My big adventure-Girls Trip - Greater London, United Kingdom
Greater London, United Kingdom
Today is the 15/2/14 and I have 9 weeks before my trip to UK with my bestie Elizabeth Ladi (hopefully we will have time to see Paris, Hungary and Italy). It all starts on the 20th of April 2014 as Liz and I fly out at 10.55pm and will need to be airport at 7.30pm. So much to organise, so far have managed to get international license, brought plane tickets & booked our first stop in London. 10/3/14 we are now staying with Liz's cousin in London which should be fun. Have also booked spaceship (van) we will be travelling round UK in. Alyse Wood (new CSR) has spoken to her brother and will see if he can get us a 20%2525 di scount which would be great! It's now only 6 weeks to trip and getting so excited. I have spent up big at Kathmandu to ensure I stay warm :) and brought some thing to help save space in my case. I have done a practise pack to see if I can get everything into my medium sized case and surprised myself with what will fit! 20/3/14 just over 4 weeks till we fly out. Can't believe how fast the time is flying. Have to say I have brought a few more things from Kathmandu (at this rate I should have shares). Also down loaded apps on phone for world clocks, converters, translator etc just in case. Still can't believe where I will be shortly :) 30/3/14 now officially unemployed and 3 weeks before we leave.... Still a few things to organise like contacting banks etc but love the fact I am not tied to work at present. So looking forward to embarking on one of my dreams 20/4/14 it's take off day! Can't believe how quick it has come about. Packing was a challenge to get everything in (& cull to make it fit). Well off to pickup Liz to go to airport :) 21/4/14 have arrived, flight was good but long. Glad stop over was very short at Doha 28C at 6 in the morning! Now at Kristina's (Liz's cuz) she has her daughter Valentina here from Serbia which is good for Liz to meet. She lives in shared house so has a room but shares kitchen and bathroom... What a day! Landed at 1.30ish but didn't leave airport till 4pm, we had cuppa & checked out sims etc... One staff member even saying "haven't you girls left yet?"..... ATM almost ate my cash card at the airport, seems the second card is not setup properly. Also my phone is stilled locked so can't use, need to buy another phone! Been on tube & a double decker bus (not up stairs that's still on list to do) next time I am going to pack lighter as dragging case up and down stairs is not fun! So far it's is living up to my expectations... The houses, gardens etc. 5 Beckway St, Walworth Se171QS 22/4/14 slept ok woke a few times but think that's just getting into swing of time zones. Big day today of sightseeing. Started with breakfast at pret in Tooley St, then to see the Shard, Southwark Cathedral, Golden Hinder II, walked along Thames to London Bridge, City Hall, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, Tower of London. Somewhere on our walk and the million stairs you are either going up or down in this case going up, Liz was pushing me up by the butt then stopped but I continued to try to go faster but tripped on my own feet and fell on steps halting all foot traffic! Was not embarrassed at all.... Lucky for my boots as they saved my shins. Caught up with Liz's Cousin Aaron for lunch again at a Pret, went to The Monument ant climbed all 311 up also paying £4 for the privilege.... I struggled going up but coming back down we were saying how easier it is and I made the comment "I like going down" to which I immediately regretted but had us all laughing and some other tourists for a while! Was hard but worth the view. Next we continued walk along Thames to the Millennium Bridge where we also seen Shakespeare's Globe. Continued to St Paul's Cathedral, back down to Thames to see Blackfrairs Bridge, HQS Wellington, Warterloo Bridge, Cleopatra's Needle, Golden Jubilee Bridge, London Eye (still to ride) then to Westminister Bridge to see Big Ben and the Abbey (again still to go in) then back home to drop gear (Liz cracked it on bus home cause I wouldn't ask drive directions but