Current Souvenir (20th April):
Here's one I prepared earlier (March 25th):
Update: Bruise courtesy of my mad snowboarding skills, or lack thereof.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Take only photos, leave only footprints
Photos of my footprint-sized bruise.
Current Souvenir (20th April):
Here's one I prepared earlier (March 25th):
Update: Bruise courtesy of my mad snowboarding skills, or lack thereof.
Current Souvenir (20th April):
Here's one I prepared earlier (March 25th):
Update: Bruise courtesy of my mad snowboarding skills, or lack thereof.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Annual Report Card
It's been exactly an entire year since I've been away from Sydney. Picture this. Sunday afternoon, me lazing on the couch watching the likes of Steven Menzies, Jason Ryles and Greg Bird play football. So one year on, I'm still enjoying one of my regular past times. Just like these ex-NRL players, doing what we love, just in The United Kingdom, for crappier weather, possibly more money and more importantly, a different lifestyle.
One year older. So what's changed? A penchant for alcohol. An unfulfilled appetite for travel. A new threshold for tolerence. A greater understanding of neccessity. A bastardised Australian accent. A healthier diet. And a complete love and appreciation for family and friends.
One year older. So what's changed? A penchant for alcohol. An unfulfilled appetite for travel. A new threshold for tolerence. A greater understanding of neccessity. A bastardised Australian accent. A healthier diet. And a complete love and appreciation for family and friends.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Slopes everywhere
Transfer: 100 degrees of uncomfortable inclination aboard the 20:25 Eurostar from St Pancreas to Moutiers Salins Brides. Uncomfortable for many reasons. Ambitions of getting a good nights rest before our excursion to the slopes were promptly stifled the minute we stepped on board. People were full of energy and enthusiasm. The elation of finishing a week of work or study coupled with the anticipation of a weekend at the French Alps prompted loud chatter and drinking. Our carriage contained two loud groups; me being nestled between both. Realising that sleep was a case of wishful thinking I popped open the book I had started American Psycho. The chatter became so loud that I couldn't even concentrate on the story. I drifted in and out of murderous ways of the protagonist wishing that Patrick Bateman were on the train.
Eventually, the loud group passed out from excessive alcohol consumption or more likely from the drab dialog. But here's where things get entertaining. One of the guys from the initial loud group now clearly trying to get some sleep starts to complain to the other group. "Hey do you mind, we're all going skiing tomoor w and want to get some sleep?". After this act of self-righteousness the other group starts to complain. "The nerve of that guy, their group was so loud and now that they want to sleep". In the end nobody gets any sleep as we're all kept awake from the loud snoring.
Details: Accommodation was at Hotel le Roc.Location-wise you can get no better, in the middle of town, on top of a bar and within minutes from the ski lifts. Excellent budget accommodation with gracious hosts. We happened to stay during off peak so we were given a free night of accommodation and even a late checkout!
Gear: I am thoroughly under packed. Tried to hire clothing but that failed, ended up borrowing pants from the British tour guide, used the gloves I found in Iceland, borrowed goggles from a friend and used socks and t shirts as padding. Completely roughed it out.
Snow boarding: Not too much to really describe here. 4 days worth of snowboarding in Meribel. Absolute bliss. Boarding level is improving but I'm still in a world of pain after the 4 day trip. Unfortunately I didn't dare bring my camera with me onto the slopes so I've had to pinch a couple of pictures from friends. Most nights we were either too sore or too buggered after a long day on the slopes and retired early.
Of the four nights we spent there, only once did we go out at night. Evolution Bar, full of tourists and the drinks were quite pricey as with all things in Meribel. Luckily the bar had a policy with every order where they presented you with 3 upside down cups, if you happened to pick the cup with the ball underneath it (1/3 chance) then your order would be free. As expected, the bar had a relaxing atmosphere with a nice cover band artist. Evening was spent nursing our bruises, meeting the locals and singing along to classics. Mr Big, Oasis, The Beatles and Guns and Roses. So this marks the end of my final Winter holiday for this season.
