TravelStream™ news feed for member supertrampz on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/supertrampz en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:56:33 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1099846020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1099846020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1099846020/tpod.html Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:56:33 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Kyoto, Japan

I have been fortunate to visit Japan on two occassions; this is the story of my second sober trip in 2001 with my wife, her sister and my mother-in-law..ouch.

On our first night in Japan we were treated to a luxurious Japanese banquet in a traditional setting. The screened room contained a long low table with cushions and tatami mats. Delicate flowers and porcelain had been placed in accordance with Feng Shui. The servers were all females dressed in kimono who would bow their way in and out of the room, which was often, as Japanese meals come in a multitude of small, well-presented dishes. We were treated to tofu, sticky rice, raw fish and egg. The baby eels caused a stir but, out of politeness, went down the hatch along with a draft of saki and some thick green tea. All was calm and respectful till I needded to go to the toilet.
In Japan there exists a set of social rules that govern daily life keeping order and giving structure to the Japanese way of life. They are observed religiously and foreigners are not excluded. I was about to break the first rule.

1) There are slippers for every occasion

I had grasped the idea that you take your shoes off outside the building, pad around the corridors in fluffy slippers till you enter the dining room, then slippers off and enjoy the meal. What caught me out was the different slippers for the bathroom - I walked straight in with the house slippers only to be accosted angrily by a nearby employee. He made me change to rubber slippers but at the time I was unsure of the reason. After taking a leak I walked back into the dining room still wearing the rubber toilet slippers. An unholy commotion ensued with tears shed amongst the staff.

Kyoto is the old capital of Japan and is truly beautiful. Still jetlagged I was up with the roosters and Japanese pensioners in flowery smocks and hats. They were engaged in aerobic workouts and appeared as fit as fleas. I couldn't keep pace with them as they ascended the stairs to the main temple and returned to our hostel for a breakfast of rice... hmmm
I lost count of the number of shrined we visited in Kyoto. Each one is worthy of greater contemplation than we had time to give. One shrine for the dead of WWII had an enormous Bhudda seated on top. You could see it from a distance hovering over the trees. In front was a rectangular pond, full of Koi carp, by which we sat and meditated (or snoozed).
We had timed our visit to coincide with blossom time which has special meaning in Japanese culture. The Philosopher's Path, a canal-side walk was lined with hundreds of pink cherry trees providing a smooth carpet to walk on up to the zen gardens. These are meticulously well-kempt with not a leaf nor blade of grass out of place. I loved the mounds of grey sand raked into sweeping swirls of immense precision. All very strange.
The Golden Temple was the highlight of our day in Kyoto. Why anyone would coat their home in gold-leaf is beyond me but it makes for a striking effect reflected in the surrounding lake.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1176106920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1176106920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1176106920/tpod.html Mon, 09 Apr 2007 05:04:30 -0400 Travelling is painless

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Madiera, Portugal

This was our first major holiday with our one-year-old baby and I wasn't really up for it. My wife J was desperate for some sunshine at the tail end of the English winter and this made us look south. I had no desire to return to the Canary islands and would have prefered a Mediterranean destination but J was adamant the weather there would not be warm enough. After a quick internet search Madeira seemed a good compromise with good walking and a bit of culture for me, the weather and botany for J and Portugese, child-loving attitude for the bambino.
The flight was hell. The sheer amount of stuff - pushcairs, babycarrier, nappies, wriggling baby etc meant the relief of finally being checked in was amplified by a factor of ten (if only you could check the baby in!). When 'it' began to scream on take off , a major nagging guilt materialised. Is it fair to subject the baby to this? Was it the pressurised cabin? More red-faced, arched-back screaming distress. With motherly comfort he eventually settled but the nagging guilt remained.
Madeira is an engineers paradise. It rises, a mountain peak, out of the ocean. With no flat land everything has to be levelled, tunnelled and balanced on slopes, (including the runway, formerly the most dangerous in the world, now lengthed but still hairy) which is what the levaderos have been doing ever since the 15th century. The levaderos are responsible for the construction and maintenance of the levadas or water channels that take water for the high springs to agricultural terraces all over the island. As paths run alongside the levadas they also provided great opportunities for seeing the island on foot.
We stayed at the main tourist complex near the Lido in Funchal. The gardens around the city are colourful, lush and tropical and worth a visit even for the none botanical. Two cable cars have been set up by a Swiss company to take you from Funchal to Monte high on the mountainside. The views are great and this is where the ancient, now touristy, street tobbagan rides commence.

