After an early start in Belgrade, we had a relatively uneventful train journey to Budapest. We got here at around 4pm and headed over to the hostel. After leaving our bags in the room we headed out for a few beers and something to eat before turning in after a very long day.
On Monday we went on a Communist tour to the Statue Park where all the old Soviet Union statues are kept, we then were taken to a museum set up like a typical appartment in Communist Hungary. The guide gave us a thorough and enjoyable insight into what life was like for the Proletariat! Afterwards we visited the Dohany Synagogue in Budapest, seeing the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park which has the Tree of Life present. We also seen the Holocaust cemetry. It was a very intersting experience because I'd never been inside a Synagogue before and was very surprised at how much it is just like a Christian church inside, obviously replacing Christian symbolism with Jewish symbols. It was also very cool getting to wear the Kippah! Afterwards Rob went for a snooze, so I headed up to the Ferenc Puskas Stadium to pass the time. A very plain football stadium with nothing exciting to it whatsoever other than the fact it is named after Puskas. In the evening we went out for something to eat and then went for a few beers with some of the lads from the hostel, including a guy we met in Paris at the beginning of our trip and our now reunited in the end!
Today we got up around about 10am and pottered about the hostel before heading out to the House of Terror, which was the building used by both the Hungarian Arrow Party, a puppet government under the Nazi regime, and laterly the Stalinist regime that liberated the country. The building was used as a police cell, for those who spoke out against the Nazi and Communist regimes, where they would be brutally tortured and more often than not, executed. After that we headed to the Szechenyi Furdo, which is a big spa with thermal baths etc. We spent a while there relaxing before heading back to the hostel.
Tonight we were meant to get a free Hungarian meal at the hostel, but the staff member who usually does it is on holiday, so we will just have to make do with one of the local places for our tea tonight. Then it's a quiet night before catching our flight home to Glasgow tomorrow morning.
So that's Europe, the trip has been a really amazing experience, with plenty of memorable moments. At times it has been hard work, a lot of travelling and stress trying to find hostels and make connecting trains. It's hard to pick out a favourite destination, though I have an obvious bias towards Athens. But regardless of the many up's and very few down's it has been a very enjoyable trip and I'm very glad I've done it and feel I've accomplished a lot which brings a great deal of satisfaction for the hard work and effort put in organising and saving up for the trip.
See you all soon.
-Steven
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Belgrade
Woke up this morning expecting a pretty average day with nothing much to write about due to the fact we had a 10 hour train journey to Belgrade ahead of us, but boy was I wrong! On our way to the post office and shops we came across a cat sleeping on the street, but as we got closer we realised the cat was in fact dead, which was pretty disgusting.
Once we boarded the train all sorts of events unfolded. It started off with some Serbian nutter threatening us with some sharp tool for trying to get to the seats in our carriage that we had reserved. This left us sitting at the back of the train on our bags while some psychopath and his friend occupied our seats. This wasn't to be the only terrible moment on the train, I later had some drunk Serb couple enquire to whether or not I'd have sex with there friend, which would've been alright had it not been a dude! So now absolutely petrified, I was almost going to go back to the carriage and risk my luck demanding to seat next to the nutter with the blade, rather than be harrassed by these perverts! However that was not to be the end of the train excitement, a fat middle aged man pulled open the back door of the train, while it was in motion, and clambered out in order to get the boxes of fireworks he had stashed on some part of the outside of the train. After watching in shock, we finally managed to get seats after a whole load of Serbs got off the train once we'd crossed the Bulgarian-Serb border. The remainder of the journey was in comparison very quiet.
This evening we arrived in Belgrade after 9pm and after finding our hostel on Gavrila Principa street, we went out for something to eat and then wandered around the city for a while, seeing one or two impressive buildings in the Serb capital. Tomorrow we are up bright and early to catch what I hope will be our last train, at 7.30am to Budapest, which will be our final destination before returning back to Glasgow. It's another extremely long train journey tomorrow, but I'm hoping for it to be slightly less eventful and hopefully more relaxing before what should be a good couple of days in Budapest before returning back to dear old blighty.
-Steven
Once we boarded the train all sorts of events unfolded. It started off with some Serbian nutter threatening us with some sharp tool for trying to get to the seats in our carriage that we had reserved. This left us sitting at the back of the train on our bags while some psychopath and his friend occupied our seats. This wasn't to be the only terrible moment on the train, I later had some drunk Serb couple enquire to whether or not I'd have sex with there friend, which would've been alright had it not been a dude! So now absolutely petrified, I was almost going to go back to the carriage and risk my luck demanding to seat next to the nutter with the blade, rather than be harrassed by these perverts! However that was not to be the end of the train excitement, a fat middle aged man pulled open the back door of the train, while it was in motion, and clambered out in order to get the boxes of fireworks he had stashed on some part of the outside of the train. After watching in shock, we finally managed to get seats after a whole load of Serbs got off the train once we'd crossed the Bulgarian-Serb border. The remainder of the journey was in comparison very quiet.
