and an audio tour, I walked towards the big black gate that "welcomed" prisoners to the camp. The words Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free) are embolded in that gate and as I walked through it was pretty crazy and sick to think what happened 60 years ago.
I walked first through the museum, which houses countless Nazi propoganda, photographs of dead prisoners, stories that the prisoners wrote in diaries, and then a really sick area which descriped how many people in Dachau were used as science experiments -- Malaria experiments, altitude experiements, etc. -- hundreds of people were tortured; really treated like dirt and the museum showed it not only in the writings and pictures but also in a 20 minute documentary I watched.
I spent over an hour in this museum alone. I then walked through the barricks where the prisoners were living and then past the huge dirt area where they would have been shot at, tortured, made to do 12 hour a day manual labor. Then walked to the cremation area. There was at first a smaller cremation area where they were burned; I saw that one and it is pretty dreadful to see the furnaces.
The Nazis then built a 2nd and bigger cremation area which had even more furnaces. Interstingly, there were gas chambers built -- which I walked through, pretty disgusting - but were never actually used at Dachau. The Americans of course came in at the end of World War II, and when the Germans were defeated the Americans and local were schocked and disgusted at this horrible tragedy.
The site is supposed to remind all of how badly some were treated but also ensure they are never forgotten. There is a sign in about 6 languages outside the museum that says "Never Again". I can second that.
A note...I will say and I think I've said before I want to brush up on my World History, especially visiting these historical areas. Its amazing to see where the world was and where we are today -- In fact, Munich was just voted the most livable city this past year, and that is a lot to come from the 3rd Reich 60 years ago!
After coming back from Dachau, I decided to head towards another Beer Garden and relax -- it was so hot out and a cold beer sounded good! Well, I though the garden was 1 mile away but turned to be 3 miles!! I did the walk and I was incredible hot and thirsty and found this massive, green beer garden. I order a Veis beer (Hef) and sat chatting with this older German gentlemen.
Its amazing...at these gardens there are hundreds of people drinking beer and eating outside and making friends at the different picnic tables. He advised me to a) take the train back instead of walking and b) see a palace nearby (can't remember the name) which I walked to before the train took me back.
At that point I was STARVING but didn't have time to eat really because our pub crawl started shortly. So I got a quick bite and then did the hostel-organized pub crawl with some Americans I met the day before.
What a night....we got all you can drink for 1 hour, so I made sure I took advantage of that. Then we went to the Hafbrahaus again and had 2 more big beers. I ordered an apple strudelle with whipped cream (I was still hungry) which was like heaven. We then went to 2 more bars and by this time....well, let's just say I was ready for bed but I and the Americans DID have some late night sausage sandwiches which - I don't know if its the beer that did it - were the best things I've ever had!!
I'm not gonna lie...I was scheduled to take an early train Friday am to Prague...uh I missed that train :) So I took the 12:45 train that arrived in Prague at 6:50. Train was a little long, but met a fun few people from Texas and the scenery along the way was very pretty especially as went through the hills and mountains.
I then met Lubos Smutka as I arrived, who met my dad when my dad was in Prague teaching a few months ago. He is 30 years old and just got married to a woman from Russia.
Lubos has a very, very thick accent but he has been great. He met me at the train station and took me the local University where I am staying. Now, good news and bad news. Bad news is its a 20 minute train/bus ride from the main city which is by far the furthest away I've stayed from the sites in any one city. Good news transit system is great, and I have my OWN room, OWN shower (1st time all trip!) and its cheap (only 75 USD for the 3 nights combined).
I then pulled out some cash, as the Chzech Republic is not on the Euro yet, but the Crown. After droppiong my stuff at the University, we walked the city. Magnificently build, its one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. I love Paris, I fell in love with Edinburough, but this city is so old, so brilliant in its architecture and history that its impossible to describe.
We walked through old town briefly and then got dinner. I asked him what the most authentic Czech meal was. He said to order what I did if I was "brave". I ordered dumplings, pork, and cranberry with heavy gravy lathered all over it. I liked it a lot actually! It was very heavy, so I order a light beer, the famous Pilsner that the Czechs are known for.
He filled me in on the Czech history, economy, culture, and he obviously had a lot of pride in his country. I found it very educational and helped me as I viewed Prague during the day today (to be mentioned in a bit).
Satisfied with my devouring of my local Czech meal, we then then headed over Charles Bridge. Build by Charles IV in the 14th century, it is Prague's most famous monument. At night it glows gold like, and beyond it you can see the famous Prague Castle and adjoining St Vitus Cathedral. The Castle and Cathedral is massive and ornate; the Cathedral looks VERY SIMILAR to the Notre Dame in Paris (which I've seen twice) with the gargoyles and towers.
The Cathedral began to be built in the 14th century under Charles IV, and actually just got finished 100 years ago. We walked around the Castle, Palace, and Cathedral area for a good 30 minutes. Seeing it at night, glowing in the light - without ANY TOURISTS in front of it. Wow, it was like we had it all to ourselves!
I then headed back to the University at about 12:30am, got a bit lost going back but found my room finally. I woke up today and took the train directly to old town to do a tour of Prague. I have learned after a few cities that the walking tours are ABSOLUTELY the way to go (not those stupied buses), and I prefer the Tips Only guides where they are usually local, know interesting facts you can't get in a book, and are Free but collect a tip afterwards. They know things that are really unique.
