Loza's Travels

Gallery: Highland adventures in Scotland

loza3210 — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:07:00 GMT

Our road trip to the Isle of Skye

Gallery: Southern Germany

loza3210 — Mon, 8 Oct 2007 22:44:00 GMT

Stuttgart BeerFest and southern Germany

Gallery: Prague

loza3210 — Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:15:00 GMT

Beautiful Archeticture

Gallery: Weekends out of London

loza3210 — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:35:00 GMT

Random weekend trips

Mission to stonehenge

loza3210 — Sat, 8 Sep 2007 07:59:00 GMT

On the road again... Caught the bus down to Poole to meet up with Julie and use her vet wagon for a daytrip around the countryside. Our mission, stonehenge and back. Headed out all good managed to find a backish way to Salisbury as the motorways here are quite scary. Then onto stonehenge via only a few turn-arounds.

Parked in someones driveway so didn't have to pay for parking but succombed and payed the entrance 6.90 to get inside the gated area. It also gave us a walkie-talkie guide to some of the history about these rocks. It told of the theories behind how they came about, some of the oldest rocks around 5000 years old, how exactly blue rock from Wales weighing tonnes came to be in this circle on a grassy hill that lines up in a sort of sun dial formation. It was quite surreal for a pile of rocks, just an eerie sort of feeling around it. But then you look away from the rocks and it is situated on the fork of a major road with heaps of traffic streeming by.

Drove the countryside a bit as maps weren't that good so got a bit lost but found some cute little english villages and country pubs along the way. Some of the older houses even had thathed roofs. Had hot chocolate and scones at a quaint little tea house set in this beautiful english garden. Was a great road trip with Julie and I was able to tick stonehenge of my things to do list!

Oxford

loza3210 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:56:00 GMT

Work lead me out to Oxford to help out on the mobile scanner up there for a day and seeing as it was a Friday I decided to stay up there for the weekend. Was a long day left home at 6:30 and didn't finish up till 7ish then had to find the hostel. Dropped off bags and headed out to find some dinner and just ended up walking around the lovely old streets as it was a beautiful night and still summer so didn't get dark till 9:30 when I realised I better go have some dinner. Found a little Irish pub and had a toasted sandwich and had a chat to the bartenders and some of the locals. Had the Irish band and it was right on a canal, got a good feeling about Oxford.

Next day headed on my own little walking tour of Oxford and saw the old bodleian library, the radcliffe camera which contains some of the library's oldest collections of books which began in the 1600s. We as tourists are only allowed in the library only for the professors and high up students. Some of the Harry Potter school scenes were shot there. Apparently Oxford University has been around since the 12th Century which is pretty impressive, don't think Melbourne Uni can match that! Wondered on to the covered markets and sampled some of the local fudge and watched someone make a 'shrek' cake in the cake shop.

Then my housemates Kat and Dave came up to Oxford too and we headed to Christ church Collage which was founded in 1525 by cardinal Wolsey(must admit am reading from the broucher now) it was also the scene for some Harry Potter action, it holds the dining room where they all ate and the quadrangle outside where harry and his mates had their quidditch lessons. And it was where the writer of Alice in Wonderland came up with Alice's adventures. There is a beel there that chimes 101 times everynight a 9pm which used to be a sign for the 101 students to get into bed before the bells stopped.

It was a fantastic weekend and not only as the sun was shinning. Like i said at the start got a good feeling about Oxford with all the history seems like an amazing place so thats it I'm mobing there. Well actually my job in London is coming to an end and the company has asked me to work up in Oxford on the mobile scanner up there till Christmas, so I'm heading to Oxford for 2 months. Hope this feeling of mine is correct or it could be a lonely couple of months.

Gallery: London 2

loza3210 — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:47:00 GMT

Some more london photos

Gallery: Amsterdam

loza3210 — Sat, 4 Aug 2007 18:57:00 GMT

My 24th Birthday

Amsterdam the big smoke

loza3210 — Sat, 4 Aug 2007 07:15:00 GMT

Warning this message might contain a M16+ rating. E-mail has been censored in parts for the safety of the writer. Read on at own risk

Thats it, the London summer isn't coming out to play so were out-a-here, over to Amsterdam for the weekend and my 24th birthday.

Elisha, Kirsty, Julie and I all met at heathrow on the friday arvo for our first amsterdam experience. Firstly I should say I had a lot of difficulty finding accommodation there all hostels booked took me weeks to find the little apartment we ended up in and couldn't figure out why till Fiona at work googled the weekend and amsterdam and up came the link to Europe's biggest gay pride parade! We picked gay pride weekend to hit Amsterdam, well it should be colourful atleast.

