Athens photos

Again just from the iPhone. Sorry! Real pics coming soon. 

Athens! - Ruins, ruins, ruins! (Including the economy :/)

First day in Athens - man I thought the dozens of half constructed buildings we saw in Santorini were a bad sign of the Greek economy but there are so many abandoned buildings, closed businesses and homeless people it beggars belief. We walked down the main shopping street and there were three closed shops and two burnt out buildings in the same block.  Cee has a big heart and she feels the weight of it, it's been hard on her at times. We have been giving change to the homeless (amputees in particular),

I have been really looking forward to coming to Greece, the history here is incredible and also abundant! As soon as the Greeks try and dig anywhere or build anything they encounter ruins or artifacts. We saw some bronze statues that were found 2m down where they were trying to fix some plumbing, we went into a gift shop that had to have a glass floor because it was built on ruins, numerous subway stations have archeological displays of things found in construction and when they tried to build a new museum for the artifacts from the Acropolis they found a whole ruined city block under the site - so they built it on stilts so you can see the site and the museum!

Now for the breakdown:

We arrived Friday afternoon and decided not to pull punches and headed straight for the Acropolis and spent the afternoon exploring the ruins in the blazing heat.

On Saturday we explored the Monastiraki flea markets, went to the Roman Agora, the Agora Museum (actually inside a rebuilt Greek Stoa),  Philopappos hill, Pnyx and the Acropolis Museum (busy day - back at 10!)

On Sunday we watched the changing of the guards at parliament, went to the National Archeological museum and saw the parts of the Antikythera (and three working reproductions!) then climbed Lycabettus hill for views of the city (ok we cheated and took a funicular half way!)

Today we had a lazy sleep in (we are on holiday!), went on a mission to the laundromat with practically all our washing (it cost €20!) and had a stroll about the National Gardens (which also has ruins haphazardly strewn about it).

Tomorrow we head for Corinth and even more ruins.

Oh and a bird pooped on Celia's hat and left a stain - it's ruined!

If Celia had a pet donkey she would call it Mr HeeHaw

After a wonderful evening at a 5 star bench in Athens airport we arrived in Santorini on Wednesday morning. Stepping off the plane to a cold spring day on the islands (28 degrees). We were confronted with the islands unusual architecture, striking white houses with barrel rooves. 

After check-in we grabbed a €2 Souvlaki and explored the main village Fira. We walked down the cliff path to the old port where passengers were returning to cruise liners by boat and grabbed a beer on the edge of the water. With some Dutch courage, we rode back up the cliff path on the backs of donkeys - who didn't seem to want to follow instructions but luckily seemed to know the way!

Afterwards we popped back to the hotel for a swim and a quick power nap - that stretched out to 3 hours! But we managed to force ourselves to go out and get dinner and explore the cliff side by night and enjoy the view.

On our second day we traveled to Akrotiri archeological site on the south of the island, a former town from the late Cycladic period that was covered in silt and ash when the islands volcano exploded 4700 odd years ago (like Pompeii but different volcano).

It's amazing hour much still remains and how little they have excavated so far (about four out of 35 buildings!) but they have only been digging for forty years, they estimate it will take another 200!

Later we tried to get to another site on top of a mountain but it was closed due to high wind so we decided to explore the beaches. The bus goes on 'Island Time' and was taking forever so we hitchhiked to the beach, we got picked up by the local Maths teacher who was really nice, he wouldn't take money for gas and gave US a present for riding with him! So we had a few cocktails and a souvlaki on the beach before heading to Oia on the northern tip of the island. Oia turned out to be even more beautiful the Fira! So after dinner we caught the sunset over the Aegean and went back to start packing. 

Our flight out was delayed due to high winds, could have really done with another day in Santorini and nearly got one! But it managed to land (just) after an hour.

The thing that sticks with me the most is the hospitality of the islanders, they are really nice, like really really nice, like nicer than the Danish nice ( and without that whole 'secretly taking over the world' vibe). Even when they were trying to sell things being nice was still more important!

And now on to the mainland!

Celia is making me blog

So we are sitting in an airport in Paris, waiting for our 3 hour flight to take us to Athens airport where we get to schlemp around for 9 hours waiting for out flight to Santorini! Well at least Greece should be warmer, Paris has been wet and cold.

