Sunday, April 30, 2006
More pictures from Latvia, Belgium and Holland
Hi guys, click on link to see some more pics. I've added Latvia, Belgium, Holland and some pics to the London folder under the April album. Enjoy!!
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f205/tysoncollins/
Kate in a flower market in Holland and in front of Windsor Castle.
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f205/tysoncollins/
Kate in a flower market in Holland and in front of Windsor Castle.
A footy fix for Tys
Went to my first ever football game last night, Kate's cousin got his hands on some season tickets his work have, and invited me, Kate and his brother to the game. Made my way after work to Upton Park, over an hour on the train, to the home of West Ham Utd who were playing Liverpool last night. These two play each other in the FA Cup Final in a week or two, so the teams weren't full strength, but still a great game to watch. The atmosphere was amazing, pretty funny, everyone just sings and chants the entire game. Stadium was full at 34,000 but they are just as loud as an MCG crowd. Pretty entertaining game, Liverpool won 2-1 but there were a heap of shots on goal, 2 red cards and nearly a fight. We sat right in the middle of the die hard West Ham supporters known to be pretty crazy, and Kate's cousins are both Liverpool supporters, so each time Liverpool scored the two of them starting yelling and clapping, until they realised where they were, and quickly sat down and shut up, it was pretty funny.
Anyway last night has got me more excited about next weekends trip to Manchester. Spending the Sat night there and watching Man U play there last game this season at Old Trafford on the Sunday. Have to work on Sat so I will have to spend the 5 hour bus ride up there with my iPod.
Anyway last night has got me more excited about next weekends trip to Manchester. Spending the Sat night there and watching Man U play there last game this season at Old Trafford on the Sunday. Have to work on Sat so I will have to spend the 5 hour bus ride up there with my iPod.
Quick update from Tys
Just wanted to say a quick hello and let you know what I've been up to over the last few days. After last weekend, we were a little short on cash so planned on having a reasonably quiet one this weekend. Friday night I bolted home from work to go to Louses where he had 2 hours of AFL on Sky to watch. It was the Bris V Saints game and about 30 mins of highlights. Was so good to watch footy again, starting to miss it pretty bad. Had a couple of beers followed by a BBQ and then went home around 11pm.
I had to work on Saturday (ridiculous!!), which was fun.... not, Kate met me for lunch and I knocked off at 5. Went for a run and gym, and then came home and ate. Kelly and Ebony (staying with us for a while), were home and having a quiet one, Kelly had a friend over, Kate and I invited Louse and Amanda over and Louse brought a mate, so we squeezed 9 people in our small living room to watch a movie. Watched Hostel which probably wasn't the smartest move considering we are all travelling and staying at hostels all the time, but luckily it wasn't too scary at all, even Kate managed to watch majority of it!
Got up early on Sunday to get a good position for the London Marathon with Louse and Amanda. Tommy was running in it, so we wanted to give him heaps of support, so we got to Tower Hill by 9am, the most popular spot of the track, you get to see them twice there, at the 13 and 22 mile mark. Of course me and Louse couldn't have a dry day so we brought a bottle of vodka and red bulls and drank all morning, we saw Tommy at the 22 mile mark, yelled and screamed and got some good pics. He ran an awesome time of 3hrs and 29mins for the 26 mile journey. Unbelievable how many people run it and go to watch. Great atmosphere. I really want to do one now!!
Here is a picture of Tommy (at the 22 mark) - he's in the middle. After we saw Tommy we hung around to watch heaps of other people come past, then we found a pub close by and got into it. We met Tommy in Oxford Circus later on and by the end of the night it was just Tommy, Louse and I drinking beer. Was a big day, hence the reason I'm not working right now, took a sickie!!!
Anyway, relatively quiet weekend, well kind of anyway, met Kate for lunch today and am in the process of uploading some more pics so expect another email to come through a bit later. Off to Paris this weekend, can't wait!!!
I had to work on Saturday (ridiculous!!), which was fun.... not, Kate met me for lunch and I knocked off at 5. Went for a run and gym, and then came home and ate. Kelly and Ebony (staying with us for a while), were home and having a quiet one, Kelly had a friend over, Kate and I invited Louse and Amanda over and Louse brought a mate, so we squeezed 9 people in our small living room to watch a movie. Watched Hostel which probably wasn't the smartest move considering we are all travelling and staying at hostels all the time, but luckily it wasn't too scary at all, even Kate managed to watch majority of it!
