So been in barcelona since wednesday and its been great!!! Barcelona is soo much better than Italy!!!
Anyway after spending 4 hours at the Malpensa airport in Milan, Blyth and I boarded our Lufthansa flight to Barcelona. The best thing about the flight was the inflight magazine lol, everything else sucked but oh well it was only a 1.5 hour flight.
As soon as we arrived in Barcelona, it was already a full 360 to that of Italy; there were actual bright lights and a densely populated surrounding, something which Italy did not have! (around rome airport was barren farm land and mud lol). As soon as we departed the aeroplane we were impressed with the airport! It was full of shops and cafes and very modern! We took a cab to our hotel and wow... our hotel looked amazing!!!! After entering our room we felt like we were in Tokyo or somewhere in the future; it was beyond modern. The lights dimmed based on touch and we had a bang and olufsen tv. The shower had inbuilt storage for towels and shampoo and the bathroom had a modern telephone installed as did the bedroom. The back walls were tinted and had storage units for pillows and bedside tables!! It was amazing!! Free minibar and the elusive bathrobe and slippers set. Very impressed.
We went to the local shopping centre to stock up on some basics and were pleasantly suprised at how massive it was! Huge! especially the supermarket. It also had european staples of H&M and Zara.
The last couple of days we have done touristy things and seen all the major barcelonian sights. Barcelona is ridiculously beautiful and yet seemingly modern concurrently. The city centre is full of designer boutiques and hip, trendy stores. Food is also alot cheaper (€8.95 for a full buffet!) compared to Italy. Just overall a much better directed and funtioning country to Italy and i´m loving it!
Heading to Paris tomorrow night by train which should be uncomfortable but nevertheless interesting.
Hope the typical melbourne weather is going well!
xx
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
leaving italy!
So currently in Milan in an awesome hotel and going to the Malpensa airport in a couple of hours to head to Barcelona. Definately ready to leave Italy!!! Although i will miss Milan.
Since leaving Venice we arrived to Milan and took an express train from the centrale stazione to the airport where the hotel shuttle met us and took us to the hotel. We got a nice room, free mini bar with all the trimmings (champagne, beer, cokes, water and snacks) and a kettle!! so lots of coffee mm. It is soo much colder here in Milan than in Venice and it especially made it seem like Summer in rome!!
Yesterday after an amazing buffet breakfast, we headed into Milan central and it was bloody freezing! but we got gelati and then hit the shops! I must say the shops were amazing and the people were actually relatively good looking! (Rome had NO pretty ladies and venice was just as bad). Bought a pair of jeans mc hammer style and a pair of pants from zara. After a good lunch and gelati we did more shopping and sightseeing and then headed back to our hotel.
Now im pumped for spain! Sooo over italy! It will be good to get away after being here so long, the people are rude and basic amenities are so overpriced!
cannot wait to do some washing and wear clean clothes! Hope you are going well
xx
Since leaving Venice we arrived to Milan and took an express train from the centrale stazione to the airport where the hotel shuttle met us and took us to the hotel. We got a nice room, free mini bar with all the trimmings (champagne, beer, cokes, water and snacks) and a kettle!! so lots of coffee mm. It is soo much colder here in Milan than in Venice and it especially made it seem like Summer in rome!!
Yesterday after an amazing buffet breakfast, we headed into Milan central and it was bloody freezing! but we got gelati and then hit the shops! I must say the shops were amazing and the people were actually relatively good looking! (Rome had NO pretty ladies and venice was just as bad). Bought a pair of jeans mc hammer style and a pair of pants from zara. After a good lunch and gelati we did more shopping and sightseeing and then headed back to our hotel.
Now im pumped for spain! Sooo over italy! It will be good to get away after being here so long, the people are rude and basic amenities are so overpriced!
cannot wait to do some washing and wear clean clothes! Hope you are going well
xx
Saturday, November 21, 2009
still in Italia
So currently still in Venice Mestre but in a new hotel which is much better! the gym is still crap but they have massage chairs which are awesome!!
Saw Venice mainland over 2 days, got lost heaps because every alleyway was a different turn!! And there were a plethora of similar bridges adjoining various parts. Regardless it was beautiful and i must admit- i found the best gelati there. (and cheapest AND run by asians lol!!). Sachertorte flavour with actual cake bits in it... mm the best. Actually no i lied there is a better actual gelatatria in the Mestre square but that actual flavour is best.
There were also massive seagulls and a million pidgeons. Seriously pidgeons are the most annoying animals in the world. They follow you EVERYWHERE!!!!
Heading to Milan on Monday which should be interesting, but not really planning on seeing much of it (besides oggling at models and laughing at the ridiculous prices at the various couture flagship stores) as our hotel is adjacent to the airport.