got over it quickly enough) before setting off to see Aaron preform at the The Lions Den comedy club ( again missed step after going to loo and almost face planted but some how did a funny run to regain balance... Sure it looked quite funny)at Piccadilly Circus (need to go back at night to take pic's) then home for sleep as it was a big day of walking. Also rode bus and sat at top but want to do a longer ride! 23/4/14 today took tube to Warwick Ave to go to Abbey Rd to get iconic pic walking across the pedestrian crossing! While walking we came across Lords Cricket Ground so went and had a bit off a look In the souvenir shop (brought dad a stubby holder for £5. Once we got to Abbey Rd we even splurged and paid a photographer £6 (my share) to get us both in same pic. From there we saw Abbey Studio and went to St John's Wood Collectables shop in Violet Hill that sold Beatles souvenirs (brought 2 postcards for £1.50. On our way back stopped at Roul's on Lanark Place for a rest and a cup of tea (Liz cracked it with me again for not asking directions but all ok). Once refreshed headed back to Elephant & Castle station where we had dinner at Wetherspoons for a very nice chicken tiki marsala. Finally Tescos for some breakfast items then home for an early night. Liz needs to rest knee as really playing up today and she has limped through half of today :(. 24/4/14 out for day with Kristina & Valentina for walk along Thames (on other side of river) to see skate park and graffiti, visits to gardens, then for some shopping in Oxford St (got dongle). Stopped for lunch at Garfunkels then to Camden for a bit more shopping (something for Bai, nieces and nephews & even Mum) and finally to Trafalgar Square for some pics (been walking for 11 hrs and my feet hurt) lol.... Can't wait for bed. 25/4/14 travel from London to pickup car... What a trip... Got off at Reading and had to buy another ticket to get to Hayes and Harlington. Then was give wrong directions to get car but nice guy In his drive way pointed us in the right direction. Picked car up round 4.30ish. Then off to Dover. Weather started ok then pretty much rained from lunchtime to early evening. Found place to stay called the Castle which is a pack packers (turns out the owner Paul McMullen was involved in with the media scandal involving Mr Murdoch's paper!!!!! Had dinner at Blakes of Dover. 26/4/14 Started day with a bit of a drive and trying to find a lighthouse which didn't appear. Weather turned wet & windy but still went to see Dover castle, and the underground war rooms and learnt a bit about Dunkirk and the importance if what happened there.... Was great. Weather cleared so we then went to see white cliffs.... Again beautiful.... Can't believe how much walking we are doing. Liz took us up an apparent track which was almost vertical only to discover sign at top stating dangerous Di not climb.... now a nice dinner at the white horse which is the oldest pub in Dover (walls covered with people's names and times it took then to swim the channel. Struck up conversation with local & an Aussie here travelling with his wife. Back to the Castle for a sleep in. 27/4/14. Left Dover to drive to Folkestone, did some food shopping, got next weeks budget out and organised car in the undercover car park (as started to rain) now to go to laundry mat but it was closed so booked in to campsite for the night called Little Switzerland and wow what a view. Their dryer is not working so will do laundry tomorrow. This will be first night in van so should be good to see how it goes. Set up camp and cooked a very nice chicken korma (out of can and added rice, tin corn & tin carrots). Again started to rain and been stuck in van since cleaning up after dinner. Must say very beautiful country and only seen small portion so far! 28/4/14 ok laundry done today then to sissinghurst castle and gardens & bodiam castle. Then drove to Brighton and booked into The Caravan Club, owner very helpful and nice. Threw together chicken & salad for dinner then a walk to pier for some pics. Stopped at a pub called the goldfish bowl for a drink or two and then a cab back to caravan site as it was raining. In bed by bout 1am. 29/4/14 went back to pier for daytime pics and to the Royal Pavilion. A bit of lunch then drove to Salisbury and booked into Pear Tree serviced apartments for a studio apartment (so nice for some space and to charge everything). 