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Jason and Ricky 's Gaycation
Jason and Ricky 's Gaycation

Jason and Ricky 's Gaycation

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero
    2

    Pretty Prague

    17 de agosto de 2017, Republica checa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Dobrý den, Praha (Hello, Prague). We arrived in Prague late last night, after nearly a 4 hour delay. We were then delayed getting our baggage for another 30-40mins. Lucky our Air b&b host came to the rescue and picked us up from the airport. So this morning was the first time that we were able to explore the city.

    Prague, the city of a hundred spires; apparently that has grown to five hundred since the nineteenth century. Prague is such a pretty city and it seems that every turn you make there is another photo opportunity.

    From Praha 4, we walked into the old town, travelled by the Karluv Most (Charles Bridge), Prague astronomical clock, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Jewish Quarter and the Dancing House.

    For some reason, people kept thinking that we were Russian tourists. There are a lot of Russian tourists here at the moment (along with many Spanish and Italian tourists. I'm not sure there's too many Spaniards left in Spain at the moment). What is it about us that makes people think we're German or Russian? Ne ruský, australský (not Russian, Australian).    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero
    1

    Day of Delays

    16 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today we travelled from London to Prague, with a 4 hour delay at Gatwick Airport. Apparently, there was a problem with the plane and they needed to wait for another one to come from Prague.

    Prior to heading to the airport, we had an opportunity to explore Southwark one last time. We stumbled across a small local market and decided to have quick gander at the goods and food on offer. With limited space in our backpacks, there was nothing for people like us, except for a few pastries from the local bakery.

    Next stop: Prague    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero

    High-End Shops and Shakespeare

    15 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    To begin with, it felt like we were re-creating an episode of Ab Fab, visiting Harvey Nicks, Harrods and Selfridges. Not sure who was Eddie and who was Patsy but Ricky felt like a drink afterwards.

    In Harrod's, we had a stickybeak at the Diana and Dodi memorial before getting lost in all of the decadence that surrounded us. To resist the urge to indulge, we quickly exited, dragging ourselves away from the foodhall.

    From high-end shops to high culture, the afternoon was spent under the sun in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (well, a recreation of it). Being the plebs that we are, we were huddled in the yard, like peasants from seventeenth century England. King Lear was on the menu, with a modern adaptation of the classic play.    Leer más

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    The Beauty of Bath

    14 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After leaving Stonehenge, our tour headed Northwest for an hour to Bath, a town renown for their Roman Baths (and hence the name of the town). As we weaved through the countryside, we got a glimpse of different scenery. The English countryside certainly contrasts to the gritty scenes of London City. The beauty of the historical buildings in Bath gives a feeling that you have stepped back in time.

    Apart from the Roman Baths, there was also the Bath Abbey, the Avon River, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, Circus and more. With only the afternoon in Bath, it was difficult to fit everything in.    Leer más

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    Strolling around Stonehenge

    14 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    After trekking around London for the past six days, it was time for a change of scenery. Normally, we don't do tours but Stonehenge and Bath needed to be an exception. It was only day two for our tour guide, Ruth, which meant there was some interesting commentary throughout the day.

    2 1/2 hours from London in the Salisbury plains is Stonehenge, one of the most famous landmarks, and oldest in England. The construction of the Neolithic (and Bronze Age) monument began over 4000 years ago. It's amazing to view the massive stones and wonder how neolithic people were able to transport and erect the stones. The enigma continues ...    Leer más

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    The Great London Cycle

    13 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Saturday was the Great London Walk and today has been the Great London Cycle. We cycled from Elephant and Castle to Soho, via Lambert Bridge. From there, we cycled through Hyde Park to Kensington Palace. Then returned back to Elephant and Castle after viewing the dismounting ceremony of the Queen's Life Guard, via Waterloo Bridge. Apparently, the ceremony has come about because Queen Victoria found the guard drinking and and gambling, so as a punishment a check was put in place at 4pm each day for 100 years. Even though the 100 year punishment has ended, Queen Elizabeth II has continued the practice and established it as a tradition.

