tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33025963558378794042025-12-08T13:49:23.045-06:00Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-63501476895880340012015-01-23T19:28:00.001-06:002015-01-23T19:28:41.381-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Days 458 – 459, February 28-29, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">After another night where I paid for my bed at the hostel but stayed overnight at Scott’s place (the guy I met at the bar the other night), I was awake early again and waiting at the hostel for the shuttle to the Deep Sea Diver’s Den main office. With the snorkelling trip out of the way, I was now headed for a two-day, one-night liveaboard dive trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsjw_QapPXJE-xBrgnt-bstZpfyaH_uX_1Jcfg398AuriKu2WTTUsZQXYelklAwI5d10qCDfSnKwAqk9icwf_NeG8cuIW5DqCaOqD5Ins44Ijccd-cERQA8C22RlHAcbVlQZsLZdaBZfG/s1600-h/dive_shop%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="dive_shop" style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block" alt="dive_shop" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkJBfrGqU78v5fh3a8oTsvRwUzJ0xoJsgw-mNWI1SVCpJZTlTFekooDXC4TfVyR81kyE05KkF6HfqAMgPKVL_4jhx456x_fmHELd4mMZ3rOn4Rk0mb1ohEEj_NCrJ3e7LPNps9_Uv7FPI/?imgmax=800" width="549" height="412"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2015/01/diving-great-barrier-reef.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-60804127043945762212015-01-22T21:39:00.001-06:002015-01-22T21:39:36.809-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Day 457, February 27, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">With so many different companies to choose from, deciding on whom to take for a trip out to see the Great Barrier Reef can be daunting. I ended up spending a good part of an afternoon pouring over brochures and pamphlets from numerous dive shops, trying to pick out the one I wanted to go with. In the end, knowing how gorgeous the Reef was meant to be, and how colours tend to dull the deeper you dive, I decided to do one day as a snorkelling trip and then a separate two day diving trip. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">The company I ended up going with was <a href="http://www.diversden.com.au/" target="_blank">Deep Sea Divers Den</a> for both trips. I also decided to rent a camera with an underwater case as well to try and capture the beauty of this natural wonder. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Canon Powershot G10 (Not pictured) </em></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2V6BffSnje7ExuQUhyUsyyXjjrVxASDgvqcSykopXSFlpxg_sJuwzRkAM8zE65fiEgECFZrYrcAMDzRT-zCnk16VF5MpIsWOrOYTjkRiDGiBkTSvd6XeMNrQkJamquZkEapV-HkhVXlR/s1600-h/IMG_3957%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3957" style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block" alt="IMG_3957" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGPcKvcFwM-sfRNOEuTOGSQOBMIytfSTSzoc4uk2MqeBX7YIKKifusrQx-M_U6-i_78d-WybbvOqvTXUyqlMOxRg2yvrRKjyX3vjANpYplzHs-WRBIge002X41z1Mg9ZDVvEuM55_hoJa/?imgmax=800" width="549" height="412"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2015/01/snorkelling-great-barrier-reef.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-52762893944763752802015-01-21T18:11:00.001-06:002015-01-21T18:11:42.376-06:00<p align="left"><em><font size="1"><font color="#ffffff">Days 454-456, February 24-26, 2012</font></font></em></p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><font color="#ffffff" size="3">Coming to Australia so soon after getting my dive certification, it shouldn’t be any wonder that a trip up to the Great Barrier Reef was high on my list of things to see and do. Even with its immense size, probably the easiest jumping off point to visit the Reef is from the small city of Cairns in northern Australia. </font></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><font color="#ffffff" size="3">To get to Cairns, I opted to fly. Strangely enough, flying ended up being much cheaper, and obviously faster, than any other mode of transportation available to me. And so, at stupid o’clock in the morning, I left Paula’s home, caught a bus to central Sydney and walked to the Central Train Station to grab a train to the Domestic Terminal. <br> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em><font color="#ffffff">It’s so empty<br></font></em></font><font size="1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvJki9zPSrku5uWICgk6ZmHgPMrdnA14aL8CWuXs4rpckxb920FcX2aaFfWUWEtEtPk7t9kgty9C1rnAOfSDEOID9JTbnzR8uqILaB_H2qrI2kKSPULbIwXF3SBNAJWoYmc-ow7Y8scp8/s1600-h/670983033.jpg"><img title="" style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPgeIlNNqx2-h67AB7o1ydW_5ma4RY4JOnT9qUCQ2ZFmlj3-2eZGAeQBKVCjGdHQQcoLf781z2ijkeLFc2tW33WehEy6wYGFdCBJtrNx73jSsJBrwRPa4smcYp0ItmwHG1eTrH0Jja9Al/?imgmax=800" width="549" height="408"></a></font><font color="#ffffff" size="3"><br></font> </p></font></font></p><a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2015/01/cairns-gateway-to-reef.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-73698842754600874072014-03-18T22:00:00.001-06:002014-03-18T22:00:57.178-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">This takes place on Day 449, February 19, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3"></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">Australia is expensive. Very expensive. At least in terms of a backpackers budget. After the insanely cheap living I was doing in South East Asia, Australia was a massive shock. Even knowing that it would be expensive did not fully prepare me. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">And so, I began really looking for anything to do that was awesome <em>and</em> free. Thankfully, searching Google for “free things to do in Sydney” brings up a host of options, including probably the most popular option I found: the Coastal Walk between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJj1RQNElod_M0ZdcH__zcoIYZJ2ViUJ5MbsD1OAgcZ_0yWgc08_eMxfp1R5XbNB0PbfUTITGFpbEMioiSL49Ba4qEsvCdcr-uWxwf7pfnRA0uwoKi2SeGlOaVkCOt6KP0YKSt7N1N-Wls/s1600-h/Eastern-Beaches-Coastal-Walk%252520sign%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Eastern-Beaches-Coastal-Walk sign" style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block" alt="Eastern-Beaches-Coastal-Walk sign" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2fZGRfhLLu9PAu3chtE0RbS2TESr0EE6RBPEtMNXkQXFRlR8Kkb3Qh1NafIJw1Y7sMa0GDtITzJZU9Dp5H9OQhXFH61y4T1l5N914uh4_nltT8IAXODc2MWaNMQTRGHpWkB6qsyaXUze/?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-bondi-to-coogee-coastal-walk.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-43253092856947293582013-08-06T16:29:00.001-06:002013-08-06T16:29:17.775-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Days 447-454, February 17-24, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">After a couple days with Steve at  the extremely posh hotel, I was kicked to the curb. Well, not really. Steve’s boyfriend Matthew was coming to Sydney and they wanted a little privacy. And since I’m not really a voyeur, nor are they exhibitionists, I left to find a new place to stay. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">Luckily Australia seems to be the one area of the world where I have no limit to the number of people I know who are willing to offer a place for me to see. This time was no different. Back in December of 2010, I had met the lovely Carnegie family in Cuzco, Peru. I had stayed in contact with them throughout my trip and when it became known that I would be in Sydney, they hooked me up with their friend Paula whom they had met years ago in India. </font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Lorikeets on Paula’s deck</font></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU04VHpnoh6Ta_W4ZTpPr7rV8tvFPJ6MrEzxJuiFskacSH1swDxh0Rj_BUIkiOqMSMDmEAmAqzQJEivAT-_Id4lZQAjaZXKHpMSPWNSlnuo5fa89UnJ9VlLNLEAzoOfmnIjLk6kkq_H8oj/s1600-h/IMG_1366%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff"><img title="IMG_1366" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifA8ivrvCbAjou8WuWIMZ1DBvHbjcfMYPMQs3T7rYChUQDzuRSYQb6oxavFtxPn6hQfEOHRylm8D8Q4c0IadN_a4Q1iY_J46jjGqWuM78Y4CvZI8OS6fifDvtmqukV_026sM18vJrXf9Y/?imgmax=800" width="553" height="416"></font></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2013/08/bonding-with-my-bondi-family.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com248tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-6022116754736189612013-01-21T14:09:00.001-06:002013-01-21T14:18:17.210-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Days 445-446, February 15-16, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">The distance between Canberra and Sydney is only about 4 hours, so even though there is no train between the two cities, the trip doesn’t feel all that bad. During the bus ride, I ended up befriending a girl seated beside me long enough to get her to let me borrow her laptop so I could work on a few blog posts. The plan for being back in Sydney was pretty simple: meet back up with Steve who would be in town for work. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">And because he works for a large company, his hotel room was being paid for. A two bed room overlooking the famous Hyde Park in the Sheraton On The Park Hotel. Cost: AUD$390/night. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">Holy hell.</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">My room – photo via Sheraton.com</font></em><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.etihadholidays.com/holidays/img/SheratonOnThePark-room.jpg"></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-sunny-day-in-sydney.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-13919068250807623132013-01-11T18:41:00.001-06:002013-01-11T18:41:56.493-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Days 443-444, February 13 – 14, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">The Australian Capital of Canberra is not really a tourist hot spot. It’s not near any beaches, and the city itself isn’t laid out in a very helpful manner. And beyond the Parliament and typical Capital City monuments to wars past, there’s not much to see. And with so few touristy things in the city, affordable places to stay are few and far between. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">But that’s not to say, that in-between the consular work I had to do, that I didn’t enjoy myself. In fact, I found the full day there to be quite illuminating in a couple aspects. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FRR8EUIIWKKIsELrpt00CnJMAlP50_8Z4nG5v-GeUnCCCFYCTfRDdfmpQQnnvKEEPWQZCaoOMvUYEjLNKHFuxEpjUVxrC-WWiXSo23Am35666Hg32x2KUzRsRodIPzzbh89OrsbOIbkz/s1600-h/IMG_1079%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1079" border="0" alt="IMG_1079" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SWOgh-K8Rs6IcHos4Uyp4TUsO_7S-UNeJJvVUSVbX9b-5LEoWCQYJEKHxWhDskqhprigTwJXiQFSs7E6ryzlBgkS-3ZHbjv7a1TvcjvyCv05joNj8ibQcbBmXdYtIqH5ybkY19BF9y2c/?imgmax=800" width="553" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2013/01/political-capital.