Lisa's Adventures London to Home

My island Home

lmc303 — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:20:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I have made it. After 92 days on the road I arrived back into Melbourne on Saturday monring at the lovely time of 6am.

It feels quite weird to be home and knowing that it is not just a holiday but I am sure I will survive.

Anyway what have I been up to over the past 2 weeks. Well I did a 9 day tour of the top end which was such a great way to finish off my travels. I never realised how beautiful and different my own countyr was.

Here is the story in a nut shell:

Visited Litchfield NAtional Park - Our tour guide decided to be Steve Irwin and pick up a snake
Went on a crocadile hunt. Never realsied salties were also in fresh water areas
Went to Kakadu and got to swim in the most amazing places, even though it was at the end of the dry season and the water was not flowing over the falls it was amazing
Did some long driving down to Alice springs visiting lots of outback pubs along the way.
Undertook a helicopter ride over Katherine Gorge. Such an amazing experience and made it better with no doors on the helicopter\
Saw the Devils marbels
Saw lightning over the rock (we picked probably 1 of 5 days a year that it rains out there to visit and do a sunset). Walked the base of the rock, never realsied how big it is actually and how amazingly smooth it is
Walked the valley of the winds around the Olgas (Kata Tujta)
And finished off with a hike around the rim of Kings Canyon. Such an amazing sight and experience

Overall the 9 days in the top end were definately a highlight of my trip. I met heaps of lovely people and had a blast learning so much and seeing so much of my own country.

To finish off the trip I did the last main train journey on the Ghan. It was long but time passed quickly when you have fun, especially with the mini tv screen showing movies and the 60's diner car as the buffet car.

So now I am back in melb and already on the look out for a job. No rest for the wicked.

Well I hope this finds you all well and will catch you all soon. Oh stay tuned will try and get photos on the site soon.

Take care Lisa xx

Happy New Year

lmc303 — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:59:00 GMT

Well I am currently in Singapore celebrating the muslim New Year. It is very colourful and has lots of bright lights.

Anyway the past week has been pretty crusiey. I have visited Penang, Kuala Lumpor and the protronas twin towers (Quite impressive for a free toursit thing to do), lots of shopping malls to be seen, caught the local bus to the Bantu Caves and worked out that my malaria tablets make me sick if I drink alcohol (what a side effect to get).

As I said I am now in Singapore for a few days staying in a hotel (which I dont do as it is expensive to my average 2 pounds a night I have been paying for the past 2 months). I thought I was flying out sunday but after reading my ticket yesterday realised that I had stuffed up and I actually leave Monday night instead, to get into darwin early tuesday morning (half 2) and stat my tour at 6.20 that morning. No rest for the wickered! Oh well I will survive.

So I am off to do the tourist things in Singapore, the Changi museum, night safari and shopping! But I am looking forward to getting home soon. I was going to surprise the parentals but they informed me this week mum would be away and dad was going fishing so I had to tell them so I could somehow get into the house. So I arrive back in Melbourne on the 27th. I hope to catch those down that way soon after ish.

Well must go and explore this big city. Hope all is well in your part of the world.

Lisa xx

I am a Diver

lmc303 — Sat, 6 Oct 2007 21:58:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I am now are qualified diver. Yes, while on Kho Tao I took the plunge and did my PADI open water dive course. At first it wasnt what I expected but once I got going and got to act as a fish, then I loved it. The worse thing was that the weater wasnt too goo for our last day diving so we didnt get to swim with the sharks! I will just have to keep diving to I find them.

Before that I left Kanchanburi and traveled down to Sauri Thani over night on the bus and being dropped off at 5am to wait for the 8am ferry to Kho Samui. It was a long wait but once started the time past pretty quickly.

Arriving on Samui we were transported to our A frame bungalows on Lami Beach. It was awesome to open the door and step straight out on the sand. After several realxing days around samui (except when at the pub cheering the STORM to victory), it was time to say goodbye and head back to school on Kho Tao.

Anyway I have left Thailand and am now in Penang, Malaysia to start my last week here in SOuth East Asia before I head to my 2 week tour of the top end before deciding to head to Melbourne and stop and have a holiday at home for a while.

I hope this finds you well and see some of you very shortly.

Love Lisa

Bridge over River Kwai

lmc303 — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:12:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I am currently in Kanchaanaburi the sight of the bridge over the river kwai and Hell fire pass. I have visited both places and they are definately moving places to visit. It is hard to imagine how much the POWs went through building this railway, it is definately amazing that anyone survived under the conditions they went through.

