I'm enjoying the free wifi in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport as I wait for my 4:45PM flight to Chicago and then finally back to St. Louis!!!
I had an absolute blast cruising with Erika's family for the past week.
On Saturday we left Ft. Myers around 8AM and drove through the Everglades to Miami. We reached the cruise port around 11:30 and then did our best to hide from Justin and Becky, lest we spoil the big surprise just before the trip. We found Erika's brother Adam and his girlfriend Lisa and then met some more of Justin's friends: Matt, Kendall, Ryan and Amanda.
We finally got on the Carnival Liberty just before 1:00 in the afternoon, got a quick lunch, and then joined everyone in hiding while Justin and Becky boarded and then Justin went on his scavenger hunt, ultimately leading him up to all of us on the top deck of the ship. Becky pulled off a remarkable surprise, more than a year in the making!!! That night we enjoyed a phenomenal dinner in the Diamond's Steakhouse on board.
Our first stop was on Sunday in Half Moon Cay, Carnival's private Caribbean island. The beach was the best that I've ever been to and the views were everything that you wanted from an island in paradise. We hung out in the crystal clear water until the mid afternoon and then took the tender back to the ship just before we were to set out for our deep Caribbean journey.
Monday was a sea day so we lounged around the ship, found some great reading spots, and enjoyed the many, many pools (and the waterslide) onboard. That night, Erika and I found the Alchemy Bar and the best bartender we've ever met - Dario. The Alchemy Bar is strictly a martini bar but instead of a typical drink order, picking something here was more like a consultation. Dario would take our likes and dislikes, think a little, and then use fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to put together the perfect drink. We liked it so much that we came back every night the rest of our trip. The last five nights, indeed, we brought Erika's entire family and our whole traveling party!
Tuesday we visited St. Thomas, though the port area was almost exclusively a large shopping mall. Instead of taking a taxi or a bus deeper into the island, we decided to stick around on the not-so-crowded ship and enjoy the pools and decks.
On Wednesday we had a long tour of San Juan. We first rode into the El Yunque Rainforest, the only rainforest within the US Forestry System. There, we climbed up a large tower for some great views of the island, and also climbed up a small waterfall. Afterwards we bussed back in to Old San Juan and saw the San Cristobal Fort that the Spanish built to protect Puerto Rico, the crown jewel of their Caribbean conquests.
Thursday we stopped early at the island of Grand Turk and enjoyed the beach and also Margaritaville. We got some great sun and surf and then went back to the ship as it departed at 3:00PM.
Finally, Friday was another sea day filled with exercise, pools, sleeping, and entertainment... and then packing.
I've had a fantastic and very lucky summer - traveling with the VGs, with Erika through Europe, and now with her family in the Caribbean. Thanks for following our journeys and have a great rest of the summer. I'm off to St. Louis, for a while, to catch up with my family.
All the best!
-Simon
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Back in the USA!
Erika and I are back in the States now!
We got into London at around 7pm on July 3rd and had one last dinner with our Contiki friends. Saying goodbye was very difficult - we definitely knew we were going to have a great time and see some amazing sights on our trip, but we didn't expect to make the amazing and, hopefully, lifelong friends that we made! You all have been wonderful and we cannot wait to visit you in Australia, and New Zealand, and South Africa, and England... and hope to host you in the States soon!
After leaving dinner we headed to Russel Square Station with Tania and Anthony. We said our goodbyes on the train and then navigated the Tube to Waterloo. From there, we took the train out to Feltham and finally arrived at our hotel, the St. Giles, around 10pm. Exhausted, we quickly got to sleep.
We woke up on the 4th at 5:30AM in order to catch the bus to Heathrow... something that proved quite difficult without pounds. After finding the only working ATM in Feltham, we managed to get to Heathrow almost three hours early and breezed through security.
Both of our flights went very smoothly and we got back in time to catch some great fireworks!
