Bonus Posting for my readers...Lucerne

OK Boys and Girls...

I have to admit, the comments and emails about my blog lately have made me feel good so I thought I would pay you back with some beautiful pictures of Lucerne, Switzerland. Keep the comments coming...



And since I've already talked about Lucerne in my previous posting, I thought I might give you some tidbits I've picked up along the way. Some of these are my thoughts and some I've heard from others. (really that's just a disclaimer in case I offend someone)




Seeing large men in speedo bathing suits actually shortens your life span due to untold stress.

Every backpacker eventually has to wear dirty underwear...sorry Mom.

Sharks are scary even when you know certain types are harmless.

Believe it or not, hockey isn't the #1 watched sport in the world. I think cricket even ranks higher. What's wrong with this world?

You learn quickly that the world is a big place.

They don't make planes, trains and buses for tall people.

Communal washrooms SUCK when you're sick!

I still find it strange that backpackers will leave their wallets, ipods and computers out in the open when they're not in the room.


Europeans show more public affection than North Americans. Get a room!

Swedish twins should still be every guys fantasy.

Bathing in repulsively dirty water will haunt you for life. It's definitely worse than eating bugs.

Canadian drinkers hold their own with any of the other big drinking countries like Scotland, Ireland and England.

Backpackers can sleep anywhere.

Yes, you can see too many beaches, temples, mountains and ruins.

North Americans are much more obese than Europeans, but they're gaining on us.

Germans backpackers love structure and Asian backpackers love their tour groups.

Women backpackers are definitely more messy than men.

The liver is an amazing organ. Trust me...I've tested mine out.

Backpackers come in all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnic backgrounds.

You never know who will be your next new friend.


There's usually a bad ending when you start the night off with multiple JagerBombs.

The Swiss kiss three times when they meet people...so say you're from Switzerland and go for it...normally it's on the cheek, but not everyone knows that ;)

Don't try to enter Cambodia without any local currency or you'll find yourself with a machine gun carrying escort.

You can break your "crackberry" aka Blackberry addiction.

Even half way around the world...you can find yourself in a bar with two women who both think you are there with them.

Thank goodness English seems to be the universal language. It makes things easier for dummies like me.

34 hour ferry rides suck if you can't get a cabin...I assume it still sucks even if you get one.

There are hot women in every country.

Drinking everyday and eating McDonald's most nights very late does make you fat.

It's great to see family and friends after travelling abroad.

Canada ROCKS and you learn to appreciate it more once you've seen other countries...but get out there and see for yourself!

Cheers...but don't think this changes my two week interval between postings. Adieu!

Greece...heavenly

What can I say about Greece...hmm...I seem to be running out of things to say...maybe this should be my last blog or maybe I just need a beer. What do you think? No...after all the great comments from the last blog...you guys certainly deserve more.

There is so much more to Greece than Athens. I particularly didn´t like Athens that much at all. However, I must admit...the Greeks went out of their way to help me starting from the taxi driver who drove me to my hostel. Very friendly people. Now, I´m sure the Acropolis...one of the key sights in Athens would be amazing to see...but all I saw for the most part was scaffolding and cranes. The old streets of Athens and the outdoor tavernas (cafes/restaurants) were pretty cool. However, on the grand scheme of things...very disappointing...on to bigger and better.

Now when I remember Greece...I think of Santorini. I´ve heard all the Greek isles are breathtaking, but I can´t believe they can all be as beautiful as Santorini. My only recommendation...travel with your partner as some of Santorini was lost on me travelling alone. Check out the next five pictures and let me know what you think. Stunning!

I love Greek food and had a fair bit of souvlaki while I was there. And the coolest thing...I could get a filling meal with a 500ml beer for less than 5 Cdn dollars. Who doesn´t like the sounds of that? And for those of you who aren´t beer drinkers...don´t cry...you could get a filling meal and 1.5 litres of red wine for less than 8 Cdn dollars. I never realized how much wine is actually in 1.5 litres. Not bad at all. Have fun with it. I did!

Ferries are a big way of life in Greece and I had my fair share of stories on them. On the ferry ride over to Santorini island, I met up with a couple Aussies and a guy from Quebec city. I started the trend buying the first beer...and then everyone started buying beers...and after about 3.5 litres of beer...everyone seems to get a lot friendlier!

The only thing I don´t like is that in Greece...you can smoke almost anywhere...ferries included. I don´t think they cared that they were killing me as well. Maybe it was just lost in the translation. But I guess I should just consider myself lucky for making it onto the ferry. It seems after 8 months of travel...I still don´t get the time changes. Who knew Greece was 1 hr ahead of Switzerland. The funny thing was that I almost laughed out loud when some of my dormmates got up early and heard one of them say it was 5:30am and they had to get moving. I looked at my watch at it was only 4:30am. Losers!! It turns out I was the loser and make the ferry with very little time to spare.