30/4/14. Today we went to see old Sarum, Stonehenge, Cerne Abbas & Lyme Regis fossil coast. Had dinner at Cobb Arms and had yummy gf shepards pie even got a doggie bag. Stayed at caravan park Chew Valley. 1/5/14. Drove to Bath and had cuppa at Cote Brasserie, then off to see the Roman Baths, Abbey, Circus and The Royal. We then had some lunch in a carpark then off to see Arnos Vale Cemetery for a few pics then drove to Cadiff (through a tollway which was very interesting and cost £6.49) staying at a backpackers called YHA. 2/5/14. Drove from Cadiff to Aberystwyth then through to Holyhead. On way stopped a few time for some pic's and had the fright of my life when taking pic of some sheep heard this roar & thought something was falling from the sky... Thinned out to be a jet fighter and just happened to get 1 pic!!! OMG. Once we got to Holyhead had a red at The Boston pub and dinner at Taste Of India next door. Then caught Irish ferry to Dublin. 3/5/14. Got in to Dublin bout 11.30 and Drove round for a while looking to park. Had cuppa at McDonald's and a tiff with Liz... then stayed at best western - The Sheldon Park Hotel. Drove to Kilkenny, had cuppa at Kafe Katz. Strolled round town took some pic's, bought a necklace and thimble had dinner and a red at An Poc Fada a pub then booked in to Tree Grove Caravan Park 4/5/14. Today we went to KilKenny Castle while taking a pick fell flat on my face.... then to the Left Bank for a cuppa. Walked out without paying realised when we were across the road them ran back and paid! Drove to Blarney stopping to tack pics of old church ruin and stopped again in Cashel for petrol and take pics of the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey, stayed at Blarney Caravan Park. 5/5/14. Drove in to Blarney and had breakfast at O'Connors Muskerry Arms Bar and decided due to weather we would stay the night plus they throw in breakfast. Hung out in room a weather was **** then had dinner down stairs and a drink with locals Martin and his mate. 6/5/14. Went to blarney castle and kissed the stone. Went back to Muskerry arms for a cuppa where they gave us it for free! Then off to Killarney and the ring of Kerry. First stop was Dunloe to see a bridge and it just poured with rain! Stopped at Kenmare had dinner at Foleys and ended up booking a room and listening to some music. Met an Aussie from Ballarat named john and joined him and his friends for a drink or two! Did a runner then Home by 1am for bed! :) 7/5/14. Today we drove from Kenmare back to Killarney to Lough Gur through to Doolin stopping and taking pics along the way. Booked a boat cruise tomorrow at 12noon for the cliffs of Moher. Had dinner and Red at Fitz's (Doolin Hotel). Staying at O'Connors Riverside Caravan Park. 8/5/14 very windy today! Had breaky toasted cheese sandwiches and eggs! Got talking to older Aussie couple who house sit all over the world and a USA dude bike riding round Ireland. Went on boat tour to see cliffs of Moher.... Wow was I just a bit scared with the choppy water.... Lol then a cuppa and our sandwiches a bit of shopping then drove to Dublin. Staying at the D1 Hostel... A dump... Had dinner at O'Sheas Hotel. Walked around street for hr or so then back to pub for a lemonade then hostel! Yuck... & noisy... :( 9/5/14. Up early to get out of D1 and get to Starbucks before 7am for cuppa and wifi. Drove to newgrange! Wow.... Had cuppa and cake then drove to Londonderry stoping at Nite Bite in Omagh for cuppa and loo. When we arrived at Derry took pics of the Graffiti Art of Bloody Sunday then drove to Bushmills and stayed at Ballyness Caravan Park. UK drivers ****.. No speed signs. Irish are a bit better. 