Sam Wilkins - Wilko | All Comments

TravelBlog » Wilko

Comments
31st January 2009 Mum/Sally	Zambia - From: Zambia Hi Gorgeous - this sounds fantastic - So great to hear things are going OK - even if it is all happening onAfrican time! We think you may be heading to Uganda soon and may be on your own now so lets hope you can still find access to the net every now and then and keep up these divine blogs. Everything is fine here except melbourne is in the middle of an unprecedented heatwave - Temperatures over 44 degrees for 3 days in a row. 45 degrees yesterday - we all are nearly dying in the heat and there are power blackouts and transport failures all across the city. Doesn't look like ending soon. Britt has enrolled this week and has chosen some fabulous subjects and we are all booked in for our trip to Phnom Penh - you included. Should be a great year. We miss you heaps - no-one eats my leftovers any more!! Love from all of us including a big hello from your doting grandma (who loves your blogs) and a 4 legged angel who misses her Sam. Much love kid xxxxxx Mum (& Dad) xxxxxx
22nd January 2009 Niki	Amazing! - From: Botswana I like your blog. What amazing pictures. Enjoy your travelos. N
12th January 2009 Dad	best ever? - From: Botswana Nicely written... your best ever? Love it.
12th January 2009 Britt	bon african voyage - From: Botswana Hey there, you crazy kids! Good to see you're having a grand old time. Keep on truckin' and stay out of trouble. I will do my best to ensure that Angie doesn't lose any cuteness in your absence (though such an occurrence is highly unlikely). Be nice to the Africans- tell them I say hi. xox Britt.
8th January 2009 Kpop	Sounds Amazing - From: Botswana Your experience sounds amazing, keep up the stories
20th December 2007 Jeremy	Hi Sam & Amanda - From: Cordoba and Rosario Hey guys, Just started to read your blog. Great reading & fascinating to hear about Argentina! Just makes me want to go there. Have fun you two & keep up the great coments. Much love, Jeremy
18th December 2007 Dad	Hola - From: Cordoba and Rosario Ok, that's all my spanish spent. LOVED the pics of Cordoba and Rosario, and just how long have you been saving up that 'nothing to write home about' line? It was great! Looking forward to your next update, guessing you have crossed borders from Argentina by now. Had a worrying conversation on the state of hospital/health care in Bolivia on the weekend with the Aunt of someone who had a serious bike accident - not good at all! Stay well, both of you! The self-photographed shot of you both that you posted was wonderful - keep them coming! 'Mechanical Dad' has resurfaced at Georgia's 'white noise' Peugeot had some senior moments - has not been well, but after consuming a range of parts looks like it's life has been extended again, good news. OK, if I keep typing on this conference call, someone will realise I'm not really working! Happy travels to both of you.
13th December 2007 Sally Wilkins	Great to hrear from you - From: Mendoza Hi Gorgeous. Sounds like you are having a ball - the pictures are great - can you post some of you and Amanda too? Everything OK back here - very sunny and Kev giving them heaps in Bali. Johnny conceded Bennelong this week. We're all well. BJ gets her VCE result (drama) on Monday. G got a first for her thesis. We're missing you. Have a blast and muchos funos. Mum xxxx
27th February 2007 ant	top blog - From: Delhi me and my girlfriend fly to delhi this coming saturday (march 3rd) for the first leg of a year long trip. i was reading your blog to get a bit of a feel for delhi and it's really got me in the mood. i'm under no illusions that it's going to be a baptism of fire, and now i have a few more ideas of where to go and how to get about. have a top trip and maybe run into you at some point. cheers, ant
16th February 2007 James	Hey Sammy and Tristan - From: Rajasthan Just been reading your blog, its super cool. Hey did you go to the leopold cafe in mumbai? it features heavily in my fav book shantaram. xoxo
14th February 2007 Dad	Yikes! Great blog Sam - From: Rajasthan Hi Sam, greetings from Shanghai (again!) what an amazing effort this blog is - on behalf of your Dedicated Band of Readers, thanks from all of us. I do detect a slight edge of sarcasm (or is it more sarcasm?) creeping in, but not surprising after such a big trip. Those photos are just incredible - where are you buying them?? I think Old Major is your best so far, snapped in a moment, but a life wonderfully captured. Meanwhile on my side of the world, I'm heading home tomorrow if I can fight my way through the airport gridlock just before Chinese New Year.
