Now I think I’m into a pattern: wake at 6, organise, shower, dress, breakfast, repack suitcase, suitcase out, finish organization and write up blog, pack backpack and then wait in the lobby and write up paper diary. I just have to make sure it works!
Today we leave Rovaniemi.
We set off at 9, amazingly because EVERYONE was on time. We headed out going north and very quickly arrived at Santa Claus Village. Here we were allocated one hour and fifteen minutes and I blew half an hour in filling out forms for some young people to get Santa letters. My credit card got hot paying for it.
After that it was a quick look around. The Arctic Circle marker, according to my GPS, is out by one second – you can see it next to the line (but I don’t know if you can read the display). Santa’s shop, Santa, all the other shops and the other attractions all got cursory looks (except for the important place when travelling – the gents’) and very soon it was back onto the bus and off we went.
Just before midday we got to Sodankyla where we stopped to look at a very old wooden church. It was surrounded by a fence to keep the animals out (unlike in Perth, at Pinaroo, where the wildlife lives inside and you can’t use fresh flowers as the kangaroos eat them!) and quite nice inside. However the church wasn’t open, so we only admired the outside. Back on the bus, others had had a different show as there were three inebriated Finns in the little park next door and some were seeing if they could still ride their bikes (just) while others just relived themselves to the amusement of the women on the bus.
We headed into the town for lunch. This involved a drive of about eight hundred metres and we saw the commercial centre as we went past. Some had sandwiches at the place we stopped, but others (including me) went back to the supermarket and got various goodies there to eat and drink. I had mine on the way back, but the plastic bags supplied for carrying (no, I didn’t have my GREEN bags with me – even though mine are red) were too weak and I ended up carrying things, while walking and drinking.
Back at base while finishing off and waiting, I got into discussion with a lady from South Africa. She is the only one from South Africa on the tour, and we had an interesting time talking about driving in remote areas and zoos.
Back on the bus and sitting with Keith (now my buddy for the trip), we headed off to Tankavaara. Along the way it showered, but in general the weather was fine and warm, reaching up to 18°C. Along the way we saw a lot of reindeer, many houses and farms (and a lot of holiday houses) and many lakes. The general scenery was light forest (pine, birch and occasionally spruce) with meadows spread sparsely along the way, occasional peat bogs and many lakes (small through to huge). The roads were in good condition and there was little traffic.
At Tankavaara we went to a Gold-mining museum which not only had information on gold rushes in the local area but also those through the rest of the world. Australia featured in two displays, one in an alcove and one on a pinboard. I couldn’t resist and left them a koala stickpin to put with them, so if anyone visits this museum in the future, look on the pinboard display to see if the koala appears (it’s opal on gold, about one centimetre high). After a good look around we headed off for our resting place for the night, at Saariselka. We drove straight through the town to a scenic lookout on the other side, from where we could see the town and also through to Russia.
Back in the town we got off at the Holiday Club and got allocated our rooms. As soon as I got to mine I set up the laptop and found Internet access was FREE! I got on line and then my suitcase appeared (I find it hard that a porter brings my suitcase to the room – and will pick it up in the morning). I processed the photos from today, then went to upload them. There is no such thing as a free lunch, so access was slow. I walked down to the supermarket and had a look around before coming back and finding that the photos were still uploading. When they finished, we all headed off for tea.
That was included today, and was a buffet, so I made up for the nights we will not have. I sat with the tour leader for the other group (now included in ours) and we chatted about seeing places and the way we coped with travel and its restrictions. Most seem to find it hard to realise that I post this, and the photos, each night when I can, and she was fascinated with where I will be going after. The conversation continued on our way back and then I finished writing this, did my washing (I’m keeping up with it at the moment, but may wash my trousers in a capital when I see a laundrette) and then headed off to bed as we leave at 8 tomorrow morning. This isn’t too bad as we leave at 5:30 the day after! Stay tuned to see how I cope.
I was interested to see that visits to my Flickr site have increased dramatically in the last few days, now I’m posting new photos.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
20 August
First day – and after thinking I was so tired, I woke at 0520 and couldn’t get back to sleep. I gave up at 0545 and went to check my email. I hadn’t been able to log out and just put the laptop to sleep, but my time mounted on and now I was out of time – and so couldn’t log on. My first experience of this, so I’ll have to find out why. Instead I wrote up yesterday’s blog, while it was fresh in my mind. I have to establish a routine and this will be harder as my time is currently running to someone else’s timetable.