Got up early on Sunday to get a good position for the London Marathon with Louse and Amanda. Tommy was running in it, so we wanted to give him heaps of support, so we got to Tower Hill by 9am, the most popular spot of the track, you get to see them twice there, at the 13 and 22 mile mark. Of course me and Louse couldn't have a dry day so we brought a bottle of vodka and red bulls and drank all morning, we saw Tommy at the 22 mile mark, yelled and screamed and got some good pics. He ran an awesome time of 3hrs and 29mins for the 26 mile journey. Unbelievable how many people run it and go to watch. Great atmosphere. I really want to do one now!!
Here is a picture of Tommy (at the 22 mark) - he's in the middle. After we saw Tommy we hung around to watch heaps of other people come past, then we found a pub close by and got into it. We met Tommy in Oxford Circus later on and by the end of the night it was just Tommy, Louse and I drinking beer. Was a big day, hence the reason I'm not working right now, took a sickie!!!
Anyway, relatively quiet weekend, well kind of anyway, met Kate for lunch today and am in the process of uploading some more pics so expect another email to come through a bit later. Off to Paris this weekend, can't wait!!!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Tyson and Kate's Easter
Happy Easter to all of you,
Hope you all had a good weekend, no doubt it was filled with a lot of alcohol, sport, and great food. Missed cracking the eggs, getting chocolate, and basically having an excuse to drink lots of beer. In saying that, I adopted the same mentality over here, and had quite an amazing weekend.
Friday Kate and I were up at 4am, to get a cab to a bus stop where we were getting picked up by our tour bus. Drove to the Port of Dover and got the ferry to Calais (France). Then drove into Brussels (Belgium), spent about 4 hours there exploring the city (see pic of Kate in City Square) ,
saw the major sites there including the famous and appropriately named Mannekin Pis! After that we drove into Amsterdam (The Netherlands), luckily for Kate and I, and 2 other couples on tour who booked through TNT, we were upgraded to a 3 star hotel right in the centre of town. It was a floating hotel, on the major canal in the city. It was the ultimate location. Went out to dinner with a Kiwi couple we met, and spent the night in the Red Light District, sampling the "local cuisine." After being in 4 different countries that day we were pretty buggered, so wasn't a real late one, got in around 1am.
The next morning we went sight seeing. Went to the Van Gogh museum, lined up for 45 mins, paid 10 Euro each and it was packed and not all his work was there (not that I would know anyway), so not the greatest value, but somewhere you had to go. We then went to Anne Frank's house, and up until now didn't know a great deal about it, but that was really cool, really fascinating, weren't allowed to take pics in there though, but was awesome to see the type of conditions some Jews had to live in in order not to get caught by the Germans. Early evening we had a canal cruise around the city. Spent the night again in the Red Light District, but did a lot more walking, and going into different places. I always thought the district was just one or two streets lined with girls in windows, but it's massive, heaps of bars, clubs, "specialty shops" and heaps more. Really fun place.
Sunday we went to the Heineken Brewery in the morning. That was the best place we went to, well at least I thought so. For 10 Euro each, you get 3 pots of beer, a glass to take home, and the whole tour. Luckily for me, Kate's not a big beer drinker, and either was a stranger we met, so I knocked back 6 pots in half an hour and left a very "happy" man. We then spent the entire day trying to cover every square inch of the city. Amazing city, really nice and picturesque on one hand, and crazy, dirty and insane on the other hand. It really had it all. Spent that night out again, but not a very big one. Pretty tired by that stage.
On Monday we got picked up early and drove to Bruges (Belgium). Spent 4 hours there as well, did all the tourist things, and again, walked every where we could. I loved Bruges - really beautiful place, very medieval, the place was packed, but it was really peaceful, everyone is so relaxed, canals everywhere and nice gardens around the city. Of course I sampled the local beer, which is a must everywhere I go. I've also been taking pictures of all the different beers I drink so I don't forget. In Belgium, I had Leffe Blond and Stella, in Amsterdam I had Amstel, Grolsch and Hoegarrden, not to mention my Heinekens. All really nice beer. We then stopped at a chocolate factory, went back to Calais, missed our ferry, had to wait till 11pm for the next one, didn't get back home till 2am last night, and I've just been told I have to work 8:45am till 8pm every day this week, so it's going to take it's toll come Friday.
