Right o then. What a busy past week. To all those playing at home, sorry it has taken a while for this update, it will be a lengthy one!
So after finally going to sleep in Venice after much pool fun we awoke to leave for Florence. On the way to Florence we stopped by Pisa. The leaing tower definitely has a lean on, but to be fair the only reason it is impressive is because it is leaning. The church that is right next door to it was better to see for me than the tower itself.
In any case we travelled some more to Florence and got off the bus right into a walking tour. We went around Flroence and saw the sites. The cathedral is pretty amazing and the giant dome looked awesome. We rocked past the reproduction statue of David and a bunch of other smazing sculptures.
After the walking tour and taking in some great sites we stopped at a leather shop and got a run down on the history of leather manufacturing in the region. After all that we headed back to the hostel to sit down for an amazing dinner followed by another night of bucket cocktails, this time with Karaoke thrown in. As well as many people thrown into the pool. Including myself after being betrayed.
The next morning was a free morning. I decided to go and suss out a local market which was great. Had an amaing espresso and got some good bargains. After that we jumped back on the bus bound for Rome and a 3 hour walking tour!
The walking tour went past the Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman forum, and ended with group picture at the Colosseum. Wow. Rome is amazing. After a great feed of pizza and gelato we headed back to the hostel. Had a couple of drinks at the bar and then crashed for the night.
Next morning we got dropped into Rome to go on a tour of the Vatican. The amount of artwork and sculpture that is on display there is unbelievable. Pilfered and donated over time. The Sistine Chapel was a site to behold. So much so that while in it i said this is f*cking amazing... Woops.
After the Vatican tour we were lucky enough to see Frank himself giving an adress. My new camera is amazing and actually managed to snap a pic of him. Then we decided to walk to the Colosseum so we could go inside. We went via a place that I forget the name of that houses the tomb of the unknown warrior. But the view from the rooftop was sectacular.
Onwarrrds to the Colosseum. Never in my life have I felt so much energy. The place was electrifying and humbling all in the same breath. What an amazing piece of history. The photos I took do not do it justice. You have to be there to feel it's presence.
From the Coloseum we tried to get a taxi as the trains were on strike. They wanted way to much money so we caught the train that was running to the transfer station. And then got stuck, and had to get cab anyway. But this one was more reasonable. Always easier when you are splitting anyway.
Back to the Hostel, more pool time, and then the Beauty and the Geek themed party night, also Erin's birthday. A bunch of the guys dressed up in dresses, including myself, I looked fab. I went to bed relatively early as we had an early start the next day but some people my have partied a bit to hard. The next morning was a mess. I was taking bets to see how many peeople would get left behind. Remarkably noone did.
Onward to the Ferry and Greece! First time overnight on a boat so that was something new. It was all pretty chiled. Took some snaps off the back of the boat at sunset which turned out pretty good and then had a massive catch up sleep.
After the ferry which had amazing kebabs or Gyros as they called them we headed to Athens. This was only an "Airport stop" so we didn't go out exploring as we were coming back. I did however manage an amazing picture of the Parthenon at night from the rooftop of the hotel. Can't wait to go and see it, so much I need to do in Athens.
We woke the next morning to get on the bus, drive to the docks, and get another ferry to Mykanos. Some peoples sea legs are a bit weak so they didn't really have a great time of it. But that all changed when everyone saw Mykanos. What a place.
The driving here is insane. There might be some rules but I am yet to see them. After an interesting bus ride we arrived at Paraga beach which was to be our home for 3 nights of relaxation. We spent sme time in the pool and then had a great meal before heding out.
The first night a few of us headed into town to experience Mykanos nightlife. It's much the same as other nightlife (no I don't normally do the clubbing thing) so I bailed a bit earlier than the others.
After a good nights rest I woke up hell bent on hiring a quad bike and did just that. If you are going to Mykanos, you need to do it. Riding around Mykanos is amazing. But for the love of god get a helmet. And don't drink and ride.
In any case I took my newly rented quad to Mykanos town for a look, had a look around, some amazing Souvlaki Pitas, and then headed back to the hostel. Met up with a few people, chilled for a bit, then headed out for a lengthier ride before dinner. So some great places and took some photos then headed back. Dinner was pretty good being that it came from the same place that was doing entirely average breakfasts.
After dinner we headed out again for a bit of a night ride. I had a passennger with a GoPro so I can't wait to see that footage that will be awesome! Few more drinks and getting to know the new 6 people that joined us in Athens a bit and then called it.
The next day I had decided that nude beach going was a must and after a lengthy time in the pool we myself and 2 others headed down and experienced the beach the way the locals do. Thank god for sunscreen.
Really just had a chilled out day followed by an amazing dinner with some great people (Mousakka and Shrimps) and headed to bed with the aim of waking up early to get some snaps of the sunrise. Totally worth it.
I guess that leads me to where I am writing this blog post. Somewhere between Mykanos and Athens on another ferry for about 3.5 more hours.
Will try and get the blog updated a bit more, will do some pics later as the upload speed here is poor. Be good everyone!
