From Rome to Singapore the flight was about 11 hours. It was overall pleasant and the food was delicious on the plane. I was able to see a couple movies on the plane-Speed Racer (I LOVED IT), Hancock (entertaining) and I Hate Sarah Marshall (hilarous!!)- I didn't sleep much on the plane...when I arrived in Singapore I stayed with my friend Chris and his family.
Singapore was beautiful. Very clean and very structured. I roamed around a bit and saw the sights-the Merlion, the Esplanade, Orchard Road, Raffles Hotel and a couple musuems. Signapore is also a big shopping place so I was able to pick up a couple things too.
I tried various fruits I have never had before- Bwasala and Mangosteen. Yummy! Mangosteen is officially one of my favorite fruits. I dont know if it will be anywhere when I get home, but it is so yummy. If any of you have the chance to try it, you should.
I was in Singapore for 3 nights and then Chris dropped me off at the airport. The flight to Bali was about 2 1/2 hours. Not too bad. I got to Bali and there was someone from the hotel to pick me up (swanky treatment) and I arrived at Pelangi Hotel. Very nice place.
As a arrived at the hotel a mass of people (Karina -the bride, Derek- the groom, and friends) were on their way to dinner. So I checked in and we were off to dinner at a place called Lotus Grill.
The wedding is tomorrow and I am just going to have a semi quiet day.
I can't believe it is already here.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A splurge
I am in Rome for one night before my flight to the east.
I booked a hostel and came to find that it was the sketchiest place ever.
Hostel/laundrymat/internet cafe...there was no way they were going to take my passport for ID.
And so I found a hotel. I am justifying it with the fact that I didnt even want to put my bags down at the other place. Sigh...
All in all Italy has been great.
Off to the east. Next stop Singapore
I booked a hostel and came to find that it was the sketchiest place ever.
Hostel/laundrymat/internet cafe...there was no way they were going to take my passport for ID.
And so I found a hotel. I am justifying it with the fact that I didnt even want to put my bags down at the other place. Sigh...
All in all Italy has been great.
Off to the east. Next stop Singapore
Friday, October 24, 2008
190 minutes
to do a wash and a dry cycle in Florence.
Yes, it is crazy...but at least I have clean clothes.
Everyone hug your american washers and dryers for me.
LOL
Yes, it is crazy...but at least I have clean clothes.
Everyone hug your american washers and dryers for me.
LOL
Thursday, October 23, 2008
London, Paris, Rome..
And now I am in Florence. Oh, my deepest apologies for falling off the blogger wagon. London was a wonderful place, "rough and ready" where the men are prettier than me. Lots of hustle and bustle. I was sad to leave but of course the journey continues.
From London I took the super fast train to Paris and what can I say, Paris is lovely in the fall. I checked into my hostel and walked along the city streets. I stayed outside of the city center near a metro stop called Crimee. After a week of staying with family I was feeling a bit shy to meet people in the hostel so I picked up a glass of liquid courage and met two Canadians in the "chill out room" of the hostel. They ended up being great pals. One was a photographer and the other was a musician (two brothers traveling together).
I stayed in Paris for 4 nights and in the glorious days in Paris I saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer and the Louvre...I ended my stay with a visit to Versailles (I know I am murdering the names left and right, but Im sure you can forgive me). I took a day trip with three other fellow travellers and it was unbelieveable! Such luxury and excessive tastes...
From Paris I flew to Rome. Luckily my flight was not too long and not crowded. I can only hope to be as lucky with my next flight. I have to say up until this point all the places I have visited have been english friendly for the most part...that is until I got to Rome. Now the real adventure begins since I had to take a bus to my hostel...oh, yes, bus 280 (do you know how to say 280 in italian) I did not so it was ALOT of chirades with semi understanding strangers outside the bus stop. I finally check into my hostel and it was a nice hostel. It was an old convent with one computer for the internet and only women. Yes, Charity sure knows how to pick'em! HAHA at the least it was very clean.
My roomies were three girls who were travelling for 6 weeks. Nice girls from the states. They let me tag along for dinner and I laughed so much. It was fun hearing their stories.