Its strange how new habits have formed and a lifestyle has resumed- i wake up around 7.30-8 am and am usually in Bed by 9pm. This contrasts my melbourne habits of a bedtime close to 2 am. Also, its quite strange as my beverages consumed throughout the day are highly caffeinated (several cafe espressos, 1-2 fantas and a coke before bed lol).
Its intriuging how The Venice Mestre area is densely populated by elderly, Indians/pakistanis and also asians! So many asian restaurants and even an asian grocer (bought a massive pack of chilli flakes there!!). I wish we considered booking a serviced appartment, the frozen pasta meals here look amazing and are really cheap! Im starting to get sick of kebabs and pizza biancos.
Im excited for Barcelona as they seem to be much more chilled out and relaxed as opposed to my current Italian counterpart. Its actually quite humerous and impressive some of the feats these elderly Italians achieve. It is not rare to see a VERY elderly woman, riding a bicycle one handed and smoking a ciggerette in her free hand.
Anyway hope everyone is well, I watch BBC or CNN religiously (as it is the only english channel)and i hear there is extreme weather but an extreme cool change coming up? Hope you are all enjoying the sunlight whilst i endure 13 degree days (actually not that bad).
xoxo
Saw Venice mainland over 2 days, got lost heaps because every alleyway was a different turn!! And there were a plethora of similar bridges adjoining various parts. Regardless it was beautiful and i must admit- i found the best gelati there. (and cheapest AND run by asians lol!!). Sachertorte flavour with actual cake bits in it... mm the best. Actually no i lied there is a better actual gelatatria in the Mestre square but that actual flavour is best.
There were also massive seagulls and a million pidgeons. Seriously pidgeons are the most annoying animals in the world. They follow you EVERYWHERE!!!!
Heading to Milan on Monday which should be interesting, but not really planning on seeing much of it (besides oggling at models and laughing at the ridiculous prices at the various couture flagship stores) as our hotel is adjacent to the airport.
Its strange how new habits have formed and a lifestyle has resumed- i wake up around 7.30-8 am and am usually in Bed by 9pm. This contrasts my melbourne habits of a bedtime close to 2 am. Also, its quite strange as my beverages consumed throughout the day are highly caffeinated (several cafe espressos, 1-2 fantas and a coke before bed lol).
Its intriuging how The Venice Mestre area is densely populated by elderly, Indians/pakistanis and also asians! So many asian restaurants and even an asian grocer (bought a massive pack of chilli flakes there!!). I wish we considered booking a serviced appartment, the frozen pasta meals here look amazing and are really cheap! Im starting to get sick of kebabs and pizza biancos.
Im excited for Barcelona as they seem to be much more chilled out and relaxed as opposed to my current Italian counterpart. Its actually quite humerous and impressive some of the feats these elderly Italians achieve. It is not rare to see a VERY elderly woman, riding a bicycle one handed and smoking a ciggerette in her free hand.
Anyway hope everyone is well, I watch BBC or CNN religiously (as it is the only english channel)and i hear there is extreme weather but an extreme cool change coming up? Hope you are all enjoying the sunlight whilst i endure 13 degree days (actually not that bad).
xoxo
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Venice etc
Firstly i gotta say- My mum is the greatest! Today blyth n i did laundry and it was such a task lol, so difficult that we didnt even use washing detergent cos we didnt know how to use it! haha so i take things for granted!
so since my last blog i went to Placa di Roma or something, which was the third largest shopping centre in europe. It was quite big but not THAT big but the shops were beyond amazing. After telling myself not to buy anything until after the end of the trip i relented and bought a pair of jimmy choo mens leather boots. I didnt even know jimmy choo did mens footwear. Also, Zara and H&M are amazing!! So much nicer than clothing in Melbourne. Also, this seasons colour is purple. EVERY store was predominantly stocked with purple garments. So go buy purple things and be ahead of the times haha.
Sunday was our last full day in Rome so just got lunch near the trevi fountain and went to some flea market in Travestere which was ridiculously packed.
Yesterday (Monday) we took the train to Venice it took 6 hours or so and was boring but thats ok. lol.
We are staying at Venice Mestre (about 10 mins from Venice centre) and its quite a nice area, alot more modern than rome! Tomorrow off to check out historical venice so that should be good! Im getting abit overwhelmed by Italy so abit keen to relax abit from all the sightseeing!
Hope you all are well, going to try to put photos up soon xx
so since my last blog i went to Placa di Roma or something, which was the third largest shopping centre in europe. It was quite big but not THAT big but the shops were beyond amazing. After telling myself not to buy anything until after the end of the trip i relented and bought a pair of jimmy choo mens leather boots. I didnt even know jimmy choo did mens footwear. Also, Zara and H&M are amazing!! So much nicer than clothing in Melbourne. Also, this seasons colour is purple. EVERY store was predominantly stocked with purple garments. So go buy purple things and be ahead of the times haha.
