Photo TR: Terry's European Vacation and TPR Europe 2008 Trip

[terrancew_hod]

Hey peeps!

 

I converted the first batch of pictures for my TPR. It's coaster and statue credit-lite, but I wanted to at least set up a bit for when I hit the TPR Europe trip.

 

I'm just going to pick out a few of the highlights... I took very few pics during the first days since I was getting used to being in Europe and I was down a camera man. I was also stressed over some drama that went down, but once I was on my own I was getting back in the groove of things.

 

Anyway, let's get the first few days out of the way shall we?

 

EDIT: Yeah I know. Some of these pics are sideways! I'll fix 'em when I get back from the club!

 

Update list:

 

Alton Towers: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=614538#614538

 

Thorpe Park and Madame Tussaulds: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=615800#615800

 

Paris: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45032&start=20

 

Paris (pt 2), a little Disney, Parc St Paul and Mer de Sable: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=623225#623225

I had to improvise in my statue credits... so this is how I gotta take 'em for the next few days! Well it's back to London for me and the end of this update, since I gotta get ready to go out for the evening. Next update is a brief update of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park (I hope) and the "Assault at Madame Tussaud's!

Yeah Yeah, I hear you! Where's the amusement park? Have a scaled down one! Won't get any coaster credits though...

You'll need that center to control the night and thunder effects.

To control all that you need a kickass control center with multiple people monitoring the railroad.

This is the cool part: a model airport with planes taking off and landing!

They've even modeled a nuclear plant! Can't get much cooler than that!

A scaled down recreation of a medieval recreation!

Walking in the next room is the main attraction. A replica of Berlin and the surrounding area!

You need replicas of Berlin landmarks? They got them!

They have all your needs for an awesome project!

Continuing my walk, I found a mall with this lovely attraction. It's a model railroad store!

See I knew they had a shop like this around because the peeps had their heads together. Note to France: Call Germany and find out where to get the relaxers! Your heads are a nappy-a$$ed mess! One French chick had the nerve to have a kinky head and then put a ponytail extension that was relaxed. Girl! We know it ain't your hair! I should have "French Crushed" her and snatched it out!

Walking around on the opposite side of town I found this lovely store. Yep, I found the black people side of town! In Germany no less. And we're looking at each other funny!

Look! I'm a tourist! Doing tourist-y things! Only on a limited budget because I wasn't paid back like I asked. Well after 40 years I can stretch a Euro as well as a dollar. A girl was trying to beg from me by handing me a note then chanting! I told her "Girl, I'm about 30 Euro from joining you! Beat it!"

This was my hotel. And no, this isn't when I just arrived; this is me coming in from trying to party. Yep it's dawn... let me get a few winks and go sightseeing.

Remember that dish I had? Well it did bring some bad luck. Fast forward to be alone in Berlin, paying for two rooms but only one used... nonrefundable. I'm not happy but I got some peace of mind back and the drama has been ditched. Anyway, I got a kick out of the dual sinks in the bathroom; then I almost fell getting in the shower! I don't have to step up that far to get in!

I'm in Piccadilly Circus! Ok, where are the bars? (I didn't have to go to far... they were around the corner!)

We went to an Indian restaurant after the play. You tell me: Do you see the same thing I see in my dish? What are they trying to say? Did they give me the hex? I think so!

Later on, we go see a play: Cabaret. I'm enjoying the play and then the dancers get butt naked. Imaging a man doing leaps naked... yep, now you got the same visual I got. Ok, a girl leaping... breast jumping around... did that make it better?

Yeah! Second credit of the Day! Now the people are staring at me. They'll be alright.

Gotta love the name; we need a bar with the same name. "Where you goin' tonight?" "I'm going to The Clink!"

I've been in London for 3 hours and I've already scored my first drink: Sangria! And it's strong too!

It didn't take long to get my first statue credit (sort of).

This is Tony (Zencoaster). And this is the only picture of him for the TPR tour.

Hi, I'm Terry and I'm your tour guide for this adventure. I'm in front of the London Bridge for my first camera shot!

[RenegadeFan]

Wow! That's cool! I've always wanted to see one of those big model train exhibit things.

