Contiki: Haley10's recommendation

So, how do you begin to describe the TIME OF YOUR LIFE?
Okay well it all started on 25th May - 51 random people aged between 18 - 35 pile onto a bus hoping for the holiday of a lifetime. The group consisted of Australians, Kiwis, Americans, Canadians and Singaporeans.

Of course I was totally petrified as I was going alone and have NEVER travelled by myself before.  Luckily I am cool and was designated as a back seat bandit on the bus. So immediately I had a group of 6 friends. 1 Kiwi chick and 5 kiwi guys. YEY!

Anyway we headed from London to Paris, did the whole site seeing thing, ate a french meal etc etc. Then we headed for the Beaujolais Wine Region for some wine tasting, a themed dress up party night (I went as a hippy, you will have to check out the photos on Bugbitten) a very difficult climb to the 'Top of the World' (hung over) for a picnic and pretty much more drinking.

Next we were on our way to the French Riviera with a night trip to Monaco (which was absolutely beautiful), I had a quick gamble at the Monte Carlo Casino (won nothing). There was a group of us that went to the casino and didn't get a chance to eat dinner. So we had to beg this guy that was closing his shop to cook us some pizzas which were supposed to take 15mins but we made him do it for 7mins. Then we ate them outside the very high class casino ripping it apart with a swiss army knife. Needless to say the people around us were not impressed.

French Riviera to Florence - our first taste of Italy. And let me tell you don't be fooled by the 'sweet' little old ladies. They are not so sweet and extremely pushing and rude. Okay so we went to a perfumery and the Leaning Tower in Pisa on the way.

Before heading back to the campsite we had a group photo and were treated to a Tuscan Meal which never ended ( i was literally rolled out of the restaurant). On the walk back to the bus we were lucky enough to stumble upon a Muse Concert which was sat and listened to for a bit. Once back at the campsite we were able to mingle with the other contiki groups over a few kegs of heineken.

Next its a free day in Florence - we first head to the leather factory, take a walking tour of the city which includes such sites as the Piazza della Signoria, The Duomo and Santa Croce.

Tonight we head to the Space Electronic Disco - after several jager bombs and some dirty dancing we stumble home with some what very sore heads.

Great - no hangover (thank god) as we make our way to Rome. So we arrive in Rome for a guided tour of the city and get to see the Colosseum, throw a coin into the Fontana di Trevi, Chill out on the Spanish Steps, walk through the Roman Forum, visit the Pantheon, we also checked out some place that was a shrine of bones - very creepy but still cool, then we grabbed a bite to eat at the famous Piazza Navona.
Vatican City - after being yelled at several times by some crazy Italian man for pushing in line and waiting for over 2hrs we were finally inside the Vatican City we checked out the Sistine Chapel (where I took a few sneaky photos) and St Peters Basilica then we were outta there to check out what Rome had to offer.

We went inside the Colosseum, walked to the top of a hill at the Roman Forum for an amazing view of the city, rushed over to see the Mouth of Truth (which was closed, but we still got a little peak) then back to the campsite for a bbq dinner and a partay at the nightclub.

To Venice - so Venice, after a quick game of soccer and some dinner. It was our tour leaders birthday so of course we had to celebrate.  A couple of Attitude Adjusters later and we were dancing on tables and what not.

A day in Venice - very very pretty little place. We went on a gondola which was so so cool. And just had some free time to check the place out. We walked for hours and hours. Bought a very cool mask and some funky glass rings!  Then drank the BIGGEST bottle of wine I have ever seen by the river.

So tonight was supposed to be my alcohol free night - we had another BBQ and I was all ready to go to bed when they announce 50 cent champagne... Hmmm not good!
I got so drunk I watched a snail climb up my cabin wall for 35mins...

Okay today we are headed for Austria - YEY! First thing on the list was whitewater rafting... Totally stoked we all rush out of the bus to get suited up (the clothing was so fine). The water was absolutely freezing - I thought I was going to die! Rapids weren't too scary which was good, because the scenery was AMAZING!

Tonight we had another themed party night. 'Shock Your Mother'. Some of the costumes were absolutely classic. I don't know if I have laughed so hard before. I went as a gothic lesbian. Very interesting. Blue Ice shots were the hit of the night. And brought on probably one of the funniest acts I have seen. There was this guy called 'The Ghost' who is this farmer from NZ and was always very very quiet, he was drunk 24/7 but never said anything. Anyway he dressed in a bikini and was dancing around this pole which was funny enough. Next thing we turn around and he has NO clothes on at all in the middle of this bar. CLASSIC!!!

We were all very very drunk because I swear this place sells the cheapest alcohol ever. This supermarket was wicked and we all stocked up.

Right so another day in Austria first on the cards is mountain biking. Im quite excited about this because I definitely needed a bit of exercise. Anyway the tour guide is going on about all this crap of how to ride a bike and what not, and I was like OMG how easy is it to ride a bike... So after what seemed like hours we are finally on our way - pretty easy I thought. But WAIT.....we get to this never ending hill and it was agony, people that were walking up the hill were moving faster than us. I was so so glad to get to the top. I thought I was going to vomit. The views once again were wicked.
Then we headed down for a quick lunch and straight off to paragliding!

