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jimmybro's eurotrip

jimmybro1

By jimmybro1
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jimmybro1 Veteran member

jimmybro1

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Thought I would post a summary of my trails overseas here to give others idea's of what traveling europe is like.

I departed New Zealand the 24th of August which was towards the end of summer in Europe and arrived back into New Zealand on the 20th of September. The flight home was a painful 25 hours of flying time!

Flight departing and KLA

I flew with Malaysia Airlines both to and from Europe departing from Auckland and having a stop over flight in Kuala Lumpur and arriving in Heathrow. The return ticket costed roughly 1,800NZD pretty reasonable. The flight from Auckland to KLA was about 10 hours but the seats were reasonably small although the flight wasn't that uncomfortable at least I didn't listen to a crying baby all the way back like I did on my return flights!!

Once arriving in KLA had to get a train/tram to collect checked in baggage which I thought was unusual (KLA airport is enormous). Navigating the airport was reasonably easy though, a lot of english signposting. Definitely something that made the trip easier was the locals at each of the countries I visited were able to speak english rather well but some would prefer not too will talk about this later.

Once leaving KLA airport out of the heavenly pleasing air conditioning was hit with 32 degrees celsius of 80-90% humidity. The air would condense on your face with the wet bulb temperature of the air being so close to the dry bulb! Was like walking around in a massive sauna. Knew this was going to be the case though as it was Malaysia's wet season.

Was only staying in KLA for three days before departing to England so wasn't to fussed but would definitely time better if your wanting to stay for longer. From KLA airport got a taxi for 10NZD for a 55km trip! Everything in Malaysia was reasonably cheap due to there weaker currency. The roads over there are open (no lines and 5-6 lines wide) this was the case on the motorway anywho. As well as the roads being open people didn't seem to follow any kind of spend limit we traveled at an average speed of 140 km/hr. The taxi driver said if you get pulled over just give the police officer a few dollars and will go ignored.

Didn't do to much exploring in Malaysia purely due to the weather conditions but did go to one of the largest shopping centers in the world and brought a heap of inner amour gear for the fraction for the price it is sold back home for!

Arrival to Heathrow and London

This flight from KLA was a killer, was 14 hours! The seats were far to small and being in an inner seat its hard to get up and walk around. I definitely suggest getting an exit row seat I think some airlines will charge an extra $40 for this others for free but definitely worth the small cost for extra leg room and easy exit to toilet etc.

Once arriving in heathrow, caught the subway train to the closest subway station to the hotel. The train system was simple as to us, cheap and effective. Not dodgy at all like others were suggesting it was, eastern europe trains were a lot dodgier...

Absolutely loved London had everything I am looking for in a city nice pubs, quality beer, easy cheap public transport, pretty of variation in stores, and wicked food. The only real down side was the cost of things when the pound is 2.5 times strong than the New Zealand dollar things are ridiculously expensive. This is the reason I won't be going back to London anytime soon. A meal would set you back anywhere between 15-30 pounds or 37.5-75NZD! When eating out three times a day the cost become ridiculous. Obviously if you know the ins and outs of london or travel to west or east london things are going to be cheaper but definitely doesn't make traveling cheap. A pint of Guinness would set be back around 5 pound... Were some expensive nights!

The second night in London was spinning yarns with a co-owner of a pub and got free drinks which was awesome. Needless to say I took complete advance of this offer! Did quite a bit of slight seeing in London did the whole tourist thing and watched the changing of the guard and the saw the palace. Europe has a ridiculous amount of history! London's being rather grim with the way people were executed and the methods of segregating the rich from the poor. For example window taxes the larger the window to your house the larger your taxes so poorer people would have smaller windows.

The weather in London was prefect throughout my stay there was sunny everyday averaging around 18-25C. Which is apparently out of the norm for London!

Exploring Europe

On my fourth day in London a joined a contiki tour that was traveling to countries; netherlands, germany, austria, czech republic, slovakia, poland and italy.

The first night of the tour was spent in Amsterdam, what better way to start a contiki! Amsterdam was wicked it had it all the night life, history and scenery (both in terms of buildings and talent!). Obviously the first night in Amsterdam was a bit of a blur with all the drinking, weed smoked and space cakes eaten. Weed wasn't as easy as I thought to source though, not all cafe's sell it you have to go to Bulldog cafes which there are plenty of scattered throughout the red light district which is massive! When exploring the red light district you see the working women in the windows are they are incredibly attractive was a massive surprise. They all looked like pornstars! A school boys dream!

