12 Aug Bangkok
The journey to Bangkok, well what a day (and a half).
Bit sad to be leaving Corfu but also happy (really happy) Hey got my money back on the motorbike rental which was not used, how good is that, it was a little unexpected (loved the bike).
What a saga of a trip
7am bus from Kasiopi to Corfu then taxi to airport (saved 50 Euro on the taxi fare);11:20 flight to Gatwick Bus to Heathrow;7pm flight to Tokyo ( hey that means I have been to Japan does that mean I can get another patch on my bag); and 6pm connection to Bangkok; arrived at motel after midnight so that’s 37 hours or so, very little sleep, there was this guy next to me who on the last leg who maybe had Terets Syndrone poor bloke, but he was twitching all the way and making noises, no sleep, soooo sleepy but couldn’t sleep when I arrived (different time zone I guess.
The Motel room at Rambaturri Village Inn is ok (lots better than the Pensions, aircon double bed luxury), however not as plush as the Viengtai Motel, up the rich end of the street. There is a bit of rain about especially in the afternoon still a bit monsoonal I think.
What a difference from Europe and Greece, drivers are still mad but mainly took took, and scooters. Arrived on a public holiday (day after someone’s birthday (maybe the Queen) I thought this might restrict my entry into some places, but with my Linda luck!! Bumped into a nice local bloke ( they are all so friendly ) who pointed out to me that because of the holiday and to promote tourism a lot of the places had free entry and I had a (Government) took took for about 2 hours for 10 Batt that’s about 30c Aus, how good is that. Although I did help him out by stopping at a couple of shops that gave him a petrol ticket, least I could do. And I saw the lucky Buddha (don’t need it because I now have Linda luck rubbed off on me) and the 45 ft tall Buddha (big golden guy).
The food is sooo good, I don’t know what to eat noodles, curry, heaps of great food off the Machan Carts, so reminds me of my life when I lived in Malaysia, different smells it’s fantastic as I walk around. Oh yeh and tonight I’m going to try some fried grasshoppers and other bugs they look sooo good at the street markets at Koa San Rd (wish me luck). When I was out socialising I met a couple of kids on a world tour, off to an orphanage in Cambodia for 5 weeks first, how good is that, they were only kids but are doing their bit by giving some back. The only problem I have is in the evening in the markets or at night if I’m having a drink I’m targeted, I guess because I’m a middle aged male alone, grrr everyone thinks I want a girl.. .. (both by the girls and their pimps) It’s not right, and it’s sad; I bet the girls who are alone don’t get approached! I need a sign saying I’m attached and I’m really happy.
The plan is to go to spend today seeing the sights in Bangkok and to go to Chatuchak Markets tomorrow before my flight. There is no doubt I want to come back there is so much to see, I want to get out of the city into northern Thailand and perhaps into Laos.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Kasiopi Adventure?
Kasiopi
The emerald island of Greece (I guess because it’s green). Well it has been a while since I have written I have been winding down into the relaxed stage. Kasiopi is a small fishing village in Corfu, although they mainly survive on the tourist dollar. Mainly the tourists are family’s, couples and younger kids out for a good time.
My routine has settled down a little in between the adventures of scouring the island I have a morning swim in the crystal waters, coffee at Kasiopi corner (more about that later) muddle around, afternoon siesta, afternoon swim then afternoon and evening antics enjoying the terrific food, ample alcohol and fun karaoke singers (not me I’m saving my debut for a duet with Linda). Plenty of time to reflect on my life, and my future life (more about that later as well).
Kasiopi corner
Kasiopi has three main streets (cobblestone, skinny streets lined by shops restaurants and taverns) the two one-way streets are the top of a ‘Y’ and the two-way street at the bottom of the ‘Y’ leads to the small fishing harbour. The streets are full of meandering people, scooters, cars, trucks, and huge busses intermingled like a flowing mass (well perhaps not always flowing). The parked cars cause some interesting problems, in the two-way street cars have to back up for other cars/trucks/busses to pass. At Kasiopi corner busses have two goes at negotiating the bend, without parked cars in the way, and when there is a parked car it all comes to a halt. The bus honks for the person to come out of the shop and move the car, the small cars, scooters and pedestrians in the mean time try to get around the stoped bus causing a bigger jam and the people waiting for the bus try to pile on becoming a solid mass, it’s just so hard to describe (I have tried to sketch it mmm need help). But no one seems to get cranky it is just part of the normal day.
I have been out on my bike for several long trips around the island to see the sandy beaches on the other side and up to the highest point on the Island (why does everyone seem to overtake on blind corners, why are the roads full of potholes and why does no one wear helmets, it’s so common to see someone without a helmet on their head, with their arm through the helmet strap protecting their elbow!). The trip to the highest point on Corfu was great, although just a little scary, steep windy roads, gravel, lots of cars, bikes, busses (there was a festival on). Great view and a monastery, and of course coffee on top of Corfu.
Despite the risks with the hired bike I love it, even though I have learnt some lessons.
Note to self: When stopping motorbike on steep sloped driveway for traffic (at exit to my taverna), ensure there is no slippery gravel under foot, otherwise you may slip, drop bike, fall over like clown and slide down the associated ditch: resulting in red stuff, pain and greatly damaged ego.
That said I have a rule if I drink I don’t ride I did that when I was a lot younger and it ended up very ugly.
I have been hanging with Rose and her Sister Marlene a little. Had a great boat trip to the East coast, jumping off the top of the boat into the water, diving for champagne (yes I’m a winner) and going through a cave where the last few fee you have to swim underwater to get to the other side, cool. Also had a trip into old town Corfu interesting skinny lanes with sprawling shops.
