Good Morning! We woke up nice and late this morning because breakfast was being served later than usual. It was ok. The breakfast. The waking up of the late was of the fantastic measures! Weird grammar. That's me. Oh yeah. Ryan here. Just kidding. Brawhahaha!
Ok, down to business. First, we went to the Colosseum. This was pretty cool because gladiators used to fight there! Awesome! There was a really badly set up audio guide because it told us to go to certain places that were blocked off. It so decayed! It really is awesome though. Yeah. Awesome. Weird grammar. Gelato. Cool!
Next we went to the Roman Forum which was cool because it was so old. There were heaps of ruins and columns and stuff. There were even Terracotta Warriors on display! We then went to the Palatine Hill next door. It had Nero, Flavian and Augustus' houses in it! That was cool as well!
By now I think you have gathered that I think old stuff is cool. That means Rome is cool. The ruins. Except Dad doesn't like them. Weird grammar. Oh yeah. We then caught a cab to the Pantheon. (BTW. the cabs in Rome are crazy. Well, driving in Rome is crazy. You gotta dodge people every 2 metres!) Basically the only cool thing about this place is the name because it sounds like the Parthenon. Inside is some tombs a nativity scene cause it's Christmas and some paintings. That's it! We then had lunch which was sooooo nice. Then we got really under-priced gelatos! 3 flavours for 2.80! I had Pineapple, Cookies and Cream and Coconut.
Then went to the Trevi Fountain. We got to throw money in over our backs which was really cool. We saw these blob things that you splat and then they reform. We didn't get any there though. (We got some later) We then went to the Spanish Steps which is weird. I think they should be called the Spanish Steps of Rome. If you say to someone that you went to the Spanish Steps they're gonna ask you how Spain was! We bought the blob things there.
Second lastly, we decided to walk along the River until we got to the castle. (No, they are not actually called 'The River' and 'The Castle'. I just can't remember their names). This took a while but it was fun anyway. Finally, we caught a really crazy cab to the Circus Maximus. (BTW, it's not a circus. It's a horse race track. Figure that out!) It was pretty boring. Just a patch of grass and some not so big rocks. We then walked back home.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Falling and Rome
This morning I woke up at about 7:30. This was nice because yesterday we woke up reeeeeaaaally early! About 7:15 to be exact. We had breakfast and took our bags down to the lobby so we could check out. We left them in a little room and left the building.
First, we went to the Accademia which was ok. There were lots of sculptures and paintings but the really cool thing was the museum of musical instruments. There were harpsichords, violins, violas, guitars, pianos and more! There was even a bowl that made music! We left that room and went further in to see the sculpture of David by Michelangelo. It was pretty cool because it was so precise.
After the Accademia we decided to go to Pisa. This was a late decision so we didn't have train tickets or anything. So we just rock up at the station and go "Hey! You! Ticket machine! You got any tickets for Pisa? Good! Give us!
And then we got on the train. The train was about 1.25 hours long. That gave me time to play DS. Once at Pisa we caught a cab to the leaning tower. We bought tickets and started to climb. It's really cool because you can really feel that you are leaning. We got to the top and said "Hi Pisa!" and went back down. We went back to the station to have lunch and then caught a train back to Florence.
Once back in Florence, we walked back to the hotel. However, there was this massive parade going on so we couldn't get through. In the end we said "Arbabaaaahhhh!" and barreled our way across the road. We got some gelato again (I heart gelato) and walked back to the hotel. We picked up our bags and walked back to the station. We then got on our train and left for Rome.
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First, we went to the Accademia which was ok. There were lots of sculptures and paintings but the really cool thing was the museum of musical instruments. There were harpsichords, violins, violas, guitars, pianos and more! There was even a bowl that made music! We left that room and went further in to see the sculpture of David by Michelangelo. It was pretty cool because it was so precise.
After the Accademia we decided to go to Pisa. This was a late decision so we didn't have train tickets or anything. So we just rock up at the station and go "Hey! You! Ticket machine! You got any tickets for Pisa? Good! Give us!
And then we got on the train. The train was about 1.25 hours long. That gave me time to play DS. Once at Pisa we caught a cab to the leaning tower. We bought tickets and started to climb. It's really cool because you can really feel that you are leaning. We got to the top and said "Hi Pisa!" and went back down. We went back to the station to have lunch and then caught a train back to Florence.
Once back in Florence, we walked back to the hotel. However, there was this massive parade going on so we couldn't get through. In the end we said "Arbabaaaahhhh!" and barreled our way across the road. We got some gelato again (I heart gelato) and walked back to the hotel. We picked up our bags and walked back to the station. We then got on our train and left for Rome.
