Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Katie and Taylor
We all arrived into Bucharest a bit later than expected due to Draculas return to Rasnov castle, so most people had an early night before heading off into town early the next day. The city is filled with large grey buildings and a huge palace, and many of the streets appear to be carbon copies of Paris. The group all headed out for Dinner in Care Du Bere, where we had far too much food and got to watch some local music and dancing as well as drink steins of Beer.
The next day consisted of many sore heads and even Ned was nursing a hangover after taking over a local gig (see Mike’s blog for the video) so most of us just hung around the campsite and played football, Frisbee and read books.
Bulgaria was next on the list as we drove to a wee campsite near Veliko Tarnovo, where an English couple have opened up a great campsite with Wifi and even a full English breakfast. We both had our first hangover of the trip caused by the local firewater Rakiah. The village used to be the Bulgarian capital many moons ago and is great for a wander around before we hit a bushcamp near to the Turkish border, which would become a story in itself.
We all had an early start to reach the Turkish border as this was our first taster of problematic crossings so our fingers were crossed that we could breeze though, which to be honest everybody did, apart from Calypso! A special permit was required due to her not being a truck or a bus, and despite the best efforts of the crew to have the paperwork in place, the computer systems were down and we could not pass go.
So we pitched up at the border for around 6 hours, even managed to sneak in some cups of tea, some lunch and also met a multitude of cars on a rally from Austria to Jordan for charity. They had around £500 to spend on a banger and get to Jordan and the winner of the race, got a camel!
Anyway, we got into Istanbul just in time to grab a kebab and beer before bed, in the basement of a hostel. Glad to say we have no loud snorers in the group, or at least nobody is letting on just yet.
Istanbul is such a contrast to all of Europe, with the Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque right beside the hostel we are able to hear the daily prayer calls. We minced (new word for the group) around the Grand Bazaar and Spice markets and sampled the fish sandwich which was surprisingly tasty, then the adventure began to locate a dentist for Katie. We were sent to a dentist who was insistent on either route canal or removing the tooth! The next attempt was much better but a taxi ride out of town and problem solved. Although the taxi ride on the way back involved an argument with the driver and us jumping out of the taxi and running. Chancer!
The second day in Istanbul we spent the day trying all the different local food.. Pide (Turkish pizza), Turkish delight, Apple tea, fish sandwich and Baklava (possibly a rival to the chocolate ball).
Tonight we saw some whirling dervishes (think Omad Dhajili in a dress spinning around for 30 mins?!), a not so spectacular light show in front of the Blue Mosque and happened upon a local music festival along the water front; Ahirkapi - which celebrates early summer.. all this and we're in bed by 11pm!
Istanbul has been the best city so far, the locals are so friendly and the food is excellent.. would come back in an instant.
P.S. Photos have been updated in the album
P.P.S. Ned has joined the real world after being rescued from Romania, and is looking for friends on facebook, so click the link on the signpost to add him!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Katie and Taylor
Arrived in Budapest late afternoon to glorious sunshine so quickly turned our camp site into a laundrette for a few hours and enjoyed a welcome drink from the campsite. Later Neill and Mike made our first campfire from what looked like some wooden roof tiles but they burnt well anyway.
Decided against the thermal baths the next day as we have both been before and opted for some sunshine instead. Took a wander up a hill beside our campsite which gave views across all of Budapest with Alice, Kaye and Kylie before heading back to camp for curry – cooked on the campfire!
It was an early start the next morning to get to the Turda Gorge in Romania for our first bushcamp. On the road we picked up our latest group member - Ned the Gnome who will be joining us all the way to Oz.
A local mountain rescue guy offered to lead a group of us on an “easy” trek the following morning which included some mild climbing and some stunning views!
Sighisoara was our next stop. We stopped for lunch on the side of the road and cooked up some hot dogs whilst being watched by loads of Romanian children trying to sell some very expensive onions and despite Darrells best banter, he was unable to knock the price down.
Got to our first hotel of the trip and after a nice dinner (not so nice service) the walkers from the morning were shattered so an early night was had by all.
The rain has finally caught up with us, leaving Sighisoara this morning for a day in Rasnov Castle and it’s miserable. Turned up and got turned away by the police due to more important people being in the castle… maybe Dracula has returned!
So our plans have changed today since we have some spare time; instead of a bushcamp on the way to Bucharest, we are going straight there.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Katie and Taylor
We think it’s about time that you can have an insight into our routine for the next 6 months. A typical camping morning involves breakfast from the cook group normally around 8ish with a selection of cereals/toast and tea/coffee and depending on supplies we have, a cooked breakfast is prepared!
On days when we are based for a while, the crew provide a run down of sights and attractions and people head off into town and split up into similar interests and usually all meet up later on for dinner/drinks. If it is a travelling day each fellow traveller is assigned to truck job, which include loading the tents onto the roof, cleaning the camp/truck, loading bags onto the truck and security to make sure everyone is back aboard.
A day of travelling involves chatting, sleeping, games such as cards or backgammon etc with regular stops for toilet and lunch. This is also part of the days cook group and is prepared fresh for everyone to dig in.
Once we arrive at our destination each crew kicks back into action to off load the tents, get the bags off the truck and set up the campsite. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect and setting up and packing up takes around 10-15 minutes now.