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-5999371756124896862013-01-02T16:03:00.001-06:002013-01-02T16:03:42.691-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen! And welcome to the main event! You have just witnessed the amazing, and talented, Aussie Thief who made an entire laptop and passport disappear in front of dozens of people in a McDonald’s Restaurant and beside a police station no less!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY9CFekZNATpeJWXC8H2BX07LH_AUjFLqZP8VxvhDu2T-vn_sTBriJHTuzvOMzG0opf1dPMMmX91b1N16zJEzbnZbL1gu_M9oqwefRcbO2xf7N84Wp1XvZBZ5qc-FZaIHQE6YxtMdzdbc/s1600-h/street%252520view%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="street view" border="0" alt="street view" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vn4u0k1G89BqGjn8GU9aj6h1RTZQuRq14kt9Bp_XDFnS_A4OO6NkBGOrxqPgOBHlzBm9hfxFHuhXfFW2QFwhlMcbgOhPJ67xXmhV2mCUHdtE4mwBs0_eeU0SreUeeL5usvWOOoqImJOu/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="226"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2"> And now, feast your eyes on the Commonwealth Bureaucracy! It’s elegant, beautiful, but oh so frustrating. </font></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2013/01/bureaucratic-three-ring-circus.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-41160452493831702882012-12-31T13:00:00.001-06:002012-12-31T13:00:14.117-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Days 441-442, February 11-12, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">So with my initial depression, for the most part, sedated, I finally got myself out to explore some more of Melbourne. This would be my last weekend in the city and I didn’t want to leave without seeing a bit more of it, as well as seeing friends before I took off for Canberra. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Those that know me really well would not be surprised at the type of weekend I had. Low key, non-drunk, and full of board games. I don’t change all that much, do I?</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Southern Cross Station</font></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FXiVAYStf5p-8MVIbRPTPQ5IbFweH1FPl3eFjUYNwoJPg2wm7ebdaW8sTw03sLJDE_uQyqdR3XvRiD4LChatU6eslcH6Xn90hRxb2wnHjS-2uiSym8RQUINfiFnERb38kYrR5tLesk2o/s1600-h/IMG_1015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1015" border="0" alt="IMG_1015" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1B8DcOhOTZ8bkN5ugPAFZa5DwsjrDvrN5FIOuQxLGIe4yDvROmvH2DQXw0R90ivtOuGD0vZfrq9wFZ54x59b-weQOu5Fc1cH5_1IbDNs-igIdAXiiouI6Ag1FL-97v2jTm8RJnhXSyaS/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/12/last-weekend-in-melbourne.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-38982686251661592182012-11-03T18:36:00.001-06:002013-01-29T19:00:27.597-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-small;">It’s really sad to admit, but admit it I will, but the day after the theft of my laptop and passport, I was not in the best of moods. I was downright depressed. For two days I did nothing but wander over to the McDonald’s where the theft happened (on the insane notion that I could change things back) or stay in the hostel watching old movies. I was very close to just quitting the trip, that’s how horrible I felt. Of course, I didn’t, and couldn’t do that. I had no passport after all. </span><br> <span style="color: white; font-size: x-small;">But somehow I snapped out of it. I think it was mainly when my aunt told me to stop whining. She has a way with words at times.</span><br> <div align="center"><span style="color: white; font-size: xx-small;"><em>Plus, I almost caught myself watching this</em></span><img height="400" src="http://images.zap2it.com/images/movie-20358/spice-world-1.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="270"></div></div><a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/11/getting-over-theft.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-43459375919652557462012-08-30T15:59:00.001-06:002012-08-30T16:00:57.078-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Another photobook. This one is from January 2011. Enjoy!<br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align:left; width:650px"><object id="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.blurb.ca/assets/embed.swf" width="650" height="400"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.blurb.ca/assets/embed.swf"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="book_id=3250635&locale=en_US&token=ace0f1fc4a240be0ea965fa8cffb8332a214a285&token_id=2658950" /><a target="_new" href="http://www.blurb.ca/books/preview/3250635?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget"><img src="http://bookshow.blurb.com/bookshow/cache/P4709493/md/wcover_2.png"></img></a></object><div style="display:block;"><a href="http://www.blurb.ca/bookstore/invited/2658950/ace0f1fc4a240be0ea965fa8cffb8332a214a285?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">RTW Trip '10 - '12 by Corey Waldner</a> | <a href="http://www.blurb.ca/landing_pages/bookshow?