Amsterdam
Clogs!!
Netherlands - Edam
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Toast Festival
I went to a festival called Toast on Saturday. It was a kiwi festival, celebrating everything kiwi!! I paid £5 for a NZ lamb and mint-sauce burger, that’s almost $15 for a burger, but I would do it again, I didn’t realize how much I missed NZ meat... by the way, all donations of meat from NZ greatly appreciated!! Just throw it in an envelope and send it this way!! :) For sale were t-shirts for Africa with Kiwi designs, Tim Tams, Minties, Grainwaves, not to mention the Monteiths and Speights, and kiwi wine. Appearances by Dan Carter and Zin Zan Brooke and Opshop and Supergroove played!! Scorpi-oprpi-orpio Girl!!! It was a fantastic day out, I say day as we started drinking around midday... :) Good times!
But the biggest thing I realised was how amazing it was to see the turnout and the pride and enthusiasm everyone had for everything from home. Practically everyone had a piece of ‘kiwiana’ on be it a ‘next Palmy mayor’ t-shirt to greenstone and bone carvings as far as the eye could see. Its an amazing culture here, there is no Pakeha, Maori or Polynesian, everyone is just ... Kiwi, and we proudly display New Zealand like walking billboards with our clothing, jewelry, bags, blow up kiwis, hats and yes even the tricky art of wearing flags. It is not so much where you come from as it is an identity that we all relate to, we are kiwis and we are proud of it. It makes you realise if all the expats went home the culture of New Zealand would be for the better.
We are all so far from home, its nice to be in a room with people whom you can relate... and mourn the loss of Snifters, Tangy Fruits and Sparkles together.
But the biggest thing I realised was how amazing it was to see the turnout and the pride and enthusiasm everyone had for everything from home. Practically everyone had a piece of ‘kiwiana’ on be it a ‘next Palmy mayor’ t-shirt to greenstone and bone carvings as far as the eye could see. Its an amazing culture here, there is no Pakeha, Maori or Polynesian, everyone is just ... Kiwi, and we proudly display New Zealand like walking billboards with our clothing, jewelry, bags, blow up kiwis, hats and yes even the tricky art of wearing flags. It is not so much where you come from as it is an identity that we all relate to, we are kiwis and we are proud of it. It makes you realise if all the expats went home the culture of New Zealand would be for the better.
We are all so far from home, its nice to be in a room with people whom you can relate... and mourn the loss of Snifters, Tangy Fruits and Sparkles together.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Photos from Contiki Part 2
Venice
Corfu, Greece
Sunrise in Greece
Pompeii
Trivi Fountain
Colosseum
Rome
St Pauls
Florence
Fake David
Pisa
The Chateau we stayed at in France
Corfu, Greece
Sunrise in Greece
Pompeii
Trivi Fountain
Colosseum
Rome
St Pauls
Florence
Fake David
Pisa
The Chateau we stayed at in France
Monday, September 15, 2008
Photos from Contiki Part 1
Beach and town of Nice
Beaujelais Wine Region France
The Grand Casino, Monaco
Mona Lisa
Me and the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triumph
Monday, September 01, 2008
Tea with the Queen
Mum and I went to Buckingham Palace today to take a look through the Queens pad.
We went through the state rooms and the banquet room all laid out like it would for a state banquet. Gold and silver... complete with 6 glasses each!!! Talk about over the top!!
After walking through the palace we took a leisurely stroll through the gardens, straight to the gift shop :) nothing like a £5 key ring to top off your day!
After being asked AGAIN what part of Australia I’m from, Mum and I went and had a pub lunch then home for mum to pack to get out to the airport on time.
With Mum leaving, Lindsay being in Europe and no more travel planned for a while, home sickness has started to kick in. for those that don’t know, it is this overwhelming impulse to jump on the next plane home, which is difficult seeing them fly over work to Heathrow everyday. Everything is easier at home, traveling anywhere, work, socializing all easier at home… London is another way of life I suppose, but that doesn’t help a whole lot.
Homesickness is not knowing how to get exactly where you want to go without asking or looking at your trusty A-Z. It’s being given directions to places which involve turn left after the third McDonalds. Homesickness is not knowing where to go for a few drinks, what time they stop letting you in or what time they close. Its having to put aside an entire day to have coffee with a friend. It’s knowing exactly where you stand at your job, or knowing exactly what’s expected of you! It’s not being surrounded by family and friends and having to stand on your own two feet...
We went through the state rooms and the banquet room all laid out like it would for a state banquet. Gold and silver... complete with 6 glasses each!!! Talk about over the top!!
After walking through the palace we took a leisurely stroll through the gardens, straight to the gift shop :) nothing like a £5 key ring to top off your day!
After being asked AGAIN what part of Australia I’m from, Mum and I went and had a pub lunch then home for mum to pack to get out to the airport on time.
With Mum leaving, Lindsay being in Europe and no more travel planned for a while, home sickness has started to kick in. for those that don’t know, it is this overwhelming impulse to jump on the next plane home, which is difficult seeing them fly over work to Heathrow everyday. Everything is easier at home, traveling anywhere, work, socializing all easier at home… London is another way of life I suppose, but that doesn’t help a whole lot.
Homesickness is not knowing how to get exactly where you want to go without asking or looking at your trusty A-Z. It’s being given directions to places which involve turn left after the third McDonalds. Homesickness is not knowing where to go for a few drinks, what time they stop letting you in or what time they close. Its having to put aside an entire day to have coffee with a friend. It’s knowing exactly where you stand at your job, or knowing exactly what’s expected of you! It’s not being surrounded by family and friends and having to stand on your own two feet...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Latest Travels
Went up to North England on Friday night, to Harrogate. Mum was up there visiting a friend so decided to crash their party for the weekend.
