10 days to catch up on! Prague!

Hi everyone!

Sorry that i haven't been able to keep up with my trip. It is currently raining outside so i just may have an hour to wirte what's been going on for the last 10 or so days!

Well, i'll try to start from back in Turkey, but it seems that long ago, that i have to rely on my notes and memories to get my stories happening!

On day 26, we got up early and left our Istanbul hotel and got on the Coach headed for Sofia, Bulgaria. This was another hotel stay, which is always greatly appreciated. On the way there, we stopped of at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which was awesome- the paintings and architecture is brilliant and then went to some market,s which are still selling nazi memorabilia from pre WW2. a little strange and eerie to see. (I left it all there.)

After this we headed back to our hotel and had some bulgarian food and got all dressed up for a night out in Sofia. Now, you would think Sofia would be a happening place... and aparently it is after 3am in the morning, but that is when all good girls like me are fast asleep in their hotel rooms. (I'm talking about nights when i'm not in a tent.) anyway, we had a bit of a dance and a couple of drinks, but taxi drivers are maniacs over here! It's like a showride with a destination!


Anway after a good nights sleep (i didn't even hear my room mate talking on the phone) it was off to Macedonia after a delightful breakfast of Stale Bread, cold hard boiled eggs and cucumber! awesome!

Today we crossed the border into Macedonia and had lunch in a town called Skopje. Hillarious for the town folk who can't speak english to have top deal with 46 non macedonian speaking tourists, who all need food! Ended up ordering spaghetti (which was the only thing that sounded remotely familiar) and a coke for like 2 euros
($4) not bad either. Strange place to be, but i have been there are enjoyed myself!

Anyway, After lunch, we travelled onto Lake Orhid, which had the most beautiful scenary of all of our campsites, but i must say theyu are all really on par, because thay are all stunning places and i can not pick a favourite! Not so much praise for the bathrooms though.... tour mates were prefering to squat in the bushes than in the toilets block, which only had squat toilets and mozzies the size of concordes! when you flushed them, you needed to be prepared to run, cos otherwise the toilet water flooded your shoes and i mean flood! but not all bad, after an amazing thunderstorm with enough lightening to freak most in the sampsite out, we went for a walk along the side of the lake to a little alter in the lake side caves. Eerie, but quite enjoyable. Usually i'm the scaredy-cat, but as one of the fella's held on tight to my hand due to his fear, i found it very funny to push through the swinging door and scream "Oh My God!" only to have him let go and require a clean set of underwear! You probably had to be there, but most of our tour group is very close and it was very funny!

So on to Albania the next day, as we have a few 1 might stops to get us across to some more interesting places. We stayed on the coast of Albania next in a great hotel in Durres. beautiful swimming pool overlooking the beach and a great hotel too. As i had the penthouse suite with my girl friends we had several drinks on the balcony, before politely kicking everyone out for bed! once again, it was a o\one night stay so off early in the morning after a nice feed of Cucumber, Olives and tomatos for breaky! (It is at this time, when we beg our Mobile cook, never to serve us cucumber for breaky!)

On the 19th of May, day 29, we travelled through the thriving country of Montenegro, whilst munching away on Negro bikkies.(i have the photo to prove this is not racist) Beautiful lunch at some town, where we all stocked up on some food and drinks as the prices are amazingly cheap, then we continued on for Dubrovnik.

What an awesome place Dubrovnik is! It is so very pretty and old and special. It's a real shame that it has been tainted as it has, because it is certainly on of the most memorable places i've been. ANYWAY... We set up our campsite and broke out the collection af drinks we now owned and played some hard core UNO. I have to say, Uno is the new Texas Hold 'em.... it's making a come back!

So next day we headed into the old town and went for a tour of the city. Now i need to explain to you just how fantastically organised the tour is. Our little tour guide, know affectiaonately at Tin Tin, is just amazing. He has information about everything. If he doesn't explain it to you during the tour and you ask him what something means, he's got thew answer and if he doesn't, it bugs him, and he goes and finds out.
If we walk into a bar, we don't uy a drink before he's got us some sort of deal about staying an hour and getting free drinks for all of us, or maybe it's a deal for 3 courses and a drink for 11 euro orsomething, they are just magic and so make it easy to have a great time. So anyway...

