Barcelona

Shon, you were absolutely right in what you told me about Barcelona. What a magical city! Well worth the 5 nights I spent there. I could have done more. There is so much to see and do... and cheap too.

I can't tell you everything that I did and saw (besides lots of walking and gawking). Here are some: The Fort, The Palace, Park Guel, Sagrada Familia, beach (went for a swim), Cathedral, a Roman Temple, Roman Ruins, the Old Palace in old town, watched the German F1 in a local bar, ate Paella (sp), the Spanish Arc de Triomph (they have the audacity to use the same name) and lots of Gaudi and other Modernist building.

I was a busy lad. Party til late and up early. Not cool touring with a hang-over but its gotta be done.

Avignon

Avignon was once a home for the Pope in times gone by. And that is a long time ago too. Its a great place to walk around. Within the old city walls (which are impressive) is a maze of similar looking streets and alleyways. I spent a good part of a day walking in circles trying to find my my out.

That was the hottest place I had been to yet: 42 deg C. I drank 4.5 l of water in a day. A personal best. If only it were beer but that's more expensive thank gold (and crap too... see above).

Nice

Nice isn't such a great place but its advantage is access to the 'French Riviera'. And the avg temp was 38 deg C with 60% humidity. It was hot!

On my first day I went on an organised day trip to St Tropez. I saw Mohammad al Fayed, George Michael and many other millionaires homes' in 'millionaires bay'. We were told there was an open bar on the 3 hour cruise we took around the bay. That sold me. But what they don't tell you its the cheapest and crappiest beer they could find in all of France and the trip is potentially 3 hrs. We were on the water for 2 hrs. But hey, I've been to St Tropez.

The second day I caught a bus to Monaco. Went for a swim, tried to get into Monte Carlo but didn't have any ID (will do that the next time I'm there), walked up to the Palace, paid for a very expensive sandwich and walked the F1 circuit.

That night a group of guys wanted to redeem themselves not going to Monaco so we headed off to the casino in Nice. Unfortunately we got bounced at the door for wearing inappropriate clothes. What I don't understand is I could get into Monte Carlo wearing flip flops and wet pants. Go figure.

Its a sad day today. I left Interlaken to carry on the European Tour. Had to be up at 6am to pack my bags, walk to the train station to be at Lautebrunen by 8am. Made it with 1 minute to spare.

What a wicked time I had in Interlaken! Thanks to Roger, Erica and Sachel (sp?) for putting up with me living in their lounge for 2 weeks. The time flew by helped by Roger's very humble hospitality. Thanks Rog for all you did and organised for me.

As you can see I was quite busy: hang gliding, Canyoning, Rafting and more. Rog also loaned me his bicycle. Bugger those dudes on the Tour de France: "I'm the king of the mountains"! I cycled everywhere I went. Part of the reason I slept so well at night.

More thanks to Bernie and the guys at Vuelo Alto for letting me work and giving me a free flight. How amazing that is I cannot describe! The sensation of being free in the air like that is exhilarating.

Hang gliding

Canyoning

Horay - Lets celebrate! My shoes and camera have arrived! A big thanks to Shon and Ruth. I didn't have to wait long so I'm back on track.

And a big thanks to Roger the dodger, a 'manouverer' of note. Not only is he a Visa-organiser par excellence! But a work agent too. I arrived in Interlanken at about 11:30am. First time I see Rog in 1 1/2 years he skips all the pleasantries and jumps straight into it: 'Hey Dex. What you doing this afternoon? You keen on doing some driving?'

So, I've been doing some driving for this guy Bernie. A half Swiss-Aussie running his own hang-gliding operation. His girlfriend is his usual driver but she's gone on strike. And the good thing is I've earned some Francs in the most expensive country in the world... tax free baby.

The Swiss International Open hang-gliding champs are going to be held this weekend. I'm looking forward to that. What a sight! Some 60 - 70 gliders in the air all on a cross country marathon.

A word of advice to the adventure buffs: Don't come to Switzerland to go White Water Rafting. Its better to say you haven't rafted here than to say you have.

What a mission it is getting a French Shengen visa. I had to go to the embassy three times before they issued me with a visa. Just in time too. I got it the day before my bus left London. Thanks Mom, Matt and Roger.

Crossing the Channel was ok. I got to wave to the white Cliffs of Dover. You don't see as much as I thought one would but hey... I saw them.

There are a few essentials that are required when going backpacking: camera, rucksack, sleeping bag, money, shorts, shirts, underwear (not essential for some people I know), passport, shoes etc. Guess which of these I don't have!

Camera - I ordered a camera from eBay which hasn't arrived yet. To Shon - they confirmed it was sent to Gainsborough.

Shoes - What an idiot! When I left London it was a very hot and sunny day so I thought I'd wear my flip flops. I didn't even consider putting shoes in my bag. So my shoes are still sitting at Ruth's place stinking out her house.

I'm gonna see how far I can go without shoes. I'll let you know!