Kanchaanaburi itself is a lovely little place. It is a shame that the reason it is famous or well know is for such a bad reason. The people here are lovely, the worst thing is the mosquitos.

I also ventured out to the tiger temple where you get to haveyou photgraph taken while patting the tigers. It was very touristic but you know how I love tigers so it was great. They also had cubs which were really cute and you just wanted to cuddle them but they definatley liked to grab a bit.

I ventured to the famous 7 tier waterfall and after the 2 and 1/2 km hike up to see the supposedly best tier I decided the lower ones were better. The only good thing about going all the way up was seeing the family of monkeys on the way back down. The little ones were very curious and when you put your hand out they would come near it thenjump away.

For the preious few days I spent in Bangkok around the Kho San Road. Not a bad place and not as hectic as I thought. Hanoi in veitnam was definately more frantic so it didnt seem to bad. I was able to manage getting round the city without being ripped off by the tuk tuk drivers by using my feet and the local buses.

The biggest theing I got to see was the weekend market. It was huge. I spent 5 hours getting lost through it and still didnt see everything but it was heaps of fun until I wanted a particular store I seen hours before then kept walking round in circles trying to find it. It turned out to be a happy story as I did find it and could still find the exit for home.

Well that brings you pretty much upto date. I am heading this afternoon back to bangkok to cacth the bus and the fedrry to Ko Samui for a bit of r and r then further south till I have to fly out in 2 1/2 wks. Time flies when you are having fun.

Hope this finds you all well and will catch you all very soon.

Lisa xx

Cambodia - on the up

lmc303 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:34:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well since I last wrote I have arrived into a new country, Cambodia. Even though it is so close to vietnam it is very different, or as the saying goes same same but different.

So whats been happening in the past week, here is a quick run down:

* I left saigon and the crazy motor bikes to the peaceful setting of the mekong delta. Lots of boat rides were undertaken, lots of floating villages and floating markets were seen, I stayed in a bungalow and made my own elephant fish spring rolls and took the slow boat up the mekong into cambodia

* I arrived in Phnom Pehn to a river in the streets, lots of mosquitos (my first bites since cologne) and lots of smiling kids. We took a tuk tuk out to the killing fields to see the main killing area and the 8000 skull monument, then to an even more eire S-21 (the old school converted into a prison). This drove home the point of the genocide that happened here only 30 years ago and makes me definately feel lucky that I am australian

* Went to what they call the russian market and got to walk through knee high deep water as another down pour happened, it makes it so much fun.

* Traveled up to Siem Reap a day early to catch up with Vicki and Dave which was awesome. It was great to see some familar faces and Vic and I went material shopping for bridesmaid dresses. This provided plenty of laughs for all including the cambodians when vic made a dress for me to waer to decide colour (well it was more a toga but it was cool)

* Today I ventured to the big highlight of cambodia Angkor Wat Temple. After seeing sunset yesterday from one of the temples, my moto driver picked me up at 5am to venture to see the sunrise. It wasnt to bad. Hopefully I got some ok pictures. My driver then drove me round about 6 others all so different but similar in a way (I am definately starting to understand the same sam but different saying that is used everywhere in south east asia). I was climbing up virtical steps to the top of the temples, being harrassed by kids that should be in school to by postcards and I get to do it all again tomorrow. Sounds fun heah.

Well that pretty much brings you up to date. I head into Thailand on thursday to Bangkok for a bit of shopping. Then I start to venture down towards home, and yes I have a final date that I arrive on Oz shores. It is at 2am on the 15th into Darwin airport. I am then in the Northern Territory for 12 days ish for a tour then will catch train towards home and be there in the last few days of october. So for everyone at home will see you soon, all others will write to you all soon.

Till next time Take care

Lisa xx

Good Morning Vietnam

lmc303 — Sat, 8 Sep 2007 22:56:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well since I last wrote I have pretty much travelled the length of vietnam. I left Hanoi last saturday night and ran into a couple of girls I met the previous day on the trip to Ha Long Bay. It was nice to travel with people I kinda new on a very long bus trip with very little airconditioning and a pain in the bottom german who liked to take up 2 seats instead of 1.

I arrived bright and early sunday morning in Hue to be greated by the national holiday celebrations. So many people out and about and lots of colour things about. We were also mobbed by hotel people offering rooms. I ended up sharing for the next few days with a english girl.

