Twig's European Adventure

Out of London

2007-09-25T18:42:39Z

As some of you may already know... I hate London. So I ask myself why would I want to live and work there? I am currently in a small town called Grayshott staying with my sisters boyfriends brother for a few days for the purpose of relaxing, planning and eating of normal food.
I think I am going to find a smaller, quieter city to base myself and take it from there.

Out of London remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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London walking tour

2007-09-21T18:39:21Z

I have been feeling a little better in the last couple of days and I think this cough is starting to leave. Last night I went out with some of the roomies of my hostel room to a random pub in Oxford Circus, at the start after visiting the another hostel there were 12 of us roaming the streets. I will never understand why the English has Fosters on tap in every pub and call it Australia's favorite beer.
After the pub closed and kicked us out at 11pm, we when to find a club or the like. We found it in a strange dance club in a random direction and we spent another couple of hours drinking and such there. A bus ride home and another night in a hostel.

Next day I was meeting up with one of the girls from drinking last night to do the 'famous' free London walking tour. So we met up and headed out and did the tour. It was a very good tour seeing all those little things I did see on my first few days in London at the start of all of this.

I booked another few nights in the Cling House, hostel until I will be joining Daniel on Sunday.

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A Quite Day

2007-09-19T13:56:16Z

I got into a different hostel last night, this one I think is better and its cheaper (£14 a bed). Its got a whole modern thing going on... it new and still being built in parts. Yay the room I am in the people speak English and two of which are Australian.
Still sick but took the time to sleep as much as I could, but the cough kept me up a lot (and possibly everyone else in the dorm).
Now I am out and about to find food, drink and a drug store with cough medicine.

Glad you all liked the squirrel. After posting that I discovered another 6 around the various parks and such. People feed them bread and one guy got one to run up his leg... very cool.

A Quite Day remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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I saw a squirrel today

2007-09-18T13:24:10Z

After last nights blog entry and a few freaked out people, I have been calmed and ready to try and get on with the task at hand. So after talking with the family and reading emails sent to me, I decided not to lose my mind but take it as is suppost to be an experience and enjoy the process and the sites that I now have within my reach. That in mind;

I saw a squirrel today, I had never seen one in real life before. I was sitting on a bench in a small park when the little rodent jumped up on the bin next to me and looked around for a moment then darted off for a near by tree. I tried to go for my digital camera but he was to quick. So here is a picture of a grey squirrel like the one I saw.

I saw a squirrel today remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Day Three

2007-09-17T08:48:11Z

This is the start of day three with me back on British soil and I have that 'what the fuck have I done?' feeling.
I have been traveling for 24 days, except for 2 days in Corfu and a couple of days in Mykonos it has been full on. I am currently have a cold and a headache, I am going to have to find a chemist or whatever the hell they call them over here. Clean clothes have run out and there is always one thing I forget to pack, this time its a towel.
I am going to need a break from the break.
Then when you are sitting not knowing what the hell to do next, you start thinking about the whole thing and whether it was a good idea. After all at this point even if I get a job and place in London I will be doing the same thing that I did in Melbourne. The job I had in Melbourne was good, paid well. So what the hell is wrong with that?
Delusions of trying to fill an empty part of my soul by flying half way across the world by myself... was I fucking high?
Then you think, 'its and adventure', 'you knew this was going to happen, so just go with it'... stupid logical part of the brain, talking sense and all.

Stayed in a hostel last night £18 for a bed in a dorm of 10. Job hunting starts today.

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Photos, Photos, Photos

2007-09-16T12:29:32Z

Paris

Lucerne & Liechtenstein

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Ships, Buses and Planes

2007-09-16T09:56:29Z

I left Myknonos yesterday afternoon on a highspeed ferry to the mainland then caught an overcrowded bus to the airport and a plane to London. I still claim that Heathrow is the worst airport ever but thats me.
The Underground to Russell Square, I am really starting to get the hang of their public transport system. At Russell Square station I bumped into a group of girls that I had met at Mykonos and are just about to start there tour of Europe.
Checked into a hotel (£62 cries... $150AU) and slept.