Yorkshire was very beautiful, lots of field of differing shades of green separated by dry rock walls built by hand hundreds and hundreds of years ago, that’s talent. Its very difficult still, to get your head around that some of the buildings were built before the first white person settled in New Zealand.
The roads are exactly out of a movie with the narrow lanes (just wide enough to fit a smart car down them) and walls on either side covered in climber… me sitting in the back of the car in a state of hysteria in case we meet any oncoming cars… of which we did, and several tractors!!!
It was a great day out in the Yorkshire dales visiting little villages and seeing the country side, complete with the traffic jam due to on coming … sheep!
I had my very first bank holiday on Monday… now nothing until Christmas!! *sigh* But Mum and I did a day tour to Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge. HUGE day with not enough time spent at any of the destinations, but was great if you needed to jam it all into one day. But going to have to go back…
Windsor Castle is a great place the town seems to be very quaint, although it was a bit of a blur as we raced through it to get to the castle. The castle itself is kinda what I expected, lots of portraits of creepy looking people and their animals and dead animals in one case… go figure?? Fair amount of gaudy gilt, all very ostentatiousness. Quite a bit of gold, in the form or cups and statues, plus some amour and lots and lots and lots of weapons mounted on high walls, muskets, swords, etc etc
Then onto Bath, another lovely town, but with no time to see it… we went through the Bath House, now museum, which was very interesting to see how the Romans laid it all out utilizing the hot springs, lead floors and all! Bet that was healthy.
After Bath we ventured onto Stonehenge. I always thought it would be in this huge field and you can’t see it till you walk over a grassy knoll and it appears magnificently on the horizon. In reality it is in a field, but is flanked by two semi-major highways, which you drive past Stonehenge to get to the parking lot on the other side of the road. Don’t get me wrong it is spectacular and to be able to wander around these huge rocks for about an hour is amazing but the amount of traffic driving past is crazy, not to mention they are endangering the foundations of the Stones. The vibrations from the traffic are moving the stones and putting them at risk of falling. They propose to build a tunnel (which create more vibration) and make people walk 2 miles to get to Stonehenge hence creating my ‘walking over the grassy knoll to see it on the horizon’ view! NICE :)
Back to work this week with a day off on tomorrow to spend some time with Mum before she flies out tomorrow night.
CU
Yorkshire was very beautiful, lots of field of differing shades of green separated by dry rock walls built by hand hundreds and hundreds of years ago, that’s talent. Its very difficult still, to get your head around that some of the buildings were built before the first white person settled in New Zealand.
The roads are exactly out of a movie with the narrow lanes (just wide enough to fit a smart car down them) and walls on either side covered in climber… me sitting in the back of the car in a state of hysteria in case we meet any oncoming cars… of which we did, and several tractors!!!
It was a great day out in the Yorkshire dales visiting little villages and seeing the country side, complete with the traffic jam due to on coming … sheep!
I had my very first bank holiday on Monday… now nothing until Christmas!! *sigh* But Mum and I did a day tour to Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge. HUGE day with not enough time spent at any of the destinations, but was great if you needed to jam it all into one day. But going to have to go back…
Windsor Castle is a great place the town seems to be very quaint, although it was a bit of a blur as we raced through it to get to the castle. The castle itself is kinda what I expected, lots of portraits of creepy looking people and their animals and dead animals in one case… go figure?? Fair amount of gaudy gilt, all very ostentatiousness. Quite a bit of gold, in the form or cups and statues, plus some amour and lots and lots and lots of weapons mounted on high walls, muskets, swords, etc etc
Then onto Bath, another lovely town, but with no time to see it… we went through the Bath House, now museum, which was very interesting to see how the Romans laid it all out utilizing the hot springs, lead floors and all! Bet that was healthy.
After Bath we ventured onto Stonehenge. I always thought it would be in this huge field and you can’t see it till you walk over a grassy knoll and it appears magnificently on the horizon. In reality it is in a field, but is flanked by two semi-major highways, which you drive past Stonehenge to get to the parking lot on the other side of the road. Don’t get me wrong it is spectacular and to be able to wander around these huge rocks for about an hour is amazing but the amount of traffic driving past is crazy, not to mention they are endangering the foundations of the Stones. The vibrations from the traffic are moving the stones and putting them at risk of falling. They propose to build a tunnel (which create more vibration) and make people walk 2 miles to get to Stonehenge hence creating my ‘walking over the grassy knoll to see it on the horizon’ view! NICE :)
Back to work this week with a day off on tomorrow to spend some time with Mum before she flies out tomorrow night.
CU
Thursday, August 21, 2008
"Sanca ya deed mun?" ... "Yeah mun"
Ok so not quite dead, but busy.
I have had a relativly eventful few weeks, of which i will try to tell you about without boring you all to tears!!
First of all i have a job, its at the British Safety Council... anything and everything to do with Health and Safety... no running in the office with scissors around here!! :) My job title is Operations Coordinator, which sounds all very flash and stuff but is really an admin role, scanning, photocopying etc... gotta love how that degree is coming in handy huh? :)
Flat is going great guns there is now 6 of us and the hundreds of bed mites that seems to have moved in! But they have been sprayed and hopefully the unexpected/unwanted house guests will be no more!!!
here are a few things i have learnt since arriving here...
*Buses don’t usually go where you expect them to... ever
*If the is someone who looks like someone you know from home 99% of the time they aren’t... the other 1% makes you realize how small London is!
*Tubes and buses terminate at stations/stops for no reason
*as bad as it sounds you quickly become annoyed when someone jumps in front of a tube, disrupting all tubes
*you need to leave an hour to get anywhere
*they shut down entire main roads for fix a water pipe... and take forever to do it!