At 0630 I showered and dressed for breakfast and then, after a false start of forgetting my Vegemite (how could I?), I ended up down for breakfast a few moments after 7 and there were already others there – but none from this tour. Breakfast offered a wide selection, including - many different types of bread, toasters, waffle irons – meat balls, bacon, baked beans, scrambled eggs – ham, herring and a few other meats – a wide range of at least five cereals – fresh fruit, yoghurt – tea, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, water. I started off with toast (and Vegemite of course) and worked my way through as much as I could, having regard to cholesterol and sugar levels. A lady from the group which was joining ours arrived and sat down with me. Over the next few minutes, more arrived – some from that group and some from those who were in last night. The group flew to Tokyo, then Copenhagen, then Helsinki and finally came up by train last night and arrived at 2300. They all know each other but I suppose it won’t take that long to work out who’s who. Wendy is their tour leader.
I went back to my room and found how to dial out from Finland (00) and tried to ring Fran, but of course got the answering machine as she had already left for work. I then sent a text message for Wendy, who wanted to get in touch with her husband. It’s interesting to see the spread of technology – a few are using mobile phones or phone cards while others get rung at the hotel desk, quite a few use email and others, normally like me, wouldn’t get in touch at all (too much to do!). I checked my email at the lobby laptop (none – no-one loves me!) and then put everything together in my room and was down for 0835 for the morning tour.
The bus was in at 0845 and we started getting on just after. I saw another on his own, who I had already seen when we got our rooms last night, and we agreed to share a seat. He is Keith, from Sydney, who had a typesetting/publishing company. We chatted a little, the last on the tour rolled up (just in the nick of time, at 0900) and we set off with our local guide.
After introductions, we got a little rundown on Finland, its geography and history and then the town of Rovanieme in particular. We stopped at a large Lutheran church, which had a war cemetery next to it. The church, like all the town, had been rebuilt after WW2 and had a noted history. At this stage it was drizzling. Back on the bus, we headed off to the winter sports area, even though the ski slides are still used in summer (slippery plastic). Then we headed through a suburb which is constructed with traditional guidelines – only certain colours and types of construction. It wasn’t too long before, at 1050, we were back at the hotel.
I picked up a town map, found out where the museum and McDonald’s were, and headed off on foot. I had already got my GPS out (remember that’s the hand-held Magellan unit, not the SatNav for the car) and marked the hotel, so I wouldn’t get lost while walking. I went down to the river, then followed it around towards the museum. Along the way was a family (mum, dad, one little girl, one dog and one very young puppy) and the puppy wasn’t too interested in walking. I found out it was only eight weeks old and they had only had it for a few days. I was impressed by the parents’ command of English. After saying goodbye to them, I came across a most remarkable area, with large troughs, what looked like a big processing table with a press and many frames. After accosting an older couple (again walking dogs) I found out it was where people could wash mats and hang them to dry.
I continued on and found myself seeing the museum but not being able to get to it. After a short-cut through undergrowth and a crossing of a highway, I found the front and was in. €12 later I was seeing the exhibits in the museum (although I only had to hand money over, I still got answered in English (the mark of “English Speaker” is still branded on my forehead).
There were many interesting bits and some excellent displays. The Northern Lights, where observers reclined on mattresses to watch, was a bit of a catch – too easy to suddenly fall asleep. I kept running into more people from the tour, even if I didn’t directly recognise them. I had a chat with an attendant about the relative dangers of moose in Finland and camels in Australia for traffic accidents – I think the moose win out!
I walked back to the hotel via McDonald’s and got some photos. I detoured through a supermarket to get something for lunch and emergency supplies for the next few days and ran into two girls from the tour. One was from Canada (Toronto) and was surprised that I knew about and had visited Port Hope. The other was from Kalgoorlie (originally Melbourne) and was working in mining. It seems planning for the next few days and getting a cheaper lunch was on a few minds. Then I saw some more just outside. I didn’t see any Australian fruit on the shelves.
I went back to the hotel (this is all within a few hundred metres, so it’s only about three minutes) and then couldn’t resist going to and having something in McDonald’s and photographing the interior (I figure if I buy something they can’t complain – but I didn’t see any WiFi signs!). On the way back it showered, so I called into another shopping centre (for a small town they sure have a lot of shops) and, after a look around, I tried to order at Hessburger, but the girl at the counter just said, “Do you want a chocolate milkshake?”, so I gave up and accepted it.
Outside, but on the first floor (second here) was a little playground, entirely roped in, with safety instructions in ENGLISH!
I gave up, went back and wrote up my diary, processed photos (I have flattened one set of batteries for four hundred photos) and wrote this blog. I have to be ready to go out for dinner at 1845 where I shall eat Bambi (after having killed her in France).
