TravelStream™ news feed for member snowflake on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/snowflake en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:50:27 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1208165100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1208165100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1208165100/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:50:27 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Helsinki, Finland

My nomadic lifestyle continues in Finland - In the past four days I have slept in four different addresses. Spring is coming here too although there is still snow in the north. Finland is such a wonderful country - I plan to live here one day! Never mind the cold and dark winters and grumpy people, it has great public transport and cycle paths that take you everywhere (no, I don't mean a yellow line by the road used for parking but a real cycle path), there is no need to worry abut getting run over by a car. People are direct (some say rude) and very natural - I hadn't seen this many people with no clothes on for a while! I was also introduced to the inferno-like HOT SAUNA (not the normal or the MILD SAUNA). I sat on the lower step. This was extreme. Very extreme.

I've been
-walking the neighbour's dog = hairy trousers and learning to use poop bags
-marvelled at the fist spring flowers (yellow and blue ones, which are my favourites) blossoming and the cold, clumsy insects' attempts to fly = beautiful spring moments
-sent about 30 job applications = no real results yet
-cycled (loads) in Helsinki and surrounding suburbs = sore bum
-participated (with great? success) in Finns' new favourite sport after the latest craze Nordic walking - water running = giggles and aching legs

Not long til we get to move back to our house!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1207674600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1207674600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1207674600/tpod.html Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:18:03 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Cardiff, United Kingdom

It's good to be back! Months ago I arrived in springtime to live in Chile and cherry trees blossomed. Eight months on, cherry trees are blossoming again down in Wales. A robin has build a nest in Simon's parents' greenhouse and the consensus seems to be to leave the happy family in peace until the eggs have hatched and birdies flown from the nest. The other day it snowed, which meant that I did get to enjoy winter after all. The job search has started.
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Bangkok, Thailand

Last stop before home!

We had to do some very important shopping such as a wooden Buddha that you can probably get in Ikea for the same price; some game thingy to download something; trousers - I have not worn trousers for months since Simon did not like my 'travel pants' from South America, I think they were super comfy - one size fits all; and the all-important dresses of low quality.

To escape the shopping hell, I went to see an astrologer and a palm reader. They got a suprising amount of things right - such as that Simon is younger than me and suggested I should not work in a caring profession but rather write to earn my living. Oh, and I should be buying a lottery ticket on a Monday in June. The good news is that we will be having a baby girl in February. Apparently.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1206155280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1206155280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1206155280/tpod.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:58:10 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Phuket, Thailand

There is certain sadness to this place. Simon says I am just being hyper sensitive but looking at the Andaman sea or eating breakfast at the newly decorated hotel makes me feel sad for those who lost their lives or loved ones in the 2004 tsunami.

Emergency towers and tsunami evacuation routes are marked up clearly everywhere, so please do not to worry!

The amount of couples consisting of a Western (older, obese) man and a gorgeous Asian woman is even higher here than in KL, where it seemed to be quite common. I guess everyone gets something out this relationship. I have seen quite a few happy couples with beautiful kids strolling around. A man, who might not get a younger, beautiful woman in his country of birth will find one here. And a beautiful woman who might not find an Asian man with money will find a white rich man who can provide her with a better life.

Or as lovely Cindy said: The woman has the experience, the man has the money. After, the man has the experience and the woman has the money.

I know it's not all black and white. Life is rather like a rainbow!

Asians want to be white and you see these Europeans around with badly burnt skin in search of that coffee-coloured tan. Isn't the world controversial?

We will return to reality (and I will start looking for work) in a few weeks' time! But first off to get a royal stone therapy and a pedicure! I think Simon will skip the pedi tho.

Olen ahminut suomenkielista kirjallisuutta ja hopolehtia (lukeeko joku oikeasti Alibia? Ihan kamalia tappojuttuja.) ilmastoidussa huoneessa, missa on oikein kylpyamme ja dvd-homma, josta katellaan hotellin piraattikopioleffoja. Onpa hauska kuunnella taas ihmisten puhuvan suomea. Simonin mielesta on viela hauskempaa mm. hississa ilmaista itseaan meidan aidinkielella. "Missa on koira/morko?" tai "Mitakuuluujoovaiei?"

Simon says: There is no sadness here it's just Kaisa with weird head.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205747700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205747700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205747700/tpod.html Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:45:23 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

KL is like going in the sauna and frolicking in the snow. (With your clothes on though, we are in a Muslim country after all.) Extreme temperature changes from boiling hot outside to freezing air con shopping malls are fairly exhausting so luckily I am working on a translation non-stop for a couple of days down here.

