Well after over a week in Amsterdam I am finally out of it. Phew.
That place is expensive.
Right now I am in Rotterdam and this place is cool. Really cool. Just went to some markets before and got some super cheap food and soap and stuff. Because I am on a BUDGET now. Really have to watch my spending.
Tomorrow I am looking to head to the Hague which is the government capital of the Netherlands before heading to Maastricht on Thursday.
Egypt is coming up on Saturday. So excited about that. Hopefully it all goes smooth. I have been told to not piss into the water for too long because tiny insects will shoot up my dick hole and wreck havoc on my knob.
Dont really want to go to hospital for that. Once to the hospital is more than enough.
Other than the insects I think egypt will be sweet. It will certainly be cheaper (Heres Hoping).
After that, looking to do Prague, Switzerland, Berlin, Budapest and then more of France, Spain etc before finishing off in Portugal and heading back to England. Still unsure about the whole living in the UK thing. Every time I think about it, it seems to be what I dont really want to do but who knows.
Will probably update this next in Egypt. Bring it on I say
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Amsterdam
Well.
Amsterdam is an eyeopener for sure.
We have managed to hang in here for a few days now. There are 4 of us staying in a 2 bedroom dorm without the hostel staff finding out. A lot of keycard changing and so forth.
Staying here for a bit longer and then looking to do a bit more of the netherlands before heading to this egypt trip. Managed to convince the guy that I can pay him when I get there which should be good.
Not much else to report other than I am looking to get as much travelling out of the way now as I am unsure about what I am going to do with my future (work etc). Might end up coming back to NZ earlier than expected as I really am not too keen to set up shop in London hearing these stories about this credit crisis. I think that if I can get all my travelling done then I will be happy enough. So might be back in NZ or Aussie pretty soon...........
Amsterdam is an eyeopener for sure.
We have managed to hang in here for a few days now. There are 4 of us staying in a 2 bedroom dorm without the hostel staff finding out. A lot of keycard changing and so forth.
Staying here for a bit longer and then looking to do a bit more of the netherlands before heading to this egypt trip. Managed to convince the guy that I can pay him when I get there which should be good.
Not much else to report other than I am looking to get as much travelling out of the way now as I am unsure about what I am going to do with my future (work etc). Might end up coming back to NZ earlier than expected as I really am not too keen to set up shop in London hearing these stories about this credit crisis. I think that if I can get all my travelling done then I will be happy enough. So might be back in NZ or Aussie pretty soon...........
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Amsterdam
Well. Amsterdam is where the Contiki tour is finishing for me.
I am staying on here until the 30th of May until I head to Egypt. No more security blanket.
Getting kinda nervous as to booking this egypt trip. For some reason we cant use any of our credit cards to send the payment through and time is running out so hopefully we wont be stranded in egypt with no wheres to go.
Anyway. Amsterdam is insane. Tailored for the tourists everywhere. We got taken down the red light district last night and that was definately an eye opener. Cant take photos of it though so that sucked. Right now I am alone in some weird internet cafe under the ground down a dodgy back alley. Haha.
Pretty crazy how open everything is to everyone. You can just stroll the streets and be shown sex shows and everything all on the side of the road.
Tonight is the last night with the tour group. It will be sad I guess but in some respects, you do get a bit fed up with some certain individuals.
Looking to go see Wolverine soon as that movie looks sick
I am staying on here until the 30th of May until I head to Egypt. No more security blanket.
Getting kinda nervous as to booking this egypt trip. For some reason we cant use any of our credit cards to send the payment through and time is running out so hopefully we wont be stranded in egypt with no wheres to go.
Anyway. Amsterdam is insane. Tailored for the tourists everywhere. We got taken down the red light district last night and that was definately an eye opener. Cant take photos of it though so that sucked. Right now I am alone in some weird internet cafe under the ground down a dodgy back alley. Haha.
Pretty crazy how open everything is to everyone. You can just stroll the streets and be shown sex shows and everything all on the side of the road.
Tonight is the last night with the tour group. It will be sad I guess but in some respects, you do get a bit fed up with some certain individuals.
Looking to go see Wolverine soon as that movie looks sick
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Switzerland
Swizerland was probably the most amazing place of the trip so far. Absolutley stunning. We were staying in a small village called Lauterbrunnen that was surrounded by 200m high cliffs with waterfalls falling down all around.
As an excursion we went up to the top of the alps to a place known as the highest point in Europe (for that fact). Wow. So cool. Got in a massive snowball fight and played with the huskies. Stuffed my ankle again whilst going downhill on a sled but it should be alright.
That last post about all the cities I have been to was pretty good I thought. Keeps track of where Ive been.
Anyways, I am in the process of trying to sort out flights / trips for this egypt thing. Check out what I am looking at if youre keen
www.expatexplore.com/egyptexperience/index.html
Should be a cool trip. Looking to do that starting on May 30th.
