Lovely London

So I've just gotten back from a lovely couple of nights in London. Staying with Margaret In her gorgeous flat I went and saw Wicked at the Apollo theatre on Saturday night. It was fantastic yet again!!  Great seat too, I had the songs running through my head all weekend. Then on Sunday, it was raining of course, so we went towards the Thames, had lunch in a nice little groovy cafe then I spent the afternoon at the Tower of London! I wandered around, listened to a little talk, and of course. I saw the Crown Jewels!! It was a pretty surreal afternoon! Then off home for a lovely home cooked meal and a spot of Downton Abbey! Then I was off for a bit of Oxford st shopping yesterday, amongst one of the busiest shopping streets on the world, I got rather tired after not too long. Visited the Disney shop of course.  But sadly there were no purchases as I have no room left :( very sad... Now I'm back at school until we start half term next week, then onto Ireland and Scotland!  

Wicked!! 

Tower of London 

Disney shop!!

very much behind the times…

so yes, its been quite a while since i last wrote. I think my last one was just after i finished my four weeks through Europe with Immi. Then mother arrived! I had to find my way to Bristol to pick her up then we visited Bath. Went to the Roman Baths and had a quick bite to eat before trying to find our way to Wells. We walked through Wells Cathedral quickly and then had to get home so we could go have our pub meal down the road. By nine that night mum was asleep, due to jetlag of course. Sunday we got up nice and early to head out to Highclere castle. For those of you who don’t know, this is where they film the amazing series of Downton Abbey!! yes i really went there. The actual castle looks a lot smaller than i expected, but was still amazing. We did the tour through the house, seeing all the actual furniture that they use for the show. walked through some of the rooms, but now i really want to watch all of the series again just so i have a better image of it! because i went here! the grounds are gorgeous. rolling hills, flowers, gardens, hedges everything you can imagine. And even the chair Lady Mary always goes and sits on outside when she is upset! After a couple hours there we then headed towards stone henge. this year i must have driven past it at least 7 times, but we finally stopped off and did the little audio tour which was pretty cool. Back to school that night for a small BBQ gathering with a few people from school so mum could put names to faces finally.

Then we were off to London! i do love London, but i dont think i could ever live there. its mighty expensive…We went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Visited good old Harrods, cycled around Hyde Park and stopped off at Kensington Palace. The palace was pretty big, and was holding an exhibition of the Queens, her sister Margaret and Dianas clothes. so we saw some of their actual dresses that they had worn! The next day we got on a hop on hop off bus, to take us around the big city that is london! Saw the changing of the guard again, except this time it wasnt snowing, but rather 30 degrees instead. We said hello to the Queen from her window, waved to Big Ben and Westminster and went up the all too famous London Eye! I was fine, and mother was too, even though she refused to stand at the edge of our little bubble. A river ride across to the tower of london then led us to the tube to get back ready for…. Jersey Boys!! a definite must see if your in London. The music and singing was amazing! we were on such a high after it finished we went to another show the next night!

The next day we finished our bus tour and ended up at covent garden to meet Nana Maggie, or Margaret. We had a lovely lunch and walk around the markets there, bought our next show tickets and then ventured to Victoria to se… Billy Elliot! it was so good too! so you should all see it too! After some very busy and full on days we were absolutely shattered when it came to packing at 11am that night as we had to be up at 5 the next morning to get to Gatwick in time for our flight to Norway!