After heavy showers and lots of people lying saying one more minute we eventually got people to take us out to the royal tombs. This was pretty cool. As it is interesting to know that the royals could choose their land, build what they want there and relax on and off until they died and then were burried. Then the new royals found a new spot to relax and the process started again.

Next morning we were off to Hoi An. This was such a lovely place. The people were so friendly and the place itself just had a great atmostphere about it. Hoi An is also the place you are able to get anything tailored you like and pretty much as cheap as chips. After lots of thinking I only got a pair of shorts and a skirt made at the cost of about 10 pounds. The rest of the time was spent at the beach, round the pool or eating awesome spring rolls.

My next stop was Nha Trang. This was a nice beach side town and I definately made use of the beach as it is sooooo hot and humid. First night met some of the locals at diner (they happened to be american and english but had been living in the town for 2-3years). It was cool to meet some friendly places and hear some of the stories. The next morning I ventured for a day on a boat cruising the islands, snorkelling, swimmming, getting told off for sitting on a chair on the beach and generally chilling. It was a great day except for the little bit sunburn I have on my back (I even had plenty of sunscreen on too).

And now I have just arrived in Ho Chi Minh city where I plan to stay for a couple of days to explore the city see the Cu Chi war tunnels then it is off on a Meckon Delta tour then into cambodia.

So I hope all is well with everyone. Those back in england I hope you enjoyed your holidays and that you have survived your first week back at work, I am thinking of you while still travelling. Those at home in oz, I hope the footy finals are going your way and Go EELs and Storm (knowing my luck they will make it to the grandfinal and I will be in Thailand somewhere).

Till next time

Lisa xxx

Anyone for a Motor Bike?

lmc303 — Sat, 1 Sep 2007 13:32:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I am currently in Hanoi, Vietnam and sweating like a pig. It is so humid here that it is unbelievable, but I am sure it will get worse before it gets better.

After leaving Beijing on what was the wettest day of the trip so far I ventured down to Hanoi on another 48hr train trip. It went pretty quickly, I finished my 5th book of the trip and I got to laugh at silly english girls that thought they would be able to get into vietnam even though their visa was not valid. Little did they realise that the chinese border guards are not currupt and they got escorted off the train.

Arriving in hanoi early in the morning and my hotel not being their to pick me up I eventually got a taxi to my place. Paying 6 pounds a night which is on the top end the place is lovely, and ever so helpful. They organised my cambodian visa (after I had to do an adjustment in my passport), a 3 day trip to ha long bay and my 10 pound bus trip from hanoi all the way to saigon.

In Hanoi after surviving the 2.5 million motorcycles, 5 million people and lots of just gernerall stuf (tuk tuks, rubbish, stalls and men offering their motor bike)I have been able to navigate this crazy city quite well and not get run over yet anyway. I also saw the famous water pupet show which was good and very colourful.

For a few days i venutred to Ha Long bay which was on the coast. After crusing the bay for a few hours we made it to cat ba island. After a cramped bus ride in a very dodgy bus and a quick change it was off to the beach. On the way I embarrassed myself by doing sign language that i am so use to know asking for the beach/swimming, i was a little red when these english tourists replied its over the hill.

Getting there and as quick as we could we were in. So nice to see the sand, feel it and then jump into warm water. Our joy lasted 5 min as they closed the beach and kicked us out 20min early. Bloody party poopers.

The next day we awoke to pouring rain and we were suppose to do a hike. We chickened out after our guide said that it will be a little dangerous. In the afternoon we againa ventured to the beach to swim with hundreds of vietnamese tourists (some grannys hadnt had a bath for a while so they decided to strip and take one, but they all had huge grins through their black teeth).

Then it was time to venture back to the boat. We were able to do a little canoeing (it was so nice and cant wait to get into mine when I get home). It was amazing to get upclose to all the little raft houses that they live in on the water. They are pretty self sufficient but if they did get bored they did have a bar to go to and party.

Returning to the boat we were off to our anchoring spot they it was time to jump. Ahh how it reminded me of sail croatia jumping from the top deck (and still swallowing so much water up my nose and loosing my bathing top) but thats half the fun.

Friday we returned after a morning crusie to Hanoi and that is where I am now. I am off to Hue tonight but this time on a big bus ride.

Hope all is well and catch you all soon.

Lisa xx

I conqured the Great Wall

lmc303 — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:56:00 GMT

Well it is Sunday and my legs are still bloody sore from the Great Wall Walk that I undertook on thursday. Yes thats right still sore.

Anyway as the story goes early thursday morning we ventured to the Jinshanling part of the great wall for a 10km hike to Simati. We were given 4 hours to complete it, which at the time seemed a hell of a long time.

