Arriving at our meet point by Cleopatra's Needle, there were already a few early starters there before me and I was happy to recognise a few faces from our Facebook group. Many were already circulating and introducing themselves but this was the last time I would be with Bruno and Ben for 4 months. There would be plenty of time to get to know the others over the next 3 months.
As we finally left Embankment at 7.15 we were still missing one person. Who would've guessed it would be the Italian...
The trip to Dover passed quickly as we got to know our neighbours on the bus. We're a disparate group aged from 21-66, of different nationalities English (duh!), Scottish (weyhey), Welsh, Irish, Aussie, German, Norwegian , American and finally Italian... there's even a Geordie (well, it is a different language). This will be expanded when our Dutch friends join us in Kathmandu.
Some are experienced backpackers, some are going home, some consider this the 'trip of a lifetime', for others, this is just the beginning, or the middle, or the end. All are looking for adventure. Would we have chosen each other to travel together? Probably not, but so far we are mixing and enjoying each other's company
All too soon we were in the beautiful, medieval town of Bruges (bridges). We set off to wander round and picked up a canal boat tour followed by a bicycle tour which finished in the oldest pub in Bruges ... That's a tick in the box for my exercise today.
OK. So what's Belgium famous for? Moules, frites, waffles, beer and chocolate. We did our best to tick all the boxes, and some. Well it was Bev's birthday, and we need to get into training as there are a few birthdays to come. I've decided raspberry beer is the future.
Sleep came hard to most people on the first night and there were a few bleary eyes the next morning (not mine of course!). As we set off and exited the city the bus pulled over and 2 people jumped off. One had left his laptop charger in the hostel (you know who you are) and the other had had a disagreement with her breakfast.
We made good progress to Heidelberg and arrived in the late afternoon to be greeted by the monkey's arse as we entered the city. With 4 showers and 3 toilets for the whole hostel, it was going to be a race to get in. The hunt for Gummi bears was on.. and quickly satisfied, as Isabelle had studied in Heidelberg as made an excellent tour guide. A quick (???)hike up the steep hill to take in the spectacular views from the top, before rolling down and back to the hostel, to enjoy the gourmet food and vintage wines for the evening. As we ordered food, we were only missing 2 people.. Janet and Michele were the last to arrive..
The food was great value, tho the numbers eating proved too much for the kitchen. Jaime was the the last to be served and had nearly wasted away by the time it turned up, tho it has to be said, it was worth waiting for. After dinner, we all retired to the adjacent bar where Rick showed the website of a certain hotel in Prague he had been recommended, where the rooms are free but you are filmed on line, however most of us decided that the hostel would still be the best option.
Mels and I shared a final bottle of wine and by the time I got to bed, opening the duvet proved a bit of a challenge, resulting in me getting a fit of the giggles and waking the entire bedroom. Sorry girls!
As we finally left Embankment at 7.15 we were still missing one person. Who would've guessed it would be the Italian...
The trip to Dover passed quickly as we got to know our neighbours on the bus. We're a disparate group aged from 21-66, of different nationalities English (duh!), Scottish (weyhey), Welsh, Irish, Aussie, German, Norwegian , American and finally Italian... there's even a Geordie (well, it is a different language). This will be expanded when our Dutch friends join us in Kathmandu.
Some are experienced backpackers, some are going home, some consider this the 'trip of a lifetime', for others, this is just the beginning, or the middle, or the end. All are looking for adventure. Would we have chosen each other to travel together? Probably not, but so far we are mixing and enjoying each other's company
All too soon we were in the beautiful, medieval town of Bruges (bridges). We set off to wander round and picked up a canal boat tour followed by a bicycle tour which finished in the oldest pub in Bruges ... That's a tick in the box for my exercise today.
OK. So what's Belgium famous for? Moules, frites, waffles, beer and chocolate. We did our best to tick all the boxes, and some. Well it was Bev's birthday, and we need to get into training as there are a few birthdays to come. I've decided raspberry beer is the future.
Sleep came hard to most people on the first night and there were a few bleary eyes the next morning (not mine of course!). As we set off and exited the city the bus pulled over and 2 people jumped off. One had left his laptop charger in the hostel (you know who you are) and the other had had a disagreement with her breakfast.
We made good progress to Heidelberg and arrived in the late afternoon to be greeted by the monkey's arse as we entered the city. With 4 showers and 3 toilets for the whole hostel, it was going to be a race to get in. The hunt for Gummi bears was on.. and quickly satisfied, as Isabelle had studied in Heidelberg as made an excellent tour guide. A quick (???)hike up the steep hill to take in the spectacular views from the top, before rolling down and back to the hostel, to enjoy the gourmet food and vintage wines for the evening. As we ordered food, we were only missing 2 people.. Janet and Michele were the last to arrive..
The food was great value, tho the numbers eating proved too much for the kitchen. Jaime was the the last to be served and had nearly wasted away by the time it turned up, tho it has to be said, it was worth waiting for. After dinner, we all retired to the adjacent bar where Rick showed the website of a certain hotel in Prague he had been recommended, where the rooms are free but you are filmed on line, however most of us decided that the hostel would still be the best option.
Mels and I shared a final bottle of wine and by the time I got to bed, opening the duvet proved a bit of a challenge, resulting in me getting a fit of the giggles and waking the entire bedroom. Sorry girls!
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