My next ferry adventure was a little more sobering. After sleeping on the deck...because all the cabins were full...I found out that the 32 hr ferry ride was now going to be 34 hrs due to the fact that someone fell overboard during the night and was lost...the ferry searched for 3 hours. And yes...I can add. The ferry made up an hour. I guess sleeping on the deck isn´t all that bad after all.

Now before that last ferry ride from Patras Greece to Venice Italy, I found myself on an adventure in the Greek Peloponnese. Nafplio to be exact. Compared to the rest of Europe, Greece doesn´t have the greatest train system...and I found out the train system was non-existent in the Peloponnese. So when you don´t have a train at your disposal...you take a bus...right? Sounds easy enough...let me tell you different!

In case you´ve forgotten...the Greek alphabet is very different than ours. Theirs look more like symbols in my eyes. And if you don´t already know...when you get outside of Athens...they drastically speak less English. And let me also tell you that when they do write or speak in English...it´s not always the same spelling or pronunciation as our English. Are you getting the picture here?

I hopped on a train not sure where to get off and had a transfer at Kiato. Trust me...there is no Kiato in the Lonely Planet guide book I have. They did mention Corinth so I decided to get off at Corinth...however...there is no such place in Greece...it´s actually Korinthos. But I´m almost a smart guy and was able to get off the train as the doors were closing. Out to find the bus station, but none of the taxi drivers could speak English. Finally someone helped me out. Whew!

Was able to get my bus ticket...which was all in Greek. But how do you know which bus to get on...they come every 5-10 mintues and some don´t have any signs. I was fortunate enough to match up the symbols. Whew! Now where the hell do I get off. I started to talk out loud to myself (I wonder if this is the Nafplio stop) hoping someone would take pity on me. No...no one appeared to speak English. It is a strange feeling when you have no idea where you´re going or even how to get there. Finally the only passenger who was sleeping woke up and she spoke English. Whew!

Nafplio ended up being worth the trip. However, I suggest if you want to climb the stairs to the castle (999) of them...don´t walk around for 4 hours first. And talking of stairs...in Santorini...the beautiful town of AI has 277 stairs from the port to the city. I tried to get someone off the boat before me so he was the lead horse, but he didn´t take the bait and I had to lead. As you know...I might be a little competitive and told myself no one could pass me. That was all and good until each step was so large that you had to take three steps in between steps. I still curse that guy for not leading, but no one passed me. Hey...I´m Canadian eh!!

And just a parting note. Yes, I know this wasn´t my most interesting posting, but I did give you a bonus posting.

OK...that´s not the parting note. This is...

I recommend HIGHLY that you don´t ever leave Nafplio in the early morning to catch a bus, taxi and train to Patras...then take a 32 hour ferry ride to Venice...than try to find the train station with the damn canals in your way...to take an 8 hour train ride from Venice...to Milano...to Zurich.

Why do I do these stupid trips? Someone...other than Natigo or Bo...please tell me why I do this to myself. I was just getting over the crazy trip back home. I´m not right!!

Oh yeah...Happy Birthday to me tomorrow! I´ll be in Prague...and yes...I´m on another stupid trip. Did I mention...I´m not right!!

Switzerland...beautiful and expensive...

OK everyone (I really mean Krista)...just another reminder...with the way I'm travelling these days...updates to the blog will probably take place every two weeks or so.

Maybe I wasn't meant to surprise people. It seems like no one is home or that they are sick when I get there. Hmmm...maybe they just don't want to see me. Damn...now it makes sense. But Patrick was surprised...even though I thought he was going to hit me when I jumped in front of him on the streets of Zurich and scared the crap out of him. Now that's the kind of reaction I was looking for!

Let's just say my budget had a rude awakening when I hit Switzerland. Of course I went to McDonalds...but a BigMac Combo is over $12 bucks. It's less in England if you can believe that!! I know everyone thinks I have shares in McDonalds for how much I eat there, but in Zurich...I actually did feel I was BUYING into McDonalds. OUCH!!



Ahh Switzerland...if you love beautiful people and beautiful views...this is your place. I think I'll stay. It's so peaceful in Old Zurich where pedestrians dominate the stoned pathways and cars...when there is one...gives right of way to the pedestrian. It's a walker's paradise. And even though many of the buildings are very old...they don't look their age as they do in Amsterdam. I look forward to comparing the other major European cities for the architecture, but Zurich impressed me.

I knew Switzerland was more than just Zurich so I ventured out into the Swiss Alps and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

My first stop was Interlaken (awesome in itself) which is the stepping stone to the "Top of Europe"...Jungfraujoch... earning the title since the train station has the highest elevation of any train station in Europe at 11333ft. They advise you that at this elevation, oxygen is 1/3 of what you're used to. I have to admit...taking three flights of stairs had me huffing and puffing!

