out of toothpaste

that’s it then. I’ve got around two squirts of toothpaste left. enough to get me back to Wagga where there is a fresh tube sitting in the bathroom cupboard.  (i’m rationing and am going to make the use of the ‘complimentary amenities bag’ on the plane)

Have barely had enough time to scratch myself in Hong Kong which has been brilliant. I’ve got 4 nights here – tonight being my last and have been busy the whole time.  I was expecting to walk around by myself for 5 days but have had the pleasure of being chaperoned around the city and islands by folks I know living here. From Malaysian resaurants with a singing Elvis to Vodka ice bars and giant buddhas (or is that buddhii?) I’ve seen many sides to HK.

It’s been a great way to finish the trip off and I’m going to head to Kowloon Park this afternoon and watch all the Tai Chi people for one last little dose of relaxation before embarking to the tranquil holiday inn of melbourne airport.  I could of uploaded pictures but am too lazy to go back upstairs and get my camera so bad luck. Speaking of luck, I’ve stocked up on lots of good fortune and double happiness trinkets so I expect to be a happy millionaire by years end.

Yesterday was a little tough for me due to some particpation in activities at the vodka ice bar the night before. Not recommended when you are being showed around Lantau for 12 hours. 2 trains, a cable car, a bus, a ride in an outboard boat, another bus and then 2 ferries took its toll on my stomach.

I must be off now, have to visit the whereis website to find out how to get from my house to work – can’t remember. Lucky last post. Thanks for watching, details of slide nights to follow.

scratch ya later

 VK

Squirells – vermin, I tells ya.

Back from Iceland now. Was sad to go because I’d of loved to spend more time there. If I were to go back I’d definitely hire a car as there is so much to see outside of Reykjavik. I’d also insist on taking a small fortune to spend and really live it up. The volcano safari was fantastic, definitely value for money. We rode in a ‘super jeep’ which it certainly was. Started off by going off roading up a mountain and then headed through miles of lava beds. Truly amazing, unfortunately the photos just don’t do it justice.

Stopped off at a lake that dropped 5 metres after the 2000 earthquake, some mud pots and steam pits and then some more off roading to a beach covered in lava that flowed into the sea. Onto a fishing village and then back to Reykjavik.

I seriously doubt I will ever get back there but would love too. Highly recommended. I have my last day in London today, flying out tomorrow to HK. We headed to Hyde Park with a picnic lunch and got some much needed sunshine. It was lovely and peaceful and we spoke with an old bloke and he gave us some peanuts to feed the squirrels. Very nice. Until…. one of the little bastards bit me until I bled.

Now of course there are always two sides to a story. Sure I didn’t let go of the nut (Tim said “don’t just let him have it, let him wrestle you for it” – in the name of getting a photo) so, I did. Then he bit me, first softly, then hard. Bastard thing. He ran away with the nut and stopped. Mr squirrel realised that I had actually run out of nuts and in fact, all I gave him was an empty shell. He wasn’t happy and promptly ran up my leg again. I could tell he was pissed – it was in his eyes. I seriously freaked out and if there weren’t alot of witnesses I would of shaken him off my leg to the otherside of the fence.

I have now developed a bit of a fear of squirrels and don’t really like them any more. I need to go back and look at my old blog for Tim’s recipes for squirrel soup. If anyone notices that Im foaming at the mouth when I get to Wagga, please call a vet.  

Having a whale of a time

This place is seriously cool. Had a super day yesterday travelling to Thingvellir – home of modern day democracy, stood at the top of a volcano, visited Gullfoss waterfall fed by a massive glacier up the hill and Geysir to see the ummmm geysers. 

Although every now and then you wonder if the person next to you farted but then realise its the sulphur in the air and the wind pushes the rain into you like tiny daggers this place is pretty wild. Its perfect for conservative me, I’m sure I could head to some remote place and camp out on a glacier overnight and eat baby puffins (or pufflings as they are called) but this is the right amount of adventure for me.

Iclanders are very proud. Everything is always preceded by “the most northern” so the otherday I visited the most northern flea market in the world.

Coming to term with the prices, although I passed a sign last night for 2 subs and a 2L bottle of Coke for around $45 AUD. I’ve found a great little Indian restaurant where I have been getting dinner. While not cheap it seems to offer good value for money and I am full at the end of the meal, most important when you are forking out so much.

Whilst the wind is redicoulous it can come in handy when at the end of the day I walk up the little hill to my hotel and without fail it always give me a push along, not so good in the mornings when it the first thing you encounter is this wild arctic gale.

