Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Blessed
I'm done whinging about coming home. I am blessed beyond belief to have had this incredible opportunity. I'm returning refreshed to the people I love after seeing and experiencing that which will change me forever. I am grateful. My disasters have been small in the scheme of things – my clothes turned blue, the volcano extended my time in Brussels, my time in Rome was cut short, I lost a lot of things but found all but my saucepan. I have met incredible people and made some lifelong friends, I have eaten my way around the continent, I have seen places I heard about as a kid and imagined one day visiting, I had wonderful visitors from home come over and I graduated university in Vienna, Austria. God is good. Here I come Sydney.... it’s been awhile.
From Mykonos, Em and I jumped on a boat (after a stressful disgruntlement with the hotel) headed for the island of Santorini.( I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the hair I may or may not have ripped from Emma’s head during this journey). We expected it to look exactly as it did in the movie, ‘Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants’ and we were pretty thrilled when we realised it did just that. This island is literally perched atop cliffs, making the views all over the island sensational. We spent our first night at Oia for the world famous sunset. It truly was spectacular and hundreds of people lined the headland for the 9pm display. I had souvlaki for dinner on a balcony that hung out over the cliff.... beautiful.
We turned to the blessed quad bikes for another 24 hours of joy. Over the next days we visited two of the black beaches (the sand was blisteringly hot), got massages on the beach, saw another sunrise, visited a local winery (called Canava Rousos), explored Fira Town, sat in a church service of the Dominican Nuns, admired the views from many places and spent an afternoon in Pyrgos. This town is on the inland of the island and we climbed the stairs up to the castle (don’t think Roman castle – it was more like a church) and wow – the views were crazy wonderful. On our way back down we had a moment with a Greek grandpa – he had us sit on his donkey for a photo and we bought some home-grown tomatoes and house wine from him. For dinner we delved into some of Santorini’s specialties – stuffed tomatoes, grilled eggplant, tzatziki and a big greek salad. We saw the sunset again and collapsed in bed shortly after.
---- Side note: Quote Emma, “If I was a homeless person I’d save up and buy a portable DVD player.”
After beaching on what was meant to be our final day, we were exhausted by late afternoon. We decided to head back home for beer, souvlaki, wine, a cheese platter and ice-cream (some of these stages involved separate supermarket runs). We were awoken sometime after midnight by the strapping young Matthew Newey. Emi wisely opted for sleep while we went for cocktails at a bar with views over the caldera. Sleep happened sometime after that.
The next day DID NOT GO TO PLAN. We arrived at the airport to news that our flight had been cancelled due to our strike and we happened to fall within those four hours where no plane could fly out. We were told the earliest flight would be the following day. This made us a little distressed at the thought of one less day to see Rome but we headed off to a new hotel for the night. The upside was this hotel (while very out of town) had a swimming pool on the cliffs. We ate lots, swam and sunbaked, discover the joy that is our new favourite TV show, ‘Cougar Town’, then for dinner we went into town for a meal thanks to Aegean Airlines. We had a hilarious waiter who spoke to us in his best ‘loudspeaker voice’ as he brought us our food, “Here is your cappuccino courtesy of Aegan Airlines” and “This is for the passenger of Aegan Airlines”. It was just the joking we needed. We ordered up big – drinks, pizzas, crepes for dessert. We rolled into bed ready for attempt two in getting to Rome in the morning.
Our trip was much more successful second time around, although you still must take into account our early taxi pick up, the six hour wait in Athens, being practically strip searched because I kept beeping, arriving late in Rome, standing in a queue for train tickets in 30+ degree heat, a half hour delay on the train to Rome, paying double for our train tickets as there was only express trains late at night, a long walk from the train to the hotel, finding out our reservation was cancelled because we were a ‘no show’ (even though we had called the hotel the previous day) and being moved to another hotel awhile away. It was a long, long day. We found takeaway pizza and happily fell asleep in our tiny bed ready for the adventures in Rome that were ahead...
