Monday, June 22, 2009

Photos

So, I finally started going through my pictures. I took far too many it seems. I actually really love some of them, and that surprises me. It is amazing sometimes how lucky you can get with lighting and a good shot. So, I am adding them to Facebook (if you follow me there) and some of them to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchtweety/) although not as many as I had hoped due to upload restrictions. Here are a few of my favs.


Prague, Czech Republic.




Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Sunday, June 14, 2009

I'm Home

So, I made it back to Seattle. I got in at about 11am Seattle time. So, since then I have been trying to catch up and napping quite a bit. Ah the joy of jet lag.

So, when last I posted it was my last day at sea. That ended up being a nice and relaxing day. After checking in on the internet, I returned to my room and got most of my stuff packed. Then Neil and I decided to go swimming in the solarium/indoor pool. So, that is where we spent the evening, before got back to the room for change for dinner. Dinner was good, and it was nice talking to our dining mates one last time. Then off to the final show, which was entertaining with a magician as well as clips from the cruise dvd. It was neat to see so much silliness and I was even in a tiny clip. After the show it was a mad dash to get all of our stuff packed and outside the room. Then we ran to the Schooner Bar where Greg was preforming in the Splendour's Got Talent competition. Neil and I stood by the door and Greg, Lisa & Sara sat at the bar. I think he did an amazing job, but saddly he was beat out my a very strong grouping of singers. After the show it was basically talking until bed.

We got up early so we could disembark. It all went pretty smoothly. Once off the ship, we made our way into Venice. It was great to see the city again. It was not flooded at all thins time, which made it feel like a different city. We even walked into the palace and I could actually see the floor which was a spectacular mosaic. I managed to get a second mask and it was from the same shop so it even matched the one I already have. It was a great day walking the streets with my friends. Then the evening was spent playing cards.

In the I left at about midnight to wait for the bus. Sadly it didn't come in an hour, so I managed to catch a cab to the airport I slept a bit off and on until I could make my way through security to my gate. The first flight was short and easy at just 2 hours. Then I stood in line for about that long in Amsterdam before getting into an uncomfy middle seat for my really long flight home. It went pretty smoothly.

So, my trip was good, but I am a bit sad to be home after my trip. I would have loved to continuing traveling for awhile longer.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Crusing

So, today is my last full day on board the cruise ship. That means tonight I have to repack and we get off in the morning. I ahve been having a rather good time, and it will be difficult to get off and have to think about things like cooking, doing dishes or finding entertainment back in the real world. Tomorrow I am spending the day in Venice, before heading to the airport to sleep there, as my flight is at 6:30am.

So, how has my trip been you may be wondering. It has actually been quite a lot of fun. It has been nice to hop off the boat for a day in a new city but then get to get back on for dinner, a show and some cards in a bar.

After the last sea day we were in Kundasai Turkey. This was an interesting experience. Extrememly hot with not a lot of air movement. We saw the Virgin Mary's House, then walked though the ancient town of Ephesus. I am so glads we were on an actual excursion as it would have been very difficult to see everything on our own. Then it was time for a carpet show and high pressure sales people. It was an experience, I can say that much.

After turkey was Santorini Greece. It was another hot day and this excursion was a lot of work. We hiked up to the peak of an active volcano. It was quite a long walk and uphill on loose lava rocks. Then back down to the boat for a ride to the hot springs. It was a serious swim in 50 foot deep water to the hot springs. They were nice but as they were open to the sea not quite as warm as expected. Then were were dropped off in Santorini. For a long wait in line to take a cable car to the city which rests on a hill. It was a nice city, lots and lots of souvenier shops though, and we were soon much too hot. So we walked down the island on a zig zagging path that donkey's traditionally bring people up and down. It was exhausting. So it was nice to get back on the ship.

Yesterday was Corfu Greece. We were a bit more careful in this city as we had gotten much to hot the day before. So, we tried to be smart and spent quite a lot of time in the shade. It was a nice city to meander through and we enjoyed seeing the fortress that the city is known for. It was a nice day all in all.

I will be sure to write more once I am back home.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Vienna and Cruise

Ok, so I got pretty far behind in my blog. Sorry about that.

I had a good time in cesky Krumlov. It was a cute little town and was quite relaxing actually. I ended up hanging out that night with a guy from Dallas, Texas (Scott) which was one of the highlights of my trips so far. We had this silly bartender with flair, who kept cracking jokes and clapping mint in my face for the mojitos he was making. I feasted on crepes with Scott the next morning before hopping a shuttle to Linz and a train to Vienna.

Vienna was quite a bit of fun. I was alone hardly 3 hours when I met up with 3 girls from the US who were travelling together after studying abroad in Bristol/Genoble. They really were a great time even though being on a student budget meant walking all over the city rather than taking a tram. It was a great way to see the city though, and with company I was able to see the city one day with an opera in the evening and then visit the palace the next. It was hard to set off on my own way as I was enjoyign their company.