Had dinner with Rose George (Roses Ex) and Marlene at the Taverna I’m staying at. It was magnificent, we just shared a range (lots) of appetisers, lets see, baby squid, feta cheese, little salty fish (white bait), fried prawns, tomato salad, skinny bits of fried zucchini, pastry something, wild mushrooms, ..... Marlene has gone back to Wales now, to the hubby and kids and Rose’s boss is in town so she will be scarce, but it was a great few days they are both great company.
I have met some nice folk, and some interesting ones at the local pub ‘Illusions’. They come and go as tourists do. Three of the stranger encounters are:
1. I was talking to some young girls and their mum and somehow I got dragged into passion, a night club (I got in free because the kids said I was their dad and had to look after them). Dancing in a crush of bodies, with bubbles coming from the ceiling. I got home before the sun got up (just), only because I refused the invite from the kids to have breakfast, suffered for it but.
2. I got accosted by a young lady from the Isle of Man, she was about 30 and gorgeous, hehe, must have forgotten her contacts. I’m certain she had evil intents for me (or so she told me). But sorry, 'thanks for the offer but I’m happily taken by the lovely Lind'a who is a little older (not on the inside) and just as gorgeous, dance only and not so close. Now that was good for the ego, that said the ego was soon to be severly tested.
3. Two older folk were chatting to me (well older than me) seemed nice. Invited me back for a drink on my way home, how nice I thought. She was acting a bit flirtatious (the drink I thought, so wasn’t worrying me). ‘I’m off to the bathroom’ I said. On my return, OMG! They are making out on the bed, he is down to his undies (little black briefs), all I could see was his tanned leathery wrinkly skin and this white blobby mass intertwined and wriggling on a mass of white sheets (it reminded me of the time I was 12 and I walked in on my parents), yuck. There was a voice I could hear through the haze of disbelief asking if I would like to help out. Nooooooo, Eeeeeek, the haze has come over me I can’t speak, I have difficulty hearing and my vision is blurred, through the tunnel vision I can see is a door, Escape, Run, Flee; in a blind rush I’m out of there, my perception of older folks ruined for life. Yuckkkkkkkk! They have destroyed my innocents, I am scarred for life. I can never ever go for a drink with someone I just meet again, unless it’s in a public place. Every time I venture out now I am discreetly scanning restaurants and tavernas before I enter, like an escapee from prison looking for the faces which are burnt forever into my brain.
Don’t get me wrong most of the folk are great just thought I would share a few (interesting highlights).
Jim’s Reflection
I have been reflecting the life here, and my life (which is terrific), and work; and I am having a difficult time matching it all up. I love the benefits that work gives, stability comfort, travel, coffee, good wine, food; but the self indulgence I see here and that I am taking for granted, and the ‘stuff’ we have all collected (well almost all of us), makes me reflect on what’s right. I’m not saying we should throw it all away by any means, but there needs to be a balance, give a little back, have some compassion, it is so easy to ignore it when we see the masses on the news, what if it was us or our children, how would we feel. Our troubles are insignificant compared to soooo many others. How can we have so much time, money, and food when others have so little, I have been watching the news on the floods in Pakistan, I read a recent email about the poor orphans in Kathmandu Valley, it can’t be all about us. If everybody just helped a little, and it doesn’t have to be money, it can be in a way that gives us joy in giving, then you never know where we could go.
I have decided to cut my time short a little in Corfu. I am off to Thailand next week then a few weeks in Australia to see Linda (yahoo), Clay and Jacinta, catch up on friends and sort a few things I have to do. Then off to Thailand Laos Cambodia for a month.
The emerald island of Greece (I guess because it’s green). Well it has been a while since I have written I have been winding down into the relaxed stage. Kasiopi is a small fishing village in Corfu, although they mainly survive on the tourist dollar. Mainly the tourists are family’s, couples and younger kids out for a good time.
My routine has settled down a little in between the adventures of scouring the island I have a morning swim in the crystal waters, coffee at Kasiopi corner (more about that later) muddle around, afternoon siesta, afternoon swim then afternoon and evening antics enjoying the terrific food, ample alcohol and fun karaoke singers (not me I’m saving my debut for a duet with Linda). Plenty of time to reflect on my life, and my future life (more about that later as well).
Kasiopi corner
Kasiopi has three main streets (cobblestone, skinny streets lined by shops restaurants and taverns) the two one-way streets are the top of a ‘Y’ and the two-way street at the bottom of the ‘Y’ leads to the small fishing harbour. The streets are full of meandering people, scooters, cars, trucks, and huge busses intermingled like a flowing mass (well perhaps not always flowing). The parked cars cause some interesting problems, in the two-way street cars have to back up for other cars/trucks/busses to pass. At Kasiopi corner busses have two goes at negotiating the bend, without parked cars in the way, and when there is a parked car it all comes to a halt. The bus honks for the person to come out of the shop and move the car, the small cars, scooters and pedestrians in the mean time try to get around the stoped bus causing a bigger jam and the people waiting for the bus try to pile on becoming a solid mass, it’s just so hard to describe (I have tried to sketch it mmm need help). But no one seems to get cranky it is just part of the normal day.
I have been out on my bike for several long trips around the island to see the sandy beaches on the other side and up to the highest point on the Island (why does everyone seem to overtake on blind corners, why are the roads full of potholes and why does no one wear helmets, it’s so common to see someone without a helmet on their head, with their arm through the helmet strap protecting their elbow!). The trip to the highest point on Corfu was great, although just a little scary, steep windy roads, gravel, lots of cars, bikes, busses (there was a festival on). Great view and a monastery, and of course coffee on top of Corfu.
Despite the risks with the hired bike I love it, even though I have learnt some lessons.
