Two days and a year ago I left on my 7 month excursion around the world. First travelling to Japan with my friend Maree, then onto Scotland for 4 months on exchange and finally 3 months of travel around Europe.
I don't feel like I've been home for 7 months, in fact I don't even feel like I was away for that long.
In 8 days time I will be going back to the UK. The phase 'I cannot wait' is an understatement for the excitement that is growing. Things have been hard while my boyfriend has loved overseas for the last year. Going to see him again will be unbelievable. But as a good friend said to me not so long ago, I don't want to want to remember 2012 as the year I waited for my boyfriend to come home. Instead, what I will remember it as is the year that 19 of my friends/family got engaged/married, I travelled for 7 months, finished 2nd year of uni, gained and proceeded to lose 8kg, found a new love and gratitude towards my family, and regained an appreciation for myself.
2012 has been so much more than just a year, but I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be bigger and better.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Friday, 28 September 2012
What's Next?
This blog seemed to be the last thing on my mind since I have returned home (so I apologise for the 2 month gap).
I have now been back for nearly 9weeks and during this time I have had 7 weeks of uni. Although stressed and freaking out about the multiple assignments and tests due after this weekend, I find myself procrastinating and blogging instead of doing some much needed study.
Life has changed so much since my return. Coming home to a world which seems so familiar, but yet so different. I have had, what could be considered, far too many break downs for a 20 year old to have and entered into a new level of stress that I didn't know was possible. I find it very difficult to assimilate back into everyday life and find myself wondering how things changed so much in such a short time. But as a wise man (my dad) said to me not too long ago, 'it is not us that has changed, but you'.
It got me thinking, since I have been back, my life seems lost in purpose and meaning. I look forward to a change in activity, thrive on new experiences; where I once fear and stressed about change. The small, good, exciting things don't seem to outweigh the normal, ordinary, everyday things any more. And I suppose going back to a 25hr week at uni instead of a 12hr week is also a bit of downer.
And so, I have decided that it's about time to re-evaluate my life, and what I want and expect from it. With the help of my family I have re-gained the love of myself and the want to continually improve my flaws. (It's strange how a 7month experience changes your whole perception of your original situations.)
-My love of baking has not left me, but my want of eating the sweets I make has. Since being home I have re-joined my gym and finished a 6 week challenge, all of which was to get rid of the weight I had gained overseas from eating far too much haggis and chips :P
-The respect and love of my family has increased. Living away from the people you love and once looked after you truly increases your respect for all they do for you.
-I cannot wait for my uni degree to be OVER. with the realisation that I have 3 more year left of civil engineering, I feel a great weight placed on my shoulders. Having the inability to let stress go, I find a future of study very daunting, as so welcome over loading subjects to finish this degree as fast as humanly possible.
-I have decided that I need to put one day a week aside to do what I want. No study, no homework, no uni. Recently this has been going into my mum's art class and working with her primary school kids for the day. There is something so wonderful about educating children who truly appreciate the help you give them.
There is so much more that I am implementing in my life to find the enjoyment which I had overseas. I know dwelling on the past months doesn't help, but it is always so wonderful reminiscing on the good times.
Although difficult now, knowing that these experiences have changed me for the better is motivation enough to push through the reverse home sickness that I'm feeling.
What's Next is truly the question that I keep asking myself. But I suppose the correct answer to that question is life.
I have now been back for nearly 9weeks and during this time I have had 7 weeks of uni. Although stressed and freaking out about the multiple assignments and tests due after this weekend, I find myself procrastinating and blogging instead of doing some much needed study.
Life has changed so much since my return. Coming home to a world which seems so familiar, but yet so different. I have had, what could be considered, far too many break downs for a 20 year old to have and entered into a new level of stress that I didn't know was possible. I find it very difficult to assimilate back into everyday life and find myself wondering how things changed so much in such a short time. But as a wise man (my dad) said to me not too long ago, 'it is not us that has changed, but you'.
It got me thinking, since I have been back, my life seems lost in purpose and meaning. I look forward to a change in activity, thrive on new experiences; where I once fear and stressed about change. The small, good, exciting things don't seem to outweigh the normal, ordinary, everyday things any more. And I suppose going back to a 25hr week at uni instead of a 12hr week is also a bit of downer.
And so, I have decided that it's about time to re-evaluate my life, and what I want and expect from it. With the help of my family I have re-gained the love of myself and the want to continually improve my flaws. (It's strange how a 7month experience changes your whole perception of your original situations.)