At 1830 I went down to the lobby, chatted with those there and at 1840 the bus arrived. By 1845 we were all on and, after a short drive we were at a hotel to have our dinner. I was sitting with the two teachers and there was a family from Sydney opposite. With a menu of wine or beer, sweet pumpkin soup with pine nuts, salmon or reindeer (and there is a picture of the reindeer dish in the pictures for today) and then chocolate cake with strawberry and cream (no typo, I did say strawberry) followed by tea or coffee, we all had an enjoyable evening. To finish it off we went to the roof and photographed the scenery, including the town, before being driven back to the hotel to sleep before Sergeant Schultz (sorry, Jerome) will wake us for a 0745 call to put our luggage out for 0800 and we depart at 0900. I have a long list to send Santa postcards too, so I might blow my credit limit this month!
Now to finish, upload this and the photos and then to sleep.
At 0630 I showered and dressed for breakfast and then, after a false start of forgetting my Vegemite (how could I?), I ended up down for breakfast a few moments after 7 and there were already others there – but none from this tour. Breakfast offered a wide selection, including - many different types of bread, toasters, waffle irons – meat balls, bacon, baked beans, scrambled eggs – ham, herring and a few other meats – a wide range of at least five cereals – fresh fruit, yoghurt – tea, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, water. I started off with toast (and Vegemite of course) and worked my way through as much as I could, having regard to cholesterol and sugar levels. A lady from the group which was joining ours arrived and sat down with me. Over the next few minutes, more arrived – some from that group and some from those who were in last night. The group flew to Tokyo, then Copenhagen, then Helsinki and finally came up by train last night and arrived at 2300. They all know each other but I suppose it won’t take that long to work out who’s who. Wendy is their tour leader.
I went back to my room and found how to dial out from Finland (00) and tried to ring Fran, but of course got the answering machine as she had already left for work. I then sent a text message for Wendy, who wanted to get in touch with her husband. It’s interesting to see the spread of technology – a few are using mobile phones or phone cards while others get rung at the hotel desk, quite a few use email and others, normally like me, wouldn’t get in touch at all (too much to do!). I checked my email at the lobby laptop (none – no-one loves me!) and then put everything together in my room and was down for 0835 for the morning tour.
The bus was in at 0845 and we started getting on just after. I saw another on his own, who I had already seen when we got our rooms last night, and we agreed to share a seat. He is Keith, from Sydney, who had a typesetting/publishing company. We chatted a little, the last on the tour rolled up (just in the nick of time, at 0900) and we set off with our local guide.
After introductions, we got a little rundown on Finland, its geography and history and then the town of Rovanieme in particular. We stopped at a large Lutheran church, which had a war cemetery next to it. The church, like all the town, had been rebuilt after WW2 and had a noted history. At this stage it was drizzling. Back on the bus, we headed off to the winter sports area, even though the ski slides are still used in summer (slippery plastic). Then we headed through a suburb which is constructed with traditional guidelines – only certain colours and types of construction. It wasn’t too long before, at 1050, we were back at the hotel.
I picked up a town map, found out where the museum and McDonald’s were, and headed off on foot. I had already got my GPS out (remember that’s the hand-held Magellan unit, not the SatNav for the car) and marked the hotel, so I wouldn’t get lost while walking. I went down to the river, then followed it around towards the museum. Along the way was a family (mum, dad, one little girl, one dog and one very young puppy) and the puppy wasn’t too interested in walking. I found out it was only eight weeks old and they had only had it for a few days. I was impressed by the parents’ command of English. After saying goodbye to them, I came across a most remarkable area, with large troughs, what looked like a big processing table with a press and many frames. After accosting an older couple (again walking dogs) I found out it was where people could wash mats and hang them to dry.
I continued on and found myself seeing the museum but not being able to get to it. After a short-cut through undergrowth and a crossing of a highway, I found the front and was in. €12 later I was seeing the exhibits in the museum (although I only had to hand money over, I still got answered in English (the mark of “English Speaker” is still branded on my forehead).
There were many interesting bits and some excellent displays. The Northern Lights, where observers reclined on mattresses to watch, was a bit of a catch – too easy to suddenly fall asleep. I kept running into more people from the tour, even if I didn’t directly recognise them. I had a chat with an attendant about the relative dangers of moose in Finland and camels in Australia for traffic accidents – I think the moose win out!
