I liked the fact that visiting Bologna didn't require taking a bus into the main town. After a stroll up the main street I arrived at the main square: Piazza Nettuno, and another short stroll took me to Bologna's two leaning towers. One is not accessible because it leans too much but the other is, but on the day I went I think it was out of bounds. The one thing I was looking forward to coming to Bologna (the culinary capital of Italy) for was the food, but it was siesta time!! And all the trattorias and restaurants were unfortunately closed :(. I was glad I didn't book accommodation here because once you have seen the main square and towers you're pretty much done, but of course you shouldn't listen to me as I have ... read more

It was a nice change to get free drink and very nice Swiss chocolate on the flights from Birmingham. Immidiately bought my Rolling Venice card at the airport for 22 euros and hopped on the bus into Venice. My hostel was a sweaty 20 minute walk away from the bus station. I was impressed with the hostel's exterior - gothic style building surrounded by canal and accessed by a cute little bridge. Inside it wasn't the nicest hostel I've stayed in but it would do! I got changed and hit the streets and had a look round. I ate spag bol at a restaurant and it was run by Thais so unfortunately it wasn't the lovely spag bol I was expecting (I had learned in SE Asia to not have western food in Asian establishments...they just ... read more

First impressions of Bali? 'F***** hate this country' is a thought that came to mind a few times on that first night! So you want me to wait 2 hours in Kuala Lumpur to check in, then pay $25 on landing in Bali, then wait a further 3 hours in Indonesian immigration? Oh and then...LOSE MY LUGGAGE? Spent the first night wallowing in misery (on the inside - on the outside I tried to laugh and joke) thinking I would have to spend the next 6 days with no spare clothes/straighteners/wash stuff/contact lens case/contact lens solution, and getting drunk with the other hostel guests playing card games and drinking Bintang beer. When I was tipsy, I got the wonderful phonecall from the airport informing me that my luggage had turned up. There was me cussing Bali ... read more

The journey to Bangkok was very pleasant. The boat from Ko Tao to Chumporn was first class, and the coach from here to Bangkok was comfortable. I love long coach journeys because I just listen to my ipod and daydream (mainly about the guy I met on Ko Tao - hot - but my conscience is clear just for the record!) The nightmare began when I arrived in rainy Bangkok. The realization that I had put a padlock on my suitcase, but left the key to it back in Ko Phangan, crept up on me. Silent panic set in. To add insult to the injury, I got a taxi from Koh San Road to my hostel on the other side of the city, only to find out it is shut and locked after midnight (it was ... read more

Finally arrived following the Looooooong ass journey from Ko Phi Phi, which included a fretful boat ride from Phi Phi (thinking I overpaid for a duff ticket to Ko Phangan), a coach which might as well have had its air con turned off, and a further boat journey with the worst toilet I have ever seen requiring serious thigh muscle strength for squatting (still pissed all over the floor nonetheless). I am aware that this is the traditional toilet in SE Asia but for god sake. Bad times. Anyway. Arrived in Ko Phangan to what seemed like a very uncivilized baggage collection process. Everyone was fighting around in the dark trying to find their luggage (not an easy task when it is dark, the suitcases/backpacks are continuously and carelessly thrown from the boat onto the floor, ... read more