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">Make Your Own Book</a></div></div></div>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-2085508152963292962012-07-07T23:02:00.000-06:002012-07-07T23:04:17.981-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Now that I'm home, I've been going through my thousands of photos, reliving the adventure. On the suggestion of <a href="http://www.valbromann.com/">Val</a>, whom I had traveled with in Cambodia, I decided to make photobooks. One book per month. 16 books total, once I have all my photos(my laptop has been recovered and is in the safe hands of my friend <a href="http://www.stevivor.com/">Steve</a>).<br /> <br /> So here's the first! November/December of 2010<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align:left; width:450px"><object id="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf?book_id=3163490&token_id=2586263&token=40c8f1f2a8834b13a48d1e1fb2bf9edf39b2a2db&locale=en_US&token_id=2586263&token=40c8f1f2a8834b13a48d1e1fb2bf9edf39b2a2db" width="450" height="300"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf?book_id=3163490&token_id=2586263&token=40c8f1f2a8834b13a48d1e1fb2bf9edf39b2a2db&locale=en_US&token_id=2586263&token=40c8f1f2a8834b13a48d1e1fb2bf9edf39b2a2db"></param><a target="_new" href="http://www.blurb.com/books/preview/3163490?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget"><img src="http://bookshow.blurb.com/bookshow/cache/P4565138/md/wcover_2.png"></img></a></object><div style="display:block;"><a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/2586263/40c8f1f2a8834b13a48d1e1fb2bf9edf39b2a2db?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">RTW Trip '10 - '12 by Corey Waldner</a> | <a href="http://www.blurb.com/landing_pages/bookshow?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget" target="_blank" style="margin:12px 3px;">Make Your Own Book</a></div></div>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-47635604423381349092012-04-30T11:28:00.001-06:002012-04-30T11:28:32.253-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">There’s something you should know about Australia. Regardless of the fact that it is a mecca for backpackers from around the world. Regardless of the fact that the country seems to cater to this particular segment of the tourism industry with hostel chains, backpacker packages on buses, and deals galore, the country is still taking financial advantage of us. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Don’t get me wrong, I love the country. The people are great, the men are hot, and the accents are to die for. And while I know that in the end, it came down to a slight lapse of judgment on my part, I’m still putting a lot of the blame for putting me in that situation on Australia’s blatant gauging. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Because if you’re a backpacker, on a tight budget, paying $30+ for a dorm room bed, and the hostel is <em>still </em>charging $10+ for a couple hours of internet, what would you do?</font></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/04/theft.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-43741513427998604552012-04-20T10:16:00.001-06:002012-04-20T10:16:59.990-06:00<p><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Day 434, February 4, 2011.</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne was not too bad considering I just had a seat and not a bed. I got lucky that for the most part because the seat beside me was empty for most of the journey so I was able to stretch out a bit. That doesn’t mean I got much in the way of sleep, but it was better than nothing. </font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Southern Cross Station, Melbourne (img via Wikimedia)</font></em><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Southern_Cross_Station.jpg/800px-Southern_Cross_Station.jpg" width="500" height="332"></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">After arriving at the Melbourne Train Station downtown, I hopped one of the infamous Melbourne trams to the suburb of Richmond where the hostel I had booked was located. Once I was settled, the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring began to take shape.</font></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/04/pulling-survivor-twist-on-stevivor.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-49619512396083374402012-04-13T22:31:00.001-06:002012-04-16T11:32:02.013-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Here we are. Another day, another travel blogger meme. Though, unlike those silly little meme’s on Facebook, these are much more fun to do. Though it does tend to take a bit longer to put together. You gotta think a little to do these! </font></p> <p><font size="2"><font color="#ffffff">The always wonderful, and ever sexy, Tom of </font><a href="http://www.waegook-tom.com"><font color="#ffffff">Waegook-Tom</font></a><font color="#ffffff"> tagged me in this current meme that’s making the rounds. This one was started by the folks over at Hostelbookers and is dubbed the </font><a href="http://blog.hostelbookers.com/travel/7-super-shots/">HostelBookers 7-Super Shots</a><font color="#ffffff"></font><font color="#ffffff">. Now that my trip is over, I have the luxury of being able to go through all 23,000+ photos to try to find the right ones for this particular trip down memory lane.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">So sit back, relax, and marvel at how amazing my photography skills are. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Or at least, I think they’re amazing skills. </font></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-7-super-shots.