    More than 25 kilometres were traversed today, equating to a lot of pedalling. Needless to say, Jason doesn't want to see another bicycle for a long time.    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero
    The cleanest metropolitan river in Europe !

    Vauxhall, Brixton and G-A-Y Nightclub

    12 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Equipped with our bicycles hired through the London City cycle scheme, we set out for Vauxhall. We had heard that there were a few gay establishments in the area. Upon our arrival there was much disappointment. Maybe we landed in the wrong area but there was little to see, other than the hoards of police that were positioned in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

    With a quick cycle around Vauxhall, we headed south to Brixton, where we seemed to have entered a completely new world. Scattered throughout Brixton were preachers on the footpaths ranting about Jesus and the need to seek forgiveness and salvation. We did get a very nice chicken biryani from the Brixton market (and as cheap as chips, well nearly).

    In the evening, we set off again with our bicycles and headed for Soho on the other side of the Thames to go to G-A-Y nightclub. The view of London at night as we cycled across the Waterloo Bridge seemed much nicer, with the London Eye all lit up.    Leer más

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    Travelling the Thames

    11 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The City of London claims that the Thames is "the cleanest metropolitan river in Europe". But from the banks of the river it doesn't look so. We definitely wouldn't be swimming in it, even if the fish have returned. Of course, a trip to London wouldn't be complete without a boat 🚣 ride along the Thames.

    We started out hiring bicycles 🚲 and cycled to the London Eye, avoiding the double-decker buses 🚌. From the London Eye, we travelled to Greenwich, and while not far from the London city centre, it isn't as crowded. It's definitely a great escape from the hustle and bustle of London City. We wandered around the borough admiring the palaces and churches; one church ⛪ claims to be the "possible" place of King Henry VIII's baptism, as he was born not far from the church in Greenwich Palace (Palace of Placentia). A trip to Greenwich also had to include crossing the meridian line, walking around the Queen's House, which was commissioned by Queen Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James I, and a walk under the Thames via the foot bridge.

    After the sites of Greenwich, we travelled upstream stopping off at each point along the river, finally ending at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. We circumnavigated the Tower of London before walking across the Tower Bridge.

    The cycle home was pleasant in the 21°C English summer weather, although we got sunburnt and now look like the lovechild of Donatella Versace and Valentino.    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero

    The Great London Walk

    10 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    To say that we did a lot of walking today would be an understatement. Overall, we walked 24km around London. First stop was the Globe Theatre, before heading for London Bridge via Borough Market.

    The view of Tower Bridge from London Bridge made for a perfect photo opportunity. From there, we walked through Whitechapel to St Paul's Cathedral and then onto Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and St James's Park.

    We had high expectations of Buckingham Palace, but from the outside, it was a little underwhelming. We overheard one British tourist say "it's not as impressive as the Vatican City". Indeed, the Thai Palace in Bangkok is much more impressive.

    After the anticlimax of Buckingham Palace, we ventured into Green Park then onto Mayfair and Soho. On the way home, we stumbled upon the National Portrait Gallery, and what a great find it was. We both love Tudor and Stuart history. It was great to see the portraitures up close rather than in books.    Leer más

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    Warren CupWarren CupRosetta stone

    Mostly Museums: Tate and British Museum

    9 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    It was wishful thinking that the rain might disappear and that the sun might come out. It has continued to rain all day in true English fashion, which has put a bit of a damper on our plans. But what better way to fill the day and get out of the miserable weather than to visit the Tate Modern and British Museum.

    The Tate Modern has some great masterpieces from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries but we couldn't help but notice the lack of British artists.

    The British Museum houses some of the most magnificent (and "stolen") artefacts from history. Ricky went a bit berserk taking a zillion photos of the Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections. He was particularly excited when he stumbled upon the Warren Cup, a small silver Roman drinking cup from the first century CE that is decorated with two images of male same-sex acts. Actually, it was one of the main reasons he wanted to visit the British Museum.