-My love of baking has not left me, but my want of eating the sweets I make has. Since being home I have re-joined my gym and finished a 6 week challenge, all of which was to get rid of the weight I had gained overseas from eating far too much haggis and chips :P
-The respect and love of my family has increased. Living away from the people you love and once looked after you truly increases your respect for all they do for you.
-I cannot wait for my uni degree to be OVER. with the realisation that I have 3 more year left of civil engineering, I feel a great weight placed on my shoulders. Having the inability to let stress go, I find a future of study very daunting, as so welcome over loading subjects to finish this degree as fast as humanly possible.
-I have decided that I need to put one day a week aside to do what I want. No study, no homework, no uni. Recently this has been going into my mum's art class and working with her primary school kids for the day. There is something so wonderful about educating children who truly appreciate the help you give them.
There is so much more that I am implementing in my life to find the enjoyment which I had overseas. I know dwelling on the past months doesn't help, but it is always so wonderful reminiscing on the good times.
Although difficult now, knowing that these experiences have changed me for the better is motivation enough to push through the reverse home sickness that I'm feeling.
What's Next is truly the question that I keep asking myself. But I suppose the correct answer to that question is life.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
The end is near
With 5 days to go and many goodbyes to make, I'm starting to fear the end.
My last post concluded at the end of Canada. An absolutely amazing experience, in which has increased my love of Canada, and has also made me miss my wonderful Canadian friends so much more!! I cannot thank Laura and Emily enough for their lovely hospitality! I hope to be able to return the favour if they come to Oz! (which is hopefully soon!!)
After returning back to Guildford, I soon moved into my flat. The first night I remember to be awful. Being in a new house, with people you don't know, it reminded me of my first night in Glasgow. The nerves soon left me as I unpacked all my things the next day and got further settled in.
On July 8th I celebrated two amazing years with Nathaniel in Belgium. It was a very welcomed weekend away in a Country that I am now very very in love with! Unfortunately to get over to Belgium, it takes a ferry ride to get over to France and then onto Belgium...my love of ferry's has become more apparent. The day after we returned from Belgium, I was off again, back on that exact same ferry on my way to Amsterdam with my cousin, Matt. This ferry ride was definitely not as fun as advertised, as an unexploded WWII bomb was found in Dover harbour, and so our ferry was delayed till 3am with caused our 11hr bus/ferry trip to be 13hrs.
Once in Amsterdam, Matt and I visited unbelievable amounts in only 3 days. The highlight of Amsterdam was meeting up with Cora, a friend who I worked with back at the good old RSL at home. She took us to a proper Dutch restaurant, where I tried a Dutch soup with pea and ham. It was delicious but unbelievably filling, therefore we needed to wash it down with Dutch beers! :D The time we spent together was seriously not long enough. It just makes my want to return to England/Europe increase.
From Amsterdam we bussed to Brussels (yes, back to Belgium :D )
Brussels was so different the Holland. The was a perfect mix of old and new, displaying their love of beer, chocolate and waffles EVERYWHERE!!! (hello extra 2kgs)
In Belgium, the beers are far and wide the best I have EVER had. They also include the very sweet and flavoursome fruit beers, no, not cider, fruit beer. Instead of dinner on our last night, Matt and myself indulged ourselves on many many different beers, the best.
This trip was the last time I shall visit Europe before I leave for Australia.
With two weeks left of Guildford I went on my way going to the gym, into town, bike riding, and dying in the 30 degree weather.
I have 5 days left of my trip until I return to the motherland, and in that time I have planned:
.Nigerian night
.Aussie shindig
.batman at IMAX
.Olympic ceremony
.Olympics Volleyball
.much much gym and cooking
The next days will disappear in a flash, and even though I cannot wait to go home, I don't want to leave everyone and everything behind. I am already dreading the goodbyes and farewells, and have refused to start packing in the hope of forgetting reality.
The last question that needs to be answered is through all my travels, every country, every experience, did I end up finding wonderland?
My last post concluded at the end of Canada. An absolutely amazing experience, in which has increased my love of Canada, and has also made me miss my wonderful Canadian friends so much more!! I cannot thank Laura and Emily enough for their lovely hospitality! I hope to be able to return the favour if they come to Oz! (which is hopefully soon!!)
After returning back to Guildford, I soon moved into my flat. The first night I remember to be awful. Being in a new house, with people you don't know, it reminded me of my first night in Glasgow. The nerves soon left me as I unpacked all my things the next day and got further settled in.
