Bangkok

Very quiet day yesterday as wasn't feeling to flash.  Later on I went for a drink and while having a quiet beer on the corner the protesters decided to head past and stop traffic on the road.  All went past ok though. Time to fly home today.  It's been a wonderful adventure, thanks for coming along with me. 

Bang bang

Well morning started well with a massive 10 hour sleep so was all ready for our 7:20 pick up.  Went and had the yummiest breakfast at the hotel and we were then ready to go.  Went and visited china town to get there we had to go right past the protesters who would let you through the piles of tires blocking the road or bags of sand.  They have blocked of lanes and lanes of roads getting in and getting out of the city. Our guide layer it down and said it was Bangkoks party.  We thought it was interesting to see to start with but that all changed! When we were visiting our second temple we heard these banging noises we both looked at each other and said that's gun shots!  The really scary part was they weren't that far away from where we were. We went and asked our guide and he didn't really say much to start with but he was soon on the phone after that!  We just wanted to come home but we had one last temple to look at so had a look at that then headed home.  On our way home it took us about 1/2 hour to go less than 1km and when we went over the over bridge there were sirens and police and the army all along the road.  Was pleased to get home safe and sound.  It's much better over our side of town.  Have had a relaxing afternoon reading my book. 

24 carat solid gold buda!  No wonder there are so many poor people here.

Bangkok here we come!

Well no photos today as I have spent most of the day in a plan or airport.  Have been awake for a few hours and still have a few to go before I will be lights out on the plane. Here's hoping I don't have a guy beside me this flight like the one I had last flight! 

Visiting the Pope

Well headed of early to call in on the pope.  Had a good seat then the nuns arrived with their unbralla flags.  They were so excited to be there it was lovely to watch. The pope popped out for 15 minutes to give us a wave and say hello, didn't understand a word he said apart from amen. Was really cool to experience it though.

Then it was time for lunch.

Then another walk around and home as the weather has turned a bit yucky. Thought I had better pack so have been working on that as well this afternoon.

Going to have my last Italian pizza for tea I think.  Catch you next from Thailand or on the way to Thailand. 

Roaming around Rome

Today we shot down to Vatican City to get a few photos with blue sky because it was a beautiful day here.  Then we just went for a wander all around. We went and had a look at the Spanish steps but couldn't really get what was so great about them!  Had to google to find out that they are widest steps in Europe.  Then we just walked streets that were fill of tourists and lots of Italians out enjoying a beautiful day! Did a little bit of shopping and have decided that there is no more shopping!  I will have to much luggage! 

Guy playing the drums to try to earn enough to buy a set of drums. 

Wandering in Rome

After breaks any lying on the suitcase to get it shut it was time to grab a taxi and head to the other side of a Rome to explore. Driving in Rome is an experience!  The taxi driver even had his arms up in the air! Parking is another sight!  You can park anywhere you like, just stick your hazard lights on orsqueeze your car wherever it will fit seems to be ok.  

Found our hotel with no trouble.  Sent Kate up first with suitcase and I waited with my pack on (has grown again).  The guy was so excited to hear we from NZ and he went on about the All Blacks and the cricket players.  Are the cricketers doing ok this summer? Anyway elevator came back down and he told me to back in.  So here I am backing in we are both laughing as I keep hitting things then the doors shut and I'm pointing to see what floor we are on.  Got there in the end!  Dumped our bags and went to see what we could find.  

We crossed the river and followed it for awhile and we came across all these horses so decided to follow this parade.  We ended up in Vatican City without even knowing it! 

After a look around we went and found something to eat.  Even had some entertainment but that is a whole other story.  Went back to hotel and found our luggage in our tiny wee room.  Which is very hard to explain but the chandler just about takes up a quarter of the room. Anyway have caught up on some reading this afternoon and had a lovely relaxing afternoon. 

