It's one thing to be in an amazing city, it's another to be there when something big is happening. Tomorrow two American football teams will battle at wembley stadium. The Denver broncos vs the San Francisco 49ers, the latter being my team! Yes my team is playing in London when I'll be there. But today there was a fan rally. Trafalgar square was packed, I've never seen so many NFL jerseys floating around. It's a shame that it wasn't on earlier so I could be there for more. They had the 49ers cheerleaders, 49ers drum bands, hip hop dancers who put my mr bean dance to shame! They had interactive games, merchandise, and the place was rocking. Later our emotinal and sometimes crazy 49ers coach mike singeltary and former great Jerry Rice were making an appearence. Many londoners may not know all the rules, or even seen a match on tv, but they were there supporting a huge event for London! Merchandise stand was packed and you're certainly blessed with choice! I'll get my gear tomorrow night, but there is so many options and it's very pricey! Choose wisely Luke skywalker! I should get my face painted. Can't be a long night, my flight to Norway leaves at 7am!!
What a great sporting weekend. In march I had AFL, F1 and the Melbourne international comedy festival, this weekend I have man utd v tottenham and 49ers v Denver! I'm writing this as I'm hurtling across the English countryside, our first stop was Milton Keynes, the home of red bull racing, tempted to get off but I have bigger plans..... Old trafford, home of the red devils, the team I've supported my whole life Manchester United! It's hard to realize that I'll be there in about 2 hours. It's a bucket list thing to do and it's finally happening! I've got my Hargreaves jersey and my new man utd jumper (thanks mum) on and I'm super pumped. It's a big game, sold ou, and I'm very fortunate to have a ticket! It's a lengthy process to get one, then become a member, waiting for the tickets to go to a ballot where you have to apply, then about 1-2 weeks of waiting, hoping that my application will be a success. Finally I received the email, your application was successful! Two words, fuking yay!
I did what I needed to do today, washing clothes, easier said than done. No washing powder, and when I got some and did the quick wash and rinse, it wouldn't let me open to door, clothes were stuck, the machine wanted to dry then, nooo they'll shrink, open damn you!! After about 30mins I opened it, Ahhh sweet clothes freedom! Its a beautiful sunny day in London, and my weather luck continues. When will it stop.... Never I hope. My wish is for clear weather at night while in norway for the northern lights and clear weather for Switzerland, especially my scenic helicopter flight around the Matterhorn. The rest I'm not fussed about, I'm prepared for the rain.
An old friend has advised me that galaxy is the choc to choose cause cadbury has dropped the ball over here and that KFC chips will not have chicken salt! Lucky she told me that now, it was going to be a snack. What else is different?! The city is much different on the weekends, busier but no one is rushing anywhere. Still no smiles, but I'm making up for that I can't stop smiling!
And interesting side note is the characters, I could certainly add to the big book of British smiles. There was a girl wearing Gumboots, way too big and flopping everywhere, it's her style and she's happy. It's not a judgement merely an observation. And my favourite person so far is a guy I saw on the tube, stage hypnotist Kenny Craig look alike! I nearly cracked up as he walked past and onto my train. I was waiting for him to fart and then....... Look into my eyes, Look into my eyes, Look into my eyes not around the eyes, the eyes, your under, I did not just fart, repeat not just fart, it was the bloke sitting beside me, 3,2,1.... Your back in the room!
I'm easy pleased and have learnt to accept the things you cannot change, just be prepared for the unexpected. Life is going to throw a few curveballs, just be on your toes to adjust, or it will hit you on the ass.....take your base! I've already had two chicken meals so far on the trip, even my fussy pallet has adjusted.
The countryside is picture perfect, rolling hills, meadows and some beautiful estates. It just so English, I love it.
Ok, part two of today's epic!
I'm hooked! I was in awe the whole match! It's hard to put in words my feelings as I walked up the stairs and into the arena, Old Trafford, Theatre Of Dreams and one I hope never to wake up from! This us unreal, 75,000 fans in a stadium not that big, I've been at 90,000 crowd at the MCG and 82,000 crowd for Australia v Uruguay at Stadium Australia, but this blew them out of the water. Our AFL and cricket stadiums are massive the atmosphere can be lost by the sheer size! This was electric, addictive and I want to go again! I want to show to everyone just how amazing this night was! But i dont have a clue how to. There's no smiley face big enough, no english words.... Its a mixture of euphoria, realisation of a life long dream, and just a big part of your heart. I watch these guys do battle til 5am back home, and the whole tome it was hard to fathom where I was. Couldn't stop looking around, smiling and just taking every bit if atmosphere that was available shoving it in my pocket to keep forever! It was a big game for Man Utd. Tottenham are a good club and are in the champions league this year! We won 2-0!!! Our captain scored in the first half, he's a Serbian so Vanessa will be pumped that he scored, and Nani cheekily stole a goal, it was called a goal, then the sideline referee had his flag up, after a chat there was no whistle at the infringement and Nani just yoinked it and scored! The roar around the stadium was hairs standing up stuff! All through the game the crowd lives and breathes every pass, every block and every moment of brilliance! And I got to see two greats if the club, Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes! I did miss Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Owen Hargreaves the name and number I have on my jersey, all injured. But that would be greedy, I don't want a cherry on my cake, what I saw, felt and lived is something that I will take to my grave and no one can take that away from me...... Shaking fist...... No one! Even at the ground it was hard to understand what some of the chants were, but my favorite was "we'll do what we want, we'll do what we waaaaant, we're Man Utd, we'll do what we want!" it's so typically Man Utd arrogance! With arrogance you have confidence, and this club is always confident. I've watched many a game and if you turned off the tv with 5 mins to go, you would miss Man Utd score two goals to come back and win it! And it comes down to a confidence that they will win, and it's never too late in a game! Bit like my trip, 28 but always had that belief of being there and supporting MY TEAM!
I waited for the stadium to empty to get a shot of me with the magnificent stadium in the background! It's there for the real fans! For half the city of Manchester (the other half support man city), this is their life. They sweat on other games scores in hope that we can get some points off Chelsea and Arsenal! I heard twat and foookin git in the accent it was made for! Pride of the North!
