Copenhagen...

Well...I wasn't going to mention this as I thought it was a little mean, but since the comments have fallen by the wayside again (even from my most diehard commentators...Bo and Jacy) I've decided to bring it up anyway. Yes...I have been off work for over a year now. YEAH FOR ME!!! And if I can just win the lottery now or find a hot sugar mama...I kind of like not working.

I landed in Copenhagen after almost 12 hours on the train or in the train station and at that point I was excited to see my friend Lena, but I was hating traveling as well. After this trip I don't think I want to even see a train again...let alone travel in one. It's scary when I can think of a 4-5 hour train ride as an easy one. But at least I'm getting my money's worth from the Eurail Pass. And it was kind of cool having the train pull onto a ferry for the ride over to Denmark.

The reason for the mad dash to Copenhagen was to be in time for a huge mid-summer party at the dorm where Lena lives. All is going well at the party as I catch up with Lena and meet many of her friends, but within an hour of arriving something inside me tells me that I've been pushing myself too hard lately and I get sick in the bushes at the party and have to leave to go lay down. What a great first impression the Danish must of had of me.

Luckily, I had only had one beer at the party so they knew it wasn't because I was a light weight. I can't have the Danes thinking us Cdns can't drink. And just to prove it, I rested from about 9pm to 2am and went back to the party and drank some more beer and had a few shooters as well until the sun was starting to rise. It's a tough job, but when you're one of the Drinking Ambassadors for your country...it must be done. However, I never thought I would say this, but it's almost time to pass my Ambassadorship to someone else. I'm not as young as I once was. I know...it's a sad day for all Canadians.

But never fear...I haven't given up quite yet. And I still feel it's my duty to get to as many bars as possible so that I can pick up drink coasters from around the world for my good friend Lorne. I hope he understands the sacrifices I've been making for him. And just one last comment about beer in Copenhagen...it's actually not very good. We picked up 16 different Danish beers from the supermarket to test out and most of them were quite bad...but we drank them anyways.

Once again...I find myself in a city with beautiful people. For all you single readers out there...I would highly recommend finding yourself in Copenhagen sooner than later. The other thing that Copenhagen has a lot of is water. I'm not sure why I didn't know this, but Copenhangen is made up of a few islands. Pretty cool. And with that much waterfront, you know there are some great restaurants and bars with some amazing views. I must admit, I didn't try too many out as like Switzerland...it's expensive. Basically a pint of beer costs you just over $10Cdn dollars and the one lunch we did have cost almost $60Cdn. Ouch is right!

Copenhagen is a pretty cool city with lots to see, but for some reason, the city didn't seem as old to me as other cities I've been to. Yet, I was told the buildings were very old...so I don't get it. Maybe they have less pollution than the other European cities I've been to and the buildings age better. I don't know. If any of you architects or historians have a better explanation...bring it on. Another important thing to consider when going to Copenhagen...is that ATMs aren't as prevalent as they are in Canada. Once again I show up in a new country without any local currency and can't find a bank machine...it must be a conspiracy. So another classy move, I'm borrowing money and having people buy me drinks within minutes of meeting them. It's a good thing the Danish are such a friendly bunch.

But the one very nice thing about this stop was that I was able to slow down the pace of sightseeing since I was spending four days in one spot. I had forgotten how relaxing traveling can be when you have the time to smell the roses and not rushing to the next tourist spot to snap off a couple pictures. I told myself I would do this more often, but it really hasn't worked out that way. Time to go snap a picture!

And the Embro Boys don't have to worry, I'm not going soft by taking a picture of a mermaid sculpture for no good reason. If you are like me and have no idea why this 'Little Mermaid' is such a Danish icon...it's because the famous author Hans Christian Andersen lived in Copenhagen. Who knew? I couldn't even remember one of his works. Maybe he should have wrote a book entitled...Beers of the World...then maybe I'd know him.


And since I didn't get a picture of a windmill when I was in the Netherlands, I figured a Danish windmill will have to suffice for my Dutch friend Zwartman. Enjoy.

Now it's time to invade Italy. Ciao!

Another hectic outing...

Football is EVERYWHERE!! For most of you, like me, who really could care less about soccer/football...it's still hard not to get swept into the party atmostphere over here during the European Cup. I really don't need an excuse to party, but I'll use it anyway. Switzerland and Austria are co-host countries and the streets are a rockin' with fans from all over Europe. There are definitely good 'sights' for everyone!

