Archive for May, 2004
T’was the night before takeoff
I’m sorry to say that the mouse is still stirring tonight, though it is the one attached the the computer. The backsack is packed (or should that be the backpack is sacked?), the clothes are rolled, the camera is primed, and I’m ready for a holiday. Now where did I put that passport …
Posted in Australia, 2004 | No Comments »
Mildly amazing race
I must remember to pace myself. Like a lot of things I tended to start the tourist caper in the extreme and felt like I was doing Hong Kong in 24 hours.
A trip on the star ferry, up to Victoria Peak on the Peak Tram, the Peak circuit walk, a trip out to Stanley […]
Posted in Asia, 2004 | No Comments »
Need assistance? It’s best to look helpless
When in doubt it’s best to look totally lost (which isn’t too hard for me). Props such as an unfurled map the size of a tablecloth or trying to give the bus driver who gives no change a $20 note works wonders.
In both cases the locals came to the rescue. The kids on the […]
Posted in Asia, 2004 | No Comments »
And now the finance news …
The number one story on the news last night was how Hong Kong’s GDP grew 6. 8 per cent in the last quarter, due in no small part to consumer spending and the number of tourists from mainland China making it to the island (I’ve seen the Contiki tours Chinese style winding their way through […]
Posted in Asia, 2004 | No Comments »
I’m having a preminition: I will be swindled
Beware of strange men with coloured hats on the Kowloon foreshore who offer to read your palm and tell your fortune.
They can guess the colour you choose (which happened to be green, and oddly enough was the same colour as his hat) and apparently know that I am too open hearted and will find love […]
Posted in Asia, 2004 | No Comments »
Please wait: Life is rebooting
What do you call a weekend where you stuff practically all of life’s belongings into storage, close the door on a place you’ve called home for four years plus, shift into a new locale with two good friends, and all before leaving to go overseas in a couple of days? (as they say in the […]
Posted in Australia, 2004 | No Comments »
It’s been a long time between blogs
To the legion of fan (n. singular) looking at this site (OK, I admit I’m talking to myself), apologies. The side-splitting anecdotes about preparing for a European vacation in four weeks have been few and far between, or haven’t even started. That’s because I decided holiday planning in itself wasn’t enough and have gone for […]
Posted in Australia, 2004 | No Comments »
Travel tip #2: Save on Eurrail passes, just
I found out yesterday that Youth Hostels Australia offers a three per cent discount on Eurrail passes if you book it through them, and if you’re really pressed for time, or totally disorganised, you can still book it a couple of hours before you get on the plane. The only catch is that if you’re […]
Posted in Australia, 2004 | No Comments »
Rovingchimp is off the leash
Before I cut the ribbon to officially declare rovingchimp.com online, I should make some disclaimers. This site was a rush, and because of that some corners were cut. Those corners are:
Have I made this site conform to web standards? No.
Have I used valid XHTML to code the site? No.
Have I made the Flash navigation accessible […]
Posted in 2004 | No Comments »
Travel tip #1: Don’t show your teeth
My photos for a new passport were not good enough today. It wasn’t because it looked like I had just woken up after a heavy night, nor because it seemed that I had developed a lazy eye. It was because I smiled and bared my … teeth. Laughing, smiling, in fact anything that involves opening […]