I didn't want to leave, though I had a train in an hour, so it was kind of force majeur. The public transport was kinda poor and after walking 15 mins near the tram stop behind about 20,000 people I asked a policewoman how long will it take to walk to Piccadilly station, bout 30-45 mins! Pete couldn't have walked there in 45 minutes. It was down the main stretch, forgetting to let me know about the important left-right-right towards the end!! So as it was nearly 8pm I decided to run, not jog, or is the j silent, is it yogging?! (anchorman) I stopped briefly to check a bus map at a bus stop to make sure I was heading in the right direction. I could hear the trains but couldnt see anything that resembles a train station, so i kept running. Stopping for the map was a bad idea physically, legs haven't run for about a week and for this duration in prob about 6 degrees, stopping = cramps! Luckily if I took it at yogging pace they quickly got back into a groove that I could then run again. 30mins of running, and I'm on holidays! That'll work off that galaxy bar I'm soon to try!
I made it with two minutes to spare! Sweating, but not smelling like my Coolangatta - KL flight! So a success all round. Now turn my thoughts to tomorrow, my last day in London, NFL game @ wembley. I'll start packing for Norway tonight. What an amazing place littered with prestige and beauty that so far is unsurpassed by anything I have every experienced..... So far!
I'm so happy!! :-)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Why make plans.....
You ever have those days when your plans just don't go to plan, today was one of those days. Plans to see inside places like London Tower and St Paul's Cathedral, yeah didn't quite happen, well didn't happen at all. I got lost again, well not lost just couldn't find what i was looking for, yeah ok lost. But not bad oh my god I'm lost, more ooh this is nice but it's not what I'm here for. Today i went west? I think? That's how it was today. Some signs pointed me in the incorrect direction, so i will write a letter to the queen, dear Lizzie, i have a nine bone to pick, as a member of the commonwealth i would like to share with you my dissatisfaction to some signs around Chelsea. Yes Chelsea! Or zone 2 as my sore feet are calling it.
I took the tube to Regents Park, then walked alongside of it, not knowing what park it was, looked big! I was out looking to see the parks further north today and see Kensington Palace, then head into see St Paul's and Tower Of London. Firstly the parks are bloody huge, took longer than i thought, though i did get some interesting foliage and autumn photos. It was a really lovely walk, and i believe everyone should see London in autumn, but if i come back in another season I'll say that too. The colours are simply stunning, the lush green grass, squirrels running around like crazy and yellows, reds and oranges of the dead leaves littering the ground, gives it an amazing feel, it's nothing like anywhere I've been. It doesn't feel like a city, it doesn't feel like London, but it is and that's what so great about it! To remind yourself I looked right, double decker bus, ahh London. So much beauty in so many ways!
So i got to the Palace, don't bother, the walk was stunning but don't go there for the Palace, it's just an expensive house near what looked like embassies or diplomat houses. NO PHOTOS. But then walked around the streets, came across Madame Taussades, wow what a line! I'm happy I saw the exhibition in Sydney. And that was well worth it! Next stop food no guessing how i chose to find food....... Walking! There is food everywhere, and i got lost, walked down a few wrong streets, thanks to the incorrect signage queeny! And ended up, just past Kensington Olympia, and searching for the tube station, sign said stay on this street where in fact it was right, but i managed to walk around some very quaint neighborhoods, with just street after street of these cute terraced houses. I could live there for sure, a lot of nice cars around, quiet, classy with a taste of simplicity. The simple life, in London, sounds too good to be true. After i found the tube station, hopped on hoping to get to see tower or St Paul's but light was starting to fade and some rain clouds were on the horizon. My aim is to learn and capture what I've learnt in photographs. So the light was playing against me, so it will have to be saturday or sunday morning. I still have time in the city to do more stuff, nothing at night, just during the morning hours. Tonight there is rain about, I'm very happy i fought tiredness to get out and take some shots of London by night. I probably walked about 12 hours yesterday, today only 8 hours. Man do i need a good massage, a proper one too, not one of those dodgy Thai ones! And a song comes into my head......and it's only the beginning! So tonight will be a relaxed one, dinner and some treats, ahhh the UK know how to make sugar stuff. Cadbury and pepsi taste different to me, and it seems cheaper, got a bottle of evian for 59p, that's like $1.10. And yes I'm aware that evian spelled backwards was naive. This is just the start of an amazing trip, thank you to all my friends for keeping in contact with me. I hope the blog is doing justice to all of the feelings and emotions I'm feeling. It is a great city, with so much heritage, so much grandeur and it's lots of fun to be here. I know first thing Monday morning I'll be off, heading to Norway for the next big part, the expensive part. Killer whales, the northern lights and bobsledding!
But i haven't left yet. So what's from here on, well tomorrow a day i have been looking forward to my whole life. Manchester United at Old Trafford! A dream will be realised. They are playing Tottenham Hotspur a top 4 team last year, a big game, sold out! I'm very excited, I'd put big kev to shame right now! i would also like to see the champions league and arsenal games later when i get back to the UK, but I will be spending time with some very good friends (Gina and Steggles) when they are on, one i haven't seen for years! And time with them is certainly more important to me than another football match! I'll get my football fix when i get back to the 2,000 crowd at skilled park to watch GCU!
So the PLAN is to head to the station to pick up my train ticket to Manchester, see the inside of something, don't want to plan which one for obvious reasons. Then off to trafalgar square where they are hosting a fan zone for the NFL match on Sunday. 49ers legends, current players will be there as will our crazy coach Mike Singletary! Heaps of stalls, performances by the 49ers cheerleaders and much much more. I'll be there for an hour before heading to Manchester for the match. The word excited gets thrown around a lot in this blog, and for good reasons!
I'M EXCITED!!!!!!
I took the tube to Regents Park, then walked alongside of it, not knowing what park it was, looked big! I was out looking to see the parks further north today and see Kensington Palace, then head into see St Paul's and Tower Of London. Firstly the parks are bloody huge, took longer than i thought, though i did get some interesting foliage and autumn photos. It was a really lovely walk, and i believe everyone should see London in autumn, but if i come back in another season I'll say that too. The colours are simply stunning, the lush green grass, squirrels running around like crazy and yellows, reds and oranges of the dead leaves littering the ground, gives it an amazing feel, it's nothing like anywhere I've been. It doesn't feel like a city, it doesn't feel like London, but it is and that's what so great about it! To remind yourself I looked right, double decker bus, ahh London. So much beauty in so many ways!
