Landed in Amsterdam at 3pm after a cruisey 40 minute flight from London. It's so much warmer here! A few degrees makes a huge difference. The first thing I noticed was there are canals everywhere! Even at the airport up the runway.
So far everyone here is happy to spreekt u Engels (Speak English) and everyone seems helpful. I asked a man to tell me where my hotel is, he didn't know so he told me where to ask someone who would know. What a gem.
Michael and I have booked into a traditional Dutch food restaurant for dinner, which looks interesting. I'm trying not to pig out so much like I did in London, but I think I might have to give in to temptation. I'll write again soon to let you know how it goes.
Oh and I'm claiming its my birthday, because it is in Australia, so this year my birthday goes for an extra 8 hours! I'll write again soon! Vaarwel (goodbye)
Monday, 8 April 2013
Sunday, 7 April 2013
London Week 2
My second week in London wasn't nearly as exciting as the first, and time seems to be dragging because I miss home and 2 weeks anywhere is, now I realise, far too long.
Easter Sunday was quiet and free of chocolate. We had hot cross buns for breakfast though, so that was a bit eastery.
Monday Michael and I went on a tour of Bath and Stonehenge. Bath is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. Jane Austin lived here and I can see where her inspiration to write came from. The Roman Baths there are impressive, the Romans were so clever to figure out plumbing in 42 AD. Most of the buildings standing there now were built in the 1700s, it's hard to believe anything could be so old... And then you see Stonehenge! Made thousands of years ago, somehow people managed to build it (or was it the aliens?) and to think, we still don't know why it's there. All in all, my favourite day of this holiday so far.
In Bath we drank the water from the hot spring, which is supposed to be magic and heal all afflictions. Why then, was I struck down with a rotten cold for the next two days? Because I'm in grey, freezing, miserable London, obviously. It was bed and rest for me on Tuesday and Wednesday, although I did find strength to get to the pub for a pint of crate beer.
Thursday I headed to M&Ms world and basked in all that is chocolate. I bought some and ate it toot suit, feeling a little bit ill afterwards.
Friday I went to a museum with Michael and his friends Jesse and Kate, then we went to a production of Godspell. I really enjoyed it, it was aesthetically pleasing.
Today, Saturday, I took a trip to Greenwich and had a look in a museum there. King Henry VIII lived there at one point and Queen Elizabeth I was born there. Then I was over it, over London, ready for the next place...
Amsterdam tomorrow! Wish me luck, first time in a non English speaking country and I don't know a word of Dutch! I'll post again soon.
Easter Sunday was quiet and free of chocolate. We had hot cross buns for breakfast though, so that was a bit eastery.
Monday Michael and I went on a tour of Bath and Stonehenge. Bath is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. Jane Austin lived here and I can see where her inspiration to write came from. The Roman Baths there are impressive, the Romans were so clever to figure out plumbing in 42 AD. Most of the buildings standing there now were built in the 1700s, it's hard to believe anything could be so old... And then you see Stonehenge! Made thousands of years ago, somehow people managed to build it (or was it the aliens?) and to think, we still don't know why it's there. All in all, my favourite day of this holiday so far.
In Bath we drank the water from the hot spring, which is supposed to be magic and heal all afflictions. Why then, was I struck down with a rotten cold for the next two days? Because I'm in grey, freezing, miserable London, obviously. It was bed and rest for me on Tuesday and Wednesday, although I did find strength to get to the pub for a pint of crate beer.
Thursday I headed to M&Ms world and basked in all that is chocolate. I bought some and ate it toot suit, feeling a little bit ill afterwards.
Friday I went to a museum with Michael and his friends Jesse and Kate, then we went to a production of Godspell. I really enjoyed it, it was aesthetically pleasing.
Today, Saturday, I took a trip to Greenwich and had a look in a museum there. King Henry VIII lived there at one point and Queen Elizabeth I was born there. Then I was over it, over London, ready for the next place...
Amsterdam tomorrow! Wish me luck, first time in a non English speaking country and I don't know a word of Dutch! I'll post again soon.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
London Day 6 and 7
Day 6 and 7 are special enough to join together, because basically day 6 I did nothing!
Being Good Friday London city is packed with tourists, people visiting for the weekend and I couldn't be bothered with it. Instead I went to Westfield Stratford with Michael's housemate, Dan, and got some retail therapy. We passed the Olympic stadium on the way in on the DLR, but the view wasn't too great. I took a photo anyway.