14th February 2007 Arnab	Holy Cow! - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god sad to know about the "hotel" and "cab" issue.There are frauds everywhere in the city. If you dont extra money to Taxi drivers they halt at the middle of the road way away from destination.No wonder that driver took you to a place which is overpriced and is having horrible service.The picture of the room shows it is worth no more than 300/- and you paid 1800/-(price of a 3 star hotel in India), A 2/- tea worth tea 50/-! which is unbelievable! But dont you think You exposed yourself to such a situation? You should have contacted someone or found about the small things before getting there and before hurrying to Darjeeling. First of I consider myself lucky I have my own house in Kolkata so I never have to pay for any hotel if I go for any rip in and around the city. But generally try to find some person before who knows about the city and who is having some experience about how to go around places. Dude! You just messed up the things in a hurry.But trust me there is more in Calcutta than the what you felt..and you definitely need time to see and experience culture,life and traditions there.If you have asked me before I would have explained you...now it is too late.
14th February 2007 Arnab	very good trip - From: Rajasthan Nice trip buddy! even I had a similar trip...but due to time constraints i was not able to Visit Jodhpur,Udaipur and Puskar ... [:(]... i might go there again...during the "Puskar Mela"... the grand occassion that takes place in October November
6th February 2007 Jordan	Great Blogs - From: Delhi Hey Sam good to hear that the trip is going really well. Not sure if you remember me but I am Jordan, Hannah's boyfriend, we met at her going away party. I have been reading your blogs and they are fantastic...and great, well not great but absolutely amazing photos. Man you have a real knack for taking incredible photos. Keep the blogs coming, because I love reading them and looking at photos. Not sure if you are meeting up with Han to go on the house boat but if you are have a great time, that sounds like it will be a blast, but either way enjoy the rest of your trip. Look forward to reading more. Jordan
16th January 2007 Nick	Thats right, Im outa here (well a month ago) - From: Delhi goodbye guys! Thats right, i left! Gone! Finito! Many thanks to Sam for letting me crash the first part of his fantastic voyage. Ill keep an eye on the rest of your adventures with increasing jealousy knowing the fun we had in the first month or so. Trix and nick - enjoy it, it will be over before you know it. For those interested im currently enjoying winter in Italy with family and friends having spent christmas in Cornwall, England and new years getting seriously drenched in more ways that one at Edinburghs Hogmany. Home for the end of January just in time to start work again! Thanks again! Bioys, look after yourselves!
16th January 2007 Mossie	Blogs are better with waiting - From: Delhi Good blog Sammy. Its good to see the photos of the stories I've been hearing all the time I've been here. I hope there is more blogs, more often after this one. Also, for anyone interested, I thought I would include a shameless plug for my own blog here - look up www.travelblog.org/bloggers/mossie Tristan
7th January 2007 James Lloyd	Nice work on the blog Sam - From: Agra Keep up the good work, your travels sound like a blast. Trivia recommences this Tuesday after a while off, looks like the numbers will have dwindled significantly. Have you met up with Tristan yet? All the best, James
21st December 2006 Nick and Tash	Awesome photos - From: Varanasi- Holy city on the Ganges Hey Wilko, Nick and Settle - you lucky bastards. Really envious, travelling here is fun but its not the same - nice and easy in comparison. Didn't know you were so talented mr wilkins, the photos are incredible! Making me try harder over here in Malaysia. Sounds like you guys are having an awesome time, can't wait to join you in January. Its been fun here in KL, little bit stressful with papa tash but what can you do... Hope you guys are doing good, i'm sure we'll see more great stuff here. Cheers Nick (Tash says hi - things looking good for her to come to India as well, fingers crossed, her granny is pulling strings as we speak :) )
21st December 2006 manakorn1@hotmail.com	Kolkata - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god I suppose you took the Thai Airways from Bangkok and arrived at midnight. My first time at Kolkata was like yours. I was blank. Going through to the city, passing the rundown houses and etc. (you know...) I thought I was in Iraq or something! (though not that I've been there before) but when you settle here a while you just get a see a different kind of life. I'm glad you found some liking for the city in the end.
