Traveloblooogle!

Mega Update Man

2006-12-17T07:24:00.000+13:00

Well its been a few months since my last post.
Clearly a poor effort.

Here is what has happened since last we spoke.

- Went to Wales to watch the All Blacks. They won (good) and didn't do the haka (very bad)
- Have got a job at BBC Worldwide. It is super sweet.
- I have found a flat (65 Mordaunt Street, SW99RE) with nice people
- Went and saw Gomez! They were great.

Things coming up:

- Christmas!
- New Years in France
- Hamish's wedding
- Massive Attack
- Bob Dylan
- Muse
- Americas Cup

Short and sweet eh?

Its over!

2006-10-07T00:03:00.000+13:00

I'm in London now.
And its raining.

I'm going to Graham's tomorrow, so until then.... See ya...

Its the Heidelist of the Bergs

2006-10-03T02:02:00.000+13:00

I'm in Heidelberg! Which is kind of boring actually - but I have hardly given it much of a chance so I can't complain.

Right, well there is only a couple of days of the tour left so London issues are now coming to the forefront. Of immediate concern are:

- I need a flat.
- I need a job.
- I need to clean myself and everything I own at least twice.
- I need a computer.
- I need clothes.
- I need to complete my bank account application.
- I need to sleep for at least 4 days continuously.

Thankfully, I have somewhere to stay in the short-term (thanks Graham!) to sort these measily little triffling details out.

So only Amsterdam left now... What a way to finish! If I don't survive tell my Mum I said hi.

You know what Heidelberg smells like? I newly opened packet of Paprika Pretzels.

What is work again? I have forgotten.

2006-09-25T22:44:00.000+12:00

The tour ends next week. Very sad. Back to the realities of living and working...
But I am excited as well. Living in a big old cosmopolitan city like London should be just fantabulous.

So where have I been since last time... Well my previous post won't load so I am guessing Dubrovnik was the last place.

OK... right it will be Hungary then. We went to Budapest which is very, very cool. Like a little mini Paris. We went on a night cruise which took us along the Danube with all the major buildings and monuments lit up. Awesome.

Now we are in Vienna which is quite similar. Went on a horse and carriage ride and a Mozart concert last night...

Basically life is slowing down. Everyone is so completely shot it is harilious.

- So far we have broken every single campground noise cerfew and almost got arrested last night..
- The tour really is ending with a bang. Swiss alps, beer fest, amsterdam... Should be epic.
- If I could sleep for a week right now, I would.

Sorry thats all I have the energy for right now. More churches etc beckon once more.

Did you know Vienna smells like the last bit of triple action toothpaste stuck to a carrot? Weird but true.

Anyone have any spare cough syrup?

2006-09-20T20:10:00.000+12:00

Well, I told you I would have some stories to tell...

The first thing we did when we entered Turkey was to visit Gallipoli.
The experience there was quite unlike anything so far. As you can imagine, the place is just the most insane rugged coastline. All around are dotted monuments and cemeteries, but it is all very understated and simple. Essentially you can feel the history of the place around you. The wind was howling and everything echoed to the sounds of flags and the sea.

Everyone could sense the memories of the soldiers around then and the ANZAC spirit was suddenly very real.

Coolness basically.

Then we were off to Troie (Troy). It wasn't disappointed, but it was hardly amazing either. The mix of history and legend was fascinating, but for once I couldn't really connect what I was seeing to the history I knew was behind it. And it was very small and unassuming. Yet another once in a lifetime experience though.

Off to Istanbul then. We visited a couple of palaces and then went to a Turkish bath. If having a huge Turkish man twisting and stretching me beyond recognition doesn't sound like a barrel of laughs.... well it wasn't that traumatic.... Then I had a shave and haircut that took and hour and was the most bizarrely intricate grooming experience I have ever endured! It featured a lighter burning hairs off my ears.

Next was Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania. I knew we were going to go to some “tricky” countries, but oh my god.... Albania in particular was madness. If I said Kavala was Mexico, well Albania was probably India. The whole place was incredibly run down with broken streets, decrepit buildings, animals being slaughtered on the street... Everything. We saw a cow being put into a taxi. What made it worse was Willem (one of the South African guys) was denied entry and have to fly around to Croatia. Then we got to the “resort” we were staying to be met with a thunderstorm and leaky rooms. Thank god it was a tent-less night.

That night we also went to the resort disco and partied with.... wait for it... about a dozen paraplegic Albanians in wheelchairs. If I have a more bizarre experience in my life I will be very, very surprised. And it was also one of the Emmas 25th birthday. A story for the grandchildren.