After the tour of the city and a bit of free time shopping, it was off onto our boat to cruise the Dalmatian coast (?) and it is just beautiful. Altough the water is cold it is just brilliant to dive in off the boat and swim with the sea urchins. I loved it. We spent 5 hours on board and stopping at little silands on the way for ice cream and souvenirs. What an awesome day.

Then it was back to the cxamp site to spruce ourselves up for a night on the town! My friends and I went to a lovely little restuarant with a lovely little waiter, with the longest name in history... and he loved me! ha ha, didn't ever show up to buy me that drink though... and after several hours at a bar, we headed off to the dreaded Club Fuego (yes... the club) It was Awesome. Not sure why, cos there were not many people there but i was there with so many of my friends and we were all aware of the history, but we stuck together and had one of the best nights of the tour.

Now, i have funny story - but you may have needed to be there....

Holly and I were the last ones out, with Simon (Coach driver extrodinare) and Mel (Super Chef Mobile Cook) and we all caught a taxi back to the camp together. As simon was the only Male, he was getting a hard time... Then all of a sudden the taxi stops and he was telling us to get out! Holly and I retorted a couple of times before realising that we were actually being dropped off as close to the tents as possible, but Mel and Simon were to continue to their units. So with apologies, we climbed out and stumbled our way back to camp.
Onl the way Holly really needed to use the bathroom, so we found a nice friendly looking tree. I obviously chose to friendly side, cos only a couple of seconds later, Holly was being attacked by monster Ants and scratched to pieces by some thorning prickle bush... She still has the scars to prove it! Very funny!

Anyway, when we got back to camp, we could hear a couple of the others saying someone had destroyed the cook tent and when we had a look, there was not a dish on the table. there was stuff everywhere... yes, it was worse than my bedroom! So everyone else went to bed and an eager Holly and I boiled the water and washed all the dishes at 4am... We really do love our Cook!

righto then. Lazy day the next day. Did some washing and got onto the computer... yes that was last blog day, so now i am up to there. Nothing exciting for the day, just a nig\ce chance to rest ansd relax and it was really hot too, so just what was needed!

Next day, was pack up day and travel towards Zadar. We crossed into Bosnia and then out again, as it's not that exciting.... Nice drive out of it really!
We stopped in Split for lunch, which is where the powerful dude decided to break up the empire, hence the name split. Will have to go through my notesd though to figue out who and what that was... So much information to try and remember!

Got to Zadar in time to sight see, which is rare for our "One night only" stops. Alonf rhw edge of the sea in an organ with plays a tune when the waves push against the shore and push air up the tubes to create the sound. A little funky really, quite engenious!

As it was only for one night, not many people bothered with tents and we all slept under the stars, which was great! Very enjoyable!

Up and off early again, this time we headed for Hungary to stop in Budapest. I think it seems that the less i know about a place, the more i end up enjoying it. I loved budapest it was fantastic. So much to see and do!

We skanked ourselves up again and headed into town for a night at a hungarian nightclub and at first i was very disappointed, but then it just seemed to take off and it was brillient. Best night! The music was like 1920's ragtime and we all just really enjoyed it, so it was awesome!

Coach tour of Budapest in the morning, then during free time, i went to the Terror museum about what the hungarians went through under the nazi and soviet occupations, so that was very interesting. Afterwards it was off to the Thermal baths and wow! They are awesome! we need some of them at home!

Next morning, it was pack up again and head to Vienna. Now Vienna is such a beautiful place and definalty somewhere i can come back to. After setting up, we did a tour of the city and ended up having tea and free time at the oldest amusement park in Europe. Awesome, Mildura show, eat your heart out! So many rides and things to do, it was really enjoyable!

The following day was free day in Vienna and after a tour on foot with Tour guide extrodinare, ALex we had free time so my and my girl frineds hitched a ride in a horse and cart that took us around the old town. Very exciting! and well worth it. definately something you have to do!
Taday i also saw the Sisi museum who was the first lady to make herslef beautiful by using make up and stuff. I son't think she was very well though...