Norway for two weeks, all over the place, rain, sun and lots of money. We went to Norway for mums work schedule. It ended up being a very busy two weeks, more for mum than me, but i was still catching up on sleep from the four weeks previous. We landed in Oslo, taxied into the city. Got picked up for lunch, i ate reindeer! then mum had a show that night. Next morning flew to Alta. Now if you look this up on a map, you’ll see we flew just about the length of the country. at this point we were about as far away from home as you possibly could be. Staying in Alta for four nights, we soon discovered there wasnt actually that much to do. thank goodness they dont dub all of their tv shows there! otherwise it would have been horrid! as i basically had 3 days off, i walked around a little bit the first day. Then got driven by a lady’s daughter to a canyon. Where i ate more reindeer, whilst sitting on a reindeer skin in a traditional teepee with a Native woman. It was all a bit weird. Then the next day we were showed around a bit more, and we saw real reindeer! that was pretty cool, they look really fake, but they were moving so they were real. Anyway, then we were off again, two planes later we ended up in Tronheim, one night there then took us to Tynset. A very quaint little town which has the biggest sled in Europe, or the world. not sure, but on of the two. Alot of the houses have grass on their rooves. How do they cut the grass you ask? apparently they mow it, but don’t ask me how. A train ride then a another plane and we end up in Bergen. Bergen was really nice, a big port for tourists on cruises. There were two ships in when we were there, so they jacked up all the prices on the waterfront. i went up the Florien, which took me to a great height where i could see all of Bergen. A bit like going up Mt wellington, but just in 7 minutes. Then it rained, so the next day i went to the Aquarium! saw the sea lion show, and wandered around all of the animals. Apparently they have 2 homosexual penguins that now have their own kid. but i couldnt pick them, so cant say ive seen them. i then did a bus tour, which took me around, as it was freezing and i was frozen.

Another two planes and we were in Bodo. Saw some sort of famous Whirlpool that wasnt whirling, but i went to the spot so that cunts yeah? One more flight and we got to Oslo again. Where this time i was showed around, so i saw a bit more of the city, had a lovely lunch on the waterfront before heading back to help mum with her show that night. i helped her in most of her show and tells too, which included holding up and showing off her quilts and what not.

then we were off to our 24 hours in Paris. Mum hadnt been before, but it was my third time so i knew everything. We managed to do what most people do in five days, in just twelve hours. never been so tired in my life. visited the Arc de triomphe, mum went up whilst i sat at the bottom. Then lunch on the Champs Elsyses. visited the outside and foyer area of the Louvre, just so mum knew she was so close to Mona, but we didnt have time to see her. Then walked along the seine, over all the bridges and arrived at Notre dame. Went in and had a look around. Then we were off to the Eiffel Tower, but first a cruise down the Seine as night started falling. Dinner was just around the corner, so we saw the tower sparkle as we ate. The we queued for an almighty nearly 2 hours to go up the tower. We saw the city by night, all lit up and shining. Then we were off back to the hotel. In bed by one to get up for a train ride in the morning.

Switzerland was next. It wasnt long before we had crossed the boarder and arrived at Basel. i Met up with Essie for an afternoon, which was nice. We talked for hours before mum came and met up with us for dinner. Then there was one more flight back to England. But wait, we still had time for a quick trip to Windsor Castle! Yes we managed to fit it all in. A nice walk around the castle, we saw some guards and bought some last souvenirs. Then back to Heathrow where i headed in to London and mum headed home.

And all that happened nearly 6 weeks ago! ive been straight back into work. New school year here so its been busy busy. Went to Oxford for a night on one weekend off, which was nice. Did a walking tour and some shopping. Saw where some Harry Potter was filmed before coming home again to work some more! This weekend im going to London for two nights to Visit Nana Maggie again, go see another show and hopefully go to the tower of London. Ive applied for Uni, so now just have to wait until december. Booked my half term trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now need to move onto my five nights in Rome before i arrive home in the land of AUS! i cannot wait for christmas now, literally counting down the days. i’ve had a great year but i think im ready to go home now, especially since everyone else that has been travelling are on their way home now.

anyway so thats me, think im all up to date now! dont have any photos of when i was with mum as we took them all on her camera, which she took home, so you can pester her for them.

Talk soon

Molly xx

 

Downton!!

After 33 days...

Yes so I'm back after 33 days, 11 countries, 25 trains, 15 hostels and lots of sun! 

