More BTCC Photos!

Grrr..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3086

Its forecast for heavy showers on Sunday, the day I wanted to do the Railway trip.

Ah well. Will just have to wear my raincoat.

Let There Be Light!

I think the sun is coming out again... trying not to get too excited about it, but after a couple of weeks of "glumness", things are hopefully changing.

The good news is that I have decided to take this Monday coming off and go up to Fort William and Mallaig, up in the Highlands, for a bit of R&R, "me time", and some photography.

Fort William (Gaelic: An Gearasdan, "The Garrison") is the largest town in the west highlands of Scotland. Originally based around the still-extant village of Inverlochy, the town lies at the southern end of the Great Glen, on the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil. It is close to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and the beautiful Glen Nevis. The town is a major tourist centre with Glen Coe just to the south, and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. It is an important centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and other mountains. - Wikipedia,

Check out the link to the Ben Nevis webcam! http://www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk/webcam/ When I posted this, it looked incredibly gloomy and rainy and the forecast is much the same for the next week, but lets pray for good weather anyway!

The two reasons why I am heading up here are:

The West Highland Railway: The West Highland Railway is said to be one of the greatest railway trips of the world and I planned on doing this trip when I was last in Scotland in 2001 but due to blizzards, the trip had to be cancelled. I will hope to do the last part of the ride, from Fort William to Mallaig. I will be taking the (rather costly, but unforgettable) stream train there and back.



Eileen Donan Castle: This castle was used in the Highlander and is one of the more recognisable castles in Britain. Lots of photo opportunities and a chance just to relax and take in the beauty of Scotland (rather than be at home being miserable).

Do Not Panic!

Yes, I am going through a tough time at the moment. But dont panic. I am okay. Once the drugs kick in, the sun will begin to shine again :)

Sadness

The Black Dog Blues

Mr. Black Dog is wandering around in my 'hood. Yup. He's back. I can sense that he is sniffing around looking to cause trouble but I have to do everything in my power to show him who's boss here. He wasnt supposed to come to Scotland with me but it appears that he slipped into my suitcase secretly.

Its okay, I'm not dillusional. Just being silly. Sad, and silly.

This too shall pass...

Mistake?

Maybe I was a little too quick to announce my undying love for the Boy. EC is right. I have been experiencing The Now, and its now that I have come to realise that reality is a lot different to the fairytale. Dont get me wrong, i feel very strongly about him - more than I have any one in my entire life. But every since actually thinking (and declaring publicaly) that maybe Edinburgh could be somewhere I could settle down, I've completely gone and freaked out, spent too much time worrying about leaving my family and worried about hurting the Boy if I was to ever change my mind. You see, once you think about the impossible being possible, it opens up your mind to a lot of things. I am sure the Boy wont mind me saying this here on the blog, because it is exactly what I've been saying lately, but I cant imagine not going home to Australia. Its where my family is. Its my home. I have a great career there. I have my friends too. Did I make a mistake by getting too involved with someone here? Am I going to have to hurt the Boy by choosing my family and my home over him? If I cant imagine being without my family, does that mean I have to stop being with the Boy now because its not like we are really going to have a future? Or is this a case of "just live for now". Or am I just worrying too much and getting myself into a tizz over this for no reason? I'm such a worrier. An over-analyser. Ugh.

One thing is for sure is that I have chosen not to go to Canada. The decision was made because of so many other reasons than just the Boy. The big factor was the idea that if I was to go to Canada, I wasnt going to be able to see my family until maybe May. And I couldnt handle that. I miss them. I want to go and see them.

So it looks as though Africa will be something I will do, even if it is for a couple of weeks, maybe a month and a half. And then maybe back to the UK - Edinburgh. Maybe London. I dont know. I've realised that my adventure really is only beginning. I've only been away from home for five months.

I just hope I dont hurt the Boy in the process. I'd never ever want to do that, because he is so special to me.

Could This Really Be Me?

When I think about amazing experiences in Canada, sure, I think about skiing down a slope in Canada feeling the wind on my face and enjoying the space around me. But I also think of the loud music, the copious amount of alcohol and sharing a room with a stranger for six months.

When I think of Africa... I cant put my mind to it because it is so special, so beyond my imagination. Its something that I have always wanted to do but never imagined I could do it. But here I am, looking through guide books and thinking "I could really do this".

