Vikings Ahoy!

Swedish people are graceful, stylish and poised. Finnish people are downright wierd. This is what my three friends on the boat, Emma, Katie and Liz decided after one hell of a wild boat trip back from Helsinki to Stockholm.

The boat ride on Viking Line's Gabriella was quite fun. Given that my money is running incredibly low and Mr. American Express has sponsored my entire trip around Scandanavia, I decided only to get an "air seat" instead of a cabin for the 15 hour, overnight trip. It wasnt so bad, apart from arriving in Helsinki, after 15 hours, with a crook neck as a result of sleeping on the floor. The boat ride was tame enough, and I managed to curl up in a ball and block the world out with my ipod in my ears.

We arrived in Helsinki, greeted by perfect blue skies and surprising warmth. Helsinki is the capital of Finland but you would never know it. The place is extremely low key, and to be honest, there wasnt that much to do from a tourist perspective. I spent the day walking around the town, taking photos and enjoying the sunshine. I found my way out to the old Helsinki Olympic arena where the Olympics were held in 1952. I even snuck a peak inside the Finnair Stadium next door where I think I caught the Finland Football team training (Papparrazzi Kate made the most of the situation by pulling out her FujiFilm!).

Given that there are really only three major tourist sites in Helsinki, I found myself bored by 3pm. So I jumped back on the ship. It was then that I realised what kind of cruise I had joined.

People go on Viking Line cruises for a number of reasons. You have the people who are trying to get to their destination (whether it be Stockholm, Helsinki etc). You then have people like me, who use it as a good trip to see another country (despite being a 15 hour overnight trip). And then you have those Finnish and Swedish people that come on purely to party. Liz has one friend from Sweden who has taken this cruise yet has never seen Helsinki. Go figure.

You see, the Viking Line cruises go back and forth from Stockholm to Helsinki and back each day, but half way through, it stops (at some wee time of 4.30am in the morning= in the middle of the sea at a place called Mairenheim (spelling may be incorrect). Day trippers who buy return tickets can either stay on board or get off in Helsinki. Well, Marienheim is an independant state (as a result of being fought over by the Sweish and the Finns for centuries) and has the benefit of being a Tax Free Haven and not part of the European Union.

Well.

As a result, Viking Line sells duty free liquor to all on board.

This weekend was no different. Actually, it was apparently even more wilder. Firstly, it is May Day weekend, which is a huge celebration in Finland. Secondly, the entire country of Finland was on board from Helsinki to Stockholm to come and support Finland in the icehockey at the Globe (where I was the other night) because Sweden and Finland are matched up tonight and it is seen as the "Olympic Final Rematch". Finns believe that Sweden should never have won the gold medal the other month. Finnish people dont like Swedes. And to have the Swedes take the Gold Medal at their teams expense was a kick in the teeth of National Pride.

I booked myself a "day seat" ticket on the way back, but as a result of a really scary guy who tried to kiss me (I am not kidding - it was terrifying), Mr American Express convinced me that this boat ride wasnt going to be like the boat ride the night prior, and after the incident, Mr. Express bought me a ticket in a cabin of my own for security reasons.

I have never seen so many drunk Scandanavians in my life. Sober, Finlands population are quiet, subdued and reflective. Get them near Duty Free alcohol and they go completely nuts. It was hilarious.

Thankfully, I met Liz from Ireland only minutes after the cruise set sail, and then we came across possibly the only 2 other australian girls on boat. The rest of the night saw us girls killing ourselves laughing at the circus around us, and it was just the funniest night Ive experienced in a long while.

My time has run out on this computer, so I have to cut it short. But, for the Aussies reading, how bizzare is this - I walk down some street in Stockholm and who passes me other than THE Greg, one of the twins that won Big Brother Australia this year. Craziness!!!!

Im off to catch my plane to Glasgow. Will be back online once Ive settled back in Edinburgh.

Till then, goodbye Svenska!

Pictures of Sunny Stockholm

This was the Changing of the Guards Ceremony. I am beginning to realise that in Seden, everything is done with incredible pomp and ceremony!

Sunny Stockholm - not the best photo but it shows how beautiful and clean the place is.