On July 8th I celebrated two amazing years with Nathaniel in Belgium. It was a very welcomed weekend away in a Country that I am now very very in love with! Unfortunately to get over to Belgium, it takes a ferry ride to get over to France and then onto Belgium...my love of ferry's has become more apparent. The day after we returned from Belgium, I was off again, back on that exact same ferry on my way to Amsterdam with my cousin, Matt. This ferry ride was definitely not as fun as advertised, as an unexploded WWII bomb was found in Dover harbour, and so our ferry was delayed till 3am with caused our 11hr bus/ferry trip to be 13hrs.
Once in Amsterdam, Matt and I visited unbelievable amounts in only 3 days. The highlight of Amsterdam was meeting up with Cora, a friend who I worked with back at the good old RSL at home. She took us to a proper Dutch restaurant, where I tried a Dutch soup with pea and ham. It was delicious but unbelievably filling, therefore we needed to wash it down with Dutch beers! :D The time we spent together was seriously not long enough. It just makes my want to return to England/Europe increase.
From Amsterdam we bussed to Brussels (yes, back to Belgium :D )
Brussels was so different the Holland. The was a perfect mix of old and new, displaying their love of beer, chocolate and waffles EVERYWHERE!!! (hello extra 2kgs)
In Belgium, the beers are far and wide the best I have EVER had. They also include the very sweet and flavoursome fruit beers, no, not cider, fruit beer. Instead of dinner on our last night, Matt and myself indulged ourselves on many many different beers, the best.
This trip was the last time I shall visit Europe before I leave for Australia.
With two weeks left of Guildford I went on my way going to the gym, into town, bike riding, and dying in the 30 degree weather.
I have 5 days left of my trip until I return to the motherland, and in that time I have planned:
.Nigerian night
.Aussie shindig
.batman at IMAX
.Olympic ceremony
.Olympics Volleyball
.much much gym and cooking
The next days will disappear in a flash, and even though I cannot wait to go home, I don't want to leave everyone and everything behind. I am already dreading the goodbyes and farewells, and have refused to start packing in the hope of forgetting reality.
The last question that needs to be answered is through all my travels, every country, every experience, did I end up finding wonderland?
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Happy 145th Birthday Canada! :)
I'm not sure where I left my last blog, probably would have been a good ideal to read over it before I start a new one...but I didn't....
NOTE: due to lack of organisation, I may repeat myself somewhat during this blog.
If anyone ever wants to go to a non English speaking part of Germany, Hanover is the place to go. My great Uncle fort in WWII as an RAF pilot and was shot down on one of his last missions, and so, my uncle thought it appropriate (considering he was the same age as myself when he was killed) to visit his war grave in Hanover. This place was unbelievably tranquil, and so very lovely. Although, if you want to go to a touristy town, this is not for you. The only things to see in Hanover are possibly the war graves and a half blown up church, other than this, it's a fairly boring, ordinary town.
From Germany we traveled to Ireland, Dublin. We had booked day tours around the ring of Kerri and the Blarney Stone, not realising that these places were a 3hr train ride away from our hotel in Dublin. Whilst fighting the weather (which poured the whole time we were there) we pushed on and kissed the stone, saw the sights and fell asleep on the trains.
God seemed to be very persistent on keeping us in Dublin as when it came time to catch our ferry to England, it had been cancelled and the next one was 6hrs later. My patience was definitely challenged as we sat in an empty ferry terminal waiting till 2:30pm to board our ferry.
York proved to be a bit of an adventure. After visiting Hanover days earlier, we stayed on the theme of my Great Uncle, and so, we visited Brighton airbase where he would have flown off from.
This airbase is now, quite literally, a manure field. hmmm...not exactly a well kept and preserved part of our history...Saying this, Uncle David did not give up on finding the runway and hanger areas of the old base. (We even drove through black, stinking manure water to get there)
From York we traveled to London where I said goodbye to my uncle. It was so sad to say goodbye. I just want to take some time in thanking him. Although many of the people reading this don't know him, and will probably never meet my uncle, he is one of the kindest and generous people I have had the pleasure of having in my life. It is so wonderful to travel with family, and truly get to know them on their good and bad days. Although by the end of our trip i'm sure Uncle David was glad to be rid of my impatience, complaining and random 2hr naps in the middle of the day. I still enjoyed every minute and wish I could go back!
1 day after fare welling him, I flew to Canada. I traveled on Air Transat...and I sweat they are archaic. Having an 8hr plane trip ahead of me, I was ready to sit down and watch some movies, only to walk into the plane and find that there were no T.V's on the back of the seats, instead they had 1 small t.v above every 10th seat in the middle row. Lets just say that I was less than impressed. (and less looking forward to my flight home tomorrow night)
At the Airport I was greeted by Emily Dubis, a friend I met on Exchange. It was so great to be reunited with her, and it's always so welcoming having someone waiting for you at the arrivals gate.