 

Great pictures too.

[SharkTums]

Jeff's going to die when he sees those train pictures!

 

And LOL to the drama!!! OMG!!! We still need to sit down, have a drink, and chat!

[terrancew_hod]

Jeff's going to die when he sees those train pictures!

 

And LOL to the drama!!! OMG!!! We still need to sit down, have a drink, and chat!

 

I have more train pictures and a little video as well.

 

And we definitely need to chat... when you swing through Florida, I'll come up and hang with you on the weekend! The vacation is sooo used up for the year!

 

Terry

[TheRapidsNerd]

Terry, great start.

 

I've been in London for 3 hours and I've already scored my first drink: Sangria! And it's strong too!

That gave me a right off the bat, and "The Clink" is a great bar name. Love the detail on the model railroad too.

 

As for the dish, maybe it was protection vs. hex, in that the majority of your trip (assumed) was good and you came back safe, instead of more drama.

[nay]

I'm enjoying your TR so far! And Cabaret is one of my favorite shows so that was a nice surprise to see on here. Though I don't remember there being much, if any, nudity in the Broadway production I saw a few years ago!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the photos.

[terrancew_hod]

RapidsNerd: Trust me; it was a hex, without going into too much detail.

 

Nay: I didn't think it was going to be any nudity, but there they were, in their birthday suits in at least two extended scenes dancing about!

 

I'm working on the next update today; my friends kept me up until noon today partying so I'm wore out to say the least!

[TheRapidsNerd]

^Understood and no worries. Looking forward to the rest.

[DenDen]

Sangria?!?!? In a plastic cup?!?!?!? EWWWWWWW!

 

Come up here now, we'll have Caramel Macchiato Martinis!!!!

[terrancew_hod]

^We were in a outdoor food market looking around! No glass! I'll take the drinks were I can get 'em!

[terrancew_hod]

Ok, time for the next update. Due to partying you're getting a quick Alton Towers update.

 

As usual, it's coaster lite. Besides, you've all seen what's there!

 

But first a little backstory:

 

I hopped back on the plane from Berlin after receiving an email from someone saying they decided to stay and to come by their hotel to make plans. Well I get there and guess what? They're not there! So I said F%ck it and went back to the youth hostel.

 

I'll tell you this much about youth hostels: do it once, then make sure you save up your cash for a hotel! Luckily from this point on, I have hotels for the rest of my stay. But I did have a nice conversation with the guy at the desk. He was flirting with me and after pouring on the charm, he offered to change some of my euros and dollars I had on me to British pounds! So with more spending money on me, I was ready to head to Alton Towers!

 

But I had to go to sleep first! Goodness! It was hard work because the room smelled like booty and feet! I just wanted to take a hose and a bar of soap and spray everyone down! Then it was a competition for snoring and they all were trying to win! After about four hours of "sleep" I got up and headed to the train station!

 

I accidently got on a earlier train but they let me ride in one of the empty seats to the destination. With my hotel directly across from the station I dropped off my bags and headed to the park...

And I was ready for a nap... after a few winks I got the shuttle bus (which leaves at 3pm and a few other times; so if you take the shuttle plan your time accordingly) and headed back to the hotel for some major sleep. Well this is the end of this update. Next update, I do a speed day through Thorpe park, Madame Tussaulds and catch a Eurostar to Paris!

Eating a big lunch, I sat at a cafe across from the field and drank beer and a muffin.

A lot of people opted to relax in the fields around the park. Some had picnics and played football (the european version: soccer for the rest of you peeps). I was meditating for a few minutes... then I was hungry.

My only coaster pic: Rita. Thanks to the single rider line, I rode it several times.

People were having fun at the splash battle.

Second credit!

I also did my first madhouse, Hex. I was real dizzy after that one! But after exiting the ride, I stumbled on this and had to walk around for a second.

At the bottom of the valley and garden between the sections of the park. It was a bit steep, but a very relaxing walk. Of course my feet were starting to blister, but I figure I'd get them out of the way so I wouldn't have that issue when the actual TPR tour started. Anyway, this was a nice fountain.