Note to self: When stopping motorbike on steep sloped driveway for traffic (at exit to my taverna), ensure there is no slippery gravel under foot, otherwise you may slip, drop bike, fall over like clown and slide down the associated ditch: resulting in red stuff, pain and greatly damaged ego.
That said I have a rule if I drink I don’t ride I did that when I was a lot younger and it ended up very ugly.
I have been hanging with Rose and her Sister Marlene a little. Had a great boat trip to the East coast, jumping off the top of the boat into the water, diving for champagne (yes I’m a winner) and going through a cave where the last few fee you have to swim underwater to get to the other side, cool. Also had a trip into old town Corfu interesting skinny lanes with sprawling shops.
Had dinner with Rose George (Roses Ex) and Marlene at the Taverna I’m staying at. It was magnificent, we just shared a range (lots) of appetisers, lets see, baby squid, feta cheese, little salty fish (white bait), fried prawns, tomato salad, skinny bits of fried zucchini, pastry something, wild mushrooms, ..... Marlene has gone back to Wales now, to the hubby and kids and Rose’s boss is in town so she will be scarce, but it was a great few days they are both great company.
I have met some nice folk, and some interesting ones at the local pub ‘Illusions’. They come and go as tourists do. Three of the stranger encounters are:
1. I was talking to some young girls and their mum and somehow I got dragged into passion, a night club (I got in free because the kids said I was their dad and had to look after them). Dancing in a crush of bodies, with bubbles coming from the ceiling. I got home before the sun got up (just), only because I refused the invite from the kids to have breakfast, suffered for it but.
2. I got accosted by a young lady from the Isle of Man, she was about 30 and gorgeous, hehe, must have forgotten her contacts. I’m certain she had evil intents for me (or so she told me). But sorry, 'thanks for the offer but I’m happily taken by the lovely Lind'a who is a little older (not on the inside) and just as gorgeous, dance only and not so close. Now that was good for the ego, that said the ego was soon to be severly tested.
3. Two older folk were chatting to me (well older than me) seemed nice. Invited me back for a drink on my way home, how nice I thought. She was acting a bit flirtatious (the drink I thought, so wasn’t worrying me). ‘I’m off to the bathroom’ I said. On my return, OMG! They are making out on the bed, he is down to his undies (little black briefs), all I could see was his tanned leathery wrinkly skin and this white blobby mass intertwined and wriggling on a mass of white sheets (it reminded me of the time I was 12 and I walked in on my parents), yuck. There was a voice I could hear through the haze of disbelief asking if I would like to help out. Nooooooo, Eeeeeek, the haze has come over me I can’t speak, I have difficulty hearing and my vision is blurred, through the tunnel vision I can see is a door, Escape, Run, Flee; in a blind rush I’m out of there, my perception of older folks ruined for life. Yuckkkkkkkk! They have destroyed my innocents, I am scarred for life. I can never ever go for a drink with someone I just meet again, unless it’s in a public place. Every time I venture out now I am discreetly scanning restaurants and tavernas before I enter, like an escapee from prison looking for the faces which are burnt forever into my brain.
Don’t get me wrong most of the folk are great just thought I would share a few (interesting highlights).
Jim’s Reflection
I have been reflecting the life here, and my life (which is terrific), and work; and I am having a difficult time matching it all up. I love the benefits that work gives, stability comfort, travel, coffee, good wine, food; but the self indulgence I see here and that I am taking for granted, and the ‘stuff’ we have all collected (well almost all of us), makes me reflect on what’s right. I’m not saying we should throw it all away by any means, but there needs to be a balance, give a little back, have some compassion, it is so easy to ignore it when we see the masses on the news, what if it was us or our children, how would we feel. Our troubles are insignificant compared to soooo many others. How can we have so much time, money, and food when others have so little, I have been watching the news on the floods in Pakistan, I read a recent email about the poor orphans in Kathmandu Valley, it can’t be all about us. If everybody just helped a little, and it doesn’t have to be money, it can be in a way that gives us joy in giving, then you never know where we could go.
I have decided to cut my time short a little in Corfu. I am off to Thailand next week then a few weeks in Australia to see Linda (yahoo), Clay and Jacinta, catch up on friends and sort a few things I have to do. Then off to Thailand Laos Cambodia for a month.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
23 July 2010 Transit to and the start of the Corfu adventure
Transit to and the start of the Corfu adventure
A relatively smooth trip back to the UK and Heathrow airport. It is so good having a UK passport, easy entry through the short line, although the immigration officers give me a funny look when they hear the Aussie accent with the British Passport. With the early start (5.30 flight) out of Gatwick I decided to stay at the Gatwick airport in the airport short term accommodation. How interesting is that down the lift into an automated reception centre (there was a desk person if required) and you are issued with a key to your cubical. You enter into a very sterile (small) room a bed that you step up into, flat screen tv at the end of the bed, fold out desk and chair and a toilet and shower behind a glass partition. Perfect, as long as you are not worried about confined spaces.
Arrived in Corfu and the choice was a 50 Euro taxi ride to Kasiopi or try to sort the bus which had a terminal somewhere in town. So jump right in and after a 10 Euro taxi to the ‘green’ bus station I manage to sort out the bus to Kasiopi which leaves 10 minutes after I get there how good is that ‘Linda luck’. The bus ride is 3.30 Euro soooo cheap. I had forgotten the mountainous road to Kasiopi and the bus charging around the skinny roads with huge drop-offs all, good but.
I arrived in Kasiopi and had a 1K walk up to the Taverna and accommodation; the majority of the folks speak English here so things are relatively easy.
