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Famous Last Words

So unless you travelled with us at some point or know us (and the ridiculously ridiculous things we say) inside out, the following will make zero sense to you. So I'll say this one is for Clauds and G especially, because every time I hear these words escape my mouth, it's because of them (and Adam Sandler).

- If there's time - You're welcome! - This is why we can't have nice things - I'm busy... - Ahem. Thousands of years ago, dolphins ruled the world! - It's too hot for a penguin to be walking around - This is true. - Give it 10 - Shut uuuupppppppppp - Don't make me run, I'm full of chocolate... - No no no no no no no Sh sh sh sh sh sh sh - Stop! Don't touch me there. This is my personal square. R A P E, get your hands off of me! - Oh honey... - Finished, finito, kaputski, no more

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We Are (practically) Family :)

Many a cliche will tell you that it's not the places or 'things' that make life what it is, it's the people. And although it makes me smile (very widely) to think of all the Italian leather shoes we bought, or the historical and magical sights we saw, it most definitely is the people to whom I will associate my fondest memories of Europe with. Each of these photos brings back words, actions or smart ass jokes that were said or done at that particular point in time, and I guess (in a very soppy way) it's those moments that you treasure most in life. Awwwwwwwww.

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The Little Things

Having travelled together for 3 months, it's safe to say we've learned a thing or two about each other and the different ways in which we do life. As is considered normal, there were plenty of times when we wanted to simply punch each other in the face, but just as many times (and hopefully more) we've laughed, joked and shared precious memories in foreign countries that we may never visit again, and these are things we will look back on with fondness.

Here are a few traits/quirks that I picked up on through our little adventure and that will be sorely missed!

- Claud's constant need for shoulder massages. I can't blame her, what with all the weight she carries in certain areas... - Dina's willingness to give Claudia shoulder massage despite handing out phrases such as 'B*tch I will cut you' and 'Shut the f*ck up' moments before - Not to trust me with directions - Tim is highly agreeable which is helpful up until a decision needs to be made - Dina is anal about ironing - Claudia is not a morning person. Dina says that she isn't either, but really she's the one that everyone wants to punch in the morning - Our sarcasm reached a point where we could no longer tell if we were being sarcastic or not - Claudia has perfected the juicy wiggle and has no shame in breaking out her moves in public - I'm a photography snob - Dina and Claudia have extreme cases of potty mouth - Dina attracts creeps in any and every country. Girls are often warned of travelling overseas and being approached by strange men. I've discovered a way to solve this. Don't travel with Dina. - Claudia has a distinct street style and thinks Dina dresses like a mum. - Don't rely on Tim to find a restaurant. The handful of times we left him with this responsibility, the place was either closed, closed or not opening till later. - Claudia is obsessed with One Direction. She cannot sleep without music playing in her ear all night long and has it playing throughout her shower. - The Celebic sisters are highly volatile. And violent. Mostly towards each other. Which is good for everybody because they're also black belts. - I cannot handle any amount of alcohol in my system. My greatest threshold was probably after Belgium, Germany and Austria where I could happily get through one beer without turning beet red. - Dina is obsessed with scarves, knits and flats. All of which she has too many of. - Claudia doesn't really think before she speaks, hence the abundance of hilarious yet highly unintelligent words escaping her mouth - All three of us are highly blessed with our metabolisms. - Tim and Claudia are rubbish at heights. - Dina is a music snob and had her playlist of 'Blurred Lines', remixes of Frank Ocean, Miley and 'Wake Me Up' long before they hit the radio. Now every time I hear them in Melbourne I get strong waves of nostalgia in getting ready for night out in Europe... Sigh. Take me back!!!

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Saint Sava Cathedral

Belgrade, Serbia

Our last stop in Europe *sob* was here in Belgrade where apparently being Asian is a new thing. I copped many a double take and blatant stares being of 'non-Caucasian-or-European' heritage and it was all a bit intimidating. Here we were approached by 2 guys asking to have photos with us because I was that much of a novelty. Now I know how white people feel in China.

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Porto Montenegro

Tivat, Montenegro

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Out and About

Budva & Tivat, Montenegro

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This is Tanja, Dina's cousin and probably the wittiest 12 year old I have ever met. She talks faster than anyone can absorb, but once you do and can process what she's said (and in my case, after it was translated) you can appreciate her amazing ability to insult, humour and just generally poke fun at anything and anyone in an incredibly clever way. A little sample follows:

Tanja to Sofija: "Last year, Balsa brought Nicole, this year you're here. Now all that's missing is Dina and feta (referring to Tom and his Greek background...) [Sofija retells this story to Dina who adds: well don't worry, I brought fried rice. -.-

*looking through her sister's formal photos and noting how distasteful some are* D: Well let's just wait to see what your dress is like! T: I'm going to shoot fireworks from mine.