I walked back to the hotel via McDonald’s and got some photos. I detoured through a supermarket to get something for lunch and emergency supplies for the next few days and ran into two girls from the tour. One was from Canada (Toronto) and was surprised that I knew about and had visited Port Hope. The other was from Kalgoorlie (originally Melbourne) and was working in mining. It seems planning for the next few days and getting a cheaper lunch was on a few minds. Then I saw some more just outside. I didn’t see any Australian fruit on the shelves.
I went back to the hotel (this is all within a few hundred metres, so it’s only about three minutes) and then couldn’t resist going to and having something in McDonald’s and photographing the interior (I figure if I buy something they can’t complain – but I didn’t see any WiFi signs!). On the way back it showered, so I called into another shopping centre (for a small town they sure have a lot of shops) and, after a look around, I tried to order at Hessburger, but the girl at the counter just said, “Do you want a chocolate milkshake?”, so I gave up and accepted it.
Outside, but on the first floor (second here) was a little playground, entirely roped in, with safety instructions in ENGLISH!
I gave up, went back and wrote up my diary, processed photos (I have flattened one set of batteries for four hundred photos) and wrote this blog. I have to be ready to go out for dinner at 1845 where I shall eat Bambi (after having killed her in France).
At 1830 I went down to the lobby, chatted with those there and at 1840 the bus arrived. By 1845 we were all on and, after a short drive we were at a hotel to have our dinner. I was sitting with the two teachers and there was a family from Sydney opposite. With a menu of wine or beer, sweet pumpkin soup with pine nuts, salmon or reindeer (and there is a picture of the reindeer dish in the pictures for today) and then chocolate cake with strawberry and cream (no typo, I did say strawberry) followed by tea or coffee, we all had an enjoyable evening. To finish it off we went to the roof and photographed the scenery, including the town, before being driven back to the hotel to sleep before Sergeant Schultz (sorry, Jerome) will wake us for a 0745 call to put our luggage out for 0800 and we depart at 0900. I have a long list to send Santa postcards too, so I might blow my credit limit this month!
Now to finish, upload this and the photos and then to sleep.
19 August
Once on the flight, in darkness, I thought, “Ah, at last I can get some sleep!” No sooner had I dozed off then along came more food. However by now I had resolved to eat only the best of what was offered, which goes against all my training and upbringing. After that, it was off to sleep at about 2000 Frankfurt time. And if you thought, dear reader, that I was about to get a good sleep, you were in error, for at 0300 on came the lights and yet another meal was served. After that, the lights stayed on so it was difficult to do more than doze.
With good flight conditions, we landed at Frankfurt on time. The short views from the air over the Ukraine and the Czech republic were very good, even though the light was not good and there was a lot of cloud. Similarly, coming in Germany, the views reminded me so much of the Europe I had driven through only a few months ago.
On the ground in Frankfurt I had to take the shuttle (automated tramway) to the next terminal to find my connecting flight to Helsinki. Passport control was very perfunctory, even using my Australian passport. I found both the gate and the check-in area, but it was so early I went to explore the airport a little. I found a McDonald’s (“Ah, I thought, free WiFi!” Alas, it was not to be – T had the airport covered.) and had a little to tide away the time. Back in the area waiting for check-in I caught up with a couple from Cairns who had just finished some European tours. After a longish chat the check-ins opened, up I went – and the counter staff’s printer wouldn’t print the boarding pass!. Side shuffle to another counter and all was correct. With no luggage (that was being sent straight through) it was quick and painless. Not so the security check. My medicines worried the scanner operator, so off to a side room I had to go. I looked around for cameras in case I was going to end up on “Border Security” here or overseas. No such things were visible, the staff swiped my tablets and put the swiped card through a sensor. No reaction, so I could go. The staff thought I was American, so I set them straight on that and then chatted for a few minutes about Australia before they went back to work and I went on.
I met up with the Australian couple again while we waited for the lounge to be ready. They had been florists, but had retired and moved into Atherton. We covered a lot of topics, including travelling and care of the elderly. The lounge opened at 0930, in we went and I spied power points, so set the laptop to charge and started setting up photos. On the TV there was a program about Coober Pedy – halfway across the world to see things from home! At 1030 we boarded and at 1100 we were off. Because of time differences, with a two hour flight, we landed at 1200. Again, cloud was the feature seen out the window.
At Helsinki Airport (quite small, but very busy) I collected my suitcase. I helped a young Japanese girl who was unsure where to collect her suitcase. She was from Dallas, having just finished a degree there before having a celebratory cruise and then returning home to Tokyo.
Once I got my luggage, it was off to find where to board my fourth and final plane. I checked the luggage in, got a slip for that but no boarding pass – Rafferty’s Rules for seats. Off the that lounge I went, found a seat, took some photos and then walked around a bit. A novel change!