This evening we arrived in Belgrade after 9pm and after finding our hostel on Gavrila Principa street, we went out for something to eat and then wandered around the city for a while, seeing one or two impressive buildings in the Serb capital. Tomorrow we are up bright and early to catch what I hope will be our last train, at 7.30am to Budapest, which will be our final destination before returning back to Glasgow. It's another extremely long train journey tomorrow, but I'm hoping for it to be slightly less eventful and hopefully more relaxing before what should be a good couple of days in Budapest before returning back to dear old blighty.
-Steven
Friday, 24 July 2009
Sofia
We got up at 8am yesterday morning and embarked on a very long journey consisting of two trains Athens-Thessaloniki and then a break of 2 hours before jumping on the train to Sofia. We arrived at the hostel, absolutely exhausted, just before midnight. We had a wander around the surrounding area, which was pretty empty and dark, apart from one or two homeless folk pottering around or sleeping.
After a long sleep, or what seemed long, a lie in until 10am is considered a long lie to me now, we went and got breakfast, which consisted of bread, bulgarian cheese, salami, muesli. These foods are usually the staple diet of the traveler's breakfast. In the afternoon we sorted out our train ticket for Belgrade, which will basically be a stop off night on our way to Budapest, and then wandered around the city, catching up on a bit of dark tourism, this time passing by Communist Party HQ, Soviet Army Monument and the Monument for the Unknown Soldier. We also sneaked in to the National stadium and had a look at the pitch and stand before being told to leave by a caretaker. After a good 3 hours or so walk around the streets, which really do bare the scars of a Communist regime, I set out on a run in what can only be described as baking heat.
Tonight we are going to check out a restraunt that serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and probably sample some of the beers, well I most definitely will, especially at 80p for 2 litres!
Anyway, we are off to Belgrade tomorrow for one night before travelling to Budapest for the final destination of our trip before returning to Glasgow.
-Steven
After a long sleep, or what seemed long, a lie in until 10am is considered a long lie to me now, we went and got breakfast, which consisted of bread, bulgarian cheese, salami, muesli. These foods are usually the staple diet of the traveler's breakfast. In the afternoon we sorted out our train ticket for Belgrade, which will basically be a stop off night on our way to Budapest, and then wandered around the city, catching up on a bit of dark tourism, this time passing by Communist Party HQ, Soviet Army Monument and the Monument for the Unknown Soldier. We also sneaked in to the National stadium and had a look at the pitch and stand before being told to leave by a caretaker. After a good 3 hours or so walk around the streets, which really do bare the scars of a Communist regime, I set out on a run in what can only be described as baking heat.
Tonight we are going to check out a restraunt that serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and probably sample some of the beers, well I most definitely will, especially at 80p for 2 litres!
Anyway, we are off to Belgrade tomorrow for one night before travelling to Budapest for the final destination of our trip before returning to Glasgow.
-Steven
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Athens
Got into Athens at Saturday/Sunday midnight. After a bus and metro journey we were at Hostel Zorbas and were welcomed with a shot of ouzo(which was very much appreciated) before heading to bed after a long day.
On Sunday I left my bank card in the cashline(Note: Don't worry Dad, I went the next day, they destroyed my card, and the other one is now in use!) which was a real pain in the arse! We headed to Syntagma Square to catch the number 4 tram down to Paleo Faliro. We visited my grandmothers old house on Riga Fereioura, where an elderly lady(a relative possibly?) with short grey hair shot out the house and round the corner to the local shop after I had taken a photo with my mobile. We then went up to the cemetry where my nanas ashes are and I spent some time there. It was a really strange feeling seeing the house and cemetry, I felt several emotions being in the place my grandmother grew up and where my mum went her holidays as a bairn. We then went to the beach at the bottom front of Paleo Faliro, passing past the church where my mums Uncle Kostas was married, and spent a good few hours topping up the tan, swimming in the sea, and watching the most violent game of beach football I have ever witnessed! We then headed back to the Hostel and then went out for a Souvlaki before having what was to be quite a session in the bar at the hostel.
We had planned to go to Aegina the next day, but after waking up late, chasing up the bank to see what had happened to my card, and both of us feeling horrendously hungover, we decided just to take up the easy option, sort out our rail journey to Thessaloniki and then retire to the beach in Paleo Faliro. Much to our annoyance we arrived at the train station only to find the trains were on strike! So off to the beach to suffer and enjoy the sun. After an afternoon on the beach, and feeling much better, we decided to eat in a restaurant in Paleo Faliro. The restaurant menu was only in Greek and the waiters couldn't speak English, so they actually phoned up a guy they knew could speak English to serve us. I found this particularly amusing because I can read a Greek menu very well! So we both settled for a Greek salad starter and then Bifteki for our main. Stuffed we headed back to the hostel to get over the final hurdle of the morning/afternoon after the night before!
