Author Archives: cgadmin

Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes and Zadar

I spent only a night in Zagreb and it was the one city where I didn’t have a clue where anything was. Definitely needed a map for that place, thank you Monica for directing me to the bus station. Went to Plitvice lakes in the morning and they were pretty spectacular. Makes me realize how fortunate I am living in Calgary though when we have similar parks only an hour away. I got hit with a cold so at first I wasn’t enjoying it, especially with all the crowd (I couldn’t imagine it during peak season) but once you get past the grandma-friendly trails its pretty easy going. I was soaked by the end of it. Arrived in Zadar yesterday evening and am enjoying the break of smaller town and slower lifestyle so I decided to spend another night here. Off to Split tomorrow!

plitvice

on the way to Zagreb

in Zadar

Off to Croatia

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I touched a sloth yesterday. Went to the zoo and got to see some weird animals! Some I couldn’t tell you what they are because the latin and hungarian names are hard to remember. Went out to a nice restaurant (gourmet food — glass of wine, entree and dessert) for about $15. I’m going to miss these prices. Off to Croatia next, training it down to Zagreb, staying a night and then off to Plitvice Lakes in the morning. I’m looking forward to a little bit of down time.

Budabest

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Checked out a ton of places. Learned about communism and the soviet and nazi occupation. Those guys suck pretty hard. This city has great food, really unique bars some which are ruin bars — unfit for living buildings converted into bars and much of it is walkable.

Andrassy

Gandalf

Heroes Square. Named after me

Budapest is good

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I would love to see a third person view of me trying to explain something in English to Hungarian-only-speakers. Probably like a really weird and awkward charades game.

First Week Impressions

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After less than a week of traveling solo for the first time, I’ve had a variety of new experiences and I thought I would pass on things that I do so that it might be useful for others! I’m by no means an expert at all (hell I thought it was called the 16th Chapel in the Vatican only until a couple years ago).

In no particular order here are my tips:

Stay optimistic but prepare for the unlikely! Prep in your mind what you’d do if you lost everything including your passport, so you don’t freakout if it happens (I hope I don’t have to experience this!)
Use your phone for useful apps, and check out what’s out there in the app store, but I wouldn’t rely on your phone for everything! I have a BlackBerry so it doesn’t have a ton (like 4) of good apps, but the ones I’ve seen on other phones with a mo’ bettah app selection is really cool. Write down addresses, flight/train/bus details, things to see, maps (download maps so they can be used offline) Technology doesn’t cooperate all the time
I leave my phone in the locker at the hostel when going out at night. I would be super bummed if I lost it, and I don’t find it worth it for a few blurry night pics 😉
Memorize maps or jot down streetnames/directions. Its what I’ve started doing, navigation doesn’t come easy to my ol’ brain so by doing this I think I’m getting better, plus it helps you not look like such a tourist (i.e. a target for pickpockets) by having just a palm-sized notebook in your hand versus a huge map.
keep your stuff locked up in the hostel when away or sleeping. Chances are slim of theft but its better to be safe
keep everything together when at a hostel, don’t spread out. I like to mark my territory by sprawling out with my things but if I did that here there’s a good chance I’d forget something
try to first say hi or excuse me in the local language where you’re going. Although I have absolutely butchered and maimed Czech, I tried
be weary of drinking with big germans. Makes for a world of hurt the next morning

On the bus to Budapest now. So far the countryside looks surprisingly canadian.

Daypack on right and regular pack on left

Majority of my things on this trip

Good sights and drinks in Prague

Prague

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I think I’ve finally beaten the jet lag! Met up with a guy from New York at the hostel and we spent the day in the city. Terrible spatial navigation awareness aside, I found Prague somewhat hard to figure out in some areas because everything (although beautiful) looks the same. Its only when you see the castle or distinctive buildings that you can figure out where you are. Just hitting the castle is worth it alone, it is huuuuge and the area surrounding it is pretty cool. Good food a plenty around here and cheap too. Eventually I’ll write a detailed and poetic post but until then, enjoy the pics 😀

Prague Castle

Farewell to Falko

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After a whirlwind weekend, I say goodbye to Falko and his friends. It was an absolute blast and I’m bummed to leave! But now starts my solo tour where I feel pretty overhwelmed but excited to see some countries . I don’t know if its me or the day-after effects of beer, but being surrounded by a different language has seemed to make my English worse, and it only took 4 days! Or maybe I was never good at it in the first place?? Oh and Happy Birthday Courtney!

Heideblütenfest

Hamburg

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I realized I only took two pics with my phone in Hamburg, but went into super tourist mode and have lots on my camera. Its a big city with some tasty tasty bratwurst. Did a boat tour of the harbour, I saw boats and water and stuff. Thankfully my friend Falko translated for me so I got a little more info than that 🙂 and I realize these posts are awful and devoid of any information. IM DOING MY BEST OK

Tunnel under the river