Cesky Krumlov

Ok so I am now in a little town called Cesky Krumlov. I would compare it to the size of St Kilda or Devonport. It is really pretty with lots of terracotta roofs and church and castle spires. The only problem is I am so used to seeing everything in hyperdrive that for the first time on my trip I have run out of things to do and am actually a little bored as you can see all the museums, the galleries, the castle and wander all the main streets in less than a day so with 2 here I am at a loss for what to do.

So I brought a book and am trying to get in holiday mode. Its called the golem and is set pre WW1 in the Jewish Ghetto in Prague.

My room last night was much better than the first night as lacked the swamp smell had a toilet that flushed, a bed that doesnt break the back and heated floor tiles. Oh the luxury.

black light theatre

well I have survived my second day in prague alone. today I continued my them of piled bones with a visit to the ossuary in Kutna Hora. they used the bones of 40,000 people to create pyramids and patterns in the chapel so comical and arty looking you couldn't really get creeped out - unlike the catacombes in Paris which are 20m underground in dark wet tunnels and just pile after pile of bones much more scary.

I also had goulash and beer and I have to say it was a slight variation on irish stew and beer which is one of my favourites.

I also saw a performance at laterna magika which was very different to anything I have seen before. A mix between cinema, black light theatre, ballet, circus and acting. they pre film a movie that the actors interact with its amazing but hard to explain. If anyone is in Prague in the future they should consider a visit.

I also got to go to the Alfons Mucha museum which re-established my love of his work. Not that I ever had much of a choice with mum and uncle Peter both teaching me about him from a young age. his skill as a draughtsman also was pretty amazing - i know how hard it is to freehand a perfect cicle but he could.

Anyway am off to czecky krumlov today for two days - can't wait as the castle is meant to be like sleeping beauties.

missing you all.

Prague

Well after spending my first day in prague locked in my room recovering from a long non stop travel buzz and a bit of a cold I got out today to see the sights and my feet are now well aquainted with the cobblestones. It is a great city with delicious food, incredible history and some very interesting architecture. I think I am finally starting to get a grips with the jewish traditions and history as learnt alot more today. I will upload some pics hopefully when I get back to london in a few days.

Paris

Well contiki is almost over - we only have 2 nights in paris left. On arrival we did the usual tour of the city and I was impressed how many things I could remember from january. I have to say though Paris is much nicer in sep than in jan as there is so much life out and about and shops open gardens green and full of flowers so it was great to be able to compare(although the snow was kinda magical). I have well and truely caught the contiki coach cold. but am hoping I can kick it fast as being sick was not on my list of things to do.

missing everyone heaps now - 3 weeks seems like a lifetime.

Went to Nouvelle eve the competing caberet to Moulin Rouge but unhappy to report no where near as glamorous or spectacular but it had a nicer venue and the food was yummy. the boys were funny to watch as they were expecting lots of tit action but this show only had two dance routines with them bared so those two had all the boys eyes glued to the stage.

carscasone

Went to Carscasone on our way to Bordeaux and it is really cool just like a castle from a fairytale you read when you are young and also it was where robin hood prince of thieves was filmed.

Stencil Art

Well due to working with John Paris for 4 years I have developed an interest in street art (only not the kind he would have chosen) I am really startign to notice and appreciate stencil art and am finding it everywhere in the world but in Europe it is different to Australia as instead of being political and somewhat dark its usually cute and seemingly meaningless. here are a few examples.

Street performers/statues

Its very strange how many people dress up in statue costumes and stand still to make money they are everywhere here.

Barcelona

Have to say I love Spain - it has great buildings food, sights and the people are not super thin and immaculately dressed. I am even more in love with Gaudi than I was before can't wait to come back when the Sagrada Familia is finished what an achievement in creativity that is. Feel like I am getting fit as Europe seems obsessed with stairs. Also had a weird spaniard rub his foot up my leg in the train and smile at me as though something might happen - he laughed when I replied ina very hoighty toighty voice "Now don't do that". Also love tapas and Sangria and they are both soooooo cheap its great.

charm bracelet

Thanks to all at Whirlwind for buying me a charm bracelet as my farewell gift. You will all be happy to know that I have been adding to it along my way and have some really fun and beautiful symbols of the cities I have been to so thanks it was a great gift.

Venice, Florence, Monaco and Nice

Well have to say I love Venice and will definately go back again. on the other hand was dissapointed with Florence after so many people telling me how much they loved it. Italy as a whole has been great love the gelati. Nice and Monaco are beautiful could happily live here if I had a spare million or two. Only - days left on Contiki which has been heaps of fun but there is no way I could do a trip longer than 3 weeks as even the nicest people get a little annoying when you are stuck in rooms and coaches with them.

I am stqrting to realise I like cities with some kinda water round them must be the Aucklander in me.

You never realise how good at typing you are until the keyboard changes to euro when you suddenly appreciate that you werent as bad as you thought.

have the coach cold so am having a quiet day today to let my body recover.

can't seem to get my pics to work on blogger sorry will keep trying though.

Switzerland, Liechenstein, Munich and Austria

Sorry but there really are not many places with internet where we stop. I am having a fabulous time not too many crazy things to report. Switzerland would have been beautiful except we had terrential rain and fog the whole time so were not able to see any of the alps. however we did go to a cool cultural show lunch with accordions horn blowers cow bellers and fondue yummmmmm. liechenstein was cute and had beautiful sculptures everywhere. The beer fest was a great time I think everyone should go atleast once in their lives. More like a carnival with rides and games and the best part is all the locals get dressed up in leiderhausen and the dresses. I managed to make it through half a litre of beer which is pretty good for me. Met a group of 20 german guys from the airforce they were very interesting to talk to and taught us all the beer songs. I am now in Austria which is just simply stunning clear blue skies surrounded by mountains very scenic and peaceful.