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2015

January - December 2015
A 365-day adventure by Rachel Read more
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  • Traveler2015
    Day 108

    Highgate Cemetery

    April 18, 2015 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    It is a glorious day in London today. It's cool and breezy but the sun is warm and the sky is blue. Ever since I moved to West Hampstead I've wanted to visit Highgate cemetery in Hampstead. It has cool people there and is consistently mentioned as a place to visit in timeout guides.

    With only 3 weekends left here I took the weather as a signal and headed out. There are two cemeteries here, the East and the West. The West is the oldest and can only be accessed on an official tour. The East is a few years younger and you are free to wanderer at your own will. Karl Marx resides here.

    I arrived under the impression that the East gives a tour as well, it wasn't, only the West was today. So I signed up for the 2:30pm session. For Ł12 I got a 1 and a quarter hour tour of the west and access into the East.

    I roamed around the East first, visiting the Karl Marx plot and just generally wandering and enjoying the view. It was nothing like a cemetery I'd never seen before. It was forest like, people were buried all over the place, no straight lines. You could hear only the sounds of the wildlife going about their day. It was peaceful and quiet. At one point I saw a black cat sharpening it's nails on fallen down tree.

    At 2:20 I headed back to the chapel entrance of the west cemetery and waited for our tour to start.

    We were just a smallish group, probably 10-15. And started off in a courtyard. Our guide tells us that the cemetery was built in the Victorian era when there was a burial crisis. Too many dying people and not enough ground space. Eventually the idea of the great 7 was developed and set up.

    Given the era it was very fashionable to have a flashy funeral. You must always keep up appearances apparently, even in death! There were also these mourning fazes. Where the women had to wear certain clothes and colours and they were only allowed out if the house after a certain period of time.

    Keeping in mind the it was necessary for a flashy funeral, the design of the cemetery catered for this. There was an area called the Egyptian corridor, there were giant above ground buildings which families owned so that people could be buried together.

    Some of the interesting tombs we saw / met included :

    Russian spy
    Coloeir outbreak in soho
    Adam worth - Henry j Raymond, the Napoleon of crime
    The doctor who did the first surgery under anesthetiser
    Michael faraday - quote about tax

    I had a great time and would recommend it if you've some free time in London and not sure what to do.    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 115

    ANZAC Day

    April 25, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    This year I am in London for ANZAC day and have received a ticket to the ANZAC day service at Westminster abbey. I'm excited and feel that this is a good event to go to, seeing as I was at Gallipoli last year.

    I arrived early and was taken in through security, this included a passport check, bag check and metal detector walk through.

    The whole area was shut down and tourists were wandering by looking confused as to why the abbey was shut and what was with all the police. I felt really special.

    I entered the abbey and was told to walk forward. It was a very chilled affair. There was one side for the Australians and the other for the New Zealanders. Lots of people here seemed to know each other and gave the impression that this wasn't the first time they'd attended this service.

    I was sat towards the back of the abbey and third row I'm from the aisle. We had beautiful ceremony books on our seats and the organ started playing tunes at 11:45am. It was whilst reading the programme and looking at the tiles of VIP guests that I realised the Queen and Prince Phillip will attend!!

    As I sit watching the guests I start to realise how big of a deal this ceremony is. I watch Nick Clegg, David Cameron, Alexander Downer, Kevin Rudd and .... Walk in with their wives. There was also portent reps from NZ and Turkey and the ... Of Westminster, but u didn't recognise them.

    When the Queen arrived we all had to stand and four royal guards (in the red coats & black hats) stood up in the archway separating the front and back of the church, and sounded a fanfare with their trumpets. The queen greeted different service men and women who were at the entrance, then preceded to the front if the church, smiling and nodding at everyone as she went by.

    I couldn't believe it!! Seeing a royal family member wasn't in my list. Yet here I was a mere metre from the number one!! No wanting in long lines or rough crowds, no cheering and trying to get just a glimpse. There she was in all her glory and she'd be walking past me in get way out too.

    The ceremony was lovely. We heard prayers, sang songs and joined in refrains. I proudly sang out the Australian anthem when it was our turn and joined in fur the Turkish and New Zealander ones.

    When the Queen left we again all stood and the fanfare began. What a way to enter a room each day, with such noise and attention. I'd have to cheer you up on sad days haha.