Two top tips:

1) Take a local bus (?86) to Carreira du Funchal, (nuns valley). Head downhill along the road for 400m then take the clear path on the left and enjoy an exhilirating climb to a great lookout. As Madeira bus drivers are bonkers, once you have ascended this crazy peak, you will find a bus stop. Buy your ticket, close your eyes and pray.
2) Get one way tickets on the cable car to Monte and then Monte to Botannical gardens. Zigzag down through the gardens and catch a cab/bus back to Funchal.

Portugese men and women can't help but ogle a cute baby. We were constantly stopped in the street as little J was cooed over. He loved the attention and was spoilt rotten. He giggled, smiled and luaghed so much he really was a joy to be around. Our first holiday with the baby was 10/10 but the actual journeying is so bad we won't be rushing into another trip.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083836340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083836340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083836340/tpod.html Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:29:22 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Rome, Italy

Rome: December 2000:

I had a bone to pick with the Romans after ill-treating Boudicca and ravaging our country leaving nothing but civilisation, mosaics and straight roads. Unfortunately for the Romans and Rome they thenselves were later to fall foul of the barbarian hordes and all they brought were golden arches.
As we were staying nearby our first visit was to the Vatican City. Unless you are a fan of the Gnostic Gospels, St. Peter was the rock on which the Catholic church was built and judging from his Basilica he was a big one. We entered through an impressive, vast, semicircular columnaded square which draaws you into the Basilica's main gates. Once inside you can only be awed by the weighty display of power and wealth that surrounds you. Marble flooring, large mosiacs covering the dome and alcoves dressed with religious art. The alter piece made from bronze stripped from the Parthenon, melted down, recast and raised as a symbol of Christian rise and pagan fall. The place has gravitas.
How do you get to the to the top of the Basilica? The answer of course is stairs and as Michael Caine would say, 'Bloody thousands of them'. As there is also a lift available the attendant looked bemused as J and I gaily bound up the first few steps. By halfway i was so knackered that I was tempted to saw an inch off my right leg to make the going up the spiral staircase a bit easier. At the roof I began to have visions and J was talking in tongues. but the climbing was still not finished - the ascent up the dome of St. Peter remained.
The reward for our effort was eternal life and a spectacular view of the seven hills of Rome, Vatican gardens and the Castle d' st. Angello.
Italian pizza does not have the ingredients attached to the bread, they tend to just roll about on top providing nourishment and much entertainment, but not as much as the Vatican museum, no this place is a true dragon's horde of treasure. We spent hours, which could have turned to days, exploring corridors of tapestries, manuscripts and exotica but like the Mona Lisa in the Louvre everyone is being slowly drawn to the real gem the Cistine chapel. I don't want to get all gushy so just please visit and spend an hour there.
When I first saw the colosseum i ducked for cover under a park bench fearing its imminent collapse. A very precarious building and (after the problem I had with the engineering on a previous Italian car I never truly relaxed. The interior was partly restored giving a sense of what it must have been like to be a visiting Christian during its hey day.
I must war any male that takes his partner that the guided tour is taken by a young, dark, Italian archaelogy student. I noticed all the females tended to gather very close at the information stops while the men scowled at the back.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1020612360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1020612360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1020612360/tpod.html Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:58:53 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Kefalonia, Greece

