London - Sunny Sunday (Day 6)

Today we went to Camden Markets with Toby and Katie. The markets are truly massive and maze-like with stalls selling everything imaginable but lot's of the same thing in each one. The streets are so completely crowded with people that you have to be carefull not to be pushed onto the road!

We started with aFull English Breakfast in 'The Elephants Head'. This was a much nicer then the one we had yesterday at a small greasy spoon off Trafalgar Square. Eating in pubs is a bit hard to get used to because people are allowed to smoke; restaurants also have smoking areas. Apparently all smoking in pubs and restaurant is going to be banned in June or July this year.

The good thing with the pub was that we got a window seat so we could watch the crowd go past. Lots of goths and alternative fashions worn in Camden so quite interesting to watch.

After brunch we spent the rest of the day walking through the markets.

One of the best stores we went into was called Cyberdog. It supports the dance/rave culture and sells all sorts of glow-in-the-dark outfits, some with changing LED displays. They have a DJ playing thumping dance music, dancers up on podiums and black lights everywhere so it almost feels more like a club then a store. It was hilarious to watch people buying clothes like tight day-glo pants with enormous puffy bottoms.

That morning we had stopped at King's Cross Station to pick up out tickets for our train trip to Edinburgh tomorrow. This was pretty cool since we ordered out tickets on the web back in New Zealand, then to get the tickets we found a Fastticket booth, put in our credit card and it printed out the tickets !

So tonight is our last night at Simon's as we are off to Edinburgh tomorrow. Apart from not seeing Simon for a week or so we are also going to lose access to his nice high speed broadband and his laptop. Oh the manatee! So our posts may become a little less frequent and less likely to have pictures for the next wee while :(

Anyway off to dinner with Simon now at Shish, Turkish restaurant with yummy tapas style mezze dishes and Baklava ice cream!

London - What we did on day 5

What a fantastic day. The weather was brilliant really hot and sunny. We met up with some friends Jonathan went to school with that he hadn't seen for 10 - 15 years, Chris and Kirsteen, at the National Gallery inTrafalgar Square. The gallery has some awesome paintings dating back hundreds of years but its not really my (Jonathan) kind of art.

After that we wandered down to Carnaby Street and had a look at the shops there, then we nipped round the corner to Hamleys which is a giant toy store with six floors of toys !

We then walked back down to Covent Gardens and met up with another friend, Sean. We had lunch there and had a really good catch up.

Sean had to go, but the rest of us went off to the London Dungeon. It was a little pricey at £20 each but it did last 2 hours and had some pretty neat things. I really liked the free fall during the simulated hanging ride.

Chris and Kirsteen had to head back to Milton Keynes (about an hour and half out of London) so we went to dinner with Simon, Toby and Katie to Suzie Wong's in Soho. This is a fantastic restaurant and does a Thai/Asian tapas style menu. The decor, service and food was great with the five of us sharing six or seven dishes.

After a hard day of walking and with me feeling fluey, Amelia and I headed home whilst the others went out to party (until 5am apparently).

London - Day 4

Today was a day of more exploring by foot. After a late start due to updating this blog and doing some research on Simon's computer we headed to Covent garden. The markets are a busy place filled with shops, stalls, street performers and lots of good smelling food. Lunch today was traditional Cornish Pasties which were delicious!

We then explored the streets nearby, ending up at Leicester Square where we bought some tickets for next Thursday to the Monty Python musical 'Spamalot'. There are a bunch of booths in Leicester Square where you can get discounted tickets for many of the shows especially for that night's performance. The queues are not long but it takes ages to get through each person so can be a long wait. Unfortunately there are no discounts for Spamalot as it is generally sold out on the night but our tickets were still much cheaper than seeing a major show in NZ at £25 ($67NZD) per person.

We continued walking to Picadilly Circus which was packed with people and then to Trafalgar Square. The buildings are all so incredibly beautiful and ornate it's hard not to take a photo of every one! Everything is also on such a grand scale with the buildings towering over you and the roads crowded with people.

London - Coverage of Day 3

Our third day in London started with a frantic rush to get out of the house in time for a walking tour of the changing of the guard with 'The Big Bus Company'. The tour departed at 10am from Trafalgar Square and after 2 tube changes we made it there at 10.02!

