I'm in love with...

I woke up with a dopey big grin on my face. I rolled over in bed, hugging my sheets to my body. I fell in love with her the way you fall asleep. Slowly, and then all at once.

Her name is Barcelona.

To begin with I was never excited about Barcelona, I'll be honest: it was a city that was just an added bonus to my trip. The second I arrived here I instantly had my heart captured. The scenery, the people and oh lord, the food. But let's not forget the sangria. I'm not one to drink, my last drinking night was Halloween last year. I've never been a huge fan of the flavor- or the following waste of day it tends to give, but once arriving here and trying a proper authentic sangria- I think I've become a Sangriaholic. 

Let's backtrack a bit. Once arriving here we were told we'd be staying in a Hostel. So of course with news like that we weren't excited. Now, let me get one thing straight. Hostels in Barcelona are different to everywhere else. It was basically 5 star sleepover luxury with all your friends. We had the cleanest room, the most spacious  private beds (with a personal adapter station and lights- yes a luxury for Contiki.) Our room in general was very retro: brightly colored and a flair of its own. For Contiki standards this was the best we'd had. 1000X's better than the chateau which Contiki bragged about. The chateau was an infested pigs pen in comparison to this. Heck, the chateau was a pigs pen in comparison to even a pigs pen. 

Our first night we went on a night walk around town. At first we were warned of pick pockets and sly people: but after an hour we realized we literally had nothing to worry about. We ended up in a quaint little pub with vines growing on the inside and surrounded by fairy lights. It was very different to anything Australia has. On our arrival, a girl dressed with a melted witch face came screaming and cackling past us. We never saw her again. To this day I'm still unsure if she actually worked there or not.

That night consisted of sangria, and even more sangria jugs (of course.)

It was splendid. 

Day two in Barcelona involved: cable carts flying over the whole city, getting lost in the most amazing food markets and then visiting the beach. Our time here was definitely too short. 

One strange thing that two girls have, are really inflamed looking mosquito bites all up their arms. So far our tour manager is adamant in saying they're an allergic reaction to the mosquitos. Which personally, I think is strange, as both girls have said they're not allergic. To be honest I think it looks more like a scabies infection or something similar. Probably from the chateau with how unhygienic and disgusting that place was. Hopefully their bites clear up though as they seem insanely itchy. 

Anyway I must go. I've stepped on the bus and once I do that my eyes automatically shut for siesta now. My body is learning quickly.

Until the French Riviera,

Adios

Xox

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Our bedroom is 265 years old!

After our Paris adventure we made our way to Beaujolais- the French countryside. Here we stayed at Contiki's very own French chateau which was 265 years old. The rooms here were not the greatest- the beds creaked with every single slight movement. Literally if u moved a leg the creak could be heard from the next corridor. The chateau itself was very dirty too- I don't feel cleaning was done up to standard, and you felt dirty as soon as you exited the showers. Might I add both the bathroom and toilets were unisex. But, in saying that- I was on Contiki, I wasn't expecting 5 star quality. Sure, when I heard it was run by Contiki staff I assumed it would be one of the cleaner and better placed but alas that is just life. 

The actual grounds of the chateau were unbelievable. Green was seen all over. Vineyards everywhere you looked and a massive pool was on the grounds. I didn't use the pool as summer has just ended and France seems to get a bit colder the second seasons change, but it was still beautiful. 

After our first night we were told we could have a picnic and were handed maps. That trek was one to remember. We were told it was a "slight incline" on the way and "some rocky roads" so to wear suitable shoes. I'm pretty sure we were just a step below rock climbing. The slight incline was probably a massive incline and the rocks were all the way. I felt I was climbing up a cliff. Once we arrived to the picnic spot though it was all worth it! I'm so glad they didn't tell us how difficult the hour walk prior would be otherwise I'm not too sure I would've done it- and I honestly don't regret it at all. 

After a bit the chateau did get a bit boring as it was literally in the middle of nowhere and there wasn't much to do so we were all very happy once 7:30am came and it was time to leave. 