At 1540 a girl went over to our counter and picked up the microphone. Everyone stood and headed for places in a queue so I did the same – false alarm! Fifteen minutes later we were called and on we went. I was able to sit at the pointy end for once – but no difference!
During the flight I shared the row with a grandmother and granddaughter from Yorkshire who were also going on a tour. Although they described it differently, I thought it must have been the same one as there isn’t a great deal of tourist activity around here. After a very short flight we landed at Rovanieme and were greeted with all the kitsch you could expect from a small place trying to survive from tourism. While waiting for the bags to come I met up with two other Australians – also on this tour, also teachers. We shared a cab into town and got to the hotel at 6. While checking in we met the tour Director (Jerome, French). Once checked in I headed up, had a shower and changed. What a relief!
At 1900 we had a meeting. There will be about 43 on the tour (very large) and we got told what we had to do (be punctual), what we could do (other tours, eating, accommodation, money) and then we departed. Most on the tour are Australian, but there are a smattering of others. My first experience of this.
Once back in my room I checked my email, processed my photos and after some writing, went to sleep (at last!).
With good flight conditions, we landed at Frankfurt on time. The short views from the air over the Ukraine and the Czech republic were very good, even though the light was not good and there was a lot of cloud. Similarly, coming in Germany, the views reminded me so much of the Europe I had driven through only a few months ago.
On the ground in Frankfurt I had to take the shuttle (automated tramway) to the next terminal to find my connecting flight to Helsinki. Passport control was very perfunctory, even using my Australian passport. I found both the gate and the check-in area, but it was so early I went to explore the airport a little. I found a McDonald’s (“Ah, I thought, free WiFi!” Alas, it was not to be – T had the airport covered.) and had a little to tide away the time. Back in the area waiting for check-in I caught up with a couple from Cairns who had just finished some European tours. After a longish chat the check-ins opened, up I went – and the counter staff’s printer wouldn’t print the boarding pass!. Side shuffle to another counter and all was correct. With no luggage (that was being sent straight through) it was quick and painless. Not so the security check. My medicines worried the scanner operator, so off to a side room I had to go. I looked around for cameras in case I was going to end up on “Border Security” here or overseas. No such things were visible, the staff swiped my tablets and put the swiped card through a sensor. No reaction, so I could go. The staff thought I was American, so I set them straight on that and then chatted for a few minutes about Australia before they went back to work and I went on.
I met up with the Australian couple again while we waited for the lounge to be ready. They had been florists, but had retired and moved into Atherton. We covered a lot of topics, including travelling and care of the elderly. The lounge opened at 0930, in we went and I spied power points, so set the laptop to charge and started setting up photos. On the TV there was a program about Coober Pedy – halfway across the world to see things from home! At 1030 we boarded and at 1100 we were off. Because of time differences, with a two hour flight, we landed at 1200. Again, cloud was the feature seen out the window.
At Helsinki Airport (quite small, but very busy) I collected my suitcase. I helped a young Japanese girl who was unsure where to collect her suitcase. She was from Dallas, having just finished a degree there before having a celebratory cruise and then returning home to Tokyo.
Once I got my luggage, it was off to find where to board my fourth and final plane. I checked the luggage in, got a slip for that but no boarding pass – Rafferty’s Rules for seats. Off the that lounge I went, found a seat, took some photos and then walked around a bit. A novel change!
At 1540 a girl went over to our counter and picked up the microphone. Everyone stood and headed for places in a queue so I did the same – false alarm! Fifteen minutes later we were called and on we went. I was able to sit at the pointy end for once – but no difference!
During the flight I shared the row with a grandmother and granddaughter from Yorkshire who were also going on a tour. Although they described it differently, I thought it must have been the same one as there isn’t a great deal of tourist activity around here. After a very short flight we landed at Rovanieme and were greeted with all the kitsch you could expect from a small place trying to survive from tourism. While waiting for the bags to come I met up with two other Australians – also on this tour, also teachers. We shared a cab into town and got to the hotel at 6. While checking in we met the tour Director (Jerome, French). Once checked in I headed up, had a shower and changed. What a relief!
At 1900 we had a meeting. There will be about 43 on the tour (very large) and we got told what we had to do (be punctual), what we could do (other tours, eating, accommodation, money) and then we departed. Most on the tour are Australian, but there are a smattering of others. My first experience of this.
Once back in my room I checked my email, processed my photos and after some writing, went to sleep (at last!).