    The abbey holds a lot of people and it took us all a little while to exit. The crowds had grown by now and watched on as we left. I walked out past Big Ben before going home, riding high on my meeting.

    Lest We Forget    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 116

    London Marathon

    April 26, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today is one of the biggest events on the London calendar. It's an event that absorbs the city and makes London feel like this one great big community. It's the London marathon!

    And this year I know someone who is running. It's very exciting. Nat who is a great friend and housemate of nicky's is running for the first time this year. It's a dream come true for her and very exciting for me. I love seeing people work really hard for a goal. It's very inspiring.

    I stayed at their place on sat night in preparation to form part of the cheer squad. We were up early and took Nat to the start. We were only allowed in so far before we had to wave goodbye and send her into the marshalling area. We joked it was like waving a kid off on their guest day of school.

    When the went for breakfast to fuel up for the big day haha. There were racers in our restaurant eating breakfast 20 mins before the race started. It was crazy!

    Our first stop was to meet Nag at the 7 mile mark (x km). We saw all sorts of people and customers running by.

    These included:
    A guy bouncing Basketballs
    supermans
    giraffe
    rhinos
    princesses
    cool runnings
    tardis
    jesus on a cross
    pink lady apples
    army / marina
    gorilla & banana
    juggler

    I thoroughly enjoyed watching these his run around the course. They definitely deserve a prize and function for running a marathon and in their outfits!

    The other cool thing about marathon is that all runners have their names in their shirts, so the public can call them out and offer support. It was fabulous!! I had so much fun cheering people on while we waited for Nat.

    We met her at mile 7, 13 and 22 m. We waited at mile 25 hoping to see her on the last leg but she rang us saying she'd already crossed the finish line.

    In a very distant way we ran the marathon ourselves today. We had to reach each destination before Nat did. This meant taking the overground rail and crisscrossing the city. It was awesome as you could see the track and runners at different times. It literally takes over London. I wouldn't recommend visiting London on this day as there'll be no accommodation and all the transport will be delayed.

    Nat was just buggered. We got some supplements into her and headed home. It was such a fantastic day!! And so very inspiring! But sheets hit up a marathon, but I'm starting to think a half marathon would be a great goal to achieve.    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 120

    Last day at TMP

    April 30, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    oday is my last day at TMP before I begin my adventure across Italy and France. I've almost been here 9 months, which is pretty awesome considering that I was initially contracted for 3 months only.

    It's been a very interesting time here. I've learnt a lot about myself, what I want to do and what skills and strengths I have. I've learnt all about graduate recruitment, blue chip companies and the advertising world. I got to travel around the country attending careers fairs and pop up events.

    I've met some really great people, enjoyed many a night out at Hudson's, took one Brit to Paris for the first time and eaten at some cool places.

    And on my last week, I got to enjoy four glorious days sitting beside a window looking out over the intersection of Oxford street and Tottenham Court Road.

    I watched the company strive for a huge client, jump through many hoops, assist in delivering pitch documents, which included driving around London's CBD one Friday afternoon and celebrate in their eventual success.

    I got a beautiful card and book to take with me. This is my second London employment who have described me as the sun ... Haha. Till next time!    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 122

    A new princess

    May 2, 2015 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    I turned on the news at lunchtime to find out that the new Princess arrived this morning. This is the only thing all the news channels are covering and slowly so was all of social media.

    There are several traditions that happen when a new royal is born. First it is announced via the town _____ outside the hospital, then a sign is erected in front of Buckingham Palace with all the details, then the family present to the media before heading home.

    I believe last time the family waited a few days before going home, but as the afternoon ticked over it crowd were notified that the royals would be leaving today.

    I originally planned to go past Buckingham Palace on my way to the theatre to see the royal sign, but then I realised that the hospital was just down the road from me. I didn't intend on seeing the royals I just wanted to see the crowds and all the fanfare, so far I had missed all of this while being here.

    As I left to head out the TV was saying that Wills and Kate would present the princess between 6:30pm – 7pm, I’d be arriving at 6pm and need to leave very shortly after, so I figured I wouldn’t see them.

    As I leading Paddington Station there was police stationed at every corner. As I walked up the main street towards the hospital it increased to every couple of meters. I turned to the hospital grounds and saw all the people waiting.