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Another angle...
















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I was walking down the street when all of a sudden marching bands and army guys walk past... another example of random pomp and ceremony. This apparently occurs three times a week..

Lets Get Ready To Rumbllllllllllllllllllllllllllllle!

My laptop battery has gone flat so these photos are direct from my camera, so they may still be a little dark. It was extremely hard to catch the guys because they moved so fast on the ice but I still came up with a few good shots. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, because it was so different to watch the crowd behave. While Australians go absolutely mental all throughout the game, the Swedish crowd seemed to only perk up every time someone tried for a shot, or if there was a fight.. he he he

Sweden won... of course.

Hockey one, hockey two...



FIGHT!!!!!! he he he Alright boys, break it up... (I wonder if the Czech guy feels a little intimidated?)

The Swedish Crowd (I so badly wanted one of those fluffy Swedish wigs...)

The Butterfly Garden

I am loving this hostel. Apart from the fact that it is the cleanest hostel I have stayed in, it also has free internet with a USB port. That means that I can upload my photos for you straight away, instead of having to take them back to Edinburgh and then upload them in the internet cafe.

Today I spent another day walking Stockholm and boy, do my feet hurt! Today I went to some more museums (there are plenty here!), including the Dance Museum (re the history of Swedish Ballet), the Royal Treasury (where all the Crown Jewels are kept), a few Sculpture museams and then some more walking around. I then took a 15 min bus out of Stockholm city to the Hadaparken which is where the Butterfly Garden is. See attached for a couple of photos I managed to get of the butterflies (they were pretty hard to photograph!).

Another Day in Stockhom

Well I wake up this morning to requests for more information about the robbery. As you will see from my entry below, from the local news, the robber wasnt actually in the building. So despite all of the fan fare, the robber had already gotten away and we were all standing around being nosy for no bloody good reason. I think it is just hilarious that I happened to be right in the middle of it, minding my own business...

Still, what an amazing experience to have seen on my first day in Sweden. Yes, the first thing that you notice about Sweden are its gorgeous men. The men are very very very good looking. And surprisingly, I thought that I would be walking down the road surrounded by gorgeous Greta Garbos too, however, it doesnt appear to be the case. Either the gorgeous Swedish girls were working or getting manicures, but I cant say there were as many as I thought there would be. And of course, from my photos, you will see that in order to join the Swedish police force, you have to be six foot something, tanned with a fabulous bone structure. Lets just say I wasnt too concerned about taking photos of the crime scene. I was merely there to document what a fine job the Swedish police were doing in protecting its citizens, oh, and an random aussie tourist. I suspect that the one that is standing with his hands on his hips knew full well that I was taking photos of him. I do have a few more photos of his back end too, but figured it would be more appropriate to hand them out to those who request them... heehe

Anyway, I have actually been doing SOME site seeing whilst in Stockholm. Yesterday, it took me quite a while to get the hang of the map, because Stockhom is infact a combination of 14 islands, all connected by a myriad of bridges and overpasses. I went and saw the Changing of the Swedish Guards at the Royal Palace )they were quite cute, but a little young for my liking) and then I went and had a walk around the historic area of Gamla Stan. I then wandered around for ages looking for a Tourist Information Centre, where I then purchased my "Stockholm Card". This entitles me to free entry into all of the museums, free boat rides, free buses and the like. That said, I have noticed that most of the museums I have attended have been free anyway, so I will be quite surprised if I make up the money I spent in purchasing the darn card. Nevertheless, yesterday I took a boat trip around Stockholm, and then I wandered around the National Museum of Fine Art. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Museum, and found a wide collection of Rembrandt, Rubens, Cezanne and many others. That then led me to the Robbery, which I stumbled across on my way home to the hostel.

Tonight is going to be an incredibly exciting night for me. Given that Sweden is the reigning Olympic Ice Hockey Champions, I have embraced my motto of "When In Rome..." by purchasing a ticket to the European LG Ice Hockey Games!!! Yes, I will be going to see Sweden play the Czech Republic at the Sweden Globe Arena.... sadly, I will be doing it alone, but hey, I would rather be there alone than miss out on a great opportunity like this. And because I purchased a single ticket, I have managed to score an awesome seat, three rows up right in the centre stands of the arena. I hope I get some guys face all mashed up against the perspex right in front of me!!!