 Today I am heading off on a volcano safari and too be honest I don’t know if it really is going to be as exciting as it sounds. I hope so, but don’t think I’ll see any ‘fresh lava’.  Found the most stupid souvenir ever yesterday. A piece of lava for sale for 300 kronur – about $5. They are literally all over the ground and it will cost you $5 less to bend over and pick one up, I was tripping over them all day yesterday.

Got some good pics but not even a USB port to be found so no uploading until Wednesday. I still have tomorrow morning as well before I fly out so will be trying to pack in as much as possible.  They are very efficient here which makes it really easy to get around. The best thing about it though is that you can be at the most popular tourist attractions in the country at the start of summer and there are only another 20 people there. Wonderful after such busy cities like London and Barcelona. Even Interlaken with a population of something like 28,000 was busier than here. Love it.

Off to get some midnight sun.

VK

Wet, wild and windy

I’ve been here for only 12 hours but it is starting to be clear how this place operates. The weather affects everything. Amazing seeing as it really does change so quickly. Was planning to do some whale watching and spot a puffin or two this afternoon but no, too windy. Come back a half hour before departure. Likewise with just about every other tour, too windy, not enough snow there, too much snow there, or just too bloody cold. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving Reykjavik. The hard drinking sterotype of Iclanders is oh so true. After passport control at the airport there is a duty free store. Not the type we all know but this was a supermarket full of alcohol and tobacco. All the Icelanders got off the plane and grabbed a trolly they then stood around the baggage carousel with the trolleys overloading with grog. Not kidding. Cartons of beer everywhere. The checkouts where as busy as northside woolies on a thursday night.

Luckily, the freezing winds are so strong they are blowing the clouds away really quickly so it is predominately sunshine today. I need to go back and grab my beanie though or I’ll bet 10 000 kronur I’ll come back with a massive earache.

I’m heading to Geysir tomorrow, as well some waterfalls and national parks. Haven’t seen too much scenery as yet but looking forward to getting out and about this afternoon.

The plane landing was perhaps one of the more interesting I’ve come across. The cloud and fog last night was so thick that I could only see the lights of the city literally 5 seconds before we landed. I’ve already eaten some questionable foods. I’m just trying not too question what they are.

It is all truly soooo expensive here. It’s making it difficult deciding what to do. Seeing as the whale watching is for today, I’m not going to presume it will be ok on Monday so I think I’ll book in for some caving through the lava tubes. It may mean I can’t eat for two months when I get home but what the heck.

Just checked news home and abroad and noticed there have been earthquakes in Aus and England. How strange. Got me thinking that this place is supposed to have a few so did a little google and came across this doozy of a website that shows all the earthquakes in Iceland in the past 48 hours and is refreshed every 2 minutes! Perhaps I shouldn’t think about that sort of thing anymore!

Well, the sun is shining, freaky strange looking birds are singing, I’m off too explore the city and find a coffee under ten dollars. Wish me luck.

From fire to ice – what a crappy title, sorry.

Last day in London today, I should be frantically packing but i’m not. It’s so much easier when you have a suitcase packed already and just have to chuck half of it out of the bag and then your ready. Went to Islington last night for dinner with friends and decided to brave the bus instead of the much easier and faster tube. We had major delays when we turned onto Oxford Street and the driver told us it was closed off so he had to make a detour. Decided to get off and walk the last part, about forty minutes.

It was such a surreal experience as Oxford street was blocked to traffic from Tottenham Court station up to Oxford Circus. Heaps of people walking up and down, but no traffic just the buzz of all the chatter about the street being blocked off. I got up a few blocks before pedestrians where also blocked off due to a fire and it was quite an amazing sight seeing the flames billowing out the windows of the building, not to mention the 30 plus fire trucks, seemed like every firey in London was there. Managed to get back on the street and have a gander from the other other side and see all the firemen pouring bottles of water over themselves to cool down. Left the bloody camera at home though, darn it.

Well, off to Reykjavik today. Am very excited and a little nervous but defintiely looking forward to it. Thermals packed, swimmers packed. Raring to go.

It’s been a while I know. I’ve been on the net, just haven’t bothered posting. Sorry. I’ve been out and about a bit. Headed to the British Museum on Monday which of course was amazing. Hadn’t actually been before only to the V and A and others so thought it was about time. Tuesday saw Tim and I head to Portobello Road, Very quiet day there which is fine by me as I have been to enough insanely overcrowded markets in the past few weeks to last me a while. We then caught up with some other people from Aus and headed to Carluccio’s in Marylybone which was v nice.

