Hi. Today is my last day staying in a hotel. My travels are almost over. It is my last day in Portugal. Tomorrow I am flying to London and will stay with my friend Brian again until I leave to go back to NYC.
I will be back in NYC on Tuesday, September 4th! I am excited.
I am not done with the blog yet though...I am still going to add a few sections...
1. My favorite and least favorites
2. What I could not live without during the trip
3. I'll add a section in October after my sister and I go to surf camp in Costa Rica for a week. That should be a riot.
Thank you for reading this and for all funny comments and emails!!! It made my day to get a great posting, comment or email!!!!
I'll see you soon! Check back on Monday!! Have a great weekend. Off to London for me!
-Les
Thursday, August 30, 2007
More lessons learned and random stuff....
1. I felt like this whole trip I was chasing the sun. I ended up in many rainy and chilly places but then would pick my next destination by looking at the map to find the full, bright yellow SUN! It was northern Europe's coldest and rainest summer in years. Oh well!
2. Always use a phone card when calling from the hotel. Make sure the phone card can call the US and Western Europe so you can confirm hotel reservations.
3. Be sure to cancel your passwords if they are saved on any random computers.
4. Orbitz is the worst. Don't ever book with them. Long story...too many details...not worth it....just don't use them.
5. Always pack snacks with you because you never know when you'll find your next snack bar.
6. Again...always try to look cute when flying or dining alone....you never know who you'll meet!
7. Be ready for the London passport control! They are mean and very serious. Have everything ready....proof of a return ticket, address of where you're staying in London, how much money you have in your wallet and also a print out of your bank statement to prove you have enough money to visit. You have to prove you are not there to work illegally. I was ready...phew.
8. Not many people walk around the city streets talking on cell phones.
9. Places serve little cookies with coffee. yummy!
10. Take notes to put in the blog when tipsy. You get great notes, a little hard to read, but better notes!
11. Expect to pay a lot of extra $ if your bag weighs more than 20kg (approx 44lbs) No way around this. All airlines are strict. I have paid a lot of extra money. Oh well.
12. Always board in the front of the train...no one walks down to the front to board so there is always room.
13. My 3.4 oz bottle of Jurlique face lotion lasted the entire 3 and 1/2 months.
14. European men are very affectionate in public.
15. Fried eggs are really FRIED eggs. They crack the egg in a pan of oil and they cook it that way...not on the grill like they do in NYC delis.
16. All the small cute tourist cities/towns are all the same...except the language, food and people. I guess that makes them different...duh...but they are all overrun with tourist shops. It makes the town lose its charm and character.
17. I enjoy places where there are very little tourists. The "behind the scene" places are the best way to experience the real culture of a city.
18. I did not find one place where I would like to live more than the U.S.
19. Don't buy your train ticket before you have to...you never know what will happen to make you change your plans. Be flexible and enjoy the unexpected exciting experiences.
20. Be sure to book a hotel for the correct year! HA!
21. When in a sticky situation, take a deep breathe and make the most of the situation. It will all work out. Wow...that sound like a shrink.
22. I am ready to go back to the U.S. and to NYC.
23. I can't sleep again...due to excitement....just like I couldn't sleep before I left for this trip. I am excited to go back. It's been an amazing 3 1/2 months but I am ready.
2. Always use a phone card when calling from the hotel. Make sure the phone card can call the US and Western Europe so you can confirm hotel reservations.
3. Be sure to cancel your passwords if they are saved on any random computers.
4. Orbitz is the worst. Don't ever book with them. Long story...too many details...not worth it....just don't use them.
5. Always pack snacks with you because you never know when you'll find your next snack bar.
6. Again...always try to look cute when flying or dining alone....you never know who you'll meet!
7. Be ready for the London passport control! They are mean and very serious. Have everything ready....proof of a return ticket, address of where you're staying in London, how much money you have in your wallet and also a print out of your bank statement to prove you have enough money to visit. You have to prove you are not there to work illegally. I was ready...phew.
