well, it was not quite a white Christmas here in London. Last weeks snow had mostly melted away - although the white remains of snowmen still dot yards and are strewn across Clapham Common. It looks like a snowman massacre.
There is also still snow in our driveway in the form of a giant snowball Jed rolled last Saturday. it is still about 1m in height and the bets are on for how long it will survive. My bet is on late February. So I guess the Christmas was slighty a white one?
Last Sunday (the week before Christmas) the housemates all had a lovely Christmas dinner at the Devonshire, which is a really nice pub on the high street. We had roasts (I had venison mmm yummmy rudolph!) and pulled crackers and celebrated a week in advance.
Pre Christmas, I had a rush to get presents. I got Phebe a scarf from Topshop(that is like.. a circle as the ends are joined together.. it's cooler than it sounds), A mug for Jed (that is plain white but has "i'm a twat" written on the bottom so when he drinks from it.. fun ensues!) and packets of roses for tom and Lucy.
Christmas eve was alot of fun. We danced around in the kitchen drinking wine and eating cheese and dips whilst singing christmass songs along with itunes. Phebe was cooking up a storm in preparation for Christmas day.
On CHristmas day we woke up and opened our presents. I got a 20 pound topshop voucher from Jed and Phebe, a packet of roses and guidebooks for berlin and amsterdam from Tom and Lucy AND Kristy (one of the housemates- a very lovley girl) gave me a moisturiser/bath lotion set. I didn't expect it, but I went away and drew her some pictures to give her for christmas. I am not the world's best artist - I'm OK, but it's nice to have drawing as a part of your skillset when urgent presents are needed.
I went and prettied myself up for lunch and we started drinking wine and watching christmassy stuff on TV. Finally, the roast was ready to go and the 5 of us bundled in Jed's very small mini-car to have lunch at his brother's house.
The food was delicious and there were cocktails everywhere! It was good fun.. although we did have to start a kitchen dance party/rave when Guitar Hero started up in the lounge room. It's true that videogames are a little anti social.
We headed home eventually to find that all the heating in the house had broken. The housemates were all huddled around a single heater in the loungeroom. So we joined them, opened some more wine and stayed up to the wee small hours celebrating our orphan's Christmas cheer!
Today was boxing day but the tube was cancelled so we just lay in bed all day (as the house is absolutely freezing. As I sit here writing this huddled in my blankets, my breath is creating steam in the icy air. I would have got up to go to the boxing day sales, but the tube drivers decided to strike - so there was no transport in to oxford street. I'm going to go in tomorrow though and use my 20 pound topshop voucher as I may not get the chance to go in again - on tuesday we begin the EurotrIP phase of the holiday with a red-eye flight to Berlin. I'm SOOO EXCIteD! can't wait! NYE in BErlin here we come!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
natural history museum is the best place ever
With Cat White heading off to explore the North until after christmas, I was left to my own devices in London for a few days- what better time than to do a little more Museum hopping.
I was excited to go to the natural history museum, having heard so much about it over the years. It was a freezing day and I was excited to get inside. The builiding itself is absolutely gorgeous - and it has been a Museum since the 1850;s - so a trip there is not only an education in natural history, but in the history of museums (they still have the bird exhibit as it was 100 years ago - and alot of taxidermy too!)
I had a WONDERFUL DAY (well 2 days, because I came back agian the next day)! I spent hours wandering the halls. I loved the "red zone" which was earth sciences - they had the most wonderful minerals and crystals on display! I liked this seciton as well because I learned alot. Most of the sections were more of a memory jog for me - it is nice to feel I have largely conqured "popular science" as a subject area. The Blue zone - the mammals section, was AMAZING!! so many beautiful creatures - and very well set out too - with taxidermied animals everywhere.
There was also a great exhibit on the human body - extremely detailed- especially the perception and brain section! There were dinasaur bones aplentyy as well. I should mention that each of these exhibits (of which there were so many I loved but havn't written about) were MASSIVE. The human body took me at least 1.5 hours - and I spent 3 hours in the earth science section (made up of 4 huge secitons).
I also went to the David Attenborough studio, where I attended a fascinating lecture on Meteorites. They were interviewing a meteorite scientist. Did you know that most of the meteorites found on earth are in the antarctic? and she had been there, collecting. It was SOOO awesome.
Then I went to the spirit house (where all teh animals in formaldehyde are kept). THen I checked out the newest section - the coocoon - a huge 8 story structure within the museum shaped like... well, a coocoon.
Inside, all teh displays were about science in action and were super interactive - with special touch tables. You also got a special card when you went in, which you could swipe to add to your online NHM account- so you could look at the information again when you got home.
It was SOOO rad. It was interesting to see the oldest exhibits (the birds) and then the ones that were dating a bit (the ecology one was from the early 90s for sure- as was the creepy crawlies). I liked how you could tell the "era" of each exhibit by it's presentation styles, detail and technology.
I love the Natural History Museum. It is my favourite place for sure.
Oh i also went to the Victoria and Albert Museum - a very cool (and very huge) design museum. it was neat-o. but the NHM rules 4EVA!!
I was excited to go to the natural history museum, having heard so much about it over the years. It was a freezing day and I was excited to get inside. The builiding itself is absolutely gorgeous - and it has been a Museum since the 1850;s - so a trip there is not only an education in natural history, but in the history of museums (they still have the bird exhibit as it was 100 years ago - and alot of taxidermy too!)
I had a WONDERFUL DAY (well 2 days, because I came back agian the next day)! I spent hours wandering the halls. I loved the "red zone" which was earth sciences - they had the most wonderful minerals and crystals on display! I liked this seciton as well because I learned alot. Most of the sections were more of a memory jog for me - it is nice to feel I have largely conqured "popular science" as a subject area. The Blue zone - the mammals section, was AMAZING!! so many beautiful creatures - and very well set out too - with taxidermied animals everywhere.
There was also a great exhibit on the human body - extremely detailed- especially the perception and brain section! There were dinasaur bones aplentyy as well. I should mention that each of these exhibits (of which there were so many I loved but havn't written about) were MASSIVE. The human body took me at least 1.5 hours - and I spent 3 hours in the earth science section (made up of 4 huge secitons).
I also went to the David Attenborough studio, where I attended a fascinating lecture on Meteorites. They were interviewing a meteorite scientist. Did you know that most of the meteorites found on earth are in the antarctic? and she had been there, collecting. It was SOOO awesome.
Then I went to the spirit house (where all teh animals in formaldehyde are kept). THen I checked out the newest section - the coocoon - a huge 8 story structure within the museum shaped like... well, a coocoon.
Inside, all teh displays were about science in action and were super interactive - with special touch tables. You also got a special card when you went in, which you could swipe to add to your online NHM account- so you could look at the information again when you got home.
It was SOOO rad. It was interesting to see the oldest exhibits (the birds) and then the ones that were dating a bit (the ecology one was from the early 90s for sure- as was the creepy crawlies). I liked how you could tell the "era" of each exhibit by it's presentation styles, detail and technology.
I love the Natural History Museum. It is my favourite place for sure.
Oh i also went to the Victoria and Albert Museum - a very cool (and very huge) design museum. it was neat-o. but the NHM rules 4EVA!!
harrods and glorious mimco purchase
I was sick on monday after the snow/MOS weekend. A horrible cold had come up and caught me by surprise. I was meant to meet Cat White that day for London Adventures, but I was just not well enough to go. We did catch up the next day though.
It was time for Harrods. All my life i've heard about Harrods and seen people walking around with souvenier bags. It was time to see if it lived up to it's reputation. The best part of Harrods for sure, was the food hall. rooms opened up onto still bigger rooms filled with deluxe edible treats. At Christmas time, of course, it was extra packed with Christmas day delights! We took a brief jaunt around the building, taking in the Harrods souveiner shop and all the fasions, but were precluded from buying anything by our tightly strecthed hip pockets.
After Harrods (which didn't take as long as I thought it would), we were in a shopping mood - so I decided to show Cat White the glory of Westfield London at Shepherds Bush. WHist there, we randomly wandered into the Mimco store where we discovered EXTREME SALE HEAVEN!! mimco bags, wallets, jewlery all LESS THANHALFPRICE!!! I almost died. I ended up making a purchase. It would be a CRIME not to at these prices. I now have a beautiful mimco bag to call my own. I have always wanted one, but with price tags of $450+, I thought that it was something i would have to wait for.
NOT ANYMORRE!!! I got a gorgeous black handbag, large enough to hold my netbook if necessary, with very typical Mimco features (the metal circle things on the.. oh whatever). I am IN LOVE with it. And I got it for $145!!! that's 83 quid!! unbelievable. it's like.. 1/4 price!!! Joyful joyful. I bought myself the best christmas present ever. MEGAEXCITED!!
It was time for Harrods. All my life i've heard about Harrods and seen people walking around with souvenier bags. It was time to see if it lived up to it's reputation. The best part of Harrods for sure, was the food hall. rooms opened up onto still bigger rooms filled with deluxe edible treats. At Christmas time, of course, it was extra packed with Christmas day delights! We took a brief jaunt around the building, taking in the Harrods souveiner shop and all the fasions, but were precluded from buying anything by our tightly strecthed hip pockets.
After Harrods (which didn't take as long as I thought it would), we were in a shopping mood - so I decided to show Cat White the glory of Westfield London at Shepherds Bush. WHist there, we randomly wandered into the Mimco store where we discovered EXTREME SALE HEAVEN!! mimco bags, wallets, jewlery all LESS THANHALFPRICE!!! I almost died. I ended up making a purchase. It would be a CRIME not to at these prices. I now have a beautiful mimco bag to call my own. I have always wanted one, but with price tags of $450+, I thought that it was something i would have to wait for.
NOT ANYMORRE!!! I got a gorgeous black handbag, large enough to hold my netbook if necessary, with very typical Mimco features (the metal circle things on the.. oh whatever). I am IN LOVE with it. And I got it for $145!!! that's 83 quid!! unbelievable. it's like.. 1/4 price!!! Joyful joyful. I bought myself the best christmas present ever. MEGAEXCITED!!
backtrack - getting robbed at tooting
Ok so I think I forgot to write about it at the time (possibly I was so drained by the experience) but I got pick pocketed 2 weeks ago wilst on a Sunday afternoon walk.
It was a beautiful sunny day and I just had to get out and about. I also needed a new pair of jeans. THe "fat" jeans I bought in Brisbane were too loose and poor fitting (curse you, Jay Jay's). So I thought I would walk down to Tooting Broadway (3 tube stations South) and check out the offerings in Primark and New Look.
I began to walk. It was lovely to be out in the snowy sunshine. I walked briskly, bopping along to my ipod tunes. After passing Tooting Bec station however, the mood of my surroundings changed. You can really tell the difference between a good area and a bad area in this town. It happens so quickly and suddenly. But before you know it, you're walking amongst bric a brac shops with the majority of their produce strewn around in the snow outside in a completely ramshackle fashion, and covered markets so seedy that if you walked in, you would be likely to come out without a kidney if at all.
Still, it was a happy scene as everyone was bustling around doing their sunday shopping. I went into New Look first and found a great pair of jeans for 20 quid. I thought I'd just check out Primark before catching the tube home. Big Mistake. I browsed happily for a while. I left the store and walked towards the tube station. I fished in my pocket for my Oyster card holder and, to my nightmarish horror, found it was gone. It and my credit card.
I immedialtey went back to Primark and searched the floor for my card. I reported it to the security and customer services and checked in all the other stores I had been. Despondent and slightly panicked I realised I had no way to get home. I didn't want to walk - I needed to get home and cancel my cards ASAP.
I walked to the train station and stood near the ticket machine, steeling myself for the fact that I was going to have to ask strangers for money. I waited and waited.. I couldn't do it. So I decided to ask at the ticket desk. The man told me to go through and see the station master. THe station master was the loveliest man. He sat me down, gave me a tissue to wipe my eyes and called the police for me to report the crime. Once I was done, he told me to catch the train to clapham south and that he would call ahead and tell them I was coming. So nice.
I got a free tube ride home. The man at Clapham south was also very nice when he let me through, wishing me good luck in finding the criminal. I know they wont catch him - although the police did come around to get further details from me a week later (to look at CCTV footage from Primark). I won't get my cards back, but maybe they'll catch the scumbag who stole them.
It was a beautiful sunny day and I just had to get out and about. I also needed a new pair of jeans. THe "fat" jeans I bought in Brisbane were too loose and poor fitting (curse you, Jay Jay's). So I thought I would walk down to Tooting Broadway (3 tube stations South) and check out the offerings in Primark and New Look.
I began to walk. It was lovely to be out in the snowy sunshine. I walked briskly, bopping along to my ipod tunes. After passing Tooting Bec station however, the mood of my surroundings changed. You can really tell the difference between a good area and a bad area in this town. It happens so quickly and suddenly. But before you know it, you're walking amongst bric a brac shops with the majority of their produce strewn around in the snow outside in a completely ramshackle fashion, and covered markets so seedy that if you walked in, you would be likely to come out without a kidney if at all.
Still, it was a happy scene as everyone was bustling around doing their sunday shopping. I went into New Look first and found a great pair of jeans for 20 quid. I thought I'd just check out Primark before catching the tube home. Big Mistake. I browsed happily for a while. I left the store and walked towards the tube station. I fished in my pocket for my Oyster card holder and, to my nightmarish horror, found it was gone. It and my credit card.
I immedialtey went back to Primark and searched the floor for my card. I reported it to the security and customer services and checked in all the other stores I had been. Despondent and slightly panicked I realised I had no way to get home. I didn't want to walk - I needed to get home and cancel my cards ASAP.
I walked to the train station and stood near the ticket machine, steeling myself for the fact that I was going to have to ask strangers for money. I waited and waited.. I couldn't do it. So I decided to ask at the ticket desk. The man told me to go through and see the station master. THe station master was the loveliest man. He sat me down, gave me a tissue to wipe my eyes and called the police for me to report the crime. Once I was done, he told me to catch the train to clapham south and that he would call ahead and tell them I was coming. So nice.
I got a free tube ride home. The man at Clapham south was also very nice when he let me through, wishing me good luck in finding the criminal. I know they wont catch him - although the police did come around to get further details from me a week later (to look at CCTV footage from Primark). I won't get my cards back, but maybe they'll catch the scumbag who stole them.
ministry of sound and winter snowman weekend
I left Catherine White quite early on the afternoon of our visit to the Tower of London as exciting things were to happen that evening that required some preparation.
Namely, Phebe and I were going out clubbing- London Style.
I came home and got showered and changed. I have been relying on the one party dress to get me through this trip. It is a black mini dress with puffy sleeves that are adorned with many silver studs. This dress is fortunate because it is quite stretchy but also fitted - which means that as i've fattened up over the last year, it has still fit me very nicely. It also takes me a fair while to do my hair these days- it's grown out of its style and I have to fully blow dry it then straighten the life out of it to achieve "average" hair.
Dressed up to the nines (but still wearing by Doc Martens - they're the only shoes I ever wear), we left the house and shivered our way to the tube station. Outside is not so bad in a double layer of wool tights, but in thin patterned stockings, it's not so much fun.
We were off to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, apparently the oldest pub in London (later discovered to be a lie) to meet some of Phebe's friends. We found 1.99 pound pints of some in-house brewed beer. It was my first experience of "warm" beer. I believe it was about 4 degrees- but it was an unpleasant experience. However it was so cheap that the temperate brew became the drink of the night and more rounds were in order.
That day, Phebe's brother Tom (and his girlfriend Lucy) had arrived from Australia, and it was fun to head out drinking together. At about 11pm, Phebe and I left for the Ministry of Sound. I have always loved the Ministry of Sound compilations - I have Annuals dating back to 2002 and have every australian release since 2008 (and there's LOTS of them). I was really excited to finally go to the birthplace of all this. Fortunately Phebe had some tickets for free entry.
I didn't really know what to expect - it's not a NEW club - it started in the early 90's before megaclubs really took off. We got inside, handed over our free tickets and handed in our coats. Inside, it was very dark and not much was going on. There was one main room with a really big bar and quite a shallow dance floor. Then there was another room "baby box" that was quite small but had some good tunes playing. Upstairs there was a chill out room with another bar and lots of seats. It seemed like a bit of a non-event, until we realised that the doors to the main club open at midnight. Surely, at that magical hour, curtains were drawn aside and the door to the main room was revealed.
The room wasn't as "tall" as the family, or even the met - there was no big open balcony or anything - but the lights were pretty impresssive - and the DJs were great Guiseppe Ottaviani was especially good. It was a "trance" event, but the music kept going to random house breakdowns. But it was still a great night.
At about 1, 3 of the housemates turned up, making it a bigger party and even more fun.
At 4 am we left and jumped in a cab home- Fortunately MOS is at Elephant and Castle, which is on the south bank of the river and hence a much quicker (and cheaper) ride home.
We roused ourselves at about midday and were shocked to find that there had been EXTREME BLIZZARDS that morning and that the whole of London was blanketed in 3-4 inches of snow. Phebe and I dragged ourselves out of bed and into several layers of clothes and then went down to the local cafe for eggs benedict whilst we warmed up for the day.
We then walked up to Clapham Common for some snowplay. THe place was packed with people out enjoying the saturday snowstorm (mostly families and Australians, however). We created a sensational snow man - who had devil horns, smoked a cigarette and was generally badass. This feat was even more impressive as we were constantly pelted witha barrage of snowballs from random idiots across the field. It was our proudest moment when, as we walked away from our "George", two girls started laughing at him and posed for photos with him. Our first ever snowman was a total success!
Phebe then made a snow angel but my feet were so frozen that I had to go and thaw out. As we walked home, we wrote funny messages on every car window that we passed/
All in all, a successful day!
Namely, Phebe and I were going out clubbing- London Style.
I came home and got showered and changed. I have been relying on the one party dress to get me through this trip. It is a black mini dress with puffy sleeves that are adorned with many silver studs. This dress is fortunate because it is quite stretchy but also fitted - which means that as i've fattened up over the last year, it has still fit me very nicely. It also takes me a fair while to do my hair these days- it's grown out of its style and I have to fully blow dry it then straighten the life out of it to achieve "average" hair.
Dressed up to the nines (but still wearing by Doc Martens - they're the only shoes I ever wear), we left the house and shivered our way to the tube station. Outside is not so bad in a double layer of wool tights, but in thin patterned stockings, it's not so much fun.
We were off to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, apparently the oldest pub in London (later discovered to be a lie) to meet some of Phebe's friends. We found 1.99 pound pints of some in-house brewed beer. It was my first experience of "warm" beer. I believe it was about 4 degrees- but it was an unpleasant experience. However it was so cheap that the temperate brew became the drink of the night and more rounds were in order.
That day, Phebe's brother Tom (and his girlfriend Lucy) had arrived from Australia, and it was fun to head out drinking together. At about 11pm, Phebe and I left for the Ministry of Sound. I have always loved the Ministry of Sound compilations - I have Annuals dating back to 2002 and have every australian release since 2008 (and there's LOTS of them). I was really excited to finally go to the birthplace of all this. Fortunately Phebe had some tickets for free entry.
I didn't really know what to expect - it's not a NEW club - it started in the early 90's before megaclubs really took off. We got inside, handed over our free tickets and handed in our coats. Inside, it was very dark and not much was going on. There was one main room with a really big bar and quite a shallow dance floor. Then there was another room "baby box" that was quite small but had some good tunes playing. Upstairs there was a chill out room with another bar and lots of seats. It seemed like a bit of a non-event, until we realised that the doors to the main club open at midnight. Surely, at that magical hour, curtains were drawn aside and the door to the main room was revealed.