*There are bottle stores on every corner ... nice :)
*Organized is not a recognized action in the UK
*Parks are the new beaches and everyone uses them
*You can easily walk to the highest point in London and see everything (Primrose Park)
*Pubs open and close ridiculously early
*They love talking about the weather when its sunny
*I’m still not sure anyone knows what a forty hour week is...
*Soccer is god
Went to Dublin last week to see my bestest friend Hannah who is going home after 3 years away… yes perfect timing, ahh the irony!! She came to London for a few days and once they let her back in the country, we had a very wet/flooded few days in Ireland, visiting a few Irish pubs (yes to the Guinesss… twice :) ) and having a real good look around town, walked through Trinity college, over the River Liffy, and through the infamous Temple Bar. Was good just to hang out with Han and spend some quality time together!
Off to Harrogate this weekend to spend some time with Mum and her friend who lives there. BTW costs more to get a train up north (£80) than to fly to Dublin (£60)!!!!!! What the..... !!!
Doing a day trip to Bath, Stone Henge and Windsor Castle on Monday ... BANK HOLIDAY!! woohoo
Me and the flatties have booked tickets to Cardiff in November… get this … to watch the ALL BLACKS!!!! Play Wales at Millennium Stadium. Cant wait sooooooooooooo excited!!
UPDATE:
Rain... still raining!!! apart from 2.75 days where it was sunny just as i started my new job... TYPICAL doing washing is a mission… yes I do washing!!!
Internet was NOT hooked up on Sunday and after 1000 calls to both BT and Sky we finally got it a week ago... but i dont want to talk about it...
luv
Kim
I have had a relativly eventful few weeks, of which i will try to tell you about without boring you all to tears!!
First of all i have a job, its at the British Safety Council... anything and everything to do with Health and Safety... no running in the office with scissors around here!! :) My job title is Operations Coordinator, which sounds all very flash and stuff but is really an admin role, scanning, photocopying etc... gotta love how that degree is coming in handy huh? :)
Flat is going great guns there is now 6 of us and the hundreds of bed mites that seems to have moved in! But they have been sprayed and hopefully the unexpected/unwanted house guests will be no more!!!
here are a few things i have learnt since arriving here...
*Buses don’t usually go where you expect them to... ever
*If the is someone who looks like someone you know from home 99% of the time they aren’t... the other 1% makes you realize how small London is!
*Tubes and buses terminate at stations/stops for no reason
*as bad as it sounds you quickly become annoyed when someone jumps in front of a tube, disrupting all tubes
*you need to leave an hour to get anywhere
*they shut down entire main roads for fix a water pipe... and take forever to do it!
*There are bottle stores on every corner ... nice :)
*Organized is not a recognized action in the UK
*Parks are the new beaches and everyone uses them
*You can easily walk to the highest point in London and see everything (Primrose Park)
*Pubs open and close ridiculously early
*They love talking about the weather when its sunny
*I’m still not sure anyone knows what a forty hour week is...
*Soccer is god
Went to Dublin last week to see my bestest friend Hannah who is going home after 3 years away… yes perfect timing, ahh the irony!! She came to London for a few days and once they let her back in the country, we had a very wet/flooded few days in Ireland, visiting a few Irish pubs (yes to the Guinesss… twice :) ) and having a real good look around town, walked through Trinity college, over the River Liffy, and through the infamous Temple Bar. Was good just to hang out with Han and spend some quality time together!
Off to Harrogate this weekend to spend some time with Mum and her friend who lives there. BTW costs more to get a train up north (£80) than to fly to Dublin (£60)!!!!!! What the..... !!!
Doing a day trip to Bath, Stone Henge and Windsor Castle on Monday ... BANK HOLIDAY!! woohoo
Me and the flatties have booked tickets to Cardiff in November… get this … to watch the ALL BLACKS!!!! Play Wales at Millennium Stadium. Cant wait sooooooooooooo excited!!
UPDATE:
Rain... still raining!!! apart from 2.75 days where it was sunny just as i started my new job... TYPICAL doing washing is a mission… yes I do washing!!!
Internet was NOT hooked up on Sunday and after 1000 calls to both BT and Sky we finally got it a week ago... but i dont want to talk about it...
luv
Kim
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Birthdays, Rain, Work and no internet
and that pretty much sums up the week or so...
Tuesday was my first birthday away from home, little different spending it with Lindsay rather than the parents, but spoke with them on the phone for ages. Then Lindsay took me out for breakfast, which was yummy. Then we went to a show called We Will Rock You. Its based on the songs from Queen with a bit f a story thrown in for good measure. It was awesome. And stoked they played our day song. A day song for those that dont know is a song that we listen to every morning when we got on teh bus on Contiki. It is Dont Stop me now. As soon as it started playing at the show i got all excited and nostalgic, for being crammed in a bus with 50 other people!!
Well i have experienced first hand why everyone thinks it rains a lot in England... BECAUSE IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!! the last few days we have had quite a bit of rain... and me yet to invest in an umbrella (doh!!) is has fined up today but the clouds are still a-threatening :)
... and work... yes well who would have thought i'd be itching to get back to work... ok who wouldnt have thought it! but i am, 2 weeks off doing not much, apart from job searching is getting slightly tiresome!!! so if anyone has a cousins, friends, mothers, son looking for anyone who needs work??????
Internet will be hooked up on sunday... all going to plan so then i can be in touch a lot more... these internet cafes are not cheap!
hope you're all well and happy
K
Tuesday was my first birthday away from home, little different spending it with Lindsay rather than the parents, but spoke with them on the phone for ages. Then Lindsay took me out for breakfast, which was yummy. Then we went to a show called We Will Rock You. Its based on the songs from Queen with a bit f a story thrown in for good measure. It was awesome. And stoked they played our day song. A day song for those that dont know is a song that we listen to every morning when we got on teh bus on Contiki. It is Dont Stop me now. As soon as it started playing at the show i got all excited and nostalgic, for being crammed in a bus with 50 other people!!