African Contrasts - 49 Days

Days 1-6 Nairobi, Masai Mara, Narok, Naivasha, Namanga, Arusha

Days 7-13 Ngorongoro Crater, Mto Wa Mbu, Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, East/North Coast, Stone Town

Days 14-20 Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park, Mbeya, Lake Malawi Beaches

Days 21-27 Lilongwe, Lusaka, Livingstone, Victoria Falls

Days 28-34 Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Maun, Grootfontein, Etosha National Park

Days 35-41 Cheetah Farm, Outjo, Cape Cross, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Sesriem, Namib Naukluft Park

Days 42-49 Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Springbok, Cedarberg Wilderness Area, Cape Town



HIGHLIGHTS
Kenya
-Nairobi
-Masai Mara - Park Entrance and Game Drives Included
-The Rift Valley
-Naivasha
-Lake Naivasha

Tanzania -Arusha
-Ngorongoro Crater - Park Entrance & Game Drive Included
-Dar es Salaam
-Return Ferry to Zanzibar
-North/East Coast Beaches
-Mikumi National Park

Malawi
-Karongo
-Lake Malawi
-Lake Malawi Beaches
-Lilongwe

Zambia -Lusaka
-Victoria Falls
-Livingstone

Zimbabwe
-Victoria Falls

Botswana
-Kasane
-Chobe National Park - Park Entrance, Game Drive and Boat Cruise Included
-Maun
-Okavango Delta - 3 Day 2 Night Delta Excursion Included
-Francistown

Namibia -Rundu & Kavango River
-Etosha National Park - 2 Day Park Entrance and 4 Game Drives Included
-Cheetah Farm
-Cape Cross Seal Colony
-Swakopmund
-Namib Naukluft National Park
-Fish River Canyon
-Orange River

South Africa -Cedarberg Wilderness Area
-Stellenbosch
-Cape Town

www.kumuka.com - African Adventures

Haagen Dasz

I tried to solve my issues by eating a whole tub of Haagen Dasz Strawberry Cheesecake Icecream....

The issues are still there... and I've gained a belly ache.

:)

Ughhh

My dream was to travel. My dream was never to "travel to Canada".

Maybe I should take two months off to travel instead of six months in Canada.

Thinking...

Okay, so I am back thinking that I may just go to Canada for six months.

What is six months? Its only six months.

This is something I want to do. Canada is something I want to do.

I'll be okay.

Disorientated

Looking for a different space
Searching for my inner place
Out of patience out of balance out of time
Out of breath out of focus these shapes in my mind

Who is this face I see
Why is this happening to me
Out of patience out of balance out of time
Out of breath out of focus these shapes in my mind

Things are changing
So much arranging of my life
I must take hold
I'll keep on spinning until I find myself again

So I woke up and there's the moon
Seems to have risen just a little soon
But who's calling out my name anyway?

I'm disorientated
I'm trying not to be jaded
When it's all so complicated
'cause I'm a little disorientated

Walking in a different space
Looking back just incase
Out of patience out of balance out of time
Out of breath out of focus these shapes in my mind

Love is forever
hate was in the never
Out of patience out of balance out of time
Out of breath out of focus these shapes in my mind

Things are changing
so much arranging of my life
I must take hold
I'll keep on spinning until I find myself again

So I woke up and there's the clock
it was ticking backwards had I forgot
But what day is it anyway

I'm disorientated
I'm trying not to be jaded
When it's all so complicated
'Cause I'm a little disorientated

Things are changing
so much arranging of my life
I must take hold
I'll keep on spinning until I find myself again

So I woke up and saw the sun
Seems like my life has just begun
How 'bout I start it today anyway

Delta Goodrem

So confused

ARGH!

I am so confused. I dont know what to do.

Shelley is right. I cant give up my dreams because of one person who "seems" right at the moment. However, my reasons for not wanting to leave Edinburgh go deeper than just the Boy. Its about my home, my wonderful friends who I have gained from being here... the minute I stepped into Edinburgh, before I met the Boy, I knew that this place could be my home.

But now that I have a seed of doubt as to whether I really want to go to Canada, I am afraid that when I do go to Canada, I will always have it in my mind that I didnt really want to go.

Why did I put Canada on my life of things to do? This idea of Canada only arose in July, when I decided that it would be fun...

Can I possibly "trade" Canada in for maybe Africa, where I would only spend two months away rather than six. Africa has always been well and truly top on my life of things I have always wanted to do....

I am so fecking confused.

Love And Stuff

I've been so reluctant to talk about the Boy on this blog. This blog was to be about my travels, documenting the amazing experiences that I encounter whilst being away. Well, its time that I 'fessed up. The Boy has been the most amazing thing to happen to me since arriving here in Edinburgh. We have been together for two months and for the first time ever in my life, I'm not afraid to think about being with this person on a long term basis.. possibly even forever. I've found someone that I completely adore, respect, and... yep, it could be love.

Now I need to open the topic up for commment - do I go to Canada for six months, or do I give it up, go back home for a month and travel to Africa on the way home, and then come back to Edinburgh to look at settling down here on a more permanent basis? Is Canada really want I want? Is it worth giving up what I have here - a life where I am so completely happy, in order to go and spend the winter with strangers in a snow resort?

I guess this is another part of life... finding a balance by making decisions for your future, without giving up your dreams...