The room I'm in is basic but a nice size with air-conditioning, Yeh ( although trying not to use). About 10 minutes walk into town, I have now gotten some food water and red wine in so I will settle into a routine. The room is connected onto the Tavana (Fish Tavana) yum. It is picture perfect I will take photos over the next few days, but let me describe it if I can It is lunch time I am sitting at the small open bar, a purple flowered tree with a huge group of flowers is just above my head. I can smell the faint sent of flowers,the stronger smell of cooking fish and spices from the restaurant mingled with the salty ocean smell, behind me I can see the white tiled courtyard 20M x 20M with a few scattered tables under large square white umbrellas for the restaurant, directly beyond that (over the balcony) is the rocky beach and the crystal clear waters of the bay I will swim in. There are some small colourful boats anchored close in and a sailing boat further out. In the distance (only about 4 K) you can see the Albanian coast and the majestic hills raising out of the sea.' Honestly, I can’t find all the right words.
Time for a swim
I step down the flight of stairs from my room, turn left there are the three steps up to the Taverna or I keep going straight ahead another 20 paces onto the stony beach, I keep going another 20 paces onto the end of the dock, I drop my clothes place my thongs on the wooden strut near the water line and dive into the crystal clear waters, not super warm like Valencia but no chill, about 23deg. I swim down the beach and back picking up my thongs on the way back, to help me stumble out of the water over the rocks. How good is that. By the end of the stay here my aim will be to swim into the beach on the edge of town and back about 1.5 Ks or so.
A friend 'Rose' She stayed at Kay’s for a while last summer has just facebooked me she lives just up the street we are going for a beer, it will be good to catch up. A good catch up although Rose had to work o she left early (lovely Rose has offered to help out with my washing - I dont think she thought much of the wash in the shower idea). I should have went home when Rose left Grr sore head, throat and feel like crap in the morning must have been bad beer or ouzo.
A relatively smooth trip back to the UK and Heathrow airport. It is so good having a UK passport, easy entry through the short line, although the immigration officers give me a funny look when they hear the Aussie accent with the British Passport. With the early start (5.30 flight) out of Gatwick I decided to stay at the Gatwick airport in the airport short term accommodation. How interesting is that down the lift into an automated reception centre (there was a desk person if required) and you are issued with a key to your cubical. You enter into a very sterile (small) room a bed that you step up into, flat screen tv at the end of the bed, fold out desk and chair and a toilet and shower behind a glass partition. Perfect, as long as you are not worried about confined spaces.
Arrived in Corfu and the choice was a 50 Euro taxi ride to Kasiopi or try to sort the bus which had a terminal somewhere in town. So jump right in and after a 10 Euro taxi to the ‘green’ bus station I manage to sort out the bus to Kasiopi which leaves 10 minutes after I get there how good is that ‘Linda luck’. The bus ride is 3.30 Euro soooo cheap. I had forgotten the mountainous road to Kasiopi and the bus charging around the skinny roads with huge drop-offs all, good but.
I arrived in Kasiopi and had a 1K walk up to the Taverna and accommodation; the majority of the folks speak English here so things are relatively easy.
The room I'm in is basic but a nice size with air-conditioning, Yeh ( although trying not to use). About 10 minutes walk into town, I have now gotten some food water and red wine in so I will settle into a routine. The room is connected onto the Tavana (Fish Tavana) yum. It is picture perfect I will take photos over the next few days, but let me describe it if I can It is lunch time I am sitting at the small open bar, a purple flowered tree with a huge group of flowers is just above my head. I can smell the faint sent of flowers,the stronger smell of cooking fish and spices from the restaurant mingled with the salty ocean smell, behind me I can see the white tiled courtyard 20M x 20M with a few scattered tables under large square white umbrellas for the restaurant, directly beyond that (over the balcony) is the rocky beach and the crystal clear waters of the bay I will swim in. There are some small colourful boats anchored close in and a sailing boat further out. In the distance (only about 4 K) you can see the Albanian coast and the majestic hills raising out of the sea.' Honestly, I can’t find all the right words.
Time for a swim
I step down the flight of stairs from my room, turn left there are the three steps up to the Taverna or I keep going straight ahead another 20 paces onto the stony beach, I keep going another 20 paces onto the end of the dock, I drop my clothes place my thongs on the wooden strut near the water line and dive into the crystal clear waters, not super warm like Valencia but no chill, about 23deg. I swim down the beach and back picking up my thongs on the way back, to help me stumble out of the water over the rocks. How good is that. By the end of the stay here my aim will be to swim into the beach on the edge of town and back about 1.5 Ks or so.
A friend 'Rose' She stayed at Kay’s for a while last summer has just facebooked me she lives just up the street we are going for a beer, it will be good to catch up. A good catch up although Rose had to work o she left early (lovely Rose has offered to help out with my washing - I dont think she thought much of the wash in the shower idea). I should have went home when Rose left Grr sore head, throat and feel like crap in the morning must have been bad beer or ouzo.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Last day in Barcelona 21 Jul
Last day in Barcelona,
I have to travel to the UK in the morning then on to Corfu. Met some nice young girls in the morning at breakfast they were music students from Switzerland, actually from South Korea studying over there (free education in Switzerland). We talked about the concerns with regard to Nth Korea, strangely they said, while in Sth Korea they were not as concerned, but only when they left and saw the word news did they become concerned, they didn’t think it was such an upbeat in the western world just keeping it quiet in Sth Korea.
I felt a little off today, perhaps the heat or a belly bug. I’m looking forward to the relaxing time in Corfu les walking and more swimming perhaps. Spent the day taking it easy, wandering a little when I felt up to it, and doing a little washing. I’m starting to like the company of my clothes in the shower with me, there does not seem to be any laundry mats in Barcelona, not to worry perhaps Corfu for a major clean up.