I found Yamen, who was a very nice energetic 30 year old (and attractive....note..the Czech women - like the Netherlands - are very pretty!) tour guide. She had 2 tours - 1 in the AM of old town, and 1 in the PM of the Prague Castle area. Well - I did both tours! It was 5 hours of information and walking but I paid her half of what the Paid Walking tours wanted and she was really good.
Old town is amazing. We saw the famous gates to the city, and then went to Staromestske Namesti, the most spectacular square in all of Prague and city's main marketplace from the 11th century to the 20th. The center of it has a dramatic monument of Art Nouveau Jan Hus, the graet 15th century religious reformer. We saw and started out at the best known site on the square, which is the Astronomical Clock, which chimes every hour and has a mechanical performance every hour of Christ and the Apostles.
We went to Josefov, the Jewish quarter of the city until the end of the 19th century. From there we went to the old Jewish cemetery and then past some really old Jewish synagogues.
After a quick lunch (schnitzel sandwhich) I joined her and a new tour group for the tour of the Castle. I'm glad I went last night because now I knew where I was and also the history Lubos gave combined with Yamen's, made sense. We went past the famous gardens leading to the castle, over Royal Bridge again and then back to the actual Cathedral and Castle. The crowds were now in the thousands, but it was worth seeing again.
I am going a 3rd time tomorrow, where I'm actually going INSIDE (you have to pay) the Cathedral and Castle and walking to the top!
Tonight I'm doing a pub crawl that starts at the Astronomical Clock, and then tomorrow I am doing the famous Karlstejn Catle in the morning and going to the Castle Area and Charles Bridge one final time.
I am pulling an audible and instead of going back to Munich as originally planned am heading to Vienna and maybe even to Budapest before finishing my trip in Greece!
As I walked to the site, the mood was pretty sobering as this is where hundreds of thousands of Jews, priests, foreigners and really any anti-Nazi proponents lost their lives. As I walked past the welcoming point to grab a map and an audio tour, I walked towards the big black gate that "welcomed" prisoners to the camp. The words Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Sets You Free) are embolded in that gate and as I walked through it was pretty crazy and sick to think what happened 60 years ago.
I walked first through the museum, which houses countless Nazi propoganda, photographs of dead prisoners, stories that the prisoners wrote in diaries, and then a really sick area which descriped how many people in Dachau were used as science experiments -- Malaria experiments, altitude experiements, etc. -- hundreds of people were tortured; really treated like dirt and the museum showed it not only in the writings and pictures but also in a 20 minute documentary I watched.
I spent over an hour in this museum alone. I then walked through the barricks where the prisoners were living and then past the huge dirt area where they would have been shot at, tortured, made to do 12 hour a day manual labor. Then walked to the cremation area. There was at first a smaller cremation area where they were burned; I saw that one and it is pretty dreadful to see the furnaces.
The Nazis then built a 2nd and bigger cremation area which had even more furnaces. Interstingly, there were gas chambers built -- which I walked through, pretty disgusting - but were never actually used at Dachau. The Americans of course came in at the end of World War II, and when the Germans were defeated the Americans and local were schocked and disgusted at this horrible tragedy.
The site is supposed to remind all of how badly some were treated but also ensure they are never forgotten. There is a sign in about 6 languages outside the museum that says "Never Again". I can second that.
A note...I will say and I think I've said before I want to brush up on my World History, especially visiting these historical areas. Its amazing to see where the world was and where we are today -- In fact, Munich was just voted the most livable city this past year, and that is a lot to come from the 3rd Reich 60 years ago!
After coming back from Dachau, I decided to head towards another Beer Garden and relax -- it was so hot out and a cold beer sounded good! Well, I though the garden was 1 mile away but turned to be 3 miles!! I did the walk and I was incredible hot and thirsty and found this massive, green beer garden. I order a Veis beer (Hef) and sat chatting with this older German gentlemen.
Its amazing...at these gardens there are hundreds of people drinking beer and eating outside and making friends at the different picnic tables. He advised me to a) take the train back instead of walking and b) see a palace nearby (can't remember the name) which I walked to before the train took me back.
At that point I was STARVING but didn't have time to eat really because our pub crawl started shortly. So I got a quick bite and then did the hostel-organized pub crawl with some Americans I met the day before.
What a night....we got all you can drink for 1 hour, so I made sure I took advantage of that. Then we went to the Hafbrahaus again and had 2 more big beers. I ordered an apple strudelle with whipped cream (I was still hungry) which was like heaven. We then went to 2 more bars and by this time....well, let's just say I was ready for bed but I and the Americans DID have some late night sausage sandwiches which - I don't know if its the beer that did it - were the best things I've ever had!!
I'm not gonna lie...I was scheduled to take an early train Friday am to Prague...uh I missed that train :) So I took the 12:45 train that arrived in Prague at 6:50. Train was a little long, but met a fun few people from Texas and the scenery along the way was very pretty especially as went through the hills and mountains.
I then met Lubos Smutka as I arrived, who met my dad when my dad was in Prague teaching a few months ago. He is 30 years old and just got married to a woman from Russia.
Lubos has a very, very thick accent but he has been great. He met me at the train station and took me the local University where I am staying. Now, good news and bad news. Bad news is its a 20 minute train/bus ride from the main city which is by far the furthest away I've stayed from the sites in any one city. Good news transit system is great, and I have my OWN room, OWN shower (1st time all trip!) and its cheap (only 75 USD for the 3 nights combined).
I then pulled out some cash, as the Chzech Republic is not on the Euro yet, but the Crown. After droppiong my stuff at the University, we walked the city. Magnificently build, its one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. I love Paris, I fell in love with Edinburough, but this city is so old, so brilliant in its architecture and history that its impossible to describe.