Well i have experienced first hand why everyone thinks it rains a lot in England... BECAUSE IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!! the last few days we have had quite a bit of rain... and me yet to invest in an umbrella (doh!!) is has fined up today but the clouds are still a-threatening :)
... and work... yes well who would have thought i'd be itching to get back to work... ok who wouldnt have thought it! but i am, 2 weeks off doing not much, apart from job searching is getting slightly tiresome!!! so if anyone has a cousins, friends, mothers, son looking for anyone who needs work??????
Internet will be hooked up on sunday... all going to plan so then i can be in touch a lot more... these internet cafes are not cheap!
hope you're all well and happy
K
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Living in London
the last few days have flown by... we found a flat, i have a room, i have all my clothes out of my pack (sweet!!!) and we are almost settled... next would be the job.
things have flown by so fast in the last week, it barely feels like a week that we have been back in london! i havnt seen much as i have been stressing about finding work.
the next mission is to find a job... not as easy as one would think being a kiwi in london, but hopefully it wont be too long, as the old money situation is not looking promising!! especially with rent going out...
tonight i am at my brothers bar, and he is making cocktails... i have to say pretty good ones... very very very berry bery drinkable... :) hehehe
so therefore i have much better thing to do than update this...
hope all is good with you all... prromise to rite more wen im not dfrunk... :)
EMAIL ME PEOPLE... I MISSING ALL THE GOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
CU
things have flown by so fast in the last week, it barely feels like a week that we have been back in london! i havnt seen much as i have been stressing about finding work.
the next mission is to find a job... not as easy as one would think being a kiwi in london, but hopefully it wont be too long, as the old money situation is not looking promising!! especially with rent going out...
tonight i am at my brothers bar, and he is making cocktails... i have to say pretty good ones... very very very berry bery drinkable... :) hehehe
so therefore i have much better thing to do than update this...
hope all is good with you all... prromise to rite more wen im not dfrunk... :)
EMAIL ME PEOPLE... I MISSING ALL THE GOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
CU
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Vienna to Prague to Munich to Switzerland to Germany (again) to Amsterdam to London
Ok, so I am still alive... but the last 2 weeks have been a little insane... more so than usual!
so from Venice we made our way to Vienna, which was crazy! our first night we attended a Mozart/Strauss Concert which was great, nice to see a number of tv advertisements ripping off the greats :)
The euro cup was also being played in vienna while we were there, which made driving, sightseeing and general movement within the city ... interesting, to say the least.
Had 2 full days in Prague, where we saw Charles Bridge, the most photographed bridge in Prague, also the bridge at the end of the movie XXX (go Vin Deisel). Also had a bike tour through the city which was fun, especially on the cobblestones.
After Prague we had one night in Munich... 2 words... beer hall :) nothing like a litre of beer to celebrate octoberfest... oh no wait... only 4 months too early!!
Then onto the beautiful switzerland, and swiss alps, where we went to the top of europe, also known as jangfrau, some 11,000 feet up! was a great day out, had a snow fight, did snow angels, wrote in the snow... with our hands!!! get your mind out of the gutter only boys can do that!! we also attempted the snow man, but we were all to lazy to move the snow. :)
We then made it back into Germany were Birkenstock's are only 45 euro!! nice... here we stayed in Grandmas house... the most freakiest "hotel" in the world!! jesus rooms, dress up clothes, leaky ceilings and creepy locked cupboards. did i mention my own personal shower... next to my bed!!
once in the Netherlands we did a bike tour through edam then a visit to the clog factory and cheese factory... yes together. but funnily enough no cheese clogs???
Amsterdam was a blast, the first night we went to a sex show... yes a sex show... and thats all i will say on the matter :) and also took a walk through the red light district... its literally like window shopping, only for women... or not women... what ever your taste
the following day we went to Anne Franks house, which is now a museum, it was fascinating and really well laid out with excerpts from her diaries and photos from when they lived there.
After amsterdam we made our way back to london. where for good measure we all went to the bar... well going cold turkey would have been a bit of a shock to the system!
went to camden market on Saturday, where i met up with Hannah YAY!!!!!!!! friend i havnt seen in 3 years. was awesome to see her again after all that time.
yesterday we went to church... church is from 12 till 4 you have to buy 3 drinks at a time and the idea is to get as drunk as fast as you can. enough said...
today Narae, Brooke, Sam, Andre and I found a flat to move into, we can move in tomorrow, its a nice wee place and i have a nice wee room.
anyway thats enough... you may all breath a sigh of relief now :)
so from Venice we made our way to Vienna, which was crazy! our first night we attended a Mozart/Strauss Concert which was great, nice to see a number of tv advertisements ripping off the greats :)
The euro cup was also being played in vienna while we were there, which made driving, sightseeing and general movement within the city ... interesting, to say the least.
Had 2 full days in Prague, where we saw Charles Bridge, the most photographed bridge in Prague, also the bridge at the end of the movie XXX (go Vin Deisel). Also had a bike tour through the city which was fun, especially on the cobblestones.
After Prague we had one night in Munich... 2 words... beer hall :) nothing like a litre of beer to celebrate octoberfest... oh no wait... only 4 months too early!!
Then onto the beautiful switzerland, and swiss alps, where we went to the top of europe, also known as jangfrau, some 11,000 feet up! was a great day out, had a snow fight, did snow angels, wrote in the snow... with our hands!!! get your mind out of the gutter only boys can do that!! we also attempted the snow man, but we were all to lazy to move the snow. :)
We then made it back into Germany were Birkenstock's are only 45 euro!! nice... here we stayed in Grandmas house... the most freakiest "hotel" in the world!! jesus rooms, dress up clothes, leaky ceilings and creepy locked cupboards. did i mention my own personal shower... next to my bed!!
once in the Netherlands we did a bike tour through edam then a visit to the clog factory and cheese factory... yes together. but funnily enough no cheese clogs???