Decided I had to eat dinner although it was early, about 8pm so I wandered down the street, a Spanish meal; Paella (a yellow rice with chicken, seafood or... yummy) or Tapas, Mmmm. The Tapas won out.
So here I sit at Tapas de Moment, sitting before me on the white paper table cloth is grilled squid, grilled vegetables, calamari and a beer (I was going healthy with the first two, then...). I’m sitting in the outside area; let me try to describe it.
I am under a row of large square white umbrellas in Rambela de Catalunya. The ‘Rambela’ is basically a long street with a 15M wide pedestrian boulevard in the middle, with one lane of slow traffic on either side. As I look out there is a kaleidoscope of colour, taxis, cars and endless scooters slowly and quiet quietly moving up the street, in front of that a continuous movement of people rambling down the boulevard some stopping to look at the menu and waiting for a seat, some moving on, but the majority not in a hurry and without any major purpose. A wandering violinist stops and plays a tune asking for a few cents from the diners. Either side of the Rambella is border by six or seven story buildings, mostly old and ornate. I look up at the building opposite (an apartment complex perhaps) and it has a range of balconies, strangely rounded or kidney shaped with intricate but imposing wrought iron frontage, in the style of the Goudi buildings I have seen elsewhere in the city. An old lady is out watering her pot plants.
Its 9pm and the street is getting busier; so good there is a cool breeze suddenly, the temperature has dropped perhaps from 30 down to 27, now that’s nice. Time to pack
I have to travel to the UK in the morning then on to Corfu. Met some nice young girls in the morning at breakfast they were music students from Switzerland, actually from South Korea studying over there (free education in Switzerland). We talked about the concerns with regard to Nth Korea, strangely they said, while in Sth Korea they were not as concerned, but only when they left and saw the word news did they become concerned, they didn’t think it was such an upbeat in the western world just keeping it quiet in Sth Korea.
I felt a little off today, perhaps the heat or a belly bug. I’m looking forward to the relaxing time in Corfu les walking and more swimming perhaps. Spent the day taking it easy, wandering a little when I felt up to it, and doing a little washing. I’m starting to like the company of my clothes in the shower with me, there does not seem to be any laundry mats in Barcelona, not to worry perhaps Corfu for a major clean up.
Decided I had to eat dinner although it was early, about 8pm so I wandered down the street, a Spanish meal; Paella (a yellow rice with chicken, seafood or... yummy) or Tapas, Mmmm. The Tapas won out.
So here I sit at Tapas de Moment, sitting before me on the white paper table cloth is grilled squid, grilled vegetables, calamari and a beer (I was going healthy with the first two, then...). I’m sitting in the outside area; let me try to describe it.
I am under a row of large square white umbrellas in Rambela de Catalunya. The ‘Rambela’ is basically a long street with a 15M wide pedestrian boulevard in the middle, with one lane of slow traffic on either side. As I look out there is a kaleidoscope of colour, taxis, cars and endless scooters slowly and quiet quietly moving up the street, in front of that a continuous movement of people rambling down the boulevard some stopping to look at the menu and waiting for a seat, some moving on, but the majority not in a hurry and without any major purpose. A wandering violinist stops and plays a tune asking for a few cents from the diners. Either side of the Rambella is border by six or seven story buildings, mostly old and ornate. I look up at the building opposite (an apartment complex perhaps) and it has a range of balconies, strangely rounded or kidney shaped with intricate but imposing wrought iron frontage, in the style of the Goudi buildings I have seen elsewhere in the city. An old lady is out watering her pot plants.
Its 9pm and the street is getting busier; so good there is a cool breeze suddenly, the temperature has dropped perhaps from 30 down to 27, now that’s nice. Time to pack
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Valencia 19 Jul 2010
Ah Valencia, as I sit back in the chair on the foot path watching the world go by I feel blessed, it’s a wonderful city there is something about it that’s hard to describe. I am surrounded by old buildings with magnificent designs and architecture; every time I look up I see something different. It’s strange; main, dual or 4 lane thoroughfares intersected by small rustic single lane streets . All the cars are squeezed into the tiny parking places they seem to use touch parking as the standard means for finding their boundaries between cars (thank goodness for plastic bumper bars) cars will be parked in a parallel street hemmed in on both ends by cars with only 20cm or less of space each end, and it doesn’t seem to worry them, the foot paths are covered with motorbikes, mainly scooters (no road rage here).
I am slowly settling into the pace here, there appears to be a slow start to the morning and unlike Barcelona (which seemed to go all day) at about 2pm the shutters come down the streets are deserted, siesta time, it’s strange the bustling streets all but empty. There is a quiet start to the evening when the cafes open; mainly for drinks, perhaps with Tapas for a snack. Some of the restaurants don’t open their main menu until 9 or 10 pm, about that time the streets become alive with people dinning alfresco style, the dinning and associated drinking goes on late in the night (midnight).
Definitely some Spanish language skills would be an advantage, there is a splattering of people in the local shops who speak English but very few, that said it makes it interesting, and unlike your typical Australian would be they seem to take my very inept attempts at conversing very well and with tolerance (how different we are) . It has made for some interesting conversations, somehow I seemed to have convinced the lovely waitress at the shop where I have my B&B breakfast that I would prefer two cups of coffee instead of one cup and a croissant (is that spelt right), hehe anyway it helps the diet. I will return here, but will learn a little Spanish first.