We walked through old town briefly and then got dinner. I asked him what the most authentic Czech meal was. He said to order what I did if I was "brave". I ordered dumplings, pork, and cranberry with heavy gravy lathered all over it. I liked it a lot actually! It was very heavy, so I order a light beer, the famous Pilsner that the Czechs are known for.
He filled me in on the Czech history, economy, culture, and he obviously had a lot of pride in his country. I found it very educational and helped me as I viewed Prague during the day today (to be mentioned in a bit).
Satisfied with my devouring of my local Czech meal, we then then headed over Charles Bridge. Build by Charles IV in the 14th century, it is Prague's most famous monument. At night it glows gold like, and beyond it you can see the famous Prague Castle and adjoining St Vitus Cathedral. The Castle and Cathedral is massive and ornate; the Cathedral looks VERY SIMILAR to the Notre Dame in Paris (which I've seen twice) with the gargoyles and towers.
The Cathedral began to be built in the 14th century under Charles IV, and actually just got finished 100 years ago. We walked around the Castle, Palace, and Cathedral area for a good 30 minutes. Seeing it at night, glowing in the light - without ANY TOURISTS in front of it. Wow, it was like we had it all to ourselves!
I then headed back to the University at about 12:30am, got a bit lost going back but found my room finally. I woke up today and took the train directly to old town to do a tour of Prague. I have learned after a few cities that the walking tours are ABSOLUTELY the way to go (not those stupied buses), and I prefer the Tips Only guides where they are usually local, know interesting facts you can't get in a book, and are Free but collect a tip afterwards. They know things that are really unique.
I found Yamen, who was a very nice energetic 30 year old (and attractive....note..the Czech women - like the Netherlands - are very pretty!) tour guide. She had 2 tours - 1 in the AM of old town, and 1 in the PM of the Prague Castle area. Well - I did both tours! It was 5 hours of information and walking but I paid her half of what the Paid Walking tours wanted and she was really good.
Old town is amazing. We saw the famous gates to the city, and then went to Staromestske Namesti, the most spectacular square in all of Prague and city's main marketplace from the 11th century to the 20th. The center of it has a dramatic monument of Art Nouveau Jan Hus, the graet 15th century religious reformer. We saw and started out at the best known site on the square, which is the Astronomical Clock, which chimes every hour and has a mechanical performance every hour of Christ and the Apostles.
We went to Josefov, the Jewish quarter of the city until the end of the 19th century. From there we went to the old Jewish cemetery and then past some really old Jewish synagogues.
After a quick lunch (schnitzel sandwhich) I joined her and a new tour group for the tour of the Castle. I'm glad I went last night because now I knew where I was and also the history Lubos gave combined with Yamen's, made sense. We went past the famous gardens leading to the castle, over Royal Bridge again and then back to the actual Cathedral and Castle. The crowds were now in the thousands, but it was worth seeing again.
I am going a 3rd time tomorrow, where I'm actually going INSIDE (you have to pay) the Cathedral and Castle and walking to the top!
Tonight I'm doing a pub crawl that starts at the Astronomical Clock, and then tomorrow I am doing the famous Karlstejn Catle in the morning and going to the Castle Area and Charles Bridge one final time.
I am pulling an audible and instead of going back to Munich as originally planned am heading to Vienna and maybe even to Budapest before finishing my trip in Greece!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Amsterdam, Netherlands/Munich, Germany - June 15th - 17th
I woke up Monday refreshed and ready to start the day! I had a Dutch Apple croissant for Breakfast which was absolutely delicious. I then proceeded to the Anne Frank museum to start the day. The museum was very sobering - I was able to first view the history of Anne Frank and pieces of her diarand then was able to see the actual rooms and house where she lived.
I thought I knew my history - and I kind of do - but seeing this museum made me realize that I probably need to read the diary again. Its unbelievable to think of the Jewish persecution and also how she and the family were able to live here with no one else knowing. Like I said it was sobering but also quite inspirational that a little girl could write such thoughts and create such a memory.
It is really sad that this all happened and it will be even heavier Im sure when I visit the Dachau concentration campp tomorrow.
After the museum I had a quick lunch and then took a canal cruise around the canals of Amsterdam. It was in one of those famous glass boats, and it was awesome cruising in and between all the canals in the city. After the canals I rented a bike and rode aroudn the city for a good 3 hours. It was awesome - going up and down all the canals and streets seeing the city on wheels. I have to say - the Dutch bikes are different. Their brakes are simply made by peddling backwards (there are no traditional American brakes) so that was interesting to learn!
I stopped for a snack at a local, not tourist Cheese shop. Bought some Dutch Gouda cheese and a baguette, and munched on that - it was the best cheese I ever had, so delicious - before finishing my bike ride.
After showering I headed out for a walk and dinner. I had a famous Dutch Pancake with bacon and cheese. Its hard to explain - it was a dinner pancake, but oh so good with syrup on top of the ingredients. I took a picture satisfied with my carnage!
I woke up the next day, felling rested after going to bed early the night before. I had a 10am flight to Munich, so I had to be at the train station early. I took a flight to Munich from Amsterdam, but had a weird layover in London which makes no sense...maybe all British Airway flights stopover there I guess.
After arriving in Munich Tuesday evening, I found this great Hostel (Wombatts) about 1 mile from Marienplatz (the main square in the city) and also right near the main train station. I went to Hafbrahaus last night, which is the main and famous (touristy) beer garden in Munich. Sat with some older Americans and had a large traditional Hofbrau and veal sausage! It was so tasty, and I went to bed satisfied with my first German meal.
