Matt Shorrock
Around the year 2000, I discovered I had been stuck in a rutt. I was living the same day over and over again. At the time, it didn't occur to me that I was doing it from the comfort of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but I knew I needed to get out. The opportunity came up for me to accept a job in London, which I did, in August 2001. My parents offered to send me on a round the world trip instead but I was convinced moving to London was the best thing for me.mshorrock
When I arrived was then when I caught the travel bug and discovered that, with each new country I visited, came a seemingly new life-alternating experience.
Although most of my trips have been short breaks so far, I am going to attempt to write about each of them...in good time ofcourse.
In November 2005, my wife Vicky and I will embark on our first over-land journey from Sydney, eventually back to London. Our travels will take us to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, Calcutta, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Agra, Goa, Pune, Bombay, Cairo. Once there we will decide on the European countries to visit.
Travel Blog Posts
May 9th 2005
“One Love” Montego Bay, Jamaica 9th May - 16th May 2005 The number one rule of travel writing, according to one travel editor at TNT Magazine in London is never, EVER start your story at the airport or on the plane. The have obviously never experienced Air Jamaica’s in-flight aerobics program! The sight of a plane load of people waving their arms and legs in the air simultaneously is one that makes you excited to be landing in Jamaica - the German tourist board should definitely take note of this! Following my marriage to Victoria Kiss on Saturday 7th of May, 2005 we headed off to Jamaica for our much anticipated honeymoon. The insurmountable stress of planning a wedding was offset by the promise of a relaxing week of sun, sea and sand, with plenty of ... read more
April 23rd 2005
Lest We Forget Turkey: 23rd April - 26th April 2005 “They gave me a tin hat, and they gave me a gun, and they sent me away to the War.” For Australia, New Zealand and Turkey the word “ANZAC” is one that stirs the national pride of even the most unpatriotic citizen. In 1915 both Australia and New Zealand had strong ties to the mother country, Briton and most of their populations considered themselves loyal subjects although many would never have set foot on the British Isles. On April 25th that same year, the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula to fight a war for their King and Country in what was to become a small part of the Great War (WWI). The land assault on the peninsula ... read more
November 28th 2004
We arrived in Dublin from London’s Stansted Airport around 3pm Sunday (28th Nov) afternoon although by the time we reached our hostel (Paddy’s Palace, Dublin) it was already dark. After dumping our backpacks in our room (just a room with one bunk bed), Adam & I headed off to the famous Temple Bar district for a pint of Guinness. We visited the Temple Bar itself and then moved on to a pub called The Arlington Hotel, where we listened to live Irish music and ate a roast dinner (well I did anyway). We sat at the table with a young couple from Norway, who only in town for the weekend. After discovering we were Australian, the bloke revealed his passion for Rugby...although it turns out the game he was actually referring to was Aussie Rules. Back ... read more
And the Leyland Brothers (Scotland - Australia v Scotland Rugby)
Published: November 19th 2004Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland
November 19th 2004
When the ARU announced the Wallabies autumn tour dates of Europe, I was convinced I would make it to all three (later changed to four) matches, including France, Scotland & England. Although I didn’t get my act together to make it to France, I managed to gather a group to go see the Aussies play Scotland. Surprisingly although our group consisted of seven people, only three were actually Aussies (and no Scots!). The tour essentially started (for me) on the Thursday lunchtime (Thurs 18th November 2004), when I made the forty minute trek from Aldgate to Notting Hill Gate, the home of P.P. Travel (the Party Professionals - although affectionately known to Jess as Piss Poor Travel). P.P. Travel organised the trip (match tickets & accommodation) for us and I needed to pick up our tickets ... read more
“Si senor, only 10 kilometres.”
Published: August 1st 2004Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Majorca
August 1st 2004
Palma de Majorca, Spain 31st July - 7th August 2004 At the mid-way point of 2004, Vicky declared she needed a holiday. And not one of the sightseeing or visiting the relatives variety. She wanted sun, sea, sand and most of all, no itineraries or timetables to keep to. I myself was beginning to tire of the London way of life and promptly agreed that a week in the sun would be much needed. With that in mind, I set about booking a break to one of Western Europe’s many summer hide-aways. After doing some research, I finally settled on Mallorca (also spelt Majorca), which is the largest of the Balearic Islands. The Balearic Islands (made up of Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca & Formentera) float between Spain and the North African coast. The main city of the ... read more
April 28th 2004
A 26-member strong Millwall Tour party left Stanstead Airport on Wednesday 28th April. After a brief stop over in Ancona, Italy they arrived in Split, Croatia via an overnight Ferry. Nada Split & Croatian rugby player Ivan Safradin, who would be their guide for the next few days, greeted the Millwall tourists at the port. The following day the Millwall Tourists headed out early to go White Water Rafting on one of Splits coastal rivers. Although one boat capsized, a good time was had by all with several photos to prove it. After lunch at the rafting site Millwall headed straight to the only rugby ground in Split to take on the home team Nada Split. The home side, which contained 11 Croatian International players, were too much for the tired tourists defeating them 76-7. Playing ... read more
Red Letter Days - Whitewater Rafting
Published: June 7th 2003Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Gwynedd » BalaMay 1st 2003
"I couldn't possibly comment about Malta - just ask anyone who was there! Fantastic tour and genuine 4 star hotel. We paid our dues to the great drinker, Olly Reed, in the bar where he drunk himself to death (we were there on the 4th anniversary), went mad in jeeps (some of which were 3 wheelers!), played beach rugby and ate the finest kebabs ever."... read more
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