We definitely sampled the famous Belgium chocolate and waffles, along with the Frites (Chips with mayo). Got Kate a LOT of Easter eggs, I think she was feeling pretty sick last night. Took a lot of pics I'll try and get online next week. I'll get the Latvia ones up this week hopefully.
Anyway, that was my Easter, and I've come to the conclusion that Amsterdam has to be the ultimate destination for a Bucks Party!!! Not much on for this weekend, Tommy is running in the famous London Marathon on Sunday so that will be a big day, and then next weekend we're off to Paris for 2 nights so we're trying to save some cash. Amsterdam is a very expensive place!!
(Here's a video message Tys and Kate took at the Heineken Brewery. You'll need speakers and it will only be viewable for 4 months)
http://www.heinekenexperience.com/vidEmail.jsp?uid=CA5B12D57CA56A72EF73D49D3B88C38F&vid
=kate_qnd_tys160406112607.WMV&host=hexperience3.bitmove.tv&format=wmv
Hope you all had a good weekend, no doubt it was filled with a lot of alcohol, sport, and great food. Missed cracking the eggs, getting chocolate, and basically having an excuse to drink lots of beer. In saying that, I adopted the same mentality over here, and had quite an amazing weekend.
Friday Kate and I were up at 4am, to get a cab to a bus stop where we were getting picked up by our tour bus. Drove to the Port of Dover and got the ferry to Calais (France). Then drove into Brussels (Belgium), spent about 4 hours there exploring the city (see pic of Kate in City Square) ,
saw the major sites there including the famous and appropriately named Mannekin Pis! After that we drove into Amsterdam (The Netherlands), luckily for Kate and I, and 2 other couples on tour who booked through TNT, we were upgraded to a 3 star hotel right in the centre of town. It was a floating hotel, on the major canal in the city. It was the ultimate location. Went out to dinner with a Kiwi couple we met, and spent the night in the Red Light District, sampling the "local cuisine." After being in 4 different countries that day we were pretty buggered, so wasn't a real late one, got in around 1am.The next morning we went sight seeing. Went to the Van Gogh museum, lined up for 45 mins, paid 10 Euro each and it was packed and not all his work was there (not that I would know anyway), so not the greatest value, but somewhere you had to go. We then went to Anne Frank's house, and up until now didn't know a great deal about it, but that was really cool, really fascinating, weren't allowed to take pics in there though, but was awesome to see the type of conditions some Jews had to live in in order not to get caught by the Germans. Early evening we had a canal cruise around the city. Spent the night again in the Red Light District, but did a lot more walking, and going into different places. I always thought the district was just one or two streets lined with girls in windows, but it's massive, heaps of bars, clubs, "specialty shops" and heaps more. Really fun place.
Sunday we went to the Heineken Brewery in the morning. That was the best place we went to, well at least I thought so. For 10 Euro each, you get 3 pots of beer, a glass to take home, and the whole tour. Luckily for me, Kate's not a big beer drinker, and either was a stranger we met, so I knocked back 6 pots in half an hour and left a very "happy" man. We then spent the entire day trying to cover every square inch of the city. Amazing city, really nice and picturesque on one hand, and crazy, dirty and insane on the other hand. It really had it all. Spent that night out again, but not a very big one. Pretty tired by that stage.
On Monday we got picked up early and drove to Bruges (Belgium). Spent 4 hours there as well, did all the tourist things, and again, walked every where we could. I loved Bruges - really beautiful place, very medieval, the place was packed, but it was really peaceful, everyone is so relaxed, canals everywhere and nice gardens around the city. Of course I sampled the local beer, which is a must everywhere I go. I've also been taking pictures of all the different beers I drink so I don't forget. In Belgium, I had Leffe Blond and Stella, in Amsterdam I had Amstel, Grolsch and Hoegarrden, not to mention my Heinekens. All really nice beer. We then stopped at a chocolate factory, went back to Calais, missed our ferry, had to wait till 11pm for the next one, didn't get back home till 2am last night, and I've just been told I have to work 8:45am till 8pm every day this week, so it's going to take it's toll come Friday.