In the last couple of days we visited the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Archeological Crypt underneath Notre Dame square and returned to Versailles to view the palace (we ran out of time and got drenched on Sunday!).

All in all returning to Paris has been fun but I wish the weather was like last time!

For Tarrentino fans, went to McDonalds and ordered a Royal with Cheese. Didn't order a beer though, it was 11am!

Edit: as it turns out some loony shot himself in front of the altar at Notre Dame as a protest about gay marriage the day after our visit, lucky we missed it!

Week in Paris

Bonjour! It's been a couple of days since the last post. I find that we're doing so much I need to post frequently or I forget what we did and when! 

On Friday we slept in and then made our way to saint chapelle, a famous church with 360 stained glass windows. We took a couple of videos to show you all once we're back. It was beautiful and not too overcast so there was a fair bit of light coming through. Next we went to the prison where Marie Antoinette was held. That had an art exhibition going on at the same time so some of the cells had artworks in them. It was a weird combo but it was only 4E so it was okay haha. 

We then walked to the louvre gardens and had a very late lunch that we'd pre bought to save money (from the supermarket). I had a really disappointing tuna sandwich :(

Following that we explored the mall under the louvre a bit and experienced toilets that charge you 1.5E to use (about $2.60). They weren't that great. Clean I guess. We then met up with a small tour group of 3 others (plus the guide) that we were recommended. Fortunately this meant we got to skip the line which was handy! Our guide took us around all the main artworks including Venus, Mona Lisa and Nike. Mona Lisa wasn't that impressive but I can now say I've seen her. I really liked Nike (the sculpture of the goddess) and one called 'the young martyr" the most. 

Yesterday we went to the musee d'orsay and l'orangerie museums. We saw some of monet's waterlillies, some cool art nouveau furniture, some Renoir and other famous impressionists. We got an early night in. 

Today we took a tour of the gardens of Versailles! Since its a Sunday the fountains all came on at 3pm-5pm and all the groves were open (except a few for renovation). Normally most of the 20 groves are shut bar sat/sun. It was forcast to rain but held off until 5pm when we got soaked despite our umbrella! We saw a wonderful musical fountain and lots of topiaries and paterres. We didn't get time to see the palace as well so that's on tomorrow's agenda along with notre dame. We then have Tuesday to throw in the Eiffel Tower before we leave at 9pm for santorini!!!

Au revoir, C xx

Today's photo is a frank Lloyd wright door that Daniel liked. Sorry you haven't had any actual photos from the camera yet, only cellphone ones. They're on their way!

Paris day two

Day two in Paris and we started out with a haute couture exhibition at hotel de ville. It was lovely but nothing was translated so we finished it quickly (luckily for Daniel). We proceeded over the seine and got lunch at a relatively expensive restaurant with good service but thin steaks haha.

Next we walked to st Michels to start a free waking tour! It was 3.5 hours long and it rained a fair bit but Daniel had a waterproof jacket and I bought a 5E umbrella. It was hard to find one not covered in Eiffel towers. I don't want to look like too much of a tourist! Anyway, the tour covered saint chapelle, Norte dame, the courts, the oldest bridge in Paris, the Eiffel tour, the louvre and their gardens, a Starbucks for a break and a bridge of locks. Walking tours don't go inside the attractions but you can see it from the outside and the guide tells you things about it and also history and funny wee bits and pieces. They also tell you how much it'll be to go in.

After our tour the guide took us to a restaurant for a mid arvo meal and I got some snails in garlic oil and herbs, and french onion soup to try. I didn't like either and it cost me around $45 nzd including 2 coffees but hey, had to be done. On our way back to the hotel we also walked the champes elyses and saw the arc du triomphe.

We bought tickets from the guide for a paid louvre tour tomorrow night and Versailles on Saturday. We also plan to go on an evening seine cruise as the city is all lit up.

Also on the agenda are musee d'orsay, the Eiffel Tower closer up, moulin rouge and the louvre gardens in more detail.

Todays picture is Choccies from belgium which im eating!

Celia (ps; sorry the blog has awful grammar like that last "im". Since I'm typing on a phone it doesn't often so capitals when it should or when it doesn't recognise a foreign word!!!!)

Paris!

