Berlin! Berlin was not at all what I expected. In comparison to the other cities we have visited, it really looked and felt like a city. It is much more like Melbourne so I loved it! And there are the coolest shops! Our hostel was really central so we were really able to explore the shops. I even found a (quite expensive) op shop!
There is such a mix of different buildings in Berlin- there is the real old stone buildings typical in Europe; there is some really modern buildings; and then old plain looking communist buildings. This mix makes it really interesting, and gives it an interesting vibe. It is different to Melbourne though because there are no high rises. The city just spreads out so far.
When we arrived our first stop was the Berlin Walls East Side Gallery. The Wall wasnt really what I expected. I thought it would be a little more like its original state, or half falling down. There is actually not much of the wall left. The East Side Gallery is a couple of hundred metres long and follows the main river. It is covered with drawings an pictures, and is quite impressive.
In the morning we did a walking tour of the city and visited the site of Hitlers bunker, the Jewish memorial and Checkpoint Charlie. It was super, super cold so as soon as we were done we sat down for some Currywurst! Yummy!
The rest of the day was spent exploring the Reichstadt, the German Parliament. The Reichstadt is a pretty impressive building. You can climb to the top of the building for amazing city views.
Already I am looking forward to exploring Berlin again with Lea :)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Poland
From Hungary it was off to Krakow.
I wasn't really sure what to expect of Krakow, all I had heard was it was less Westernised than some of the other places we had visited. When we arrived I was surprised at how old the city looked. It looked slightly run down and poorer than some of the other cities. There were a lot of working-class people around, and some seemingly dodgy characters. But the Polish people were amazing! They were just really nice.
The morning was spent on a 'Schindlers List' Tour of the Jewish quarter in Krakow. It was super cold and I didn't really understand the relevance of the places we visited (as I have never seen the film...it is on my list now!). After lunch we defrosted in a restaurant and us four girls finished a pizza each!
On our way out of Poland we visited concentration camp Auschwitz. This was quite an emotional tour, especially since 4 of our touries are Jewish.
It is so hard to imagine what these people went through, and even more difficult to imagine how messed up you'd have to be to want to do this to others. It was horrible.
I wasn't really sure what to expect of Krakow, all I had heard was it was less Westernised than some of the other places we had visited. When we arrived I was surprised at how old the city looked. It looked slightly run down and poorer than some of the other cities. There were a lot of working-class people around, and some seemingly dodgy characters. But the Polish people were amazing! They were just really nice.
The morning was spent on a 'Schindlers List' Tour of the Jewish quarter in Krakow. It was super cold and I didn't really understand the relevance of the places we visited (as I have never seen the film...it is on my list now!). After lunch we defrosted in a restaurant and us four girls finished a pizza each!
On our way out of Poland we visited concentration camp Auschwitz. This was quite an emotional tour, especially since 4 of our touries are Jewish.
It is so hard to imagine what these people went through, and even more difficult to imagine how messed up you'd have to be to want to do this to others. It was horrible.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Hungary
Budapest=amazing! We had an incredible day yesterday. Ever since Austria we have been in the snow. Budapest was the same, and we even got our first snowfall during the day!
The morning we explored some markets and then the Castle district. Budapest has two parts separated by the Danube River- Buda and Pest! I think the Danube goes through 10 different countries, so we shall see her again.
The hotel we stayed at was in Pest, and to get to the Castles we had to cross the river to get to Buda. The castle was an incredible building and we spent ages exploring around the outside. There were monuments and statues everywhere, including a horse with golden balls. Students go to touch the balls which is suppose to give good luck for exams!
The money in Hungary is really strange. A Euro is about 250 Hungarian Forints. It feels kinda awesome to be carrying around so much money.
We then went to this Labrinth of underground cavey things. I think they were for if the Hungarians ever came under attack, though they never had to use them. The tunnels were awesome! YOu just made your way around the caves, and at the end was the "Chamber of Courage". A fully dark set of tunnels that you had to find yourself out of! It was a lot of fun. In the middle of the tunnel was a red wine fountain!
At the end of the day we relaxed like the typical Hungarian by taking a dip in one of the hot baths. This was definiately the highlight of Budapest. The pools were outdoors and in the middle of the snow! You had to walk over the freezing ground before slipping into the 38 degree water. The steam coming off the pools was incredible! It was the nicest feeling to be outside, in the snow, yet be in this crazy warm pool. The water really thawed you out. Once we got out I stayed warm up until we got back to the hotel-and it was -3 by this stage!
For dinner a group of us went to an all you can eat/drink Italian place. Def a good end to a very very awes day!