I was browsing through mags in a book shop down here and quite a few publications mentioned Prince Harry being a war hero. I am certain he does not want to be called that. What did he do to deserve this title from the trashy media? Did he kill or rape more people than others out there in the front line? Or maybe he saved someone's life? Anyone who goes to war, especially one that has a commercial purpose, or takes part in any violent activity it is surely no hero. Absolutely ridiculous propaganda. I am lucky not to have experienced war in my life time (yet) and still don't think anyone deserves to die - no matter what their religion, beliefs or race or whether their land has oil or not. Unfortunately, I have met victims of war of my own age with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and that is not a pretty sight.

For once, I agree with the Pope.

Or maybe I should just read these articles to see what they mean by this young boy being a WAR HERO. Comments, please.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205481120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205481120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205481120/tpod.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:40:42 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Singapore, Singapore

Last time I saw Cindy was at graduation two years ago. It is wonderful to see where my kind-hearted friend really comes from - everything is so exotic! On arrival she took us to eat to a food court where frogs and turtles were crammed in an aquarium. Apparently they were going to be eaten. Singapore is a journey for all senses. The smells and tastes are (literally) from another world. It is hectic, organised, multi-cultural, beautiful, humid, sweaty and clean.

I can see the jungle and Indonesia from Cindy's flat window (13th floor, as there are four million people in Singapore the only way of getting more space is up, high tower buildings are everywhere).

We had a tour of the China town, temples, night safari and the malls with a very professional guide. Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

Simon says: They had the coldest temperature in a year last week - 21C. THE COLDEST???
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205037180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205037180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1205037180/tpod.html Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:22:55 -0400 My Wonderful World

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Cairns, Australia

Exotic fruits feel like a luxury and I'm happy they are readily available here in the tropics!

We started the diving course in the Deep Sea Divers Den. Two days' pool practice and theory and then off to the open sea for three days to marvel at the Great Barrier Reef! Very exiting!

Day 1
Being able to breathe underwater is just plain weird - I struggle a little as I am used to breathe through my nose unless something smells bad. So my mask keeps on filling with water. My element is fire which explains the fact that I have never been very good in the water. Unless it's a warm bath or a jacuzzi that is. Our instructor Matt made us do all these claustrophobic things like taking off the mask under water and turning off the oxygen. Let's hope tomorrow goes better. Simon only measured 194 cm today. Maybe he is shrinking because of all the burgers and cokes he has had in the past few months.

Day 2
I'm feeling a lot more confident in the water now - well, at least the pool. So much so that I decided to buy my own matching (pink) mask and snorkel!

Day 3
After a bumpy boat ride to the Great Barrier Reef, we did our first open water dives! Very exiting! Glad I bought some sea sickness tablets.

Day 4
We are now certified open water divers. The first dive took place at 6.30am so I was still asleep in the bottom of the ocean and struggled taking my mask off but still managed to pass. In the evening we did a magical night dive with a guide. I kept on bumping into things and people as chose too big fins for this dive - I thought my blisters would not suffer that much.

Day 5
Fun dives! Saw a small reef shark and beautiful little fish. Simon says my sense of orientation is awful. Glad he's my diving buddy.

We are off to Singapore next to visit my friend Cindy. Have not seen her since graduation... three years ago!? Australia has been wet, stormy, occasionally sunny and pretty country. I feel sorry for the aboriginals though - I have not seen any sober ones. I guess they are victims of the circumstances and not enough is being done to help them out.
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Sydney, Australia

Simon says: It rained a lot. I hate dorms. No more dorms for Simon.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1204683180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1204683180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/snowflake/world/1204683180/tpod.html Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:18:18 -0500 My Wonderful World

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Noosa, Australia

Took a night trip to Noosa and spent the day at the Australia zoo, home of the crocodile hunter. Crikey!

Simon says: DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!

Ohhoh blogit sen kun lyhenee reissun lahentyessa loppuaan. Nettiaika on kortilla ja kuvien lataamiseen menee monia minuutteja... Pistan kuvanayttelyn pystyyn kunhan paasen kotiWalesiin :)
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Surfers Paradise, Australia

My gorgeous, partying-hard friend Ellie who I met in London in the late 90s has turned into a wife, a mother to a beautiful boy Conor and a domestic goddess. Things and people change. No more dancing on top of cupboards (apparently she prefers tables now), wild nights out or wearing ties and waistcoat work uniforms! She is still gorgeous though. We got invited to stay at her house and it has been great to remember the old times (did I really used to have orange hair?) and catch up. Lots of baby talk, lovely company, great food and sunny days.

Bret and Ellie, hoping to see you guys in Wales or Finland soon! Thanks for everything!

Loma lahenee loppuaan, ostin lennotkin jo pohjolaan ja olen siella muistaakseni 9. huhtikuuta muutaman viikon taytellen tyohakupapereita ja odotellen vuokralaisten muuttoa ulos Walesin kampasta.
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