My jet lag seemed to be the end of me, and at 9pm I crashed so bad.
The next day was Emily's 21st birthday and so I stayed home (whilst she had work) and made a chocolate mouse cake for her. That night she had many people come over to celebrate, and after being asked to 'speak Australian' multiple times during the night, I went to bed an early 12am. (mainly knowing that I had to get up to catch a 8:50am bus to Montreal)
My hate for public transport continues as my 5hr bus ride turned into a 6.5hr one due to a crash on the freeway. Arriving in Montreal was easy, having only have to make a 5min walk to my hotel I had no problem....except for the part where I tried to check into the wrong hotel, but a part from that, nothing went wrong.
Whilst walking around in the morning, I soon realised that Cirque Du Soliel was in town (obviously, as Montreal is their home town...) and on the spur of the moment bought ticket (how lonely does that sound) to go see it that night. I had already booked in for a bike tour that day, and so after riding around Montreal in 32 degree heat, I had to run to the show so I didn't miss anything.
From Montreal I took the bus into Toronto where I met up with Laura, my flat mate from Scotland. I still feels surreal being able to spend time with her and Emily, having met them in Scotland, now meeting up again in Canada.
I am now an expert in travelling around on the public transport system in Toronto and although the Canadian's my complain about it, I much prefer it to England's!! I have traveled to the Beaches districts, down town Toronto, the Island, went to see a Blue Jays game (Base ball) and have gone to Niagara falls. Each place is so unique and interesting, it seems sad that I only have 1 week here to see things, it's just not enough time!
Niagara is such an interesting place! the falls are AMAZING! SOOOO beautiful! Laura and I went on the maid of the mist and got soaked as we were awed by the wonder of Niagara falls. But alternatively, the streets leading up to the falls are trashy and somewhat reminded me of Las Vegas in the US, because there was little to no class associated with the blingy, in your face buildings. From Niagara we visited Niagara on the lake. A quaint little town that juxtaposed Niagara to the extreme! It was a much more enjoyable place to eat dinner.
Today is Canada day and whilst happily sitting here watching Spain beat Italy in the Euro (is it a bad thing that I'm Italian and going for the opposing team), it saddens me to know that tonight is my last proper night in Canada as I leave at 9:50pm tomorrow.
Highlights of Canada:
.THE SUN (over 30 degrees every day)
.Reuniting with firends
.Poutine
.Tim Hortons
.Bagels
.Bike riding
.Niagara
Lowlights of Canada:
.Heat rash from the sun :( (see what you've done to my Scotland)
.Montreal buses
.Knowing that after tomorrow, I wont see my Canadian friends again for a very long time
Both Laura's and Emily's families have been so wonderful allowing me to stay with them, and putting up with me. I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life, and to be able to experience all these wonderful new places.
Today also celebrates my last month away. In exactly one month I will have arrived back in Australia, back to family, back to friends, and back to normality.
NOTE: due to lack of organisation, I may repeat myself somewhat during this blog.
If anyone ever wants to go to a non English speaking part of Germany, Hanover is the place to go. My great Uncle fort in WWII as an RAF pilot and was shot down on one of his last missions, and so, my uncle thought it appropriate (considering he was the same age as myself when he was killed) to visit his war grave in Hanover. This place was unbelievably tranquil, and so very lovely. Although, if you want to go to a touristy town, this is not for you. The only things to see in Hanover are possibly the war graves and a half blown up church, other than this, it's a fairly boring, ordinary town.
From Germany we traveled to Ireland, Dublin. We had booked day tours around the ring of Kerri and the Blarney Stone, not realising that these places were a 3hr train ride away from our hotel in Dublin. Whilst fighting the weather (which poured the whole time we were there) we pushed on and kissed the stone, saw the sights and fell asleep on the trains.
God seemed to be very persistent on keeping us in Dublin as when it came time to catch our ferry to England, it had been cancelled and the next one was 6hrs later. My patience was definitely challenged as we sat in an empty ferry terminal waiting till 2:30pm to board our ferry.
York proved to be a bit of an adventure. After visiting Hanover days earlier, we stayed on the theme of my Great Uncle, and so, we visited Brighton airbase where he would have flown off from.
This airbase is now, quite literally, a manure field. hmmm...not exactly a well kept and preserved part of our history...Saying this, Uncle David did not give up on finding the runway and hanger areas of the old base. (We even drove through black, stinking manure water to get there)
From York we traveled to London where I said goodbye to my uncle. It was so sad to say goodbye. I just want to take some time in thanking him. Although many of the people reading this don't know him, and will probably never meet my uncle, he is one of the kindest and generous people I have had the pleasure of having in my life. It is so wonderful to travel with family, and truly get to know them on their good and bad days. Although by the end of our trip i'm sure Uncle David was glad to be rid of my impatience, complaining and random 2hr naps in the middle of the day. I still enjoyed every minute and wish I could go back!
