Budapest and beyónd!

Ok, currently residnig in Berlin, but time to back track a couple of days... and yes i am aware i havent finished thre last post!

But on with the story.

After booking the tickets to go caving within the confides of Budapests extensive cave network, Miika and Me jumped at the chance to go considering two years ago we missed out, however Dean was a little reluctant and decided against the idea of crawling through small holes. Anyway themorning we awoke, Myelf and Dea took a trip to the Schensel (something like that) Turkish baths in budapest, it was great thermal pools, mineral pools, and the water was fantastically hot, you could easily come here and not freeze in the winter.

After spending numerous hours at the baths it was time to leave, so leaving dean to explore the city on his billytod i made way to the caving meeting point, first there befotre the arrival of several norwegian individuals, miika and then a bunch of yet more americans. Setting off from the meeting point we followed our love smitten guide to the caving site via a series of busses, once there we geared up and set off into the caves...

The whole experience was fantastic, dark, not damp climbing, crawling, sliding and squeezing, i never knew id be able to fit through some of the gaps id gotten through, including the smallest of which being one known as the Winnie the pooh hole, known so because of te amount of people that get stuck there!

Lasting for a tad over three hours when we eventually emerged we grapped some quick beers before heading back to budapest by foot, taking the odd photo along the way and even having a mini feast on mc donalds cheeseburgers too.

The next morning it was time for me and Dean to leave Budapest, and make way to our new dstination, Prague a small city ´but needing to take a 6 hour train journey to reach it. Arriving in Prague at somewhere around 21.30 we had envisioned arriving at our hostel relativley easily... two hours later, we eventually did. (thanks to the road not existing on any maps). That night we decided to only spend one noght at the apple hostel, complete lack of atmosphere and a rather un friendlzy receptionist... however i did get my revenge! Moving the next morning to the much more social A Plus hostel, we checked into our room, when we entered we were greeted by about 6 english uni grads all scantily clad and passed out all over the room, great.

later that day we wandered round Pragues streets exploring and eating ice cream... i even checked out one of the interactive art exhibitions that was on, dare you take a peep inside...

Eventually the time came to depart for Berlin, so we returned to the train station, and boarded our train for Berlin, four hours later we arrived, found our hostel (again it was off the map) then dispersed for food with our Dansih roomie Kasper before heading out tro a live music show that lasted till the early hours.

For todays plans, were checking out a free tour of Berlin and leaving this great city at about 11pm to make way for our next destination... Sweden!!!

Catch you all soon!!!
Danny

Dubrovnik, ,Split and on to Budapest

Info coming later... when im not tired...

Well the bus ride was ok... unless you count being stuck inbetween two very large and very sweaty individuals, yes, lots of fun... However the second half of the coach ride got better... minus them charging a euro to put my bag on the bus (what was a 23 euro ticket not enough) anyway it took us around a very large cove and some time later we caught our first sights of Dubrovnik and its old quarter... little did we know what was coming next...

Dubrovnik and its old quarter.

Leaving the bus we spotted a celebrity x cruise ship, one id seen many a moon ago in athens, but before i could get off the bus i was jumped by a rtaher large blonde lady with a deep voice promising the cheapest rates for rooms in Dubrovnik... How could we refuse. So, jumping into her little white car we were whisked rather swiftly off to her home, a ten min walk from the harbour (where the bus stopped) and a 20 minuite walk to the old town, not to bad really. Entering her home, it was definately very homely... her father was even cooking some form of broth over the stove and the smell was soooooooooo appealing. Anyway after so long on the bus we were itching to head off and explore, and thats what we did... But when we got to the old quarer we found it over run with over seven cruise ships worth of tourists!!!!

exactly what we felt like saying

Wandering around the old quarter till about 4pm we finally had our fill of the packed streets that felt more like a rat race than a picturesque place to roam, time for a swim i guess, dont get me wrong we loved the old quarter... it was just WAY too busy to even try to get around!

Dubrovniks old town main square!

Hey, im sure everyone gets a wedgied now and again!

Random side street.