The room wasn't as "tall" as the family, or even the met - there was no big open balcony or anything - but the lights were pretty impresssive - and the DJs were great Guiseppe Ottaviani was especially good. It was a "trance" event, but the music kept going to random house breakdowns. But it was still a great night.
At about 1, 3 of the housemates turned up, making it a bigger party and even more fun.
At 4 am we left and jumped in a cab home- Fortunately MOS is at Elephant and Castle, which is on the south bank of the river and hence a much quicker (and cheaper) ride home.
We roused ourselves at about midday and were shocked to find that there had been EXTREME BLIZZARDS that morning and that the whole of London was blanketed in 3-4 inches of snow. Phebe and I dragged ourselves out of bed and into several layers of clothes and then went down to the local cafe for eggs benedict whilst we warmed up for the day.
We then walked up to Clapham Common for some snowplay. THe place was packed with people out enjoying the saturday snowstorm (mostly families and Australians, however). We created a sensational snow man - who had devil horns, smoked a cigarette and was generally badass. This feat was even more impressive as we were constantly pelted witha barrage of snowballs from random idiots across the field. It was our proudest moment when, as we walked away from our "George", two girls started laughing at him and posed for photos with him. Our first ever snowman was a total success!
Phebe then made a snow angel but my feet were so frozen that I had to go and thaw out. As we walked home, we wrote funny messages on every car window that we passed/
All in all, a successful day!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
London, The Tower Of
The second installment of my London Adventures With Catherine White begun the next day, with our visit to the Tower of London. I had been putting off visiting the tower until Cat arrived, so was chomping at the bit to get in the gates.
It was an absolutely frigid London Morning, with a cruel wind whipping off the Thames. We were very cold as we crossed the little bridge into the tower. I couldn't feel my face at that point. We were both very excited at the promise of a tour by one of the Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters), and were somewhat dismayed to have just missed one as the prospect of waiting 20 minutes in the arctic climate of the bridge was not a happy one. After 3 minutes, the cause was lost and we wandered on our iceblock feet into the tower grounds.
However, all was not lost as we noticed a large crowd of people about 50m ahead crowded underneath the "bloody tower", and as we drew closer realied that they were the group from the "just missed" tour. So we assimilated ourselves and focussed our attentions on the Warder, in his blue and red splendour.
This warder was pretty much the coolest guy ever. He told his stories with such drama, and so many hilarious asides, and mock-distainful promises of doom to individual audience members that he was absolutely riveting.
We toured around the tower, and learned its gory history. I especially enjoyed the lawns.. in the knowledge that possibly on the very spot we were standing Anne Bolyen or Lady Jane Grey was executed!
Once the tour had reached its conclusion, we left the tundra-style conditions in the courtyard into the warm building that housed the crown jewels. It was nice to see all the royal insignia and watch videos of the Queen's coronation on the way to the jewels. I assume all this has been set up as a distraction for people queueing for long hours to see the jewels in the high season, but we simply breezed through. The main jewels were situated on a long podium, beside which ran two airport style travelators at a low speed. You simply rode the travelators until you got bored of looking. They were spectacular. Especially spectacular was the amazing "star of africa" diamond, and it was fun to pick which crown/sceptre/ring was our favourite.
There were also an array of stunning golden kitchen utensils that were amazing on their own, but paled so in comparison to the jewels that they were mostly ignored.
When we emerged from the jewel enclave, we stepped out into an extreme blizzard. Seemed like a good time to go into the White Tower.
The White Tower was filled with amazing armourments from accross the centuries. It was very cool to see - and i think my favourite suit of armor was that of this "giant" 6foot 8 inch knight. He would have been terrifying to meet on the battlefield. The building is undergoing renovations, but it was interesting to be able to track (through many exhibts) the number of renovations the castle had seen in the past - it has been constantly changing throughout the centuries.
After this, it was time for a lovely roast lunch in the restaurant. We happily sat down in some strangely empty seats near the door, and hastily moved when we realised that every time the door opened, we would be recieving arctic blasts to our faces.
FInally we stopped by the Bloody Tower to see the implements ot torture. The rack and other horible devices were all layed out in a horrible, cold and damp dungeon. I only wish there had been more!
following this, Cat and I went our separate ways - I had to get ready for Friday evening Fun at the Ministry of sound.. coming soon...
It was an absolutely frigid London Morning, with a cruel wind whipping off the Thames. We were very cold as we crossed the little bridge into the tower. I couldn't feel my face at that point. We were both very excited at the promise of a tour by one of the Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters), and were somewhat dismayed to have just missed one as the prospect of waiting 20 minutes in the arctic climate of the bridge was not a happy one. After 3 minutes, the cause was lost and we wandered on our iceblock feet into the tower grounds.
However, all was not lost as we noticed a large crowd of people about 50m ahead crowded underneath the "bloody tower", and as we drew closer realied that they were the group from the "just missed" tour. So we assimilated ourselves and focussed our attentions on the Warder, in his blue and red splendour.
This warder was pretty much the coolest guy ever. He told his stories with such drama, and so many hilarious asides, and mock-distainful promises of doom to individual audience members that he was absolutely riveting.
We toured around the tower, and learned its gory history. I especially enjoyed the lawns.. in the knowledge that possibly on the very spot we were standing Anne Bolyen or Lady Jane Grey was executed!
Once the tour had reached its conclusion, we left the tundra-style conditions in the courtyard into the warm building that housed the crown jewels. It was nice to see all the royal insignia and watch videos of the Queen's coronation on the way to the jewels. I assume all this has been set up as a distraction for people queueing for long hours to see the jewels in the high season, but we simply breezed through. The main jewels were situated on a long podium, beside which ran two airport style travelators at a low speed. You simply rode the travelators until you got bored of looking. They were spectacular. Especially spectacular was the amazing "star of africa" diamond, and it was fun to pick which crown/sceptre/ring was our favourite.
There were also an array of stunning golden kitchen utensils that were amazing on their own, but paled so in comparison to the jewels that they were mostly ignored.
When we emerged from the jewel enclave, we stepped out into an extreme blizzard. Seemed like a good time to go into the White Tower.
The White Tower was filled with amazing armourments from accross the centuries. It was very cool to see - and i think my favourite suit of armor was that of this "giant" 6foot 8 inch knight. He would have been terrifying to meet on the battlefield. The building is undergoing renovations, but it was interesting to be able to track (through many exhibts) the number of renovations the castle had seen in the past - it has been constantly changing throughout the centuries.
After this, it was time for a lovely roast lunch in the restaurant. We happily sat down in some strangely empty seats near the door, and hastily moved when we realised that every time the door opened, we would be recieving arctic blasts to our faces.
FInally we stopped by the Bloody Tower to see the implements ot torture. The rack and other horible devices were all layed out in a horrible, cold and damp dungeon. I only wish there had been more!
following this, Cat and I went our separate ways - I had to get ready for Friday evening Fun at the Ministry of sound.. coming soon...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Winter Wonderland and Carols at St Pauls
When I arrived back in London Town from my saucy trip to Worcester, something marvellous had happened. Catherine White had arrived, fresh from rainy Brisbane! I met her at 10am at the Odeon in Leicester square and we sat for some time in McDonnalds (in the warmth), where I was caught up on Brisbane business.
We then went on a quick janut throgh the halls of the National Portrait gallery - where the finalists and winners of .. umm.. that really important international photo portrait competition were being displayed. However, we had only just finished with that exhibition before we realised we were almost late for a very important date.
That important date was to meet the fabulous Josh Pearcy at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Winter Wonderland, as with most CHristmas markets around here, appears to be "German" themed. There were endless stalls selling crazy winter hats, small christmas figurines and various CHristmas wares. There were also many fabulous rides including a crazy mouse coaster, a coaster thta was largely inside a mental dome thing, giant drop and a million zillion kids rides. I was disppointed to note that the zipper wasn't there. The zipper is the only ride that has my heart. After cold donuts and a delicious crepe, we purchased a whole lotta lollies and strolled the alleyways. I would probably have paid to go on the funhouse. it was pretty awesome- all crazy mirrors and moving floors up in there. After this, we walked through Hyde park to Oxford Street - the street I seem to always end up on. Here, Cat was introduced to the concept of "Primark". It truly is a wonderful street. (as an aside, Phebes and I have decided to brave the boxing day sales there.. just for fun).
We then had an important task to do. At 5pm we started lining up outside St. Pauls for the 9 lessons and Carols service, due to begin at 7:30 pm. Even at this early hour, the line was already out the door, around the corner and behind the construction work. About 2 minutes into lining up Cat looked up and sighted snow. And it begun. Waiting in the snow. fortunately there were 2 gorgeous kids with their grandparents in front of us, whose "hiding under coats" antics kept our spirits up. As the line began to move we became anxious. not only were we waiting for ourselves, but we were also holding places in the line for Hannah and Amy, who had not yet turned up. However, both arrived in the nick of time and we settled on a pew towards the back.
The little boy singing were gorgeous, the orchestra was triumphant, and the lessons (with their celebrity readers) were quite funny in parts, but certainly evoked a Christmas magic in the air. My only complaint as, with only natural amplification, you had to concentrate REALLY REALLY hard to hear the choir at times. The singalongs were great as well- although Hannah and I really struggled to NOT sing the descants. We did have a childish break down at one point when the lyrics of O Come all ye faithful - "very God" as a whole line to take up a lot of notes was hilarious. Also, the rhyming of womb an come in one of the other carols was quite humerous.
After the Service, we packed in to a tight space at a pub overflowing with Work-Christmas-Party-Revelers in a nearby street. It was nice to have a beer with my australian friends whilst on the ohter side of the world.
A fabuloulsy christmassy day!
We then went on a quick janut throgh the halls of the National Portrait gallery - where the finalists and winners of .. umm.. that really important international photo portrait competition were being displayed. However, we had only just finished with that exhibition before we realised we were almost late for a very important date.
That important date was to meet the fabulous Josh Pearcy at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Winter Wonderland, as with most CHristmas markets around here, appears to be "German" themed. There were endless stalls selling crazy winter hats, small christmas figurines and various CHristmas wares. There were also many fabulous rides including a crazy mouse coaster, a coaster thta was largely inside a mental dome thing, giant drop and a million zillion kids rides. I was disppointed to note that the zipper wasn't there. The zipper is the only ride that has my heart. After cold donuts and a delicious crepe, we purchased a whole lotta lollies and strolled the alleyways. I would probably have paid to go on the funhouse. it was pretty awesome- all crazy mirrors and moving floors up in there. After this, we walked through Hyde park to Oxford Street - the street I seem to always end up on. Here, Cat was introduced to the concept of "Primark". It truly is a wonderful street. (as an aside, Phebes and I have decided to brave the boxing day sales there.. just for fun).
We then had an important task to do. At 5pm we started lining up outside St. Pauls for the 9 lessons and Carols service, due to begin at 7:30 pm. Even at this early hour, the line was already out the door, around the corner and behind the construction work. About 2 minutes into lining up Cat looked up and sighted snow. And it begun. Waiting in the snow. fortunately there were 2 gorgeous kids with their grandparents in front of us, whose "hiding under coats" antics kept our spirits up. As the line began to move we became anxious. not only were we waiting for ourselves, but we were also holding places in the line for Hannah and Amy, who had not yet turned up. However, both arrived in the nick of time and we settled on a pew towards the back.
The little boy singing were gorgeous, the orchestra was triumphant, and the lessons (with their celebrity readers) were quite funny in parts, but certainly evoked a Christmas magic in the air. My only complaint as, with only natural amplification, you had to concentrate REALLY REALLY hard to hear the choir at times. The singalongs were great as well- although Hannah and I really struggled to NOT sing the descants. We did have a childish break down at one point when the lyrics of O Come all ye faithful - "very God" as a whole line to take up a lot of notes was hilarious. Also, the rhyming of womb an come in one of the other carols was quite humerous.
After the Service, we packed in to a tight space at a pub overflowing with Work-Christmas-Party-Revelers in a nearby street. It was nice to have a beer with my australian friends whilst on the ohter side of the world.
A fabuloulsy christmassy day!
Saucy times in Worcester
So, after my trips to two museums on monday, I decided I needed to do something different the next day. Too many museums in too short a time = death drain. I was on facebook chat with my mate Toby, who I met on JACD training on the Sapphire Princess back in April. Toby is a total champion and we have kept in touch ever since. I thought "why not go and visit him?". So I asked, and before I knew it I was booking a train ticket for the next day.
Meeting toby at the station was very exciting! I hadn't seen him for ages, but straight away we were getting along like a house on fire. My first question was "where do they make the sauce". THe answer was a disappointing "nowdays, in China".
Toby took me to Worcester Cathedral, where we were greeted by a very super-friendly guide man who promised to test me on my knowledge of the cathedral at the end of our visit. This friendly fellow frequently popped up at random intervals and provided us with huge quantities of information about manythings, including a special octagonal vesper room that was currently closed.
THe cathedral was beautiful- but this beauty was made endlessly more fabulous by the group of school children that were in the church practicing for their end-of-year christmas concert. The choir of primary school students were singing, and as we were leaving cathedral, they had spread all over the altar and spaced down the aisles. THey then began to sing and do hilariously cute dance moves (including jazz hands rainbows) as their teacher shouted encouragement. It was so cute we actually died.
We then went to the Commandery - the main museum in town. Worcester is especially famous as the site of the last battle of the English Civil war- and this was one of the many themes of the museum. We went in, and I paid my four pounds entry fee whilst Toby (as a worcester resident) filled in the form for his official "COmmandery Membership Card", meaning he can visit free whenever he likes. The lady organising all this was just so sweet, taking such good care of us and getting all excited whilst explaining how the museum and accompanying audio guides worked.
check out the website here btw
The Commandery is not a normal museum. It is in an ancient building that was once an abbey and has had 6 different uses in it's time - Abbey, private home, civil war headquarters, school for the blind, printing shop. THe rooms are more-or-less empty - and the experience is created by listening to yoru audio guide, which is like a little mobile phone. You "choose" one of the 6 eras to follow and proceed through the house, typing in the code of each room. THe audio guide plays a lively narration with an actor re-creating the time for you. We did the civil war era, and our guide was constantly telling us to run to the window and look out at the battle on the hill before us, or "quickly, let's escape to the next room"- and we would find outselves running there! It was great fun!
Spaced throughout the house were lots of interactive activities! there was a room where you could write in the styles of each era - type writers, quills, braille! another room where you could try on hats of the different eras - and aanother where you could "smell" what the kitchen would have smelled like in each age. There was a fun room where you had to "build" (using plush houses) what the building looked like in each era. We were throwing houses across the room! Randomly, there was also a very sweet christmas crafting station in one room. They had just left out lovely christmas pictures and doilies, cards, glue and glitter for visitors to make christmas cards for their loved ones.
It was absolutely wonderful! We had a ball in the museum, where I guess we really weren't expecting to. I would recommend it to ANYONE who visits Worcester. It was really a very informative and interactive experience.
After that we chilled around Worcester. We had a fab cheap lunch at an apparently "Aussie" themed pub (not very). We caught a black cab home (in london very expensive, but in worcester not so much) and I met toby's family.His mum and dad are lovely. We lazed around watching the 25th anniversary Les Miserables, and then we had an awesome pork dinner. It was then time to get into our glad rags and hit the town.
Tuesday night, as I was soon to find out, is a massive night in Worcester for the gays. They all converge once a week to a night club called "the velvet lounge" where they play fantastic tunes and serve 2.50 double vodka redbulls. That plus the ridiculous friendliness of the gays made for a great night out. I met so many great people (none of whom's name I can remember), taught line dance to strangers and saw the most extreme projectile vomit of my life in thebeer garden. It was.. like a 5 m spew. disgusting- but impressive. We danced up a storm and struggled home at 3am to awaken the next morning nursing the godawful hangovers that only vodkaredbulls can cause. After lazing on the couch all day eating "bacon sarneys" and crisps, I finally got my act together and struggled to the station , wehre I borded my train for a brisk (although somewhat nauseating) 2.5 hour trip back to London.
It was a great two days! Thanks so much for having me to stay, Toby!
Meeting toby at the station was very exciting! I hadn't seen him for ages, but straight away we were getting along like a house on fire. My first question was "where do they make the sauce". THe answer was a disappointing "nowdays, in China".
Toby took me to Worcester Cathedral, where we were greeted by a very super-friendly guide man who promised to test me on my knowledge of the cathedral at the end of our visit. This friendly fellow frequently popped up at random intervals and provided us with huge quantities of information about manythings, including a special octagonal vesper room that was currently closed.
THe cathedral was beautiful- but this beauty was made endlessly more fabulous by the group of school children that were in the church practicing for their end-of-year christmas concert. The choir of primary school students were singing, and as we were leaving cathedral, they had spread all over the altar and spaced down the aisles. THey then began to sing and do hilariously cute dance moves (including jazz hands rainbows) as their teacher shouted encouragement. It was so cute we actually died.
We then went to the Commandery - the main museum in town. Worcester is especially famous as the site of the last battle of the English Civil war- and this was one of the many themes of the museum. We went in, and I paid my four pounds entry fee whilst Toby (as a worcester resident) filled in the form for his official "COmmandery Membership Card", meaning he can visit free whenever he likes. The lady organising all this was just so sweet, taking such good care of us and getting all excited whilst explaining how the museum and accompanying audio guides worked.
check out the website here btw
The Commandery is not a normal museum. It is in an ancient building that was once an abbey and has had 6 different uses in it's time - Abbey, private home, civil war headquarters, school for the blind, printing shop. THe rooms are more-or-less empty - and the experience is created by listening to yoru audio guide, which is like a little mobile phone. You "choose" one of the 6 eras to follow and proceed through the house, typing in the code of each room. THe audio guide plays a lively narration with an actor re-creating the time for you. We did the civil war era, and our guide was constantly telling us to run to the window and look out at the battle on the hill before us, or "quickly, let's escape to the next room"- and we would find outselves running there! It was great fun!
Spaced throughout the house were lots of interactive activities! there was a room where you could write in the styles of each era - type writers, quills, braille! another room where you could try on hats of the different eras - and aanother where you could "smell" what the kitchen would have smelled like in each age. There was a fun room where you had to "build" (using plush houses) what the building looked like in each era. We were throwing houses across the room! Randomly, there was also a very sweet christmas crafting station in one room. They had just left out lovely christmas pictures and doilies, cards, glue and glitter for visitors to make christmas cards for their loved ones.
It was absolutely wonderful! We had a ball in the museum, where I guess we really weren't expecting to. I would recommend it to ANYONE who visits Worcester. It was really a very informative and interactive experience.
After that we chilled around Worcester. We had a fab cheap lunch at an apparently "Aussie" themed pub (not very). We caught a black cab home (in london very expensive, but in worcester not so much) and I met toby's family.His mum and dad are lovely. We lazed around watching the 25th anniversary Les Miserables, and then we had an awesome pork dinner. It was then time to get into our glad rags and hit the town.
Tuesday night, as I was soon to find out, is a massive night in Worcester for the gays. They all converge once a week to a night club called "the velvet lounge" where they play fantastic tunes and serve 2.50 double vodka redbulls. That plus the ridiculous friendliness of the gays made for a great night out. I met so many great people (none of whom's name I can remember), taught line dance to strangers and saw the most extreme projectile vomit of my life in thebeer garden. It was.. like a 5 m spew. disgusting- but impressive. We danced up a storm and struggled home at 3am to awaken the next morning nursing the godawful hangovers that only vodkaredbulls can cause. After lazing on the couch all day eating "bacon sarneys" and crisps, I finally got my act together and struggled to the station , wehre I borded my train for a brisk (although somewhat nauseating) 2.5 hour trip back to London.
It was a great two days! Thanks so much for having me to stay, Toby!