Word is that this weekend it is the Swedish Kings birthday. I am staying here til Saturday, however I only booked three nights here in Stockholm to give myself room to change cities if I want. Anyway, I would have loved to see the festivities, except rumour has it that all accommodation is booked out from tomorrow night onwards.... and I doubt I will get a bed.

SO!

Never one to miss an opportunity, I have decided to take an overnight ferry across to Helsinki, Finland and spend the day there. The ferry costs the same as it would be buy a room in a hostel, so I may as well use the opportunity to my advantage and check Finland out while I am in the area. Make hay while the sun shines, they say.

So without further ado, I am heading off to spend another day in sunny Stockholm, take a wander through the Royal Palace and Apartments, go and see some more museums and go and purchase my ticket to Finland.

Til then, keep looking at those gorgeous Swedish men, because I can assure you, I am!

The Local News Report

Robbery in central Stockholm
Published: 25th April 2006 19:32 CET

A masked man armed with a pistol held up a jewelry store on Stockholm's Kungsgatan at five thirty on Tuesday evening.

Police sealed off part of the road, one of the busiest shopping street's in the capital, fearing that the man could still be inside.

People coming out of restaurants and shops in the sealed-off part of the street were told by police to go back inside.

Around 25 police cars were ordered to the scene. Staff in the affected store were said to be shocked and an ambulance was ordered to the scene to help them.

The robber was said by police to be around 25, 180 cm (5 feet, 9 inches) and thin in his build. Witnesses said he was wearing black jeans, a black waist-length jacket, dark gym shoes and a balaclava.



James Savage

http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=3649&date=20060425&PHPSESSID=56d532d5a88fad5a4f5d612cead92e6d

Dont Shoot!!! I´m A Tourist!!!!

Stockholm, Sweden - the Lonely Planet describes it as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I agree, but for perhaps reasons that I would not usually consider a city "beautiful". Venice is beautiful. Paris is beautiful. To some people, Stockholm may appear boring. It doesnt have the colours or the atmosphere that the aformentioned places have. However, it has a pure, clean and unassuming beauty about it.

So I was now going to post a whole lot of photos that I took around Stockholm, to show you exactly what I mean. I was on my way back to the hostel to do so when I heard a screech, a loud horn blast and police sirens. I managed to dive out of the way of two police vans packed full of Swedish police, however, when I walked a couple of metres ahead and around the corner, I found myself in the middle of a crime scene!!!!

Yes. I was one of the first on the scene of a real life Swedish bank heist. The Forex was being held up and I was lucky to get a birds eye view of what was going on. Like a real rubber necker, I pulled out the camera and Papparazi Kate was back.

Check out the photos below for some real life police action, live from Stockholm Sweden.

Amazing Amisfield

Amisfield, Dumfries in the south west of Scotland is surely one of my favourite places in the world. The country beauty here is unmatched, where life is simple and the air is fresh. I have fond memories of being here in 2001, and despite being away for over five years, it feels like I was here only yesterday. This time however, the grass is green rather than covered with snow. The paddocks are filled with newly born calves and lambs, all snuggling close to their mothers. Rabbits, pheasants and chirping birds cohabitate, and only scurry off when the Johnstone's three gorgeous labradors lumber through the fields.

Maureen and Andrew are close friends of my parents and are blessed with almost 400 acres of land here in Dumfries. The other half of Amisfield is owned by the other half of Andrew's family, and has been handed down over generations and generations of the Johnstone family. Here, the land is lush and the farming industry this season will be prosperous.

All day today, Maureen and I worked around the farmhouse, clearing out the gardens, riding around on the four-wheeled bike checking on the stock, and running around with Buffy, Mun and Jake (the dogs). We then took a drive to Maureen's mother's house in another town, and we would have taken the top off the BMW, had the wind not been still a little chilly. Maybe tomorrow!