    I could see the Royals car – this should’ve been a sign – waiting a little way down, the world press were all lined up on the right hand side and directly opposite them was the hospital entrance. People were waving and shouting, standing on stepladders they’d brought trying to get the best picture.

    I turned to leave when this almighty cheer and roar went up, the press where flashing their cameras like crazy and yelling 'Kate, Kate, Kate’. The car revved up and crept forward. I couldn’t believe my luck, I had managed to be here when they appeared.

    But time was ticking on and Ralph was in a play that I had to get to, so off I popped looking back one last time at the crowds. As I got closer to the station these women were running past me. One stopped to ask the officer where is the car going and he said straight ahead, but be quick.

    I walked really fast after them and as we got closer to the station the police presence had increased, the road had been shut, the traffic lights were no longer of use and the crowds thickened and I saw the green land rover, whizz by, royals and new baby all in.

    And that was it. The police dispersed, the traffic lights were playing their role once more and the crowds started toward the underground.

    Two weekends in a row I’ve a brush with the royals! I feel very British right now.    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 127

    I'm here! In Napoli!

    May 7, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    I've arrived in Napoli! I flew into Rome last night and then took a train down to Napoli. I used my interrail pass for the first time which was exciting. I took a bus from the train station to my hostel, but as in Rome apparently no one in Italy feels the need to have big signs pointing out their location, so I again wandered up and down my street a few times before I found my home for the next few days. Good times haha.

    My hostel is located one street back from the sea. You can smell the sea air and see glimpses of the cruise liners that fill the bay. The hostel is lovely. I've views over the city, a balcony, and the staff full of useful information.

    After settling in I headed out, first along the water and then up to the two main streets in old town, where all the best pizza places are, I'm told. Napoli FC were playing so I stopped in at a bar that was full of locals. I had a drink and some bruschetta and enjoyed the atmosphere. Everyone smokes here, inside, outside, on vespers, but the smell isn’t the same, or it isn’t as overpowering as it can be in London.

    At 8pm I wandered up to a pizzeria I was told about and enjoyed a cheese, Gorgonzola cheese, salami and onion pizza. It was delicious! But I stopped in at the wrong place. Apparently the word Sorbello is a popular one for pizza places haha. Oh well, lucky there are more days in Napoli for more pizza!

    Where I stayed
    Hostel of the Sun - 15 Via Melisurgo, Naples, Italy

    Great place to stay. The rooms are a good size, you have a balcony, a nice kitchen, breakfast is good, there are aperitivos every second night. The staff are really knowledgeable and tell you all the best places in Napoli and for day trips.    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 130

    Napoli Adventures

    May 10, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Having acclimatised very quickly in the 1.5 days I've been here I headed out on Friday morning to join a walking tour. The guide was apparently waiting at Castel Nuovo and after dodging the traffic and road works I made it, to find no guide.

    Instead I wandered around the castle before jumping on one of the tour buses. I toured around the city for almost 3.5 hours listening to the commentary and taking in the sights. Napoli is a feast for the eyes. The countryside changes from lush green areas to a real coastline, the buildings are bright and individual, some are looked after, and others have been let go.

    We wandered up to areas on the coast, which still had a Greek feel, where there were small fishing communities and fantastic views over the city, coastline and Mt Vesuvius. Napoli has so much history that I didn't know about. The Greeks used to be out there, it was once a very royal place and only lost it’s capital title when the south merged with the north to create one Italy and Rome became the capital.

    You can just tell that it was once very stately and regal. I wonder what has happened (I'm sure they probably did mention it :/). After the tour I walked along the coast for a little while, before having some lunch and climbing one of the free castles - Castel Dell'Ovo. I intended on having a quiet one tonight before I joined the others in the hostel for drinks and story swapping.

    On Saturday I set out to explore a fruit and vegetable street market and purchased a few local items before wandering up the north to find pizzeria starita. This came highly recommended by a local and a wannabe local. It was tucked way off the main street, but there were signs from a certain point onwards directing you left and right – thankfully or I would’ve never found it. Pizzeria Starita seems to be a chain, it said it had 2 locations in the USA as well, but maybe it was founded in Napoli. Either way the Napolian margarita special was amazing! It reminded me of the magretia that Otto’s makes at home – yummy!

