London

EUROPE - Part 4

I arrived in London, tired but very happy. Reunited, finally, with my sister. We got a coffee from Cafe Neros, and Skyped the family. 

On my first day we went on the London Eye. But nobody told me that the thing doesn't stop for people to get on. It just keeps going slowly around, and they usher as many people as they can into the bubble as it goes past. It's very exciting, and the view is well worth the kirfuffle. 

The next day was Kia's birthday, and after a breakfast of pancakes and granola we headed out to meet Kia's friend Olga for a boat ride down the Thames. For dinner we eat at Sarastros, which was a funky, gypsy-like resteraunt. 

We went to Bar Salsa on Friday, which was fantastic, there was a free dancing class, Mexican food, great music and so many deliciously creative cocktails. All in all, a great night!

I loved London, it was full of exotic food, interesting people, and more methods of public transport than I have ever experienced before! Next up is Prague...

You can find my video for London on my google plus page. :)

Departure

EUROPE - Part 3

Sunday came around sooner than I expected and I was buzzing with energy. I had a 1.00am train to catch and I didn't sleep a wink (unsurprisingly). When I arrived at the train station, I was greeted by some of my wonderful friends who got up early just to say goodbye. It made me feel incredibly special and the event that much more exciting.
As soon as I sat down, however, I pulled out my headphones to listen to some music and they literally fell apart in my hands.Two minutes into my journey and my headphones had broken. I wasn't off to a particularly fantastic start, but I wasn't discouraged.

I didn't sleep at all on the train, but who can sleep on public transport, really?
I can never find a comfortable position and always end up contorting myself into some strange
position. I'm sure I looked like one of those crazy, twisty drinking straws. Any rest I got, left me stiff and tired when I awake. So seriously, if you have any suggestions I'm more than happy to hear them. :)

When I finally got to Sydney Central, it was 7.00am, I hadn't slept in 24 hours and I needed a coffee!! So the first cafe I came across, I ran into (suitcase and all) to get my morning fix. It was honestly the WORST coffee I have EVER had. The milk was burnt, the coffee was bitter, and as a result it pretty much tasted like soap. I couldn't get through more than two mouthfuls before I had to throw it out!

At the airport customs There was so much self service, I almost felt I should be paid for all the work I was doing. I checked in my own bags, scanned my own passport- everything is automated these days! I personally, much prefer people. You can't ask a machine which way the bathroom is, or how to get to Terminal 3.

Once I got on the plane, I was amazed at the size of the thing. There's something slightly thrilling about the the idea of hundreds and hundreds of people crowding themselves into a big, metal vehicle about to launch itself into the clouds. The thrill wore off quickly however, as I realised I had to stay in this vehicle for more than 24 hours.

I, once again, attempted to sleep, but by the time I got to Dubai I hadn't slept for 42 hours!! We stepped off the plane into 40 degree C heat, (at midnight mind you) my head pounded with a headache and I was feeling nauseous. Luckily the kind, older lady I'd made friends with, who sat next to me on the plane, offered to mind my bags, so I could use the bathroom. The toilets were weight sensitive, which was pretty high tech, no flush required. It was like something out of a Star Wars movie. I half expected Han Solo and Chewbacca to burst through the doors demanding my galactic credits!

I was able to sleep, however, from Dubai to London for 4 wonderful hours! Which made me just awake enough to be a human being for Kia (my sister) at Heathrow airport. Upon arrival there were many tears, on my part mostly due to lack of sleep. But I made it, safe and sound to the UK.

As many of you know, I was hoping to upload my vlog to my new YouTube channel. But unfortunately that hasn't really worked, due to several technical difficulties...so I've uploaded it to my google plus page, which is linked on the side bar on the right. Enjoy :)