You were given to options at the start. You could catch the gondala up or walk an extra hr. I decided to hike. After getting to the point were the gondala joined in just 30min I thought it wasnt going to be too bad of a day. Little did I know.

After steep inclines where I was virtually using my hands to get up either the giant steps or stop me from falling back down the hill to reach the top and try my hardest not to go arse over on the way back down, to then repeat this over and over and over again for 3 hours. So much fun.

Anyway it took about 3 hrs to complete the walk, 3 litres of water and an extremly sore legs I made it. The views from the wall were amazing as well as the wall itself. I definately felt sorry for the guys who would have built this huge thing in the begining or had to take messages up and down it everyday, man they would have been fit little cookies.

So now its sunday and I am waiting for my train to hanoi. I am sad that I havent been able to see everything I wanted to in china (although I did get to visit the pandas in the beijing zoo which was sooooooo run down), but the tickets were against me (or realistically the ticket ladies were against me).

Anyway I am looking forward to moving on as it is getting me closer to home. I hope all is well, drop us a line and let is know how you are.

Till then take care xx

The end of the Trans-siberian

lmc303 — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:51:00 GMT

Well it is wednesday and I have officially ended my tour of the trans-siberian railway. I completed the 7800 km odd journey over 23 days visiting 6 places along the way. You would think that I would have had enough of long train journeys. Nahh I have another 48hr one in 4 days.

Anyway after having an interesting time in Mogolia at the Gers and in their capital Ulaanbaatar and using my first squt public toilests with no doors and lit by candles and paying for the privilage (we you need to go you need to go) we bordered the tain again for Hohot (the capital of inner mongolia in northern china). An overnight trip was fine and we reached the border around lunch time. The mongolian side was ok but bloody hot. It only took 1 and a half hours. It was then onto the chinease. With this we got to exit the train while they go and change the boggies. If 40 degree heat lining up outside until eventually making it into the building where passing through immigration without a problem except for them instead of them stamping my visa on the visa they decided to take my only free page left in my passport and use it. Ahhh I may have trouble later in my trip.

Upon entering Hohot later that night to the lights of Las vegas which was quite different to what I expected (I was thinking a little town not 1.4 million people place), we got to out hotel and headed out for some local street Kababs. Even though I had no idea what I was eating it tasted pretty good.

After a restful night sleep on what they call a bed (it was just timber no matress) we ventured out to the temples, had mongolian hotpot (who goes to a resturant to cook their own food, we do) then ventured to the newest and biggest museumin the north the hothot history museum. The building itself was quite impressive, as there was no expense spared. I got a little bored after the dinosaur and a few relic rooms that Taz and I ended up watching scooby doo in chinease. Very interesting.

That night we were back onthe road again for our last train trip together to beijing. It seemed like a brand new train and alot better then the ones we had been travelling on over the past 3 weeks. One last nights sleep and we woke up entering the smoggy suburbs of beijing. It was that bad in the morning that I could only see the sun as a red dot.

Beijing we were happyily greeted by our honcho who had trouble understanding what we said in english but could speak it perfectly we were off to our hostel. After a quick shower I was off to see the sights and to hopefully organise my next part of my trip.

Walking with the others we found the forbidden city, tian'amen square and the giant portrait of Mao. All quite impresssive and I definately felt like I was one of only a few westeners in the city. We went to do Maos moselleum nut it was closed for renevations (the guy is not alive who cares about what the building looks like).

After leaving the safety of the boys I entered the forbidden city. Taking 4 hours to walk round (that is still not seeing everything) seeing the temples, the concubines places, relics, gardens, statues and lots of chinease people doing really weird photos I came to the conclusion that there was definately no expense spared on this place by the emporers in years gone by.

Then the fun started. I went to the train station to by my ticket to xian (what I wanted the next stop to be). After lining up for about an hour, the lady informed me that I could by a ticket but line up again in 2 hrs. Ahh. I eneded up going back to the hotel and trying my luck again through their reservation centre. Only hard seat for 10 days and there was no way of telling if I could then get out of xian. I started to think I would have to head strat to hanoi.

After a restless nights sleep and a mini mental breakdown while talking to mum, I decided to give it one more go.

After visiting the summer palace of the emperors (yet again one husge place with no expense spared), however it did feel very peaceful until you went up to the pergoda and could see the skyscrappers just metres away from the park.