After we left Prague we headed to Krakow, Poland. Getting in pretty late at night, we then had to get sorted for the next morning as we were heading to Auschwitz. One if the biggest concentration camps the world has ever seen. It was a very interesting and hard day. Our guide told us so much, it was alot to take in as we walked around the two camps. We entered the building where they were forced to sleep, torrure chambers, stood in front of the death wall. We also entered the first chamber, it was so hard to comprehend the mass amounts of human beings that were murdered inside. Seeing two tonnes of human hair was slightly disturbing and tiny kids shoes. 

Afterwards we heading to Vienna, Austria next. I really liked Vienna and would love to see more of Austria. We spent most if the morning at Schonbrunn Palace. This was where Marie Antoinette was born. After walking around the palace and just visiting the first floor with 40 rooms, it really does intrigue me how anyone could possibly need such a large house! 

We walked around the city for a while, saw all of the huge and amazing buildings. Home to all of the different museums centred in Vienna. We walked down to the river and ate tea on some steps and watched the sun go down, gee that sounds romantic! Oh and there were heaps of jumping fish, everywhere!!  

Next city was Budapest, Hungary! Hot once again, but we walked up to the castle and old town area. Lots of reconstruction going in everywhere so it was hard to picture everything as it should be. The tiling on the churches was pretty cool, strong reds and yellows in colour. We walked across the oldest bridge and went towards the Houses of Parliament. It's all being redone so actually couldn't see much at all!! 

One last train, number 25, meant we finally ended up in Zagreb, Croatia. Only 2 hours later after our first ever border control passport check. It was not an amusing train ride, standing for nearly 3 hours as well didn't help. 

Imogen and I parted at the station, me onwards to my hostel for the night, she on her overnight train. Yesterday I travelled for about 12 hours, including trams, buses, planes and trains! 

So after a very full on 4 weeks, learning alot more about the world and myself I'm now awaiting mums arrival in England tomorrow!! Can't wait, we head to London on Monday and then off to Norway on Thursday. 

Thank you Imogen for letting me travel with you! And for reading the maps :D

Blown up Gas chamber at Auschwitz 

The carriage they would arrive in

Riverside in Vienna

Schonbrunn palace

That's me!!

Budapest by night

Our last night together in Europe!

Oh and the new additions to the family at home! 

Talk soon!! 

Molly xx

Heading East

So we have passed through Germany and are now in Prague, ready to head to Krakow tomorrow. Our overnight train to Munich was better than the first, mainly because I had a bed! I slept pretty well apart from the continuous snoring above me by old mate. We arrived in Munich at around seven in the morning then walked around for about two. It was early on a Saturday morning so all of the market stalls were being set up. Fresh produce, herbs and slices, meats, cheese and everything you could imagine! The train to Berlin then took another 7 hours so we arrived mid afternoon into extreme heat, yet again! We found the hostel which happened to be about ten degrees warmer due to lack of ventilation! So it was hot, very hot. 

Berlin was amazing though. The history behind the city was so interesting and fascinating considering so much of it has happened within the last century. Most of it was hard to believe or even try to put yourself in someone's situation at that time. We started in the square in the famous gate. Next to it was the hotel which Michael Jackson dangled his kid out of! I had no idea it was in Berlin. Anyway, we walked along to the Holocaust memorial which was unbelievable. Architecturally it is one of the most different memorials I've seen, but so fascinating. No one knows why it was designed how it was, so it really is left up to interpretation. Some day it represents the graves of the murdered Jews, but to cover the 6 million deaths you would need 2000 memorial sites. The walking tour took us around the east side of Berlin, to all the monuments. We also stood on top of hitlers bunker also where he commuted suicide. There is no memorial here though, as they don't want him to have one. I really loved Berlin, based on its history you could easily spend a week there! 

Next as moved onto Prague! Train number 18 if I've counted correctly. Prague is beautiful. So many different styles of architecture it is pretty amazing. I didn't know anything about the history here but after the walking tour I've learnt a bit! Our guide was Australian and put in some good humour too, which made the tour all the more interesting. The bridge connecting us to the old town is covered in artists, beggars and musical acts. We visited the John Lennon Wall, which he started, now a huge graffiti wall! 