London Zoo, National Gallery & Museum of London
When I got back from Paris, I spent Saturday lazing around and Sunday at London Zoo.
Phebe and I were excited for our trip to the zoo. We caught the tube to Camden Town and wandered down across Regent's Park towards the zoo gates. After spending far too long stuck in conversation with two random photographer guys standing outside the gates, we finally made it inside.
It was 12:30 and time for the creatures show. The show "arena" was quite small and a little delapidated, but the background music of "Circle of Life" was quite successful in getting the crowd (of about 20 people) excited about the impending appearance of exotic animals. The man presenting the show was extremely excitable and I must admit, Phebe and I were jiggling around like crazy people with cuteness anticipation.
THe show that followed was supercute. The animals were not especialy rare or special, but they were awesome. First was the rats. Then was Bob, the fabulous burrowing owl. He was very small and loved to run along the ground with his wings out forward like a zombie. Apparenlty they aren't very good at burrowing and live in ground hog burrows. he also flew around above us. A very handsome gentleman. Next up was some other kind of owl (I forget). This owl was a pro silent flyer- as he flew around above us we couldn't hear him until he flew past our faces. Then there were ferrets - which we got to pet. Very cute.
I think that the zoo is.. low on cash as the show wasn't exactly spectacular, although it was very cute. We then ambled around the zoos grounds. THe zoo in general, was not what we are used to in Australia. It has been around for almost 200 years and as such, is an "older" style zoo - the enclosures are not as "natural" as at home. Most of the enclosures were fine - and alot had been done up (the new gorilla kingdom was great), but the Big Cat enclosures were not good. There were 3 tigers, and they were all just pacing along the edges of their cages. You could see the track in the mud where they had been walking - back and forward, back and forward- for hours. THe lions had only a small enclosure and the serval was alone and also pacing.
At home, the big cats always have lots of stimulation - at dreamworld they are constantly kept interested - and it is the same at Australia zoo - lots of training and playing and work from the keepers.
It was really sad to see the tigers like that. We walked away from the enclosure unhappy, until seeing a sign that they are planning a huge new big cat enclosure to be opened in 2011... it looks great - i just hope the tigers can last that long without going crazy.
We kept going with our zoo time - exploring the insect house, the birds and the monkeys. An awesome surprise was wating for us in the "tropical forrest habitat". This was like a giant room that, once inside, had no bars. THre were lots of little Marmosets, monkeys, birds flitting around the heated greenhouse environment- ant the BEST thing of all were the two 3-toed sloths. OHMYGOSH they were just the raddest things ever. THe walkway was on the second storey, and there was a keeper on the ground level feeding the various creatures running to-and-fro. SHe gave the low hanging sloth a carrot, which it clasped like a bottle between its long, curved fingers. It did this sooo slowly, and after a few dropping incidents, finally began to slowly chew it's carot-ty treat. However, monkeys had been waiting in the wings to assail this sleepy tree dweller, and swarmed the poor sloth, stealing his carrot as soon as the keeper's back was turned. The sloth appeared to not notice the carrot was gone for a good 3 seconds, and kept trying to direct the food to its mouth. Poor Sloth-friend was totally bamboozled. THe keeper then gave him a lettuce leaf, which he rejected- and then another carrot, upon which the same monkey-ambush was performed. It was the cutest thing ever.
Another fun thing at the zoo was the giraffe enclosure.It was very.. pony club in appearance - except the stables were 3 storys high. The doors had the same open top and closed bottom as a stable door - only the top portion exposed the whole of the giraffes neck making for very comical dimensions.
We went to visit the owls, and they were very sad so we went away to a newer part of the zoo - and possibly the very best - the otter enclosure. It must have been feeding time, because the cheeky little fellows were all standing on their hind legs, looking over the fence and squeak squeak squeaking. THere was an "outcast" otter, who kept away from the group and occasionally randomly attacked one of them, starting a rolling otter punch-up. THey were constantly relocating in their enclosure and squeaking. at one point, the were squeaking so hard a few of them fell over. Most wonderful!
It was then zoo closing time, and we left feelig a little... underwhelmed. I don't think either of us could forget that path the tiger had made in the mud.
PART 2 - National Gallery
this was awesome.. but i now can't remember anything really about my visit other than I SAW VAN GOUGH'S SUNFLOWERS for real! I had a great day at the gallery.. but the specifics elude me
PART 3 - Museum of London
I visited the Museum of London the same day as the National Gallery. I can absolutely recommend this to anyone who visits London. The Museum of London charts the history of the London area since paleolithic times - through roman, medieval, tudor, victorian and modern times. It was absolutely fascinating - especially the roman section - imagining they they had lived here, exactly on the ground I was walking. THey had so many amazing artefacts and really informative exhibits.
I especially was fascinated to learn about the way people lived here throughout the past.
The modern section was really interesting as well - with every decade covered individually from the 1880's to present. Swinging london in the 60's was great - but I was very moved by the exhibit about the suffrogettes. They fought very very hard for their rights, and it was really eye-opening to see artefacts of the sort of opposition they came up against.
Of course, the 40's, encompassing the Blitz, was extremely powerful. I can't even imagine what it would have been like for Londoners in that time. So brave. I am definately a pacifist, but if someone was attacking my country like that, I would surely go and fight- do anything. Yes, the Londoners of that era were a brave lot.
Of all the museums I've been to so far, I would recommend the Museum of London first to any traveller - It's so important to learn about the places you travel to, and this museum told me everything I wanted to know - and more.
Phebe and I were excited for our trip to the zoo. We caught the tube to Camden Town and wandered down across Regent's Park towards the zoo gates. After spending far too long stuck in conversation with two random photographer guys standing outside the gates, we finally made it inside.
It was 12:30 and time for the creatures show. The show "arena" was quite small and a little delapidated, but the background music of "Circle of Life" was quite successful in getting the crowd (of about 20 people) excited about the impending appearance of exotic animals. The man presenting the show was extremely excitable and I must admit, Phebe and I were jiggling around like crazy people with cuteness anticipation.
THe show that followed was supercute. The animals were not especialy rare or special, but they were awesome. First was the rats. Then was Bob, the fabulous burrowing owl. He was very small and loved to run along the ground with his wings out forward like a zombie. Apparenlty they aren't very good at burrowing and live in ground hog burrows. he also flew around above us. A very handsome gentleman. Next up was some other kind of owl (I forget). This owl was a pro silent flyer- as he flew around above us we couldn't hear him until he flew past our faces. Then there were ferrets - which we got to pet. Very cute.
I think that the zoo is.. low on cash as the show wasn't exactly spectacular, although it was very cute. We then ambled around the zoos grounds. THe zoo in general, was not what we are used to in Australia. It has been around for almost 200 years and as such, is an "older" style zoo - the enclosures are not as "natural" as at home. Most of the enclosures were fine - and alot had been done up (the new gorilla kingdom was great), but the Big Cat enclosures were not good. There were 3 tigers, and they were all just pacing along the edges of their cages. You could see the track in the mud where they had been walking - back and forward, back and forward- for hours. THe lions had only a small enclosure and the serval was alone and also pacing.
At home, the big cats always have lots of stimulation - at dreamworld they are constantly kept interested - and it is the same at Australia zoo - lots of training and playing and work from the keepers.
It was really sad to see the tigers like that. We walked away from the enclosure unhappy, until seeing a sign that they are planning a huge new big cat enclosure to be opened in 2011... it looks great - i just hope the tigers can last that long without going crazy.
We kept going with our zoo time - exploring the insect house, the birds and the monkeys. An awesome surprise was wating for us in the "tropical forrest habitat". This was like a giant room that, once inside, had no bars. THre were lots of little Marmosets, monkeys, birds flitting around the heated greenhouse environment- ant the BEST thing of all were the two 3-toed sloths. OHMYGOSH they were just the raddest things ever. THe walkway was on the second storey, and there was a keeper on the ground level feeding the various creatures running to-and-fro. SHe gave the low hanging sloth a carrot, which it clasped like a bottle between its long, curved fingers. It did this sooo slowly, and after a few dropping incidents, finally began to slowly chew it's carot-ty treat. However, monkeys had been waiting in the wings to assail this sleepy tree dweller, and swarmed the poor sloth, stealing his carrot as soon as the keeper's back was turned. The sloth appeared to not notice the carrot was gone for a good 3 seconds, and kept trying to direct the food to its mouth. Poor Sloth-friend was totally bamboozled. THe keeper then gave him a lettuce leaf, which he rejected- and then another carrot, upon which the same monkey-ambush was performed. It was the cutest thing ever.
Another fun thing at the zoo was the giraffe enclosure.It was very.. pony club in appearance - except the stables were 3 storys high. The doors had the same open top and closed bottom as a stable door - only the top portion exposed the whole of the giraffes neck making for very comical dimensions.
We went to visit the owls, and they were very sad so we went away to a newer part of the zoo - and possibly the very best - the otter enclosure. It must have been feeding time, because the cheeky little fellows were all standing on their hind legs, looking over the fence and squeak squeak squeaking. THere was an "outcast" otter, who kept away from the group and occasionally randomly attacked one of them, starting a rolling otter punch-up. THey were constantly relocating in their enclosure and squeaking. at one point, the were squeaking so hard a few of them fell over. Most wonderful!
It was then zoo closing time, and we left feelig a little... underwhelmed. I don't think either of us could forget that path the tiger had made in the mud.
PART 2 - National Gallery
this was awesome.. but i now can't remember anything really about my visit other than I SAW VAN GOUGH'S SUNFLOWERS for real! I had a great day at the gallery.. but the specifics elude me
PART 3 - Museum of London
I visited the Museum of London the same day as the National Gallery. I can absolutely recommend this to anyone who visits London. The Museum of London charts the history of the London area since paleolithic times - through roman, medieval, tudor, victorian and modern times. It was absolutely fascinating - especially the roman section - imagining they they had lived here, exactly on the ground I was walking. THey had so many amazing artefacts and really informative exhibits.
I especially was fascinated to learn about the way people lived here throughout the past.
The modern section was really interesting as well - with every decade covered individually from the 1880's to present. Swinging london in the 60's was great - but I was very moved by the exhibit about the suffrogettes. They fought very very hard for their rights, and it was really eye-opening to see artefacts of the sort of opposition they came up against.
Of course, the 40's, encompassing the Blitz, was extremely powerful. I can't even imagine what it would have been like for Londoners in that time. So brave. I am definately a pacifist, but if someone was attacking my country like that, I would surely go and fight- do anything. Yes, the Londoners of that era were a brave lot.
Of all the museums I've been to so far, I would recommend the Museum of London first to any traveller - It's so important to learn about the places you travel to, and this museum told me everything I wanted to know - and more.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Paris Paris PARIS!
after a four day whilrwind tour and a lot of walking around in blizzard conditions, I think that Paris is possibly the most beautiful city in the world. Even seeing it in it's ugliest (and most uncomfortably frigid) season, it is still an absolutely captivating place.
My trip begun with an early morning rise. 3:30am up, 3:35am out the door, 3:40am on the night bus heading for King's Cross/St. Pancras station. Everyone at the station was bleary eyed and as I was trying to work out how to scan my ticket (more complicated than it would seem) I encountered my first example of French Rudeness. The help man was very rude "when you go to places, you should read the information on the ticket and pay attention". Bastard.
I joined the extreme sized line for coffees- grabbing a chocolate croissant for the trip (the first of 6 consumed in the 4 days to follow). The Eurostar was great. It was very spacious and very fast - only 3 hours to Paris under the sea! When I got off the train, I was met by my host for the trip, Julien.
Julien is a great guy - he's very friendly and has a lot of interest in world events. I met Julien through couchsurfing.org - which means I was able to stay for free with him in the middle of Paris. He took me back to his apartment - which was really just two rooms, on the 5th floor of his building (so many stairs) just off rue de la fayette. He sleeps on a futon and had a blow up matteress for me. It was small, but comfortable and perfect for one person to live in the centre of a big city.
After dumping my stuff, I walked down rue lafayette towards the Opera and my date with an open air bus. I had earlier purchased 2 days on the L'open Tour open top busses (see the website here) for sight-seeing over the internet. It was recommended to me by Phebe, and it certainly was worth 30 euros. The busses take you on four different routes around Paris, taking in all the biggest and best sights!
Totally overwhelmed by the CHristmas decorations at the massive Printemps & Galleries Lafayette department stores (some randomly haloween & Mama Mia themed), I almost missed my bus and had to sprint across 5(ish) lanes of traffic to get there. I say 5ish, because as anyone who has been to Paris knows, there are no "lanes" but an insane melee of weaving traffic heading in random directions.
I started on the "orange" bus route - Montmatre & Sacre Cour. I was given my map and incredibly uncomfortable green earphones. Although it was sleet-y conditions, I opted to sit up top in the open air. It was an amazing vantage point for scenery and photos, but I have never been more cold in my life. Still, for my entire open bus tour, I sat obstinately up top. People must have seen the bus coming and wondered why there was an eskimo riding up top, with me perched up there shivering in my faux fur hooded jacket.
We drove through the "red light" district, past the many Cabarets- including the somewhat externally unimpressive Moulin Rouge. THere were many hilarious shop signs in this area. Then it was time for Sacre Cour, where I hopped off the bus to explore. It's quite a walk up to the church on the hill and I experienced the awkward feeling of being sweaty under my coat and freezing on the outer layer. The church was magnificent- extremely deluxe. My favourite part (apart from the stunning stained glass windows) were all the beautiful tea-lights and candles that visitors had lit in prayer to the random saints whose alters stood above.
After a thorough inspection of the inside I was ready to go down to the crypt. However, the crypt was closed. So it was tower time. It was quite vertiginous there in that tower. high up, and very cramped and crowded. But the view from the top across Paris could not be beat.. well .. maybe if it wasn't foggy.
On the way down I saw the people I had been warned about by my friend Arlene on my highland tour. There are these African men standing around down the bottom of the hill with little ropes in their hands. What happens is that they approach an unsuspecting tourist and put the little cord around their hands or fingers, trapping them. They then ask for money to be let go. Apparently you can escape if you yell "I AM CALLING THE POLICE I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS" but I wasn't ready to give it a go. The men came up to me and I tucked my hands under my armpits and ran away. I saw them catch some poor unsuspecting girl though. What total bastards.
I hopped back on the bus and rode it back to the opera, where I changed onto the "blue" line - the ultimate sight-seeing tour line. This bus took us down the boulevards and through the crazy skinny arch into the Louvre, where we glimpsed the famous glass pyramids and on the other side, could see down the tulleries to the obilsk and all the way down the champs elysees to the arc de triumph. The bus stopped for what felt like 10 minutes at the Louvre, as I sat freezing on top. Eventually we got moving again. THe nice thing about the bus is that you plug in your earphones and can listen to the commentary about where you are. It's very nice.
we then drove along the south bank and looped back to Concorde, where we got to see the egyptian obelisk close up, as it had previously be obscured by a ferris wheel of the type that seem to pop up in european cities over christmas (there was one in edinburgh as well). I hopped off here to explore the Champs Elysees. Oh so awesome! a whole building of Louis Vuitton.. and the Sepphora make up shop was the greatest thing i've ever seen - when the world cup anthem came on all the staff went and danced at the front of their megastore. It was very cool. I meandered up to the Arc Du Triumph, but I didn't climb it - it wasn't exactly a nice day. Here I got hassled by gypsies as well.
Now, I must say that there were a HUGE number of "homeless" people in Paris. The thing is alot of them were young and healthy and had great english so I don't understand why they didn't have a job or the kids wern't at school. They were out running countless scams against tourists in stead. In my time, I got hassled about 10 times. Can I please have money. I am raising money for the deaf (when not deaf because clearly could hear what I was saying). I need food. It's all the kids out on the streets and I bet the parents are just sitting there at home raking in all the cash. The worst ones are the people who sit there in the street with lots of pets. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED YOURSELF PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T HAVE AN ANIMAL. I felt like calling the RSPCA or equivalent body. THey only had the animals becaue they thought people would give them more money. I saw one guy with three kittens- he was young and healty and just lying in the street with 3 kittens. what a JERK.
anyway, that's enough of my rant about these people. btu really, the problem is very severe. it's the worst thing about Paris for sure.
After that, even though the weather was cloudy and snowy, I decided to take the plunge and climb the eiffel tower. The elevators were quite fun. The line up only took about 35 minutes, so it was no where as bad as I was led to believe it would be. except for the constant harassment from said people and from people trying to sell souveniers.
I should mention I had a crepe for lunch. oh so delicious.
After that, it was time to head back to Julien's apartment. But first, he took me on a walk through Paris by night. Very nice. Julien cooked dinner and had wine and cheese for me. So much cheese. We stayed up talking about international relations. Then I blew up my blow up bed and went to sleep.
The next day, after a chocolate croissant power-up, I took in the green and red routes. I saw Notre Dame (very very nice), the Bastile, the finance department buildings (actually very cool), the latin QUarter, Montparnasse & Saint Germaine, Hotel des invalides and .. well alot more. however, this day was quite blizardy and I spent alot of time on the bus huddled in a corner.
I had intended to check out Pompidu centre that day, to see the modern art collecion. However, it was closed (as it was a tuesday) and I got somewhat lost as the snow fell heavily. I found my way into a "quick" which is a European version of Mcdonalds. I ordered in french and the teenagers standing next to me were laughing. Jerks. I ordered a Big Mac Equivalent and was impressed by the delcious dijon mayonaise that acompanied my french fries.
Stuck for something to do until Julien finished work at about 7 (Parisiens start work late and finish late, then stay up late), I placed my bets on the Musee d'Orsay. A bet which payed off. I love art galleries. In france they x-ray your bag before you go in. Monet, Manet, Vermeer, Gaugain, Seurat (up close - oh so good), Van Gough - all the masters. it was fabulous!
I was unfortunately kicked out at 5pm (with booming voices yelling "THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED" in 13 languages) as there was a concert happening in the gallery that evening. TO kill the extra time, I walked all the way back to the opera. Once there, I explored Printemps and Galleries Lafayette. These shops are UNBELIEVABLE. Think of every mega-posh, super expensive, ultra designer you can imagine- they are all there in their own little shops. Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Christian Louburtin, Berkin.. I cant' even name them all.. but it was extreme.
I don't know- even if I was a millionaire I really couldn't be bothered to pay $500 for a scarf. Or $3500 for a pair of shoes. I would buy nice things - but let's not get ridiculous. Still I saw people walking around with 5 or 6 bags from different designers. How the other half live, I guess.
I went back to Julien's apartment where he had a surprise for me. the greatest dinner ever. It was a traditional French type of thing - he melted thick slices of a mild soft cheese in little frying pans (one per cheese slice) on a special heater, then we poured the melted cheese over our baked potatos and meats (ham, bacon, parma ham etc). It was SO GOOD. we ate a block of cheese each though. then some special soft cheese for dessert. Cheese dreams ensued. but it was worth it - what a marvelous meal.
And I needed all the calories of a block of cheese for the following day - my day at the LOUVRE. I'm not going to write about it. It was awesome. I got the audio guide (highly recommended) and did all the tours. Napoleon III's apartments were AMAZING and then I spent ages trying to take photos of myself with venus di milo, mona lisa and victory of samathrace. I was there from 10am to 8pm. I had the best day. At the end, I decided to walk back to the apartment. The whole day of walking taken into account, I walked for about 10 hours. it was epic. and the egyptian exhibition was BETTER than the one at the British Museum (which was awesome to begin with). It was a good thing I chose this day to be my day indoors however, becaue it was an ACTUAL blizzard outside.