Yesterday was errands day and did something I never conceived I would. Bought both thermals and a pair of swimmers for my trip to Iceland tomorrow. Doesn’t seem right to have sub zero temps and to go swimming, but as they say “When in Iceland…”

Tim and I are going exploring this arvo in a car, probably to Borough Market. I know, another market. They are fun though. Tonight I’m off to dinner with some folks from Canberra who are in town for a bit and then tomorrow it’s sunny (or not so sunny) Reykjavik.

I’ve uploaded a couple of new pics but don’t despair, I’m thinking there will be one or two scenic shots from Iceland. Don’t ask me how I know, it’s just a feeling I get.

Heading into the final days now. Have had a fantastic time but starting to miss the small things. That beautiful backyard at the top of the blog with its 11 bottle brush trees (9 living, 2 dead) is one of them. Really looking forward to heading back to HK too, I’ll be a lot more adventurous than when I was there on the way over.

Anyways, enough rambling I have to go and actually sort out trip now. At the moment I have my flight dates and times written on a scrap of paper and don’t even know where I’m staying or anything else, so i’d best do some printing of itineraries.

Have a super weekend, I will. Will write from Reykjavik unless it costs fifty bucks an hour on the net. Highly possible.

VK

Sunday afternoons

Went exploring yesterday with some folks from Albury. We headed over to Brick Lane as we’d heard there was a spanish festival on but no luck. Had a nice lunch in a Balti House instead. Beautiful day.

Dinner with Gordy

Lots of happenings over the past few days. Tim and I went for a walk through Hyde Park yesterday and went on through to Knoghtsbridge and Harrod’s and decided to have afternoon tea at Laduree. This is the UK store of the famous Parisien pastisserie that Mum and I stumbled upon in the Place Madelaine two years ago and we brought home the most beautiful chocolates with candied violets.

I had a really lovely pastry and cup of tea but realised I have to stop converting into Aussie dollars its insane prices at the best of times but makes you ill when you work out how much it really cost. Speaking of such things we finally headed to our booking at REstaurant Grodon Ramsay last night. Took two months to get a table but it was worth it. It is supposed to be in the top 3 restaurants in the world and I can see why. The great thing about it was that it was quite comfortable in the sense that it was a very welcoming place and the food wasnt as adventourous or wild as I thought it would be, unlike Pied a Terre where there was Foie Gras and Eel Mousse all over the place (forgot to mention that at Pied a Terre Tim ate the Pigs Head. I was pleased to see it wasnt served who;e, again a little naeivity on my part)

At Gordy’s (where really tight now, Gordy and me) We had some appetisers come out and the first was a ‘cornetto’ filo type pastry little cone filled with aubergine, sour cream and caviar and then something else but I cant remember what. It tasted good though and was served on little silver spoons with rocket pesto. We then had the Amuse Bouche which is a daily changing little special from the kitchen, chef’s choice. We didn’t know what to expect and it was a highlight for us all. The waiters brought out what they called ‘a little breakfast’ It was an egg shell in a cup, filled with baked beans, scrambled egg and a tomato foam with a little mushroom on a spoon on the side. Absolutely fantastic and, definitiely a surprise living up to the name.

Next up was entree and we did the same matching our wines with our dishes. I had, again, scallops expcept these ones apparently are from the Isle of Skye and hand dived, the waiter told me more about them and I hesitated in asking what the name of the diver was that got them. Maybe asking for too much there. The scallops came with another highlight potato and truffle Mielle Fuille. yum yum. They should package that and sell it takeaway. I’d buy it!

Mains where the only let down – if you could call it that. John Dory fillets served on Cromer crab with caviar tagliatelli. Lovely but everything else was outstanding. We couldnt decide which desserts we wanted so the waiter suggested we get an assiette and taste them all. Smashing idea.

Before our actual desserts came out, they brought out a champagne and mango milkshake type thing served in a champagne flute with a glass straw. I had a sip and we all looked at each other with our eyes popping out of our heads. It was great, but in the bottom they had put pop rocks. You know those little grainy looking lollies that pop and crackle in your mouth. It was brilliant.

