TravelStream™ news feed for member nolthafer on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/nolthafer en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:44:04 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1161229320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1161229320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1161229320/tpod.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:44:04 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Now I am sitting at home over a year later, rating travelpod as part of my Master in Computer Arts New Media class.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116122400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116122400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116122400/tpod.html Sat, 25 Jun 2005 10:57:51 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Home!
So I got into Madison @ 9pm, changed, freshened up a bit, and figured the fact that my luggage wasn't there could wait b/c I had people to see! Court picked me up and it was soooo good to see her! We went to the Great Dane downtown and there was my family, Mom, Dad, Colleen, Jon, Gus and friends from work, Randy, Rachel and Mike! Justin and Ryan came later and it was a good time. There were some who couldn't make it and even though I can't imagine what would be more important than seeing your friend Nicole, I suppose life's not perfect:-) So yeah, it was a good time and I spent the night @ Court and Ryans. We tried to watch a movie but it was worth staying up b/c we saw the northern lights that night! VERY NEATO! So yeah, the next day I recovered my luggage and set for home to get my life back in order. That happened much easier than expected and I think it's because I went back to the same job, and the same people were doing the same things.... not that that's bad, it's just in 4 months time I had done and experienced so much and had left everyone at home to endure the shittiest Wisconsin season.... cold.
So yeah... I will upload photos here for my Aussie and other friends to check out what it's like back in Wisconsin... and as I said then I will repeat now, if for any reason you decide to come to Wisconsin... look me up cuz I'd be happy to show you around:-)

Thanks for reading my travellog and email or make comments anytime. I'd love to hear from you.
Nicole
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116090000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116090000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1116090000/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 22:22:05 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Seattle, Washington, United States

Slept in till about 10:30 and did a bit to prepare for my flights the next day. I headed off to get my hair cut and then went downtown on the bus. It was recommended that I check out the underground tour so when I got there at a bit to 3, there was room on the 3pm tour! It was obviously meant to be! The underground tour was fantastic and gave a great overview of the history of Seattle. The spoke on how Seattle was settled on some dumb ideas but no idea is a dumb idea in Seattle you just work with it. Seattle was also founded by people who were looking to make money and quickly so not all decisions made were to the future benefit of the city. For example, the tide flats were filled in with wood chips which once wet didn't end up making that great of a material for a stable base to build upon. Also, after a large fire and upon rebuilding the city, they went to regrade a very large hill leading from Seattle but instead of regarding first and then building the downtown, they rebuilt and then realized that the dirt they were moving would need to go someplace... so the people who were in the process of rebuilding were told that their first level could be put under a layer of dirt 8 - 30 feet deep. Thus that is where the Seattle underground came from. The roads were raised some 14 feet higher than the sidewalks and as this caused many problems once the sidewalks were raised, they were kept hollow and the level one of many of these downtown buildings were then placed underground. The underground then served as a great place to store perishable foods, money and gold during the gold rush and later during the prohibition served as a great location for speakeasys and brothels. Overall the tour was very entertaining and afterwards I figured since I was in Seattle I better had a Starbucks as we had seen the very 1st Starbucks the day before by the Pike's Place Market. I then hoped the bus back and stopped off at the Space Needle. I didn't go up but did check out the Space Needle and Center which had been built for the 1905? World Fair. Everything there was a bit space agey or looked like it came out of the Jetsons and then there was a Experience Music Project building which was pretty interesting in itself and colors but I also didn't go in as the fee was $25 and I had run out of day. I got back and Sharon made it home from her first day of work. She's going to be taking senior photos! Exciting! We then headed down to the U District and had a lovely meal at this Thai place that according to Sharon is always packed and when a place is always packed that means they must be doing something right and by golly they were! Fantastic food! We then went to the Bank of America Areana where we went to see the Shins! Yea! They were amazing and super fun and put on a fantastic show! It was a good time but we were just disappointed we couldn't hang out w/ the Shin's afterwards. Very sad but still a great night. Got to sleep and had to wake up at fricken 4:45 am for a shower and to get to the airport for my 7am flight! Arg! Oh well, am on my way back to Madison!!!!! Yeehaw! Traveling funtime is nearing an end! Can't believe it, 4 months and 1 week to the day. It went by so quickly but was soooo good! Overall I feel so much more comfortable on my own and had some great experiences and discovered a bit more about myself and how I perceive the world around me. But it's back to reality and although I'm excited to be back and see all my friends and start back at the job and establish a bit of stability, I know that this novelty will wear off again all too soon as it's familiar and I will soon enough be getting that travel urge again... hmmm, where to next? To be continued...:-)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115992800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115992800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115992800/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 22:15:00 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Seattle, Washington, United States