THen Thursday, my last day in Paris. After obligatory chocolate croissant, it was time to finally do the Pompidu centre.
coming soon... london zoo
My trip begun with an early morning rise. 3:30am up, 3:35am out the door, 3:40am on the night bus heading for King's Cross/St. Pancras station. Everyone at the station was bleary eyed and as I was trying to work out how to scan my ticket (more complicated than it would seem) I encountered my first example of French Rudeness. The help man was very rude "when you go to places, you should read the information on the ticket and pay attention". Bastard.
I joined the extreme sized line for coffees- grabbing a chocolate croissant for the trip (the first of 6 consumed in the 4 days to follow). The Eurostar was great. It was very spacious and very fast - only 3 hours to Paris under the sea! When I got off the train, I was met by my host for the trip, Julien.
Julien is a great guy - he's very friendly and has a lot of interest in world events. I met Julien through couchsurfing.org - which means I was able to stay for free with him in the middle of Paris. He took me back to his apartment - which was really just two rooms, on the 5th floor of his building (so many stairs) just off rue de la fayette. He sleeps on a futon and had a blow up matteress for me. It was small, but comfortable and perfect for one person to live in the centre of a big city.
After dumping my stuff, I walked down rue lafayette towards the Opera and my date with an open air bus. I had earlier purchased 2 days on the L'open Tour open top busses (see the website here) for sight-seeing over the internet. It was recommended to me by Phebe, and it certainly was worth 30 euros. The busses take you on four different routes around Paris, taking in all the biggest and best sights!
Totally overwhelmed by the CHristmas decorations at the massive Printemps & Galleries Lafayette department stores (some randomly haloween & Mama Mia themed), I almost missed my bus and had to sprint across 5(ish) lanes of traffic to get there. I say 5ish, because as anyone who has been to Paris knows, there are no "lanes" but an insane melee of weaving traffic heading in random directions.
I started on the "orange" bus route - Montmatre & Sacre Cour. I was given my map and incredibly uncomfortable green earphones. Although it was sleet-y conditions, I opted to sit up top in the open air. It was an amazing vantage point for scenery and photos, but I have never been more cold in my life. Still, for my entire open bus tour, I sat obstinately up top. People must have seen the bus coming and wondered why there was an eskimo riding up top, with me perched up there shivering in my faux fur hooded jacket.
We drove through the "red light" district, past the many Cabarets- including the somewhat externally unimpressive Moulin Rouge. THere were many hilarious shop signs in this area. Then it was time for Sacre Cour, where I hopped off the bus to explore. It's quite a walk up to the church on the hill and I experienced the awkward feeling of being sweaty under my coat and freezing on the outer layer. The church was magnificent- extremely deluxe. My favourite part (apart from the stunning stained glass windows) were all the beautiful tea-lights and candles that visitors had lit in prayer to the random saints whose alters stood above.
After a thorough inspection of the inside I was ready to go down to the crypt. However, the crypt was closed. So it was tower time. It was quite vertiginous there in that tower. high up, and very cramped and crowded. But the view from the top across Paris could not be beat.. well .. maybe if it wasn't foggy.
On the way down I saw the people I had been warned about by my friend Arlene on my highland tour. There are these African men standing around down the bottom of the hill with little ropes in their hands. What happens is that they approach an unsuspecting tourist and put the little cord around their hands or fingers, trapping them. They then ask for money to be let go. Apparently you can escape if you yell "I AM CALLING THE POLICE I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS" but I wasn't ready to give it a go. The men came up to me and I tucked my hands under my armpits and ran away. I saw them catch some poor unsuspecting girl though. What total bastards.
I hopped back on the bus and rode it back to the opera, where I changed onto the "blue" line - the ultimate sight-seeing tour line. This bus took us down the boulevards and through the crazy skinny arch into the Louvre, where we glimpsed the famous glass pyramids and on the other side, could see down the tulleries to the obilsk and all the way down the champs elysees to the arc de triumph. The bus stopped for what felt like 10 minutes at the Louvre, as I sat freezing on top. Eventually we got moving again. THe nice thing about the bus is that you plug in your earphones and can listen to the commentary about where you are. It's very nice.
we then drove along the south bank and looped back to Concorde, where we got to see the egyptian obelisk close up, as it had previously be obscured by a ferris wheel of the type that seem to pop up in european cities over christmas (there was one in edinburgh as well). I hopped off here to explore the Champs Elysees. Oh so awesome! a whole building of Louis Vuitton.. and the Sepphora make up shop was the greatest thing i've ever seen - when the world cup anthem came on all the staff went and danced at the front of their megastore. It was very cool. I meandered up to the Arc Du Triumph, but I didn't climb it - it wasn't exactly a nice day. Here I got hassled by gypsies as well.
Now, I must say that there were a HUGE number of "homeless" people in Paris. The thing is alot of them were young and healthy and had great english so I don't understand why they didn't have a job or the kids wern't at school. They were out running countless scams against tourists in stead. In my time, I got hassled about 10 times. Can I please have money. I am raising money for the deaf (when not deaf because clearly could hear what I was saying). I need food. It's all the kids out on the streets and I bet the parents are just sitting there at home raking in all the cash. The worst ones are the people who sit there in the street with lots of pets. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED YOURSELF PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T HAVE AN ANIMAL. I felt like calling the RSPCA or equivalent body. THey only had the animals becaue they thought people would give them more money. I saw one guy with three kittens- he was young and healty and just lying in the street with 3 kittens. what a JERK.
anyway, that's enough of my rant about these people. btu really, the problem is very severe. it's the worst thing about Paris for sure.
After that, even though the weather was cloudy and snowy, I decided to take the plunge and climb the eiffel tower. The elevators were quite fun. The line up only took about 35 minutes, so it was no where as bad as I was led to believe it would be. except for the constant harassment from said people and from people trying to sell souveniers.
I should mention I had a crepe for lunch. oh so delicious.
After that, it was time to head back to Julien's apartment. But first, he took me on a walk through Paris by night. Very nice. Julien cooked dinner and had wine and cheese for me. So much cheese. We stayed up talking about international relations. Then I blew up my blow up bed and went to sleep.
The next day, after a chocolate croissant power-up, I took in the green and red routes. I saw Notre Dame (very very nice), the Bastile, the finance department buildings (actually very cool), the latin QUarter, Montparnasse & Saint Germaine, Hotel des invalides and .. well alot more. however, this day was quite blizardy and I spent alot of time on the bus huddled in a corner.
I had intended to check out Pompidu centre that day, to see the modern art collecion. However, it was closed (as it was a tuesday) and I got somewhat lost as the snow fell heavily. I found my way into a "quick" which is a European version of Mcdonalds. I ordered in french and the teenagers standing next to me were laughing. Jerks. I ordered a Big Mac Equivalent and was impressed by the delcious dijon mayonaise that acompanied my french fries.
Stuck for something to do until Julien finished work at about 7 (Parisiens start work late and finish late, then stay up late), I placed my bets on the Musee d'Orsay. A bet which payed off. I love art galleries. In france they x-ray your bag before you go in. Monet, Manet, Vermeer, Gaugain, Seurat (up close - oh so good), Van Gough - all the masters. it was fabulous!
I was unfortunately kicked out at 5pm (with booming voices yelling "THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED" in 13 languages) as there was a concert happening in the gallery that evening. TO kill the extra time, I walked all the way back to the opera. Once there, I explored Printemps and Galleries Lafayette. These shops are UNBELIEVABLE. Think of every mega-posh, super expensive, ultra designer you can imagine- they are all there in their own little shops. Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Christian Louburtin, Berkin.. I cant' even name them all.. but it was extreme.
I don't know- even if I was a millionaire I really couldn't be bothered to pay $500 for a scarf. Or $3500 for a pair of shoes. I would buy nice things - but let's not get ridiculous. Still I saw people walking around with 5 or 6 bags from different designers. How the other half live, I guess.
I went back to Julien's apartment where he had a surprise for me. the greatest dinner ever. It was a traditional French type of thing - he melted thick slices of a mild soft cheese in little frying pans (one per cheese slice) on a special heater, then we poured the melted cheese over our baked potatos and meats (ham, bacon, parma ham etc). It was SO GOOD. we ate a block of cheese each though. then some special soft cheese for dessert. Cheese dreams ensued. but it was worth it - what a marvelous meal.
And I needed all the calories of a block of cheese for the following day - my day at the LOUVRE. I'm not going to write about it. It was awesome. I got the audio guide (highly recommended) and did all the tours. Napoleon III's apartments were AMAZING and then I spent ages trying to take photos of myself with venus di milo, mona lisa and victory of samathrace. I was there from 10am to 8pm. I had the best day. At the end, I decided to walk back to the apartment. The whole day of walking taken into account, I walked for about 10 hours. it was epic. and the egyptian exhibition was BETTER than the one at the British Museum (which was awesome to begin with). It was a good thing I chose this day to be my day indoors however, becaue it was an ACTUAL blizzard outside.
THen Thursday, my last day in Paris. After obligatory chocolate croissant, it was time to finally do the Pompidu centre.
coming soon... london zoo
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Shopping!
The past two days have been good days for shopping- in both traditional London Style and extremely modern-deluxe-style ways.
This week, due to unseasonally cold weather in London, I have become painfully aware that my new (and very lovely) H&M coat (and my old coat for that matter) are not warm enough. Walking anywhere has been causing me pain - but I have realised, after seeing the new coat Phebe ordered online- that this does NOT have to be the case. Some coats (albeit puffy ones) are very VERY warm.
So, for the past week, i've been searching online for THE perfect Jacket. But due to my increasing size (yea.. I'm a fatty now), I was reluctant to purchase one online. Coats are a big investment and I was too cold to wait for delivery.
Thus, when Gemma (one of Phebe's 9 housemates) declared her intentions to go to Westfield on Friday, I immediatly decalred my intentions to tag along.
Westfield (at Shepherds Bush) is London's only "shopping centre". Everywhere else, shopping is done on the very cold streets. We took the tube over and froze our ways in the door. Once inside, it was obvious that I wasn't in Brisbane anymore. This Westfield shits all over any Australian shopping centre I have ever seen. You are met at the enterance with a champagne bar, sitting between the Prada and Louis Vuitton shops. At this wine bar, snooty people sit drinking posh champagne before midday for no particular reason. The size, the shops, the aesthetic - this is the world's poshest shopping centre. The food court does not have fast food - but deluxe vendors that serve food on plates. I had a deluxe kebab - no sorry "chicken wrap" from the deluxe kebab (ahem) Wrap shop.
Gemma and I wandered aimlessly amongst the terrifyingly expensive shops, searching for our own "price range". I had my heart set on a Superdry Coat.. but unfortunately, the decision was made that the coats at Superdry were not long enough, as it is apparently important to keep the derierre warm.
I am very happy with my eventual purpose- a very nice semi-puffy jacket from Bench. I tried to find a picture of it online.. but it's only in white on the website and doesn't look as cool. I also got a pair of thermal gloves. I'm officially set for winter.
That evening Phebe, Jed, Ali (phebe's cool NZ work friend) went out for 2 for one cocktails and steak in clapham. it was AWesome.
Yesterday, after a late rising due to the cocktails of the night before getting a little out of contol, we went shopping LONDON style. We went to the Borough Markets - the greatest food market in the world (in my opinon). Amazing fresh food booths line either side of the walkways selling every different kind of food you could imagine. Amazing cheezes beside fresh seafood beside the most beautiful cuts of meat you've ever seen.
We started our cullinary adventures with pork rolls all round. Roasted pork and stuffing with apple sauce in a crispy baguette. Awesome. We then wandered around sampling dips and oils (one dip tasted exactly like the chips from Grill'd). We then went to the oyster stand and chose our own oysters - which were then opened up for us and consumed on the spot. there's nothing like a fresh oyster! then we went to the cheese shop. this shop was amazing. wall to wall cheesemania - and the woman helpig us knew SO MUCH about cheese. we must have sampled at least 10 different cheeses before getting a hard orange cheese and a beautiful soft cheese from wales. Phebe then kept sampling some kind of spanish aged pork legs and eventually (after more oysters) we left, full and contented.
Last night we stayed in with hot chocolates and watched X factor (ugggh) and the final of "i'm a celebrity-get me out of here"- nice to see it's raining in QLD.
oh I should add that on thursday night I went out for drinks with the lovely Hannah douglas! It was nice to see that curly haired friend once more.
CUrrently we're sitting in the room drinking coffee and eating the cheeses we bought yesterday. it is actually sunny outside and I want to go there very soon.
This week, due to unseasonally cold weather in London, I have become painfully aware that my new (and very lovely) H&M coat (and my old coat for that matter) are not warm enough. Walking anywhere has been causing me pain - but I have realised, after seeing the new coat Phebe ordered online- that this does NOT have to be the case. Some coats (albeit puffy ones) are very VERY warm.
So, for the past week, i've been searching online for THE perfect Jacket. But due to my increasing size (yea.. I'm a fatty now), I was reluctant to purchase one online. Coats are a big investment and I was too cold to wait for delivery.
Thus, when Gemma (one of Phebe's 9 housemates) declared her intentions to go to Westfield on Friday, I immediatly decalred my intentions to tag along.
Westfield (at Shepherds Bush) is London's only "shopping centre". Everywhere else, shopping is done on the very cold streets. We took the tube over and froze our ways in the door. Once inside, it was obvious that I wasn't in Brisbane anymore. This Westfield shits all over any Australian shopping centre I have ever seen. You are met at the enterance with a champagne bar, sitting between the Prada and Louis Vuitton shops. At this wine bar, snooty people sit drinking posh champagne before midday for no particular reason. The size, the shops, the aesthetic - this is the world's poshest shopping centre. The food court does not have fast food - but deluxe vendors that serve food on plates. I had a deluxe kebab - no sorry "chicken wrap" from the deluxe kebab (ahem) Wrap shop.
Gemma and I wandered aimlessly amongst the terrifyingly expensive shops, searching for our own "price range". I had my heart set on a Superdry Coat.. but unfortunately, the decision was made that the coats at Superdry were not long enough, as it is apparently important to keep the derierre warm.
I am very happy with my eventual purpose- a very nice semi-puffy jacket from Bench. I tried to find a picture of it online.. but it's only in white on the website and doesn't look as cool. I also got a pair of thermal gloves. I'm officially set for winter.
That evening Phebe, Jed, Ali (phebe's cool NZ work friend) went out for 2 for one cocktails and steak in clapham. it was AWesome.
Yesterday, after a late rising due to the cocktails of the night before getting a little out of contol, we went shopping LONDON style. We went to the Borough Markets - the greatest food market in the world (in my opinon). Amazing fresh food booths line either side of the walkways selling every different kind of food you could imagine. Amazing cheezes beside fresh seafood beside the most beautiful cuts of meat you've ever seen.
We started our cullinary adventures with pork rolls all round. Roasted pork and stuffing with apple sauce in a crispy baguette. Awesome. We then wandered around sampling dips and oils (one dip tasted exactly like the chips from Grill'd). We then went to the oyster stand and chose our own oysters - which were then opened up for us and consumed on the spot. there's nothing like a fresh oyster! then we went to the cheese shop. this shop was amazing. wall to wall cheesemania - and the woman helpig us knew SO MUCH about cheese. we must have sampled at least 10 different cheeses before getting a hard orange cheese and a beautiful soft cheese from wales. Phebe then kept sampling some kind of spanish aged pork legs and eventually (after more oysters) we left, full and contented.
Last night we stayed in with hot chocolates and watched X factor (ugggh) and the final of "i'm a celebrity-get me out of here"- nice to see it's raining in QLD.
oh I should add that on thursday night I went out for drinks with the lovely Hannah douglas! It was nice to see that curly haired friend once more.
CUrrently we're sitting in the room drinking coffee and eating the cheeses we bought yesterday. it is actually sunny outside and I want to go there very soon.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Ok so before I force myself to retell my two weeks in the North, I'll first address the far eaiser task of retelling the past two days.
I've spent the past few days roaming london on my own. Because I'm by myself at this point I thought I'd do the sorts of things that may annoy other people if they were to come with me- THe British Museum & Tate Modern.
Wednesday was the British Museum. In total, I spent 6 hours exploring the labyrinth of rooms. I paid my 5 pounds for the audiovisual guide. As a pauper, I was a little reluctant at first - but it was SO worth it. The guide gave you all sorts of extra information about the most important items in each room- but you had time to look at everything. I absolutely adored the ancient egyptian rooms - and to see the Rosetta stone? amazing. I spent an hour looking at the marbles from the parthenon. THere are always calls to send them back to greece.. but I think there are more people to apprecieate them here in London - and they were taken because they were in danger of being destroyed. THe skills of the classical sculptors was just.. amazing. you could see the veins bulging in the horses' flanks and every fold of flowing fabric was executed to precision.
I also really enjoyed the medieval Europe exhibition. very cool.
I emerged from the building into the darkness of 5pm London. It feels so unwholesome to emerge into darkness from a museum.
TOday I went to Tate Modern. Before heading in , I decided to wander along the South Bank of the Thames. In theory this was a wonderful idea, with a German style CHristmas market stretching 150m along the water's edge under the London Eye. In practice it was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING. Snow snow everywhere, plus a cruel wind off the river and temperatures that according to google went as low as -7 today! I now understand Londoner's obsessions with the weather - it's an important factors in daily decisions around here. Apart from the cold, it was very beautiful. I bought a lemon and sugar crepe.. which i could not taste through the cold.
Finally, I made it to the Gallery. Again, I spent a few quid on a well-worth-it audio guide. There was a whole section on Surrealism - it was wonderful to see Dali close up. I also enjoyed the section on the Italian "poor art" movement- where traditional artistic materials were rejected in favour of.. coal dust and sticks and other random items. The most exciting thing was seeing the Roy Licthenstien "Whaam". I have ALWAYS LOVED this work - it's my favourite work from the pop-art movement and it sent shivers through my spine to see one of my favourite works in real life.
There was also a large canvas of one of Monet's seemingly endless paintings of the waterlillies in his garden taht was also lovely to see.
I then strolled back over the bridge, amid a group of eastern european school children who insisted on scuffing their feet on the metal of the bridge creating a nightmarish sound to accompany the evil wind off the thames. I then walked along Fleet Street and the Strand before making my way up to Leister Square and down into the comparative warmth of the tube station.
Tonight I am meeting the lovely and gorgeous Hannah Douglas for after work drinks in Clapham south. This means I'm goign to have to brave the winter wonderland outside again - but where we are meeting is only a short walk away from where I'm staying. It will be nice to see her curly hair once more!
coming soon - tales of my travel in the north (procrastinate procrastinate)
I've spent the past few days roaming london on my own. Because I'm by myself at this point I thought I'd do the sorts of things that may annoy other people if they were to come with me- THe British Museum & Tate Modern.
Wednesday was the British Museum. In total, I spent 6 hours exploring the labyrinth of rooms. I paid my 5 pounds for the audiovisual guide. As a pauper, I was a little reluctant at first - but it was SO worth it. The guide gave you all sorts of extra information about the most important items in each room- but you had time to look at everything. I absolutely adored the ancient egyptian rooms - and to see the Rosetta stone? amazing. I spent an hour looking at the marbles from the parthenon. THere are always calls to send them back to greece.. but I think there are more people to apprecieate them here in London - and they were taken because they were in danger of being destroyed. THe skills of the classical sculptors was just.. amazing. you could see the veins bulging in the horses' flanks and every fold of flowing fabric was executed to precision.
I also really enjoyed the medieval Europe exhibition. very cool.
I emerged from the building into the darkness of 5pm London. It feels so unwholesome to emerge into darkness from a museum.
TOday I went to Tate Modern. Before heading in , I decided to wander along the South Bank of the Thames. In theory this was a wonderful idea, with a German style CHristmas market stretching 150m along the water's edge under the London Eye. In practice it was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING. Snow snow everywhere, plus a cruel wind off the river and temperatures that according to google went as low as -7 today! I now understand Londoner's obsessions with the weather - it's an important factors in daily decisions around here. Apart from the cold, it was very beautiful. I bought a lemon and sugar crepe.. which i could not taste through the cold.