Colosium & Trevi Fountain

After a rough sleep as we are on top of a bar that went to about 2:00am this morning we got up had a quick breakfast and headed over the road to go inside the coliseum.  Was fantastic looking around and reading all about it.  Throughly enjoyed my morning.

The tunnels that were underneath the arena floor. 

After it was time to squash onto the metro and go and find the Trevi Fountain.  We could hear it before we could see it.  I expected it to be much bigger, no idea why.  I even threw a coin into it. 

All set to move to the other side of town tomorrow for our last few nights. Going to head out soon to find some tea. 

Arriving in Rome

Packed up this morning and headed to rail station.  First stop was to get Kate some chicken and vegetables so went and waited for them.  Checked with as many people as possible to make sure we were on right train!  Even made it through our quick change to Rome with a few minutes to spare! Used the metro in a Rome like a pro and then walked out to see our first view of Rome, the coliseum.

Dumped our gear at our hotel then went for a quick drink before heading to take some photos.  Was a lovely warm evening here tonight so sat outside and had the best pizza I have had in Italy so far!  Then we went round to take a few more photos. 

Accidental Bus Tour of Seina!

After waking up to a wet day I stayed in bed and caught up on some reading.  Was lovely to have a lazy morning.  Then we walked down to the train station to sort out travel for tomorrow to Rome.  We brought a bus ticket to catch a ride back into town but got distracted  and had lunch before going.  We got lost in the escalators and went up and down a little bit then found a bus stop.  

Hopped on a bus but didn't get of at right stop so thought we would stay on it to go back to where we new we were but the bus stopped and Kate asked the driver if it was goin back but we weren't to sure of his answer.  I asked a guy when he hopped on and said yes it was heading back to Siena so we rode back and made sure we got of at the right stop! Had a quick Spritz at our local and then brought some tea to have back at the hotel.  That's Siena done and we have only a few days left in Europe! 

Siena

Siena is like Venice but without the water.  It has a great feel to the city.  We walked up to the Pizza Del Duomo and looked around there, was one of the more impressive churches we have seen.  First church that was black and white.  Then we went shopping! My pandora bracelet is filling up with memories!  Trying to work up the energy to go out for tea now.  This is when you want someone to deliver. 

We don't realise how lucky we are to have so much space! Going to go in another direction tomorrow and see what we find. 

Pisa

Left our sleepy town and headed to Siena with a few hours stopover in Pisa to check out the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  

Then after a very fast change over to catch the train to Siena we were on our way! Found our hotel and then dumped our gear and went for a look around Siena.  We have the escalator to the city centre just up the road from us so easy to get in and out. Had tea up there then back down the escalator to home and bed ready to explore Siena tomorrow. 

Day 3 & 4 Levanto

Yesterday we went to the village of Riomaggiore which is the most eastern village closest to Le Spezia.  This little villages seems to just sit in the little valley and all the house just pop out of the rock.  We had a wonderful lunch there and then headed home.  Two villages away from our stop the train conductor came to collect my ticket and unlucky for me it was the wrong one! So here I am sitting in the train getting told of in Italian.  Lucky for me I didn't understand it but I certainly got the meaning!  I paid for my ticket and then he moved onto Kate who was a few seats behind and told her off. She managed to only get her ticket thrown at her and she didn't have to pay.

Today we decided to go and see all the other villages.  First stop was Manarola which was a cute little village perched on the edge of the sea.  We ran around there and an hour later caught the next train to Corniglia.  This one way missed the steps so walked all the way up the road.  Was a good climb! Couldn't really get to see this village but had a quick look round before catching the next train to Vernazza.  I liked this little village the best.  I sat out side on a wooden bench and had a hot ham sandwich thing and a nice wine.  It had a lovely area down by the sea. Places to sit and watch the sea.  It was also the first place to have a gelato shop open since we got here! I wonder if that's why I like it??? 

