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Brian and I decided to take a train to Belgium and check out Antwerp. This is the cathedral in Antwerp, one of the tallest in Europe. Antwerp is not a big city but a lot of fun and the beer is definitely better than Amsterdam! We had fun here for 1 night but now on our way back to Amsterdam.
Well Amsterdam has been a bit cold and a bit rainy but not so bad that we couldn't explore. It's a very picturesque place, full of canals, courtyards, and churches. My friend Brian and I rented an apartment on a good weekly rate and although it wasn't quite as nice as expected, it works. This is an ice skating rink in Leidseplein (Leidse square)
Well for the first time in my life I flew Air France and it was also my first trip to Charles DeGauelle airport. This airport has a bad reputation for being confusing and let me tell you it is well deserved! I did ok but I was glad I had a lot of time to make my connection. I did have a good flight from Atlanta, got plenty of rest which was key after not sleeping well from Hawaii. The Air France folks did speak mostly French to me (but spoke English to some other perhaps more obvious Americans ) which made me wonder if I looked European. In any case a new airline, a new route, and a new airport makes me happy. :)
The largest and nicest beach in Broome is Cable Beach. It is named because there used to be a telegraph cable that came ashore here from Indonesia! There are warnings for jellyfish here but the last sting was in March. I spent my morning in Broome here before showering up and heading to the airport. My western Australia road trip is over!
Broome is a very interesting and unique place. Like other Australian cities it was founded in the late 1800s, but not by the British, by Japanese pearlers! There is still a strong asian influence here. This is a statue of the city founders. It's a small city but has a lot to offer. Definitely compared to the desert surroundings!
My last night with the 4wd camper was at Eighty Mile Beach. Not a surprise that it's 80 miles long. It's a very secluded and isolated beach like most I visited. There are mounds of shells here and since the beach is so Large you could make quite a collection if you wanted. The nearby area is very rich in iron and you can see the red dust on the wheels of the truck from the dirt road that leads here. I parked on the beach for the afternoon and watched the sun set. Not a bad day!
Sorry for the lack of updates but cell coverage has been sparse! Upon arriving into Perth I took delivery of my 4wd camper and headed north. No time to see Perth, i wanted to get going so I wouldn't have to rush the drive later. I spent the night in Cervantes, which is a tiny town just north of these limestone pillars called The Pinnacles.
Today I made my way from Coles Bay to Hobart. This meant traversing most of eastern Tasmania. The drive was beautiful and the weather could not have been better. Here I stopped for a quick photo, but most me the day was the same view; bright blue ocean and bright green countryside. I am in Hobart now awaiting my flight to Perth tomorrow, but I know I barely scratched the surface of Tasmania. What an amazing place.
Well it wasn't a great Saturday! After arriving early to Devenport I set out east to the coast. I needed to cover a lot of ground that day on my way to Coles Bay. The road was very twisty and narrow, fun but not as much with a big camper. Somehow I managed to get a flat tire which was a bit of a pain, cost me about 30 min. But later I had a worse encounter with a short street post (trying to make room for am oncoming truck). It will cost me some money on the return. Then it started to rain! I was happy to finally reach Coles Bay and since then it's been a much better time.
I'm on the Spirit of Tasmania II on my way to Devonport Tasmania. The sun is setting, this is an all night journey. The ferry is more like a cruise liner, with a few bars and a casino. I have a spot in a 4 bed shared room, this is paid for with my camper rental. It looks to be a great journey, and I am excited to see Tasmania. But I hate to leave Melbourne. It's got to be one of my favorite places and the weather has been perfect (as you can see from the blue skies). But off we go anyway!
On Philip Island I also stopped by a wildlife park. It's spring here so there are lots of babies. This gray kangaroo and her Joey were curious enough to come say hi.
I spent last night on Philip Island which is about 2 hrs south of Melbourne. I camped in my van, but first I went before sunrise to the coast where hundreds of tiny Penguins come ashore at dusk. No photos are allowed there, but today I found this little guy under a walkway. I guess he took the day off, or maybe he is watching the nest.
Well, this morning I picked up my campervan. It's big, which is a bit of a pain but the one way price was right. I decided to drive it down to Philip Island tonight. I have to get back to Melbourne tomorrow to catch my overnight ferry to Tasmania. It's nice here, sunny and around 65. I am going to head over and try and see some penguins tonight.
Well I've been in Melbourne for a couple days now; staying in style at the Marriott (with my Marriott points). It's been a good time in a great city. Yesterday I rented this Focus and drove to a few race teams shops around here. Most are near Melbourne. I got a decent response, but they were busy prepping for this weekend's event in Queensland. I decided as long as I have this car I'd head out of the city, so I am driving around Mount Dandenong at the moment. It's a fun little car, another one that Ford inexplicably does not sell in the US. It's a manual transmission so good thing I had some practice in England! That's the last time I drove a car so it was easy. Tomorrow I am picking up my camper van and starting the trip to Tasmania! Can't wait.