Finally, I made it to the Gallery. Again, I spent a few quid on a well-worth-it audio guide. There was a whole section on Surrealism - it was wonderful to see Dali close up. I also enjoyed the section on the Italian "poor art" movement- where traditional artistic materials were rejected in favour of.. coal dust and sticks and other random items. The most exciting thing was seeing the Roy Licthenstien "Whaam". I have ALWAYS LOVED this work - it's my favourite work from the pop-art movement and it sent shivers through my spine to see one of my favourite works in real life.
There was also a large canvas of one of Monet's seemingly endless paintings of the waterlillies in his garden taht was also lovely to see.
I then strolled back over the bridge, amid a group of eastern european school children who insisted on scuffing their feet on the metal of the bridge creating a nightmarish sound to accompany the evil wind off the thames. I then walked along Fleet Street and the Strand before making my way up to Leister Square and down into the comparative warmth of the tube station.
Tonight I am meeting the lovely and gorgeous Hannah Douglas for after work drinks in Clapham south. This means I'm goign to have to brave the winter wonderland outside again - but where we are meeting is only a short walk away from where I'm staying. It will be nice to see her curly hair once more!
coming soon - tales of my travel in the north (procrastinate procrastinate)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
England, Ireland (scotland to follow)
ok, so pretty much the worst feeling ever is the feeling of blog entries for three weeks of fabulous travel hanging over you like wet laundry (which is actually now presently also physically hanging over me but quite captures the feeling, I think).
I have had the most fabulous adventures in the past three weeks. none of which can be done justice in one blog entry - but I am about to try.
I am presently holed up in phebe and jed's room in Clapham South, London. I sleep on a matress on their floor. Potentially i am like some kind of house pet curled up at the bottom of their bed. I have made it back after 2 weeks on the go in Northen England and Scotland- but before that I spent several days in the Emerald Isle (not to be confused with the Emerald Aisle which might occur in some kind of gem supermarket).
Ok. Let's start from the very begining... (an average place to start).
I got into london on a freshly freezing evening 3 weeks ago. Phebe and Jed kindly came and picked me up- even though Stanstead airport is actually in extreme woop woop for them. I was also kindly given a slightly terrifying "central london roads by nite" tour where I saw very little in the darkness but felt the nightmare that is london driving.
Next day, I ventured into central london with phebe- oyster card in hand. Phebe had to work - selling monster energy drink to the foul-mood-and foul mouthed convenience store owners of london. I was free to wander. and wander I did. I strolled all over covent garden, Leister square, and Soho taking in the sights. So many theatres. SO much history. SO much touristy crap. If I was a Londoner, I feel the I <3 London shirts/underpants/knife sets/pool tables would piss me off a fair bit.
I met phebe for lunch at Pret a Manger (cheep, cheerful and my new lunch de jour, however passe) (did you see me try to use french there? fail) and we returned to Clapham South/Balham (apparently closer to Clapham south). 10 people live in Phebe's house.. plus me makes 11. So I am extremely grateful for thier hospitality.
That evening, a posse consisting of Phebe, Jed, Laura (cool NZ CHick) and Myself decended on Gatwick Airport preparing for the battle of a lifetime - to get four seats together on the free-for-all which is a RyanAir Flight to Dublin. It was like a rolling maul once the gates were opened. A man shouted "there's a small child here" to which the crowd replied "who takes a child on ryanair" and trampled over said child. Packed into our tiny seats, we made the journey over sea to beautiful Ireland.
Phebe Johnson is one organised child, and apprently seems to spend her entire day organising various weekend jaunts to different countries. We had a very organised itinerary. First night we picked up our little rental car and drove to some extremely random house where we stayed. Next morning, early start and off to Glendalough, a beautiful lake with a small town attached. Small town consiting of .. not much. We went to the ancient cemetary, where we pretended to be ghosts for a time- then it was nature walk time along the lake, where jed got VERY "natural" and my retinas are forever burned. it was windy and slightly rainy but very pleasant. We had a massive breakfast at s Gleandalough hotel, laughed at the very "cute" (according to Laura) old people with gorgeous Irish accents, and I took some extra croissants for the way. THe breakfast was so filling, lunch was not needed.
We the did an extreme speed run of Kilkenny. We posed for photos at the glorious castle, Jed flashed his butt again for a photo opportunity on the street (?!?) and then drank Kilkenny in Killkenny in the space of less than an hour. But the real race had not yet begun. We were scheduled to hit blarney castle that afternoon to kiss the blarney stone, but as the sun decended our hopes faded as we raced towards our goal. We pushed our way through the gates with 15 minutes to spare and were the final people to kiss the blarney stone that day. Unfortunately for me, I apparently missed the said stone all togetehr and can now claim that I "kissed the stone ABOVE the blarney stone". I guess I missed out on gettting the power of the gift of the gab (which the stone is said to bestow). Somehow, I think I'll get along fine without it.
We then departed the castle and made our way to the nearby town of Kilarney (very Mcleods Daughters). We went out to check out the local night life.. but the non stop action of international flying and constant sightseeing was taking its toll on me. Jed and I called it an early night - but Phebe and Laura had a fabulous adventure involving a lovely Irish man who had moved to Kilarney for work and had no friends (people don't have jobs in ireland and some resent those who do) protecting them from a group of Irish Louts. the Craic was good!
Next day, I was at the wheel as we took on the dingle peninsula. We visited a 2500 year old fort (with cute sheep herding dog included), where Jed proceeded to pee on an ancient battlement. it wasn't in a BAD way. It was necessity (apparently). the wind was blowing and the rain was falling but the views were still breathtaking.. then.. the sun came out and.. DOUBLE RAINBOW OH MY GOD. no pot of gold though and a distinct lack of leprachauns. We then visited the town of Dingle where we had potentiaally the best fish and chips of the holiday and posed for photos with the statue of "Fungie the Dingle Dolphin- (since 1983)". Then we made our way to our little hostel in Doolin we went to a pub to witness a man sing a folk song about Australian BBQs and where their eftpos machine stopped working preventing binge drinking by all.
The next day was the best one. That evening, the owner of the hostel had drawn us out a mud map of how to get to the secret side of the CLiffs of Moher and walk the whole way along the cliff edge to the visitor centre. Mud map is a perfect description. the next morning we fould ourself tramping across paddocks of what appeared to be a mud farm. We were knee deep in mud. Jed and Laura had to durn back due to shoe disfuction but phebe and I continued, Me thanks to the wonder of my Doc Martens (which I seriously am in love with after saving me from this mud.. and also coming soon - snow!!). We climbed barbed wire fences and sheep and random american hikers, but it was all worth it for the view from the cliffs. It was the best walk of my life! Amazing! The cliffs are 240m high.. and we walked along the edge. After our walk of doom, we med Jed and Laura at the visitor centre, which has apparently been boycotted by the people of ireland for costing 20 million euros in a time of financial crisis.
THen we were in Galway. Galway was Awesome. We did a Galway Pub Crawl = 6 pubs in as many hours. We met a bunch of crazy Irish students- they were actually physically insane. A girl called Meg drew us an insanity map of places to go. Meg McNeil, Johnny McGee (Aka crazy hair) and Jack O'Carrol (aka crazy eyes) were the keepers of the crew. We hung out with them all evening and I swear I have never laughed so much in my entire life. especially as the guy who had obviously been watching border patrol kept saying "do you have any narcotics on your person" in an irish style Aussie Accent.
Our last day we zipped across to Dublin. In Irealnd everything is scenic.. there are emerald field after emerald field dotted with little black faced sheep - beautiful in clear skyes of grey. Just driving for several hours was fun with all the natural beauty. except in the dark.
Dublin was.. less nice. However the Guinness factory was 5 times of awesome. they have really put alot of work into the "storehouse" as it is known and it was a full afternoon of hopps-y goodness- topped off with a free pint in the bar on the top accompanied by panoramic views of Dublin.
Then back to London that evening in the same style we arrived - rugby scrum onboard RyanAIr. HOnestly RyanAir is SOOO dodgy. THe flight attendants look diseased and the plane has been detalied with yellow fading to white which looks like someone threw up. Thatbeingsaid - they are CHEAP.
The next day I had a London day - meeting up with Josh and Julianne in Soho. It was interesting to see them in a UK setting, where they do spend alot of their time. we strolled the streets and did an Oxford Street shopping spree where I discoverd the Glory of H&M and Primark- buying some non-homeless style winter clothes for cheap on the cash. We then went to their lovely home (very lovely open plan living) in North London for dinner and christmas carol sing-alongs. Then I came back to my cat-bed style abode in Clapham South - ready to begin my adventure in the north the very next day!
I however, have now lost the will to continue this blog entry and will have to write about my tour of the north tomorrow.. ugh I must stop putting it off.. perhaps I will do it in 1 hours time. we shall see. I'm here at phebe and jed's eating pizza and watching movies so I'm set for the time being!
I have had the most fabulous adventures in the past three weeks. none of which can be done justice in one blog entry - but I am about to try.
I am presently holed up in phebe and jed's room in Clapham South, London. I sleep on a matress on their floor. Potentially i am like some kind of house pet curled up at the bottom of their bed. I have made it back after 2 weeks on the go in Northen England and Scotland- but before that I spent several days in the Emerald Isle (not to be confused with the Emerald Aisle which might occur in some kind of gem supermarket).
Ok. Let's start from the very begining... (an average place to start).
I got into london on a freshly freezing evening 3 weeks ago. Phebe and Jed kindly came and picked me up- even though Stanstead airport is actually in extreme woop woop for them. I was also kindly given a slightly terrifying "central london roads by nite" tour where I saw very little in the darkness but felt the nightmare that is london driving.
Next day, I ventured into central london with phebe- oyster card in hand. Phebe had to work - selling monster energy drink to the foul-mood-and foul mouthed convenience store owners of london. I was free to wander. and wander I did. I strolled all over covent garden, Leister square, and Soho taking in the sights. So many theatres. SO much history. SO much touristy crap. If I was a Londoner, I feel the I <3 London shirts/underpants/knife sets/pool tables would piss me off a fair bit.
I met phebe for lunch at Pret a Manger (cheep, cheerful and my new lunch de jour, however passe) (did you see me try to use french there? fail) and we returned to Clapham South/Balham (apparently closer to Clapham south). 10 people live in Phebe's house.. plus me makes 11. So I am extremely grateful for thier hospitality.
That evening, a posse consisting of Phebe, Jed, Laura (cool NZ CHick) and Myself decended on Gatwick Airport preparing for the battle of a lifetime - to get four seats together on the free-for-all which is a RyanAir Flight to Dublin. It was like a rolling maul once the gates were opened. A man shouted "there's a small child here" to which the crowd replied "who takes a child on ryanair" and trampled over said child. Packed into our tiny seats, we made the journey over sea to beautiful Ireland.
Phebe Johnson is one organised child, and apprently seems to spend her entire day organising various weekend jaunts to different countries. We had a very organised itinerary. First night we picked up our little rental car and drove to some extremely random house where we stayed. Next morning, early start and off to Glendalough, a beautiful lake with a small town attached. Small town consiting of .. not much. We went to the ancient cemetary, where we pretended to be ghosts for a time- then it was nature walk time along the lake, where jed got VERY "natural" and my retinas are forever burned. it was windy and slightly rainy but very pleasant. We had a massive breakfast at s Gleandalough hotel, laughed at the very "cute" (according to Laura) old people with gorgeous Irish accents, and I took some extra croissants for the way. THe breakfast was so filling, lunch was not needed.
We the did an extreme speed run of Kilkenny. We posed for photos at the glorious castle, Jed flashed his butt again for a photo opportunity on the street (?!?) and then drank Kilkenny in Killkenny in the space of less than an hour. But the real race had not yet begun. We were scheduled to hit blarney castle that afternoon to kiss the blarney stone, but as the sun decended our hopes faded as we raced towards our goal. We pushed our way through the gates with 15 minutes to spare and were the final people to kiss the blarney stone that day. Unfortunately for me, I apparently missed the said stone all togetehr and can now claim that I "kissed the stone ABOVE the blarney stone". I guess I missed out on gettting the power of the gift of the gab (which the stone is said to bestow). Somehow, I think I'll get along fine without it.
We then departed the castle and made our way to the nearby town of Kilarney (very Mcleods Daughters). We went out to check out the local night life.. but the non stop action of international flying and constant sightseeing was taking its toll on me. Jed and I called it an early night - but Phebe and Laura had a fabulous adventure involving a lovely Irish man who had moved to Kilarney for work and had no friends (people don't have jobs in ireland and some resent those who do) protecting them from a group of Irish Louts. the Craic was good!
Next day, I was at the wheel as we took on the dingle peninsula. We visited a 2500 year old fort (with cute sheep herding dog included), where Jed proceeded to pee on an ancient battlement. it wasn't in a BAD way. It was necessity (apparently). the wind was blowing and the rain was falling but the views were still breathtaking.. then.. the sun came out and.. DOUBLE RAINBOW OH MY GOD. no pot of gold though and a distinct lack of leprachauns. We then visited the town of Dingle where we had potentiaally the best fish and chips of the holiday and posed for photos with the statue of "Fungie the Dingle Dolphin- (since 1983)". Then we made our way to our little hostel in Doolin we went to a pub to witness a man sing a folk song about Australian BBQs and where their eftpos machine stopped working preventing binge drinking by all.
The next day was the best one. That evening, the owner of the hostel had drawn us out a mud map of how to get to the secret side of the CLiffs of Moher and walk the whole way along the cliff edge to the visitor centre. Mud map is a perfect description. the next morning we fould ourself tramping across paddocks of what appeared to be a mud farm. We were knee deep in mud. Jed and Laura had to durn back due to shoe disfuction but phebe and I continued, Me thanks to the wonder of my Doc Martens (which I seriously am in love with after saving me from this mud.. and also coming soon - snow!!). We climbed barbed wire fences and sheep and random american hikers, but it was all worth it for the view from the cliffs. It was the best walk of my life! Amazing! The cliffs are 240m high.. and we walked along the edge. After our walk of doom, we med Jed and Laura at the visitor centre, which has apparently been boycotted by the people of ireland for costing 20 million euros in a time of financial crisis.
THen we were in Galway. Galway was Awesome. We did a Galway Pub Crawl = 6 pubs in as many hours. We met a bunch of crazy Irish students- they were actually physically insane. A girl called Meg drew us an insanity map of places to go. Meg McNeil, Johnny McGee (Aka crazy hair) and Jack O'Carrol (aka crazy eyes) were the keepers of the crew. We hung out with them all evening and I swear I have never laughed so much in my entire life. especially as the guy who had obviously been watching border patrol kept saying "do you have any narcotics on your person" in an irish style Aussie Accent.
Our last day we zipped across to Dublin. In Irealnd everything is scenic.. there are emerald field after emerald field dotted with little black faced sheep - beautiful in clear skyes of grey. Just driving for several hours was fun with all the natural beauty. except in the dark.
Dublin was.. less nice. However the Guinness factory was 5 times of awesome. they have really put alot of work into the "storehouse" as it is known and it was a full afternoon of hopps-y goodness- topped off with a free pint in the bar on the top accompanied by panoramic views of Dublin.
Then back to London that evening in the same style we arrived - rugby scrum onboard RyanAIr. HOnestly RyanAir is SOOO dodgy. THe flight attendants look diseased and the plane has been detalied with yellow fading to white which looks like someone threw up. Thatbeingsaid - they are CHEAP.
The next day I had a London day - meeting up with Josh and Julianne in Soho. It was interesting to see them in a UK setting, where they do spend alot of their time. we strolled the streets and did an Oxford Street shopping spree where I discoverd the Glory of H&M and Primark- buying some non-homeless style winter clothes for cheap on the cash. We then went to their lovely home (very lovely open plan living) in North London for dinner and christmas carol sing-alongs. Then I came back to my cat-bed style abode in Clapham South - ready to begin my adventure in the north the very next day!
I however, have now lost the will to continue this blog entry and will have to write about my tour of the north tomorrow.. ugh I must stop putting it off.. perhaps I will do it in 1 hours time. we shall see. I'm here at phebe and jed's eating pizza and watching movies so I'm set for the time being!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Oxford Street and dinner over carols
Today I had a wonderful day in swinging London. I met Julianne and Josh under Priscilla- QUeen of the Desert's oversize tranny heel on Charring Cross Road and we proceeded to the glory of Oxford Street.
I have been teased (and quite rightly so) about looking like a hobo in my unstylish (though warm) overcoat. So today, it was time to remedy this.
After a little Pret a Manger for shopping-fuel, I discovered the joy of H&M. Why does this not exist in Australia - it is absolutely epic! I got a stylish, yet appropriately warm military-style coat, a shirt, a long sleeved shirt and an extremely cute dress for 70 pounds. so good!
After some random meandering we found our way into Primark. I had already been to Primark in Tooting Bec near where I am staying in Clapham South and it was an intense shopping experience. Primark Oxford street is... the next level. I have never seen so many people in one shop. it was quite literally heaving with bargain hunters. I escaped the rolling maul of Primark with 2 pairs of shoes, a pair of black undies, black high denier tights, a sling bag and a pair of pyjama pants.. for 27 pounds. oh yeaaa.
I'm now sitting in the very lovely open plan kitchen of Julianne and Josh's kitchen in East Finchley. We are having a pasta bake for tea.. and vienetta for dessert! I'm going to have to catch the tube all the way to the other side of london to go home, but I'm getting pretty good with the tube so I should be fine.
WE are listening to christmas carols. Do they know it's christmas?
Tomorrow I am going to visit Mark! can't wait to see him! Mark Cornish Live in Concert!
I have been teased (and quite rightly so) about looking like a hobo in my unstylish (though warm) overcoat. So today, it was time to remedy this.
After a little Pret a Manger for shopping-fuel, I discovered the joy of H&M. Why does this not exist in Australia - it is absolutely epic! I got a stylish, yet appropriately warm military-style coat, a shirt, a long sleeved shirt and an extremely cute dress for 70 pounds. so good!
After some random meandering we found our way into Primark. I had already been to Primark in Tooting Bec near where I am staying in Clapham South and it was an intense shopping experience. Primark Oxford street is... the next level. I have never seen so many people in one shop. it was quite literally heaving with bargain hunters. I escaped the rolling maul of Primark with 2 pairs of shoes, a pair of black undies, black high denier tights, a sling bag and a pair of pyjama pants.. for 27 pounds. oh yeaaa.
I'm now sitting in the very lovely open plan kitchen of Julianne and Josh's kitchen in East Finchley. We are having a pasta bake for tea.. and vienetta for dessert! I'm going to have to catch the tube all the way to the other side of london to go home, but I'm getting pretty good with the tube so I should be fine.
WE are listening to christmas carols. Do they know it's christmas?
Tomorrow I am going to visit Mark! can't wait to see him! Mark Cornish Live in Concert!
Ireland!
It's official - Ireland is the most scenic location of all scenic locations. Around every corner of our 4 day whirlwind tour of the country was a photographic moment. Too many moments, not enough film.
Phebe, Jed, Laura and I hopped the Irish sea Ryan-Air style (no frills no mercy)on Thursday night. We stayed in some random dublin guest house, then escaped completely the next morning off to Glendalough- where there is a loch. it was scenery plus but rainy.
Then we were off to Kilkenny for a kilkenny, and spent the night in Killarney. Phebe and Laura stayed out mega-late talking to irish jerks and a cute old man (apparently). THe next day we almost didn't make it to blarney castle - but in a crystal maze style race through the castle grounds we were the last people of the day to kiss the blarney stone.
