damn!
Hey all, thanks for reading the blog, hope its interesting for you to hear about our travels. So annoyed as this is the first internet cafe i've come across that allows you to download pics and Yes, i left my camera on the bus!!!! Will be lots more interesting when some pics are up so just bear with the diary for now. WIll prolly be london before i have the chance to do pics. Having a blast, great to hear from you if you want to add comments. Love Missy xx
Bring on Florence - Contiki
Pics; Gelati in Florence - sooooooooo good, Ponte Veccio, The copy of Michelangelo's David, All the girls on our tour - looking over florence, Group dinner in Florence - Tuscan Feast (bex, Geoff, me and Brett), Tim at Discoteque. Short drive to Florence, loved this city and Geoff and I are both keen to come back. Went to a leather factory, would've loved a bag but priced at around 150euros I was happy to settle for a fake one from the markets. Walking tour around Florence with a guide, so interesting. Saw the copy of Michaelangelo's David (standing in the spot the original one was most of it's time), the street where Hannibal Lectur pushed the guy off the balcony in the movie Hannibal, Ponte Veccio (only bridge not to be destroyed in WWII because Hitler liked it) and then there were the markets.......Fantastic markets, got some clothes, scarf, pashmina and some other bits and pieces.
Group photo overlooking the city of Florence then headed out for our group dinner 'tuscan feast', so much food to be eaten ! Also included Chianti, traditional Italian wine. Had crostini, cheeses, antipasto platters, three different pastas, eggplant grilled with parmesan cheese and tomatoes, pork and for dessert there was a tiramasu type cake. All rolled out of that restaurant as we tried everything. Headed for an Italian Discotheque. Lots of sleazy italian stallions there which was gross but lots of (very strong) cocktails and dancing. A great night out.
Packed up the next day and headed for Rome......
On the way to Italy......
Visited FRAGONARD, a french perfumery on the drive today, a definate highlight (mainly for the girls). Learnt about the 'noses' who get paid a 6 figure salary and only work about 4 hours a day - they have to study for 7-10 years though so bugger that! Got some great perfume and soaps, last back on the bus because didn't want to leave.
Lunch stop at a truck stop where we had the best pizza we tried in Italy, margehitta (sp?) but soooo good - didn't help we were famished. Finally found some dark choc toblerone and got the italian version of 'twisties'. Long drive to Pisa where I had my first choc gelato over here (so good) and had pics by the leaning tower of Pisa, only a short stop then continuing to Florence. It was only supposed to take an hour and a half but took three hours becuase Phil the bus driver took a wrong turn then was faced with one-way streets etc and just got plain lost. In the end had to stop at a gassy and ask directions from a guy on a moped and just followed him. Early night, shared a room with one of the other couples (kiwis wahoo) and had a few beer and played cards.
Nice and Monaco - Contiki
Had a short stop in Nice, France which was a shame because it was so beautiful, would've loved to spend more time there. We were all dressed up ready for the casino so were strolling around Nice in our glad rags. Had dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant, I had to order two meals because I couldn't decide what to choose!! Had a look around the markets and shops, saw an 'interesting' Michael Jackson impersonator on the street complete with facials, music and crotch grabbing (his own). About a 45 minute drive into Monacco, what a great city, would love to be a resident but don't have a spare million lying around (you have to pay $1millionUS and get approved by Prince Albert personally to become a resident). Quite a long walk (in heels) to the casino, saw the formula one racing track, we walked on it and Geoff took a lot of pics for the boys. Finally arrived and it was quite disappointing, played some pokies but no winning. Saw Steve from 90210 and paid 9euro for a kahlua and coke, although was acutally quite good value because barman just poured the kahlua so I think it was about 5 shots, I still felt ripped though so I stole my swizzle stick. Roads closed on the way back to campsite so it was about 2 1/2 hours but I slept the whole way so I didn't even know.
Beaujolais Wine Region - France
Pics are as follows; Me and Geoff before first official party at 'the cave', highlight of my life, my pic (and bel) with Big brother winner from last year, Me and Bel at dinner (after a full day of picnicing and rose drinking!, the picnic baskets and wine all ready for us to go on our picnic, me and g at picnic, big building with people out front is Chateau de Cruix where we stayed, view from our bedroom window. Arrived in Beaujolais Wine Region the next night after another full day of driving (getting very sick of being on the bus!). Such a beautiful area, tuscan style houses all around, it's in the country so very quiet. Our room has a great view looking over vineyards. We stayed in the Chateau De Cruix which was just a huge very old chateau (had been a hostel, doctor's clinic, home, over the years, just to name a few). We had a wine appreciation class when we arrived, saw where the wine was made, learnt the process and got to try a drop. I purchased a bottle of sparkling white (not allowed to be called champagne becuase not made in that region) to take home and share with Ange, and a bottle of Rosè to have the following day at our picnic. Early night, everyone very tired.
