Some more pictures....

Melanie and I outside our Chalet in Rome


A nice picture of Saint Peters


Inside the Sistine Chapel (notice the God and Man painting in the middle)


The Hall of Maps inside the Vatican Museum - there were paintings along the entire corridor ceiling, which must have been 300ft long



A view of Mt.Vesuvius from Pompeii



A restaurant counter in Pompeii, the holes in the couters held soups and olives


One of the Ash People frozen in time


A view of Greece caught during our 16-hour ferry ride


The Parthenon


A view of Athens


A view of Athens

Naples and a ferry to Athens

Quick Note, we were in Naples Wednesday and Thursday. Went to see Pompeii, it was awesome. There are so many things that are still intact, like paintings, restaurant counters and writing/paintings on the walls. We even saw a few skeletons and even though we thought we wouldn't see any of the ash people, we went to a large roofed area just before we left and saw some of them. It was really strange seeing people frozen in time like that, you could distinguish the clothes they were wearing (like short sleeves), and and other fine details.

After Naples, we had to take a 16 hour ferry ride from Bari to Athens. We had a hard time finding the correct place to buy tickets, but a couple of Aussies pointed us in the right direction. The ride wasn't that bad, the seas were calm and the food was good. The boat was really nice as well, had 10 levels, a couple of restaurants, a bar, and a casino. We spent the ride hanging out with a Korean guy we met looking for the ticket counter, was nice to meet someone new and share experiences. He had just gotten out of two years mandatory service with the military and was heading back to Korea in three days.

First impressions of Athens are good, it seems fairly clean and well organized, which is nice after the chaos of Naples. Our train to Athens was late arriving so that caused a minor headache, but nothing we aren't used to coping with. Don't worry about the heat it has subsided a bit, it is only supposed to reach 34C/90F today.

A few pics, more to come

Me in the Forum Romanum

The Colloseum

Melanie outside our Hostel in Florence

In Rome

Have had a busy couple of days in Rome. We arrived after having four great days in Zurich with Melanie's cousin Tamara, and enjoying Switzerland and it's wonderful scenery.

We have been going almost non-stop, but have still only been able to see a bit of Rome has to offer. We saw the Colosseum on our first day here along with the Palatine. The Colosseum was interesting but not a whole lot to see really. The Palatine was really cool, it was where all the the rulers used to build their homes and various other buildings. It gave a really good view of the Forum Romanum where all of the temples once were.

We are going to the Vatican tomorrow, can't wait for that. It should be wonderful. I walked through Saint Peters Square the first day I was here and was impressed but was to busy to really appreciate it. Will have an early morning trying to beat the crowds. Off to Naples next, going to see Vesuvius and Pompeii !!

Random Pictures

Views in Switzerland

Bern's Old Town


Out for a drive with Tamara

Pictures from Milan

The Scala Theatre (not my pic)



The Church where the Last supper is, as close as I got to it.


The Vitorrio Emanuelle Gallery, a shopping mall if you can imagine




Milans Cathedral

In Milan, heading to Zurich tomorrow

Well we took another diversion from our intended path, which I am sure will not be the last. We were going to go to Lyon, but everything was either to expensive or didn't have room. So we decided to go to Milan instead and see "The Last Supper". Well it turns out you have to book a reservation to see it, we knew that, but you have to book 2-3 weeks in advance. We didn't know that. We were able to take in a few other attractions though, Melanie wasn't feeling so well so we didn't get a chance to see as much, and I didn't want to leave her by herself to much. Don't worry though, she is feeling fine now.

Milan isn't that bad of a city, but people like to relieve themselves in the streets, which is sick. The city is really noisy, noisier than Paris, but the people are alright even if my Italian is terrible and barely existent. Write again soon

Bordeaux and Cannes

Now for a proper post....