On the first in Amsterdam when to a live sex show which was out of it! I was just as it sounds watching people have sex on stage. Apparently its one of the things you have to do when in Amsterdam, was a bit awkward to say the least. Was sitting in the front row with a few of the lads on the tour. Was quite the eye opener to say the least! At the end of the show a guy in a monkey suit ran on the stage and ejaculated all over the crowd.

Will finish trend soon

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jimmybro1 Veteran member

jimmybro1

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How many of the women did you end up paying for bro. Not sure about this guy ejaculating over the crowd. Real ejaculate or fake ejaculate?

Haha nah bro. Not going to pay to catch god knows what. Would prob be like throwing a sausage down a hall anywhos. Got missus too.

Fake was some kind of liquor.

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Rainbowdevil Junior member

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Im planning to go for 3.5 months doing about 18 countries lol starting in England and ending in Russia, I was planning in stopover in Japan and Australia in my way back but I did change it as im going to do my Asia tour in 2019 after I get back home ( i havent seen mum in 8 years lol) and match it to the next RWC hehehehe and im going to Aussie very likely in xmas, i love travelling and i think that is the purpose of my life know the world!!! the aim is when u turn 45 i can say i been all continents including north and south pole  :pfft: so you better get your santa's letter ready 

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jimmybro1 Veteran member

jimmybro1

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Im planning to go for 3.5 months doing about 18 countries lol starting in England and ending in Russia, I was planning in stopover in Japan and Australia in my way back but I did change it as im going to do my Asia tour in 2019 after I get back home ( i havent seen mum in 8 years lol) and match it to the next RWC hehehehe and im going to Aussie very likely in xmas, i love travelling and i think that is the purpose of my life know the world!!! the aim is when u turn 45 i can say i been all continents including north and south pole  :pfft: so you better get your santa's letter ready 

To true I also love exploring. 

 

I did america last year and plan on doing east Asia next year. Russia will be interesting. I wanted to go to the Ukraine hopefully get an opportunity with work. After the contiki I also did Spain and France. Spain was incredible food, beaches and history were on point. Was definitely my favorite. If booking accommodation look where the subway stations are and try book hotels/hostels around them makes things a lot easier to travel around the city and to and from airport etc.   

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Continued... Germany, Berlin 

After amsterdam headed to Berlin. Germany once again uses the euro as it currency so when buy things need to keep in mind 1NZD is roughly equivalent to 0.5 euro.

 

In Berlin stayed a a hostel called "Berlin Plus" the hostel was good quality each room had four individuals which had a self contained bathroom this was the case at all the hostels I stayed at in Europe, they were also all modern and tidy. Not what I was expecting for a hostel. Anyways the hostel was rather centrally located in Berlin so was quick and easy to explore the city either by foot or use for trams which would cost 2 euros.

 

In Berlin got to see a lot of historical buildings most of which related to Hitlers rein. A lot of buildings, statues etc for hitler or related to Hitler were destroyed throughout Germany. But there are still a few due to the tourist attraction they bring. History of Hitler is a particular area of interest for myself so found all the tours of the ruins interesting. Also visited the unofficial resting place of Hitler. Unofficial as the Russians lit Hitlers body on fire with petrol, collected the ashes and scattered in a river so there would be no official rest place. 

 

The night life in Berlin was good drinks were reasonably priced  (2-3 euro) again dependent on were your drinking. If they are fancy ornaments etc out front chances are your going to be paying an arm and a leg. General rule of thumb is to walk out one or two blocks out the city center or high density tourist locations and you will be paying half the price whether its food, alcohol or whatever.

 

Also managed to go to a beer festival in Germany which was epic, the beer is so good and the Germans love spinning yarns with foreigners.

 

​Prague, Czech Republic

When going to Prague I was think it would only be a bit of a party location cheap alcohol and plenty of drugs. But it had in my opinion the most interesting architecture of the entire trip. The alcohol was also cheap and the night live was good too! Czech Republic have crowns as their own currency. The currency is rather weak 1NZD roughly equals 16Crowns and a pint of beer at a nightclub typically goes for 20-30 crowns.

 

Pretty much very night club in Prague is also a strip club the night clubs are so flash also. Much more impressive than exclusive clubs in Auckland and all these night clubs have no dress codes! Not like here. Once again the women are incredible attractive here and English is spoken by most. If your a single man this is definitely a location you want to be visiting. 

 

Austria, Vienna

Austria being close to Germany shares a lot of history with Germany particularly around the second world war with Hitlers invasions. Austria also had a lot of nazi buildings. 

