Last stop - Bruges and Amsterdam

Bruges

My final Europe travel blog! I'm combining this last one as I was only in both places for a short time. So after being harassed by the crazy French bloke I was quite glad to get off the train and explore Bruges! I checked in to Lybeer hostel which was nice but definitely not a party hostel as advertised! As you walk around Bruges it's very picturesque and such a nice atmosphere in the evening. The square with the Belfry tower, horse drawn carriages and restaurants is beautiful and well worth going to see. I spent most of my time in an ice cream parlour (I'm a self confessed ice cream addict who is seeking counselling) and an amazing takeaway pasta restaurant!

Belfry tower

I even managed to watch some dancing one evening! I was tempted to join in but I didn't want to show up everyone with my world class dance routines. Afterwards I explored the streets and the beautiful canals that run through Bruges. I'd recommend a short trip to Bruges but not too long as there isn't loads to do. However I was quite happy to be sat in a nice pub one evening watching the footy and having a few happy hour Jupiler beers!

Yes chocolate!

Shake what your mama gave ya

Amsterdam

So what can I say about Amsterdam? It's amazing! I was staying in the Red Light District area which upon first reading does sound dodgy but it's really not! It's such a strange place as it's obviously seedy but at the same time it's beautiful. In the day it looks amazing with a canal running through it as you walk along the cobbled streets. Even at night when things get a bit perverted it's such a cool atmosphere. Everyone is walking around having a laugh as it's really weird having 'working girls' knocking on the windows trying to get you to 'try their services'! You don't take photos of them or I've been told they like to come outside and throw your camera in the canal! Overall a very surreal area of Amsterdam but something you have to see.

Red Light District

Dam square

As I only had one night in Amsterdam I wanted to make the most of it. This meant it was time to find a party! I stumbled upon a pub crawl and managed to join in. I met a few people and had a great night sampling a couple of bars and a club. The next day I wasn't feeling great so I just explored the high street which is near Dam square and on my travels I obviously had a massive filthy burger.

So that was it. My interrail journey was over. 1 month and 11 countries visited! I had such an amazing time and visited so many amazing sites during my travels. Thanks to all the people along the way who made it awesome. I move to Bournemouth on Monday so exciting times ahead and I'm already planning where to travel to next summer. I have a feeling Thailand could be on the cards again for a couple of months....Hard to beat that country and I think it's time for me to return!

S x

Exploring the streets of Paris

So I missed my train to Bruges this morning....I went out last night and slept through my alarm! I managed to book another train though so all is well! However I am now sat next to a crazy French bloke who insists on trying to talk to me even though I don't understand a word! He's now sat out in the corridor charging his phone and singing very loudly. Why do I attract the down and outs of society? 

So I spent two nights in Paris and I wish it had been for longer. My first day was spent exploring the sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame as well as visiting the Latin Quarter for a nice meal. I also walked along the Seine and saw a couple of the famous bridges with lots of padlocks left by couples. Such a relaxed atmosphere in Paris it really is such a nice place to visit. The evening was spent at a house party hosted by a couple of French guys I met in Barcelona. It was a really good night! Hello François and Faycal if you're reading! 

Some famous French thing

Angry French bloke telling me not to take pictures. The swine.

Notre Dame

On the second day I decided to visit the Arc de Triomphe and I also had a stroll down the Champs Elysées. Another nice meal in the Latin Quarter was followed by a trip to Montmartre where there were lots of quaint restaurants and cool artists. In the evening I met up with the French guys and a chap from my hostel to have some drinks and a night out! 

Yom

Arc de Triomphe

Montmartre

Hard to remember why I'm eating a rose

Fag in one hand, paintbrush in the other. Skills

I've enjoyed Paris so much and I'm looking forward to Bruges which is meant to be beautiful. I just need to get this journey out of the way and hopefully not get harassed by the weird guy on this train! 

S x

Getting Messi in Barcelona

After a very short flight I arrived in Barcelona! I caught a train to Playa Catalunya which was close to my hostel. I quickly dropped my stuff off and made my way to Camp Nou to watch the mighty Barcelona! It was such a good match as Barca beat Lyon 6-0! Afterwards I went back to my hostel and met a couple of French guys who were going on the pub crawl so I couldn't refuse.

Camp Nou

The next day I had to move hostel as they were fully booked. I checked in to Hostel Nilo at the bottom of the famous street La Rambla. I personally didn't like La Rambla that much as it's far too touristy and lots of people trying to sell you cheap sh*t! The side streets just off La Rambla are where you find a more authentic and cool Barcelona. Lots of little shops and restaurants which are great. That evening I went on the pub crawl again...Definitely need to sort my life out! The clubs here are really good and a lot of them are on the sea front which is perfect!

Sea front

I want one of those chickens!

Picasso sketches engraved on an art museum 

The next couple of days were spent exploring La Rambla and also going on a free walking tour. The weather was a bit cloudy so there was no point checking out the beaches. I spent a lot of my time in an amazing pizza place. Slightly addicted.

La Rambla at night

Creepy weird alien street entertainer 

Amazing street art

So yet again I found myself in an unfortunate situation due to not planning anything. The train to Paris was fully booked for the next couple of days! As a result I had no choice but to book an expensive flight. Not planning anything is much more fun but next time I will have to plan a bit more as my route has been very random and I haven't completely made the most of the interrail pass! The journey walking up La Rambla was interesting on Friday morning..... Lots of drunk people coming out of the clubs at 5.30am with prostitutes trying to snare themselves some easy money!

Overall there is such a good atmosphere in Barcelona and it's a city I would definitely come back to. Onwards to Paris!

S x

Roaming around Rome

The flight was only an hour which was perfect! After landing I took a train to Termini station as M&J hostel was close by. I dumped my stuff off and went out to explore.

After a 40 minute walk to Trevi fountain, I discovered it was having work done to it! Couldn't see it really through the scaffolding! Oh well! I then moved on to the Pantheon which is an amazing building. Nearby in Piazza Navona there were lots of buskers and some amazing spray paint artists who create stunning pictures so quickly. Well worth watching as they are so clever! 

Yom

Pantheon

So talented

The streets in Rome are narrow and lined with beautiful restaurants which creates such a nice atmosphere. There's lots of dodgy blokes selling fake handbags too in certain areas! When they see a cop they pick up all their stuff and leg it! I stood and watched a scuffle between a cop and a bloke who would not let go of his prized 'Gucci' handbag! The cop had to attempt to pepper spray him in the end which did the trick. Clearly it's not just women who love handbags.

The rest of my time in Rome was spent exploring the Colosseum,  Roman Forum and the Vatican/Sistine Chapel. All of the sites are amazing and full of so much history. I was so happy to visit each of them even though I waited two hours in a queue for the Vatican! 

Colosseum

Beautiful streets

Vatican

Again I am an unorganised dirtbag who has had to resort to a flight to Barcelona as I can't be bothered to plan anything! I'm staying there for a few days I think and I'm off to the Nou Camp to watch Barcelona v Lyon. So excited to see Messi and the gang! Just over a week until I go home so I'm going to make the most of these next few countries. Well as long as my credit card lets me...

S x