Found our place dumped bags and headed out to have a look around the town which was so brightly decorated with colourful streamers and balloons everywhere for the festival. Managed to get pretty lost as all the canals look the same and only ended up having one drink as couldn't find anywhere good, so headed home pretty early to get ready for a big saturday.

On saturday we woke late and headed for a big breakfast as we felt a big day ahead. Julie bought me a Harrods cake which was lovely, and we sampled some of the local coffee shop goods and bakery treats before heading to the canals to watch the gay pride parade. Was very colourful to say the least, sat in the sun and enjoyed the music of the passing canal boast before setting our minds to some culture, we headed to the Van Gogh museum. Saw some of his great works and bought postcards to prove it, all i could afford in the gift shop! Then we quickly made tracks to the Heineken Experience where we were just too late for the last tour.

Went home to change for a big night out and it certainly was. There were people everywhere. Found the backpacker street and hung out there before setting out sights on the red-light district. And we got so lost trying to find it, ended up in this really dodgy back alley where there were the girls in the windows but it was dark and next to the back of a church and not many people around so we quickly got out of there before discovering the more tourist friendly red-light district and felt a little bit more at ease but will never look at a shop window the same. What a night!

Struggled out of bed at a reasonable time sunday morning and headed to Anne Franks House which was surreal that they lived up there for 2 years before getting ratted out. Very sad story. The streets were much quieter now think everyone was sleeping off the night before, so wondered around the streets and sat in the sun and had a cruzie morning before catching our flight back to London.

What a weekend!

Gallery: Italy

loza3210 — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:27:00 GMT

Italy - Sorrento

The Almafi Coast

loza3210 — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:43:00 GMT

Yeah!!! Mum and Dad are over visiting/holidaying for 3 weeks. They didn't get off to the best of starts as their plane was stranded on the tarmac as terminal 4 at heathrow was closed due to a "suspicious package" being sighted. So after finally leaving the airport around 5 hours after they landed they went straight to their hotel and to bed. Dad did some work the next dad so mum borrowed a car and the brave girl that she is drove into London and over to Elisha's house where we finally met up. Really good seeing mum again and one of the first things she commented on was my little hole in my cardigan!

It was a big week of arrivals as the next day Cath James flew into London and came to stay with me while she was here. Was great to catch up with my old mate from home and then on the saturday Kirsty arrived as well, I had a whole crew of people was just like home! Had a good weekend in London with everyone then it was time for holiday, 2 weeks off, first stop Italy.

Mum, Dad and I flew over to naples then went further south to Sorrento. Arrived in the dark so when we walked around the next day it was beautiful, such stunning scenery, jagged coastline with beautiful towns clinging to the edge. Quickly settled into the relaxed italian mode but always felt underdressed around the locals. They just look to sophisticated and well dressed doing everyday things like their grocery shopping. Also learned that it was ok to have a gelati with every meal as it was so yummy. We had the best weather, no rain at all maybe even a little hot but as I had come from the lack of summer in the UK I wasn't complaining at all.

Visited the town of almafi where we met Neils and his girlfriend for a day out along the coast. Firstly went up to this town up in the hills that had the most amazing view of the coastline, words can't describe. Then got driven further along the coast by a crazy Italian that Neils has met a few days ago. Fresh fish for lunch and a laze on the beach before tackling the windy bus ride back to sorrento.

Time to rub shoulders with the rich, actucally lets call them the mega rich. Caught the ferry over to the Isle of Capri. Wow-we the size of the yachts here are amazing they are bigger than houses and have atleast 2 jetskis in tow. This place is amazing and as the delphin add says "I want to live there." Had a boat ride round the island and saw the famous blue grotto. Walked up to the main town, decent little workout, think dad pushed mum up the hill for the last bit, so ofcourse we deserved another gelati! Wondered around for a bit, shops way to expensive for this traveller, before heading to the marina picallo where all the people from these yachts play. The water was a blue unto itself the only problem with this perfect place was that the beach was a pebble beach, think they could afford to ship over some queensland sand atleast! Oh and i found my yacht that my lotto win will pay for, its called the Utopia!

We headed to Pompei the ancient Roman town that was destroyed/preserved one afternoon about three thousand years ago by the eruption of the volcano Mt Vesuvius. It was like we stepped back in time walking down the same streets, looking at the same archeticture and columns they did back then. After our little bit of ancient history we went decided to pick up the pace and climbed Mt Vesuvius! Was well worth it the only active volcano on mainland europe (I think..) that is still active and pretty good views down over naples and the bay there.