Westfield here is nothing like little old Southland. As well as having clothing stores, this complex has 2 hotels, around 20 restaurants, 3 department stores and a train station. Phew!
I bought a cute pink dress that I'll have to wait to wear until I get home because it is far too cold here. I also got some bathers, don't ask why, that was an even more ridiculous idea!
Day 7, Michael had the day off so we went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Good old google told me it was a 15 minute walk from St. Paul's train station, but we walked around for what felt like an hour trying to find it because I wasn't sure which direction to head in!
We went through the museum there and it had displays on the original theatre, costumes, special effects, pretty much all aspects of theatre which was really interesting to me, having done theatre studies in VCE.
We had lunch in a place called Pizza Express, which is a million times better than Pizza Cafe in Mildura! Eating the pizza I was inspired to go to Rome, so I'm looking into flights tonight to see if I can work it in!
Have a very happy Easter my loves, hope the Easter bunny visits and you get fat off chocolate! Speak soon x
Being Good Friday London city is packed with tourists, people visiting for the weekend and I couldn't be bothered with it. Instead I went to Westfield Stratford with Michael's housemate, Dan, and got some retail therapy. We passed the Olympic stadium on the way in on the DLR, but the view wasn't too great. I took a photo anyway.
Westfield here is nothing like little old Southland. As well as having clothing stores, this complex has 2 hotels, around 20 restaurants, 3 department stores and a train station. Phew!
I bought a cute pink dress that I'll have to wait to wear until I get home because it is far too cold here. I also got some bathers, don't ask why, that was an even more ridiculous idea!
Day 7, Michael had the day off so we went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Good old google told me it was a 15 minute walk from St. Paul's train station, but we walked around for what felt like an hour trying to find it because I wasn't sure which direction to head in!
We went through the museum there and it had displays on the original theatre, costumes, special effects, pretty much all aspects of theatre which was really interesting to me, having done theatre studies in VCE.
We had lunch in a place called Pizza Express, which is a million times better than Pizza Cafe in Mildura! Eating the pizza I was inspired to go to Rome, so I'm looking into flights tonight to see if I can work it in!
Have a very happy Easter my loves, hope the Easter bunny visits and you get fat off chocolate! Speak soon x
Friday, 29 March 2013
London Day 5
This morning I went to a cafe called Carmelite Cafe. Michael promised me there was good coffee to be had. It was alright, didn't really impress me though (the coffee snob). Had fantastic bagels though, I've never had a bagel but this tasted awesome, salmon and cottage cheese filling.
I then got a double decker bus to St. Paul's cathedral, but I couldn't work out how to get inside so I just did a lap around the churchyard. I found an information place across the road so I asked them how to get to the museum of natural history.
The museum's architecture was impressive, but the exhibits were pretty standard. I saw dinosaurs, ancient animals, learnt about human biology and ecology, then had a sandwich in the cafe.
I was exhausted, so I left at about 3. I've been waking up at 6am everyday, usually I'm not a morning person at all, but it does make me get out and do things. The days still feel long though.
Easter weekend starts tomorrow, I'm not sure if things will be shut for the public holidays. I guess I'll find out.
Stay tuned :)
I then got a double decker bus to St. Paul's cathedral, but I couldn't work out how to get inside so I just did a lap around the churchyard. I found an information place across the road so I asked them how to get to the museum of natural history.
The museum's architecture was impressive, but the exhibits were pretty standard. I saw dinosaurs, ancient animals, learnt about human biology and ecology, then had a sandwich in the cafe.
I was exhausted, so I left at about 3. I've been waking up at 6am everyday, usually I'm not a morning person at all, but it does make me get out and do things. The days still feel long though.
Easter weekend starts tomorrow, I'm not sure if things will be shut for the public holidays. I guess I'll find out.
Stay tuned :)
London Day 4
A day of rest! For the first 3 hours of the day I was on Skype to Patrick. It made me feel a lot closer to home, as I'm starting to miss the warm weather, family and my little Jasper.
I had lunch at a pub on Bow Rd called The Little Driver. I just had a cheeseburger. Nothing too special. My maths is starting to improve, and where things seem pretty cheap, I then convert it and it isn't that cheap anymore! My money is getting me a long way though, I'm way under budget.