We turned to the blessed quad bikes for another 24 hours of joy. Over the next days we visited two of the black beaches (the sand was blisteringly hot), got massages on the beach, saw another sunrise, visited a local winery (called Canava Rousos), explored Fira Town, sat in a church service of the Dominican Nuns, admired the views from many places and spent an afternoon in Pyrgos. This town is on the inland of the island and we climbed the stairs up to the castle (don’t think Roman castle – it was more like a church) and wow – the views were crazy wonderful. On our way back down we had a moment with a Greek grandpa – he had us sit on his donkey for a photo and we bought some home-grown tomatoes and house wine from him. For dinner we delved into some of Santorini’s specialties – stuffed tomatoes, grilled eggplant, tzatziki and a big greek salad. We saw the sunset again and collapsed in bed shortly after.---- Side note: Quote Emma, “If I was a homeless person I’d save up and buy a portable DVD player.”
After beaching on what was meant to be our final day, we were exhausted by late afternoon. We decided to head back home for beer, souvlaki, wine, a cheese platter and ice-cream (some of these stages involved separate supermarket runs). We were awoken sometime after midnight by the strapping young Matthew Newey. Emi wisely opted for sleep while we went for cocktails at a bar with views over the caldera. Sleep happened sometime after that.
The next day DID NOT GO TO PLAN. We arrived at the airport to news that our flight had been cancelled due to our strike and we happened to fall within those four hours where no plane could fly out. We were told the earliest flight would be the following day. This made us a little distressed at the thought of one less day to see Rome but we headed off to a new hotel for the night. The upside was this hotel (while very out of town) had a swimming pool on the cliffs. We ate lots, swam and sunbaked, discover the joy that is our new favourite TV show, ‘Cougar Town’, then for dinner we went into town for a meal thanks to Aegean Airlines. We had a hilarious waiter who spoke to us in his best ‘loudspeaker voice’ as he brought us our food, “Here is your cappuccino courtesy of Aegan Airlines” and “This is for the passenger of Aegan Airlines”. It was just the joking we needed. We ordered up big – drinks, pizzas, crepes for dessert. We rolled into bed ready for attempt two in getting to Rome in the morning.
Our trip was much more successful second time around, although you still must take into account our early taxi pick up, the six hour wait in Athens, being practically strip searched because I kept beeping, arriving late in Rome, standing in a queue for train tickets in 30+ degree heat, a half hour delay on the train to Rome, paying double for our train tickets as there was only express trains late at night, a long walk from the train to the hotel, finding out our reservation was cancelled because we were a ‘no show’ (even though we had called the hotel the previous day) and being moved to another hotel awhile away. It was a long, long day. We found takeaway pizza and happily fell asleep in our tiny bed ready for the adventures in Rome that were ahead...
Monday, July 26, 2010
In Paradise... Hello Mykonos
This place is a dream... Just as you don’t think it can get any better, along comes this...
--- Side note: highlight of plane trip here – I quote random frustrated father on plane at a high volume – “Will you please just stop picking your nose!!”
In four days we adventured on our 4 wheeler (we were told by the rental woman we would die on a motorbike – she didn’t seem to believe I had driven one before) to six beaches – each different but all pristine, we had smoothies brought to us as we laid on beanbags at Panormos Beach, we laid by our hotel pool which happened to have views right over Mykonos Town (this was the location of our “knee-off” on the lifesaving rings and Emma’s juvenile comment, “Imagine if you were a mermaid and you just got legs”), we ate immeasurable amounts of pita souvlaki and greek gelato (particularly the white chocolate flavour), argued over the lyrics to ‘Hero’ by Enrique Iglesias, we got extremely lost winding through the whitewashed streets of Mykonos Town on our last night, we drank cocktails on the balcony of a bar that hung out over the ocean and we simply caught up on life – joys, hopes and dreams (all that important stuff).
Our hotel was simply gorgeous (despite being at the top of a distressingly steep hill and the jerk manager who Emma kicked in the face with her newfound mermaid legs) and it really added to the delights of our stay. But seriously let me just come back to hills – they were painful. Like one time at Super Paradise Beach when the hill was too steep so our bike got stuck half way so I had to walk up it in the hot July sun while Em scootered up– rude I know.