Catching a taxi back with Tim (and getting ripped off in the process) I decided to walk around looking for the foreign ticket office. After about 1 hour feeling like I was in a pin ball machine game I eventually came across someone who could speak relatively good english who informed me I had to buy tickets to hanoi (I had decided to get out of here) next door at the railway hotel.

Success at last. The lovely lady next door new exactly what I wanted and within a matter of minutes I had a ticket in my hand to Hanoi, Vietnam for Sunday. Yeah.

Well thats me so far in china. Will write again before I leave sunday for another long train ride.

Till then take care Lisa xx

Mongolia- Choose your own adventure

lmc303 — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:04:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I hope all is ok where ever you are in the world. Me fine. I am currently in Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia, but a little sad as I am not feeling the love as I dont know if anyone is actually reading this blog as I have not heard from many.!

Over the past week we travelled from Russia and visited the last russian town of Ulan Ude. It was a lovely place with a great vibe. Travelling by their bus service (a mini van and lets see how many people we can put in one van) We visited the big Buhhdist monastary of Russia and it was such a coulourful place. The only bad thing about it was the old lady that kept following us and then collecting all the coins that people had left for wishes. SHe would have made a packet. We also saw the biggest bust of Lennin in the world.

We then bordered an early morning train for Mongolia. Even though it is only 200km to the Mogolia border we did not pass into mongolia for going on 12hrs. The first part of the train journey was fine. At about 1 we were ordered off the train and told to wait. In this 1 shop town there wasnt much to do for the 4 hrs on the platform except eat ice cream (it took me an 1hr in the line), sleep, read and a few tempted fate by drinking (oh how lucky boys are as the toilets were locked).

Finally around 5 pm we were able to board the train. This is where our passports collected, cabins and carriages were searched. It was sooooo much fun in 40 degree heat with no ventilation on the trains. After another few hrs later and a few shots of vodka from my new mongolian friends our passports were returned and we were on our way. Well that is the 20km through no mans land to Mongolia. Over all the border crossing took 9 hrs to travel the 20km. So much fun.

Finally early the next morning we arrive in Ulaanbaatar. I could already notice the change in the people. Besides the way the mongolians looked (very asian country compared to european that russia was) they also actually smiled, and seemed happy something the russians never did.

Looking around the city for the day and stuffing our faces at the mongolian BBQ (different to our BBQ's) we finished off the day with a trip to a cultural show. Seeing the mongolians play the weirdest instruments including throat singing and turning themselves inside out with contortion it was a great day to end the first day.

Over the next 4 days we spent it out the Ger camps (traditional nomad housing camps). To get there and back we needed to go through 9 hrs on a gruling bus on untared roads that looked like the driver could choose his own adventure and take us anywhere. I still dont know how the hell we found the camps.

At the camps I was upgraded to the delux Ger with the guide which is probably the only advantage being the only girl on the tour. There was beautiful plans, plenty of sheep and goats, many eagles and a few yaks to be seen over the next few days. We were able to visit a nomad family and their gers which was great. I even tried homade cheese and fermented mares milk. May I saw it is definately an aquired taste and I definately didnt aquire the taste for the milk, give me cows milk any day. We eneded our time with a sunset horse ride which was great.

Now I am back in Ulaanbaatar and we head out tommorrow to Hohot in China then onto Beijing. I am looking forward to continuing the journey as it brings me one step closer to home. Hope all is well where ever you are.

Lisa xx

Juke box in Siberia

lmc303 — Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:10:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I am currently in Irkutsk in the middle of Siberia. We are off on the overnight train to Ule Ulde which is very close to the Mogolia border (which from what I have heard will be very interesting).

The past few days have been quite relaxing. After surviving a 54hr train trip from Ekateringburg to Irkutsk, you could get off every 3-4 hrs for 10 mins and walk the plateform and by some food, we have spent 2 days by Lake Bikal. Lake Bikal is set to become the worlds 5th ocean and split asia and europe apart. I belive that I will not be around to see it.

The train ride passed fairly quickly. There was definately lots of eating, sleeping, reading to be done. It was great to share with a couple of russin people. The first was Alex. He was in the milatary and could speak a little english. When we first met him he was on the search for vodka and when he couldnt find that any alcojhol and when he couldnt find that he went to sleep (the rest of us were awake because of the snorimg).

The next night as we got chatting to him he brought a smoked (raw) fish for us to try. So with 7 of us in our tiny cabin we tried this fish and had a few beers to was it down. It actually wasnt too bad. It was then the boys brought out the vodka. To Alex's surprise I put my hand up and joined in the vodka shot drinking. He was amazed that a girl would drink shots with him, so it defiantely brought a smile to his face.