Mun and Buffy






Buffy, watching the young Mun race off into the distance





We took the dogs into the forest, another part of the Johnstone estate.









Maureen and Andrew keep the old farmhouse in such good condition, and has placed pots around the yard so that now in Spring, everything is in bloom.





Waking up to a misty morning outside my bedroom window.






A photo of Maureen's gorgeous mother and I. She is so tiny, that she came barely up to my waist! So adorable!







Maureen's little toy - new BMW M3, which we took out for a spin this afternoon.

Always Trust Your Sister - She Knows You Best

I love my sister. I do. Too much. It hurts me every day to be away from her. However, her response to a few of my blog readers' comments shows exactly why she is truly my best friend. She knows me well. Despite all of the obvious (and correct) criticisms I have received for the recent choices I have made, she knows exactly what is going on and why I have done it.

As for the comments that Anonymous left, I know he only did it to be intentionally provocative. Shell, you fell into the trap. Annie, you hit the nail on the head.

Annie knows my passion for law.

She knows that I lived and breathed it for over nine years, not just because I had to but because I loved to.

You dont go and be as successful as I have been without have some form of obsession.

She knew that the pressures in Australia were not necessarily work related - only my sister can understand what those pressures were.

I got tired of law because I got tired. Not because I was tired of law.

Those who really know me know that I simply cant sit and do nothing with my life. And those four days selling tartan made me realise that this had nothing to do with money. It had a lot to do with WHO I AM and what I need to be happy. Annie is right. I need structure. I need progression. And this job has given me exactly that, with the added bonus of being able to travel.

Oh, and I am a paralegal, not a lawyer. For those that know the difference, its a big one. I wont be having to reach billing targets. I will be researching and typing etc. I have not got a job as a lawyer per se.

Finally, I cant believe I am even having to explain myself here.

One thing I have learnt in the last month (which has been such a staggering amount!) is that this is my life. My choices.

I've landed on my feet. And I'm loving life for the first time in a long while.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me. This trip is as much about giving back to you all, as much as it is about finding out about me.

xoxoxox

k

I Am Gainfully Employed!

Sometimes things happen in my life when I have to sit back and think "why does this happen to me?" Not in a negative way, but a positive way? In the grand scheme of things, I have been so lucky in life. Pretty much everything I have touched has turned to gold. For whatever reason, good things happen to me.

Well I now have a job. Not just any job, but with Scotland's No. 1 law firm, Dundas + Wilson. I met with them at 2.30pm yesterday, and at 9.05am this morning the recruiter called to say that they were offering me a position with them, and for £5,000 more than they initially indicated they would be prepared to offer the role for. I go in and sign a six month fixed term contract (with an option for renewal) at 2pm today.

Dundas & Wilson is a massive firm, and it is in a group called "The Big Four". In Sydney, we have "Top Tier" and in London they have "The Magic Circle". It just means the big firms that deal with all of the big companies. And given that Edinburgh is the UK's financial capital, clients include all of the big investment banks etc. Only this month, Dundas & Wilson was voted as No. 1 firm in the Who's Who Law Firm of the Year Awards 2006!! Anyway, enough of blowing their trumpet (surely there will be enough stuck up lawyers in there to do the job for me)....

So, I've now arrived in Edinburgh, not knowing where life was heading, have been approached by Dundas, and start on 2 May. I was going to come here and see what fate dished me. I didnt even know if I wanted to stay in law...

But here I am, and now I have a week to do nothing... OR a week to do SOMETHING!

Given the salary level which I will be paid, I have decided that I am going to go somewhere in Europe for 5 days. Why not?! I figure I can just whack the holiday and the credit card and pay it off.....

Wow... life is great.

Just Go Along For the Ride!

Ever since I got the phone call from the recruiter this morning, my life has been madness. Seeing I start on 2 May, I have been busily trying to find a place to go for the week. Unfortunately, given there is a UK public holiday on 1 May, people seem to have snapped up all of the cheap tickets to the idealyic destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Italy. SO!

I've taken a chance and booked a cheap flight to Stockholm, Sweden. Sweden is apparently one of the safest places in Europe, so what better way than to relax in what is said to be one of the most beautiful (albeit a little cold) cities in the world! Its all going on the trusty credit card for now, but at least I can say that it will now be paid for as soon as the pay check rolls in.