8. Not many people walk around the city streets talking on cell phones.
9. Places serve little cookies with coffee. yummy!
10. Take notes to put in the blog when tipsy. You get great notes, a little hard to read, but better notes!
11. Expect to pay a lot of extra $ if your bag weighs more than 20kg (approx 44lbs) No way around this. All airlines are strict. I have paid a lot of extra money. Oh well.
12. Always board in the front of the train...no one walks down to the front to board so there is always room.
13. My 3.4 oz bottle of Jurlique face lotion lasted the entire 3 and 1/2 months.
14. European men are very affectionate in public.
15. Fried eggs are really FRIED eggs. They crack the egg in a pan of oil and they cook it that way...not on the grill like they do in NYC delis.
16. All the small cute tourist cities/towns are all the same...except the language, food and people. I guess that makes them different...duh...but they are all overrun with tourist shops. It makes the town lose its charm and character.
17. I enjoy places where there are very little tourists. The "behind the scene" places are the best way to experience the real culture of a city.
18. I did not find one place where I would like to live more than the U.S.
19. Don't buy your train ticket before you have to...you never know what will happen to make you change your plans. Be flexible and enjoy the unexpected exciting experiences.
20. Be sure to book a hotel for the correct year! HA!
21. When in a sticky situation, take a deep breathe and make the most of the situation. It will all work out. Wow...that sound like a shrink.
22. I am ready to go back to the U.S. and to NYC.
23. I can't sleep again...due to excitement....just like I couldn't sleep before I left for this trip. I am excited to go back. It's been an amazing 3 1/2 months but I am ready.
Relaxing on the beach...with screaming kids everywhere!!!!
I was so happy the hotel had rooms! I was ready to relax and enjoy my last few days. All I wanted to do was sit on the beach and do nothing....and work out a bit too.
Ahhh...peace and quiet....well...I thought...until I saw the million kids running around and screaming. You know....that high pitch scream that kids do for no reason at all. It's an awesome sound. ha! I couldn't wait to hear it all day long during my last few days.
Oh no, what did I do? I booked myself at a very nice FAMILY-KID FRIENDLY resort. Okay, deep breathe....I decided I was going to make the most of my stay and figure out how to find peace and quiet.
I did! I found a quiet place on the beach FAR AWAY from the kids. It has been a great last few days. Yeah!
Ahhh...peace and quiet....well...I thought...until I saw the million kids running around and screaming. You know....that high pitch scream that kids do for no reason at all. It's an awesome sound. ha! I couldn't wait to hear it all day long during my last few days.
Oh no, what did I do? I booked myself at a very nice FAMILY-KID FRIENDLY resort. Okay, deep breathe....I decided I was going to make the most of my stay and figure out how to find peace and quiet.
I did! I found a quiet place on the beach FAR AWAY from the kids. It has been a great last few days. Yeah!
Leaving Lisbon...going to The Algarve beach area...oops, no reservation!
I took the train from Lisbon to Albufiera, a beach area in The Algarve region of Portugal. Since I only had a few days remaining on my adventure, I decided to relax and enjoy the beach...no touring, no double decker hop on-hop off bus, no sight seeing, no nothing....except sitting on the beach!
I was so excited...until I arrived at the resort and they didn't have my reservation. Oh no! I just booked it online and showed the front desk manager my online confirmation. oops....I booked it for 2008 not 2007. I'm such a great meeting planner! HA! Yikes! I just stared at the manager hoping he would say that they had rooms available. Could you imagine....my last few days....with no hotel???? Excellent! Great job Les!
Phew...they did have rooms and they actually upgraded me to a suite...ha! I should book for the wrong year all the time.
I was so excited...until I arrived at the resort and they didn't have my reservation. Oh no! I just booked it online and showed the front desk manager my online confirmation. oops....I booked it for 2008 not 2007. I'm such a great meeting planner! HA! Yikes! I just stared at the manager hoping he would say that they had rooms available. Could you imagine....my last few days....with no hotel???? Excellent! Great job Les!
Phew...they did have rooms and they actually upgraded me to a suite...ha! I should book for the wrong year all the time.