10/5/14 went to Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, Belfast to take pic's of the peace wall, then to Larne and stayed at Derrin Guest house. Dinner at Chekkers Larne. Lots of rain. 11/5/14 day in Larne went to Curran Court Hotel for lunch then caught ferry to Troon at 4.15pm Drove to Loch Lomond and stayed at the Tarbet Hotel and had dinner at Slanj Bar and Restaurant where the owners wear Kilts! Good night chatting but to much red. 12/5/14 hungover and stayed at the Tarbet Hotel again and booked for tomorrow to. Had lunch so feeling better. Drove to Helensburgh to do laundry. Cuppa at The Henry Bell. Back to hotel for 3 course dinner for £10. Then some TV and bed. 13/5/14 up for free breaky then a stroll hired some bikes for 3 hrs and rode to Luss 13kms on way for cuppa a wonder then back to Tarbet for a rest before Loch cruise for 2 Hrs. Rob Roy cruise????? Not sure bout that but was pretty. Hotel for dinner again. Then some TV and bed. :) 14/5/14. Left Tarbet and drove to Skye stopping at Eilean Donan Castle for some pics. Some of hairy goats... Lol... Cows... Another jet fighter flew over while we were driving so did get chance to take a pic but what were odds of it happening twice. Stayed at Broadford Backpackers. 15/5/14 drove round Skye and took pics. Stopped and seen Cuillin Hills (more like mountains), Portree port, The Storr, Kilt Rock, Taigh-tasgaidh Museum, Quiraing, drove past Kilmuir for thatched village but got pick of a real one, Stopped for lunch at Dunvegan Hotel. Went to Dunvegan Castle looked at gardens and went on boat cruise on Loch to see seals. Walked to Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle Forest. Stopped at Sligachan Grill & Steakhouse then back to Broadford Backpackers for the night. Brought dad a cap from Skye and seen hose from Grand Designs. 16/5/14 Left Skye stopped at Eilean Donan Castle for a pic in sunshine drove to Loch Ness and seen Urquhart Castle then drove to Thurso stopping along the way to take pics and look in shops. Stayed at Station Hotel. 17/5/14 Orkney Islands tour with John O'Groats Ferries 12 hrs leave at 9 and back at 9. Seen Skaea Brae, Ness of Brodgar, Skaill House, Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar. Cuppa's at the Reel and lunch at Julia's cafe and bistro. Stayed at Castletown Hotel. 18/5/14. Drive to Fochabers for Gordon Castle Highland games. Then to Elgin, cuppa at Johnstons of Elgin and stayed at the Premier Inn 19/5/14 went to Glen Moray in Elgin & Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown then to Balmoral Castle in Ballater stayed at Faskally Caravan Park in Pitlochry 20/5/14. Went to Blair Athol & The Edradour Distilleries. Cuppa at Hetties Tea House & Victoria's Restaurant in Pitlochry and walked around town. Went to The Old Mill Inn for dinner. Stayed again at Faskally Caravan Park. 21/5/14. Segafredo Zanetti for cuppa, drove to Dunkeld and walked around took some pics, brought Dav whiskey & cap had cuppa at spill the beans cafe then drove to Perth for a bit of a look and more pics then to Stirling. Seen William Wallace monument walked a bit for more pics. Dinner and drink at City Walls. Stayed at Witches Craig Caravan Park. 22/5/14 drive round Stirling looking at Andy Scott public art trail and the Kelpies. Drive to Edinburgh to get gas connection. Drink at the William Wallace pub. Stayed at Witches Craig caravan park again. 23/5/14. Went to Battle of Bannochburn then drove to Karen's in Glenrothes. Dinner at the Foxtons bar and grill with Karen and Craig. 24/5/14 went to Fife show then dinner at The Stag Inn then back to Karens for drink and TV. 25/5/14 went to Elie for a drink at the Ship Inn then to St. Andrews for a pic and shopping. Then dinner at Hawks Inn at Sth Queensferry then back to Karens. 26/5/14 Train to Edinburgh from Kirkcaldy with Karen for a wonder along the Royal Mile and pics of Castle (where we were in car park is where the military tattoo play) and surrounds stop for cuppa then lunch at Filling Station and cocktail at The Dome. Drank a piña colada on the train. 27/5/14 drove to Melrose to see Melrose Abbey and see Robert the Bruce's heart had late lunch at Russell's. Stayed at Lilliardsedge Caravan Park. 28/5/14 drove to York stopping at The Edinburgh Woollen Mills in Jedburgh for brunch and a bit of a shop. Dinner at Toby Carvery... Yum. Stayed at Wagtail Caravan Park. 29/5/14. Got locked in ladies toilets this morning... Lol. Had breaky at Toby Carvery Looked around York. Went to The Jorvik Viking Center dinner and stayed at Premier Inn Nottingham. 