Amsterdam was a blast, the first night we went to a sex show... yes a sex show... and thats all i will say on the matter :) and also took a walk through the red light district... its literally like window shopping, only for women... or not women... what ever your taste
the following day we went to Anne Franks house, which is now a museum, it was fascinating and really well laid out with excerpts from her diaries and photos from when they lived there.
After amsterdam we made our way back to london. where for good measure we all went to the bar... well going cold turkey would have been a bit of a shock to the system!
went to camden market on Saturday, where i met up with Hannah YAY!!!!!!!! friend i havnt seen in 3 years. was awesome to see her again after all that time.
yesterday we went to church... church is from 12 till 4 you have to buy 3 drinks at a time and the idea is to get as drunk as fast as you can. enough said...
today Narae, Brooke, Sam, Andre and I found a flat to move into, we can move in tomorrow, its a nice wee place and i have a nice wee room.
anyway thats enough... you may all breath a sigh of relief now :)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Corfu, Verona and Venice
Corfu was beautiful, we had our first day with out rain on the tour!! bonus! as we were out on George's boat. George is a lovely greek man (although slightly un-PC, when i say slightly i mean the most un-PC person i have ever met!) he took us around the island and to swimming spots in the Mediteranian. THat night we went to a greek restaurant and was treated to traditional greek dancing and not so traditional greek food :)
We also had a free day to roam the island in Corfu, they gave us cars (bad idea) and we went to the beach. greek drivers are crazy!!!
we then had a day and a night on a mini cruise ship up the adriattic sea, which most of us spent sleeping off the effects of greece... and the bar!
Yesterday we visited verona and saw the Juliets balcony, and rubbed her boob (...statue) for good luck. verona is a great city, would love to get back there.
today we spent the day in venice, it was a long day which started with a glass making and lace demonstration in the morning, and then we went into St marks basilica at St marks square. we did a little shopping (now to fit it all in my pack!!!)
we got a touch lost, but the locals were very happy to help, including one very smooth waiter named Oscar. we then went on a gondola ride, our "driver" was a little insane, which made staying in the boat a little interesting.
photos to come... promise
We also had a free day to roam the island in Corfu, they gave us cars (bad idea) and we went to the beach. greek drivers are crazy!!!
we then had a day and a night on a mini cruise ship up the adriattic sea, which most of us spent sleeping off the effects of greece... and the bar!
Yesterday we visited verona and saw the Juliets balcony, and rubbed her boob (...statue) for good luck. verona is a great city, would love to get back there.
today we spent the day in venice, it was a long day which started with a glass making and lace demonstration in the morning, and then we went into St marks basilica at St marks square. we did a little shopping (now to fit it all in my pack!!!)
we got a touch lost, but the locals were very happy to help, including one very smooth waiter named Oscar. we then went on a gondola ride, our "driver" was a little insane, which made staying in the boat a little interesting.
photos to come... promise
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Pompeii and Corfu!!
Pompeii was amazing, it was really interesting to see all the building uncovered, that were almst perfectly preserved when Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. there are even plaster moulds of people who were buried in the ash and when the bodies decayed they left void in the rock and people filled them with plaster cast, which created moulds of a man sitting down wainting for the enevidable, a pregnant women trying to protect her unborn child and also a dog who was not unchained when the mountain erupted so could not escape. his body is in a mangeled position where you can see him trying to break free from the chain. it was all very morbid but an interesting step back in time.
We then traveld t the ferry where we were on a night cruise to Corfu an island of the caost tof greece, i can literally see the greecian mainland from our balcony!!!
we had a look around the town today and will be doing a whole lot of nothing while we're here... cant wait!!!
C U
We then traveld t the ferry where we were on a night cruise to Corfu an island of the caost tof greece, i can literally see the greecian mainland from our balcony!!!
we had a look around the town today and will be doing a whole lot of nothing while we're here... cant wait!!!
C U
Monday, June 09, 2008
French Riviera, Nice, Monico, Florence and Rome... PHEW!
Ok since i last left you i have seen all of the above... done good, see you next time.
Nah kidding :)
The french Riviera or the French Riv as us "frequenters" call it (yeah right)... was great, was great weather saw why all the stars have a holiday home there. We went into Nice for a day put my toes in the Mediterranean sea... yes i had to look it up :P
We had a night trip into Monico, didn't get a stamp unfortunately, but went to the le Grand Casino and lost 10 euro... that was enough!
After that we made our way to Florence where we saw where Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo was buried at Basilica di Santa Croce, was huge! had a walking tour done by Fabio!!! (of all names) :)
Today we did Rome, saw the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Ruins. was a huge day and as i have come down with the contiki cough, and cold :( i ended up coming home and crashing.
off to Pompeii tomorrow then the night ferry to Corfu... hmmm night ferry... that will be interesting :)
C U
Nah kidding :)
The french Riviera or the French Riv as us "frequenters" call it (yeah right)... was great, was great weather saw why all the stars have a holiday home there. We went into Nice for a day put my toes in the Mediterranean sea... yes i had to look it up :P
We had a night trip into Monico, didn't get a stamp unfortunately, but went to the le Grand Casino and lost 10 euro... that was enough!
After that we made our way to Florence where we saw where Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo was buried at Basilica di Santa Croce, was huge! had a walking tour done by Fabio!!! (of all names) :)
Today we did Rome, saw the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Ruins. was a huge day and as i have come down with the contiki cough, and cold :( i ended up coming home and crashing.
off to Pompeii tomorrow then the night ferry to Corfu... hmmm night ferry... that will be interesting :)
C U
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Paris
I have 2.43 minutes to fill you in on what i have been doing! damn internet cafes :)
Did paris yesterday...