We definitely sampled the famous Belgium chocolate and waffles, along with the Frites (Chips with mayo). Got Kate a LOT of Easter eggs, I think she was feeling pretty sick last night. Took a lot of pics I'll try and get online next week. I'll get the Latvia ones up this week hopefully.
Anyway, that was my Easter, and I've come to the conclusion that Amsterdam has to be the ultimate destination for a Bucks Party!!! Not much on for this weekend, Tommy is running in the famous London Marathon on Sunday so that will be a big day, and then next weekend we're off to Paris for 2 nights so we're trying to save some cash. Amsterdam is a very expensive place!!
(Here's a video message Tys and Kate took at the Heineken Brewery. You'll need speakers and it will only be viewable for 4 months)
http://www.heinekenexperience.com/vidEmail.jsp?uid=CA5B12D57CA56A72EF73D49D3B88C38F&vid
=kate_qnd_tys160406112607.WMV&host=hexperience3.bitmove.tv&format=wmv
Saturday, April 08, 2006
A Latvian Experience
Trying to catch up on sleep still from the weekend so I'm spending this Friday night at the Internet Cafe so I can have a reasonably early night.
As you all know I spent last weekend in Latvia. It was awesome. Was only there 2 nights but saw so much. In my earlier email I described the place as third world, well in certain parts this is true, but when I spent the last day walking every square inch of the city I realised it's a pretty nice place, and I can imagine how nice it would be in Summer. The city has all these nice gardens and rivers throughout, and the buildings are more developed than the residential ones I saw on the way to our hostel. The country was only freed from the Soviets control in 1991 so you can understand why it's so under-developed across majority of the country.
The nightlife is crazy. Nothing gets started till 1am, we drank in the 24hr bar at the hostel, and went out as a big group each night. Got to bed around 7:30am both mornings and intentionally set my alarm at 10am so I didn't waste the days. I felt ok both days except the last day, woke up fine, thinking I've got through a mad weekend with not a bad hangover, but as the day went on I got worse, it was a delayed hangover or a really bad batch of Maccas that I ate cos at 8pm, 12 hours after drinking, at the airport I had a chunder! Louse had one the night before so I felt it only necessary to join him. Got some good shots of some clubs we went to I'll forward when I get the chance.
Highlight was shooting. We paid 33 Lats to be taken down into this soviet bunker and got to fire 6 rounds of a 9mm handgun, shotgun and an AK-47. I never realised just how powerful these things were, and how heavy they were. Was great fun, got a video clip of me shooting the AK, stay tuned. We got to keep our targets, I had a few on line, we also tried to keep a selection of shells, but customs wouldn't let us take them. Luckily for me, when unpacking my bag on Tuesday I found an AK shell down the bottom, so I'll have to post it home cos I won't get it through customs over here.
Anyway, better be going, thanks for all your emails, keep them coming, I love keeping up to date with everything that's going on. I read every word you all write.
As you all know I spent last weekend in Latvia. It was awesome. Was only there 2 nights but saw so much. In my earlier email I described the place as third world, well in certain parts this is true, but when I spent the last day walking every square inch of the city I realised it's a pretty nice place, and I can imagine how nice it would be in Summer. The city has all these nice gardens and rivers throughout, and the buildings are more developed than the residential ones I saw on the way to our hostel. The country was only freed from the Soviets control in 1991 so you can understand why it's so under-developed across majority of the country.
The nightlife is crazy. Nothing gets started till 1am, we drank in the 24hr bar at the hostel, and went out as a big group each night. Got to bed around 7:30am both mornings and intentionally set my alarm at 10am so I didn't waste the days. I felt ok both days except the last day, woke up fine, thinking I've got through a mad weekend with not a bad hangover, but as the day went on I got worse, it was a delayed hangover or a really bad batch of Maccas that I ate cos at 8pm, 12 hours after drinking, at the airport I had a chunder! Louse had one the night before so I felt it only necessary to join him. Got some good shots of some clubs we went to I'll forward when I get the chance.