    Fingers crossed that it doesn't rain tomorrow. Rain, rain go away. Come again another day (when Jason and Ricky leave London).    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero
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    London Calling

    8 de agosto de 2017, Inglaterra ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    London called and it said that it's cold and raining ☔. How is 16°c considered summer weather?

    After figuring out the train system, we travelled to Elephant and Castle in South London and then spent the afternoon wandering the streets. The weather may be bleak but so are the buildings in the area. Hopefully tomorrow won't be so miserable.Leer más

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    Tot ziens Amsterdam!

    7 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Our last day in Amsterdam has come by so quickly. It feels like we only just arrived and now we are moving on.

    The last day was no different to the other days; it was spent wandering the streets like an itinerant with no place to go, except this time we needed to cram in all of our favourite sights and tastes. Of course this included one last taste of the chips and mayonnaise and a waffle. We even had a chance to explore around the Vondelpark.

    Tot ziens Amsterdam.

    Next stop: London    Leer más

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    Close of Pride

    6 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today was a day of wandering our way though the streets of Amsterdam, almost aimlessly, down to the Westerpark. All in anticipation for the close of Pride (and the closing party). Jason was looking forward to seeing Chicane, a DJ from the UK.

    The anticipation was a bit of an anticlimax. Chicane didn't quite live up to the memories of the past. And the event was closed by an old Dutch performer - think Kerri-Anne Kennerley crossed with Patty Newton. Unlike Chicane, the Dutch crowd lapped up every note and word. We couldn't quite understand the appeal so we exited, stage left.

    Of note was lunch and the people watching from a little café in Centrum, not far from the Damrak and Centraal Station.    Leer más

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    Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade

    5 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The big event finally arrived. The city was completely plastered with pride flags (including the Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam). The atmosphere was buzzing with people all trying to position themselves along the parade route. There was a sea of people for as far as you could see. Those lucky enough to get a spot of one of the many boats on the canals were fortunate to get an up-close view of the glitter, leather and sequins. Us mere peasants were contented with a position on the bridge along the Prinsengracht (and Berenstraat).

    The boats began in the East at the Oosterdok then they floated down into the Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel, Prinsengracht and finished at the Prinsengracht/Westerdok. All in all the parade took 3 1/2 hours to weave through the canals of Amsterdam.

    The parade included 80 floats, all with a specific theme (well mostly, some just seemed to be party boats). The crowd was so diverse from children to grandparents, all celebrating diversity and love in whatever shape and form that it might come in. It's not just tolerance, it's acceptance! And that's what I love about Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general.    Leer más

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  • Jason and Ricky 's GaycationJason & Ricky's GaycationViajero

    Drag Queen Olympics

    4 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Pride opened with the Drag Queen Olympics, which consisted of: stiletto heel 👠 racing, handbag 👜 throwing, hula hoop and riding a hobby horse 🐴. The two drag queen MCs kept the crowd entertained with their sharp-witted, and often sharp-tongued, sense of humour. Our favourite was the Italian drag queen, Lola. She had big hair and looked ready to do the Jane Fonda workout video.

    The winner was a Jamaican drag queen, who demonstrated that she was the better hobby horse rider.

    Afterwards, street parties popped up all over Amsterdam, with music and other entertainment. Though it was going to be hard to top the Drag Queen Olympics. We positioned ourselves in Dam Square, the main square of Amsterdam, in front of the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk.

    The music was entertaining but we couldn't help but think that music stopped in 1999. All of the songs were samples from pre-1999. But we were taken even further back in time when the next act appeared on stage: Boney M. It was a strange act to have between two DJs. Somehow the disco tunes of the Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring 💍 and Daddy Cool didn't quite suit the occasion. But it did provide for an entertaining evening!    Leer más

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    Noord Amsterdam Street Art

    4 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Yesterday was all about the great Dutch masterpieces. Today it's all about the great masterpieces of Dutch street art.