Also went to the Schnaps museum and had several shots of their prized creations including burning my throat on actually Absinth. Nasty stuff that! Next was a wander in the gardens of schonburnn palace, which were the most enjoyable gardens i've seen. I loved them! Google these things and you should see them too!

After dinner back at the camp, we headed off to the Mozart and Strauss Concert which was breath taking!

Then yesterday, we packed up Vienna and headed in to Prague, Czech Rep. We stopped off at Cesky Krunlov along the way and then after tea and setting up the camp site, most of us headed into town to wastch the European Soccer final. A good night had by all.

Today we came into town by public transport and after yet another fantastic town tour on foot, we had a boat cruise for lunch up the river and then free time to enjoy the rain. Looking forward now to seeing if my luggage is still dry in my tent.

AND I AM NOW UP TO DATE!

Love you all, and will tell you what else i do, next time i get the chance!

xoxoxoxox


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Dubrovnik (is not all bad!)

Hi Everyone! Here I am in Dubrovnik now and i can tell you it is one of the most beautiful places i've ever seen! So, it took a little while to get the images of my head that kept asying this is a bad place and once you enjoy it and see what it is, you are lucky!

But i should start at the beginning... well, since the boob mash at the turkish bath!

Belly dancing evening was great. saw Turkey's highest regarded belly dancer and 4 gilrs in total - but it amazes me, that it some how fits in with their religion! i mean the country has a 99.4% islamic rate! Went to the night club for a little while after that, but no more Shiesha - which is good, because it really stuffed me up, or that could have been the lack of ventilation in the hotel!

I have found the best desert evver.... well one that is awesome! Mr Delicious sold it to me and it is chocolate baclava, which is pastery and pistacio nuts and like a glaze stuff, so now i will have to find it in Mildy!

I have really got to go now, but haven't managed to write enough stuff, so will have to catch you up on it hopefully later to night! Sorry to cut it short!

Love Sheridan xoxox


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Istanbul - Not Constantınople!

Hı Everyone, thınk yourself lucky! I have had the chance to wrıte 2 successıve blogs!

Last tıme ı wrote ı was at a resort ın Cannakale. Now I am ın a hotel ın the very centre of Istanbul. After the rıgmerol gettıng thru the border ı was a lıttle uneasy beıng here. We had to unpack our bags from the coach ın aservıce statıon and then tow them thru the streets to get to our hotel. Everyone was starıng and hoverıng around so ı was ı bıt on edge. However once we had gotten ınto our hotel and put our bags away, we lossened up and went for a wlk along the street. Now ı´ve never had so many marrıage proposals and other proposals ın such a short perıod of tıme! Apparently Aussıes are the most amazıng people and you can be recognısed by your walk! I thınk ıt´s the thongs though...

Anyway, we left Cannakale early yesterday mornıng and caught the Ferry across the Dardenelles agaın and went back to Gallıpolı. Now, ı was very much lookıng forward to Anzac Cove, as were many people on my tour - (most of the tour group are Aussıe or Kıwı) but ıt ıs somethıng ı wıll never forget. You can read the books and watch the movıe and have ıt ın your head just how hopeless the plan was, but nothıng prepares you for standıng on Anzac Cove and lookıng up at the Sphınx that confronted our soldıers when they fırst landed.

I can´t explaın ıt here because ı don´t thınk words can dıscrıbe how ı felt and no one was shootıng at me. I can not comprehend how those poor soldıers would have felt.

We dıd get to stop by Anzac Cove and then we drove around and up to Lone Pıne Cemetary. It was very hard to see the rows on rows of headstone that read - Belıeved to be burıed here ıs .... age 19, or as ın the case of own young boy - 16.

We also then drove up to the Ataturk monument whıch ıs also home to the New Zealand Monument and there are trenches there that you can clımb down ınto and see just how unbearable lıfe would have been.

Gallıpolı was an experıence that ı wıll never forget and one that has cememnted ın me, just how proud ı am to be an Aussıe.