Gotta go now anyways. Back in Germany for a short while before heading to amsterdam tomorrow
As an excursion we went up to the top of the alps to a place known as the highest point in Europe (for that fact). Wow. So cool. Got in a massive snowball fight and played with the huskies. Stuffed my ankle again whilst going downhill on a sled but it should be alright.
That last post about all the cities I have been to was pretty good I thought. Keeps track of where Ive been.
Anyways, I am in the process of trying to sort out flights / trips for this egypt thing. Check out what I am looking at if youre keen
www.expatexplore.com/egyptexperience/index.html
Should be a cool trip. Looking to do that starting on May 30th.
Gotta go now anyways. Back in Germany for a short while before heading to amsterdam tomorrow
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Speka Ze Deutch?
Germany now!!
Austria was pretty amazing. A lot of the landscape etc looked a hell of a lot like NZ and it was in Austria where we got into the more sporty side of things. Because of my ankle (which is healing good by the way, thanks for asking) I only had to miss out on the paragliding which I was kinda thankful for as it cost around $250 and apparently wasnt worht that sort of cash. Went for a 25km bike ride through all the ski field areas (not filed with snow of course) and had a BBQ lunch which was awesome.
Got pretty shitfaced 2 nights back and spewed everywhere. Craig got it on camera which was just lovely. Funny though. I think the next day poor nathan was more hung over than me because I got rid of most of my alcohol.
Just before, I went white water rafting through the Austrian rivers. I was at the front of the boat which means I get all the water / fun. It was awesome. It took about an hour and a half and was a grade 3 river which i basically a semi-beginner river. Still hit some huge rapids.
Right now though, I am in Munich. Just chilling out for a bit before we head to a Beer Hall tonight for some stein drinking. I think the boys all want to have a skulling comp so we shall see how that goes.
Other than that - not much else to report. I have a pretty good idea of what places I would like to travel to after this so I will have to go about putting some sort of list together and sorting that out.
Austria was pretty amazing. A lot of the landscape etc looked a hell of a lot like NZ and it was in Austria where we got into the more sporty side of things. Because of my ankle (which is healing good by the way, thanks for asking) I only had to miss out on the paragliding which I was kinda thankful for as it cost around $250 and apparently wasnt worht that sort of cash. Went for a 25km bike ride through all the ski field areas (not filed with snow of course) and had a BBQ lunch which was awesome.
Got pretty shitfaced 2 nights back and spewed everywhere. Craig got it on camera which was just lovely. Funny though. I think the next day poor nathan was more hung over than me because I got rid of most of my alcohol.
Just before, I went white water rafting through the Austrian rivers. I was at the front of the boat which means I get all the water / fun. It was awesome. It took about an hour and a half and was a grade 3 river which i basically a semi-beginner river. Still hit some huge rapids.
Right now though, I am in Munich. Just chilling out for a bit before we head to a Beer Hall tonight for some stein drinking. I think the boys all want to have a skulling comp so we shall see how that goes.
Other than that - not much else to report. I have a pretty good idea of what places I would like to travel to after this so I will have to go about putting some sort of list together and sorting that out.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Croatia
Croatia is amazing
Definatley a place I want to come back and visit.
Afetr I sent the lost post, we went for a tour around the old city side of Dubrovonik and it was literally a camera stop every 5 steps. Really cool. We then all jumped on some boats and went island hopping.
This is where I have some bad news.
I pulled a back flip off some wall and landing comfortably on some soft sand. Everyone was like wow and they all said do it again, do it again, we want to get it on camera.
I said - if i get hurt from this I will not be happy. As I landed I went toes first and my heels snapped back into the sand. It hurt for a bit but I walked it off after screaming a rather loud profanity. It was all good until the next day when I had a look at the thing in the morning and noticed it was all black and swollen to twice the size. As you can expect - i was not happy.
I had to go to a Croatian hospital and have a whole bunch of xrays done which took ages - into the early hours of the next morning and cost me $150 for it all. The verdict is that I have basically got a serious sprain and bruised my tendon - which isnt really as bad as it sounds but is still rather uncomfortable when walking. Basically I now take twice as long to get anywhere as anyone else and I truly am NOT HAPPY with my stupid self. I have made a mental note not to do anything stupid ever again.
So bad news I guess but hopefully I will be walking round on it properly in a few days. I know Mum is reading this now going oh no, oh no but dont worry mum. Happy mothers day by the way.
I am in Slovenia now after spending a bit of time in zadar (another Croatian city). Going to Austria tomorrow as I have found out.
Some good news is that I may be going to egypt sooner than expected as they have a good deal going on at the moment which is 15 days with everything included (travel, accomodation etc) and they take you down the Nile and spending 5 days in a resort for roughly $1000 so not a bad deal at all.
Will no doubt be hearing from mum or dad soon but hope everyone else is taking care
Definatley a place I want to come back and visit.
Afetr I sent the lost post, we went for a tour around the old city side of Dubrovonik and it was literally a camera stop every 5 steps. Really cool. We then all jumped on some boats and went island hopping.
This is where I have some bad news.