1 day after fare welling him, I flew to Canada. I traveled on Air Transat...and I sweat they are archaic. Having an 8hr plane trip ahead of me, I was ready to sit down and watch some movies, only to walk into the plane and find that there were no T.V's on the back of the seats, instead they had 1 small t.v above every 10th seat in the middle row. Lets just say that I was less than impressed. (and less looking forward to my flight home tomorrow night)
At the Airport I was greeted by Emily Dubis, a friend I met on Exchange. It was so great to be reunited with her, and it's always so welcoming having someone waiting for you at the arrivals gate.
My jet lag seemed to be the end of me, and at 9pm I crashed so bad.
The next day was Emily's 21st birthday and so I stayed home (whilst she had work) and made a chocolate mouse cake for her. That night she had many people come over to celebrate, and after being asked to 'speak Australian' multiple times during the night, I went to bed an early 12am. (mainly knowing that I had to get up to catch a 8:50am bus to Montreal)
My hate for public transport continues as my 5hr bus ride turned into a 6.5hr one due to a crash on the freeway. Arriving in Montreal was easy, having only have to make a 5min walk to my hotel I had no problem....except for the part where I tried to check into the wrong hotel, but a part from that, nothing went wrong.
Whilst walking around in the morning, I soon realised that Cirque Du Soliel was in town (obviously, as Montreal is their home town...) and on the spur of the moment bought ticket (how lonely does that sound) to go see it that night. I had already booked in for a bike tour that day, and so after riding around Montreal in 32 degree heat, I had to run to the show so I didn't miss anything.
From Montreal I took the bus into Toronto where I met up with Laura, my flat mate from Scotland. I still feels surreal being able to spend time with her and Emily, having met them in Scotland, now meeting up again in Canada.
I am now an expert in travelling around on the public transport system in Toronto and although the Canadian's my complain about it, I much prefer it to England's!! I have traveled to the Beaches districts, down town Toronto, the Island, went to see a Blue Jays game (Base ball) and have gone to Niagara falls. Each place is so unique and interesting, it seems sad that I only have 1 week here to see things, it's just not enough time!
Niagara is such an interesting place! the falls are AMAZING! SOOOO beautiful! Laura and I went on the maid of the mist and got soaked as we were awed by the wonder of Niagara falls. But alternatively, the streets leading up to the falls are trashy and somewhat reminded me of Las Vegas in the US, because there was little to no class associated with the blingy, in your face buildings. From Niagara we visited Niagara on the lake. A quaint little town that juxtaposed Niagara to the extreme! It was a much more enjoyable place to eat dinner.
Today is Canada day and whilst happily sitting here watching Spain beat Italy in the Euro (is it a bad thing that I'm Italian and going for the opposing team), it saddens me to know that tonight is my last proper night in Canada as I leave at 9:50pm tomorrow.
Highlights of Canada:
.THE SUN (over 30 degrees every day)
.Reuniting with firends
.Poutine
.Tim Hortons
.Bagels
.Bike riding
.Niagara
Lowlights of Canada:
.Heat rash from the sun :( (see what you've done to my Scotland)
.Montreal buses
.Knowing that after tomorrow, I wont see my Canadian friends again for a very long time
Both Laura's and Emily's families have been so wonderful allowing me to stay with them, and putting up with me. I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life, and to be able to experience all these wonderful new places.
Today also celebrates my last month away. In exactly one month I will have arrived back in Australia, back to family, back to friends, and back to normality.
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Tromso, Hanover, Dublin, Cork and a little bit of York
Goodness, since my last post so much has happened, and unfortunately not all good.
Tromso was amazing, although the whole 24hrs of daylight really weired me out!
On our first day in Tromso we really didn't have all that much to do. the strangest part of 24hrs in sun is that the whole town decides that all the events will be at night time, so we were basically waiting around till 11:30pm to do anything. That night we took the chair lift up to the mountains where snow still lay on the grounds even in summer. Afterwards we saw the best choir in Norway in the Arctic Cathedral. They were actually fantastic, I really did love it, although, their conductor was just a tad crazy. I'm actually very glad he went into the profession of conducting because otherwise we may have a drug lord in our midst. I shall describe him to you. He was about 40 years old, wearing a suit with the top three buttons undone to reveal a hairy chest and cuffs rolled up, he wore a giant medallion and very blingy rings. His head was shaven and his beard was formed into a point at the base of his chin. To top it all off, he conducted the whole performance with one hand in his pocket and looked as if he was getting off to the music. Maybe it was a good thing he was so passionate about the music, but even I (who hates it when people comment/talk/laugh during concerts) could not help but release a few giggles every now and then.