I stopped by the co op and bought a magazine and some chocolate and did absolutely nothing all day. It was fabulous.
I had lunch at a pub on Bow Rd called The Little Driver. I just had a cheeseburger. Nothing too special. My maths is starting to improve, and where things seem pretty cheap, I then convert it and it isn't that cheap anymore! My money is getting me a long way though, I'm way under budget.
I stopped by the co op and bought a magazine and some chocolate and did absolutely nothing all day. It was fabulous.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
London Day 3 Part 2 cont.
Oops, didn't mean to publish that, I wasn't finished yet!
So after my breakfast I took the tube all by myself, and didn't get lost at all! I went into Oxford Circus to suss out where Michael works so I knew where to meet him when he finished. I looked at a map and decided instead of taking the tube everywhere I would just walk around. That way I could see everything and get my bearings on where everything is located.
So I set off, heading towards the city. I had no idea where anything was, but I felt like I was in Monopoly, only I never passed go which is a shame. I walked up Regent St and found Trafalgar Square. I took a few photos but found it felt pointless because I couldn't get in the photos. I then walked up The Strand and found a Starbucks, so I bought a coffee to warm up my hands! It was a whole 1 degree yesterday. The worst temperature to be spending the whole day outdoors dressed completely wrong for the weather!
My walking eventually got me to the River Thames, which is as dirty as I imagined. The Murray is much prettier. Here I met a man selling tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tours, so I hopped on the bus.
The bus took me past Big Ben, the London Eye, Lambeth Palace, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Baker St (Sherlock Holmes apparently lives here), among other things that weren't as interesting. At any point I had the option to hop-off, but I saw the tour more as a tool to see where things are, so I can come back and explore at my own leisure.
I ended up getting off the bus where I started, near Michael's work, and got a toasted sandwich for a late lunch. I can't get over how many people are in London, it is busy all the time! When Michael finished work he told me they have 800 staff! And they are still busy!
I met Michael's Irish friend, Richard last night who has ordered me thermal tops, leggings, gloves and socks. I was too cold for words while I was on my little adventure, so hopefully now I'll be a bit more comfortable!
More stories to come soon! See ya
So after my breakfast I took the tube all by myself, and didn't get lost at all! I went into Oxford Circus to suss out where Michael works so I knew where to meet him when he finished. I looked at a map and decided instead of taking the tube everywhere I would just walk around. That way I could see everything and get my bearings on where everything is located.
So I set off, heading towards the city. I had no idea where anything was, but I felt like I was in Monopoly, only I never passed go which is a shame. I walked up Regent St and found Trafalgar Square. I took a few photos but found it felt pointless because I couldn't get in the photos. I then walked up The Strand and found a Starbucks, so I bought a coffee to warm up my hands! It was a whole 1 degree yesterday. The worst temperature to be spending the whole day outdoors dressed completely wrong for the weather!
My walking eventually got me to the River Thames, which is as dirty as I imagined. The Murray is much prettier. Here I met a man selling tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tours, so I hopped on the bus.
The bus took me past Big Ben, the London Eye, Lambeth Palace, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Baker St (Sherlock Holmes apparently lives here), among other things that weren't as interesting. At any point I had the option to hop-off, but I saw the tour more as a tool to see where things are, so I can come back and explore at my own leisure.
I ended up getting off the bus where I started, near Michael's work, and got a toasted sandwich for a late lunch. I can't get over how many people are in London, it is busy all the time! When Michael finished work he told me they have 800 staff! And they are still busy!
I met Michael's Irish friend, Richard last night who has ordered me thermal tops, leggings, gloves and socks. I was too cold for words while I was on my little adventure, so hopefully now I'll be a bit more comfortable!
More stories to come soon! See ya
London Day 3 Part 2
My day began by sourcing somewhere for breakfast and coffee (because I have always been far too lazy to put toast in a toaster). Using good old google I found a place around the corner from where I'm staying and had a traditional English breakfast. It consisted of egg, bacon, baked beans, sausage, chips and toast, with a complimentary coffee. I gave it a good go, but didn't manage to eat the whole lot. I was full as a goog!
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
London Day 3 Part 1
Jet lag hit me like a ton of bricks at the most inopportune moment. At the theatre, watching Viva Forever act one, my eyes began to droop and I struggled to stay awake to watch it.