Today we went on a bike ride to Gasworks park and hung up some signs about the lost Orange and White. Yes, Orange and White is missing but Sharon doesn't want your pity she just wants her kitten back, so if you've seen the Orange and White, contact Sharon. (
As a side note, you will all be relieved to hear that the O&W has been found, some evil church-goers were keeping it hostage in their church basement but Sharon being the couragous chick she is, scaled the church wall, climbed in an open window, and rescued the O&W!!!! It's a happy day.)
Gasworks park was pretty neat and we then biked a bit further and caught the bus downtown. It's pretty good, Sharon's only got a 20 minute bus ride into the city. We went to Pike's Place Market and walked around and I got to see the infamous fish market from where the Fish philosophy was inspired. We then went to the public library which was a very neato building. Geometric and modern to the max. We wandered around in there for a bit and then headed up to the Frye Gallery where we saw a few fun shows. One was exceptionally fun and then there was the NSK show which was basically a group of Russian artists who banded together to question the concept of avant-garde and originality. They also drew a lot of inspiration from political movements such as fascism and communism creating an entire concept around their organization. They issued passports to artists who would be a part of their group, created a stamp to approve artists work within their collective and even had a type of music. I must say it was pretty extreme but I think they were making a commentary of the loss of the individual especially drawing from past history when Russian was a communist nation and the country under communist rule was to operate as a collective and for the benefit of the nation. It inspired me a bit. I've always wanted to be in an artist group or form one. Don't know what would be the focus. It'd just be nice to make contact with those who are doing similar work as I am or whom I would consider my contemporaries. Eitherway it's on the to do list:) We hoped the bus back to where we left the bikes and I had a little snack at Blue C Sushi restaurant where the sushi comes to you on a conveyor belt! I've never eaten at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant but it was good fun and yum! Sharon then had her new favorite thing, Cold Stone Cremery cake batter ice cream which I thought was pretty foul but I've never been a big fan of uncooked batter or dough. We also had some old guy tell us nothing is free in Freemont cuz he used to buy hotdogs at a hotdog stand for 25 cents but they would tell him they had no 25 cent hot dogs left and that was the power of advertising or as he called it brainwashing. He had a point there but the fun sushi restaurant was calling and I was being brainwashed into NEEDING the sushi or it may have been the hunger. We biked back home and then went to the University district to do some shopping. Sharon was needing some new work clothes as her new job started the next day and I just needed more clothes... :-) We got home and made a lovely dinner and watched Survivor and Lost.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115910000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115910000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115910000/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 22:07:57 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Seattle, Washington, United States

Today I really felt the effects of jetlag but we were going to meet Amy, Sharon's friend and do some hiking. Amy came over and picked us up and before hiking we headed to Snoqualmie Falls. That was nice but very very wet and misty and cold. I was sleepy as I had already passed out in the car. I think I probably could of slept all day but no, hiking time! We then got to the hiking spot and were to do a moderate trail the West Tiger 3, return trip of 3-4 hours. We started and at the ½ way point considered turning back as the track was already pretty steep but no, the internet had promised fantastic views from the top of the trail so onward! It was a good hike, Amy brought her puppy which I think was a Shitzu, Banjo and we had some good conversations. Amy had been to Bali back in February so we chatted about that a bit. Finally we reached the top and had our fantastic view! It was just pretty fantastic but I'm glad we finished the hike. By the time we got back we had completed the hike in exactly 4 hours wich a ½ hour break at the top where we had our lunch. I guess from the top you were supposed to be able to see Mt. Ranier and the Cascades but neither of us knew what was what other than it was purely fantastic!:-) I slept pretty much the entire way back to Sharon's but despite my exhaustion had a shower and Sharon and I loaded up the car w/ some wood and we headed off to Golden Gardens park where we built a fire in one of the fire pits on the beach. It was tres romantique. We had some smores and laughed about the hobo playing volleyball with the Internet group and at the Christian frat kids drinking Coke. Really we're not sure if that was what was going on but we made up stories pertaining to those around us. It was good fun. I found myself doing that irregardless while traveling alone it's just funnier to conspire theories with another. Especially on the hobo... he was great. That night we watched some TV. Dave is a media buff and they have a Tevo, which is basically a glorified VCR only digital. I think it'd be cooler but I'm not so big on the TV.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115820000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115820000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115820000/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 21:59:03 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Seattle, Washington, United States

