Greek Islands (Ios)

Ios, well what can I say other than it was the most impressive place of our Contiki tour through the Greek Islands. Absolute insane party life and everyone is so laid back. This entry of the blog will be pretty limited given that their were no tourist sights of any significance, however the food was the standout. Sailed on a pirate ship to a non inhabited island on our second day and did some snorkelling which was real good. Got to watch a replay of State of Origin and most were stoked to see the blues finally get a series win. Surprised at how many Aussies are working over here, they're generally down at the beach during the day and work as promoters for the various clubs and pubs during the night, would be an awesome lifestyle. All the nightspots are quite small and they're found all throughout the narrow streets, you find that the crowd will generally move from place to place as opposed to staying at the same spot as we do at home. At this point of the Contiki, we got a lot closer to the other tour members given that the seven of us from Wagga had spent most of out time together. Some really cool people who we got to meet and will definitely keep in touch also seeing a few along our further travels. A highlight of the trip was how one of the boys who shall remain nameless, decided to make it back to our hotel on our second night. Firstly before I begin the story, I should mention our hotel in Ios was roughly a twenty minute walk or a five euro taxi ride up hill into town however the fact that there are only five cabs on the whole island made it pretty tough to get home in the wee hours of the morning so generally made the trek on foot. Roughly halfway upon his long walk back to the hotel after a few beers noticed a scooter that still had it's key in the ignition, decided to kick the old girl over and sat in first gear very steadily down the winding hill of Ios. The traveller made it home safe as did the scooter which was parked a block away from our residence. Currently in a bus on our way to the airport for our flight to Paris, at this point we're all a bit flat after leaving the Contiki after spending twelve days with at first were strangers and became good mates. On reflection, the hardest thing about travelling is getting attached to place and having to move on to your next destination, that's why I can see it's so addictive. Contiki was definitely five star and I'd recommend to anyone wanted to get out there for a good time and meet some interesting people. Next stop is Paris to eat some frog legs, cheers. DS

Greek Islands (Athens, Mykonos and Santorini)

Arrived in Athens and driving in from the airport was a real shock to the system, third world type feel and smog as far as the eye can see. Luckily our hotel was up to scratch and we spent the night having a few "Richard Gere's" meeting a few of the people on our Contiki tour through the Greek Islands. My new roomy Patto and I really seized our first day in Athens, rising from bed at 2:00pm in the arvo. However we made a real fist of the remaining daylight and caught a cab into Acropolis where I had the best pizza I've ever tasted, climbed the rock of Acropolis seeing the Temple of Athena Nike and also visiting The Panathenaic Stadium which was built in the fourth century BC and has a seating capacity of over 68,000. They drive like mad over here and there are no real road rules to follow. At this stage Greece looks pretty busted and our vibe was that the locals came across rude. Rose the following to take a five hour ferry ride to the first island of three we will be visiting on our tour, Mykonos. Now there are no real historically significant places to visit in Mykonos, it is a purpose built party island. Bloody warm here with high 20's to early 30's every day and it took me no less than two hours for my pale skin to get beetroot red. I zoned out when our tour guide mentioned not to drink the local water from the tap so after downing around a litre of it when I was parched after a couple of stubbies it was no surprise that as of late, I have spent most of my time on the dunny. I can sum up our time in Mykonos as 'most scenes missing' with the standout being Paradise Beach. Worth mentioning everywhere works off tips, for example, in a bar the more your tip, the stronger your drink is, so of you're up to have a big one, best practice is not to be a tight arse. After our third night in Mykonos, made our way to Santorini on another ferry this time taking around two hours. Spent the first full day on a tour to the top of Santorini and the Akrotiri archeological site which many believe is to be the foundations of the city of Atlantis and was built around 1600 BC. Also went to a few beaches, Red Beach and Black Beach, it's called this due to the colour of the sand following volcanic eruptions. Our final day in Santorini was spent on the island of Nea Kameni where we hiked up a volcano which last erupted in 1950. Got a chance to don the budgy smugglers and swim in the hot springs located at the base of the volcano. Lastly rode a donkey up to the top of Santorini which was good fun, there would have been around 200 of them in circulation and they are real on the nose. Heading off on another ferry to the island of Ios for 3 days which is apparently a step up from the Mykonos party scene so will have to prepare my body for another couple of big ones. Cheers, DS.