Here are some photos of our final few days - from Munich onwards:
Central Square in Munich
Erika on our bike tour of Munich
Surfers in the small river in Munich
Beautiful Bavarian architecture of Munich
Bavarian-Gothic church
Munich Beer Hall night
The Jewish Memorial at Dachau Concentration Camp
Bottle-Face: how we spent our time on the bus. Mikey is the reigning champion.
On the Charles Bridge in Prague
View from the Charles Bridge to the Prague Castle
In the Central Square of Old Town, Prague
The Astronomical Clock in Prague
Prague
In the Jewish Quarter in Prague
The Prague Castle
View from our paddle boats on the River
Erika and Simon on our Pub Crawl
Dresden
Dresden
Reconstructed Church at Dresden
A mural at the East Side Gallery on the Berlin Wall
At Museum Island in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gates in Berlin
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin
Another view of the memorial and the stellae
Berlin Wall Memorial
View of the Death Strip at the Berlin Wall Memorial
Edam - a small town in the Netherlands where we did a bike tour
Edam in the Netherlands
Canals in Amsterdam
View from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam - go there if you have a chance
More canals in Amsterdam
Thanks for reading!
-Simon
We got into London at around 7pm on July 3rd and had one last dinner with our Contiki friends. Saying goodbye was very difficult - we definitely knew we were going to have a great time and see some amazing sights on our trip, but we didn't expect to make the amazing and, hopefully, lifelong friends that we made! You all have been wonderful and we cannot wait to visit you in Australia, and New Zealand, and South Africa, and England... and hope to host you in the States soon!
After leaving dinner we headed to Russel Square Station with Tania and Anthony. We said our goodbyes on the train and then navigated the Tube to Waterloo. From there, we took the train out to Feltham and finally arrived at our hotel, the St. Giles, around 10pm. Exhausted, we quickly got to sleep.
We woke up on the 4th at 5:30AM in order to catch the bus to Heathrow... something that proved quite difficult without pounds. After finding the only working ATM in Feltham, we managed to get to Heathrow almost three hours early and breezed through security.
Both of our flights went very smoothly and we got back in time to catch some great fireworks!
Here are some photos of our final few days - from Munich onwards:
Central Square in Munich
Thanks for reading!
-Simon
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Amsterdam
We had a very fun two days in Amsterdam after our couple days in Berlin.
On our full day in Berlin we all took a long walking tour in the morning that took us past all of the sites - the TV Tower, Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gates and the Memorial to the Jewish Dead of the Holocaust. The memorial was one of the most moving places I have ever been and I felt claustrophobic, frightened, and humbled by the more than 1,000 massive cement stellae. In Berlin we also visited the Topography of Terror museum, set right in the former heart of the SS and Gestapo. The museum provided a remarkably honest and forthright account of the rise of the SS, German complacency during Hitler's ascension, and also the atrocities committed by the SS men. It was a harrowing thing to take in but I applauded current Germans for their support of this very necessary museum.
After visiting the museum we continued on to the Tiergarten and then finally walked past the Brandenburg Gates and back into the center of the city. Our night consisted of a very interesting pub crawl / historical story tour of the Berlin Wall remains and memorial. I cannot imagine how an entire city was rent in half by two warring sides but the memorial and our tour provided some remarkable accounts. Finally, the group started celebrating my birthday with a song on the Berlin metro as we headed to a club.
Yesterday we set out for Amsterdam quite early in the morning and we arrived around 7pm. After setting up our camp in record time we headed back into the city. We continued celebrating my birthday in the city for a little while before heading back in to get some much needed sleep.
Today, in our last full day with Contiki, Erika and I visited the Anne Frank House with several of our friends. It was a moving experience and I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who visits. The exhibits, alone, are worth a trip to Amsterdam. It is difficult to imagine the life that the Frank family had to lead during their years in hiding but the interactive museum, built from fragments of Anne's diary, does a fine job in painting the picture.
After we left we headed across dozens of canals and got a late lunch. We then set off for the famed Amsterdam flee markets, only to find most of them closing up. We hurried back through the Red Light District and quickly found our group near the train station. There, we met our coach driver, Cathal, for the last time as he will be leaving early tomorrow and we'll have a replacement driver take us back to London. We all headed to our last group dinner - a traditional Rice Table - an Indonesian buffet. Indonesia was once a Dutch Colony and the rice table flourished in the Netherlands.