Woke up late, I needed to sleep off that jetlag. That day we drove to the Capitol Hills district. We went to a bunch of cute shops, the best one being Archie McFee's where we took some silly photo booth pics. We then headed down to the locks and walked around a little bit watching the boats come in and go out of the locks. Locks are basically elevators for boats where there is a dam that has made drastic differences in the water level before and after the dam. We then went to I think Sharon's most favorite place in the world, Cupcake Royale which is a coffee shop that sells homemade cupcakes. Sharon had a yellow cupcake w/ lemon buttercream and I had a chocolate cupcake w/ coconut frosting! Mmmm!!! I agreed with Sharon that the cupcake place was one of the best places ever! That afternoon Sharon, Dave and I played some Frisbee at the park near their house. They live in Wallingford which I think it a real cute area, close to the 45 which is 45th street and has tons of cute shops along, mostly restaurants. Later we went out for a few drinks at Sharon's most favorite bar, the People's Pub which I think was in Capitol Hills? Not entirely sure but before had we went and visited the Freemont Troll. He lives under a overpass and is very big and scary. I heart the troll. The at the People's Pub we had some food and German beers and played Sorry. I think Dave won.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115755200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115755200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115755200/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 21:52:20 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Seattle, Washington, United States

Sharon picked me up from the airport and it was very exciting to see her! We went to the Ballard neighborhood where she's taking a Dreamweaver class and had coffee until her class started. I then walked around and did a bit of shopping until she was done and we had some Mexican food! I finally got to meet her b/f Dave and we watched Saved that night. I have to say, it's good to be back in the USA. I'm a little thrown off by the change in accents and the fact that now after training myself to look right I now have to look left when crossing the road! I haven't been run over yet so we'll just knock on some wood, I'm sure I'll be back into it in notime.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115640000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115640000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115640000/tpod.html Wed, 08 Jun 2005 21:50:29 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Melbourne, Australia

April was kind enough to pick me up from the airport and I had to take a nap upon getting back. I spent much of Friday and Saturday running miscellaneous errands, doing laundry, and repacking getting ready to leave again, but this time for good. On Saturday night Vicki had a BBQ to celebrate the going away and April's b-day, she was turning 24. We had some lovely food and some drinks and spent some quality time w/ Jack and Joel, whom Jack upon hearing I would be leaving would scream at the top of his lungs that he didn't want me to go. We got them ready for bed after they took a bath and I read Jack a bedtime story. I wrote in my good-bye note to Vicki that she had been an inspiration or mentor of sorts and that when I had kids which is still a long way off, that I would like to be like her. She's a fabulous Mom, entirely patient and completely devoted to her children and they were soooo cute. I can't believe that the next time I may get to see them, they will be much older and look so much different. Even on my trip to Bali upon getting back I couldn't believe how much bigger Joel was or how much more mobile he was as he had recently learned to walk! I think I will be just as surprised to see how my own brother has grown and changed in the 4 months I've been away. Anywho, later that night we ran a special ops mission to improve April and Shannon's garden. It had been noticed that there was a nice sized mulch pile growing on the secondary school oval. We grabbed the wheelbarrows and shovels and proceeded to cover the garden and flower beds with 10+ barrows of mulch. It was good fun and there was the ever unavoidable incident of a full barrow being dumped prematurely, I mean there was drinking involved:-) Sunday was April's birthday. I spent much of the morning packing and doing laundry but we did watch April open her birthday gifts. I gave her a lovely pair of sandals, a necklace and a picture of Jag. April's new present partook in the gift opening. Gypsy is a cute little 7 week kitty which was Shan's b-day gift to April. Gypsy is cute as and I kept threatening to pack Gyp into my suitcase on accident. Ooops! Cute little Aussie kitty for me:-) I also gave Shan a premature b-day present as his birthday was the weekend after April's. I then cooked them breakfast, how nice am I? Later in the afternoon we went to Carribean Gardens which was a fun place. Unlike anything I've ever been to. There was a lake and picnic grounds and a chair lift which we of course went on! The chair lift went over a bunch of random animal statues and then there was a market but that was all there was... some food of course but no rides. I thought it was just lovely and we had a great day. Even after Bali I hadn't had enough shopping in markets. We then went out to eat at Smorgy which is, you guessed it, a Smorgasboard. Smorgasboards are FUN and the food was aok. I finished packing that night, April said she had a fabulous birthday.
Monday morning we all headed off to the airport. April and Shan came in w/ me and there was a tearful goodbye. It was very sad to leave, April and Shannon were extremely with their generosity, letting me live w/ them for so long and such but I was also excited to be heading back to the good ole US of A. After about 24 hours total of travel time I got into Seattle on Monday morning at 4pm.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115380800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115380800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115380800/tpod.html Tue, 07 Jun 2005 23:23:45 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Kuta, Indonesia

