1. What size is the last bed you kissed on? Queen sized bed.

2. When was the last time you were sick? Two and a half months ago.

3. Are you one of those people who are always cold? Umm not always.

4. What are you listening to? To the rugby, NZ versus Argentina.

5. How many more days until your birthday? Like 58.

6. Do you have any summer plans yet? I'm going to Nelson and Blenheim for a couple of days and then somewhere up north. I may head over to Aussie sometime too for Soundwave.

7. When was the last time you shaved your legs? Yesterday I think.

8. Is there someone you wish you were closer with? A few.

9. Do you tend to waste a lot of money? I try not to. Define a lot.

10. Have any addictions? Caffiene, nom.

Things to try

While I'm waiting for my bus to the aiport, I thought I would do a quick post on the foods and drinks that I tried overseas.

In Japan I had a Fanta Grape Zero which was a nice change the usually fizzy drinks. In Britain I had my fair share of Diet Cherry Coke. Yum, yum.

Italy, where do I start? We tried fresh mozzarella cheese in Italy with fresh pasta and pesto. Devine. We also drank red vino, which is amazing. Even the cheapest of brands were drinkable unlike the stuff we get in NZ. NZ red wine tastes kinda woody. Italian red wine was smooth.

In Austria and Germany try the gigantic pretzels. They come in several flavours, cheese, Nutella, and pizza just to name a few.

In Belgium we tried raspberry beer and cheery beer. The former tasted like lolly water and the latter was more like beer with a hint of cherry. Worth trying.

I'm running out of time so I will leave the post here.

More lessons

Something else we can learn from Europeans is to learn new languages. In western Europe, many people speak English, which was very handy. Many of them also pick up a third language, which is, well kinda embarrassing since I'm only fluent in English. I know a few words of Japanese such as "raaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgggggggggg saqys the panda flavoured dino-monster", which is rough translation for Godzilla... and a few words of German, Italian, and French. Still I feel this isn't really enough. I guess the reason it is common for Kiwis to only know one language is because NZ is so isolated and until recent times we only just started travelling abroad and therefore had no reason to learn new languages. Additionally our schools don't really encourage their students to learn other languages. It's not until you reach year 10, that you are able to pick other languages aside from Maori, which isn't spoken in many places.... By the way, that translation was made up, if you couldn't tell :P

Things to be learnt

Things we can learn from Europeans

• How to be more confident
• How to make good red vine/vino from the Italians and French
  
• How to be punctual from the Germans and Austrians
• How to make delcious breads, cheeses and pastries
• How to enjoy our meals and not over eat
  

Things Europeans can learn from New Zealanders

• How to be more polite and friendly
  
• How not to litter
• How to look after heritage sites
  

Desperately Seeking Helen

Hi everyone, this is totally unrelated to travel, but I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for my older half sister and I have made a Facebook group to help find her. See Desperately Seeking Helen for more information and spread the word.

Edinburgh Backpackers

Edinburgh Backpackers, Edinburgh, Scotland, 25-28 August 2010

We stayed at Edinburgh Backpackers which is a five minute walk from Waverly Station (the main train station in Edinburgh) and it cost 35GBP per night per person for a large double room (double bed and a couple of single beds). This was quite expensive but I think it was because the Fringe Festival was on, which by the way was very cool and fun. The backpackers was wasn’t small or particularly large. They didn’t provide anything for free and the bathrooms lacked privacy. However it was very central to everything. It was located in Old Town near the Royal Mile (where most of the Fringe Festival action was taking place). The reception was open 24/7, which is handy if you’re arriving late and the atmosphere of the hostel was very fun. It also had a decent sized living area and a kitchen, but no laundry. It had five floors but no lift and we stayed on the fifth floor which meant that we had to lug all our stuff upstairs.

From chilly Glasgow

Euro Hostel, Glasgow, Scotland, 23-25 August 2010

The Euro Hostel is located just down the street from the central railway station and is very close to the shops. It cost us 20GBP each for a twin room with an ensuite and free breakfast. The hostel is large, tidy and has free wifi in their bar. There was also a laundry, a large kitchen and dining area with a separate living room. I recommend this hostel. It’s cheap and decent. My only problem with the hostel was that we were locked out of room before we checked out, however it was quickly resolved.

