Euro Adventures

Gallery: Greece - Athens

bombers — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:47:00 GMT

Gallery: Greek Islands - Cyclades

bombers — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:21:00 GMT

Gallery: Greek Islands - Dodecanese

bombers — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:56:00 GMT

Gallery: Turkey

bombers — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:42:00 GMT

Gallery: Accidental trip to Bulgaria

bombers — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:31:00 GMT

Gallery: Croatia

bombers — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:58:00 GMT

Turkey

bombers — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:39:00 GMT

From Sofia, armed with our new travel plans, we took a bus to Istanbul. We were slıghtly paranoid the border as our information was that we could get our visas there but there was no problem when we handed over our money ( and my mouldy passport is another story). Istanbul is huge, with an apparent population of close to 18 millıon spread over the European and Asian sides. We stayed in the crowded tourist area of Sultanahmet where most of the historıc sites are situated. When eating breakfast at our hotel we had a great view of the Blue Mosque and Aga Sophia (once a church and then mosque, converted into a museum by Ataturk). We went on a ferry ride down the Bhosphorous, wandered around the 4000 shops of the Grand Bazaar and experienced the tourist version of a Turkish bath.

Because of where we want to end up in Turkey (Bodrum so we can cross to the Greek Islands) we went on a tour of Gallipoli and Troy from Istanbul. The tour of Gallipoli was amazing and our guide was intersting and informative, always emphasisıng the friendliness between the Aussies and the Turks. We saw all the famous battle grounds, saw just how high the cliffs the army was supposed to scale at Anzac Cove are and how close the trenches would have been. It wasn't as touristy as expected and I have no idea how they fit so many people in the area at Anzac Day. It is also a very beautiful area. Unfortunately there are also mosquitoes ın the area and I have had a fairly bad reaction to the bite ( had an ınjection of antihistamine at a strange Istanbul medical clinic!) that has now affected Jess too. Very itchy!

Troy was fairly interesting, with a very funny wooden horse at the entrance. The remains of the city aren't as well preserved as other ruins so it required a bit of imagination though I kept coming up with Brad Pitt.

We are now in Cappadocia which is known for it's natural beauty and yesterday we went on a hot air balloon ride which gave us fantastic views of the area. Next we are staying ın a treehouse in Olympos followimg another overnight bus.

Bulgaria

bombers — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:22:00 GMT

We were dreading the almost 2 days and nights on the overnight train from Zagreb to Athens. Our plan then was to go to Athens (while ıt was still under threat from bushfires) island hop through the Greek Islands and then make our way to Turkey. Before leaving London I had checked our visa requirements etc for the countries we would be travelling through on the internet, though maybe I should have checked more thoroughly. On the way to Greece we had to pass through Serbia and Macedonia. We got through Serbia with no problems but when we came to the Macedonian border we were unceremoniously dumped from the train, told our information was ' bad' and shoved back on the next train to Serbia (without a ticket of course) and told - go back to Belgrade - you spend 10 hours at embassy and get visa. Australians and Americans need visas though ıt changes all the time, hence our bad information. Having no desire to go back to Macedonia, even in transit, wıth the help of a nıce train guard and a lovely Macedonian woman on the train we were kicked onto, we decided instead to go to Turkey first, via Bulgaria. Knowing basically nothing about Bulgaria we caught a train from a small Serbian station at 2 o'clock in the morning and made our way to Sofia the captital. Sofia has some surprisıngly modern elements and Bulgaria has recentşy joined the EU though they still use their oen currency, the leva. Sofia's main tourist attraction is actually outside the city,Mt Vitosha and we didn't make it there but we enjoyed our time there. We had a very motherly hostel owner who was always very concerned about our well being and gave us nıce sugar loaded breakfasts.

Croatıa

bombers — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:59:00 GMT

Sorry again for the delay! Even Croatıa seems such a long time ago now (We are currently ın Turkey and ıt ıs September 13th) We sailed to Croatia from Italy after meeting up with Jess. The overnıght ferry was fairly painful but we are getting used to sleeping ın strange places. We arrived in Dubrovnik which is a beautiful city with an interesting history (The hills surrounding it were aşso blackened from a fire the week before we arrived) Some of the photos show Dubrovnik's beauty and one day I will get around to labelling them properly. The highlights of Dubrovnik were the walk around the city walls, the tour of the old city which ıncluded information about the recent war and a day trip to an island just off the coast, Lokrum (where we ran into Justin's friend Sally!).