From Vienna I took a night train to Venice. My cabin/couchette mate was ok, but I didn't sleep well at all and really missed having a shower in the morning. Venice looked as nice as it had on my last visit and was easy to navigate to the bus station and from there it was a scant 30 minute walk to the cruise terminal. I was rocking out to Ian McFeron Band on the whole walk, the first time on my trip.

I spent the morning in the cruise terminal before the rest of the group finally got there. I did talk to a great bartender for a huge chunk of the time thoough, which kept it interesting.

Once on the cruise I was a bit overwhelmed but it is going well. The first night it was more about getting aclimated and not making any dinner eating taboos. I did hang out in the club that night and it was great to get to meet some new people.

Yesterday we spent the day in Duibrovnik which was just as amazingly beautiful as I had hoped. We did some billy goat moved as we walked along the rock clifs by the water. Old Town was nice but I loved being able to look out at the teal water. It was a very nice day.

Today is a relaxing cruising day. So I have spent time in the pool and now on the internet. I have missed writing to all of you, and will try to do better to keep in touch, even though the internet is insanely expensive.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Travelling-Cesky Krumlov & Vienna

Ok, so I have a bit to catch you up on, as there was no internet at my last hostel. Actually that isn't quite true it was there but it was expensive and there was only 1 computer. So, now to catch you up on my goings on.

Yesterday I was in Prague in the morning and Cesky Krumlov the rest of the day. I woke up exceedingly early (6:30am) and caught a metro to the stop where the bus depot was supposed to be. I of course could make absolutely no sense of where I was or what direction I was supposed to be going. It took me ages of walking the wrong direction before I got it right. Finally I found it on accident basically because I had almost given up. Inside I asked about tickets for the bus to Cesky Krumlov and the guy informed me that they could not sell me a ticket for the 8:15 bus. It had to be purchased from the driver. I then had to guess what direction to go to find "Bus 25" which was not in isle 25 it was at 23. The driver was cranky and didn't want to let me put my backpack with the other 2 people. He also turned out to be a crappy driver, which I found is normal for Czech drivers, luckily it only cost me the equivalent of $10.

Once there it was very worth it. The city was beautiful, magical even. I stopped at the Tourism office, and they helped me figure out a way to get to Vienna today. A shuttle to Linz and then a train to Vienna. That out of the way, I checked into my hostel and realized that the showers were just scary. I then set to walkign around., Cesky Krumlov was easy to navigate and reminded me of Sienna, Italy somehow. it was great and although there were loads of tourists by the main castle it was nice and peacful throughout. I went on a tour of the inside of the castle and ended up with a couple from Lynnwood on my tour. The tour guide was funny and the rooms were mostly decorated from the 1600s. It was interesting. I then wound my way down to the old town area and sat on a bench to read. A girl (Christina) I met on the tour in prague the day before showed but so, we talked for quite awhile before she was off to catch a train. I went out to dinner at a great vegitarian restaurant then back to my hostel. I grabbed a cup of tea and then a drink in the bar downstairs while writing in my journal. I was about the give up on the evening and go to bed, when I ran into a guy in the hall. He was missing speaking to another American so we ended up going out to a bar, with a slightly loony bartender. It was great fun talking and drinking with Scott from texas. We stayed out until the bar closed and we headed back to the hostel still talking away. I quite enjoyed his company.

This morning after a trial with the showers, I went to breakfast with Scott. Coffee and crepes were perfect. Then I caught a shuttle to Linz at about 11am. It was really crowded. They dropped me off at the train station in Linz and I caught a train to Vienna about 10 minutes later.

Once in Vienna my first stop was the ticket office where I got my night train to Venice all worked out. Hooray. Then it was getting lost on my way to my hostel once again, and always. I got my space set up and then went out walking. So, a good day all in all.

I really enjoyed Cesky Krumlov and Vienna looks promising for tomorrow.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Prague-Day 2

Today was a very good day. I went on a walking tour that had a fun and exciting tour guide, and was "Free" or in other words, tip what you can. We started in old town, visited new town, the Jewish quarter and walked along the river looking at the castle as well as other spots from a distance. It was interesting,informative and at 3 1/2 hours very nice. I met a traveller named Mike from Boston, and after the trip we went up to the Prague castle, parliment courtyard and then down to the Dancing House by Frank Gehry. It was a lot of walking but it was nice to have companz and although he gotto be a bit annoying it was great to walk around with someone and we even remembered to stop for food, which was a bonus.

After all of the walking it was about 8:30pm and I heading off to find the metro station I had seen this morning as I am heading off to Ceskz Krumlov for the daz tomorrow and needed to know where it was so I sould get to the bus station early in the day.

In the end I liked Prague. It was not mz favorite citz but it is colorful with lots of different styles and as it turns out a lot of movies such as Eurotrip use it for filming all of Europe as it has so manz different styles.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Day 1/Prague

So, today (really a combination of Saturday and Sunday s my day got jammed together a bit). My flight was eally long but I did get to watch a fewmovies on the plane that hadbeen in my Netflix queue for sometime (Last Chance Harvey, Doubt & Reservation Road).