Highlight was shooting. We paid 33 Lats to be taken down into this soviet bunker and got to fire 6 rounds of a 9mm handgun, shotgun and an AK-47. I never realised just how powerful these things were, and how heavy they were. Was great fun, got a video clip of me shooting the AK, stay tuned. We got to keep our targets, I had a few on line, we also tried to keep a selection of shells, but customs wouldn't let us take them. Luckily for me, when unpacking my bag on Tuesday I found an AK shell down the bottom, so I'll have to post it home cos I won't get it through customs over here.
This week me and Kate booked trips to Paris leaving 29th April, Prague leaving 20th May, Dublin leaving 2nd Sep, and we are off to Belgium and Amsterdam for 4 days over Easter.
Anyway, better be going, thanks for all your emails, keep them coming, I love keeping up to date with everything that's going on. I read every word you all write.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Visit to Latvia
Tys sent this email to his Dad last Sunday:
Just a quick line, I'm in Latvia at the moment, just waiting for Louse to shower so I thought I'd jump online and send a quick email.
Got here yesterday around 7pm. I got grilled at customs which was pretty scary considering the guys working were russian soldiers with massive guns on them who hardly spoke english. It was a rough start but finally got to our hostel. Anyway, this place is so fascinating, the condition of this country is amazing. It has to be third world. I feel so sorry for them all. U can tell this place has been destroyed by war so many times, its the most run down place u will probably ever see, I thought it was just me cos I havent been anywhere yet, but Louse who has been to every country in Europe said he hasnt seen anything like this. For those who have seen Euro Trip, u know when they take the wrong turn and end up in Bratislava, well, thats what its like here, massive culture shock, and I was feeling so intimidated. Most people dont speak English.
Anyway, even though the place is in dissaray, the women here are phenomenal. Everything ive heard is true, seriously I dont think Ill ever see anything like it. Was out last night till 7.30am having a ball. Today we are booked in to shoot AK 47s, no where else in the world will let u pick up a gun fully loaded and shoot. Cant wait. Ill get pics. Tomorrow were going bobsledding which apparently is an amazing rush. Should be great. Our hostel has a 24 hr bar which is very dangerous.
Anyway will send u all a big email when I return, right now Im meeting Louse and Knighter in the bar, going to see the sights, even tho there is nothing everything here has been bombed 100 times, but to see a country like this is just as exciting as seeing the sights of London. Ill send pics when I get back. Also, GO THE DONS!! Hows Lloydy, what a legend, how come Hirdy didnt play!
Just a quick line, I'm in Latvia at the moment, just waiting for Louse to shower so I thought I'd jump online and send a quick email.
Got here yesterday around 7pm. I got grilled at customs which was pretty scary considering the guys working were russian soldiers with massive guns on them who hardly spoke english. It was a rough start but finally got to our hostel. Anyway, this place is so fascinating, the condition of this country is amazing. It has to be third world. I feel so sorry for them all. U can tell this place has been destroyed by war so many times, its the most run down place u will probably ever see, I thought it was just me cos I havent been anywhere yet, but Louse who has been to every country in Europe said he hasnt seen anything like this. For those who have seen Euro Trip, u know when they take the wrong turn and end up in Bratislava, well, thats what its like here, massive culture shock, and I was feeling so intimidated. Most people dont speak English.
Anyway, even though the place is in dissaray, the women here are phenomenal. Everything ive heard is true, seriously I dont think Ill ever see anything like it. Was out last night till 7.30am having a ball. Today we are booked in to shoot AK 47s, no where else in the world will let u pick up a gun fully loaded and shoot. Cant wait. Ill get pics. Tomorrow were going bobsledding which apparently is an amazing rush. Should be great. Our hostel has a 24 hr bar which is very dangerous.
Anyway will send u all a big email when I return, right now Im meeting Louse and Knighter in the bar, going to see the sights, even tho there is nothing everything here has been bombed 100 times, but to see a country like this is just as exciting as seeing the sights of London. Ill send pics when I get back. Also, GO THE DONS!! Hows Lloydy, what a legend, how come Hirdy didnt play!