The morning we explored some markets and then the Castle district. Budapest has two parts separated by the Danube River- Buda and Pest! I think the Danube goes through 10 different countries, so we shall see her again.
The hotel we stayed at was in Pest, and to get to the Castles we had to cross the river to get to Buda. The castle was an incredible building and we spent ages exploring around the outside. There were monuments and statues everywhere, including a horse with golden balls. Students go to touch the balls which is suppose to give good luck for exams!
The money in Hungary is really strange. A Euro is about 250 Hungarian Forints. It feels kinda awesome to be carrying around so much money.
We then went to this Labrinth of underground cavey things. I think they were for if the Hungarians ever came under attack, though they never had to use them. The tunnels were awesome! YOu just made your way around the caves, and at the end was the "Chamber of Courage". A fully dark set of tunnels that you had to find yourself out of! It was a lot of fun. In the middle of the tunnel was a red wine fountain!
At the end of the day we relaxed like the typical Hungarian by taking a dip in one of the hot baths. This was definiately the highlight of Budapest. The pools were outdoors and in the middle of the snow! You had to walk over the freezing ground before slipping into the 38 degree water. The steam coming off the pools was incredible! It was the nicest feeling to be outside, in the snow, yet be in this crazy warm pool. The water really thawed you out. Once we got out I stayed warm up until we got back to the hotel-and it was -3 by this stage!
For dinner a group of us went to an all you can eat/drink Italian place. Def a good end to a very very awes day!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Austria
Austria is incredible!
For the last few days we have been in Salzberg - the most beautiful and postcard perfect city. Everything looks like its out of a movie set. It has little quaint buildings covered in snow, churches overlooking the mountains and alleys with cute shops.
Today was spent on a Sound of Music tour. The tour took us to the main places in the movie and where the real VonTrapps lived. But most of all, it took us to the most beautiful town out of Salzberg. Driving into M (Total mind blank on the name...) was incredible. We came down into this valley surrounded by piney-type trees and snow. There was a massive lake and little houses. All the houses are different colours- orange, yellow, blue, green! Already I really want to come back!
For the last few days we have been in Salzberg - the most beautiful and postcard perfect city. Everything looks like its out of a movie set. It has little quaint buildings covered in snow, churches overlooking the mountains and alleys with cute shops.
Today was spent on a Sound of Music tour. The tour took us to the main places in the movie and where the real VonTrapps lived. But most of all, it took us to the most beautiful town out of Salzberg. Driving into M (Total mind blank on the name...) was incredible. We came down into this valley surrounded by piney-type trees and snow. There was a massive lake and little houses. All the houses are different colours- orange, yellow, blue, green! Already I really want to come back!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Italy
Ciao tutti! Hello from Venise!
Tonight is our last night in Italy before heading to Salzberg, Austria.
Venise is amazing! just like you imagine, canals, bridges and boats everywhere. It was raining all day today-it has been raining a lot- making things a little difficult. The whole main square in Venise was flooded for most of the day and the canals were very close to flooding over too! We did a bit of exploration of the cobbled streets, crossed a gazillion bridges, had an amazing hot chocolate and went for a ride on a vaporetto and a gondola.
Rome was really really pretty and such a cool place to explore. You could walk anywhere and suddenly come accross an amazing fountain or beautiful building. Weve had a few issues with the language barrier, but its kind of fun trying to maintain a conversation. The colusseum was amazing and the Trevi fountain was really beautiful. We spent NYE sheltering under umbrellas at the spanish steps, celebrating with crazy italians! THeyàre allowed to drink on the streets and fireworks are legal. Everyone had the champagne out and there were firecrackers going off everywhere. Even the police gathered to make toasts for the new year, yelling out Happy new Year to us!
Tonight is our last night in Italy before heading to Salzberg, Austria.
Venise is amazing! just like you imagine, canals, bridges and boats everywhere. It was raining all day today-it has been raining a lot- making things a little difficult. The whole main square in Venise was flooded for most of the day and the canals were very close to flooding over too! We did a bit of exploration of the cobbled streets, crossed a gazillion bridges, had an amazing hot chocolate and went for a ride on a vaporetto and a gondola.
Rome was really really pretty and such a cool place to explore. You could walk anywhere and suddenly come accross an amazing fountain or beautiful building. Weve had a few issues with the language barrier, but its kind of fun trying to maintain a conversation. The colusseum was amazing and the Trevi fountain was really beautiful. We spent NYE sheltering under umbrellas at the spanish steps, celebrating with crazy italians! THeyàre allowed to drink on the streets and fireworks are legal. Everyone had the champagne out and there were firecrackers going off everywhere. Even the police gathered to make toasts for the new year, yelling out Happy new Year to us!
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