After Dubrovnik we took a bus to Korcula island in the Dalmation islands. After the masses of tourists ın Dubrovnik, ıut was a nıce break. We stayed on the opposıte side of the island to the main town of Korcula, ın a vıllage called Vela Luka. We spent a day visiting Korcula town, hiked up a hill to a Big Cave ( not that big and ıt was closed so you couldn't go in, some funny photos though!), walked to a fairly nice beach (the actual beaches aren't what we are used to but the water ıs a spectacular blue)and drank home made wine at a small, authentic Croatian winery. We also went on a day trip to an island with some amazing beaches (one of rock on a 45 degree angle)Prozoid.

After Vela Luka we went by ferry to Split, which has the ruins of a beautiful Diocletian Palace.

From Split we took a bus to Zagreb (interesting to note that you can still smoke on trains ın Croatia)Zagreb ıs a relatively bıg city and we camped out there for a few days seeing the sites (it had a good archeologıcal museum) waiting for our marathon train ride to Greece ( Over 24 hours). That's when the fun started!

Gallery: Malta

bombers — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 01:37:00 GMT

Gallery: Italy, Malta, Dubrovnik

bombers — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:24:00 GMT

Further Travel

bombers — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 23:16:00 GMT

Sorry it has been so long, internet access has been a little difficult. We spent 2 weeks in Italy, mainly in the town of Civitella Del Lago in Umbria (above Rome) with Justin's family.It is a beautiful town on top of a hill/mountain overlooking a lake (there are some beautiful photos which I hope to add to this site later this week) We were very well looked after there and ate the most beautiful home made food - pasta, proscuitto, olive oil etc etc And great home made wine too! While there we visited Orvieto, Todi and Assisi. After Italy we travelled to Malta. On the way we spent a day in Rome, mainly walking around the Forum and a day in Naples (not so nice) From there we caught an overnight train to Catania, Sicily where we were catching our flight to Malta. We didn't sleep that night so spent a day in Catania in a daze and flew to Valletta, Malta that night. We stayed just outside the capital of Valletta with Justin's great aunt and her husband. Malta was very hot (as was Italy) and we mangaged to travel to a few different places on their ancient buses (pictures to follow). We went to the beach at St Georges bay, Paceville, the island of Gozo and fishing village of Marsalform, the Blue Grotto ( sea caves, the island of Comino and the Blue Lagoon 8 very beautiful and crowded. Will give better descriptions and add photos soon!

Paris

bombers — Wed, 4 Jul 2007 05:22:00 GMT

Hi everybody,

Sorry the website hasn't been updated for a while, we've been busy working and planning for our big summer trip. During the mid term break ( quite a while ago now) Justin and I went to Paris and met up with my sister Jess. The weather wasn't very kind but Paris is still beautiful Paris. The highlights for me were - having a baguette and wine picnic on the steps of Sacre Coeur, meandering slightly lost through the streets (when it had stopped raining), visiting the grand palace at Versailles, wandering through the Louvre and Musee D'Orsay. We also braved the Catacombs - a very stange place under Paris where the bones of millions of Parisians have been laid to rest artistically after they relocated cemeteries.

We went to Notre Dame again, always full of tourists but still amazing inside.

We also had a picnic in the Jardin de Luxemburg, also unfortunately raining that day. I went back there after Justin had returned to London for work and spent a few glorious hours lying on the deck chairs provided and watching the world go by in the sun ( think Justin took the rain back to London with him)

The other big moments for me were the dinners, we usually opted for set menus at not too expensive restaurants and were never let down - the food was simply wonderful (and even the cheap wine good too :)

Hope you all enjoy the photos.

Gallery: Paris

bombers — Wed, 4 Jul 2007 01:44:00 GMT

Jess and Clare in the Lakes District

bombers — Sun, 13 May 2007 20:44:00 GMT

As many of you will know, my sister Jess is also travelling at the moment. She came to visit Justin and I in London and last weekend (a bank (public)holiday weekend) we went on a trip to the Lakes District in Northern England. The scenery there is really beautiful ( as I hope the photos show) and it is famous for inspiring the Romantic poets.

Jess and I didn't quite realise just how long it would take to get there. The trip up took about 6 1/2 hours. We stopped first at a town called Bowness on the shores of Lake Windermere. It was truly a beautiful place; we enjoyed a cruise on the lake across to the other side ( a town called Ambleside.) We saw lots of beautiful homes nestled in the hills next to the lake. We also enjoyed a leisurely glass of wine aboard the boat.