Following on from our swiming on what was a poor effort of a beach, the only real amusement being watching a pair of dirty lurkers flirt away and swim into an even dirtier cave, wonder what they got upto. Heading back to the hostel, we grapped some pizza and again ran across a wedding procession for about the seventh time in our time in Dubrov so far, each of the seemingly 30something long procession honking their car horns as if theres no tomorrow... obviously they were rather extatic about the occaion! We returned from our swim back to the old quarter by night, such a nicer experience, the very venician streets were almost empty, but the atmosphere was that of a very casual and almost romantic one with lights reflecting of the worn marble floors... Even as we sat eating ice cream along a small harbour we felt like we could stay there forever listening as the waves crashed over the lower reaches.

The next morning we were off again however, destined for our next croatian destination, Split, however this required catching a ferry between the two places, which was great really and the sun made it all the better... we even met an english couple who lived in a town twinned with 24 of the 27 eu countries... theyd also gate crashed the queens birthday party dont you know... Such rebles eh! but alas, the ride gave us all chance to relax... Dean more so than the rest of us!

Dean after a hard day aboard the ship.

Arriving in split we checked into our hostel, the Silver gate, where in which as soon as we did recieved an invite to a neighbouring hostels birthday celebrations for the night, which started as a few drinks round at their hostel, then off to a new club, origionally pulse in the old roman ruins by the silver gate, but then ended up being along a treck down a barely used rail track, then a beach to the bar... Great night, although Dean and Miika left early, i stayed on drinking Jagermeister (excuse the spelling), and jagerbombs.... Lots of fun, and even better when there all free!!!

The next morning our watre rafting trip didnt quite work out as we didnt recieve the info we needed in time, so, day free we set off to explore the rest of what split had to offer! Mainly small market stalls selling all manner of items, and the old roman palace complete with underground chabers and art museums...

Ancient roman art was truly ahead of the times!

The museum was alright, not really much to see, sewer pipes, a bath, a table, a dozen or so pillars and a stone bloke, which Dean took a liking tooo... But hey, we got a free postcard!

(sorry deleted the pic by accident, will get it back eventually)
Dean became strangely fixated with this rock...

Once the night drew in we packed up our stuff and made way to the station for our overnight train to Budapest, grabbing more pizza along the way. (This was going to prove to be an eventful journey)

The station.

Im gonna finish the rest of this later... Deans fallen asleep on the floor behind me...

And now to continue, boarding our overnight we settled down on the train, offered the chance to continue our journey in a couchette we declined, and were also then informed of a spate of thefts that had occured the previous year, anywho whislt munching my way through pizza, realised that two of the random american girls id met at the beach bar the night before were also travellin on the same o/n train, this equalled out to a night of drinking games in their compartment centered around a bottle of red wine and eventually talk and exchanged stories of embarasing stories being told. Some rather amusing tales too!

Eventually the night drew to a close for me, dean and the two girls Chrissie and Erin, we retired to our own compartments to sleep and awake in the morning hopefully in time to make a quick detour via the massive hungarian lake, lake Bálaton... or so we had thought. It turned out that the conductors warnings of theft were to be headed, recolectiojhns of someone trying to gain entry to our compartment exist, but the individual in question was foiled by the well positioning of my knee as a door stop... However the two other brits from manchester (and yes they rave away in 42s too) had the contents of their bags, well the money anyway taken by a rather snake like thief (he slid under their seats and the brits themselves to get their bags, then he pushed his look a third time in the american girls cabins, only to have Chrissie wake up in time to realissse what he was doing... This then in turn woke the other brits (Mike and Katy) who then managed to reclaim ALL of their stolen money... What random Croatian carries round a wad of English notes on an overnight train anyway. Crises averted, and the thief vanishing amongst the train, we all eventuall settled down to sleep the night.

The following morning the other brits decided to continue on too Budapest to spend some extra time their, whilst our party of three became a fivesome as the two american girrls joined our forces to invade lake Balatonm for a quick 2ish hour dip in the very, very, picturesq lake. The water felt so unbelievably refreshing after spending all night on an overnight train with no windows!

More later, continuing the free touur of berlin!

Well moving on, moving on!

Leaving our previous destination this morning, waking at 06:30 then left on a very cambodian esq four hour train ride to our newest destination. When we thenarrived we wandered aimlessley around pondering to ourselves.... "hrmmmm.... Bratislava" (for those who are familiar with the film eurotrip)!

Wait, this looks familiar...

Eventaually we aquired ourselves a taxi ride for 20euros, with our own personal three toothed, 100miles per hour driver, across another border to our newest destination, but that wasnt until we were searched by the police for various substances at the border crossing... Oh and we even got a new set of passport stamps!

