Europe Day 4 - Switzerland

Rain rain go away, come again another day!

Today I'm suppose to be skydiving day but it has been raining all day and hasn't stopped.  I could have gone up the mountain on the train and in hindsight i probably should have, but after Paris and doing too much I decided to do one or the other. 

So this morning I did some washing one light load and one dark load. The whites had finished and I'm was still waiting an hour later for darks to finish! NOT HAPPY it took so long and I still had to wait around to dry my clothes but on the flip side I did get to read my book which I really haven't read. 

I have since adventured into town and done some watch shopping, because my watch required a new battery. 

My hot chocolate with Baileys!

Europe Day 3 - Switzerland

We left Paris for a 10 hour bus trip to our new country Switzerland and I also resprained my ankle walking to the bus (didn't tell you about the first time on the last day of my first trip in my new shoes). Anyway the girls who saw me just said my ankle collapsed under me as i step down the sidewalk. :( So ice and alleviation the whole 10 hours and i was quite lucky as our driver Chubba had an ankle brace to lone me. 

As we were travelling so much I don't really have any pictures but at the camp site it is beautiful and I can see snow and are surrounded by huge mountains with waterfalls streaming out. 

So far the best  dinner was last night chicken tarragon with mushroom and apple strudel.
It was also the first night were we could get all together and have a few beers in the pub.  We also played card games and I mean not normal card games but drinking games some of which I have never heard of such as 'on the bus' and 'kings'.

Night
Cherie x 

Europe Tour Day 2 - Paris

Amazing Race DayFree time in Paris! My first stop of the day was the Eiffel Tower were I climbed 670 stairs to the second level and then got the lift to the summit. Absolutely amazing views! Then Lisa and I the had Nutella crepes and sat on the river Seine (great idea Chief Ed). 

We then caught the train from the Eiffel Tower station to Notre Dame station but we only got to Les Invalides station as we where told the line had ended. We then caught a bus from invalided station to Notre dame which wasn't an easy task especially when you can't speak French but we did our best. 

Finally we got to Notre Dame which is somewhat famous due to the Walt Disney movie hunchback of Notre Dame as it features the famous bell towers. Unfortunately the line was so long that we didn't get to go inside and we needed to be at the river cruise for 1:45pm. 

We then caught a taxi to the river cruise which as we travel up the river of Seine to see the main sites.

Once that was finished i ran back to Eiffel tower as I was due at fat bike ride for more sight seeing. 

For dinner we had a group picnic under near the Eiffel Tower and then back on the bus to our Cabaret show. Unfortunately cameras weren't allow but their were boobs and men in g-strings WOOHOO! They also had an unicycle artist that juggled  a caught cups and saucers above his head. He even poured a cup of water. WOW The trapeze  artist was just as good. I especially liked the costumes with all their tassels and sequins they were beautiful! 
x

Europe Tour Day 1 - Paris

First day of my 26 day tour of Europe and it begins in the city of lights! PARIS

I met my new crew this morning at the Clink Hostel where approximately 40 people where to start the tour with me (this is twice as many as last tour). We then headed to Devon to board the ferry to the port of Calais. Once  in Calais we then had a 5 hour bus trip to Paris. 

In Paris we stayed in the out skirts of Paris in an area called Emile Reunaud which I found was quite dirty and the first place I was not comfortable walking around by myself.  

That night the group went out for dinner just around the corner from our hostel were I tried snails French onion soup and beef bourguignon for main. 

We then got back on the bus for the city of lights tour where I had my first pictures of Eiffel Tower and saw many of the main sights for Paris which I would be able to see in more detail tomorrow. I also had my first experience of hawkers trying to sell Eiffel tower key rings and potential be pick pockets. It was also quite funny because as soon as the hawkers see the police they run. This is because they are not allow to sell things there.  Many of the sites i have seen tonight i will be able to go back to tomorrow to further explore in more detail. 

