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Frank, Sarah and I pack our day sacks, and head of to the amazing city of Berlin.Here, Frank and I Pose in “unter den linden” a boulevard of lime trees, which literally means under the limes. |
| The famous Berlin Sculpture.Before I set off, I saw lots of pictures of it, on the Internet, but they all made it look about 100 metres high.I deliberately Photographed it with 2 people walking under it, so a measure of its real size, could be gauged. |  |
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A remaining section of the Berlin Wall, next to the Topography of Terror museum. |
| Checkpoint Charlie.A superb museum, about escape attempts from east Berlin was next to it, and was the highlight of our trip. |  |
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Leaving/Entering the Checkpoint sign.Everyone always seems to photograph it from the other side, which says “you are leaving the American sector”I decided to photograph it from the other side.The sign is a replica, the original, was donated by the American government, to the Checkpoint Charlie museum. |
| The Berliner Dom cathedral on museum island. |  |
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Taken from the steps of the Egyptian Museum.To the right of the Berliner Dom, is the Stasi building.The Stasi building is extremely controversial, and is to be torn down soon. |
| Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche.I have tried to photograph things from different angles, as otherwise you just end up with the same picture as the one in the guide book. |  |
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Centre of world culture.Built by the Americans during the cold war.Unfortunately, the roof collapsed in the 80’s and had to be replaced. |
| Brandenburger Tor.It was the busies place in Berlin, at the top of “unter den linten”.There was a memorial nearby, to the Russian soldiers killed taking Berlin at the end of the 2nd world war. |  |
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Overall, the city was very modern, and here, featured peddle power taxi’s. |
| The Jewish Museum.Designed by Daniel Libeskind 1998 (museum opened 2001) Jewish museum.Some information states that it is modelled on a “burst” star of David.I have also read that it maps geographical events in Jewish history, and the building plots a course across these locations.
Impressive and moving. |
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The garden of exile, next to the Jewish Museum, which contains the memorial to victims of the holocaust.
We arrived early in the morning, when no one was around. |
Author: admin
Cairns (3/3)
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My view from inside the helicopter. You can see the quicksilver pontoon in the foreground. |
| A view of Port Douglas from the helicopter. Apparently Bill Clinton has a house there. |  |
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Cape tribulation from the air. |
| A tree growing in the see, at cape tribulation. |  |
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I visited Tjapukai aboriginal centre. They had an authentic aboriginal camp, and showed us how to light fire from friction, and build shelters.It was really nice to walk around, and we had buffet breakfast while we chatted to them (bushcraft is one of my hobbies, and I found the conversation fascinating). |
| We visited the Wujai Wujai aboriginal village during our 4 wheel drive trip into the rainforest.I had imagined it to be quite traditional, but found it had modern houses and jeeps.It did have a large fire area though, and they spend most evenings outdoors sat around the fire. |  |
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We took a walk up through the village, and stopped at a waterfall for a picnic. |
| I had never tried ballooning so just had to have a go.We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning. The balloon we flew in, was one off the largest commercially available. |  |
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We went up to a height of 1000 feet (I was able to check on my Suunto watch). The thing I noticed was the silence. It was amazing to be travelling hi above the ground and not hear a sound.Our guide cracked a joke and asked if everyone know how he steered the balloon.
