The Netherlands

Is it The Netherlands or Holland?

We arrived late into Amsterdam on Thursday night. (it was only a short trip from Eindhoven - 1.5hrs on the bus via our first windmill! - what more do you want from a flight that cost 1p each way!?) We quickly grabbed the key for the apartment, dropped our luggage and headed out to grab some tucker from a bunch of sleazy waiters at a dodgy/touristy Italian restaurant. (Hey, I know we weren't in Italy but it was the only thing open - other than Maccas which I don't do unless there is nothing else available for miles/days!)






After a good and long night sleep, we scuttled around to get ready to head to the only plan I had for the trip, Mikes Bikes bike and boat tour of Amsterdam. It wasn't the nicest of days, but according to the always trusty weather report, it was possibly going to be the best option of the 5 and a way to get our bearings for the rest of the trip.

It was a small group of 8. Mostly from the US and Oz. (and other places that they aren't scared of some random holiday exercise!) The trip was 5 hrs, with part of it (obvious by the title!) on a boat through the canals. We immediately befriended 'fresh off the boat Stacy' from Melbourne. Whilst throwing back the free Heineken's on the boat, we discovered that there was a pub crawl that night, which started just a stones throw from our accommodation. Sounds like a plan!




After a rather strenuous and water-logged day, we forced ourselves to be part of the merriment.

Soon we were dancing and carrying on like there was no tomorrow. There wasn't - it was mostly spent on the pub crawl with might I add - 4 ADELAIDIANS! (like that EVER happens!)

Saturday started off quite dreary. Lack of sleep and lots of rain - shopping will fix it! Shoes everywhere! (Is that because of the clog tradition?) Between us we managed to buy 12 pairs....

Despite K managing to 'format' her camera (currently in the process of being unformatted - she hopes) we managed to revisit this very special culinary delight... then saw one more in The Hague... I AM I A CHAIN - THERE IS 14!! Not including the one in San Diego which I hope to inherit someday ;)

The next day for a bit of sight seeing, K and I were keen to hire a bike to look around, and more importantly, visit Anne Frank House. *TIP for travellers* if you are looking for this place, you will note Anne Frank House is on the North West side - not the North East where it says Anne Frank Street! This issue and a puncture meant we didn't make it there, but nevertheless, we know where it is and we did get to ride a bike around for about 4hrs and now know Amsterdam like the back of our hand.

Feeling like crap, cold and raining non stop, we headed to The Hague for the night. It was a Monday, so very quiet. I think going on the weekend and when it was nice weather I would have appreciated it a lot more. We had a quiet dinner and a few drinks, before retiring for the night.

It was 1.5 hrs still back to Eindhoven, and the weather continued to be dreary, getting worse and worse. We decided to head to Eindhoven for the day to get the train trip over with (and rest on it!) rather than hang around for more dreariness in Den Haag.

Eindhoven seemed the same. Nice place for an international business hub. but we were over the 5 days of rain and coldness (this is summer!?) At least we were not far from the flight back. After a last minute look through the markets, Centruum and a spot of nice lunch (BRING ON 1st July Smoke freeness!) we headed for our final destination (HOME!)

One thing i'll have to say (opposed to the liking I took to Holland) its kinda fucked - the whole reason they legalise things there is so there is respect, everyone is integrated into a social acceptable society - then globalisation has bought wankers from around the world to abuse it. (Waiters in Piccolo and Guy with the big umbrella take note).

and for more Amsters piccys...

Road trip June 2007 (Courtneys pics to follow..)

The brief publishable version.

The greatest thing about not working - is your ability to do such spur of the moment things.
That or the reason it isn't very sunny in London is the fact that it makes normal (well almost) people do extraordinary things.
One Sunny afternoon in June, Mike and I polished of a bottle of Piper, followed by a a distant cousin, white wine.
Mike: 'I have to go away tonight - I have a conference in Manchester - you should come!'
V: ok!

Jumping on a last minute train, no clothes or other essentials, we realise it is destination Stoke on Trent. 'No fear, we can do both!' Mike says. After lots of booze, a spot of shopping and a few attempts by Mike to get arrested, we head to Manchester to see Courtney the tour guide extraordinaire.
'Hey guys' Lets party, Manchester pub crawl style.' We had cocktails, met some Geordie and sang Karaoke with the finest amateurs. It was so much fun. Getting back to Courtney's, we slumped our abused bodies into a teeny single bed where it was lights out in a matter of seconds.
Awakening the next morning, still pissed, we managed to make it to meet Courtney for lunch and wander the day time hungover version tour of Manchester.