Tomorrow we are off to Krakow, Poland for two nights to visit Auschwitz. Tomorrow is one week to go until I get back to school and leave my Europe travels with Immi! 

Holocaust memorial 

Prague from the Charles bridge

The Astronomical tower. One of the most overrated tourist attractions in Europe!

 

John Lennon Wall

Seeya 

Molly xx

Time flies

Yes time does fly when your travelling around Europe! Over half way of my mini travel around with just two weeks left to go. We are currently in Amsterdam the multicultural capital. It has the highest range of people from different countries, if that makes sense! 

After Bruges we headed to Brussels but stopped off at Ghent along the way. Coincidentally we arrived in Ghent on the last day of their ten day festival. Basically all the streets were lined with live music, pop up bars, street food and much more. It was great! Probably my favourite place in Belgium. We also visited a castle which had a display of weapons from the medieval times and also all forms of torture, it was pretty cool. Waffles again of course, what else would you eat in Belgium?!?

We spent two nights in Brussels after we left Bruges. It rained nearly all day when we were there! But we managed to spend a whole day wandering the city. We visited 'the pissing boy'. Which to be honest was a bit underwhelming. I expected him to be much bigger! We visited some churches and old bookshops that were hidden around the many little streets filled with cafe's and boutiques. For a nice view from the top of a carpark! And we went to the cinema and saw Monsters University!! Because it was raining we decided it was a great idea, and that it was!! 

After Brussels it was off to Antwerp we go! Antwerp was also a nice city. Reminded me a little of Hobart, probably nothing like it at all but it was nice. By then we were pretty much dead. Legs so sore from walking, lack of sleep because of snorers and being kept up at night is what you should expect when travelling across Europe. But we managed to make the most of it! We visited a few more churches, the big square, the riverside and went down into an eighty year old tunnel that took you from one side if the river to the other! It was cold and smelt a bit but we did get a pretty nice view of the city from the other side! 

And finally, Amsterdam! We arrived here at around 11 am, came to the hostel to drop our stuff off before going exploring! We decided to wander the main streets before heading down to the ruks museum. It was a beautiful building that had been under renovation for ten years apparently. It featured work from Van Gogh, Vermeer, Rembrandt and lots more. I took a photo with the all too famous 'I Amsterdam' letters and we got ice cream by the museum. The heat warmed up alot as we came further north so our came the sunscreen again! Tomorrow we are off to Anne Franks house! Which I am pretty excited about. Bike rides around the city too as we'll as stopping off at some markets along the way. 

Got a night train tomorrow night to Munich to then change to get to Berlin where we will be for 3 nights!! 

Unfortunately I have been a bit slack and haven't taken any more photos on my phone! So you will have to wait instead! 

See you later! 

Molly xx

3 countries 4 days

So it's been a few days but we've managed to leave Spain, Stay In Paris and arrive in Bruges, Belgium! 

We left San Sebastián on Friday to arrive in Paris at about 7pm. With a quick rush on the underground we arrived at Gare du Nord station to then find our hostel in the sweltering heat! Eventually we found it and then rushed off to quickly say hi to Mona Lisa! Yes I saw her and I had a photo as we got in free because it was a Friday. So I can now say I have been to the louvre, even though it was probably 20 mins max I have still been there! Anyway back to Mona, she was framed in a glass frame hung in the wall. Luckily there was no line up so I just walked up, said hi, took a photo and admired Da Vinci's work. Her eyes truly are piercing and she just follows you wherever you go. It was pretty surreal to stand in the same room as her! But after all the mad rush to get there we then rushed off to the Eiffel Tower to meet some friends. Crepes and ice cream in hand, we sat and watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour. It was great catching up with others to hear about their travelling stories and where everyone had been. Getting back to the hostel at 2 am did not leave us much time to sleep before getting up nice and early for... DISNEYLAND! 