I pulled a back flip off some wall and landing comfortably on some soft sand. Everyone was like wow and they all said do it again, do it again, we want to get it on camera.
I said - if i get hurt from this I will not be happy. As I landed I went toes first and my heels snapped back into the sand. It hurt for a bit but I walked it off after screaming a rather loud profanity. It was all good until the next day when I had a look at the thing in the morning and noticed it was all black and swollen to twice the size. As you can expect - i was not happy.
I had to go to a Croatian hospital and have a whole bunch of xrays done which took ages - into the early hours of the next morning and cost me $150 for it all. The verdict is that I have basically got a serious sprain and bruised my tendon - which isnt really as bad as it sounds but is still rather uncomfortable when walking. Basically I now take twice as long to get anywhere as anyone else and I truly am NOT HAPPY with my stupid self. I have made a mental note not to do anything stupid ever again.
So bad news I guess but hopefully I will be walking round on it properly in a few days. I know Mum is reading this now going oh no, oh no but dont worry mum. Happy mothers day by the way.
I am in Slovenia now after spending a bit of time in zadar (another Croatian city). Going to Austria tomorrow as I have found out.
Some good news is that I may be going to egypt sooner than expected as they have a good deal going on at the moment which is 15 days with everything included (travel, accomodation etc) and they take you down the Nile and spending 5 days in a resort for roughly $1000 so not a bad deal at all.
Will no doubt be hearing from mum or dad soon but hope everyone else is taking care
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Country skipping
Well.
We are pretty tired now. We have done about 30 hours of travelling over the past 3 days and it is making everyone just that little bit cranky.
its all good now though.
so from the greek islands we travelled on a super fast ferry to get back to the mainland. one that almost everyone spewed on. one person spewed when the boat was still docked. haha. chumps.
i didnt spew
we stayed a further night in greece before heading to albania. now with myself already having gone to india, things were not that bad for me but a few people were quite shocked at how poor the country was. rubbish everywhere. Sheep getting killed on the side of the road etc. A far cry from the beautiful Mykonos.
We stayed a night in Albania (one were I got my own room which was sweet). and then headed to Montenegro. When we were in Albania Craig, Nathan and I went to a wine store and Craig ended up getting the store owners number so he and nathan went out to ALBANIA AT NIGHT (!!!!) to try to meet her and her sister. haha. classic. they still have their kidneys so thats alright.
Montenegro is stunning and i wish we had spent longer there. Now we are in Croatia which is just as stunning. Went out to the clubs last night and now I am heading to the old town of Dubrovinik which is amazing.
going on a boat cruise around the islands soon which comes with more alcohol on board. haha.
anyway gotta go. heading to ..................... vienna next. i think. the days are becoming a blur.
We are pretty tired now. We have done about 30 hours of travelling over the past 3 days and it is making everyone just that little bit cranky.
its all good now though.
so from the greek islands we travelled on a super fast ferry to get back to the mainland. one that almost everyone spewed on. one person spewed when the boat was still docked. haha. chumps.
i didnt spew
we stayed a further night in greece before heading to albania. now with myself already having gone to india, things were not that bad for me but a few people were quite shocked at how poor the country was. rubbish everywhere. Sheep getting killed on the side of the road etc. A far cry from the beautiful Mykonos.
We stayed a night in Albania (one were I got my own room which was sweet). and then headed to Montenegro. When we were in Albania Craig, Nathan and I went to a wine store and Craig ended up getting the store owners number so he and nathan went out to ALBANIA AT NIGHT (!!!!) to try to meet her and her sister. haha. classic. they still have their kidneys so thats alright.
Montenegro is stunning and i wish we had spent longer there. Now we are in Croatia which is just as stunning. Went out to the clubs last night and now I am heading to the old town of Dubrovinik which is amazing.
going on a boat cruise around the islands soon which comes with more alcohol on board. haha.
anyway gotta go. heading to ..................... vienna next. i think. the days are becoming a blur.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Greek Islands
So from Rome we have now travelled via an overnight ferry into Greece.
We had a bit of a turn around with our schedule because of the greek holidays and ended up spending a few hours in Athens (which was more than enough) and then heading to Mykonons ( a greek island ) for an extra night which was very welcome.
It is so relaxing here. We have spent our days chilling by the pool and getting a tan which happens much more easily ( and less painfully ) than the tan you get in NZ. Aparently Mykonos is known as the 'gay' island so me and a few boys dressed up super gay last night hoping to get some free drinks but it just didnt happen. Damn it.
Oh yeah, back to Athens. We saw the Acropolis and Partheon and all that other stuff which was cool but it was mainly covered in scaffolding so that let it down a bit.
Right now I am about to head to a place in Mykonos called 'Paradise Beach" which is meant to be the main party place on the island so looking forward to it. I think I am building up a resilience for alcohol.