Now we are all back at the campsite, excited to enjoy one last night together before we split up tomorrow. Erika and I, and many of the other campers, will be taking the coach back to London and then we're flying back to the US on Wednesday.
We'll see you all soon!
-Simon & Erika
On our full day in Berlin we all took a long walking tour in the morning that took us past all of the sites - the TV Tower, Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gates and the Memorial to the Jewish Dead of the Holocaust. The memorial was one of the most moving places I have ever been and I felt claustrophobic, frightened, and humbled by the more than 1,000 massive cement stellae. In Berlin we also visited the Topography of Terror museum, set right in the former heart of the SS and Gestapo. The museum provided a remarkably honest and forthright account of the rise of the SS, German complacency during Hitler's ascension, and also the atrocities committed by the SS men. It was a harrowing thing to take in but I applauded current Germans for their support of this very necessary museum.
After visiting the museum we continued on to the Tiergarten and then finally walked past the Brandenburg Gates and back into the center of the city. Our night consisted of a very interesting pub crawl / historical story tour of the Berlin Wall remains and memorial. I cannot imagine how an entire city was rent in half by two warring sides but the memorial and our tour provided some remarkable accounts. Finally, the group started celebrating my birthday with a song on the Berlin metro as we headed to a club.
Yesterday we set out for Amsterdam quite early in the morning and we arrived around 7pm. After setting up our camp in record time we headed back into the city. We continued celebrating my birthday in the city for a little while before heading back in to get some much needed sleep.
Today, in our last full day with Contiki, Erika and I visited the Anne Frank House with several of our friends. It was a moving experience and I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who visits. The exhibits, alone, are worth a trip to Amsterdam. It is difficult to imagine the life that the Frank family had to lead during their years in hiding but the interactive museum, built from fragments of Anne's diary, does a fine job in painting the picture.
After we left we headed across dozens of canals and got a late lunch. We then set off for the famed Amsterdam flee markets, only to find most of them closing up. We hurried back through the Red Light District and quickly found our group near the train station. There, we met our coach driver, Cathal, for the last time as he will be leaving early tomorrow and we'll have a replacement driver take us back to London. We all headed to our last group dinner - a traditional Rice Table - an Indonesian buffet. Indonesia was once a Dutch Colony and the rice table flourished in the Netherlands.
Now we are all back at the campsite, excited to enjoy one last night together before we split up tomorrow. Erika and I, and many of the other campers, will be taking the coach back to London and then we're flying back to the US on Wednesday.
We'll see you all soon!
-Simon & Erika
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Finishing Prague, then Dresden, now Berlin!
Yesterday we woke up pretty early, had some quick breakfast, and then took the coach into Prague. I had been looking forward to this stop ever since my cousin Irina visited and showed me her pictures. The wait was well worth it!
We were dropped off on the castle side of the river and crossed into central Prague. From there, we walked along the river to the remarkable Charles Bridge. This is a very ornate stone bridge with beautiful, detailed statues on both sides running up and down the bridge. Turning from the bridge we headed into the heart of Old Town and to the famed Astronomical Clock.
At this point Erika and I joined Rich and Anna-Michelle, two of our fellow campers, for a free walking tour with Tijo, our guide with New Europe. I can't recommend this tour highly enough! We went all around the Old Town, walked into the New Town, saw the Jewish District, and then finished at the Charles Bridge. After the 3 hour walking tour, we climbed up to the Prague Castle on the other side of the river.
On the way up we ran into a bunch of other Contiki folks and we all huffed and puffed our way up the mountain together. At the top we got some great views of Prague and also saw Europe's largest castle.
Afterwards, we went back down to ground level and people-watched at a park before going back to the river and jumping on a paddle boat with Rich and Anna-Michelle. It's one of those things that looks really fun but 5 minutes in you're exhausted and wondering what compelled you to rent it for an hour! Still, we had a great time and also physically ran into Anthony and Tania's boat (two other great fellow campers) on the river.