He then said we don’t, it goes where the wind takes it. |
Cairns (2/3)
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An amazing fact I found out, is that the roots of trees, do not grow bellow the ground in the rainforest.This tree, for example is actually growing in sand. It would be possible theoretically, to construct a rainforest in a car park, if it was hot and the air was moist enough. |
| The famous “wait a while vine”. It grows with prickly stalks that fasten to other plants and pull it skyward, so it can gain access to the sun.They can be used for water, but if the prickly part catches on your clothing, you should stop and carefully remove it, rather than continuing. That’s where it gets its name. |  |
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Back to Habitat, a small child plays with a snake. I loved the way the Australians were so in tune with nature.Daintree School had actually written to the American Space Program and asked them if spiders could make webs in space.They actually sent specimens of spiders from the Daintree into space to answer the children’s question. Yes, they can. |
| I have never been interested in diving, but once on the reef, I decided to go at it with Frank (who loves the sport).Unfortunately, I should have prepared, and had real difficulties, which resulted in me getting out of the water and not completing the dive.It was a low point on the trip for me, but at least I had a go. |  |
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Frank diving in the reef with tropical fish (a few of them bit him !).There was a viewing area near the diving centre. |
| Some reef coral from the viewing area. |  |
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Another lifelong ambition, to travel in a submarine ! |
| Inside the submersible, it was a bit cramped, but the view was amazing. |  |
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Travelling from the quicksilver pontoon, to where the helicopter I had booked for a trip across the reef. |
Cairns (1/3)
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Standing in cape tribulation bay.It is so named, as Captain Cook ran aground here, and needed 7 weeks of repair to fix his ship (its next to a place called weary bay).
My experiences were different. I thought is was fantastic. Its funny, in modern times, any child can purchase a map showing the reef, which would have saved Captain Cook all that trouble !. |
| Taken from a hill side overlooking cape tribulation bay. |  |
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The road leading deep into the rainforest.A few miles down this road, is a resort called Heritage where I stayed overnight. |
| This was my room for the night. It was miles away from any other of the hotel buildings, and I sat on my porch with a glass of wine.It was cool to be all alone in the rainforest, and watch the sun set. |  |
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The habitat Zoo in Port Douglas. It was amazing to see so many wild animals in this environmentally friendly, indoor zoo.This is one of the walkways, which allowed you walk high above the river and swamp lands. |
| A tree climbing Kangaroo, in the habitat zoo. It uses its tale as a counterbalance when climbing. |  |
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Me feeding a Kangaroo.The Kangaroo’s were just as I had expected, and were very friendly. |
| Into the rainforest. Our guide Tanya took is to a “Boarded” section of the Daintree Rainforest (the oldest Rainforest in the world).She showed us all the different trees and plants, and the damage the ferile pigs can do in the wild. |  |
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I had always wanted to stand in a real Rainforest, and wandering around like this was a high point of my trip. |
| Me on the boarded walk, with the Mossman river behind me. |  |
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We had lunch at the brilliant Fern Tree lodge, a couple of the other people went in the pool.After that, we went Croc spotting on the mossman river.
We saw about 9 Crocs, although they were bellow the water line with only there heads and snouts visible. |
| Since the crocks in the Mossman river wouldn’t surface, I have put up some crocs that I saw at the habitat zoo. |  |
Sydney (2/2)
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If you have visited this web site before, you will know that wilderness bushcraft is one of my hobbies.I have always found shelter building fascinating, and this is an abo lean to, on display in botanical garden. |
| This is one of the largest trees in the botanical Garden.I sat under it, when I had a picnic with Frank.I also fulfilled a childhood dream by purchasing a boomerang, and throwing it in the botanical garden. |  |
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On the ferry coming back from Manly, I got a brilliant shot off the harbour bridge.I heard reports on the radio later that day, that Wale’s were visible from the bridge.I loved walking across the bridge. |
| A Koala bear in the Blue Mountain Zoo. |  |
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The blue mountains. tragically, the weather wasn’t very good on that day, as I would have loved to see them in the sunshine. |
| These mountains are only a 40 minute drive from Sydney.Our guide pointed out that it would be possible to walk more than a hundred miles through the forest, without seeing another person. |  |
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I asked the guide if there was a camp site in the forest (which is bigger than the lake district !).His reply was everything that I love about Australia – “the whole thing is a camp site, all you need is a map to find where the water is, the rest is up to you !” |
