LISBOA

So it is now april holidays, which means DAD and TRAVELING!!!!

First stop: Lisbon

After 2 nights in a hotel near paddington dad and I flew out of gatwick to lisbon airport. We arrived at 7ish and after settling in at the hotel we had a little wander around the city. There were heaps of tourists around and we soon learnt that there was a big football match the next night, portugal vs germany. We found an italian restaurant, and filled up on pizza before heading back to bed. The next day after breakfast we caught the tram up to the top of the hill behind our hotel, we found a cute courtyard which had a great view of the city, we then wandered though the steep streets, down to the waterfront. After stopping at a local cafe for lunch we caught a red tram that went on a historical tour around the city. We were planning on getting off up by the castle of Sao Jorge that overlooked the city, but we got a bit confused and ended up staying on the tram for the whole tour haha luckily our tickets were valid for 24 hours so the next day we jumped on the tram once again, and managed to get off at the right stop. From the top of the castle we could see the whole city, which was surprisingly huge and seemed to stretch for miles. After walking round the castle for a few hours we began our journey back to town, stopping off at a beautiful church and a bakery to get a strawberry ice-cream on the way. On the tram tour we also passed an amazing look out tower, so before heading out to dinner we went to the top and got another great view of the city. To get away from the noise of the football match, we decided to eat at a restaurant that was kind of hidden away off the main road, the food in lisbon was really yum especially the fresh fish, however every time we sat down to eat we were hassled by people trying to earn some money by playing music or selling jewelry/sunglasses. Since it was our last night we decided to walk down to the water again, plus dad was trying to break the record of how many times one person can be offered drugs in one day, he got to 28.

 This morning we caught the train our to Porto. Il post more pictures once we finish exploring 

xxxxxx

The streets of lisbon are ridiculously steep, so all though out the city are these cute trams

Dad and I caught the tram up the hill behind out hotel, at the top was a cute courtyard with a great view of the city

another view from the courtyard

taking photos in the couryard

huge square down by the water in the center of town

cute lisbon streets

this cool lookout is right in the center of town and was designed by Gustave Eiffel

view of the lisbon streets from the top of the tower

another view

dad at the top of the tower

our hotel room at the Suisso Atlantico

new friend

? haha

me at the top of the castle

view from the top of the castle

the castle

portuguese flag

outside what used to be the women's prison

local artwork

hehe

drinking beer at one of the many restaurants

Chateau de la Baudonniere

One of the perks of working at a school like WBH is that they have amazing overseas trips, like the year 5 french trip, that I was lucky enough to go on. The trip was arranged by the the head of french, Madame Soulie, and Mr Steadman - head of boys PE, Mr Kenyon - head of IT, and Mrs Hauser - head of learning support, came along as well. Sunday morning at 7, we met all the kids and their parents at the bottom of the school drive, the goodbyes took a while as this was the first time that some of the kids had been away from home, but we managed to pile all 45 of us on to the double decker and began our day of traveling. It took us 4 hours in the coach to get to the EuroTunnel, which we were then in for 35 mins, we all found it quite funny that we were in a coach, in a train, in a tunnel, under the ocean -  by this time my cabin fever had fully kicked in, as had the kids sugar highs. We then had another 5 hours in the coach until we reached the chateau. It was a pretty tiring day, and we ended up getting arriving just in time for some sandwiches, then bed. It was soo weird being there as a teacher rather than a studen, instead of having to squash into the dormitories with 5 other girls and sharing 2 showers between us, I had my own room, and bathroom in a separate building, which had a mezzanine with tea and a tv.
We started off everyday with hot croissants and cereal for breakfast, followed by a morning activity, lunch, afternoon activity then dinner. Fencing, an assault course, rock climbing, a french lesson, bread making, cider tasting, and a mini farm were all on offer for the kids, as well as aeroball, which was like basketball on a trampoline, very fun and  my team ended up winning :) On monday we went to Mount San Michelle for our afternoon activity. It was amazing and I think I definitely found it more interesting than most of the kids. Tuesday and Wednesday were packed full of activities at the cheatau, then on Thursday, our final day, we spent the morning at a french market and the afternoon at the aquarium. At the market each teacher was given a group of 8 kids to look after, I had my hands full, but managed to buy a yummy french crepe, while the kids wasted there money on even more lollies, tacky jewelry and watches that were bound to break before we got home. Before we stopped off to have baguettes for lunch, we went to a French Supermarket, which was just another opportunity for the kids to buy chocolate and lollies. Everyone really enjoyed the aquarium, however there just comes a point were fish aren't that interesting and by the time we got back to the chateau everyone, including the teachers, were exhausted, and no one was looking forward to getting up a 4.45 the next morning to go home. Friday was another day of travel. An hour and a half on the coach to the ferry terminal, then 6 hours on the ferry, then another 3 hours on the coach, we finally arrived back at school at 4 feeling dirty, tired and hungry.

the dormitories

dormitories

Mount San Michelle. getting close...

and closer...

Yay!!

View from the top

Mount San Michelle, walking round

From down below

pretty white flowers

main building of the chateau

main building from the front, they had heaps of bunnies just roaming round

my 'I' shaped bread

YUMMY snails!!!!

The trip was great and we all got to experience some true french culture, I also got to know the kids much better, especially the boys, who I don't do much with at school. Cant wait to come back to France in summer! 

xxxxx

Thanks Liv!!!

this is looong overdue, but i just wanted to publicly thank Olivia Hall for sending me this amazing package, marmite and milkyways are not the same over here x

feel free to send me any packages

Isabella Harrison, Westbrook Hay Prep School, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP12RF

hehe xx