TravelStream™ news feed for member labrat on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/labrat en-us Copyright ©2010 TravelPod.com Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:25:47 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229830200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229830200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229830200/tpod.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:25:47 -0400 European Winter 2008/2009

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Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland

After bugger-all sleep we stumbled onto the bus and headed into town.

"You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest."

First stop was Harry's Swiss Shop, the first in Contiki-recommended retailers. Picked up a couple of souvineers before striking out solo again. Checked out more winter markets, then the Chapel bridge, along the waterfront, and up to the Lion monument.

Met up with Owen and Scottie, and walked back with them. Was planning on heading to the train station to post stuff and supermarket-ify myself, but decide to head up Mt Pilatus instead. Caught a bus then a gondola up the mountain with a few of the guys... and it was SNOWING at the top. Decent views too, and yes, i'd like to return in summer. Toboganed back down, twice. Ended up catching a taxi back to the hotel.

It was drinks at the hotel tonight, before heading out to the pub for Lanette's B-Day... then "Mad Wall Street" again ;) DJ was even worse tonight (if possible) but managed to drink copiously too much again, so it's all good.

NOTE: when transcribing this entry, the handwriting got fairly illegible in the last paragraph. Meh, :).
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Paris, France

Barely slept and feeling 'sick-as-a-dog'. Must be something i ate ;)

"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights."

Slept most of the drive to Lucerne, arrived in around dinner time. Met 'Victor' at dinner, who later got us all into the local club "Mad Wall Street" for free. The club was playing pretty bad EuroTrash, but there was the occassional good track. The gimick here was that the drinks were priced on a stockmarket system. So if everyone was buying beer, beer got expensive. But if noone was buying vodka-cruises they becamer cheaper. Every half hour they had a 'stockmarket crash' where all drinks became half price (5mins). We all got incredibly smashed and ended up dancing on the tables and up in the birdcages/stripper poles. Funniest part of the evening was watching Max faceplanting while on one of the poles :) hilarious. Though our driver Garth was getting into it as well, which was both fun and a ^little^ disturbing.

Oh, forgot to mention. Before we headed out, a few of the guys decided to make a snowman in the front courtyard... anatomically correct. ;P

*EDIT* The Mad Wall Street was decorated in the most nutty swiss way. There were dodgems wrapped in fairy lights hanging from the ceiling, along with bicycles and other large ornaments scattered around. Very funky place, very memorable.
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Lyon, Rhône-Alpes, France

Left fairly early for our ling drive today. Only a few people were worse for wear.

"You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch."

Later on we stopped for an hour to check out an old Roman aquaduct. After the snow and ice of Lucerne it was a nice prelude to Barcelona, a warm sunny stop by the river. One of the MANY teachers on the tour was Dave, a history teacher, who filled us in on the aquaducts' past. The experience was a lot richer after knowing and understanding a little of how/why/when the aquaduct was built. Spent some time scrambling around for a better shot... ? bad time of day i guess. :)

Extra info: Stopped at an Ars (truck stop) just inside the Spannish boarder. Everyone was getting small snacks, but one of the guys decided since Spain was meant to be the cheapest part of the trip, he'd get a feast... LOL :P "20 €uros ! 20 bloody €uros... for THIS ?!" is a phrase to be repeated for the rest of the trip :D Classic Rob.

When we got into Barcelona we headed straight up to the Olympic Stadium and lookout for a sunset picture opportunity. Then back down and to the funky church thing (Sagrada Familia). After a brief dinner at the hotel the troops were gathered and... all but ten of us decided to stay in. MEH ;P we made the most of it. Heading down to Porto Olympica and checking out the smaller clubs on the strip first, we bar-hopped getting drink deals as we went. Then headed over the other side to a HUGE club that was PACKED. I mean shoulder-to-shoulder packed, and it was just throbbing ;D. Within 2 mins our group was split in half, found eventually by the bar serving free drinks... should have looked there first. Best part of the night was watching two kinda-rather-alright-incredibly-hot girls putting on a show up against a glass half-wall. How do i know it was real? because just about EVERY GUY was facing the same direction. Seriously funny, but couldn't laugh with my jaw on the floor. ;P. Massive night out, and can't wait to do the same again tomorrow.

