World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Thursday 8 June 2006
Highlights: Nothing (Travel Day)
Today has a travel day to Venice. Nothing very special except the campsite is great (I have a room to myself when I should be sharing) and I had my first Italian lasagne at the campsite (not that good actually).
Wednesday 7 June 2006
Highlights: Travel day watching the landscape change
Today was a travel day only going back to Munich for the last time before I return for the World Cup on 24 June 2006. Saw a good movie on the bus ‘The Transporter’ and luckily got to call my sister Kara and nephew Andrew (before his big tennis match).
Having been given a warning about how expensive Venice can be I did a supply run at a local cheap supermarket and I’m now set for the Italian leg of the trip (15 days!) which should be great.
Tuesday 6 June 2006
Highlights: Boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, Buying an iconic Swiss Army Knife
Today was a lazy relaxing day which started with a very big breakfast which was free with accommodation. This was followed with a idyllic boat cruise around Lake Lucerne with Jess and Shannon. The Swiss sure have some of the most scenic sites in Europe.
When Luke joined us later in the day we went shopping now that things were open and I found a great Swiss Army knife place which was on my must do while in Switzerland. The four of us then went to the Supermarket and we made a great dinner (rolls, chicken, salad, wine, soft drink and even a desert). Great people once again.
I also got a chance to speak to a few USA citizens while they are in Lucerne. Most USA backpackers only get 3-4 weeks maximum to see Europe which is a real shame.
Monday 5 June 2006
Highlights: Walking tour of Lucerne, The Lion of Lucerne
Early in the morning I had my last chance to take in the fresh air and amazing sights of Lauterbrunnen for the last time before the short bus ride to Lucerne.
During the bus trip to Lucerne I decided with Luke, Jess, and Shannon that we would explore together over the next 2 days. Unfortunately the hotel didn’t let us check into 3 pm so we all went down to the Central Train station to check out tourist information for inspiration.
With today being a public holiday so most things were closed however we did get to do a very good walking tour of Lucerne. The most moving monument here was the Lion of Lucerne with is to remember over 600 Swiss who died defending a castle. The lion is also dying which is unusual for a national monument.
As all 4 of us were very short on money we spent the night searching for a cheap eat, and finally found a very dark alley which sold kebabs, at one stage we asked about whether free water was included (I’m not kidding), yes real Aussie the backpackers were in town 🙂
Sunday 4 June 2006
Highlights: Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls
Today I headed off for a long hike around the Swiss mountains. The waterfalls were magnificent I even visited some inside a mountain. The weather wasn’t as good and the people going up to Jungfrajoch unfortunately missed out today.
Saturday 3 June 2006
Highlights: Train ride and sights at Top of Europe at Jungfrajoch
This place is just amazing the photos do no justice at all. Staying in a campsite for the first time I had a waterfall just outside my room. I stayed in a cabin with Luke (who I met in Bern) and Richie (NZ), each day we cooked a joint meal (Switzerland is very expensive). Luckily for me I got to go up to the ‘Top of Europe – Jungfrajoch’, which is the highest train station in Europe. The weather have this train trip cancelled the last few days apparently.
Friday 2 June 2006
Highlights: Exploring beautiful Bern
In the morning I explored the city again with Luke which mostly meant looking at some very nice buildings from the outside which include Einstein’s house while he lived in Bern.
Late in the afternoon I headed caught the BusAbout bus to Lauterbrunnen.
Thursday 1 June 2006
Highlights: Bear Pit of Bern, Cheap Beer
Today I met up with 2 young woman from the USA Ashlee and April and together with Luke we decided to exploring the city. First up we hired bikes to get around, best yet you got your money back when the bike was returned. I proved a bit of a klutz managing to crash my bike. This was very embarrassing especially after I helped the girls earlier and I mentioned my extensive bike riding experience 🙂
During the day we visited the Bern Bear Pit with houses several bears that basically do tricks for the crowd, it sounds bad and it is in many ways however I hope that they are very well looked after, at least they appeared to be healthy. We also found the status of an Ogre eating little children, so beware misbehaving children!
Later in the day we attended the opening of a bar which had an opening special allowing each patron one 2 for 1 beer purchase. Both Ashlee and April are Mormom’s and as a result don’t drink alcohol so they let us use their 2 for 1 specials which meant both Luke and me got to have 4 beers for the price of 2 and given the exchange rate this turned out to be almost the only reasonable purchase possible in Bern, and I expect Switzerland!
Wednesday 31 May 2006
Highlights: Arriving in beautiful Switzerland
Most of the day was in the bus but that allowed for looking at the beautiful Switzerland landscape. I did however meet a new friend in Luke who is from Australia and we both talked to lots of people at our new hostel including a local Swiss guy who had some interesting stories (and was concerned about drunken Australians to boot).
Tuesday 30 May 2006
Highlights: Arc de Triumph, Auguste Rodin’s House, Stunning night bike ride
I was a man on a mission today as this is my last chance in Paris to see some things I had missed last time so as soon as I arrived from Antwerp I was off exploring.
Nathan's Insights 