Chad Is Everywhere

I finally returned to Hamburg. Having made a promise a long time ago to some former guests that I'd visit them in Hamburg I finally took a flight back up that way. Here I was thinking finally made it back. So much has changed, gosh their daughter must be like 1 and a half by now. Nope Chad, try 2 and a half. It had been 5 years since my friends had been in Brisbane. Whoops! Seriously that long. Anyway I scheduled 2 nights in Hamburg as I wanted to catch up with my friends, and I wanted to see more of Hamburg. I had only spend 1 night there 10 years before. Luckily Valentina and George were very hospitable. They even did a German BBQ for me the 2nd night. I was stoked. After 2 weeks of travel I was hankering for just something with salad! That was an awesome dinner. So great to have friends all around the world. I don't get to see them all the time. But it's good to know I got friends who will catch up whenever we're in the some location. My days were spent walki...

Lisbon is the darling of the tourism world at the moment if you take the time to read the travel websites. Portugal is of course the place you should be, as all other countries are considered old news. And to add to it's attraction Portugal is priced nicely too. Although busy it's not Barcelona, nor London. Lisbon is a place many travellers visit after they've seen some of the more famous European cities. Yet if I remember my educational history of ocean explorers of the 1600s I really am under selling the importance of Portugal as an influencing country of the ages. Portugal is though for size punching above it's weight. A bit like Australia really. Perhaps why I like it. It is in the shadow of Spain trying to get attention. So in retrospect it's probably more like Canada. I suspect their tourism slogan is "we're not Spain". It's a shame really because from what I've seen Portugal really is an under explored gem of a country. I still don...

Madrid was the last stop on my whirlwind tour of Southern Spain and Portugal. However it wasn't merely a "we're here" type of day. Tour really wanted to kind of say to people we'll get you to Madrid, but first we'll visit Toledo. And when you get to Madrid must try the burrito, and what you do after that, freedom. But burrito first. Why burrito, and why do I mention the Burrito. First off it was the customary last meal with our guide and tour group. And secondly it was the biggest and best burrito I've ever had. That's why. This was a meal the tour leader had looked forward to all trip. And it didn't disappoint. I was not underfed by this monster. I slept well after too.   And I was smart enough to avoid the pub crawl after. For I had plans for breakfast the next morning to catch up with my cousin who of all things had flown out for a pharmacy medical conference in the Madrid. It's not everyday you get to meet up with your ...

When reading the list of cities along the way through southern Spain Granada was the city where I thought I would be having a rest day. Granada isn't on the coast, and doesn't rate a mention as a place you would normally fly into Europe to. So what's with the 2 nights. Well Granada has a lot to offer really. And well as I now understand it's the birthplace of Spain. The holdout of the Moors when everything had turned Christian. The city then provided the knowledge that made the development of Spain possible when everyone was fighting over religion and the dying thanks to dirty water during the dark ages. With its aqueducts, purposeful design, and thin streets this place prospered. Luckily royalty liked the palace when it finally fell to the Christians. Otherwise it all would have been made into another church. It would of been such a shame to have lost all of the mesmerising patterns. Nights in Granada were spent not just eating and drinking Tapas. We were w...

One of the little side benefits of doing a tour as opposed to doing it myself is that I was able to complete more. And by more I also mean places I would never had attempted myself. Busabout's Iberian Adventure crossed the ditch over to Tangiers, Morocco. I've now been to Northern Africa cool. Be it only overnight, and no camel trading for wives area. Or well we didn't see it. Tour completed this by leaving Seville heading to Tarifa. It's just an hour long ferry ride from there. A very bumpy one at that on the way there. The memories of 2007 in the Greek islands, and lunch were about to come back if it went any longer. Needed only a bit more smell of spew and everyone would have been down. The staff had even started passing out little blue baggies to the woosey looking. Anyway Tangiers consisted of a combination driving and walking tour of city, and the Kasbah markets. Of course we had the obligatory pressure sales display of bundles of skin, perfume, and co...

So Day 3 of my Iberian Adventure. It was time to leave Vitor and his old style guesthouse of Lagos and move onto Spain. Starting with the extremes of Seville. Alas it was over 40 degrees on our arrival into Seville. Can't fault Spain for living upto expectations in terms of heat. Straight up must admit my only disappointment of Seville was not not seeing our Italian bus driver Davide perform the Barber of Seville Opera. After all he had been introduced by Morgane our tour leader as having been a classically trained opera singer in his youth. Davide if you read this there is still time to shine! Perhaps watch this clip from my childhood as training Rabbit of Seville . Okay jokes aside it was not an opera we were here to see. First up was a visit the the iconic Plaza de Espag ñ a. 20 minutes in 40 degree heat didn't give it justice. But it was a bit further out from the centre of town where we were staying, and was a must see. Hence why we were transported straight ther...

So I joined a short 7 day Busabout tour. Sure I admit I am a bit older than their usual target age. But they are open to the young at heart still. Although Busabout is more known for it's younger target market there is no age limit. Just as long as you understand the style of travel they provide. Until now I had always seen them as just a bus pass provider. Their short tours are great addition for me as I'm not Contiki, and adamant that I'm also not An-tiq-ue. Plus the tour fit into my timetable (Le Tour bound) and goal of going south towards the Algarve.  Days 1 and 2, Lagos and the Algarve, were always going to be my highlight. Tour set out okay. First stop was a side trip for family photo on western most point of Europe before making for Lagos. Expectations we're quickly set for night 1. Dinner and drinking in the world of no responsible service of alcohol filled with bar staff with English and American accents. For those after a shirt there was the 9 shot ch...

I don't know how Portugal managed to discover anything. The first evidence encountered when I finally got out of the airport terminal says it was luck. I experienced what is probably the most moronic airport pick up and drop off area ever. Cars would just drive up and double park blocking lanes of free flowing cars. Uber drivers and dropping off locals causing chaos everywhere. They'd be just getting out and having a 5 minute chat whilst dropping off a friend, double parked next to a police car on a pedestrian crossing. That was the norm. The taxi queue was no better. It did not help that my airport bus service I chose to take (instead of the subway) was lost in translation. Big sign said every 20 minutes. Evidence said there hadn't a bus in 40minutes. Street art on the buildings  My overnight hotel was close to my departure for the mini tour I would do for the next week. Alas after booking flight I booked tour a tour to fit instead of other way around. So it's me...

Okay. So those who know me, know I've made many a mistake, and had many a problem in traveling before. Missed my connecting flight in Frankfurt. (I'm still sorry Darren) I've been lost in NY. Had my camera die on the first day transiting in Auckland. Had my nose broken in Hawaii.(Jason. Where ever you are I'm still grateful for your support after. Mum I still remember calling you from the emergency room in Hawaii!) Lost my phone in Bangkok. (still thank the Refill Now Hostel for their help after) Been chased by trannies in Chang Mai. Been left stranded in a bus terminal at night in Mobile, Alabama. (still not happy with you Greyhound. Or as I called you, My Dog Stumpy) Mugged in Phnom Penh, (Thanks Brett for being there in Singapore after) Locked out of my hotel at 1am in Val Cenis skiing (Mick, still one of my best ever trips. Thank you) Ended up with DVT after a flight from Vietnam, and Sprained my ankle skiing in Austria. (thanks for helping a...