So i got to the Palace, don't bother, the walk was stunning but don't go there for the Palace, it's just an expensive house near what looked like embassies or diplomat houses. NO PHOTOS. But then walked around the streets, came across Madame Taussades, wow what a line! I'm happy I saw the exhibition in Sydney. And that was well worth it! Next stop food no guessing how i chose to find food....... Walking! There is food everywhere, and i got lost, walked down a few wrong streets, thanks to the incorrect signage queeny! And ended up, just past Kensington Olympia, and searching for the tube station, sign said stay on this street where in fact it was right, but i managed to walk around some very quaint neighborhoods, with just street after street of these cute terraced houses. I could live there for sure, a lot of nice cars around, quiet, classy with a taste of simplicity. The simple life, in London, sounds too good to be true. After i found the tube station, hopped on hoping to get to see tower or St Paul's but light was starting to fade and some rain clouds were on the horizon. My aim is to learn and capture what I've learnt in photographs. So the light was playing against me, so it will have to be saturday or sunday morning. I still have time in the city to do more stuff, nothing at night, just during the morning hours. Tonight there is rain about, I'm very happy i fought tiredness to get out and take some shots of London by night. I probably walked about 12 hours yesterday, today only 8 hours. Man do i need a good massage, a proper one too, not one of those dodgy Thai ones! And a song comes into my head......and it's only the beginning! So tonight will be a relaxed one, dinner and some treats, ahhh the UK know how to make sugar stuff. Cadbury and pepsi taste different to me, and it seems cheaper, got a bottle of evian for 59p, that's like $1.10. And yes I'm aware that evian spelled backwards was naive. This is just the start of an amazing trip, thank you to all my friends for keeping in contact with me. I hope the blog is doing justice to all of the feelings and emotions I'm feeling. It is a great city, with so much heritage, so much grandeur and it's lots of fun to be here. I know first thing Monday morning I'll be off, heading to Norway for the next big part, the expensive part. Killer whales, the northern lights and bobsledding!
But i haven't left yet. So what's from here on, well tomorrow a day i have been looking forward to my whole life. Manchester United at Old Trafford! A dream will be realised. They are playing Tottenham Hotspur a top 4 team last year, a big game, sold out! I'm very excited, I'd put big kev to shame right now! i would also like to see the champions league and arsenal games later when i get back to the UK, but I will be spending time with some very good friends (Gina and Steggles) when they are on, one i haven't seen for years! And time with them is certainly more important to me than another football match! I'll get my football fix when i get back to the 2,000 crowd at skilled park to watch GCU!
So the PLAN is to head to the station to pick up my train ticket to Manchester, see the inside of something, don't want to plan which one for obvious reasons. Then off to trafalgar square where they are hosting a fan zone for the NFL match on Sunday. 49ers legends, current players will be there as will our crazy coach Mike Singletary! Heaps of stalls, performances by the 49ers cheerleaders and much much more. I'll be there for an hour before heading to Manchester for the match. The word excited gets thrown around a lot in this blog, and for good reasons!
I'M EXCITED!!!!!!
London's calling!
Firstly I can't get two songs out of my head as I walk around, London's Calling not sure by who, and You're Fit But You Know It, by The Streets. Its a real geezer song.
Walking the city, a lot of walking, did nearly 12 hours of walking. Jet lagged, what is that? My plan worked perfectly! Today was for me to have a feel around London, walk around, get a feel, well i gotta get a feel somehow!! Ha! It all started at 10am a good breakfast of vegemite on toast, and tea! I had my cameras packed and i was ready to hit the pavements and cobblestones of London. First up was big ben, parliament house, such an amazing structure, caught a glimpse of one of the spires with the sun in the background, it look eery, and i think my photo did it justice, took a few shots, underexposed it deliberately to get the real silhouette effect.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490569343486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486
Kinda wish i had a fisheye lens, so many of the buildings are massive and there is not enough space to get a full shot of it all! But i managed with some inventive angles. Beautiful weather again, I'm very fortunate with my timing, glimpses of the sun, and every time it came out i heard a massive hiss from londoners, bit like the are vampires. The women are beautiful, but never smile, and i wasn't doing anything creepy! But as Pete and i have talked about before, they are beautiful until they open their mouths. And I've noticed that everyone has red cheeks? Are they burst capillaries from being an alcoholic? No the kids have them too, and i don't think it's embedded in their culture that much. There is so much to see and do and i have hardly touched the surface of all that is London. I have managed to find my favourite choc bar here so that's a plus. So let's see where i went, Big Ben, Parliament House, Westmisnster Abbey, Westminster Cathederal, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, had a lovely lunch at a place called Little Frankies (hawaiian pizza, delicious) St Paul's Cathederal, London Tower, Tower Bridge, London Eye. I think that's it. As i was trotting about, I saw a sign that said Buckingham Palace, so i went in that direction, and my god there were people everywhere, 5-10 deep on the fence, people across the street! For those of you who have been there you'll know what i bumped into....... The changing of the guard, completely unplanned but I have now witnessed it, what great luck. Got some cool photos between peoples arms and just over their shoulders of the guards.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490569783486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486
I was planning to see it at some point, tonight I'd have to be a bit planned for it to happen, which is what today is for, but ticked it off the list. The park, or should I say Green Park was ( in my gayest voice) gorgeous, grounds so green and being autumn, tree leaves everywhere giving it a great feel to the park. I took my low to the ground shots, then I noticed everyone around me was watching and copying. I hope theirs turned out well.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490684098486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486#!/photo.php?fbid=490588563486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486&pid=7029016&id=637388486
From there i kind of just walked in circles, until i ended up at Admiralty Arch, very impressive monument, walked around a few corners to see the horse guards just sitting there, guarding...... Again this was just a walking around day to see things really didn't plot it out like i first intended, but another cool thing i bumped into. From there i just kept walking along The Thames, walked over London Bridge, meh.... Tower Bridge was impressive, got one of the black cabs in the shot whilst on it. Had no idea what the tower of London was, i was looking for signs, checked my map, it somewhere here, looking skywards......... Oh rrrrright there it is, se i thought it was going to be a tower...... But it's kind of like a fort. So today i will go inside things like St Paul's Cathedral, The Fort Of London, then head into the city bit deeper, away from The Thames.