August 26...Happy Birthday to me and to...
..Kristin (everyone knows Kristin),
..Joe (my friend Joe from softball and NYC),
..David....BIG 40 TODAY! (close friend of the family....I have known him my entire life!),
..Oleg (my crazy friend from trapeze!)
..Debbie's nephews...Max and Sam,
..Bob (a friend from my job at SPI),
..Michelle (from same job with Bob),
..Lisa Phaneuf's sister and
..Jason's roommate!
Crazy...we all share the same birthday! Happy Birthday everyone!
Cheers everyone! I hope everyone had a nice birthday. I had a great day touring, visiting the beaches, enjoying a nice dinner and finishing the night with a very unexpected birthday present!
..Joe (my friend Joe from softball and NYC),
..David....BIG 40 TODAY! (close friend of the family....I have known him my entire life!),
..Oleg (my crazy friend from trapeze!)
..Debbie's nephews...Max and Sam,
..Bob (a friend from my job at SPI),
..Michelle (from same job with Bob),
..Lisa Phaneuf's sister and
..Jason's roommate!
Crazy...we all share the same birthday! Happy Birthday everyone!
Cheers everyone! I hope everyone had a nice birthday. I had a great day touring, visiting the beaches, enjoying a nice dinner and finishing the night with a very unexpected birthday present!
My Birthday....Tour of Sintra, beaches and Cabo da Roca
Today, I took an all day tour....yes, I was on a huge tour bus with a lot of random people and yes, I did follow a guide with a multicolored umbrella. I swore I would never do that....but I did. Actually, it was a great day. I'm embarrassed to say....I loved my day following a guide with a multicolored umbrella.
We toured Sintra, a cute town about 40 miutes outside of Lisbon, Palacia de Pena, the local beach areas of Cascais (my favorite), Estoril and Cabo da Roca (the most western point of Portugal and Europe)! Amazing sites all day long!
We toured Sintra, a cute town about 40 miutes outside of Lisbon, Palacia de Pena, the local beach areas of Cascais (my favorite), Estoril and Cabo da Roca (the most western point of Portugal and Europe)! Amazing sites all day long!
Portugal....my visit to Lisbon!
I arrived in Lisbon easily and found my hotel (in a taxi) with no problem. Of course I did a bus tour my first day and saw many sights.
Figures....It was rainy and cold my first day. The sun did come out in the late afternoon though. I'm beginning to think the rain follows me. Oh well......
Since it's the "hop on-hop off" tour bus, I decided to hop off at the half way mark and walk back to the city center along the water. Okay, not a great idea. I walked for over and hour and I wasn't even half way there. Yeah, it was a nice day but after an hour, I was no longer along the water, I was walking through the industrial section. Not a pretty sight.
HMMM???? How do get back? Not too sure.....YEAH....A TAXI!!!!!!! I hadn't seen one in over and hour then all of a sudden I saw one and I jumped in front of it. He stopped...well, he had to or else he would have hit me....and he took me back to the City Center. He didn't even charge me because he felt bad for me walking for so long. He didn't even speak English but could tell I was tired from my walking. He smiled, laughed and pointed me in the direction of the city center. He was a very nice taxi driver.
I toured the city center...not much to see except little tourist shops, some restaurants and street vendors. I decided to walk some more to see the Castelo de Sao Jorge. It was gorgeous!
After my day of walking, I enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant close to my hotel.
Figures....It was rainy and cold my first day. The sun did come out in the late afternoon though. I'm beginning to think the rain follows me. Oh well......
Since it's the "hop on-hop off" tour bus, I decided to hop off at the half way mark and walk back to the city center along the water. Okay, not a great idea. I walked for over and hour and I wasn't even half way there. Yeah, it was a nice day but after an hour, I was no longer along the water, I was walking through the industrial section. Not a pretty sight.
HMMM???? How do get back? Not too sure.....YEAH....A TAXI!!!!!!! I hadn't seen one in over and hour then all of a sudden I saw one and I jumped in front of it. He stopped...well, he had to or else he would have hit me....and he took me back to the City Center. He didn't even charge me because he felt bad for me walking for so long. He didn't even speak English but could tell I was tired from my walking. He smiled, laughed and pointed me in the direction of the city center. He was a very nice taxi driver.