Oh yeah again. Went a did a bit more of Rome and that place is sick. Fully sick. We are all getting pretty close on this Contiki group. A few relationships forming and what not. A few arguementsa happening also. Those bloody aussies - all they can do is complain. "My pizza doesnt have enough salami", "my feet hurt", blah blah blah. Luckily I am somewhat tolerant, however I am so close to punching one in the face. These things happen in close confines though.
Alright. I better go and hit some more alcohol. I guess.
Will look to post photos on facebook tomorrow if the internet is still working.
Oh yeah I forgot about one of the old posts. I forgot to mention that Nathan won 160 euro at the monte carlo casino. Good on him. High rolla.
Talk soon
We had a bit of a turn around with our schedule because of the greek holidays and ended up spending a few hours in Athens (which was more than enough) and then heading to Mykonons ( a greek island ) for an extra night which was very welcome.
It is so relaxing here. We have spent our days chilling by the pool and getting a tan which happens much more easily ( and less painfully ) than the tan you get in NZ. Aparently Mykonos is known as the 'gay' island so me and a few boys dressed up super gay last night hoping to get some free drinks but it just didnt happen. Damn it.
Oh yeah, back to Athens. We saw the Acropolis and Partheon and all that other stuff which was cool but it was mainly covered in scaffolding so that let it down a bit.
Right now I am about to head to a place in Mykonos called 'Paradise Beach" which is meant to be the main party place on the island so looking forward to it. I think I am building up a resilience for alcohol.
Oh yeah again. Went a did a bit more of Rome and that place is sick. Fully sick. We are all getting pretty close on this Contiki group. A few relationships forming and what not. A few arguementsa happening also. Those bloody aussies - all they can do is complain. "My pizza doesnt have enough salami", "my feet hurt", blah blah blah. Luckily I am somewhat tolerant, however I am so close to punching one in the face. These things happen in close confines though.
Alright. I better go and hit some more alcohol. I guess.
Will look to post photos on facebook tomorrow if the internet is still working.
Oh yeah I forgot about one of the old posts. I forgot to mention that Nathan won 160 euro at the monte carlo casino. Good on him. High rolla.
Talk soon
Monday, April 27, 2009
2 posts ion 2 days!!!
Wow. How about that.
So I am in Rome now and it is unbelievabubble. Checked out all the main attractions today and will be doing the Vatican tomorrow.
We head off to Greece in a few days and to the greek islands for a sort of holiday within a holiday which will be nice. Had a huge night last night that got pretty messy and I have some great photos but havent had the time to upload any yet so stay tuned for that.
Me and a few boys didnt want to pay 30 euro for a big dinner so we went out by ourselves and strolled around florence at night. Awesome. I am bleeding money here though. Gone through $1500 already and dont have much to show for it. The conversion rate sucks. Brought a stein of beer the other day which worked out to roughly $30!!!
Anyway I had better get this post off before my internet time runs o
So I am in Rome now and it is unbelievabubble. Checked out all the main attractions today and will be doing the Vatican tomorrow.
We head off to Greece in a few days and to the greek islands for a sort of holiday within a holiday which will be nice. Had a huge night last night that got pretty messy and I have some great photos but havent had the time to upload any yet so stay tuned for that.
Me and a few boys didnt want to pay 30 euro for a big dinner so we went out by ourselves and strolled around florence at night. Awesome. I am bleeding money here though. Gone through $1500 already and dont have much to show for it. The conversion rate sucks. Brought a stein of beer the other day which worked out to roughly $30!!!
Anyway I had better get this post off before my internet time runs o
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Italia
Sorry. It has been a while since I have had a chance to update this.
I dont have much time on this either so I have to keep this short.
From Barcelona we went back through Southern France to the Antibes area. Nice was absolutely beautiful. We travelled to Monaco to it the casinos that night and had a blast. We then headed through to Italy where we stayed 2 nights in Venice which was just as magnificent. Travelled down through Pisa to Florence just yesterday but have had some hiccups here. A couple of the cabins got broken into and a lot of the girls things got stolen including cameras, cash, laptops and passports. Tears flooded the area. We got through alright in our cabin but it was a wake up call. Add to that some shocking rain today and it has left a dampen on our florence visit.
Havent had a day yet when we havent been drinking. It pretty full on. We are living off 4 hours sleep a night and are hungover every morning. Its fun but tiring.
Shitttt. Time is running out. Ummm, we are heading to Rome next and then off to Greece I think after that. I designed the contiki tshirt which was pretty sweet and everyone really enjoys it
Gotta go. Talk soon
I dont have much time on this either so I have to keep this short.
From Barcelona we went back through Southern France to the Antibes area. Nice was absolutely beautiful. We travelled to Monaco to it the casinos that night and had a blast. We then headed through to Italy where we stayed 2 nights in Venice which was just as magnificent. Travelled down through Pisa to Florence just yesterday but have had some hiccups here. A couple of the cabins got broken into and a lot of the girls things got stolen including cameras, cash, laptops and passports. Tears flooded the area. We got through alright in our cabin but it was a wake up call. Add to that some shocking rain today and it has left a dampen on our florence visit.