The next day we had our first sleep in - so nice! We had brekkie then at 10am we all got into groups and got given huge picnic baskets with baguettes, huge slices of brie, ham, cucumber, bottles of water and chocolate bars, also a MAP. We were just left to it, it was about an hour walk to the picnic spot and then we just chilled and had our food, wine then headed back later that arvo. After a 2 hour nana-nap the bar opened and a big group of us just chilled out on the grass infront of the Chateau until dinner, great fun. Dinner then there was a party at " the cave" with one of the other contiki groups. Bel and I got our pic taken with Logan Greg from Big Brother last year. Our tour guide and bus driver dressed up as women, very funny so I got my pic taken with them also. Overall a fun night.
Contiki Begins - Paris
Pics are Eiffel Tower, Me and Geoff infront of Eiffel Tower, Dinner with contiki people and Missy outside Moulin Rougue. Contiki has begun, very fun so far. Our tour guide is awesome, knows so much stuff about all the places we are visiting so we are so lucky to get such a great guide! We spent the whole first day driving, we had a ferry ride across the Channel to France, saw the White cliffs of Dover, and got into Paris about 5.30. Experienced our first language barriers ordering (trying to) lunch. I was so glad i'd learnt french at school so I knew the basics. We did a night tour of Paris, was so beautiful all lit up, I was blown away by the eiffel tower, it was MASSIVE! I also really liked Notre Damn.
The next day we had a full day to ourselves in Paris. Went up the eiffel tower, more stunning at night. Caught the metro the the Arc de Triomphe and saw the crazy roundabout below (we acutally went on the roundabout on our coach the night before, fun, lots of screaming.) then walked down Champs-Elsyees to Place de la Concorde. Got a chocolate crepe, the food is so much better than NZ! It was a freshly made crépe with melted choc in it. YUM. Geoff had his Big Mac for lunch but I refused to eat McDonalds in Paris! We had a French Dinner that night with the whole group, it was disgusting and not worth the $70 we paid for it (it was one of the optional excersions but everyone did it). The only plus was a bottle of wine for each person was included in the price so we made sure we made the most of it. Got to know some people in our group (Geoff tried snails) then headed for our caberet show. It was amazing, topless dancers, gay men in makeup, but groovers! Great costumes. Geoff got picked to go up on stage to be a volunteer for the acrobat show, it was so funny! He even got a certificate at the end. We weren't allowed to take photos but one of the girls upstairs sneaked a video of him so we'll have to get a copy. Went clubbing in Paris after that, pics outside Moulin Rouge. At about 4am we decided we should head home after getting something to eat. No sign of kebab shops, starmart or subway like NZ, we had to go to go to a full on restaurant. Looking at the menu, after many drinks, it was written completely in French, the only things I knew were cheese and tomato so we had a great cheese and tomato pizza. Interesting cab ride home, we had our address scrawled on a scrap piece of paper which neither of us or the cab driver could read, didn't recognise any landmarks after a 20 min ride in the cab, started to stress a bit. Finally got there after the cab stopped about 4 times to ask directions. 37euro later, lovely Geoff shelled out. As it was we ended up leaving someone behind in Paris, lucky it wasn't us!
Sights
Have now settled a bit in London, we are not quite the tourists we were a few days ago, pointing and ogglying at everything! hehe. We now blend in a little more (well we like to think so anyway). Ange and Philip took the day off work yesterday to show us some sights. Went and saw the changing of the guards, which you have to do but is very boring. Also saw Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace (where changing of guards is, see pic with Me and Ange), Trafalgar Square, Leischester Square (sp??), Thames River. Had our first pub meal (I had fish 'n chips, with peas! and half a pint of Fosters. Thus beginith the Heathrow Injection!!!!!!) We met Tanz and Karl last night for some drinks at their local and then out for Mexican. It was so nice to see them and catch up. Saw their apartment SO FLASH!!! Today Geoff and I caught our first black cab. We had our meeting for contiki at 7pm SHARP and the tube stopped due to a suspect package found on the lines. We were only 4 stops away but we had no idea where to go and didn't have our A-Z so Geoff shelled out for a cab, was only £5 so not too bad. Off on contiki tomorrow 6am so you may not hear from us for a while as we will be busy partying. Keep the emails coming though. xxx
Welcome to London
Finally arrived in London after 21 hours of travelling, so nice to be here. The weather is a much nicer temperature than Thailand, I actually have worn pants and a jumper! Staying with Ange and Phillip (pic of them, and their house). So nice to catch up with them again and intend to get as much time in with them before they head back home.