Eventually, the loud group passed out from excessive alcohol consumption or more likely from the drab dialog. But here's where things get entertaining. One of the guys from the initial loud group now clearly trying to get some sleep starts to complain to the other group. "Hey do you mind, we're all going skiing tomoor w and want to get some sleep?". After this act of self-righteousness the other group starts to complain. "The nerve of that guy, their group was so loud and now that they want to sleep". In the end nobody gets any sleep as we're all kept awake from the loud snoring.
Details: Accommodation was at Hotel le Roc.Location-wise you can get no better, in the middle of town, on top of a bar and within minutes from the ski lifts. Excellent budget accommodation with gracious hosts. We happened to stay during off peak so we were given a free night of accommodation and even a late checkout!
Gear: I am thoroughly under packed. Tried to hire clothing but that failed, ended up borrowing pants from the British tour guide, used the gloves I found in Iceland, borrowed goggles from a friend and used socks and t shirts as padding. Completely roughed it out.
Snow boarding: Not too much to really describe here. 4 days worth of snowboarding in Meribel. Absolute bliss. Boarding level is improving but I'm still in a world of pain after the 4 day trip. Unfortunately I didn't dare bring my camera with me onto the slopes so I've had to pinch a couple of pictures from friends. Most nights we were either too sore or too buggered after a long day on the slopes and retired early.
Of the four nights we spent there, only once did we go out at night. Evolution Bar, full of tourists and the drinks were quite pricey as with all things in Meribel. Luckily the bar had a policy with every order where they presented you with 3 upside down cups, if you happened to pick the cup with the ball underneath it (1/3 chance) then your order would be free. As expected, the bar had a relaxing atmosphere with a nice cover band artist. Evening was spent nursing our bruises, meeting the locals and singing along to classics. Mr Big, Oasis, The Beatles and Guns and Roses. So this marks the end of my final Winter holiday for this season.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Icelandic Food
Smoked Puffin
Pan fried lobster
Hotdog vendor
Lobster soup
Horse
Whale Sashime
Plaice
Chocolate Brownie
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Iceland Excursion
I was genuinely looking forward to this trip. The last few trips have been memorable but hardly distinguishable. Walking through the cobbled streets, looking at Churches, eating street food from that vendor in the main square. Wait a minute, which country was that again? In all honesty it does start to become slightly repetitive. This trip would also be different because we had a schedule and a list of things to do. In total, 11 people would embark on the 3 hour flight from London to Reykjavik.
Flights plus 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Cabin (£205). The flight was comparatively longer than most weekend trips but was comfortable and most importantly did not feel rushed. Hotel Cabin was basic but featured a shower which makes a mockery of Australian Water Restrictions. Speaking of water, the tap water was the best tasting water I've have ever tasted.
Day 1 (07/03/09):
0930: Breakfast
1000: Hire Car and drive around the Golden Circle (£25)
2000: Dinner reservation at Humarhusid (£60)
2330: Apotek Bar
That was at least the plan. We picked up the hire car just after midday and began our first day in Iceland.
Gullfoss Waterfall. Absolutely freezing up there, don't let the pictures fool you.
Geysir and Strokkur.
The National Park leg of our private tour suffered a premature end when our hire car showed little enthusiasm against the snow littered tracks.
Day 2(08/03/09):
0800: Breakfast
0830: Pick up
0900: Glacier Tour (17950 IKR)
0730: Northern Lights Tour (€40)
One thing I have prided myself on is surviving the London winter without the aid of gloves and an umbrella. After our first day out in uncomfortably cold conditions I decided I would not survive Iceland without gloves. We sat at bus terminal waiting for the tour bus to arrive when my friend spotted some gloves. "Psst, look somebody left their gloves here, why don't you take them?". I glanced over at the manky looking gloves and picked them up. Some poor tourist had left their gloves while waiting to be picked up. I brought them close to my nose and gave them a whiff. They reeked "Geez, they sink!" to which my friend replied "Do you want smelly hands or no hands?". Promptly I tucked them into my pockets and started our tour.