Havent had a day yet when we havent been drinking. It pretty full on. We are living off 4 hours sleep a night and are hungover every morning. Its fun but tiring.
Shitttt. Time is running out. Ummm, we are heading to Rome next and then off to Greece I think after that. I designed the contiki tshirt which was pretty sweet and everyone really enjoys it
Gotta go. Talk soon
Monday, April 20, 2009
Es Spainio
Well Hello Again
It has been a short while since I have been able to attack the ol' internet. Truth is - I am having the time of my life.....
The night before Contiki, Nathan and I decided to enter a quiz competetition with a few peps from the hostel. Long story, short. We won the bloody thing. Which meant. 4 jugs of beer and cocktails for us to finish off in a few hours.
We got to bed at about 3 and woke up at 5 to head to the Contiki crew. We were pretty wasted.
The other travellers on the trip are great fun. Really good fun actually. There are precisely 5 Candaians, 5 New Zealanders, and 28 Aussies!!!. We are slightly outnumbered so we dont pull off hakas or nothin'. Honest guv'
We hit sweet Pari' first off, which I had already gone to so i automatically became the guy on tour to follow. I got some props from eating the first snail also. 3 nights in Pairs became 2 long nights in the contiki chateau in the awesome beaugolouis wine region which was mind blowing. We took picnic baskets up to 'the top of the world' and munched out. We had a massive party which the theme was 'P' so you had to dress up as something beginning with P. I went as a porn star by borrowing a stokcing from one of the girls and filling it with my gyn shorts. You can imagine what i did with it i guess. Haha
Now we are in Barcelona where I can finally hit the net. Saw a whole lot of Gaudi today which was mindblowing to say the least. Riduclous, I have had some props from beinbg an architect and everyone is asking me about different buildings with an amazed look on their faces. Its friggin' sweet.
Met a really cool guy called Craig and we are going to do a bit more of amsterdam after this. Nathan is absolutley loving it. I can see it on his face.
Ok. till next time. Check out my faccebook page in a wee bit for some pics.
Blair
It has been a short while since I have been able to attack the ol' internet. Truth is - I am having the time of my life.....
The night before Contiki, Nathan and I decided to enter a quiz competetition with a few peps from the hostel. Long story, short. We won the bloody thing. Which meant. 4 jugs of beer and cocktails for us to finish off in a few hours.
We got to bed at about 3 and woke up at 5 to head to the Contiki crew. We were pretty wasted.
The other travellers on the trip are great fun. Really good fun actually. There are precisely 5 Candaians, 5 New Zealanders, and 28 Aussies!!!. We are slightly outnumbered so we dont pull off hakas or nothin'. Honest guv'
We hit sweet Pari' first off, which I had already gone to so i automatically became the guy on tour to follow. I got some props from eating the first snail also. 3 nights in Pairs became 2 long nights in the contiki chateau in the awesome beaugolouis wine region which was mind blowing. We took picnic baskets up to 'the top of the world' and munched out. We had a massive party which the theme was 'P' so you had to dress up as something beginning with P. I went as a porn star by borrowing a stokcing from one of the girls and filling it with my gyn shorts. You can imagine what i did with it i guess. Haha
Now we are in Barcelona where I can finally hit the net. Saw a whole lot of Gaudi today which was mindblowing to say the least. Riduclous, I have had some props from beinbg an architect and everyone is asking me about different buildings with an amazed look on their faces. Its friggin' sweet.
Met a really cool guy called Craig and we are going to do a bit more of amsterdam after this. Nathan is absolutley loving it. I can see it on his face.
Ok. till next time. Check out my faccebook page in a wee bit for some pics.
Blair
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Transient Life Begins
Wow, it has been a while since I have added to this.
The trip started off on a bad note by the airport wanting me to pay $150 for a fee that I had already paid for which was a bit shit but apparently I can get it back from my travel agent so all good.
I should have really done my math on my flight times. It turned out that I spent 37 hours in total on travel time which was exhausting to say the least. Met up with a guy called Mike on the flight who was good to waste the hours away with. Stopped for 10 hours in Brunei which was possibly the most boring time of my life. I ended up playing hacky sac by myself and talking to the cleaner about how it was kind of like soccer. Had a short stop over in Dubai also, which allowed me to see all the large buildings that are going up over there. The 800m high tower that is nearly completed is insanely huge. Insanely!!
Arrived in London, got through customs on the visa extremely easily and met up with Nathan quite easily also. We have spent most of today checking out all the sights and trying to stay awake till bed time to avoid a bad jet lag. Went on the London eye again (which I really didnt need to do) and saw St Pauls, the Tate Modern, the British museum, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The usual.
Heaps of Tourists around because of the easter hoilday. Going to keep this initial blog pretty short as I dont really have to much to say and just wanted to kick it all off. Till next time.
The trip started off on a bad note by the airport wanting me to pay $150 for a fee that I had already paid for which was a bit shit but apparently I can get it back from my travel agent so all good.
