THE ROAD TO ROME

Peeps,

we are on the eve of another jimbo tours to virgin terriotries with endless adventures awaiting us.

A quick note for all - you need to pick up 10 packs of fifa world cup stickers before we go to re-live the sticker book game.

Apart from that usual rules apply and see you all thursday morning

EAST

Wow,

This seems like the longest day ever. Stevie B and Shaun were having a pre tour booze in OGradys on wednesday night which meant we didnt sleep till 3am - then the alarm went at 7 and we went to stratford to meet john to get the bus to the airport.

We landed in northern italy and ahd to get to Ljubana via a very scenic bus ride to Slovinia. Were staying in a beautiful hostel and as im writing im on a balcony lppking over the city.

went out tonight witness some salsa dancing and realise us english guys are best at doing the drinking. This is a very quient town so we are at odds to whether we should head to Zagreb rommorrow - what do you think?

East

After our whistle stop visit to Trieste (Harrys Bar was a saver) we
arrived in Slovenia late. A quick cleanup and we were out to see
what Loseyabannana had to offer. Between moody bouncers and salsa
dancing it didn't seem like much was happening so we banged in a few
shots and got back to the hostel. Jonny is clearing missing married
life on tour and popped over to my bunk for a midnight cuddle... How
he got there nobody knows... CCTV holds the answers....

We woke up to a crackhead of a hostel worker who looked like she had
an even heavier night than us so we packed up, walked up a mountain to
the cities castle (plenty of moaning - mainly from me) and jumped a train to Zagreb. We
were greeted by a moody Yank and bunch of the messiest Jocks we've met
to date and found a bar for the footie. A few Pans later we were on
the tram heading out of town to have a session with the locals and a
good sing song. Jonny was on lead vocals to Dirty Old Town, Stevie B
let the side down by failing to capture on film and took a penalty shot (his only one to date might I add!) but the scene was captured by a local documentary maker - rumor is its premiering in Ilfords Cineplex next year!  All in all a legendary night for Jimbotours as we were accepted among the locals in record time...

Today has been a struggle... we have moved on to a new hostel, sweated out alot of Jaga, the bookies are making a killing off poor tips from Jimbo and we are now gearing up to see England no doubt disappoint... 

Big drink is on the cards by the lake with an early flight to Split looming tomorrow!

Pictures to come....

Shauny G

So the trip continued on with another night in Zagreb.

After lying in our sweat box of a 1st hotel we made the decision to push on and get out of bed!

After a shower all round and spying the disposable camera of the extremely messy Scottish guys there was a team decision to leave them a souvenir, of sorts. So we left them a picture of Jimbo at his finest, and nakedest!!!!

After a long sit-down we made our way to our second hostel in Zagreb, after dodging a few very posh packing Brits we ducked out to watch the Eng-er-land match!!

With a bite of grub from the Micro brewery we headed up the up to a bar where we could watch the footie, as scouted out by Shaunie G and Johnny with a good view of the tele-box!

So we watched the footie and the cute waitress" ass as she went up the steps with a few warm beers and a great laugh at Rob Green! DODGY KEEPER!!!!!!  Even the locals laughed at him and were chewering on USA!

We then went about our normal Jimbo Tours a few more beers were had, thankfully chilled to perfection this time!  A few beers later and we (OK well, me) were chilling by the fountain and Almost going head first into the drink!

and then back to our hostel, which despite having air-con fitted to all communal areas they had made the decision to NOT fit it in the rooms, which provided us with sweat box number 2!!! not pretty in the morning, and probably very annoying for the people who got woke up by my alarm while I was out at the toilet!

So another early start then off to Split and hopefully not another sweat box

We fired out of the countries capital on a jetplane and made our way down to Split a beautiful coastal town deep in the heart of the Med...  I cant begin to describe how hot it is here!  There are severe dabs going round!

Our hostel is set at the top of a hill and after a very sweaty walk up we arrived and were greeted by our host - Ladybird!  She is a host / artist / entrepreneur / crackhead.  Her first words to us were to not touch the dying bird in the garden as we could get infected but she would be ok as she cannot get sick as she is cleansed...  need I say anymore???!

We met Bruce mk3 and headed out to the beach to get our nipples out for the first time on Jimbotours (G-Budd excluded) and had a big swim!  A defining point in Jimbotours when we saw palmtrees and a beach in the same day... never thought that would happen!  We embraced the local sport of handball and Jimbo caught on film the best photo taken to date on Jimbotours of a crazy young lad jumping off a 40ft building into 1 meter of water and becoming a man!  Jim is currently in talks with Splits local paper and The Times as to who can have the snap!