Our three toothed driver!

Arriving at another very hot beach location we found some accomodation, grabbed a burger, then made our way off to another beach for yet some more swimming... we even did a couple of 7meter jumps too! then it was off to explore the castle like summit as the sun began to set!

Atop the fortress.

Watching the sun set.

However now its time to go, were going for a biite to eat then its bed time... Weve got a lovely 5am bus to catch to Dubrovnik tomorrow!

Guessing game.

After staring at a map of Europe and trying to recall where Miika wanted to go - I've decided that you can only really be in either Albania on the beach - or in Thessoloniki - then Mirko said you can only get the bus in Albania - and I thought - they have interrail tickets - they woulda got the train to thessoloniki. So I figured your either in Durres or Vlore. Then you said you're gonna be in Croatia tomorrow so this is what I think you're gonna do:

You''ll go to Croatia near Montenegro and Bosnia and Hertzegovina and see the coast - you''ll then go to Zagreb and get the train or something to Hungary and on to Bratislava then to Praha where you'll decide one of the following 2:

Poland then onto Finland via the Baltic States

or;

Germany and onto Finland via Sweden

These options will probably depend on money and how much Danny wants to see the Baltic States. Personally I'd be stuck - the Baltic states are amazing but I'd want to go on the ferry in the summer cuz its so beautiful and could even meet Mirky while your in Sweden.

Well thats my guess anyway.
Miss you's all and love you's all - in the entirely non - commital way to danny and dean. Danny stop chasing girls with boyfriends - ah well - see you all in 12 days hopefully.

love and kisses
Cherry
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Silly Dean face...

Has run out of credit so this is a polite request to his dear mummy to ask...

"would you please mind putting some credit on the phone, the cards in the kitchen (i think...), but the charger works"

What a silly chap he is hey!!!

Bye bye corfu, hello ......

Well the last night at the pink palace was pretty good, traditional greek dancing, plate smashing, free ouzu and dancing with complete strangers too, the only thing i regret is that our time on this fantastic island had too come to an end, it really was so fantastic!!!

Sruting their 'Greek Stuff'

But arising at 5am this morning we caught a bus to the harbour and caught a small boat from corfu to our next destination, once we arrived at the harbour it was off through passport control and onto a seemingly endless 8hour bus journey that could have proved to be quite fatal, considering the number of severe drops over the edges of the road edge cliffs.. no room for error here!

Sleepy faces at passport control.

One of the views over from the bus window!

Anyway, im not giving thename of the place were in away now, but it is fantastic, weve got ourselves a decent set of digs for the night, for a two floor, two bedroom, two bathroom complete with kitchen , lounge six sofas and a tv guess how much we paid... Yup thats right, 40 euros, no not each, thats in total between the three of us!!!! Not bad huh!

Our, first floor... We actually had TWO floors!

Well weve already had a meal and a wander around tonight, off to bed soon for another early morning tomorrow, but we should however be arriving in croatia no later than saturday!

Theres a really big clue in this picture...

Ciao for now chapps and once again chapettes, and enjoy the challenge!!!
Danny!

Well Helu from Corfu! (and a bit about venice)

Well just to finish of from venice, was pretty good, the beds made it even more worthwhile as it meant for the first time in three years we wernt sleeping rough there!

Dean's new buddy!

The evening was pretty good, we found a coop and stocked up on some scran before eventually checking out the beach over at lido... more to come aftre lunch

And a massive (free) three course meal im back, oh it was sphag bol if your wondering!

We wandered round venice a while whilst waiting to check into our freshly cleaned hotel room, saw some sites then made our way to lido (a beach island of venice) swam, ate pizza and generally relaxed before heading back to the mainland to clean up and check out san marcos square by night! V. cool with the classical music.

San marcos by night

Next day came a brief stroll before we made way to the harbor for our 24hour journey by ship to Corfu, not much really happened on the rather empty minoan lines ferry unless you include drinking wine and eating platicy cheese (that wasnt green, mouldy and didnt smell)!!!

Arriving in corfu the next day we jumped on a free bus to 'The Pink Palace' (as ive just been told has a facebook... hrmmm...) where since arriving partied with two canadian lass's each night (also on our ship) lara and jesse, lots of fun!!!