I had three days in Rome so I saw the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel (I almost wept it was so beautiful...seriously), and the Colosseum....I had a nice dinner (recommended by the lady at the desk at the hostel) where she gave me a note of what to eat and where to go. I strange experience, but yummy food. I hope to go back to that restaurant after Florence.
And so I took a train from Rome to Florence and I am staying in a pretty neato hostel called Academy Hostel. I highly recommend to stay here. It is literally down the street from all the sights in Florence. Amazing.
I am here for one more evening after tonight and I have yet to decide what to do tomorrow. From here I am back to Rome for a night and then to Singapore.
I have yet to pick my favorite city, each has been beautiful.
I have been taking photos, but some of the places have a policy to not download files, so you may have to wait until I get back for the snaps.
I'll see what I can do though...I hope this finds you all well.
Talk soon.
From London I took the super fast train to Paris and what can I say, Paris is lovely in the fall. I checked into my hostel and walked along the city streets. I stayed outside of the city center near a metro stop called Crimee. After a week of staying with family I was feeling a bit shy to meet people in the hostel so I picked up a glass of liquid courage and met two Canadians in the "chill out room" of the hostel. They ended up being great pals. One was a photographer and the other was a musician (two brothers traveling together).
I stayed in Paris for 4 nights and in the glorious days in Paris I saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer and the Louvre...I ended my stay with a visit to Versailles (I know I am murdering the names left and right, but Im sure you can forgive me). I took a day trip with three other fellow travellers and it was unbelieveable! Such luxury and excessive tastes...
From Paris I flew to Rome. Luckily my flight was not too long and not crowded. I can only hope to be as lucky with my next flight. I have to say up until this point all the places I have visited have been english friendly for the most part...that is until I got to Rome. Now the real adventure begins since I had to take a bus to my hostel...oh, yes, bus 280 (do you know how to say 280 in italian) I did not so it was ALOT of chirades with semi understanding strangers outside the bus stop. I finally check into my hostel and it was a nice hostel. It was an old convent with one computer for the internet and only women. Yes, Charity sure knows how to pick'em! HAHA at the least it was very clean.
My roomies were three girls who were travelling for 6 weeks. Nice girls from the states. They let me tag along for dinner and I laughed so much. It was fun hearing their stories.
I had three days in Rome so I saw the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel (I almost wept it was so beautiful...seriously), and the Colosseum....I had a nice dinner (recommended by the lady at the desk at the hostel) where she gave me a note of what to eat and where to go. I strange experience, but yummy food. I hope to go back to that restaurant after Florence.
And so I took a train from Rome to Florence and I am staying in a pretty neato hostel called Academy Hostel. I highly recommend to stay here. It is literally down the street from all the sights in Florence. Amazing.
I am here for one more evening after tonight and I have yet to decide what to do tomorrow. From here I am back to Rome for a night and then to Singapore.
I have yet to pick my favorite city, each has been beautiful.
I have been taking photos, but some of the places have a policy to not download files, so you may have to wait until I get back for the snaps.
I'll see what I can do though...I hope this finds you all well.
Talk soon.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Post Fish and Chips and such musings..
The fish and chips were delicious. When I get back, one of who who is reading this will have to get fish and chips with me states side...OK?
On Friday night, Cristine, Melanie and I went to a concert by candlelight at St. Martin's Church in the city. I cannot describe the wonderful feeling of sitting in the church listening to live music that makes ones soul at ease at its beautiful sound. Live chamber music is lovely. Corny....I know.
Today is Saturday and we are going about the West End of town, hopefully people watching and window shopping. This is my only Saturday in town and it is a lovely day.
Talk soon
On Friday night, Cristine, Melanie and I went to a concert by candlelight at St. Martin's Church in the city. I cannot describe the wonderful feeling of sitting in the church listening to live music that makes ones soul at ease at its beautiful sound. Live chamber music is lovely. Corny....I know.
Today is Saturday and we are going about the West End of town, hopefully people watching and window shopping. This is my only Saturday in town and it is a lovely day.
Talk soon
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
London
So it is my third day in London and I am staying with my cousin.