I spent two nights in Byron Bay after the Blue Mountains. It is a beach town, popular with locals and tourists. It's pretty small but with good restaurants and shops. I took a three mile or so hike around the cape, there is a lighthouse there as well as the most easterly point of Australia. I also went surfing a lot. Great weather for surfing but the waves were a little weak. Still fun. Today I am flying from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Photo of The Giant Stairway in the Blue Mountains near Katoomba. Over 900 steps going down the face of the cliff.
Near Katoomba, the major town in the Blue Mountain area west of Sydney, there is some spectacular mountain scenery and wildlife. The most famous part is this rock formation known as the Three Sisters. After taking this picture I went down the Giant Stairway to near the bottom of the valley. It is over 900 steps, carved out of the rock in the 1930s. It is very steep but well maintained. Then I made about a 2 mile hike to Scenic Railway. This is a short ride in a rail bar up the mountain. It is amazingly steep, 52 degrees! Quite the experience. The weather here is very strange, warm then cold, rain then sun, sometimes rain with sun. A very interesting place.
Well I made it to Australia on Monday. I flew (as a welcome surprise) on an Airbus A380. This is the double decker mega cruiser that has only been flying about 2 years. It was my first time, and on the upper deck in Business Class is the only way to fly! It was a Qantas flight and the lie-flat seats were hands down the most comfortable airplane seats I've ever experienced. There was also a Business Class lounge on board! I am sure before long they'll have seats in there. I took a taxi and stayed at Coogee Beach the night of my arrival to Sydney. The next day I relaxed on the beach in the morning, then took a bus to Circular Quay where I snapped this photo of The Opera House. Then I grabbed a train to Katoomba, the blue mountains area, where I'll be staying for a few days. I really love Australia, it's great to be back!
Through the power of the internet I found that I knew someone in Malaysia! When I went to Japan in 2007 for work I met someone there who now works for Honda of Malaysia. She is from Malaysia, and lives back in her hometown of Melaka now. Anyway she convinced me to check out Melaka so I took a bus here from the airport. It is really a cool city. Lots of history. This is a church ruins built by the Portuguese in 1521. They conquered and ruled this city for a couple centuries and many buildings still remain. It is a great little city. I am staying in Chinatown and it is a good value with lots to see. I'm only here today though, then back to Kuala Lumpur.
My time in Ho Chi Minh City was short. It didn't help that I was under the weather. Still, I managed to go see the Cu Chi Tunnels which was on my short list of must do's. The Tunnels were very interesting but also there is something odd about seeing the war from America's opponent's eyes. Ho Chi Minh City is like Hanoi but much less conservative. More tourists, more westernised. But still Vietnam. I was fortunate that it didn't rain while I was there. It was forecast to rain every day! One day was 100 percent chance. My good fortune with the weather continues. This photo is of a fairly typical form of Transport in Vietnam. I want one!
On Saturday we made the ride to Halong Bay. It took a lot of the day, but we had time for a boat tour. There are hundreds of rock islands jutting out me the bay here. It's really something. On Sunday we took a ferry to Cat-ba island. After exploring that island (very impressive) we hopped a couple ferries and rode back to Hanoi. It was exhausting but fun.
Not the best photo me the bunch but the only one I thought to take with my phone. Matthew and I rode to the top me this mountain near Sapa, Vietnam. It was raining and as we got to the top it got colder and colder. We were yet and cole and tired of rain pelleting our faces! And at the top was a girl under a tarp with a quote and hot tea. She made up some rice and cooked a couple little birds on a stick. It was a great break from the weather. On the other side of the mountain, the rain stopped and it was warmer so we had a nice couple hours in that valley.
My friend Matthew has kept me busy here! Sorry for the lack of updates. Vietnam has been pretty amazing. Here is a photo of Hanoi traffic near my hotel. Matthew and I took am overnight train and bus to Sapa on tuesday night and rode around the mountains and villages there. There are some incredible views although it was cold and rainy at times. Today we are headed to HaLong Bay.
Sorry for no posts while I was in Hong Kong. My data service didn't work there. Anyway I really liked the city. There was so much to do, and it wasn't too expensive. The city skyline is really amazing especially from this ferry view. A lot of history here too.
Everything is on time, another see eye flight, this time to Hong Kong. It is a Cathay Pacific flight. They are Hong Kong's airline and view are supposed to have some me the best service in the world. Their seats are good but not great, once again the cabin is empty so it should be a good flight. Dubai was fun but I am excited to in to another new city.
Well, this morning I went to the beach and relaxed a bit. I went around 8 am so it was still bearable heat. Then I went back to my hotel to shower and check out. With some time to kill I decided to stop by the massive Mall of Dubai. I got some ice skating in, and a bite to eat. Now back to the hotel to get my luggage and say Goodbye to Dubai.
Today I booked a desert 4x4 excursion. It's also called 'Dune Crashing'. Basically there were a bunch of drivers who were crazy and tore through the desert. It was a blast. I also got a chance to ride a camel. So it was a very interesting afternoon. Tomorrow I am going early to the beach and then heading to Hong Kong.