19th December 2006 Gerard H	Nice Blog - From: Varanasi- Holy city on the Ganges Thanks for the insight on what im in for. Im doing (so far) the same trip as you with a school based group. spending a bit more time in darjeeling though and doing a trek too should be fun! We depart oz on the 26th straight to Kolkata via bangkok. by the sounds of it you are having a great time, massive difference in culture i know im in for and that youve experienced. Can't wait. If you wanna have a look at our blog we are starting feel free and please comment! www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/indiakids cheers! enjoy the rest of your trip. Gerard
18th December 2006 Dad	Hi - From: Varanasi- Holy city on the Ganges Sam - you are starting to sound like the experienced traveller! Be tough but fair. It's been hot - damn hot here, but in true Melbourne style, one day it's 42, the next 21! Worse, it's still dry, and getting dryer. Going onto stage 3 water restrictions on Jan 1 - no more watering system (gulp). We all appreciate the time you are spending on the blog, it must be hard to do. I was going to say keep it briefer, but you will treasure your own account in the future, so try to keep it up! The family is all missing you, but we feel close with the Blog - look forward to speaking over Christmas!
17th December 2006 Nick	Different take from the other side of the room - From: Bodhgaya- The walk to Mohammad's G'day guys, hope your all well. Sam is absolutely right about the tranquility and peace that made bodgaya so enjoyable. It was an excellent change of pace from the never ending craziness that is Kolkata, but had a really different feel from the tourist-orientated Darjeeling. The one thing that i would add is the impression that i got from living in amoungst local homes, albeit in an impressively clean and well furbished guest house. Sam's account may have given the impression that where we stayed was somehow an escape from city life. I dont think it was, what we were seeing was merely how the majority of indians live, either in cities, or in other semi urdan areas. The poverty was just as severe in that street as anywhere else we have seen, and somehow the everpresent litter of Kolkata played a starring role too. We still walked through dirty children living in fly-ridden filth, but it was the feel that the people gave that stretch of road the difference that I think Sam was trying to capture. For the first time anywhere women outnumbered men, and we got glimpse of family life, rather than the hustle and bustle that is the business of a large city. Anyway, thats my take on it. Oh, and as im sure you'll hear soon, those sweeds dont just appear once in this Story....
10th December 2006 you know who	Nice cookie! - From: Test Blog well thats it, i said it already! damn title
9th December 2006 Amanda	Hey! - From: Darjeeling- Himalayan Hill Station Hey boys!! thought i'd drop a line on this travel blog too, but i've been waiting for something as amazing as what you've written to write myself....unfortunately Melbourne hasn't provided me with views or markets to describe which could even come near to competing with yours. So, if your mission sam, was not only to leave me lonely for 3 months while you go have fun but to also make myself and everyone stuck back in melbourne jealous, then you have succeeded! It's same old in melbourne, we've still been at trivia (winning), i'm working stacks, weather's been sunny-chris' pool has come in handy. Btw, loved the photo of you in darjeeling-you look like a real traveller. Also, i've been keeping checks on the soccer-it was a draw last night between Melb Victory and Sydney (0-0)...Boring. Well, i'm going out, it's sat night, maybe i'll meet some nice boys...kidding. Hi Nick! Love amanda
