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Published: September 18th 2008
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Another end to a relaxing day
Work...hmmm what is that again? Well hi all. We have finally got around to doing a blog so we can share some our experiences with you from the last couple of weeks. And we have certainly had our share of ups and downs during this time. Here's what we've been up to. It all started all happy and smiles in Tarifa with a beautiful sunset and relaxing evening of dinner and drinks. The next morning, things were to change. Dave awoke extremely itchy which he soon realised was due to the million or so bed bug bites he had on his arms, back and legs. A refund from the hostel for our night's accommodation was a bonus, but it just went towards our washing as we had to wash all clothes and items that had been in our bags and of course Dave's bag was open next to his bed, so most stuff needed washing. Oh and we found out that bed bug bites still come up 9 days later. Zoe had a few too, but poor Dave copped the worst of it that's for sure (as usual he reckons).
Then it was off to Seville and then Portugal. Everyone told us how cheap Portugal
One of the downs
I told Dave not to let the bed bugs bite but he did not listen, did he. (Zoe has been looking forward to putting this photo on for 2 weeks. Real nice girlfriend.) was so we were gearing up for some pretty inexpensive days, but that wasn't to be we discovered. The price of petrol was ridiculous (as soon as you crossed the border in to Portugal it went up 30 cents per litre) and we got absolutely shafted by the tolls. Then there was the parking. We literally drove through a car park and it cost a Euro. What the? Oh, and let's not forget the abusive, tooting, yelling drivers who constantly seemed to be directing it all at Dave. Oh yeah and our GPS. We decided to pay for a GPS because it was so good when we were with Deb and Bruce, but when we really needed it to shine, it let us down big time. Hence the reason why Zoe punched the door and Dave nearly ripped the handbrake through the roof. All laughs now but at the time it wasn't so funny, especially as we were running short of time to return the car and were facing potential taxi fares of 40 Euro...but we got through it and made it back to the airport so that was all good.
Ok, that's enough whinging now - on to
Italy. Went around Rome for three days which was terrific. Visited the Colosseum which was good and the Vatican and St Paul's Cathedral. They were amazing - so much detail. They were so worth seeing. There is so much history there with all the ruis etc, it's so good. But it's crazy how dirty your feet get there. So much dust and dirt. Felt like gypsies.
We then went down to Naples for the night where the traffic was absolutely crazy. People constantly tooting and yelling at each other; would have hated driving there that's for sure. Went out to the island of Capri to swim and see this blue sea grotto. It was incredible. We got a boat out there then got rowed in to the cave by this singing Italian 'captain'. The water reflects off the walls which had high concentrations of sodium or something like that so that's why it was so blue. Next day, headed out to Pompeii to explore that ancient city which was destroyed by the Mount Vesuvias volcano explosion way way back in the day. That was pretty amazing as well.
Have also been to Florence since we wrote last. We
Unlucky weather in Portugal
This place would have been magical as there were all these castles up the top of the hill; oh well. did a lot of normal stuff in Florence which was quite relaxing. Eg: went to gym and swim at hostel, looked around on Saturday, went out Saturday night, slept in Sunday, Zoe got a haircut, looked through the markets, walked up a hill to the lookout. It was really good. Florence, however, did provide another almost downer of the trip. The drop off point for Busabout was 1/2 hour out of the city, so we caught a local bus in which took about 40 mins all up including waiting time. Got to our hostel and discovered Zoe's passport was missing. Thought we'd check in first to get rid of the packs then head back out to the campsite to get the passport. Check-in ended up taking 45 frigin minutes meaning we'd run out of time to get a bus back to the campsite because we had to be there before the Busabout guide/driver went in to town at 5pm. So came the sprint (or attempted sprint, but Zoe couldn't make it the whole way) to the train station to grab a cab. Explained the situation to cabbie who threaded his way in and out for us. Did we mention that
Toll booth
Got shafted on these. 1 trip cost us 20 euro, what a joke. And do not even talk about the cost of petrol in Portugal or the other drivers. Poor Dave copped it. it was pouring at this time? And when we say pouring, we mean pouring...oh yeah and hailing. Only time we've had that since we've been here. Great timing, hey. So we get to the campsite and the wanka on the desk doesn't want to help us. Finally does because I leave my credit card there. Race up the hill, wrong turn, drive up another hill, meet the guide who is on his way in to town (in the pouring rain - idiot), grab the keys, board the bus, find passport, hug the driver, race back to taxi, head back in to town, forget credit card, turn around, collect credit card, return to Florence to dry off and destress with a sauna and swim. Costly little taxi ride (54 Euro) but sooooo worth it. Never been so happy to spend 54 Euro in my life.
So we left Florence and went to the Cinque Terra. Was raining when we first got there and we were like great, this place is meant to be like paradise and it will be raining the whole time. Luckily it cleared so we did the 10km walk to the 5 little villages along the coastline.
Relieved to get rid of the car in one piece
Early start; up at 4am for our flight to Rome. Bring on Italy. It was hot and hilly but really good. Would definitely recommend it. The water was probably the bluest we've ever seen and you didn't get tired of the view the whole time you were hiking (and after 5 hours you'd think you would, but it was absolutely beautiful).
So from the Cinque Terra we have come to Nice which looks fantastic. Went for a run along the Promenade this morning and we have free use of a laptop in our hotel room which is awesome and, get this, a fridge and microwave in our room. The longer you travel, the more you appreciate these small things. So we are off to Monaco today, which looks unbelievably rich. Think we might go mix with the millionaires in the casino. Dave might need some new shorts before we head there though; we've been told that they throw 10,000 Euro on the table at a time so I'm sure we will fit in with our one 10 Euro bet for the day. Bring it on!
Well, better go. Sorry (especially to Belinda Cope, Ava and Di Foat) it's taken a while to get around to this one but I hope it's
Colosseum
Cannot see Russell Crowe anywhere in there. been worth the wait.
Love to you all.
See ya,
Zoe and Dave
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Stacey Coops
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Ohhhhhhhh so great to hear that someone else leaves there passport behind and zoe of all people. I just feel on top of the world and i cannot wait till mum reads this blog. I am not the only silly/hopeless one. Thanks zoe. Amanda and marsha always talk about this cinque terra place and i can see why, i want to live there. beautiful. Bed bugs, possible one of the worst thing to happen, ever, you would just feel things biting you for days and days after. Unlucky dave ha ;) Bet you are checkin the beds now, GROSS!!