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-41338174995288924672012-04-02T14:11:00.001-06:002012-04-02T14:11:03.445-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The plan has been in the works for weeks, if not months. When it became obviously clear that I would not be in Melbourne for Christmas or New Years to spend those holidays with my good friend Steve from <a href="http://www.stevivor.com">Stevivor.com</a>, I decided on getting there for his birthday at the end of January. I got a hold of his amazing boyfriend Matt and found out the date for the birthday party: February 4. And so, a plan formed. I would lie through Facebook, Twitter, etc. by giving the impression I was heading to Bali when in actuality I was heading to the Land Down Under. The only people in the know were travelers I had told in person, Matt, and my good friend Mick who I would be staying with for the first few days in Sydney.</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">NOT the Bali Airport. Guess my flight was diverted?</font></em><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.sydneyrocks.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sydney-airport.jpg" width="500" height="375"></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/04/landing-in-baliaka-sydney.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-63239058548951915552012-03-27T19:00:00.001-06:002012-03-27T19:00:35.098-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Day 427-430, January 28-31, 2012</em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The trip from KL to Singapore was a pretty quick one considering the distance. It probably helped that the bus up to the border had private TVs, much like an airplane. And it also had Wi-Fi connectability. That certainly helped pass the time fast. Crossing the border was a breeze and suddenly I was in the City-State of Singapore, the final stop on the Asia leg of my trip. I was lucky enough that a friend offered me to stay on his couch during my brief stay in the small island country. Considering I was going to Australia next, I was going to take any and all opportunities to stay for free/cheap.</font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Singapore Skyline</em></font><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/252cb9bf-ecea-47d9-bf09-2414008e786d.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="252cb9bf-ecea-47d9-bf09-2414008e786d" border="0" alt="252cb9bf-ecea-47d9-bf09-2414008e786d" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/252cb9bf-ecea-47d9-bf09-2414008e786d_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="380"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Singapore is quite a large city, but many of its best sites are located in relatively small area downtown. The Singapore Flyer, the worlds largest Ferris wheel, was one of my first stops. Because my time was short in the city, I did what I’ve started calling “Geocache tours” around the city. Basically, I use the geocaches to take me to the interesting spots. It works out great. And I don’t get lost, which isn’t great when you’re pressed for time. </font> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/26ef2faa-405d-4bea-9238-8afb70f2670c.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="26ef2faa-405d-4bea-9238-8afb70f2670c" border="0" alt="26ef2faa-405d-4bea-9238-8afb70f2670c" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/26ef2faa-405d-4bea-9238-8afb70f2670c_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="379"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">From the Flyer, I walked up to the Bay area that is covered with iconic Singapore images. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the Merlion statue, the Helix Bridge(built to resemble a DNA Double Helix), as well as the Singapore skyline from the Bay were the major highlights. It’s hard to fully remember that you’re still in an Asian country considering that English is one of the main languages, and the city itself is insanely clean. </font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Helix Bridge with Marina Bays Sands Hotel</em></font><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/8f4cb078-c5c5-48c6-99f6-9bf575d14b3c.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="8f4cb078-c5c5-48c6-99f6-9bf575d14b3c" border="0" alt="8f4cb078-c5c5-48c6-99f6-9bf575d14b3c" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/8f4cb078-c5c5-48c6-99f6-9bf575d14b3c_thumb.jpg" width="341" height="454"></a> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Singapore Merlion</font></em><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/de427bef-e701-4107-b40e-33cc8000ae50.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="de427bef-e701-4107-b40e-33cc8000ae50" border="0" alt="de427bef-e701-4107-b40e-33cc8000ae50" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/de427bef-e701-4107-b40e-33cc8000ae50_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="379"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The city seems to come alive at night though. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel seems to have a laser light show. I saw it from a distance so don’t know if there was music attached. Walking along one of the river promenades, you’re surrounded by pub after pub after restaurant after restaurant. And each one is showing the exact same Australian Open tennis game on numerous flat screen TVs. </font> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/16e23300-af17-4308-9950-4d2772c5da99.