Sunday was our last full day in Rome so just got lunch near the trevi fountain and went to some flea market in Travestere which was ridiculously packed.
Yesterday (Monday) we took the train to Venice it took 6 hours or so and was boring but thats ok. lol.
We are staying at Venice Mestre (about 10 mins from Venice centre) and its quite a nice area, alot more modern than rome! Tomorrow off to check out historical venice so that should be good! Im getting abit overwhelmed by Italy so abit keen to relax abit from all the sightseeing!
Hope you all are well, going to try to put photos up soon xx
Friday, November 13, 2009
bye bye historical scene, hello outer surburbia!
so been busy last couple of days.
went to the vatican city, it was huge and amazing!! then went to the sistine chapel and those museums paid €14 for entry and after an hour i got so over it! every room looked the same! but still amazing! and it was packed with people. I wasnt allowed to wear a hat inside so the romans suffered my greasy hair. Lol, on the way to the museum there was this window and a pope lookalike was in it clapping so i clapped back and waved. my highlight of the day lol.
Also went to some shopping centre which was abit bare but was interesting using the roman transport system! So much cheaper than melbourne! €1 allows u 75 minutes journey!
On Friday we changed hotels so no longer in the heart of historical rome but in the outer suburbs and its insane how much it reminds me of my mums city in Iran! literally same landscape and shop formations and also a massive, quaint park in the centre.
The current hotel is nice, has free internet and i just finished a huge buffet breakfast! score, save on food for the day. This couple were putting custard croissants in their bags! lol, i hope it opens up and spills. The hotel has a gym but its so crap, has 1 treadmill and a chest press, and this sit up thing and i fell off it. And the treadmill didnàt even work.
Anyway off to this shopping centre today which is the third largest in Europe! (apparently. the hotel concierge named mario told us that, but he was this moody, grumpy guy so maybe he lied to us) We can only get there by taxi but its only 10 mins away so il wait till the nice concierge lady comes back. Moody mario will probably tell the taxi to take a scenic route or something.
Hope you all are well and are loving the weather, our only english tv channel BBC tells me its 35 degrees etc. Its actually good here in Rome, 21 but still would prefer it warmer.
xx
went to the vatican city, it was huge and amazing!! then went to the sistine chapel and those museums paid €14 for entry and after an hour i got so over it! every room looked the same! but still amazing! and it was packed with people. I wasnt allowed to wear a hat inside so the romans suffered my greasy hair. Lol, on the way to the museum there was this window and a pope lookalike was in it clapping so i clapped back and waved. my highlight of the day lol.
Also went to some shopping centre which was abit bare but was interesting using the roman transport system! So much cheaper than melbourne! €1 allows u 75 minutes journey!
On Friday we changed hotels so no longer in the heart of historical rome but in the outer suburbs and its insane how much it reminds me of my mums city in Iran! literally same landscape and shop formations and also a massive, quaint park in the centre.
The current hotel is nice, has free internet and i just finished a huge buffet breakfast! score, save on food for the day. This couple were putting custard croissants in their bags! lol, i hope it opens up and spills. The hotel has a gym but its so crap, has 1 treadmill and a chest press, and this sit up thing and i fell off it. And the treadmill didnàt even work.
Anyway off to this shopping centre today which is the third largest in Europe! (apparently. the hotel concierge named mario told us that, but he was this moody, grumpy guy so maybe he lied to us) We can only get there by taxi but its only 10 mins away so il wait till the nice concierge lady comes back. Moody mario will probably tell the taxi to take a scenic route or something.
Hope you all are well and are loving the weather, our only english tv channel BBC tells me its 35 degrees etc. Its actually good here in Rome, 21 but still would prefer it warmer.
xx
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
wrap up so far
soo since my last blog i have been to the colosseum, trevi fountain, some ruins near the colosseum, pantheon, spanish steps and of course my hang out, the termini stazione.
colosseum was awesome, though when we went there there was 2 guards in costume who were so friendly and offered to pose with us and then after demanded 5 euro!!! i was like.. i only have 2 cents and then he was like no no no then made me delete the pictures! oh well stupid con man shouldnt offer it sneakily! anyway colosseum was amazing! not as big as a pictured it but the roman forum was huge (next to it). after it we saw the stupid costume man again and he said "hello freaks" lol. tosspot.