Sunday, August 17, 2008
17 August
Crunch time has come!
After starting to wash, prepare and pack, and making sure I had plenty of time, etc., everything which could go wrong, did.
Firstly, my jacket would not dry – and I can’t put it through the dryer, so I had to have the heater full on in the house, then in the car. Now, just thirty-five hours after coming out of the machine, it’s dry.
Secondly, a printing job which I had arranged to do for Lions started off well and then collapsed, as the printers would not work for me. The inkjet required the cartridges to be topped up, printed a brilliant test page but would not print text well. Then the laser needed the cartridges to be changed, but refused to let the computer control it so I could get to the cartridges to put the new ones in. After five hours, I finally got it to allow me to change the cartridges (all four!) and then print the work.
Thirdly, all my careful planning of times and supplies within the house came to naught when I ran out of some things (not worth buying more) and then had too much of others, so I will have to get rid of them tomorrow morning.
Finally, by six, I had finished that, so I put DOUG away and finished packing (though I will check again tomorrow morning), so I had some tea and then went to have an early night – I will be flying on four sectors tomorrow and the day after, so I want as much sleep as I can get.
I am sure my luggage gets under the limit, so I will check again tomorrow morning before I leave. I get 7 kg for my backpack, 20 kg for my suitcase, a laptop bag – from National Geographic, as I can’t carry my usual one, and my camera. I have to get used to toting it again.
Naturally other things are “interesting”, so I am keeping my eyes on the situation for each country I will be going through. I have a list of recipients for “Santa” postcards and all my adaptors and some guide books to take with me.
My biggest concern at the moment is how well I will fit into the tour groups on the four tours included in what I’m doing. The independent parts don’t worry me, as I am sure even if what I want to do doesn’t happen, something good and interesting will.
Now to sleep.
After starting to wash, prepare and pack, and making sure I had plenty of time, etc., everything which could go wrong, did.
Firstly, my jacket would not dry – and I can’t put it through the dryer, so I had to have the heater full on in the house, then in the car. Now, just thirty-five hours after coming out of the machine, it’s dry.
Secondly, a printing job which I had arranged to do for Lions started off well and then collapsed, as the printers would not work for me. The inkjet required the cartridges to be topped up, printed a brilliant test page but would not print text well. Then the laser needed the cartridges to be changed, but refused to let the computer control it so I could get to the cartridges to put the new ones in. After five hours, I finally got it to allow me to change the cartridges (all four!) and then print the work.
Thirdly, all my careful planning of times and supplies within the house came to naught when I ran out of some things (not worth buying more) and then had too much of others, so I will have to get rid of them tomorrow morning.
Finally, by six, I had finished that, so I put DOUG away and finished packing (though I will check again tomorrow morning), so I had some tea and then went to have an early night – I will be flying on four sectors tomorrow and the day after, so I want as much sleep as I can get.
I am sure my luggage gets under the limit, so I will check again tomorrow morning before I leave. I get 7 kg for my backpack, 20 kg for my suitcase, a laptop bag – from National Geographic, as I can’t carry my usual one, and my camera. I have to get used to toting it again.
Naturally other things are “interesting”, so I am keeping my eyes on the situation for each country I will be going through. I have a list of recipients for “Santa” postcards and all my adaptors and some guide books to take with me.
My biggest concern at the moment is how well I will fit into the tour groups on the four tours included in what I’m doing. The independent parts don’t worry me, as I am sure even if what I want to do doesn’t happen, something good and interesting will.
Now to sleep.
Friday, August 15, 2008
15 August
Things are getting closer and it's starting to get exciting again.
I completed my bookings for Christmas (on 27th December Fran and I will be off to New Zealand for about 17 days).
After visiting the Blood Bank for the last time for a few months (I'll be back for another platelet donation on 17 November) and then heading out to Passport Travel, I picked up my passport (with quite a few visas, so now it is worth keeping), Cosmos Tour booklets and a lot of e-tickets, a very detailed itinerary and a few other things. The second half of my world touring is very close.
I have a new suitcase to use (one of a set, so I will have a backup) and have to now check my packing list, do the washing (I broke in a few pairs of identical socks to wear so hopefully this time I won't get holes in them while away and have new trousers to wear) and then pack everything up. I have to print off some Weerama material and leave that to be posted out while I'm away. I have to fix up DOUG and his battery, put him in the garage and have him suitable to be left while I'm away. ARTIE doesn't flatten his battery, so he requires less preparation. He needs new tyres, but he will get them after I return (sitting a few months on the one spot is not the best for them).