Finished the holiday with a day in Naples which was a crazy busy city and not much chop but it did have all the Pompei relics in the archeological museum, which was worth almost getting hit by numerous cars and motorbikes and getting a bit lost!

Overall a fantastic week away and definately recommend that part of the world to everyone, it is beautiful, check out the photos if you don't believe me.

Gallery: London

loza3210 — Fri, 1 Jun 2007 22:08:00 GMT

We have made it to the big city of London

Made it to London

loza3210 — Sun, 27 May 2007 06:27:00 GMT

So I am here... flight over from Istanbul was great as flew into the airport over central London and got my first glimpses of Big Ben, the london eye, the river Thames, and some other main attractions! Then they even let us into the country which is always a bonus! Visa was all good and no tough guy immigration anticts.

Caught tube into Bayswater which is on the edge of Hyde Park , tube, such a novality! Hostel crap but who cares we have made it to London. Quick shower and change and off on big bus tour. Sat up the top of a red double decker bus to see the sights of London and the traffic of London! Saw marble arch, trafalgar square, leicister square, big ben and the houses of parliment, tower bridge, the tower of London, buckingham palace but to name a few!

Out to watch the soccer final, can't call it football as it isn't. Met up with Mel and here we can drink on the streets so bought or beers from minimart and drank them out the front of some pub watching their T.v!

Day 2 in London time to do a walking tour, did a royal one and saw the changing of the guard where they had a big brass band out the front leading the guards, all very showy! Was great and the sun was shining, think I could like this place! Called a contact from the Austin who might have a job in London for me and guess what she wanted me to start tomorrow! But said can I have one more day as need to organise a bank account and little stuff!

Friday night Elisha and I moved out of the hostel, she went to her aunty's and I went down to Croydon to stay with Fiona and her husband David. It was wonderful to catch up with Fi and so good that they had a spare bed as i had none! Went looking for houses but no luck that weekend and the weather turned bad. Met up with Elisha in Oxford St to by some work clothes and it was so icy cold, very different from when we landed, but i suppose i need to be getting used to this.

Started work at Alliance Medical in central London with the old Austin girls, Fiona, Michelle and Kelly, and Ryan a lovely canadian. Working on their PET/CT scanners and they made me feel so welcome, was just like working at home, only the patients had funny accents! Still staying at Fi's and thanking her so much for the bed as have been looking at places most nights after work and there is some dumps out there, i'm not that fussy but 7 people and one bathroom where the toilet isn't separate just doesn't work for me!

Visited Dad's cousin Petra and her husband Mark for a sunday lunch and she cooked me a roast which was absoutely lovely as a hadn't had much home cooking since leaving Aus.

So i ahve made it to London, found a job, got a bank, now to find somewhere to live and some friends!

Gallery: Istanbul and the Spice bizaar

loza3210 — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:56:00 GMT

Back to Istanbul

Gallery: Goreme and Turkish night

loza3210 — Sun, 20 May 2007 21:32:00 GMT

Scooter riding around Goreme and the party that was Turkish night!

Gallery: Ballooning above Cappadocia

loza3210 — Sat, 19 May 2007 15:46:00 GMT

Hot air Ballooning

Gallery: The Gulet cruise

loza3210 — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:56:00 GMT

Fethiye to Olympos by boat

Gallery: Koycegiz & Fethiye

loza3210 — Wed, 9 May 2007 16:30:00 GMT

Mud baths and travel time

Gallery: Sirence

loza3210 — Mon, 7 May 2007 16:20:00 GMT

The fruit wine town

The Greek Islands

loza3210 — Sun, 6 May 2007 04:54:00 GMT

So time to take the pace a little slower... lets head to the Greek Islands for some sun and fun! I warn you it will be a long story as was a great week in the Greek Islands!

Sunday 29th April - Travelling to Mykonos

Ferry from Kusadasi to greek island of Samos in morning then had to wait all day before next ferry to Mykonos. Hung out with Mel, Matt and Luke and went to a little beach with a bottle of wine for the afternoon. Beautiful setting, great way to kill a few hours. Evening ferry to Mykonos and met some more Aussies - the lovely Jas and Shelly. Few beers on the boat and we all shared our travels stories so far. Had an amazing sunset on board, just a taste of whats to come i hope. Arrived Mykonos 11 pm and played all the hotel touts off against each other, as by this stage there was a group of 13 Aussies so got a great deal.

Monday 30th April - Mykonos

Walked down to paradise beach and this is the life, lying on the beach just watching the world go by. Had our home made salami and cheese sandwiches as now paying out in Euros. Can just imaging this place in full swing in Summer but for now it was ours with about 20 others. Back at hotel in evening and the boys cooked dinner, and new friends came round for pre-drinks around our fantastic empty water feature! Headed down to the old port and had a great night out dancing to some random songs. Night didn't end so well as one of our group thought a visit to the local hospital was in order after cutting his hand open, requiring some stitches... He's all good now so no harm done!