Our 'contiki song' this trip is Kings of Leon, Sex on Fire. This morning as we were travelling, a couple of the guys told us what they had gotten up to. After washing socks, they decided to dry them in the microwave. After testing one sock for 30seconds, they put all 9socks in at once, and turned it on for 30minutes. Ricky went for a shower while Chris went out to the supermarket... The socks caught fire and burnt out the microwave, black smoke stains on the wall above. :) So while everyone was shocked that people were allowed to smoke in French hotels, it was really scorched socks. The irony is Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire = Douches of Lyon - Socks on Fire. New lyrics for the day song were invented by Vienna.

.

NOTE: I got up to here when transcribing before finding a note "Rest of trip documented in mind and photos, gonna get rowdier so writing gonna be more illegible". I just remember sticking it in the bottom of the case. Bad = may skip bits // Good = 'interesting' shots (pictures & alcohol)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1230089400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1230089400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1230089400/tpod.html Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:38:10 -0400 European Winter 2008/2009

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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Canary Islands

Aww man, felt crap after last night.

"You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump."

Today's our day in Barcelona. Stared with a walking tour from Todd pointing out all the sights and notable buildings. Ended up heading down Les Ramblas then cutting across to the beach and taking a taxi back for Tapas at a local cafe. Called it a day early, after picking up a few bits and bobs for our Secret Santa thing... got disorientated after the subway, ended up taking a taxi. After hearing about last night EVERYONE is psyched for a big night out :D Oh yeah, we're gonna get messy tonight.

Started by heading to a club Todd knew... but it was closed for a private party. Piled everyone into about 6 different taxis and head to Porto Olympica. Started by heading to the small clubs, which we absolutely took over 35+ contiki people, we bring the party ;). After many jaggerbombs, we headed to the big club. Compared to last night it was fairly empty. Still great fun, hitting the D-floor so hard it hurt, but headed home earlyish, round 3am.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we're heading to Nice.
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Lucerne, Switzerland

Alright, staying out at Mad Wall Street until 4am, not such a good idea with a 7am start to a long driving day ;)

"Except when you dont.
Because, sometimes, you won't."

"I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you."

For an early lunch we stopped off at Geneva. Todd walked us up to the top of the town and then we all headed off for food. Rather than spend mega-bucks, i headed out and down through a makeshift snowpark towards the circus for some cheap stall food then continued along the waterway... must have got dissorientated because found myself heading out of town with 30mins before the bus left ! *yikes* Legged it back along the waterway to the lakefront and had a little right-or-left panic-moment before seeing one of the teacher groups *phew*. The city was clean, the people friendly, and even the circus was gypsie-free. Wouldn't mind passing through again in summer, although there's not alot to see.

Got into Lyon afternoon-ish. Changed then out to dinner. Ended up eating with the other 2kiwi girls and the Ozzie non-teacher group. ;) Went for the snails and froglegs. Verdict? Snails tasted like garlic fatty steak bits, with a little grit. Over all alot nicer than expected, just not something for everyday. The frog was off the bone and in a soupy pasta dish. Frog tasted like chicken, with a hint a fish. Quite chewey, but quite small chunks. Wouldn't mind having them again. The French family sitting beside us were laughing at how sweemish we were. The guy was fairly hardcase giving us pointers, cause we couldn't get the slugs out of their shells. Afterwards we headed up to the ferris wheel and then tried to catch the winter stalls but they'd closed.

Had an early night tonight. Needed it.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229657400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229657400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/labrat/1/1229657400/tpod.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:26:31 -0400 European Winter 2008/2009

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

Our first 'free' day, and it's in Paris :D

"OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!"

