Tha's 30th Bash

To celebrate Tha going over the hill, we rounded up over 20 of his friends and crammed them into the little house. It was a fun night which almost ended in tragedy - Ali the pet tortoise that Tha saved from the cookpots of Morocco ended up in the rubbish bin. Luckily we realised he was missing before garbage day! If you look closely, you might see my "bed"... the couch.

Pho in Paris

There's nothing quite like the graceful buildings and wide boulevards of Paris... but no time to admire all the sights this time 'round - the purpose of this trip was purely culinary. And I'm not talking about escargot and frogs legs!

After being deprived of Pho for 3 months, it was time to get a healthy dose of MSG. Not quite as good as back home but it sure hit the spot.

Ole Ole Ole

Barcelona
If you ever visit Barcelona, do NOT stay at the Arco Youth Hostel! Advertised on the net as clean & newly renovated - I would have loved to see it before the renovations. The communal showers had see through glass doors - why bother putting doors on at all! To top it off, I got attacked by bed bugs *scratch* scratch*

Barcelona is a really cool place. Gaudi's artwork is everywhere and the streets of Barcelona, particularly Las Rambla, come alive at night with all kinds of street performers from fire eaters to naked people covered in cling wrap.

Just do NOT stay at the Arco Youth Hostel!



Pamplona
I made a trip to Pamplona to meet up with 14 friends from London for the Fiesta of San Fermín (The Running of the Bulls). We hired this lovely farm house nestled amongst sunflower fields on the outskirts of Pamplona for 3 nights, but only managed to catch 6 hours of sleep the entire time we were there...

Girls, meet Alex. He's French, he rides a motorbike, he's a fireman, and he's whips up a mean paella... and did I mention that he is single? Oui Oui!!

Bilbao
Off to the Guggenheim museum for a culture fix. The museum building and puppy floral sculpture is quite impressive but the art collection is disappointing - I just don't get contemporary art.

San Sebastian

Bellissimo

Venice
Spent many an hours getting lost, both figuratively and literally, in the canals and alleyways of this beautiful city.


Rome
Okay, by this stage I'm pretty much Roman ruined out from all the Roman ruins in the Middle East, but the buildings and fountains in Rome were really impressive. I spent my days gorging on gelato and people watching - gotta say, there's alot of beautiful people in Italy. Just watch out for those pick pockets on the train!


Vatican City
Got sore legs from queueing for 2 hours to enter the Vatican museum and then got a sore neck from staring at the ceilings all day - totally blown away by the incredible collection of artwork and frescoes. Check out the Michaelangelo-designed outfits on the Swiss guards, the dude can sure paint but personally, I just don't think he cuts it as a fashion designer.

Gelato: Having left the Middle East, I was still trying to overcome my battle with sheesha addiction, and in a moment of weakness I stumbled into a gelato shop - 100 flavours! I was hooked! I would have up to 8 scoops a day. Just jumping from one bad habit to another.

Isle of Capri
The playgound of the rich and famous - didn't see anyone famous but there was alot of money around (unfortunately not in my wallet). Spectacular views and brilliant blue waters. Check out the posh convertible taxis.

Ravello, Sorrento, Amalfi


Pompeii


Florence

Pisa: Not much happening here apart from some wonky tower and this super strong chic holding it up

The Cinque Terre
5 small villages perched above the Ligurian Sea on rocky cliffs - It's gotta be one of my favourite places in the Whole Wide World. There's no cars around and there's nothing to do here but relax and drink cheap Italian wine all day, and watch the magical sun sets... but not me, I - couch potato extraordinare, had to go on a tortuous hike along the steep cliffs across all the villages.