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Wow a crazy, whirlwind two months of travel, adventure and learning! So much so I had zero time to keep writing so now I need to try consolidate that time into one, two or maybe three blogs! I'll see how I go and how much I recall.
The only thing I had time to do for myself was eat, shower and breathe (breathing and eating became one in the same as we learnt to inhale our food). Even sleep was limited - average 3hrs a night, some nights I was blessed with a whopping 4-5hrs on the rare occasion but more often than not it would swing towards 1 -2hrs.
So I have learnt that sleep is important not just for normal brain function but also as a part of a basic beauty regime. With such little sleep I found my hair started falling out, nails snapped, eyes sunk into black holes in my face and my skin became dry and cracked. So lovely. Not to mention the amount of rubbish I tend to consume if I am exhausted...so yes the calories climbed on board. I prefer to view calories as tiny creatures that were in my suitcase stitching my clothes tighter each night!
Though it sounds like all complaints, I would not trade the experience at all. It was incredible!
Starting in Wemeldinge, Netherlands where I wrote my last entry we continued on to Paris! Practicing our driving tour, super cool feeling driving by all the sites I had been researching over Christmas. Excitement stirred! Beautiful buildings and historic sites I actually knew about this time compared to my last visit it really did enrich the experience. Delicious crepes and baguettes. On my travels I have found the men who are quickest to profess their love for you are definitely the French! It worked in my favour when I didn't have to pay for my coffee. I found the L'oreal HQ in Paris which was fun for me being my favourite brand to use! With freezing temperatures and camping in tents I think I almost lost my life in Paris, 5-6layers of clothing + sleeping bag I was still frozen and it would take most of the next day to thor out, but alas I'm still here to tell the tale :)
France to Switzerland. (Maybe i should say tents to cabins - yay!) I love this country, it's gorgeous and home to two of my favourite things - CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE! We visited 3 locations first being Lauterbrunnen, the stunning valley laying at the bottom of sheer cliff faces, humongous waterfalls, in the Swiss alps where Hayley and I had jumped from a helicopter last year. This time the group took the train up Mt Jungfrau, home to the highest railway in Europe (I'm sure you would have loved this trip Grandad, I was thinking of you).
Next stop Lucerne, this town is great and beautiful! An incredible statue of a lion sitting inside a wall over looking a little lake/pond in commemoration of the 600+ Swiss guards who died protecting French King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution in the 18th c. The thing I find amazing about this story is the royal pair were not even inside when the mob came to kill them but still the guards stood their ground and sacrificed their lives for another country as this was their job. So this monument gave me goosebumps as the detail, size and peacefulness set in. Lucerne was just a day stop before we carried on to our next destination, the fantastic ski village of Engelberg! Keen to head back here, great vibe and home to the ironically named Mountain, Mt Titlis. We got the pleasure of going through the clouds right up the top where we were greeted by a splendored blue sky day! A revolving lift part of the way up provided 360views of the area. In our accommodation here, Emily and I enjoyed a spacious room, sweet views, large deck and comfy beds! Even had a little Toblerone chocolate waiting on the bed - yum!
Sad to leave Engelberg but excited for what was ahead we crossed the boarder back into France and set onwards to Avignon one of the only remaining cities to have its medieval wall fully intact circling the city. I had never seen anything like this fortification (these became a little more familiar as the trip continued) so I was yet again blown away by what Europe has to offer. Walking into those walls and visiting the Palace where the Popes once resided. This square actually made my jaw drop - so ancient and cool! And it was a Sunday night so no crowds, perfectly quiet :)
Avignon, sitting in the area of Provence is of course near the famous lavender fields, so a "must buy" here is some sort of a lavender souvenir. Being in the southern part of France it meant just a day trip to Barcelona which is where we were heading the next day. Au Revoir France and Hola Spain!
- comments
Rach Love it! I could've kept reading... but it stopped ;-( looking forward to more when you have the time :-) xx
Helena You're a really engaging writer Minnie. I'm really enjoying reading your blog. Looking forward to travelling with you one day soon and hearing all about these places in person. Love you!