We started with the National Gallery of Scotland

Then it was time for coffee

This is a coffee shop as well as where JK Rowling started writing Harry Potter. It was too packed so we went to the place next door.

The return of Cheese Finger.

Then Anthony, Shoten, and I split from the group and went the the Gallery of Modern Art.

Saw some lichtenstein.

saw some Hockney.

Then we headed back, met up with Evan and climbed Arthur’s Seat.

Tried to take a Karate Kid Shot

That was it for Scotland.

Started by heading to the Dunfermline Abbey

Playing with reflections.

Morlock was always atleast 30 feet ahead of the group/on a mission.

In St. Margaret’s cave.

Went to this place right on the water for some GREAT fish and chips.

Then walked on the beach for a little before heading out to St. Andrews

SEAAWEEDDD SLAM!

Made it to St. Andrews. Sky was sooooo cool.

On the famous bridge

walking through the 18th

At the golf museum. We made use of the ‘Fashion of Golf’ room.

Then we headed over to the driving range.

The range was extremely nice. We all got our own wood paneled sections and Calloway clubs and balls. We are of the highest class.

SHHHMACK! Form is crucial.

Then met with the group and took the bus back to our place.

…I guess we made it.

A cemetery with a monument to Abe Lincoln.

Our fearless leader Forbes Morlock droppin some knowledge on the Scottish Parliament building

view from the top of the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle

Beautiful city of Edinburgh

Some fine artillery.

I believe this was inside the castle

Indian food for dinner. Then went for some brewskies and called it a night.

We were given these red jackets to help prevent getting wet from rain.

The hike was extremely muddy but were were prepared for any extreme situations coming our way.

Melissa and I

While the jackets did help keep us dry, they also made us look like a clan heading to our next sacrificial ceremony. Always a good thing.

SHEEEEEP!

Melissa looking like she is having a pleasantly awful time. This is when the rain started coming down hard.

But we safely got home, took the best showers of our lives, and got ready to head back to London.

Julie, Jen and Slam chillin in the lodge.

That was it for our Wales trip. We were very tired from the EXTREME events, so some of us used the train ride to catch up on rest.

This is where we stayed. Nice little cabin-like rooms. Felt like summer camp all over again. Here are some shots of the surrounding area…

Fire pit area.

First activity Saturday morning was Surfing. Getting set up in our wetsuits.

My booties…The Retro’s

Guides schooling us on how to shred the waves. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera with me due to fear of getting wet. But I assure you we had an amazing/chilly time. Most of us stood up. After surfing we went back to our camp for a lunch of stew.

Then came Coasteering. Probably favorite part of the trip. We dressed back up in our wetsuits and a bus took us to the shore. I did not bring my camera but luckily Kelli bought an underwater one so I took some of her pictures.
From what I gathered, coasteering is basically the combination of Jumping, climbing, and swimming in water. We hiked along huge rocks in the water and then jumped into wave pools that would push us all over the place. Like nothing I have ever done before. Above is Melissa jumping off of Bellyflop rock. We ended Coasteering by cliff jumping from 30 feet up into a big pool of water.

Then back to camp for dinner and chilling. We made s’mores later that night and told ghost stories…about Golden Retrievers.

Woke up at our hostel to a PERFECT day…

walked down the 384 stairs with our bags to get to the closest train.

Took the train to Riomaggiore, the first town, to grab a quick lunch.

Lunch spot. 3 Euros for a huge turkey sandwich, apple and a Mars bar. Ate right by the water.

Then we headed out to do the nature hike with the rest of the crew who didn’t do it the day before.

After the hike we took the train all the way to Monterosso, the last village with the nicest beach.

Had a great afternoon of chilling by the water and some of us even took a dip.

All great things must come to an end though. We took the train from Monterosso to La Spezia then got on a train on way to our final Italian destination, Milan.

View from inside the train. Looks just like Maryland.

Got a great three course breakfast at the train stations finest Restaurant, than off to La Spezia Central…

We left our bags in a locker at La Spezia then had to take another train to Rioriomaggiore (the first town.)

And the hike begins…or so we thought.

Unfortunately, It was pretty cloudy out but still beautiful.

The Sun poked out through the clouds every once and a while.

This is the point where Evan and I realized we had taken the wrong path and weren’t actually on the main hike that took you through each of the five towns. We had walked an hour in the complete opposite direction that we were supposed to and had to circle around the top of a mountain that we were on and walk on the road back to Rioriomaggiore. This is where we could begin the actual five town hike. No regrets though, it was a beautiful hike.

But first a quick lunch by the water

We began the hike but stopped by a beach to build this magnificent sculpture. The rest of the crew, who would have been an hour behind us if we had originally taken the right path, had spotted us down by the water and the wolfpack was back together as one again.

Together we hiked through Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza where we stopped to get some ice cream.

Looking into Vernazza.

Sun began to set as we neared Monterosso al Mare, the fifth village/end of hike.

Perfect day. Tomorrow we have another full day in Cinque terre. We can only hope for better weather.

Birthday boy feeling great after a late night shower

For the first stop of the day we headed to The Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David.

Truly a masterpiece. There was also a Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition occuring. It was amazing to see the poses in his work juxtaposed with many of Michelangelo’s sculptures.

Munchbunch and the kitty cat.

After The Accademia we hiked up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a magnificent view of the city.

View out of the shades.

That was it for the day. We grabbed some dinner and headed back to Hotel California for an early night to bed. Evan and I were waking up REALLLY early the next morning for Cinque Terre.

Looking up at the top of the dome.

After looking on the inside we decided to climb up the bell tower for a great view of the city. We climbed 414 stairs exactly…

…making Ricky not so happy…

DUOMO!

Time for lunch…we were recommended a pizza place by Kiel. On the way we stopped to hear some music.

The spot.

Best Pizza of the entire trip. Hands down Mans downs.

After pizza we started walking towards The Ponte Vecchio, the oldest standing bridge in Florence.

on the bridge…

Right from the bridge we walked to the Boboli Gardens.

Our fist CD album cover. Look for release early 2010. Band name…The Family Picnic.

The highest point of the gardens.

At this point I split up from the rest of the guys and met up with my friend Rachel and her family for one of the most amazing meals of my life at a place named Il Latini. After dinner we met up again to celebrate Ricks birthday, another night that will go down in history. I DO NOT think we are going to be welcomed back to Hotel California…..WASSSUP.