8th December 2006 Nick	Journey back from Darjeeling - From: Darjeeling- Himalayan Hill Station Well, we're in Bodgaya now having had a day back in Kolkata to pick up sam's now infamous "$60" suit. Our journey back to our first indian city was somewhat of an experience, and Sam's let me tell the story! YAY! Well, that was the morning that we decided to get up at 3.30am in order to take a jeep up to Tiger Hill to watch the run rise over an expanse of the Himalayas. The ride in an overcrowded share jeep (think indian version of an old Land Rover Discovery fitted out to seat 10), was not the most comfortable we've had, but the experience was definitely worthwhile. I can confirm that, yes, it IS cold at 4am in the Himalayas. Ah the sacrifices you make to see a sunrise next to Everest! We spent much of the rest of the day watching the final day of the 2nd test from Adelaide. After all reception dropped out with the poms 9 down, we went to lunch (more momos which are dumplings for those not familiar with Lonely Planet-speak) then to Joey's Pub to watch the last hour of the test. With a couple of long necks each of Kingfisher (Trix, Settle and Nick - get to know this name, you'll come to love it) under our belt we headed back to the hotel to pick up our bags from reception. Although it took 10 mins to find anyone who could get us into the Broom Cupboard where they were stashed, and despite Sam's insistence to work on his blog for an hour, we were still (kind of) on track to get back to NJP on time for our 8pm train. Problem #1: No Jeeps. As sam said it was extremely easy to get up tio NJP but at 4pm in the arvo, there appeared to be no one going our way. A couple of drivers by the Toy train station said they could take us but a 10min wait for a jeep yielded nothing but a packed share jeep to Siliguri not NJP. When they realised that we were willing to pay for a private jeep these two guys again rushed off to locate a driver to take us. Again, a 15min wait afforded us nothing but more frustration. Finally, we ran packs and all to another area and asked everyone with a car in sight to take us. 20 minutes of effort and the two guys from earlier found us and piled us into the back of car hopefully heading in the right direction. Problem #2: time. By this stage, it was 5.15pm. The ride down was supposed to be 3 hours. Remember that 8pm train? yeah, you see the issue. The prospect of missing the connection and being stranded in NJP (not a pretty place) didn't appeal, so i think Sam and I spent the first 10 minutes contemplating bailing and staying another night (or 4 knowing the train availability). Problem #3: the route. Our driver took us down a completely different road to that on the way up. While the one up was just like a much loger version of any mountain pass in Aus (picture Buller or Hotham) only with a narrow gauge railway running next to and over it, the road down was the most precarious sealed road i have seen - extremely steep, pot holed with 180 degree hairpins barely wide enough for the jeep to get around, only just wide enough for a car but with traffic going both ways and crazy Indian overtaking abounding. 90 mins on this road, and a very frustrating 10min rest stop later we reached a city. Sam read a sign saying "Siliguri" and responded by stressing me out with the phrase "We're in Siliguri - we went the wrong way" - thanks mate. We pulled up to NJP station 10mins later with my watch showing 7.57. I told Sam to leave his smaller bag so he paid the driver the inflated fee and bolted ahead across a very long pedestrian crossing to the trains on the other side. Still not knowing where our train actually was, Sam turned around and threw his hands in the air in despair. I was running (ok waddling) 25m behind, with 3 backpacks bouncing in every direction yelling "ASK SOMEONE!" Fortunately the first soldier - complete with automatic rifle - knew the train and sent us scampering down to the platform where the 3AC carriage was waiting. I had a quick glance at the passenger list (they're posted by the door) and we piled on. The Train started moving 90 seconds later. Yup, 2hrs 45mins in the jeep and we made it by seconds. I have no idea what we would have done if we hadn't.
8th December 2006 Dad	living vicariously - From: Darjeeling- Himalayan Hill Station Hi Sam - Dad here. OK, I'm in IT, selling this stuff, but wow, this blog is amazing. I know it's taking some time to get to an internet cafe and get them done, but aside from the technology, your photos and (especially) word pictures really take us there, and we are all momentarily 20, free and travelling next to you! Just back in dry old Melbourne after Tokyo, Seoul, HK and Sydney, it's good to be home - especially since the plane was delayed while they de-iced it! Hope you heard that Rudd has replaced Beazely...must have waited till you left town to make his move! Amazing contrast between Darjeeling and Kolkata. I am guessing by now you will be realising the size of this country - do you think the itinerary will be ok? OK, gotta run, can't wait till your next blog!
