Europe trip: Part 1

It was in January earlier this year when we started looking around for options to have a whirlwind tour of Europe. After looking at various options we closed in on a coach tour from Topdeck tours. Topdeck, we found later, is big in Australia and the tour was scheduled to be a 12 day journey, mostly on a coach, through the most popular Europe sights at break neck speeds.

The visa rules required us to get a Schengen visa from the country where we'll spend the most number of days. Since we were scheduled to spend the most number of days in Italy (3 days!) we had to go to the Italian consulate in Manchester to get our visa. The process was simple and allowed us a day's visit to Manchester. We went to the famed Man U stadium and the equally famous, albeit in Cricket circles only, Old Trafford cricket stadium. The intra city tram was a joyride too. Of course, some shopping in Arndale Shopping centre which happens to be the largest inner-city shopping centre didnt hurt Mansi a bit. Cant say the same about my purse though:) In one of our 'walks' Mansi was approached by someone to model for some hair product! I wasn't around when Mansi got the offer but she later told me that she got scared when offered the assignment and declined it outright!

The visa took about a week to reach us and we were all set for our Europe trip! The night before the tour was due to commence we came to London on a train and stayed overnight in a hostel for the lack of a better option. I had stayed in a hostel before so knew what to expect but it was all new to Mansi and she liked the 'collegiate' setting. We were travelling light and tucked a bag each under our heads (this might be a very 'Indian' thing:)) and dozed off with dreams of Rome and Paris!

The day started at 6 in the morning and we left for Dover in a bus. At the Dover port, we took a ferry to get to Calais, France where we got to see the group we'll be travelling with. The group was 40-odd with mostly Australians and Koreans! A handful New Zealanders and a Canadian couple besides and an Indian couple (Mansi and I) completed the group. Yes, no Americans or Britishers in the entourage! Our tour guide was Maggi, 30-something, Polish with golden locks wearing square rimmed glasses and our coach driver would be Barry, a head shaven Irishman who could be mistaken for a muscleman from a movie.

Our first stop was Amsterdam. Of course, everyone has heard of the notorious red-light area but there is so much more to Amsterdam! The city has as many or more bicycles as the number of residents, smoking marijuana is legal and common place in cafes and there are a number of very beautiful canals. Our dinner was aboard a canal cruise. We were mostly offered stuff we couldnt understand but since it was a buffet we did give it a go. Drinks were on the house and if I remember right we consumed an insane amount of Diet Pepsi! That was followed by an optional visit to the famed Red light district. (I'd rather not say what happened thereof- as they say what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam) The following day we visited Anne Frank's museum which is a very well maintained house where Anne Frank's family stayed. If you are in Amsterdam, you must also try the 'frites', which is nothing but french fries (or 'Chips' as the English know it) with a handful of mayo on it.. Delighful in taste and sinful in calorie count! We also went around and saw the Madame Tussaud's museum and the war memorial.

After around midday, we left for Rhine Valley. On our way we stopped at a factory that made traditional cheese and clogs. The place stank of some animal poo (we didnt try to find out what kind though, am afraid) but the craftsmanship of the clogs was reminiscent of what one would see in a local village even in India- simple and effective designs painted in a hue of colours. Its surprising how alike things can be even thousands of miles away!