Funny thing: I forgot to take coaster pics! Oh well you've seen them right? Figuring I needed to get some exercise in, I took a detour through the gardens. I haven't seen those in anyone's TPR so I took one for you to show they are there!

Improvised statue credit!

Next was a haunted dark ride/shooting gallery. But you know what I saw first...

My first powered coaster. Fun stuff.

Once the park opened I walked towards the "Air" section of the park. But I did snap this picture to show people that hadn't seen a rapids ride without water. I didn't know you just throw a log down and it does the rapids.

This is what you see upon entering the park. I got there early so nothing was open, giving me an opportunity to eat breakfast.

[caliraiden]

Terry I love ur tr... you have the best pics sometimes!

[PoisonedPirate]

Your TR looks awesome so far - I can't believe you hopped from London to Berlin so easily!! It took me ages to plan my trip there lol.

 

I love the photo after Hex where the camera is all dizzy and uneven it makes me giggle!

 

Can't wait for the Madame Tussauds statue photos!

[terrancew_hod]

Well it's time for another update before I call it a night.

 

The story so far:

 

After getting to the hotel after Alton Towers, I fell right to sleep! I woke up around 12am and watched a bit of the tele and had a pot of tea with milk and some biscuits... I was trying to be grande! I even stuck out my pinkie drinking the tea!

 

The next morning, I headed across the street back to the train station. It was funny yesterday, because I was looking for directions to the hotel and all my dumb but had to do is look out the door of the station! I boarded the train and took my seat in the VIP section. It was a good thing because they served a traditional English breakfast that I took full advantage of! I was still on a budget!

 

I dropped my bags at the storage locker at the youth hostel and proceeded across town to the train station and my next destination:

 

Thorpe Park!

Looking at my watch, I had to hightail it out of there and get to Paris. So that's the end of this update... and the rushing to get multiple things done! Next sightseeing through paris and a little of Disneyland Paris. I pity da fool that doesn't come back!

Oh good back on track! But I had to pedal to get out of that dungeon... anyone got some gatorade?

Not being a fan of haunted houses, and on a time schedule, I opted for the chicken exit!

I went down the steps and into a torture chamber! Where did my credits go!

I gotta show her how bootylicious is done! You ain't at home! Pick it up!

Nevermind, I got a double date!

What did you say? You wanna show that sexy back? Ok, but turn off the cameras!

Royal family and royal fool. But not so much of a fool not to try to snag a prince!

Are you gonna make that shot or what?

You may want to be called Duane, but your "The Rock" to me... such a big boy too!

...Madame Tussaulds!

 

Say hi to the Beckhams! Posh, boo, your wig is rotten!

A little inverted coaster porn for you! Looking at my watch, I was running a bit behind so I grabbed a quick bite (with a beer) and heading back into London to my next destination...

My first ten-looper... that last set of "loops" had me saying "What is this thing doing to my body!?!"

My last look from the front... let's get these coaster credits!

Because I was in a hurry and you've already seen this park multiple times, I won't bore you with too much. I didn't even bother with any statue credits... I'll get them later today.

Getting in you get a nice view of the park. Before I got to far, I bought a few of their versions of the "fast pass" to get through the park.

Hi! I'm Terry again and I'm doing a speed day through Thorpe Park then to Madame Tussaulds. That means that in order to cram all this in and get to the Eurostar I've got to hurry and get all my rides in!

[terrancew_hod]

Oops! Forgot a credit!

Girl, did you hear what they did in that play "Cabaret"? It was more like the "First Nudie Musical!"

[StealthFan]

Seems like you had a nice day for Thorpe. Stealth in the rain is not that much fun!

 

I know what you mean about the last set of loops on Colossus they really mess you up.

 

I bet you had a blast at Madame Tussauds, statue credits everywhere you look

 

Great photos

[terrancew_hod]

Thorpe park was pretty fun and it was also a very nice day. Still too cold to get on any water rides though. I was just glad I bought my jacket. I definitely needed it there!

 

Madame Tussaulds was BUSY. People were just running about getting their statue credits in... but they didn't do some of the drama I did. There was also a dark ride portion which was rather boring to me. There was a part where they took your picture... so I made a funny face. The people in front of me started laughing when they saw the pic came out... it was one of my best, but I couldn't afford to buy it.