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Location:Train to Rome
Day 21 - Art and Heights.
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This morning we got up extra early so we could see 1500 pieces of artwork! I could not see the point in this and I was very huffed. 1500 paintings! Too many! 1500 too many from my point of view! Anyway, we went downstairs so we could have breakfast. The croissants were really bad but the bread was ok and the hot chocolate was lovely.
Once we left the hotel we walked to the art gallery. I brought my DS so I wouldn't be bored. I didn't see many paintings but I did play a lot of DS. After the art gallery we walked to the cathedral. This had the biggest brick dome in the world! We even get to climb it! 463 steps! That's not over the top at all! Never! I would never even think of that! The view from up there was pretty amazing though so it was worth it. The way down was horrible though. For most of the way down we had to use the same thin stairs as the people going up! Squishy!
After we had gotten out, we went back to the hotel and then out to lunch. We had nice sandwiches off a guy with a cart on the street. Dad really liked his. After that we had more gelato!!! Soooooooooo goooood! I heart gelato! After that Mum, Dad and Ryan went to the old Florence wall but I didn't want to so I stayed at the hotel.
For dinner I had a brilliant ravioli with butter but I also had some of Dad's awesome steak. It was soooooooooo goooood! We tipped the guy $20! Yeah! That good! After dinner we went for more gelato. I really heart gelato!
YUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY! G'Night!
This morning we got up extra early so we could see 1500 pieces of artwork! I could not see the point in this and I was very huffed. 1500 paintings! Too many! 1500 too many from my point of view! Anyway, we went downstairs so we could have breakfast. The croissants were really bad but the bread was ok and the hot chocolate was lovely.
Once we left the hotel we walked to the art gallery. I brought my DS so I wouldn't be bored. I didn't see many paintings but I did play a lot of DS. After the art gallery we walked to the cathedral. This had the biggest brick dome in the world! We even get to climb it! 463 steps! That's not over the top at all! Never! I would never even think of that! The view from up there was pretty amazing though so it was worth it. The way down was horrible though. For most of the way down we had to use the same thin stairs as the people going up! Squishy!
After we had gotten out, we went back to the hotel and then out to lunch. We had nice sandwiches off a guy with a cart on the street. Dad really liked his. After that we had more gelato!!! Soooooooooo goooood! I heart gelato! After that Mum, Dad and Ryan went to the old Florence wall but I didn't want to so I stayed at the hotel.
For dinner I had a brilliant ravioli with butter but I also had some of Dad's awesome steak. It was soooooooooo goooood! We tipped the guy $20! Yeah! That good! After dinner we went for more gelato. I really heart gelato!
YUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY! G'Night!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 20 - Walkies and Florence
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This morning I woke up a bit early bit I didn't tell anyone so ssshhhhhh! It was all dark so I stayed quiet! Once everyone else had woken up, I got up and had a shower. We had a nice breakfast. I had a chocolate filled pastry with another hot chocolate.
After breakfast we went to the Ghetto. This place is a place where the Jews hid from Napoleon and Hitler. It is very strategic and easily defended. There are only two entrances and they are both bridges. There are also many high buildings with windows for firing upon intruders.
After that we went back to the Monastery to check out and leave our bags in the disposal. We then went to Accademia! This was a reeeeeaaaally boring art gallery. It had heaps of catholic paintings and statues that all looked the same and frankly, they weren't very good. After that we went to the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci! This was really cool because people had made the machines from his drawings. They were also hands-on so we could make them work! There were flying machines, weapons, wheels and more!
Finally, we went on a travel. We went in the general direction of the train station but we made many side trips. On the way we had Pizza and meringues. They were soooooooooo good! Once at the station we took a boat back to the monastery to get our bags. We then went back to the train station and waited for out train.
Once the train got there we boarded and went to our seats. We had seat numbers 32, 33, 36 and 38. However, number thirty eight did not exist. It simply was not there. We thought it was something like Harry Potter - Platform Nine and three quarters! We sat down in vaguely the right place so it was all good. The trip took about 2 hours to get to Florence.
Once there we walked to our hotel. On the way there were so many Gelato shops! I am officially in love with Gelato. It is soooooooooo yummy! We walked into our hotel, dumped our bags and left again. We decided to walk towards the fancy bridge with shops on it. On the way we bought gelato and then got to the bridge. It was pretty much the same as the Rialto Bridge in Venice. We went back home, had dinner and went to bed.