And now we are in Croatia - Dubrovnik actually. The feeling of being back in civilisation is such a relief. Hot showers and seated toilets are an indescribable luxury. Just about to wander around Dubrovnik now – it is a tiny little walled city with a similar feel to Venice so that should be cool.

Random thoughts:
- I never once ate Turkey whilst in Turkey which was a huge disappointment. I did, however have Turka Cola.
- I never, ever, ever, want to have diahrea in Albania ever again. Ever.
- The toilet facilities found on most national borders must verge on acts of terrorism.
- Kirsty - when is a good time to call you on your birthday? I am going to try - depends on when we are traveling. Text me the answer!
- About half of the worlds artifacts have been stolen by the British Museum, and as a result there are a lot of very pissed off local tour guides out there.
- For some reason there is almost constant lightening every night in the Balkans. Why?!!!? I have become convinced it is actually some form of shelling from Serbia.
- Have you ever had lunch at an Irish pub in Macedonia where they could hardly even speak English? I have!

This is so fun! So many memories already...
I hope everyone has the best ever presents for Kirsty!

And yes, Albania does smell like a dead whale that has been eating too much garlic. And for once I didn't make that up.

Hey Mindy and Kirsty - if either of you wants cornflakes or homeless guys to eat in the morning, just come to me. I have heaps of both that I picked up in a nice place in Albania. No shortage of scabies. Or gypsy babies.

Still no Turkey though.

We're not in Toto any more Kansas

2006-09-13T05:24:00.000+12:00

Well tomorrow we enter Turkey.
This is the first part of the trip where things get a bit hairy.

Like we will probably be searched at the border, need visas etc.
Except me! Everyone loves a New Zealander. The South Africans needed to buy about 400 pounds worth of visas and we need nothing... It is fun being from a friendly country.

Today I am in Kavala. So far the most notable thing has been that it looks like what I imagine Mexico to look and I passed a dead cat on the way to this internet cafe. The other guys in the cafe have mullets. I think hicksville Greece probably sums it up.

I am almost half way through the trip, which is kind of exciting and sad too. Heaps to go, with lots of really interesting stuff. I have no idea what to expect from the eastern block countries, so I am hoping for loads of cool surprises.

Yesterday we visted Athens and saw the Parthenon (not to be confused with the Panthenon in Rome) at Acropolis and Zeus's Temple etc. They aren't exactly spectacular, but it is hard to escape from the fact those places are thousands of years old and there they are standing right in from of you and will probably stay standing there for another thousand years.

Nothing much else to report. I should have lots more stories in the next few weeks...

Jasu!

I'm hotter than a hamster in a blender

2006-09-10T02:29:00.000+12:00

Hello everyone from sunny Corfu.
It is hot in Corfu, which is of course a good thing even though I smell a bit like a dead horse.

Firstly, thanks heaps for all the messages and emails... I wish I could reply to each in person but I just don't have enough time! I only get about an hour every other day to get to the internet, so its not easy. But please keep sending them as it really is very cool to read them even if it feels like a one-way conversation.

OK.. I have photos! So stop bloody blubbing you bunch of complainers.
Its not easy uploading photos in Greek. Guessing what "rotate 90 degrees" means is no easy feat. In the end if was "jasdh^@*#@G". Greek, eh! What a strange language.

News..... Well I have of course travelled through Italy and am now in Greece. Which is lovely.
And I really like gyros which are little souvlaki type things.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed the photos because that is all I have time for. Sorry!

As for Corfu... it smells like 14 very small bananas in a pool of lime jelly.

Summertimegrrrrrrrrrrr

2006-09-03T00:03:00.000+12:00

Can you believe it? Summertime by that Merck whatever band is our day song!
Bah! I almost screamed and jumped out the window of the bus.

I can here you laughing Kirsty, but its not funny. I think my life may be over.
Actually, well, I just sing along with everyone else, but I am hurting inside.

I am in Florence today. What a nice place! I love it.
What is it about Florence that makes it so nice? Did you like it Kirsty?

Oh my god, still no photos. I think I might tape a large sign to my entire body reminding myself to bring the cable. Lets face it, they are boring anyway. Except the ones of me up to no good.

Some highlights:
- There are gypsies everywhere and they are fun to ignore. We also learnt how to say "go away you dirty gypsy or I will break your little neck" in Italian.
- I saw the leaning tower of Pisa yesterday and frankly it looked straight to me. And only one story tall! Maybe it wasn't the leaning tower I saw then......
- European girls are so hot it is almost unbearable. But I will bear it like a man.
- People are getting stuff stolen, but only the girls. I think my careful possession protection plan is working. Cross fingers!
- Our group is starting to get all big brotherish, with people bitching about others and forming little cliques. Halarious! Let the voting begin. I reckon I would last for ages because my personaility is so neutral and inoffensive.
- The number of massive buildings made over hundreds of years by hundreds of labourers never fails to impress me. So much wealth in the hands of so few sure did make for so impressive symbols of personal ego.