I woke up today and did an awesome walking tour around Munich. Note - these walking tours are great. Guides are tip only, and besides the monetary reason then live here and know their stuff. We did a 4 hour walking trip around Munich and all its sites. Amazingly, there are onlz 6 structures or monuments that withstood World War II. Everything else had been rebuilt since then. We saw some famous churches, saw Marienplaty at is busiest, and even stopped for a beer and sausage break during luncht time. FYI, you can walk around Munich with a beer at all times!
It is the beer capital of the world really (Bavaria country) and their beers are incredible. Munich is over 700 years old as a city, yet Germany itself is onlz 150 years old! I have to say....Berlin wasnt on my original plan, but now I feel I must go there to get a more whole feel of Germany.
We finished the tour at a a Beer Garden near the English Gardens, where by the way at these gardens were many nude people - especially old men laying by the river which is not a sight I wanted to see! The beer garden was amazing -- the 2nd biggest in the world, and it was worth it. I met an Australian and a guy from Denmark on our tour and we proceeded to have 3 big liters of Veis (Heffezein) which tasted so great under the sun! (It was about 75 degrees and sunny out, the best weather Ive had so far). I also had some more sausage for dinner and I came home satisfied with my beer and sausage dinner!
Tomorrow promises to be a great day as Im visiting the Dachau Camp, and then preparing to go to Prague!
I thought I knew my history - and I kind of do - but seeing this museum made me realize that I probably need to read the diary again. Its unbelievable to think of the Jewish persecution and also how she and the family were able to live here with no one else knowing. Like I said it was sobering but also quite inspirational that a little girl could write such thoughts and create such a memory.
It is really sad that this all happened and it will be even heavier Im sure when I visit the Dachau concentration campp tomorrow.
After the museum I had a quick lunch and then took a canal cruise around the canals of Amsterdam. It was in one of those famous glass boats, and it was awesome cruising in and between all the canals in the city. After the canals I rented a bike and rode aroudn the city for a good 3 hours. It was awesome - going up and down all the canals and streets seeing the city on wheels. I have to say - the Dutch bikes are different. Their brakes are simply made by peddling backwards (there are no traditional American brakes) so that was interesting to learn!
I stopped for a snack at a local, not tourist Cheese shop. Bought some Dutch Gouda cheese and a baguette, and munched on that - it was the best cheese I ever had, so delicious - before finishing my bike ride.
After showering I headed out for a walk and dinner. I had a famous Dutch Pancake with bacon and cheese. Its hard to explain - it was a dinner pancake, but oh so good with syrup on top of the ingredients. I took a picture satisfied with my carnage!
I woke up the next day, felling rested after going to bed early the night before. I had a 10am flight to Munich, so I had to be at the train station early. I took a flight to Munich from Amsterdam, but had a weird layover in London which makes no sense...maybe all British Airway flights stopover there I guess.
After arriving in Munich Tuesday evening, I found this great Hostel (Wombatts) about 1 mile from Marienplatz (the main square in the city) and also right near the main train station. I went to Hafbrahaus last night, which is the main and famous (touristy) beer garden in Munich. Sat with some older Americans and had a large traditional Hofbrau and veal sausage! It was so tasty, and I went to bed satisfied with my first German meal.
I woke up today and did an awesome walking tour around Munich. Note - these walking tours are great. Guides are tip only, and besides the monetary reason then live here and know their stuff. We did a 4 hour walking trip around Munich and all its sites. Amazingly, there are onlz 6 structures or monuments that withstood World War II. Everything else had been rebuilt since then. We saw some famous churches, saw Marienplaty at is busiest, and even stopped for a beer and sausage break during luncht time. FYI, you can walk around Munich with a beer at all times!
It is the beer capital of the world really (Bavaria country) and their beers are incredible. Munich is over 700 years old as a city, yet Germany itself is onlz 150 years old! I have to say....Berlin wasnt on my original plan, but now I feel I must go there to get a more whole feel of Germany.
We finished the tour at a a Beer Garden near the English Gardens, where by the way at these gardens were many nude people - especially old men laying by the river which is not a sight I wanted to see! The beer garden was amazing -- the 2nd biggest in the world, and it was worth it. I met an Australian and a guy from Denmark on our tour and we proceeded to have 3 big liters of Veis (Heffezein) which tasted so great under the sun! (It was about 75 degrees and sunny out, the best weather Ive had so far). I also had some more sausage for dinner and I came home satisfied with my beer and sausage dinner!
Tomorrow promises to be a great day as Im visiting the Dachau Camp, and then preparing to go to Prague!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
London, England/Amsterdam, Netherlands - June 11th - 14th
The last few days has been fun, educational, and actually quite overwhelming.
Brian Phalen and I went out for dinner on Thursday night at this noodle bar and got some local London asian food (they have AWESOME international food) and a few beers at some pubs afterwards. We then headed back for a good night of sleep.
I woke up early Friday and caught the 1st train to Salisbury, which is about an 80 minute train ride from London due West. FYI, they have an awesome train/bus system in London which makes the States look pathetic with our "car" transportation system. From Salisbury I loaded the Stonehedge Tour Bus. We headed about 15 minutes around Solam (spelling? more to come later) to Stonehedge. As we arrived the large stones jutted before me.
