London

Well I've been here for almost three months and it's time to put down some thoughts...

London is not a particularly friendly city, she is grimy and dirty in a way that Paris is most certainly not. Her windy streets are oppressive and confusing for a new arrival and the Tube's layout was thought out by a sadist. Beggars are everywhere. Rats are everywhere (there are estimates that for every Londoner there are 11 rats... that's close to 66 million rats - yuck!). Prices are ridiculous, even when compared to Europe.

I don't really like this city... especially when the Dockers were doing so well

A Bite of Europe!

Ok - I've left this far too long...

So a quick update of the two weeks in Europe:

Arrived in London, jet lagged and exhausted only to spend 2 hours in an immigration queque (the introduction to the Brits favourite pass time had begun), all went smoothly from there however and in no time we were on our way to the hotel i'd booked for two nights. Got off at Baron's Court and followed my directions... only when we got to the street we needed to turn down both of us mistook the g for a c - Gunterstone became, well needless to say we were rather shocked that the Brits would name a street like that and kept walking... only later after a few laps of the block did we realise our mistake!

Ace Hotel was clean, basic and well 'modern' but that's about all that could be said of it - great place to get your feet but you won't want to stay long.

London was gloomy, rainy and dreary - matching our tired jet lagged state!

Two days later we made our way back to Heathrow to fly to France.

PARIS IS GLORIOUS - IF YOU SEE ONLY ONE CITY IN THE WORLD MAKE IT THIS ONE.

Ah Paris, wide boulevards, beautiful houses and a confidence and quirkiness all of her own. From the fantastic bountiful coffee to the boulangerie et patisseries I absolutely adored Paris. More to come when I update this.

We then took a TGV to Geneva.

Geneva is a pretty boring place - the beautiful old town dies like Perth after 6pm, with a few hapless tourists wandering aimlessly about her deserted streets but little else. Nice lake and a fascinating tour of the UN buildings with a guide that soon makes you realise just how impotent the organisation is... I don't think I'll ever be back.

Overnight train to Venice with the passport Nazi... yes as soon as we were on the train a guard demanded our passports, telling us we'd get them back when we got off, certainly didn't help me get to sleep and it was a great relief when they were returned!

Venice - beautiful, smelly and full of tourists.

Ryan Air flight to Rome...

Americans!

Rome... the Spanish Steps, the Vatican - Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter's Basilica and the Roman Forum

Back to UK.

Pictures and a fuller description to follow.