We decided to have a "quiet" one and had a big feed at a local restaurant recommended by Ladybird and headed home.  After recruiting Bruce mk2 (keep up) we went to the beach for a couple... Jim & I left Stevie B with Bruce at the beach and went for a blow...  A long time passes and Stevie B finally emerged back home at 7am - not looking pretty - impersonating Spiderman climbing through the balcony window.  Stevie is challenging for "Man of the Tour" this year... To be fair he has had a year off!

We awoke early on day 2 and ventured out to the distant island of Hvar climbed a mountain to the castle and then discovered unchartered territory in our very own island which has now been officially christened Jimboland!  We had another big swim, saw a nudist beach (alot of wrinkly schlongs) and departed our land to headed back to the mainland for our first pub crawl to welcome the arrival of G-Budd and send off Jonny OD!  Stevie B had another big drink and looked worse for wear and we all had a biiiiig blow!

After a hug goodbye from Ladybird we are now on our way to Anconna Italy on the final leg of our momentus tour to Rome...

Splits been amazing - weve seen alot, sweated alot and if we take only 1 thing away with us it will be this...

"Dont touch the bird" - Ladybird - Crazyiest random we have met to date!

Shauny G

EAST!!!!

So, we've reached the final country in this years tour ITALY.

We left behind the beautiful country of Croatia on a sunny Tuesday evening and headed by boat to Ancona. We were 1 member short as well - John had returned to Britain with his pride in tact after managing to stay clear of the nights in bed this year.

 The boat was fairy comfortable and spotting that we could buy Jagermister on board for 15euros a litre we got settled into a game of sticker-book. Its lost none of its magic i can tell you - despite me having to do the most shots - 15! We even made a new friend on board - the waiter was a big collector and he was delighted when we game him a couple of our doubles - once again world cup stickers uniting nations.

We arrived in Ancona at 10pm and headed for our hostel which looked more like a hostel - rubbish! Anyway as planned we got up to head to Rome on the morning train. We stood a platform 2 waiting for the train. 15mins after it was supposed to leave we got worried - then discovered there were two platform No.2s - HOW RUBBISH!!. We had to stay in Ancona until 3.30 in the afternoon - not happy as there was nothing going on and dispute being on the coast the info lady said there was no beach. So we spent the day walking around Ancona - very bored. As we got on the train we saw out the window that 5 mins outside Ancona there was 5 miles of beautiful beaches with bars, volleyball and sun loungers - not happy. Ancona is unlikely to be included on another JTs.

So we've arrived in Rome. Certainly a culture shock from the small cities we've been to so far.

G Budd Will be bad to report on Rome asap as soon as he gets himself out of all the churches now that hes flirting with Catholicism.

EAST

Guten Tagen meinen freudinens

My turn on the blob, I mean on the blog.

The last few days can only be described as uplifting, both in body and mind. I feel like i've lost about 9 pounds in pure sweat, the heeeeeeeeeeat is beautiful! And despite previous reports I have turned to Catholicism. But I do know when i see a cracking church and those Popes know how to 'have it large!'

After losing my rucksack in Zadar, I took this German bird's by mistake, I spent 5 hrs there waiting for the bus driver to return it. And no, i didn't look in her bag for frilly underwear, honest ;)

Got to Split at about half 11 at night, Steve was already half p!ssed, John looked like he was an extra in the latest James Bond film, Shaun was moaning that he was worried that he might not have his 3am dog meat roll and James was sweating so much - it looked like there was a permanent puddle around him!

Well enough about the goings-on in Split, and yes Ross Popejoy I think i might have found my future wife (Ladybird, she's been previously mentioned)

Onto Rome, wow this city is unbelievable. The Sistine Chapel knocks the stuffing out of the Town Hall in Ilford and when they bury a Pope over here - he gets the proper works. Big old tombs, the whole 19 yards! If anyone reads this (highly unlikely) and hasn't been to Rome, do it!!Maybe A. Kiely could propose to Katie here. Whoops - what have i said? Even if you aint particularly religious like me, it just blows you away. I kid ye not, my friends and countrymen. Sorry after seeing the Colosseum, I've offered Shaun a fight to the death with plastic swords.

Oh and by the way, I found out today that I'm definitely from Roman stock. This fella in the Sistine Chapel had a hooter just like mine. Thanks mother and father, I now know I am a descendant of Claudius. 

Anyway I'm blabbering on a bit now, if I'm allowed to do another blog I will. But I reckon there could be another solo trip in the offing. 

Stay safe and remember always double-check your rucksack, travellers!

G. Budd

EAST 

As the tour comes to an end in Rome I rally the troops for one last push on our final day in Rome.