Our second day in brugge we went to a chocolate museum, a beer cafe and begijnhof (a monestary). We then ended up using our last day in Brugge to go to Ghent and saw a fantastic castle called gravensteen that was built in 1180!! It housed a museum of weapons and torture. We got some nice views over an extremely rainy Ghent. We then went on a covered canal boat tour.

Today we left Brugge and took a train to Paris! We arrived about 2pm and walked the short distance to our hotel. The room is okay but tiny and the bed is a king single they are trying to pass off as a double. We complained and they're moving us tomorrow.

After dropping off our things we walked up to sacre coeur. Daniel warned me I might encounter men in Paris on the streets that weave a bracelet onto your wrist and then make you pay tons for it. I wasn't really expecting to see anyone doing this but as soon as we started walking we encountered about 4 men trying to do so. One even grabbed Daniels wrist but he wiggled away. Very scary! Anyway, once at the cathedral it was beautiful. The view was also great although unfortunately it was a bit cloudy.

After sacre coeur we walked into Montmartre and place du tertre where there were lots of cute shops and creperies along with an artists market type thing where they all sell their paintings and do live portraits. The artwork was amazing! Sadly I can't bring any in my suitcase. I was shocked as to how good they all were though, I hope they make enough money, must be hard when their audience is people traveling on planes.

We then walked back to the hotel and I bought a lovely silver ring on the way with little fleur de Lis linked all the way around it.

We picked up some bread, Camembert, pesto and ham from the supermarket for a cheap dinner.

The Photos are the view from our window, the ring and dinner. Tomorrow we are planning a look at a haute couture exhibition and a waking tour of the city centre. Over and out.

Skipped Ghent

Due to us both having colds we went straight to Brugge from Brussels and skipped out on Ghent. It's Sunday and most things in Brugge are closed anyway so I'm not sure how much would've been going on in Ghent. We had a quick walk around the city and grabbed some lunch. Now we're keeping warm in bed (it was about 10C today) and will get an early night to hopefully shake the bugs. We have two more days on Brugge. Our b&b is lovely, but doesn't do breakfast haha!

Argh! The plague!

Cee and I arrived in Brussels on Thursday. We met a lovely gay couple on the train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam who were also going to Brussels so they helped us catch all our connecting trains :)

The first afternoon in Brussels we went on a self-guided walking tour of the city center which has beautiful medieval churches and many run down Art Nouveau buildings. 

On our second day we went to the Atomium a 30 story tall giant atom sculpture from the 50's  that you can go inside, and also visited a planetarium to see a cool 360 degree hi res star scape view!  After that we tried to visit an Art Nouveau museum but we weren't feeling so good so we turned in early.

We spent almost the entire next day in bed as we are both coming down with a cold! And now we are off to Brugges.

We had originally planned on heading to Ghent first but we may just end up back in bed :(

Photos from Amsterdam

Waiting...

At centraal station in Amsterdam waiting for our train to Belgium! Yesterday I got 3 lovely dresses while shopping. We then walked back to our hostel in pouring rain and got dinner at an Italian place opposite. Then some packing and an early night before today.

The ride to Brussels is about 4 hours then I guess we'll find our hotel!

Amsterdams!

So after a very early start and a very short flight we landed in the Netherlands on Monday to brilliant weather and tulips in bloom. After crepes for lunch we attempted the Anne Frank house (museum) but the line down the street and round corner put us off but the museum was open till 9pm so we checked in at hotel (a tiny rickety affair built in the 1670's with a broken window!) and opted for a canal tour first. Took a little longer than we expected so had to leg it to the museum before closing without stopping for dinner! After the museum we grabbed a Dutch specialty to eat on the way home - a giant cone of french fries smothered in mayonnaise!

On Tuesday we started out by heading to the Hortus Botanicus, the worlds oldest botanical garden. It was smaller than expected (like most buildings in Amsterdam!) but had a cute butterfly house and some 300 year old cycads that Julian would love. We then made our way to the Van Gough Museum, which has a large collection of his original works. Afterwards we met Cee's friends Natalia 'let me just get my bearings' Kirwan who came out for dinner with us and took us of a tour on the red light district.