 

I made it to the Eurostar and customs in France and the UK are night and day. England had me putting where I was going to be; the French agent was too busy looking at the girl at another desk to notice me standing there! I said "Ahem." and he snapped around and started laughing. Then he just stamped my passport without looking at it and I was on my way!

 

The Eurostar was pretty cool. That thing hauled a$$! My ears popped a few times.

 

Terry

[carolinacaniac]

Sounds like you packed in quite a bit in a short amount of time. About how much did it cost for the train from London to Paris?

[terrancew_hod]

^I caught a special for about $80 USD. Not bad. I was working the web looking for specials. The most expensive things were the hotels, but then I started using expedia for bargans and looked at the customer ratings. I did a bit of research and came out pretty good. After getting off the mass transit, I rarely walked a block to any of my hotels.

 

Also, the first part of the trip was a bit too hectic. Because of it, I didn't get a lot of pictures. Once I got to Paris, I was able to slow down and actually enjoy the sights.

[Brandy524]

Your captions and pictures are hilarious! It looks like you had a lot of fun!

[terrancew_hod]

I've been a bit busy with things here, so I'm going to give you a day of Paris before moving into the parks.

 

Story so far:

 

I made it to Paris! I got off the Eurostar and made my way to the hotel. With a Metro map in hand I find my way to my hotel. I get mixed up in the direction and I walk around the block a few time and realize that the hotel was just across the street from the station! Oops!

 

I check in and unpack a few things for the next day; then I turn in because I'm absolutely exhausted!

After a little wine and cheese at Frenchie's (and checking my email) I was back at the Arc looking for the Quickie Burger I saw from the bus. Ordering in French, I got my meal ate it and headed back to the hotel to change to go to the bars for a while. That's it for this relatively boring update. I'll breeze by the other two days (include the 5 pics I took at Disney) to get caught up to the TPR trip. Later!

Meet Frenchie. See Frenchie on his BMW Scooter. See Frenchie try to argue with me as he was 10 minutes late that he gave me the apartment number to ring. See me pull out the email that had no such thing on it. See Frenchie shut up. The end.

I make it across from the Eiffel tower with 45 minutes to spare before meeting my friend. Time for a photo op!

I think someone invested a few coins on this...

This was the closest I could get to this landmark. But I did get a few close up shots without getting hit by cars!

I found the bus stop for my Tour and I got on. From there I was able to rest my feet and snap more pics.

There was another museum under Notre Dame that had the old foundation of Paris. The pass worked there so I went inside.

I walked down the street a bit to look around and to get another photo op.

Next I took the Metro to Notre Dame. My museum pass allowed me to go inside and snap a few pics and a video since I couldn't work the camera too well. I won't bore you with those pics though.

Hungry, I looked at the museum snack bar for food. Still on a budget, it was waaay too high. Time to use the broken French to order a sandwich on the street. Success! Mmmmm!

My hotel was around the corner of this famous landmark. Can you guess which one?

The Eiffel Tower was that way; I figured I would end my day around there, since my friend lived in that direction.

I found an outside area in the museum that gave a pretty good view.

Yep, this is art. I think it would go in a pool real good. The inflatables had the pump running and everything!

Of course, i didn't feel I had enough time to go to the Louvre, so I figure I would do a smaller museum then the bus tour I paid for. I made my way to the Museum of Modern Art.

I already had my Metro pass, but I needed to track down my museum pass. If you use expedia, don't order your metro pass from them! Find a company online to send it to you; then you can at least get around without paying when you arrive! Anyway, the store with my pass was across from the Tulleries; so I decided to walk there and figure out which museum to visit.

Let take one in the next direction! With that done, let's grab a little breakfast (which is free) downstairs and begin sightseeing!

I wake up and walk out on the small balcony in my room and snap a pic of the street.

[PKI Jizzman]

Ooooh....BMW Scooter! I learned two words in French while in Australia...but I can't say them here

 

Awesome stuff, Terry! Glad the parks aren't the center of this report. Can't wait for more!