THe next day was the glorious dingle peninsula in the world's craziest weather. But we saw the world's most stunning rainbow... no pot of gold however.
We stayed that night in a little hostel in a little town and drank alot of guinness. the beds were hard but the people were nice. That night we were drawn a mud map of how to get the secret route to the cliffs of moher. Mud map is an accurate description. THe next morning we were tramping through sodden paddocks towards the cliff tops. Words cannot describe the amazingness of these cliffs. Stunning does not capture it. We walked along the edge of 240 metre sheer drops. I fell perilously close to a sign saying "EXTREME DANGER".
Then we were off to Galway - and what a fabulous city it was! we proclaimed it to be GALWAY PUB CRAWL and hit 6 pubs around the city. On the way we met some completely insane irish people, crazy eyes and crazy hair and crazy girl and we had one of the best nights of our respective nights. I have developed a new love for guinness- which was realised the next day in dublin where we visited the Guinness storehouse - where they brew the black stuff. It was a fabulous museum with a glorious free pint at the top of dubin's tallest building. Dublin is... very Billy Elliott compared to the rest of Ireland. It was SO beautiful. Unbelievable.
I wish I had written more about this at the time, because now it feels like a recount and .. so much awesome stuff happened!
Phebe, Jed, Laura and I hopped the Irish sea Ryan-Air style (no frills no mercy)on Thursday night. We stayed in some random dublin guest house, then escaped completely the next morning off to Glendalough- where there is a loch. it was scenery plus but rainy.
Then we were off to Kilkenny for a kilkenny, and spent the night in Killarney. Phebe and Laura stayed out mega-late talking to irish jerks and a cute old man (apparently). THe next day we almost didn't make it to blarney castle - but in a crystal maze style race through the castle grounds we were the last people of the day to kiss the blarney stone.
THe next day was the glorious dingle peninsula in the world's craziest weather. But we saw the world's most stunning rainbow... no pot of gold however.
We stayed that night in a little hostel in a little town and drank alot of guinness. the beds were hard but the people were nice. That night we were drawn a mud map of how to get the secret route to the cliffs of moher. Mud map is an accurate description. THe next morning we were tramping through sodden paddocks towards the cliff tops. Words cannot describe the amazingness of these cliffs. Stunning does not capture it. We walked along the edge of 240 metre sheer drops. I fell perilously close to a sign saying "EXTREME DANGER".
Then we were off to Galway - and what a fabulous city it was! we proclaimed it to be GALWAY PUB CRAWL and hit 6 pubs around the city. On the way we met some completely insane irish people, crazy eyes and crazy hair and crazy girl and we had one of the best nights of our respective nights. I have developed a new love for guinness- which was realised the next day in dublin where we visited the Guinness storehouse - where they brew the black stuff. It was a fabulous museum with a glorious free pint at the top of dubin's tallest building. Dublin is... very Billy Elliott compared to the rest of Ireland. It was SO beautiful. Unbelievable.
I wish I had written more about this at the time, because now it feels like a recount and .. so much awesome stuff happened!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 2: transit time
At home, due to a body clock malfunction, I have been waking up mega early in the mornings. So it would figure that -2hrs, I wake up super mega early. I was able to salvage some extra nap-age before dragging myself out of my comfy room-sized bed and getting organised.
I don’t know about you, but I really hate showers in transit. All your toiletries get damp, a set of clothes and undies is dirty and has to be put in the suitcase, which necessitates opening up the case and risking a stuff-explosion. Just a thought.
I went downstairs to check out of Tune Hotel and then went out into the courtyard to redeem my prepaid breakfast voucher. I had a plain omelette. Normally, I hate a plain omelette. But this was fabulous for some reason. I hope it did not contain crack, as I definitely felt slightly addicted to the omelette and pined for it upon finishing.
Whilst withdrawing from my omelette, I was visited by a kitty of asia. He was a little black tomcat with a bob-tail and a few white spots. He was a stray because he would happily come over, but was not up for snuggles (which would probably have caused me to catch some horrible disease, so it was for the best). I poured the spare milk from my coffee into the saucer and put it down for him. It was kitty heaven.
Now, I have seen cats have milk before, but this milk was kitty crack. He spent 10 minutes making sure he got every last drop of that milk into him- on all 3 servings. I guess he knows what it’s like to feel hungry. Happily fed, he became Mr. Playful- running around under my feet and spending a good 10 minutes attacking the straps of my pack. It was a very cute display- sommersaults included.
It was then time to be off to the airport. I walked. Took 5 minutes. Very pleasant.
I checked in and spent my remaining ringit on chocolate and gum. I saw a lady with a hilarious ENGRISH shirt. Enjoyed the lulz.
Now here I am, in the air, with only 11.5 hours to go on my flight. It’s only a 13 hour flight. I must say I thought it would be more.
It’s hard to know whether or not to take a sleeping tablet. I think I will have to, although it is strongly recommended AGAINST when travelling east to west. Hmmm.. no.. I think if I don’t I may go physicially insane from boredome and inactivity – and jetlag seems a far more attractive option. I think I’ll sleep early, that way it will be like a morning nap.
I don’t know about you, but I really hate showers in transit. All your toiletries get damp, a set of clothes and undies is dirty and has to be put in the suitcase, which necessitates opening up the case and risking a stuff-explosion. Just a thought.
I went downstairs to check out of Tune Hotel and then went out into the courtyard to redeem my prepaid breakfast voucher. I had a plain omelette. Normally, I hate a plain omelette. But this was fabulous for some reason. I hope it did not contain crack, as I definitely felt slightly addicted to the omelette and pined for it upon finishing.
Whilst withdrawing from my omelette, I was visited by a kitty of asia. He was a little black tomcat with a bob-tail and a few white spots. He was a stray because he would happily come over, but was not up for snuggles (which would probably have caused me to catch some horrible disease, so it was for the best). I poured the spare milk from my coffee into the saucer and put it down for him. It was kitty heaven.
Now, I have seen cats have milk before, but this milk was kitty crack. He spent 10 minutes making sure he got every last drop of that milk into him- on all 3 servings. I guess he knows what it’s like to feel hungry. Happily fed, he became Mr. Playful- running around under my feet and spending a good 10 minutes attacking the straps of my pack. It was a very cute display- sommersaults included.
It was then time to be off to the airport. I walked. Took 5 minutes. Very pleasant.
I checked in and spent my remaining ringit on chocolate and gum. I saw a lady with a hilarious ENGRISH shirt. Enjoyed the lulz.
Now here I am, in the air, with only 11.5 hours to go on my flight. It’s only a 13 hour flight. I must say I thought it would be more.
It’s hard to know whether or not to take a sleeping tablet. I think I will have to, although it is strongly recommended AGAINST when travelling east to west. Hmmm.. no.. I think if I don’t I may go physicially insane from boredome and inactivity – and jetlag seems a far more attractive option. I think I’ll sleep early, that way it will be like a morning nap.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
leaving on a jetplane...
Operation Eurotrip 2010 has officially begun! This morning I was up at a sparrow’s fart- ensuring my bag was repacked (after leaving out razor and deodorant) and giving myself plenty of time to caffeinate. I was actually woken up significantly earlier than the aforementioned sparrow’s flatulence by the dog panting unnaturally loudly. I think she must have had a nightmare, after which she proceeded to every sleeping human in the house and panted until they comforted her.
After saying goodbye to parents and pets, I set off down the highway in my little rental car. She was a tiny little thing, but I was extremely impressed by her ability to get all the way to Coolangatta on less than a quarter of a tank of petrol.
I flew Air Asia X. Why, you ask? Because I was able to get return tickets to the UK for $1400AUD. The cheapest student flight with a regular carrier that I was able to find was $1970, so it was a substantial saving. The only downside I found was that there was NO in-flight entertainment. And when I say no- I mean absolutely none! Zilch! Nada!
There was not a TV screen in sight. Not even those tiny ones they put on the ceiling at intervals on other carriers. For me, this was fine, as I simply deployed my trusty netbook & accompanying stash of movies. But.,it wasn’t the same as getting to watch latest release movies and TV shows that I have become accustomed to.
AIrasia also do not give pillows/blankets/water/headphones/anything – which is also fine if you come prepared. Fortunately, I was prepared.
I arrived in Malaysia 7.5 hours later, and upon stepping out into the jungle sauna outside the plane, I was immediately reminded of how much I love Asia. I love the heat and the smell of it. I’ve spent lots of time here over the years, so it feels like a second (more shambolic) home to me. It’s nice to be back, even for half a day.
I was absolutely starving and stopped in for a quick carb fix at McDOnnalds. Then I boarded the mini-bus to Tune hotel. Tune Hotels are run by airasia and are absolutely fabulous. The rooms are EXTREMELY SMALL- there is only just enough space to open the door, but they are clean and modern and contain a very comfy double bed. Again, not a TV to be seen – so again the trusty netbook has been deployed.
Since then, I grabbed a couple of Tiger beers from the 7eleven downstairs and have been hanging out on the landing outside my room doing some hardcore internet surfing. The air out here is soggy with moisture, but I am soaking up the atmosphere. Plus, the room is a little bit like a coffin.
Tomorrow I fly out at 2:30pm – so I have plenty of time for showering, repacking the bag, recharging my personal in-flight entertainment gear and getting organised. I’ll probably head over to the airport around 12pm but until then, I’m going to milk this incredibly cheap wi-fi at the hotel for all it’s worth.
After saying goodbye to parents and pets, I set off down the highway in my little rental car. She was a tiny little thing, but I was extremely impressed by her ability to get all the way to Coolangatta on less than a quarter of a tank of petrol.
I flew Air Asia X. Why, you ask? Because I was able to get return tickets to the UK for $1400AUD. The cheapest student flight with a regular carrier that I was able to find was $1970, so it was a substantial saving. The only downside I found was that there was NO in-flight entertainment. And when I say no- I mean absolutely none! Zilch! Nada!
There was not a TV screen in sight. Not even those tiny ones they put on the ceiling at intervals on other carriers. For me, this was fine, as I simply deployed my trusty netbook & accompanying stash of movies. But.,it wasn’t the same as getting to watch latest release movies and TV shows that I have become accustomed to.
AIrasia also do not give pillows/blankets/water/headphones/anything – which is also fine if you come prepared. Fortunately, I was prepared.
I arrived in Malaysia 7.5 hours later, and upon stepping out into the jungle sauna outside the plane, I was immediately reminded of how much I love Asia. I love the heat and the smell of it. I’ve spent lots of time here over the years, so it feels like a second (more shambolic) home to me. It’s nice to be back, even for half a day.
I was absolutely starving and stopped in for a quick carb fix at McDOnnalds. Then I boarded the mini-bus to Tune hotel. Tune Hotels are run by airasia and are absolutely fabulous. The rooms are EXTREMELY SMALL- there is only just enough space to open the door, but they are clean and modern and contain a very comfy double bed. Again, not a TV to be seen – so again the trusty netbook has been deployed.
Since then, I grabbed a couple of Tiger beers from the 7eleven downstairs and have been hanging out on the landing outside my room doing some hardcore internet surfing. The air out here is soggy with moisture, but I am soaking up the atmosphere. Plus, the room is a little bit like a coffin.
Tomorrow I fly out at 2:30pm – so I have plenty of time for showering, repacking the bag, recharging my personal in-flight entertainment gear and getting organised. I’ll probably head over to the airport around 12pm but until then, I’m going to milk this incredibly cheap wi-fi at the hotel for all it’s worth.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
home at last (and bored)
Well, so i never really wrapped things up from the end of the contract. I was tired and I also got sick and a sore back and then.. who knows.. I was home.
I'm bored. I miss the ship. Although it's awesome to see my mates and family again, they are at work or studying all day and I feel like a bird stuck in a cage. not a particularly glamourous bird eiter, possibly a pigeon.
I'm in the planning stages for my holiday in one week. I'm going visiting people in the UK, plus a quick trip to france and then over to berlin for new year's eve.
I'll be keeping this blog during my holiday so you can keep up with me, not that I'm a particularly exciting person.
I have also changed my life direction in the past few days afer a near-break down in Kmart whilst shopping for storage boxes. I have given up the idea of studying medicine. It's so.. locked in. I love entertainment- and I want to work in or around this field. Currently, after another few contracts at sea, I'm looking at doing a master's in creative industries at QUT - but how to choose between journalism and advertising.
I'm being really lazy at the moment - i should get up and be pro-active, but i've been sitting around in front of the TV. GOtta get up, gotta get moving. but the TV is so addictive. I want to get my room totally clean and organised and I'm going to throw alot of stuff out.
I'm bored. I miss the ship. Although it's awesome to see my mates and family again, they are at work or studying all day and I feel like a bird stuck in a cage. not a particularly glamourous bird eiter, possibly a pigeon.
I'm in the planning stages for my holiday in one week. I'm going visiting people in the UK, plus a quick trip to france and then over to berlin for new year's eve.
I'll be keeping this blog during my holiday so you can keep up with me, not that I'm a particularly exciting person.
I have also changed my life direction in the past few days afer a near-break down in Kmart whilst shopping for storage boxes. I have given up the idea of studying medicine. It's so.. locked in. I love entertainment- and I want to work in or around this field. Currently, after another few contracts at sea, I'm looking at doing a master's in creative industries at QUT - but how to choose between journalism and advertising.
I'm being really lazy at the moment - i should get up and be pro-active, but i've been sitting around in front of the TV. GOtta get up, gotta get moving. but the TV is so addictive. I want to get my room totally clean and organised and I'm going to throw alot of stuff out.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
last fort lauderdale
i'm sitting in starbucks ft. lauderdale nursing a coffee.. and a cold. For the first time since the first week of my contract, I'm sick. I feel miserable - sore throat, headache, chesty cough- with the florida heat making it even more foul an experience.
this is, however, my last ft. lauderdale. I have only 7 days to go. Today is my last turnaround day as I leave in St Thomas. It will be a strange week - i'm not line dancing instructor anymore, i don't get to run country night or ship building or walk for the cure or any of "my" events.'
We also had some amazing passengers last week - including a honeymooning couple who were on for 20 days that we really got to know and spent alot of time with in port. They were rad. now they are gone :(
We have two sea days to start off. battling through those will be the hard part - but then, 5 port days home.
I am still loving it, but i'm sick and tired and need to sleep
this is, however, my last ft. lauderdale. I have only 7 days to go. Today is my last turnaround day as I leave in St Thomas. It will be a strange week - i'm not line dancing instructor anymore, i don't get to run country night or ship building or walk for the cure or any of "my" events.'
We also had some amazing passengers last week - including a honeymooning couple who were on for 20 days that we really got to know and spent alot of time with in port. They were rad. now they are gone :(
We have two sea days to start off. battling through those will be the hard part - but then, 5 port days home.
I am still loving it, but i'm sick and tired and need to sleep
Saturday, October 16, 2010
pancake house has too much choice of menu items!
well i'm sitting at a dutch pancake house in Aruba. I'm by myself at the moment because I missed my pager thismorning and Miko had already left, while i was waiting around for him (my fault entirely - my pager is unable to be heard in my overstuffed work bag.
I just had the most amazing crepe - provencale - with ham, brie and chives!
Miko is coming here at 1pm, so i'm sitting and waiting for the provencale to settle before I order a sweet crepe when he comes. How to choose? Strawberry or Banana.. or Alecia tells me that the Apple and CInnamon is number one.
Damn you, delicious pancake house and your ridiculously large menu of delectable carbohydrade laden delecacies.
I have time to kill however, and have been checking up on all the Aussie news on ninemsn.com. now, before you judge me for my choice of news source, it's linked through messenger and is the quickest to load. Apparently there's Wild Weather in QLD... oh no! I had no idea! Also a big sexual harassment case against DJs... I feel I have missed so much.
Also, in a disturbing turn of events, I now find myself physically jarred when seeing "-our" as the ending to words americans spell with an "-or". for instance FLAVOUR. spin out! Also the word MUM. Now, I of course, still spell these words correctly, it's just odd seing them in published media.
9 days until I leave the EP - and only 11 until I'm back in Brisvegas! I can't wait to see everyone again! i'm considering a SIzzler style welcome home dinner? hmm...
my tan is coming along however it is constantly overcast and i never get a chance to soak up the full intensity of the sun. devo. also, i'm kind of fat now. I battled the whole way through my contract, but in the last month i've kind of let go. I'm not MEGAFAT or anything.. just 'rounder' i guess. yuk. be warned.
I just had the most amazing crepe - provencale - with ham, brie and chives!
Miko is coming here at 1pm, so i'm sitting and waiting for the provencale to settle before I order a sweet crepe when he comes. How to choose? Strawberry or Banana.. or Alecia tells me that the Apple and CInnamon is number one.
Damn you, delicious pancake house and your ridiculously large menu of delectable carbohydrade laden delecacies.
I have time to kill however, and have been checking up on all the Aussie news on ninemsn.com. now, before you judge me for my choice of news source, it's linked through messenger and is the quickest to load. Apparently there's Wild Weather in QLD... oh no! I had no idea! Also a big sexual harassment case against DJs... I feel I have missed so much.
Also, in a disturbing turn of events, I now find myself physically jarred when seeing "-our" as the ending to words americans spell with an "-or". for instance FLAVOUR. spin out! Also the word MUM. Now, I of course, still spell these words correctly, it's just odd seing them in published media.
9 days until I leave the EP - and only 11 until I'm back in Brisvegas! I can't wait to see everyone again! i'm considering a SIzzler style welcome home dinner? hmm...
my tan is coming along however it is constantly overcast and i never get a chance to soak up the full intensity of the sun. devo. also, i'm kind of fat now. I battled the whole way through my contract, but in the last month i've kind of let go. I'm not MEGAFAT or anything.. just 'rounder' i guess. yuk. be warned.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
rain rain go away
oh my gosh i am so glad to see sunshine again. Last cruise was completely rained out!
For the whole 10 days, we had tropical storm Otto hovering above us, bringing wind, rain and depression to the whole emerald Princess.
It was especially bad in Barbados, where everything was flooded and closed, and in st. kitts, where we did not even dock. We had to cancel island night not once, but twice - finally putting it on on the third last night of the cruise.
However, we had a great bunch of passengers last week - 99% of them took the logical approach that we can't control the weather and still enjoyed their holiday. This bunch especially loved to dance - from the rained out sailaway party in the piazza to the last night piazza party, we had a great time.
My tan has alltogether disappeared, thus today begins operaiton mega-tan .. one hour of tanning every day. I generally get a 1 1/2 - 2 hour break around midday, so maximm sun exposure will be gained.
I got my new flights for heading home to brisbane. I now disembark in St. THomas and, in the best news possible, I found out i have an overnight stay in st thomas. I have a hotel room booked, and have fantasies of spending the day with friends at Magen's bay beach, then standing on the pier waving as the Emerald Princess disappears into the distnce..
Mark's replacement finally arrived - Miko is here and he is great. Miko is from Seattle and used to be a professional dancer before he busted his knee... I have been carefully studying his dance style and trying to steal his moves like i did with mark.. but Miko is too good and his steps are too complex!
TOday Hersh leaves. Kenzie, his gf, was here this week with him and is about to go off and do cruise staff training. They are going to the Diamond Princess together next month- how cute!
in fact, i have to get back to the ship now to say goodbye to them. better scull my starbucks and get moving!
17 days to go!!
For the whole 10 days, we had tropical storm Otto hovering above us, bringing wind, rain and depression to the whole emerald Princess.
It was especially bad in Barbados, where everything was flooded and closed, and in st. kitts, where we did not even dock. We had to cancel island night not once, but twice - finally putting it on on the third last night of the cruise.
