Sunday, June 27, 2010

in 2 weeks we will be in KL

I can't believe we will be in Kuala Lumpur in exactly 2 weeks. How the time has flown, it will probably go just as fast while we are on holiday and we will be back just as fast as we left. Hopefully it won't be too fast!
I have been given $$$ by many people to buy bits and pieces from different markets we may go to. I am excited to bring back some lovely fabrics, buttons and maybe even a doctors bag for a special someone. Just remember if you give me some money and the items are too heavy for my luggage I will use some of the money to post the item to you. So think about how much you want to hand over. :-)... if I can't spend money on myself at least I will have fun shopping for everyone else.
Iain wants to buy a Ferrarri cap for himself (he may buy one as a pressie for someone else), the boys want to see Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For some reason Levi really wants to go to Spain (He may have seen a doco or something on fox). I would love to be able to take him but we will see how the budget goes.
Speaking of budgets, when this trip is over and we actually do it on our budget I may start up a new blog on how to travel overseas (particularly in Europe) with kids on a small budget.
I think that sort of blog could really open some eyes and some people who believe they can't do it might see a glimmer of hope and give it a go. Just be BRAVE!!!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I am now a citizen of Cyprus and Australia

It would have been wonderful if I had of received this earlier and been able to get the passport as well but alas it is not so.  So I will apply for my Cypriot passport now and when we get back from Italy we will decide whether Iain and the boys should apply for it too.  If we love Italy we work hard to save and go back with a living and working in Italy visa if we need one with the Cypriot passport.  We will also try to find work and practise our Italian more.
Well there is only 2 weeks and 3 days to go until we leave for Italy, I haven't even worked out what clothes I am going to take (of course I will probably overpack).  I have lots of dresses and skirts to pack but not many shirts and shorts.  I have a pair of thongs (flip flops or jandels), a pair of sandels and some black flats.  I figure if I need anything else I will buy it there.
Iain has just said that I am writing an novel and we haven't left yet.  Well he hasn't seen any of this blog yet and just how much I have written.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

3 weeks and counting!!!

Here we go only 3 weeks to go.
Boys have 1 week of school left, then on 2 weeks school holidays then we head off on our 3 month adventure.
I have quite a few friends handing over cash for arts and crafts items that I may find at European markets. At least I can have fun shopping with their money even if I don't have much to spend on myself. :-)
I have had enough of winter here and am definitely looking forward to the summer in Europe. I have been told that the weather has been quite good so far. I especially look forward to getting a bit of a tan.
Wouldn't it be great to have 6 months here and 6 months there every year? I think so, it's just the kids that would not cope with schooling. Maybe when the kids are finished school and can look after themselves.
Soon it will be the 11 July and we will on our way to Italy.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

FABRIC BIRD GIVEAWAY!

click on "follow this blog" in the networked blogs box to go into the draw to win 3 fabric birds. I will draw this prize 30 June.
http://curiouserx2.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/CuriouserxCuriouser

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Finding information and the mistakes people have made:-)

Yesterday, I was looking at train travel in Europe. I have decided that it would be best for us to travel by train (sleeper) to Paris from Florence instead of driving ourselves. The parking in Paris is almost impossible.
I have discovered when you think of the sleeper train as including your accomodation for the night and hopping on the train late at night, going to sleep then waking in your destination, it's great. We also don't have to find entertainment for the kids on the journey. So basically for under $1000 we get 4 return train tickets and 2 nights accomodation between Florence and Paris (not bad). Also includes less stress with navigation.
Now we have less than 4 weeks to go to get on that plane to start our 3 month adventure.
Oopsie, just realised I didn't mention the mistake that someone made on the train from Paris to Venice. This Aussie girl was travelling with other travel guides and they were have wine with dinner in the dining car. The girl did not want to be up all night or get sick so she asked the waiter if there were any preservatives in the wine. The waiter walked away without answering and the girl thought he just didn't understand what she was asking. So when the waiter returned she asked again whilst pointing at the wine bottle " Are there any preservatives?". The waiter replied " No madam, there are no condoms in the bottle." (Lesson: use the word additives not preservatives)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

In 5 weeks at this time we will be an hour out of KL, Malaysia!

This is a link to the place we are staying in Kuala Lumpur for one night on the way to London.  http://www.asiarooms.com/en/malaysia/kuala_lumpur/190525-jawadene_suite_and_breakfast-hotel-gallery.html
It looks pretty good, most of the reviews are good.
And for $50 a night what exactly are you expecting?
I will return to this post tomorrow and fill it out a bit.