Geoffers7

I left Chicago for the flight back to London in time for the royal wedding. It was a real shame to be going home but had decided that my trip around the world had naturally come to an end. The flight home with British Airways on their brand new Boeing 777 was a good one. We had a good laugh at gate 11 of O'hare international terminal, primarily because of the cardboard cut out of the new royal couple. It was a strange feeling to walk back through my own front door for the first time this year and a sad feeling that I would have to get the lawn mower out and start attending to the mundane tasks that is home ownership. However, for now, I'm going to put my feet up and have a ... read more

The train left Albuquerque on time and spent nearly eighteen hours winding its way through mountain passes and along the side of valleys of New Mexico before heading straight along the flat landscape of Colorado, right through the middle of the USA. I bet photography of the train on its journey would look amazing. It stopped at tiny towns like Raton, NM and Trinidad, CO. New Mexico was sunny and dry but overnight heading through Kansas, there was the most spectacular lightening show. It went on for ages and when I arrived in Kansas City (KC) at about 630 in the morning, still not quite light, it was directly overhead and hammering it down with rain. There is something about thunder and lightening thats really cool. Given how excellent the California Merlot is, it's amazing how ... read more

I arrived late, about 1130pm but already had acommodation booked in downtown San Francisco (SF) in the Bay City/Peninsular area. I stayed right in the middle of the city about two blocks from Market Street and Union Square and my first impression was that there are bums everywhere! It didn't take long though to see that the homeless, or street community, are a really friendly bunch and there are a great selection of characters. Downtown SF is a pretty cool place to be and oozes diversity with a constant whiff of weed in the air! The area essentially consists of Downtown - Market Street and Union Square, The Ferry Building area, Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf, where the clam chouder served in hollowed out bread is really nice, particularly if bought from a street vendor rather ... read more

I've been to Adelaide before and nothing has changed since my last visit. Adelaide seems to be the stereotypical Australian city with it's quiet persona and liberal scattering of old colonial buildings. I timed this visit well because I found a great place to stay right in the city centre and arrived during the Adelaide Fringe Festival... Second only to Edinburgh apparently!?! Also, on the same weekend was the Future music festival. It tours the cities of Australia but Adelaide was the last venue so there was no chance of securing a ticket for a later date. I didn't get a ticket for now because I already had my Greyhound seat booked for Melbourne that same evening... There was also Nomadelaide! a world music festival. 'Nomad - elaide' lol, good name! Anyway, for the few days ... read more

The Jetstar flight from Singapore to Bali was very good. They are a low cost carrier but although they do not do meals, I got one free. I think this is because I have a RTW ticket so spent a bit more!?... Once in Bali, I booked the first night at the first hotel I came across because I arrived quite late. It was a bit more pricy but first thing the next morning, I got up early and went to look for something cheaper and more centrally located in Kuta. I found loads of places but in the end, did a deal with the guy who owned the place I was already staying at. I stayed in Kuta and used it as a base to look round the island. Bali isn't a very big place ... read more