6th December 2006 Tristan	You lucky bastards - From: Darjeeling- Himalayan Hill Station Hey mate, Its late so i will try to make this qucik. I'm heading to the prom tomorrow - you should have seen how much food we bought, and its supposed to be in the thirties for the whole walk. I hope you caught the end of the cricket - you've got to feel sorry for the poms. Darjeeling looks awesome, I almost struggle to believe that you took those photos yourself - they look to picturesque to be true. Yes, there has been some heated speculation about how you and nick are getting on - mainly cause Amanda and I have little else to gossip about. Also, many comments on how articulate and euridite your writing is - its a good read. We won trivia again. I'm hoping to win next week, as I'll be the last of the core (that way I can prove that I'm the key). Saw Settle off (won't be here for the day he leaves) its sad cause I'm the last one left in Aus. Mate, I can't wait to be there with you. Best of luck.
6th December 2006 Chris Axe	- From: Darjeeling- Himalayan Hill Station I'm really enjoying reading these little blogs, i feel like i'm there with you (while still sitting on my comfortable couch in front of tv with foxtel using my modern laptop...just like in India!) GOod to hear your train experience was good, from what i've seen (on my tv with foxtel in front of the comfortale couch) they do look a bit intimidating. Good luck with the jumper, from Nick's comments sounds like you need help with "the tactics." You missed an awesome last day of cricket!!!
5th December 2006 Nick	Last one i promise - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god Ah this is so funny. What you guys need to know is sam and i haven't fought once while we've been here (well there was that one beer-induced argument over something do with politics and the iraq war - sam says its justified ethically if anyone wants to help me out). Its more a running joke that we fight here for entertainment than anything else. Bec (thats my older sister not sam's), trust me when i say the curry has been and will continue to be eaten at an alarming rate. Sam on Darjeerling (no doubt followed by more arguement to entertain the masses) to follow shortly.
4th December 2006 Rebecca	Big Sister - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god Boys!! Stop jerry springering on the internet and go eat some curry. Sam, I am going to land in Delhi 9th Jan and think I will head straight to Rajisthan....are you going to be around there then? Get nick to give you my email and drop me a line buddy. peace, bec xo
4th December 2006 Chris Axe	I concur! - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god SAMMY!!! i'm a bit behind on my reading (as i did originally go to travelblog.com despite how often you told me it was .org)!!! Amazing to read what you've been doing (i feel like i'm reading some professional lonely planet/travel guide or at least the kind of thing Elaine used to right about in Seinfield - can't wait to see the fashions you bring back to Melbourne with you). Good to hear you survived your first hit of culture shock and i'm sure it will get easier to take as the trip continues. GOod to hear from you and i'll be sure to check in regularly. Stop talking to nick over the comments page - you two need to communicate more in person!!!
3rd December 2006 Nick	What do you call a rebuttal to a rebuttal? - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god Am i being petty or what: Its true that we have been ripped off together more times than i can count (hang on let me try: hotel #1 (Rs1800 worth Rs 350), taxi #1 (US$5 = Rs220 worth Rs 80), pashmina (US$100 worth Rs 2000 maybe)... you get the idea. I will admit to be absolutly useless at haggling and leave that up to you anyway most of the time. Mate what i was objecting to is (1) trying to tell everyone else that is cost $60 when ur paying double that and (2) the fact that you told me yourself that you exaggerated alot of what you said. Lets call that hatchet buried...As you guys will find out shortly Darjeerling (and the journey up here) is fairly spectacular so we have other things to concern ourselves with at the moment.