Phuket Beach
Phi Phi
Visited 'Rock Hard a -go-go' for our second to last night in Phuket. Needless to say, was a bit of a disappointment. In the lonely planet it said 'suitable for couples and women can feel comfortable'. The boys got very bored, there were just girls in bikini's dancing around poles, well some of them. Most of them were checking their hair and makeup in the mirrors behind them and the others were just standing around chatting.
Went on a one day excursion to visit PhiPhi island today. We went snorkeling twice, once at Maya Bay and once at Monkey Bay (so many monkey's on the the beach), was definatley a highlight of Phuket. The water was so clear and warm, the fish were beautiful. Had lunch at PhiPhi resort, pretty average. After lunch we had free time so we paid 40bt each for a chair and umbrella, also took a dip in the ocean. I'm not much of a swimmer but it was devine! Thanks everyone for all your emails, sorry not enough time to reply back to you all but glad you are keeping an eye on the blog. So much easier than sending out big long emails. xx
Ban Thai Beach Resort
wow! what an awesome end to our trip in Thailand. This place rocks!! It is so incredibly flash, (especially compared to where we have been staying) and so cheap $35nz a night. On our arrival we got cool face cloths and a glass of juice, a bowl of mangoes, bananas, oranges in our room. King size bed, fantastic pool with a bar in the pool to have cocktails; they have great pina coladas. Air conditioned room is great because it's very hot here. We also have a balcony overlooking the pool (and other rooms, so not much privacy if you forget to pull the curtains!). Great buffet brekkie this morning. We will have a look around the night markets tonight, it's just too hot during the day to do much other than relax by/in the pool sipping cocktails and reading a good book.
Thai Kick Boxing
For our last night in Chiang Mai we went to a Thai Kick Boxing match, Tanz and I were a bit unsure of what to expect but thought since we were here we might as well experience it. It was 400bt to get in, which is quite expensive for things here but still only the price of going to the movies back home. It was a great atmosphere, lots of noise, lights and fantastic music which sounded like snake charming. The fighting was okay but there were kids as young as 5 fighting each other which was a bit disturbing, although they looked so cute in their gears!
Trekking
Pics; Top lady at first hill tribe weaving (black teeth), rafting, kids at first hill tribe, baby elephant, me and Geoff on elephant.
The cyclone that was due to hit passed overnight so we decided to do a one day trek afterall. Early start, got picked up at 8.30 and drove for an hour to elephant farm. We had a french couple with us who could speak english. Got to ride an elephant for an hour, very uncomfortable and a rocky ride. So much fun, you could buy bananas and when the elephant wants one he sticks his trunk back at you, if you don't give him one he blows stinky elephant breath at you! It was cool because Geoff and I were riding a mum elephant and her baby followed us around for the whole hour, very cute. (see pic). After that we visited a hill tribe, shocking living conditions! Very cute kids there, tried to sell us their necklaces they had made. All the ladys were weaving silk, they all had black teeth very gross. Apparently they eat a certain seed to make their teeth go black because they think that black teeth are stronger than white teeth. hmmm... We then went to a waterfall (nothing compared to nz scenery!) and followed by a half hour walk to another tribe. Much cleaner living conditions, laundry day so naked little kids running around. Very cute seeing (probably about 4 years old) kids washing their clothes. We then went to a 'restaurant' for lunch, (stall on side of the road) we were all a bit nervous but we got rice with a fried egg ontop with tofu, cucumber and carrot soup. After lunch we moved on to the last leg of the day; rafting. Our guide was awesome, he's been driving rafts for ten years and has never had a day off. We went 7 km, Geoff was our captain (at the back) and we got totally soaked (hopefully we don't get sick as i'm sure we all swallowed some water). Today was a holiday in Chiang Mai and there were heaps of locals having picnics, swimming and drinking along the banks of the river, all the kids splashed us, was very fun.