I should have really done my math on my flight times. It turned out that I spent 37 hours in total on travel time which was exhausting to say the least. Met up with a guy called Mike on the flight who was good to waste the hours away with. Stopped for 10 hours in Brunei which was possibly the most boring time of my life. I ended up playing hacky sac by myself and talking to the cleaner about how it was kind of like soccer. Had a short stop over in Dubai also, which allowed me to see all the large buildings that are going up over there. The 800m high tower that is nearly completed is insanely huge. Insanely!!
Arrived in London, got through customs on the visa extremely easily and met up with Nathan quite easily also. We have spent most of today checking out all the sights and trying to stay awake till bed time to avoid a bad jet lag. Went on the London eye again (which I really didnt need to do) and saw St Pauls, the Tate Modern, the British museum, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The usual.
Heaps of Tourists around because of the easter hoilday. Going to keep this initial blog pretty short as I dont really have to much to say and just wanted to kick it all off. Till next time.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The last blog of the trip
Well. Tomorrow we head back to NZ.
It has been a great trip and we have seen some amazing things. Looks like our carry on bags are going to be massively overweight just so we can get everything back home.
Today in Bangkok, we went to go see the Grand Palace but it was closed as today is one of the only days in the year that it is only for Thai people. We met this thai person and got talking and he told us all these other places we should go see - some were only open to the public today so it is quite rare that we can actually see them. This guy even sorted out a tuk tuk driver for us and haggled him down to us paying nothing at all for the ride. The guy dropped us off at each stop and waited around for us to come out and everything. I asked him why he would do this for free and he stated that if we go to the export market (a precious stones market and shop - which we wanted to do anyway) he gets a petrol voucher so he was really happy.
It was so hot today. Around 40 degrees. When we flew in a few days back the pilot said it was around 35 degrees and we thought that was hot. Add the humidity into things and it is ridiculous. So today we nearly sweated ourselves to death. So hot.
Thats about all. I will be back in NZ at around 9:30 on saturday morning.
It has been a great trip and we have seen some amazing things. Looks like our carry on bags are going to be massively overweight just so we can get everything back home.
Today in Bangkok, we went to go see the Grand Palace but it was closed as today is one of the only days in the year that it is only for Thai people. We met this thai person and got talking and he told us all these other places we should go see - some were only open to the public today so it is quite rare that we can actually see them. This guy even sorted out a tuk tuk driver for us and haggled him down to us paying nothing at all for the ride. The guy dropped us off at each stop and waited around for us to come out and everything. I asked him why he would do this for free and he stated that if we go to the export market (a precious stones market and shop - which we wanted to do anyway) he gets a petrol voucher so he was really happy.
It was so hot today. Around 40 degrees. When we flew in a few days back the pilot said it was around 35 degrees and we thought that was hot. Add the humidity into things and it is ridiculous. So today we nearly sweated ourselves to death. So hot.
Thats about all. I will be back in NZ at around 9:30 on saturday morning.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
oh and by the way
Go the Blackcaps
What an insane series. I amangaed to watch the second agme and I thought " This cant get any better".
Looks like they proved me wrong
Bring on the world cup (and virtual cricket for that matter - anyone heard anything abou that yet?)
What an insane series. I amangaed to watch the second agme and I thought " This cant get any better".
Looks like they proved me wrong
Bring on the world cup (and virtual cricket for that matter - anyone heard anything abou that yet?)
One night in Bangkok and the worlds your oyster...
Well. We left London a day ago and it was pretty sad. Such a nice place and nice people we were staying with.
The flight to Bangkok was fine. I basically went unconcious because of my cold that I had and slept through most of the flight. Booya.
In bangkok now. I love this place. Took the cab driver over 2 hours to drive us from the airport to our hotel (new airport too - really nice architecture) and we paid him the equivilant of $8 each. Insane. I gave him a $4 tip because I thought why the hell not and the guy got so happy and was shaking my hand and stuff.
Already brought 6 CD's. So sweet.
If anyone wantsa me to get them any cds or anything then send me an email real quick because I will only be checking them one more time before I head home. You can basically get anything you want. I think that goes for DVD's as well. Oh yeah and they have random compilations likle the best of Snow Patrol, and the best of James Blunt (hasn't he only had 1 album?).
We have got no room left in our bags for purchases so we are throwing out some of our old clothes.
About to hit the mall district, get on the piss tonight and head to the floating markets tomorrow and as well as the grand palace.
New photos up on Ringo!!!!
The flight to Bangkok was fine. I basically went unconcious because of my cold that I had and slept through most of the flight. Booya.
In bangkok now. I love this place. Took the cab driver over 2 hours to drive us from the airport to our hotel (new airport too - really nice architecture) and we paid him the equivilant of $8 each. Insane. I gave him a $4 tip because I thought why the hell not and the guy got so happy and was shaking my hand and stuff.
Already brought 6 CD's. So sweet.
If anyone wantsa me to get them any cds or anything then send me an email real quick because I will only be checking them one more time before I head home. You can basically get anything you want. I think that goes for DVD's as well. Oh yeah and they have random compilations likle the best of Snow Patrol, and the best of James Blunt (hasn't he only had 1 album?).