Contiki dropped us off inside the Louvre this morning. Was gonna tag along with one of the groups to Notre Dame but everyone seemed to quickly disperse into the Louvre. Set off alone hoping to see as much as possible on foot. Walked across to Notre Dame first, free to get in which is nice. The interior was very simple but impressive. The huge stained glass windows were so awesome, i reckon a return trip in summer is required to get the light streaming in as well. The crypts below were kinda creepy, with so many corpses just left lying around. Obviously the church is not a fan of biological containment and safety laws ;). It was a refreshing experience to visit a church without gawdy gilding and overly busy artworks. Decided to pay the €7.50 to get up the top hoping for a few good pictures before the clouds rolled in... what they don't tell you, is that you head up the stairs then they lock you in a gift shop for 20mins, before letting you continue up. Then when you're up there, a security fellow comes around asking you to move along... "ass". On a sunny day the photo opportunities would be endless and the view spectacular. Today, it was still alright despite not being able to see the eiffle tower.

Left Notre Dame and headed for Luxomburg gardens. Apparently the house/mansion? there was closed due to the EU summit. Had a limited chat with a gaurd though, more of an short exchange really. Mansion closed to public, weather bad, job boring, lunch soon, river *points* over there. Rapport dimension not my strongest quality, and french ability non-existant. :) -meh, all good.

Proceeded to get good and lost heading back to the river. May have taken an extra hour to get there, but managed to see alot more of the city. Walked along the Seine to the Obelisk, took the train to 'Marlliot Station' then walked back down the 'Av Des Champs-Elysees'. Apparently you should only walk down it and not back up, but i reckon Todd was just pulling our leg on that?

Metro back to hotel and ready for Moulin Rouge :P. Sat with South Australian Crowd...BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE !!! Right next to the stage, so close that Rob and I were getting slapped by sequins and carressed with feathery costume-bits. BEST SEATS EVER. Not to mention being close enough to get a few looks/smiles from the dancers, DAAMN !! ;P *drool*.

Afterwards we headed next door to O'Sullivans, where we all proceeded to get down, dirty, and really really drunk. Stumbled home with Amy and Max. Cheaper and quicker than the taxi's we found out the next morning.
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London, United Kingdom

Start of Contiki Trip [Winter Wanderer, 17th Dec 2008]

Barely slept last night, :) soo excited. Was up showered and ready to go with plenty of time to spare.

"And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too."

Took a while to get everyone sorted and seated in the correct buses. Once underway, our tour manager (Todd) kept us well entertained for the entire trip. Bit of a mixed bunch, some obvious extroverts, and others more like myself. I'll be sharing a room with Scott for the trip. It's amazing how people you've never met can remind you so much of people back home. Sometimes scarily similar.

Ferry to Calias was smooth and uncomplicated. Picked up a Jeremy Clarkson book ;). The Cliffs of Dover were nothing special.

Got into Paris at dusk, had a quick tour on the way in, then up the Eiffle tower. It was FREEZING, and there were gypsies everywhere. The Eiffle tower was lit up blue due to the EU summit occuring in the city. Was nice to see it at night, but it seemed alot tamer/smaller than when i was 8yrs old.

The dinner tonight was... Tomato half / hamsteak / chips / mushroom gloop... not quite the exotic french cuisine expected. Still shattered, even though just sat in a bus for the whole day.
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London, United Kingdom

"Mat the Ozzie" is such the noisy sleeper ;) Plan for today is St Pauls and British Museum.

"Out there things can happen
and frequently do,
to people as brainy
and footsy as you."

Picked up snacks before heading to British Museum to start the day. Museum was PACKED with school kids. Highlight for me was definitely the Rosetta Stone :D was a little egypt-nutty growing up, so it's good to see the real thing. Next time i'll try pick a quieter day. Interestingly, there were alot of people with sketchpads. Due to the reflective glass casings and low lighting, unless you have a high ISO camera, sketchpad is by far the best option.

Quick walk down to St Paul's, still trying to avoid the subway where possible ;). St Paul's looks like St Peter's (Rome) little brother. Crypts were the highlight. It's odd to think human bodies have been disposed underneath floor stones and in 'open' tombs. I wonder if in the next millenia (if humans persist) people will be examining these like we examine the Egypt remains?