Levanto - Day 2

Had a little lie in this morning then biked around and around to find the information place. Then i grabbed a drink and some fruit and we headed for a walk over to Monatrossi.  It was a good hike up and down but the view was certainly worth it when we got there.  The other paths are closed at present to the other villages so we might have to train between them.  Will see what the weather does tomorrow as it is suppose to be wet. 

Levanto township

Montorossi 

Levanto

It was a quick breakfast and a very quick walk to train station with my new luggage to catch the train to Pisa.  Got to Pisa then went and had a coffee over the road.  Think we might go back and stay on our way to Rome. Caught the train to Levanto and arrived here about 1:00pm.  Had a quick bite at the train station while sorting out where we needed to go.  Grabbed a taxi (don't think he was a taxi) and headed to our home away from home.  No one was here when we got here so the do called taxi driver rang and got them to come over.  Then the old guy told us of for not ringing and getting him to pick us up.  But any way we have a lovely place to stay, bikes to ride and our own balcony and a court yard that is part of an old artillery storage place. 

After dumping our gear we did a quick look round town but nothing was opened and there was no one around.  

So back to our home and I did some washing while Kate went biking to the laundry. 

Later on I went for a walk to the beach by myself to see what the sunset would do.  I was just sitting on the wall and this guy started waving at me.  I turned because I thought there must have been someone behind me, next thing he yells at me where do I come from.  I called back NZ and he kept on walking.  Next thing I know he is right behind me and he is asking why I come here at this time.   I said because there is less people. Next minute he grabs me in a hug and kisses me!  He then asks me to go with him and I said no I am waiting for my friend, he asks if it is a girl or a boy and I said girl and he grabs me again and says that's ok.  I then said I'm not guy! First bad move!! Then I get my cheek pinched and he goes for another grab!  Anyway I was running out of options as I couldn't really go over the wall and he was blocking me in! Anyway to cut a long story short and a couple of kisses on the head later and another pinched cheek he went on his way. After that I kept waiting for Kate to turn up so I could get away from there! 

Anyway I am looking forward to checking out these villages tomorrow and having fresh bread delivered to our door for breakfast.   Yummmmm!

View from our balcony looking towards beach.

 

Florence

Hmm well what to say about this place!  Walked out of the train station and it was down hill! Finally found a hotel which you just about have to pay an arm and a leg for. Went to have a wine and I hadn't had anything to eat so grabbed a menu.  Waiter brought out wine and I had looked at the menu then and the prices were ridiculous so thought I would have some fries.  Well did the waiter go off!  He went on is that all you want and talk the napkins away.  Felt like telling him to stick it but had already stated drinking the wine.  Anyway we have looked around and it just seems to be a lot of very expensive shops!  Maybe we are missing something but just not liking it! The other interesting thing I have found about Florence is that all the statues are naked!  

Winter in Venice

Woke this morning to blue skies and warm weather.  Who would have thought it would be 14 degrees during winter.  Hopped on the water bus to Munro Island where they make all the glass.  

We couldn't find one glass factory to see them making glass they were shut, which was a shame. Anyway we had lunch over there in the sun and then just enjoyed cruising round on the bus for awhile. 

This is the cemetery it is an island all on its own. Stopped and had a walk around it was so peaceful. 

Check out their car ports!! 

Got lost in Venice and had to get google out to find our way out.  But before we did that we had to stop for a quick Spritz ( local drink made from wine and a liqueur) then back out to find our way out of the maze. 

Just need to head out to find some food for tea then it will be pack up time as we are on a fast train to Florence tomorrow morning. 

Venice - Italy

I love Venice!! It is an amazing city.  Had a wonderful walk around the streets popping out in different locations then going back into the maze of streets.  We are staying in a typical Ventian street which is only about 2 metres wide.  Had pizza for lunch, best base I have ever had need to find out how they make it.  Have even discovered shopping, Kate just about had to drag me out of a shop!  Anyway first day has been great and I am looking forward to tea!

This is the main road!