Louve
Mona lisa
venus de milo
lots of other paintings which were very impressive, but possibly more so if i knew the meaing behind them!
Eiffel tower
cathedral notredam
arch de triomph
cant spell any of these... sorry
also sat in a french cafe and ate lunch watching the world go by. just like the french :)
there are no driving rules here its pretty much a free for all! makes crossing the street slightly hazrdous!
around the arche de triomph there is a crash every 15 minutes...
lots of scams here people asking for money, picking on tourists, dropping really cheap rngs and trying to sell it to you for 100 times what its worth, also pick pockets, Kym a girl i was with yesterday heard her zip open on her bag and turned around and some guy had is had in it!! quite scary, after that we wore our bags on the front.
we also navigated teh paris metro, quite fun once we realised we going in the right direction :)
went to a cabaret show last night, was good fun in the words of our tour manager... lots and lots of breasts.
well times up...
Did paris yesterday...
Louve
Mona lisa
venus de milo
lots of other paintings which were very impressive, but possibly more so if i knew the meaing behind them!
Eiffel tower
cathedral notredam
arch de triomph
cant spell any of these... sorry
also sat in a french cafe and ate lunch watching the world go by. just like the french :)
there are no driving rules here its pretty much a free for all! makes crossing the street slightly hazrdous!
around the arche de triomph there is a crash every 15 minutes...
lots of scams here people asking for money, picking on tourists, dropping really cheap rngs and trying to sell it to you for 100 times what its worth, also pick pockets, Kym a girl i was with yesterday heard her zip open on her bag and turned around and some guy had is had in it!! quite scary, after that we wore our bags on the front.
we also navigated teh paris metro, quite fun once we realised we going in the right direction :)
went to a cabaret show last night, was good fun in the words of our tour manager... lots and lots of breasts.
well times up...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
London!!!!!
Well made here in one piece, the 13 hour flight was insane, i think 10 is really my limit. watched about 5 movies and didnt get a lot of sleep... bad idea! was up at 4am Singapore time to catch the flight at 9.05am (yes i was a touch early, what can i say im paranoid :) )
Got into london and Lindsay had a sign... as promised :) "London Welcoms Miss K Shears to a 5 year sentence of fun and travel" hmmmm not sure what all the other passengers were thinking, but it was very cool :)
stayed up till about 10pm London time... also a bad idea as that meant i was up for over 24 hours... very very dumb.
Have an appointment today with the bankto get all my cards and stuff sorted. Then maybe take a look around this afternoon. but will see how long i can stay awake.
Got into london and Lindsay had a sign... as promised :) "London Welcoms Miss K Shears to a 5 year sentence of fun and travel" hmmmm not sure what all the other passengers were thinking, but it was very cool :)
stayed up till about 10pm London time... also a bad idea as that meant i was up for over 24 hours... very very dumb.
Have an appointment today with the bankto get all my cards and stuff sorted. Then maybe take a look around this afternoon. but will see how long i can stay awake.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Day 3 & 4
Day 3
Went to Sentosa, caught the MRT (all by myself!!! everyone be proud :) )to harbour front where i caught the express train across. Sentosa is a (very) small island at the tip of Singapore which was used in the world wars to defend singapore as it was a booming port at the time for most countires, China, England etc. When teh Japanese invaded, they thought it would be from the sea, so thats the way the guns were facing (big big guns) but they actually invaded from the land and Singapore and allied troops got ambushed. Singapore eventually surrendered and was under Japanese rule for over 3 years during the war. Now Sentosa is something of a theme park, with cable cars, rides a water park etc etc.
Now your history lesson is over...
Day 4
I took a stroll around little india (most of it didnt open till 10, if your going to work in retail Singapore is teh place!!) then had to buy a new memory card for my camera as my 1GB was almost full after just 2 days!!! Paid $45 (just under $NZ45) for a 2GB, and i think i got ripped off!!! typical :)
Got back on the SIA hop on bus today and went to see the Merlion at Merlion park. The Merlion was created about the middle of last century, and the story goes that Alexander the Greats grandson saw Singapore in the distance (must have been some distance) and decided to travel there, however came across a sea serpent (just looked like a chiese dragon really) and to calm teh serpent down he gave him a crown given to him by his grandfather. Once on the island he was accosted by a lion, but by smoe mutual form of understanding they didnt kill each other. Hence the half lion half merman/fish thing=Merlion (singapore's symbol).
after that lovely tour through history, i went to Orchard Road... if you want to shop this is the place to go, unfortunately with no room in my pack, that wasnt happening... so really a walk of torture for me!!
Caught the MRT out to Sembawang after lunch (Maccas... meh what are you going to do??) to see my old house from when i lived here 2 decades ago!!!! also saw my old school. All very run down but still standing, was a little weird to be back!
right off to catch that awesome 13 hour flight :( Hello london! or is that ello londen???
Went to Sentosa, caught the MRT (all by myself!!! everyone be proud :) )to harbour front where i caught the express train across. Sentosa is a (very) small island at the tip of Singapore which was used in the world wars to defend singapore as it was a booming port at the time for most countires, China, England etc. When teh Japanese invaded, they thought it would be from the sea, so thats the way the guns were facing (big big guns) but they actually invaded from the land and Singapore and allied troops got ambushed. Singapore eventually surrendered and was under Japanese rule for over 3 years during the war. Now Sentosa is something of a theme park, with cable cars, rides a water park etc etc.
Now your history lesson is over...