The Next Big Thing

One word - Kasabian. I'm tipping these guys to be the next Oasis (okay, without the whole crash and burn thing midway through their rock careers). If Kasabian attracts 100 people who havent heard of them to each of their concerts, and play like they played last night, then I suspect they are going to get big - fast.

Kasabian are from Leicester and will be supporting the Stones for their UK tour this coming September. So, Kasabian are very well known here in the UK, but my guess is that Kasabian are going to get a lot bigger than the UK. Their sound was amazing. They are a cross between Jet, Oasis, plus a bit of dance/pop. Crazy, but it seriously works!

I'd gone into the concert completely cold, having only heard excerpts of their music quickly on the way to their concert. However, once the lights when down and the bass kicked in and the crowd went wild, I knew I was in for a big night. What people had told me was true - once you hear Kasabian live, you will be a fan for life. Check out a review at www.bbc.co.uk/music/rockandalt/reviews/kasabian_kasabian.shtml and if you get a chance to listen to some of their stuff, do it.

Champions League Qualifier 3

On Thursday night, I went to see one of Edinburgh's football teams, Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) play in their Champions League Qualifier against AEK Athens are Murrayfield Stadium (yes, home of course to Scottish Rugby.. go figure!). It was an entertaining night but man, Scottish football fans are scary people when their team loses. You see, appreciation of sport in the UK is completely different to that in Australia. In Australia, we encourage our sports teams, whether or not they win. At the end of the game, most fans of an Australian team will congratulate their team on playing their best, despite losing. Here in Scotland, one slip up by their team's players can cause a barrage of terrible comments directed at the offending player. Some of the foul language that was used was unbelievable! Then, because the Hearts were well and truly losing ten minutes before the game ended, the whole stadium pretty much got up and left. Only a quarter of the stadium were left to clap them off the field. I couldnt believe the crowd's attitude. I will never understand that passion behind football in Britain.

It looked like a promising scoreline until....










... finger pointing begun..."Ref, he just pinched my bottom!".....











....the players began their own congo line....

..."MAN DOWN, MAN DOWN!"....










..."KICK IT TO ME!"....










...the scoreline soon changed.

Festival Freaks

The Festivals are now in full swing in Edinburgh. But "festivals", I mean, the various festivals that are currently being held here in this amazing city. Edinburgh is dubbed the "Festival City of Europe" because of its numerous festivals held at this time of the year - There's, of course, the famous Fringe Festival, the International Film Festival, the International Book Festival, the Jazz and Blues Festival, T on the Fringe (Music Festival) plus others. To be part of this, to witness this and feel the buzz in the air is something I wont forget in a hurry.

Thousands of performers descend of the city to show the world their skills - comedians, street performers, magicians, actors, artists, and just plain freaks. Here's a sample of some of the characters walking around town at the moment.


Freaky Pierced Woman sticking a walking stick through her tongue (no, really).
















Cheery Tall Guy
















Is that Willy Wonka painted in gold?

















Clan Wallace - If I had these guys running at me, beating drums and holding axes, I'd be pretty freaked out too (hence the defeat of the English many centuries back!)

Freaks..cont...

People will do anything to make you laugh....











People will WEAR anything to make you laugh.















One of the funniest comedians I've seen in a long time! "Various" from Detroit.
















Some wacked-out drug-taking pyromaniac chick.

My Flatmates...

This is Kristy, from England.
















This is Jules, from Scotland.

There's no photo of Georgie, my other flatmate, but I'm determined to get one of her soon!






Our "model" pose.










Our "normal pose"












Kristy and her "model" pose.

Kylie Is In Town!

"On Saturday night, little Kylie, who truly is made of porcelain and takes up marginally less space than a mobile phone, flew up from London with her two-strong management team to see Finding Marina at the Royal Botanic Garden, performed by young victims of Sri Lanka's civil war.

From there she walked straight past a lurking photographer who somehow failed to notice her getting into the black limo behind him, and made a bee-line to Finding Marina director Toby Gough's other show, a Cuban dance spectacular called Havana Rumba! which is playing to sell-out audiences at Assembly's St George's West."

(http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/festivalvulture/kylie_big.jpg)

Last night, my flatmates and I went to Havana Rumba, a little known Cuban production which has exploded onto the Edinburgh set thanks to an impromptu appearance by none other than the Pop Princess herself on opening night. She wasnt there last night, but the sexy Cuban dancers were. What a top night!

Edinburgh is Rocking!

Edinburgh is seriously rocking right now. The Fringe has begun and thousands of tourists have descended on the city to experience anything and everything to do with culture, arts, dance, theatre, music and comedy. There is this indescribable "buzz" at the moment and the weather is fantastic. And I'm stuck in the office. At lunch, I popped up to pick up the tickets for the couple of shows I have booked - Havana Rumba (a cuban music night) which is on tonight, Michael Franti next wednesday and some comedy show about a New Zealand backpacker which is on Saturday.