It was not long after we had to say goodbye to Alex but we did manage to get a few more Russians into our cabin who continued to offer me food. They definately like their sweets but they do taste good.

We arrived early after 3 nights into Irkutsk and headed to Lake Bikal.

Lake Bikal was lovely (although the rain did yet again follow me for a day). There was plenty walking to be done and just overall relaxing and taking it all in. It was great to see that the town that we stayed in being the best lake resort town that it was still very very quiet. There was one tourist hotel, about 2 resturants and about 2 cafes for the whole place. It was lovely to know that the tourist industry has not reuined this place just yet.

We did manage to have a Rssian Banya. For those who are not sure what it is. You get to go in a steam room at about 90 degrees for as long as you want, hit yourself with wet birch tree leaves then go out and douce yourself in freezing cold water. Ahh how relaxing.

Well thats pretty much it. We are just killing some time in Irkutsk till our train leaves tonight for Ule Ulde and then into Mongolia. Will write more then likely when I arrive in Beijing. Till then take care.

4685km overland so far

lmc303 — Sat, 4 Aug 2007 16:09:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I am currently in Ekaterinberg, which is 1800km from moscow.

Moscow ended up lovely. Visited the park of the fallen idols, vodka museum, Convent near swan lake, Yeltsins grave and just walked and walked for hours and miles. Meet some lovely people that were doing the shorter trip so I had to say goodbye to them and it felt extremely weird to say if you are ever in Oz looks us up instead of saying see you back in london. I am sure to get use to it.

Our first big train journey was exciting. I was chomping at the bit (ahh ho, love his saying)to get started on my way. The station was chaos but with the aid of our honcho we found our carriage no worries and settled in for a 26 hr trip.

It is amazing how time flies when you just keep sleeping, and I definately love to sleep on any moving thing. We were able to get off every now and then and sample the goods, I could have even brought a shadleer and a stuffed bird, but unfortunately I didnt have room in my back pack.

We arrived in Ekateringberg arounf8pm, but it was enough time to have a quick shower and head out for some food other than sandwiches. After dinner we went to a club/bar where I think the age of female was early 20's, males late 30's. It blows me away that all these lovely looking girls are going for pretty average older men. Where have all the good men gone?

Today through the showers, sun and humidity we ventured to a monastry where the Romanovs (last Zar of Russia) were found burried several years ago. It was a very moving site, churches and forest made it a very reflective place.

We then ventured to the europe/asia border. Yes I was the typical tourist. I stood either side of the line and had my photo taken. I did however feel a little under dressed. pparently it is a custom here in Ekateringberg to have your wedding photos taken there. So I must remember that if I ever take the plunge.

Anyway thats about it from here. We leave at 3am today to head to Irkurts and Lake Bikal. I think the trip is 40 odd hours, but I am sure to survive.

Have included some photos. Sorry only a couple of photos somehow today I have just lost all of them from the past week as well as this morning. Gotta love technology.

I hope all is well and catch you soon.

Lisa xx

From Russia with love

lmc303 — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 17:13:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well I have arrived safely in Moscow. The 36hr train ride was not too bad from cologne. I got to share my compartment with a grandmother and her grand-daughter from Belarus. It was quite interesting as they did not speak any english and I did not speak belarussian, but we got by and the time passed quite quickly. I had some of the best sleep I have had for ages on the train.

Got into moscow around 9 and had my transfer waitng for me. Lovely guy trying to tell me everyone work during the day but night drink, eat, party and kiss the girls. Well that was the russian males perspective.

Got to hostel too early to check in but they let me have a shower (ahh to be clean again). Then off I went. Walked into the centre, saw the Kremlin, Red Square, St Basils. They are all still so cool to look at. Definately different though from last time walking through red square by myself compared to people I had spent 4 weeks with.

Caught up last night with our honcho (who had her bag stolen while we were eating), meet group, drank champagne (as really cheap). Found out I am going to beijing with 5 guys and me. It sould be fun. It definatly seems different to normal as I am the only aussie and there isnt even any kiwis. Most are english.

Well heading out again today to explore this crazy city. I will write again soon.

Lisa xx

Rain, Rain, go away

lmc303 — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:50:00 GMT

Well it is day 2 and the rain is following me. Here in cologne it has pretty much rained all day. To make matters worse all shops here in germany do not open on a sunday. I even saw a mc donalds closed. So after a late start and a walk around I have did a guided tour. Not bad, but once again my thing about a tour guide talking on a moving bus I just wanted to go to sleep. Anyway I am just waiting now for my first big rail journey to start. It is 36hrs to moscow. I am sure to develop a numb bum during that time. Anyway this is just a short but sweet hello and to let everyone know the real adventure is about to begin.