    I also had my daily dose of gelato at a place called Gayodin, I thought it was a special gelato and chocolatier, but it was a chain haha. I also tried an Italian pastry called Sfogliatella.

    On Sunday I achieved a bucket list item. A part from eating pizza, I came to Napoli to see Pompeii and climb Mt Vesuvius. I’ve always wanted to see a real volcano and as Mt Vesuvius isn’t classified as extinct, just dormant, I’m classifying this as a win! See other post for my adventure there.

    Upon returning from my adventures scaling the mountain, I headed out with some of the crew from the hostel for a couple of very cheap beers on the town. A wonderful way to end my time in Napoli.    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 130

    MT Vesuvius and Pompeii

    May 10, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Today I am off to tick off a major item on my bucket list visit a real volcano! Every since learning all about Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii in Italian class in primary school I have wanted to visit this town that was covered by a volcano and preserved history so well.

    Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii are located towards the south of Naples on the way to Sorrento. Mt Vesuvius is our first stop I get off at the station and hop on board a mini bus that takes us towards the middle of the mountain.

    From here we hand over our tickets and climb all the way to the top. It feels quite barren even though there is much greenery around us. We walk over a large dirt road, but the whole feeling has quite a touristy feeling. It's a little bit steep and there are lots of little stops along the way haha.

    As we reach the peak of the summit the winds reach their height and howl all around us. It’s so strong that you have to hold onto the rails to avoid falling off.

    The view over Naples is spectacular! The view into the mountain isn’t the most glamorous, it just looks like dirt everywhere, but man is it so cool! You can just imagine it exploding everywhere. And it could still happen, it is only dormant, not extinct!!

    After walking all the way around and taking shelter in the small bar / souvenir store I headed back down to meet the bus that would return us to the town. I had lunch here before heading onwards to Pompeii.

    I managed to make the last guided English tour of the day – phew! and headed off around Pompeii. It was pretty cool, stepping into this old town seeing where the baker was, the courts, the first pedestrian crossing, the roman baths for men and women, the supermarket and so on.

    The funniest area was the brothels where they had pictures of services men could request on the wall. Also in streets around the brothels were penises on the road and walls of houses directing people to the brothels haha.

    As per usual they had these beautiful water fountains everywhere so you could fill up your water bottles with fresh, clean, cold water. The only downside was that most of the cool relics and frozen people were in the archaeological museum in Naples, so they only had a few items you could actually see in Pompeii.

    Otherwise, it was an awesome day!    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 131

    Napoli - a sum up of this great town

    May 11, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After 4 wonderful days in Napoli it is time for me to pack my bags and head north on my journey once more. I was warned by several people about coming to Naples. Be careful they said, it's dangerous, you’ll be pick pocketed - blah blah blah. Well I have to say how wrong everyone was. Napoli has been amazing! It beats to it’s own drum, has a vibrant rhythm running through it’s streets, beautiful food, lovely scenery and wonderful people.

    The city is everything you imagine an Italian city is like. The streets are cobbled, the buildings are painted bright colours with their balconies a complementary colour. The washing is hanging out on lines that crisscross the city and children call out to each other in the windows. Homes mix along side businesses and you could often families, grandparents, parents and children, sitting around tables together.

    The traffic in Napoli has a mind of it’s own. Vaspas whip around the streets, cars push and shove into every nook and cranny and pedestrians try not to get run over. There is no such thing as a pedestrian only area. If a vesper can fit and the traffic is moving to slow the vesper will mount the curb and start beeping at you.

    Pedestrian crossings are more a decoration then anything else. Nobody stops for you; you just have to walk out saying 'gratias’ with a hand up haha. At first I waited for more experienced or braver people to cross with me. In the end I was leading the others!

    Some things I saw on vaspas:
    - a dog
    - a child standing in front of the ‘driver’
    - a passenger holding onto 3 boxes of vegetables
    - a driver holding onto their sports gear with one hand and driving with the other
    - some people wore helmets others didn’t. Sometime parents had helmets and children didn’t

    Everyone loves to talk on their phones and drive a car, bus or vaspa. They love to smoke to. But everyone, and I mean everyone LOVES their horn! Beep, beep, beep = out of the way, beeeeepppp = move! Sometimes they just beep because they haven’t beeped in 5 seconds haha. It gives a melody to the humming traffic as you walk around the streets. Oh, and vaspas don’t go slow. Oh no, they whip around the corners and speed through streets full of pedestrians, you move or the vaspa moves you! Their brake systems here must be amazing!

