So it begins

More touristy stuff

Published Date : May 24, 2004

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

We had a later start today, but still a fair bit of walking.  Our first port of call was Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  Then we took a wander up to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard.  We hung around there for a bit and took some cheesy tourist photos (the new digi-cam is excellent by the way), then off to Leceister Squarefor some lunch.  Normally, the places around Leceister and Picadilly are pretty expensive, but we went to a little hole-in-the-wall pub that was great.  Cheap, tasty, and no cigarette smoke.  Best pub experience I’ve had in Britain to date.

We spent the afternoon in the British Museum.  I’d only been there once before on my first trip when I was 18, so I rather enjoyed the visit.  My parents had also only been there once before.  It was under renovation on our previous visits, so this is the first time any of us have seen it in all its glory, so to speak.  You could easily spend a month in that place and still not see everything.  I was very impressed.

After all the walking of the last two days, we called it a day fairly early.  It worked out well all around, giving my parents a chance to get ready for the tour departure tomorrow morning and for me to get sorted for work.  All in all, a very good visit.  It was just enough time – any longer would have been a bit too much I think.  The next time I’ll see them is in Glasgow in two weeks.

3 ouches and a yuck

Published Date : May 25, 2004

Travel vaccinations – always painful and rarely fun.  I got injections for Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Meningitis A&C and an oral vaccine for Polio this morning from occupational health at work.  The good news is that they were free; the bad news is that now both of my arms are aching and I can barely lift them.  I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to bother getting Rabies and Japanese B Encephalitis vaccines.  It’s probably worth getting them since I don’t have to pay for them, but I’ll decide later.

I still have to make an appointment with one of the doctors in occ. health about an anti-malarial.  I’ve been doing a lot of research on the different drugs, and I’m not really thrilled about any of them.  I’m not overly keen on the idea of ingesting a highly toxic chemical for 7-8 months.  So far, Lariam/Mefloquine seems to be the lesser of all the evils.  However, it’s reported to have some pretty hectic neurological side effects, and it’s not recommended to take it while SCUBA diving.   I’ve come across a lot of discussion about a herbal anti-malarial called Artemisinin.   If that’s legit, it would be a pretty great alternative.  Much more research required though!

I heard from AirTreks and my flights are now booked up to Mauritius.  I’ll have to wait a month or so for the rest of the flight schedules and fares to become available.  A little over 4 months now until I go.  I hope it goes fast.  I’m getting very excited about it now.  The only major things left to take care of are paying for the balance of my expedition and getting my Aussie working holiday visa.  Things are looking good.

Same old

Published Date : June 2, 2004

The start of another month.  I paid off the rest of the money I owed for my expedition.  Yay!  That’s one more thing off the checklist.  Starting to get very excited, I am!

I had a pretty quiet weekend.  Went and saw some movies, and did a bit of reading.  Monday was a Bank Holiday, so Gray and I went and saw the World Press Photo Exhibition at the Royal Exhibition Hall.  It was free, so the price was right.  There were some pretty grim photos on display, but it was well worth the visit.

We’re off to Glasgow this weekend to see my parents again before they head home.  My brother should also be coming over from Edinburgh, and we’ll be getting together with my cousins as well.  It should be good fun.

Kilts and drunken Scots

Published Date : June 5, 2004

A very early start to the day.  We were up at 4:30am.  Our first order of business was to get to Victoria Station to catch the bus out to Stansted Airport.  That proved to be a bit of an adventure.  Both the District and Circle Lines on the tube weren’t running, so we had to take a roundabout route that took double the time we were expecting.  We weren’t too concerned because the buses run every 15-20 minutes, but they take an hour and a half to get to the airport.  Thanks to a grumpy bus driver who wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing, Gray and I both got discounts using only one discount card.  Woohoo!  Only £12 return.  After snoozing on the bus, we made it to the check-in desk about an hour before our flight to find absolutely no line.  We just strolled right up to the counter, and we were checked in 2 minutes later.

The flight was uneventful, and we touched down in Glasgow Prestwick Airport half an hour early.  Onto the train into town for only £2.60ea (tickets are half-price if you show your flight itinerary).  We had just enough time to drop our bag at the B&B before heading out to meet my family.  McLay’s Guesthouse is costing us for £44 per night.  A fair bit more than we’re used to paying as budget backpackers, but MUCH more comfortable than a hostel!  After an unplanned wander around town (aka, I got us lost!), we finally met up with my parents, brother and his girlfriend. Hugs and smiles all around and introductions for Gray, then it was off to the nearest pub (The Drum and Monkey) for some lunch and drinks.

After lunch my parents were off to my cousin’s while my brother and his GF, Gray and I hung around town for a bit.  There wasn’t time for more than a change of clothes and a quick drink at the Walkabout (yes, they’re everywhere!) before we hopped on a bus out to Killearn to meet up with my parents again at my cousin’s place.  There was plenty of wine and champagne flowing the minute we walked in the door.  A great feast and great company.  Just to make it an even better night, Gray and I announced our engagement.

Yeah, you read that right. Gray and I are getting married!!  A shock to many people, including us. My travel plans aren’t changing all that much though.  I’ll still be going on my trip in a few months.  We’ll be meeting up again in Australia and then taking it from there.