I'm on my way

lmc303 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:40:00 GMT

Well the day has finally arrived and I am on my way home to oz.

After a very restless night sleep, I was up early to catch my ever reliable 341 bus to waterloo. No problems (I will miss london transport). Got to waterloo in plenty of time, checked in and then the first of many waits for trains begins.

10.43 while on the phone to mum, my adventure begins. There is no turning back. First stop Brussels to catch the connecting train to Cologne. With the eurostar running a couple minutes late into Brussels I did the harry holt to the next platform (gotta love europe, no customs, no checking passports). On the platform less then 1 min before the train arrives. Yeah this is too easy (but not getting too excited yet, lots of miles still to go).

Arrive with no hassels into cologne, hostel round the corner, dump my stuff and lets go exploring. Well I was actually trying to find the supermarket but still dont know my lefts or rights by 29. Wondering the best shopping streets I have seen in years, getting bombarded by the european herbalife convention and so many stag and hen do's I ended up walking for 1 1/2 hrs through only the shopping district! What will tomorrow have installed for me?

Anyway I am back at my hostel, having my first beer and just chilling as I am exhausted. Who knew leaving a life of 4 yrs behind could be so draining. Well enough for tonight. Will write again soon.

Till then day 1 over only ???? to go.

Lisa xx

Goodbye London

lmc303 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:13:00 GMT

Well it is friday night 10pm and my room is all packed, boxes sent, bags packed. Who would have thought 4 years would have passed so quickly.

After a frantic week of saying goodbye to those left here in london, doing last minute sight seeing and cleaning up my life I am ready to go.

I leave on the eurostar in the morning to Cologne (germany) via brussels. I spend 24 hrs there before I start the first of my long train trips, this one to moscow.

To all the people I have met in london, thankyou for making my 4yrs such a great time, to those back in oz I will see you all soon.

Gallery: Tunisia at Half Term

lmc303 — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 06:24:00 GMT

Half term in Tunisia

lmc303 — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 06:03:00 GMT

Well it was my half term and off I went with Sal looking for some sunshine. What did we find when we arrived. Storms, rain and the worse plane landing I have experienced.

We got to our resort late after being delayed at immigration for all the english to go through before they would issue a visa to us pain in the neck aussies. Hotel nice and we were definately looking forward to our all inclusive deal.

After a late wake up it was time to hit the beach and have a look round. We definately stood out being to single females in a muslim country. Plenty of trip planning was done by the sea and the pool over the next few days.

We also undertook a safari down to matamata (the home of a coloseum looking building), a burber village, a camel ride into the sahara and the opportunity to create sand angels and beautiful sunset over the sahara and a awesome sunrise over the biggest solid salt lake I had seen. The colours were amazing. After this early wake up view we headed for a ride through a oasis and a jeep ride up into the atlas mountians. All in all it was a great couple of days out in the dessert.

Back out our resort for a final few days of relaxation well the weather decided to be a pain. With showers on and off over the next few days little time was able to be spent by the pool or beach so it was reading or tv watching time.

Well I can say tunisia is a nice place, very similar to morocco and definately thrives and survives on tourism. Anyhow this was my last half term and my last trip away before I head home. A lovely place to end my half term adventures.

The Luck of the Irish

lmc303 — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:33:00 GMT

Well the main part of the holiday with mum was a road trip around ireland. After picking up our car at the airport we ventured to Kilarney castle for a lovely tour. Then onto wexford. After stalling what felt like hundreds of times, and driving around this really confusing town we made it to our hostel. It was definately the most expensive throught the trip for not much.

Day 2: Tracing our family history. Today we went to Barrow. We found the cemetary where 2 of our ancestors were burried. After looking around this lovely little cemetary for about 1 hr we eventually found them. Ahh what a view they have from their final resting place. From there we ventured to Waterford and to Waterford crystal. After I did an ammature thing (left my camera in the car) we were taken on a tour and saw how so much expensive crystal was made. Mum even got her hands on the ashes crystal cup (thank god she did not drop it).

Day 3: Today we went round the ring of kerry. What specatualr views. It was great to see the surf and the sand. Sitting at the beach eating fish and chips, smelling that sea air was something that I have missed. It is just a pitty that it wasnt swimming weather.