After the paddling Erika and I had a quick dinner at a local cafe and then headed back to the coach to change for the Prague Pub Crawl. We hit 4 different bars and then ended up at Central Europe's largest nightclub... but by the last stop our numbers were dwindling and our energy was in even lower supply. We took a taxi back at the end of the night and quickly fell asleep in our tents.
We woke this morning far too early (subjective) to pack up our belongings and tents and then eat breakfast. We then took down the rest of our campsite and the cook tent, loaded our supplies into the coach (much easier typed than done) and then made our way to Berlin, via a stop in Dresden for lunch.
My grandmother told me that Dresden was her favorite city in Europe and I can see why. Thought it was nearly completely destroyed by firebombing in World War II (why was it bombed so late in the war?!) the city has recovered remarkably and is a very interesting blend of new and old architecture. We only had a few hours in Dresden but the sights were excellent and our meal was also delicious!
At about 2:30 we got back on the coach and drove up to Berlin, getting in late in the afternoon. We headed right to East Side Wall gallery - a section of the Berlin Wall which was been given over to public artists. We walked up and down the wall section and then finally got back in the bus to head to our hostel. We'll definitely miss our tents... and the hostel is very hot... and it has very limited laundry facilities... and I am completely out of clothing. (Seriously, half of our group members were wearing the free shirts that we got at the pub crawl last night!) Maybe I miss the tent?
Tomorrow we have a full day in Berlin and then Sunday we're off to Amsterdam, our last spot.
Unfortunately the wifi is too spotty for photos but we'll certainly be putting them up on Facebook when we get a chance.
Cheers!
-Simon & Erika
We were dropped off on the castle side of the river and crossed into central Prague. From there, we walked along the river to the remarkable Charles Bridge. This is a very ornate stone bridge with beautiful, detailed statues on both sides running up and down the bridge. Turning from the bridge we headed into the heart of Old Town and to the famed Astronomical Clock.
At this point Erika and I joined Rich and Anna-Michelle, two of our fellow campers, for a free walking tour with Tijo, our guide with New Europe. I can't recommend this tour highly enough! We went all around the Old Town, walked into the New Town, saw the Jewish District, and then finished at the Charles Bridge. After the 3 hour walking tour, we climbed up to the Prague Castle on the other side of the river.
On the way up we ran into a bunch of other Contiki folks and we all huffed and puffed our way up the mountain together. At the top we got some great views of Prague and also saw Europe's largest castle.
Afterwards, we went back down to ground level and people-watched at a park before going back to the river and jumping on a paddle boat with Rich and Anna-Michelle. It's one of those things that looks really fun but 5 minutes in you're exhausted and wondering what compelled you to rent it for an hour! Still, we had a great time and also physically ran into Anthony and Tania's boat (two other great fellow campers) on the river.
After the paddling Erika and I had a quick dinner at a local cafe and then headed back to the coach to change for the Prague Pub Crawl. We hit 4 different bars and then ended up at Central Europe's largest nightclub... but by the last stop our numbers were dwindling and our energy was in even lower supply. We took a taxi back at the end of the night and quickly fell asleep in our tents.
We woke this morning far too early (subjective) to pack up our belongings and tents and then eat breakfast. We then took down the rest of our campsite and the cook tent, loaded our supplies into the coach (much easier typed than done) and then made our way to Berlin, via a stop in Dresden for lunch.
My grandmother told me that Dresden was her favorite city in Europe and I can see why. Thought it was nearly completely destroyed by firebombing in World War II (why was it bombed so late in the war?!) the city has recovered remarkably and is a very interesting blend of new and old architecture. We only had a few hours in Dresden but the sights were excellent and our meal was also delicious!