Today we started with the Rijksmuseum (pronounced Rikes- Museum), the queue was epically long and Cee had some trouble but she was determined to get through it! The museum houses a large collection mostly of Flemish Masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer but has a small range of other artifacts like a collection of early firearms and a room full of miniature ships. After having lunch at Natalia's Kiwi-themed cafe 'we' are now shopping. Amsterdam has lots of vintage shops so Cee is in her Element - and I have time to have a coffee and update the blog!

A couple of quick London pics

Just a couple of quick London photos from my phone - not camera - to keep you updated until I can post a bunch!

Bath and the week been

Finally I'm posting! Celia here. What a busy and tiring week we've had. Daniel had updated you up until Friday so I'll tell you about our weekend.

Yesterday we went to the portobello road market which has a lot of antiques and amazing vintage clothing. We didn't buy anything other than food however as it was quite pricey. In the evening we met up with two of Daniels old colleagues from when he lived in London for drinks.

Today we are on a coach tour from London to Bath and Stonehenge. We just saw the Roman baths and accompanying museum and tasted some of the water. It wasn't that tasty but apparently good for you, I guess it has a lot of minerals from beneath the earth. We're currently on the bus to Stonehenge so I thought I'd type this all out now and post it once I'm back to an Internet connection.

We've had a great time in London. We have missed out on a couple of things she to time constraints that we originally planned on seeing; Harrods, selfridges and the natural history museum and national gallery but we have seen an awful lot considering.

As Daniel mentioned in the last post we spent a good few hours at Kew. We were lucky that spring has sprung a little later than usual over here (about 4 weeks late apparently) due to he cold weather so we have been right on time for blossom trees, magnolias, bluebells and daffodils. It's also been sunny every day except for Saturday morning when we had a tiny bit of drizzle that turned into sun in the afternoon.

The Victoria and Albert museum was also amazing. It's an art and design museum and we enjoyed the furniture, fashion, mosaics and architecture the most.

I have conquered a lot of difficult situations in London I think. I took the elevator up to the top of the new tree top walk at Kew, but I didn't walk around like Daniel did! The walkway is see through! I've also been on the tube countless times including shoulder to shoulder peak times. And today when we went on it there was a message asking for all passengers to evacuate the station. That was scary but I'm glad I didn't start freaking out and break into a run! Daniel thinks it could've been someone pulling the fire drill.

Right I think that's about it for now. We are off to Amsterdam tomorrow morning. Later I will try to post some photos and also maybe post a bit more about Copenhagen.

Busy busy busy!

Thought I would post an update,  we have been having trouble finding the time and when we do have time we just want to sleep!

We landed in London on Monday and took the express train in from Stanstead, Cee worked out that the slightly overpriced train journey cost us $1 NZD a minute! But it beats sitting on s bus for two hours I guess...

We left out bags at Liverpool street station and headed off to Madame Tussauds wax museum. Fun place for a visit crazy overpriced at £30ea but luckily we found a 2 for 1 voucher!
After that we headed to Gwen's quaint Victorian house in East Putney. I think Cee had somewhat underestimated how compact living spaces are in London :)

Tuesday we spent the entire day at Kew Gardens, had a look through the Victorian palm and temperate houses,walked over the treetop walkway and saw the fash new climate controlled house with 10 different climate zones (and an aquarium!) And saw a range if plants I have no idea about :)

On Wednesday we started with a walk through the city, through Green Park and past Buckingham Palace where we saw the change of the guards, then past Whitehall and Westminster (unfortunately the Abby was closed for a state visit but we did get some snaps of Big Ben), after that we headed to St Paul's cathedral and across the Thames to the Tate Modern gallery. We then managed to sneak home before rush hour to cook a nice roast dinner with Gwen.

The plan for Thursday was to catch the Victoria & Albert museum and the Natural History museum but after five hours in the V&A we scrapped the Natural history and took a double decker bus around Hyde Park to Oxford St for a spot of shopping.

Friday was a bit of a fail (or a failure for you older folks ;) we had intended to take a bus trip to Stonehenge and Bath but there was signaling failure on our local underground line so we had to run (or 'leg it') to our nearest rail station and take a train to another station so we could get the underground to the coach station.... We got there in the end but missed the bus by five minutes!  So we opted to relax and watch film at the Odeon cinema in Leister square (where all the premieres are held in London) and catch up with some friends and have a proper 'English' curry and a pint for dinner.

Today, if Cee ever wakes up, we are off to Portobello Road Market :)