Bordeaux was a nice place to visit after the busy time we had in Paris visiting all of the sights. It is a decent sized city, but has a more relaxed feel about it. We were only there for 2.5 days, but managed to get a wine tour in. The tour was a decent expense, but an opportunity we couldn't miss. We toured the Medoc region of Bordeaux and visited 3 different Chateau's, the Wine was great and the Chateau's were beautiful. The wines we sampled sell for up to $150, so when we got back to our hotel and poured a glass of our $3 wine, it had lost its appeal. Other than that we just walked around the city, found a shopping mall and looked around there. Have been enjoying the cheese here,it is so cheap. We can buy a piece of Roquefort here for $3, a piece that would cost $10 back home, and as you can tell from the $3 bottle of wine I mentioned earlier the wine is cheap as well. People said they were cheap and they were right. Talking about things France is known for, they really do love their baguette we quite often see people walking home with 3 or 4 loaves under there arm. They use them for sandwiches so you can go through one fairly quick.

Cannes is beautiful as you can see from the picture I posted. Melanie and I laid out in the sun yesterday, and a fairly red today but it was worth it. The sun is so warm, and the water is nice as well. We went for a boat ride to St.Magerite today, a small island off-shore that held the man-in-the-iron-mask for the first 40 years of his captivity before he was transferred of to the bastillle for the final 5 years. It was cool, and the island was nice.



The prison, he was the third window from the left on the wall at the end.

Finally some pictures

Below are a few pictures of our times in Paris and Bordeuax. We are now in Cannes, decided to come here instead of Spain. It is absolutely beautiful, so sunny, full of multi-million dollar yachts, and expensive cars. The mediteranian is great, and the water is warm. We spent today going to the local market and tanning/swimming on the beach. Will update again very soon, have to go eat supper.


The Cannes Waterfront

In Bordeaux, wine country

The fountain Quinonces in Bordeux

Part of the fountain in Bordeux

Wine fields

The wine Chateau Dufort

More fields

A few wine barrels each one costs 750 Euro about $1100 Canadian

Melanie in front of a fermenting tank

Paris Pictures

One last shot of Dover and the cliffs

The Eiffel Tower

Melanie and a few Egyptian Sculture...

A view from atop the Arc de Triumphe

Napolean's Tomb

In the Pantheon, notice the paintings depicting Joan of Arc's life behind me

And finally a picture of Notre Dame

Paris, so much to see so little time......

Well the past couple of days have been insane to say the least. We bought a Paris Pass that gives you entry to a bunch of local museums, we bought a two day pass which meant we had to be really busy running around town to see everything we wanted to see. Our first stop was the Louvre, so many beautiful paintings, scultures and historical items. We saw the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and a whole bunch of Egyptian artifacts, including a mummified croc. We also went to Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle, the Tomb of Napolean -Incredible-, the Pantheon, and Army Museum. I would descibe everything we saw, but that would take alot of time and the pictures will say more than I can.

I know it sounds corny, and I hesitate to say this, but the shear beauty, and incredible works, have taught me the true meaning of the word magnificent, itis really the only word that suits some of the things we have seen.

We are off to Bordeaux tomorrow, than San Sebastian. Should be a nice chance for some relaxation after the hectic time in Paris. Not that I amcomplaining. Oh and if there are error in my typing I appologize, the keyboards here are different, and I don,t have the time to make corrections.

Some Pictures

Doug on the top of the Keep




Melanie on the Way to the Castle



Dover Castle

Halifax to Dover to Paris

We made it, after a sleepless night on the plqne to London, a long line for passport verification at Heathrow and a couple of trains we arrived in Dover, for our first night: We arrived around 1:30, had a nap and went to see Dover castle. The castle has a long history dating back to Roman times. It was a favoured home of Henry the VIII, and features a Roman Lighthouse and Norman Church. It was very impressive, we had to walk 20mins up a steep hill to get there.

The ride over to Calais was alright, Calais seened deserted. Once we arrived in Paris on the train we had some fun trying to get around got on the wrong train switched qnd eventuqlly made it. Would type more but am running out of time. Write again soon.