I need to go there again - it was such a nice part of the UK - and for a majority of it I was in a hazed state of Rose, cocktails and cheap Bacardi diet cokes.

Don't go home Courtney. Stay on the UK party bus foreverrrrrr - we love you!

Mike and I proceeded to the train - one decision we could ACTUALLY make. The 3 hour trip was arduous - but again - fun and full of laughs!

When in Rome

I have recently returned from 4ish days in Rome. (May 24 - 28)
The first thing I have to say is that I haven't had such great warm weather in aaagges! Bring it on. I had packed so well - with no for seen required cardi whatsoever!
Secondly, I am quite over the big touristy city thing.
But when in Europe - you have to do Rome. The first day (and the hottest)the 3 fair antipodean amigos arrived and headed for the apartment - well the keys anyway! On to the apartment, we immediately proceeded to get amongst it. The sun was shining - we were hungry hot and thirsty. Oh look! Its the Colosseum! Oh look - a beer gardeny thing! Perfect - we can admire them both from here!
Skulling 1 litre of beer was no sweat from our brow. Except for the fact that we had been up for the Ryan Red Eye. Unbenownst to us, we were in a semi jet lagged state.
We headed back to what we confidently thought was the way by tube back to our apartment - taking a series of minutes to realise that we hadn't actually walked that far and were actually going in the wrong direction! Just one of those funny things that HAD to happen I guess.
Back on track, we headed home and after a brief supermarket visit, we were sitting in the apartment scoffing local delicacies with the aim to hit the pillow.

Day 2 - Blonde northern hemispherian arrives. After a nice lie in, we met Kathryn at the station and potted around for the day. Tonight was the walking tour pub crawl. I think most of America turned up for it. We had a ball.

Spanish steps (Me, Leigh, Rezza)

Fontana di trevi (not the one on Pirie St)


After the heavy night of all that walking.... we decided sittin on the open top bus would be a better way to see the sights. (Followed by our favorite pizza slab joint ;)

Guess where I am??


Now Geppy, I know you love shoes and this who shoe accessorising thing, but did it get this bad?


On Sunday, we got up bright and early to visit the Pope. Unannounced to us, and not documented in any of the 8 handbooks we had read, you have to cover your knees and shoulders to get in! Hence Rez and I just did the Pope tomb walk. Ok, no disrespect, but I think I have had enough of the Vatican for today.

Vatican City (and the people lining up to get in)




After this point, we separated - blonde girls thata way - blonde girls thisa way.
Rez and Leigh did the Colosseum close up and Kathryn and I decided it was past time to shop. Where the hell are the shops in this town!? (as quoted in Vatican city!)We headed for the markets. These are actually the worst markets in the world. Miles and miles of the crap out of some cheap-asses wardrobe, tipped in a pile on a make shift stand. Oh, or there are the Nigerian guys with their dodgy fake gucci bags.. Not happy Jan. The only consolation was that we found the best gelati stand. There is always a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. (or something along those lines..)

Sunday night - the last night about town.

Classy dinner in a piazza - check


Sampling the local champers Prossecco - check


Finding a megaphone for the bargain sum of 8 Euros - check


All of the above summed up in one (unedited) photo - check!

Santiago (the one in northern Spain...)

Santiago De Compostela - the pilgrimage of St James (and something to do with Christopher Columbus)
Well, I hear you sigh as you read I have just returned from a trip to sunny Spain- Spain? Sunny? Santiago De Compostela to be exact. Apparently it rains most days of the year, but temperatures rarely fall below 15 and above 30 all year round. So as you guessed, it rained most of the weekend and we were lucky to get above about 13. But never fear, we still had a great time!
Day 1, Saturday, we arrived via the only mode of transport to this part, Ryanair. Everything seemed to be in close proximity and Ryan actually offers free shuttle service to the Old town (what a nice man). Unfortunately, we were not staying in the old town! However everything happens for a reason - if we had known where to go from the start we would never have discovered this haven of seafood delicacies, bars and friendly people (even if they were primarily women and at least 40).So we skidaddle to office de tourismo where we are greated by the lady who also manned the stand at the airport on our arrival. She remembered seeing us (and how could you not!;) and was quite seemingly apologetic that we had not of found our way to our hotel the first time!
Bus 11. Short trip, later found to be quite walkable (despite the town being built on 6 apparent hills, er mountains). Area Central Hotel... this looks like it...and what do you know - we are actually staying in the SHOPPING CENTRE! You couldnt really plan it any better could you?

So from here we, of course, thought we would chill for the afternoon, food, followed by a bit of a relax and pep up before our first night and Saturday in the town.