I am doing fine. I am a bit lonely but that is too be expected, I haven't been here long enough to really get to chat with anyone. I basically walked around the Old Town part of the city today. Weaving in and out and gtting all kinds of torned around, but actually seeig quite a bit. Along the way I listened to a great tour guide, so I think I am going to take his tur tomorrow (I finally found a brochure about it an they are free, tips recommnded). So at 10:30 am that is where I should be. I will even learn something about the ton, what a thought. I lso stopped in at the Tourist Information office and was tld where to catch the bus for Cesky Krumlov the day after tomorrow although I am still not clear on how much to pay. Ah well, it will work out somehow.

The prt of town I was in today really does come stright out of a history book. With winding cobblestone streets, crowded sidewalks, oldbuildings with amazing facades and churches/synagogues/buildings that can say they ahve been here since the 1200s. What a history.

I want to try and go into one of the Franz Kafka exhibits while I am here as well. I just didn'thave thepatience to go in and do too much today. I slept on the plane but a few more hours would have been good.

So, I a doing well, I have tomorrow in Prague before hading off to Cesky Krumlov the next day and then Vienna. I will write again soon. Probably tomorrow as my internet access is free here.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Slovakia

I just realized that Bratislava, Slovakia is only an hour train ride from Vienna. Maybe I will head over there for a day as well. I would love to see another country. :) I might be opverly ambitious but I do love the single day visits to countries.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Almost Time

So my flight out is on Saturday at 1pm. It seems like it is really sneaking up on me. On Sunday I did all of my packing, well 98% of it. S, I feel much better about that.

I made a few mistakes with my trip scheduling, but I have it all worked out now.

May 30 - Leave US
May 31 - Prague
June 1 - Prague
June 2 - Cesy Krumlov
June 3 - Vienna
June 4 - Vienna
June 5 - Vienna
Night train to Venice
June 6 - Venice- Leave on cruise.

So, I am excited and a bit nervous. I don't feel completely prepared for this trip for some reason but I am sure it will work out to be a great time.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Less than a month to go

So my trip is pretty set up. I have my plane ticket and have reserved hostels for my 2 cities I will be visiting on my own.

I am flying out on May 30th, arriving in Prague, Czech Republic on June 1st. I am staying at The Prague Spot Hostel which is in a great location from June 1st through June 3rd. Then traveling to Vienna, Austria where I am staying the night of June 3rd and 4th at Westend city hostel, before taking a night train to Venice, Italy on June 5th. On June 6th I arrive in Venice at like 8am and board the ship for the cruise around 11am.

So, I have to all worked out. On the cruise I really want to take the all day tour of the cities of Turkey but the other 3 ports I hope we can just waunder around. We get back into Venice early on the Saturday June 13th and I fly out at 6:25am on June 14th, so maybe I will just stay at the airport that night. Should be a great 2 weeks.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Work in Progress

So, I was doing quite a bit of research this weekend for my trip in June. I don't think I mentioned before, but I am planning on a week on my own before the cruise with my friends.

I have my plane ticket and I am flying into Prague, Czech Republic.

So, here is how it is shaping up.
June 1-arrive Prague
June 2-Prague
June 3-Travel to Vienna, Austria
June 4-Vienna, Austria (hopefully night train to Slovenia)
June 5-Lubjana, Slovenia
June 6-Travel to Venice, Italy and leave on cruise at 5pm

So, I am really excited about Prague. I wanted to go to krakow or Budapest but they take me in the wrong direction when I have to be in Venice, Italy on a set day.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Next trip is almost planned

So, my friend Sara is putting together a cruise for a group of us (5 in total). I am really excited about the cruise. I will get to see Venice again, which I loved. We are setting off on a cruise to Croatia, Turkey and Greece before returning to Venice. I am really excited about the trip, spending it with friends, and enjoying the ride.



Itinerary Map

When you cruise to the "Cradle of Civilization," there's a natural tendency to be more, well, civilized - more relaxed. It's just a totally different feeling. The sun is warmer and so are the smiles. The colors more vibrant, the cuisine a little livelier. Mediterranean people know the secret of living life to the fullest. Best part is, they're willing to share.


Sailing Itinerary

Day Port
06-Jun Venice, Italy
07-Jun Dubrovnik, Croatia
08-Jun Cruising
09-Jun Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
10-Jun Santorini, Greece
11-Jun Corfu, Greece
12-Jun Cruising
13-Jun Venice, Italy

I decided to take the week before the 7 day cruise for a trip of my own. So, i am flying into Prague, Czech Republic on June 1 (I leave home on May 30th of course). I will then hope to go to Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria before going to Venice, Italy to head off on the cruise. I will leave the morning after we get back in (June 14th I fly home).

I haven't quite worked out the timing on my first week yet, but I will soon.