I toured the city center...not much to see except little tourist shops, some restaurants and street vendors. I decided to walk some more to see the Castelo de Sao Jorge. It was gorgeous!
After my day of walking, I enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant close to my hotel.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Today is Thursday, August 23...where I am and what's next..and when I'm coming back to NYC!.
Today is my last day in Amsterdam. I had a great time. I love this city!
Tomorrow, I am taking a train to Brussels then flying to Lisbon. I'll be in Lisbon for a few days then I'm heading to the beach area, Algarve for a few days. I'll be in Portugal for a week. If you've been, send me things to do. I then fly from Faro, Portugal to London. I'll be in London for a few days and then it's back to NYC!
I fly back to NYC on Tuesday, September 4th!
Yes, I'm coming back...sooner than planned. I think I'm ready....plus I ran out of my budgeted money. oops!
It has been the best summer and I loved every minute of my travels!
The blog is not done yet...I will add my Portugal and London adventures and then I'll do my a list of all of my "favorites" and "least favorites."
I hope everyone is having a great summer! I'll see you very soon. Stay in touch and be sure to read the blog again soon!
Lester!
Tomorrow, I am taking a train to Brussels then flying to Lisbon. I'll be in Lisbon for a few days then I'm heading to the beach area, Algarve for a few days. I'll be in Portugal for a week. If you've been, send me things to do. I then fly from Faro, Portugal to London. I'll be in London for a few days and then it's back to NYC!
I fly back to NYC on Tuesday, September 4th!
Yes, I'm coming back...sooner than planned. I think I'm ready....plus I ran out of my budgeted money. oops!
It has been the best summer and I loved every minute of my travels!
The blog is not done yet...I will add my Portugal and London adventures and then I'll do my a list of all of my "favorites" and "least favorites."
I hope everyone is having a great summer! I'll see you very soon. Stay in touch and be sure to read the blog again soon!
Lester!
Lessons Learned while in Amsterdam
From Amsterdam...
1. WATCH OUT FOR THE BIKERS! THEY WILL RUN YOU OVER!
2. Find the parks and local areas....stay away from Dam Square. It's like Times Square.
3. It's easy to walk the city...again...beware of bikers.
4. Dutch is really hard to understand.
5. Vondel Park is my favorite place in Amsterdam.
6. Locals are nice.
7. Bring your own polish when getting a pedicure. They tend to have yucky colors. Oh yeah, you must make an appointment - no walk ins. Also, pedicures are done in a private room on a table like a massage table. Fancy! Yes, I did get a pedicure today and have an ugly color on my toes. :(
8. People do exercise in Amsterdam. The park was packed with runners and of course bikers.
9. I really like Amsterdam and would come back! Wish Mom was here with me.
1. WATCH OUT FOR THE BIKERS! THEY WILL RUN YOU OVER!
2. Find the parks and local areas....stay away from Dam Square. It's like Times Square.
3. It's easy to walk the city...again...beware of bikers.
4. Dutch is really hard to understand.
5. Vondel Park is my favorite place in Amsterdam.
6. Locals are nice.
7. Bring your own polish when getting a pedicure. They tend to have yucky colors. Oh yeah, you must make an appointment - no walk ins. Also, pedicures are done in a private room on a table like a massage table. Fancy! Yes, I did get a pedicure today and have an ugly color on my toes. :(
8. People do exercise in Amsterdam. The park was packed with runners and of course bikers.
9. I really like Amsterdam and would come back! Wish Mom was here with me.
Random Lessons Learned while in Belgium
What Mom and I learned while in Belgium...
1. They must have a shortage of napkins because Mom and I always had to ask for more.
2. They have so many beers because beer goggles are needed. That's mean, but it's true. SHH!!
3. You can sneak into a hotel and get a breakfast for free...Mom and I didn't do it on purpose though, I swear we were going to pay but they didn't ask us.