Speedos, t-shirt, bum bag – a look only encouraged in Mykonos. That seemed to be a common theme here. However, if that is too much coverage for you feel free to just go nude – I indulged – jokes aye mum.
Now I should probably make a little mention of Emma Storey who is under the impression that she is the funniest person to ever walk the planet. Not only that she has an obsession with biceps (her own) – I quote – “I’m really into them” as she gazes at them in adoration. We’re getting along... I guess. She’s a little bit of a ‘Sensitive Susan’ and can’t really handle my sense of humour but fortunately she is coming around.
--- Side note: highlight of plane trip here – I quote random frustrated father on plane at a high volume – “Will you please just stop picking your nose!!”
In four days we adventured on our 4 wheeler (we were told by the rental woman we would die on a motorbike – she didn’t seem to believe I had driven one before) to six beaches – each different but all pristine, we had smoothies brought to us as we laid on beanbags at Panormos Beach, we laid by our hotel pool which happened to have views right over Mykonos Town (this was the location of our “knee-off” on the lifesaving rings and Emma’s juvenile comment, “Imagine if you were a mermaid and you just got legs”), we ate immeasurable amounts of pita souvlaki and greek gelato (particularly the white chocolate flavour), argued over the lyrics to ‘Hero’ by Enrique Iglesias, we got extremely lost winding through the whitewashed streets of Mykonos Town on our last night, we drank cocktails on the balcony of a bar that hung out over the ocean and we simply caught up on life – joys, hopes and dreams (all that important stuff).
Our hotel was simply gorgeous (despite being at the top of a distressingly steep hill and the jerk manager who Emma kicked in the face with her newfound mermaid legs) and it really added to the delights of our stay. But seriously let me just come back to hills – they were painful. Like one time at Super Paradise Beach when the hill was too steep so our bike got stuck half way so I had to walk up it in the hot July sun while Em scootered up– rude I know.
Speedos, t-shirt, bum bag – a look only encouraged in Mykonos. That seemed to be a common theme here. However, if that is too much coverage for you feel free to just go nude – I indulged – jokes aye mum.
Now I should probably make a little mention of Emma Storey who is under the impression that she is the funniest person to ever walk the planet. Not only that she has an obsession with biceps (her own) – I quote – “I’m really into them” as she gazes at them in adoration. We’re getting along... I guess. She’s a little bit of a ‘Sensitive Susan’ and can’t really handle my sense of humour but fortunately she is coming around.
Onwards to Athens
We finally left Vienna behind (after blistering our hands severely wheeling my 40kg suitcase to cargo to be shipped home at an expense of 230€) on a plane to the capital of Greece, ATHENS! We checked into the hotel and went to jump in the lift but unfortunately it was a little small for the two of us with our backpacks. Rather than taking turns it was deemed the better option to have my face smashed against the mirror at the back of the elevator and Emma jamming the old school door. Luckily we took a breath in and we made it up to our floor in one piece. I felt like I was in heaven staying in a hotel rather than a hostel! We went and explored – shopped a bit, saw the changing of the guards at Parliament House and had a delicious Greek meal (Em digs Moussaka).
Day two started with a slight dilemma. Tired we decided to make the most of every minute of sleep but unfortunately forgot to account for the hour time difference from Vienna. We ran down to breakfast fearing we would starve, making it JUST in time. We later decided to take on the whole city – we went to the Ancient Agora ruins, the Acropolis and saw the grand Pantheon, the New Acropolis Museum and in the afternoon went up the funicular railway to the top of Lycabettus Hill and sat taking in the incredible views. Our Athens experience was topped off with an evening at the open air cinema in the National Gardens and what better movie to see than Twilight 3. We laughed and appreciated it a little too much. Athens was marvelous!
