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Published: March 14th 2011
Hi Everyone
Lots has happened since my last update. I started my tour last Wednesday. Early start and long drive to Dover. Cant really tell you much about the drive from London to Dover as I slept the whole way! Took the ferry from Dover over to Calais in France. Apparently it was the roughest trip our tour guide has ever had. I was very proud of myself and wasnt sick, however I didnt leave my seat the whole time!
It took 4 hours on the bus from Calais to Paris. The views from the bus were pretty cool. We drove past a lot of battle fields and grave yards from world war I and II. Some of the biggest battles in history took place along that highway.
We arrived into Paris around 6pm and went straight to tea. We had snails as our starter! Cant say I liked it much, but atl east I tried it! After tea we took a night bus tour through the streets of Paris. It was pretty cool seeing Paris for the first time at night. We walked up 301 stairs to have an amazing view over the city.
I had
my first introduction to pickpocketers that night too. Well he wasnt trying to take my bag, but he did chase me down the street trying to tie a piece of string to my arm so that i would be made it give him money. Luckily I got away but it wasnt the nicest start to the trip. Have to say Paris in the day time is much safer.
The next day (11.3.11) we had the whole day in Paris. First thing after breakfast I walked up 683 steps to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and then took the lift to the top. Views were amazing. After my visit to the Eiffel Tower I went on a bike tour through Paris. Our guides name was Peaches (dont think that was his real name!) and he was from Texas. Had a great time riding through Paris. I hadnt been on a bike in years so was a bit unsteady at the start but finely got the hang of it. The tour went for three hours (with a stop at the bar in the middle). On the tour we rode past the Louvre, Napoleons Tomb, the Military School\museum, the Old
Opera House and Notre Dame. Was a great way to see the city. I didnt end up going into any of the buildings as I didnt have much time, so I went to a pub instead!
I plan to go back to Paris in May for a couple more days so that I can have more of a look around.
We ate at a local restaurant where we had frogs legs as a starter! They werent too bad, much better than the snails! After tea we had the option of either a river cruise or a Cabaret....I chose the Cabaret. Got to admit I was a little disappointed by this, it wasnt a very high quality show. But as I had never been to a Cabaret I really had nothing to compare it to.
We left Paris the next day (12.3.11) and travelled towards Switzerland. It took 10 hours on the bus but we finally made it to the Swiss Alps, and they were worth the wait. We stayed in this little town call Lauterbrunnen which is near Interlaken.
A little history of Switzerland: They are known as the most peaceful country in the world. They
didnt par-take in any of the world wars, and even holds the United Nations. HOWEVER here are some interesting facts.
The Swiss have created thier tunnels as either S shaped or curved so that if a bomb was ever thrown through the tunnel it wouldnt make it all the way through! The military airfields are all disguised as grass hills so that if a plane was to fly over and take pictures they would not be able to recognise the bases. They have built bunkers into the mountains which have to capacity to hold the whole country, and have enough food in them to supply everyone for up to three months. OH and it would only take 30 mins to evacuate the whole country into these bunkers! All the tunnels are wired with explosives and so are the mountains, so that no one can invade by land.
So there you go, even though they are a peaceful nation they are certainly prepared!
Also they are the cleanest country in the world and are mad about recyling.
Most Swiss will either speak French or German and sometimes Italian. However we had a British working at our campsite
so the language was never a problem!
On the 13th we had a free day to do what ever we wanted. I decided that I was going to skydive in the Swiss Alps. This didnt happen because of the weather which was a bit disappointing. The town Lauterbrunnen also has a train which runs from there all the way up to the top of Europe called the Jungfrau. This takes you 11333ft into the mountains which is the highest point in Europe. However because of the weather this was closed too. So I along with a group of people from the tour took the train to Wengen (4180ft). It was this tiny little town and sells the best hot chocolate! After looking around there and taking lots of pictures of the mountains we took another train into Interlaken and did a little bit of tacky tourist shopping. I brought this snow globe (which Im not sure who I am giving it to yet!) which I didnt realise till we were on the train back to Lauterbrunnen actually moos, and rings a bell. Its pretty funny but know my bag is making random noises!
So that brings us up
Paris
Eating Snails!to today! We had another long day on the bus (9 hours) which is broken up by stops every 2 hours. We travelled through what I would call the most beautiful part of the world, the Swiss Alps down to Italy. We then stopped in Pisa to take silly photos at the leaning tower. And now we are in Florence.
Not sure what I will be doing tomorrow as we have a free day here before we head down to Rome.
Having a fantastic time, the people on the tour are great. Even though we are having long days its pretty relaxing and getting to see heaps.
Thats all from me for tonight. I hope to upload some photos but not sure how that will go.
Hope your all well.
Miss you heaps. B
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Sue
non-member comment
Good hear from you
I am so pleased to hear that you are having a good time. Not too happy to hear about your experince of a pick pocketer. Please take care and have a lovely time. I hope that you are feeling better soon. Will talk to you soon Love Mum xxxxx