Eastern Europe - Prague

After a frustrating attempt to make it to Prague or Praha after Oktoberfest we discovered the train we were going to travel on was packed and there wasn't another train until the morning. We decided to camp in Nuremberg for the night at a cute little hostel called "Let'em Sleep" - which is what we did. In the morning we found a super cheap supermarket and cooked up a feast for breakfast. Apparently during the night there was a fight outside, prostitutes in the room above us and the police were called. All we heard were loud voices - I guess we were tired. Nuremberg was gorgeous and we wished we had time to explore but we had a schedule!We caught a train to Prague in the afternoon and arrived early evening.

Prague is beautiful and affordable!! We explored the Old Town and took a communism and nuclear bunker tour to learn about (recent) history. We learned that the metro system is farther underground to serve a dual purpose -to be a bunker in the case of nuclear attack. It is quite a sophisticated system.There is massive steel doors (hidden to the public) at each entrance to the metro. We were able to explore a bunker that is now rented out by the government. One section was a club, another a museum and one part was even used for potato storage because of the ideal climate! The museum was neat and had the gas masks throughout the years as well as a set-up of how the bunker was to work in the case of a nuclear attack. They even have the air filtration systems down to a T. It was kind of eerie thinking about attacks like that.

When we were exploring the Old Town square we discovered it was Prague Fashion Weekend! The main shopping street (with all the super expensive stores like Burberry, Prada etc) was converted into a massive catwalk with designers presenting their line. It was really cool and we watched some both days we were there. The old astronomical clock in the town square is nifty- on the hour of every hour it works like an old cuckoo-clock with moving and rotating parts. In addition a man at the top of the tower plays a trumpet.
We even squeezed in a little bit of shopping during our stay because we found a large H&M. Finally - cheap clothes! Mike managed to find walking shoes for 3 euros! Steal!

We are now in Vienna - we arrived last night after 10 pm. Today I (Sam) was feeling really sick so we have pretty much stayed around the hostel resting. I cannot seem to shake this migraine. We have decided to stay another night here to make up for it so we can go out and explore this amazing city!! Then we are off to Budapest.

Missing all of you. xoxox

Oktoberfest

The rest of Rome was amazing. The Colosseum is breathtaking and we spent a fair bit of time inside admiring the infrastructure and history of the building. At one end there was a mini film crew setting up and we were hoping (along with hundreds of others) we would see someone famous - but we didn't. The rest of the day was fairly relaxed with us wandering the city. When walking toward the spanish steps for a second time there was ANOTHER movie being filmed outside a barber shop, but once again we did not get to see the actors (or we couldn't tell).

We left on the night train for Munich after 7:30 (the train was late) with hopes of getting a good night's sleep before hitting Oktoberfest. Unfortunately for us a three stacked high bunk-bed (inside a closet of a room) does not fit a man of 6'5". Poor Mike was unable to even lay down. Being on the top meant we felt the full swing of the train rocking back and forth and we both had very little sleep. But we still hit Oktoberfest bright and early!!!  It was quite a hike to our hostel from the Dachau station and when we arrived we discovered we had a curfew of midnight. We were worried about making it back in time but turns out we were back by 9:30. I guess a 10 am drinking start means you end a little earlier. I (Sam) finished my first ever 1 L beer!!!! - and was sloshed. Mike powered through 4 and Will drunk...I mean drank 4  lol. We enjoyed some of the traditional food as well and soaked up the atmosphere. It was amazing to see everyone dressed up and extremely festive. There was 8 enormous beer tents and by the early evening line-ups were forming. We learned you aren't allowed to play cards inside the beer tent. We saw people puking and being haled away with saline drips. There were rides as well, but the one the boys were going to attempt was 8 euros!! That was almost a full beer's worth of money so they scratched that idea. We met up with Dan and Sam ( a couple we met during our Greek Island Hopping) and had a few drinks with them. We all then left to get some late night dinner at a restaurant. It was delicious. The waiter was rude but the food was worth it.

Today was a change of scenery. We visited the Dachau concentration camp and indulged in a guided tour. We learned some new historical information and saw the place were thousands of people lost their lives in disgusting and heart wrenching conditions. It was sobering. Standing inside the gas chamber was just too much. It was definitely a different atmosphere from Oktoberfest. We were then supposed to be headed for Prague on a 5 o'clock train but it was full. As a result, we are currently bunking in Nuremberg. We continue on to Prague tomorrow.
As the adventures continue... 

When in Rome...

Ciao!

Tonight is the last night of 3 we have spent in Rome. We are still in awe that we have gotten to see some of the most iconic sites. We saved the Colosseum for tomorrow and we are pretty pumped. Today we visited the Vatican and the buildings were beautiful. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most beautiful buildings we've ever seen. However, a major draw back was the massive crowds making the tour less than enjoyable. We made the best of it anyways. Tomorrow we are off to Munich to experience Oktoberfest!! Should be interesting.

We are definitely soaking up this amazing country and enjoying some of its delicacies -- cannot seem to get enough gelato and the pizza is to die for. On our last day in Sorrento we bought a family sized pizza (the size of a rectangular cooking tray) with fresh tomato sauce, tomato sauce and basil for 7 euros. It was the best pizza we have ever tasted. The walls of the building we adorned with articles of the owner winning awards for making the biggest pizzas. In a few photos there was dough bigger than him hanging off of him.

We were disappointed to not have visited Positano or the Almafi coast as planned because the transportation system was less than reliable on the day we were to travel. We decided on the hassle free approach instead of trying to cram everything in. Hopefully we can fit in later.

When in Rome - eat pizza, savour gelato and try and run over pedestrians. xox. 

Fireworks, Rooftop patio, croissants and Ancient Ruins - Italy

buongiorno (or Bonjourno for Inglorious Bastard fans!!)


We are now in the beautiful country of Italy! It was a very (very) long journey entailing 30 hours of travel including 17 hours on a ferry with no place to sleep (we resorted to the floor) and numerous trains. We are spending four nights in Sorrento (an hour out from Napoli). Utterly exhausted upon arrival we showered and had dinner before heading up to the rooftop bar to enjoy the spectacular views. Shortly after fireworks erupted from across the water and continued for over 15 minutes - they outdid Parliament fireworks back home. Today we ventured up to Pompeii. The city was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and has since been unearthed and is the most preserved city of Roman life dating back into the AD. Tomorrow we are doing a boat tour of the island of Capri and we get to swim in caves! Cannot wait! 


The rest of the Greek Islands were AMAZING - we had the time of our life and met some fantastic people. We are even planning on meeting up with some of them again when we reach Australia. Santorini was picture perfect and in Ios we partied until dawn. We also went kayaking and snorkeling - as well as an 8 metre cliff jump! 


Definitely having a blast and loving life! Everytime we think it cannot get any better - like enjoying ancient ruins, meeting great people, lounging in a hammock or spending time with family - it manages to get only sweeter! 


Missing everyone back home and love you all.  


Oh - and Mike is utterly addicted to redhot - so anyone feel like spending ridiculous shipping fees - send some over! He went and drank some out of the bottle on the train yesterday.... haha. 

amazingness

Our adventures have only been getting better - if that is even possible! Paris, La Tomatina (insane) and the Greek islands all since our last post! We promise there will be more information soon! But right now it is Paros (Greek island) time and we don't have time to fill everyone in. Tomorrow we are going on a boat tour of anti-Paros and there is unlimited booze, snorkeling, swimming and traditional greek bbq lunch! Should be a blast!

Lots of Love and missing everyone