Our day started at 7am when everyone woke up to have pre-breakfast and get out of the hotel. We walked down with our bags to the car where we started to drive to the airport. Once there we checked in our bags and went through security. We waited for about 2 hours before we could board our first of 2 flights today. Once we had boarded the captain announced that the flight would be about 8.5 hours long. Unfortunately there were no back-seat entertainment systems on this flight but we did manage.
We got into New York at about 3:20 local time. (9:20 Barcelona time.) We got in, got our bags and officially entered America. We went through security again and then sat down looking forward to the prospect of 5 hours before our next flight. We did however get to play in the snow just outside the airport which was heaps of fun. We waited for 5 hours playing DS and iPads while waiting. At about 8:40 we got on our 1 hour and 20 minute flight to DC. As soon as we were on the plane i fell asleep as it was about 3am. 18 hours after taking off from Spain, we got into DC, got our bags and got into a cab bound for our hotel. The hotel is nice. I get a big bed all to myself!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Carcasonne and Barcelona
Hello and welcome to the best read of your life. (just kidding) I'm a bit sick so I won't be writing a very long blog tonight.
First off we had an all you can eat breakfast with rubbish hot chocolate but nice croissants. We spent heaps of time there because we wanted to make our 13 euros worth it.
After breakfast we set out for the medieval part of Carcasonne. It looked so cool with all the walls and all. We first walked around the city a bit. It had heaps of shops selling the game Carcasonne and lots of figurines. We then went out onto the outer wall to look around and clamber a bit. Finally the castle had opened so we went there. The first thing on the tour was a bridge to get across to the castle itself. We then went up to then second floor to work our way down. We first watched a video about the history and reconstruction of the city. Then we went out onto the battlements and ramparts which was pretty cool even though it was raining. Finally we went into a museum and then out a gift shop.
After the castle we went down into the moat and played around. Then we went into the cathedral. I thought this was pretty boring but the glass widows were ok. Finally, we went for lunch and then a final run-around outside the inner wall but inside the outer wall.
After that, we got in the car bound for Barcelona. There were some cool sights to be seen and the trip lasted about 3.5 hours.
Once in barcelona we drove to the hotel and then spent ages looking for a parking spot. After looking for about 10 mins mum and dad sent us inside to watch TV while they found the spot.
We went out for dinner and then went back home to go to bed.
The next day we woke up at 8.15 am. We stayed in our rooms till 9 and then went out for breakfast. It was ok but we are still yet to find a good French patisserie in another country.
We then went on the tram to the big building with funny colored windows which name I cannot remember. We then walked past the monument which sort of looked like the colluseum. Finally we arrived at the sagrada fimilia. This has been under construction for over 150 years!! The inside and outside were spectacular even though it was unfinished. We had an audio guide that was really interesting as well.
We then walked past some more houses built by Gaudi which looked pretty cool. We walked for an hour more around Barcelona before arriving back to the hotel at about 3. We hung out downstairs for a while while the maid cleaned our room. We then went for a swim in a heated pool which was pretty cool.
I watched TV for a while and then we went out to dinner which consisted of many little dishes called Tapes. They included; cuttlefish, chorizos, chicken, potato, meat bomb and some bread. It was DLish!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
First off we had an all you can eat breakfast with rubbish hot chocolate but nice croissants. We spent heaps of time there because we wanted to make our 13 euros worth it.
After breakfast we set out for the medieval part of Carcasonne. It looked so cool with all the walls and all. We first walked around the city a bit. It had heaps of shops selling the game Carcasonne and lots of figurines. We then went out onto the outer wall to look around and clamber a bit. Finally the castle had opened so we went there. The first thing on the tour was a bridge to get across to the castle itself. We then went up to then second floor to work our way down. We first watched a video about the history and reconstruction of the city. Then we went out onto the battlements and ramparts which was pretty cool even though it was raining. Finally we went into a museum and then out a gift shop.
After the castle we went down into the moat and played around. Then we went into the cathedral. I thought this was pretty boring but the glass widows were ok. Finally, we went for lunch and then a final run-around outside the inner wall but inside the outer wall.
After that, we got in the car bound for Barcelona. There were some cool sights to be seen and the trip lasted about 3.5 hours.
Once in barcelona we drove to the hotel and then spent ages looking for a parking spot. After looking for about 10 mins mum and dad sent us inside to watch TV while they found the spot.
We went out for dinner and then went back home to go to bed.
The next day we woke up at 8.15 am. We stayed in our rooms till 9 and then went out for breakfast. It was ok but we are still yet to find a good French patisserie in another country.
We then went on the tram to the big building with funny colored windows which name I cannot remember. We then walked past the monument which sort of looked like the colluseum. Finally we arrived at the sagrada fimilia. This has been under construction for over 150 years!! The inside and outside were spectacular even though it was unfinished. We had an audio guide that was really interesting as well.
We then walked past some more houses built by Gaudi which looked pretty cool. We walked for an hour more around Barcelona before arriving back to the hotel at about 3. We hung out downstairs for a while while the maid cleaned our room. We then went for a swim in a heated pool which was pretty cool.
I watched TV for a while and then we went out to dinner which consisted of many little dishes called Tapes. They included; cuttlefish, chorizos, chicken, potato, meat bomb and some bread. It was DLish!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Barcelona
Monday, January 10, 2011
Walkies and Nice. Then off to Carcasonne
Bonjorno! Sorry for not being able to blog last night. Dad got us lost so we didn't get home till 10 pm. Sprag. (new insult. Yes, uncle guy, son of a beiber already got old)
Yesterday we were meant to check out of the Convent at 10 am or something. But since it was Sunday we didn't have to. We just left our bags in the room and decided to go for a walk. (not that it was a group decision or anything.) First, we decided to got to the big monument or 'the typewriter' or 'the wedding cake' as dad likes to call them. It was pretty cool and Ryan and I played real-life mario kart on the way. (P.S. That's trademarked and it doesn't work.