On the Sunday during the day I went for a nap. I vaguely remember hearing my uncle start swearing, thinking it was just a dream I didn't wake till 3 hrs later. When I finally woke, I was told that our trip midnight sun sea kayaking was actually last night! I freaked, we both thought that it was Sunday night, and so didn't think to check! Luckily he had called up and rebooked. The main reason we came to Tromso was to kayak in the midnight sun, it would have been so disappointing if we didn't get to in the end.
The experience really lived up to all expectations. The man who was instructing us was fantastic and had been all over the world on expeditions, had even lost 5 fingers to frost bite from climbing mountains in -58 degree weather!! We kayaked about 1/4 of the way around the island and due to the rough sea and the fact that there was a family with us who had a 5yr old girl attempting to paddle in the double boat with her mum, the instructor decided it would be better to turn back and go the other way around the island.
By Monday, we were both rather happy to leave Norway, the expense of it all and the lack of darkness were both getting to us! We travelled to Hanover, Germany and went to visit my great uncles war grave. It was sad seeing thousands of troops' graves all lined up in what was an immaculate garden! Apart from the war graves and a half blown up cathedral, Hanover proved to be the most untouristy place I've been to....I should have realised this the moment that no one spoke a word of English. Even when you clicked the English button on the screens to get your train ticket, they stayed in German.
Ireland was next and we took two day tours, one to Blarney Castle and the other to the Ring of Kerry. Both of these day were POURING with rain! It never even rained like this in Scotland, so I don't understand how it was so bad in Ireland!!! They were both good tours, let down by the fact that they were a 3hr train trip from Dublin (where we were staying) and the weather.
Yesterday was possibly my most unfavourable day of our trip so far. My utter hate for public transport is now in full swing, as our 8:45am ferry was cancelled and the next one left 6hrs later at 2:30. Deciding that it was the only option, we waited in the ferry terminal the whole day, finally got on the ferry and then took 3 connecting trains to arrived in york....at 11pm.
I finally got to book things for my trip to Canada in less then a week and then got to bed. Yesterday has now resulted us to waking up, consuming massive amounts of food for breakfast, and going back to bed.
There are only 4days left of my trip with my Uncle. It's been so great to travel with him (although I won't miss his snoring...) and I can't believe how fast everything has flown!!
There's only one things left to say....BRING ON CANADA!! :D
Tromso was amazing, although the whole 24hrs of daylight really weired me out!
On our first day in Tromso we really didn't have all that much to do. the strangest part of 24hrs in sun is that the whole town decides that all the events will be at night time, so we were basically waiting around till 11:30pm to do anything. That night we took the chair lift up to the mountains where snow still lay on the grounds even in summer. Afterwards we saw the best choir in Norway in the Arctic Cathedral. They were actually fantastic, I really did love it, although, their conductor was just a tad crazy. I'm actually very glad he went into the profession of conducting because otherwise we may have a drug lord in our midst. I shall describe him to you. He was about 40 years old, wearing a suit with the top three buttons undone to reveal a hairy chest and cuffs rolled up, he wore a giant medallion and very blingy rings. His head was shaven and his beard was formed into a point at the base of his chin. To top it all off, he conducted the whole performance with one hand in his pocket and looked as if he was getting off to the music. Maybe it was a good thing he was so passionate about the music, but even I (who hates it when people comment/talk/laugh during concerts) could not help but release a few giggles every now and then.
On the Sunday during the day I went for a nap. I vaguely remember hearing my uncle start swearing, thinking it was just a dream I didn't wake till 3 hrs later. When I finally woke, I was told that our trip midnight sun sea kayaking was actually last night! I freaked, we both thought that it was Sunday night, and so didn't think to check! Luckily he had called up and rebooked. The main reason we came to Tromso was to kayak in the midnight sun, it would have been so disappointing if we didn't get to in the end.
The experience really lived up to all expectations. The man who was instructing us was fantastic and had been all over the world on expeditions, had even lost 5 fingers to frost bite from climbing mountains in -58 degree weather!! We kayaked about 1/4 of the way around the island and due to the rough sea and the fact that there was a family with us who had a 5yr old girl attempting to paddle in the double boat with her mum, the instructor decided it would be better to turn back and go the other way around the island.
