When we were twelve...

I have done nothing but eat and drink in the last few days, and my muffin top is a testament to this (the race isn't over yet, chisin!).

Unplanned Sydney-sider sightings (USSS) have now increased, with an +1 to Sighting B (Jean), and now a Sighting C, good old Kiat from back in the uni days. He was passing our yum cha table - I haven't seen this guy in years, but knew through the grapevine he had made the move to London. I know, I shouldn't be so surprised, but it gets me every time.

Speaking of hooking up with people from the past, I'm liking Facebook more and more these days. Although I say I have no interest in going to my high school reunion, because after all, you keep in touch with the ones that matter... I could not hide my excitement when I came across a stack of people from my primary school years. I am currently chatting to one of my closest friends from probably the most important developmental years of my life (when I used to hate school holidays and lie awake in excitement the night before a new term starts... I've gained a life since then...).

Primary school was never about sitting in lessons and taking tests. It was about little lunches and big lunches, about what show and tell to share and friends to hang out with. It's when you're allowed to be naive and naivety is just a lesson, never a loss. It's where our personalities start to shape, but not entirely defined - you really can't tell how someone will turn out by age 12 (look at how fine this shy class-dag with the bowl hair cut turned out!).

I guess that's why I'm so intrigued with my primary school pals. Especially since my recent trip to Croatia made me want to track down my 'best friend' from when I was 5 years old. Dear Ana was from Croatia and raved on about it all the time. Each time I went to a new Croatian town, I would wonder if she was from there and wished I had only asked.

I'm beginning to change my tune about not caring for people that I have lost touch with. I used to think it was a choice that was made, even if it was circumstantial by way of laziness. How could I be so wrong?

The different faces of Croatia

Zagreb is not only capital of Croatia, party central, but the city is a big cafe itself. Everywhere you turn, there are cafes with outdoor seating, pretty people decked out in the latest European fashion, beer or coffee in one hand and cigarette in another. I felt rather unglamorous in comparison.

My next stop was at Plitvice Lakes National Park - a wonderland where lakes spill into each other creating cascades of waterfalls at every corner. If you don't know, I love waterfalls... and I saw hundreds in one day embedded into a kaleidescope of yellows, oranges, greens and browns from the Autumn leaves. I can only imagine what the park would be like on a clear and sunny day and had my fingers crossed for the next day. The bright light shining through the crack in the curtain in the morning was promising, but when I threw open the blinds, the patchwork of colours was replaced with a thick blanket of white snow. Apparently it didn't even snow last year, and when it does, it is usually in December.

Although it ruined my plans to see the rest of the lakes, it was sort of a pleasant surprise to see the first snowfall, and gave me an excuse to stay in the hotel room I splurged on, equivalent to 4 nights stay in a hostel! Keen to make the most of it, I spread my toiletries out on the spanking clean ensuite bathroom, took two long hot showers... long enough to make me panic that I had caused the momentary blackout in the hotel midway through one of these guilty pleasures. But the lights went on again, and I turned the hot water up some more.

The rest of my trip in the small coastal town on Zadar was less eventful... I was excited to travel on my own for a bit, perhaps it's the whole thought of being independent, or maybe it seems more an adventure... but when you are in a small town with all too much time, I missed having someone there to chat and kill idle time with. I guess, journeys are better shared with someone.

The Rusty Traveller

I've spent the last 5 days in Croatia, which is absolutely gorgeous. My arrival here was not without drama, my rusty travel street sense was put to the test as soon as I arrived at Dubrovnik airport. Withdrawing money from the atm, I managed to walk away with all the dosh, but left my receipt and keycard behind! Lucky for me, I was still loitering around and realised when the next person walked up to the atm. Well it takes an incident like this to make me ultra careful the rest of the trip. Incidents like these only ever happen once.

So back to the travels - Dubrovnik lives up to the hype, with the city walls being the highlight of the trip so far. Looking over the rooftops of Old Town, and being able to just turn around to see the dramatic translucent aqua to deep blue of the sea, makes me realise that lugging heavy luggage, running for the plane, and waiting in long queues through customs is well worth it. The Adriatic Coast is amazing, and the bus ride from one coastal city to another is breathtakingly beautiful. I can't think of anything less cliche to say about the water... it dazzles, yup, dazzles in sun!




Mim left yesterday to return to London and I'm on my own for the next 5 days. I'm starting my lone tour by taking an unplanned trip away from the Dalmatia coast to the country's capital, Zagreb. So far, no hitches. I'm havng a rough time getting used to the cold which is a far cry from the sun and blue sky of the coastal towns. Tomorrow I am off the Plitvice National Park which is meant to have some really spectacular lake though. Can't wait to post som photos up when I get back to London!

London Encounters

So, I'm walking down the street three days into my visit to London. We're heading to the best Vietnamese phó place in town (phó was pretty good, but the vermicelli was so so, and the coconut juice cringe worthy...), and on the way there, I look up and see an old acquaintance and fellow M2 bus patron, Liz, strolling in the opposite direction! I haven't seen this woman in ages, and to be honest, actually forgot her name in my excitement. I was 80% sure it was Liz, and called it out anyway, which to my relief she answered to. Funny, I was wondering that day, whether I would bump into someone on the streets if London considering there are so many Sydney-siders there. So after catching up over a few short minutes, I walked away shaking my head still amazed that I had bumped into someone on the other side of the world.

10 minutes later, as I'm waiting for my meal, blabbering away to Mim at the table, who should walk in? Another Sydney acquaintance, Jean! Not sure whether to get up and run over, stand up and shout, or just continue blabbering to Mim, I see the waiter walk over to her. And ofcourse, there were no spare tables in the entire restaurant... my dilemma was resolved as the waiter led Jean and her companion - who I later discovered also works with some ex colleagues of mine... what a night...

So that three days into my visit. Not sure why I am so surprised, I guess it's always nice to bump into a familiar face, let alone in another city.

Big Trip (Somewhere) - Take II

Status at 5am (approx. 10 hours before flight departure):
- luggage packed and over-wieght
- parcels ready to be shipped despite 12am drama with not having enough brown paper to wrap weet-bix cartons (disaster diverted - thank god for little brown take-away bags and great patchwork skills!)
- tax returns... they suck, not yet finished and I'm already owing a weeks' worth of travel money!

This blog has been on extended holidays since 2004 (because I haven't)... but it's back... typos, bad grammar, travel and foolish stories (which most definately aren't based on my foolish actions).

This is my next big trip, destination unknown but most likely to be a revisting the Big TO, or even the Big Apple. In smart traveller style - first I'm off to blow all my money in Europe before I find a job to earn it.

So please, jump on and share my rararas from the other side of the world. Drop me a blah blah blah, a long email or a phone call.

I'll be sure to miss everyone - I'm feeling it already.