| In the rainforest zoo, there was an albino kangaroo.Its extremely unusual to find one, as they are normally killed by wild animals very quickly.It was a friendly and charming animal. |  |
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Slightly less friendly, I saw a real shark in Manly aquarium.I have always wanted to see a real shark and like so many of the things that happened on my trip, it fulfilled a lifelong ambition. |
| Some baby penguins.They were so tame, that instead of moving away when I stood next to there enclosure, they actually came over to have a look at me. |  |
Sydney (1/2)
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A classic picture of the Sydney opera house from the ferry.During the opera house tour, I saw the famous staircase that leads nowhere. I was struck by the innovative nature of Australians.The opera house was paid for by a lottery fund, and not taxes, so nobody paid towards it that didn’t want to. |
| A view of the amazing botanical garden from the steps of the opera house.I liked the way the skyscrapers in the background contrasted against the plants and trees. |  |
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There are signs around the botanical garden, saying please walk on the grass.The point is that they wanted people to actively visit and enjoy the park.It was amazing to be there at lunchtime and see people taking time out from work to have a picnic. |
| The opera house from the Harbour Bridge.Circular bay has the opera house, the rocks, the botanical garden and several nice shops and bars.Its one of the most vibrant places I have ever been. |  |
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On a trip to the blue mountains, we visited a campsite where Kangaroos run free. |
| I caught the ferry to Manly island.It was named that, as the first explorers saw some local abo tribesmen, and described them as very “Manly”.I loved it here. |  |
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There was a six mile walk along the shore in manly, and as I am not much of a beach person I walked the whole length of it.There was a fantastic view. |
| Frank outside the opera house.Although I am comfortable travelling on my own, it was great when he arrived.There are pictures of Frank all over this web site, he is my closest friend, we have travelled all over the world together and I would trust him with my life (I actually have done several times !). |  |
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Back home in the UK, we have a cookery program called Saturday kitchen.They feature an Australian Chef called Bill Granger who runs an internationally respected restaurant called “Bill’s”.I decided to actually go there whilst in Sydney.I was blown away to be actually sat in a building which I had seen on TV from the other side of the world. |
| Although its hard to qualify, the scrambled eggs at bills are said to be the best in the world.Scrambled are my favourite eggs, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity. It is made using cream, and tasted delicious.The T shirt I am wearing, is one of 6 I bought in Australia, as they were so inexpensive, it was easier to buy new clothes, than wash dirty ones. |  |
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In the blue mountains.The rock formations were stunning to look at.Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very good on that day, and I ended up buying a coat to keep warm. |
| An Emu in the blue mountain zoo.An international symbol of Australia.Of all the places I have ever visited, Australia was the most beautiful.I will definitely return there !. |  |
Alice Springs (2/2).
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The aborigines didn’t like people climbing Ularu (although no one was specific about why).As an alternative, there was a circular walk around the base of the rock, which we did early on when it was cool.
The scenery and views around the rock were breathtaking. |
| I decided to climb Ularu. I was clear about this from the beginning, nature put it there before men and religion existed and it was meant to be climbed.Unfortunately, Frank didn’t agree and I walked it on my own. It was unusual to be anywhere near a mountain without Frank !
Good news was that my expensive cross trainers and hours of fitness paid off, and flew up it even though it was very steep. |
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Me at the top of Ularu.I was lucky to find some people from Perth at the top to take my picture. |
| Ularu at night.We had a glass of wine, and watched the son set over the rock.
I got chatting to a few off the people on the Safari and made some friends. |
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On the 3rd day of our trip, we visited Kings Canyon.The walk wasn’t particularly hard, but it was very hot.
This is a view of the Canyon. It was like a sheer wall, and is very popular with rock climbers. Its a bit hard to see, but at the bottom of the Canyon is the Garden of Eden, a really special place with clear water which I sat in for half an hour relaxing. |
| We had such a good time, that when we got back we all went for a night out in Alice Springs.I had Kangaroo steaks, and we all got loads of pitcher’s of beer.
I have spent to many weeks of my life with holiday makers, it was great for a change to be surrounded by travellers and people with a taste for adventure like me. |
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Julia, Sonja and the Anouk holding a 4 pint pitcher of beer. |
Alice Springs (1/2).
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The Olga’s.I went on a 3 day Safari around Ularu and the desert around the red centre.