Which is where I am now, on a bus for Barcelona. Where we shall eat tapas and drink sangria. But not their tap water. I have to keep reminding myself that if I don't want to get some water bug flu and die. Cannot wait to get to Barcelona. 

I shall keep you all updated more in a bit when I access some more wifi and more events have occurred.

Until next time,

Xox

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I've seen London, I've seen France

This last week I've done and seen more than I would in an average month. Or even year. A 6am depart from London to journey over to Paris, was nowhere near as bad as I originally thought it sounded. I think the excitement of the whole trip gave me that extra 'oomph.' 

On our drive to Paris we were able to see the white cliffs of Dover, then ferried on over to the other side. Paris at first glimpse was not what I had expected. I had expected a city a lot cleaner than it was, but the part we were staying in was what I would classify as 'the ghetto.' There were gypsies all over the streets and just selling random garbage. The saying 'one mans trash is another mans treasure' really seems to make sense here as a lot of the pointless objects they were selling did in fact get sold. On our trip we were fortunate enough to be upgraded with our hotel by Contiki due to the amount of gypsies outside of the original hotel intended for us. The upgrade was very much appreciated by all. We had a group dinner that night which included champagne and you got it- escargot. I struggled in getting the slug from the shell- then realized my first one didn't in fact have the slug in it. On second attempt I eventually got it out and it was much larger than most. I can happily say I am not a fan of snail. The sauce was amazing but after chewing more than 3 times the sauce had gone, and on my fourth chew a new taste came and I had to spit my slug out. How attractive, I know.

On our second day in Paris we did a lot of walking, 8kms to be exact. We saw the Louvre and then went to go inside Notre Dame but I was not allowed in as the security man asked if I had a shawl and I said no.

My dress was not revealing in the least but I think they appreciate shoulders being covered. So myself and anther girl waited outside whilst watching girls with less coverage walking out the exit after being inside. Go figure.

My biggest regret so far is not learning more of these European languages. I stupidly assumed most places would speak English and I would get by with that- couldn't have been more wrong. Every sign was in French, majority of workers spoke French and it was a struggle. 

Day three arrived and myself and my room mate missed the bus into town on account of not knowing how to open a door. Yes, we missed our bus due to not knowing how to open a door. There were no handles, and only a red button. In both our experiences red buttons usually aren't a good sign so we refrained from pushing that one. Other than that day three was just another exploration day. 

Paris is beautiful. I truly loved Paris and would definitely go back. Before going overseas many people warned how rude the locals were but I can honestly say I never came across one rude person. There were many times they could've been (me not knowing their language and the small amount of words I did know- butchering them) but they were so helpful. 

That night we went to a group dinner which was adorable as it included a man playing the accordion for us. He was amazing. Constantly smiling and just being a beautiful human. After the dinner we went to a cabaret, not at the Moulin Rouge- but a local cabaret place. To be honest I'm happy we didn't go to the Moulin Rouge. A small group of us did and said it was very over rated and more suited for the generation above ours. Our cabaret on the other hand, my god! The talent they all had and the involvement with the audience truly made it what it was. Plus I'm sure even the Guys all loved it as they all saw boobs for the majority of the show. 

I'm not too sure which night this happened as I'm writing this a few days later on our bus ride (8hours to Barcelona) but we did all see and have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. I can't even describe the beauty of the tower. The light show happened and everyone literally just gasped in awe. 

I feel really fortunate to have the Contiki group I have. Everyone gets along so well. When we were at the Eiffel Tower we all had wine/champagne and played a group game of "never have I ever" which was an amazing way to get to know everyone else. Then the Australians had to keep the Aussie spirit alive and whipped out a goon sack (wine sack) and started drinking that in true Aussie form out front of the tower. 

I don't want to ramble anymore (I'll leave that for my next post) 

So until next time,

Xox

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Hello 4am: Let's Not Meet Again.