Now paragliding - so much fun! I was a little nervous when I got up there, and he was like ok - you have to run as fast as you can until your feet aren't touching the ground anymore. So he starts running and I was like uhhh my feet aren't touching the ground. So I really wasn't any help at all and he was shaking his head at me the whole time - oops.

Again the views were breathtaking and I even worked up the courage to do some flips and stuff... Felt like you were on a roller coaster. He even let me steer for a while which was a bit scary....Totally recommend it though.

So off to Germany today - we arrive in Munich have some lunch, looked around the place and then all meet up to watch the Glockenspiel which was pretty cool. Tonight we are off to the beer hall for lots of beer and roast pork with lots of crackling... YUMMY!!!

I sat at a table with the Canadians who had no idea what crackling was so I got all of there's and didn't end up eating any of the pork... Ewww I felt quite sick after that.
Then we thought it would be a good idea for us girls to try and skull our steins. No a good idea at all. 2 steins in I was well and truly done!

Went to the toilets - dropped my passport in, so I went out screaming 'Oh my god, I've dropped my passport in the toilet'. So Kerry (bless her) just as drunk as me come in and fishes it out with her hair brush. Too funny! Neither of us remember until she took her brush out of her bag then next day and was like 'How come I have tissue all through my brush.' Very very gross but absolutely hilarious... hehehe!
Today we stop for lunch in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. A very cute little town. We all paid 1.50 to get a stamp in our passports as well. Then we head on to Lucerne (Swiss Alps).  Our cabins were right in the middle of all these amazing valleys with HUGE waterfalls everywhere. So so pretty!!!

After dinner a few of us walked up the mountain and behind a couple a of the waterfalls then walked through the country side where I picked some pretty flowers to decorate our room.

Then more drinking for a few of the crews birthdays.... Not a cool place to drink because they have these red-bull shot things where you have to stick the lid on your forehead skull the shot and then try and shot the lid into this target from your mouth. (if you get it in you get a free shot)  So of course everyone wants to get it in and it just got very very messy. The bar tender reckons he lost count at 16 for me......And still I didn't get it in once!!!!

Next day we head for Jungfrau mountain. So all rugged up we head for the train that takes us to the top. Along the way we were able to get out and take photos. 2hrs later we arrive at the top and it was gorgeous. Beautiful white snow everywhere and it was lovely and sunny.

Firstly we had to walk through the Ice Palace which was a lot of fun. It was like a mini palace made of ice - walls, floor, ceiling, tables, chairs etc. So a few laughs and a lot of bruises later we were out. We had a massive snowball fight which was loads of fun. Although I did get hit in the side of the head by quite a mean shot from one of the boys.  After the fight we went sledding. We had to find a secret spot because you aren't allowed to do it yourself - your supposed to pay them for the proper equipment and what not.

So we found this really cool steep hill behind a soccer ball made from ice. The first few times were a little nasty as we were trying to make a path and didn't know the correct style. I got scratches all over my stomach and one of the girls smacked her head into the soccer ball.  Total blast though.

After sledding we had lunch surrounded by snow at the top of the mountain. We then sent a post card from the highest post office in the world, then it was back to the site for dinner and drinks.

Me being the cool kid I am fell into a freezing cold river. Because we had all bought alcohol but it was hot, so we put it in the river to chill it. I slipped on a rock and fell right in. Luckily only 2 of the guys saw me. Very embarrassing but really funny!

Next we head back to Germany - and spend the night in the Rhine Valley. We stayed at 'Grandmas House' a very chilled out laid back place for us to have our 1 and only alcohol free night. Definitely had a grandma feel to it.

Next stop NETHERLANDS.... so what to tell you... To be honest I don't really remember a lot of it.  We first went to Edam where we did a bike ride of the town which was very relaxing. We then went onto the Clog and Cheese factory to see how they are made.

But everyone was really hanging out for Amsterdam.... So we arrive have dinner and then head into the city for a sex show.... Very interesting, funny, sick and entertaining... Kind of gross really - we had a few free drinks there which a lot of us couldn't drink, because I swear they tasted like sex.. ewww!

After the show we walked around the Red Light District so so funny! The chicks in there are hilarious... Once again I saw the fat, black lady (and yes she was eating again).  Then we headed to the Grasshopper to smoke some weed. For a lot of the people there it was there first time and it was absolutely hilarious! I could not stop laughing at them. If it was that funny or not Im not too sure.

I was really hanging out for the hash brownies that Zoie and I got last time we were there - I went on several missions each time taking a different team but was unsuccessful. Dammit!  So after some time we decided to head back to the hotel (after 2 pieces of pizza and a large chips with mayo) which was a riot. Firstly we thought that we were in a mouse maze because the halls were never ending and we couldn't find our room. I was freaking out - so I made everyone else freak out by making up a few stories to scare them
Then we got back to our room and found this show called Reno 911 which is a show about police officers in america doing stupid stuff... I thought it was real and couldn't believe what was happening.. Silly me!

So its our last day as a group! We have the day free to do what we want. So Kerry and I shopped, ate and shopped!
Then we all caught up to have our last dinner at a chinese restaurant... Very cool place on the river and there was so much food. OMG I felt so sick after eating it all I thought I was going to pop!

After dinner we pretty much did the same as the night before. Went home a bit earlier though because we were so buggered!

And that's it - CONTIKI OVER!!!!

Seriously though best time of my life! I miss it so so much!