Day 4: We start to head north to limerick to spend easter. We visited the local history village and castle. You could definately see that similarities between the english, irish and the welsh. The funniest part of the day was the gift that the birds gave mum. We can definately say she hopes to have good luck for a while.

Day 5 sligo: Well, I definately think mum had the shock of her life in this hostel. When we arrived we found out we were staying in a mixed dorm with 3 older gentlemen. Little did the owner say that they were their on a bender. Two came in at 3 am drunk as anything, lighting up their cigarettes, using snap lock bags to go to the toilet ever few minutes, coughing up their lungs and spitting them on the floor. Lets just say we could get out of their quick enough in the morning.

Day 6 Derry: what an amazing place so rich in current history. Walking around the walled city finding out about the Apprentice Boys, Orange order and the IRA was amazing. For the people to live so close together but be seperated by fences to help stop the fighting. The most amazing part were the paintings on the walls. Our guide explained how the picture of the girl and the butterfly has not long be finished. The artist said he would colour in the butterfly when their was peace. Its now coloured in. The protestant murals were definately different to the catholics, alot still displaying alot of anger.

Day 7 The giant cause way: These hexagon shape rocks were quite amazing, especially how everyone could walk all over them and help them errode. You could see the damage that humans have already done and without some conservation they wont be around to much longer. We then ventured to the Crick a Rick rope bridge (30m up, 20m long). We met the U19 wallabies team along the way. The boys were playing in the world cup but for such big boys some of them were not brave enough to brave this bridge.

Day 8/9 Belfast: Once again a city so full of history. The Ira and Protestant communities so prevelant. But also the Titanic. Belfast was where the Titanic was buit. Venturing to the ship yards to see the place where this enourmous ship was launced was interesting. Finding out that it only had 1/2 sea trial before they sent it to England was amazing. We also did the black cab tour. I have never seen a painting so well done as the one with a Army person with a blaclava on, M16 riffle which follows you around the park. It was also very interesting to see how the fence that seperated the protesants and the cathlics. Starting off at about 3m, then 5m then 10m, and houses still having the protective shields to stop petrol bombs at the back of their houses.

Day 10/11 Dublin: With a case of bed bug bites (I couldnt stop itching) we spent the last couple of days in Dublin visiting trinity college, temple bar, many churches and just wandering.

Its amazing how this country has developed so quickly but can still see/feel the segregation between the north and south. Ireland is definately a country that is well on the way to peace. Hopefully it stays that way for future generations.

Rome

lmc303 — Wed, 4 Apr 2007 19:12:00 GMT

Hi All,

Well Mum and I had a lovely time in Rome. The weather was fantatic, the food great and as Mum put it the sights were amazing.

After a long day getting there we got to our B&B with a lovely Italian lady with a little girl making our stay very homely. I then became the tour guide for the next few days.

First night, was my Birthday so we had a lovely dinner at a little resturant between the Trevi Fountian and the Patheon. Wine, Pasta and Pizza and to finish the night off gellati at the Trevi Founntian.

Up early to head to the Vatican. WOW were we amazed to see how long the que was. At 10 am it was back to St Peters and the worse thing was the museum closes at 1 pm on Saturday. Luckly we found a guy offering tours near the front of the que and decided it was worht the money to join. Mum was amazed. The artifacts and the buildings on how extravegant they were was just different and too much on church standards. Taking several hours to do the vatican and sistein chapel Mum loved it, which was great. It still blows me away too.

We finished off the day with a trip to the catacoombes (Pope John Pauls II burrial sight) and a walk up to the tower of ST Peters. The view was amazing. It was 2 things I had not seen in Rome. But unfortuneately another 10 000 people (well what seemed that many) thought too.

Sunday, well I never thought I would spen 4 1/2 hours at church but we did. We had Palm Sunday mass at St Peters Square with the Pope and 100 000 other people as well (including soooooo many priests). It was lovely and moving and we even got to see the Pope in his Pope mobile and he popped up to his window as well.

That afternoon we did a waling tour round the Coloseum, Roman Forum, Patheon, Trevi Fountian and Spanish Stps. Mum was blown away as she didnt realise that the 'old stuff' was there. The History behind it all was so interesting too hear. Our guide was amazing and definately new his stuff.

Final day was a day just to walk and take it this great city. At the end of the trip we were gelaati, pizza, pasta and red wine out. We had a great time and I think Mum really enjoyed herself and was amazed what was there.

Now it is back to London for a day before we fly to ireland.

Take care