New day and time to find a place to stay long term... no bloody hotels.

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Goodbye Mykonos

2007-09-15T07:24:56Z

Here we are at the end of my tour. After an extra day in Mykonos, lots of Alcohol, a dose of sun stroke and beachs with nudity. I now leave the sunny part of the European Union and prepare for the not sunny part.

Things Richard did in Mykonos;

Drink a Devils Tongue (a cocktail with 11 different alcohols and a dash of orange juice)
Lied on a beach for 3 hours
Lied on a beach for 2 hours
Lied on a beach for 2 hours
Toga'ed it up for a resort party
Drank more
Ate some food
Lied on a beach for 2 hours
Went to different beach and drank there

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Greek Islands

2007-09-12T08:31:19Z

Well my Road to Athens tour has ended and now I am at Mikionos Contiki resort. The sun is out in full, drank to much last night and a toga party is the place to be tonight.

Now a summary of the Road to Athens with word assocation;

London - Ordered Chaos
Paris - Ego
Lucerne - Stunning
Munich - Beer
Venice - Random
Florence - Art
Rome - Melbourne
Pisa - Getto
Corfu - Cocktails
Athens - Concrete

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Checking In Briefly

2007-09-09T08:26:25Z

We are back and in Greece. After the chaos of the last week and a half, Greece was a godsend. Yesterday after arriving in Corfu off the ferry at 5 in the morning we went to the hotel and couldn't check in and waited for breakfast and then went to a boat and spent the day swimming and lying around in the Greek sun on crystal waters.

Lets reverse time... Italy. What to say about Italy, their monuments are very cool. Even the monuments that were stuff ups e.g. the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Venice is a marvel of a water born city. Thats where the coolness stops, the food is shit, the service is non-existent and hole in the ground toilets are something else. I also broke and lost my sun glassses in Florance.

Germany was great even in its briefness. The beers halls are excellent, even after yours truly felt the effect of 3 litres of beer the next morning. We stopped quickly in Austria and has some strudel... awesome stuff.

Through the mountains of Switzerland and the town of Lucerne. This has some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. This is where I also go the chance to try some awesome chocolate and buy a Swiss watch (I really got sick of the mobile phone clock).

Paris [audible sigh]... Paris is my favorite so far, this stunning city never stopped amazing me. I will have to write more on this later.

Postcards from Europe.

Checking In Briefly remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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I am alive

2007-09-05T05:46:31Z

Just dropping a quick line to say I am alive and happing. It been busy and I haven't had a chance to do any real internet stuff. I am in Florence now and am about to head to breakfast and then to Rome. Weather has been great except for a rain storm yesterday. Its fun but full on.

Missing you all.

I am alive remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Organised Chaos

2007-08-27T16:38:58Z

London is both beautiful and madding. On one side you have old city with history and style. On the other side you have an old city which was built for horse's and monarchs.
I had a room mate last night a guy from Perth, Tim. We had some beer's, eats some food, watched some live soccer at a pub near here. He left for his tour this morning.
Today I when and had a look around London, on a tour bus system thing. I went around the city and visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Trafalgar Square. Here are a section of the pictures I took.

London Pictures.

Tonight is my brief meeting for the tour to Athens tomorrow should be good.

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London

2007-08-26T14:07:37Z

Well I am in the United Kingdom and it was a long and fatiguing. After a delay with taking off from Singapore, I was on my way. The flight itself was good and I had a much better seat this time, window and all (there will be pictures when I get a chance). I didn't get much sleep as the seat when I tried to sleep gave my neck all manner of pain. But I did watch 3 movies and read the book work gave me (an interesting read).
After landing it was check in and customs. I must say one thing here in the negative, Heathrow sucks. A rat warren of corridors and poor signage. Anyway once I got onto the Underground 'tube' and to Russell Court or something like that. Got lost getting to the hotel. Up to my room and slept a good 12 hours and still got up at 8 o'clock the next morning.
Had a wander around the area (and got lost agian). Its a beautiful city, in its old buildings with amazing archecture that you just don't see anymore. A note that need to be made; streets only seem to go one way.

London remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Singapore Airport

2007-08-26T14:11:13Z

I am now in Singapore. The plane took off on time and landed on time. While the food is not great, the rest of the flight was good. On Demand Movies and TV and a little pillow and light blanket. It took me a while to work out how best to sleep, it was not the most comfortable of seats. But I got some sleep and saw the lights of Singapore at early morning. It is humid here and the airport is huge.
Anyway I am going to find some breakfast now, just let you know I am okay.

Singapore Airport remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Last Day

2007-08-24T00:22:51Z

The day has arrived, in less that 24 hours I will be on a plane heading toward Europe. As I look back on the events that have lead me to this point. I would take this opportunity to thank those that have helped me along the way, both small and large, material and immaterial. Thank you again, you know who you are.

Now on a more grounded note;
Packing is half done. Paper work and bureaucracy from the Australian end has been tied in a not so neat bow (I just have to post of my Tax Return). Passport and travel Visa done. Spending money has been transfered to a Euro Visa card. iPod charged. Work desk mostly clean.

Having dinner with the family tonight then off to the airport for my plane which is due to leave at ten to one in the morning.

It is 14 hours until departure.

Last Day remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The Bureaucracy Continues

2007-08-20T08:30:22Z

Almost at single figure days until exodus and the final preparations are coming to there conclusion… almost. The minor tasks of getting a UK bank account and National Insurance number (the equivalent of our Tax File Number), only I have the same issues that I had with getting my Working Visa. Catch 22’s all over the place, but I am getting somewhere with it all.
Good things that have happened of late in regard to holiday preparations, I now have travel insurance until the 15th of March 2008. Travel insurance is an awesome thing, covering things that domestic insurance policies (note the plural) never cover or you pay so much that it feels like you are covering your past lives as well. So with me covered for terrorist hijackings and iPod theft along with European Union now allowing me emergency medical care when needed.
Yes now allow me, if you don't have travel insurance in the UK and rock up to an Emergency Room with say having a heart attack or suffering stab wounds they will not admit you, and you will die on the street... nice. This may be over dramatized, but still am glad I have insurance.

It is 10 days until departure.

The Bureaucracy Continues remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Its a Bag

2007-08-05T06:24:55Z

The bag or luggage that I spoke about last post has been procured. A 'High Sierra' brand black/blue/grey thing. It is half way between being one of those hard case luggage bags with the telescopic handles and a backpacking on the back sort of thing. It has a day pack that zips on and off the front of said pack.
The day pack now also has a sew on Australian Flag badge attached by thread to the secondary pocket on the back of the pack (Australia Rocks!!!). More stuff to be done, but the main purchases have now been made.

It is 20 days until departure.

Its a Bag remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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An Empty Bag

2007-08-01T10:39:24Z

Now that the majority of the logistical stuff is done, next comes what to pack. I have been told that you always end up packing too much, so with this in mind I start constructing the list to what will enter my luggage of the next three weeks.
First off I need luggage, given I have never really travelled the need for high class carrying devices was never needed. Saturday is the day I go looking for the main container for this adventure.
The smaller items are slowly wending themselves my way. With my birthday just gone all said presents are travel related in some way, those items include;
A money pouch, a waterproof poncho, a sew on Australia flag badge, UK & Europe outlet adapters, a waterproof travel bag, a three fold wallet (its small, which I like), combination padlocks and a digital compact camera with a 4gb memory card.
Other items that have been obtained;
Passport wallet, iPod Camera Connector and hiking boots.

It is 24 days until departure.

An Empty Bag remains copyright of the author mastertwig, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Approved

2007-07-22T22:45:07Z

I got my visa application back on Friday, and what craziness that approved the application. From August 24th 2007 to August 24th 2009 I will be allowed to work I the United Kingdom for 12 months with the rest of the time spent seeing stuff and not working. It’s a scary prospect in its own way, different continent, different country without all the usual support mechanisms of home.
Also on Friday the details and tickets for my Contiki tour, including a passport wallet, two pass tickets for the London Underground and my travel insurance policy.
This whole trip away thing is well on its way unstoppable way, now it’s a matter organising the small irritating stuff.