The heat on the trip was stifling, and we had to get up at 4am each day. |
| Valley of the winds.As we completed the walk around the Olga’s, we came to the valley of the winds, which is sacred to the aboriginal people. |  |
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There are Camel farms all over Australia, and approximately 400,000 Camels live wild.I had to use the zoom on my Camera to capture a picture of this camel. |
| I thought it was amazing in the desert, but I had to drink at least 4 litre’s of water each day.I knew when I was dehydrated, as my appetite would go, I would feel tired, and then get headaches.I had always imagined doing a long distance walk in the outback, but I discovered the amount of water you would need to carry, meant traveling without a vehicle was practically impossible. |  |
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Whilst on the safari, we stayed on a camp site in tents.These were unlike any tents I had ever slept in, as they were built like nuclear air raid shelters.The Kings Canyon cattle station where we stayed on the 2nd night, actually had a pool, which we made good use of. |
| Our guide Darren cooked these chicken meals on the coals off the fire.He asked if anyone knew how to light I fire, and I couldn’t miss an opportunity like that. I have never seen wood so dry.It wasn’t necessary to use kindling, as a piece of wood the thickness of a broom handle could be lit with a match !.I had the fire roaring within about 10 minutes, and everyone in the camp complimented me on my fire lighting skills (I neglected to mention to them, that I had been trained by some of the UK’s finest Bushcraft instructors !). |  |
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Frank and Tony outside a hostel in Alice springs.I stayed mostly in expensive hotels while on my trip. I actually found that sometimes, the more money you spend, the less atmosphere you seem to get.I am glad I did a “James Bond” on this trip, but next time I am going to rough it a bit more. |
| Quad biking in the desert.Not like in the UK. No 25 minute safety brief, the instructor hands you a helmet, asks if you know the controls (and looks unimpressed if you dont).Then says simply “try and keep up with me” and off we go.
An amazing experience, the highlight of my trip was hitting a ramp and having all 4 wheels leave the ground. That feeling of being airborne was incredibly exhilarating. |
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This is Mo, the Camel I got to ride whilst in the desert.The camel driver was explaining that Camels have a reputation for being bad tempered, when in reality they associate emotions with memories.This means that if a camel is shouted at in a field, it will always be ill tempered in that field.I had always wondered about this, as I cant actually believe that an animal can be “nasty”.I also found out why they are called the ship of the desert. They rock as they move |
Lisbon – the cheapest capital in Europe and home of Vasco De Gama (2/2).
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We wander back through this enormous shopping arcade street.As we stop for lunch and drinks, I’m still struck by how competitively priced this is, compared to London, Paris or Rome. |
| An innovative approach to policing, they had Segway’s. |  |
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The Santa Justa lift. |
| We decide to visit Belem.Its a bit away from where we are (Lisbon is quite fragmented) so we get a taxi.
This is a statue of Vasco de Gama we passed on the way.
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Monument to the discoveries.A major attraction of Lisbon, was Vasco de Gama.
Although circumstances could be more different, I really identified with his thirst for adventure. On the waterfront, this structure, is the Monument to the discoveries, and features all of Portugals famous explorers including VDG and Henry the Navigator. |
| There’s an African connection.De Gama navigated to the Cape of Good Hope.
Next to the monument is a large round are showing an enormous compass and places around the world. It was a gift from South Africa. |
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It’s a nice day, and we wander into the Botanical gardens.There’s a sign saying the bank that was sponsoring the Gardens has gone bankrupt, so the place is a bit overgrown and there looking for volunteers.
I wandered down this avenue with these beautiful tree’s. |
| This greenhouse was closed, but otherwise a genuinely lovely spot and amazingly quiet considering just outside were most of Lisbons major tourist attractions. |  |
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I wander deeper into the interior and find these trails where I stop, rest and contemplate thing (like why cant the price of beer be cheaper everywhere in Europe). |
| Archaeological museum and nearby the Maritime museum, the thing I really wanted to see. |  |
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People queuing to go into Jeronimo’s Monastery. |
| Everyone else wanted to stay outside and enjoy the weather, so I went into the Archaeological museum on my own.There were some interesting things inside, and it only cost about £2. |  |
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The entrance to the Maritime museum.The site was previously a chapel where sailors went to be blessed before embarking and an uncertain future.