    Taking the train down from Roma to Napoli reminds me of the Tully / Ingham area. There are mountains all around, it’s green, the houses are of similar colouring and design, there is agriculture everywhere and it’s warm. The people are happy and loud and loving. I miss that.

    The one thing that I think sums up Napoli perfectly is the graffit found all around the city, espeically on the monuments. The past meets the present. Napoli was once a influential, wealthy town and for whatever reason it has descended into something else. I liked it. It was like, yeah you might be old, but we're making your ours #grafitt tag ... or something like that.

    Recommended pizzeras:
    Gino’s Sorbello
    Starita

    Temperature average while I was there: 27-15 degress

    Food is cheap! €3 for a beautiful margerita pizza    Read more

  • Traveler2015
    Day 132

    Roma : Take 2

    May 12, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    I've made it to Rome! I’m here staying near the Termini station, but we’ve already had an accident and I’m currently limping my way around this historic city. But let me start at the beginning.

    I arrived yesterday from Naples and settled into my hostel, the Freedom Traveller hostel. I am really enjoying this hostel. The rooms are massive, there are lots of bathrooms, we get a free breakfast in the form of pure sugar (well sugar coated pastries) each morning, there is a little garden out the back and free wine and nibbles are put on every night, which makes the place very social indeed.

    My favourite bit is the windows. I’m on the 3rd floor and get to open up the wooden doors out onto the street below. I can hear the street artists playing music, see people sitting in restaurants eating pizza and watch travellers wander up and down trying to find their hostel. I love hearing the music wander up into our room. It’s so Italian!

    After exploring the local grocery shop this afternoon and purchasing some olives, cheese, prosciutto and fizzy red wine (I do not recommend this) I sat in the garden and chatted with all the new visitors to the hostel. As I’ve already been to Rome before and seen the major sights, I didn’t really want to see them again, but I did want to see the Colosseum at night. So after saying goodbye to my new friends I walked down to the Colosseum, it’s about 25 mins from my hostel.

    It was just beautiful. All light up and standing tall. There were just enough people sitting around to make to feel really comfortable and fun. Everyone was enjoying the view and the fact that they were in Roma. After walking around a few times and taking some pictures I headed back to my hostel.

    I was walking down a set of beautiful stairs that was partially in the dark. As I walked down admiring its beauty, literally just thinking how it wasn’t that unsafe to be there, I slipped on some pasta and fell down twisting my ankle as I went. The people ahead of me turned to see me fall and then just kept walking – very lovely I thought.

    I slipped in the pasta getting back up and hobbled home thinking, aside from the pasta now all over my pants, I’ve got away scot-free here! Unfortunately no. I woke in the middle of the night in a lot of pain. So I texted mum haha, help me!! So my foot is now strapped and I hobble everywhere. This has slowed me down quite a lot.

    And I’m a fast walker! Limping around only makes you more of a target for all of the pesky 'do you want a selfie stick’ or ‘can I sell you this tour’ people. But I did have a little laugh to myself at the irony of what had just happened. It’s a story at least!

    Instead of exploring the city and hitting up a number of food places that was recommended, I very slowly made my way to The Vatican today. I took the Metro and tried desperately to weave past every person trying to sell me a ticket to the fast queue.

    I sat in the St Peter’s Square eating my lunch and taking in the view. The line never stopped growing for entry. I went to the post office and posted a couple of cards home – keep a look out for those, and wandered around a bit, but in the end I gave up and headed back to the hostel to rest my foot. Tonight I enjoyed the company of a few Americans and other hostellers in the free wine and sharing stories of the day.

    Where I stayed
    Freedom Traveller Hostel - Via Gaeta 25, Rome, Italy

    Fab hostel that is close to the main train station. Staff are pretty helpful. There is a little garden, social area, coffee machine, free computer and kitchen for use downstairs. I was on the 3rd floor. The room was huge and had 4 single beds in it, plus a desk and cupboards. We opened out our windows on to the street below. Bathrooms were good. Breakfast is free, but is coffee and pastries - the Italian way. Also free wine and nibbles from 7pm each night. It makes for a very social evening with the other hostellers. I was happily stay here again.    Read more

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