Espana!

Having taken in all the sites of Amsterdam, I said my goodbyes and boarded the last train out. The trip to Spain was fairly lengthy, having to stop at a multitude of stations in between, though I wasn't too fussed. The train itself was fairly comfortable & I did get some sleep.

Spain was to be my biggest excitement during my travels around Europe! especially due to the fact that I was spending the most time here. Stepping off the train, and taking in my immidiate surroundings, a huge wave of excitement came over me!

Spain occupies approximately 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Beaches are bountiful. In fact, about 88% of the country is surrounded by water.

To the north the Pyrenees Mountains are part of the natural boundary that Spain occupies with France. To the far south, the Straits of Gibraltar separate the Peninsula and the north of Africa. In 1998 it was estimated that the population of Spain was 39,133,996.

I then jumped into a taxi - and was scooted away (the taxi driver must of been speeding!) to my hostel. After checking in, I took a quick walk around the city , though as I was fairly tired, I didn't take to much in - but I did take a few snapshots!

Anyway I think I might take a siesta.. more to come though!

Netherlands! and everything that goes on here..

I've just arrived in The Netherlands, or rather the city of Amsterdam! The city is a bustling sprawl of people of all ages, and plenty of foreigners like myself. Whilst somewhat of an old city, with buildings hundreds of years old, it does also sport newer buildings. The city itself is beautiful, with its canals and lakes, and surrounding hills. After the fairly quick train trip from Germany, I rushed my bags up to the new hostel within the city, and rushed back out to take in the sights whilst it was still light.

Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity. Tolerance in the way that plenty legal stuff is smoked that is still illegal in this the UK and diversity in the way of the different sorts of people smoke it. Its population is about 750,000 people from a myriad of different ethnic groups and nationalities. The city is built around 165 canals which are not only a means of getting around but also living space for the large number of houseboats in the city - these landlubbers are used to the canals. The city is very cosmopolitan but also fairly small and is often described as having a village mentality

Welcommen to Germany!

And so I've finally made it to Europe... Germany to be exact. I could hardly contain my excitement as I stepped off the plane, even though it was an exceptionally cold day, oddly enough. After the usual boring and somewhat plutonic airport procedures, I found myself standing outside - looking out across the city of Frankfurt.

Because this is such a large city! First objective is to find my hotel. I jump into a taxi - the driver blurts out something in German (I wonder if they dislike travellers) I point awkwardly at a location on a crumpled out Google Maps paper. The drive then blurts out something again in German (probably something along the lines of 'Why do I always pick up the mute travellers) and then shows me a sarcastic yet enthusiastic thumbs up. After 30minutes of gawking outside the cab window, looking around at the city, I find myself infront of a small yet comfortable looking travellers hostel. After paying the cabby, I jump out and grab my stuff from the boot. As I turn - I see a group of young travellers enter the hostel, one turns at me and smiles. I'm starting to love this trip already..

Transfers and playing the waiting game.

So the flight from Sydney to Singapore wasn't as bad as I thought. Flying on the new Airbus A380 made Economy class liveable, even when you are surrounded by disgruntled old people and crying babies. I was lucky enough to be given an emergency exit seat, not because I am large or anything like that, just luck I guess. Whilst there was plenty of room for my feet, I wasn't near any of the good looking girls that I had seen board the plane.. I suppose there is all of Europe for that. I am currently sitting in Changi International Airport, Singapore. The transfer lounge is pretty comfortable - so I thought i'd throw up a new post, and include a map of my upcoming travels.

The map above outlines some of my destinations.
I am flying into Germany, then heading across through The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, then into Greece.

And so it Begins..

The day has finally arrived! Finally ! I never was much an early riser , always opting to sleep in & let most of the morning roll by. Today was different, today I was going to Europe!

After a somewhat rushed though solely needed breakfast (I know how bad aeroplane food can be) I rush out the door to greet a slightly impatient taxi driver (apparently had been waiting for 10minutes) After apologizing , I couldn't help but boast about my upcoming trip - I'm pretty sure he wasn't listening. After a few hours of zig-zaging through the airport, I make it to my check-in gate, trying to wait rather uncomfortably in the little plastic buckets they call chairs - I swear its thrown my back out. The sheer amount of distractions to look at, as people buzz around the terminal kept my mind from the pain - oh and there seem to be a fair few good looking women on my flight. Europe! here I come indeed..

Sydney International Airport to Frankfurt Germany (Rhein-Main-Flughafen)