The stones are the size of 7 elephants each, and over 2,000 years ago the ancient people floated them down the river over 200 miles to get to the Stonehedge site. There are different rumors of what they are for - burial grounds, solstice/astronomical purpose, no one know for absolutely sure. But it is amazing in size, scope and overall schematic being. How they buried them, and crossed the stones on top of each other - how they were even dragged from the river with no modern equipment - is quite remarkable.
After touring the site for 1 hour or so, I then headed back on the bus past Solam, which is about 1,000 years old. It is a levitated piece of grassy ground over a few acres in which castles and churches over 1,000 years were built. In fact they were just excavated in 1900 or so, and it is amazing that such castles and size were there in such a primitive time.
After heading back to Salisbury, I viewed their church which is famous for having the largest spire in England and the 4th largest in the world. After viewing the awesome sight, I took the train back to London and showered getting ready for a fun night on the town!
I met Brian and his friends from Ernst & Young at a local pub (note - pubs close at 11) for a few beers and then headed to a club afterwards. We partied till 3am (I have some GREAT pics!)- had a nice London street side steak sandwich at 2 am - and then headed back for some much needed sleep!
I woke up on Saturday a little tired :) but took the tube (underground London Metro) to the airport to take my 1 hour flight to Amsterdam. I have been to Amsterdam before, but I love this city! Not for the reason you might think, but for its sheer culture, beauty, and overall variety.
I got in yesterday evening and found a hostel that wasn't too expensive. I had a nice dinner streetside near a canal, and had Chicken Sate with Salad and fries. Washed it down with some good local beers. Then headed out to explore the town....walked the red light district which - if you havent been here is where the prostitutes flaunt themselves through the window to entice buyers. Uh....there are people that buy, people that look and laugh -- I was in the latter group but I have to say. OK, my mom is reading this probably but they ARE attractive!!
Oh, and I have been offered more drugs in this small red light district than anywhere in my entire life. Sorry, not for me so I ketp walking and saying no, no, no.
It's weird - the streets line up and down canals throughout the city -- and it is so easy to walk this city and the red light district goes up and down these canals
After wondering around for a few hours and having a drink or two, I headed back to bed exhausted from my London night before and the long traveling day.
I woke up today and had for breakfast some OJ and a local Dutch pancake with a cinnamon filling -- delicious!! I then had a very enriching experience -- I met Alfred Gloudemans today. He is - by his guess - a 7th generational cousin (Uncle Fred actually is what I called him) - here in Holland. My family is Dutch, and he gave me the family history and showed me around the country.
Not to bore, but he told me he is the Gloudemans Family historian and he has traced the family back to Jen Glaviman in 1315. Glaviman means roughly sword or sword maker....the family then took on different spellings of the name including Gloudeman and Gloudemans. 3 Gloudemans Brothers in 1840 moved to Wisconsin because Wisconsin reminded them of Holland and moved to America because they wanted a better way of life....Wisonsin had what Holland did - lots of grass, farmland, cows, milk, etc. They settled in Pierre, Little Chute, and Appleton. We reason I am 5th generation American Gloudemans. There are over 20,000 Gloudemans or people that he can trace to our family. Over 2,000 live in Amsterdam, the rest around the world but only about 100-150 in the U.S. I left feeling not only educated but very proud of our Dutch hertitage!
He showed me a town near a lake (Volendam) where I had raw herring (think Sushi) with salt and onions on it. Delicious actually! We then had coffee and homemade Dutch apple pie with whipped cream. Wow...we then made our way to the windmills and its amazing -- some are over 400 years old, and their purpose is varied...to pump out water from the canals so the grass doesn't flood (Holland is below sea level) to generate electricity. After the mills we visited the North Sea, which was picturesque and quite beautiful.
We culminated our journey by visiting the harbor behind Central (Train) Station, which has lots of cruise boats and people walking around.
Note - there are SO MANY bikes and bike paths here (more than I have ever seen in my life)and can't wait to bike here tomorrow!
Another note - the MOST BEAUTIFUL women I have ever seen are here. Blond, blue eyed, great shape. Alfred was affirming this for me and he made sure I appreciated with I did!!
And one final note -- there are lots of coffee houses in amsterdam. Probably 100. they don't serve coffee as most of you know...lots of marijuana and you can order it from a menu. Uh...I won't go to a coffee house but I will go to cafe's where they serve coffee only - not "magic mushrooms" as they call it and no marijuana!
Anyways, after Fred dropped me off I headed to the Rijkmuseum. Now I said I wouldn't do museums but I had to visit the artwork here. Famous for housing Rembrandt's works, it was fantastic. Visited artwork from 300-400 years ago, including the famous Night Watch painting. I am not that educated in art, but it was so visually apparent and stunning how light and dark was used in his paintings. I left from my 90 minute visit feeling like I had not seen art but really a historical tour of Holland, its artists, and a better understanding of its people -- all through the paintings and the stories they told.
After the museum I headed to the Heineken Beer Tour. While the tour itself was a bit hokey, I was able to have 2 beers at the beer hall at the end and met a really nice couple from Tennessee. After my beers I took the trolley back to the main part of town where I'm ready to head for dinner!
More to come...ready to wrap up Amsterdam tomorrow with the Anne Frank museum, take a canal ride, and rent a bike and ride through town. And then off to Germany!
Brian Phalen and I went out for dinner on Thursday night at this noodle bar and got some local London asian food (they have AWESOME international food) and a few beers at some pubs afterwards. We then headed back for a good night of sleep.