Halifax & Bubbles

This is the morning before we leave, thinking things over in my head, and I am increasingly anxious. We arrived in Halifax yesterday, catching a ride down with Melanie's cousin Natasha. We arrived around noon and spent the day walking around Halifax. The best part of the day was when Melanie and I, went to eat lunch. We went to eat at Bubbles Mansion, a restaurant run by Mike Smith who plays a character called Bubbles in a TV show called the Trailer Park Boys (for those who don't know). Anyway the restaurant had various outfits and things from the show, on top of that the food was really good. While we were there Bubbles was actually hanging out in the restaurant, so it was lucky we were there when we were. I didn't go say hello or anything, but it was cool to see him.

Today, we plan on getting a few last minute items and relaxing before we have to go to the airport. I think we have gotten everything, but will probably miss something. Luckily they do have stores in Europe so I am sure we will be alright. Next time I post I will be in Europe!!

Getting Closer

Well the time until departure is coming quick. We finally finished packing, and have moved our things from Charlottetown to my grandmothers basement in Kingsclear, NB on Sunday. It was a long, long day, moving everything. In the morning Melanie and I woke up sick from what we suspect were some bad re-heated fish and chips. We were both vomiting and trying to pack when we felt a little bit better, luckily by noon and the time Melanie's brother arrived, we felt much better. We left Charlottetown around four, drove to Rexton dropped a few things off had supper, and were off to my grandmothers. We didn't finish unloading the truck until 11:00 that night. So with the loading, unloading, being ill and packing we were tired. Needless to say we have had lots of sleep since.

I had a little scare this morning when I wrote to the B&B we are supposed to stay at on our first night, and they responded saying that they had no such reservation. I panicked, and than realized that I had written to confirm the wrong date. I wrote back and they confirmed for the correct date. Currently we are settling in to life for the week at Melanie's parents, and organizing the belongings we brought for a short stay once we return.

Not very exciting stuff.

So Busy...

Well just a few notes for those interested:

- I got my Camera back today after its unfortunate fall. Works like a charm.

- I was able to get Medical Insurance for Melanie and myself today from the co-operators, by far the best price and has all the important stuff covered

- I am really busy right now packing for the trip, it is really crazy right now. You wouldn't believe the amount of garbage a person accumulates after living only four years in the same place. The only thing I like about moving is having the chance to sort through things and get rid of it all.

- We booked our first four nights in Paris on the weekend. We got a really good price, and it is a private room with an en-suite. Hopefully we will be this lucky all the time.

- And lastly... We got our rail passes on Monday! We are now mobile and able to get around Europe. Can't wait to get on that first train!

So we have had lots of excitement and craziness to keep us busy, but we are moving forward which is the main thing. Write again soon.

First Nights Accomodation

Well, I made the first nights reservation today. I booked us in at the Clare House in Dover for the evening of the 29th. Hooray!! It was actually a bit of a rush when it was confirmed. Silly, I know but oh well. This is their website, a really quaint little place.

So Much Planning.... only 3 more weeks!!!

Well I am back, a personal note first off. As I mentioned in my last post way back in March, I was finishing classes and was looking forward to exams. Well they are over and exams went well, I studied way more than I had to. Knowing that these were the last few exams made me a bit nervous as I knew I had to pass or graduate at a later date. Don't get me wrong, I have never failed a class or come close to it, but for some reason I was extra nervous. Anyway, graduation is this Saturday, and the family is coming over for it. Its which is going to be fun, to bad the apartment will be half packed but that doesn't matter.

Back to the trip, part of the reason I have not been writing on the blog, is that I have been trying to plan the trip itself. It takes a fair bit of planning to be able to line up train times. For example, when we land in Heathrow we have to: Walk down to the "Heathrow Connect" train that will take us to Paddington Station, then we have to get on the Bakerloo subway line which will take us to Charring Cross station, where we can finally catch the train to Dover where we will stay for the night.

The connections and whatnot doesn't intimidate me, its making sure that we get to Charring Cross station on time so we can make it to Dover at a decent hour. We will only be there for the night and we want to have some time to see the cliffs, and catch dinner. The next day it’s up early, probably about 7:00 GMT (3:00 our time) for a "Full-English" breakfast, and off to catch the ferry to Calais and then off to Paris!