The show was good, great music! The acting was ok, the effects were good, the singing could of been better. Good enough for a £20 ticket.
After the theatre Michael and I went to a steakhouse called Flat Iron. Best steak I've ever had, and cheap too! They source the meat from farmers who use techniques that are 130 years old! The farmer ensures top quality product by even going as far as checking the grass is high quality! I was impressed.
On the tube on the way home, being my clumsy self, I dropped my Oyster card as I was following the crowds to exit the station. Holding up a crowd of people I apologised and a friendly man said, "it's ok" smiled and picked up my ticket. This story is important because at the tube you NEVER see people smile and you certainly don't speak to them. Only took me a day to crack a smile!
Then I was home and went straight to bed. I was exhausted and was asleep immediately. This morning my eyes flew open at 7am. This strange jet lag has cured my morning allergies, I'm wide awake, ready for new adventures!
Take care, talk soon.
The show was good, great music! The acting was ok, the effects were good, the singing could of been better. Good enough for a £20 ticket.
After the theatre Michael and I went to a steakhouse called Flat Iron. Best steak I've ever had, and cheap too! They source the meat from farmers who use techniques that are 130 years old! The farmer ensures top quality product by even going as far as checking the grass is high quality! I was impressed.
On the tube on the way home, being my clumsy self, I dropped my Oyster card as I was following the crowds to exit the station. Holding up a crowd of people I apologised and a friendly man said, "it's ok" smiled and picked up my ticket. This story is important because at the tube you NEVER see people smile and you certainly don't speak to them. Only took me a day to crack a smile!
Then I was home and went straight to bed. I was exhausted and was asleep immediately. This morning my eyes flew open at 7am. This strange jet lag has cured my morning allergies, I'm wide awake, ready for new adventures!
Take care, talk soon.
London Day 2
I'm a little annoyed at this blog as I just spent half an hour writing an entry, only to hit save and lose the whole thing!
This morning I was up at 9:30, not feeling jet lagged at all so I think I'll be lucky and not get it. Makes me think it's a myth, just like PMS, excuses for antisocial behaviour. Michael cooked scrambled eggs and ham, cheese and tomato croissants for breakfast, and Jesse stopped by to help us eat it.
After that Michael and I got the tube to Oxford Circus. I got my Oyster card, which is the same thing as a myki. I'm so impressed with the public transport in this city, it can't be easy transporting 11 million people around all day.
The shops here are amazing! We went to H&M, Zara Home, Zara and Massimo Dutti, among others. Every store in London is multi storeys high, packed with products and customers! We walked past an Apple Genius Bar and it was at least 2 levels high! I couldn't believe it!
For lunch Michael and I went to a place called C'est Isi which sold sandwiches, cupcakes, that sort of thing. We were asked whether we would like to dine in or takeaway and I automatically said dine in. Michael then informed my in England they have a tax on eating in! It's the silliest thing, so from now on I'll just have to take away and save my money. I had Coke which tasted the same as always. This is strange because I've been told every product tastes different depending on where it is manufactured. Coca Cola is the exception. Awesome, I love Coke!
The buildings in that part of London look much like the buildings in Melbourne that were built around the time of federation. Much of London was bombed during WW2 which is the reason for this, I'm assuming.
It snowed briefly while we were walking around today! Briefly as in I saw about 4 snow flakes, but still, it snowed! I swear I was the only person in London smiling, it's true what they say, London is grey and miserable. No rain yet though! It will probably rain tomorrow when I plan on doing my touristy things, knowing my luck!
Tonight Michael and I are going to see Viva Forever at the theatre. It's the Spice Girls equivalent to Mamma Mia. It should be excellent, a blast from the past!
Until tomorrow, take care.
This morning I was up at 9:30, not feeling jet lagged at all so I think I'll be lucky and not get it. Makes me think it's a myth, just like PMS, excuses for antisocial behaviour. Michael cooked scrambled eggs and ham, cheese and tomato croissants for breakfast, and Jesse stopped by to help us eat it.
After that Michael and I got the tube to Oxford Circus. I got my Oyster card, which is the same thing as a myki. I'm so impressed with the public transport in this city, it can't be easy transporting 11 million people around all day.
The shops here are amazing! We went to H&M, Zara Home, Zara and Massimo Dutti, among others. Every store in London is multi storeys high, packed with products and customers! We walked past an Apple Genius Bar and it was at least 2 levels high! I couldn't believe it!
