After leaving the boat, the plan is to take the long way home. A trip though Europe, then to Mexico, all through South America and back to Central America. Then on to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup in June and July, before finally jumping on board Cowabunga in Tahiti to sail her back to Australia, arriving in November.
The first part of the trip however is Europe. We decided to delay our departure to Mexico in order to have a bit more of a look around Europe, considering we were already there it wasn't too hard a decision. After sending a few boxes home before we left the boat, we didn't really have too much gear considering we were coming home after almost 4 years away. However two bodyboards, a few laptops and a bag full of camera gear still made it quite an effort to go anywhere, and as a result we though the best way to get around Europe was by train. This was made better by the fact that the fares are mostly cheaper than airfares (especially when you get hit with the extortionist baggage fees from some "cheap" airlines), the transit times were in my mind better once you take into account getting to the airport, check in, flight, collecting bags, getting from the airport to the hotel:
6hours Antibes to Paris
6hours Paris to Munich
6hours Munich to Venice
2hours Venice to Milan
Plus the fact that generally it was some really nice scenery, and a chance to catch up on photo edits.
We had 5 days in Paris, which were spent getting pretty cultured, the Louvre, Musee Pompidou, Moulin Rouge, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, as well as all the other Parisian experiences one generally has.
Next up was Munich, a stop I was particularly looking forward to to catch up with my mate Scott and his girlfriend Ramona. The last time I saw them was 3 years ago, just before I joined the boat! After a few days in Munich and getting acquainted with the Bavarian way, we soon found ourselves in Brixentale Austria with some friends for a weekend of skiing.
After that is was onwards to Venice, but only for a few nights before heading to our final stop in Milan.
Ears: Sporto Kantes
Leaving the boat.
Early morning Paris
Street Art
Musee Pompidou - the inside out building, its actually a pretty cool contemporary art museum inside.
Aitwork like this!
The Bastille Markets
This lock epidemic is now out of control
Had a picnic here
From the Arc d'Triomphe
Louvre at night
Yep saw the Mona Lisa, again.
Venus de Milo (see the below photo for how good a shot this actually is)
What every room inside the Louvre looks like (actually what every room inside any famous place looks like in France).
According to Tom Hanks, the Holy Grail is here.
Gates of Versailles
Versailles was home to the French Royals (think Louis and Marie Antoinette) until the French Revolution took them down.
This is the backyard for Versailles
The Guards house.
View from Montmarte
Streets of Montmarte
If anyone ever mentions Munich, people always talk of Octoberfest, however it is also home of many other amazing things, such as this clock. The Glockenspiel.