She lives along the Thames and thus far I have visited:
The London Eye
Greenwich
The Royal Obervatory
The Martime Museum
The Queen’s House (which is not really her house)
TATE Modern
I must say it is a switch to go from hostel to staying with someone I know. I am relishing the home cooked meals and not having to lug everything around with me.
Today, I will be trekking back to the TATE and then hopefully getting some fish and chips! Oh, yes!
She lives along the Thames and thus far I have visited:
The London Eye
Greenwich
The Royal Obervatory
The Martime Museum
The Queen’s House (which is not really her house)
TATE Modern
I must say it is a switch to go from hostel to staying with someone I know. I am relishing the home cooked meals and not having to lug everything around with me.
Today, I will be trekking back to the TATE and then hopefully getting some fish and chips! Oh, yes!
Worst Blogger EVER...and speller too
I am the worst blogger in the world. My apologies for the sporadic entries.
So after Fatima, I went to an area in Lisbon called Belem. It is by the coast and it had a couple of attractions that I wanted to visit. The first was an old monastery..St. Jerome….which was beautiful! The museum of art, which was great too. And lastly, was a pastry shop that sold the little crème cakes that Lisbon is famous for…WORTH THE TRIP by itself. My tummy was happy.
The next day I trekked out with my friend Georg to the Oceanario on the opposite end of the coast. It was situated in the 1999 or 1998 Lisbon World Expo Village. Amazing place and very HUGE.
My last full day in Lisbon, Georg and I went to a region called Cintra…this is probably the most beautiful part of my trip. We visited a castle and Pena Palace. I full day of hiking up a mountain and then walking down. Needless to say, the day was very full and we were famished by the end of the day. We headed to the train station and decided to end our day with Pizza Hut. Yes, I think some of you may cringe, but it was very satisfying. We shared a Cheesy Bites Pizza with Shrimp and Pineapple. HAHAHA
Waking up the next morning, I was dreading the flight out of Lisbon. I had half a morning left, so I head to San Jorge Castle about 5 minutes from the hostel and took in Lisbon one last time.
I took the number 44 bus to the airport and waited for my flight to board.
So after Fatima, I went to an area in Lisbon called Belem. It is by the coast and it had a couple of attractions that I wanted to visit. The first was an old monastery..St. Jerome….which was beautiful! The museum of art, which was great too. And lastly, was a pastry shop that sold the little crème cakes that Lisbon is famous for…WORTH THE TRIP by itself. My tummy was happy.
The next day I trekked out with my friend Georg to the Oceanario on the opposite end of the coast. It was situated in the 1999 or 1998 Lisbon World Expo Village. Amazing place and very HUGE.
My last full day in Lisbon, Georg and I went to a region called Cintra…this is probably the most beautiful part of my trip. We visited a castle and Pena Palace. I full day of hiking up a mountain and then walking down. Needless to say, the day was very full and we were famished by the end of the day. We headed to the train station and decided to end our day with Pizza Hut. Yes, I think some of you may cringe, but it was very satisfying. We shared a Cheesy Bites Pizza with Shrimp and Pineapple. HAHAHA
Waking up the next morning, I was dreading the flight out of Lisbon. I had half a morning left, so I head to San Jorge Castle about 5 minutes from the hostel and took in Lisbon one last time.
I took the number 44 bus to the airport and waited for my flight to board.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Fatima
Our journey to Fatima started with a walk to the Metro. We went about 10mins to our stop called Jardim Zooligico to catch the bus that would take us the rest of the way. The bus ride took 1 1/2 hours. We arrived and the weather was a bit cooler than in Lisbon. Fatima was a quiet and reverent place. There were many people but it seems that it was not as commercialized as Lourdes.
We took a little mini train that toured you around the city and maybe halfway in the journey one of the girls realized her camera was missing! Ah, the adventure begins...we hailed the different trains, went to the lost and found, retraced our steps, went even to the police station...of course, no luck. She had 3 days/countries worth of photos in the camera and she was sad about the loss. At least it wasn´t her passport.
That evening I downloaded all my photos and video to my hard drive.