For lunch Michael and I went to a place called C'est Isi which sold sandwiches, cupcakes, that sort of thing. We were asked whether we would like to dine in or takeaway and I automatically said dine in. Michael then informed my in England they have a tax on eating in! It's the silliest thing, so from now on I'll just have to take away and save my money. I had Coke which tasted the same as always. This is strange because I've been told every product tastes different depending on where it is manufactured. Coca Cola is the exception. Awesome, I love Coke!
The buildings in that part of London look much like the buildings in Melbourne that were built around the time of federation. Much of London was bombed during WW2 which is the reason for this, I'm assuming.
It snowed briefly while we were walking around today! Briefly as in I saw about 4 snow flakes, but still, it snowed! I swear I was the only person in London smiling, it's true what they say, London is grey and miserable. No rain yet though! It will probably rain tomorrow when I plan on doing my touristy things, knowing my luck!
Tonight Michael and I are going to see Viva Forever at the theatre. It's the Spice Girls equivalent to Mamma Mia. It should be excellent, a blast from the past!
Until tomorrow, take care.
Monday, 25 March 2013
Day 1 London
Where to begin? I arrived at Heathrow airport at 1:10pm London time. (happens to be +0 GMT) As I exited the plane I got a blast of 0 degrees Celsius air. Nice and refreshing after the 30+ temperatures we've been having in Mildura, so I thought.
I had been given a "landing card" on the aeroplane, and the air hostess had assured me that I needn't fill it out before I got to customs. So halfway through the lineup at customs I read a sign "have your landing cards filled out before approaching the desk". Yes, I'm the bitch that holds everyone up, I didn't have a pen! I got sent away to fill it out, luckily I know people and sourced a pen, then jumped the line. I did apologise to the lady I cut in front of, but still got a dirty look.
The customs man was friendly, I explained that it was my first time overseas. He welcomed me with open arms to the UK. Clearly I was no terrorist or drug trafficker. Although I didn't like how he questioned my occupation, clearly manager doesn't give enough detail. Also, asking where my brother works is a bit personal, you let him in the country almost a year ago, surely it doesn't matter?
Then I got the tube! Really, "mind the gap" need only be said once, I get it. It's funny over here, they repeat it over and over again. Brits mustn't be very savvy with train safety, train tracks are a hazard, even my 8 year old sister knows that.
Michael made a delish turkey pie for dinner, master chef in the making. We chilled for a bit, then had to get ready for the wine bar.
After a sip of wine Michael says, "I feel like going out after this, but don't let me" but the old, just one drink effect, made us go our anyway.
I met some lovely people tonight, Brendan, Andrew and Taylor, and saw Jesse for the first time in years. We basically got drunk and danced, good times!
London day 1 was a success. Looking forward to day 2! Goodnight, sweet dreams x
I had been given a "landing card" on the aeroplane, and the air hostess had assured me that I needn't fill it out before I got to customs. So halfway through the lineup at customs I read a sign "have your landing cards filled out before approaching the desk". Yes, I'm the bitch that holds everyone up, I didn't have a pen! I got sent away to fill it out, luckily I know people and sourced a pen, then jumped the line. I did apologise to the lady I cut in front of, but still got a dirty look.
The customs man was friendly, I explained that it was my first time overseas. He welcomed me with open arms to the UK. Clearly I was no terrorist or drug trafficker. Although I didn't like how he questioned my occupation, clearly manager doesn't give enough detail. Also, asking where my brother works is a bit personal, you let him in the country almost a year ago, surely it doesn't matter?
Then I got the tube! Really, "mind the gap" need only be said once, I get it. It's funny over here, they repeat it over and over again. Brits mustn't be very savvy with train safety, train tracks are a hazard, even my 8 year old sister knows that.
Michael made a delish turkey pie for dinner, master chef in the making. We chilled for a bit, then had to get ready for the wine bar.
After a sip of wine Michael says, "I feel like going out after this, but don't let me" but the old, just one drink effect, made us go our anyway.
I met some lovely people tonight, Brendan, Andrew and Taylor, and saw Jesse for the first time in years. We basically got drunk and danced, good times!
London day 1 was a success. Looking forward to day 2! Goodnight, sweet dreams x
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