Well I arrived safely into Paris. I managed to catch up with Alex and Nicole the same day in Paris and we went out for dinner with Tim (Alex’s friend). It was really nice to see some familiar faces again. The next day on my birthday we hit the town visiting all the big spots including the Eifel Tower, Arc Triomphe and Notre Dame Church.

The iconic Eifel tower

In front of the Eiffel towel on the double decker city bus tours

Nicole and Alex right under neath the Eiffel tower just before we went to the top

Alex and I at the top of the Eiffel tower on my birthday

Alex and Nicole outside Notre Dame Cathedral

We also went to the Louvre and saw a few famous pieces including the Mona Lisa. It was great to have Nicole with me so I knew what I was looking at!! It was the AFL grand final the next day so we headed to the local Aussie bar at 6am to watch the Hawks go down in a close one.

The Louvre by night

Mona Lisa in the background past the layers of tourists trying to grab a glimpse

Nicole in front of The Wedding at Cana painting, which is opposite the Mona Lisa.
It was one of my favourite paintings in the Louvre 

The AFL Grandfinal at Cafe Oz in Paris

We decided to head out of Paris for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle. We headed to Tours, which was a two-hour train ride out of Paris. The area is well known for its castles, which the kings and queens of France used over the centuries.

Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau with it's foundations in the water

Chateau de Villandry, which has some impressive gardens

The pond at the back of Chateau de Villandry

We went out for dinner in Tours' town square, which was quite lively with local students singing and drinking

After our two day adventure to Tours it was back to Paris and time to head to Munich for Oktoberfest. I caught the overnight train to Munich while Alex and Nicole came the next day. Alex's friend Sophie met us in Munich and once we were all together first stop was to get dressed in the right attire. Alex found a nice little store off a side street, which had a very helpful local who chose all our clothes for us.

Alex and I with our German fitter.

The Gang (Me, Nicole, Alex and Sophie) ready to hit the tents.

The Oktoberfest tents are just like we imagined. Huge tents with thousands of people in each seeing and swaying to live german bands in the centre of the tents. When I arrived on the overnight train I walked through the Oktoberfest grounds while it was quiet. When I was there at 8:30am there were already people lining up at the beer hall tents.

The lines begin early at Oktoberfest

Alex and I looking the part

The tents were a fusion of all different nationalities. There were a lot of Aussies, Italians and of course Germans throughout the beer tents. The waiters carried about 4 steins in each hand weighing upwards of 10kg. Someone told me that the waiters prior to Oktoberfest hit the gym to get their arms nice and strong. We went through an aussie company called the fanatics who organised all sorts of group sporting and cultural events around the world. We were there during mid-week when there were only a few hundred fanatics but they said that on the weekend they were expecting 1200 people. It's been amazing how many Australians I have met on the trip so it wasn't surprising to hear 1200 would descend on Munich on any given weekend.

The waiters with their 1L steins heading out to the tables. A lot of them had whistles in there mouths so they could clear a path through the rowdy crowd.

Alex and I with some of the locals from Braveria 

Alex in the Lowenbrau beer tent

After three nights in Oktoberfest it was time to get out and let our bodies recover a little. Sophie had to go back to work in London and Nicole was back to Melbourne for the next school term. We said our goodbyes and then Alex and I were off to Berlin to learn more about the history of the 20th century.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

We were in Berlin for 3 nights and we have discovered the best step to exploring any new city is to go on a 'free' walking tour around the city. In every city i've been to in Europe there has been a free walking tour. They are a tip based tour so if you like the tour you give them some money and if you don't you aren't obliged to give anything. This system however creates good guides who work to entertain and teach you about the cities and all have deserved a good tip.

The guide in Berlin told us about the Brandenburg gates and explained the chariot on top was taken by Napoleon in 1806 after he triumphed over Prussia (now Germany). He took the chariot back to Paris as a war trophy. In 1814 when Prussia attacked and occupied Paris the Prussians took back the chariot and put it back in its rightful spot a top of the Brandenburg gates. The square in front of the chariot was renamed Paris as the driver of the chariot was Victoria (goddess of victory). So the chariot became known as a symbol of the victory over paris. The guide joked that the germans did have a sense of humour after all considering prior to Napoleon taking the chariot the chariot driver was the goddess of peace. The Prussians changed the driver to remind the world they were victorious (albeit for while) over France and Paris.

The guide also took us to see the Jewish Memorial for WWII; what remains of the Berlin Wall and Check-point Charlie. Mum said she went through checkpoint Charlie in 1967 when there was strict control over the wall and who passed through it. Very different time to what Alex and I saw of it in 2012.

The Jewish Memorial for WWII

One of only three sections of the Berlin wall remaining.