We have got no room left in our bags for purchases so we are throwing out some of our old clothes.
About to hit the mall district, get on the piss tonight and head to the floating markets tomorrow and as well as the grand palace.
New photos up on Ringo!!!!
Friday, February 16, 2007
St Valentines
After all that stuff we did on Valentines day we thought we may as well treat ourselves to a really nice dinner. As we also thought we were quite stupid to miss out on proper spainish cuisine when we were there, we thought we wont do it with France.
So we ate some snails. They aren't bad at all, thoguh ours were heavily coated in garlic.
After that we went to the Eiffel Tower around 9pm and travelled up it. It is massive. Like really massive. And when you are in an elevator with glass walls and it just keeps taking you up, it does get a bit like a theme park ride. Sarah was shitting herself.
The view was amazing and they had little distance flags placed around the perimeter showing you what direction and how far away major cities of the world were. We were pretty impressed to find Wellington was the furhterest away out of all of them at nearly 19000 kms.
On the thursday we went to the arc de triomphe which is basically a massive roundabout. There is about 6 lanes of traffic constantly going around it and no road markings. Just as sarah was saying "I cannot believe they dont have accidents" we saw a guy on a moterbike get slammed by a car. He went soaring through the air and did a pretty mean flip. Hope he is alright.
Also went back to the Eiffel Tower to get some daytime photos and visited the Pantheon.
Its funny about Europe. They got the same shit over here that we got back home except over here its just a little different.
Example
- You can get beer basically anywhere. Most vending machines just in the street have beer in them and no real age control thing to stop underage kids buying it.
- Cops are everywhere and they have every form of transport. I am not kidding but yesterday we saw a pack of cops in police issued roller blades. There is also at least one cop on every street corner and thy just stand around really
- A big macs a big mac but they call it Le Big Mac
So we ate some snails. They aren't bad at all, thoguh ours were heavily coated in garlic.
After that we went to the Eiffel Tower around 9pm and travelled up it. It is massive. Like really massive. And when you are in an elevator with glass walls and it just keeps taking you up, it does get a bit like a theme park ride. Sarah was shitting herself.
The view was amazing and they had little distance flags placed around the perimeter showing you what direction and how far away major cities of the world were. We were pretty impressed to find Wellington was the furhterest away out of all of them at nearly 19000 kms.
On the thursday we went to the arc de triomphe which is basically a massive roundabout. There is about 6 lanes of traffic constantly going around it and no road markings. Just as sarah was saying "I cannot believe they dont have accidents" we saw a guy on a moterbike get slammed by a car. He went soaring through the air and did a pretty mean flip. Hope he is alright.
Also went back to the Eiffel Tower to get some daytime photos and visited the Pantheon.
Its funny about Europe. They got the same shit over here that we got back home except over here its just a little different.
Example
- You can get beer basically anywhere. Most vending machines just in the street have beer in them and no real age control thing to stop underage kids buying it.
- Cops are everywhere and they have every form of transport. I am not kidding but yesterday we saw a pack of cops in police issued roller blades. There is also at least one cop on every street corner and thy just stand around really
- A big macs a big mac but they call it Le Big Mac
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
On sunday Sarah and I made our way out to see Canterbury Catherdal as Tim wa going in those directions anyway. The place was huge and is apparently the most spectacular church in all of Britain. It was pretty cool and had been added onto over the years so it had all different styles happening all through it.
Monday was a big day. We got an all day travel pass and went all over trying to nip the things that I have to do for this scholarship in the bud. Went to the natural History Museum first though which was pretty cool to see dinosaur skeletons and such. Didnt see a T-rex however. It alluded me.
Went out to Greenwich area and saw the Millenium Dome and the Millenium Village and West Silvertown (they weren't that exciting from a tourist perspective but I got what I needed from it for my lecture.
Yesterday we jumped aboard the Eurostar ( a bullet train) and headed to France via the english channel. On the english side the train chugged along at about 100 kms per hour but once they got through the tunnel into France (where there is no speed limit for trains really) he wound the thing up and we must have been going about 300 kms an hour easy. Pretty sweet.
Arrived into Paris at around 5pm and went and had a walk through the streets. I think I like Paris even more than I do London. Saw the Grand Opera House - a building that actually combines the styles of romanticism and classicism (two styles thought opposite at the time).
Today we grabbed some train tickets and headed to see the Lourve. For some reason they were letting everyone in for free so we were stoked not to pay (and we had to get out of the rain). Ching ching. Saw the Mona Lisa which really is all it is cracked up to be. It was pretty cool. Also saw the Venus de Milo and had a walk through the whole place. Had no idea it was actually as large as it is. It would be a good 700m - to a kilometer to walk from one end of the building to the other.
Also just went and saw the Pompidou Centre and Notre Dame Cathedral which was also pretty cool. Say a guy paint the Che Guevara head blindholded and from behind the page. It was pretty sweet so I snapped some photos.