*re: her sister's friend in a formal photo* T: This girl is really smart. She's as smart as a person that can jump in a hole. *followed by* T: This girl is a little bit smarter. She can also jump in a hole. But 5 minutes later she knows how to get out!

Such a little smart ass, haha.

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The Ascent

Kotor's City Walls, Montenegro

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Kotor, Montenegro

(a short bus ride from Tivat)

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"There's like squishy stuff on the ground and people are jumping up and down and stuff"

C. Lacey's reasoning for paying to go into a tourist attraction

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Tivat

A 5 hour bus ride from Bijelo Polje and I found myself in heaven. Well, pretty close to it anyway. I told Dina my only complaint of Tivat was the lack of sandy beaches and although the concrete (literally, just concrete. Imagine lying beside a less polluted and more coastal version of the Yarra on Southbank) took some getting used to, it was a small price to pay for a full week of doing little but eating, sleeping, tanning and swimming.

There's something comforting about staying in someone's home, even if it's not your relative and especially after staying in hotels and apartments for a couple of months. Many a kiss on the cheek (x 3, the Serbian way of course), sarcastic remark, random hug and aggressive Serbian swear word passed through the house with the presence of Bubba, Dina, Marina, Sofija, Tanja and Branca (Dina's mother, sister, cousin and Aunty) making it all the more inviting!

We formed a comfortable routine of waking early, grabbing a quick bite to eat of some traditional Montenegrin food that Bubba had laid out on the table (think cured meats, bread, cheese, yoghurt, savoury donuts, chocolate milk, maybe everything at once...) then hitting the beach before it got too unbearably hot. With Melbourne being in winter and all you're probably thinking 'unappreciative b*ches...' but trust me, there is such thing as too hot, even at the beach!

At this point we'd retire 'home' for another home cooked meal, followed by maybe an afternoon nap or a trip to the internet cafe (Jenny_Franco wifi got switched off the day after we arrived...Jenny Franco apparently being the nice elderly lady living in the apartment below us...) before heading to the beach for session two!

Evenings consisted of balmy strolls through the little town, where the few cafes situated on the main street were perfect for people watching and who, after a few drinks, we realised don't actually do very nice drinks. A night or two consisted of some competitive dart playing, dancing to random Serbian pop songs, crazy South African yacht-worker meeting and well, a bit of vomit. Followed by more dancing, of course!

Suffice to say, I consider myself half Montenegrin now that I know a handful of words/phrases in their language. 'I can't [eat anymore]', 'thank you', 'eat', 'enough' and 'idiot'. All very useful words let me tell you.

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Tivat, Montenegro

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E: Yeah, he got knighted. C: By who? E: ... The Queen. You can only be knighted by the Queen...

C. Lacey

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Bijelo Polje, Montenegro

Dina's birthplace (despite the abundance of green fields and mountainous backdrops, her literal birthplace was still indoors...)

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Santorini

Many a morning, afternoon and even evenings (thanks to long, hot summer days...sigh) were spent lounging around El Greco Resort in Santorini. My only complaint was getting absolutely mauled by mosquitos. I don't think mosquitos are actually capable of mauling anything, unlike bears, lions or anything else that can rip your limbs apart, but words like 'bitten' and 'stung' just don't cut it in this case.

Nights one and two were spent half awake with arms ready to flail, slap and defend when the dreaded buzzing noise of those wretched creatures was heard close to my ears practically screaming 'your blood is MINE'. By night three my blood practically was all theirs dammit, as I gave up the fight, shoved ear plugs in and wrapped myself in sheets leaving only my face exposed. 

I practically had no face left by morning. Well, I did. It was just covered in roughly 30 bites, making out that I was an adolescent teen going through puberty rather than having been raped by Grecian mosquitos. Neither of which is pleasant, of course.

So to summarise, Santorini, I owe you half my skin colour, and you owe me half my blood.

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Santorini, Greece

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*following a discussion about getting bruises from dodgem cars* C: It's ok if you spread your legs. E: ...are you sure you're talking about dodgem cars?

C. Lacey