4. Make sure to confirm your track # because the ticket person may be wrong.
5. Be sure to confirm the end of the line for the train because your stop may not be the end of the line.
6. Buy your return ticket the minute you get to your location.
7. You are expected to eat TWO (2) croisssants for breakfast, not just ONE (1). They think you are strange if you just ask for 1.
8. There are a lot of homeless people on Brussels.
9. Don't wait to do your laundry last minute because all the machines may be used....then you're stuck with dirty clothes until your next city.
10. Mom always had "handiwipes"...they were needed....no soap in many restrooms.
11. Mom and I can laugh at anything!
1. They must have a shortage of napkins because Mom and I always had to ask for more.
2. They have so many beers because beer goggles are needed. That's mean, but it's true. SHH!!
3. You can sneak into a hotel and get a breakfast for free...Mom and I didn't do it on purpose though, I swear we were going to pay but they didn't ask us.
4. Make sure to confirm your track # because the ticket person may be wrong.
5. Be sure to confirm the end of the line for the train because your stop may not be the end of the line.
6. Buy your return ticket the minute you get to your location.
7. You are expected to eat TWO (2) croisssants for breakfast, not just ONE (1). They think you are strange if you just ask for 1.
8. There are a lot of homeless people on Brussels.
9. Don't wait to do your laundry last minute because all the machines may be used....then you're stuck with dirty clothes until your next city.
10. Mom always had "handiwipes"...they were needed....no soap in many restrooms.
11. Mom and I can laugh at anything!
Lessons Learned while visiting Salina and the other Aeolian Islands
Lessons Learned in Sicily, Salina and the other Aeolian Islands.
1. No one runs except Michelle and me.
2. You are not allowed to have coffee in the morning with fruit. They do not go together. Why? I don't know and we never got a real answer for it.
3. You are NEVER allowed to have a cappuccino after breakfast time. NO WAY! Again...we don't know the reason but you're just not allowed. No one could give Sanda and me a real answer...that's just the way it is.
4. There is nothing "to go". No coffee to go, no cappuccino to go (oh yeah, but that's only for breakfast anyway), no sandwiches to go, no snacks to go, nothing....nada, niente, nothing.
5. Sicilian don't really eat breakfast. Why...no clue.
6. Lunch is eaten around 2 or 3pm. Why...again no clue...I'm starving by then!
7. Apertivo (happy hour) happens everyday from 8-9pm....my dinner time....so I got tipsy easily at apertivo...because I was ready for dinner.
8. Dinner is at 930 or 10...why? Not too sure...but I was so happy to be eating, I really didn't care what time we ate it...I just needed food by 930pm!
9. People go out at 1130pm...I'm ready for bed by then!
10. Sicilian think sitting on huge rocks to sunbathe is comfortable. Ouch! Gorgeous views and amazing water but uncomfortable rocks!
11. Sandy beach for Sicilian is about a 10 x 10 area of sand.
12. No one has dryers. All clothes hang dry outside. The laundry detergent smells great though. Everyone uses the same type.
13. No such thing as "personal space" and beware of people trying to get in front of you in line. Sanda and I quickly learned how to keep our space and how to NOT let anyone cut in front of us. We had to be strong. It was a riot but we did it!
14. The fish is delicious!
15. Fresh catch really means fresh catch of the day!
16. You really can hike a volcano in a dress! Just ask Sanda.
17. The Aeolian Islands are amazing!
1. No one runs except Michelle and me.
2. You are not allowed to have coffee in the morning with fruit. They do not go together. Why? I don't know and we never got a real answer for it.
3. You are NEVER allowed to have a cappuccino after breakfast time. NO WAY! Again...we don't know the reason but you're just not allowed. No one could give Sanda and me a real answer...that's just the way it is.
4. There is nothing "to go". No coffee to go, no cappuccino to go (oh yeah, but that's only for breakfast anyway), no sandwiches to go, no snacks to go, nothing....nada, niente, nothing.