I woke up early today to go and fit my suit that I was having custom made! A taupey brown w/ light blue and peach pinstripes w/ peach ribbon trim. A jacket, skirt and pants all for $45!!!! I had actually placed the order the day before and they ensured it would be ready by 8pm today. I also was keen on getting a tattoo and spent a bit of the day trying to get my design printed so I could get a quote. I was told that if I came back around 6pm that that would leave plenty of time for the work to occur. So I headed back to the pool until my next fitting at 2pm. I then did some packing and was ready to check out by 5:30pm. I finally got my design printed, had a fitting at 6pm and then ran around getting quotes on my tattoo. I finally setteled on Mr. Barong's tattoo studio which had been rumored to being the best. Mr. Barong's brother-in-law did my tattto and did an amazing job. I have to say this was the most entertaining tattoo experience ever as firstly I've never had a tattoo done laying on the floor, plus I was able to speak w/ a couple of guys from Java getting fake ones done and Mr. Barong's wife, her brother, Mr. Barong and the others who worked in the shop entertained me by watching the work progress. I think it was a mutually interesting experience as they found my design very unconventional but unique! The Balinese are crazy about tattoos and a frequent catcall I would hear on the streets would be nice tattoo or show me your tattoo, usually referring to the one on my stomach. Nearly all Balinese men have tattoos so naturally the artists are very well practiced. I was REALLY thrilled w/ the final work which I had placed on my right hip and they even took a photo of it when it was complete! I don't know if they'll put the photo up in the shop or if they'll use the design again but if so, the person who gets the same one will basically be walking around w/ my signature on themselves:-) I find that entertaining! Anywho, needless to say the tattoo was done in plenty of time, only took about 1 ½ hours and was $90 which for a full color tattoo of that size back at home I think I probably would of paid $400! I'll have to double check that by asking around but an amazing deal! I picked up my suit as well and headed back to the hotel where my shuttle to the airport was waiting. On the way to the airport the driver told my a bit about the story of the Balinese people and how the island was originally settled by the Hindus from India and had a warring past w/ Muslim nations where at times the island was under Muslim rule.

In reflection Bali was my BEST vacation EVER! I had an absolutely fabulous time and to do it all again I would recommend a few things. First check out this website and actually read the info before you go. I had created a document containing info on Bali but didn't read it until when I was actually there and could of used much of the information early in my stay.
Second, barter for everything unless it's in a grocery store or boutique type shop. Also, maybe go to the fixed priced shops before hand to see what price is normal on certain items and when buying them from merchants offer about ½ that as the stores will mark up merchandise by 50%.
Third, if you don't mind waiting, book a room upon arrival in Bali. You can find MUCH better rates when you get there. Search around for a hotel you might like to stay at, or a homestay or do both. The homestays are just a nice of rooms just usually without air conditioning or a pool and ridiculously cheaper. The posted price for Hotel Bounty was $93 American a night which I got a much lower rate on as I booked a package deal but with a homestay you can get a room for as low as $4 a night! Cheap as!
Fourth, make sure you have an International Driver's Liscense should you plan on renting a motorscooter. You can still rent one without it's just if you're caught by the authorities you can be expected to pay some fines to keep them from giving you a hard time.
Fifth, pack light so you can bring all your crap home! Take one suitcase of stuff and one empty to fill. You will probably need it!
Sixth, don't be too afraid to try the food but remember if you can't peel it, cook it, or wash it in boiled water you shouldn't eat it and keep plenty hydrated, you will sweat like a pig! Also if you go, avoid the rainy season and the months of July and August as most Aussies are on school vacation and they can tend to overrun the place making it much more busy! That's honestly all I can think of for now but I HIGHLY recommend going!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115294400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115294400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/nolthafer/aussie05/1115294400/tpod.html Tue, 07 Jun 2005 23:15:52 -0400 Return to OZ.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Kuta, Indonesia

Today I don't remember doing a ton. I walked around and did a bit of shopping mainly for myself! Bought a bag and a watch and some jewelry, just spoiling myself a bit:-) Watch was supposedly Gucci which I got for $5 and the bag, Channel of course which I got for $15. I wanted to get it for lower but I walked away 3 times and he still wouldn't come down in price. The bag was lined in suede so I suppose maybe that's why. You can't win them all, and sometimes you do pay more for quality. Let's just hope it all continues working and doesn't break within a month, and if so I'll just say, I got it in Bali! I managed a bit of time to lay out by the pool and do a bit of swimming and catch up on my reading. I then returned the motorscooter after picking up another 4 big bottles of water and a bit of a snack which I had on the beach at sunset. Very romantic! I had myself a bit of a nap as I was going to go out that night to celebrate my last night in Bali. Went out about midnight after finishing a bottle of wine so I wouldn't have to spend any money on drinks. Went to Paddy's again and had a blast dancing the night away. I met tons of different people, from all over, Australia, America, France, and Bali of course. Had an interesting proposition which made me decide 3am was late enough to be staying out and we'll just leave it at that:-)
]]>