Day two started with a slight dilemma. Tired we decided to make the most of every minute of sleep but unfortunately forgot to account for the hour time difference from Vienna. We ran down to breakfast fearing we would starve, making it JUST in time. We later decided to take on the whole city – we went to the Ancient Agora ruins, the Acropolis and saw the grand Pantheon, the New Acropolis Museum and in the afternoon went up the funicular railway to the top of Lycabettus Hill and sat taking in the incredible views. Our Athens experience was topped off with an evening at the open air cinema in the National Gardens and what better movie to see than Twilight 3. We laughed and appreciated it a little too much. Athens was marvelous!
Emma Jayne at Long Last Arrives in my World
Saturday June 26th my best friend finally arrived on my side of the planet. It was a really good day...
I took Em for a picnic at Belvedere Palace and we viewed the art collection – most famously Gustav Klimt’s largest display in the world. We then walked past the opera, shopped in some of my fave shops, walked around Stephansplatz and met up with a bunch of friends at the greatest schnitty joint in town – such a happy day.
Day 2 was of a gigantic scale – we went with all the funnest kids of exchange – Nikki (& lover), Matt (& sister), Shan, Heather and Sabrina, on a wine tasting bike tour in the Wachau Valley (a region protected as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, full of stunning baroque architecture, atmospheric towns, vineyards and orchards). Some would say it was a result of the wine that Matt and later Emma crashed into the road work barriers (they have denied the claim and continue to blame other contributing factors). We went from town to town sampling wines, liqueurs, chocolates, jams and spreads and had a fantastic Austrian BBQ lunch. We spent time by the Danube and climbed (more like trekked) to the top of the castle ruins in Dürnstein (this is where Richard the Lionhart, King of England – of the famous Robin Hood, was kept prisoner for years at a ransom of a ransom of 30 tons of silver and gold). The views = sensational, the hike up there = exhausting. It was such a lovely ‘last hurrah’ with everyone and the sad goodbyes began that night. I finally had to say goodbye to Nikki as we sat on the rooftop eating kebabs. I will miss my cooking buddy and neighbour greatly.
Em and I had our final day in Vienna checking out all the buildings we hadn’t yet seen, having dinner at my favourite restaurant in Vienna during the pm with a whole bunch of friends and finished the night at Ride Club. This was perhaps not what Em had expected but we happily danced the night away before the final goodbyes were said and done.
In some kind of attempt to summarise my time in Vienna, here’s a mention of some of those that made this semester a joy....
Nikki – the sweet and perfect but really somewhat sarcastic and fun Canadian
Matt – my substitute brother and last minute coffee friend
Lydia – the crazy, beautiful, full of life American
Heather – my Spain companion and extraordinary cook
Shan – the inappropriate, yet hilarious girl from Perth
Robbie – the argument starter but the one who was always there for a genuine conversation
I took Em for a picnic at Belvedere Palace and we viewed the art collection – most famously Gustav Klimt’s largest display in the world. We then walked past the opera, shopped in some of my fave shops, walked around Stephansplatz and met up with a bunch of friends at the greatest schnitty joint in town – such a happy day.
Day 2 was of a gigantic scale – we went with all the funnest kids of exchange – Nikki (& lover), Matt (& sister), Shan, Heather and Sabrina, on a wine tasting bike tour in the Wachau Valley (a region protected as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, full of stunning baroque architecture, atmospheric towns, vineyards and orchards). Some would say it was a result of the wine that Matt and later Emma crashed into the road work barriers (they have denied the claim and continue to blame other contributing factors). We went from town to town sampling wines, liqueurs, chocolates, jams and spreads and had a fantastic Austrian BBQ lunch. We spent time by the Danube and climbed (more like trekked) to the top of the castle ruins in Dürnstein (this is where Richard the Lionhart, King of England – of the famous Robin Hood, was kept prisoner for years at a ransom of a ransom of 30 tons of silver and gold). The views = sensational, the hike up there = exhausting. It was such a lovely ‘last hurrah’ with everyone and the sad goodbyes began that night. I finally had to say goodbye to Nikki as we sat on the rooftop eating kebabs. I will miss my cooking buddy and neighbour greatly.