Not much happening now. The weather is really packing up so we are going to head back to the hostel. Just got notcie that I have to move out of my flat which pains me so I will be hitting the flat websites and newspapers when I get home - unless any of you know of a room?
Monday was a big day. We got an all day travel pass and went all over trying to nip the things that I have to do for this scholarship in the bud. Went to the natural History Museum first though which was pretty cool to see dinosaur skeletons and such. Didnt see a T-rex however. It alluded me.
Went out to Greenwich area and saw the Millenium Dome and the Millenium Village and West Silvertown (they weren't that exciting from a tourist perspective but I got what I needed from it for my lecture.
Yesterday we jumped aboard the Eurostar ( a bullet train) and headed to France via the english channel. On the english side the train chugged along at about 100 kms per hour but once they got through the tunnel into France (where there is no speed limit for trains really) he wound the thing up and we must have been going about 300 kms an hour easy. Pretty sweet.
Arrived into Paris at around 5pm and went and had a walk through the streets. I think I like Paris even more than I do London. Saw the Grand Opera House - a building that actually combines the styles of romanticism and classicism (two styles thought opposite at the time).
Today we grabbed some train tickets and headed to see the Lourve. For some reason they were letting everyone in for free so we were stoked not to pay (and we had to get out of the rain). Ching ching. Saw the Mona Lisa which really is all it is cracked up to be. It was pretty cool. Also saw the Venus de Milo and had a walk through the whole place. Had no idea it was actually as large as it is. It would be a good 700m - to a kilometer to walk from one end of the building to the other.
Also just went and saw the Pompidou Centre and Notre Dame Cathedral which was also pretty cool. Say a guy paint the Che Guevara head blindholded and from behind the page. It was pretty sweet so I snapped some photos.
Not much happening now. The weather is really packing up so we are going to head back to the hostel. Just got notcie that I have to move out of my flat which pains me so I will be hitting the flat websites and newspapers when I get home - unless any of you know of a room?
Saturday, February 10, 2007
More photos on Web
Just uploaded some more pics:
http://www.ringo.com/profile/blairparkinson.html
Oh yeah - and we went to Piccadilly Circus. It was pretty cool but not sure what the big deal is all about
http://www.ringo.com/profile/blairparkinson.html
Oh yeah - and we went to Piccadilly Circus. It was pretty cool but not sure what the big deal is all about
Back in London
We travelled back to London on Thursday and were lucky to get out as they were clsoing airports all over because it was snowing everywhere. Tim and Mel (the people we were staying with) were going to be out for the night so Sarah and I grabbed a hostel in the centre of London hoping to hit the streets that night to check out the nightlife. We got a fair way out of the door before we realised that being numb from head to toe probably wasn't the best mood to be in to party down.
The hostel itself was expensive and pretty shit. The room was the size of our linen cupboard back home.
That friday we went and checked out the National Gallery which was all pretty awesome. They had alot of paintings from da vinci, michelangelo, rembrandt, picasso and van gogh. We lost time there and realised that we had been wandering around for a good four hours. My favourtie artist on exhibition was probably Monet. His paintings looked like squiggles up close but when you stood a good 6m away you could see an amazing amount of detail. I literally have no idea how he painted them. He must have used a 6m painting brush or something.
Today we went to the biggest mall in Europe which was quite true to its title. It was insanly large. The carpark alone was about twice that of Bayfair. There was a pretty sweet lego store and I was tempted to purchase a pretty large lego batmobile but my consience steered me away from it.
Just got back from another pub (the amount of pubs and beers I have had over here in the few short days is pretty crazy). They had a beer which was infused or something so that it had a raw cherry or strawberry flavour and didnt taste too bad. The bad thing was that it cost about $15.
Going to Canterbury tomorrow to check it out whilst Tim and Mel play some touch and then back off into central london on Monday before Paris on Tuesday
The hostel itself was expensive and pretty shit. The room was the size of our linen cupboard back home.
That friday we went and checked out the National Gallery which was all pretty awesome. They had alot of paintings from da vinci, michelangelo, rembrandt, picasso and van gogh. We lost time there and realised that we had been wandering around for a good four hours. My favourtie artist on exhibition was probably Monet. His paintings looked like squiggles up close but when you stood a good 6m away you could see an amazing amount of detail. I literally have no idea how he painted them. He must have used a 6m painting brush or something.
Today we went to the biggest mall in Europe which was quite true to its title. It was insanly large. The carpark alone was about twice that of Bayfair. There was a pretty sweet lego store and I was tempted to purchase a pretty large lego batmobile but my consience steered me away from it.
Just got back from another pub (the amount of pubs and beers I have had over here in the few short days is pretty crazy). They had a beer which was infused or something so that it had a raw cherry or strawberry flavour and didnt taste too bad. The bad thing was that it cost about $15.
Going to Canterbury tomorrow to check it out whilst Tim and Mel play some touch and then back off into central london on Monday before Paris on Tuesday
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