After my first jaunt, I will have the laptop, travel documents, electrical gear, medicines, test kit, camera, paper diary and two changes of clothes in the pack. The suitcase will have the other clothes (including singlets this time because they are the best for maintaining body temperature, cleaning gear (for me, shoes and camera) and little else. I have to make sure it's well under 20 kg and the pack is under 7 kg. With four flights on the first day, if I can't move it easily, I'm in trouble. With changing between plane, tour on bus, tour on ship, bus, flight, bus, train, boat, train, train, plane, buses, train, train, plane, tour, plane, tour and then two planes to get home, it's not as simple as putting it into a car for around a month or two.
This whole time will also be learning experience for me, and I hope an enjoyable one.
My next post will be on Sunday and then, while I will write each day and prepare photos, they'll be uploaded as and when I can. For any adults reading this (or any of my "babies"), if you would like someone to receive a postcard from Santa at his workshop in Lappland, you'll have to send me the name(s) and address(es) by email (and preferably before Monday morning so I can be sure of receiving it).
Off to sleep now to clear my head before starting all this stuff on Saturday.
I completed my bookings for Christmas (on 27th December Fran and I will be off to New Zealand for about 17 days).
After visiting the Blood Bank for the last time for a few months (I'll be back for another platelet donation on 17 November) and then heading out to Passport Travel, I picked up my passport (with quite a few visas, so now it is worth keeping), Cosmos Tour booklets and a lot of e-tickets, a very detailed itinerary and a few other things. The second half of my world touring is very close.
I have a new suitcase to use (one of a set, so I will have a backup) and have to now check my packing list, do the washing (I broke in a few pairs of identical socks to wear so hopefully this time I won't get holes in them while away and have new trousers to wear) and then pack everything up. I have to print off some Weerama material and leave that to be posted out while I'm away. I have to fix up DOUG and his battery, put him in the garage and have him suitable to be left while I'm away. ARTIE doesn't flatten his battery, so he requires less preparation. He needs new tyres, but he will get them after I return (sitting a few months on the one spot is not the best for them).
After my first jaunt, I will have the laptop, travel documents, electrical gear, medicines, test kit, camera, paper diary and two changes of clothes in the pack. The suitcase will have the other clothes (including singlets this time because they are the best for maintaining body temperature, cleaning gear (for me, shoes and camera) and little else. I have to make sure it's well under 20 kg and the pack is under 7 kg. With four flights on the first day, if I can't move it easily, I'm in trouble. With changing between plane, tour on bus, tour on ship, bus, flight, bus, train, boat, train, train, plane, buses, train, train, plane, tour, plane, tour and then two planes to get home, it's not as simple as putting it into a car for around a month or two.
This whole time will also be learning experience for me, and I hope an enjoyable one.
My next post will be on Sunday and then, while I will write each day and prepare photos, they'll be uploaded as and when I can. For any adults reading this (or any of my "babies"), if you would like someone to receive a postcard from Santa at his workshop in Lappland, you'll have to send me the name(s) and address(es) by email (and preferably before Monday morning so I can be sure of receiving it).
Off to sleep now to clear my head before starting all this stuff on Saturday.
Monday, August 11, 2008
12 August
Before I start on anything else, I regret to say that the son of an ex-student and a friend passed away on Sunday 10 August. Mitchell Harrower died in the morning after protracted loss of function caused by his Neumann-Pick Type C disease. He had been on morphine and oxygen for a time and finally lost his fight to live. His funeral will be on Thursday afternoon.
I hope all details of my travel for the next section have been successfully concluded. I have to drop out to Passport Travel to get my passport with its visas and all my other travel documents on Friday, start packing (and checking and checking) and finish all my other arrangements. I will email out all the details to those of you on my mailing list before I leave. I have already got my small change to arrive in countries with, a new suitcase (the zip on my current one expired as I left the airport and I hoped that I didn't have to open anything as I wouldn't be able to close it again (I didn't) and just have to finalise things by the weekend.
One highlight (I hope) will be visiting Santa's factory. From here I will post cards to children and expect they will be received with lots of enthusiasm (and around Christmas, if I can arrange it).
I was able to drive over to Perth and catch up with relatives and friends there. It was great to be driving DOUG again and wonderful to effortlessly chew up the 2600 km between Adelaide and Perth in short shrift. Perhaps the best aspect was seeing so much water in WA with many watercourses running at full capacity (but they need to for a much longer time to restore anything like normaliity). Back home I picked up ARTIE after warranty work was completed on the gearbox (very hard to select first gear occasionally) and now have to run in the gearbox linkage again. I also have to re-register DOUG 2 before I leave as his falls due while I am away.