Next, we went to the oldest bridge in Rome just cause. It was pretty boring. It really is just a bridge. It was built in 62 BC though so that was ok. We then decided to walk to a cool square that dad wanted to go to. Once there we saw a big market, some fountains, some caffes and some guitarist playing some random song. We had a cuppa and left.
On the way to our next destination we saw a gelateria. Mum and dad said that we wouldn't get some until after lunch because there will be heaps. We went to have lunch and afterwards we looked for a gelateria. Wa there one? No. Waaaaah!
We went to the airport and after a massively long wait, we got on a plane. We spent about 5 times as long in the airport than in the airplane. We got out at Nice and caught a cab to our hotel. We checked in and went out for dinner. After dinner we got lost. That being the reason why I called dad a sprag earlier.
In the morning we got up, had brekky and them dad went to FNAC while mum, Ryan and I stayed at the hotel. We checked out and went for a walk. Dad decided it would be nice to get us lost again. Although this time, it was in the rain. Bleeeeccccchhhhhh! Yucccccckkkkkky! We walked around for a bit but then finally got to our destination. We ate lunch and had gelato. (finally).
Finally we went and hired a car, went back to the hotel to get out bags and started to drive to Nice. Since then we've had dinner. That's it. Later.
Uncle Guy. This is a message to you. Plz stop using 'Son of a Bieber' and use 'Sprag' instead. It's cooler. Marc, out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yesterday we were meant to check out of the Convent at 10 am or something. But since it was Sunday we didn't have to. We just left our bags in the room and decided to go for a walk. (not that it was a group decision or anything.) First, we decided to got to the big monument or 'the typewriter' or 'the wedding cake' as dad likes to call them. It was pretty cool and Ryan and I played real-life mario kart on the way. (P.S. That's trademarked and it doesn't work.
Next, we went to the oldest bridge in Rome just cause. It was pretty boring. It really is just a bridge. It was built in 62 BC though so that was ok. We then decided to walk to a cool square that dad wanted to go to. Once there we saw a big market, some fountains, some caffes and some guitarist playing some random song. We had a cuppa and left.
On the way to our next destination we saw a gelateria. Mum and dad said that we wouldn't get some until after lunch because there will be heaps. We went to have lunch and afterwards we looked for a gelateria. Wa there one? No. Waaaaah!
We went to the airport and after a massively long wait, we got on a plane. We spent about 5 times as long in the airport than in the airplane. We got out at Nice and caught a cab to our hotel. We checked in and went out for dinner. After dinner we got lost. That being the reason why I called dad a sprag earlier.
In the morning we got up, had brekky and them dad went to FNAC while mum, Ryan and I stayed at the hotel. We checked out and went for a walk. Dad decided it would be nice to get us lost again. Although this time, it was in the rain. Bleeeeccccchhhhhh! Yucccccckkkkkky! We walked around for a bit but then finally got to our destination. We ate lunch and had gelato. (finally).
Finally we went and hired a car, went back to the hotel to get out bags and started to drive to Nice. Since then we've had dinner. That's it. Later.
Uncle Guy. This is a message to you. Plz stop using 'Son of a Bieber' and use 'Sprag' instead. It's cooler. Marc, out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:France
Best to Worsts. (Hotels)
Paris - Two separate room and brilliant breakfast.
Kyoto
Shibuya
Rome
Venice
Florence
Nice
Ueno
Train
Kobe - had to all sleep in same bed.
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Location:France
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Vatican
Bonjorno! This morning we had breakfast. Duuuuuuhhhhh! It was just usual breakfast. Again. I love gelato! Wahoo!
Anyway, I'm pretty tired right now so I'm not gonna write a massively huge blog. First, we went to the Vatican city by cab. We got there waaaayyy to early so we just played DS. Our time for our tour had come. We went in and first we went through the museum of the Vatican reeeaaally slowly. We were led by this really bad, horrible, stinky guide (read Ryan's blog to find out more). There was some cool old stuff inside but it wasn't that interesting because of our bad guide. Then we went into the Sistern chapel. It was really crowded in there. Once we had left the chapel we went into the crypt and the basilica. It's the largest in the world dontcha know!
We then had lunch and gelati. Finally, we went to the Castel of Saint Angelo. It was pretty cool but not the best castle I'd ever been to. We then caught a cab home.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Anyway, I'm pretty tired right now so I'm not gonna write a massively huge blog. First, we went to the Vatican city by cab. We got there waaaayyy to early so we just played DS. Our time for our tour had come. We went in and first we went through the museum of the Vatican reeeaaally slowly. We were led by this really bad, horrible, stinky guide (read Ryan's blog to find out more). There was some cool old stuff inside but it wasn't that interesting because of our bad guide. Then we went into the Sistern chapel. It was really crowded in there. Once we had left the chapel we went into the crypt and the basilica. It's the largest in the world dontcha know!
We then had lunch and gelati. Finally, we went to the Castel of Saint Angelo. It was pretty cool but not the best castle I'd ever been to. We then caught a cab home.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, January 7, 2011
(I forgot which day it was) - Gladiator!
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.
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.
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Train to Rome
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