Santorini - Athens

Santorini – Athens – Budapest – Prague

What a leap. From the islands to the centre of Europe. Today was a long long travel day, not that we minded it. The tourist season in Thira had picked up so the airport was a mess ( literally ) and it could do with a major renovation.

We caught an Aegean flight to Athens where we connected to a Malev Hungarian flight which got us to Prague via a transfer in Budapest.

• when u fly these so called full service european airlines you will realize how lucky we Indians are to have so many airlines fighting over us. Literally our Indian carriers and heads over heels higher in comparison to their counter parts in Europe. The only service we got was a glass of water / softdrinks and a bun!!!!

Nevertheless we got to Prague safely and that is what counts. I just wanted to make a point that we are lucky to have what we have in our part of the world.

Prague of PRAHA ( as they call it locally ) airport was awesome and we were out in no time. We were staying at PLUS PRAGUE a great hostel but a couple of metro stops out of the centre.

It was neat clean, spacious and a great place to stay at. They also have free wi fi and hence I can blog easily. They have a great bar ( open all night ) and a kickass atmosphere.

We checked in and headed to the city to get our bearings. Unlike in India where you can see people EVERYWHERE at ANYTIME, in Europe post 6 it is difficult to spot a peron on the road esp in the NON TOURIST areas. Gets quite eerie actually.

Anyways we went into the centre of town and chilled over some great Czech lager and enjoyed a night out on the town.

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Zakopane ( Poland ), picnin in Slovakia and BUDAPEST

Zakopane ( Poland ), picnin in Slovakia and BUDAPEST..have a great week

ZAKOPANE

From Krakow we moved to Zakopane a hillside city which is famous for it’s ski slopes and even more so for it’s ski jumps. The world ski jump cup held here.

We were the for the summer and it was what a picture perfect postcard would be like. I cannot but imagine what it would be in the winters when the small pedestrian’s street would be filled with people walking with their skis and wearing their warm overcoats and chatting over a cup of hot cocoa.

This is a very ‘active’ town as in the number of outdoor sports equipment shops it has. I am a sucker for such stores and I spent a better part of the day going from one store to the other like a kid in a candy store. It was an other thing that Suchna had taken away my money or god alone know what I would have bought.

We also trekked up a hill and the view from there was fantabulous. Just sitting up there and not having to talk or ‘do’ anything is as MASTERCARD puts it….that moment was PRICELESS!!! What a view and once again I was picturing the winter here, which incidentally is PEAK season here.

We stayed at a hotel which I think stopped in time when the communist were still around. Each room had those radios which if sold in the States would go as antiques.

Other then that we just unwound here and did NOTHING. It was a good and much needed break for all of us after the constant traveling.

They have these local cheese stall that has got a huge variety of homemade cheese in all shapes and sizes. These guys here LOVE their cheese and I could see locals taking huge bits of what would have been a years supply of cheese for me. I did taste some and they were very tasty and delicious. This was a cheese lovers paradise.

Also since this is the polish countryside we got a great insight into the local life. They get around in tractors and these have huge trailers attached to them ferrying a host of things for the farm. These tractors are open and normally have 2-3 people sitting along with the driver. Also the local women here wear head scarves and pitch in with the farm work.

SLOVAKIA

I must say I can tick this country off my list as we did stop in Slovakia albeit ina lovely meadow to enjoy a picnic lunch. It was such a great affair as all of us had ‘stolen’ a lot of bread rolls, butter, jam, yoghurt etc etc from the breakfast counter at our Zakopane hotel, and along with some amazing Polish wine we had what was one of the best and inexpensive but memorable meals.

Slovakia is truly a very beautiful country and I am sure that someday it will give the other countries a run for their money in tourism. These were some of the BEST roads I traveled through in my entire life.

BUDAPEST

Here the saying ‘THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS THE LAST IMPRESSION’ does not apply for us. When we reached Budapest we were not at all impressed and wondered what was so special about this place. it was a run down city and need more then a spit and a polish.

But we were quite wrong…very wrong. The reason for this wrong impression was that we had taken a couple of wrong turns and ended on some random streets. Luckily this mistake was soon sorted out when we found the actual city centre.
We could never have been more wrong. I concur totally with anyone who says Budapest is one of the best and prettiest cities in Eastern Europe. We did a Danube river cruise in the night and what a sight it was to see the palace and bridge lit up. We went crazy clicking pictures, me trying to be artistic and take ‘blurry’ pics et al. also on the boat we could complimentary wine and beer and that was enough to get us going.