A swim at Valencia beach, the home of the world Cup (sailing) the water is warm like a bath, about 25deg. It’s worse than Bondi. The beach is probably 200M wide with the crowd concentrated in the 50M closest to the water. You can’t move, skin everywhere, as far as the eyes can see, in all shapes and sizes a sea of humanity. All the girls of all ages are wearing bikinis with a large percentage dispensing with the top, no problems from teenagers to grandmothers, they are relaxed their bodies as we all should be.
I am slowly settling into the pace here, there appears to be a slow start to the morning and unlike Barcelona (which seemed to go all day) at about 2pm the shutters come down the streets are deserted, siesta time, it’s strange the bustling streets all but empty. There is a quiet start to the evening when the cafes open; mainly for drinks, perhaps with Tapas for a snack. Some of the restaurants don’t open their main menu until 9 or 10 pm, about that time the streets become alive with people dinning alfresco style, the dinning and associated drinking goes on late in the night (midnight).
Definitely some Spanish language skills would be an advantage, there is a splattering of people in the local shops who speak English but very few, that said it makes it interesting, and unlike your typical Australian would be they seem to take my very inept attempts at conversing very well and with tolerance (how different we are) . It has made for some interesting conversations, somehow I seemed to have convinced the lovely waitress at the shop where I have my B&B breakfast that I would prefer two cups of coffee instead of one cup and a croissant (is that spelt right), hehe anyway it helps the diet. I will return here, but will learn a little Spanish first.
A swim at Valencia beach, the home of the world Cup (sailing) the water is warm like a bath, about 25deg. It’s worse than Bondi. The beach is probably 200M wide with the crowd concentrated in the 50M closest to the water. You can’t move, skin everywhere, as far as the eyes can see, in all shapes and sizes a sea of humanity. All the girls of all ages are wearing bikinis with a large percentage dispensing with the top, no problems from teenagers to grandmothers, they are relaxed their bodies as we all should be.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Start From Australia to Valencia
TheStart
This is a general warning to all readers I am a terrible speller and typist therefore just consider any typing or grematil errors as intentional, put in place English.
Well it has started the adventure of a lifetime the straight middle aged guy in a suit going through the slow process of bending to a normal guy or perhaps someone slightly more bent than normal. I am so happy I achieved my first goal; all my possessions for three months are in cabin baggage. Could have sacrificed the lap top and the camera then perhaps it would have been just the day pack.
The plan (for what it is worth), two weeks in Spain, a month in Corfu (Greece) three weeks of, Mmmm unsure perhaps Turkey and Croatia, then Thailand Laos and home around mid October.
It’s 7:15 PM I have been on the aircraft for 2.30 hours, haha still so far to go, 20 hours to London a 12 hour stop over and 2 hours to Barcelona Spain. And so the adventure starts, the young lady beside me on the plane is travelling through Europe and up to Ireland before coming back home and I think it’s her first trip by herself she usually travels with her 12 year old nephew mainly staying at Motels, all organised. How different we are, I could not stand to have the trip fully mapped out, I’m booked in Barcelona a bit sketchy about how I get to the Pension (bed), we will see what’s the worse that could happen, a night on the streets?
I may be rambling a little as I have had three small bottles of red wine on the plane (it will help with the deep vein stuff. because I will be getting up all night to go to the loo, thats my excuse anyway). Malabec from Argentina, a lovely mild red, perhaps a Merlo by another name.
A great send off at the airport Linda, (woops Lindy for mum, she still thinks Linda is from Thailand, don’t tell her) came down with me and Lucy came out to say good bye. A little sad but that’s the way it is, sometimes things that matter are hard to do. I can feel the stress of work slipping away as the shores of Australia disappear.
Just watched clash of the Titans during the flight and had a lovely curry to go with my red, I‘m thinking it’s time to read my new book on Spain. No bull fights to much gore. perhaps I will check when the tomato festival is on. Landed in Heathrow and thought I would break up the trip with a quick visit into London just a few hours and it passed in a blur. Back to Heathrow and on the plane to Barcelona,
Mmm navigation is up the shit, the sleeping in th egutter almost came to fruition. Arrived in Spain on the same night that the Spanish were playing the soccer finals, arrived in the suburbs of Barcelona at th estart of the game, the plan was to get to the pension and find a pub to watch the game. Only problem was that I turned right after I exited the metro, not left like I should have. After an hour and a half (about midnight) of pestering the locals (not that they could understand me) I ended up back at the metro, and you wouldn’t believe it, but 200 Metres in the correct direction (left), there was Pension Norma. The online reviews were wrong there was not greater than 100 steps up the stairs to reception, it was only 66 steps and I now know every one of them. I think I will beable to run up the stairs at Merewether now.
Barcelona is a great city so vibrant and interesting I just loved the old buildings and the design work. Also loved seeing the Picasso work, I think he was a bit naughty but.
Had a wonderful night, dinner in a restaurant, cusscuss, chicken and vegies oh and red wine. Surrounded by the noise of strange voices in a strange land, not understanding a word but sort of knowing what the conversations were about. The picture was perfect a long skinny restaurant everyone animated and gesturing to make a point, the different faces, the guy with the greco roman noise, the lady with the buff shoulders and her uncovered foot on the chair, the bald guy with the new tattoo on his neck. And afterwards, in the square the line up for the gelato ice cream, it is so hot everyone is out in the squares, a skill we have lost, the young and old sitting around in groups talking late into the night sharing a story or asking advice where we would be glued to the TV. I wish I could record this; a photograph would not do it justice.
Had a few beers with an Aussie (Grant) be is on a break from Afghanistan. He is a civilian (ex army) has been working as support over there on an US base for three years. He stays on base so relatively safe, but bad guys still lob rockets over the wall of the camp. He doesn’t know Ryan but it brought home a few truths again, it is the busiest it has been since he has been there and it will get worse over the next few months. I count the days until he comes home, woops better stop on that subject folks are looking at me wondering why thi sstrange person sitting in th ecorner is starting to tear up.
