5 posts tagged “travel”
I loooove London, just went back there last weekend for a quick visit to my partner.
He is working in the UK at this moment, on the filming of Gulliver's Travels, starring Jack Black.
We stayed at the Bloomsbury Holiday Inn (Russel Square) again, a nice clean affordable hotel. And they serve a very yummy breakfast! Yes I do splurge on a heavy, fat, rich, big english breakfast when I am in the UK or when I get the chance.
I must admit, my best english breakfast I ever had, was in Tamesloth near Marrakesh, Morocco. In the catering tent on the set of 'Prince of Persia, sands of times' with Jake Gyllenhaal. It was hot, even early in the morning but it was soooo good. I thought I'd never be able to eat again after that breakfast. But then came lunch, also very good lol.
Ok, back to London. We strolled through Carnaby Street, had excellent noodles at Cha Cha Moon! Discovered lots of cool little vintage shops and boutiques. We hopped on and off the tube, all over London.
It always amuses me how they (who is they anyway?) announce 'Mind the gap' on the speakers. In one train station they are really nice and pleasant sounding. In the next station it sounds like Hitler himself is giving you orders!
After strolling around, we made our way to Covent Garden. I love that place :-) But hey, Nine West, one of my favourite shops, is not there anymore??! Anyways, we then made our way down to one of our favourite places in London, near the Freemason's building (went in there for another film shoot, Green Zone with Matt Damon :-). It is a grand cafe called Lowlander
We sat down and ordered Brugse Zot, Kriek, belgian pintjes, had the cheese platter with fries and then an Angus beef sandwich, very yummy.
Then a walk and many tube rides later, back to the hotel.
That was day 1... much much more to tell you about, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the sun and an apero with some friends.
Bye for now!
In the post below you could read a little bit about our trip to Marrakech. So much happened, I wrote down keywords and impressions, but it's all so much to handle and put down on paper. I'll get there though, some day!
But, so we arrived in Marrakech, only to find out my special friend had to fly back to the UK the next morning. Gasp! This was not part of the plan.
Couldn't do much else but fly back with him really. No, I did have the option to stay there, but I made this trip to be with him so... Spent 2 days in the UK, one afternoon of shopping in London! Took the Eurostar back home. Did some laundry, visited some friends, and then my special friend came home to wish me a happy Sunday, and kidnapped me in his truck, all the way to Potsdam, Germany!
Woohoo another adventure. No disgusting French toilets on the highway parkings, but clean efficient sanitary on the German roads ;-) Again we had a blast.
Mr F, you make me laugh. You scare me with your fashion ideas sometimes. Yes. But I adore it, you are brilliant!
And next weekend, I'm flying back to continue the adventures of the dynamic duo! Big trouble in Little Bouznika, here we come!
Dear blog, forgive me for neglecting you... ;-) I have had so many things happen to me in the last few weeks, even months, too many impressions to even begin writing down. It's been quite a busy year. Work, work troubles, trips to see my special friend, expectations, travel, meetings... but here's an update.
Ok, to be honest, I started writing this last Sunday, when mr F was still in Tangiers. He's in Marrakech now. But for the sake of my story, I'll just rewind to last Sunday then ;-)
As I'm writing this my special friend is once again stuck in the port of Tangers, Morocco. Waiting for customs to clear him and his convoy, so they can drive on to Marrakech. This week should be the start of filming the new Walt Disney movie: the Prince of Persia in and around Marrakech.
The port of Tangers is a weird place. Dangerous. Crowded. Dirty. Smelly. Fascinating. Intruiging!
When we first drove off the ferry from Algeciras, the Atlantica, mr F told me to lock my doors, close my windows and don't let anyone intimidate you. Honestly, I did wonder if he was exaggerating or not. But umm, nope he wasn't. But hey, a few 'exchanges' of cigarettes and money later, and I was brave enough to wander off on my own, looking for some hot mint tea. And that at 3 am in the morning :-) But ok, admitted, I had my personal bodyguard, Ali. Yes his name really is Ali, not making it up. We were surrounded by security guards and not so cute looking dogs. Weird weird place...but I feel so lucky to have experienced it!
I should begin at the start. Wednesday morning, very early: taxi to the trainstation, train to Brussels, Thalys to Paris-Nord, subway to Paris-Montparnasse and hup on the TGV to Le Mans. A date under the Le-mans-tree :-)
That's where I met up with my special friend and jumped into the truck. Destination of this trip: Marrakech baby!
All the way through France, through Spain, stopping in Coslada, Madrid to pick up some props, to Algeciras. There, get on a ferry to Africa! Arrive at Tangers, drive all the way through Morocco, via Rabat, Casablanca and inland towards Marrakech. A small 2400 kilometers, in flight distance.
Ah, what to write about this trip. What not to write? So many things happened, it was one big adventure! I absolutely loved every second of it.
Some key elements: le broken Iveco: very sick truck had to be taken to the Iveco garage in Poitiers, nice Hotel de France, singing in the truck, the Mama Miracoli song, driving around forever in Irun and Durango to find a parking/sleeping place, parking on a curb, the little flashing light got stolen off the trailer there, a welcome hot shower, don't forget to twiddle your knob in time, discovering the amazing scenery driving through Spain, looking forever for the big DHL depot in Coslada, bumpy roads, hot sirocco winds, bocadillos con queso y lomo (yum!), discovering the Don Quijote trail (windmills inclusive!), the double rainbow in Somosierra, funky looking tapas and not funky in a good trendy kind of way no way José..., a neverending supply of Crackanut BBQ nuts and jellybeans, beer drinking trailer trash diva in Algeciras, the forever McFlurry line...
And this is still in Europe. I don't even know where to begin looking back at the ferry ride to Tangiers and travelling in Morocco.
Hey, and next week I'm flying back to Marrakech for more adventures.
Mr F, thanks for making this all possible.
Radica thought me how to escape mentally every now and then, by planning a little virtual getaway... the fastest way to day dreaming about past travels, adventures or those yet to come. This one takes me back to Sydney, Australia!
Time flies, it's already been over a year since I visited my friends Radica & JJ in Sydney.
I loved the city. The bushwalks were an adventure as you can read on my previous posts... but hey, can't wait to do it all over! I loved the feel of the city, the skyline, the people and the spectacular view from my bedroom!
I miss my friends. I have just decided I will most certainly go visit them again as soon as possible.
So, oil people, stop making those prices so ridiculously high so that airlines can give us better rates again asap!
Ok, back to work...
I have to admit, I suck at preparing for a holiday or trip. I usually start packing the minute before I have to leave. And then I'm just fine. As long as I have my tickets, creditcard, passport, my mp3 player and some change I'm good to go.
The best suitcases were made in the weirdest states of being actually, Roomie, remember Cuba? ;-)
So this time, I'd thought I'd be a good girl and get an early start. Result: way too much stuff in that case!! I think tomorrow, I'll have another look at it and throw about 50% out. Do I really need it all?
Then I also am bringing some goodies for Radica and JJ, I hope it gets there in one piece. If not, if it breaks, well I won't have anything to wear :-)
So far for being prepared....but thankfully, I talked with my friend Nini who taught me 2 important lessons for packing and travelling. If someone knows, it's her!
1. Less is more!
Anything you didn't bring and you need, you can buy there --> yay, shopping without guilt! Love you Nini :-)
2. You can never accessorize enough!
--> got it sista!
Alright, let's have another look at that suitcase.....