By Monday, we were both rather happy to leave Norway, the expense of it all and the lack of darkness were both getting to us! We travelled to Hanover, Germany and went to visit my great uncles war grave. It was sad seeing thousands of troops' graves all lined up in what was an immaculate garden! Apart from the war graves and a half blown up cathedral, Hanover proved to be the most untouristy place I've been to....I should have realised this the moment that no one spoke a word of English. Even when you clicked the English button on the screens to get your train ticket, they stayed in German.
Ireland was next and we took two day tours, one to Blarney Castle and the other to the Ring of Kerry. Both of these day were POURING with rain! It never even rained like this in Scotland, so I don't understand how it was so bad in Ireland!!! They were both good tours, let down by the fact that they were a 3hr train trip from Dublin (where we were staying) and the weather.
Yesterday was possibly my most unfavourable day of our trip so far. My utter hate for public transport is now in full swing, as our 8:45am ferry was cancelled and the next one left 6hrs later at 2:30. Deciding that it was the only option, we waited in the ferry terminal the whole day, finally got on the ferry and then took 3 connecting trains to arrived in york....at 11pm.
I finally got to book things for my trip to Canada in less then a week and then got to bed. Yesterday has now resulted us to waking up, consuming massive amounts of food for breakfast, and going back to bed.
There are only 4days left of my trip with my Uncle. It's been so great to travel with him (although I won't miss his snoring...) and I can't believe how fast everything has flown!!
There's only one things left to say....BRING ON CANADA!! :D
Friday, 8 June 2012
Travels to Norway
Sadly, Glasgow has come and gone. My times there shall not be forgotten, but most certainly missed. I still can't get over how fast everything went.
Between my departure from Scotland and now, I have travelled quite far! I stayed with Nat for a few days, getting myself sorted for my trip with my Uncle :D On the 5th June, we jetsetted to Oslo, Norway. The first day was quite slow, just having a look around the place, figuring out what we wanted to do and getting to grips with our location and the city. The main difference between Oslo and basically anywhere else I have been, is the population. There may be approx 5million people living there, but it's as if they never go outside. I was so shocked by the lack of people walking around on the streets. We also came to realise how expensive everything was going to be, one meal costs around 18GBP...so about 32AUD (SOOOOO MUCH MONEY!!)
We went to a traditional Norwegian restaurant for dinner on our first night to find Reindeer and Whale on the menu. Unable to eat Moby Dick, I chose 'Norwegian meat' instead (later to find out that it was 2 massive patties of beef with ridiculous amounts of onion... weird) Uncle David on the other hand opted for Rudolph...poor Santa is now missing a reindeer :(
Our second day in Oslo called for a ferry trip in and around the Smaller Islands of Oslo. We stopped off at the largest one (which still only took 20mins to walk through to the other end) and trekked around the Islands Coast. It was such a lovely and sunny day, I even got sun burnt, which is way crazy in Norway!!
On our last day in Oslo, we went to the Science and Technology Museum, Viking Museum, Folk Museum, bike rode, walked, bused, trained and trammed around Oslo and to top the day off, flew in a helicopter :D It was such an amazing day. we were so lucky with all the weather, as it stayed sunny the whole time we were there!
Today we flew to Tromso, north of Oslo. It was a frantic rush to the aeroplane as we were running extremely late, but we made it...mainly due to the Indians that were yelling and throwing bags at each other trying to get on the plane which caused a 15minute hold up...
Tromso is for colder, reaching highs of only 9 degrees, and with the ability to see snow capped mountains on the other side of the lake in front of the town (the lake being only 1km wide) I certainly know where the cold winds are coming from!!
The sun doesn't set here funnily enough. In Oslo, the sun set at 10:30 and rose at 4am, but tonight we look forward to the light shining through our window all night long.
In just 2 days time we are going midnight sun sea kayaking. I'm so excited!!! I am so lucky to be able to experience such thing whilst I am away. I makes it even better having my Uncle here to enjoy the times with me!
Only 2 days left in Norway and then off to Hanover in Germany!
Between my departure from Scotland and now, I have travelled quite far! I stayed with Nat for a few days, getting myself sorted for my trip with my Uncle :D On the 5th June, we jetsetted to Oslo, Norway. The first day was quite slow, just having a look around the place, figuring out what we wanted to do and getting to grips with our location and the city. The main difference between Oslo and basically anywhere else I have been, is the population. There may be approx 5million people living there, but it's as if they never go outside. I was so shocked by the lack of people walking around on the streets. We also came to realise how expensive everything was going to be, one meal costs around 18GBP...so about 32AUD (SOOOOO MUCH MONEY!!)