A night out in the tourisi traps of Barcelona, what a busy street too much fun and too many things to see. Must look alone have been approached by two ladies of the night.
Note to self: Barsalona pubs go to late but Metro closes at 11 PM.
Eventually gave up on trying to understand the bus system and settled on a taxi, yahoo he knew where I lived not that far. Mmm perhaps I should have tried that on the night I got lost, not that I saw any taxies they were probably watching the soccer.
Friday 16 July - I sit here in a busy cafeteria after my first night’s sleep in Valencia. I’m staying at a B&B between the old city and the beach (bus route 19 will be my home for a few nights). The B&B, a tiny room with my own bathroom (luxury), 30 Euros a night. I was chatting to a young Aussie girl on the train from Barcelona she has been paying the same for Hostels in shared rooms. The place I’m in is clean (except for the cockroach which made the receptionist scream). The room is super hot all night; I think my room is on a heater, but otherwise great (only 10 steps hehe).
The girls in the cafe are running past with fresh pastry setting up, the cafe is filling up people chatting and happy. This is the B&B breakfast, a coffee and croissant nice lucky I'm trying to keep the weight down. One of the things I can’t get over is the number of people with dogs out walking them in a busy city all shapes and sizes, n dth enumber who smoke everywhere. Wish I could speak a little Spanish.
Note to self: next time take the time out and listen to the Spanish CDs that you purchased before you come and try to learn a little.
I’m am so pissed off, although I have pulled my bag apart I realise I have left my Spain book at Barcelona, it’s not the book that matters it’s the photos that I had in there to keep flat, the ones I setup beside my bed each night, dam, dam.
A day at the aquarium - Another great day in my travel’s such a cool aquarium. The aquarium is next to ‘the city of art’ a walk from where I am staying. The city of art is a group of futuristic buildings focused around large pools of water, unbelievable cantilevered shapes, took some strange quirky minds to think of the building shapes. Then there is the aquarium, the range of fish is fantastic walking around there is lots to see from above with penguins, sea lions and an aviary, But it’s when you go below ground that the marine world opens up. At first thought you think there are just lost of big fish tanks, as you go further you realise that you have entered a tunnel and there are sharks, manta rays and fish of all sizes beside and above you, suddenly a diver plunges into the pool feeding the greedy fish. There are two tunnels one for sharks, rays and big fish and another with fish from a range of tropical areas. Although connected the tropical areas segregate the fish and specific regions are kept together. It was a hard choice on the fish I liked the most but finally it wasn’t a fish at all that was favourite but a tank full of jelly fish, they were doing a fantastic flamenco dance as they moved their transparent skirts propelling them gracefully through the water their skirts wafted like a fine piece of material in an updraft so cool with the light shining through them.
Went shopping at the grocery shop as I have been doing just stocking up on munchies and water. I carry 1.5 litres in my backpack whenever I go out. The bottled water in the sites costs around 2 Euro for 600 mls and 0.59c for 1.5 litres at the grocery shop, I guess they have to make a profit somehow. Also provides me with an opportunity to purchase some fruit.
Note to self: when buying fruit in shop make certain you weigh yourself and put a weight sticker on the bag otherwise checkout person will not be happy, hehe no fruit today.
I called Linda on Skype last night, so good to hear her voice even if I woke her up, also chatted talked to Clay on facebook this morning, each of the places I have stayed have had free unrestricted access wireless internet love my little laptop and the access it gives me. I have not heard from Ryan for some time nor have I seen him on facebook ( I use that a check to see if he is going OK if he is online he is ok). Checked with his girlfriend Alanna and she said they were having communication problems at his base.
This is a general warning to all readers I am a terrible speller and typist therefore just consider any typing or grematil errors as intentional, put in place English.
Well it has started the adventure of a lifetime the straight middle aged guy in a suit going through the slow process of bending to a normal guy or perhaps someone slightly more bent than normal. I am so happy I achieved my first goal; all my possessions for three months are in cabin baggage. Could have sacrificed the lap top and the camera then perhaps it would have been just the day pack.
The plan (for what it is worth), two weeks in Spain, a month in Corfu (Greece) three weeks of, Mmmm unsure perhaps Turkey and Croatia, then Thailand Laos and home around mid October.
It’s 7:15 PM I have been on the aircraft for 2.30 hours, haha still so far to go, 20 hours to London a 12 hour stop over and 2 hours to Barcelona Spain. And so the adventure starts, the young lady beside me on the plane is travelling through Europe and up to Ireland before coming back home and I think it’s her first trip by herself she usually travels with her 12 year old nephew mainly staying at Motels, all organised. How different we are, I could not stand to have the trip fully mapped out, I’m booked in Barcelona a bit sketchy about how I get to the Pension (bed), we will see what’s the worse that could happen, a night on the streets?
I may be rambling a little as I have had three small bottles of red wine on the plane (it will help with the deep vein stuff. because I will be getting up all night to go to the loo, thats my excuse anyway). Malabec from Argentina, a lovely mild red, perhaps a Merlo by another name.
A great send off at the airport Linda, (woops Lindy for mum, she still thinks Linda is from Thailand, don’t tell her) came down with me and Lucy came out to say good bye. A little sad but that’s the way it is, sometimes things that matter are hard to do. I can feel the stress of work slipping away as the shores of Australia disappear.