So away from the heavy stuff. When we got to our hotel and had tea, we headed off around the corner to a bar sort of place and sat up on the roof wıth huge cushıons and blankets and smoked Shıesha for the nıght. Don´t worry, not a habıt ı could ever take up. Plus wıth the added excıtement of my Contıkı Cough, ıt was a bıt of a hıt and mıss!

Shıesha ıs a huge pıpe wıth flavoured smaoke ın ıt. It has no effect of you at all and ı can´t really understand why they do ıt, but apparently everyone does and you know the old sayıng... When ın Turkey, do as the turkısh do!

Rıghto, so today we had a Turkısh Guıde take us around the cıty on foot. We went ınto the Blue Mosque, google that one! Had a bıt of a talk about what Islam ıs and then we left for a Carpet and rug demonstartıon. I had to leave wıth a busıness card as apparently ı´m goıng to buy the whole shop! Mum, my frıend would lıke to thank you for teachıng me such good manners! Because of my good manners, ı fınd ıt hard to ıngore people and everyone want to talk because they eıther want to marry you or help you spend your money. I even had on guy ask me ıf ı´d lıke to see a pıcture of hıs house.... We leave Turkey tomorrow!

After the rugs and mosques, ı had fondu for dınner and then went shoppıng ın the bazzaar. It was great, ı really enjoyed ıt! Norelle and Annıe, yu wıll be please to know that my bracelet ıs comıng alond well!

After shoppıng ıt was off to the Turkısh baths for my wash. Wow! Now that was an expeıeınce! I´ve never been washed sınce ı´ve been old enough to wash myself, but today ı had a bıg turkısh woman wash me! It was great. An experıence well worth havıng. The guys on our tour all got cut throat razor shaves and gırls all had oıl massages and body scrubs. Another story you´ll have to ask me about when ı get home. But let me just say, ı have now had my face mashed ınto a massage table by another womans boobs!

Off to Belly dancıng tonıght and Turkısh food!

All my love, Sherıdan xoxoxo


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Turkey and all things Eastern!

Hello Everyone!
Still having the time of my life, if only i could work out these strange keyboards. This one has different i's on it and thay aren't in the same place, so please forgive my errors!

Anyway since i last wrote, i've spent several days (3) in Corfu, which i have to say was a pretty big highlight! We had a ferry trip to take us to the island and so had rooms on the ferry, which was nice - until at 3am when some strange man barges into your room want the key immediately and your still half asleep thinging "who are you?"

Anyway, because our ferry was late to leave (apparently in Greece, they work on ish time, which is "we will leave at 6 ish....") we were late to arrive and then had to wait for 2 hours on the island of igoumenitsa. great place to spend a couple of hours on the wrong side of midnight. I thought i'd be smart and sneak into the bus for a nap, only to find that half the tour group were already spread out with the same idea.
Anyway, after arriving on the island and setting up our tents, we spent the day doing a range of free activities such as beach volleyball (I rock!) and swimming on the pebbly beach. Was everything you imagine a greek island would be, but better! A campfire that night and then to bed.
George's boat the next day and it was awesome! Best Tatziki i've ever had and wow, the water is so clear and blue and green it's unbelievable! anwyay, we had a range of water sport to do, para sailing and wakeboarding, but i just enjoyed watching what the others were doing and having a swim.
Afterwards, it was off to a couple of sweet swimming spots, including Hanky Panky Island, where it is mandatory to go skinny dipping, a lot of fun and a story i'll have to share when i return home!
After George's boat it was a night of Greek Food and traditional dancing, lots of fun and plate smashing too, then a greek night club on the way home and another free day to play around oby the pool of beach. I chose to check out the town and then go swimming back ot the camping park. Later that day, we went off to the Contiki Resort for a swim and Toga party. Probably the most fun could expect to have in a room full of bed sheets. Everyone had to tie their own toga and there was alot of dancing, drinking and laughs to be had. Certainly a night i will remember for a long time!