Alex and I at check-point Charlie

It was great to visit Berlin as I studied the reunification of East and West Germany while I was at school. After a few days though of exploring it was time to get back on the trains and head for Prague. Prague is a beautiful town and they call it Little Paris of the east. They believed that it was so like a miniature Paris that they built there own Eiffel tower (Petrin Lookout tower) in 1891 only two years after the Eiffel tower (erected in 1889) was built for the world fair. The Petrin Lookout tower is the same height above the city as the Eiffel tower however it is only 63.5m as it was built on a large hill over looking the city.

Taking a photo from the base of Petrin Lookout tower

The view from the tower overlooking Prague Castle (left), Vltave River and the famous Charles' bridge (right)

Alex and I visited the main sites in Prague looking at the #1 tourist trap in Europe, The Prague Astronomical clock voted the worst tourist let down in all of europe according to Lonely Planet. I was reasonably satisfied with the clock considering it was made in 1410.  

Prague Astronomical Clock

The old town square in Prague with a street performer making big bubbles for tips

After visiting the old town square we headed over to the Prague castle, which still operates as Parliament for Czechoslovakia. We walked through a number of the rooms and read that Hitler came here during his reign.

Alex with Charles' bridge and Prague Castle in the background

The guards out the front of Prague Castle

Changing of the guards at Prague Castle

Beautiful view from Prague Castle overlooking the old town.

The food in Prague was amazing and Alex and I will be looking for Czech restaurants in Melbourne from now on. Next stop was Budapest on a nice long 7 hour bus ride. Just by chance one of my mates, Scott, from the summer camp was in Budapest so we managed to catch up.

All out at dinner together in Budapest

Again we explored the town through a walking tour learning about the communist and nazi occupations  in Hungary. It was amazing to see the buildings that still had damage from WWII, which they have now preserved to show what the buildings were like.

Our guide showing us bullet holes in the Palace walls

The traditional communist car, the Trabant

Heroes square, which is a memorial to many of the founding people of Hungary
and other major heroes in Hungary's history

Alex and I at the front of St. Stephen's Basilica

It was interesting that the Parliament Building and St. Stephen's Church are the two main buildings on the skyline of Budapest. The two buildings are the same height as a symbol that Government and the Church are equal. During the communist occupation however the Parliament Building was slightly higher as the communist star was placed on top. The star was ripped down when the communist regime collapsed in 1989.

Budapest skyline with the Parliament Building (left) and St. Stephens Basilica (right) equally as tall

The beautifully lit up Parliament Building by night

After three nights in Budapest and seeing the nightlife, beautiful buildings and harsh occupation history it was time to head back to Munich for a few days before flying home. It was nice to have a few days in Munich to explore the city without the crowds of Octoberfest.

We went out to Dachau today the last day before we flew out. The concentration camp, which is 30mins out of Munich, really showed the real gravity of the situation in the second world war. After visiting the sites at the concentration camp I have a better understanding of what happened and very glad we went. I would encourage anyone in Europe to visit a concentration camp because words cannot really explain what you see.

Upon returning to Munich we had one last visit of the main square. We are now just about to go to the airport and fly home. I cannot believe it has nearly been exactly a year since I left as it feels like yesterday I was leaving Melbourne. It has been an amazing year looking back at all the photos and blogs. I've met so many great friends and been to so many places. I am looking forward to home now and "the real world" that awaits me. Hope to see everyone at home soon and others i've met hope to see sometime.

Last sunset on my trip overlooking Munich 

Last photo out the front of the glockenspiele

Lot's of Love, Charlie

UNITED KINGDOM

It was time to meet up with a familiar face. I got into London the day before Lloyd just enough time to get organised and look around. Lloydy arrived with no issues and we spent the weekend in London with some friends I met at the summer camp.

England's Parliament building

There was a festival along the river Thames. Lloyd and I took full advantage

We caught a train up for the night to Liverpool to see an Aussie comedy. Liverpool was a great spot but we didn't have much time to explore. After the weekend we jumped onto the train to Edinburgh. It was a great city, which had a good blend of historical buildings and young students arriving for study. We were there during "fresher" week so there was plenty to do.

Lloyd and I at the front of Edinburgh castle

Edinburgh canon looking out towards Archer's Seat

Arther's seat overlooking Edinburgh and the castle

Lloyd was very keen for a game of golf so we decided to play a game as the Scots would have. We got some kilts and tweed jackets and headed for the golf course. We realised once we arrived that we were the only ones in kilts. The people at the club house enjoyed two aussies dressed up in kilts so it was a good round of golf.