I still have no idea of Internet access while I am away, but will write each evening and process photos, then see how things are. Some of the places I am going to have the reputation of being either slow to adapt to technological change or have restricted access, so it's most likely that some periods will be blank and then there will be a rush when I can publish.
I'll post again over the weekend and give a progress report.
I hope all details of my travel for the next section have been successfully concluded. I have to drop out to Passport Travel to get my passport with its visas and all my other travel documents on Friday, start packing (and checking and checking) and finish all my other arrangements. I will email out all the details to those of you on my mailing list before I leave. I have already got my small change to arrive in countries with, a new suitcase (the zip on my current one expired as I left the airport and I hoped that I didn't have to open anything as I wouldn't be able to close it again (I didn't) and just have to finalise things by the weekend.
One highlight (I hope) will be visiting Santa's factory. From here I will post cards to children and expect they will be received with lots of enthusiasm (and around Christmas, if I can arrange it).
I was able to drive over to Perth and catch up with relatives and friends there. It was great to be driving DOUG again and wonderful to effortlessly chew up the 2600 km between Adelaide and Perth in short shrift. Perhaps the best aspect was seeing so much water in WA with many watercourses running at full capacity (but they need to for a much longer time to restore anything like normaliity). Back home I picked up ARTIE after warranty work was completed on the gearbox (very hard to select first gear occasionally) and now have to run in the gearbox linkage again. I also have to re-register DOUG 2 before I leave as his falls due while I am away.
I still have no idea of Internet access while I am away, but will write each evening and process photos, then see how things are. Some of the places I am going to have the reputation of being either slow to adapt to technological change or have restricted access, so it's most likely that some periods will be blank and then there will be a rush when I can publish.
I'll post again over the weekend and give a progress report.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
July/August
After some time at home and a short trip to Adelaide, I went over to Adelaide and then Perth.
I arrived in Adelaide on Friday 18th August and attended an installation for my youngest nephew on the Saturday night.
I left for Perth on the Monday morning and arrived late Tuesday afternoon. There were few kangaroos on the road so I drove most of the night.
In Perth I stayed with a friend in Carine, Elizabeth, and spent most of the time taking my aunt out, though I was able to catch up with friends from my parents' time and some of mine. We were able to catch up with all my aunt's friends, even one who had got "lost" by virtue of entering a home without any of her friends knowing (but her family knew, as they got her in there). The only problem was the weather was showery most of the time, but this was good as the dams have started to fill and the watercourses are beginning to run.
I left Perth on the following Wednesday morning, fully intending to stop all along the way and take photographs for the school at Villers-Bretonneaux but the rain followed me over. It did not cease until the WA-SA border. One good thing was very few kangaroos on the road, but I couldn't get any good photographs, so I continued to drive (stopped to try to sleep, but couldn't). As I arrived near the border early in the morning, the 'cheap' petrol stations were closed. I had to pay A$2.02 a litre at the Border Village.
I arrived back in Adelaide in the late afternoon, after 2679 kilometres and 26 hours of driving (at the speed limit, 110 most of the way) but a total elapsed time of 34 hours, with an indicated economy of 7.9 litres / 100 km (about 12 km/l or 33 mpg).
I arrived in Adelaide on Friday 18th August and attended an installation for my youngest nephew on the Saturday night.
I left for Perth on the Monday morning and arrived late Tuesday afternoon. There were few kangaroos on the road so I drove most of the night.
In Perth I stayed with a friend in Carine, Elizabeth, and spent most of the time taking my aunt out, though I was able to catch up with friends from my parents' time and some of mine. We were able to catch up with all my aunt's friends, even one who had got "lost" by virtue of entering a home without any of her friends knowing (but her family knew, as they got her in there). The only problem was the weather was showery most of the time, but this was good as the dams have started to fill and the watercourses are beginning to run.
I left Perth on the following Wednesday morning, fully intending to stop all along the way and take photographs for the school at Villers-Bretonneaux but the rain followed me over. It did not cease until the WA-SA border. One good thing was very few kangaroos on the road, but I couldn't get any good photographs, so I continued to drive (stopped to try to sleep, but couldn't). As I arrived near the border early in the morning, the 'cheap' petrol stations were closed. I had to pay A$2.02 a litre at the Border Village.
I arrived back in Adelaide in the late afternoon, after 2679 kilometres and 26 hours of driving (at the speed limit, 110 most of the way) but a total elapsed time of 34 hours, with an indicated economy of 7.9 litres / 100 km (about 12 km/l or 33 mpg).
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