33 Days until departure.

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Quasi Bribe

2007-07-15T23:24:42Z

Well I have finally done it; I have applied for a Holiday-making Working Visa. With the small to large task of filling out their online form and submitting that. Then printing said form and printing a bunch of other forms and filling them out, placing them in an envelope with my passport, 3 months of financial details with an explanation of the extraneous details on said statement. Final thing for the envelope is a Money Order for the some of the cost to process the application and send your passport back to yourself regardless whether or not it was successful.

So now I wait for it to be returned to me. The processing fee seems a lot like a bribe to me. Anyway power on.

It is 40 days until departure

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Visa Applications

2007-07-15T23:26:27Z

I have now saved enough money to go to Europe for at least the 3 intended weeks. Three weeks is not enough and as you may or may not know I am trying to apply for a UK Working Holiday Visa. This application is proving more difficult than first expected.
They want in their forms information that I do not have, like where I will be staying during my holiday in the UK and how much money will I be bringing with me. These things can only be answered on the day, with the place I will be staying organised when I am there and money will have access to be determined from my last pay check on the night I fly out.
More irritating still Contiki (those whom I am travelling with around Southern Europe) can not give me the details of my tour excreta until three weeks before I am due to leave. Its is all starting become very overwhelming, but like always... power on.

It is 55 days until departure.

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A Step Closer

2007-04-24T03:28:01Z

Interesting times have been since my last entry. I lost my job last week and it has created a void in the money department. No matter, power on.
I received my passport today in a cool little plastic sheath thing with a small booklet on smart traveling ideas and international calling numbers. It turns out passport now days have microchips in them so they can scan your passport for your details into a computer and so forth, isn't technology wonderful.

It is 122 days until departure.

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Booked Passport

2007-04-04T04:15:45Z

I have booked myself in to get my passport application processed, so tomorrow at 2:45pm I will rock up at the Morwell post office for a form finalisation session. Which leads to the next issue of the passport photo. Like a driver licence, a passport is valid for 10 years, with that come a picture of yourself that will be 10 years old. So one ask themselves what can I do to ensure that in ten years time and looking at my passport and not wish it was someone elses... answer NOTHING. Passport photos are designed to look crap, and no amount of preparation can change that. Either way I am getting my passport photo done this afternoon, and the crappyness that comes from that photo.

It is 143 days until departure.

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Passports

2007-03-26T00:04:03Z

With a few hiccups along the way... mainly me being lazy, I have started the process of getting a Passport. I got the form from the Post Office and had a read through it. A Passport application is bureaucracy at its best, the amount of little things one must do to have one of these application go through. Take a picture that is not blurry, dark, light at angles, of someone else. Then find someone to prove that the picture is you and not that weird guy down the street. Then prove how you are by showing your birth certificate which you get by sending off certified photocopies of your drivers license and a bank statement, which you got originally by showing your birth extract back when you went for your learners permit. Then after you have done this and answered all the question about whether or not you are Australian, born before or after 1987, and whether or not you prefer corn flakes or rice bubbles, on minimum 100gsm paper and in black pen, because blue pens are used by terrorists. Then after all of that you have to wait 10 working days for the application to be processed.

Anyway I have started getting my Passport, I had better get a haircut.

It is 152 days until departure.

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The Beginning

2007-02-22T22:33:34Z

This is my travel blog detailing my preparations for going to Europe and an place to keep you all up to date when I am over there (pending internet access). As some of you know I have booked a holiday to Europe for 3 weeks, traveling from London to Athens. The plane leaves at midnight on the 25th of August, which leaves a little over 6 months to get ready.

Current Situation; Adele my sister was to be coming with me, but due to unforeseen financial problems she is unable to come. While a disappointment, it is a small bump in the road and I am still defiantly going.

Next Step: Getting a Passport.

It is 186 days until departure.

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