However, we had a great bunch of passengers last week - 99% of them took the logical approach that we can't control the weather and still enjoyed their holiday. This bunch especially loved to dance - from the rained out sailaway party in the piazza to the last night piazza party, we had a great time.
My tan has alltogether disappeared, thus today begins operaiton mega-tan .. one hour of tanning every day. I generally get a 1 1/2 - 2 hour break around midday, so maximm sun exposure will be gained.
I got my new flights for heading home to brisbane. I now disembark in St. THomas and, in the best news possible, I found out i have an overnight stay in st thomas. I have a hotel room booked, and have fantasies of spending the day with friends at Magen's bay beach, then standing on the pier waving as the Emerald Princess disappears into the distnce..
Mark's replacement finally arrived - Miko is here and he is great. Miko is from Seattle and used to be a professional dancer before he busted his knee... I have been carefully studying his dance style and trying to steal his moves like i did with mark.. but Miko is too good and his steps are too complex!
TOday Hersh leaves. Kenzie, his gf, was here this week with him and is about to go off and do cruise staff training. They are going to the Diamond Princess together next month- how cute!
in fact, i have to get back to the ship now to say goodbye to them. better scull my starbucks and get moving!
17 days to go!!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Port Reports :)
I have to say, the ports on our new itineraries are SO much better than the ports on our previous ones. However, my judgement may be clouded by the fact that I had been to each of those previous ports more than 10 times each..
I have been fortunate enough to do some wonderful tours in each of these ports as well. I’ve already written about Dominica, but I haven’t said anything about the rest of them yet- so I thought I’d do a quick overview.
Bonaire
Bonaire is a lovely Dutch island that is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) in the Southern Caribbean. I went on a snorkelling expedition on board a teak schooner called “Samur”. Now owned by a Dutch Bonaire-ian family, the boat was built in Thailand in the 1940’s, commissioned by a US CIA agent. He retired from the service and he and his family (and pet dogs) sailed the world in this little junk-style ship. It then passed to a Dutch family who did the same thing, eventually reaching Bonaire and settling there. They then ran the ship as a charter boat in the area until moving to the US to further their children’s education- which is when it passed to the ship’s new owners/operators, the family’s good friends.
We sailed to a small island called “Klein Bonaire” which is a small sand island that is a protected marine park. Here we did a drift snorkel along 300m of the in-shore reef, which bordered a massive drop-off into a deep ocean channel. It was simply beautiful – so many gorgeous fish- -especially the myriad of beautiful species of parrot fish. The whole island is made of parrot fish poo- they scrape the coral with their beaks and almost immediately poo out the crushed coral as sand. One parrot fish can poo 150kg of sand in a month!!
The island of Bonaire is very beautiful – it is out of the hurricane belt and thus is semi-arid. The people who live there are mostly of Dutch descent and speak a language that is a combination of Dutch, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. They had a lovely market there, which kind of felt like a mini Southbank market - people selling the lovely quality crafts they had made themselves (not the mass produced crap you see on most of the islands). I was very impressed!
Aruba
Aruba is a very beautiful, semi-arid island – lots of cactus and dry scrub. It is also a very developed island with many luxury resorts, hotels and shopping centres. It’s almost “posh”. My tour here took us to the butterfly farm (which was actually exactly the same as the one on St. Maarten), the aloe vera factory and to see the amazing rock formations on the far side of the island. These rock formations were spectacular with massive granite boulders strewn around the arid landscape as if they had been thrown there by a family of giants.
Aruba was VERY nice – however it was a Sunday and everything was closed when I got back to town, except the diamond shops. Boring! Next time, I look forward to wining and dining in one of the many nice beach-side restaurants.
Antigua
Today I was in Antigua – our first stop on the second 10 day run “eastern Caribbean explorer”. I’m really impressed by this lovely ex-English island. My tour took us across the countryside of the island, where our guide provided us with heaps of information about the island, its people and history. The island has a population of 86,000 - 30000 which live in the capital St. John. Lots of stars have homes in Antigua, including Eric Clapton (we saw his house)! The Crossroads rehab centre is also located in Antigua – where Britney Spears and Whitney Houston have famously spent much of their time.
We visited Nelson’s Dockyards, the docks set up by the British government to service all the ships in the Caribbean. The island was of great strategic importance and was protected by 40 English forts. We visited lookouts, forts and the interpretation centre – where we saw a super cute “sound and lights show”. The Antiguan people are lovely, very organised (albeit super relaxed) and very proud of their country and heritage. The main industry on the island is tourism, although it used to be a huge exporter of sugar back in the slave days.
Upon returning from the tour, I went to subway for lunch and had my regular- six inch roast chicken on wheat bread, toasted, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, olives, cucumber, salt & pepper and mayo. It was the taste of home! SO creepy that it tastes exactly the same, right down to the white chocolate macadamia cookie!
In other news, I got extended seven days – so I will be leaving the ship in St. Thomas in two cruises time. I leave on the 26th and will probably get home on the 28th of October. It’s annoying but I must say I could do with another week’s pay…
I have been fortunate enough to do some wonderful tours in each of these ports as well. I’ve already written about Dominica, but I haven’t said anything about the rest of them yet- so I thought I’d do a quick overview.
Bonaire
Bonaire is a lovely Dutch island that is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) in the Southern Caribbean. I went on a snorkelling expedition on board a teak schooner called “Samur”. Now owned by a Dutch Bonaire-ian family, the boat was built in Thailand in the 1940’s, commissioned by a US CIA agent. He retired from the service and he and his family (and pet dogs) sailed the world in this little junk-style ship. It then passed to a Dutch family who did the same thing, eventually reaching Bonaire and settling there. They then ran the ship as a charter boat in the area until moving to the US to further their children’s education- which is when it passed to the ship’s new owners/operators, the family’s good friends.
We sailed to a small island called “Klein Bonaire” which is a small sand island that is a protected marine park. Here we did a drift snorkel along 300m of the in-shore reef, which bordered a massive drop-off into a deep ocean channel. It was simply beautiful – so many gorgeous fish- -especially the myriad of beautiful species of parrot fish. The whole island is made of parrot fish poo- they scrape the coral with their beaks and almost immediately poo out the crushed coral as sand. One parrot fish can poo 150kg of sand in a month!!
The island of Bonaire is very beautiful – it is out of the hurricane belt and thus is semi-arid. The people who live there are mostly of Dutch descent and speak a language that is a combination of Dutch, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. They had a lovely market there, which kind of felt like a mini Southbank market - people selling the lovely quality crafts they had made themselves (not the mass produced crap you see on most of the islands). I was very impressed!
Aruba
Aruba is a very beautiful, semi-arid island – lots of cactus and dry scrub. It is also a very developed island with many luxury resorts, hotels and shopping centres. It’s almost “posh”. My tour here took us to the butterfly farm (which was actually exactly the same as the one on St. Maarten), the aloe vera factory and to see the amazing rock formations on the far side of the island. These rock formations were spectacular with massive granite boulders strewn around the arid landscape as if they had been thrown there by a family of giants.
Aruba was VERY nice – however it was a Sunday and everything was closed when I got back to town, except the diamond shops. Boring! Next time, I look forward to wining and dining in one of the many nice beach-side restaurants.
Antigua
Today I was in Antigua – our first stop on the second 10 day run “eastern Caribbean explorer”. I’m really impressed by this lovely ex-English island. My tour took us across the countryside of the island, where our guide provided us with heaps of information about the island, its people and history. The island has a population of 86,000 - 30000 which live in the capital St. John. Lots of stars have homes in Antigua, including Eric Clapton (we saw his house)! The Crossroads rehab centre is also located in Antigua – where Britney Spears and Whitney Houston have famously spent much of their time.
We visited Nelson’s Dockyards, the docks set up by the British government to service all the ships in the Caribbean. The island was of great strategic importance and was protected by 40 English forts. We visited lookouts, forts and the interpretation centre – where we saw a super cute “sound and lights show”. The Antiguan people are lovely, very organised (albeit super relaxed) and very proud of their country and heritage. The main industry on the island is tourism, although it used to be a huge exporter of sugar back in the slave days.
Upon returning from the tour, I went to subway for lunch and had my regular- six inch roast chicken on wheat bread, toasted, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, olives, cucumber, salt & pepper and mayo. It was the taste of home! SO creepy that it tastes exactly the same, right down to the white chocolate macadamia cookie!
In other news, I got extended seven days – so I will be leaving the ship in St. Thomas in two cruises time. I leave on the 26th and will probably get home on the 28th of October. It’s annoying but I must say I could do with another week’s pay…
Friday, September 24, 2010
Dominica is cool!
Dominica is a small, mountainous island with volcanic peaks rising steeply to over 2000ft above sea level. The whole island is covered in lush tropical rainforest, dotted with spectacular waterfalls and gorges- for this reason it’s known as “the nature island”. It has a population of 70,000 – including a reserve in the east for 2000 remaining Carib Indians.
Walking in to town from the ship (which is right there), it is easy to see that Dominica is a very poor place. Buildings are dilapidated and falling down – it appears that they have an ordinance to keep their colonial buildings and houses, but lack the finances to keep them in good condition. The people, however, are happy, friendly and the crime rate is low. Ships come here only a few times a month in the low season – but things are about to pick up.
I first went into town to find a place to eat lunch and sample the local cuisine. However, I really couldn’t find anywhere that seemed sanitary to eat (and I forgot my port & shopping guide). I went back to the ship for free lunch and then went back to the pier to wait for my tour to start.
My tour was “Ti Tou Gorge & Sulphur Springs”. We all piled into several busses – myself with a few passengers I already knew. We were the fun bus for sure, everyone was laughing and joking the whole way. Also, when a tour company know that they have a tour escort (aka me – we have to do tour write ups) they put the best guide on that bus. Our guide was a lovely 22 year old girl called J(insert crazy name here). She was great – very friendly and a lot of fun- and you could tell she really enjoyed her job.
Our first stop was Ti Tou Gorge – which was featured in Pirates of the Caribbean. We hiked up a mountainside past a hydroelectric power plant (smallest power plant ever.. very cute) and reached what looked like a man made pool. It didn’t look very impressive. We were all given little floating belts and went into the water. Being a mountain stream, it was beyond cold! I then noticed a gap in the sheer cliff to our right – this was the gorge. We swam up this gorge, which couldn’t have been more than 3m wide with sheer 20m rock cliffs on either side (and jungle reaching over the top). It was absolutely epic! When we got to the end there was a waterfall, which we swam into and jumped from rocks into its pool (which is over 10m deep and only 5m wide).
(not my photo but pretty cool)
Walking in to town from the ship (which is right there), it is easy to see that Dominica is a very poor place. Buildings are dilapidated and falling down – it appears that they have an ordinance to keep their colonial buildings and houses, but lack the finances to keep them in good condition. The people, however, are happy, friendly and the crime rate is low. Ships come here only a few times a month in the low season – but things are about to pick up.
I first went into town to find a place to eat lunch and sample the local cuisine. However, I really couldn’t find anywhere that seemed sanitary to eat (and I forgot my port & shopping guide). I went back to the ship for free lunch and then went back to the pier to wait for my tour to start.
My tour was “Ti Tou Gorge & Sulphur Springs”. We all piled into several busses – myself with a few passengers I already knew. We were the fun bus for sure, everyone was laughing and joking the whole way. Also, when a tour company know that they have a tour escort (aka me – we have to do tour write ups) they put the best guide on that bus. Our guide was a lovely 22 year old girl called J(insert crazy name here). She was great – very friendly and a lot of fun- and you could tell she really enjoyed her job.
Our first stop was Ti Tou Gorge – which was featured in Pirates of the Caribbean. We hiked up a mountainside past a hydroelectric power plant (smallest power plant ever.. very cute) and reached what looked like a man made pool. It didn’t look very impressive. We were all given little floating belts and went into the water. Being a mountain stream, it was beyond cold! I then noticed a gap in the sheer cliff to our right – this was the gorge. We swam up this gorge, which couldn’t have been more than 3m wide with sheer 20m rock cliffs on either side (and jungle reaching over the top). It was absolutely epic! When we got to the end there was a waterfall, which we swam into and jumped from rocks into its pool (which is over 10m deep and only 5m wide).
(not my photo but pretty cool)
Everyone was dazzled by the experience. Then it was on to the hot springs. These springs were mysteriously called “screw springs”- which leads to hilarious signs such as “SCREW PARKING”. We went down into the sulphur springs, which had had many lovely pools built around them. The water at the top was hottest, and grew cooler in each of the lower pools. Random 70’s music was playing and it was so relaxing and fun in the water. Apparently, swimming there makes you 10 years younger – so apparently I’m back in year 10 again!
It was a wonderful tour and a great way to experience the island and learn about its history and people. I love new ports!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
HELLO TEN DAY CRUISING! you are my new friend!
Ten day cruising has finally arrived! We’re 4 days in and finally have hit our first new port. Today we’re in Dominica and I can’t wait to get off and explore; only we have crew drills first! I am doing a tour this afternoon- I’ll be going to Ti Tou Gorge and the Hot Springs. Ti Tou Gorge featured in the filming of pirates of the Caribbean – so I’m charging my camera right now to try and get some good footage!
From the first few days, which were similar to our seven day cruises in terms of itinerary (princess cays, sea day, St. Thomas), ten day cruises have proved to already be very different. Everything is so much more relaxed. For the first ceramics class on the sea day I had 2 people over the whole 2 hour session – on the 7-day, people would be fighting for chairs and developing extreme rages.
Princess Popstars had 7 sign ups in the first and third heats – and ONLY 4 singers in the second- I had to walk around canvassing the room to get the 4th singer so we could run the show!
In general the passengers are older and more experienced cruisers. There are people flashing their black “elite” cards left right and centre. We have a whole group of “cruise critics” on this week- which is a bit daunting because you KNOW they’re all writing reviews of the ship and its staff to go on their website.
Last night was island night – or rather was SUPPOSED to be island night but we were hit by a storm of epic proportions. Wind, rain, lightning, thunder – it would have blown the passengers to kingdom come. It has been rescheduled for the night we are in Bonaire.
The best and most exciting news is still to come, however. I am now the proud occupant of my own cabin. Mark’s replacement still hasn’t arrived and finally I’ve been able to wrangle this cabin for myself. Mico is apparently coming next cruise, so it’s only for ten days, but I am loving it. It has changed my whole life on board – finally I have a space that is all my own! For five months I’ve had constant contact with people, in my job and in my cabin, 24/7, all day every day.
Now for the first time I have somewhere that I can be alone. No one can walk in unless I want them to! The best part is waking up in the morning and not having to creep around in the dark or wait to use the bathroom – now I can get up, pump my music and get ready for the day on my own terms!
It’s wonderful – like a holiday! Even if I have to go back to sharing next week, it will only be for 20 days until I return home!
I just turned on the window (the bridge-cam TV channel) and it seems to be cloudy outside. There was a fog on the the mountains of Dominica, but It appears to have lifted- so perhaps the sunshine will break through.
From the first few days, which were similar to our seven day cruises in terms of itinerary (princess cays, sea day, St. Thomas), ten day cruises have proved to already be very different. Everything is so much more relaxed. For the first ceramics class on the sea day I had 2 people over the whole 2 hour session – on the 7-day, people would be fighting for chairs and developing extreme rages.
Princess Popstars had 7 sign ups in the first and third heats – and ONLY 4 singers in the second- I had to walk around canvassing the room to get the 4th singer so we could run the show!
In general the passengers are older and more experienced cruisers. There are people flashing their black “elite” cards left right and centre. We have a whole group of “cruise critics” on this week- which is a bit daunting because you KNOW they’re all writing reviews of the ship and its staff to go on their website.
Last night was island night – or rather was SUPPOSED to be island night but we were hit by a storm of epic proportions. Wind, rain, lightning, thunder – it would have blown the passengers to kingdom come. It has been rescheduled for the night we are in Bonaire.
The best and most exciting news is still to come, however. I am now the proud occupant of my own cabin. Mark’s replacement still hasn’t arrived and finally I’ve been able to wrangle this cabin for myself. Mico is apparently coming next cruise, so it’s only for ten days, but I am loving it. It has changed my whole life on board – finally I have a space that is all my own! For five months I’ve had constant contact with people, in my job and in my cabin, 24/7, all day every day.
Now for the first time I have somewhere that I can be alone. No one can walk in unless I want them to! The best part is waking up in the morning and not having to creep around in the dark or wait to use the bathroom – now I can get up, pump my music and get ready for the day on my own terms!
It’s wonderful – like a holiday! Even if I have to go back to sharing next week, it will only be for 20 days until I return home!
I just turned on the window (the bridge-cam TV channel) and it seems to be cloudy outside. There was a fog on the the mountains of Dominica, but It appears to have lifted- so perhaps the sunshine will break through.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
1 month to go!
I can't believe it! In just 1 month's time, I will be in a bus on the way to Miami Airport!!
Have I really been at sea for FIVE MONTHS?
It's weird to think that the Emerald Princess really is my home now - I will miss her so much when I leave!
This week we begin 10 day cruising. I can't believe this day is actually here! New Ports! for the first time in5 months, I'm going to see somewhere else! This week we are going to Princess Cays, Domenica, Grenada, Aruba, Bonaire and St. Thomas. WE have 7 port days and 3 sea days!
Also, we are ALL going to have a night off this week! OMG A NIGHT OFF?!?! I have worked every single night for 5 months.. What on earth am I going to do with myself! Everything is going to slow down with the 10 day cruises - passengers are older and time is more abundant!
I am going to go out to dinner at the Crown Grill! my dream come true!
Have I really been at sea for FIVE MONTHS?
It's weird to think that the Emerald Princess really is my home now - I will miss her so much when I leave!
This week we begin 10 day cruising. I can't believe this day is actually here! New Ports! for the first time in5 months, I'm going to see somewhere else! This week we are going to Princess Cays, Domenica, Grenada, Aruba, Bonaire and St. Thomas. WE have 7 port days and 3 sea days!
Also, we are ALL going to have a night off this week! OMG A NIGHT OFF?!?! I have worked every single night for 5 months.. What on earth am I going to do with myself! Everything is going to slow down with the 10 day cruises - passengers are older and time is more abundant!
I am going to go out to dinner at the Crown Grill! my dream come true!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
ups and downs
This week has been a week of crazy ups and downs.
FIrstly, from the moment I saw two men dressed as Santa come up the gangway last week, I knew it would be a crazy time! The Santas and Mrs Claus' were absolutely wonderful - A lot of people thought they were crazy- and they are but they are only crazy because they have dedicated their lifes to bringing joy to children.
THey all wear christmassy clothes all the time, except the "cool Santa" couple - who maintain they still own non-red clothes!
On the last night I danced with the santa puppets whilst hosting rock'n'roakie when a lady was singing "on top of the world" by the carpenters- which I think you'll agree is the greatest song to hug a puppet to!
On the last night, one of the Santas gave me his hat from his head and told me that I have a good heart and would make a great mrs claus one day.
SO fun in the piazza party to see 2 crazy puppets dancing above the crowd! THe santas are sending me the pictures- so stay tuned for a photo of me and 8 santas!
I also saw a lady at island night who was wearing a CASIO bum bag... so 80's! I complimented her on her crazy "fanny pack" and she said she worked for CASIO and is gonna send me one!
I really stepped it up a notch this week... I had a great week with the passengers - you can tell when this has happened because work makes you really happy those week. I am now the only "crazy one" on the team though...
Princess Popstars was just... the worst. It is teh best I've ever hosted it. I was the host and boogie was in the green room doing the video cross and the crowd and singers were great - they were happy and cheering! ONe of the singers in the final (Valerie), however was a friend of the dancers (but still a passenger). THe dancers made a big show of somehow getting voting slips and parading down to vote at the end (when it's supposed to be one vote per person). I took all their votes out and then some off Valerie and she still won by a landslide.
