Kate's Travel Blog

Monday, May 30, 2005

Munich

Munich is a beautiful place. It's the first place I've wished we were staying longer, regardless of the 30 degree weather every day, plus carrying a backpack and money belt everywhere we go. The only thing is, our hostel is far from great. The only shower we found on the first day didn't have hot water - only freezing cold!! We complained and we can use a slightly warmer one now! Also sharing a room with a girl who appears to live there and doesn't like sunshine as she keeps the curtains closed and the lights off! I've decided she's a vampire!!! Shame about the hostel really as the other two were fantastic, Amsterdam being our favourite so far!

Munich

As I said, Munich is architecturally beautiful everywhere you turn. All the people are friendly and although most speak really good English, even those who don't try their best to help. We got really confused getting from the station as they trains, S-Bahns & U-Bahns (They decrease in ground levels). But we are used to it now, just as we are leaving tomorrow.

Yesterday, we went to Dachau, the first Nazi Concentration Camp. It was amazing. Our guide was really knowledgeable. You really can't describe actually being there. It wasn't intended to be an extermination camp, like Auschwitz, and originally housed only political objectors but later all sorts of prisoners. All other camps were models on this one and it had an SS training (or brainwashing) school too. Later it was also used as an extermination camp and we went into the gas chamber - really was indescribable... horrible... really can't put the feelings into words.

On the whole though the trip was "enjoyable" (this is an inappropriate word but you get my meaning).

When we got back to Munich we went to the Centre for Unusual Museums - very funny - chamber pots, gravy boats, perfume, cars (I have some pictures for you dad!).

We ate at the hostel last night which was a mistake - too many school trips there and the receptions had really bad English (not that I can talk, but at an international hostel!)

Today we went on a walking tour of Munich; it has been slightly cooler (slightly!). It was fantastic though, we walked all over the centre and saw all the famous places including the pub where Hitler made many of his big speeches. This afternoon we have been to look round the Residenz - the palace where the royals resided for 700 years, including the infamous Ludwig!

We are in a 24hr internet café, which is a new experience!

We are going to a Bavarian beer garden pub tonight for food before heading back to our hostel. Rained this afternoon so should be cooler tomorrow when we are travelling to Salzburg... Can't wait, Sound of Music tour!!!

Take Care & love to all.

Friday, May 27, 2005

Zurich

Clock Face

Zurich is very beautiful, but also very expensive. It has been too hot here today. We had a look round the old town this morning to see the biggest clock face in Switzerland (and the world?).

This afternoon we went for a cruise on the Zurich See. Hoping Munich is a little cooler. The hostel is very nice and is very big. We only share with 2 people. No kitchen though.

Frankfurt

The journey yesterday was long hot and very tiring - didn't think much to Frankfurt. Nowhere was open, but we did find a nice place to have Wiener schnitzel and fries. Very hot 30 degrees.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Amsterdam

Hello All, Hope you are well.
The first few days have been very busy. The ferry was pretty uneventful as we went to bed early as we knew we'd have to be up early. We did go out onto the 'sun deck' to go wave goodbye to hull as we left and we had a wander around the shops but anyone who knows me and Wendy know we can entertain each other talking (Wendy is even more chatty than I am).
Kate in Amsterdam
We got a wake up call at 6am local time (that's 5am to u & me)!!! We disembarked at 8am and got a transfer to Amsterdam. We were at our hostel to drop our bags off by 11am!!! So we headed to Anne Frank's house before lunch. It was amazing - I can't get over how big it was! We ate some lunch at a little cafe & I was shocked to realise the reason why people kept on coming in and going to the back was to pick up weed! (Wendy thought they were using the Loo!) Afterwards we went for a look round the red light district in search of a 'penis statue' which Wendy was very disappointed to find was no longer there!! Saw lots of ladies in windows though :)
We wandered round the Dam square, the central square in Amsterdam and where the Royal Palace, for the rest of the afternoon.
Yesterday we went to Bejinhof 'a secluded oasis' of houses and a church - doesn't sound much but it's breath taking. Amsterdam's oldest house was also there - wooden. (delete is in the wrong place on this keyboard!)
Afterwards we went to Amsterdam's Historisch Museum which was huge and combined all sorts of history - starting with geography then archaeology and continued with social history up to the present.
Last night we went for a meal at a Thai restaurant. We have met loads of people at the hostel and made friends with a Korean and American girls, but they both left this morning :(
Today we have been to the Medieval Torture Museum - has to be our highlight so far. Bit like the Dungeons but with loads more information (sometimes a little graphic!)
We also went to the flower market and had a walk down one of the canals.
The hostel is really nice, it has a kitchen so we have cooked a couple of nights and breakfast is included (we stole more for lunch too).
Keep running out of time - 1 euro is 12 mins!
Moving on to Zurich tomorrow - early start, train leaves at 7.05am. But we are spending the middle of the day in Frankfurt. Urgh! Swiss francs & just as I was getting used to euros.
Amsterdam has been surprisingly easy to find our way around as most of the street are perpendicular. Beautiful and clean place. Cyclists stop for nothing though and there are still plenty of pigeons here to scare me - only problem is I might duck into a canal! (Seb you will be pleased to know Wendy is tutting at me every time and constantly making me walk at them.)
Afraid I can't upload piccy here, hopefully will be able to in Zurich.
Will be in touch in a couple of days. Hope to hear from you.
love to all, don't forget me.
Take care
Kate xxxxx

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Kate and Wendy

This is a photo of me (left) before my end of year ball (2005) with Wendy, who I am travelling round Europe with at the moment :)