The glacier tour was amazing, our group consisted of 25 people and two guides. We were separated into two groups and given picks, crampons, pulleys and ropes and we began our ascent up the glacier.
We arrived back at the hotel later than expected. Thankfully our Northern lights tour was canceled. It was reported that for that night there was a 0% chance of seeing the aurora.
Day 3 (09/03/09):
0800: Breakfast
0830: Check out/Pick up (€25)
0900: Blue Lagoon (€18 entry)
1400: Airport Direct
1700: Flight
It's such a surreal feeling floating on your back in hot water while snow and ice blow across your face. What a lacky post.
Flights plus 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Cabin (£205). The flight was comparatively longer than most weekend trips but was comfortable and most importantly did not feel rushed. Hotel Cabin was basic but featured a shower which makes a mockery of Australian Water Restrictions. Speaking of water, the tap water was the best tasting water I've have ever tasted.
Day 1 (07/03/09):
0930: Breakfast
1000: Hire Car and drive around the Golden Circle (£25)
2000: Dinner reservation at Humarhusid (£60)
2330: Apotek Bar
That was at least the plan. We picked up the hire car just after midday and began our first day in Iceland.
Gullfoss Waterfall. Absolutely freezing up there, don't let the pictures fool you.
Geysir and Strokkur.
The National Park leg of our private tour suffered a premature end when our hire car showed little enthusiasm against the snow littered tracks.
Day 2(08/03/09):
0800: Breakfast
0830: Pick up
0900: Glacier Tour (17950 IKR)
0730: Northern Lights Tour (€40)
One thing I have prided myself on is surviving the London winter without the aid of gloves and an umbrella. After our first day out in uncomfortably cold conditions I decided I would not survive Iceland without gloves. We sat at bus terminal waiting for the tour bus to arrive when my friend spotted some gloves. "Psst, look somebody left their gloves here, why don't you take them?". I glanced over at the manky looking gloves and picked them up. Some poor tourist had left their gloves while waiting to be picked up. I brought them close to my nose and gave them a whiff. They reeked "Geez, they sink!" to which my friend replied "Do you want smelly hands or no hands?". Promptly I tucked them into my pockets and started our tour.
The glacier tour was amazing, our group consisted of 25 people and two guides. We were separated into two groups and given picks, crampons, pulleys and ropes and we began our ascent up the glacier.
We arrived back at the hotel later than expected. Thankfully our Northern lights tour was canceled. It was reported that for that night there was a 0% chance of seeing the aurora.
Day 3 (09/03/09):
0800: Breakfast
0830: Check out/Pick up (€25)
0900: Blue Lagoon (€18 entry)
1400: Airport Direct
1700: Flight
It's such a surreal feeling floating on your back in hot water while snow and ice blow across your face. What a lacky post.
Monday, 23 February 2009
English Road Trip
"Come out, we're here". Slinging my backpack over my shoulder I trudge down the stairs. Each step jolts my already tender head. I was supposed to be at Caledonian Road at 9:20 am. 10:15 am and I'm still at home. My bloodshot eyes take some time to adjust to the brightly lit street. The sun is a lone fixture in the normally gray sky; I squint. The street is void of people and removed from any semblance of human life. Shielding the sun from my eyes I peer down the middle of the road. 15 metres down the road stands a silver Ford Focus. The body language is cryptic. Relaxed postures, inquizative eyes but emotionless, straight faces. I force a sheepish smile "Thanks for swinging by". My last-minute chaffuer had arrived.
If this were video the director would be switching between the hysteric scene of mixed-martial arts event and a pleasant drive through England countryside. Over-exuberant fight commentators "Fighting out of the blue corner!". The constant sound of the GPS "In 7.5 kilometers turn right". Scantily clad ring girls. Scattered livestock over lush pastures. Knock outs followed by ebullition of approval. Stonehenge appearing on the horizon. The juxtaposition would be unbelievable. This road trip had been 2 weeks in the making, two days ago I forfeited VIP box-seats to UFC 95.