ç/%/(&(%&*&(&(&/ç&(ç*%"ç"%(&=/)&/ç""ç*/%(&)&/ç*"%(/&/ç"+ç/&&)*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just when I think I'm mastering this damn blog, I lose two cool pictures. I think I hate this blog more than I hate my camera. Don't mind me...enjoy!

Football is larger than life over here (see photo above) and a complete obsession. Every night there is a football match, tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of party'ers are cruising the streets of various European cities. To give you an example...the Fan Zone in Berlin was large enough to allow 500,000 people to watch the game. That didn't count the people at the stadium, or the people watching from home or at the bars. The Fan Zone in Vienna held almost 10% of it's entire population. Can you say obsessive complusive? Wow...I guess I can.

Enough about football.

After being burnt out from my last adventure, my brain was a little slow so I decided to do another one. This adventure took me through Luxembourg City, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg and back to Zurich...all in about 11 days. Are you getting tired yet? I know I am!

The pictures go from Zurich train station, one shot of Luxembourg City, three of Cologne, three of Dusseldorf and four of Amsterdam. I think Copenhagen deserves it's own posting...more to come on it.

Sorry for that short break, I had to go out and get some beer for myself. Much better now...thanks for asking!

The one very cool thing about this latest adventure is that I met up with some new friends which I had met earlier in other countries on my trip. Valentina met up with me in Cologne for dinner and a few drinks which was pretty cool. However, I'm not too sure if it was a compliment when she called me 'uber mature'. I read that as OLD...which I'm sad too say is very true. Since my birthday earlier this month...I seem to have more grey hair, a much sorer back and not as much energy. Someone please put me out of my misery. Bring the pillow!

Cologne was a OK city with some great pedestrian walks, great views along the Rhine and the most kick-ass cathedral I've ever seen. The picture certainly doesn't do it any justice. But compared to others...it was just a city.

Now Dusseldorf...I don't know why...but I really loved this city. And not just because it claims to have the longest bar in Europe. In reality, it's just a bunch of bars along the waterfront, but who am I to judge. It just seemed to have a cool vibe and a great night life even on a Wednesday night. The harbour area is also lined with some of the strangest looking buildings I've ever seen. I guess they've all won awards, but the practicality of them still seems lost to me.

Dusselfdorf also put me into an interesting position. I had a chance to make a difference in this world and gain some recognition. Tell me what you would have done.

I found myself walking the streets alone about 3:00am on an early Thursday morning after partaking in some local night life when something interesting happened.

About a block and a half ahead of me, I saw a teenager of about 15-16 running full tilt down the street towards me. I thought this was odd, but soon realized things were even more interesting since he had two police officers chasing him. I had plenty of time to run through my options on how to trip him up or at least slow him down to 'save the day'. Once again...what would you have done?

Since I've had a few 'good deeds' go awry in the past...I'm sure Zwartman remembers us trying to help a girl flee a 'coke head'...I decided to move out of the way and let the kid run past me about three feet away from where I was standing with the police hot on his trail. Knowing my luck, I would have tripped up the cops instead and found myself in jail...not the kid. To make things even more interesting, I found myself in front of the police station and 6 cops came charging out of the station...almost running into me...to join the pursuit. What if this kid was on Europe's top Most Wanted List? I could have been a hero. They might have had a parade in my honour and erected a statue. Now I'll never know!

After all that excitement...I figured I needed some place to chill...so where better to chill than Amsterdam. This was my fourth time in Amsterdam according to my friend Steve and my third time in Amsterdam according to me...one of us must be wrong. However, I do know it was the first time that I actually took a picture of the city. Things I do for my readers.

It was also great to meet up with Darryn. I started off this trip hooking up with Darryn in Dubai, so it was only fitting to party with him in Amsterdam as well. I think this is Darryn's second home so I was in good hands.

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but since Darryn is...I let him take me to a few coffee shops which Amsterdam is famous for as we explored the city. I soon found that most coffee shops sell alcohol as well as some great chocolate so I was happy enough. I would recommend 'Lost in Amsterdam' if anyone is looking for some cool atmosphere.

The Bulldog was also one of my favourites.

The red light district, the cool pedestrian streets and the extensive canal networks are a must see and you soon find yourself never wanting to leave as the vibe in Amsterdam sucks you in. In case you have noticed...I love Amsterdam!