The day starts as it always should with Jimbo getting up to research walking tour itineraries and everyone else staying in bed. By the time we are united by the Spanish steps everyone seems up for a big walk.....5mins later Shaun wants breakfast so we stop.......10mins after food Steve is hanging and is dreaming of Lurgan so we stop for a coffee........I try to engage the troops with stories of Rome but we keep stopping again because now G Budd is Catholic everytime we pass a church he has to stop pray - theres a lot of stopping as there are 900 churches in Rome!

Anyway we see as much of Rome as possible including the excellent Pantheon. Its home for a change and its time for our final night on the town.

As England are playing we decide to head to a bar by the river to watch the game and have dinner. I order for everyone in Italian trying to show off but the waitress comes out with 4 salads instead of the chip based meals we ordered. Maybe it was my poor English or the waitress thinks the tour is having an adverse affect on our bodies.

England match is rubbish and even g Budd in his shirt and flag can't even raise the troops. The city is jumping as its a Friday night. So instead of going to a bar and spending the evening with the hoards of Americans who've taken over Rome we go to a square with the locals where they buy cheap booze from the shop and sit round having fun.

G Budd meets a girl from Brazil who is good fun. She cant speak a word of English and he can't speak Portuguese but they get on brilliantly - maybe its the shared catholic faith which brings them together.

A great night ends as usual with a couple of plates full on pizza and home to bed.

Its home time now - and time to reflect on a fantastic tour which has seen jimbotours hitting new heights and exploring new boundaries.

Here's to JT No.5

EAST 

So, my friends and countrymen, what is left to say about our latest expedition? Well I have learnt in the last 6 days, that the more experience James gets with these tours, the better they get and the more we - the paying public - get out of them.

SPLIT is a fantastic place. The East Europeans are by far the most relaxed and accommodating people I know (as well as the cheapest and that ain't a bad thing, is it?!) Swimming in the sea, basking in 34 degree heat, drinking cheap booze - it makes a religious person like me wonder whether our Great Lord was in fact born in Croatia. I couldn't imagine them stringing him up on a cross in the middle of nowhere, with only his thoughts and faith to keep him sane. They'd at least give him a 2 Kruna bottle of Lech, a meaty treat and 4 day old copy of the Daily Star. The long beaches are relaxing, even if you don't do those type of lazy hols (which I often don't) but it seems refreshing and uncrowded, that you also feel the need to get down to your speedos and have a dip in the clean looking sea, and don't worry if you haven't got the physique of B. Pitt. There are so many fat, blotchy naked German types strolling around, it makes even someone like me look like I'm Cristiano Ronaldo! 

ANCONA is not the most interesting place in Italy. Admittedly, we were only there as a whistle stop. In which time we went round the rather bland, uninspiring town centre, visited a war cemetery (mainly full of Mafia bosses) and missed our train cos the stupid bird at the train station told us the wrong info. (Oh and she also forgot to mention the beautiful, idyllic surroundings just out of the town centre). One thing I did notice though was the blatant rudeness that the Italian public have. They barge you off trains, they try and knock you over on zebra crossings and even when the talk, half the time it sounds like they want you to go away or want to start an argument with you.

ROMA, and the VATICAN CITY, though, are of high sophistication and ultimate beauty. The old buildings, like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Sistine Chapel, etc, take the architectural impression that they are from another planet, the women look mostly like catwalk models and the late night squares, where drinking and partying go hand-in-hand, seem friendly and chilled out. It kind of makes you think 'how come London look's like civilisation has gone backwards', which is a shame and maybe we should learn from these Roma people.

And what of our tour? Well I think we improved Anglo/Irish relations with the rest of Europe.

James has matured into the perfect tour guide, John is now a smooth talking Euro-ite, Shauny, still young in body if not asked by Canadian women how old he is, is slowly realising that the more walking tours you put in, the more sweat you produce and the more food and beer you crave later on. Steve, except for the odd hiccup, is at his best after a few Jaegers and will talk to anyone about anything (if they can understand him). And G. Budd, has started to realise there is a whole new world out there, that needs exploring, (not just Brazilian women!)

Here's to more back-packing, more tours and more bridges being built between ourselves and our Euro neighbours...

Good Times!

EAST

In traditional Jimbotours fashion 2010's questionnaire to sum up the best & the wierdest moments of the tour....

1. FAVOURITE CITY

Jimbo - Rome - 1 word "amazing"

Shauny - My chav side says Split but my cultured side says Rome..... Split it is!

