Highly Amusing Travel Day

April 30, 2013

Today was a very long bus day. We left Prague and entered the open road toward our next destination of Bratislava, Slovakia.

After about four hours bus time we stopped for lunch at a mall where I had McDonald's for the first time in months. When ordering I felt like I was acting as a stereotypical American, so I ordered the six piece nuggets instead of the nine (they don't do ten in Europe). I found myself being overall satisfied with my nuggets and felt no guilt for eating at McDonald's. 

Following our lunch stop we had a two hour walking tour around the small capital of Slovakia. We saw many cute buildings and art pieces and then we were released for free time. The town only offered shopping and food so being poor travelers we decided to get so gelato and people watch as the time passed.

We proceeded to load the bus after this for the two hour trip to Vienna, Austria. We arrived at seven, dropped off our stuff, and then a group of us made our way to the amusement park of Austria.

I was really proud of Meleana's and my ability to navigate the group! We got us to the correct location with ease and then we all proceeded to find dinner in the park. 

After dinner explored the park. I didn't go on any rides because it was about $5 per ride but I did enjoy exploring and looking around.

Being here has really made me want to learn German, but reality says I should get a grasp on Spanish first sense I already invested four years into and don't seem to have much to show for it...I guess Colin and I need to make a trip to Spain or Central America soon haha. 

Vienna tour tomorrow! Best get some zzzzz's.

Exploring or Exploding Prague???

Today was the groups final day In Prague. We met downstairs early for a walking tour of the city.

We saw many famous sights including:

List here. With info and picture. (Sorry all this will be added when I make it back to Cyprus)

The tour took quite some time. I think we walked for a solid five hours.

During the tour an gas explosion occurred. Our group was just down the raid boarding a tram when it happened. It was really scary to see police in full gear running around and windows blown out without knowing what was going on. Eventually an announcement came in the speaker of the tram, but it was in the Czech so we didn't understand. With all the traffic from the police trying to get to the scene, the homeless guy I was standing near, and the fear a bombing it is easy to say that this was the longest scariest public transportation experience I have ever (and hope to ever) had.

After the tour a small group of us found our way to a near by Italian restaurant where I had some amazing penne salmon pasta and tiramisu. I can't believe how much I ate and how full I was after that meal.

We explored a bit more, then went on to the hotel. At the hotel my friend Kenny and I looked up Euro Disney tickets and hangout in the lobby. Shortly after Stephanie joined us and we ordered tea, used wifi, and enjoyed the company.

Eventually I called it a night. I need to sleep off my food baby I produced during our late lunch. Until tomorrow all. 

On To Prague

Today we woke up, ate our free breakfast, and loaded the bus for our next destination. Our first stop was Dresden, Germany.

Dresden was such a beautiful city. We only had three hours so we are some lunch and explored for as long as we could before we had tools the bus once more.

After Dresden we headed toward Prague in the Czech Republic. We arrived about five so my friend Destiny headed off to dinner at a Asian food place we came across. We are petty sure they used our inability to understand the currency as an opportunity to rip us off there, but it is what it is...

After Asian food we met another girl from the program named Toni for dessert. We made it an early night at the hotel after looking around the area as we have an early start tomorrow!

Water Tour of Berlin

Today was a great day in Berlin. I got up and had breakfast at the hotel and it was amazing! Then I walked with my friend Destiny down to Alexanderplatz so she could get an adapter for her electronics. While we were there we checked out the world clock and took some pictures.

After that we decided to walk to the tv station and see how much it was to go up. It was to expensive so we looked around the gift shop and called it good.

We then went and had banana hot chocolate at Duncan Donuts. Being from Washington we only do Starbucks, so that was my first time at a Duncan Donuts ever!

At about noon we went back to the hotel where I met Nicole for a boat tour of Berlin. We had a lot of fun seeing Berlin from the water. I really enjoyed getting to catch up with her and getting to see her one last time before I went back to the states.

Following the boat tour we went shopping, but it was to crowded so we gave up and went out to Thai food upon my request. I have really been missing my Thai food from home so it felt great to experience it once again.

After that we went back to the hotel where I found out my sister was in labor with baby Millie! So now here I am waiting to find out about sweet little baby Millie. Couldn't ask for a better day!

Berlin (Again)

I have arrived in Berlin for my second visit. We left at midnight last night to get here and I am a bit exhausted, but coming back has reminded me of how much I love it here. It reminds me of home. The weather is similar and the culture here is amazing. Only downfall I don't speak German.