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="16e23300-af17-4308-9950-4d2772c5da99" border="0" alt="16e23300-af17-4308-9950-4d2772c5da99" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/16e23300-af17-4308-9950-4d2772c5da99_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="379"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Way back in Europe, while doing some random research about Asia, I stumbled across the small little fact of Singapore having a Universal Studios. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a junky for rollercoasters. Hell, I went to a theme park in Santiago and the one in Madrid I went to twice! So, on the Monday before I left, I headed out to Sentosa Island to try and get in. I say “try” because I had heard whispers around that tickets to the park can sell out. Which sounded really odd to me, but oh well. I was taking my chances I guess. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Getting in wasn’t an issue at all though. Yes, it was expensive, but it was totally going to be worth it. And it was. A few weeks earlier, the Transformers Ride had opened up so that was the first one I went on. Suddenly, being a single person at a theme park worked to my advantage as many rides had separate lines of “Single Riders.” I felt a little guilty as I strolled past the other people lined up in the regular line, but that guilt disappeared when I sat in my seat. If anyone has been on the “Amazing Spider Man” ride at Universal Studios Orlando, that’s basically what the Transformers ride is. Just with better graphics. And more explosions. And with Transformers. But no Shia Lebouf(Plus? Minus?).</font> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/425408_358165010862524_149454528400241_1513885_1810105198_n1.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="425408_358165010862524_149454528400241_1513885_1810105198_n[1]" border="0" alt="425408_358165010862524_149454528400241_1513885_1810105198_n[1]" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/425408_358165010862524_149454528400241_1513885_1810105198_n1_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="379"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The day at Universal was one of my favourites. I checked out the duelling coaster of Battlestar Galataca(sorry, but the Cylon side was the better of the two. Sorry Humans); the indoor, pitch black rollercoaster of The Mummy; the Shrek 4D film(Bug’s Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience at Epcot); Madagascar(boring, sorry); Lights, Camera, Action! Special effects show; and my all time favourite: Jurassic Park. Just walking into the line up for that ride, with the theme song of the movie playing brings goosebumps to my flesh. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">And add to the fact that, up until I walked up to the ride I was under the impression that it was closed for renovations. Yup, that’s right, I jumped and squealed when I saw it was open. </font> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/406505_358163967529295_149454528400241_1513882_1791760868_n1.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="406505_358163967529295_149454528400241_1513882_1791760868_n[1]" border="0" alt="406505_358163967529295_149454528400241_1513882_1791760868_n[1]" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/0c760c0d1115_F50E/406505_358163967529295_149454528400241_1513882_1791760868_n1_thumb.jpg" width="504" height="379"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">I split that day up with a little hike around the island, which has been built up in recent years to be a major island attraction, with a few other theme parks, plenty of beaches, and hotels. For me though, the highlight outside of Universal was walking to the end of the island where a sign proclaims that to be the Southernmost Point of Mainland Asia. That was cool. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">My final day in Singapore ended up being a wash out. Literally. I tried to head to Chinatown to check it out but got caught in a downpour that lasted for a good two hours. With no umbrella, I was stuck under an awning of a small business. A random stranger walking by actually ripped the cardboard box he was carrying in half for me to use as a makeshift umbrella. It was enough to get me to the nearest metro relatively dry so I could grab my stuff and head to the airport. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">There’s a reason why Singapore’s Changi International Airport is constantly named the best Airport in the world. I found that out first hand the moment I walked in. Checking in to the flight was the smoothest I’ve had. There are so many service desks that the lines seem to just constantly move. Past security you have so many things to occupy your time. I saw signs for “nap rooms” and even a sign for a movie theater showing free movies. There’s even a two story tall, indoor butterfly park in the departures lounge. If I had known about half the stuff in the airport I would’ve gone there sooner to spend more time! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Asia is officially done for my trip. I’m sad and not ready to move on. But I’m excited at the same time as I will be meeting friends in Australia that I had met along the way. And best of all, I’ll be surprising my good friend Steve for his birthday. As far as he was aware, I was flying to Borneo. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The surprise is going to be epic!</font></p> Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-34396143941942589292012-02-29T04:45:00.000-06:002012-02-29T04:45:00.224-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Days 421-428, January 20-27, 2012</em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">Ah, Kuala Lumpor, or KL as most people end up calling it. Home of the [once] tallest buildings in the world. Also home, briefly, to Dani and Jess of the Globetrotter Girls whom I had last seen up in Chiang Mai around New Years. My arrival in KL coincided with the ringing in of the Chinese New Year and a small gettogether of a few local travel bloggers the very night I arrived. </font> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffffff" size="1">Photo via Lash Lash Travel</font></em><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/bb21627c3ff3_11FEE/407098_10151208455050327_749295326_22614193_1831964249_n.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="407098_10151208455050327_749295326_22614193_1831964249_n" border="0" alt="407098_10151208455050327_749295326_22614193_1831964249_n" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/bb21627c3ff3_11FEE/407098_10151208455050327_749295326_22614193_1831964249_n_thumb.jpg" width="454" height="342"></a></p> </p></p><a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/02/hanging-in-kl.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-66419258986862414522012-02-26T04:25:00.000-06:002012-02-26T04:25:00.709-06:00<p><font color="#ffffff" size="1"><em>Days 418-420, January 17-19, 2011</em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">On the suggestion of numerous people, including Lucy and Dumindor, I made the Cameron Highlands a must see stop on my little trip through Malaysia. In reality, I wasn’t sure what to expect but as the mini bus made it from the coast in Penang up into the interior, the landscape blew me away. Once again, the limestone karsts that are so numerous in Ha Long Bay once again showed up. </font> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/4570a1cc5e3d_11A06/403724_355459961133029_149454528400241_1504752_1162255509_n1.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="403724_355459961133029_149454528400241_1504752_1162255509_n[1]" border="0" alt="403724_355459961133029_149454528400241_1504752_1162255509_n[1]" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/4570a1cc5e3d_11A06/403724_355459961133029_149454528400241_1504752_1162255509_n1_thumb.jpg" width="454" height="342"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2">The Highlands of Malaysia are famous for their tea plantations. Because of the height of the highlands, the weather there is perfect for growing tea trees and other vegetables. And, like much of Malaysia, the British influence is strong here. This area only became a major tea growing area after the Britains showed up with their own love of tea. That love has now spread throughout Malaysia. So much so that, even though they produce tons upon tons of tea here in the highlands, they still have to import tea to keep up with the demand. As such, none of the tea made in Malaysia is actually available outside of the country. </font></p> </p></p></p><a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/02/tea-time-in-cameron-highlands.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-85373363406088466572012-02-05T01:07:00.001-06:002012-02-05T01:07:59.925-06:00<p><em><font size="1">Days 412-415, January 13-16, 2011</font></em></p> <p><font size="2">With my Dive Certification in hand, my job in Koh Tao was finished. I probably could’ve stayed and did my Open Water Advanced course as well and still make it to my train in Chumphon in time but considering that I fell asleep at 9pm the night we were celebrating, I took that as a sign that I was just too knackered to do anymore diving right away.</font></p> <p><font size="2">My next destination was the island of Penang in Malaysia. From Koh Tao it was a pretty easy journey. The trip on the ferry back to the mainland was a lot worse than the trip to the island a few days earlier. The typhoons in the South Asian Sea were causing massive waves up here in Thailand and most of the people on the ship were getting quite queezy from the rolls the ferry was making. We still managed to get to the mainland with lots of time to spare. And the train itself: I’m not sure how, or whether it was just standard on this particular route, but I managed to get a bed in the really new, air conditioned car. It made for a very nice journey. </font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Ferry to Penang</font></em><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/cddebc62e00f_14741/IMG_9176.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9176" border="0" alt="IMG_9176" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/cddebc62e00f_14741/IMG_9176_thumb.jpg" width="553" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/02/island-of-religious-mixology.