After that we went to this AWESOME bar / nightclub. From the outside it was like a garage and you wouldn’t even know what was inside. Once we entered this place it was this kickass nightclub with room after room. It was a industrial shed turned into a club. The interiors were of these old computers and computer paraphernalia and a very grungy kind of look. There were sofas made of cut bath tubs, old PC’s and what not!

Inside there was a projector where they screened movies sometimes and the screen was near a huge open air atrium. What a great place to catch a movie!

The next day we went for this cycle tour, led by one of the most prettiest tour guides have come across. ** I really recommend city cycle trips for anyone who wants to get the feel of the city and places like Budapest have exclusive cycling roads and what a joy it is to use these roads. The cyclist and pedestrian are treated like gods here and everywhere in western Europe.

Hungarians have this history that they have always supported the losing team and this has quite affected their mentality. Also most of their uprising have always failed and that has also affected them.

Notwithstanding this place has some great history and they have built some mind blowing monuments. They also have this statue of a lady called Liberty, who they jokingly call the ‘bottle opener’ because of the shape it is designed in.

They also have this amazing palace and like all other European cities they have a lot of history attached to them. For eg: they have this bridge where the architect proudly claimed that if anyone could find one single mistake then he would jump from the bridge into the Danube. Soon one small boy pointed out a flaw, that the lions at the beginning of each sides of the bridge did not have a tongue. Folklore has it that he jumped of the bridge, but there are some people who say that the architect did make one other tunnel.

The town is actually in 2 parts – Buda and Pest, on either sides of the Danube. Buda is the older part where the palace etc is and Pest is where downtown is.

Another thing about Budapest is that they do not clink their glasses when they cheer. This tradition goes back to the time when the Austrians ruled Hungary and there was an uprising. During this uprising the Austrians killed a lot of Hungarians and as a memory to that the Hungarians swore that for 150 years they would never clink their glasses. It is another thing that 150 years have just passed but the tradition stays.

We also caught the Manchester United v/s Barcelona Fc UEFA Champions League final at this amazing bar in one of the by lanes frequented by locals. The atmosphere was so charged up and a great time was had by all. We had quite a few ( putting it mildly ) beers and by the end of it the entire bar was cheering together and all had become the best of friends. Sumit had bought this red wig which he wore to support Man U but unfortunately it did not help his team win.

Budapest is comparatively much poorer then the some of the other parts of Eastern Europe as is evident from the number of homeless and vagrants on the streets. But if you were to compare it’s beauty, give me Budapest anyday.

Also it was here we had to bid adieu to a lot of friends we had made and especially we would miss Carlos and Owen. These 2 guys really made our trip a grand success and it would not have been even half as fun without them.

A lot of HUGS and KISSES ( carlos’s staple line ) were passed around and over a ginormous pizza ( for 3 euros only ) everyone said adieu. I do hope soon our paths cross again.

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PRAGUE

What a beautiful city. Infact summer brings out the best in European cities and how they enjoy this time of the year. Sometimes it makes you a tad bit jealous about people having 4 seasons to enjoy.

Summer which bring out colour and the entire sense of freedom, lounging in parks, sitting at roadside café’s and enjoying your day doing nothing.
Autumn when the leaves start falling and you start preparing for winter by getting your woolies out. Also the colors around you are blazing from hues of oranges to red and you try and make the most of the last bit of warm weather.

Winter gets you in the mood for Christmas and the festival season. Out come your blacks an dark colours and the sunsets earlier. This is a time to retreat to your fireplaces after a had days works with a single malt in your hand. Also the joy of entering a heated room after a walk in the cold outside, skating on the ice

Spring is when there is a ‘spring’ in your step and you hear the first cries of the robin and you plan your summer holidays. This is a time when the summer ads hit you in the face with images of gardening equipment, pristine blues beaches, bikini ads, sun tan lotions and what not, coz summer is every marketers dream when all and sundry are in a good mood and want to spend.

PRAGUE

Prague was also where all of us met, as in the jolly backpacker group. A motley bunch us but with a great mindset.

Our first evening in Prague we just wandered around and got oriented to the place, the markets the squares, the lanes connected various ‘must see’ sights of the old town and we crosses Charles Bridge ( which we would be doing repeatedly over the next 2 days ).
* always remember whenever in a country you can’t find a loo…look for godd old McDonald’s as they always have them. Some places you got to pay but at some places they let you use it for free.