I then had a couple come up to me and scream in my face that Valerie worked on the ship and that we had all cheated. THey said I was disgusting.. that they've never been so disgusted in their life. that i'd tarnished the name of Princess... I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen. It was horrible. NO ONE has ever spoken to me like that in my entire life. When they walked away I couldn't help it, I sat down on the ground behind the booth and started bawling...
how embarassing. DJ DAve (my hero) ran after them and stopped them to say "once you're ready to behave like human beings, come and talk to me. My Name is Dave". A lot of passengers came up and gave me a hug as well, which was really nice.
There was a fun karaoke party in the electrician's workshop this week... Gary (2nd ETO) is leaving (well.. has left now I guess) so it was a fun celebration. They had party lights rigged up in there and everything!!
Not only were we short staffed, but hersh got signed off (through illness) twice during the week... SO we were running with a team of four people.. I have been IPM all week- I have worked 10-12 hours every single day... So no wonder I broke down after popstars. Too tired!
DJ dave leaves today. DJ Dave is DA BOMB. I will miss him and his crazy non-stop partying!
This week is our last 7 day run!! coming soon - all new ports!
FIrstly, from the moment I saw two men dressed as Santa come up the gangway last week, I knew it would be a crazy time! The Santas and Mrs Claus' were absolutely wonderful - A lot of people thought they were crazy- and they are but they are only crazy because they have dedicated their lifes to bringing joy to children.
THey all wear christmassy clothes all the time, except the "cool Santa" couple - who maintain they still own non-red clothes!
On the last night I danced with the santa puppets whilst hosting rock'n'roakie when a lady was singing "on top of the world" by the carpenters- which I think you'll agree is the greatest song to hug a puppet to!
On the last night, one of the Santas gave me his hat from his head and told me that I have a good heart and would make a great mrs claus one day.
SO fun in the piazza party to see 2 crazy puppets dancing above the crowd! THe santas are sending me the pictures- so stay tuned for a photo of me and 8 santas!
I also saw a lady at island night who was wearing a CASIO bum bag... so 80's! I complimented her on her crazy "fanny pack" and she said she worked for CASIO and is gonna send me one!
I really stepped it up a notch this week... I had a great week with the passengers - you can tell when this has happened because work makes you really happy those week. I am now the only "crazy one" on the team though...
Princess Popstars was just... the worst. It is teh best I've ever hosted it. I was the host and boogie was in the green room doing the video cross and the crowd and singers were great - they were happy and cheering! ONe of the singers in the final (Valerie), however was a friend of the dancers (but still a passenger). THe dancers made a big show of somehow getting voting slips and parading down to vote at the end (when it's supposed to be one vote per person). I took all their votes out and then some off Valerie and she still won by a landslide.
I then had a couple come up to me and scream in my face that Valerie worked on the ship and that we had all cheated. THey said I was disgusting.. that they've never been so disgusted in their life. that i'd tarnished the name of Princess... I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen. It was horrible. NO ONE has ever spoken to me like that in my entire life. When they walked away I couldn't help it, I sat down on the ground behind the booth and started bawling...
how embarassing. DJ DAve (my hero) ran after them and stopped them to say "once you're ready to behave like human beings, come and talk to me. My Name is Dave". A lot of passengers came up and gave me a hug as well, which was really nice.
There was a fun karaoke party in the electrician's workshop this week... Gary (2nd ETO) is leaving (well.. has left now I guess) so it was a fun celebration. They had party lights rigged up in there and everything!!
Not only were we short staffed, but hersh got signed off (through illness) twice during the week... SO we were running with a team of four people.. I have been IPM all week- I have worked 10-12 hours every single day... So no wonder I broke down after popstars. Too tired!
DJ dave leaves today. DJ Dave is DA BOMB. I will miss him and his crazy non-stop partying!
This week is our last 7 day run!! coming soon - all new ports!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Learning New Tricks!
Well this week has been a week of firsts for me- with mark gone and no one to replace him, I have had the chance to step up and take a lot more responsibility in the team.
I am now the line dancing instructor on board. This is not so unusual for a JACD, although I was suddenly thrust into this position without ever having attended a line dancing class. I had to find my own music, learn the steps and structure the class on my own. We did-
Electric Slide
Nutbush City Limits (for an Australian flavour – Americans don’t do nutbush)
Achey Breaky
Honky Tonk Stomp
Cowboy twist (dip’n’slide dip’n’slide)
It went really well! I love teaching line dancing! I have been chomping at the bit to take it on and, although I technically had no idea what I was doing, I got good feedback. It’s just like teaching body attack except it’s more like body attack on an overdose of valium.
I’m now sitting on my bed with a cup of tea puzzling over which line dances to teach in the second class on Saturday… I don’t know any others so I’m trying to work out what
“Cross left foot over right, rock back and cha cha cha to the left
Cross right foot over left, rock back and cha cha cha to the right
Cross left over right, side step with right foot, cross behind with left foot, side step with right foot, left foot forward, rock back on the right foot and cha cha cha to the left
Cross right over left, side step with left foot, cross behind with right foot, side step with left foot, right foot forward, rock back on the left foot and cha cha cha to the right
Step left foot forward, make a ½ turn to your right and cha cha cha on the spot
Step right foot forward, make a ¼ turn to your left and cha cha cha on the spot”
all means…. Eek
My favourite perk of being the line dancing instructor on board is getting away with wearing my cowboy hat and boots around all sea day before the class to “promote” it. Super fun!
As the line dancing instructor, I am also responsible for the running order for the Country and Western Hoe-Down running order and running the theme night. CNW hoe down is our Western theme night. It includes line dances, slow dances and the “bang bang” game – which most drama kids would be familiar with as BANG- only with hilairious commentary from Hersh. Old people love this game. I think this game is Hersh’s ultimate skill – I can’t imagine anyone being as hiliarious as him hosting it. Quote of the week this week was “YOU KILLED SANTA” and also “So she banged you, you banged the other one and your wife is standing right there” (you had to be there…).
Normally CNW running order is the same every week, except this week we have a new band (evolution have gone home) and I had to spend a lot of time working out songs with them before hand, designating who was teaching what now mark is gone and keeping the night flowing smoothly. Everything went really well until right at the end.. but it wasn’t my fault the band didn’t get faster in the tush push challenge!!
Also, as of today I am second in charge in my muster station (until we get a new photo manager). Normally we have to stay on the radio and phones and mark off the muster personel when they arrive then report to the bridge that all are present. Today however, it was a little more exciting as we evacuated most of the crew from the Emerald Princess. For some reason, Collette and I were in charge of organising the crew into lines on the dockside ( I don’t kno what the other 1st and 2nd in charges were doing). Getting 800 crew out and into lines was fine, but getting them back on board in an orderly fashion was not. It required constant yelling as everyone tried to break rank and get back on the ship first. By the end Collette just yelled “fuck you all”.
Being second in charge is good practice for me as when I get promoted, I will be first in charge of a muster station…
I got my flight details… I’m flying Delta from Miami to Atlanta departing at 3:50pm on October 19th. I arrive in Atlanta at 5:51pm and then fly out at 6:55 (omg nervous about that short layover!!) and arrive in Sydney on the 21st at 7:35 Am.
I leave Sydney airport on “DJ” whatever airline that is at 10AM and arrive in Brisbane at 10:30 AM (daylight saving I guess). I Can’t believe I only have 5.5 weeks to go! At the end of this cruise, I have only FOUR CRUISES left!!
I am now the line dancing instructor on board. This is not so unusual for a JACD, although I was suddenly thrust into this position without ever having attended a line dancing class. I had to find my own music, learn the steps and structure the class on my own. We did-
Electric Slide
Nutbush City Limits (for an Australian flavour – Americans don’t do nutbush)
Achey Breaky
Honky Tonk Stomp
Cowboy twist (dip’n’slide dip’n’slide)
It went really well! I love teaching line dancing! I have been chomping at the bit to take it on and, although I technically had no idea what I was doing, I got good feedback. It’s just like teaching body attack except it’s more like body attack on an overdose of valium.
I’m now sitting on my bed with a cup of tea puzzling over which line dances to teach in the second class on Saturday… I don’t know any others so I’m trying to work out what
“Cross left foot over right, rock back and cha cha cha to the left
Cross right foot over left, rock back and cha cha cha to the right
Cross left over right, side step with right foot, cross behind with left foot, side step with right foot, left foot forward, rock back on the right foot and cha cha cha to the left
Cross right over left, side step with left foot, cross behind with right foot, side step with left foot, right foot forward, rock back on the left foot and cha cha cha to the right
Step left foot forward, make a ½ turn to your right and cha cha cha on the spot
Step right foot forward, make a ¼ turn to your left and cha cha cha on the spot”
all means…. Eek
My favourite perk of being the line dancing instructor on board is getting away with wearing my cowboy hat and boots around all sea day before the class to “promote” it. Super fun!
As the line dancing instructor, I am also responsible for the running order for the Country and Western Hoe-Down running order and running the theme night. CNW hoe down is our Western theme night. It includes line dances, slow dances and the “bang bang” game – which most drama kids would be familiar with as BANG- only with hilairious commentary from Hersh. Old people love this game. I think this game is Hersh’s ultimate skill – I can’t imagine anyone being as hiliarious as him hosting it. Quote of the week this week was “YOU KILLED SANTA” and also “So she banged you, you banged the other one and your wife is standing right there” (you had to be there…).
Normally CNW running order is the same every week, except this week we have a new band (evolution have gone home) and I had to spend a lot of time working out songs with them before hand, designating who was teaching what now mark is gone and keeping the night flowing smoothly. Everything went really well until right at the end.. but it wasn’t my fault the band didn’t get faster in the tush push challenge!!
Also, as of today I am second in charge in my muster station (until we get a new photo manager). Normally we have to stay on the radio and phones and mark off the muster personel when they arrive then report to the bridge that all are present. Today however, it was a little more exciting as we evacuated most of the crew from the Emerald Princess. For some reason, Collette and I were in charge of organising the crew into lines on the dockside ( I don’t kno what the other 1st and 2nd in charges were doing). Getting 800 crew out and into lines was fine, but getting them back on board in an orderly fashion was not. It required constant yelling as everyone tried to break rank and get back on the ship first. By the end Collette just yelled “fuck you all”.
Being second in charge is good practice for me as when I get promoted, I will be first in charge of a muster station…
I got my flight details… I’m flying Delta from Miami to Atlanta departing at 3:50pm on October 19th. I arrive in Atlanta at 5:51pm and then fly out at 6:55 (omg nervous about that short layover!!) and arrive in Sydney on the 21st at 7:35 Am.
I leave Sydney airport on “DJ” whatever airline that is at 10AM and arrive in Brisbane at 10:30 AM (daylight saving I guess). I Can’t believe I only have 5.5 weeks to go! At the end of this cruise, I have only FOUR CRUISES left!!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
New things & a Santa Convention!
Today the most amazing thing happened on the gangway. I was standing there, greeting the new passengers and getting their security photo “hihowareyousircomeoneoverwe’regoingtotakeyourmugshotjusthavealookinthecameraandsmile123cheeseverynicewelcomeaboard” when….
A couple dressed all in red and white came up the gangway. The man was older very tall, with a long white beard and the lady had long white hair, was decked out in holly and had a puppet elf on her arm. I was quite excited to see such an interesting sight, and even more excited to see two similar couples approach on the gangway.
Yes. This week there is a SANTA CONVENTION on board the emerald princess!!
I love the Santas! They are awesome! Some have puppets- little dogs and elves – and some give you little tokens that say “santa saw me being good”. Some use a program on their iphones to tell you if you have been naughty or nice!! They wear santa colours but kind of crazy clothes – one old couple get around in red converses (and their puppet has a pair too!!). They wear cool red hats… one was wearing a tam’o’shanter (?) with a white pom pom and stripey stockings and … yes. I love them.
Hersh thinks they are scary and uncool. I think they are awesome! They all started as men who were being the local santa and they loved bringing joy to people so much that they kind of took it up as a way of life! Yes, they are kind of mad, but I love it! It’s an innocent, playful madness- a bit like my own!
Whenever I see the Santas I just get so happy. I was crazy dancing in the theatre tonight. I’m glad they are here because, in other news, Mark left today. Mark, my very best friend on the ship! My crazy dancing partner! My duet partner! My (almost) everything!
Mark’s six months are up so he’s sitting at home drinking tea with his mum and dad right now while I am holed up in my cabin after a 13 hour day (commencing 6:30 am) I will miss him a lot. I was in the crew bar tonight and I kind of expected to see him pop in and say “Hon-NAY a la grande”. But no.
The band Evolution have also left. Evolution were the best band on the seven seas and were a huge part of my whole experience of being an Assistant Cruise Director up to this point. They were amazingly versatile and talented AND a big part of cruise staff events – country night, rock night, sailaway party, piazza party, island night & Rock and Roakie. They were also very supportive of me and we shared many crazy dancing moments… I love to crazy dance to the bands and get people up on the floor. I also had the chance to sing with them almost every week.
It’s the first time I’ve cried to see people leave. With only 6 weeks to go, the people who are now leaving have been here my whole contract (almost) and thus have been a huge part of my wonderful experience working on board the Emerald Princess.
In other exciting news, a few weeks ago the head honchos of cruise staff were on board the EP. Chris and Sally came on board to test out some new passenger programs- and oh my gosh, the new programs ROCK. First we had glass jewlery making – we learned how to do it and then attended the classes with some elite passengers. It was so lovely at the captain’s circle party to see everyone wearing their special jewlery! It went off- everyone loved it so hopefully it will be introduced next cruise. Also, ZUMBA!! Oh my gosh! I love zumba! They’re gonna get me certified! Can’t wait til it’s introduced next year- I’ll be instructing at sea!
Chris and Sally were very impressed by the 18-20’s program I was running (thanks so much to my peeps that week for being awesome and helping me impress them), so much so that I had to submit a report and recommendations to them and that they are going to consult with me on taking it fleet wide! I also had a one on one session with them and it looks as though I’m going to be getting promoted next contract! I successfully impressed the people that count! I love my job so I am extremely excited about this=- plus it means a pay rise and my own cabin! I do the same amount of work as the ACD’s as it is…. So I’m psyched that it was recognised!
With mark gone, I am also becoming the ship’s line dancing instructor as of this week! Having never attended any line dancing classes on board,I am pretty nervous but I can’t wait to get up on stage and teach! It’s like a mega slow mega easy body attack class… like body vive on tranquilizers I guess..
I have had some AMAZING days over the past month! No name bar in Cozumel, An amazing day lazing on the beach in Grand Turk and I WENt SCUBA DIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Oh my goodness – I love to scuba! It was just a shore dive but it counts as my first dive in the 4 I need for certification. I’m gonna get my PADI book and get started! Diving in Cozumel was beautiful! A group of 10 of us all went with Troy Thurgill, the guest comedian and did a shore dive in Chakanab natural park. We dived into underwater caves and I cuddled a stingray that I wrangled (gently)- we saw lobsters and starfish and… so many beautiful and amazing tropical fish! Followed by beers and Mexican food then more beers at the no name bar, it really was the perfect day!
With time counting down before I go home, I’m now going to start being more thorough with things – including changing my money between accounts, keeping healthy & keeping you up to date in my blog. 6 weeks is going to fly – especially as after this week (eastern ) and next week (western) we are changing to the 10 day runs of which I have only three!
A couple dressed all in red and white came up the gangway. The man was older very tall, with a long white beard and the lady had long white hair, was decked out in holly and had a puppet elf on her arm. I was quite excited to see such an interesting sight, and even more excited to see two similar couples approach on the gangway.
Yes. This week there is a SANTA CONVENTION on board the emerald princess!!
I love the Santas! They are awesome! Some have puppets- little dogs and elves – and some give you little tokens that say “santa saw me being good”. Some use a program on their iphones to tell you if you have been naughty or nice!! They wear santa colours but kind of crazy clothes – one old couple get around in red converses (and their puppet has a pair too!!). They wear cool red hats… one was wearing a tam’o’shanter (?) with a white pom pom and stripey stockings and … yes. I love them.
Hersh thinks they are scary and uncool. I think they are awesome! They all started as men who were being the local santa and they loved bringing joy to people so much that they kind of took it up as a way of life! Yes, they are kind of mad, but I love it! It’s an innocent, playful madness- a bit like my own!
Whenever I see the Santas I just get so happy. I was crazy dancing in the theatre tonight. I’m glad they are here because, in other news, Mark left today. Mark, my very best friend on the ship! My crazy dancing partner! My duet partner! My (almost) everything!
Mark’s six months are up so he’s sitting at home drinking tea with his mum and dad right now while I am holed up in my cabin after a 13 hour day (commencing 6:30 am) I will miss him a lot. I was in the crew bar tonight and I kind of expected to see him pop in and say “Hon-NAY a la grande”. But no.
The band Evolution have also left. Evolution were the best band on the seven seas and were a huge part of my whole experience of being an Assistant Cruise Director up to this point. They were amazingly versatile and talented AND a big part of cruise staff events – country night, rock night, sailaway party, piazza party, island night & Rock and Roakie. They were also very supportive of me and we shared many crazy dancing moments… I love to crazy dance to the bands and get people up on the floor. I also had the chance to sing with them almost every week.
It’s the first time I’ve cried to see people leave. With only 6 weeks to go, the people who are now leaving have been here my whole contract (almost) and thus have been a huge part of my wonderful experience working on board the Emerald Princess.
In other exciting news, a few weeks ago the head honchos of cruise staff were on board the EP. Chris and Sally came on board to test out some new passenger programs- and oh my gosh, the new programs ROCK. First we had glass jewlery making – we learned how to do it and then attended the classes with some elite passengers. It was so lovely at the captain’s circle party to see everyone wearing their special jewlery! It went off- everyone loved it so hopefully it will be introduced next cruise. Also, ZUMBA!! Oh my gosh! I love zumba! They’re gonna get me certified! Can’t wait til it’s introduced next year- I’ll be instructing at sea!
Chris and Sally were very impressed by the 18-20’s program I was running (thanks so much to my peeps that week for being awesome and helping me impress them), so much so that I had to submit a report and recommendations to them and that they are going to consult with me on taking it fleet wide! I also had a one on one session with them and it looks as though I’m going to be getting promoted next contract! I successfully impressed the people that count! I love my job so I am extremely excited about this=- plus it means a pay rise and my own cabin! I do the same amount of work as the ACD’s as it is…. So I’m psyched that it was recognised!
With mark gone, I am also becoming the ship’s line dancing instructor as of this week! Having never attended any line dancing classes on board,I am pretty nervous but I can’t wait to get up on stage and teach! It’s like a mega slow mega easy body attack class… like body vive on tranquilizers I guess..
I have had some AMAZING days over the past month! No name bar in Cozumel, An amazing day lazing on the beach in Grand Turk and I WENt SCUBA DIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Oh my goodness – I love to scuba! It was just a shore dive but it counts as my first dive in the 4 I need for certification. I’m gonna get my PADI book and get started! Diving in Cozumel was beautiful! A group of 10 of us all went with Troy Thurgill, the guest comedian and did a shore dive in Chakanab natural park. We dived into underwater caves and I cuddled a stingray that I wrangled (gently)- we saw lobsters and starfish and… so many beautiful and amazing tropical fish! Followed by beers and Mexican food then more beers at the no name bar, it really was the perfect day!
With time counting down before I go home, I’m now going to start being more thorough with things – including changing my money between accounts, keeping healthy & keeping you up to date in my blog. 6 weeks is going to fly – especially as after this week (eastern ) and next week (western) we are changing to the 10 day runs of which I have only three!
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