We stayed both nights in a hotel that was virtually in the middle of nowhere, bordering a town called Whitehaven. The beds were comfortable, breakfast plentiful and the bathroom contained a bath so we couldn't complain.

The next day we travelled to a town called Keswick, where we enjoyed the many delights of the Cumberland Pencil Museum ( makers of Derwents). It really wasn't as bad as it sounds and we got free admission and pencil on account of their 175th birthday celebrations. We also rambled down to a lake called The Derwent Water while we were there. It was also very pretty but unfortunately it rained. We also had another Lakes District tradition - tea and gigantic scones and cream.

We then travelled to Grasmere where there is a William Wordsworth museum and one of his houses. (All for you Kurl!!!)

After that we went to the town of Ambleside also on Lake Windermere, a mainly tourist twon and base for ramblers.

It was a good break and good to get away from London for a few days. Next - Jess is off to Wales for a week and then off to Paris to study French. Justin and I will go and visit her in Paris during the half term school break in a couple of weeks. We are beginning to get our travel plans for summer sorted - we'll keep you posted. Bye for now!

Gallery: The Lakes District

bombers — Sun, 13 May 2007 20:36:00 GMT

Living In London

bombers — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:52:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

As we are living and working in London at the moment there is not that much exciting happening and no new photos. We really should take some photos of the sights of London because before we know it, we'll be on the move again. We have done some interesting things while we have been here. We've been to the British Museum a couple of times because there is so much too see ( and it's free). We both enjoyed the Imperial War Museum, there a few really interesting and eye opening exhibitions there. We've been to the Camden Markets - very busy and not overly cheap and the Portobello Markets at Notting Hill - where I got some clothes for £1 each! We went to the banks of the Thames to see the Oxford Vs Cambridge rowing race - a big spectacle with lots of people ( over 250,000 apparently) and many Australians drinking beer in the sun. We plan to go away somewhere probably in England over the May bank (public) holiday with Jessica so hopefully we will have more photos then.

Photo gallery

bombers — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:30:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

I think I ( and Justin) have finally worked out how to include some photos on this website. They come from Scotland and Ireland and there are a couple from our flat (excuse the mess in one of the shots - we were moving in!) When computers don't make me so angry, I will try and add descriptions to each of the photos so you know where they are from. Feel free to leave comments on this site.

Scotland and London for work

bombers — Wed, 7 Mar 2007 01:33:00 GMT

After Ireland, we went on a 3 day tour of Scotland - the Highlands and Isle of Skye. The secnery was again amazing but in a different way - rugged and beautiful. Guess I have a soft spot for Scotland - thanks Nana! We started in Edinburgh and saw the battlefields of Bannockburn which is marked by a large statue of Robert the Bruce. We went to the Wallace monument (yes Jess it still looks like Mel Gibson - very funny!), saw Stirling Castle in the distance and took many close up photos of a hairy coo named Hamish. After that we drove through the Highlands and spent a lot of time admiring the scenery ( and getting stopped at heaps of roadworks - apparently the government stresses out towards the end of the year and spends lots of money on roads). We had a short walk around Glencoe, the site of a big clan massacre, went to the Cameron Highlanders monument in view of Ben Nevis ( biggest mopuntain in the UK) and found out more about Scotland's interesting clan history. We then went to the Isle of Skye for lunch on quite a wet and windy day so we didn't see all that much. Back in Edinburgh we caught up with Sarah which was great after so long! We are now back in London, have just found a flat (shoe box) in Willesdon Green and I start working tomorrow. Don't worry we will still send personal emails ( probably more regularly now we are in one place) but you can make comments on this site too. Bye!

The First Month

bombers — Tue, 6 Mar 2007 05:43:00 GMT

I've been trying to email people about what we've done and where we have been but its a bit difficult to keep up with who I have told what. So this might help - we will probably not be doing any interesting travel for a while anyway. We started on a Paddywagon 6 day tour of Ireland which was brilliant. We saw many historic sites, took loads of photos that you will see soon. We enjoyed Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland and listened to some of the history of those areas and the difficulties in those regions. I understand a little bit more now. We saw Dunluce Castle, the site of the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, the Giant's Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, stayed in a small Irish town called Annaschul, saw some of southern Ireland - Slea Head Drive the Blasket islands, satyed in Dingle and of course went to the Guinness factory in Dublin. More about Scotland soon!