I'm very impressed by everything that is here, i can't wait to learn, experience and live a bit more London life today. Just a quick note, at St Paul's Cathedral there was about 5 or 6 squirrels running around, so hard to get shot since it was about 5pm and little to no light, but they were so cute bouncing around in the the gardens, even one say next to me, sorry little fella, dairy milk won't help you grow up big and strong!
I was reading in my lonely planet guide that not to leave pubs in an unlicensed taxi, for fear of robbery or sexual attack.......ah so that's how you do it, so are you a unlicensed cabby, fancy a robbery or something more? Haha. Sorry this post is a quick one, more stuff to do today and I'll let you all know how it goes!
"Thanks for stopping by, but mainly stay classy" Anchorman
To check out my pics go here even if you're not on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=293660&id=637388486&l=eed128e9b4
Walking the city, a lot of walking, did nearly 12 hours of walking. Jet lagged, what is that? My plan worked perfectly! Today was for me to have a feel around London, walk around, get a feel, well i gotta get a feel somehow!! Ha! It all started at 10am a good breakfast of vegemite on toast, and tea! I had my cameras packed and i was ready to hit the pavements and cobblestones of London. First up was big ben, parliament house, such an amazing structure, caught a glimpse of one of the spires with the sun in the background, it look eery, and i think my photo did it justice, took a few shots, underexposed it deliberately to get the real silhouette effect.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490569343486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486
Kinda wish i had a fisheye lens, so many of the buildings are massive and there is not enough space to get a full shot of it all! But i managed with some inventive angles. Beautiful weather again, I'm very fortunate with my timing, glimpses of the sun, and every time it came out i heard a massive hiss from londoners, bit like the are vampires. The women are beautiful, but never smile, and i wasn't doing anything creepy! But as Pete and i have talked about before, they are beautiful until they open their mouths. And I've noticed that everyone has red cheeks? Are they burst capillaries from being an alcoholic? No the kids have them too, and i don't think it's embedded in their culture that much. There is so much to see and do and i have hardly touched the surface of all that is London. I have managed to find my favourite choc bar here so that's a plus. So let's see where i went, Big Ben, Parliament House, Westmisnster Abbey, Westminster Cathederal, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, had a lovely lunch at a place called Little Frankies (hawaiian pizza, delicious) St Paul's Cathederal, London Tower, Tower Bridge, London Eye. I think that's it. As i was trotting about, I saw a sign that said Buckingham Palace, so i went in that direction, and my god there were people everywhere, 5-10 deep on the fence, people across the street! For those of you who have been there you'll know what i bumped into....... The changing of the guard, completely unplanned but I have now witnessed it, what great luck. Got some cool photos between peoples arms and just over their shoulders of the guards.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490569783486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486
I was planning to see it at some point, tonight I'd have to be a bit planned for it to happen, which is what today is for, but ticked it off the list. The park, or should I say Green Park was ( in my gayest voice) gorgeous, grounds so green and being autumn, tree leaves everywhere giving it a great feel to the park. I took my low to the ground shots, then I noticed everyone around me was watching and copying. I hope theirs turned out well.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=490684098486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486#!/photo.php?fbid=490588563486&set=a.490567123486.293660.637388486&pid=7029016&id=637388486
From there i kind of just walked in circles, until i ended up at Admiralty Arch, very impressive monument, walked around a few corners to see the horse guards just sitting there, guarding...... Again this was just a walking around day to see things really didn't plot it out like i first intended, but another cool thing i bumped into. From there i just kept walking along The Thames, walked over London Bridge, meh.... Tower Bridge was impressive, got one of the black cabs in the shot whilst on it. Had no idea what the tower of London was, i was looking for signs, checked my map, it somewhere here, looking skywards......... Oh rrrrright there it is, se i thought it was going to be a tower...... But it's kind of like a fort. So today i will go inside things like St Paul's Cathedral, The Fort Of London, then head into the city bit deeper, away from The Thames.
I'm very impressed by everything that is here, i can't wait to learn, experience and live a bit more London life today. Just a quick note, at St Paul's Cathedral there was about 5 or 6 squirrels running around, so hard to get shot since it was about 5pm and little to no light, but they were so cute bouncing around in the the gardens, even one say next to me, sorry little fella, dairy milk won't help you grow up big and strong!
I was reading in my lonely planet guide that not to leave pubs in an unlicensed taxi, for fear of robbery or sexual attack.......ah so that's how you do it, so are you a unlicensed cabby, fancy a robbery or something more? Haha. Sorry this post is a quick one, more stuff to do today and I'll let you all know how it goes!
"Thanks for stopping by, but mainly stay classy" Anchorman
To check out my pics go here even if you're not on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=293660&id=637388486&l=eed128e9b4
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Chasing the sun!
Day two, the real trip begins.
Last night was pleasant, chilling out in my room, watching a classic, no not to kill a mockingbird, but something about mary. Went to bed just after midnight (KL time), a good sleep, it was interrupted by pouring rain, and the fear that my alarm wouldn't work, but each time i quickly fell back asleep. Woke up feeling great, really refreshed after a beard trim, shower and breakfast, and yes mum i brushed my teeth! I don't always brush them in the morning, most mornings i don't have time for breakfast, and i just chew gum. Activates the saliva glands and my breath doesn't smell, but if i eat, i brush the teeth and floss. I must be doing something right, my dentist is very happy every 6 months. My taxi was organized, and i had my "i's" charged.......my iPod, iPad and iPhone. Yep I'm apples new bitch! Everything at the airport is smooth, x-ray machine was on the fritz so they searched me and my bag manually ;-) they look so serious at the airport, but the only chappelle i have on me is Dave Chappelle's best of on my iPad. Three quotes from it so far.........."morning niggas" "white power" and "come on titty" and that's just in the first episode! If you don't know Dave Chappelle is a black comedian, got his own hilarious tv show, my favourite character is a blind black man who is a member of the Klu Klux Klan, and doesn't know he's black, he finds out he's black and he divorces his wife for being a nigger lover!