At about 2:30 we got back on the coach and drove up to Berlin, getting in late in the afternoon. We headed right to East Side Wall gallery - a section of the Berlin Wall which was been given over to public artists. We walked up and down the wall section and then finally got back in the bus to head to our hostel. We'll definitely miss our tents... and the hostel is very hot... and it has very limited laundry facilities... and I am completely out of clothing. (Seriously, half of our group members were wearing the free shirts that we got at the pub crawl last night!) Maybe I miss the tent?
Tomorrow we have a full day in Berlin and then Sunday we're off to Amsterdam, our last spot.
Unfortunately the wifi is too spotty for photos but we'll certainly be putting them up on Facebook when we get a chance.
Cheers!
-Simon & Erika
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Prague night 1
We got up early to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp and then drove all day to Prague. When we got here we set up camp, had some dinner, and are now watching the Spain-Portugal game.
Tomorrow we're heading into the city - the Old Town, Castle District, Jewish Quarter and more. Then, after dinner, we're having a pub crawl in the center city, which should be a blast.
We'll catch up with you all soon!
-Simon & Erika.
Tomorrow we're heading into the city - the Old Town, Castle District, Jewish Quarter and more. Then, after dinner, we're having a pub crawl in the center city, which should be a blast.
We'll catch up with you all soon!
-Simon & Erika.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Venice day 2!
After a really fun (and very late) night yesterday we woke up very early this morning but, somehow, the Venetian Sun refreshed us all and we were mostly up and energetic by 7:30AM breakfast. After eating and washing dishes we walked to the Fusina - the ferry service to Venice. We took the ferry over and were in Venice by 8:45.
Soon we did a walking tour with Sabina, our local guide from France (though she's lived in Venice for 30 years with her husband, a Venetian.) We saw all of the great sights - San Marco Square and Cathedral, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, and many of the famed canals and side alleys of Venice!
After the tour, Erika and I split off from the group to enjoy a day of getting lost and finding our own way around Venice. We walked in the direction of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal while searching for some gifts for friends and family (successful!) After that we crossed the big bridge and found a small Italian restaurant right on the canal. We took the closest seats to the water and enjoyed an absolutely delicious lunch - pesto pasta for me (amazing) and a ridiculously good ravioli plate for Erika.
We saw some of our friends after lunch and then continued walking in the markets around the Rialto Bridge. Around 2pm we headed back to San Marco Square to go inside the San Marco Cathedral. After wandering around some more and getting some great photos and atmosphere, we ascended the large tower in San Marco Square and got some great views of the island city from above - a really cool perspective!
After getting back down, we walked slowly to the ferry terminal on the far peninsula while taking in the last bits of Venice scenery before we headed back to our campsite. Now we're relaxing before dinner and then we have a big beach-themed party tonight with some of the other Contiki groups.
Catch you soon! Photos below:
The tower in San Marco Square.
The Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.
View of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge.
San Marco Square.
A gorgeous canal in the middle of Venice.
-Simon & Erika
Soon we did a walking tour with Sabina, our local guide from France (though she's lived in Venice for 30 years with her husband, a Venetian.) We saw all of the great sights - San Marco Square and Cathedral, the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, and many of the famed canals and side alleys of Venice!
After the tour, Erika and I split off from the group to enjoy a day of getting lost and finding our own way around Venice. We walked in the direction of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal while searching for some gifts for friends and family (successful!) After that we crossed the big bridge and found a small Italian restaurant right on the canal. We took the closest seats to the water and enjoyed an absolutely delicious lunch - pesto pasta for me (amazing) and a ridiculously good ravioli plate for Erika.
We saw some of our friends after lunch and then continued walking in the markets around the Rialto Bridge. Around 2pm we headed back to San Marco Square to go inside the San Marco Cathedral. After wandering around some more and getting some great photos and atmosphere, we ascended the large tower in San Marco Square and got some great views of the island city from above - a really cool perspective!
After getting back down, we walked slowly to the ferry terminal on the far peninsula while taking in the last bits of Venice scenery before we headed back to our campsite. Now we're relaxing before dinner and then we have a big beach-themed party tonight with some of the other Contiki groups.
Catch you soon! Photos below:
The tower in San Marco Square.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Venice!