Since I had a 12 hour train ride ahead of me on Saturday morning to Copenhagen and Darryn was relocating to Stockholm the next day, we both decided to have an early Friday night. However, that is easier said than done in Amsterdam. Just when we were about to leave the bar, the owner buys us all a round since Turkey wins their football match. Who can say NO to free beer? And then our good Canadian manners kick in as a girl in a wheelchair enters the bar and we give up our table to her and her friends...well the owner sees this and more alcohol finds it's way into our hands before we can get out the door. Did I mention I love Amsterdam?

I survived my 12 hour travel experience to Copenhagen, Denmark the following day, but just barely. More to come in the next posting.

To my police friends...did I do the right thing in Dusseldorf? Damn...I really wanted a parade!

North American travels Europe...

Wow...tough crowd. I thought my pics of Greece were some of the most impressive, but hardly a comment. Thanks Janine.

As I planned this adventure, my European friends made fun of me stating that I was traveling like a typical North American...rushing to get to the next city and not enjoying the one I was in. I saw their logic, but in fact...only in Berlin did I want for more time.

My adventure took me to Vaduz Liechtenstein, Salzburg and Vienna Austria, Prague Czech, and Berlin Germany. I had hit Bern Switzerland a few days before. So in fact, I hit five capital cities in two weeks. I was supposed to hit Amsterdam and Brussels to make it seven capital cities in two weeks, but I seem to have gotten run down and ended up sick. I know...you feel sorry for me. Yeah right!

I have included three pictures of each city except for Bern as I'm guessing you're getting tired of Switzerland. The order is Vaduz, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague and Berlin. I think the hardest part of this blog was picking just three pictures for each city. Either check out the other pics of each city on Facebook or wait for the DVD. :)

So why go to Liechtenstein and take a picture of a famous old red house that I have already forgotten the importance of? ...easy...because it was there. Well...it makes sense in my head.


I was expecting to be writing about Spain and Portugal in this blog as I had planned out that intinerary on the Wednesday before heading out...only to find out that I couldn't catch the first train I needed to Barcelona, so this plan was hatched on Thursday afternoon and I left Saturday morning at 7:40am.

I guess it was really meant to be since my friends Chris and Jacy were making drole innuendos regarding me hanging in the Alps like in the Sound of Music...so damn it...I went to the HEART of the Sound of Music...Salzburg, Austria. I hope you guys are proud. I walked in the same gardens, buildings and courtyards as the way too flighty (no pun intended) Von Trapp family. I also stayed at a hostel that had daily showings of the movie. I passed on the movie and chose to go to the bar instead. No hard feelings Ang as I know it's one of your favourite movies.



I'm not sure how Europeans or travelers to Europe coped before the introduction of the Euro, but I found it a pain just having Swiss Francs in one pocket for Switzerland and Liechtenstein and Euros in the other pocket for Austria and Germany. And yes, Czechoslovakia had to have Czech Crowns just to laden down my pockets even more.



As you will notice from some of these shots and especially those on Facebook, I have really enjoyed the architecture (old buildings) here in Europe. They are just so different from North American architecture. Oh no...I really am getting old. But never fear...I have made sure I've enjoyed the vast number of beers that each country has to offer as well.

One thing that did catch me off guard in both Vaduz and Salzburg, was the Canadian paraphernalia (and yes I had to look up the spelling) on the walls of the hostels. It went from old Vancouver Canucks banners to RCMP, OPP, Vancouver/Calgary/Ottawa police badges and EMS badges. OK...most of the police and EMS badges were actually found in the bar of the hostel. Like that surprises anyone that knows Natigo and his friends.



How could I mention a hockey team in this blog without mentioning my STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS the Detroit Red Wings. The Leafs never had a chance...like they do ever...sorry Scottie Dunn and the Habs didn't fair a whole lot better...sorry to say Dylan. But there's always next year. And Mr. Dunn...send me your new email address.

The picture to the left just shows one of the many beers I tested on this adventure. This beer is made by monks and very famous throughout the world. The Augustiner brewery has seating for 2800 people and there were 40 people waiting in line before it opened on a Tuesday. OK...so I was one of them...did you expect anything less? By the time I left 45 mins later (damn...had to catch a train, but didn't want to miss out) there were over 200 people drinking at the brewery. This was at 3:45 in the afternoon. See...I'm not the only alcoholic in this world. Thanks Salzburg!



I wasn't totally impressed with the Augustiner beer itself, but I did enjoy the X33 beer while in Prague which boasted 12.6% alcohol. They claim it's the most potent beer in Europe. Who am I to disagree. I also loved the fact that I could buy TWO 500mL bottles of beer in Prague for about $1.60Cdn. Not bad.