Our first (and only recollections from the old town were that of the gourmet variety. This in addition to the towns reknownment for Pulpo (Octopus) and other creatures of the deep, we chose a seafood restarant for a nice dinner. Yum! Everything you could expect and more. This accompanied by great regional rosal (rose - that in the supermarket was approximately £2!)

We moved to the bar area where the barmaid kept replacing our empty glasses with bottomless Estrella (Not Australia) which was the local beer - and a cheaper option than softdrink..!) Then of course there were the old men who noticed our uncanny resemblence to people who were not from the area! So we chatted to them, drank more free local liquors and had a picture taken for the Gallicia newspaper (to be cont').

From here we bar hopped in the rain, met a load of younger people and of course danced. I thought all of my dreams had come true when the dance floor parted to watch me salsa with some guy who was knocked off his feet (literally), but then it all came to an end when I had to scramble out the door to head to the next place.

By the end of the night random people (with no knowledge of the english language whatsoever) were hopping past yelling 'Kangaroo' - how did they know my ancestors?
Might I say, much like Adelaide, word travels fast that 2 blonde young (ish) chicks are in town! I like a place where tourists are still a novelty!



Lobsterknapping
Sunday, luckily, was a day (in this town of religion) that nothing except food establishments were open. To recover from the night before, we rolled ourselves out of the hotel tomb and down to the shopping centre to find a source of energy. A few hours, a bad pizza and a few trips to the bathroom later, we were back in the tomb for a well deserved snooze. BUT Sunday night, we were ready for more. A walk to the old town, some wonderful sangria and tapas and the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. A man walked up to the open fish tank and snatched a live lobster! This photo represents the only evidence to solve the case of the stolen lobster!

Ok, now I will endevour to remember more of our Spanish adventures, si, but in the meantime Kathryn's stories and pics will fill the void (and embarrass me greatly - not like I aint used to it or love it for that matter!)
x

Its Kate - Dancing with the Stars

Goooooo Kate! Good luck for the Grand Finale! Too bad its not on UK TV!!! :(

Eooooooorodisney

Another surprise for Julez's Birthday. A trip to Euro Disneyland!


Mr Incredible.. and some guy in a red suit!


When travelling to Disney, we choose Eurostar.


Disney parade


Awww how bewtiful!


Indiana Jones roller coaster.

The Republic of Czech - Easter 2007

Hmm - not your normal pictcha-esk Prague! Gold cow on a spit (steakhouse view from Castle)



Old Town Markets/Clock Tower



Charles Bridge



Prague Castle

Cork - in pictures.

My camera was playin funny buggers, (overuse) so I didnt take many (see below) Lucky Ian and Steph were snap happy!

Cork - St Patricks Day 2007 - Ian's view

St Patricks Day in Cork, Ireland, The World..

Blarney Castle (see the stone? above the top middle window??!!)

Julez and I - in the Blarney sun

Julez, Kendyl and Stephen

Sweet Shanghai..

Its not the end of the world when you leave your holiday in sunny Oz to come back to London for work. Mostly because you forgot about the night stopover in Shanghai as part of the service when flying China Eastern Airlines.

Well we've never been to Asia (officially - airports don't count), so I thought it would be a great taster opportunity.

To say the least, I tasted enough in 20 hours. On arrival, no one knew how to process temporary layover visas, speak english (fair enough), or in layments terms, generally organise a piss up in a brewery.

You can imagine that seeing it was a stopover, it was not a dream of most people on the flight to go to China and most being english, were 'unhappy' to say the least (I promise not to use the 'w' word).

Environmental awareness and health and safety can apparently not be translated into Chinese.. therefore dont exist! see for yourself..

View from the hotel

Another view from the hotel..

Passing smog

'Safe' brekkie

This is my favorite.. (actually referring to customised stamps..no really!)

Oz part 2 - in piccys

My lunch day 1 - Sydney...

Julez posing at the Bluff (no whale sightings!)

The only picture of me - tired or relaxed.. your choice!

Guess where I am Rez (if only we had e-smell..)

Mother Christmas 2006

snapshot fo Oz + first 1/4 of 2007

Hey bro!

Ceazar - and the sea water he drank down Victor!

My Oz/UK/Oz mates!

My buddies - Julez and Ceazar - look at that tongue!

Taronga Zoo Koala - for the tourist in me.

Flashback - Majorca here we come!