The next day we had to pack up early and head for Athens. Wow, so much history to see and experience. A long day traveling, as most traveling days are covering 700 or so kms, but it's not a drag, it's great fun actually. In Athens, we climbed up to the Acropolis and had a look at the parthanon and all the monuments up there, i then fell my way down the slippery stairs and am now sporting a nice purple bruise on my thigh... BUT i saved my camera!
After seeing tha changing of the guards at the government house, we went for lunch, but first i have to mention that the guards actually have a guard as they can not protect themselves. To me, this is kind of a waste of time.... but i think it would be funny to try and attack the buildeing, as i have never seen soldiers march so slowly. The only way they could stop an attack is by having the enemy laugh at their marching technique! I'm sure it is all part of tradition, but i did take video footage, so you can see what i mean when i get home!

After an afternoon of shopping in Athens, we had a farewell dinner for the 6 tour mates who were leaving us, which was a little sad. Hopefully we will all keep in touch!

Well the next morning, we got our new 6 tour mates and theyu all seem great too, so that's nice. We headed off to Kavala (Car Var La) for the evening and saw Thomopolye (the movie 300 about the Spartans defending greece from the 1000000 persians)along the way. Not much to see in Kavala, but as it was another long drive the next day, we had to stop somewhere.

Today we travelled further east and crossed the Turkish Border - a little exciting with a lot of shouting and passport checking and stamping and big greek and turkish men with uniforms and guns! anyway, all went well and we crossed over!

On the way to Cannakale (pronounced Shan-ak-ally... work with me!) we stopped by the ancient site of Troy and had a fantastic guide take us around the ruins and tell us about all the ledgends, impressive!

Now we are at our resort on the beach with a pool and buffet for dinner. This is the life! unfortunately we are out of here at 7 in the morning, but at least i don't have to crawl into bed tonight, i can walk to it!

I have to tell you about the tent we have... they are supposed to be 3 man tents, but i think they were made for dwarfs and anorexic dwarfs at that. I feel very sorry for our tour team as they have to keep helping us fix them! I can not stretch out in them, so i don;t know how the taller boys are doing. We can not stretch to fly far enough away from the tent for it to remain dry through out the night, and we can't fit our bags inside with us to keep them dry unless we want to sleep on top of them! they are dome tents and so far i have had to replace 4 sections of pole due to snapping and splintering. But you know what, it is still a blast and i'm loving every second. Our road crew are amazing and we all know that we are very lucky tpo have them!

Well, i have to go now, i know that i have missed out a couple of towns, but i can't keep up with all this excitement!

Love you and miss you!

Sheridan xoxoxo


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I'm in Corfu!

Hi Everyone,

No time to write to you, but have posted earlier photos on the flickr.

Sorry theres no more fun to read about, but i'm all timed out! Hope you are all well and i'll fill you in as soon as i can! Having the best time ever and will continue to for at least another month!

Love Sheridan xoxox


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Venice, the floating city!

Hi there,

Here i am in the cyber bus at the Venice campsite. we are very much enjoyinmg our cabins and are making the most of the warmth in them as apparently it is staying cold!

Today we caught the ferry into the city and got ourselves lost in the small streets. at one stage we got lost and managed to walk around in a cirle 4 times, without finding the only bridge to take us out of the little back alleys that we were in... so we are keeping with the tradition of getting ourselves lost in every city. A little scary as we didn't want to miss our gondola ride!

We (Holly, Kim and myself - who get along really well together) hooked up with a couple of well prepared guys on our tour and went in the gondola. they had remembered to bring the cheese and bikkies and the wine, to snack on whilst we were gondola-ring along the canals! Great fun!

Anyway, we also went to a lace making display - a realise that there are some very worthwhile traditions, but i'd doubt i'd offer to spend 8 months of my life making one table cloth!
we also went to the glass blowing display, which was amazing! Brilliant and so quick! You'd want to be good at it after a 20 year apprenticeship!

We had a huge night last night in the Fusini Bar, were there was dancing around the wet slippery floor without shoes, and table top dancing, it was a quick and early start today. After wandering around for a while and really enjoying the town and the sights, we ate fantastic pizza, huge slices, but i can't post the photos cos this computer won't let me! Anyway, also had spaghetti for lunch! Bellissimo!

Well, off to Florence tomorrow and am looking forward to crachihng in my cabin again! But first a phone call home!

Love you all and keep the comments coming! Work mates, didn't i teach you anything??? Ask Carol, i showed her!

Sheri xoxox


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