Another lovely flight (thank you Emirates) and a Disney marathon later we arrived in London. Rather than trying to fight our way through trains with our luggage we chose to go to out hotel via taxi (a black cab). Little did we know it was an expensive choice. An undisclosed amount of pounds later ($100) we got to The Darlington Hyde Park and went straight off to Oxford Street.
After managing to organise to meet Hambone we saw her beautiful face outside Marble Arch Station. A long and excited cuddle later we wandered off to buy clothes to warm us up. Many stores chose not to have our business (imagine, stores not selling gloves in a London winter!) but once we were sorted we tottered off to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
Winter Wonderland is similar to the Easter Show but way better. We learnt very quickly that back in Australia we really are half hearted in our Christmas decorations. They do it so much better over here!! W were quite surprised at how big the Winter Wonderland was.
Our first dinner was at a great pub in Knightsbridge where Razz discovered that Australian pies have nothing on the English Steak and Ale Pie.
There is the most brilliant app for the Tube. It made our lives so much easier!! It tells you which line to choose, when to change, which direction. Australian trains are terrible!!
You may be noticing a theme here, a love of London is really starting.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Illegal taxis ... we think
Upon our arrival in Dubai and leaving the airport a man approached us enquiring if we wanted a taxi. It seemed quite dodgy so we snuck away when he turned his back. Once we left the airport another man approach us. We gave it a try and he offered a trip for 80 Dirhams. It seemed reasonable ($20) and 5 minutes later (listening to Mumford and Sons and good old Mariah Carey singing All I Want for Christmas) we arrived feeling slightly jipped.
The hotel was lovely and after improving our cleanliness we headed off to the world's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall. It has its own indoor aquarium and an ice rink! We wandered around very western style shops, lingerie, bikinis, Quicksilver and others gradually feeling the effects of a long haul.
We decided on dinner, Iranian served fast food style by an Indian gentleman and listening to Aerosmith. We are so cultured :)
The mall has a fountain show similar to that of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. It was pretty impressive. The world's tallest building next to the fountains was more amazing though. The lights were gorgeous.
Then, we crashed into bed!
The hotel was lovely and after improving our cleanliness we headed off to the world's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall. It has its own indoor aquarium and an ice rink! We wandered around very western style shops, lingerie, bikinis, Quicksilver and others gradually feeling the effects of a long haul.
We decided on dinner, Iranian served fast food style by an Indian gentleman and listening to Aerosmith. We are so cultured :)
The mall has a fountain show similar to that of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. It was pretty impressive. The world's tallest building next to the fountains was more amazing though. The lights were gorgeous.
Then, we crashed into bed!
Emirates, I love thee
On our adventures to the US last year we learnt a whole lot about how not to travel. One fact was don't travel on the airline we did and be wise about your layovers. As such, with thanks to suggestions from others we chose Emirates and they were fabulous!! Really comfy, I managed to sleep quite well. Razz didn't so much, we were in a three seater and the gentleman next to me sleep nearly the whole way (it made it a little difficult to get out) and Razz really needed to use the facilities, poor thing.
Otherwise, the food was super yum, Razz watched docos the whole way which kept him happy and we arrived in Dubai quite fresh. They gave us hot towels several times in the flight which really helped.
Otherwise, the food was super yum, Razz watched docos the whole way which kept him happy and we arrived in Dubai quite fresh. They gave us hot towels several times in the flight which really helped.
It's been a while ...
So, we've been out of touch for a while and had a couple of funny reminders of this fact (thanks Dad). But now thanks to the prowess of one lovely lady we're back!! To update you all on our adventures I'll have to go back in time ...
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Only 12 days to go ...
So, it's just over a week and a half until we board the plane to Dubai. Not long to go! From deciding on this epic journey 11 months ago until now we've managed to turn our brains into mush with research, get really excited and are now just trying to make sure we've done everything.
Razz is researching some things to do in Venice. Belinda is playing with a blog instead of looking at the itinerary and sorting out trains to Florence. Putting a photo in the background has taken precedence over planning ... oops!
Still to do:
Razz is researching some things to do in Venice. Belinda is playing with a blog instead of looking at the itinerary and sorting out trains to Florence. Putting a photo in the background has taken precedence over planning ... oops!
Still to do:
- Pack! Oh dear, so much stuff!
- Plan places to visit in Paris, Venice and Rome.
- Shop for items we still don't have, eg. socks
- Exchange money
- Get travel insurance
- Plan our music playlist (most important)
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