Kefalonia 2000

I virtually crawled away from the plane after the worst landing in recorded history. I swera the pilot touched the water, after descending through low cloud, before pulling the plane up sharply and coming at the runway from the opposite direction. I did the coach transfer in the brace position.
The further north and east you drive from the airport the prettier the island becmoed. Pine clad mountains to your left, falling away to rocky coves and sandy beaches on your right. We stayed just outside Scala in a family run apartment block. The couple smile, gave us the key then went back to playing cards on the verandah. No wonder they live longer!
The aprtment stood on the side of a hill surrounded by a beautiful meditteranean garden with great views of the twinkling, blue Med. Scala was a 15 minute walk away, just the right sixe for a choice of good restaurants and bars. We ate out every night as it was cheap and lush. I loved the grilled haloumi cheese.
There were some unispiring Romanesque ruins nearby but the real treasure was found after a long walk up the mountain to an old villlage destroyed by earthquake in 3,000 BC. The beach at Scala was functional but keep walking to the right and scrabble over the rocks and you'll get to the nudie section.
Hiring a car and heading north provided a day in my life that I will never forget. It started with traditional coffee and toast at the harbour in Sami. It was so early the town itself was just waking up with fishermen tending their nets. Circling the bay and up into the mountains we arrived at the lookout over Mirtos beach. I have visited beaches in many spots around the world but trust me this is 'the beach'. You arrive on a high narrow path and the view stops you dead. A long crescent of platinum sand sandwiched between two sheer cliffs and the blue-green glittering water - enough to induce orgasm in the vulnerable. Even better is that you can drive down along a swith-back road and park on the beach itself, then there are great rocks to dive off, fish to gawp at and a cave to swim into. Such fun.
Had lunch at Assos, a narrow isthmus spearing out into the sea. There is a quaint old village around a sheltered bay where you can get fresh fish and sunbathe and snorkel in the shallow waters. Overlooking the village high up is Ulysses's castle. J felt sedentary, so I decided to jog up and take a look. It was a hot day and the path was steep and rocky. With dehydration I began to stagger and wobble from side to side. I should have turned back but I am a stubborn swine. The pathe got even steeper but I wasn't going to be beat. I began to sweat like a badger but still I went on. An old Greek couple passed me by making the protective sign of the horn. With a wild glint in my eye I staggered on.
I don;t know how nuch time had passed but in a delirious state I crawled up to the gatehouse of the castle and luxuriated in the shaded gateway breathing heavily. It smelt as if man and beast had been using it as a urinal but I didn't care, I just lay there like a beggar on his lunch break.
When I had recovered sufficiently I made it for the top. It's a man thing, I wanted to conquer this place and wave down to my adoring girlfriend below. She would look up and think 'wow that's the guy I want to marry. So, I went on into the overgrown inner sanctum. The place had a thorny barrier like sleeping beauties palace. I climbed, crawled and traversed my way onward. Squeesing my body through a tiny hole I appeared blinking into the sunlight. I was on the highest point of this castle mountain and there was a wonderful view for miles around. I was ecstatic. I glimpsed the old village below and started a waving and a hollering like crazy. Unfortunately J had gone for a swim and never truly got to appreciate my achievement but at least I caught the eye of the local fishwife.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1172041920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1172041920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1172041920/tpod.html Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:56:37 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Barcelona, Spain and Canary Islands