P.S I have no idea about what is going on in the cricket at the moment. If you could post the fixtures in comments that would be great!
Grazie! Ciao!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 19 - Glass and Bridges
Bonjourno! This morning we woke up pretty late - 7:40! Then of course, Dad us out of the door so we were out by 8:15! We had a nice breakfast but we also learnt something from it. We can by French food in Japan, France, Australia and USA but NOT Italy. We must buy Italian breakfasts here. Bread. Salami. Prego.
After breakfast we went to to boat station so we could go to another island called Murano. This island is famous for its glass-blowing! Once we got there we went to a little place that sold Fanta. But not just any Fanta, Grapefruit Fanta! It was soooo goooood! Anyway, we then had a little look around for this place where we could see glass being blown. Of course, on the way there were heaps of shops so there was ultimate window shopping going on. We had been given 30 Euros from dad for souvenirs. We got to this place that had a guy making stuff. It was cool but not that amazing. I bought a dolphin made of glass from him though. We then went to another place but this guy was was a grand master! Our favourite thing that he made was a horse. The had a blob, then he pulled out the head, then the mane, then the legs, then the tail and voila! There was a horse!!! AMAZING!!!!
We decided to go home with our loot to drop it off. After that we went to the Rialto Bridge. This is a bridge that has shops on it. It was also the only bridge over the grand canal for centuries. After that we took a boat to a church mum had seen earlier that had a cool dome. It also had some cool statues on the inside. We left and went on a really crowded boat back home. On the way we had dinner. I had Gnocchi with seafood. Best Gnocchi ever. If you ever want Gnocchi, come to Venice. We then had dessert - Gelato of course. I had Nougat flavour. It was so good! Finally we walked home.
G'Night!
After breakfast we went to to boat station so we could go to another island called Murano. This island is famous for its glass-blowing! Once we got there we went to a little place that sold Fanta. But not just any Fanta, Grapefruit Fanta! It was soooo goooood! Anyway, we then had a little look around for this place where we could see glass being blown. Of course, on the way there were heaps of shops so there was ultimate window shopping going on. We had been given 30 Euros from dad for souvenirs. We got to this place that had a guy making stuff. It was cool but not that amazing. I bought a dolphin made of glass from him though. We then went to another place but this guy was was a grand master! Our favourite thing that he made was a horse. The had a blob, then he pulled out the head, then the mane, then the legs, then the tail and voila! There was a horse!!! AMAZING!!!!
We decided to go home with our loot to drop it off. After that we went to the Rialto Bridge. This is a bridge that has shops on it. It was also the only bridge over the grand canal for centuries. After that we took a boat to a church mum had seen earlier that had a cool dome. It also had some cool statues on the inside. We left and went on a really crowded boat back home. On the way we had dinner. I had Gnocchi with seafood. Best Gnocchi ever. If you ever want Gnocchi, come to Venice. We then had dessert - Gelato of course. I had Nougat flavour. It was so good! Finally we walked home.
G'Night!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day 18 - Royal Venetian Exploration
"Yawn... Oh! I'm on a train! Hello!!!"
(Ryan's first words this morning)
This morning we woke up at about 6:30 because of the moving train and all. We woke up and had a bit of a realisation that we were sleeping on a train!We were promised breakfast but it never came so we were lucky to have a croissant handy. Once in Venice we went to a little food court and bought more breakfast/morning tea.
Once out of the station we walked to our place of rest. A Monastery! Monastery! I couldn't believe it! (My anticipation was that we would be sleeping on the cold, stone floor of a church and being forced to wear robes while chanting mindlessly) I was pleasantly surprised. It looks just like a hotel! Except for all the monks and priests walking around. We have a nice big room with four beds, a bathroom, power and lots of cupboards. Nothing like what I though it would be!
After dumping our bags and exploring the room we left to explore Venice. Our first stop would be St Mark's Square! We decided to take a boat cause, y'know, it's Venice. The boat took us all the way round the island instead of going the through the canals which was pretty disappointing. We did get to see the outside though. Once at St Marks square we saw all the cool stuff like towers, the palace and restaurants. We decided to go to have some lunch first so we went to look for a Pizza restaurant. We found one and I had a lovely seafood pizza.
After lunch we went for a look around the Doge's palace. It was awesome. On the first floor there were pillars with carvings on them. 41 of them! On the second floor, the main attractions were the armoury and the prison. In the armoury there were some awesome sets of armour, swords, lances, halberds, spears, pikes, horse bards, crossbows, bolts, claymores, maces, axes, guns, bullets, torture devices and knives. There were so many different styles of each thing. I was in gloriousnous!