And at the moment, there is so much to photograph!

The Edinburgh Tattoo Preview - 3 August 2006

Well, it had to have been one of the best experiences of my time away... attending the Edinburgh Tattoo has been (yet another) dream of mine.. and it was everything I thought it would be and more. We were lucky to have fantastic seats, so we were able to see all of the formations and see Edinburgh Castle in the background. Was just another amazing experience to add to my already long list of amazing experiences. It was extremely difficult to photograph given the slow shutter speed and high exposure film I had to use, but thought I did okay! More photos to come later.

Edinburgh Tattoo In Pictures

Edinburgh Tattoo Is On Tonight

I cant believe I am going to be here tonight!

Back On Track...

I feel much happier this week. I feel like I have got my 'mojo' back... okay, maybe not my 'mojo' (seeing I am not even quite sure what a 'mojo' really is) but I am back to being quite chirpy and merry about the world around me.

Much of my day now consists of:

1) thinking about Canada;
2) eating pistachio nuts (ive developed a love for these things!);
3) planning which events of the Edinburgh Fringe my friends and I are going to attend - including Michael Franti and Xavier Rudd, some salsa Cuban show, Kasabian (some good Scottish band?!) and the Lady Boys of Bangkok...

Not to mention the Edinburgh Tattoo tomorrow night. So excited! The Boy and I got tickets to go and see it, so yes, we are going out tomorrow night together. It will be our first outing since "becoming just friends" so we will see how it goes. We also intend to go and see the Fringe Parade, the annual parade down Princes Street on Sunday which has floats for all of the events that occur for the Festival. It sure is a very exciting time for Edinburgh. I will try and take loads of photos. Apparently there is a competition for the best spectator photo for the Tattoo. Will see how much photos turn out and if there are any good ones, I may enter.

Anyhoo, I better get back to work. Did I mention that I really hate doing pensions work?!?

K

Another Fab TravelBlog Entry...!

http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Whistler-Village/blog-71938.html

Yeeha!If Matell ever decided to build Barbie a town to match her ski equipped SUV it would no doubt look much like Whistler does now. Such a well planned village with near perfect log cabins built alongside. Whistler and Whistler Creek would surely spoil that hard working Barbie and her token friends with its pretentious glory and spotless appearance. I am not sure how, but the town is nearly too neat to the extent that you forget you are not dreaming while there…. Ah that’s the magic!

Money drips from the walls here and it is probably for the best as there are few places you can go in the Village that doesn’t cost a fortune (plus tip) to visit. Even the internet cafes that lowly backpackers visit tend to be at least five times more expensive than you would find in the city! Its hard to imagine writing home much if I lived here! The clubs are far better than the mishmash rubbish found in Vancouver, and even the Bears know when to smile for the camera’s and when to run from hungry tourists.

The mountain is absolutely epic and probably worth the 100 bucks it will cost you for a days Classic Whistler, still going strong well into May...riding and eating, but for those dedicated to the cause there is absolutely no excuse for not getting there. Steal a ticket. Pawn your girlfriends underwear, GET THERE!!!.............

Whistle Me Whistler!

I hope Kiwidane doesnt mind me using his travel blog (http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Whistler-Blackcomb/blog-48024.html), but check out his written piece about Whistler, which is going to be my new home as of November:

So everyone has been telling me how great Whistler is. And I was like, yeah, alright, I have been to quite a few great ski resorts so how much better can it really get?

Well, a lot it seems. Whistler is like a fairy tale little village where every street and house has been perfectly architectually drawn. The ski area itself is over 8200 acres of both well groomed pistes and some great powder off trails. All in between the most beautiful majestic pine trees. In short, this heaven.

The first day on the slopes I was like a little kid on Christmas day. Up and down (mostly down :-) ) the slopes, I was literally the last person on the mountain when all the lifts closed. So, today I am paying for it. Every muscle in my body is aching. Think I forgot it had been nearly a year. Luckily for me, the one thing I have learnt from my coach Frank is: The only thing that heals muscle ache is just get out there and do it again. So, bright and early I got out of bed this morning, ready to take on the mountain again. And then something magical happend.
O Canada Full Image


As I was walking to the lift, coffee in one hand, skis in the other and a big grin on my face, it started snowing. Not little snowflakes that come flying at 100miles an hour, but big beautiful flakes that fell slowly on the ground and formed a soft white carpet. Making the world around you slow down and go all quiet. Moments like those, you just want to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming.

So is Whistler really that perfect? Well, yes, I guess the problem is that it is too perfect. It is not real. The houses and the streets are too nice, too perfect, too unreal. However, you forget all that when you are flying down the mountain, wind in your hair, powder under your feet. That is real. And that's what makes it all worth it. Life doesnt get any better than this.