At this stage I was feeling sick, really sick, from eating so much but none the less pushed on. Pleased the sommelier forgot to come back with our dessert wines. The assiette came out and there was a granny smith sorbet type thing, a tarte de tartin served with cinnamon ice cream, a coffee and bitter chocolate cylinder, toffee souffle, creme brulee and I think that was it. Things got a bit hazy around this stage.

Just when you think it is all over ( I was looking at the carpet thinking how comfy it was and how it would be great to have just a little kip) they brought out some turkish delight and a silver container and took the lid off, inside was raspberry icecream covered in white chocolate with dry ice underneath and the smoke from it was billowing across the table.

Then, I know – there’s more!, they brought out some chocolates covered in pearl – actual pearl or not, i don’t know. I stopped eating. Couldn’t face it anymore. I know when enough is enough and I was at my limit. Absolutely fantastic evening all in all. Would I do it again? In a flash. If someone else was paying!

Today I skipped brekky. We headed out to Camden and had some Japanese for lunch and then took a walk through the market before following the canal down to Little Venice. Beautiful walk along the canal and through the middle of London Zoo. We realised we where back at Edgware Road so decided to walk back to the flat and, I have to say I’m stuffed. but am pretty sure I’ve probably only burnt off 2 % of the calories from last night.

Must be off, chefs have beckoned dinner is ready.

A good day – and The Bill is on tonight too!

Well, that’s it then. I’m off to Reykjavik, Iceland next week. Just a few days in the sunny land of geysers and thermal spas (yes, I know NZ is alot cheaper and much closer to home). Really excited about it. Have wanted to go to Iceland since forever and now I am. Next week. Got a brill haircut today too. I like holidays.

 Took me ages to decide what to do next, but I think this will be the only opportunity I’ll get to go to Iceland so, bugger it. Why not eh?

Didn’t do much exploring today due to waiting around for the washing machine repair man to come around but think we’ll be off to Hammersmith again tomorrow or if not will go for a walk through Soho. Didn’t have much time to explore the other day, spent too much time basking in the sunshine.

I’m off to the supermarket now to get ingredients for dinner. Tim’s recreating one of the tapas dishes from Barcelona. Yum.

Back in the land of the old bill

Realised after I wrote the last post that I had meant to continue on to the bad points, but luckily my opinion had changed. My first impressions of Munich where not good as I was feeling fluey and the girl at the front desk of the hostel wasn’t very helpful. I dubbed her ‘chuckles’ as she was as sombre as they come and we had to coax information out of her. Big difference to Interlaken where we could hardly stop the owners of the hostel from giving us more info than we could handle. We got to our room and I had a lovely bunk that seemed as if i raised my head two inches id hit it on the top of the bunk. What made it worse (remember i’m fluey and reallycrabby here. The cranky pants are on and they are two sizes too small) was that t and a’s bed was made up and mine was piled with sheets, doona cover and pillow case. It just wasn’t fair.

I snapped out of it and decided to go for a walk and found the city boring as bat shit and that was about where i was at when i wrote last. After spending half the day in bed I felt much better the next and final day in Munich and could actually look at the map without my head exploding from the headache and discovered in my travels I had completely bypassed the old city. I passed up the opportunity to go with t and a to Ludwig’s castle (as seen in chitty chitty bang bang and Disney’s symbol) for a walk around the real Munich which was just fantastic.

Really beautiful city and Im sorry I didn’t have more time to explore but had a great time anyway. One of the other real perks about the place is that it was so cheap. Such a nice change from Switzerland.

We arrived back in London yesterday to really great weather. It reached a high of 25 degrees yesterday which made headlines on the national news. Not kidding. The BBC crossed live to a swimming pool in East London and emphasised the need to put sunscreen on. I was reading the free gossip newspaper today and it said that some celebrity who was shooting a commercial had to take refuge from the heat in the car and put the Air Con on. Poor little buggers.

Tim and I wandered the streets today as he is job hunting and I spent the afternoon wandering around So Ho while he was at an agency. Luckily the weather as continued, the heat not quite so stifling though and tomorrow will probably be much the same. I’m also trying to work out where to go next week. I want to get away somewhere for a bit before I head off but can’t decide where. This is the most complex thing I’ve had to deal with in the past month and its really taxing. Yes, you should feel as sorry for me as those poor Brits battling this heat.

I don’t think I’ll be uploading nearly so many images now but I’ve realised I haven’t taken any photos in London yet so I might take the camera for a walk one day soon. Time to go now though, the chefs are at home preparing dinner. I really don’t know how I’m going to cope when I get home. I wonder how much it would cost to employ two chefs?