Barcelona: November 1999

An Easyjet flight from Liverpool for £120 and you're away, who needs to pre-book accomodation? We learnt that if your flight gets into an airport an hour and a half outside a busy city it is a good idea.
On the flight we chanced upon a South African work colleague, Jaco, who happened to be a very seasoned traveller. We had an opportunity to catch up on the flight but as we landed we made our apologies and rushed off explaining that we needed to get into town before the tourist information closed at 10pm and book a room. He had wisely arranged some well-recommeded digs for himself and merely smiled sympathetically as he stayed to calmly wait for his bags.
Sweating and breathless we met him at the train station 30 minutes later, we had got lost and the bugger beat us there, sitting perusing his guide book as we careered onto the platform. Luckily we got to the tourist info with 5 minutes to spare and did get a place to stay.
Early next morning we were walking past Barcelona's beautiful old apartment buildings on the way to see Gaudi's masterpieces of architecture. They appear suddenly inbetween traditionally reserved offices and are truly marvelous Hansel and Grettel houses.
The Picasso museum was enlightening; during his student days he demonstrated what a fantastic artist he was with some classically beautiful art. Something must have happened to him in his later years, he turned into a depraved monster with his renowned, seedy, squiggly drawings (most of females in compromising positions). The Miro gallery was more to my taste - fun, colourful and very Spanish. It stands on a hill called Montjeu with an expansive view of the city. The Olympic stadium is also up there and we walked through some pretty gardens before coming down the steps of a majestic palace onto a huge roundabout with the bull ring and Miro park in the distance.
We had walked so far at this point that my feet no longer fit insode my shoes. Due to hypoglycaemia and fatigue I managed to fit in a miny sulk about something or other. In the pleasant sunshine we took a break and watched families playing in the park.
Rested we made a call to Jaco and met him on La Rambla. This is a promenade that leads from the town centre, through the old quarter to the port. Everyone was out talking and chatting with statue people, mime artists and toy sellers all adding to the atmosphere. Generously we decided to treat Jaco to a meal and brazenly led him off down a maze of side streets into the bowels of the dodgy district. Gangs of skateboarders and street toughs stood in the doorways pciking the dirt out of their nails with oversized knives. Happy to get off the alley we entered the first ye back street taverna we espied.
Ahhhh the culinary delights that followed - foul, the most disgusting fodder. It was partly our fault, hushing Jaco into silence as it was our shout and with limited Spanish we ordered little fish with their heads still on, raw eggs and the worst excuse for an omellette I have ever witnessed.The head waiter was manic 'You English? I am Tony Blair' than he would stand to attention before descending into a fit of giggles. At the next table'You American? I am Bill Clinton!' again he stood to attention, this tim saluting, 'You German?... I am Chancellor Kohl...'. I suppose you get the picture, I am a patient man but this guy really got on my tits. Poor Jaco just sat there in a state of shock clutching his guidebook.

In March 2005 I returned to Barcelona on business, what a gorgeous place. J came to join me and we reminisced with a sojourn along La Rambla. Happy memories. The next day we took a bus to Girona and stayed there for four days in the heart of the old walled city. Very pretty and the walk along the wall was good. A weekend would have been enough time to see the sites in Girona and we were itching to get into the surrounding countryside after a few days.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083571440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083571440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083571440/tpod.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:23:34 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Playa de las Americas, Spain and Canary Islands

Tenerife 1999

For me the jury is still out on the canary islands. On two occasions we have travelled there after a miserable winter looking for a bit of sunshine to less the seasonal affective disorder. We went to Tenerife in 1999 and got a late deal to stay in Playa de las Americas. The accommodation (assigned on arrival) was O.K. bordering on average and the resort itself is a bit like Blackpool on heat but minus a funfair.
Walking along the seafront promenade and marina was enjoyable and we ate two of the finest meals of Paella and Seabass. Both dishes were under £10 and were completely divine. We tried to get around the island to see everything Tenerife had to offer; I dragged Jane up the nearest cliff overlooking the resort I think it was name 'anti climax'. Taking a local bus to the volcanic beack of Los Gigantes was more impressive but it was so cold we ended up huddled under a towel looking out a grey skies from black sands. Mount Teide is worth a visit though, it is the highes mountain in Spanish territory and you can reach the summit by bus then cable car. Nearby the Mt. Teide National park is a real moonscape, the original Planet of the Apes was part-filmed here.
On our last day we went out onto the sea in a so-called 'water taxi ride to view dolphins'. I've seen more action on a land taxi into town on a dark night. Suffice to say the only mammals we viewed were all being sea-sick. Tenerife, I wouldn't say bad but... it lacked class.