Stevie B - Gotta be Rome

Johnny - I've got to go for Ljubljana - I think we left a bit behind there

G-Budd - Tough, but ROME (for the architecture and of course the walking Jimbotours)

2. BEST DRINK

Jimbo - The dark beer in brewery in zagreb

Shauny - Pan in first bar in Zagreb (G - I thought yours would have been "my fantasy...?"

Stevie B - Erdinger!!

Johnny - Lasko - 1st beer of the tour - good start!

G-Budd - Strawberry Dakiri (Good call as well Shauny, how could I forget that?)

3. BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION

Jimbo - Colleseum

Shauny - Don't know if this technically counts...  but Jimboland is my favourite moment!

Stevie B - The Vatican

Johnny - Ljuljana castle (moaning Shaun and free water/nibbles)

G-Budd - No competition, the Sistine Chapel

4. WORST TOURIST ATTRACTION

Jimbo - Museum of Zagreb

Shauny - Zagreb museum - comfortable sofas though

Stevie B - Museum of Zagreb

Johnny - Museum of Zagreb - standard!

G-Budd - Does this count? The train station in Ancona. Platform 2 anyone?

5. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU?

Jimbo - more trainer socks from PREmark

Shauny - more boxers

Stevie B - Spare lenses!

Johnny - Ear plugs (Stevie B needs a separate room next year)

G-Budd - Another England flag

6. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU LEFT BEHIND?

Jimbo - my leather jacket - didnt wear it once

Shauny - Extra jeans

Stevie B - Other pair of Jeans

Johnny - Nothing - packed efficiently this year

G-Budd - The extra pair of shoes, was expecting bad weather like last year

7. FAVOURITE BOOZER

Jimbo - Random little bar in Zagreb with band that played "dirty olde town" and with pissed old bar lady knocking out the beer

Shauny - Zagreb local boozer - love a good drunk jam session

Stevie B - Little Zagreb Boozer

Johnny - Maybe the nightclub in Zagreb but can't remember much so it has to be the little local place that featured us on TV

G-Budd - Anywhere on the river bank in Rome

8. BEST FRUIT MARKETS..... ; ) 

Jimbo - Zagreb - peachey

Shauny - Rome - hands down

Stevie B - Zagreb - although the delivery from Brazil was a close second

Johnny - Ljubjlana - everything was soo fresh

G-Budd - ROME, nay bother

9. BEST NIGHT OUT

Jimbo - Random night in middle of no-where with band. unfortunately steve cant use a camera so it goes unrecorded

Shauny - Last night in Zagreb... everything you need, football, Jaga, random bars in shopping centres!

Stevie B - Zagreb nightclub! Us lot sitting with the beautiful in a Romford-esq shopping center nightclub

Johnny - Zagreb nightclub - the pictures said it all

G-Budd - The last one. Every thing was perfect. Stunning scenery, good drinks and beautiful (Italian, Brazilian) women. Europe can be truly amazing.

10. WORST NIGHT

Jimbo - Ljubannana (sp?) first night. no-one in the bar where they didnt like the Irish

Shauny - Loseyabannna first night

Stevie B - Looseyerbananna! moody bouncer in a pub with no one in it! WTF!

Johnny - Holiday bar Ljubljana

G-Budd - Could be the first night in Rome. Under prepared and thankfully for Shaun and us, McDonalds was open until 2am!

11. QUOTE OF THE TOUR

Jimbo - One of mine after stevie B had a bad night:

"its like the free water on croatian airlines - you know its coming but you dont really want it"

Shauny - Don't touch the bird!!!

Stevie B - "there's a football team in Split!" Shaun oblivious to the Hajduk Split murals on pretty much every available wall in Split!

Johnny -

G-Budd - James to the Canadian birds in Ancona. 'So how old do you think Shaun is?' Don't worry mate, I won't reveal the answer.

12. WIERDEST PERSON WE MET

Jimbo - Gotta to be ladybird - sorry g budd!

Shauny - Ladybird

Stevie B - Ladybird!

Johnny - Ladybird without a doubt

G-Budd - I can't say Ladybird, but there was a strange drunk fella, in Rome, (Steve would remember him) who kept slagging off Roma FC, until he realised he was surrounded by Roma fans who wanted to smash him in. Then he said they were the best team ever. Weirdo

13. FUNNIEST MOMENT

Jimbo -  There's loads but mine is In the Vatican.

American to security guard "where's about in the vatican is the statue of David i seen in my guide book.

Security guard - Florence

long silence

American - I feel so stupid right now


Shauny - "Look at the line dude... Look at the line....!"

and Jimbo infamous Scottish photography!

Stevie B - Same as james I'm afraid! cant be arsed typing it all out again!