And the rumours are true, Florence does smell like a new jigsaw puzzle on Christmas morning.

Crabapples!

2006-08-31T23:57:00.000+12:00

Well hello again.
Today's buelltin of biblical proportions is being sent from the city of Venice, Italia.
Thats right, I am sitting in an internet cafe within the water city itself.

Can you believe it? No? Why not?
I'm not lying. How dare you accuse me.

Since we spoke last, I have been in Cannes (which was an awesome little French beach town), Biot, Verona and now Venice.

Italy is seriously cool. The food is beyond description, but I will still decribe it.
The gelato is like the first lick of icecream from a a new container. With a small spoon.
The pizza is just very well made, with just the perfect mix of bread, tomato and creamy mozerrella.

Nothing is as crowded as people say. Just think a typical mall on a Saturday afternoon.

More about the trip:
We share a tent with a tent mate. But you only really sleep there so it don't matter.
There is a lot of travelling, but it doesn't drag on.
We share with packing and such. I'm a cookie and I am good at cooking. The food is plentiful and nice because our cook (Jelly) is a genius.
The 45 day camping crowd think we are the best and the hardest because everyone else sleeps in ponsy cabins for only like 2 weeks. Soft bastards.
Most nights are party nights, but people pick and choose when they want to get with it. There are lots of early morning starts (7am), so personal sleep management is important.
Its amazing how quickly you can become blaze about the new places you see. Its like oh great, Juliet's balcony, the movie star hands at Cannes, the gondolas at Venice... ho hum... But not really, of course. Its just part of life now - its going to be hard to stop. Lucky its not for another 6 weeks!

Ooooh. I won the bus raffle and got 4o euro to gamble at the Monte Carlo in Monaco. I put it all on red with everyone watching and it came up black. Arsehat!

Also, my phone is fine. It survived a night in the rain somehow. Ask Kirsty for my number, I can't remember it. I have texted mum and everything should be go again.

Bye all! Love to you all.

¡Hola!

2006-08-27T22:18:00.000+12:00

Well hello there! Firstly thank you for the comments.
I read them and I laughed and thought of home and that is exactly what I needed.
Keep them coming!

A quick summary so far....
Been to Paris and was blown away. The scale of the place is unimaginable.
Everything seems to just stretch out in all directions like they were placed by the gods themselves. Visited Versaille, the Luvre, Arc de Triumphe, Champs de Elysess, walked by the Senne etc etc. The first sight of the Eiffel Tower at night will stick with me forever. Literally breathtaking.

Gush!

Hit Barcelona yesterday (via Lyon), and partied in the city until the wee hours (5am...) at a club near the waterfront and wandering the Les Rambles at 11pm. But still up at 9 to get into the city and look around.

The people are great - it looks like I really lucked out on this one. The tour managment group are all real pros and really know what they are doing. The other people on tour are mostly girls, mostly younger but I don´t feel out of place. We are all gelling really well and I can only imagine how close we will be in another 6 weeks. Lifetime friends in the making, I have no doubt.

Very often we just sponatenously break up into groups and wander around the place. Everyone pretty much is cool with sitting with, talking with and just getting along with everyone else. Getting through 40 people´s life stories takes some time! The camping side of things really is good - it adds to the atmosphere and comradery and totally levels the playing field and sorts out the snobs.

Totallllllly sick of sheep shagging jokes and aussies shouting ozzie ozzie ozzie. But that just makes us kiwis (7 of us) more patriotic and stick together.

And sorry no photos... I forgot to bring in my camera cable into town! Next time, I promise.

And one note - my phone is broken possibly beyond repair. But I should be able to borrow other peoples so the texts should keep coming. Kirsty - I text you and mum whenever I can. Are you getting them? Mum does not reply....?

So.... Having a great time - not sick, depressed, lonely or broke. Miss you all and will post again soon!

PS The rumour is true, Barcelona smells like new shoes after been left in the rain next to an orange tree on a Tuesday morning.

I'm going abroad, as the English say

2006-08-22T05:52:00.000+12:00

Hi bloggo fans!

These blog entries have clearly been not very good so far.
No photos, no real interesting information, nothing.

For that I am truly sorry. From now on they will be really good.
Just not this one. After this one they will be good.
But not this one.