And I cannot say enough about the scenic train ride from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch and back. Yes it 2.5 hours each way (slightly different routes) and cost $140, but it was worth every cent and every minute. I can't put it into words. Just see it for yourself!!

I wish I could have shown you pictures of Lucerne, but I left my camera in a locker at the train station. Luckily Miranda had her camera and allowed me to be a typical tourist with it. Unfortunately, she hasn't given me the pictures yet. You may want to check Facebook as I keep more pictures there.

This was from my camera as we were leaving and I had picked up my bag from the train station.

Not only were the building themselves cool in Lucerne, but many of the buildings have artwork painted on them. Who needs to go into a stuffy art gallery when it's outside for those of you visiting Lucerne. Even though it had a "gazillion" (yes...that's a word. If you don't believe me...go get a Joe dictionary found in most book stores) tourists roaming around...I think I enjoyed it more than Zurich.

Another destination I would highly recommend is Weggis. Take the ferry from Lucerne and enjoy the sights as you cruise to Weggis. It's a great little lakeside town. Then take the scenic train up to Mt. Rigi (1800m) for some more great views.

OK...if for some reason you don't like the look of mountains...Switzerland really isn't for you.

Another cool thing I got to experience was sitting in a bar (I know...crazy eh?) and watching Switzerland beat Sweden for the first time ever in a world hockey event. The place went crazy. And to make things even better. Some locals were actually in Montreal for the game and were shown on TV. When the crowd found out I was from Canada...oh yeah...there were free drinks!

There's definitely more to see in Switzerland and since I'm making Switzerland my home base for my European trip...I look forward to seeing more of it.

Now it's time to see more of Europe. See you in Greece!!

Back in Canada...the surprise visit.

O Canada...

For those of you I wasn´t able to see or tell of my visit back to Canada...surprise...it actually happened! But never fear...I´ve left the country again.

I arrived at Pearson Airport on April 24th to much fan fare just like in most of the other countries I´ve visited. Hundreds of people were lined up in the waiting area to greet me, but most seemed to succumb to their abundance of awe and wonderment and were unable to approach me and welcome me home. It´s a good thing my pal Yabo was there to pick me up and drive me back to London. Thanks Bo!

As I´ve already commented on in this blog, we Canadians are the very few who travel with our flag proudly displayed on our luggage and it was nice to see a new crop of proud travellers in the airport about to head out to conquer the world. It was a great feeling to be home even if it was only for six days.

So why a six day trip back to Canada you ask??? I´m starting to wonder about the sanity of that decision as well, but it was great to see family and friends after almost seven months abroad. I just wish the jet lag of traveling in from Bangkok wouldn´t have had me sleeping by 10pm most nights and waking up at 4am most mornings.

The flight from Bangkok started on April 22nd at 9pm local time and had me arriving at Dubai airport at 11pm local time. Don´t let the times fool you...it was a 6 hour flight. And what does a backpacker do when they arrive late at an airport with an early morning connector...that´s right...we´re either dumb enough or cheap enough to sleep at the airport. It wouldn´t have been so bad except that all the carpeted floor space was already taken and those floor tiles are COLD. Let´s chalk up about 1-2 hours sleep maximum.

Then it was on to London, England at 9am arriving around noon local time...just another 7 hour flight, but who´s counting. The next "fun and games" situation happened the next morning as I anxiously awaited my flight back to Toronto. I arose nice and early at 5am to make sure I didn´t miss my 6am shuttle to the airport. And just as I was about to leave, I checked my watch to make sure I was on time and saw that the real hour was just before 3am. I had changed my watch to London time, but not my cell phone that I use for my alarm clock. Let´s just chalk up my stupidity with another 4 hours of sleep. So basically, by the time I found myself asleep (toss in another 8 hour flight) in Canada from my Bangkok starting point...I had gone more than 70 hours with only 5-6 hours of sleep. Yes, I hear the violins playing!!!

But hearing my mother squeal with excitment realizing I was home; seeing the shock on McAuley´s face when he saw me in the TELUS office; and drinking with my good friends on Saturday night (Natigo...why do you have a potted plant on your head??)...the lack of sleep and hectic schedule was well worth it.

So I decided to go to Switzerland for some well deserved rest after all that! Wouldn´t everyone?

Two things...I´ll have you know that even a published author is reading this blog. Oh yeah...kudos to me. Amy...I just hope you´re reading it for the entertainment value, not to use me as an example of horrific grammar!

Finally...I was so proud to have my blog up to date for ONCE when I left Thailand only to find out that now I had to wait to live some adventures before I could write them down...and a few people were once again sending me hate mail for being so slow to update my blog. Oops...I´ll blame Yabo since it took him awhile to send me the pictures from the party. I promise never to be up-to-date with my blog again. Cheers...