ryanstravels.com - travelogue

Having finished six months of hard graft in London, I decided to venture out into Europe. Not really knowing what I was doing or where to go, I got a hop-on, hop-off bus pass for Western Europe with a company called Eurobus. It transpired that Eurobus were very badly organised, and they subsequently went under but the places I stopped and the people that I met were great. Also I kept a much better diary.

Arrived in Paris last night- had all sorts of fun with the accommodation. Sat beside a kiwi girl from London called Mandy, finally found a place to stay – got organised and settled down with champagne and a beer in front of the Eiffel tower. The taxi driver was cool, although he didn’t speak English. It was a fantastic sight as the lights on the tower took effect. Rain forced us back to the 3 Ducks hostel. Some French blokes got a bit aggro, but a good night. Ben – the guide took us on a tour of central Paris earlier in the day and provided mixer for the vodka in the park below the Eiffel tower, along with Claire and Brett (driver). France had won the soccer world cup the previous week and the people were going nuts on the warm Paris night playing soccer and generally having fun. Today went from Paris to Bordeaux, staying at the hotel regina near the station where I shared a room with two English students who were also staying over in Bordeaux rather than departing the next morning. We all went out for a meal with the driver and guide Bob, and I met a few others who were staying in Bordeaux.

Got up in the morning and sorted out my busses for the next little while, as there was a bit of a bottleneck at San Sebastian as a result of the Running of the Bulls at San Fermin, just down the road from there - which would cause some problems later on. That afternoon we jumped on a train to Saint Emilion where the best Bordeaux reds are made, and had a look around some of the wine chateaux and the beautiful medieval village in the centre of them all. Not such a friendly place, and a lot more expensive than backpackers prices, but very pleasant nonetheless. Orangina et Hamburger from Maccas that night for 20FF.

Very late night last night followed by a day where we watched the AB’s lose in Wellington, and wandered through the Bordeaux markets. Ate cheese and drank nice red wine en route to some clubs where we (Stu, Michelle and Andrea) had a great time. Got home circa 4:30 and my hotel had locked me out, so I slept on Stu’s floor, and got to the bus at 7:00, only to find the three Wellingtonians had missed the bus. We got stuck in traffic and my hangover kicked in when the bus started to get hot and sticky with no through draft. Arrived in San Sebastian, got Pesetas, food and slept on and off till 18:00, I awoke to find myself in the same room as Claire (from Paris) and Jane who I met in one of the queues for the bus along the way.

Sunday night proved to be a real brain basher and Monday hurt! The hangover was only surpassed by the sunburn that I got, which even now, two days later still hurts. The scar from the cigarette burn procured from Bordeaux, courtesy of Andrea is still quite prominent also. Sangrias aren’t going down so easily these days. I am finding Spain very cheap, the 80 quid (20,000pts) that I got out on arrival is lasting me a long time. Tapas bar tonight. Today went up the funicular and got some great views of San Sebastian. Met up with the kids from Bordeaux. Got drunk, (learnt about 43 & milk) played guitar, Terri (from the pension) fell off her stool.

Played soccer with Jen, Berrin, Matt, Kym and Brett (driver) down the surf beach. It is a public holiday today and there is not much else on. I was so buggered that I siestaed for two hours. Played a bit of cards and smoked joints. The weird farty girl kept me awake, also met Jay, Amy and another chick from room #3.

Missed the Eurobus this morning, bought tickets straight through to Granada for about 20 quid and met some more kiwis from Wellington who were doing the same. Just found out about the AB’s losing the Bledisloe cup. It rained for the first time this trip today, and I have blue feet from hacky sack stains.

Yesterday I arrived in Granada at 6:00am – dark and disorientated. The bus was half an hour early because of the superfast Spanish driver. Nicola, Karen, Andrew and I found the train station where we put our bags in lockers and went out to explore Granada. Went to the Alhambra, which was utterly fantastic! Definitely the best thing I’ve seen this trip so far. The guys were really good company and after a siesta in a café for a while, we climbed up to the Arab quarter and walked back down to get our bags. Nicola and I went to find the pickup/drop off and met the bus an hour early after walking right past the hostel. Decided to stay while the others left, and went for a swim before going out with a whole bunch of cool people. Still tired today, but a siesta and a trip to the pool fixed that. Went out drinking with Chris, Rich, Welsh guys, Mandy, Brett and some Belgian guy. Met a Dutch couple who were great value and Chris and I went out clubbing (!) with two Norwegian girls (Elin and one other) in my ripped shorts (ctsy Brett) and Tevas. The Spanish band was a highlight also.. “I want a one-ton Rodeo”

Slept and bussed on Tuesday, arriving in La Linea and then going across to Gibralter for a walk with a boring SA chick called Natasha. After that night I was a bit stuck for a place to stay and ended up in a single room at a whole lot more than I expected to have to pay. I went across to Gibraltar and met up with Chris and bought a camera, then beer at the pub to celebrate. Bought some duty free booze and drank some before Spanish dinner. Nice fish/soup main. Val, Annabelle, Rich, Chris and I then went out looking for a club with no avail, and I returned home with some help to wake in a slightly interesting situation. Gibraltar reminds me very much of England (which it is of course part of) it is pretty dirty and aside from the scenery at the top of the rock and cheap stuff in the shops, there is not much to recommend it. The apes were interesting viewing and I got to see Africa although my camera screwed up and the photo I took did not come out.