To be honest I'm surprised I made it from the airport to my hotel. In the span of two days I had managed a miserable ten minutes of sleep. My first flight (9hours) I was unfortunate enough to be seated next to a family of small tiny humans, who seemed to be miserable for 9 hours straight and let everyone know by screaming the whole time. If I thought I was unlucky then, I was in for a giant surprise when on my next (14 hour flight) the same family of demons were seated right next to me again. I'm not a hater of children: I understand they have a need to be heard at times- what I'm not a fan of is when the parents of said humans don't have any consideration for those around them and literally do nothing to stop or try calm their offspring. Which is exactly what these parents were like. The whole 23 hours not once did I hear the parents try to console, shoosh or even prevent their children from kicking chairs in front of them. It even got to the stage another passenger who's seat was being pounded, turned around and asked the parents to calm their kids. Other than that, the flight was great. Numb bums, snoring people and the inability to lay down. What's not to love?

Once I finally arrived in London I'm surprised I actually managed to make it back to the hotel. I had passed from exhausted to zombie tired. I literally felt like I was in a dream like state; walking slowly and everything around me at top speed. I felt drunk when I was as sober as a stone. As soon as I got to my room I fell into bed and fell into a coma like state- for six hours. Once 4AM arrived my body refused to stay asleep. Despite how exhausted I was, I couldn't do it. So I tossed and turned and finally fell asleep again at 7 for half an hour. 

For my trip I felt I was completely prepared- brought my universal adapter and everything. The adapter had worked wonderfully for me: at charging my iphone. As soon as I finished my shower and tried to use my hairdryer that's when I realized my adapter was a bad idea. My dryer worked for maybe 2 seconds then completely shut off. My adapter didn't even charge my phone anymore. A quick message to my electrician friend, and he taught me how to change its fuse- and it was back to working. Lesson learnt- I can not use my dryer at full speed unless I want to blow London up.

Sight seeing in London was fun. There are many, many Bridges here. London Bridge itself isn't that great. Was a bit of a let down to be frank. It was tacky and just grey. The tower Bridge was 101 times better. On the walk back to the Hotel I came across another tourists having their photo taken- and of course I jumped in the photo with them. They weren't angry which worked well as I wasn't really wanting a punch to the face today. Maybe tomorrow..

Anyway, I must get ready to go see my grandmother the Queen. I shall speak soon

Until next time, xox

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Goodbye!

Today I leave my Friends, my Family, my Home and my Country- basically everything and everyone I've ever known and grown to love. On this day, Wednesday 26th of August 2015, I leave for my Dream: Europe! 

For five and a half amazing weeks I will be overseas exploring the lands I've spent years only dreaming and Googling about. I will be traveling completely alone to begin with- something that terrifies me as much as it excites me, but 3 days after landing in London I will be joining my Contiki and will no longer be by myself. Unless of course everyone on this tour decides they don't want to be my friend. In that case, then yes- they will have put Carissa in the corner. I doubt that will happen though. In the small chance it does I will just latch onto them and force my friendship upon them. 

Before this trip I had never done anything alone. Purely for the reason I have the worst memory and suck at directions. I kid you not. I used a GPS for the first three months of knowing my boyfriend, to get to his home. I should probably add his house is around 7minutes away from mine- with about 4 turns needed. On a positive note- I did go out for lunch by myself for the first time in my life a month ago- so I'm totally prepared to take on a whole new country solo. Lunch: Foreign Country- practically the same thing right? They both involve food anyway. 

One thing I have learnt after planning and organising this trip is I will Never be using a travel Agent again. Ever. I have never known a less organised bunch of professionals- in the end I was basically doing my Travel Agents job for her. Days would pass where I had phoned her and asked a question, and she still hadn't gotten back to me close to a week later. In the end it was me communicating with my airline and me organising my tickets to be sent to me. The only reason I used an agent to begin with was so she could price match the (already cheapest) flights I had found all on my own. In the end saving myself $60 which didn't end up being worth the stress she gave me. It may not be all Travel Agents- But Escape Travel in Ballina will never be getting my money again after this. 

On that note I am going to end this post- who am I kidding, I still have some packing to do and my flight leaves in 3 hours. 

Until my next destination,
xox

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