I am staying on Sheik Zayred road which is also known as The Strip. Lots of big skyscrapers here. This is one of the metro stations. The Dubai metro just opened on 9.9.09, and it is quite impressive, though many stations are still under construction. Nearly all look just like this; it is meant to be like an oyster. Today I am taking an excursion to the desert which should be a lot of fun.
Today I finally got to explore Dubai a bit. Dubai is very spread out. The area I am in is the business district. Against my normal instincts I decided to buy an afternoon tour package. It was not expensive and was worth the money (even though some parts were boring). Here we took a water taxi. It was cool, the taxi was old, probably older than every building in sight. Everyone in Dubai is so nice, even random people on the street. Still, I am only now feeling more comfortable in this very different place.
Got to my hotel, the Crowne Plaza. I used hotel points for my nights here. Happily they let me check in at 630 am, and even gave me a room upgrade! Here's the view from my room. I am going to shower and take a stroll before it gets too hot.
Well I am safe on the ground in Dubai, passed immigration. Still at the airport since it's only 6 am. The British Airways crew was great, but there were only 7 of us in Business Class so view had it easy. The plane was originally a 747 but got down gauged to a 777, I think it is safe to say business travel is suffering here. Got a terrific view of the city on approach but too dark for photos. Now, to tackle a taxi to my hotel!
Well today is my last day in England, at least for now. Matt dropped me at Rugby Station which is about 30 min from his house. This is the most efficient way to Manchester Airport, though it still requires two train transfers! My long leg to Crewe is over now and here I sit. It was on a Virgin train and it went about 125 mph. I upgraded to First since they have a Sunday special, it was nice, free WiFi and power plugs, but I don't think I'd pay full price. Coach is pretty nice too. Now I have a short hop to London and then transfer to Dubai.
I met Matt in Northampton which was a pleasant and inexpensive train ride from Birmingham Airport. We went up to his place in Market Harborough from there. It was a cloudy day on Thursday but Friday and today are sunny and warm again. No clouds. Yesterday I went to Cosworth and had a bit of an interview with them, they will supply engines to 3 F1 teams next season. It went well. Today Matt and I are on the train to Nottingham. It's my last full day in England.
We arrived at The Granary yesterday. Gramps friend Paul (pictured) and his wife own this farmhouse and have a terrific bed and breakfast on what was a working farm. They also have a working restaurant on weekends. Their farm house is from the late 1600s? It has been hard to get data service here so apologies for the lack of updates.
Bill, Gramps and I visited the Claverly Cricket club. It's the same place that view both played Cricket in 1954. The old clubhouse was there and the last match me the year was being played. According to my company it wasn't as big a spectacle as it used to be and the clubhouse was tired. But it still brought back some memories. I learned a bit about the game as well, and again we could not ask for better weather.
We went to an air museum in Cosford yesterday. It was a really interesting museum with four hangars. This hangar was the most interesting construction. It had a lot of cold war items. Bill and Grandpa (in the photo) were able to resolve some disputes about some early aircraft too. Not a cloud in the sky and very pleasant.
Yesterday Grampa and I drove through Wales and back into England. We stopped at a slate mine in Wales which was fun. Wales is beautiful. We then stopped at Bridgnorth which is where Gramps used to go shopping when he lived in Claverly. This is the town Hall.
We are staying at a bed and breakfast tonight in Beaumaris. It also has a castle, but this one in Conwy is grander. It has been a long day of flying and driving but this area is beautiful.
New city, new aircraft. Always a pleasure. It's my first time on an American Airlines 767 internationally. It is not as nice as United but the seat seems plenty comfortable. The entertainment seems a bit sketchy, looks like a laptop shoved in the seat! But i have no complaints. Everything is on schedule.
Well apologies for not giving more frequent updates. The Chicago weather has been brilliant. Here is a view from the Sears tower.
Well I arrived in Chicago early, waiting for my friend Matt to pick me up. Just wanted to show you guys what 2 months me travel packs like (and my new Rimowa roller!). There is even a sleeping bag in there if you can believe it!
From big plane to small plane, I'm off to Indianapolis from Chicago. I was able to meet with a buddy me mine from Auburn for a drink during my layover.
I was not expecting to fly in Business Class for my return, but United surprised me. I got the same seat as I had on the way over, a rear facing window seat. Looking forward to the flight, it's been a great trip.
A very busy station during morning rush hour, I'm on my way to the airport on another beautiful day.
The Foxton Locks are near Matt's place, and have been here since the 1800s. Made for very narrow boats! The locks traverse a pretty significant hill.
We drove to Leicester today. It's the closest major town to Market Harborough. Just wandering through the shops and having lunch. Last full day in England! There's a cloud creeping into the photo here but the weather is still outstanding!
Still no clouds in the sky. Back in Market Harborough for the night. It was a highly successful road trip.
We went by Silverstone race course on the way back from Oxford. Apparently this Aston Martin was there, we say several others too but they were elusive!
At a pub just outside Stonehenge. Yum.