I woke up early Friday and caught the 1st train to Salisbury, which is about an 80 minute train ride from London due West. FYI, they have an awesome train/bus system in London which makes the States look pathetic with our "car" transportation system. From Salisbury I loaded the Stonehedge Tour Bus. We headed about 15 minutes around Solam (spelling? more to come later) to Stonehedge. As we arrived the large stones jutted before me.
The stones are the size of 7 elephants each, and over 2,000 years ago the ancient people floated them down the river over 200 miles to get to the Stonehedge site. There are different rumors of what they are for - burial grounds, solstice/astronomical purpose, no one know for absolutely sure. But it is amazing in size, scope and overall schematic being. How they buried them, and crossed the stones on top of each other - how they were even dragged from the river with no modern equipment - is quite remarkable.
After touring the site for 1 hour or so, I then headed back on the bus past Solam, which is about 1,000 years old. It is a levitated piece of grassy ground over a few acres in which castles and churches over 1,000 years were built. In fact they were just excavated in 1900 or so, and it is amazing that such castles and size were there in such a primitive time.
After heading back to Salisbury, I viewed their church which is famous for having the largest spire in England and the 4th largest in the world. After viewing the awesome sight, I took the train back to London and showered getting ready for a fun night on the town!
I met Brian and his friends from Ernst & Young at a local pub (note - pubs close at 11) for a few beers and then headed to a club afterwards. We partied till 3am (I have some GREAT pics!)- had a nice London street side steak sandwich at 2 am - and then headed back for some much needed sleep!
I woke up on Saturday a little tired :) but took the tube (underground London Metro) to the airport to take my 1 hour flight to Amsterdam. I have been to Amsterdam before, but I love this city! Not for the reason you might think, but for its sheer culture, beauty, and overall variety.
I got in yesterday evening and found a hostel that wasn't too expensive. I had a nice dinner streetside near a canal, and had Chicken Sate with Salad and fries. Washed it down with some good local beers. Then headed out to explore the town....walked the red light district which - if you havent been here is where the prostitutes flaunt themselves through the window to entice buyers. Uh....there are people that buy, people that look and laugh -- I was in the latter group but I have to say. OK, my mom is reading this probably but they ARE attractive!!
Oh, and I have been offered more drugs in this small red light district than anywhere in my entire life. Sorry, not for me so I ketp walking and saying no, no, no.
It's weird - the streets line up and down canals throughout the city -- and it is so easy to walk this city and the red light district goes up and down these canals
After wondering around for a few hours and having a drink or two, I headed back to bed exhausted from my London night before and the long traveling day.
I woke up today and had for breakfast some OJ and a local Dutch pancake with a cinnamon filling -- delicious!! I then had a very enriching experience -- I met Alfred Gloudemans today. He is - by his guess - a 7th generational cousin (Uncle Fred actually is what I called him) - here in Holland. My family is Dutch, and he gave me the family history and showed me around the country.
Not to bore, but he told me he is the Gloudemans Family historian and he has traced the family back to Jen Glaviman in 1315. Glaviman means roughly sword or sword maker....the family then took on different spellings of the name including Gloudeman and Gloudemans. 3 Gloudemans Brothers in 1840 moved to Wisconsin because Wisconsin reminded them of Holland and moved to America because they wanted a better way of life....Wisonsin had what Holland did - lots of grass, farmland, cows, milk, etc. They settled in Pierre, Little Chute, and Appleton. We reason I am 5th generation American Gloudemans. There are over 20,000 Gloudemans or people that he can trace to our family. Over 2,000 live in Amsterdam, the rest around the world but only about 100-150 in the U.S. I left feeling not only educated but very proud of our Dutch hertitage!
He showed me a town near a lake (Volendam) where I had raw herring (think Sushi) with salt and onions on it. Delicious actually! We then had coffee and homemade Dutch apple pie with whipped cream. Wow...we then made our way to the windmills and its amazing -- some are over 400 years old, and their purpose is varied...to pump out water from the canals so the grass doesn't flood (Holland is below sea level) to generate electricity. After the mills we visited the North Sea, which was picturesque and quite beautiful.
We culminated our journey by visiting the harbor behind Central (Train) Station, which has lots of cruise boats and people walking around.
Note - there are SO MANY bikes and bike paths here (more than I have ever seen in my life)and can't wait to bike here tomorrow!
Another note - the MOST BEAUTIFUL women I have ever seen are here. Blond, blue eyed, great shape. Alfred was affirming this for me and he made sure I appreciated with I did!!
And one final note -- there are lots of coffee houses in amsterdam. Probably 100. they don't serve coffee as most of you know...lots of marijuana and you can order it from a menu. Uh...I won't go to a coffee house but I will go to cafe's where they serve coffee only - not "magic mushrooms" as they call it and no marijuana!
Anyways, after Fred dropped me off I headed to the Rijkmuseum. Now I said I wouldn't do museums but I had to visit the artwork here. Famous for housing Rembrandt's works, it was fantastic. Visited artwork from 300-400 years ago, including the famous Night Watch painting. I am not that educated in art, but it was so visually apparent and stunning how light and dark was used in his paintings. I left from my 90 minute visit feeling like I had not seen art but really a historical tour of Holland, its artists, and a better understanding of its people -- all through the paintings and the stories they told.
After the museum I headed to the Heineken Beer Tour. While the tour itself was a bit hokey, I was able to have 2 beers at the beer hall at the end and met a really nice couple from Tennessee. After my beers I took the trolley back to the main part of town where I'm ready to head for dinner!