    First, we stopped off at Buiksloterweg before heading to NDSM-werf, a derelict shipyard turned avant-garde arts community. NDSM is only 15 minutes upriver from Centraal station. Creativity oozes from every corner with its über cool, post-modern warehouse full of crazy installation art. Nearby an estate of houses built out of recycled shipping containers dot the landscape.

    One of the exhibitions included the Barbie peepshow. Pay one or two euros and you get to "watch crazy stuf [sic] between her legs". Ricky was curious but too scared to take the plunge into the seedy world of Barbie (art)porn. Jason on the other hand felt right at home with a beer 🍻 in his hand, sitting on the beach, as he immersed himself into the bohemian lifestyle of an avant-garde model.    Leer más

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    Rembrandthuis

    Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt and Van Gogh

    3 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A short walk from where we are staying in the red light district is the Rijksmuseum, which houses artworks from throughout Dutch history. It was a day of culture and soaking in the atmosphere of Amsterdam. Of course it included the obligatory viewing of Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

    After the Rijksmuseum, we wondered to the Rembrandtplein to have a gander at the Rembrandthuis. Rembrandt lived and worked in the house from 1639 to 1656. So many houses in Amsterdam are from this period. It's hard to imagine houses surviving for this long but that's what makes Amsterdam so beautiful.    Leer más

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    Out and about in Utrecht

    2 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Utrecht is about twenty-five minutes out of Amsterdam by train. It's a small university town with a population of about 300,000 people, with a fifth of the population being university students.

    There's a certain charm about the city, which Jason fell in love with as soon as he stepped outside of the train station 🚄 🚉 . Similar to Haarlem, there are fewer canals and people than Amsterdam. There's definitely less tourists!

    Wondering the streets of Utrecht made for a nice relaxing day. We ended the day with a canal boat 🚣 tour, getting a glimpse of the main attractions of the town: Churches (kerks), docks, an old prison, walls and houses.    Leer más

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    People Watching in Amsterdam

    1 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Sitting back and watching the action going on in Amsterdam is as interesting as any museum. While people watching in Amsterdam near the Oude Kerk, which is a 700 year old church, we overheard a group of American tourists talking. One of them, a woman who was in her early sixties, says "I'm going to ask them". And immediately we knew she was talking about us. She walks over and asks "where can you get high around here" and proceeds to show us a joint that she has bought. We point to the many Coffeeshops in the area.

    She replies with: "thank you for speaking English rather than that acht, nicht ...". And proceeds to do an impression of what she thinks Dutch sounds like. In stereo, we both say "we're not Dutch, we're Australian and speak English".

    Oh, and the shop assistant at the bakery thought Ricky was French. Maybe because of the black and white stripe shirt.

    Let's see what nationality we will be mistaken for next.    Leer más

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    Haarlem

    1 de agosto de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Fifteen minutes west of Amsterdam by train is a small town called Haarlem. It's a mini Amsterdam with less canals. We spent a few hours just wandering around the town.

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    Amsterdam Arrival

    31 de julio de 2017, Países Bajos ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Goedemorgen amsterdam! We have arrived in the city of canals. We were here 5 years ago and in many ways it seems like nothing has changed. It’s hard not to fall in love with the scenery and architecture of the city. It’s even harder to resist the chips and mayonnaise. First stop was Vlaams Friteshuis.

    But to work off the belly full of chips and mayonnaise, we spent the day wandering the streets of Amsterdam. And in true Jason and Ricky fashion, we got lost several times throughout the day. Bloody Google maps! But hey that’s the charm of Amsterdam. No matter where you are in the city, there’s always something of interest.

    Amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general, is so accepting of diversity. For pride week, the LGBTIQ+ flag adorns many establishments. Even some of the trams are painted rainbow colours.

    We are staying in the heart of the red light district, in the centre of the city. Everything is within walking distance. And while we are in the centre of the hustle and bustle, our accommodation is like an oasis away from the hectic streets, except for the chiming church bells.
    I ❤ Amsterdam    Leer más

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