5. Sicilian don't really eat breakfast. Why...no clue.
6. Lunch is eaten around 2 or 3pm. Why...again no clue...I'm starving by then!
7. Apertivo (happy hour) happens everyday from 8-9pm....my dinner time....so I got tipsy easily at apertivo...because I was ready for dinner.
8. Dinner is at 930 or 10...why? Not too sure...but I was so happy to be eating, I really didn't care what time we ate it...I just needed food by 930pm!
9. People go out at 1130pm...I'm ready for bed by then!
10. Sicilian think sitting on huge rocks to sunbathe is comfortable. Ouch! Gorgeous views and amazing water but uncomfortable rocks!
11. Sandy beach for Sicilian is about a 10 x 10 area of sand.
12. No one has dryers. All clothes hang dry outside. The laundry detergent smells great though. Everyone uses the same type.
13. No such thing as "personal space" and beware of people trying to get in front of you in line. Sanda and I quickly learned how to keep our space and how to NOT let anyone cut in front of us. We had to be strong. It was a riot but we did it!
14. The fish is delicious!
15. Fresh catch really means fresh catch of the day!
16. You really can hike a volcano in a dress! Just ask Sanda.
17. The Aeolian Islands are amazing!
Biking in Amsterdam is serious business!
Everyone bikes in Amsterdam. There are special lanes just for bikes. You have to watch out though because if you dare to step into the bike lane in front of a biker, you will get run over! It's serious business! It's a great idea but they are everywhere. I think the bikers in Amsterdam are crazier than the drivers in Rome. They go fast and they come around the corners at high speeds. I found myself checking both ways a million times before I crossed the bike lane and the street. Oh, the cars and the trolley cars...they'll stop for you...but the bikers will NOT!
Also, people have bikes with bucket seats in the front (almost like big baskets) for the kids. An entire family plus groceries for the week can fit on one bike. It's hilarious. It's a great idea though...it's the best way to get around Amsterdam.
Amsterdam acutally has a Museum of Bags and Purses!
Lizzie - I took this picture just for you! Hope you can see it!
2nd Day in Amsterdam
I went for a long run in Vondel Park then went to see Ann Frank's house. Unreal. It's an excellent museum. Everyone should see it. Wow.
After that I continued on my "cultural day" and went to the Van Gogh museum. Poor guy, he was so sad and depressed that hit shot himself.....of course after many paintings and sketchings. Also, another excellent museum.
Enough museums for me...back to the park. I relaxed in the park for a while just watching people. Great place to people watch.
I have been lucky with the weather...it has been nice both days. YEAH!
After that I continued on my "cultural day" and went to the Van Gogh museum. Poor guy, he was so sad and depressed that hit shot himself.....of course after many paintings and sketchings. Also, another excellent museum.
Enough museums for me...back to the park. I relaxed in the park for a while just watching people. Great place to people watch.
I have been lucky with the weather...it has been nice both days. YEAH!
After Belgium, off to Amsterdam
I took the train from Brussels to Amsterdam. I took about 3 hours. When I arrived, of course I took a boat tour along the canals. After the boat tour, I walked through the local areas, had a beer along one of the canals and walked through Vondel Park. I had dinner at an Irish pub across the street from my hotel. It was easy and right there so I said, "Why not?" I actually had a few beers and a coffee drink and went home a bit tipsy. oops!
Oh, I also did the touristy walk through the Red Light District and Dam Square but I didn't like either one. They were too crowded. I felt like it was the Times Square of Amsterdam. I decided to stick to the parks and quiet local areas. Oh no...quiet areas...does that mean I'm growing up?
Great day in Amsterdam!
Oh, I also did the touristy walk through the Red Light District and Dam Square but I didn't like either one. They were too crowded. I felt like it was the Times Square of Amsterdam. I decided to stick to the parks and quiet local areas. Oh no...quiet areas...does that mean I'm growing up?
Great day in Amsterdam!
Schmuck may not mean the same in Bruges as it does in The States
Please see the title of the book mom is holding. HA! If you don't know what schmuck means, just email my mom, she'll be sure to tell you! :)
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