30/5/14 went into town and booked cruise 12 nights Barcelona to Venice (includes France, Italy, Greece, Turkey & Istanbul) and flights to Budapest and Barcelona for rest of trip then drove to Boston. Dinner at the Four Crossroads Inn. Stayed at Orchard Park Camp site and had drinks with local grey nomads who brought us a drink in bar cross the road. 31/5/14 drive into Boston for a look and walked round the market. Seen the St Botolph Church and Maud Foster Windmill. Then drove to Skegness for some lunch at the Grosvener House Hotel and a wonder. Seen bird display and walked to beach. Stayed at Orchard Park Camp site again and did some washing before going back to bar cross the road for a drink. What a nite. Dennis is a party animal and the six oldies know how to hav a good time. Music, singing and dancing and raffles and games.... Loved it! 1/6/14. Went to see Althorp House (Lady Di's childhood home & resting place) in Northampton ( the 9th Earl of Spencer himself walked into the room we were in looking for his wife) then drove to Marlow on empty tank again stopped and had cuppa at Cross Keys pub. Then tried to find caravan park. First one wouldn't take us because we aren't club members. Second wouldn't take us because the van is sign written with a company logo and they have "a policy to not allow" :(. We then had to turn off for petrol and came across an ibis hotel in Beconsfield and service centre so worked out well. 2/6/14 drove back to Marlow for pics and shopping then dropped off van :( then made our way to London to Palmers Lodge Hostel in Camden. Then went to see Buckingham Palace for pic's then back to Palmers. 3/6/14. Day started slow as girls sharing were in and out making noise... So were rest on our floor so not much sleep... Hung round hostel as it was raining. Made our way to get tickets. Had lunch at the Angus Steakhouse bar & Grill. Then made our way to Heathrow Lodge. Had drink and dinner at The Kings Arms. Bed by 9pm. 4/6/14. Up before 6am to be ready for the hotel shuttle to airport. Stop over in Brussels for 2hrs then arrived Budapest at 5pm. 21c on arrival. Taxi to Jimi Hendrix Guesthouse. Went for walk and had dinner down Raday Street... Yum.. At IF bar and restaurant. A couple of reds and a cocktail as it was my birthday back home, just not yet in Hungary. Tips on where to shop, home by midnight. 5/6/14 walked round City over 20km lots of stairs and pictures taken. 31c today. Brought food at Central Market Hall and home for lunch. Went to see Citadel, Rock Chapel, Gellert-hegy (park) 8th District-palace quarter. Went to Elisabeth Square for a drink. Home by 10pm for a light dinner and bed! Happy birthday to me... 6/6/14. Breakfast at Jimi Hendrix Hostel. Tea with lumps.... I don't think so... But rest was fine... No hot water in bathroom so asked them to fix. Again temp 30c. Walked and shopped at Westend City Center Shopping Mall today and got charger and posted parcel off. Liz got waxed! Light dinner at home then River Cruise on Danube at 10pm. 7/6/14. Went and seen House of Terror, Heroes Square (stopped for a cider), pics of Fine Arts Museum, Art Gallery. Went to City Park Lake, Vajdahunyad Castle, Szechenyi Baths, walked past Millennium Underground. Seen Opera House and got tickets for Sunday night. Went to St Stephens Basilica, Sabadsag Square, Nagy Imre Statue, Parliament, The Shoes on the the Danube Bank walked past Academy of Sciences. Stopped at Elisabeth Bridge (White) sat on steps of Danube with a drink listening to Reggae music. Dinner at IF bar and restaurant with a red then a Piña Colada! Temp 32c. 8/6/14 temp 34c Did washing then went to Szechenyi Baths for a dip. Stopped for kebab on way home... Chilled and put feet up. So sore and blistered!!! 5.5km one way. 9/6/14. Temp 36c sat in square outside Jimi Hendrix Guesthouse today catching up with Liz's friend David had lunch at 3 and a few drinks. Home a 6 pm to freshen up then went to Opera House and had a piña colada while we waited for starting time. Seen orchestra and heard and opera singer - I.EM. Proscenium Paholy. Stopped at a bar on way home for last cider in Budapest. Home at 11ish to pack and make sure ready for airport. 