Today, we got up and went out, stopping at the bakery and getting a Loukamades before heading on the metro down to Pireaus. We then stopped for lunch before jumping a board The Flying Dolphin over to Aegina. After a half an hour bus ride we were in Agia Marina where we spent the afternoon doing much the same as we had been doing before, sitting on the beach! It was really cool being back in the Marina, where I had been 9 years before, and where nothing has changed, even the building on the hillside was still far from completion! We caught the bus back to the main town in Aegina and had tea(Mousakka ;) ) before catching the boat back over to Pireaus.
Tomorrow we're finally going to get around to doing the touristy things, Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka and then we are off to see Deep Purple at Terra Vibe Park in the evening. We'll also have to get down to the train station to organise our train to Thessaloniki and Sofia, which is going to be an absolute pain in the arse as it doesn't work well with our schedule grrrrr...
Good luck to the 'Lok tomorrow on their first pre-season friendly!
-Steven
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Rome
We got into Rome at about 5pm on Wednesday and after a short walk from the Termini to our hostel, we were informed of a mix-up that lead to me and Rob being moved round the corner to a private room... with one feckin' double bed! So after a head2foot night we were moved to a room with two single beds thankfully(Rob hogs the covers!).
On Thursday we headed off to the Colloseum and Roman Forum in the baking sun. We got a tour of the place which was pretty cool, although none of the marble is left because it was moved to the Vatican! After wandering around for a good few hours, getting maximum tan on, we headed up Via Nazionale and stopped for an ice-cream, the coconut flavour was by far the best! We then headed back to the room and had a few beers before going out to get something to eat.
Yesterday we got up at 7.30am before heading off to the Citta Del Vaticano(The Vatican City). After paying an obscene amount of money for a guided tour, we were treated to seeing the Rafael rooms and the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michaelangelo. We then failed to make it down the tombs for the next part of our guided tour and the guide basically buggered off. I decided just to sit in St. Peters Square and just chill out and Robert went round some more of the buildings in the Vatican. I was a bit miffed at the amount of money we spent on the tour and felt we'd been had, I also found the tour pretty boring, but I suppose that is because I don't hold an interest in paintings and tapestries. Though the trip was not a total disaster because I'm pretty sure Rob thoroughly enjoyed it. After the Vatican we went back to the room for a sleep, via the ice-cream place! Later in the afternoon I decided to go out for a half an hour run, which turned into a 50 minute run, and 2 hour walk afterwards to try and find the apartment! Now completely exhausted we went down and seen the Trevi fountain and had our tea before nicking up the road.
Today we're just arranging stuff for our flight to Athens tonight and then probably sitting in a park somewhere enjoying the weather. I've really enjoyed Rome, especially the weather, but now I'm very excited to get to Athens.
On a side note, I'm sorry to see Baz has finally left Rangers, if only it were Walter Smith that moved! Very pleased to hear Davie Turnbull is staying at 'Lok aswell.
-Steven
On Thursday we headed off to the Colloseum and Roman Forum in the baking sun. We got a tour of the place which was pretty cool, although none of the marble is left because it was moved to the Vatican! After wandering around for a good few hours, getting maximum tan on, we headed up Via Nazionale and stopped for an ice-cream, the coconut flavour was by far the best! We then headed back to the room and had a few beers before going out to get something to eat.
Yesterday we got up at 7.30am before heading off to the Citta Del Vaticano(The Vatican City). After paying an obscene amount of money for a guided tour, we were treated to seeing the Rafael rooms and the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michaelangelo. We then failed to make it down the tombs for the next part of our guided tour and the guide basically buggered off. I decided just to sit in St. Peters Square and just chill out and Robert went round some more of the buildings in the Vatican. I was a bit miffed at the amount of money we spent on the tour and felt we'd been had, I also found the tour pretty boring, but I suppose that is because I don't hold an interest in paintings and tapestries. Though the trip was not a total disaster because I'm pretty sure Rob thoroughly enjoyed it. After the Vatican we went back to the room for a sleep, via the ice-cream place! Later in the afternoon I decided to go out for a half an hour run, which turned into a 50 minute run, and 2 hour walk afterwards to try and find the apartment! Now completely exhausted we went down and seen the Trevi fountain and had our tea before nicking up the road.
Today we're just arranging stuff for our flight to Athens tonight and then probably sitting in a park somewhere enjoying the weather. I've really enjoyed Rome, especially the weather, but now I'm very excited to get to Athens.
On a side note, I'm sorry to see Baz has finally left Rangers, if only it were Walter Smith that moved! Very pleased to hear Davie Turnbull is staying at 'Lok aswell.