After that we left St Mark's square and went on a walk up the main canal. We saw churches museums, restaurants and more in little over half an hour! We then ran into this gondolier who just happened to be free. It was a nice time of night so we decided to go on a gondola ride! It was fantastic! The water, the skill of the driver and mostly seeing how Venice was set up.
After the gondola we went to a boat station and left to find "The best gelato place in Venice". This was an epic fail. Once there we walked up and down so many streets it's not funny! Ryan was getting sick of it so we caught a boat home. We are going to go out to dinner soon and hopefully have some gelato for dessert! Good Night!
(Ryan's first words this morning)
This morning we woke up at about 6:30 because of the moving train and all. We woke up and had a bit of a realisation that we were sleeping on a train!We were promised breakfast but it never came so we were lucky to have a croissant handy. Once in Venice we went to a little food court and bought more breakfast/morning tea.
Once out of the station we walked to our place of rest. A Monastery! Monastery! I couldn't believe it! (My anticipation was that we would be sleeping on the cold, stone floor of a church and being forced to wear robes while chanting mindlessly) I was pleasantly surprised. It looks just like a hotel! Except for all the monks and priests walking around. We have a nice big room with four beds, a bathroom, power and lots of cupboards. Nothing like what I though it would be!
After dumping our bags and exploring the room we left to explore Venice. Our first stop would be St Mark's Square! We decided to take a boat cause, y'know, it's Venice. The boat took us all the way round the island instead of going the through the canals which was pretty disappointing. We did get to see the outside though. Once at St Marks square we saw all the cool stuff like towers, the palace and restaurants. We decided to go to have some lunch first so we went to look for a Pizza restaurant. We found one and I had a lovely seafood pizza.
After lunch we went for a look around the Doge's palace. It was awesome. On the first floor there were pillars with carvings on them. 41 of them! On the second floor, the main attractions were the armoury and the prison. In the armoury there were some awesome sets of armour, swords, lances, halberds, spears, pikes, horse bards, crossbows, bolts, claymores, maces, axes, guns, bullets, torture devices and knives. There were so many different styles of each thing. I was in gloriousnous!
After that we left St Mark's square and went on a walk up the main canal. We saw churches museums, restaurants and more in little over half an hour! We then ran into this gondolier who just happened to be free. It was a nice time of night so we decided to go on a gondola ride! It was fantastic! The water, the skill of the driver and mostly seeing how Venice was set up.
After the gondola we went to a boat station and left to find "The best gelato place in Venice". This was an epic fail. Once there we walked up and down so many streets it's not funny! Ryan was getting sick of it so we caught a boat home. We are going to go out to dinner soon and hopefully have some gelato for dessert! Good Night!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Day 17 - Goodbye Paris and Hello Venice!
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Today was a bit of a slow start. We woke up at 7:15 and I just stayed in bed. I had a shower at about 8:00 which was wonderful. We had breakfast not long afterwards but dad was still asleep (Jealous!) we then relaxed for another hour or so while Mum packed bags for the trip to Venice.
After Mum had finished packing we put our bags in the hotel locker and left for Montmartre. We had to take two trains on the way which was silly because we had to go in a giant V to get there. Once there we walked to the base of the mountain and saw that there were two choices for us. 1: walk up 175 steps to the top of the mountain and; 2: take a cool car Thingy on tracks to the top requiring no effort at all. What did we choose? 1 of course! So there we were, trudging up the steps at an alarmingly slow rate while Ryan raced up to the top and waited 10 minutes for us to get up there! Once up at the top, we had a look out to the lovely view of Paris. Too bad the whole city was foggy! That was a bit of a disappointment so we went inside the church. There was a service going on at the time so we had to be really quiet. There was absolute silence... ...then a baby started bawling its eyes out and broke the tension. There were some cool statues and mosaics in the church but that was about it.
After Montmartre we went to a Macers for lunch. (So much for going the whole trip without Macers!) this was because everything was closed since it was the 1st of January. Afterwards we went to Papa's for a little hang out.
We said goodbye and left to go and book a taxi at the hotel. After that we went and met my Dad's second cousins Nicolas and Anne-Flore. We had hot chocolates and talked until about 5:30. We then picked up our bags and caught our taxi to the train station.
We got there at about 7:00pm and waited there for about 1 hour before boarding. This train is awesome! There are four beds, cup holders, heaps of lights and heaps of hidden baggage space. Thomas, you would love it here!
Anyway, we are gonna be here on the train for another 12 hours so G'night!
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