Left Rome fairly early this morning and took the bus to our campsite just outside of Venice.
We've set up camp and are now getting ready for dinner - then we're watching the Spain-France game.
Tomorrow we're heading in for a full day in Venice!
We've set up camp and are now getting ready for dinner - then we're watching the Spain-France game.
Tomorrow we're heading in for a full day in Venice!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Roma day 2
Surprisingly fun day in Rome today! We woke up at a decent time and then headed in to the Vatican for a big tour. The site is absolutely beautiful but this was my first time traveling with a good guided tour so both Erika and I learned quite a lot, while also appreciating the remarkable sights of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
After the Vatican we aimed to head in and visit the Colosseum. When we arrived, however, we felt the brunt of a vicious comprehensive National Strike. First, the intra-city metro was closed as the workers were striking so we had to take taxis everywhere. Then, we when got to the Colosseum we found that it was closed... for the first time in thousands of days. We walked around the outside but were upset that we weren't able to get in.
Still, we tried to make the best out of a tough situation and we took cabs back to the Valle Aurelia train station and then took the regional train (luckily still running) into our campsite. There, we headed right to the pool. I've never enjoyed a swim more as it has been bordering on 100 F in Rome over the past few days.
We then had some great dinner, prepared by Cam, and then headed up to the bar to get some wifi and watch some Euro Cup football.
Tomorrow morning we're off to Venezia!!!! I cannot wait.
We'll be back soon!
After the Vatican we aimed to head in and visit the Colosseum. When we arrived, however, we felt the brunt of a vicious comprehensive National Strike. First, the intra-city metro was closed as the workers were striking so we had to take taxis everywhere. Then, we when got to the Colosseum we found that it was closed... for the first time in thousands of days. We walked around the outside but were upset that we weren't able to get in.
Still, we tried to make the best out of a tough situation and we took cabs back to the Valle Aurelia train station and then took the regional train (luckily still running) into our campsite. There, we headed right to the pool. I've never enjoyed a swim more as it has been bordering on 100 F in Rome over the past few days.
We then had some great dinner, prepared by Cam, and then headed up to the bar to get some wifi and watch some Euro Cup football.
Tomorrow morning we're off to Venezia!!!! I cannot wait.
We'll be back soon!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Updates from Florence... Now Rome!
Greetings from Rome!
On Tuesday our coach rolled out of Nice and headed off to beautiful Italy. We passed Genoa and then stopped quickly in Pisa to see the leaning tower before arriving at our campsite in Firenze (Florence). After a quick dinner we headed into town to go to the Red Garter bar, the oldest American bar in the city which is also conveniently famous for its karaoke scene. Naturally, I was far too excited. I did my best John Anderson impression and broke out "Sweet Caroline" before making way for our coach driver, Cathal, and his remarkable rendition of "Sexy and I Know It."
Yesterday we had a full day in Florence. After breakfast we drove into the city and went to Leonardo Leather Factory for a really interesting demonstration. Erika got me a very stylish and snazzy leather wallet for my upcoming birthday. We then had some gelatto and went on a walking tour of the city, stopping at the central square, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and finishing at the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi's architectural marvel. After the formal tour, Erika and I continued exploring in the 98 degree weather.
We then headed back to the campsite to change for our evening activities. First, we went to a great restaurant for an authentic Tuscan dinner - bruschetta, pastas galore, pizza and tiramisu... and lots and lots of wine.
Next we walked (some stumbled) to Space Electronic Disco and went HAM - we had a fantastic time dancing and singing into the night with all of our friends from our coach, and also enjoyed poking fun at the 16 year olds on EF tours who are in a bar for the first time in their lives.