Back to the trip now you have some background on Dave! 12:30 flight from KL LCC airport to London Stansted. Approximately 14 hours. I have massive leg room and a window seat. And looking over the ocean it looks like a 14 hour episode of the world around us, that they cut out. And for good reason! Not much happening. I am getting something out of the view though, some amazing cloud formations, the starts of storm fronts. It looks awesome to fly right above a front that will in about an hour as high as the plane is flying.
It's pretty packed on this flight, no sprawling across 3 seats like yesterday, dammit! But it'll get me where i need to go. Along the trip I'm trying not to have too many expectations, it can only lead to disappointment. I am taking risks, but when in Rome. I was going to wear a monty python shirt that says romanes eunt dommus, "Romans go home" and if it's not done by sunrise I'll cut your balls off. Both flights I've had the chicken. This time it was the chicken foccacia. Most of you know that I'm a very fussy person when it comes to food, but watching bear grylls do his man vs wild show, you can eat anything if you have to. Most of the time i don't have to, so I pick and choose, bit like a woman, don't want them all just one that I want from the menu, and I'm willing to starve until the right girl. This meal 'woman' will be like my pizza, never get sick of it, salivate over the thought of it, and would have it every night! And just to clear this up, I have never had sex with pizza. I know some of you are thinking that.
You are probably wondering why sober virgin traveller........ Well in a nutshell, it's my first time travelling overseas and I don't drink alcohol. I'm not a virgin, i have layed with a woman romantically. I know i cant believe it either! Why have I waited until i was 28 yrs old to finally pop the traveling cherry? Well no one else was going to! I had booked a flight to New Zealand with an old work friend, she pulled out and then i found a girlfriend, wasn't under the sofa cushion either. I would have liked her to go but couldn't change the name on the ticket, so I cancelled the first trip. But now I'm in a stable place in my life, i'd finally paid off my camera debt, i have a great job, i'm happily single and I'm financially in a place where i can do what i want. I have always wanted to travel to Europe, so much history, so much beauty and the exact opposite of everything Gold Coast. I will see buildings that have more history than our entire country of Australia. So I'm doing it, inspired by Frankie and her trip to Europe earlier in the year, i decided to pull my finger out and get over there. I have always been envious of my family and friends who have travelled before me, but this is my time, doing the things i want to do. And thank you to everyone who has helped me get here, all the tips, borrowed guides, maps, website addresses, you name it, my friends and family have been there. I'll try my hardest to keep this blog informative of all things europey and of course funny.
I can tell I'm out of my comfort zone, because I'm not as sharp as i normally am. Getting things caught, tripping over nothing, in general clumsy. I just shake me head and laugh. The hotel in KL was hilarious, i turned around nearly tripped over, told the front desk my air conditioning wasn't working in my room, only for the hotel guru of all things technical to grab my entry card and put it in the wall........I've been in hotels like that before and I wouldn't have given it a second thought, card in the wall, lights on..... Durrrrr! As the trip wears on I'll get used to being out of my comfort zone, and these little faux pars will happen less frequently, but it gives me and the hotel people a good laugh.
Ok move forward a few hours, only 4 and a half hours left. It's hard to think it's nearly midnight at home. But it's just before 3pm in London. Feeling good, only briefly napped on the flight, watch the rest of anchorman, bit more of Dave Chappelle and the start of step brothers, there is so much room for activities! The sun has about an hour to go before it disappears. I've looked out the window periodically and seen some cool things, some great sand formations, rugged terrain and city with a stadium about 5 hours out of London, has two airports, big sporting stadium. I'll have to google maps it to see where we were flying. I think I've prepared for the jet lag well. I've broken up my sleeping patterns the last few weeks, staying up until 4:30am, starting work at different times so I'm not getting up always at 7am. I want to hit the ground running when i get to London, sights to see, things to do. So when i touch down it'll be about 4:30am AET, Then go through all the check points, trains and then walk into London with a very accommodating Chinkin family, allowing me to stay in their house while I'm in the UK. So thanks to Mark, Christine and Paul for taking care of the sober virgin traveller! Should be there between 10:30-11:30 (7:30-8:30am AET). I guess I'm going to sleep pretty well. I think last night was the first time in months I've had 8 hours sleep. The aim is not to sleep till i get to London, but a nap in the ever cooling plane will probably be inevitable. Ok, fingers are going numb, time to rug up. And yes i know it's only going to get colder when I land! Wait until i get to Norway!!
I forgot to mention that I was looking through the duty free catalogue on the first plane, it had model Air Asia planes and one of them is the Oakland Raiders Airbus, both Pete and I aren't a fan of the LA now Oakland Radiers, very tempted to get it for him, but i went one better with the plane I am on right now is the Oakland Raiders Air Asia plane!!! Even comes with a painted on helmet, hopefully i can get a pic of it on the tarmac. Ok, time to warm these hands.......and women takers?? :( nope.
Warm now, had to warm them myself! I'm here, London! And you can't wipe the smile off my face! A perfect night, cool, about 10 degrees, clouds all gone since landing. Had some Chinese with my amazing host Paul. Went for a quick stroll with Paul down around The Thames. There it is Victoria garden tower, parliament house, Big Ben (the clock, not Bas from work). A good breeze to keep the massive union jack flag up and proudly displaying, this is britain! I was completely in awe, the biggest smile on my face with the realization that this is London. Not a picture, not a jigsaw or a dream, but this was it. I'm finding it hard to describe the emotions, i guess gob smacked is the term I'd use. I've talked and talked about one day heading to Europe for many years, and now I'm here. The flying and travel is nothing. When you land you sit back and think, is that it? Ohh yeah that's it (for the FOC fans). But when you are sitting there you keep looking at your watch.....8 hours to go, 4 hours to go. Then came the approach into England, it's midweek which means for this week anyway, Carling Cup, and i did manage to count 4 football pitches lit up, and a stupid tennis court that got my hopes up for a 5th. I've showered, brushed my teeth and it's time for me to sleep, got a big day of sight seeing ahead. And a massive thank you to my hosts Paul and Christine, they have done everything for me and Paul took me for a walk around just to show how close we are to everything! Can't wait to wake up!