Guinness

Guinness Storehouse Museum, Dublin, the Republic of Ireland

This is a must see museum for those of you who intend on visiting the emerald isle. You have the choice of being shown around the factory or taking the self guided tour. Me and Jevon being budget conscious opted for the self guided tour. This place is massive by the way; there are five floors of information on how Guinness is made, the advertising of Guinness, bars and a section on pouring the perfect Guinness. The tickets were around 12 Euros each (about $22NZ) and the tour finished up with a complimentary pint of Guinness or a soft drink. I must say that Irish brewed Guinness is much more drinkable than the Guinness that we brew in NZ (which tastes like swamp water).

The best hostel in Dublin

Camden Place Hostel, Dublin, Republic of Ireland 20-23 August 2010

I recommend this hostel to anyone staying in Dublin. It’s cheap (40-60 euro per night for a twin room) and it has a lot of freebies like wifi, a walking tour to Howth, breakfast, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, free international calls, free dinner on Wednesdays and free dessert on Thursdays. The rooms are tidy, but small. There’s a huge dining area and kitchen. The staff are friendly and the reception is open 24/7 and you can leave your luggage at the reception for free is needed.

Accommodations reviews: hostels, hotels and backpackers in little England

Premier Inn, Heathrow, London, England 15 August 2010

This is nice hotel and it’s very good value for money. It cost us 40GBP per night for large double room. It was near Heathrow airport and costs 4GBP to take an airport bus there. The room has tea and coffee making facilities, towels, TV and an ensuite. I recommend staying there if you arrive late or have to leave early. Reception is open late and the staff are friendly. They have a restaurant, bar, ATM and many vending machines.

Earl’s Cout YHA, Earl’s Court, London, England 16-18 August 2010

This place is nice. Reception is open around breakfast time and closes late. It’s in an old building a couple of blocks from the Earl’s Court train station which is on the Piccadilly line (train line to the airport, national and international train stations). It has a large garden with an outdoor dining area. The first time we stayed here, we stayed in one of the garden rooms which had an ensuite. The second time we stayed, we stayed in a room inside the main building with shared bathroom facilities. You can get internet here, but it costs 5GBP per 24 hours and it is terrible. The hostel is tidy (mostly, bust some of the bathrooms did smell a bit) and close to shops and restaurants. The hostel has a large kitchen that has microwaves and ovens and it has a laundry which cost 4-5 GBP per load to wash and dry. It was 50GBP for a double per night.

Bath YMCA, Bath, England 18-19 August 2010

This place is tidy and pleasant. They provide free wifi and free breakfast (toast, cereal, juice, tea and coffee). It is central and close to the train station (10 minute walk). The showers are warm but not 100% ideal. We stayed in a ten bed dorm for 15GBP per night per bed. We were the only people in the dorm, which was fine. To get into our room we needed a code to punch into the key pad.

Chester Backpackers, Chester, England 19-20 August 2010

This is quaint, small place near the train station. It’s about a ten minute walk from the city centre. The owner is lovely and helpful; she carried my luggage up two flights of stairs. They have friendly, cute terrier cross. They provide free wifi, free tea and coffee and information about the area. It’s cheap, only 40GBP per night for a small double room with an ensuite. They have a cute patio for guests to use as well as a laundry (4-5GBP to wash and dry a load), living room with books and DVDs and a kitchen.

A couple of accommodation reviews

Anne Black YWCA, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 4-7 August 2010

This place was cheap, cheap, cheap. It cost us $60NZ per night for twin room with air conditioning, hand basin, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brush, towels and a jug. The showers had good pressure and the bathroom was lockable. However there was no kitchen or laundry and reception was open very early and very late.

Kimi Ryokan, Ikebukuro “Sunshine City”, Tokyo, Japan, 7-14 August 2010

It was cheap for what is one of the best “ryokans” in Tokyo, or so I’ve read online. It only cost us around $105NZ per night for a medium sized room, for two people, for four very comfortable futon mats. It was clean and tidy. It had a kitchen with free green tea and a beer vending machine, a TV room, free wifi and free use of robes and towels. The shower rooms were lockable and there was room to get changed in private. There were also space outside to hang out any washing but there was no laundry.

The some of the staff spoke English and were friendly and helpful. It is near a train station and near the limousine bus stop, which takes people from Narita airport to Tokyo city.