We woke up early this morning after far too little sleep and took down our campsites, had breakfast, and then loaded our things into the coach. After a relatively short 4 and a half hour drive we were at our campsite in even-warmer Rome. We set up camp in 100 degree heat and then drove into Rome around 4:30pm. After fighting through traffic and a protest march we arrived at the Coliseum. We headed from there across Piazza Venezia to the Trevi Fountain, then the Spanish Steps, and finished at the Pantheon. Then we stopped for dinner at a local restaurant before continuing to Piazza Navona and then back to our coach for the drive home. Our drive, Cathal, and some of the stronger and taller guys on the coach pulled a small miracle as we navigated the far-too narrow streets near our campsite. They actually lifted a poorly parked small car and moved it closer to the curb so that we could get through, as the rest of us on the coach and many local onlookers applauded.
We're now back at the campsite enjoying the first good wifi we've had all trip. Continue on for some picture updates of what we haven't been able to put up yet!
- Erika & Simon
The White Cliffs of Dover from our Ferry to Calais.
Statue of TJ in Paris.
View of the Arc de Triomphe.
View of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Thanks Becky for the suggestion!
On the drive from Paris to Lauterbrunnen we drove by these lakes in between the Alps.
View of a cliff-waterfall from our campsite in Lauterbrunnen.
View of the Alps from our campsite in Lauterbrunnen.
View of the Alps as we ascended the cog railway.
At Jungfrauroch - the Alps.
Contiki tradition is to get down to a bathing suit in the Alps. It actually didn't feel cold at all up there.
Jungfrau Mountain.
Nice, France. View from The Chateau.
View of Monaco.
Erika rocking the Karaoke in Florence at the Red Garter.
The Ponte Vecchio, Florence.
Florence at dusk - view from the lookout above the city.
The Duomo in Florence.
Space Electronic Disco with Seamus
Our campsite here in Rome.
The Colosseum.
Trevi Fountain.
On Tuesday our coach rolled out of Nice and headed off to beautiful Italy. We passed Genoa and then stopped quickly in Pisa to see the leaning tower before arriving at our campsite in Firenze (Florence). After a quick dinner we headed into town to go to the Red Garter bar, the oldest American bar in the city which is also conveniently famous for its karaoke scene. Naturally, I was far too excited. I did my best John Anderson impression and broke out "Sweet Caroline" before making way for our coach driver, Cathal, and his remarkable rendition of "Sexy and I Know It."
Yesterday we had a full day in Florence. After breakfast we drove into the city and went to Leonardo Leather Factory for a really interesting demonstration. Erika got me a very stylish and snazzy leather wallet for my upcoming birthday. We then had some gelatto and went on a walking tour of the city, stopping at the central square, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and finishing at the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi's architectural marvel. After the formal tour, Erika and I continued exploring in the 98 degree weather.
We then headed back to the campsite to change for our evening activities. First, we went to a great restaurant for an authentic Tuscan dinner - bruschetta, pastas galore, pizza and tiramisu... and lots and lots of wine.
Next we walked (some stumbled) to Space Electronic Disco and went HAM - we had a fantastic time dancing and singing into the night with all of our friends from our coach, and also enjoyed poking fun at the 16 year olds on EF tours who are in a bar for the first time in their lives.
We woke up early this morning after far too little sleep and took down our campsites, had breakfast, and then loaded our things into the coach. After a relatively short 4 and a half hour drive we were at our campsite in even-warmer Rome. We set up camp in 100 degree heat and then drove into Rome around 4:30pm. After fighting through traffic and a protest march we arrived at the Coliseum. We headed from there across Piazza Venezia to the Trevi Fountain, then the Spanish Steps, and finished at the Pantheon. Then we stopped for dinner at a local restaurant before continuing to Piazza Navona and then back to our coach for the drive home. Our drive, Cathal, and some of the stronger and taller guys on the coach pulled a small miracle as we navigated the far-too narrow streets near our campsite. They actually lifted a poorly parked small car and moved it closer to the curb so that we could get through, as the rest of us on the coach and many local onlookers applauded.
We're now back at the campsite enjoying the first good wifi we've had all trip. Continue on for some picture updates of what we haven't been able to put up yet!
- Erika & Simon
The White Cliffs of Dover from our Ferry to Calais.
The Casino in Monaco - of Casino Royale fame.
Erika rocking the Karaoke in Florence at the Red Garter.
The Duomo in Florence.
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