Last night was pleasant, chilling out in my room, watching a classic, no not to kill a mockingbird, but something about mary. Went to bed just after midnight (KL time), a good sleep, it was interrupted by pouring rain, and the fear that my alarm wouldn't work, but each time i quickly fell back asleep. Woke up feeling great, really refreshed after a beard trim, shower and breakfast, and yes mum i brushed my teeth! I don't always brush them in the morning, most mornings i don't have time for breakfast, and i just chew gum. Activates the saliva glands and my breath doesn't smell, but if i eat, i brush the teeth and floss. I must be doing something right, my dentist is very happy every 6 months. My taxi was organized, and i had my "i's" charged.......my iPod, iPad and iPhone. Yep I'm apples new bitch! Everything at the airport is smooth, x-ray machine was on the fritz so they searched me and my bag manually ;-) they look so serious at the airport, but the only chappelle i have on me is Dave Chappelle's best of on my iPad. Three quotes from it so far.........."morning niggas" "white power" and "come on titty" and that's just in the first episode! If you don't know Dave Chappelle is a black comedian, got his own hilarious tv show, my favourite character is a blind black man who is a member of the Klu Klux Klan, and doesn't know he's black, he finds out he's black and he divorces his wife for being a nigger lover!
Back to the trip now you have some background on Dave! 12:30 flight from KL LCC airport to London Stansted. Approximately 14 hours. I have massive leg room and a window seat. And looking over the ocean it looks like a 14 hour episode of the world around us, that they cut out. And for good reason! Not much happening. I am getting something out of the view though, some amazing cloud formations, the starts of storm fronts. It looks awesome to fly right above a front that will in about an hour as high as the plane is flying.
It's pretty packed on this flight, no sprawling across 3 seats like yesterday, dammit! But it'll get me where i need to go. Along the trip I'm trying not to have too many expectations, it can only lead to disappointment. I am taking risks, but when in Rome. I was going to wear a monty python shirt that says romanes eunt dommus, "Romans go home" and if it's not done by sunrise I'll cut your balls off. Both flights I've had the chicken. This time it was the chicken foccacia. Most of you know that I'm a very fussy person when it comes to food, but watching bear grylls do his man vs wild show, you can eat anything if you have to. Most of the time i don't have to, so I pick and choose, bit like a woman, don't want them all just one that I want from the menu, and I'm willing to starve until the right girl. This meal 'woman' will be like my pizza, never get sick of it, salivate over the thought of it, and would have it every night! And just to clear this up, I have never had sex with pizza. I know some of you are thinking that.
You are probably wondering why sober virgin traveller........ Well in a nutshell, it's my first time travelling overseas and I don't drink alcohol. I'm not a virgin, i have layed with a woman romantically. I know i cant believe it either! Why have I waited until i was 28 yrs old to finally pop the traveling cherry? Well no one else was going to! I had booked a flight to New Zealand with an old work friend, she pulled out and then i found a girlfriend, wasn't under the sofa cushion either. I would have liked her to go but couldn't change the name on the ticket, so I cancelled the first trip. But now I'm in a stable place in my life, i'd finally paid off my camera debt, i have a great job, i'm happily single and I'm financially in a place where i can do what i want. I have always wanted to travel to Europe, so much history, so much beauty and the exact opposite of everything Gold Coast. I will see buildings that have more history than our entire country of Australia. So I'm doing it, inspired by Frankie and her trip to Europe earlier in the year, i decided to pull my finger out and get over there. I have always been envious of my family and friends who have travelled before me, but this is my time, doing the things i want to do. And thank you to everyone who has helped me get here, all the tips, borrowed guides, maps, website addresses, you name it, my friends and family have been there. I'll try my hardest to keep this blog informative of all things europey and of course funny.
I can tell I'm out of my comfort zone, because I'm not as sharp as i normally am. Getting things caught, tripping over nothing, in general clumsy. I just shake me head and laugh. The hotel in KL was hilarious, i turned around nearly tripped over, told the front desk my air conditioning wasn't working in my room, only for the hotel guru of all things technical to grab my entry card and put it in the wall........I've been in hotels like that before and I wouldn't have given it a second thought, card in the wall, lights on..... Durrrrr! As the trip wears on I'll get used to being out of my comfort zone, and these little faux pars will happen less frequently, but it gives me and the hotel people a good laugh.
Ok move forward a few hours, only 4 and a half hours left. It's hard to think it's nearly midnight at home. But it's just before 3pm in London. Feeling good, only briefly napped on the flight, watch the rest of anchorman, bit more of Dave Chappelle and the start of step brothers, there is so much room for activities! The sun has about an hour to go before it disappears. I've looked out the window periodically and seen some cool things, some great sand formations, rugged terrain and city with a stadium about 5 hours out of London, has two airports, big sporting stadium. I'll have to google maps it to see where we were flying. I think I've prepared for the jet lag well. I've broken up my sleeping patterns the last few weeks, staying up until 4:30am, starting work at different times so I'm not getting up always at 7am. I want to hit the ground running when i get to London, sights to see, things to do. So when i touch down it'll be about 4:30am AET, Then go through all the check points, trains and then walk into London with a very accommodating Chinkin family, allowing me to stay in their house while I'm in the UK. So thanks to Mark, Christine and Paul for taking care of the sober virgin traveller! Should be there between 10:30-11:30 (7:30-8:30am AET). I guess I'm going to sleep pretty well. I think last night was the first time in months I've had 8 hours sleep. The aim is not to sleep till i get to London, but a nap in the ever cooling plane will probably be inevitable. Ok, fingers are going numb, time to rug up. And yes i know it's only going to get colder when I land! Wait until i get to Norway!!
I forgot to mention that I was looking through the duty free catalogue on the first plane, it had model Air Asia planes and one of them is the Oakland Raiders Airbus, both Pete and I aren't a fan of the LA now Oakland Radiers, very tempted to get it for him, but i went one better with the plane I am on right now is the Oakland Raiders Air Asia plane!!! Even comes with a painted on helmet, hopefully i can get a pic of it on the tarmac. Ok, time to warm these hands.......and women takers?? :( nope.
