Imagine that there existed two swords weighing in at around 500kgs each. Imagine that 6 sets of these swords happened to run at approximately 40km/h and were attached to the front of particularly angry animals. Imagine who would be stupid enough to voluntarily run in front of these beasts? These were the exact thoughts running through my head as the crowd started to get pushed BACK towards the start by the Spanish police. I turned to the Spanish guy next to me who was ever most inclined to deliver me bad news. "How many times have you run?" "This is my [View Full Entry]

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There is one place in the world that without a doubt easily lays claim to single handily having the most profound effect on the way we live and think today. As the incubator of western civilisation, this country of great gods and goddesses, poets and philosophers, politicians and athletes; has bequeathed modern civilization with the building blocks of our society. I was always aware that English was derived through Latin but what I wasn’t aware of is Greek plays an almost equally important role as the root of the English language. Over a Mythos beer I think I could easily argue [View Full Entry]

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Bonjour! Before I begin: A word of warning. This post contains hideous & dreadful generalisations that are truly an outrage. It dribbles on and makes tonnes of condescending statements. Read on only if you have thick skin and a sense of humour. So after 3 months pluggin away in Reading working for the man (billg), I finally got the opportunity to pack everything into the backpack and head off for a much needed Holiday. Destination: Frances & Austria And boy oh boy did it feel good to get the backpack on again. I felt truly liberated as I started heading through [View Full Entry]

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After spending some time in Austria we jumped on a bus and made the quick (3hrs) journey down to Budapest. Easily the most fun city I have visited in my European travels. We arrived at the central bus station and jumped on the very efficent tube into town and then onto a soviet era tram to our hostel; the coolest hostel ever! We stayed at backpacker which was recommended to me by a friend who had stayed there before. They were too busy to fit us into a dorm but happily plunked us a in a very comfy 3 man [View Full Entry]

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Of all the places I have visted thus far in Europe, Hungary is the one that still bares so many scars of history; in both it's buildings and in it's people's collective memory. Hungary for me is really like the inspirational kid from the wrong end of town - a tough childhood, but determined spirit through it all, who has pulled himself up by the boot laces and is about to shine. There's something about this country I just love, some intangible combination of elements that I can't quite articulate. But I'm definently going to come back to try and find [View Full Entry]

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After exploring the lovely Prague, Brettles and I departed for Wien - the home of the Wiener Snitzel! Although it is reportedly known for other cultural achievements. Sorry if this next historical bit bores you but I just find it all riveting. I've learnt so much about European history since I started traveling. I also spent a while in Vienna so I have much to write. Vienna has been of huge historical significance since it's inception in 500 BC by the Celts. It has been the seat of two of the greatest European dynasties; The Babenberg(10th-13th centuries) and of course the [View Full Entry]

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After another night of hostel action which included meeting a clown, quite literally and having sword fights with swords made from balloons we finally managed to get to the train station and make our way out to Kutna Hora, 75Kms from Prague. Upon arrival we all ate at the local pub which cost for all of us the same as it would for one meal in Prague. Kutna Hora at one point in time rivaled Prague in overall importance after having grown rich off the silver mines beneath it. The three most important buildings within this medieval town are Sedlec Ossuary, [View Full Entry]

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Wow! There is plain and simply no other way to start an entry about this fairytale city of ancient castles, cathedrals and bridges. Broadly the modern Czech republic is comprised of germanic like bohemia in the west and the wine loving slavic Moravia in the east. Whilst only established as an independent country in 1993 Czech has a deep and magic history that still reverberates through the centre of it all, Prague. Maticka Praha (Little Mother Prague ) as the locals call it is situated on the Vltava Riva and comprises of Hradcany(the castle district), Mala Strana (little quarter), Stare Mesto [View Full Entry]

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Once again we all woke up feeling sorry for ourselves and headed off, and just like the previous day it started raining. After trekking for about 2 hours we finally reach the end of the jungle and got in the back of our pickup truck. Sad as it was, our minds were already on our next activities for the day - Elephant riding and bamboo rafting! So after a quick bite to eat we headed off to the elephant riding. Needless to say, elephants are BLOODY HUGE! The ride itself, was well, err, the equivalent of a jungle whip around the [View Full Entry]

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The day begun as you can imagine with us all feeling just a little sorry for ourselves. The two Chilean girls left an hour or so before us so the group was now reduced to 8. The two Danes were very quiet and didn't interact with the group that much, so really the group became the Poms, Spanish & us Australians. After lots of toast, fresh fruit and chinese tea we got ready to head off. The weather closed in on us and started to pour. For the next 2 and a bit hours we head uphill in torrential rain with [View Full Entry]

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