So were the hell is Estonia I hear you thinking? And why would anyone want to go there?! Estonia is on the Baltic Sea, just below Finland, with Sweden to the west and Russia to the east. In 1991 Estonia broke free from Communist rule and in 2004 its tiny population of 1.4 million joined the EU. I was keen to visit Estonia's capital Tallinn, hoping to find a quaint little city, off the Eurail tourist trail, that was undiscovered, quaint and just a little bit different. I got all that and a whole lot more! Tallinn is modern and progressive, [View Full Entry]

---

---

Every time someone asked where I was going after France and I responded 'Belgium' their eyes glazed over. What was wrong with Belgium? On paper certainly a country whose two local specialties are beer and chocolate should be sensational. I didn't get it. Personally I was curious. I'd passed Belgium over on my previous trip and my Grandma Maynes' grandfather came from Belgium - so after my heady weekend in Paris, I caught the train to Bruges. Everyone agrees that Bruges is picturesque. There is no doubting that. The place gets a whopping 3 million visitors each year and of these [View Full Entry]

---

---

In Pushkar, India a tarot card reader solemnly predicted my future. He drew the nine of cups, which meant that every happiness I wished for in my life would be fulfilled. He also had a warning, 'avoid over-indulgence', he said and specifically advised me to be cautious where food and wine are concerned. It was with those words ringing in my ears that I embarked on a gastronomical and wine adventure through Bordeaux and Paris! Re-visiting France became an unexpected highlight. I didn't dislike it last time, but back then I wasn't overwhelmed by the experience. This time was different, [View Full Entry]

---

---

Landing in Valencia, the pilot announced to the t-shirt and shorts clad passengers that the weather outside was 16 degrees and raining. A collective protest went up from the crowd. "How rude!" Surely we´d been through enough bad weather in chilly Ireland? Fortunately, Spain is renowned for its warm weather and things all came good on my second day when I headed to Barcelona. The sun came out and the weather hotted up. For me, Spain had always conjured up images of lazy days in the sunshine, of seafood, paella, tapas, cold beer and sangria. Of suntans, beaches and nightlife. It [View Full Entry]

---

---

As the bus from the airport passed each Catholic Church the old lady next to me, wearing a rain bonnet akin to a shower cap, bowed her head and did the sign of the cross. I had arrived in Dublin. 90% of Irish residents here declare themselves Catholic and interestingly 41% of the country are also under 25. However, I found the best thing about my time in Ireland (Guinness aside) was the warm, friendly and generous locals who let me immerse themselves in their culture, stay in their homes and serve me delicious home-cooked food. Not only is Dublin the [View Full Entry]

---

---

Scotland has always conjured up images of kilts, bagpipes, Braveheart, whiskey and Sean Connery. However, it seems that I was a stranger to perhaps the most important Scottish icon, the National dish - 'Haggis, neeps and tatties'. Not for the faint hearted, haggis' basic ingredients include sheep offal (heart, liver, lungs) and a range of spices traditionally boiled in the sheep's stomach and served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes). A delicious meal I found! Another surprise for me was that the men here really do wear kilts, even as they go about the most mundane of tasks like f [View Full Entry]

---

---

'Here's your ticket love, have a nice day', said the smiling Underground ticket vendor at Heathrow. I could have cried. Two months in non-English speaking countries, only three hours sleep and not only was someone speaking English to me, they were smiling, friendly ... Arriving in London, was almost as good as arriving back home. I met my friend Sally at the trendy gastro pub she manages in Hammersmith (gastro - referring to the gastronomic delights they serve, rather than an unpleasant stomach bug) and we walked over the Thames to her house in the posh little suburb of Barnes. The [View Full Entry]

---

---

Key Learnings from Russia: 1. Too much 'wodka' on the train invariably leads to a hangover which is further enhanced by the rocking sensation of the train. Not recommended. 2. A pack of wet wipes and ample application of deodorant in the toilet cubicle of the trans-mongolian, is no substitute for a real shower or banya (particularly evident on day 4). 3. Money cannot buy style - as demonstrated by those rich Russian women who think the highest heels, biggest hair and brightest 80s get-up equals style. 4. When travelling with the same group day in, day out where strange food [View Full Entry]

---

---

My short time in Beijing only allowed for a brief taste ... but it really was delicious, right down to the Peking (Beijing) duck we feasted on for my birthday dinner. Having arrived in Beijing from India, a few things became immediately apparent. The air was cool and crisp (down to approx 15 degrees from 45 when I left India) - quite a relief, as I was struggling to fit my winter clothes into my pack! As part of the planning for the 2008 Olympics there were trees being planted all around the city, blossoms were in bloom and everything was [View Full Entry]

---

---

Leaving India was both sad and an utter relief. Sad because India had truly embraced me with its amazing experiences, new friends and plain lunacy! However, I was tired, exhausted and more than excited to escape the dirty and hot streets of Delhi. My plan for Nepal involved some time in Kathmandu to unwind and slow down after the hectic pace of India, then a trip to Pokhara - the gateway to the Himalayas for hiking and other adventures. My trip was off to a great start when I secured the ultimate ('rock star') Himalaya/window seat position and had a sensational [View Full Entry]

---

---