10/6/14. 32c. Up early to fly out to Barcelona. Went to pay at Jimi Hendrix and had to wait... Got taxi to airport. Stayed at Hotel Medium Monegal. Both taxi and hotel advised to be careful of pickpockets. Went cross road to Cafe Zurich for a sangria and a look around. Home by 10.40pm 11/6/14. 30c. Taxi strike in Barcelona so had to walk and get bus to port. 1st day of cruise checked in by 1pm got sorted and checked things out (even smuggled vodka onto ship...). Had lunch and dinner at Raffles. Booked all our on shore trips and booked massage and nails for second last day. 12/6/14. 36c Ship docked at Toulon France. Today at 9.15am we went onshore at Toulon France as we had to take bus to Aix En Provence for a walking tour. Brought shirt and took pics. Back onboard by 3pm. Lunch then rest in cabin. Did some reading and hand washing then went and met Liz in spa. Had dip in pool then went had quick shower, dinner and watched Brazil V Croatia in World Cup. Go Brazil.. Bed. 13/6/14. 31c. Ship docked at Livorno Italy (hear Florence and not far from Pisa) Up early as onshore trip at 9am to Pisa to visit the Miracle Square (this is where Pinnocchio was created so brought original book - not Disney version) and Lunch at La Torre a tuscan vineyard and restaurant/resort. Lunch consisted of penne with tomatoe sauce and a nice white wine, then cold meat, olives, cheese and dry bread with olive oil and 2 different red wines. Then biscotti with a dessert wine. Both were great! Back on board by 4pm. Rest and chat with Nicola (another scot!!) then off for dinner. Watched Mexico beat Camaroon, Netherlands beat Spain. Sorted internet.... Brought 250 mins for $100... Ripoff but what do you do! Watched Australia V Chile which Chile won then bed. 14/6/14 23c Ship docked at Civitavecchia (not far from Rome) up at 10.30am had breaky at 12 noon. Then spent day by pool, had dip and a spa then ready and finished my book. Shower and change for dinner. Big thunder and lightning storm which pelted down while we had dinner and a cuppa. Then back to room to chill and get organised for trip. 15/6/14 27c Ship docked at Naples Italy up early for onshore trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum and cameo factory called Giovanni Apa. All were fantastic and lived up to expectation. Back onboard by by 5.30pm chilled shower changed for dinner then stayed up till 1.30am to see Mt Stromboli. Liz managed to get a couple if pics... Then bed but what a fantastic day! 16/6/14 24c at sea day. Up at 1pm had cuppa and something to eat. Then went back to room to chill, update blog and did some washing. 17/6/14. 28c Ship docked Mykonos Greece went on a walking tour at 8.30am walked around the old town and went and seen the Archaeological Museum, Alefkandra (Little Venice), Windmills and Church of Paraportiani. Took pics and had a snack at Maria's Traditional Restaurant with Ozzo before looking at shops then went back to ship and back onboard at 1pm. Lunch then chilled in room, read and watched movie. Went upstairs with Liz then sorted Kusadasi trip as one we chose was cancelled. Had dinner then sat on deck and chatted with Nicola from Scotland. 18/6/14. 28c Ship docked Istanbul Turkey went on a tour and seen the Ancient Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and the Topkapi Palace. We then went to lunch at Konyali Restaurant which was yum then went to Istanbul Handicraft Centre where I bought a polished cotton Turkish rug for $US100. Then went to the Grand Bazaar. Back on ship by 5.30pm chilled watches Aussies play against Netherlands in World Cup. Chilled in room then bed. Didn't realize we had to sail past Gallipoli to reach this destination! 19/6/14. 27c Ship docked at Kusadasi Turkey. Went on tour and seen Ephesus, Gate of Magnesia, the Odeon, fountain of Trajan, steam baths of Scholastika, Temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus. Drove to Sirince a small Aegean village and had homemade fruit wine's (pomegranate, peach & black current) yum. Stopped to see some reenactment and another carpet place. Back on board by 6.45 had dinner watched sun go down then chilled in room. 20/6/14. 