Walking through these doors was an enchanting experience, I imagined what it must have been like 500 years earlier. |
| A statue of Vasco De Gama inside the maritime museum. |  |
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People I go walking with sometimes say Ordnance Survey maps are no good and lack detail.De Gama would have navigated with a map like this one !. |
| None of the original boats still exist so there were modern models to look at.There was a section showing how “discovery” boat changed over time.
Initially with triangular sales of the fishing boat kind. Then the same kind of boat and sail but “square rigged” at the front and finaly this kind of Gallon, which is fully “square rigged”. |
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One thing I hadn’t realised, was as far back as the 1500’s, the Portuguese were trading with the Japanese.Here, a Samurai sword they brought back. |
| And just for fun, a Royal Barge. |  |
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Dan sits out on the waterfront.In the centre of the photo is the enormous Christ the King statue.
To the left the Vasco De Gama bridge. 6 road lanes and 10 miles long. The longest suspension bridge in the world. |
| There was a nice Marina there, so we stopped and had some lunch and a couple of drinks. |  |
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Torre de Belem. Originally, would have been a quarter of a mile out to see, but the land has been reclaimed.Probably the site most people associate with Lisbon.
And off home, until the next adventure. |
Lisbon – the cheapest capital in Europe and home of Vasco De Gama (1/2)
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I’d heard great things about Portugal’s pedigree as a discovery nation while at school.When Simon Calder recommended Lisbon as the cheapest capital city in Europe, a trip had to happen.Like my most recent adventure in Bucharest, it was a budget project. |
| As we sit in Manchester waiting to fly out, I eat my Boots lunch deal (still the best value at airports).We arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport.It was one of the the biggest (and emptiest) airports I’ve ever landed in. |  |
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Wanderlust magazine did some research into travel mishaps like theft and turning an ankle.They found that when visiting a place for the first time, these things are 98% likely to happen in the firsts 24 hours.For this reason, we took a taxi rather than public transport from the airport.
Might not sound like “budget” thinking, but it usually costs more to put a mishap right, than it does to just avoid it. On our way, we get to see the Aguas Livres Aqueduct (which means Aqueduct of the Free Waters), completed in the 1800’s. |
| We arrive at our hotel, the VIP Berna. As we arrived, 2 other taxi’s arrive behind us, with people from our flight.My guess, they used the same tools as me, and found the cheapest flight/hotel combination.
I didn’t think of it at the time, but I should have gotten to know these people, they were kindred spirits. The hotel was spotlessly clean and in a 70’s style, which gave it rather quaint feel (did I just write that !). Didn’t take long to unpack, as we all brought carry on luggage. I decanted my possessions into a stuff sack (I would need my daysack empty for carrying around in the daytime). I setup my phone charger, put my torch next to my bed, ate the Steak slice that Glenn bought me and headed downstairs. |
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I get into one of those lifts, that you only seem to find on the continent.You’ll know the kind I mean, if you’ve ever been in one. As you stand in the lift, the wall along one side moves up or down, depending on which way your going.
I was horrified to see this warning sign showing what happens if you transport a wheely bin, and put it too near the wall !. |
| A blessing was how cool the place was inside.Throughout the trip, baking heat was the norm, and this place was an oasis.The hotel had complimentary Wi Fi, which never seemed to work.On the plus side, had a friendly bar, and when we tipped the barmaid, she seemed genuinely delighted.The price of lager, is usually a good cost-of-living indicator in most countries.
Pints were about the same as Chester. We were in a European capital city so very good value indeed. In the afternoon/evening, we stay local, get used to the environment and get something to eat. |
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In the morning we head out to start exploring.Within just a few minutes I’m struggling to find our location (which is pretty unusual)standard practice in this situation, is the same as mountain navigation.You find a landmark on the ground, then locate it on your map (or guidebook).I realise what the problem is. The nearest landmark is the Bullring. Its listed in the guidebook as “further afield”, and isn’t listed on the central maps.