More to come...ready to wrap up Amsterdam tomorrow with the Anne Frank museum, take a canal ride, and rent a bike and ride through town. And then off to Germany!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Edinburgh, Scottland/London, England - June 9th - 11th
A couple thoughts before I write about the last few days:
1. Traveling solo has been 1 of the best things I have ever done. It has "forced" me to meet new people - I've never had a problem with that of course! - and stay close to the action because I'm staying in hostels and asking where to go, etc. When I've traveled in the past in groups or with another person, we usually stay at ncie hotels and quite frankly don't get in the actual vibe of the actual places where you travel.
2. Very few Americans travels it seems! Yes, I've met a lot of Americans, but most have been younger. There have been a lot of Canadians and Australians especailly my age...it seems abroad it is a LOT more accepted - even encouraged really - to travel and take time off
On that note, Edinburgh is my favority city I have ever visited in Europe and that is a strong statement! Paris has always been 1 of my favorites, but what I like about Edinburgh is its not overwhelming in its size and scope. Me and the 2 Americans I met in Belfast - John and Alex - met a 4th, James - that was in our hostel. Alex and I chose to do the walking tour on Tuesday as James was traveling to Loch Ness for the day and John had a bit too much to drink the night before!
Alex, myself and about 25 others people throughout the city met up for a 3 1/2 hour walking tour of "old town" Edinburgh. Essentially old town is where all the sights are and new town while still picturesque is mostly shops and trends stores. The walking tour was phenomenal - we of course saw the famous Edinburgh Castle. The pictures I took don't do it justice, but it is an enourmouse Castle perched at the top of a rocky mountain/hill. It dates from the 12th century, and while there are some modern improvements and buildings on the grounds, the base and majority of it are awesome.
We then saw many of the places where people were hung and buried in the city..in fact there is a ghost tour you can take of some of these places at night but I couldn't squeeze it in. We walked the Royal Mile, a fantastic mile of an old road that goes from the castle to a museum, with churches (we saw 1 where Sean Connery was knighted), gallows, and many pubs (more to come on that!) not to mention Grassmarket Square, which is where much of the nightlife happens.
We had time for a smoothie and a sandwich along the way, and after that tour - by the way the commentary was just amazing as well as the stories you don't get from tour buses - I decided to head towards new town. I found a tower of about 300 feet which I paid 3 pounds to climb the top to get a view of the entire city. The pictures I had taken again don't do it justice but the panoramic view of the city are just overwhelming.
I then met John (who had finally gotten out of bed at 2pm!) and Alex for the Scottish Whiskey Tour, which was a tour of how Whiskey is made. It was a little disneylandish (a tour car..think of those rides you take in Disneyland where the ride goes very slow like Peter Pan) but we - in this tour car - slowly moved past little videos and steps of how the whiskey is made. We culminated the tour with of course a taste of whiskey (we could choose amongst 4 different types).
After the whiskey, we headed to diner. There I had the famous Scottish traditional dish of Haggis. What is Haggis? It is a fat, cataloupe-size sausage made from sheep lungs, liver, and hearts mexied with spices and onions. It was with mashed potatoes and gravy. Not the best meal I've described, smeller, or eaten!! I've got a picture of me eating it and well -- I've had Haggis and I probably won't have another round!
The night was epic. We did an organized pub crawl with a few different hostels. 10 pounds got you 1 free beer and 5 free shots. Well...you can imagine this would make for a fun evening! We got pictures at each bar, and they got more entertaining. I didn't make it to the last bar though and couldn't get the pictures of all of us with TOO MUCH to drink because me and another guy made this stupid - but actually I'm glad I did it - idea of hiking the highest mountain behind Edinburgh that overlooks the city. Picture William Wallace running up the mountain in 1 of the scenes! It took us an hour and at 3:00am we had reached the top and the views - well, the moon was out and the sun literally was just staring to come out as we made our way down. That is a night I won't forget!
Waking up the next day I was tired - very tired - but the 4 of us and 2 girls from Florida in our hostel got a Scottish Breakfast! 1 egg, 1 sausage, 1 bacon, 1 potato scone, and toast. Delicious, Delicous. After that I did an actual tour bus around the city and then afterwards hopped on a quick 1 hour flight to London.
I met Brian Phalen last night and stayed in his flat. He is a childhood fried from Phoenix and is letting me crash on his couch and even do some much needed laundry. His flat is in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum about a 20 minute train ride from the heart of London.
We went out for a few beers last night and then I woke up today ready to tackle London. I had been here once before, and the sheet magnitude - there are 10 million people that live here and over 2,000 years of history - is immediate. I paid 24 pounds for a double decker bus tour/boat tour where you can hop on and off at each one of the 87 stops on the tour.
I of course stopped off at the famous sites -- Buckhingham Palace (I JUST missed the changing of the guard), Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parlaments/Square, St. Paul's Church - which has the 2nd largest free supporting dome on top of it besides St. Peter's in Rome - and Trafalgar Square). London Bridge is not much to see, but definately the Tower Bridge is. Over 100 years old its probably the most famous bridge in the world, words don't really do it justice. I then took the boat tour which gives views of the Tower Bridge - and the Tower of London itself, which is famous for hangings and tortures - and then down the water to Westminster, where the views of the Eye (2nd largest Ferris Wheel in the world), and the before mentioned sites are even BETTER on this large Thames river.
After finishing my 7 hours of river tour/double decker tour with live commentary/LOTS of walking - oh and I actually had SUBWAY today because its all I could find for lunch!! -, I headed back to Brian's house for a quick shower and am ready to go out tonight. Tomorrow is Stonehedge, and am very excited for my trip!