Luckily there was still time so we greeted our guide Richard and his Umbrella of Pointing and we were off. We walked down the Mall, seeing the changing of the cavalry, to St Jame's Palace to meet up with the retiring regiment, The Coldstream Guards. We were right in front of the palace when they came out with a full brass band and burst unexpectedly into 'Downtown' by Petula Clark. Despite knowing all the words I resisted the urge to sing along, (damn you singstar!). Then we were off in a foot race with the quick marching Guards, our eyes firmly fixed on the Umbrella so we didn't get lost in the crowds, to catch the new regiment, The Blues and Royals as they came out of their barracks on the other side of Green Park. Richard was excellent getting us prime positions and we saw so much more than we would have trying to cram up to the gates at Buckingham Palace with the 5000 other people who were there.

Ater the tour the went and had a traditional pub lunch at a The Albert on Victoria Street which was recommended by Richard. Amelia had good ole fish and chips and Jonathan had chicken kiev with a nice pint of Strongbow cider.

As well as 3 walking tours the Big Bus Company's ticket gives you access to a hop-on-hop-off bus service and a river cruise up the Thames. So after The Albert we jumped onto the "red line" big bus (which has live commentary) at Westminster. The bus tour takes about 2 and a half hours and wanders all around the central part of London.

Patsy our tour guide was excellent and it was very cool to see London from the top of the open double deaker bus. It's amazing how old parts of the city are (1000 to 2000 years) and how many old buildings still stand, often housing the same business for several hundred years.

Unfortuantely the weather closed in so we were forced to go to the lower level of the bus for the last 30 minutes of the tour.

Feeling pretty much wiped out and with the weather going to pot we decided not to do the river cruise and headed home.

When Simon came home we went out to West Hampstead and had dinner at GBK a gourmet burger joint.

We're in London !

Well it's our third day in London and we are having a great time. Currently we are staying with Simon (Moss) because Toby's place got packed out.

Spent most of yesterday walking around London. We started the day wondering around town looking for the information centre only to find, after walking around the same block about 20 times, that it had been demolished. Not to worry there will be a better shiny new one... in 2008. We ended up at St Pauls Cathedral, then walked over the Millennium Bridge and down south bank and went up in the London Eye. The view was great but being London it started raining halfway up so our photos are a little blury. We had lunch in Westminster opposite the treasury and then went to Harrods and played with the toys. My favourite was this display of ultra realistic puppys curled up in a basket whose tummys went up and down like they were really breathing. Creepy.

We then caught up with Toby and some of his workmates in a pub in Tower Hill then went and had dinner in Brick Lane.

Brick Lane is really odd! Tons of Indian restaurants with guys outside trying to get you to come to their restaurant. They offer all sorts of discounts, free drinks etc. and talk smack about each other :) Its all a con because you land up paying about the same everywhere but still fun to do.

I, (Amelia) have become addicted to 'Daim' bars (just 35p!) and may require therapy for withdrawl if I can't find a way to import them to NZ!

Gotta dash to make the Changing of the Guard :)

Trip Map

Using the new My Maps feature of Google Maps I've created a map of our Trip (yes I'm a geek).

It pinpoints all the places we are staying. Click here to view the map.

If you have Google Earth installed (and are super-geeky) then click on the KML link (top left of the screen) when you are viewing the map and it will display the map in Google Earth !

The Big Europe trip

So on Monday (23/4) we fly out from NZ to London (via Melbourne and Dubai). We then spend a couple of weeks in the UK, mostly in London except for three days in Edinburgh.

After that we take off on a 28 day Contiki tour of Europe. This takes us all over Europe via Bus and staying in hotels (we're a bit too soft to do the camping tours).

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: London to Paris: A warm welcome from your Contiki Crew as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and Channel crossing to France. We drive past World War I battlefields to the splendour of Paris. What better way to begin than with an evening tour of the "City of Lights" and a first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower?

Day 2: Paris Sightseeing: Today's sightseeing includes some of the most celebrated icons of Europe. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysées. Tonight, why not complete your Parisian experience with a French meal and a famous Parisian cabaret?

Day 3: Paris to Bordeaux: Our journey south today takes us through the Loire Valley, home to over 3000 Châteaux. See magnificent Château Chambord and the vineyards which produce many of France's finest wines.

Day 4: Bordeaux to Barcelona: This morning we visit Carcassone, a medieval walled city. We continue south, skim past the Pyrenées and catch our first glimpse of the world-famous Mediterranean before arriving in vibrant Barcelona.

Day 5: Barcelona. Our included sightseeing tour is a great introduction to this celebrated city. See Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the 1992 Olympic Complex and the Gothic district. A chance to experience Barcelona's famed shopping street La Ramblas and discover some of Spain's specialties. Tonight why not experience the passion of Flamenco dancing?

Day 6: Barcelona to French Riviera: Today we follow the Mediterranean coast back into France to arrive on the elegant French Riviera. We stay in Nice, the 'Queen of the Riviera'.