Quick supermarket stop for more food, then back to the hotel. Celebrate! first day i haven't gotten lost (at all) in London :D.

Just back from tour meeting... *awkward* ;P tomorrows another day though.

NOTE: just realised how often i detail what i've eaten, been back through and edited out alot of it, :) LMAO :) there's a couple of people who may remember another 'travel diary' that morphed into a global menu... hello ;)

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London, United Kingdom

Up early again today, as Burt was heading off for his tour. Today's plan is Buckingham Palace.

"And you may not find any
you want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town."

"It's opener there
in the wide open air"

Subway to Victoria Station, and wandered around lost and disorientated like usual, untill finding a large fence that just had to be Royal. Followed around to Buckingham Square/Plaza in time for the changing of the gaurd. After 1.5hours it was over and as everyone was leaving a military truck full of soldiers drove into the palace... Prince Harry ?!? Minutes later a full motorcade with large police escort came screeching around the palace... Royalty? or PM? It must have been someone important because the motorbike cop who was stopping traffic looked like he was on Methamphetamines. Headed down to the NZ war memorial where i met a cool kiwi girl from Dunedin... small worlds afterall.

Subway to Monument Station. OPPS, London bridge is not the impressive tower bridge ;p. Walked down southside od Thames stopping for a hot-chocolate from a rather hot german girl. Walked across, considered taking a tour to the top, but was a little late/expensive. However having had the Tower of London reccommended on several occassions i forked over the £16.50 *ouch* to get inside. After tagging onto a Beefeater tour, i split from the group quickly and managed to get in and see the real Crown Jewels ;). The Jewels and Regelia were impressive and well worth the trip. the middle building with the old suit of armour and weapons was also great. Managed to time the south wall walk just at dusk which was awesome for lighting the tower bridge.

Subway to Blackfriars, along and over the Millenium bridge to check out the Globe theater and for a large shot of warm jaggermiester *mmm*. Spent the rest of the evening wandering along the southbank to the Parliment Buildings, stopping to sample the stall food. Danish Pankcakes highly recommended. If the weather was better, the millenium eye may have been an option too. After Big Ben, it was home on the subway to bed.

Had a new roomie, "Mat from Ozzie". Room unserviced = 'ass'
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London, United Kingdom

Today's plan: Hyde Park

"You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there".
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street."

Saubway to Marble Arch, then walked across the top of hyde park to Kennsington Gardens. Spent about 2hours strolling the park, by the water and heading over to Kennsington Palace. People with dogs everywhere, it was awesome! :D If i was ever to live here, i'd need to find a dog to run/walk here.

Kensington Palace was very neat from the outside with lots of pidgeons and grey squirrels. Due to the high admission price i tool my time and saw EVERYTHING, read almost all the signs/notes, and tried to memorise the place as photography wasn't allowed. It was quite impressive, and much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. Afterwards i made my way over to the business end of Hyde Park via Albert Hall, with a quick stop in at the National History Museum. There was a show on at Albert Hall and the security girl was ganna let me walk right in, untill i open my big mouth *doh*. Turns out you need tickets ;). The Natural History Museum was a big let-down. All the exhibits were designed for wee kids and of the 'modern-artistic' persuassion. The front of the building was impressive though, with an ice-rink and festive stalls. Picked up some £2 chips before heading back to Hyde Park. Near the Wellington end of the park was a small fairground with kids rides and the like. Not in the mood to ride the 'scream-coaster' or 'whirlygig' a quick escape was implemented. To my trusty steed, of the underground steel variety.

NOTE: there was a charity race of Santa's on Rollerblades through Hyde Park today. Highlight of which was a paramedic dressed up as an elf with a sign on his back... "Elf and Safety"

As i was snoozing this afternoon, 'Burt from Korea' arrived. Ended up going out for dinner and beer, but got lost trying to find the place recommended in the travel book. Ended up back at Royal National's London Pub for burger and chips.

Burger+Beer+Fries = £8.50 :)



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