Fuertaventura 2000

Our bodies were so pale and wan by the end of another harrowing British winter that we decided to give cheap winter sun another try. Can't remember the name of the resort we stayed at, it was left out of the airport into no-mans land. What a grim place with as much charachter as a German rock group. White concret blocks and neon signs. Do the Spanish hate us tourists so much? The only saving grace was that our hotel was nice on the inside.
We gave Fuertaventura a chance, again I dragged Jane up a nearby cliff, this time accompanied by all manner of fauna including goats and chipmunks, cheekly little fellas.
The weather was not kind, bright but so windy and cold. We bough a stunt kite and made littel children green with envy on the beach. After the amusement wore off we hired a car and our sanity was saved by a little green Corsa. Liberated we drove south to Correljo, hang out of surfer types and north to the German enclave. Lastly we took the mountain road inland in search of ye olde Spanish village.
We had fun in Fuertaventura but a week was long enough, maybe if the weather had been better.... the lonely cry of two desperate northern Europeans.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083497580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083497580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083497580/tpod.html Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:53:37 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Poina Brasov, Romania

In 1998 we paid £280 for a week's skiing in Poina Brasov complete with ski hire, lift pass and tuition! The transfer from the airport was long and arduous but the hotel was a pleasant surprise. Our room had MTV and some kind of animal skin blanket which weighed a ton and pinned you to the bed at night.
The town of Brasov itself is a bit grim and we heard rumours of tourists disappearing on nights out never to be seen again. As far as the skiing went, well, it was my first ime, Jane had been before and was hoping our group would be quick on the uptake. Unfortunately the group were a bunch of X-files and we resigned ourselves to a long, slow week. Even before putting their skis on some of them were falling over, add this to their comedy ski suits and it was like having a skiing lesson with the muppets. We spent three days at the foot of the mountain learning to 'snow plough' then on the fourth day we took a cable car up the mountain. The views were stunning and I spent a lot of time just sat on my arse ion the snow admiring the beauty of the clouds. The blue runs were steeper up and our group, true to form, collapsed like a bunch of multi-coloured skittles. However, things soon picked up pace and we actually began to feel the wind in our faces. As we still had little control of the skis our accidents became more spectacular culminating in Jane flying off the edge of the mountain giving one long piercing scream. I rushed over to the spot where she had vacted the mountain to fins a movie scene with Jane saved from a grim fate by a tree stump that had blocked her fall.
The instructor Mia was a former Romanian champion, very patient and thorough. Each day she would take us somewhere new to eat. There was one place, called 'the Outlaw's Hut', which alledgedly served bear although no-one was sick enough to try it..honest.... hmmmm.
That was the one thing that people did complain about in the hotel - the food. The country was going through a rough time and I'm sure we were actually eating the best available, however, that empathy didn't make the cheese less rubbery.
The day-trips we did were suprisingly good. We went to Castle Bran the home of COunt Doodah on whom the Dracula myth was centred. It was very picturesque and only a little spooky.
The day in Bucharest was fascinating. So many amazing events had happened there recently. There were bullet holes in the walls and a feeeling of represssion and revolution.
As a skiing destination there would not be a great deal for the advanced skier but as a beginner it was great. Our only regret was not finding the local sauna and pool until the last night. Then again you can only rub up against large Bavarian men for so-long before it starts to get a little bit icky.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083431160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083431160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1083431160/tpod.html Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:36:23 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Decameron, Dominican Republic