Just went to the before-the-trip meeting. There are a couple of couples, some groups of guys and loooooots of girls. 17 guys vs about 30 girls - yikes. And the girls all look about 20. I know what you are thinking, but I'm not like that so don't be rude. There look like there might be a dozen or so New Zealanders, so thats good.

The funny thing is that a whole lot of the Australians don't have a Macedonian visa and might need one. Ha! Australians are such losers.

We were going to go to the pub, but it all kind of fell apart because everyone kind of forgot what everyone else looked like, so that kind of fell apart.

So I haven't met a tent buddy yet. Lets hope....

Going to France tomorrow! Bye!

I'm like, totally here!

2006-08-20T19:26:00.000+12:00

Hi! I'm in London.
I am very tired. Very, very tired.
But I'm here.. yay!

But the important thing is that the rumours are true, London smells like stawberry jam.

Comment me in encouraging ways, will check again later.

UPDATE:
I'm still tired. It is now 9pm at night, and I have managed to get away with only a couple of hours sleep today.

Todays news will be in bullet point form:

1. I saw a squirrel! He was digging away like a cute little furry thingy thing.
2. There are so many accents here. I don't feel at all out of place - I'm just part of the mix. It is more than likely I have to best accent, but I have not heard them all yet.
3. Christchurch is like a little London. Everything is the same - the way the streets are paved, the manhole covers, how the buildings feel, the trees. Amazing! It really doesn't feel foreign.
4. My baggage did not get lost, which I think amounts to a small miracle.
5. I am sharing the hotel room with a guy called Jason who has just finished a Contiki. 18 days hotel - what a wimp! I had dinner with him and his tour mates at a pub, but now I have clearly skulked away and will be asleep very, very soon.

Sorry, not many funnies today. Brain is functioning at about 10.67% of it's normal capacity.

So in summary - Hi everyone! I am here and everything is going just dandyskidllyiciuos!

Last NZ Day Eve

2006-08-18T10:14:00.000+12:00

Next time you hear from me, I will be overseas, so watch out!

Nothing really to say except goodbye, and I hope you all have a good year.
Keep in touch and if you are ever over my way, be sure to look me up.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Captain Vegetable!

2006-08-14T10:40:00.000+12:00

I present to you the one and only Captain Vegetable.

Herein explains his character:
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Captain_Vegetable

Additionally, this page has the lyrics to his song regarding carrots and celery:
http://members.tripod.com/Tiny_dancer/capt.html

SOME people didn't believe me that he existed or that he was the coolest pro-vegetable superman rabbit out there.

Arse

2006-08-11T08:38:00.000+12:00

http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3761009a10,00.html

Great, a plot to blow up planes leaving London.
Well I didn't plan for that.

I LOVE SPAM!

2006-08-09T15:44:00.000+12:00

Check this one out:

That role,apparently, was reserved for me. Therefore, they provednothing, one way or the other. Of course, they are uselessto them, as they do not trade. No, I dont, Zikali, I said, and was silent. Where,then, is this land, and how am I to reach it? Now I bethought me of what happened at Pompeii, and ceased to laugh. Inone sense, not at all, but in another, very much indeed. Did you chance to take refuge from that storm in a cave, Macumazahn? Instantly, as before, one of his servants appeared, to whom he gavecertain instructions. But were Ito do this, I should indeed be the first of fools. However hot the weather, he always kept that firegoing. Further, he will protect you fromdangers so far as he is able. It is wonderful, isnt it, that the poor OldCheat should know what you want? Somehow or other they remind me of rocks piled one on another as on amountain slope, and look! Who was it who first said that all men are fools? And if there were a Heu-Heu, did I wish to meet him face to face? Why will you always seek the aidof magic to explain natural things, Macumazahn? And if I cannot overthrow Heu-Heu, Zikali? Or possibly he had othermethods of obtaining information. Macumazahn,come and stand by me, and you, Yellow Man, turn your back so that youface the fire. Of course, those Kaffirs would havetold me about it, would they not? How, then, can you have the answer by to-morrow? I thought that you might like to know that,as you are curious on the point. Aye, there they sit, Macumazahn,to this day, turned to stone, and with them their dogs and cattle. And if so, what should I do with themaiden? Who was it who first said that all men are fools? Not thus do I communicate with those whoare afar. By the way, he wasnt killed either by lightning orby hail. Then they goaway and leave her alone, returning at sunrise. Why will you always seek the aidof magic to explain natural things, Macumazahn? I thought that you might like to know that,as you are curious on the point. You only come here whenyou want something from him whom once you named the Old Cheat. Then we turned the corner and came upon Zikalis kraal. And if there were a Heu-Heu, did I wish to meet him face to face? But that is an old story with which I will not trouble you. If I do not speak truth Iwill pay for the oxen myself. Look, Baas, whispered Hans in a frightened voice, his spiritscome, and he pointed upwards.