-Steven
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Venice
This post is likely to be full of spelling errors as the keyboard is missing a lot of keys.
We got in to Venice bright an early on Mondahy morning, after a small walk to the hostel we were greeted by a friendly Japanese bloke who offered us wine and breakfast. We then set out around the area, we are located right on the banks of the Grand Canal, and got ourselves familiar with thee area and the hot baking sun. In the afternoon we caught up on the sleep we had lost on the night train. In the evening we went to a pizzaria and then just chilled out in the hostel.
Today we headed to Piazza San Marco with the rest pf the tourists and seen the Basilica before getting the water train back to the hostel. Later in the afternoon I helped a Croation lady Neda, with her bags and she showed me around her terrace flat, seeing the amazing rooftops of Venice, and then she bought me a beer from the local cafe to thank me. She was a very interesting lady with lots of stories of Venice and Croatia during Communism. Tonight we might go out with other guests from the hostel, then tomorrow we are heading to Rome.
I wish I could explain in more detail how nice Venice is, but the keyboard is useless!!!!!
-Steven
We got in to Venice bright an early on Mondahy morning, after a small walk to the hostel we were greeted by a friendly Japanese bloke who offered us wine and breakfast. We then set out around the area, we are located right on the banks of the Grand Canal, and got ourselves familiar with thee area and the hot baking sun. In the afternoon we caught up on the sleep we had lost on the night train. In the evening we went to a pizzaria and then just chilled out in the hostel.
Today we headed to Piazza San Marco with the rest pf the tourists and seen the Basilica before getting the water train back to the hostel. Later in the afternoon I helped a Croation lady Neda, with her bags and she showed me around her terrace flat, seeing the amazing rooftops of Venice, and then she bought me a beer from the local cafe to thank me. She was a very interesting lady with lots of stories of Venice and Croatia during Communism. Tonight we might go out with other guests from the hostel, then tomorrow we are heading to Rome.
I wish I could explain in more detail how nice Venice is, but the keyboard is useless!!!!!
-Steven
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Vienna
Arrived in Vienna's Sudbahnof station at around 5pm on Friday evening. Immediately booked our seats on the Sunday night train to Venice and then headed to the hostel. Got to the hostel without any problems, which was a bonus, as it was pretty hard to find the hostel in Prague at first! We headed out for something to eat then sat in a pub and had a few beers before heading back to the hostel. We got talking to some folk in our room who seemed pretty cool, bar this one Indian guy who snored, kept f###ing about with his bag and turning the lights on and off through the night.
On Saturday I went out for a run, ran for an hour then realised I was lost and it took me another hour to find the hostel! After that we wandered down into the centre of Vienna and passed by the Soviet monument, which was very similar to the one in Berlin, before heading to St. Stephens Church. After climbing up to the top of it and seeing some remarkable views of Vienna we headed back to the hostel.
We got changed and went for an early tea as we were planning on heading to the Gerard-Hanappi Stadion in order to see if we could buy some tickets off of touts outside the ground for the Rapid Vienna - FC Schalke match. We managed to get two tickets for 20€ each and off into the stadium we went. The atmosphere was amazing, both sets of fans were jumping, chanting, setting off flairs, throwing beer glasses at players and officials, they even serve beer at the games...It was brilliant! The game finished 2-1 for Schalke which left the Rapid fans booing excessively at the referee at the end of the game as they felt a bit short changed to say the least!
Today we will probably just have a wander around Vienna before getting on the train to Venice tonight at 8.40pm. I'm really looking forward to Venice as it would be nice to get some sun, even though it is sunny here in Vienna, I imagine it is much hotter in Venice!
-Steven
On Saturday I went out for a run, ran for an hour then realised I was lost and it took me another hour to find the hostel! After that we wandered down into the centre of Vienna and passed by the Soviet monument, which was very similar to the one in Berlin, before heading to St. Stephens Church. After climbing up to the top of it and seeing some remarkable views of Vienna we headed back to the hostel.
We got changed and went for an early tea as we were planning on heading to the Gerard-Hanappi Stadion in order to see if we could buy some tickets off of touts outside the ground for the Rapid Vienna - FC Schalke match. We managed to get two tickets for 20€ each and off into the stadium we went. The atmosphere was amazing, both sets of fans were jumping, chanting, setting off flairs, throwing beer glasses at players and officials, they even serve beer at the games...It was brilliant! The game finished 2-1 for Schalke which left the Rapid fans booing excessively at the referee at the end of the game as they felt a bit short changed to say the least!
Today we will probably just have a wander around Vienna before getting on the train to Venice tonight at 8.40pm. I'm really looking forward to Venice as it would be nice to get some sun, even though it is sunny here in Vienna, I imagine it is much hotter in Venice!
-Steven
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