Ready for tee off at Carrick Knowe Golf Course, Edinburgh

Negotiating one of the deep bunkers

Lloyd lining up a 10 footer

Next stop on the whirl wind tour was by plane to Dublin. We got in early and hired a car and set off to the west coast to look at the amazing cliffs, Moher. We discovered Ireland isn't very big so before long we were at Galway. We then headed south along the coast to Doolin where we spent the night. It had a pitch and pint with great views so we had a hit in the morning.

A couple of buskers in Galway

Wind was a big factor!

After the pitch and putt it was off to see the Moher cliffs. After the cliffs we jumped back in the car and headed back to the bright lights of Dublin. Along the way there were some great old castles.

Moher Cliffs

Castle on the point looking towards the Moher Cliffs.

Lloydy and I in the castle looking back at the Moher Cliffs

                                 A couple of nice old castles that Lloyd and I would like to buy.

Dublin was great with plenty to do and see. We met some girls from London who we spent the majority of the weekend site seeing with. First it was off to the Guinness Factory to pour our own pints and have a pint from the Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin.

Lloyd, Amy, Anna and me in the Gravity Bar.

Pouring my first Guinness pint.

It was then off for some of the cultural sites such as Trinity College to see the Book of Kels and Kilmainham Jail, which played a part in Ireland's past imprisoning and executing some of the rebellion leaders. The Kilmainham jail was restored and opened in the 70s as a tourist attraction and has been in a number of movies.

Trinity College during "freshers" week

Kilmainham Jail

Inside one of the jail cells with Me, Amy, Lloyd and Anna

Dublin was a great city with plenty of bars and pubs in the temple bar area to have some fun. The river Liffy also gave some great shots at night.

Shots of the Liffey Bridge at night.

Shots of the north side of the river with the Spire of Dublin in the sky

Lloyd's whirl wind tour came to an end and Lloyd departed after a great 10 days travelling with him. He jumped on the plane and went via London back to Singapore and back to work. After Lloyd left I started to head north towards Belfast to meet up with my friend Matt who I met during snowmaking in Canada. On the way to Matt I spent a couple of nights in Belfast to do some investigating for mum about our ancestors. I went to the small village of Ballynure to visit the Presbyterian Church to look at the christening certificates to see if i could find my GGG Grandfathers certificate. I met up with Richard Wallace who kept the records and we hunted through looking around 1849 for any records. Unfortunately we didn't find the christening records but there is another church not far away, which might be where they went. I ran out of time but it gives us another lead for the future.

The church where the records are kept.

Richard Wallace looking through the old birth certificates

I also managed to see some of the sites of Belfast, which included the new Titanic Museum, Parliament House, the murals and the wall that divided the Protestants and Catholics. The walls are still in place and opened during the day but closed at night. The Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in 1998, was signed to create a peace agreement between the two groups. 14 years on they still believe there is too much bitterness to bring down the walls between the two groups.

The "peace walls" between the protestants and catholics

A mural depicting the struggle of the Republic of Ireland

A mural on the protestants side of the wall.

The brand new Titanic Museum shaped like four titanic bows

The Harland and Wolf cranes who built the Titanic 

The Parliament House for Northern Ireland 

After seeing the sites of Belfast it was off to stay at Matt's place in Toome. After a few logistical errors I made it to Matt's house and stayed the night. It was great to see Matt after 6 months apart. He had just arrived home from Mt. Panorama after spending the summer season there. The next day he and his friends, Frank and Claire, drove me to the ferry, which would take me to Northern Ireland.

Matt and I just outside of Ballycastle where the ferry left from

Ireland was a great place and plenty of fun was had but it was time to head across to Campbeltown, Scotland to visit some other friends I met while in Canada. Shelley, Pav and their Daughter Mischa I met while completing the ski instructing course at Mt. Panorama. It was great to spend a few days there and they were very accommodating taking me surfing, teaching me how to use a chainsaw and cooking haggis.

Attempting to surf in the rough Scotland sea

Shell and Mischa down at the beach

Having a bit too much fun with the chainsaw

Shell, Pav and I just before I left heading for Balquhidder 

After Campbeltown it was time to head to see where my ancestors came from (from my mums side, the MacLarens). It was a bit of a trek into the highlands from Campbeltown but I got there and met up with Donald MacLaren who is currently the chief/head of the clan. I also managed to make it up to the cliff where the Clan used to start battles from and where mum visited in 2007.

Donald and I after dinner at his house in Balquhidder

                 The rallying point for the MacLarens, Creag an Tuirc (mum when she was here in 2007)

I've now made it to Glasgow for the night before heading to Paris to meet up with Alex and Nicole. I'm really looking forward to seeing another few familiar faces as I run into the final 3 weeks of my year off. I hope everyone is doing well and can't wait to see everyone!!! More photos to come.