Tuesday 1st May - Mykonos to Santorini

Checked out and hung around the old port waiting for ferry to Santorini so played on internet for a few hours. Got to chat to Mum and Dad on Skype so we could both see each other as well such a good invention these computers and internet, felt like i wasn't half way around the world. Was a rainy day but who cares as was a travel day. Got to Santorini and found a room and had an early night hoping the weather was going to be better tomorrow.

Wednesday 2nd May (Happy Birthday DAD) Santorini

Hired a car today with Mel and Matt a little Getz that Mel drove like a pro! Drove up to the little town of Oia at the top of the Island. Just stunning up there, a little port down the bottom and then the town perched upon the cliff-top and the view from up there. The caldera-antient volcano crater that forms part of the island, the blue water, cute little white-washed buildings, the cobbled stoned alleyways, Just like all the pictures i had in my head!!!! Time now to explore the rest of this island. Drove all the way down to the other end where there was a lighthouse and endless views out over the water. Little more island exploring and we decided to head down to the beach along a little goat track and we were very very lucky the Getz made it down and back up aain to the main road with only one helping push! Now gettingnear the end of the day so time to head back to Oia to watch the world famous sunset. Wandered around looking for somewhere for the best view and ended up sitting on some steps with the random stray dogs of the island! Bottle of local wine and a souvalaki to watch the sun set over the caldera and surrounded by the picturess whitewash buildings. Took around 1/2 hour and was the best backpackers way to see one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world!

Thursday 3rd May Santorini to Ios

Awoke to wonderful weather so walked into the port at Fira, down one hundred steps to catch a boat cruise out to the volcano an dsome hot springs. The boat was one of those old pirate looking ones. Walked up an active volcano which was in parts still smoking! Back to pirate ship and headed off to the hot springs only problem the boat couldn't get all that close to them so had to swim in the icy, 15degree ocean for about 100 metres to get to these not so hot springs! Was a very refreshing swim to say the least. Back at the port Elisha and I were humming and harring about when to head to Ios and looking up some ferry times when we decided that it we will be on the next ferry in 45 minutes! Can we make it... hussle back to the hotel and make the taxi wait and tell him to DRIVE, and after a few skids (don't think the driver knew how to handle his car) we made it to the port with 10minutes to spare. So got cocky and thought we'd have time for a kebab for lunch but they took ages and boat was already unloaded and starting to board everyone, had to run and cursing my bloody heavy bag, long story short we made it! Off to Ios the party Island, stayed at the Far Out Resort on the beach. Had a cocktail to settle in then headed out into the town was a good night and ended up at flames for those who know it!

Friday 4th May

Slow to get up... time for some R'n'R on the beach and by the pool. Worked on tan, read a little, it was a tough day. Went to a little shop along the beach that had a sign saying "yes we have everything" so asked if they had internet, nope so he let me use his computer so that his sign was accurate! Organised our ferries back to Turkey and took a big blow to the wallet, bloody euros. Another night on the town with our bunch of random travellers!

Saturday 5th May Ios back to Turkey

Time to move again, 12:30 ferry from Ios to Mykonos, fast ferry so there in no time and now we have 12 hours to kill before our overnight ferry to Samos at 2am! Left bags at travel shop and went for a walk around the old port, lovely cobbled stoned alleyways and lots of tourist shops. Found a little Greek restaurant on the edge of a square so could watch the goings on and finally ordered my calamari for dinner. Really tried to drag out dinner even ordered entree but was all finished in hour and a half, still 7 hours to kill. Walked around a bit more, had to collect packs at 10pm so went and lobbed in a cafe and had a hot chocolate and waited some more! Very very bored, hopped on net again and sorry to all those who got some random e-mails! Finally tiem to get a taxi to new port and wait for our ferry, Everyone on ferry all sprawled on the floor, so found our own floor space and out like a light as soon as the ferry lstarted to move!

Sunday 6th May back to Kusadasi

9am ferry from Samos to Kusadasi, 24 hours on boats and in transit, absoutely knackered! Then trying to get through customs at Turkey got hassled by this bloody corrupt official, so tired i was ready to fight or curl up in the fetal position, just let us in so we can go to bed!
Finally get up to the dorm room at Stellas and tiem for an 11 o'clock nap wasted the day but had dinner with new travel mates Timeka and Julie.

Well that was the Greek Islands... highly reccommend them beautiful!