1. Traveling solo has been 1 of the best things I have ever done. It has "forced" me to meet new people - I've never had a problem with that of course! - and stay close to the action because I'm staying in hostels and asking where to go, etc. When I've traveled in the past in groups or with another person, we usually stay at ncie hotels and quite frankly don't get in the actual vibe of the actual places where you travel.
2. Very few Americans travels it seems! Yes, I've met a lot of Americans, but most have been younger. There have been a lot of Canadians and Australians especailly my age...it seems abroad it is a LOT more accepted - even encouraged really - to travel and take time off
On that note, Edinburgh is my favority city I have ever visited in Europe and that is a strong statement! Paris has always been 1 of my favorites, but what I like about Edinburgh is its not overwhelming in its size and scope. Me and the 2 Americans I met in Belfast - John and Alex - met a 4th, James - that was in our hostel. Alex and I chose to do the walking tour on Tuesday as James was traveling to Loch Ness for the day and John had a bit too much to drink the night before!
Alex, myself and about 25 others people throughout the city met up for a 3 1/2 hour walking tour of "old town" Edinburgh. Essentially old town is where all the sights are and new town while still picturesque is mostly shops and trends stores. The walking tour was phenomenal - we of course saw the famous Edinburgh Castle. The pictures I took don't do it justice, but it is an enourmouse Castle perched at the top of a rocky mountain/hill. It dates from the 12th century, and while there are some modern improvements and buildings on the grounds, the base and majority of it are awesome.
We then saw many of the places where people were hung and buried in the city..in fact there is a ghost tour you can take of some of these places at night but I couldn't squeeze it in. We walked the Royal Mile, a fantastic mile of an old road that goes from the castle to a museum, with churches (we saw 1 where Sean Connery was knighted), gallows, and many pubs (more to come on that!) not to mention Grassmarket Square, which is where much of the nightlife happens.
We had time for a smoothie and a sandwich along the way, and after that tour - by the way the commentary was just amazing as well as the stories you don't get from tour buses - I decided to head towards new town. I found a tower of about 300 feet which I paid 3 pounds to climb the top to get a view of the entire city. The pictures I had taken again don't do it justice but the panoramic view of the city are just overwhelming.
I then met John (who had finally gotten out of bed at 2pm!) and Alex for the Scottish Whiskey Tour, which was a tour of how Whiskey is made. It was a little disneylandish (a tour car..think of those rides you take in Disneyland where the ride goes very slow like Peter Pan) but we - in this tour car - slowly moved past little videos and steps of how the whiskey is made. We culminated the tour with of course a taste of whiskey (we could choose amongst 4 different types).
After the whiskey, we headed to diner. There I had the famous Scottish traditional dish of Haggis. What is Haggis? It is a fat, cataloupe-size sausage made from sheep lungs, liver, and hearts mexied with spices and onions. It was with mashed potatoes and gravy. Not the best meal I've described, smeller, or eaten!! I've got a picture of me eating it and well -- I've had Haggis and I probably won't have another round!
The night was epic. We did an organized pub crawl with a few different hostels. 10 pounds got you 1 free beer and 5 free shots. Well...you can imagine this would make for a fun evening! We got pictures at each bar, and they got more entertaining. I didn't make it to the last bar though and couldn't get the pictures of all of us with TOO MUCH to drink because me and another guy made this stupid - but actually I'm glad I did it - idea of hiking the highest mountain behind Edinburgh that overlooks the city. Picture William Wallace running up the mountain in 1 of the scenes! It took us an hour and at 3:00am we had reached the top and the views - well, the moon was out and the sun literally was just staring to come out as we made our way down. That is a night I won't forget!
Waking up the next day I was tired - very tired - but the 4 of us and 2 girls from Florida in our hostel got a Scottish Breakfast! 1 egg, 1 sausage, 1 bacon, 1 potato scone, and toast. Delicious, Delicous. After that I did an actual tour bus around the city and then afterwards hopped on a quick 1 hour flight to London.
I met Brian Phalen last night and stayed in his flat. He is a childhood fried from Phoenix and is letting me crash on his couch and even do some much needed laundry. His flat is in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum about a 20 minute train ride from the heart of London.
We went out for a few beers last night and then I woke up today ready to tackle London. I had been here once before, and the sheet magnitude - there are 10 million people that live here and over 2,000 years of history - is immediate. I paid 24 pounds for a double decker bus tour/boat tour where you can hop on and off at each one of the 87 stops on the tour.
I of course stopped off at the famous sites -- Buckhingham Palace (I JUST missed the changing of the guard), Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parlaments/Square, St. Paul's Church - which has the 2nd largest free supporting dome on top of it besides St. Peter's in Rome - and Trafalgar Square). London Bridge is not much to see, but definately the Tower Bridge is. Over 100 years old its probably the most famous bridge in the world, words don't really do it justice. I then took the boat tour which gives views of the Tower Bridge - and the Tower of London itself, which is famous for hangings and tortures - and then down the water to Westminster, where the views of the Eye (2nd largest Ferris Wheel in the world), and the before mentioned sites are even BETTER on this large Thames river.
After finishing my 7 hours of river tour/double decker tour with live commentary/LOTS of walking - oh and I actually had SUBWAY today because its all I could find for lunch!! -, I headed back to Brian's house for a quick shower and am ready to go out tonight. Tomorrow is Stonehedge, and am very excited for my trip!
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