Europe Trip

I got back from Europe a few days ago, and still have mild jet lag which I why I am up so early on a Sunday morning. I should have kept a journal or diary while I was away, but I didn't, so I will recap my trip now since when people ask me how my vacation was I just rattle off the list of countries I went to and leave out the events. When my mother asked about my trip, she was more concerned with what I ate for dinner each night (and at whose house). She also questioned me as to why I don't have any "pretty pictures" so I will have to spend some time on photoshop before I upload them.

Friday April 13
Arrived in London. Took a shuttle to Birmingham. There was a 2 year old in front of me, and when he said "mummy, can I please have some water" in his baby Brit accent it hit me I was in England. I also saw BMW police cars (much more stylish than our OPP).

Saturday April 14
Helena's 18th party. Finally had a chance to see all the cousins (Mom's side), and the party was amazing!

Sunday April 15
Recovery day, human pyramid, and visited my uncle in Gloucester. I love his fish pond and aquarium!

Monday April 16
Cadbury World! Finally, after 5 years of mithering, I made it to the Cadbury factory which was well worth the visit. We spent the afternoon at the Bull Ring and had lunch at a nice cafe.

Tuesday April 17
Went to Bolton. Spent time with my Grandmother, and visited my uncle and cousin in the evening.

Wednesday April 18
Spent the day "in town" and the evening with cousins.

Thursday April 19
Took the train to London. Won 25 pounds on a slot machine at the station. Richard Branson's Virgin trains are AMAZING - much better than GO transit. Our hotel was about 10 minutes walk away from the train station, so we figured we would walk instead of cabbing it or taking the subway, but ended up going in the wrong direction (our first of many mishaps). We saw Mary Poppins in the west end (10th row orchestra seats too!). Tried to have some wine in the hotel room this evening to relax (but not having a corkscrew can be quite stressful).

Friday April 20
Spent the day siteseeing (proper freshies). Visited our cousins flat in the evening - she has a million dollar view of the city (million pound).

Saturday April 21
Went shopping on Carnaby Street (antm cycle 5). Dinner at "Poppadum Express."

Sunday April 22
Boarded the Contiki bus for Amsterdam. Met a lot of the people we would be touring with and they were all pretty cool. Did a boat cruise through the canals in Amsterdam. Went to a cafe, and sex show.

Monday April 23
Went to the Anne Frank museum, which was the house she hid in during the war. Opted against space cakes for lunch then got back on the bus to Rhine Valley (Germany). The hotel we stayed at was in a small village but had breathtaking views and some cute castles close by.

Tuesday April 24
Woke up to amazing German bacon! Spent the day in Munich. Missed the Glockenspiel at 5pm, but Nivea products are so cheap here! Went to a beerhall with an oom-pah-pah band. Karaoke on the bus on the way home.

Wednesday April 25
This hotel was probably the most "romantic" place we stayed at (though I don't beleive in romance). But to wake up and see a castle outside your window amongst valleys and a river was quite stunning. Headed to Innsbruck, Austria where I saw the Alps - first time seeing real mountains. Went to the world's largest Swarovski store. Even McDonald's was picturesque against a mountain backdrop! We headed to Italy (bus breakdown - poor Jarrod!).

Thursday April 26
Spent the day in Venice. It was a bit too touristy for my liking. Very commercial setting and the city is flooded with tourists and vendors (and fake bag sellers). The Gondola ride was okay, but not amazing (thanks for the roses Leena haha). Gelato and wine was great! Went to a local bar at night but didn't attempt cranberry vodka again after last night's fiasco.

Friday April 27
Headed to Lucerne, Switzerland. Went up Mt. Stanserhorn, but the overcast weather hindered our view from the summit. Shopped a bit in the city, since the Swiss Franc is almost equal to a dollar Canadian. Toblerone and Lindt is so cheap here! Checked into our hotel which was a converted jail with tiny rooms, tiny showers and bunk-beds. Went to a few local clubs at night.

Saturday April 28
Drove to Paris and did a bus tour of the city. Walked around the Eiffel tower, so we saw it from every possible angle!

Sunday April 29
Went up the Eiffel tower. Walked up to Arc de Triomphe and down Champs Elysees (where Nish bought herself Chanel glasses even though she owes me 1.5 pairs after sitting on one and poking the lens out of another). Saw several historic sites and had dinner at a nice French restaurant.

Monday April 30
Flight to Toronto.

So that's it in a nutshell (oh yeah, I forgot to mention the abundance of Nutella in Europe and the dark and white chocolate varierty they have!). Contiki was great despite the early morning starts each day, and I wish I had more vacay days to take another trip :(