We finally arrived to our hotel and had an hour to grad lunch because of an issue with our scheduled tour. So a couple of us went to a near by grocery store for a quick meal. After the meal we took a tour where we drove by some new things I hadn't seen yet.

We didn't get to stop to see much, which made me so grateful that I was able to come and visit Nicole. I got experience so much more visiting her than I would of been able to in the two days we are spending here now.

After the tour we made a quick stop at the hotel them walked down to a cute district we saw on the tour. We ate some food and my seven were so tired we decided to take the metro home. I am now in bed and its only eight. I don't feel so bad though because I never slept between Thursday and Friday except for a brief nap on the plane. So I feel as though I earned my early night. So until tomorrow Berlin, until tomorrow.

Ayia Napa Round One

This weekend Carolyn and I decided we shod take a relaxing trip in a near by beach town on the island. So we made reservations for a hotel packed our bags and we were off. We had some other GLS girls join us on our adventure too! We spent the first day working on homework and basking in the sun. E had a small snack at a close by cafe called Jello and we went to a Mexican Restaurant called Tequila for dinner.

 After dinner we went back to the hotel. That night each had upset stomaches. We spent Saturday at the beach taking it easy as we hoped to start feeling better. There is nothing wrong with sun tanning when sick we decided. Eventually three out if four were feeling better so we went to The Bed Rock restaurant for dinner, which was themed for the Flintstones.

After dinner we went back to the hotel for a relaxing night. By Sunday we were all tip
top and sunbathed until it was time to load the bus back to Nicosia. It was a fun weekend regardless of the little bug. "I'm solid".

Paphos Weekend!

Paphos Weekend

Paphos might be my favorite spot on the island so far.

We took a weekend trip as a group to a resort and it was amazing!

We sat by the pool taking in the sun and went in the sauna.

We of course saw some castles and old ruins along the way including the so called birthplace of greek god Aphrodite, but the biggest highlight was most definitely the resort. 

We went to the hotels bar for drinks and we didn't pay for a single one the entire night. We also enjoyed great music with a show one night, and French karaoke the other night.

There were lizards everywhere and the sea was so close.

The United Kingdom

I just arrived home this morning from exploring the United Kingdom. It was an amazing, long, exhausting trip to say the least.

On March 27th I flew out from Cyprus to Heathrow Airport in London then took a bus and two trains to Aberstywyth, Wales. I spent two nights with Colin's sister, Coral and her family and we had an amazing time. We took a day trip to Temby, which is about two hours down curvy roads from Aberstywyth. It was a beautiful little town on the beach. We played in the sand, ate fish and chips, and enjoyed the area. When we got home Drew made us the best Thai curry for dinner. I was skeptical at first hearing we were having curry, but when it came to it, I loved it!

Aberstywyth, Wales

Fish & Chips

Beach Day

On the Twenty-ninth of March I hopped on a train to Manchester to spend time with my cousin K'Dee, who I met only once before in Yelm when her family came to visit the states. She picked me up from the station and we headed to Tatton Park. At the park we explored the grounds. All around were exhibits dedicated to the works of Beatrix Potter. We explored the gardens, the farm, and a house owned by the Tatton family.

After that we went and had tea at her flat because it was freezing outside.Then we did pizza with K'Dee's boyfriend Tom and her friend Luke. Following that we went to a local pub and enjoyed a drink and played a game of Snakes and Ladders. We had a great time that night, but were tired and had to wake up early for an English breakfast so we went to bed pretty early.

The next day we headed to breakfast and then were on our way to Nottingham.

First English Breakfast

The Library

The Kitchen

Bedroom

Livingroom

Piglets at the farm

We spent our first day in Nottingham just looking around and exploring. We were going to do a cave tour, but we missed the last tour so we just looked around some more. My second day in Nottingham I spent with Malcolm and Stevi exploring the Sherwood forest and living like Robin Hood. It was a great day. Even though I was a little under the weather I still had an amazing time. After the Sherwood Forest we went to dinner at The Reindeer and then visited my cousins where I got my very first chocolate Easter egg.  

Robin Hood Statue in Nottingham

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham

The Major Oak

HEDWIG!

The Major Oak =))

 Nottingham was such a great experience. I'm so happy I got to spend time with my extended family. I spent some time in London before I flew back and got to see some fun sites. I hope to get to do London again sometime.

Biggest chocolate bar ever!