 

Vienna also uses the euro and wasn't to bad for cost of general things like food. Things made in Austria like were a lot cheaper though, like dress shoes, watches etc. Austria is well known for there schnapps, so went to a schnapps museum which ended the tour with taste testing 22 different types of schnapps its far to say this got everyone quite drunk and the tour was only 15 euro! I brought a few bottles home not normally a schnapps drinker but this stuff was on point.

 

Another thing Vienna is famous for is their underground salt mines. Sounds a bit lame perhaps but it was absolutely sickening! There was a whole city made from salt 200 metres below the city center. They host major boxing fights, balls etc down there. Might post some pictures up here if the files aren't to large.

 

Krakow, Poland    

Once again a lot of nazi history here. I got to visit the concentration camps were more than 1.2 million jews were murdered, and the housing they were in during there capture.

 

The polish currency is the zloty were 1NZD equals 2.7ish zloty. Poland was a rather cheap place to visit. I think of all the countries I visited Krakow at night time was to dodgyist of the lot. There were a few homeless people that would confront you at night time as well as doormen.

 

Also be careful which ATMs you chose to use in eastern europen countries like Poland and Czech card skimming is quite common. I would take two credit cards in case one is skimmed and needs cancelling, Perhaps a debit card and credit card.  Had about 10 people skimmed in those countries through ATMs. Best to use bank ATMs as opposed to the euronet ones. 

 

Slovenia

Slovenia isn't a place I thought I would have wanted to go too bit after visiting would likely visit again. Its quite similar to the south island with its mountainous ranges and lakes but also has a lot of unique architecture that photographs would love.

 

I didn't spend much time here as only stayed for the night as we past through to Hungary.

 

Budapest, Hungary

This place was incredible seen it on so many movies and has a lot of high profile gigs there. The food is incredible in my opinion much better than the food was in Italy and France. One thing to note is that Europeans don't seem to eat one where near the same amount of meat that we do. Most dishes and carbohydrate dense with minimal animal proteins.  

 

Budapest also has a good public transport system that is cheap and easy to use. There are a lot of hot springs, spas and thermal pools around budapest. 

 

Did the Danube cruise which gives incredible views of both buda and pest. Budapest is segregated into to areas buda and pest both have multiple districts. 

 

Venice, Italy 

Wasn't really a fan of venice one of the most expensive locations of the lot. We stayed on the other side of the water body between venice and Italy as accommodation was half the price. Just caught a boat across which took about 30 minutes. 

 

In Marks square in Venice you can pay but to 20euros for a coffee alone ! But if you walk two blocks out of the square the price drops to about 3euro. 

 

The whole city smells like effluent not sure why its just a tourist location. Sure the buildings are unique and its a floating city that occasionally floats.  

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Continued 

 

Rome, Italy

Rome is mean't to be one of the cheaper places in Italy to visit but things were still significantly more expensive than they are back home. One thing to note about Rome is that the unemployment rate is 34%, this is a location were the Mafia heavily occupy Italy.

 

Because for the high unemployment rate crime is rather high so need to be aware of pick pockets. I didn't have any issues at all but apparently it is quite the issue there. In Rome got to see the Colosseum and several other historical land marks.

 

The colosseum has been rather badly damaged over time and not been so well looked after. It is currently undergoing re-construction which is costing somewhere around 25 million euros. A lot of the historical buildings throughout Europe have scaffolding around the buildings as they are constantly under repair. Some slights were destroyed by these but largely the buildings were fine.    

 

The night life is Rome was wicked on par with some of the best nights on in Europe. Also every location I visited in Europe had a good night life some places just hurt the pocket more than others.

 

Barcelona, Spain 

I traveled to Barcelona from Rome via a plane which took about 2 hours and cost only 90NZD. The city was definitely my favorite of the lot. Incredible food, beaches, slights, history and SANGRIA!!!! 

 

The weather was on point for my stay was around 28 degree and not a cloud in the sky! I had ever had sangria become going to Barcelona definitely a fan now though!

When visiting Barcelona its best to hire a bike will cost about 10 euro for 8 hours and you will get to see all of Barcelona within a day and find the beaches you will want to hang out at. 

 

Madrid, Spain

Traveled to Madrid from Barcelona via the high speed train travels at 300km/h and only took 2 hours and a lot more comfortable than a plane. Madrid doesn't have the beaches that Barcelona has but has a lot of historical buildings and great food markets. 

 

Also there are police everywhere armed with M15s, to protect these land marks. This was also the case in London. 

 

Paris, France 

While Paris has nice historical slights I was not brought on the city was rather expensive and the locals would rather have nothing to do with you. But I could see it being a romantic city if that was your angle. People making out all over the place in Paris. 

 

If you can not speak French you will likely have a hard time here. 

 

I wrote this is a hurry hopefully readable. 

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