The Pink Palace Possy (above and below)

You know the words... "Were flying the flag for youuuuuuuu"

As of today we didnt feel much upto the booze cruise so instead hired out sea kayaks and did the whole thing, even finding caves to go caving in, rather immense indeed, aside from dean worrying about attracting sharks wioth his cut elbow... but we all survived to tell the tale, although now i have rather sunburnt shins!

Tonight our last night, just eaten with the girls again, off to pack my bag then back to the bar for the end of happy hour!

The Meal!

were to after our 7am ferry tomorrow... Youll just have to wait!!!
Danny!

Train tickets from UB to Janang to Beijing FAO Miika

Hey squeak,

Just a quickie to let you know that Tatiana Kilmova has emailed back and I think she will send you the invoice for the tickets if you want them. Hope all is well, left you notes on here as a comment and on myspace as a message.

Love you and miss you loads!!
Cherry - well thats not very big is it!?
xxxxxxxxxxx

PS - can you tell I'm wasting time hehe!!

3, 2, 1... CANYONING!

Well well our second day in the land of chocolate and cheese sure did prove eventful...

Can you guess whats coming...

we woke up for 8 and were out canyoning an hour or so later each with our own nickname, Miika was Gangster, i was Skywalker (much to deans annoyance) as his was Skunk! Oh and when i say canyoning i mean abseiling down the side of a canyon, jumping into freezing cold river water, sliding along natural rock slides, traversing zip lines and all manner of water related activity... IT WAS AMAZING!!!! Lol, i will admit the1ì three of us sure were nervous at first but by the end f the day beer and sandwiches in hand we truly felt acomplished!

The Canyoning Crew!

When it came time to wave goodbye to Interlaken later that day we cleaned and packed up then made our way off to destined for the train station and our overnight journey to Venizia. The overnight journey was if anything... ridiculously hot, even with the air con. but safe to say now were in venice and booked into a hotel (this meaning its the first year weve not slept rough in venice). But meh anywho, were off for ice cream and a bit of a wonder now, so for now, Ciao, and ill speak t you maube in Corfu, yup off to greece again tomorrow!!!

In venice, they have puple aligators that can walk on walls...

Keep safe guys, Dean, Miika and Danny!!!

Ps. Miika says hello, that is all.
P.p.s Dean says Hes a tired chap!

Interlaken and the swiss lakes!

Just a quick update a rooney, currently in interlaken after leaving amsterdam, by some twist of fate we ended up in the same sleeper compartment on the train as miika did, yet we booked completely different times.

Train Faces!

Anyway were having a great time, been cycling all day, admiring the scenery, some what hiking and lots of swimming in lakes, very cool yet very cold!


Aside from that, the place is expensive at 2quid 50 for ten mins net access so keepint this short and sweet! But yeah having fun, were all already browning, staying in a hostel tonight thats a funny converted barn called the 'Funny Farm'!

Our room at the funny farm, a converted barn!

Off to venice tomorrow after another day chilling and watching the many paragliders soar bye...

Loves and hugs chaps and chapettes,
Danny, Dean and Miika!!!

ps Dean has something to say about amsterdam...
"THE DIRTY BAS****S!!!"

Amsterdam and the red sialor...

Well were now in amsterdam arranging to meet miika before our departure (hopefully) to switzerland later tonight! But meanwhile its hot hot hot and were sat in the dark reces of a smokey weed scented space cake selling pub... doesnt get any seedier does it!

Would you believe it... were lurking in a midgets clog!

Ohh look... The Eiffel Tower

Hazar, we've made it! well we arrived in Paris without a hitch, got round a few sights... the only regret being a severe lack in accomodation but we got round that one in the end.

we ended up spending the night here!

We just bought some tickets and it looks like well be heading off destined to arrive in amsterdam later on this afternoon, meeting up with miika in the process, then departing for pastures swiss!



And the eiffel tower by night!

Now for food!
See you later,
Danny!

Ohh looky what i found...

Just been looking through some old pics and stumbled across this lot...

The origional Eurotrip!

Oh how young and naive! (First day as backpackers)

Wooooo, a sceinic view of Athens!

Ship to Italy with Kim and Jaime

(Dodgy picnic table, off cheese and bottled wine anybody?)

Haha, sorry just found them so thought, meh, why not... and yes i am aware that iv'e not left the country yet but hey, im working on that one! ;)