London Day 2 - Sightseeing

This morning I started quite lazily getting my laundry ready and sending a parcel of brochures and small things back to Canberra. (More room in suitcase for Europe) ;pI then caught the tube to Borough markets (wow, amazing). There were little stores of different produce and tasters everywhere. I tried different cheese (pic just for you chief editor!), mushroom pâté and prinns. I also brought a Kate and Sidney pie (pic below). It had British beef, steak and kidney with fresh herb and ale served with, mushy peas, potato and gravy. I also had 3 oysters which were from Devon, they were beautiful the best I have every had. I wanted to buy and eat more  but I could not fit it in. 

From there I walked to London bridge, tower bridge and London tower. I went into the London tower and did a tour with the Tudor but there were so many people that I didn't walk into the buildings or line up for the crown of jewels. To tell you the truth I was stuffed and the crowds were huge.

Off to London Eye, it was nice but I don't think I would be in a rush to come back.

Back on the tube again and off to the theatre to see War Horse at the new London theatre in Covent gardens. Great production, the horses were amazing and how they moved to tell the story, congratulations to the puppeteers!! I really enjoyed but my favourite is still 'Wicked'. Last night in London Xxo Chix

London Day 1- and a dining experience!

My first day in London started off rather interesting as I spent 2 hours that morning in Soho medical centre. I'm fine,but our lovely bus driver Uncle Johnny accidentally threw out my medication. So all up that took 2 hours. Didn't get charged for the consult as Australian and Britain have reciprocal agreements and guess how much I paid for the medication, only 7.85 pounds. I asked the pharmacist if I could have another script filled :).So I got a script and off I went to Hyde.

But before we get to Hyde and I wanting to take my first picture I realised I didn't put the memory card back in my camera from the night before so all photos are courtesy of my iPhone.

So I walked and walked looking at Kenningston gardens, seeing my first squirrel, Kenningston palace, the orangery, Albert hall, Buckingham palace and of course Harrods.

At Kenningston palace I decided to go and have a look as the lady told me that their was a collection of 12 dresses from the Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana on display.

Later that afternoon I meet up with a friend for beers on the Tattersall castle boat. The Tattershall Castle was built by W. Gray & Co. in 1934 and was a vital passenger link across the Humber estuary ferrying passengers across the stretch of treacherous water between Hull and New Holland. The paddle steamer made about eight trips a day carrying up to 1050 passengers in three compartments and on the deck. Since 1981 the Tattershall Castle has been run as a bar & restaurant and has been considered one of the capital's best since then. The ship was refurbished in 2004 and again in 2009 and now offers a comfortable interior.  From the castle, there is a great view of Big Ben and the London Eye.

After that I ventured to Dans le Noir or known as Eating in the Dark. This is where you are guided by a person blind to eating and drink in total darkness.    It was an unbelievable experience and a bit overwhelming to started but you are eating and drinking in pitch darkness. With the help of our blind guides they lead you into the room and explain where everything is knife, fork, glass.

There food, mostly organic, is based on first quality ingredients, making this experience as interesting and tasty as possible.The menus you can choose are surprise, meat, fish and vegetarian. I choose surprise with accompany wines, 3 course dinner. PS you don't find out what you have eaten to the end!!

This idea might seem a little strange at first, but by 'suppressing the dominant sense of sight, you enter a world in which one is uncertain of surroundings and experiences'. So I chose the surprise dinner and was lead into the room and seated between two couples.

Later that evening I found out what I ate:

Entree- tunas and swordfish sashimi with honey and soy sauce

Main - small mounds of ostrich and cucumber, zebra (quite chewy) with pickled onion and pumpkin, wagyu beef with mash. 

Dessert- lavender crime brûlée with a chocolate strawberry

I also met some new people, thanks guys I had a ball. 