London Day 3 and 4

Days 3 and 4 in London brought more sights and plenty of laughs. Before I begin with my yarn, a toy Kangaroo attached to a lanyard was purchased prior to the trip with it being awarded to the best on ground for each night out, the winner having to don 'Roo' for the day. So far the recipients have been Leesy, Tommy and yours truly. Obviously can't disclose the information as to what the reasons were to earn the not-so-much sought after prize due to the age old rule 'what happens on tour, stays on tour'. Day 3 began at sparrow fart after a much needed night in catching up on some sleep with tours to the London Dungeon and London Aquarium. Still in awe of buildings and infrastructure over here, so checked out Big Ben and the London Eye again, can't get enough. The birthplace of Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street was next and at this stage really getting familiar with the London Tube, so easy to navigate your way around. That night we ventured out into London town for a couple of stubbies, although found it hard to nail down a good pub to settle in.  Macka and I got split up from the boys and wandered around the London streets for a while before catching the last train (London Tube shuts down at 12pm) of the night to the suburb of Clapham.  Now it was my suggestion to get off at Clapham as I had heard Luffy mention it was a hotspot for Australians so thought we might be able to catch a game of footy and a chew down on a VB or twenty. Walked into a joint that can only be described as a scene from the TV show Geordie Shore, for those who haven't seen it, don't. In any case we made good of the situation by getting amongst the locals and ended up meeting a group of Aussies which for those who have travelled abroad, would know it's pretty comforting to see being surrounded by foreigners. We all wandered back to the hotel in dribs and drabs from around 3am to 5am. After a slow and seedy start to day 4, the boys did some washing which I neglected to do and on reflection was a pretty poor choice given I've ran out of clean Reg Grundy's.  With the aid of our knowledgable tour guide Joe Luff, we ventured out to see Chelsea soccer club stadium and Greenwich. After a long walk up to the observatory in Greenwich got a few snaps of the Prime Meridian which at 0 degrees longtitude, separates the Eastern and Western Hemisphere, that year 12 geography paid off. Parched as after the hike we went to an off licence bottle-o and wet the whistle chilling out in Greenwich Park which was bloody impressive. Really enjoyed my time in London and could stay here for another few weeks, although a few of the boys would attest to London getting the better of them and looking forward to moving on to the next destination. So very liberal in their ways over here, the fact that you can buy beers on the street and drink in a park for example is so cruisey and makes it bloody attractive for tourists, especially Aussies as we love to cut piss. No red tape like in Australia and it just works, will definitely be back sometime in the future. Kicking off the next part of our trip with a Contiki tour through the Greek Islands visiting Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Ios. I am hearing you have to squat in a hole to go the dunny, so looking forward to that. Until then, peace.

London - Day 1 and 2

Had our first night out in London yesterday, not surprisingly, made friends straight away. Met a publican named Steve who was from Glasgow and a retired American couple, I told them so many fibs about how we roll in 'Straya' but had them believing every word, they plan to visit Wagga sometime next year. Our good mate Joe Luff who is working here met up with us, nothing much has changed, good to see he still hates to shower. After travelling across the world for a cultural experience we thought there would be no place better than to drink at an Australian themed pub. When all bullshit had been exhausted, jet lag set in around 10pm and had to have a kip. Woke up this morning and decided to see the sights of London with the aid of Luffy as our tour guide, absolutely amazing place so enriched with history. Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Tower of London were highlights. I purchased an 'I Heart London' shirt which is sure as to act as beacon for pickpockets. The weather has been very kind to us, and even managed to get a bit sunburnt so sweet gains there. Keen to get out to the aquarium or the Harry Potter tour while we're here. 

D Day - Flight to London

Currently at Sydney airport waiting to board our flight to London, we have a one hour layover in Singapore and hearing as they don't tolerate piggery I will stay in the airport to avoid getting arrested. Got through customs without much trouble given my shady record which I was stoked about, however received overly friendly pat-down from a male customs officer which will haunt me in airports for the rest of my days. Stayed in Sydney last night, unfortunately the bright lights of the city were too much of a temptation for us layed back country folk. Ventured out for a few beers and am seedier than the bottom of a birdcage today. Not looking forward to this 23 hour long haul trip, I hope they show Jumangi or Twister on the in flight movies, they are my favs. Next stop, London. Peace, DS.