Last Day of my Holiday...in London

Hi All, 

It's Cherie's trusty sidekick here posting for her last last last day that she's currently spending in London.

I have had a few messages from her and so far have gathered that she'd ventured out to the shops.....she has had Japanese for lunch and had her hair straightened by some assistant trying to flog her hair straighteners!!

(Just grabbed her in the shops to leave a message for you all)

I hope that you've enjoyed reading through all the updates and blogs and hope that Cherie has had even half as good a time as I've had, reading through her adventures.  My personal favourite is still her trying 'abstinence' for the first time the other night....although I'm quite certain she meant the mind altering drink of absinthe!  :)

Cherie doesn't depart until late this evening...so as you read this, I'm sure she's still galavanting around London, packing in a few more experiences before she hops on the plane to come back to Oz.

So aside from the pics I've stolen from mt viber account to share with you, I'll leave you with a quote, as now I'm quite certain that Cherie is a few chapters in.....!


“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” 
― Augustine of Hippo

The End

Europe Day 26 - Last Day of Tour

Today we said our farewells to the Netherlands, heading to Belgium and the city of Bruges. A short walking tour is followed by free time (45mins, too short) to explore and sample some delicious Belgian specialities; chocolate and get lunch.

My lunch

Ferry

We then head to Calais and catch our ferry back to England, where the trip finishes this evening, and we say our farewells.




I just wanted to thank everyone for reading my blog and to my chief editor/best friend Kimberley for her assistance.  (ED; No worries....just give me some time to recover before I do another blog with you!!!)

I'm ready to come home, there is no place like Oz!!!

Lots of Love....Cherie xxxx

Europe Day 25 - Amsterdam

Free day and it's raining and I shouldn't really be complaining as the only rainy days of the whole two months being away have been Switzerland and today.This morning started with a bike tour with Mikes bikes around Amsterdam, giving us the chance to travel among the canals and parks of this gorgeous city as the locals do.If you can't see me I'm the red blob under the letter 'r'

Nice Park in Museum Square


I then met back up at the hostel with my friend Alyce (Dubbo) to go and line up for Anne Frank House. The line up was 2 hours and then we spent about that time in their. I brought the book at Dachau book shop and finished just in time for our visit. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any photos inside but it was amazing to see the size and darkness of the place and very moving when I went through the bookcase to the secret attic.

Anne Frank Statue

The line

This evening, we then had a delicious farewell dinner at the local Chinese restaurant, followed by a canal cruise around the waterways of this great city, the perfect way to round off a memorable Topdeck trip.

The Chinese Restaurant

Wonky Houses!  They are swaying to the right!!

 Last night in Amsterdam turned out to be a big clubbing night!!!!
Nite Cherie

Europe Day 24 - The Netherlands

Our trip today moves on to the Netherlands, famous for many things such as cheese and clogs. On the way we visit to a local farmer to see how these typically Dutch products are made.I brought some cheese which I can bring back to Australia

My cheese!

Left to right - wedding shoe , ladies church shoe, men's church shoe, can't remember the red ones, yellow working shoes



Once in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam we go on a walking tour around the heart of this multicultural, famously liberal city, stopping at Dam Square to see the Royal Palace and National Monument, before heading to the famous Red Light district and our sex show!

But before we get to that earlier in the week we had to indicate if we intended to go to the sex show and at that time I was sitting with Jinmo (from South Korea) on the bus. Well lets just say Jinmo didn't quite understand what the show was or about and I had to try explain, naked people having sex, intercourse, oo my gosh what am I saying how do I explain?

So off to the sex show and we sat around a bar with a little stage in front, wasn't quite what I thought but I really wasn't sure what I was going to see. Anyway they had 4 girls individually go through their routines trying to do sexy dancing around a pole and bringing different men up to eating banana out of her va***** (yes I'm not lying and Jinmo was one of them) or pulling ribbon out!! Then it was couple and I don't think I should go any further my mum reading this ;) !!!

I can't take any photos in the sex show so the last picture is the next best thing!

After the sex show we went out for a bit checking out the red light district and skinny and fat lanes, then back to the hostel.

Europe Day 23 - Rhine Valley

A long travelling day today to the Rhine Valley but we are finally here. It is absolutely beautiful with heaps of vineyards going up the mountains and dotted with castles. We are staying in a castle tonight with four to a room but the views from the room are beautiful. So wish I could stay here longer.

Largest cuckoo clock in Germany

Beer Stiene - the stone mounted on the top is from the Berlin Wall (Ps I didn't buy one this is my friends).

Steiff, the company that made the first teddy bears

View from outdoor area

View from my room

Europe Day 22 - Prague

Today was a free day to explore this beautiful city, hidden for decades behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ that divided East and West Europe, but now a hugely popular destination and a true gem of Eastern Europe. I love Prague!

