headed off on another adventure

[Kevin Greene]

The schooner portion, oh yeah.

 

 

not guaranteed… i really want to hitch up with a legendary black-masted bugis schooner from the ports in makassar and take it island-hopping to the east, but it'll probably make more sense to just go with a slummy room on one of the country's national shipping liners for three bucks and a certain schedule

 

 

Alright, if you do get 'er done are you going to try and latch on as crew or passenger?

[Jimmy]

I envy you.  I wish I didn't have a death fear of flying.  I flew a lot when I was a government contractor, training counterintelligence and interrogators for the Army.  But after a few bad experiences I started getting severe anxiety attacks where I felt like I was having heart attacks.  I would love, absolutely love to go to the UK.  

[PhillyB]

Alright, if you do get 'er done are you going to try and latch on as crew or passenger?

 

i have the seamanship of a cactus and i don't speak a word of indonesian so chances are i'll be sitting on the deck eating satay and watching them do all the work

[Porn Shop Clerk]

semen of a cactus wat

[PhillyB]

London is expensive as poo... if you smoke, I promise you'll quit when you see cigarette prices. Dover and Canterbury are must-sees. Stonehenge is not open to the public for the summer solstice (I found out the hard way).

Belgium has great food. Waffle stands line tourist streets. Unfortunately most of Brussels smells like New Orleans.

I can go all day about Germany, and June is a great time to go. It isn't warm yet, but is comfortable and the outdoor life is starting to pick up. Berlin has enough to keep you busy for a couple of days. It is pretty unique in that you can see and contrast the effects of capitalism vs. communism right there.

If you go down to the Alps, you can see Neuschwanstein castle (sp?) which isn't really a "historic" castle (built in the late 19th century) but it is a beauty, even if you can only tour a few rooms. Daschau concentration camp isn't far from Munich. Don't forget to check out small towns like Rothenberg. If you are interested in any specific place, I'll tell you about it if I've been there.

I've only driven through Austria, specifically the panhandle area between Germany and Italy. My wife has been to other areas. I remember some pretty impressive forts and castles along the highways, but I don't know their names or the towns.

Don't forget Czech... I call it the Mexico of Europe. You can find anything you need or want there. Want a working electric chair? Go to Czech.

I haven't been to Slovenia, but I have trained and trained with Slovenian Soldiers. If the general population is anything like their soldiers, do NOT get in a fight there. They are some hardcore mofos.

 

i literally have no idea what i'm going to do in europe between london and istanbul. a buddy of mine may actually be meeting me over there, in which case we'd hang out in germany for a few days before i peace out for turkey. truth be told i'll be just passing through rather than staying anywhere and doing anything… as much as i want to explore it's going to suck being away from my family enough as is, so i need to just hurry up and get to where i'm going and do work.

 

i may try to take night trains though so i can get a couple of days in some eastern european capitals though… belgrade and sofia probably being the top candidates

[Porn Shop Clerk]

don't go to sleep while wearing a metal cockring

 

[Squirrel]

PhillyB have you done the trans siberian express? Seems like that would be a interesting trip.  Then you could just jump down to Chitose from either Kharbvorosk or Vladvastok. 

[PhillyB]

PhillyB have you done the trans siberian express? Seems like that would be a interesting trip. Then you could just jump down to Chitose from either Kharbvorosk or Vladvastok.

no, i wish... that's definitely on my list

[Porn Shop Clerk]

siberia would be cool as fug

[Happy Panther]

it's been a year since i've been out of the country, which is a long-ass time for me, but that's what happens when you have a kid. luckily that dry spell is coming to an end… on june 10 my wife and daughter and i are flying to london and taking a train to scotland, where we'll kick back in some B&Bs for a week and a half.

 

STOP RIGHT THERE!

 

If you have a week and a half I might take your time heading up north unless there is some reason you need to be in Scotland. First of all the train trip will likely take much longer than your transatlantic flight and will suck and there are a few good spots in which you can relax on the way. Unless you just are better at jet lag than me a 10 hour train ride is hell after a redeye 8 hour flight.

 

If it were me I would crash in London for two days just get acclimated. Grab half priced tickets to a show (Lion King) and have a pint and let your wife go shopping. Walk around Hyde Park and watch the soapbox people be hilarious

 

Then do a reasonable train ride up North maybe halfway.

 

Cumbria (lake district) is beautiful or if you like more urban stuff Leeds is good for a night or two. Then arrive in Scotland with more than a week left.

 

Just an idea based on my own experience.

[Kevin Greene]

don't go to sleep while wearing a metal cockring

 

Also would be wise to verify the crew on whatever ship he catches a ride on is not Greek.

[PhillyB]

STOP RIGHT THERE!

 

If you have a week and a half I might take your time heading up north unless there is some reason you need to be in Scotland. First of all the train trip will likely take much longer than your transatlantic flight and will suck and there are a few good spots in which you can relax on the way. Unless you just are better at jet lag than me a 10 hour train ride is hell after a redeye 8 hour flight.

 

If it were me I would crash in London for two days just get acclimated. Grab half priced tickets to a show (Lion King) and have a pint and let your wife go shopping. Walk around Hyde Park and watch the soapbox people be hilarious

 

Then do a reasonable train ride up North maybe halfway.

 

Cumbria (lake district) is beautiful or if you like more urban stuff Leeds is good for a night or two. Then arrive in Scotland with more than a week left.

 

Just an idea based on my own experience.

 

we thought about doing a train but i found a perfectly-timed flight to glasgow from london/heathrow so we'd be able to hop straight on and never deal with london at all until our last night in the country

[Chimera]

Biggest thing about the UK is remembering which way to look before stepping onto a street.

Also if you're taking your daughter, be weary of a situation I experienced... The underground gets crowded... super crowded at rush hour times. The crowd moves slow at times. However, the escalators move at a constant speed. People will get piled together rather forcefully.

Are you going any more east than Istanbul? I've been on the Turkish side of its border with Iraq. FYI...do NOT wear any jewelry, sunglasses, or anything that can be snatched by kids who run much faster than you.

[Rise of The Hive]

Safe travels..