Johnny -

G-Budd - James face after seeing the blocked toilet on the train from Ancona to Rome. A hundred words couldn't express how he felt

14. FAVOURITE HOSTEL (You can't vote for your own selection!)

Jimbo - Hobo Bear - nice

Shauny - Beach hostel

Stevie B - Hobo Bear! very nice

Johnny -

G-Budd - Loved the Beach Hostel, but that was my choice. So it has to be the Yellow Hostel in Roma.

15. WORST HOSTEL

Jimbo - The Yellow - too many americans.

Shauny - The Yellow - yank effect and annoying wifi killed it

Stevie B - Fulir! the messy Sweatties just tipped the scale

Johnny -

G-Budd - The one in Ancona. Don't actually remember it!

16. BEST FOOD

Jimbo - The pizza in Rome made into a sandwich - genius. Closely followed by regular ham and cheese sandwiches warmed by my backpack

Shauny - Jimbo sandwich

Stevie B - Rome! But NO MUSHROOMS!

Johnny -

G-Budd - Easiest question so far. James warm, sweaty, homemade 'Ham and Cheese baguettes'. As an amateur chef myself, he managed to mix value-for-money and quality taste in the best way ever on a Jimbotours. His rolls are one of the things I miss now I'm back

17. WORST FOOD

Jimbo - late night snack in ancona - thats our secret shaunie

Shauny - Saltfish pastry in Split - that cabbie took the scenic route and some!

Stevie B - the ferry "chicken & chips" (see picture for reference)

Johnny -

G-Budd - Food on the ferry. Very Poor (2/10) Photographic proof on this blog

18. SCARIEST MOMENT

Jimbo - G budd disappearing downstairs to Ladybirds room - will he ever come back alive??

Shauny - Stevie B giving me the look of death when I had a swig of his Corona in Zagreb... he still left it behind anyway!

Stevie B - The Baby Ultras in the square on the last night in Rome!

Johnny -

G-Budd - Could be the night in Ancona. There was a massive gap in my mind, where everyone else seemed to have gone out that night and I was supposedly asleep in the hostel, under a pile of blankets, feeling the effects of too much Jaeger from the ferry!

19. BEST SHOWER

Jimbo - Hobo bear. Zagreb 

Shauny - Hobo bear. Zagreb.

Stevie B - Yellow!

Johnny -

G-Budd - Probably the showers in the Yellow Hostel. Only a bit too pristine for such an establishment

20. BIG QUESTION – JIMBOTOUR’s 07, 08, 09 or 10???

Jimbo - Had a long good think. For sheer diversity and good weather its 2010 by a whisker.

Shauny - Its tough... 08 was a masterclass in touring plus had the football....  10 had the weather, the sites & the footie...  For me the banter was great this year... 2010 has it (but only just!)

Stevie B - Has to be 2010

Johnny -

G-Budd - Its real close. 2008 was a footballing, sticker experience - never to be matched. 2009 was Euro disco heaven and 2010 was Jimbotours finally coming-of-age. So i'm gonna go for 2010, by a pube!

21. EXTRA QUESTION - MAN OR BODY PART OF THE TOUR

G-Budd - There was a clear winner. James feet. Performed excellent under pressure. Sometimes we forgot they were there!

Shauny - Stevie B through it away in injury time so for me Jimbos feet take it for an excellent performance - I hear that Man City are interested in signing them next season!

Stevie B - Shaun's thumbs (and fingers)! for all the work they put in ensuring he always had his bets on!

Johnny -

James - my feet were amazing. Steve had it wrapped up halfway through but fell 2 out. Gotta be Shaun for getting up those last flight of stairs in Rome to find out the church at the top was closed.

Alright boys,

Jimbo tours is fast approaching its 5th birthday.

Oh how far we've come in that time. Shaun now knows that Split is a city and not a dessert, Stevie has embraced the German nation after a dodgy start and it now only takes G Budd 4 days off work to recover from a tour.

The biggest affect has  been on John who has decided to celebrate Jimbo tours 5th birthday by getting married next August. So........JT 5 will also act as the first ever JT stag do!!!

So we can get the planning started I need to know your availability next summer for a week away. If everyone is up for it I am gonna suggest we go away on a mid-week (wednesday) and come back on a mid-week so we will be in top shape by the weekend to hit where ever we are BIG time. I need you all to answer the following questions on the message board:

1. Are you up for JT5??

2. What of the following is your top choice week away:

     a. 25/5/11 - 1/6/11

     b. 1/6/11 - 8/6/11

     c. 8/6/11 - 15/6/11

3. what special forfeit, if any, should John recieve during JT5 for getting married and also for not completing last years questionnaire yet?

Please get answers over by 10/12/10.

Jimbo