However, before getting to Prague, I have a couple worthy stories to tell. Probably the one I'm most proud of is the continued effect I have on older women. For some reason...they LOVE me. If I'm still not married by the time I'm 80...I'll have the women falling all over me. I can't wait!

On the train to Salzburg, I had an older Swiss woman (80-85) buy me a large piece of chocolate because she said I was the nicest gentlemen she'd met in years. This wouldn't have been so special if she was a shut-in, but this woman was a world traveler. I've still got it! Thanks for the good manners Mom!

Now isn't your birthday supposed to be nice and relaxing with people doing nice things for you? That's how I remember them. Part of the reason I had to leave Switzerland for my birthday was that they have a crazy tradition over here that the person whose birthday it is has to buy the beer and food for their guests. I couldn't afford this in Canada with my alcoholic friends and I certainly couldn't afford it here in Switzerland with the price of alcohol. Oh yeah...I got out of Dodge as fast as I could!

But I guess things do catch up with you. The day of my birthday was quite stressful. First, for some reason I went to the train station in Vienna about 30 mins early for my ride to Prague...hey no worries...it's my birthday I'll relax at the train station...only to find out that my train leaves from a different train station which is a 25 min tram ride away. Oh sh*t! It didn't help that the guy in the information booth was laughing at my predictament. But the jokes on him...I made my train with three minutes to spare. The next train wasn't for another three hours. Lucky!

But the birthday gods were cruel that day. I found out as we entered Czechoslovakian space that my Eurail pass wasn't valid in Czech and I had to cough up another 26 Euros. Happy Birthday to me!

Upon arrival in Prague...none of the bank machines were working in the train station and once again...I found myself in a new country without local currency. When will I learn?

I decided I better buy my next train ticket (for my departure in three days) out of Prague since my pass doesn't work while at the train station...only to have a Czech woman decide that she didn't want to serve me. I waited for 10 minutes (I was the only one in line) and that's an eternity with my patience level until I finally gave up. Welcome to Prague!

A group of us finally found a bank machine and once again I was rich. I thought I was rich before having a $200 Swiss Franc note, but no...now I have a $2000 Czech Crown note. I'm living the high life! Unfortunately, the tram ticket machine only takes coins no higher than 50 Crowns. But alas...I see a tram ticket wicket...I am a seasoned traveler. But the Czech woman behind the wicket decides that she can't help me and throws (literally) the money back at me. I'm really not liking Prague.

But have no fear...I see a McDonald's and they are always good to me...so I buy one pop and get lots of change back. However, I didn't realize until I walked out of door that I still didn't have the proper change for the tram ticket. So I head back in to ask if they can break down the change they just gave me further. But no...another Czech woman just gestures me to leave. GRRR!!!!!Luckily, I went to the man working at the till beside her and got the change I needed. Things could only get better and they did, but I still found the people of Prague rude for the most part. I wasn't the only traveler to mention this!

But on a much better birthday note...I received at least 30 birthday wishes from people around the world. It was quite humbling. Thanks to everyone!

And even better...not that I've really thought much about it, but a good friend of mine finally told me how I can into this world on June 4th. I won't mention any names, but it was enlightening. Please read it for yourself...

…..the day it is said in folklore….when a beer bottle shaped spaceship crashed down into the tiny village of Embro. Two hard working villagers named Bill and Pat Duncan were woken up by all the noise generated from the beer foam thrusters located on the bottom of the odd shaped but aesthetically pleasing spacecraft. As they cautiously approached the bottle rocket …and worked their way past the maze of kegs that had fallen out of the cargo hold……they reared back in horror as they laid their eyes upon a blue eyed serpent child…..covered in scales and green slime…. The child screamed out over and over again in a high girl like voice….“where’s the damn pisser cause it’s been a long trip!!!”. Well, as they say….the rest is history. Those thoughtful villagers felt sorry for the little bastard and took him in to learn the ways of lager, ale, and stout under their care…..to raise him as their own…..to raise him as Suuuuuper Duuuunc!!!!

Cheers pal and Happy Birthday,

Now you know the rest of the story...

And if you're wondering why I took a picture of a wall...it's the Berlin wall. I wasn't sure McAuley would understand. Cheers...

On to the next European adventure....

Damn...blog...

Greece posting below Bonus Post. Don´t ask me why!!