I got my portrait painted by an artist on Charles Bridge, which I love!



Learnt more about Czech culture and history and indulged at the Black Angel restaurant with spectacular terrace views.

Check this out



Dessert - Lemon sorbet with sparkling wine

The Czech Republic also has a great night life and tried abstinence (Ed; I'm assuming you mean 'absinthe' the alcohol....??? Abstinence isn't nearly as much fun!!) while out last night.

Love Cherie

Europe Day 21 - Czech Republic

This morning we visited to the former concentration camp at Dachau. It was very sombre, but at the same time a very important stop, here i had the opportunity to educate myself about the horrors of the Holocaust, and pay my respects to those who suffered so much at the hands of the Nazi regime.
 
The picture below is of the crematorium which was erected between may 1942 and April 1943. It was to serve both as a killing facility and to remove the dead. There is a gas chamber in the middle of the building although this was never used.
 

Photo of people once they were liberated

Then onwards to the Czech Republic and the capital, Prague. Once again our trip leader took us for a city tour to get our bearings for or free day tomorrow.

Hradcany castle

A soldier protecting the Hradcany castle

St Vitus Carhedral

Interesting sculpture!

John Lennon wall

Old town hall - astronomical clock

Night,

Love Cherie

Europe Day 20 - Munich

Willkommen in Deutschland! Welcome to Germany!
 
We had an overnight stop in the nation of Munich, capital of the proud region of Bavaria. The city is nicknamed ‘Toy Town’ by some, a nod to its eye-catching architecture and welcoming feel. Once there we went on a short walking tour with our Topdeck Leader where we could see the Marienplatz, with its Old and New Town Halls, as well as the striking Frauenkirche, the church which dominates the city skyline. 
 

Out of the two photos above which is the oldest town hall?
 

We also went to one of Munich’s world famous beer halls (Hopfbrau haus) where we could see traditional dancing.

Members dressed up for our evening meal (Trevor, Louise and Josh)

Dinner, pork knuckle with crackle and potato dumpling

More beer!!!

Night Cherie

Europe Day 19 - Venice

This morning we head in to Venice, a city consisting of a dizzying array of islands, interconnected by countless bridges, and serviced by a beautiful network of canals – there really is no other city like it on earth! Mimi ( trip leader) took us on a walking tour winding through alleyways and across piazzas, finishing in St Mark’s Square with its magnificent basilica.

 

We then pay a visit to a local lace school to see how these delicate masterpieces are created by the talented Venetians.

Then a gondola ride through waterways that link this great city, during which you can view the famous Rialto Bridge from the waters of the Grand Canal.

The rest of the day was mine to spend how I wished.

Saw the band playing at the oldest coffee shop in Venice the 'florian' (Ed- so glad you made it there!!!  Such a famous place)

Lunch was the best carbonara!! (Ed; NO CREAM!  Much yummier!)

Back to camp site to party with my cousin and Peter.

Luv Chi

Europe Day 18 - Venice

 

This morning we leave Croatia and briefly head in to Slovenia, a country of outstanding natural beauty – not least the Postojna Caves, one of the largest and most beautiful cave systems in Europe. There i took the option to take a guided tour of some of the 27 kilometres of intricate underground galleries and chambers, seeing the spectacular formations that nature can create when given thousands of years to work with. The tour is partly by foot and partly on a small electric railway which cuts through the rocks, Indiana Jones style!
 
These caves were discovered in 1818 and were opened to the public in 1819. They are 20km long and at the deepest point 150m deep. They are consistently at 8 degrees and the stelemites/ stelatites grow 1cm every 100 years depending on the amount of water. Their is also approximately 100 species of living organisms (spiders, bugs and salamanders).  The colour difference in the below picture is because of iron in soil.
 

Then we headed back into Italy to Venice! Earlier this morning I found out at my cousin Aimee and her partner Peter where is Venice too! I let them know before leaving where I was staying and was fully prepared when I got to my accommodation to get a taxi to see them but there she was when I got off. I couldn't believe it!!

Nite Cherie

 

Europe Day 17 - Zadar

Another driving day northwards along the Adriatic coastline to the bustling old town of Zadar

 We went on an orientation tour and take in some of the Roman ruins in this picturesque, ancient city, whilst a stroll along the promenade which lead us to the Sea Organ – part public artwork and part musical instrument, it produces harmonic sounds when it is ‘played’ by the ocean!

 

This evening I then get the chance to try out a local restaurants for dinner and have free time to explore the city.   Dinner (mussels) and pics of sunset below.

 

 

Luv chi