We went to a traditional Norwegian restaurant for dinner on our first night to find Reindeer and Whale on the menu. Unable to eat Moby Dick, I chose 'Norwegian meat' instead (later to find out that it was 2 massive patties of beef with ridiculous amounts of onion... weird) Uncle David on the other hand opted for Rudolph...poor Santa is now missing a reindeer :(
Our second day in Oslo called for a ferry trip in and around the Smaller Islands of Oslo. We stopped off at the largest one (which still only took 20mins to walk through to the other end) and trekked around the Islands Coast. It was such a lovely and sunny day, I even got sun burnt, which is way crazy in Norway!!
On our last day in Oslo, we went to the Science and Technology Museum, Viking Museum, Folk Museum, bike rode, walked, bused, trained and trammed around Oslo and to top the day off, flew in a helicopter :D It was such an amazing day. we were so lucky with all the weather, as it stayed sunny the whole time we were there!
Today we flew to Tromso, north of Oslo. It was a frantic rush to the aeroplane as we were running extremely late, but we made it...mainly due to the Indians that were yelling and throwing bags at each other trying to get on the plane which caused a 15minute hold up...
Tromso is for colder, reaching highs of only 9 degrees, and with the ability to see snow capped mountains on the other side of the lake in front of the town (the lake being only 1km wide) I certainly know where the cold winds are coming from!!
The sun doesn't set here funnily enough. In Oslo, the sun set at 10:30 and rose at 4am, but tonight we look forward to the light shining through our window all night long.
In just 2 days time we are going midnight sun sea kayaking. I'm so excited!!! I am so lucky to be able to experience such thing whilst I am away. I makes it even better having my Uncle here to enjoy the times with me!
Only 2 days left in Norway and then off to Hanover in Germany!
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Last woman standing
The day has finally come. I am completely and utterly alone in my flat....unless you include the Asians sharing our living area next door....but apart from that...totally alone.
Saying goodbye to Maddy and Shaun yesterday, and now saying goodbye to Christina this evening, feels like I have lost my family. I knew it would be difficult without anyone here, but I never realised how unbelievably devastating it would be. No more bursting into the house yelling about the 2 times that it actually snowed outside, no more knocking on Christina's door to talk, only to be told that she's still not changed/out of bed (that happened far too many times), and no more family dinners celebrating Taco Tuesday. I cannot believe how fast the last five months has flown....and at the time, I half wished they would go faster. Missing family, Australia and loved ones, all contributed to home sickness throughout many times of my stay here; but now this chapter of my life is practically closed, I feel like I'm getting 'exchange sickness'.
I remember walking into my new empty flat, freaking out that I had no house mates, only to find that they were all at Ikea getting everything for our kitchen/bathroom/bedrooms, everything that I now have the task of throwing out. It's so hard to let go of possessions that have so many memories. It sounds stupid, but throwing away my wok means throwing away all the excessively large meals we made for only 4 people. Getting rid of our pint glasses means never having any more nights of far too many jager bombs, and cocktails till 2am instead of actually going out.
All I have left are the memories, but right now, that doesn't seem enough. I can't help but wish that I had taken more photos, gone out more times, made more friends. Maybe it's lessons learnt for next time.
I leave in 2 days times, and then it's the end of Glasgow. But not forever.
Saying goodbye to Maddy and Shaun yesterday, and now saying goodbye to Christina this evening, feels like I have lost my family. I knew it would be difficult without anyone here, but I never realised how unbelievably devastating it would be. No more bursting into the house yelling about the 2 times that it actually snowed outside, no more knocking on Christina's door to talk, only to be told that she's still not changed/out of bed (that happened far too many times), and no more family dinners celebrating Taco Tuesday. I cannot believe how fast the last five months has flown....and at the time, I half wished they would go faster. Missing family, Australia and loved ones, all contributed to home sickness throughout many times of my stay here; but now this chapter of my life is practically closed, I feel like I'm getting 'exchange sickness'.
I remember walking into my new empty flat, freaking out that I had no house mates, only to find that they were all at Ikea getting everything for our kitchen/bathroom/bedrooms, everything that I now have the task of throwing out. It's so hard to let go of possessions that have so many memories. It sounds stupid, but throwing away my wok means throwing away all the excessively large meals we made for only 4 people. Getting rid of our pint glasses means never having any more nights of far too many jager bombs, and cocktails till 2am instead of actually going out.
All I have left are the memories, but right now, that doesn't seem enough. I can't help but wish that I had taken more photos, gone out more times, made more friends. Maybe it's lessons learnt for next time.
I leave in 2 days times, and then it's the end of Glasgow. But not forever.
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