Day 4
I took a stroll around little india (most of it didnt open till 10, if your going to work in retail Singapore is teh place!!) then had to buy a new memory card for my camera as my 1GB was almost full after just 2 days!!! Paid $45 (just under $NZ45) for a 2GB, and i think i got ripped off!!! typical :)
Got back on the SIA hop on bus today and went to see the Merlion at Merlion park. The Merlion was created about the middle of last century, and the story goes that Alexander the Greats grandson saw Singapore in the distance (must have been some distance) and decided to travel there, however came across a sea serpent (just looked like a chiese dragon really) and to calm teh serpent down he gave him a crown given to him by his grandfather. Once on the island he was accosted by a lion, but by smoe mutual form of understanding they didnt kill each other. Hence the half lion half merman/fish thing=Merlion (singapore's symbol).
after that lovely tour through history, i went to Orchard Road... if you want to shop this is the place to go, unfortunately with no room in my pack, that wasnt happening... so really a walk of torture for me!!
Caught the MRT out to Sembawang after lunch (Maccas... meh what are you going to do??) to see my old house from when i lived here 2 decades ago!!!! also saw my old school. All very run down but still standing, was a little weird to be back!
right off to catch that awesome 13 hour flight :( Hello london! or is that ello londen???
Monday, May 26, 2008
Singapore Day 2
After a bit of a slow start on day 2 I finally managed to sort my sh*t out and got on the SIA hop on bus, for $3 you can get on and take a tour around the city. While on the bus i met Melissa, an Australian, also doing Singaore by herself. So ended up joining forces and headed to the Botanic gardens... although beautiful in over 30 degree heat... i really didnt care about any stinken flowers!!! although the cool room (which we didnt spend nearly long enough in) was very cool... sorry :P
After that we got onto the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport)... or train to most people, and headed off to the zoo. we got accosted by some people at the MRT station saying there was a free bus from the station to the zoo (its a bit of a hike), whats the catch right? thats what we thought too. it ended up we had to purcahse zoo admision tickets from them to get the bus... after a bit of coaxing we did eventually give in and bought our tickets from them. the entire trip i was thinking... these tickets better not be fake!!?? But all was well when we got there... apart from the rain!! feraken typical that it sarted to rain on the way to the zoo, and not just spitting like it does in NZ, but full on pelting down, stand in it for 5 seconds and your wet right through kind of rain!!!
We got some lunch while waiting for the rain to stop, and it did, but as soon as we stepped foot outside the foody place... it started again!!! somebody hates me :)
we got fairly wet, but by late afternoon we had dried out. saw lots of fantastic animals (photos to come... lots and lot of photos :) ).
included in the non-dodgy ticket was the night safari, like the zoo, but at night ... duh. it was pretty cool, we walked the first bit (legs at this stage are like lead) than bailed on that idea and got on the tram nothing like a chauffered drive through a dark creapy zoo with lots of animals that can kill you :)
there was a lot of excellent exhibits with pretty logs and trees, undergrowth, but not a lot of animal :) i think its all a scam... there was nothing in there, pay the admission fee to stare at some trees :) nah most of them we pretty great, and an interesting perspective on the zoo seeing it at night. lots of red eyes peering out from under bushes ... creepy.
Caught a taxi home, tavelled almost the legnth of the island, and it only cost $23!! what the hell is up with the taxis in NZ!! it cost me that to get home from town!
Hope this finds everyone well and happy
take care
KJ
After that we got onto the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport)... or train to most people, and headed off to the zoo. we got accosted by some people at the MRT station saying there was a free bus from the station to the zoo (its a bit of a hike), whats the catch right? thats what we thought too. it ended up we had to purcahse zoo admision tickets from them to get the bus... after a bit of coaxing we did eventually give in and bought our tickets from them. the entire trip i was thinking... these tickets better not be fake!!?? But all was well when we got there... apart from the rain!! feraken typical that it sarted to rain on the way to the zoo, and not just spitting like it does in NZ, but full on pelting down, stand in it for 5 seconds and your wet right through kind of rain!!!
We got some lunch while waiting for the rain to stop, and it did, but as soon as we stepped foot outside the foody place... it started again!!! somebody hates me :)
we got fairly wet, but by late afternoon we had dried out. saw lots of fantastic animals (photos to come... lots and lot of photos :) ).
included in the non-dodgy ticket was the night safari, like the zoo, but at night ... duh. it was pretty cool, we walked the first bit (legs at this stage are like lead) than bailed on that idea and got on the tram nothing like a chauffered drive through a dark creapy zoo with lots of animals that can kill you :)
there was a lot of excellent exhibits with pretty logs and trees, undergrowth, but not a lot of animal :) i think its all a scam... there was nothing in there, pay the admission fee to stare at some trees :) nah most of them we pretty great, and an interesting perspective on the zoo seeing it at night. lots of red eyes peering out from under bushes ... creepy.
Caught a taxi home, tavelled almost the legnth of the island, and it only cost $23!! what the hell is up with the taxis in NZ!! it cost me that to get home from town!
Hope this finds everyone well and happy
take care
KJ
Sunday, May 25, 2008
End of an era, last day at work, last week in Christchurch, and day 1! ... Phew
We'll it has been way crazy over the last few weeks.
End of an era:
I sold my wee Abu! my little Nissan Pulsar that i have had for 7 years, and it didnt crap out on me! i miss my car :(
Last week at work:
Was insane!! i cant believe how fast it went!! didnt quite get everythng done i wanted but i suppose that was to be expected!!!
My last day was nice, the Support team went out for lunch at Red Jacks in Poplar lane, which just happened to be when the Crusaders were thare having lunch!! My team leader, Trac got Richie to come over to say bye, that was awesome!!! Photos to come...
