WSPANIAŁY (means Gorgeous) Krakow

When I first arrived into Poland it was bitterly cold, I thought London had been cold but that was really mild in comparison, gotta love spring in the Northern Hemisphere... Well I rugged up the best that I could, picture this me wearing just about all the clothes that I brought to Poland I started to resemble the Michelen Man and headed out to Auschwitz-Birkenau.


It was really sad but I think it (or another Concentration Camp) should be a must do on everyone's list as you can read about something and think you understand but once you arrive where 1.5 million people were murdered it brings it all home.

Onto lighter stuff Krakow itself is just gorgeous, amazing architecture, really lovely people and it just has a great vibe. I spent most of my time in the Stare Miasto (which is the Old Town) lots of images of Pope John Paul II everywhere.



Ate lots of Polish food some of the dishes were interesting, dumplings (originally thought they would be like Gyoza I was wrong!) cooked in lard topped with chunks of lard needless to say it was pretty fatty.

Spent some time visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine 135 metres underground the stairs to get down went on and on and on to get out was only 40 seconds in a miners lift. Novel experience being crammed into a confined space with 9 people who don't speak your language praying that it would work better than the lifts in 80 Boulcott used too! Pretty impressive cathedral with everything made of salt roof, floor and even the chandeliers



Krakow changed as the weekend drew closer (I definitly preferred it better during the week) it was invaded by British stag parties, needless to say if any of you have had the pleasure of seeing what Brit guys are like away from home in packs...I pretended to speak some form of language which was beyond what you or I could understand, lol



I really enjoyed Poland its history, people and culture, simply magic

Bonjour Paris

This is the second time that I've been to Paris and I saw so much more this time I managed to give myself some mean looking blisters on my feet, its a hard life being a backpacker...

The first night I arrived I went to the Montmarte area (Red Light district) and decided to go to the Moulin Rouge it was fantastic and definitly something I hadn't done before...you tended to forget they were topless methinks that if I were male I might have thought a little differently!

The Notre Dame Towers were well worth the hour long wait where I got up close and personal with some gargoyles. The very top of the Eiffel Tower made me feel a wee bit light headed but the views were spectacular. I spent the afternoon gazing in wonder at Van Gogh’s, Monets and Picasso’s at the Musee D’Orsay, simply magnificient.



The next day I went out to the Chateau de Versailles, beautiful gardens and the Chateau itself was very ornate. I much preferred the Domaine de Marie Antoinette more rustic and down to earth and a bit of fresh air versus the structure of the chateau and main gardens.



I visited the Catacombes they were creepy and you had to walk 500 metres underground just to get to the main ossuary, a little un-nerving by yourself but no pain no gain. There are more people laid to rest down there than are living in the whole of Paris.



I went to the Louvre saw the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo and managed to see an expedition on Babylon only slight problem was that all the information was in french luckily with my crash course in French (plus my Spanish knowledge) I still managed to get a little bit out of it.

No visit to Paris would be complete with out eating Crepes yum yum yum, and of course sampling some of the other delicacies snails...





If and when you visit Paris the hostel that I stayed out was the best hostel that I have ever stayed at very clean, hostel staff were helpful and beautifully positioned by a canal.

http://www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris-hostels

My adventures begin again...Hong Kong is brilliant, the sights, neon, buildings, people and the food all make it a very vibrant place to stay.

Top HK highlight would have to be Aberdeen it’s possible to do this really on the cheap by using public transport to get there ($HKD5) and then taking a Sampan for the grand total of $HK 1.80 to the other side J ...the fish market and the people working there were super friendly it gave you an idea of what HK probably used to be like before the majority of it became touristified is that a word? No but describes what it’s like... Another highlight was the space museum where I moon walked, tried to deliver a mission payload (failed) and para-glided my way virtually around the Grand Canyon.


During my time here I also managed to pack in Victoria’s Peak, Ngong Pong - the big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Soho, the longest escalators in the world - lower to mid levels, the zoological gardens, Ladies Market, Shopping (I was severely limited by my luggage – oh well will just have to come back again oh the hardship that I have to endure!) and just taking in HK city.

Those who have the fortune or should I say misfortune to travel with me will be very surprised to note that I managed to tire myself out this trip!! Wonders will never cease...

The food has been exceptional I’ve lived on Yum Cha and Sushi, can’t imagine that I will be eating too much seafood in London so believe me I’ve been eating my fill! Tuna, Swordfish, Chicken feet, duck tongue’s and the like.

The hotel room that I stayed in was small but I would thoroughly recommend it, really central, friendly staff and very clean The Ramada Hotel - Kowloon.

Ciao for now...London and Paris here I come