I curled up in backseat and almost immediately let my heavy eyelids whisk me into a broken doze. My senses were piqued at various moments between consciousness and sleep. The sound of my snoring, darkness, passing Heathrow Airport, darkness, the sound of Dirty Dancing's Time of my Life, darkness, M4 highway, darkness, finally by "Wow, it's literally next to the highway!". The drive from central London to Stonehenge took no more than 2 hours. For £6.50 you are granted entry to the park whilst being herded (like sheep) around the rocks. To enrich the experience you are invited to listen to one of the most daft audio guides in the world. In true Stonehenge speculation, I suspect the orator himself killed himself shortly after the recording.
Again, I don't remember too much about the drive except that we arrived in Bath at around 4 pm. Parking the car in the main parking lot we unpacked and headed straight for the YMCA. We stood at the rear of the building wondering how to get in. Where was the blasted entrance? It's fun to stay at the YMCA. Our evening was a mix of wandering the streets, sight seeing and looking for food. We settled in for dinner at the local pub and then headed back to the YMCA for some casual drinks and snacks all to a throwback soundtrack.
Unfortunately for us the toilet/showers in our wing were down for maintenance. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. At around 2 am we were introduced to the paper thin walls of our accommodation. The revelers had arrived home and they let us know rousing us from our sleep. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. We had a 10 am checkout and pulled ourselves out of bed. The common room was packed with most of the cutlery and condiments used. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. Really, who wrote that song?
Sunday was designated to Bath and all things Bathy. Had a tour around the Roman baths (£11).
Lunch at the Pump Room.
Followed by a 2 hour session at the Thermal Baths which just so happen to be a glorified Aquatics centre (£22 + £3 for a towel). Mind you, the rooftop view of Bath was awesome. Arrived back in London feeling tired but surprisingly clean and relaxed. Time to do my laundry.
If this were video the director would be switching between the hysteric scene of mixed-martial arts event and a pleasant drive through England countryside. Over-exuberant fight commentators "Fighting out of the blue corner!". The constant sound of the GPS "In 7.5 kilometers turn right". Scantily clad ring girls. Scattered livestock over lush pastures. Knock outs followed by ebullition of approval. Stonehenge appearing on the horizon. The juxtaposition would be unbelievable. This road trip had been 2 weeks in the making, two days ago I forfeited VIP box-seats to UFC 95.
I curled up in backseat and almost immediately let my heavy eyelids whisk me into a broken doze. My senses were piqued at various moments between consciousness and sleep. The sound of my snoring, darkness, passing Heathrow Airport, darkness, the sound of Dirty Dancing's Time of my Life, darkness, M4 highway, darkness, finally by "Wow, it's literally next to the highway!". The drive from central London to Stonehenge took no more than 2 hours. For £6.50 you are granted entry to the park whilst being herded (like sheep) around the rocks. To enrich the experience you are invited to listen to one of the most daft audio guides in the world. In true Stonehenge speculation, I suspect the orator himself killed himself shortly after the recording.
Again, I don't remember too much about the drive except that we arrived in Bath at around 4 pm. Parking the car in the main parking lot we unpacked and headed straight for the YMCA. We stood at the rear of the building wondering how to get in. Where was the blasted entrance? It's fun to stay at the YMCA. Our evening was a mix of wandering the streets, sight seeing and looking for food. We settled in for dinner at the local pub and then headed back to the YMCA for some casual drinks and snacks all to a throwback soundtrack.
Unfortunately for us the toilet/showers in our wing were down for maintenance. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. At around 2 am we were introduced to the paper thin walls of our accommodation. The revelers had arrived home and they let us know rousing us from our sleep. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. We had a 10 am checkout and pulled ourselves out of bed. The common room was packed with most of the cutlery and condiments used. It's fun to stay at the YMCA. Really, who wrote that song?
Sunday was designated to Bath and all things Bathy. Had a tour around the Roman baths (£11).
Lunch at the Pump Room.
Followed by a 2 hour session at the Thermal Baths which just so happen to be a glorified Aquatics centre (£22 + £3 for a towel). Mind you, the rooftop view of Bath was awesome. Arrived back in London feeling tired but surprisingly clean and relaxed. Time to do my laundry.
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