1st December 2006 Wilko	Rebuttal - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god Oh come on Nick. Firstly, I accept lying about the price i paid for the suit- it was the first this we bought in India (and was a taylored suit) and I don't remember you disputing the price as you were standing next to me. Infact, you were quite keen on paying US$100 for a few untaylored garments. Secondly, the comment about Rwanda was not an overall comment about the city, it was a first impression which we were both taken back by. Kolkata is the best place in the world (I love it more than you because you want to run away into the himalayas-that was a cheap shot i know), And its not just because of rich roof top resaraunts, its because of the eight people who offered us hash on the street today, and the fact that we know have a hawker that knows both of our names waiting for us outside the Newmarket. As I'm sure you've read most of this reply by now (you're sitting next to me right now), lets burry the hatchet and hit India head on... Yeah?
1st December 2006 Tristan	Jesus is with you - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god (to the unitiated, we aren't religious, its an in-joke) Sammy, just reading your blog made me want to be there - even the bit about the hotel. I reckon thats half the fun, is things scewing up but you getting out on top. The picture look awesome - but (I'm sure I speak for Amanda here) more of you! So have you spoken to many people? other than the cricket scores I mean? What do they all think of you? News from home: we won trivia (we were wondering if you got our msgs). We had a damn fine night - I went back to Curtis new house (he's living out of home) and watched "casino" til 4 in the morning. Went to the travel doctor - don't need any shots! yay for me. Camping next week, won't be the same without the old crew, (i mean us and chuck norris) Have fun big guy, look forward to getting more blogs, cause frankly it makes me want to get off the computer and go to the airport right now. Trixy
1st December 2006 Nick	Oh come on!!! - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god Right, time for my two cents to clarify a couple of things. firstly the most glaring mistake - sam paid almost $100 for that suit what was worth $30 and not $60. Secondly, while he's right about the shock value of this place, and the several rip-offs that we have been the victims of (a certain suit perhaps?) both i'm almost certain that Kolkata is fairly different from a city in Rawanda. In some ways the city can be quite modern. For example, last night we went to a very nice diner at a rooftop restaraunt with all the service that you would expect anywhere in the world (barring the warm beer - who are we? poms?). What gets you with this place is the contrast between the rich and poor in the same physical space. Walking along, you will see Rolex dealerships across the road from slums and street people living out the front. The banks and boutique clothes retailers are guarded by men with rifles at the door to keep out the paupers from the street. Whatever you do though, please don't get the impression that this place is not worth while visiting. As sam said in his post, and as we have said to each other more times than i could count, this place smells, is increadibly polluted, is filthy and poverty stricten, but I am madely and irrationally in love with this city. Oh and one last side note. For those of you familiar with our trip there's been a change of plans. We're taking a train later tonight to Dajeerling in the north to experience India in the himalayas. Back Wednesday. sam will just have to pick up his "$60" suit then!
30th November 2006 britt	SAM! - From: Kolkatta- Oh my god WASSUP? its so great to hear from you. it sounds like you had a rough first day but im happy and releived to hear that you've settled into it and are having a good time. i got some great exam results and we had year 11 transition early this week- im loking foreward to next year SO FREAKING MUCH. Georgia, mum and annie are all eating dinner so ill go join them now. its schnitzel. but i guess the last thing your thinking about is the food back home. the food your eating probably humiliates schnitzel publicly. anyway., much love looking foreward to seeing you when you get back. -Britt
30th November 2006 Nick	Hey thats me! - From: Bangkok- oriental city Thought i'd better jump on sam's blogosphere-bandwagon! I'm the guy in the photo eating, which is where you'll usually find me. I'm traveling with wilko for the first month of his trip then i hop off at dehli to see Europe for another month before heading home. Bangkok was awesome and i wish we had more time there. As Sam and i have said to each other a few times, it was really good to see a modern Asian city before heading to Kolkata, to get into the swing of things travel-wise. Bangkok reminds me alot of living in Hong Kong so it was nothing all that new but it was still great to see. If you ever go to thailand, you should really check out that Golden Buddha at Wat Tho, the photos could never do it justice. hope you enjoy Sam's account of the trip! Nick