It's been a while since I've written a blog but I've been pretty busy... travelling around Europe... Yeah.
I spent around three weeks to a month travelling from city to city and it was the most amazing experience.
We started out in Amsterdam and after spending 3 crazy days of going to the sex museum, exploring along the canals, going to Anne Frank's house, awkwardly going into a coffee shop and watching Holland play in the world cup, we headed to Berlin. Now this was the first time we actually used our interrailing pass and it was probably one of the better journeys we had, no stops and we had a seat! When we arrived in Berlin, we met our beautiful roommates and from there we just had a wonder round a city so full of history and life.
We spent most of our time in Berlin looking at the amazing street art in the east side gallery and in the squats on the east side. We also got to quick look at the club and music scene there which was so completely different to places i'd been before, so underground, secret and amazing. Luckily, we were also in Berlin for the world cup when Germany won 7-0 and the city went mental and being able to experience that was insane.I have to say I've completely fallen for Berlin and I could have stayed another 3 or 4 days, I felt like there was so much more to see and learn about, however we left and got a train to Prague which was probably the worst train journey... being kicked out our seats by a Chinese family and having to sit on the floor for what felt like 100 hours but after all that shit we arrived in Prague. It was such a beautiful city, but I felt like because it was so much smaller than the others I would have rather spent more time in them. However, saying that Prague was lovely,it's the first city we had where it was actually hot! It was pretty chill, sitting by the river overlooking the old churches and cathedrals, finding a pop up bar which played the best dance music, drinking ridiculously cheap beer and cider and just being able to relax. I also really enjoyed the John Lennon wall, all the different pieces of art work and quotes from people all over the world was really touching and sweet.
Next stop from Prague, Budapest. This city was in my top three of favourite places on this trip. Honestly it was fab, the first day wasn't the best but I soon got over my bad mood when we met some lovely people and went to one of Budapest's ruin bars which were the coolest places I've been to. The next day we explored the city some more and it was amazing weather so it just made the place look so much more attractive and appealing, and during the night we finally got a better look round the club which was under our hostel and it was amazing, the underground room was my favorite by far but there is no way you could stay in there for more than twenty minutes as it was just too hot.
The next day involved us trying to move whilst also feeling like shit and being hungover to fuck and we made our way to Zagreb, Croatia. This journey was by far the worst after being delayed, moved onto a coach, moved back onto a train and then stopped for 3 hours because of passport control, but it did have the best views so at least it was pretty. We arrived in Zagreb and went straight to sleep after the ordeal we just had to go through.
The next day was us exploring the city, going to the museum of broken relationships which I loved, planning our trips to other places and just loving life.
The next few days was us going to the Plitvice Lakes and onto Split.
Split was exactly what I need at this point in the trip, bearing in mind we were in city after city and it was fab just to be able to get on a bikini and chill on the beach without a care in the world and I actually got a bit of a tan which was lovely to not look like something out of twilight next to my very very tanned friends. It was so nice and chilled in Split but by recommendation by one of the managers at my work, we got on a ferry and made our way to Hvar and had one of the best nights of the trip, talking to randomers about tomorrowland, dancing on a beach and living like we were a bunch of rich kids really.
Until disaster struck and the Apocalypse came and nearly destroyed my life... one of the biggest storms I've ever seen came over the island making it basically impossible to get off the island as there were no ferries coming over, but eventually we made it back to Split, sort of alive. We then made our way to Italy, first Rome then Florence. Rome was amazing, we did stay in quiet a scary place but the city was amazing. I have to say it was even better because I got to wonder around this place with one of my oldest friends, it made my whole trip to Rome so much better. After eating too much pizza, pasta and gelato we made our way to Florence, my third favourite place I visited. Florence was so beautiful, romantic and peaceful. Yes, we stayed in a shit heap but the city made up for that and more, watching the sunset on the top of a hill which over looked the city was one of my favourite moments and really brought into perspective how much I've enjoyed travelling and how much beauty I'd seen on this trip. We also got the chance to have a quick trip to Pisa which was hilarious, having the obvious tourist photo by the tower and trying to get the best ones we could.
After that, we made our way back to Rome for the last night out and last day of travelling. We spent this night on a random pub crawl which was a laugh. The next day involved me trying very hard to stay alive and to not slip into a coma... I did a pretty good job. We spent the last day walking around Rome, eating some more pizza and getting ready for the journey home. I have to say travelling around Europe was the most incredible experience of my life and I will never forget the things I've learnt and the moments I had in some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Overall I had the greatest time of my life and would recommend it to everyone, if you're thinking about it, just do it.
Now that I've actually been I can give a bit of advice on what to bring and do...
- Talk to people. Seriously, just start conversations with people on the trains/buses/ferries/whatever you're getting around in, you start talking to people and find out the most interesting stories, opinions or you might just meet someone hilarious who will make the journey go faster.
- Make sure you have an adapter. I forgot mine and it was just awkward.
- Save. Shit is expensive in Europe and I basically lived like a tramp for a month. Make sure you budget, then budget more money, it's always decent to have some spare cash.
- Stay away from watermelon vodka.
- This one is important... make sure you go with people you get on with. Large groups can be good for going out at night but in my opinion, the smaller amount of people the better. Two or three people would be perfect.
- Don't over pack, just bare in mind you'll have to carry all your stuff around with you.
- Be organised but be free. It's good to have some stuff planned and have your important documents and passport with you but apart from that you should do what you want. Exploring and adventuring makes the trip so worthwhile and personal as you make your own memories in the different random places you find.
- Take loads of pictures. Yeah everyone will hate you for it when you put them on social media but fuck them you should show off your trip and make memories.
- Write a journal during your travels. It helps you remember everything and is something you can look back on.
- Reserve trains. If you don't like slumming it on the floor next to the toilet then this is for you.
- If you go to Budapest, stay in Instant Groove. Do it.
And basically, that's my guide to my time interrailing. I can't really get grips with reality right now, going back to work, being on the tube, seeing my family, not sharing a room with 4 complete strangers but it's made me realise how much more I want to explore. So bring on Australia 2015.
Good vibes only man.