We took a little mini train that toured you around the city and maybe halfway in the journey one of the girls realized her camera was missing! Ah, the adventure begins...we hailed the different trains, went to the lost and found, retraced our steps, went even to the police station...of course, no luck. She had 3 days/countries worth of photos in the camera and she was sad about the loss. At least it wasn´t her passport.
That evening I downloaded all my photos and video to my hard drive.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
From LAX to Lisbon
Hola, Everyone! I have made it to Lisbon.
My flights over were good for the most part. Mostly peaceful except for the New York to Madrid leg where a little toddler seemed to be ill and nothing seemed to make her better. I felt very sorry for the mom and baby and for everyone in the plane. Needless to say it was a sleepless flight and by the time the plane landed we just wanted to get off it. That flight was a little late and so when we landed in Madrid it was a mad dash to the connecting gate. I~m amazed I made it. I honestly have to credit whoever was in charge of the airport signage. Amazing! Easy to follow and easy to read from very far far away.
Lisbon is beautiful and a lovely city. Not too busy and full of old world charm. From the airport I took a bus to the city center and checked into my hostel. WOW. I highly recommend this hostel to anyone who will be traveling to Lisbon. Very clean, secure, helpful staff. The location is literally walking distance from many of the city attractions. The transportation system is easy to use and I have taken the buses, trams and metro...and of course walking walking walking.
The first day I had a couple hours to spend before I could check in so I walked around the city a little bit and tried to get familiar with the surrounding area.
Of course I was a little thirsty so I popped into a little shop and ordered (by the means of pointing and garbled english) an Orange Fanta Soda. Man, Fanta saves lives.
Then after my soda pop I wandered some more and found a gelato shop (a good sign anywhere in the world, i think) and got a limon gelato on a cone. I headed back to the hostel, checked-in and took a shower!
After the shower, it was still early so I walked around, bought postcards and got a sandwich at a shop below the hostel. Yum.
Came back in and I was doing some journaling and I met two girls who were also traveling. One was already 1 month into her travels and the other 2 weeks! After some chit chatting, I told them my plans to go to Fatima and guess what they were interested in going with me! So we made plans to meet up the next morning.
By this time, I am ready for bed... so I made sure my things were secure and called it a night.
p.s.
the photos and video will have to follow..i have downloaded them but I have found that it is finding the time to upload them that takes time.
My flights over were good for the most part. Mostly peaceful except for the New York to Madrid leg where a little toddler seemed to be ill and nothing seemed to make her better. I felt very sorry for the mom and baby and for everyone in the plane. Needless to say it was a sleepless flight and by the time the plane landed we just wanted to get off it. That flight was a little late and so when we landed in Madrid it was a mad dash to the connecting gate. I~m amazed I made it. I honestly have to credit whoever was in charge of the airport signage. Amazing! Easy to follow and easy to read from very far far away.
Lisbon is beautiful and a lovely city. Not too busy and full of old world charm. From the airport I took a bus to the city center and checked into my hostel. WOW. I highly recommend this hostel to anyone who will be traveling to Lisbon. Very clean, secure, helpful staff. The location is literally walking distance from many of the city attractions. The transportation system is easy to use and I have taken the buses, trams and metro...and of course walking walking walking.
The first day I had a couple hours to spend before I could check in so I walked around the city a little bit and tried to get familiar with the surrounding area.
Of course I was a little thirsty so I popped into a little shop and ordered (by the means of pointing and garbled english) an Orange Fanta Soda. Man, Fanta saves lives.
Then after my soda pop I wandered some more and found a gelato shop (a good sign anywhere in the world, i think) and got a limon gelato on a cone. I headed back to the hostel, checked-in and took a shower!
After the shower, it was still early so I walked around, bought postcards and got a sandwich at a shop below the hostel. Yum.
Came back in and I was doing some journaling and I met two girls who were also traveling. One was already 1 month into her travels and the other 2 weeks! After some chit chatting, I told them my plans to go to Fatima and guess what they were interested in going with me! So we made plans to meet up the next morning.
By this time, I am ready for bed... so I made sure my things were secure and called it a night.
p.s.
the photos and video will have to follow..i have downloaded them but I have found that it is finding the time to upload them that takes time.
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