World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Tuesday 27 June 2006
Highlights: Beaches at Cannes
World famous Cannes has to be one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Undertaking a day train trip from Nice to this tourist town you could tell as you got closer how big difference to other cities this was in particular the wealth and beauty of the area.
The beaches actually had sand and many beautiful people, mostly women :). Cannes is famous for the Film Festival and this festival has obviously added greatly to the wealth in the area.
Monday 26 June 2006
Highlights: Expensive yachts, wealth of Monaco
Today I did a day trip on the train from Nice to Monaco which in some ways is a separate country but in others is part of France. They speak French but unlike most of this country this place was very clean i.e. no dog shit or rubbish on the ground.
You can buy citizenship to Monaco but it costs a hell of a lot, however the tax free haven still has the highest income per capita in the world. The yachts were obviously very expensive and magnificent and the beaches (again with pebbles not sand) had more beautiful people than Nice.
Another thing that tells you Monaco is different is there are not street vendors charging high prices for water, no you have to go to a cafe or restaurant and pay ransoms for the previously free gift of water. It should also be noted that Monaco has 1 policeman to every 23 residents, I think in Melbourne it is around 1 to somewhere in the thousands.
Due to a lack of numbers my tour of China has been cancelled. However all is not lost as I’m now doing a more hands on quicker tour of China called ‘China Explored’. The end result is I’ll be home a little earlier on 29 August now instead of 4 September; hopefully nobody is disappointed with this!
I also changed me plans so that I’ll arrive in Hong Kong one day earlier which will enable me to send some time with my mum who is taking a short holiday in Hong Kong.
Sunday 25 June 2006
Highlights: Promenade des Anglais
With almost everything shut in Munich I awoke to the sound of car horns that had not stopped all night the German’s had won last night and they didn’t want anyone to forget it. Taking a chance I didn’t buy the 9 euro ticket to the airport and I got away with it, well Europe owed me after Paris. The flight back to Nice was uneventful.
Starting in the early evening I walked down the famous Promenade des Anglais which is 6km of beach. Again the beach has rocks and pebbles instead of sand which I still find crazy.
Saturday 24 June 2006
Highlights: The World Cup Germany (2) v Sweden (Knock Out Stage)
Waking up very early (7.30 am) I got up after a sleepless night (due to the heat not concern about making the game) I had a very long shower since it’s the last for 36 hours. The hostel let me leave my bag, we’ll see if it is there when I get back! I ended up catching the right bus in the wrong direction 🙂 Once I realised I was finally on my way to the airport. In France airports they say they will explode any bags left unattended, I got to see that first hand today, they are not kidding.
Friday 23 June 2006
Highlights: Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy)
Today’s travel plan saw the bus stopping in Pisa for about 1.5 hours, to see the famous tower. I have never seen so many hawkers trying to sell stuff to tourist 😦 I’m glad I was not staying there. Still it was good to see the actual leaning tower in person instead of only a photo, and yes I tried to hold it up in a photo 🙂
Today’s bus was very full and while some people got off at La Spezia they were quickly replaced. This was the only time that everyone got back to the bus early during a break due to the extreme heat. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle China in August when the temperature averages 32!!!
Nice seems to be a good place, unfortunately they are building a new tram system so it is a bit of a mess. The beach is famous for good looking women. We drove pass Monaco and I think I’ll do a day trip to see how the rich live. Finally the hostel put me in a room of 8 people (instead of 6) with no air conditioning. I discussed this with reception but didn’t push the issue since they said I could leave my bag here tomorrow for 24 hours while I go to Munich (which is great). The night however was extremely humid so not too much sleep 😦
Thursday 22 June 2006
Highlights: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Piore, seeing Michelangelo’s David in person, Ponte Vecchio stone arch bridge
A hot and humid day. First however I learned that I would be seeing Germany versus Sweden in Munich on the 24 June, should be a great match.
Today I headed for the Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Piore) which they started building in 1294 and finished 150 years later (a long term job this one!). The outside is very beautiful which the inside doesn’t actually match unfortunately. I than moved onto Galleria dell Accademia to get a close look at Michelangelo’s David and it was worth the 90 minute wait to get in an see, it is a masterpiece and much more detailed than you would think.
I finished my day on the Ponte Vecchio looking at jewellery women would love but men would hate (the cost ooh!). By law (from 1600) only goldsmiths can trade on the bridge (previously meat markets etc).
Now I’m hoping to find a place to watch the Australia vs Croatia match tonight, go Australia!!!!
Wednesday 21 June 2006
Highlights: Galleria degli Uffizi Museum
Having survived the night (both hot and cold and a lot of noise) I set out late in the morning to explore for Florence by myself. I headed straight for the Galleria degli Uffizi which is has very famous works of art. Unfortunately I had to wait 2 hours to get in (which is unusual, it normally takes longer). The Museum was awesome.
The Louvre in Paris tries to overwhelm you with some many works of art, Uffizi just goes for the best. Some of the works I saw included: Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Annunciation’, Michelangelo’s ‘Holy Family’, Titian’s ‘Venus of Urbino’, Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ – everyone as seen a copy of this one, it’s magnificent, and works by Raphael.
The museum had a special exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci, the guy was brilliant. Using computer they are starting to understand his paintings, including just how precise they are and how he overlayed pictures on top of points or references and these references are very interesting. I learnt a lot; maybe I should have paid attention in class 🙂
Tuesday 20 June 2006
Highlights: Visiting Orvieto Town, Exploring Florence
BusAbout had a bonus stop at Orvieto a small and beautiful Tuscany town. The cathedral is stunning especially the 5 panels starting with heaven and moving down until the last panel shows hell.
Getting into Florence at around 3 pm we had an organised dinner and orientation walk. Unfortunately Florence today was around 36 degrees and very humid, the forecast is for more of the same. During the walk we got to see the Duomo (Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore), Palazzo degli Uffizi (home of the Galleria), we walked over Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge to survive WWII) and walked around Loggia della Signora (which is a square with copies of great sculptures like Michelangelo’s David).
Dinner was held at ‘The house of Sizzle’ with four courses; Bruschetta, plate of mixed pasta, grilled chicken & chips, and finally some great gelato.
A drink as also included for the 15 euro cost so it was a great deal (well for me anyway, all those who had the meat for their main course didn’t like it). The campsite is a little out of town and unfortunately the room doesn’t have air-conditioning (it was a long night, first very hot and at about 3 am very cold!!). We had a full bus today and Danny got left behind after losing the draw.
Monday 19 June 2006
Highlights: Relaxing at the campsite watching the World Cup and listening to music
Well today I spent the entire day either on the internet, at the pool or watching the world cup. Had a good night chatting with a few other BusAbout travellers and even watched the pub fire up with live music and backpackers dancing!
Nathan's Insights 