Warm now, had to warm them myself! I'm here, London! And you can't wipe the smile off my face! A perfect night, cool, about 10 degrees, clouds all gone since landing. Had some Chinese with my amazing host Paul. Went for a quick stroll with Paul down around The Thames. There it is Victoria garden tower, parliament house, Big Ben (the clock, not Bas from work). A good breeze to keep the massive union jack flag up and proudly displaying, this is britain! I was completely in awe, the biggest smile on my face with the realization that this is London. Not a picture, not a jigsaw or a dream, but this was it. I'm finding it hard to describe the emotions, i guess gob smacked is the term I'd use. I've talked and talked about one day heading to Europe for many years, and now I'm here. The flying and travel is nothing. When you land you sit back and think, is that it? Ohh yeah that's it (for the FOC fans). But when you are sitting there you keep looking at your watch.....8 hours to go, 4 hours to go. Then came the approach into England, it's midweek which means for this week anyway, Carling Cup, and i did manage to count 4 football pitches lit up, and a stupid tennis court that got my hopes up for a 5th. I've showered, brushed my teeth and it's time for me to sleep, got a big day of sight seeing ahead. And a massive thank you to my hosts Paul and Christine, they have done everything for me and Paul took me for a walk around just to show how close we are to everything! Can't wait to wake up!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My first stamp
The first day, the first flight. Nearly everything is new, check in is the same, that's where it stops. Had a bite to eat with mum before she left me. No tears, well done ma, seeing the youngest of the clan of to my first overseas trip. Thank you so much for helping me get this far. This is the journey that i've always talked about, but now i'm in a great place in my life to do so. I'm happy with work, my health and confident, what better time to travel. I have no doubts that this will be a great trip. It's my trip, doing some very cool stuff along the way. Doing some things I've always dreamt of. A brief idea of the stuff i'm planning to do:
See Manchester united play at old trafford. I've watched umpteen games of the greatest football club on tv, purchased numerous jerseys, jumpers and anything else Man U. And now i get a chance to watch them live, living out a dream in the theatre of dreams!
Watch my NFL (gridiron) team the San Francisco 49ers in London @ Wembley stadium play the Denver Broncos. Both teams lost this week, Denver got flogged and 49ers lost again in another close one! Can't wait to see Mike Singletary fly off the handle. There is a cool fan zone that will be set up in Trafalgar square on the Saturday, Rice is going to be there!
Ride in a proper 4-man bobsled in Hunderfossen, near Lillehammer. Ever since i first saw the bobsled in the winter olympics i've wanted to get in one, cool runnings just made me want to do it even more. 120 kph and pulling 5G! Only on big braking areas and massive corners do F1 cars pull that kind of G range. But i need to find someone to do it with me since it's it's a 4 man sled they need at least two people to have the sled balanced! If not i can do a Skeleton run, what's that you ask....... It's the luge.......head first! The best part of this venture is the people from the track have given me permission to use my go pro camera and attach it to their helmet!! As soon as i get near a wireless connection I'll upload the footage!
Head to the northern end of Norway to see one of my favorite animals, the killer whale (orcinus orca). Amazing animals, apex predators, intelligent and very curious. Very closely related to the dolphin, so unlike sharks they don't bite to test, they can echo locate and get a better picture of what the hell I am. There has been a lot of press about killer whales (in captivity) lately. So one day will be in the zodiac inflatable boat and the second day will give me the opportunity to get in the water and snorkel with them. "you're excited, feel these nipples." The other great part about the location is that is in the arctic circle, and tis the season for aurora borealis, the northern lights. Winds swept off the arctic to light up the sky. Let's hope for clear nights and plenty of orcas!
Scenic flight over some of the Swiss alps. In Zermatt there is a helicopter company that does scenic flights around the Matterhorn and a few other peaks and a glacier. Again this depends on whether there is other people on the day wanting to do a flight, need 4 people to take off......any takers!?!?
Drive the Nurburgring! I can't wait to drive this track, not only is it the track where Mark Webber won his first formula one race but it also branches off to the old F1 track, which is called the Nordschlieffe. I'll be renting a race car and you guessed it, the go pro is coming along for the ride! I'll even have a passenger, I hope Stephan has some brown underpants ;-)
So those are the highlights, some other cool stuff is a tour of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius, Newschwanstein Castle and a tour of the concentration camp schachausen which was used in World War II. There is so much history and culture to take in, some beautiful places and some places drenched in tragedy and sadness.
Ok so the first steps to my first overseas trip. Check in, security part 1, security part two, just incase they think their domestic security is shit. And no cavity searches!! Though i had been warned that someone was going to alert the airport that i have drugs in my bum. Then through customs, don't really know what they did besides collect a card i gave them. Then you walk straight into a duty free store, already got new cologne and don't drink or smoke, wasted. Should have got some more cologne, the deodorant i have is now failing, glad no one is sitting beside me! It's not too bad but i always like to smell good. I'm in the middle aisle, spare seats either side, feet up and let's watch some anchorman. As i write this i'm not over a sea yet, 3 hours in to an 8 hour flight apparently. I have some work friends on the flight who are on a journey to China from Malaysia. So it's good to have a familiar faces on board. Flight is very comfortable, I've had a nap, my meal....... I had the chicken! (that's for anyone who knows the movie flying high/airplane) cabin is a good temp, nice crew, no gay men? Just young asian women, though not many of them smile much, maybe that's cause I smell!!! Haha. Time for another sleep.
So, i made it. First leg done. I've got my first stamp! I'm in the hotel, sitting in the lobby tapping away. I'm finally overseas, over awed, a little. There are a lot of malaysian people in Malaysia, who'd a thunk it? So much for the hotel being right next to the airport!!! So a stroll in the 31 degree heat and humidity for about an hour looking for it came to nothing, found the other place I was going to book. At this point, i'm thinking that i'm well out of my depth. I had no phone reception, and i had no idea what to do. Go back to the airport and find a way to get to a taxi, and my hotel. After you walk of the arrival area there are signs saying you can't go back in.... So where do i get a taksi from (that's how they spell it)? Went to a help desk, must be the same help desk for 3 mobile, said open but no one was there. Kinda like being on hold. Luckily i'm not someone who gets flustered or stressed out.
So i had to get cash out, what the hell is the value of the ringit? Nearly x3 by the looks of it. Resisted maccas, and found that i could go back into the arrival area. Those big signs that say NO ENTRY generally put me off pissing the guard off. I just followed someone else through the no entry sign they got stopped i got through, into my taksi and off to my hotel. Wow, palm trees everywhere! Litter everywhere along the expressway. Cab driver wasn't a talker but he was bopping away to some western music, very thoughful to put it on an english radio station for me, he may have guessed i wasn't from around here!?!?! Was planning a trip to the city centre but my excursions this afternoon put that off. The hotel isn't near public transport, and when you ask a question they smile really big.........yep that's it. Nice smiles though! The place is nice, has a sepat takraw court (it's volleyball with your feet), gym, pool and a football pitch..... Have to get used to calling it that when i get to Europe. Only annoying part about the hotel is the shitty Kenny G crap they have playing!