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-59290198473558566482012-01-30T11:51:00.001-06:002012-01-30T11:51:29.924-06:00<p><em><font size="1">Days 404-411, January 5-12, 2012</font></em></p> <p><font size="2">It’s funny how things can change in a hurry. When I was thinking about Thailand, I pictured myself spending week upon week on white sand beaches, hopping on ferries to the next out of the way island to bask(or bake as it were) in the sun. As it turns out, I got none of that, and completely on purpose. Besides the little stint on Koh Samet back in September, Koh Tao was going to be my only other Thai island. And for me, it was strictly business. I was going for my Dive certification. </font></p> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/Going-Down-in-Koh-Tao_B4B/IMG_8974.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8974" border="0" alt="IMG_8974" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/Going-Down-in-Koh-Tao_B4B/IMG_8974_thumb.jpg" width="342" height="454"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/01/going-down-in-koh-tao.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-32451808399524977922012-01-27T04:38:00.001-06:002012-01-27T04:38:30.727-06:00<p><font size="2">Another Travel Blogger meme is floating around, this time started by Christine of <a href="http://www.christineinspain.com/post/10241899947/travel-alphabet" target="_blank">Christine in Spain</a>. And it’s come around to my turn, having been tagged to do it. Grrrrr. </font></p> <p><font size="2">The concept is simple! 26 questions, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet, about my travels and experiences. Lets see where this takes us, eh?</font></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/01/coreys-abcs-of-travel.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-76616359193407957242012-01-25T23:57:00.001-06:002012-01-25T23:57:29.853-06:00<p align="left"><em><font size="1">Day 399-403, December 31,2011 – January 4, 2012</font></em></p> <p align="left"><font size="2">At the start of my trip, oh so long ago, Chiang Mai was really just another Thai city on my list of ones I wanted to see. There was no real particular reason behind it, I didn’t know what there was to see or do in the city. That all changed probably around the beginning of October when I learned that Warren and Betsy of Married With Luggage were going to be settling down for a few months in Chiang Mai. Suddenly, I had a major incentive to go to Chiang Mai. A reason 1 year and 3 continents in the making. </font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/8d1c659f2247_D10B/IMG_8597.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8597" border="0" alt="IMG_8597" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/8d1c659f2247_D10B/IMG_8597_thumb.jpg" width="553" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/01/chiang-mai-tweet-ups.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-63386106050812682302012-01-19T08:00:00.000-06:002012-01-19T08:00:03.203-06:00<p><em><font size="1">Days 396-398, December 28-30, 2011</font></em></p> <p><font size="2">When you’re in Northern Laos, or Northern Thailand for that matter, and you want to move to the next country, the method of transport you are most likely to take, because it’s a journey everyone raves about, is the slow boat down(or up) the Mekong. Sure, you can take the speedboat(it cuts the journey down to 6 hours) but the slow boat is a much more amazing experience I would imagine. </font></p> <p><font size="2">And while most people do the journey going from Thailand to Laos, Lucy, Janine, and I did it the less common, less busy way. Laos to Thailand. </font></p> <p><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/94444732b81b_FE25/IMG_8429.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8429" border="0" alt="IMG_8429" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/94444732b81b_FE25/IMG_8429_thumb.jpg" width="553" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/01/slow-boat-from-laos-to-thailand.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3302596355837879404.post-84121096569163423762012-01-18T03:58:00.001-06:002012-01-18T03:58:20.973-06:00<p><em><font size="1">Days 391-395, December 23-27, 2011</font></em></p> <p><font size="2">I grabbed the bus from Vang Vieng rather than the minibus as it was a tad bit cheaper and left a few hours later in the morning, allowing me the opportunity to sleep in a bit more. In the end, it probably wasn’t the smartest idea as the bus tends to always arrive a bit later than scheduled because it’s harder to navigate the tight corners on the cliff sides around the mountains than in a mini bus. I still made it in one piece though, and that’s all that matters. </font></p> <p><font size="2">My destination: Luang Prabang, where Lucy, Janine, and I were meeting back up with Isabella to spend Christmas together. Once again, we got into separate guesthouses as we arrived at different times and had no means of contacting each other besides Facebook. So after finding a place in the heart of the old downtown and messaging them, I grabbed a wonderful Oreo Shake from the night market and settled down to sleep as I wanted to be up early for the Alms.</font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Heaven</font></em><a href="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/52600ffb7b65_F30D/IMG_8240.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8240" border="0" alt="IMG_8240" src="http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/pangaeanshift/blogger/52600ffb7b65_F30D/IMG_8240_thumb.jpg" width="553" height="416"></a></p> <a href="http://whereswaldner.blogspot.com/2012/01/very-laos-christmas.html#more">Read More. . .</a>Corey W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00943596639118308777noreply@blogger.com3