Yes so I finally got there and experienced the magic that Disney provides! Getting up at 6.30 am wasn't the nicest feeling but knowing it was for a good reason. We arrived at 10am just as it opening and I was literally just overwhelmed with excitement and joy. Listening to the music as we walked up to the gates just made us smile. We entered the Walt Disney park first and went on a few rides, all of which were great! Then we headed or to the Disneyland Park to catch up with some princesses, walk down main at USA and of course experience all that was offered! Ride after ride meant standing on our feet for 10 hours straight!  

Our favourites were the roller coasters in the dark and the nemo ride as we flowed down the east Australian current! But my overall favourite part of the day was definitely the parade! I had never felt so happy before, words cannot describe how I felt. We saw Ariel and prince Phillip, Rapunzel and Flynn, Simba, Peter Pan and so many more!! We very slowly and painfully made our way out of the park to catch the bus back into Paris. 

And today we were up nice and early again to make our way to Bruges, Belgium. We got here a bit before twelve and basically just wandered the streets all afternoon. Had waffles of course, which were actually so so good. The amour of chocolate shops is ridiculous, every second window is full with delicious treats to tempt you into buying more! For tea we had pomme frites, the double fried chips Belgium is popular for! I must say the weather deceived me today, being cooler I didn't out any sunscreen and consequently am paying the price of burning skin! 

So tomorrow we are off to Brussels, the European capital, but before we are stopping off at Ghent. A similar town to Bruges but not as touristy. Two nights in Brussels before Antwerp for a night then to Amsterdam. Busy busy next two and a half weeks before mum arrives!! Yay!! 

The louvre was popular on a Friday night

By night it's gorgeous

Sparkling!! 

Baloo!

Ariel!

Bruges

Waffles! 

Anyway, very tired now! 

Molly xx

Food, Sun and Beach in San Sebastián

So we arrived in San Sebastián on Wednesday after our overnight train from Portugal. Not the best experience on the train, A group of Frenchmen decided it was fine to drink all night long and keep everyone up until 3 or 4 in the morning. The seats weren't the most comfortable either, but hey I'm not complaining! At least my train managed to stay on the tracks... 

We arrived in San Sebastián at around 11 am which left us time to find our hostel and check in then we were off to explore. We went to the old part of town which is full of bars and pastry shops and delicious food. Then we couldn't resist any longer, and we got in the water! For not so much of a beach and salt water lover, I quite enjoyed a dip in the warm water then a little sun bake, until it all got a bit got again and I had to leave before I ended up as a tomato. 

For dinner and lunch we have been eating Pintox ( if that is how you spell it I'm not sure!). Basically just finger food that you choose from a huge selection that's up on the bar counter. Things like goats cheese, cars slides onion, prosciutto and bread all together in a mix of goodness!! Although its testing out budget we did really come here for the amazing Spanish food, then we will be back in a budget once we leave! 

Today involved a walk up the 'mountain' to get to the top and look at the view. It was a struggle in the heat and the sweat but eventually we made it. Then we went for some lunch in old town, watched some street buskers. There seem to be a lot here with very interesting acts. There was a man dressed as a baby in a pram as well as another man with his head popping out if a table, all very interesting. We then headed back for a light rest during the warmest park of the day, as it was very muggy and overcast before heading back out to walk to another point. This point was a bit like a blowhole with rock pipes coming up from underneath and you would get a full face of air! Luckily no water!! Dinner was yet again Pintox followed by ice cream and a nice casual walk back to the hostel before packing up to leave tomorrow. 

We head up to Paris for two nights! Hopefully will quickly say hi to Mona Lisa tomorrow night before heading to the Eiffel Tower to meet up with some travelling friends then onto Disneyland on Saturday!! Very excited! 

So a good couple of days in San Sebastián and my first taste of Spain. The beginning of what's meant to be a tan could be appearing, fingers crossed!! 

The beach, 2 mins walk from the hostel

Much darker day today

View from the top

Street acts

Sweets to die for! 

Over and out

Molly xx