A Feast Fit For A King

Last night, a whole group of us created a feast in the hostel kitchen. Was delish-us! Luckily, Serg was at the helm, and as he is a chef, the meal turned out well.

I have a further interview with Dundas today. Very very nervous! Will write up the details when I get back from the meeting. WISH ME LUCK!

K

A Day Trip to Lauriston Castle

Yesterday, I went on a little day trip to Lauriston, an old castle three miles out of Edinburgh. It was a nice, quiet day in the sunshine and it was finally good to get away on my own. Lauriston Castle was built in the 16th Century and has lovely grounds, including a field where oldies get to play croquet by the river side. Heaven!

Soul Searching

I have pulled the reigns on my hectic life and the result unforuntunately has seen my serotonin levels plumment. Too much alcohol, too much misbehaving and not enough time to let it all sink in. Depression has rolled in. I'm in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Scotland. That's scary. So in an attempt to get away from the hostel merry-go-round and to find some Shangri-La, I am heading down to Dumfries to see Andrew and Maureen (good family friends. I'm slowly getting sick of living there, with no privacy, with a whole lot of over-sexed mid-twenty year olds bedhopping around like no tomorrow.

I am meeting with the firm tomorrow so fingers crossed that they like me and want to give me a chance. It wont be a serious law job - they are looking for an aussie lawyer to do some paralegal work, get the hang of the strange IR laws here in Scotland, who may potentially want to come on board later on. It will be strictly 9-5 stuff, which is good for me!!!

And my money is running out. Fast.

Oh, and to make my day worse, I sneak out to the internet cafe in my shabby clothes and who do I walk past? D and his construction mates. Bugger. Needless to say, I went over and chatted, then promised I'd call D after I get back from Dumfries.

Love to all,

oh, and check out www.charlottes-corner.blogspot.com

HOW CUTE!

A Day Out In Edinburgh

The day the skies produced hail!
















The view from Old Town looking to New Town











Carlton Hill, one of the most widely recognised views in Britain.
















The Beautiful Skyline of Edinburgh from Carlton Hill


















Edinburgh - The Tourist Town

















This kid had to have been the funniest little guy I have ever met. He makes an absolute FORTUNE performing on the street each day.

A Day At The Sea

There are two types of travellers in Edinburgh. Firstly, there are the travellers that who get caught up in the madness of the first week, and continue to be mad until they leave. Then there's the other type. The type that get caught up in the madness of the first week and then realise that it is completely and utterly soul (and health) destroying. That type usually tone it down and begin to do things normally, like sleep at night, and sight see in the day.

Oh lord, I hope I am the second type.

I think I am.

I really need to be.

Edinburgh is one wild place. I know I keep saying it but it is true. I have never been to a place which is continually partying. Maybe in London, but in Edinburgh it is more obvious, because it is a lot more compact. For the first type, the day is simply a means to pass the time until the night comes along and more drinking can begin. Unfortunately, my body is at maximum overload and I think it is time for me to hang up the drinking boots, just for a few days. I feel like I have lived whatever I have missed out on in the last six years, in a matter of six days.

Cara and I decided that we would have an alcohol free day and finally get out and see some of what Edinburgh and the surrounding areas have to offer. Like two sun-searching Aussies, we caught a train out to North Berwick, which is Edinburhg's closest thing to a beach side resort. You will see from my pictures that it is not quite what us Aussies call a "beach", but it still had sand, water and a nice, happy atmosphere to boot.

Cara and I finally got to enjoy a day in the sunshine, where we wandered around the beach, listening to the waves, smelling the sea air and just generally enjoying the peace and quiet (as opposed to the thump thump of techno music). After a great day out, Cara and I made a pact that we would not longer fall into the gastly trap of Edinburgh, and that we would always take these days out to remind us of what we are really here for.


Not quite beach, but water nonetheless!

























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Cara, like a true Cronulla girl, finally touches her first "not so real" wave since leaving home in December.

















Awww.. one of the North Berwick locals.