Just in case you want to go there 'Dans le Noir' is located in the Clerkenwell area, on 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, near Holborn and Farringdon, a few minutes walk from the heart of the city. http://london.danslenoir.com/

Love Cherie
xx

UK Tour Day 14 - Last day

So it was the last day of tour and yes a lot of it was travelling but we had two more stops.

The first one was Bath.  I suppose the normal thing to do is see the Abbey and the Roman baths....and I did...but I also 'experienced' them. Yes I spent 1 1/2 hours soaking at the Thermae Bath Spa!!

Unfortunately no pictures are allowed (ED; could have been interesting...!!) but I did grab the brochure so here's a picture.

I also spent sometime time in the sauna with the flavours of the steam being - sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, lemongrass and ginger. WOW!! The first time and I managed to stay in there about 10 minutes.

I had lunch on the run and back on the bus to STONEHENGE!!!

The true meaning of Stonehenge; this ancient, awe-inspiring creation has been lost in the midst of time. But people question whether Stonehenge is a temple for sun worship, a healing centre, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar. Questions also remain how our ancestors managed to carry the mighty stones from so far away and then, using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress. 

Enjoy the pictures

 

Now 2 days in London and then here comes Europe!

Chi xxo

UK Tour Day 13 - Cardiff

The bus trip to Cardiff was a long days driving but thanks to Uncle Johnny (driver) we arrived in record time.

In Cardiff we were extremely lucky because we stayed in the Holiday Inn which had air conditioning but unfortunately or fortunately didn't have wifi.

In Cardiff I did a little shopping but most of my and Laurel's afternoon was spent at Cardiff Castle.

 

 

Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the Castle Quarter of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort. Absolutely amazing and my favourite castle so far. 

It was also last dinner of the tour together so where better to go but O2 microbrewery and then onto the Live room for a bit more drinking and dancing. :p


Nite,
Love Cherie 

UK Tour Day 12 - Wales

As my chief editor (Kim) tells me, this is my 4th new country on this trip so far.

To get to Llangollen (which is in Wales) we needed to take a trip via ferry from Dublin. As we arrived at the ferry terminal there were six private buses waiting there too....we later found out that this was Bruce Springsteen!!! Tony our fantastic, brilliant, extremely funny tour director tweeted Bruce hoping for a little show on our bus but later found out it was the wrong Bruce :(   (Ed; which 'Bruce' was it....?  Willis, Lee, Dern or Forsyth??!)

Our 3 1/2 hour ferry trip came to and end as we arrived at the Holyhead port.

To get to Llangollen we travelled through the beautiful Dee Valley. Stopping very shortly in the town with the longest name!! Come-on you try to say that!!  (Here's a link to hear how it's said! http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Cy-Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch_%28Welsh_pronunciation%2C_recorded_17-05-2012%29.ogg)

Once to Llangollen some of us decided to take a steam train trip outskirts of Corwen. The Llangollen railway is a volunteer run railway.  It is currently the longest preserved line in Wales.

For dinner we returned into town to the Corn Mill where I had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Chi xxo

UK Tour day 11 - Dublin - GUINNESS DAY

I declare this day to be GUINNESS day!!!!!

So this morning we went on a walking tour around Dublin. But before that we got a well deserved sleep in until 9:30am but because my room has the smallest ever window it was like sleeping in a sauna.

On the walking tour we went to the following places in the pictures plus more but I would be here forever posting  so here are my favourites:

Abbey Presbyterian church

The Spire of Dublin, officially titled the Monument of Light^[is a large, stainless steel, pin-like monument 121.2 metres (398 ft) in height, located on the site of the former Nelson's Pillar on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland.

Molly Malone" (also known as "Cockles and Mussels" or "In Dublin's Fair City") is a popular song, set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City. 

Post office "rather extravagant"

Saint Patrick's cathedral

First ever glass of Guinness

I also poured my own Guinness at the Guinness storehouse and finally at 4:30pm Laurel and I finally got lunch a little place called Salamanca for tapas.


Luv Cherie