The cook group is again responsible for the prep and the crew direct us as how to prepare the nightly meal. So far we all are full of praise for the quality of the grub!
Bush camping is much the same with the inclusion of poo paddles, shewees and fire pits.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Katie and Taylor
For our night in Köln we went to Brauhaus Sion for some food, no one ordered the metre long sausage but a few had pork knuckles which didn’t look very appetising. Simon organised the group to head off to an old traditional German pub for some entertainment from some oddly dressed Germans.
An early start the next morning to head to our next destination: Bamberg. We have camped every night so far and facilities in the organised campsites have been great. Bamberg was no exception, most importantly the showers were free (unlike Köln). We were later told that these would be the best facilities on our trip so made the most of the long, hot showers. We were on cook group for the first time this evening, the rule is you do breakfast and lunch until you cook a dinner. We’ve been on breakfast and lunch for a few days now and this was our first attempt at dinner. Basically the crew tell us what to chop and what to cook and it all comes together very quickly, Beef goulash was on the menu.
Bamberg is a remarkable place, a bit off the tourist trail and untouched by the war, preserving some very pretty buildings. It is also famous for its smoky beer, not to everyone’s taste as the smell resembles cooked bacon, but definitely worth a try. We had a few drinks at the campsite on Wednesday night and headed into Bamberg on Thursday for a wander around before we set off for Prague.
We arrived in Prague early evening where we were joined by the last member of the group, Dennis. We headed for Tesco on Friday to do the beer run for the truck bar as stocks were running low and we’ve both been to Prague before so were happy to head into town later on. Met some of the group for pizza at night and set off for Budapest early this morning. Currently on the road and have just passed through the Slovakian border then off to the joys of Hungary and the thermal baths!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Katie and Taylor
The journey started early on Sunday morning from London, to meet Calypso the truck our home for the next 6 months. Most of the group were already there apart from one to be picked up in Dover and two who were to meet us in Belgium. We’re still one short due to the flight problems and he hopes to meet us along the way.
Took our seats and headed for Dover to catch the ferry to Calais. Still finding new things around the truck, so far found the library, games and bar, which I’ve been put in charge of…. I’m not a maid! Taylor has been given the manly job of climbing onto the roof to offload the tents as well as wood chopper.
Arrived in Tournai late afternoon to set up our first camp, where Tents Kitchen etc just seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Everyone on the truck is assigned a job so everything runs like clockwork. Dinner was prepared by the crew – Soup and Spag bol – which was scoffed down before we headed for a wander into Tournai for a few drinks.
Staying in “Raffles” (our tent) for the foreseeable future and awoke on the first morning to tea, cereal and a daffodil – I could get used to this!
Sitting on the steps outside Köln Dom in the sun, had a quite stroll from the campsite this morning, awaiting a night of beer and Würst sold by the metre.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Katie and Taylor
Day one of our travels- so glad to be booked up on the megabus to London today seeing as all the flights have been messed up by the angry volcano and travelling around the UK seems to be a nightmare. Staying once again the easy hotel, this time with the added luxury of a window (we know how to treat ourselves), then the real adventure begins tomorrow morning!
Thanks to everyone for making our last few weeks in Scotland memorable, and gold stars go to Stella who made it to almost all our leaving parties (there have been a few!) and Vicky and Mike for the song!
Friday, April 09, 2010
Katie and Taylor
After a number of times packing and unpacking I think we’re finally sorted and even have a little space to spare believe it or not!
We’ve stuck to the list from the Odyssey website (mostly) and added a few things of our own too. Old comfy clothes are packed with a few new editions such as our sandals (not matching), new socks and we can’t forget our Odyssey T-shirts!
Our sleeping bags haven’t been tested out yet but they are at military standards and go down to minus 20 so hopefully we will be all snug during the colder nights. Also have a silk liner for those extra chilly nights and when it’s too hot for our sleeping bags, thanks mum! Odyssey recommends Thermarests so we’ve gone for the 5cm thick roll mats one a little shorter than the other for Katie. Santa was extremely generous last year and gave us a netbook so we’re taking him along on the trip so no excuses not to keep this up to date.
We decided to make up our own first aid kits and with a little help from members of last years group we think we’ve got everything we need.
Last years girls have recommended the girls should consider taking a shewee so that’s on Katie’s list, as its something I won’t be testing out I shall leave this to her to talk about, hopefully not with pictures!
Our TravelSafe was delivered this morning and that was the last thing on our list. Ordered our money from Crown Currency Exchange, which thankfully was delivered hassle free as waiting for thousands of USD to be delivered by the royal mail wasn’t filling me with happiness!
3 leaving partys down, 2 to go. We’ve packed up and left Dundee and are now officially unemployed. Spending time at home until the big day.
Bulgaria was next on the list as we drove to a wee campsite near Veliko Tarnovo, where an English couple have opened up a great campsite with Wifi and even a full English breakfast. We both had our first hangover of the trip caused by the local firewater Rakiah. The village used to be the Bulgarian capital many moons ago and is great for a wander around before we hit a bushcamp near to the Turkish border, which would become a story in itself.
We all had an early start to reach the Turkish border as this was our first taster of problematic crossings so our fingers were crossed that we could breeze though, which to be honest everybody did, apart from Calypso! A special permit was required due to her not being a truck or a bus, and despite the best efforts of the crew to have the paperwork in place, the computer systems were down and we could not pass go.