27c Ship docked at Piraeus (Athens) Greece. Went on tour and seen Acropolis, propylaea, Temple of Apteros Niki, Erectheum and the Parthenon. Drove by Constitution Square, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Palace, Hadrian's Gate and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium. Drive along scenic coastal road and stopped at the Temple of Poseidon and had lunch at..... 21/6/14 27c at sea day. Chilled and read today. Had our nails done at 5pm then a massage at 6pm. Liz and I got talking to a Canadian guy Chris who is in the navy so missed dinner. Had a few drinks... Picked up a yank... Saw the sun come up... 22/6/14 27c Ship docked at Venice Italy. We stayed on board bit hungover, chilled and got stuff together for leaving tomorrow. Took pics of Palazzo Ducale and Campanile Piazza San Marco, S.Giorgio Maggiore and Punta Della Dogana on way into port. 23/6/14 28c Disembarked from cruise today at 9.45 got taxi to hotel. Staying at Hotel Regit. Went for a walk and shop around hotel while room was getting ready. Back at 1pm to eat, chill in room and update blog. 24/6/14 26c Up at 10.30am fluffed then went downstairs for cuppa and chilled a while. Then caught bus into Venice where we had lunch of pizza at Ai Scalzi... Mmmm yum. Then strolled along the Grand Canal and major pedestrian walkways looking in shops (wow masks and glass work are amazing) and walking streets. Seen Ponte della Costituzione, Stopped at Ponte Di Rialto for a couple of reds then made our way back to bus stop and seen Campo S.Polo, Scuola Grande Di San Rocco and Gairdino Papadopou then caught bus back to hotel. Home by 11.30. 25/6/14. 24c awake at 9ish, chilled in room while listening to rain and thunder. Had shower then went down for a cuppa and update blog. Liz and I went round corner to a restaurant for lunch... Yum. Then stopped and got a fee things to nibble for dinner and some bananas for breaky. Back to hotel for cuppa and chill. Updated travellers point. Finished book. Chilled then bed. 26/6/14. 24c. Up round 9.30 had cuppa then went into Venice. Caught a water taxi to Murano Island where they make the Venetian Glass. Brought myself a horse. Had lunch and a big glass of red. Beautiful things are created there. Back to Venice where we strolled around seen St Mark's Square, Basilica San Marco, Ponte Dei Sospiri (bridge of sighs), Ponte Dell' Accademia (bridge of love) then had dinner back at Ai Scalzi g/f pasta and red. Home by 11. 27/6/14. 26c Up at 10ish had cuppa then caught bus into Venice. Had lunch at Ai Scalzi g/f pasta again with red then strolled round getting presents for family. Had dinner.... Nice chicken salad with a red then made our way back to hotel. Home by 7.30pm. 28/6/14. 26c. Up at 10.30ish shower and cuppa the off for walk round Mestre, brought food & wine... Stopped for cuppa's and took pics off fountain in Via Piave then back to room to chill, eat & update blogs etc. 29/6/14 26c. Hung around hotel today just chilling as weather was to be ****. 30/6/14. 23c. Went to Venice for brunch at our local then to Burano island where we took scenic route as missed our stop! Took pics and looked at lace work they produce there. then back to Venice for dinner at local, a bottle of red and some people watching before comi g back to hotel! Home by 10.30ish pm. 1/7/14. 25c spent day in Venice, eating, drinking and shopping! Back at hotel by 10 just in time to watch Belgium and USA in World Cup. 2/7/14. 26c up at noon as couldn't sleep and Liz had stomach pains. Just chilling, had cuppa with crossiant then up to room to pack bags ready for tomorrow. Done by 4pm. Went for walk to checkout a restaurant but closed so went to one closer to hotel. Worked out some travel stats then Ben by 1am. 3/7/14. 27c. Checked out of hotel by 11 then to airport to travel home. Flight at 3.55pm to Doha arrive 10.35pm (5 & 1/2 hrs) stop over for 2hr & 20mins mins then catch flight home at 12.55am arrive Melbourne at 9.25pm (13 & 1/2 hrs). 4/7/14 Arrive home in Melbourne 9.30pm!!!!