anyway after that got gelati again. thats been my main item of consumption, i am never eating gelati in melbourne again! the flavours here are unreal i had creme caramel, trifle, banana, bacio, cappacino and nutella and creame flavours its nothing like melbournes ones, it actually has the stuff in it! like creme caramel swirls and bits of nuts and jelly. mm time for more after this blog
been loving the coffee aswell, its funny how whenever i order une caffe espresso they ask me if i want it cafe americane. no i like it the italian way ,)
today went to trevi fountain, pantheon and spanish steps, they were all abit overrated, but wentr past all the shops................ it took so much willpower not to buy stuff, went to zara aswell- im gonna spend every last cent i have there (and on gelati)
anyway hope everything in melbourne is going well for u all! time for une cafe espresso and maybe my fourth gelati for the day... even though its only 1pm :P
xx
colosseum was awesome, though when we went there there was 2 guards in costume who were so friendly and offered to pose with us and then after demanded 5 euro!!! i was like.. i only have 2 cents and then he was like no no no then made me delete the pictures! oh well stupid con man shouldnt offer it sneakily! anyway colosseum was amazing! not as big as a pictured it but the roman forum was huge (next to it). after it we saw the stupid costume man again and he said "hello freaks" lol. tosspot.
anyway after that got gelati again. thats been my main item of consumption, i am never eating gelati in melbourne again! the flavours here are unreal i had creme caramel, trifle, banana, bacio, cappacino and nutella and creame flavours its nothing like melbournes ones, it actually has the stuff in it! like creme caramel swirls and bits of nuts and jelly. mm time for more after this blog
been loving the coffee aswell, its funny how whenever i order une caffe espresso they ask me if i want it cafe americane. no i like it the italian way ,)
today went to trevi fountain, pantheon and spanish steps, they were all abit overrated, but wentr past all the shops................ it took so much willpower not to buy stuff, went to zara aswell- im gonna spend every last cent i have there (and on gelati)
anyway hope everything in melbourne is going well for u all! time for une cafe espresso and maybe my fourth gelati for the day... even though its only 1pm :P
xx
Monday, November 9, 2009
romeeeee
So finally in Rome! our second full day here. the weather is like a girl going through puberty- one second its nice and sunny the next second its a bitchin cold.
forgot to say in my previous post that our aeroplane to rome was double decker!!! how cool we were on the top but made no real difference.
our hotel in rome is small and our drain was stuck and after like 4 people coming and checking it out we FINALLY got it fixed. geeze these people are slow. the guy who owns the hotel is indian lololol. he couldnt even tell us a good gelati place! not that we really should have asked as there is a PLETHORA of them!!! soooo good, so much better than fritz!!!!
Yesterday we went to the basilica and walked around randomly, and tomorrow hopefully going to the colosseum and the other old things around it lol.
Italian TV = crap! and the only english chanenel is CNN and they repeat their stories so many times! oh well we didnt come here for the TV. went to the supermarket and i got told off cos i didnt weigh the stuff and stick a price tag on it. how was i supposed to know! so many street stalls of people selling fake bags etc! and "real" leather shoes for 8 euro.
anyway il maybe blog again tomorrow hope u r all well!! missing the melb weather, as i hear its 35 degrees!
forgot to say in my previous post that our aeroplane to rome was double decker!!! how cool we were on the top but made no real difference.
our hotel in rome is small and our drain was stuck and after like 4 people coming and checking it out we FINALLY got it fixed. geeze these people are slow. the guy who owns the hotel is indian lololol. he couldnt even tell us a good gelati place! not that we really should have asked as there is a PLETHORA of them!!! soooo good, so much better than fritz!!!!
Yesterday we went to the basilica and walked around randomly, and tomorrow hopefully going to the colosseum and the other old things around it lol.
Italian TV = crap! and the only english chanenel is CNN and they repeat their stories so many times! oh well we didnt come here for the TV. went to the supermarket and i got told off cos i didnt weigh the stuff and stick a price tag on it. how was i supposed to know! so many street stalls of people selling fake bags etc! and "real" leather shoes for 8 euro.
anyway il maybe blog again tomorrow hope u r all well!! missing the melb weather, as i hear its 35 degrees!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
ALMOST halfway there
Currently in singapore airport!! its huge!!! lol, got my hand luggage checked at melb airport. though there wasnt anyhting illegal in it. except 2 apples.
flight melb- singapore was good, albeit congested. their entertainment system is awesome though!! can watch whatever uwant whenever uwant! and they have everything! u can even watch the plane (notmuch fun).
there was this little baby sitting near us so i was sticking my tongue out at him and playing those sillykiddy games and then the damn kid greased me off and snubbed me! so i then greased him back and prayed his bobthe buildertoy would break.
:)
ok enough of this free singapore internet!
till next blog!
flight melb- singapore was good, albeit congested. their entertainment system is awesome though!! can watch whatever uwant whenever uwant! and they have everything! u can even watch the plane (notmuch fun).
there was this little baby sitting near us so i was sticking my tongue out at him and playing those sillykiddy games and then the damn kid greased me off and snubbed me! so i then greased him back and prayed his bobthe buildertoy would break.
:)
ok enough of this free singapore internet!
till next blog!
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