Well our RTW trip is over and we have a gorgeous little baby boy. I wanted to add the rest of our trips (for posterity) to my travelogue. Some are quite recent but others are memories of halcyon days.
Dominican Republic: In 1997 I had started work as a junior doctor and after a couple of months I was totally ready for a break. Jane and I went to the travel agent and asked for something a little alternative and ended up paying just £470 for a late deal:- 8 days all-inclusive at the Decameron complex on the south coast of the Dominican Republic.
I remember the flight well as it is the only time I have ever got to sit on the front row! I had so much legroom I didn't know what to do with myself. All of the other passengers developed their DVT's and looked on in envy.
We were a Little wary of going to the Dominican Republic as it neighbours Haiti, this turned into outright fear as we ran the gauntlet of unofficial porters outside the airport. One guy hijacked our cases, carried them 5 yards to the coach and then demanded money from Jane with a menacing attitude. I was as useful as a glass hammer, so, Jane ended up paying him £10 leaving both of us feeling used and abused. I was so on edge that by the time we got to our complex the busboy had to wrestle me before he could take the luggage to our apartment.
The holiday could have quickly gone down the pan but within minutes of alighting in our wonderful apartment we were back on top form. The complex was gorgeous including two large pools, a pristine beach and excellent local cuisine. As we sat at the bar on that first evening any remaining worries were carried away on the back of a few complimentary rum punches.
The weather all week was warm and sunny we sunbathed, swam and walked along the beach. Every evening we would gaze at the palm trees silhouetted by the setting sun.
Normally the trips on package holidays are less than inspiring but in the Dominican Republic we went on two great days out. The first was a trip out on a catamaran followed by snorkelling. I had never snorkelled before and I was really nervous. The waves felt really powerful and I had to put a lot of effort in just to stay off the rocks and coral. I was so exhausted I was the first one back on board ship. The second day out was one of the best days of my life, racing past mangrove swamps in power boats before anchoring at a sandbar for a drink and finally mooring at a deserted beach to sunbathe.
During the week I read two books; 'the Horse Whisperer', which was crap and 'He Died with a Falafel in his Hand' which was absolutely hilarious. The only low point for the rest of the holiday (remember this is our first holiday together) was when I enthusiastically bounded into the surf and clocked Jane on the nose. It's amazing how even a little blood can turn the Caribbean pink. Men, women, children, grannies and several sharks descended on Jane (whom I thought milked it a bit) to help stem the flow of blood. I was left feeling awful on my own with only a few withering looks from the grannies to keep me company. Luckily for me there were no breakages or black eyes or I would have been in the dog house for sure.
A great week, shame it was over, just when we were getting used to pizza and fruit juice on the beach!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1081091820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1081091820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1081091820/tpod.html Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:05:47 -0500 Travelling is painless

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Kandi, Sri Lanka

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April 2004

Our round the world trip was finished but we had the travel bug worse than ever. The other travellers we had met fired our imagination for those parts of the world we had failed to reach. Like avid collectors we had to tick off the continents and countries we had yet to explore.
Jane had the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka as a stop on her journey home. The elections were due and a prominent figure in the Tamil tigers had recently been killed so, I think she viewed it with some trepidation.

To be completed... here are some photos though..













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]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1078113000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1078113000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/supertrampz/backpackingrtw/1078113000/tpod.html Mon, 29 May 2006 05:12:37 -0400 Travelling is painless

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Sydney, Australia

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Wednesday 25th February

Back in Sydney, free didgeridoo performance at the Outback Centre in Darling Harbour then went to find Nemo with all the other big kids at the aquarium. Great views of all the fish and animals we have been chasing around Queensland for the past month.



Thursday 26th February

Climbed the south pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge then walked across it. Looked at it from several angles then went home.


Friday 27th February

Ate large portions of freshly battered fish and chips overlooking the big waves at manly beach. The surf dudes were all out in force as the conditions were fantastic. They really put on a good free show as they wiped out performing switch backs and getting into the barrel of the waves.
The old ferry back to Circular Quay rolled a fair bit in the swell but reached calm waters just in time to catch the sun setting over harbour bridge and the opera house.
How romantic.

Saturday 28th February

Decadent performance of Verdi's La Traviata at the Sydney Opera House. This was the first time either of us had been to the opera and we were both blown away. The Orchestra, singers and sets were all top class.
Following the show we walked in the sunshine through the Botanical Gardens and got shat on by the bats.

Sunday 29th February

If anyone ever decides to go to Sydney you have to do the Coogee to Bondi cliff top walk. It passes by some of the best beaches around Sydney and has some great views of the rocky coastline. All the local Sydneysiders were out in the ocean, swimming with dogs, snorkelling, surfing or sailing.


Monday 1st March

Getting into the spirit of things for Thailand with dodgy stomachs. Stayed in our luxury ensuite double room at the YHA and began discarding all our old clothes and accumulated junk. We plan to travel light from here on in.
Out goes the linen suit/ short skirts and sleeveless tops.

Tuesday 2nd March

Thailand today, our flight gets in at silly o'clock so Jane's booked us into airport hotel.
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