The beach at La Linea was dirty and crap. Went out in La Linea and met up with a few Eurobus people. At that stage je suis saeol! Albufeira started with a bang! Met Michelle, Andrea and Stu from Bordeaux at the pool and went out to a sangria party that night. Jane and Claire were on the bus and many other people that I didn’t know knew who I was, not sure how that happened. Slept on the grass near to where the sangria party relocated, the last bucket was very strong. Saturday, Michelle and I went to the beach – Albufeira proper, and it was very hot and the water in the Algarve is very refreshing. Didn’t see much of the town, but for all accounts there wasn’t much to see. We slept under some shade, as there is none at the camping ground. Today checked out (3/4 hour), had a couple of beers with Chris and jumped on the bus to Lisbon.

Last night spent in a field drinking cheap red wine, before getting evicted – prompting a move to another field. Was a good time and although we didn’t get to see Lisbon, I was happy enough. This morning the pollution didn’t allow us to even see the city from the 17km long bridge – the largest in Europe. Found a cool pension in town and went (as usual when travelling with Andrea) to McD’s and then found a cheap cybercafe and went home to finish the last of the red wine from the field party and went out with Michelle et al to cafes for beer.

Yesterday was a day of port drinking, sightseeing and fun. Slept in bed for the first time in 3 nights. Great sleep. After much wandering, found the port manors and did a short, interesting, tour of a port wine manor before sampling the product for the rest of the day. Went to cafes and McD’s (again) before home to bed, earlyish. It was a really good day.

At present I am waiting at the Madrid estation de autobus for my bus to Barcelona. Last night the Eurobus was overbooked and I scored a room with Fiona and Pete right in the middle of town. Went out for some beer and tapas last night 1:00am = 27 deg C. I cant wait to get into an air conditioned bus, even if it is in a smoking seat. Will arrive Barcelona late in the day, in time to party if I can find a place to stay. The Madrid metro seems clean and organised – even if I am using it at 10:30am on a weekday.

Last night was crazy! I arrived in Barcelona, navigated to the “drop-off”, found nothing. No accommodation was forthcoming. Met two English girls (Farah and Fiona) and one Aussie (Lisa) – went to Youth Hostel, then out for some Sangria. Found the ‘appy couple, who led me to the rest of the Eurobus people. Today went sightseeing with Valerie, Michelle, Andy and Stu. Went to La Sangrada Familia - awesome architecture, hot day! Went also to Gaudi’s monument park, massive views over a beautiful city. Came home and siestaed and now heading out for dinner after first clothes wash since San Sebastian finishes. Metro system here is clean and easy to use and COOL! Barcelona is tres hot! I need more time here, the city is just too much for a small trip.

Eurobus to Nice. Last night went out on the waterfront in Barcelona after dinner and visited a cybercafe and had a beer looking out over the water. Tonight might be large.. first night in a new city ‘n all…

Saturday night was cool, went out for dinner at a restaurant/pub called Paparazzi and then to a dumb bar called Thor. Sunday was Monte Carlo, which was great - Casino, beach, grand prix track. Met Chris, Rich, Brett etc and went for a cruise around the harbour after a few cocktails. Monday was spent on a rocky beach in Nice and we had le vin rouge et fromage a la Bordeaux. Went to paparazzi and Andy spewed in the ‘where’s wally’ toilet. Today in Cannes and sandy beach, rain, wind. Saw Paul Verhoven’s hand prints, and also JCVD’s. Got free beer at paparazzi, paid for two hotel rooms last night.

Went for a walk around Nice yesterday, fantastic views of the Cote d’Azure and interesting ambiance. What a great place Nice was. The bus trip was cramped! Said goodbye to Michelle et al, and slept, although there was no room between the seats. Today in Paris Von and I checked into the Aloha hostel, went to the Arc d’triomphe, the Arc de defense for some shopping and then the catacombs. Very tired now, will be please to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night – although big night is planned with Todd on my arrival home. Its sad to finish this travelling life, this time tomorrow I will be back in London the dirty, filthy place that it is, older, wiser, healthier and with a vague understanding and admiration for three very different and interesting countries and after meeting some very cool people. I can’t wait to leave and I’m not even home yet!

Eurobus: Summer 98