I've showered, eaten and i'm ready to relax before leg II, KL - London. Maybe I'll put my bags somewhere and head into the city on the way back.
I hope everyone is well x
See Manchester united play at old trafford. I've watched umpteen games of the greatest football club on tv, purchased numerous jerseys, jumpers and anything else Man U. And now i get a chance to watch them live, living out a dream in the theatre of dreams!
Watch my NFL (gridiron) team the San Francisco 49ers in London @ Wembley stadium play the Denver Broncos. Both teams lost this week, Denver got flogged and 49ers lost again in another close one! Can't wait to see Mike Singletary fly off the handle. There is a cool fan zone that will be set up in Trafalgar square on the Saturday, Rice is going to be there!
Ride in a proper 4-man bobsled in Hunderfossen, near Lillehammer. Ever since i first saw the bobsled in the winter olympics i've wanted to get in one, cool runnings just made me want to do it even more. 120 kph and pulling 5G! Only on big braking areas and massive corners do F1 cars pull that kind of G range. But i need to find someone to do it with me since it's it's a 4 man sled they need at least two people to have the sled balanced! If not i can do a Skeleton run, what's that you ask....... It's the luge.......head first! The best part of this venture is the people from the track have given me permission to use my go pro camera and attach it to their helmet!! As soon as i get near a wireless connection I'll upload the footage!
Head to the northern end of Norway to see one of my favorite animals, the killer whale (orcinus orca). Amazing animals, apex predators, intelligent and very curious. Very closely related to the dolphin, so unlike sharks they don't bite to test, they can echo locate and get a better picture of what the hell I am. There has been a lot of press about killer whales (in captivity) lately. So one day will be in the zodiac inflatable boat and the second day will give me the opportunity to get in the water and snorkel with them. "you're excited, feel these nipples." The other great part about the location is that is in the arctic circle, and tis the season for aurora borealis, the northern lights. Winds swept off the arctic to light up the sky. Let's hope for clear nights and plenty of orcas!
Scenic flight over some of the Swiss alps. In Zermatt there is a helicopter company that does scenic flights around the Matterhorn and a few other peaks and a glacier. Again this depends on whether there is other people on the day wanting to do a flight, need 4 people to take off......any takers!?!?
Drive the Nurburgring! I can't wait to drive this track, not only is it the track where Mark Webber won his first formula one race but it also branches off to the old F1 track, which is called the Nordschlieffe. I'll be renting a race car and you guessed it, the go pro is coming along for the ride! I'll even have a passenger, I hope Stephan has some brown underpants ;-)
So those are the highlights, some other cool stuff is a tour of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius, Newschwanstein Castle and a tour of the concentration camp schachausen which was used in World War II. There is so much history and culture to take in, some beautiful places and some places drenched in tragedy and sadness.
Ok so the first steps to my first overseas trip. Check in, security part 1, security part two, just incase they think their domestic security is shit. And no cavity searches!! Though i had been warned that someone was going to alert the airport that i have drugs in my bum. Then through customs, don't really know what they did besides collect a card i gave them. Then you walk straight into a duty free store, already got new cologne and don't drink or smoke, wasted. Should have got some more cologne, the deodorant i have is now failing, glad no one is sitting beside me! It's not too bad but i always like to smell good. I'm in the middle aisle, spare seats either side, feet up and let's watch some anchorman. As i write this i'm not over a sea yet, 3 hours in to an 8 hour flight apparently. I have some work friends on the flight who are on a journey to China from Malaysia. So it's good to have a familiar faces on board. Flight is very comfortable, I've had a nap, my meal....... I had the chicken! (that's for anyone who knows the movie flying high/airplane) cabin is a good temp, nice crew, no gay men? Just young asian women, though not many of them smile much, maybe that's cause I smell!!! Haha. Time for another sleep.
So, i made it. First leg done. I've got my first stamp! I'm in the hotel, sitting in the lobby tapping away. I'm finally overseas, over awed, a little. There are a lot of malaysian people in Malaysia, who'd a thunk it? So much for the hotel being right next to the airport!!! So a stroll in the 31 degree heat and humidity for about an hour looking for it came to nothing, found the other place I was going to book. At this point, i'm thinking that i'm well out of my depth. I had no phone reception, and i had no idea what to do. Go back to the airport and find a way to get to a taxi, and my hotel. After you walk of the arrival area there are signs saying you can't go back in.... So where do i get a taksi from (that's how they spell it)? Went to a help desk, must be the same help desk for 3 mobile, said open but no one was there. Kinda like being on hold. Luckily i'm not someone who gets flustered or stressed out.
So i had to get cash out, what the hell is the value of the ringit? Nearly x3 by the looks of it. Resisted maccas, and found that i could go back into the arrival area. Those big signs that say NO ENTRY generally put me off pissing the guard off. I just followed someone else through the no entry sign they got stopped i got through, into my taksi and off to my hotel. Wow, palm trees everywhere! Litter everywhere along the expressway. Cab driver wasn't a talker but he was bopping away to some western music, very thoughful to put it on an english radio station for me, he may have guessed i wasn't from around here!?!?! Was planning a trip to the city centre but my excursions this afternoon put that off. The hotel isn't near public transport, and when you ask a question they smile really big.........yep that's it. Nice smiles though! The place is nice, has a sepat takraw court (it's volleyball with your feet), gym, pool and a football pitch..... Have to get used to calling it that when i get to Europe. Only annoying part about the hotel is the shitty Kenny G crap they have playing!
I've showered, eaten and i'm ready to relax before leg II, KL - London. Maybe I'll put my bags somewhere and head into the city on the way back.
I hope everyone is well x
Monday, October 25, 2010
Trip of a lifetime......starts here!
This will be my online blog for my first trip over seas, it will house pictures, videos and a good account of what I'm doing, where I am and how much bloody fun I'll be having!!
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