Majorca - 28 April - 1 May 2006

It was a last minute decision just a week or so before. Sandra and I decided we needed to make the most of the up and coming bank (public!) Holiday May Day long weekend. Somewhere warm, but not too far, not to extravagant. We looked on the trusty www.teletextholidays.co.uk website for inspiration. Despite it being a long weekend, we were surprised with the results. Majorca - for under £170, we could get 4 days, 3 nights flights, accommodation, food and booze.
We made our excitement known across the office, and before we could say 'tan' we had a total of 7 showing interest. We booked immediately, not wanting to miss an opportunity. We are on the way to SkaseVille! It however wouldn't have been a holiday with episodes such as 'the one where Stephanie is declined entry to the plane because her passport is in her maiden name and ticket booked in her married. Phew, saga one diverted.
On arrival, it was raining. Nothin like a drop of rain to assist you with making a start on the what is soon to be 1 million vodka and diet cokes...
As soon as the sun started to beam through the afternoon Spanish sky, we were laying by the pool - between 2 very well positioned bars.
After the first supper, we got kitted up and headed for the Esplanade. Already trolleyed, we strolled the 'German strip' with our sights set on 'somewhere with music'. We ended up at a German 'nightclub' where girls danced to cheesy euro tunes on tables. 'Mc Donald's MacDonald's, KFC and a Pizza Hut..' brings back such memories. Paul convinced me that we needed to get out and groove and we commenced carving up the makeshift dance floor. Paul makes Patrick Swayze look like Mickey Mouse. The night continued with much frivolity, but Saturday night stood apart, for the sheer fact that we headed into Palma - on the bus. Already full on free voddies and DC, there was a series of spectacular events that had the whole bus in stitches. Although at this moment in time I cannot remember specifics beside Mike stealing my thong and slapping Paul in the face.. (or was it the other way round?) and more dancing.. We returned back to the resort around 6am and for something different, spent the next few days, laying by the pool, having snoozes and night dancing to Euro tunes - what a life. as the days past, it was harder and harder to make the breakfast table - and for that matter, any kind of routine other than snooze, drink, lay, swim, snooze, drink, party... (cont). One afternoon, Julez, Sandra and I thought it wouldn't be a holiday without a spot of shopping. There was a handful of touristy shops and a Mango. Sandra managed to make me look like an amateur and purchased 3 pair of shoes and 6 tops - all I bought was another denim jacket.
After such a deviation, we got back into routine and began to get ready to go out for the night.

I was disappointed that we had to leave - although our livers were pleading insanity. I have never had such a great time with such a great group of people.
My camera was unfortunately up the duff - lucky Mike had one which he sent me a copy of the pics.
But these are memories I will keep with me forever..

Valencia, Spain - via Stansted, UK

We got up at the ungodly hour of 3am to do the now more regulary trip to Stansted. When Ryan Air says 'cheap flights' I always seem to overlook the days less sleep and the rigorous and costly journeys to and from the airport.

So we arrived nice and early and as we were coming from different locations - Sandra and I met at the Ryan Air check in line. Every time I go there, I also forget how many people there must be in the UK for this airport to be busy BEFORE the first flights are even allowed to leave in Adelaide - plus you have to be there approx 2 hrs early to avoid hold ups - check in can only be done up to 40 mins before boarding.
All went smoothly, even with the new rule that all liquids, makeup etc (under 100mls) needs to be placed in a sealable Glad bag (Glad must be a rich lady). I quit that ages ago and just decided I would check everything like this in with my luggage to save time and stress. However those few docile people, who always claim ignorance held us up somewhat - and the lines to go through security were at an all time length. All this being well, there was still the chance we would have to undress from the toes to the ankles - damn it! We must have looked like our feet didn't smell - 'please move to the side and place your shoes on the conveyer belt'. Phew!
Most of you know this, but I actually came to London with the primary idea to travel. These arduous tasks are making this hobby prove less and less glamorous each time I fly - oh but it keeps it interesting!

Now, the idea to get to the airport with time to spare was to ensure a smooth trip….. And to do some shopping in the airport! Not that you make any savings doing it this way in the UK, but its just a thing that us non UKians regard as something 'fascinating' and 'special' (oh and there is a good shoe shop!)

We didn’t buy anything (except a tuna toastie and a Starbucks Xmas special - Gingerbread Latte!!! - They are back for another Xmas Rez - and you can buy the stuff to make it yourself the whole year round!)

Ok, now we are revitalised - lets go to Spain!

Grand olde duke (duchess) of York

Yorks biggest antique shoppe - I know someone who likes clocks...


York ye olde town



Walkin along ye wall



York Minster (arent they carpets..?)



North West gate on the wall - Petergate