Just watched clash of the Titans during the flight and had a lovely curry to go with my red, I‘m thinking it’s time to read my new book on Spain. No bull fights to much gore. perhaps I will check when the tomato festival is on. Landed in Heathrow and thought I would break up the trip with a quick visit into London just a few hours and it passed in a blur. Back to Heathrow and on the plane to Barcelona,
Mmm navigation is up the shit, the sleeping in th egutter almost came to fruition. Arrived in Spain on the same night that the Spanish were playing the soccer finals, arrived in the suburbs of Barcelona at th estart of the game, the plan was to get to the pension and find a pub to watch the game. Only problem was that I turned right after I exited the metro, not left like I should have. After an hour and a half (about midnight) of pestering the locals (not that they could understand me) I ended up back at the metro, and you wouldn’t believe it, but 200 Metres in the correct direction (left), there was Pension Norma. The online reviews were wrong there was not greater than 100 steps up the stairs to reception, it was only 66 steps and I now know every one of them. I think I will beable to run up the stairs at Merewether now.
Barcelona is a great city so vibrant and interesting I just loved the old buildings and the design work. Also loved seeing the Picasso work, I think he was a bit naughty but.
Had a wonderful night, dinner in a restaurant, cusscuss, chicken and vegies oh and red wine. Surrounded by the noise of strange voices in a strange land, not understanding a word but sort of knowing what the conversations were about. The picture was perfect a long skinny restaurant everyone animated and gesturing to make a point, the different faces, the guy with the greco roman noise, the lady with the buff shoulders and her uncovered foot on the chair, the bald guy with the new tattoo on his neck. And afterwards, in the square the line up for the gelato ice cream, it is so hot everyone is out in the squares, a skill we have lost, the young and old sitting around in groups talking late into the night sharing a story or asking advice where we would be glued to the TV. I wish I could record this; a photograph would not do it justice.
Had a few beers with an Aussie (Grant) be is on a break from Afghanistan. He is a civilian (ex army) has been working as support over there on an US base for three years. He stays on base so relatively safe, but bad guys still lob rockets over the wall of the camp. He doesn’t know Ryan but it brought home a few truths again, it is the busiest it has been since he has been there and it will get worse over the next few months. I count the days until he comes home, woops better stop on that subject folks are looking at me wondering why thi sstrange person sitting in th ecorner is starting to tear up.
A night out in the tourisi traps of Barcelona, what a busy street too much fun and too many things to see. Must look alone have been approached by two ladies of the night.
Note to self: Barsalona pubs go to late but Metro closes at 11 PM.
Eventually gave up on trying to understand the bus system and settled on a taxi, yahoo he knew where I lived not that far. Mmm perhaps I should have tried that on the night I got lost, not that I saw any taxies they were probably watching the soccer.
Friday 16 July - I sit here in a busy cafeteria after my first night’s sleep in Valencia. I’m staying at a B&B between the old city and the beach (bus route 19 will be my home for a few nights). The B&B, a tiny room with my own bathroom (luxury), 30 Euros a night. I was chatting to a young Aussie girl on the train from Barcelona she has been paying the same for Hostels in shared rooms. The place I’m in is clean (except for the cockroach which made the receptionist scream). The room is super hot all night; I think my room is on a heater, but otherwise great (only 10 steps hehe).
The girls in the cafe are running past with fresh pastry setting up, the cafe is filling up people chatting and happy. This is the B&B breakfast, a coffee and croissant nice lucky I'm trying to keep the weight down. One of the things I can’t get over is the number of people with dogs out walking them in a busy city all shapes and sizes, n dth enumber who smoke everywhere. Wish I could speak a little Spanish.
Note to self: next time take the time out and listen to the Spanish CDs that you purchased before you come and try to learn a little.
I’m am so pissed off, although I have pulled my bag apart I realise I have left my Spain book at Barcelona, it’s not the book that matters it’s the photos that I had in there to keep flat, the ones I setup beside my bed each night, dam, dam.
A day at the aquarium - Another great day in my travel’s such a cool aquarium. The aquarium is next to ‘the city of art’ a walk from where I am staying. The city of art is a group of futuristic buildings focused around large pools of water, unbelievable cantilevered shapes, took some strange quirky minds to think of the building shapes. Then there is the aquarium, the range of fish is fantastic walking around there is lots to see from above with penguins, sea lions and an aviary, But it’s when you go below ground that the marine world opens up. At first thought you think there are just lost of big fish tanks, as you go further you realise that you have entered a tunnel and there are sharks, manta rays and fish of all sizes beside and above you, suddenly a diver plunges into the pool feeding the greedy fish. There are two tunnels one for sharks, rays and big fish and another with fish from a range of tropical areas. Although connected the tropical areas segregate the fish and specific regions are kept together. It was a hard choice on the fish I liked the most but finally it wasn’t a fish at all that was favourite but a tank full of jelly fish, they were doing a fantastic flamenco dance as they moved their transparent skirts propelling them gracefully through the water their skirts wafted like a fine piece of material in an updraft so cool with the light shining through them.
Went shopping at the grocery shop as I have been doing just stocking up on munchies and water. I carry 1.5 litres in my backpack whenever I go out. The bottled water in the sites costs around 2 Euro for 600 mls and 0.59c for 1.5 litres at the grocery shop, I guess they have to make a profit somehow. Also provides me with an opportunity to purchase some fruit.
Note to self: when buying fruit in shop make certain you weigh yourself and put a weight sticker on the bag otherwise checkout person will not be happy, hehe no fruit today.
I called Linda on Skype last night, so good to hear her voice even if I woke her up, also chatted talked to Clay on facebook this morning, each of the places I have stayed have had free unrestricted access wireless internet love my little laptop and the access it gives me. I have not heard from Ryan for some time nor have I seen him on facebook ( I use that a check to see if he is going OK if he is online he is ok). Checked with his girlfriend Alanna and she said they were having communication problems at his base.
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