Em and I had our final day in Vienna checking out all the buildings we hadn’t yet seen, having dinner at my favourite restaurant in Vienna during the pm with a whole bunch of friends and finished the night at Ride Club. This was perhaps not what Em had expected but we happily danced the night away before the final goodbyes were said and done.
In some kind of attempt to summarise my time in Vienna, here’s a mention of some of those that made this semester a joy....Nikki – the sweet and perfect but really somewhat sarcastic and fun Canadian
Matt – my substitute brother and last minute coffee friend
Lydia – the crazy, beautiful, full of life American
Heather – my Spain companion and extraordinary cook
Shan – the inappropriate, yet hilarious girl from Perth
Robbie – the argument starter but the one who was always there for a genuine conversation
Final Days in Vienna
I guess it was inevitable that my time in Vienna would come to an end but it’s the fact it snuck up on me and caught me by surprise that I hate the most. By this point in my trip I thought I would be ready to go home, feeling homesick, over the responsibilities of living alone, missing friends and family like crazy and ready to return to the routine of home. Now while some of these things are true, most are not. I could live here forever, but since this isn’t the case, I’ll write this post reliving the final glorious moments of the semester of a lifetime (dramatic much?)....
After arriving home from Spain I launched straight into the study. I had a day and a little bit to get through a semester’s worth of work so it wasn’t easy. On June 23, I became a university graduate – yes, a graduate – at long last. Now what better way to celebrate than to watch Australia beat Serbia in the World Cup at the Aussie Pub (a place I did actually swear I would never visit)? We had a great night and winded up at a microbrewery called 1915 and we were at long last introduced to the love of Nikki Halliwell’s life.
The following days were a mix of trying to catch up with everyone I knew, recovering from a nasty cold, packing up my life and all the bits and pieces this entails. I also went on the opera tour as I figured I’d been to so many ballets it was about time I saw what goes on behind the scenes. This led to a walk up Kärntner Straβe where I shopped much more than I should’ve and the discovery of an outdoor pool that literally floats on the canal where Shannon and I whiled away the afternoon. After dinner we visited the famous coffee house, ‘Cafe Central’, where the likes of Freud and Beethoven pondered life under the vaulted ceilings and baroque architecture. The highlight of the week however, had to be the Donauinselfest – Europe’s biggest outdoor festival. Being Heather’s big two-one we started the day with a champagne breakfast with all the girls then headed to the festival where we picnicked by the various stages, played games with blow up balls, won ‘I Love Vienna’ t-shirts, bought ridiculous bright blue sunglasses that are only acceptable when worn at a festival and we reminisced upon our months together. It was so hard to believe that a day we had talked about that had always seemed so far off was finally here....
After arriving home from Spain I launched straight into the study. I had a day and a little bit to get through a semester’s worth of work so it wasn’t easy. On June 23, I became a university graduate – yes, a graduate – at long last. Now what better way to celebrate than to watch Australia beat Serbia in the World Cup at the Aussie Pub (a place I did actually swear I would never visit)? We had a great night and winded up at a microbrewery called 1915 and we were at long last introduced to the love of Nikki Halliwell’s life.
The following days were a mix of trying to catch up with everyone I knew, recovering from a nasty cold, packing up my life and all the bits and pieces this entails. I also went on the opera tour as I figured I’d been to so many ballets it was about time I saw what goes on behind the scenes. This led to a walk up Kärntner Straβe where I shopped much more than I should’ve and the discovery of an outdoor pool that literally floats on the canal where Shannon and I whiled away the afternoon. After dinner we visited the famous coffee house, ‘Cafe Central’, where the likes of Freud and Beethoven pondered life under the vaulted ceilings and baroque architecture. The highlight of the week however, had to be the Donauinselfest – Europe’s biggest outdoor festival. Being Heather’s big two-one we started the day with a champagne breakfast with all the girls then headed to the festival where we picnicked by the various stages, played games with blow up balls, won ‘I Love Vienna’ t-shirts, bought ridiculous bright blue sunglasses that are only acceptable when worn at a festival and we reminisced upon our months together. It was so hard to believe that a day we had talked about that had always seemed so far off was finally here....
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