Contiki - Fun Times, Great Friends!

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Well the last 28 days have just flown by! We can't believe where the time has gone, and where we've managed to visit in that space of time. Looking back at all of our photos, it all just seems surreal!!

We had a tour group of 50 people, 46 Australians, 1 Kiwi (living in Australia) and 3 Canadians. As you can imagine with so many Australians on tour there was an automatic bond. We describe the experience as being a little like big brother, without the evictions (although sometimes people felt like they'd like to add that in! haha). We all got on exceptionally well, and by the end having spent so much time together, a lot of times all day & all night, it was like we were a big family!

We arrived back into London last night at 6:30pm and had farewell drinks at the London Pub. We found that with this sort of tour because we were doing so much each day that by the end, 28 days felt more like 6 months even though the time flew by! It was amazing to see so many tears and emotions felt over the end of this experience. But then again, understandable because exploring Europe for a lot of us has been the best thing we've ever done and we've shared this with each other and so many great friends have been made.

Of course we did have our moments. The Contiki experience does not leave a lot of spare time for yourself and is very regimented. After 28 days it will be nice to be able to organise our own days including what time we get up... can't wait to have a sleep in! 😊 The other thing too, travelling around with 50 people, sickness spreads fast, especially on an airconditioned bus with no windows! The Contiki cough kicked in after 3 days on the bus, and never ended. We both got colds during the trip, and Kim still hasn't managed to shake hers off completely. We're hoping to get our health back over the next couple of days!

We plan on posting back-dated entries of all the places we've been (with photos of course). Due to the breakneck pace of the tour we haven't had any time to do so thus far.

We have been away from home 6 weeks yesterday!! We miss you all heaps and can't wait to receive more comments to let us know how you are all going.

Keep in touch.

Love always,
Kim & Steve.

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Photos

Contiki Bus #2403
Our Mobile Home for the past 28 days!

Typical Contiki Scenario #1
Little Andy & Casey

Typical Contiki Scenario #2
Tired & Hungover!

Typical Contiki Scenario #3
JB telling us what we're up to next!

Comments

[Stef]

Hello
yo. good to hear u had fun!!! giv me a buzz wen ready to organise ur bday night out. not sure if u have our blog: noelandstef.blogspot.com Stef

[Sharon Sergeant]

Keep smiling :)
Hi guys, Glad to hear that you are all safe and well after the tour and the rest of your trip is just as fantastic as the first half. I have really enjoyed hearing of your travels and seening the great pics!!!! Well as you can imagine things at work are busy busy busy.... but enough about that. Keep smiling and having a ball!!!! Sharon xoxo

[Mumsie]

Contiki, Fun times, great friends
Hi Kim and Steve, Great to read your latest update and to hear what a great time you had on the tour. I am sure by the time you read this you will have caught up on some much needed sleep, as well as had a few sleep ins. We are all still working hard here and look forward to each weekend. The weather has been varied, lots of rain, wind and somewhat cooler days/nights than when you both left us. However, we are still having some sunny days. There isn't a great deal of news to tell you from over here, but we look forward to reading yours. Take care and keep enjoying every minute of your holiday. Love to you both, Mum and Charlie. xoxoxox

[Mumsie]

Contiki, Fun times, great friends
Hi Kim and Steve, Great to read your latest update and to hear what a great time you had on the tour. I am sure by the time you read this you will have caught up on some much needed sleep, as well as had a few sleep ins. We are all still working hard here and look forward to each weekend. The weather has been varied, lots of rain, wind and somewhat cooler days/nights than when you both left us. However, we are still having some sunny days. There isn't a great deal of news to tell you from over here, but we look forward to reading yours. Take care and keep enjoying every minute of your holiday. Love to you both, Mum and Charlie. xoxoxox

[Mum]

Hi Steve and Kim, glad you had a good time on your Contiki Tour and hope that you are feeling better. Thanks for the drunken video message :) Things are slowly progressing here, we finally have a driveway. We did have a fence- but it blew down in the wind... Kat has bought a MacBook. We picked up the Kobster today and she has moved into the garage, at least until we have fences. Hope you enjoy your time in London and get to see many sights. Love to you both, Mum xox