It was really sad to say goodbye to evryone at the council. i will miss everyone *sniff* just not the place...silly councilors and sideshow bob :)
Last week in Christchurch:
was insane!! caught up with a few people and packed my gear, sorted my ipod (took longer than expected...) packed all my room... almost all, sorry mum :)
Day 1:
was seen off at the airport by mum, dad, francie and Dani (thanks for the card btw :) ).
the flight was not too bad, a little bumpy in places and the landing was a bit skew wiff, but otherwise not too bad. felt a bit lonely on the flight, but landing in singapore felt like coming home, although i havent been here for 20 years it still smells the same and i felt completely relaxed by the time i got through customs.
made it to my hostel after a 2 hour scenic view of the island by the bus driver, so by the time i got to my room all i wanted to do was crash.
My cell doesnt work here so emails will have to do.
Today i'm planning on seeing the island a little then possibly Sentosa this afternoon.
Right... off for breakfast :)
CU
End of an era:
I sold my wee Abu! my little Nissan Pulsar that i have had for 7 years, and it didnt crap out on me! i miss my car :(
Last week at work:
Was insane!! i cant believe how fast it went!! didnt quite get everythng done i wanted but i suppose that was to be expected!!!
My last day was nice, the Support team went out for lunch at Red Jacks in Poplar lane, which just happened to be when the Crusaders were thare having lunch!! My team leader, Trac got Richie to come over to say bye, that was awesome!!! Photos to come...
It was really sad to say goodbye to evryone at the council. i will miss everyone *sniff* just not the place...silly councilors and sideshow bob :)
Last week in Christchurch:
was insane!! caught up with a few people and packed my gear, sorted my ipod (took longer than expected...) packed all my room... almost all, sorry mum :)
Day 1:
was seen off at the airport by mum, dad, francie and Dani (thanks for the card btw :) ).
the flight was not too bad, a little bumpy in places and the landing was a bit skew wiff, but otherwise not too bad. felt a bit lonely on the flight, but landing in singapore felt like coming home, although i havent been here for 20 years it still smells the same and i felt completely relaxed by the time i got through customs.
made it to my hostel after a 2 hour scenic view of the island by the bus driver, so by the time i got to my room all i wanted to do was crash.
My cell doesnt work here so emails will have to do.
Today i'm planning on seeing the island a little then possibly Sentosa this afternoon.
Right... off for breakfast :)
CU
Monday, May 12, 2008
12 more sleeps!!!
Only 12 more sleeps till I am on a plane winging my way to god knows where :)
So far I have paid for my contiki and my flights, booked accomidation in Singapore, got my visa (thank god) all there is left to do is pack and buy a few bits a pieces to fit in my pack... not as easy as it sounds. I cant remember how many people have told me to put aside what I'm taking... then halve it!! Have they met me!?!?! I would take the kitchen sink and the attachements if the airline wernt scared I'd use it as a weapon on the plane!! :)
Had the leaving drinks on Saturday night... awesome night. Its been a while that I've been kicked out of the bar cos it was closing!! How Rude!?!
Heres some photos (where I dont look like a retard!)... Censored! :)
So far I have paid for my contiki and my flights, booked accomidation in Singapore, got my visa (thank god) all there is left to do is pack and buy a few bits a pieces to fit in my pack... not as easy as it sounds. I cant remember how many people have told me to put aside what I'm taking... then halve it!! Have they met me!?!?! I would take the kitchen sink and the attachements if the airline wernt scared I'd use it as a weapon on the plane!! :)
Had the leaving drinks on Saturday night... awesome night. Its been a while that I've been kicked out of the bar cos it was closing!! How Rude!?!
Heres some photos (where I dont look like a retard!)... Censored! :)
Saturday, April 05, 2008
One more thing to learn...
sitting on the couch, bare legs... cat stretches... rolls over ... and off the edge of the couch.
Well of course its got to grab onto something!!!
it would have been quite funny if she hadnt used my leg to get a grip
ouch...
Well of course its got to grab onto something!!!
it would have been quite funny if she hadnt used my leg to get a grip
ouch...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Split Enz
Was AWESOME!!! they played at the Westpac stadium last night and it went off! Pheonix Foundation, supporting band, were ok, tried a little too hard with the on stage humour... didnt really work for them...
oh and 61 days to go... does anyone want to buy all my crap, but give me shite loads of money for it??? ... seriously?
oh and 61 days to go... does anyone want to buy all my crap, but give me shite loads of money for it??? ... seriously?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
63 Days
In 63 days I will be on a plane heading towards Singapore... out of lil 'ol New Zealand... Off on my OE.
The last few months have been really busy with getting everything sorted, i have paid for my Contiki, flights, booked my accomodation in Singapore and requested a piece of carpet at one brothers house to crash on while i find something a little more permanent.
What with working extra hours and getting all my crap sorted, i fell as though i havnt sat down since Christmas!
Next on the list is the Visa, yes i should really have done this a long time ago... but procrastination is an art :) Plus it doesnt help that you look at you passport and it expires in 6 months... thats just not cricket!! So now i have a brand spanking new passport, chip and all, i can now apply for the visa.
Hopefully i can get ancestry, which will mean 5 years of working non stop, if i want. Which will help with that silly little thing.. the student loan!!
The last few months have been really busy with getting everything sorted, i have paid for my Contiki, flights, booked my accomodation in Singapore and requested a piece of carpet at one brothers house to crash on while i find something a little more permanent.
What with working extra hours and getting all my crap sorted, i fell as though i havnt sat down since Christmas!
Next on the list is the Visa, yes i should really have done this a long time ago... but procrastination is an art :) Plus it doesnt help that you look at you passport and it expires in 6 months... thats just not cricket!! So now i have a brand spanking new passport, chip and all, i can now apply for the visa.
Hopefully i can get ancestry, which will mean 5 years of working non stop, if i want. Which will help with that silly little thing.. the student loan!!
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