-JZ

[terrancew_hod]

Well I've been doing my usual crap that's kept me from updating the TPR... oh well.

 

Let's do a big update this time!

 

Story so far:

 

After a decent night on the town, I headed back to the hotel for sleep. Getting up early I head to the Louvre....

Tada!!!!

After getting lost a few more times, we make it back to the hotel. See Robb back a car up!

We paid 20 Euros to get on this! I'll show you why later!

Too much sand! The train went this direction... and the line to get on it was loooong!

There's lots of sand here... it's like a desert without the oasis!

Next, Mer de Sable. Or should I say Merde de Sable? How about "How I wasted 20 Euros"?

I still owe Robb for telling me that this was fun... the damn thing spins! You can tell how much I liked this one as it spun out of control and I hung on for dear life! I almost threw up!

Cool looking cars!

Our next credit. This ride was crazy, especially the little air hill and how we felt the coaster was going to dump us!

This is the layout, the drop was pretty steep!

Wild Train. You make my heart sang! Not really but it was pretty fun.

I don't recognize any of these people. Do you? Anyway, we had to tell the gang about how many times we got lost and poor Beatle... nevermind

Bet you've seen this one before!

Ok. Now HERE'S the first official statue credit of the trip!

Looking in, I thought it was a ghetto carnival. But I was pleasantly surprised.

Enough Disney. Let's go to the next day! Parc Saint Paul! With a pocket full of fresh Euros, I was ready to really enjoy my vacation!

I managed to get most of my credits out of the way by noon with care use of the fast passes. Some of the ride ops weren't happy with me showing up 2 hours late, but I threw a look of death and they cleaned that attitude up! Worry about the people trying to come in early please! Anyway, I spent most of my day hanging out with a fashion model and her boyfriend after they witnessed my look of death and fell out laughing! This was our last ride... they lied about the time. It was only 15 minutes to wait; but the ride opened at 4pm! You can figure they wanted to keep the line low!

I don't have to tell you what this is...

Let's skip quickly to the next day.... Disney! Well I didn't get a lot of pics since I was concentrating on getting as much of the coasters done as possible.

From the buses, you can more statues than you can from foot, of course.

Leaving the tower, I caught the bus tour for the second day. Here you get a better view of Napoleons tomb.

Counting my euros, this is how much of the tower tour I could afford. Thank goodness I get my paycheck deposited tomorrow!

After the tomb and the other museums in the same building it was off to the base of the Eiffel tower. As you can see, you'd best behave yourself here.

Here it is...

Next, Napoleon's tomb.

I took the obligatory pics of Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, etc. But you can see this is the "touristy" part of the museum, so I took a few pics and moved on.

I think this would look good in my room. Anyone got a moving truck... and a boat?

I hit the palace part of the museum; I think this belonged to one of the King Louis. Wasn't paying too much attention.

Want more?

Here's your statue fix...

I toured the Egyptian exhibit first, this is the less "touristy" part of the museum so I covered a lot of ground with minimal heads in the way.

Catching the metro, I find the Louvre... or at least the entrance where my museum pass will work.

I snap a picture from the top of the hill outside the church. Unfortunately, they don't allow cameras in, so no pics... but you probably didn't want to see them anyway.

Here's the view from this point...

(pant) I'm half way there! Ain't I pretty?

My morning destination. I have some stairs to climb!

I know the last update didn't have any rides, so here's one! Before catching the metro, I backtracked to Sacre Coeur, which was just up the street from my hotel. This is about how close to it before getting assaulted by beggars!

[terrancew_hod]

As a bonus, I have two videos for you. Let me know if you need them zipped up!

 

Anyway, that's all for this update! Next I join the TPR gang for "Jardin" and hopefully some real statue credits!

Colorado Mess.wmv

Remember I said I would show you why we wasted 20 Euros on the Colorado Train? Take a look!

Wild Train.wmv

I think this is the first posted video of Wild Train! Knowing you guys, I'm probably wrong!

[BeatleBen]

Man, I really wanted to go to those two French parks but my body was just not cooperating. Oh well...

 

Great TR so far!