No problem. I work out its South towards the city and roughly where we’ll enter the centre. Twenty minutes walk later. I’ve located our position on the map of Baixa and then cherry pick the sights we want to see. |
| Heading for Rossio Square, we pass Rossio station.The station is a Romantic recreation of Neo-Manueline facade (that’s why it looks 16th century, but actually completed before the start of the 19th century)underneath the station is a 2.5 kilometre tunnel, one of the greatest feats Portugese engineering.I wanted to see it, as I like the idea of modern tech, hidden behind a traditional facade. |  |
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Rossio in Portugese, means roughly “commons” in English.After the earthquake of 1755, the city of Lisbon was expanded to lower areas bellow Lisbon Castle hill. The idea was to create an area for the common people.In the centre is the column of Pedro IV with fountains in front and behind it.Its the main meeting place in the city so everyone goes there.
Among them a youth with long hair and a tan wanders around. He bares a striking resemblance to Dan from our group. We nickname him Danos after the similarity. Dan points out that its a Greek sounding name, and were in Portugal. |
| Staying in Baixa, we visit Praca da Figueira. It sounds quite grandiose, but it actually means Square of the Fig tree’s)unoriginally a hospital, it was demolished after the earthquake and used as an open market.Sadly there’s no market there now, just coffee shops and the usual social fayre.In this picture, you can see a statue King John I a noble knight born in 1357 (although the statue was actually put up in 1971)
You can also see Glenn, a noble Knight from Mickel Trafford and to the lower left of the picture, a chemical toilet. |
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We visit our 3rd square in only an hour.Praca do Comercio (know locally as palace square) forms a “U” shape facing out towards the Tagus river. |
| Lisbon’s town planning department really go for the whole “man on a horse” thing.This statue faces the Tagus and is dedicated to king Jose 1.In the background of this picture you can see the Triumphal arch that forms a gate into the city. |  |
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Just south of the square where it meets the river is Cais das Colunas (Columns Pier).From here you could see out across the bay to the 25 de Abril Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the world) which links Lisbon with Almada.You can also see the Cristo-Rei (Christ the King) monument.
In times past, this was the main entrance to the city for dignitaries, hence its elaborate Marble design. These days its extremely popular, and you have to wait quite a while if you want a seat here. |
| We decide to walk up the hill (not sure how this ended up happening, the guide book suggests taking the tram to the top and walking down). This place is a maze of narrow winding streets and alleyways. |  |
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Once the wealthiest part of the city, these days its run down, but has loads of character.Although there are no Moorish houses still standing the area still maintains a Casbah feel.
I’d been told the Taverna’s are a great place to socialise in the afternoon, but we were there in the morning, and this wasn’t a stag do. It was obvious within a few minutes, that there was no point trying to navigate around Alfama, so we just followed roads to see where they led. The alleyways are called Becos (and are everywhere) with washing strung out between the compact houses. Compared to these, the chinese Hutongs are palatial.
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| I’d read that a new influx of younger residents had led the creation of trendy shops and bars.
We found loads of shops selling crafts and bric-a-brac.Here, a gallery of pictures, all created using coffee. |
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At one point, we “trip over” 1 of the 2 must see buildings in Alfama.Sao Vicente de Fora.
It means Monastery of St. Vincent outside the walls and is a 17th century church and monastery. The building is done a a Renaissance style know as Mannerism (whatever that means). |
| And just a few minutes later, the other one, Santa Engracia.
In 1966 while the country was a dictatorship, it was turned into a National Pantheon. You probably haven’t heard of any of the people who are interred here, but there are cenotaphs to Vasco de Gama and Henry the Navigator. |
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At the top of the hill, there are views over Alfama towards to Tagus estuary. Although very built up, there’s also lots of green area (which we couldn’t see while walking up) where local people grow vegetables. |
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Quite sensibly, someone has setup a cafe right near this spectacular spot. Its called the Portas do Sol, which means Suns door. |
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Leaving Alfama, we head for the Castelo de Sao Jorge, located on a hill overlooking the city with an observation terrace. |
| The castle was rebuilt in the 40’s but some of the original derelict buildings remain. |  |
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A nice building, but looked like something out of Hollywood. |
| We’re lads after all, and its a castle, so we wander around exploring. |  |
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There are some archaeological sites within the walls of the castle. You can google them if you want to know what they are. |