Day 7: French Riviera at Leisure: Rub shoulders with the rich and famous on the Nice promenade, shop for French fashion or laze the day away on the sun-drenched beaches – the choice is yours!

Day 8: French Riviera to Florence: Today we visit a French perfumery before arriving in Italy to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We travel past the vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany to the most spectacular of Renaissance cities, Florence.

Day 9: Florence Sightseeing: Your day includes a walking tour seeing the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Santa Croce and a chance to shop for leather, gold and silver. In your free time maybe visit one of the city’s many museums or galleries and this evening enjoy the colourful Florentine nightlife.

Day 10: Florence to Rome: All roads lead to Rome where our included sightseeing tour is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. Do as the Romans do and stroll past the Trevi Fountain, the amazing Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Take the time to discover Roman cuisine in a trattoria for a delicious meal with some local wine.

Day 11: Rome. Ancient and modern Rome await your discovery. Why not take a guided tour of the Imperial Forum and walk in the footsteps of Gladiators? In your free time explore the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel, snap up Italian fashions or just watch the world go by with a gelato (or two).

Day 12: Rome to Corfu: A chance to take a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii as we travel across Italy to board our overnight ferry to Greece.

Days 13 - 15: Corfu at Leisure: Spend your days on this fabulous Greek Island relaxing beside the hotel pool, working on your tan or cruising along the coast on a traditional Greek boat. At night, visit a local taverna, try some Greek specialties and maybe dance to the sound of Zorba!

Day 16: Corfu to Italy - Mini Cruise: A full day and night cruise across the Adriatic back to Italy. Relax and enjoy the boat's facilities.

Day 17: Arrival Italy: Our spectacular morning arrival into the port of Venice is one of Europe's most impressive sights. After docking we make our way to Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. Time to wander through this beautiful town before we make our way to our hotel near the fabled city of Venice.

Day 18: Venice Sightseeing: A short boat ride takes us into the historical centre of Venice to see St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doges' Palace. Ample time to wander the bustling streets, see the skill required to create local crafts such as Venetian glass and fine lace and visit one of the many amazing musuems. Why not treat yourself to a gondola ride and evening meal with your fellow travellers as a perfect end to your Venetian experience?

Day 19: Venice to Vienna: We drive through gently rolling countryside, past picture-postcard villages and majestic mountains into the home of Mozart and Strauss. A chance to relax in a special resort before an evening experiencing the classical tastes and sounds of this opulent city.

Day 20: Vienna Sightseeing: Our sightseeing tour takes in the grandeur of the Palace of the Hapsburgs, the fame of the State Opera House and fashionable Kartnerstrasse. Take time to wander at leisure and why not try some local schnaps, strudel and another schnitzel?

Day 21: Vienna to Munich: On to Bavaria's lively capital Munich, home to the Oktoberfest. View sights such as the animated Glockenspiel, stroll through the shopping streets and maybe take the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a local beerhall.

Day 22: Munich to Austrian Tyrol: A scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps takes us into the heart of the Austrian Tyrol. Take the opportunity to go white water rafting in the Austrian Alps before relaxing in this idyllic region.

Day 23: Austrian Tyrol to Lucerne: We stop for lunch in the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein before crossing into Switzerland, the home of chocolate! A very special treat as we take the cable car or cog railway for breathtaking views from our resort on top of Mt Pilatus, the highest hotel in Europe.

Day 24: Lucerne Sightseeing: Spend the day exploring this beautiful lakeside town. See the Lion Monument, walk across the Chapel Bridge and wander the cobbled streets shopping for watches, chocolate and Swiss Army knives. The best way to appreciate the spectacular scenery is on a lake cruise - why not join us on one this afternoon?

Day 25: Lucerne to Rhine Valley: We follow the mighty Rhine River north into Germany. Take in the picturesque Rhine Valley on our included river cruise before learning how beersteins are crafted in the village of St Goar.

Day 26: Rhine Valley to Amsterdam: We continue north along the Rhine River and cross the border into The Netherlands. Enjoy a visit to a cheese farm and see clogs being made before we check in to our hotel. Tonight your first taste of Amsterdam's famous nightlife.

Day 27: Amsterdam. Visit the cheese village of Edam on a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside. Spend your free time wandering along the canals, shopping or visiting famous museums such as the Van Gogh Musuem and Anne Frank's House.

Day 28: Amsterdam to London: Travelling south through the Dutch and Belgian countryside to France, we catch the ferry from Calais to Dover and reach London early evening.

Almost time to go !

Wow only 2 days before we leave. Haven't started to pack yet but I think we have everything we need.

We'll try and keep this blog updated regularly so please visit it regularly.