I mean that is just art, pure and simple.

Next Week

2006-08-07T09:00:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone.

OK, I can finally say it. Next week I am going to Europe.
Next week!

So yeah, organised a bit in the weekend. Washed everything I owned ready to either pack or store, so that pretty much took all of Sunday! Only clothes, not everything I owned... I didn't wash my cellphone for example, or computer, or travel alarm clock. That would be silly.

I also realised I had collected about 9 A/C adapters for which I didn't know their purpose. But given I didn't know their purpose, I decided I better keep them. And about 13 various cables. You never know.

My list of things to do only has about 60 items on it now. Basically nothing then. Phew.

And good luck to Brooke who starts her new job on Wednesday! It is somehow related to insurance, I am pretty sure...

Dr Weird - your face is so last Easter Monday.

Today's Matinee Post

2006-08-03T11:53:00.000+12:00

My last post was far too informative and sensible.
As a result, this one shall be boring and disjointed.

Firstly, some geese fly above me every morning. I leave pretty much exactly 7.07 every day, so their timing is admirable. There are four of them, and they fly in formation.

The reason I mention this is because they always honk in that friendly way they do when flying. They seem so jolly and organised. Normally geese are horrible nasty snappy hissing little shits, but not when flying.

Secondly, I did not get woken up early this morning by a call on my work phone. No one asked for Gary. I was relieved. Then I left all my cell phones at home. Never mind.

Fourthly, ummm....

Fifthly, I had a dream which featured an old friend of mine from high school, Carsten Grimm. He was from Denmark. Anyway, I had an argument with him. I'm getting the feeling my subconscious needs to argue with someone specific. Anyone know why I should be arguing with them?

Thirdly, I enjoyed ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA last night. But I think the whole thing is going to be anti-climatic because scary chick is obviously going to win. Delana?

Warning! This post contains information!

2006-08-01T20:25:00.000+12:00

That’s right - in stark contrast to previous posts; this one actually has info about my trip.

Firstly, I am leaving on the 19th August, arriving in London on the 20th. On the 22nd I am going on the following Contiki tour:

http://www.contiki.com/en-NZ/Tours/Europe/Europe.Camping.45.days/Itinerary.htm

That is a lot of countries. By my count, I am visiting exactly 713.82 of them. They even invented new ones just for this trip! Well not quite, but Montenegro is pretty new and I am pleased they made the effort.

Once done (on Oct 5), I am going to work in London. This will either be for MSO New York (my current company) or some other well-funded pommy outfit. This will last about 6-9 months and will feature a few trips here and there. Then it is back home in time for the 2007 NZ summer!

Also I would like to mention that I'm not the only one going away. Amy is leaving about a week after me to study economics in Vancouver.

And when you think about it, that is a much bigger deal than my little sojourn. Not only will she be away for quite a few years, but she will actually be doing work! This is in start contrast to myself, who plans to do very little that is constructive and to not take long doing it.

So congratulations again Amy and all the best!

Nice Dream

2006-07-31T08:50:00.000+12:00

Last night I dreamt that my gym rearranged everything and I got mad.

They had, for example, replaced the rowing machines with sewing machines. And some of the weight machines were those tables you have at bead shops with the little grooves to let you put together bead necklaces and such.

Now that wouldn't have been so bad except when I then went to get changed, a booking system had been introduced! So I had to take a number and wait in line with about 20 other people. And it was on a grass hill.

And you wouldn't believe who was responsible for all this. Hulk Hogan! I should have known. I had an argument with him. I only argue with people in my dreams. I can't remember the outcome.

There were strange similarities to the previous night's dream where I was in a city in the US (not sure which) and I went to a supermarket. Then when I went to pay, the cashier automatically added $4.50 for a packet of chewing gum because he thought he knew I wanted it. So I got in an argument with him that took hours and I couldn't leave. But then I did and went outside and everyone was lying on the ground in the streets! They were all looking up and so I did too.

The sky was full of amazing shimmering lights, so I lay down. We all knew the aliens had come and life would never be the same.

Go Figure

2006-07-28T10:23:00.000+12:00

Vitamin B isn't made from bees, as I previously thought.
However bee pollen is, and can only be collected by cutting the legs off bees one by one.

What sad and back-breaking work.

Thanks to Kirsty for this education.

OMG! Ponies!!!

2006-06-24T14:48:00.000+12:00

Its a blog.
Its about travelling and such.