We did the normal ‘touristy’ stuff like saw the ringing of the clock at every hours, took pictures at every conceivable spot ( that would be me!!! ) and what I liked most is that we wandered around and ‘people watched’. I could write a lot about the famous monuments and must do sights but you would get that in any guide book, so what I thoroughly recommend is to get lost…..literally, in the streets of the old town. And when ever in doubt just look up and orient yourself with the spires of the clock tower.

We did a fair bit of bar hoping but I just cannot write this blog without mention the CROSS BAR….a modern architectural marvel made of all the possible spare parts of cars, electronic items and what not!

It was near our hotel and I am very sure not a mainstream bar after looking at the people there. It was a huge place with rooms and underground rooms you could get lost and the music was techno to the core, but I loved it.

Also there was this ‘suspicious’ aroma in the air of some ‘substances’ which are freely available in places like Amsterdam and that is what added to the entire excitement. Also we were stuck out like a sore thumb, us in our bright clothes whereas all the other were in black with different body piercing ( where all can one possibly pierce themselves amazes me ) and their dogs ..you dogs are allowed in the massive open air areas.

We feasted on boiled potatoes, atleast us veggies and in haze walked back to our hotel. Herein I must mention that Prague is pretty much a safe place esp for women travelers.

In Prague we also went to U ZLATEHO TYGYRA. This is a hole in the wall drinking place in old town which serves only ONE kind of drink and that is beer on the tap. You like it fine, you don’t like it then get out of the way! This place was PACKED with locals and we were thrown out on our first attempt and we managed a table the next day.

It is where the Czech President took the then US president Bill Clinton to show him what the real Prague looks like. Believe me you will think that the guy behind your regular Irani joint is courtesy personified if you were to meet the people serving us here. The service was fast efficient and the ambience..to die for! This is the very reason I travel, to sit at such places and see the way locals go about their daily routine.

One other thing I like about Prague are the trams. They are the best and cheapest way to see what the city is like, as well gives you a peak into the way the locals go about their daily routine. I highly and thoroughly recommend people to use local travel when the visit a city.

They also have this kickass concept where you can tour the city in vintage cars. They are so amazingly restored that you feel where can I buy one of these. There were atleast 40 odd models you could choose from and they were all convertibles so one could enjoy the city as well as have people like me look at you in awe.

I just love the way how people in Europe take tourism to a great level. Wonder why in India we just cant do that.

I can write reams on Prague but will end here as I truly encourage people to visit this amazing place.

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Villa Bugan

Bugan Villa is a world class, five star contemporary resort, comprising 4 spacious three-bedroom villas, set in idyllic landscaped gardens with lotus ponds and private pools. Located in Petitenget, Seminyak, it is only ten minutes walk from the beach, shops and fine dining restaurants. This unique concept gives our owners and guests a sense of privacy and ultimate luxury, superior to a hotel room environment, while having close access to all the facilities Seminyak has to offer.

Bugan Villa uses the highest quality building materials, both stone and wood. Each villa boasts its own private pool, Jacuzzi and three spacious master bedrooms with full size indoor marble bathrooms and outdoor showers, giving our owners and guests the relaxing feeling of bathing in luxury or having a shower whilst gazing into the open sky. The scale of the villas is truly impressive.

Located in Seminyak, away from the dizzy rush and bustle of Kuta - Bali, yet still near to the exciting shopping, restaurants and nightspots. Seminyak is the preferred destination for many tourists and expatriates in the Asia Pacific region who regularly return to Bali for work, holiday or simply to live. read more...

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Lombok Gili Islands One Day Tour

Here is your chance to see some of the natural beauty of Lombok. We begin travelling North following the inland road through the hills and the Pusuk Forest to see monkeys, which line the roadsides (take some fruits or nuts to feed them). Continue down to the coast and to the village of Pemenang.

where you board the outrigger for the 20-minute crossing to Gili Air. This island is renowned for its superb snorkelling, as crystal clear waters and a reef of tropical corals and millions of multicoloured fish surround it. There are numerous small losmens and bungalows dotted around the island that also have simple restaurants where you can buy lunch (lunch not included).

Return by outrigger to the mainland and then follow the coastal road South to Senggigi area. Travel up and over headlands and down through numerous bays; the scenery is stunning. (Approx. 8 hrs.). Read more..

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