tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39740182008-08-18T18:38:53.339+01:00Irish Guy's Round the World TripsMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-29726950243610009932007-06-04T09:18:00.001+01:002008-08-16T15:55:52.964+01:00Cusco - Choquequirao - Machu Picchu - CuscoDRAFT (3 June 2007)
I treked this route in September 2006 but I have taken information from from Ruska who posted in the Lonely Planet thorntree . He wrote an article called 'Cusco to Machu Picchu in 8 USD'. I also used information from Micah Allan who wrote a story about walking to Aguas Calientes.I also took information from from a site about Peru.
There are many ways in getting to Machu Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1157026694822830412006-08-31T13:17:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.516+01:00First Stop, Rio de Janeiro - BrasilWell, the time is approaching when I fly to South America for four months. Next week in fact. Yep, four months... not too long a time, not too short a time. No real plans of yet ... I stay in rio for a few days and head north. Loooking forward to it!!
Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Taken from Google Maps and Wikimapia
Christ the Redeemer (Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1143027001182858062006-02-01T23:24:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.517+01:00Krakow, Poland (30th of January 2006)Monday 30th of January 2006
The departure of my flight was at 14:05 from Krakow and arrival at 15:40 at Gatwick. Teh full price of my ticket including taxes etc was 81.90 PLN. I was up around 9.00am and headed to the Milk Bar I saw in yesterday. I had soup, bread, biggas and a sprite for about 15 Z. Bargain.
Cloth Hall, Krakow, Poland Taken on the 30th of January 2006
Standing in the middle Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138986120763916742006-01-31T16:55:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.517+01:00Krakow, Poland (29th of January 2006)Sunday 29th of January 2006
I arrived at the new bus station at 6.45am (about 20 minutes early). I felt pretty tired, had no local currency and it was pitch dark and very cold outside. I decided to wait there until the sun started to shine so I stayed there until about 7.45am before walking through the train station and then onwards towards the royal mile.
The domestic bus terminal has now Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1142957026016387132006-01-30T16:02:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.518+01:00L'viv, Ukraine (28th of January 2006)Saturday 28th of January 2006
I was up early (around 9am) and breakfast was included in the price. There was nobody in the office, nobody to ask whether I could leave my bags there and no breakfast. I mentioned it to a German guy who lives in the apartment building (I had met him yesterday and he is aquainted with the hostel management). Ah well, I headed off and walked into town to buy a few Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1139417187929086452006-01-29T16:42:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.518+01:00L'viv, Ukraine (27th and 28th of January 2006)Friday 27th of January 2006
I arrived around 7.00am in Lviv. I said goodbye to the two Ukrainian girls who had offering me oranges and chocolate for breakfast. They also put away my bed sheets etc. I walked to the ticket counter to arrange a train ticket for tomorrow night to Krakow (Craacow) but she said the only train going on the 28th was a 7.00am train for 200 hy).
Lviv - Krakow: from http:Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1139415894277064862006-01-28T16:24:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.519+01:00Chernivtsi, Ukraine (26th of January 2006)Thursday 26th of January 2006
I went to the bus station around 11am and spoke to one of the drivers. He walked me to the bus heading to the Ukraine and asked me whether I needed a VISA. Never was I so happy to see a battered bus take me out of this town. I purchased my ticket north to the Ukraine for 200,000 lei. The comapny was TASA Suceava. Remember you can not buy tickets from the sation, Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1139234994427927632006-01-27T14:00:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.519+01:00Suceava, Romania (24th - 25th of January 2006)Wednesday 24th of January 2006
So I was back in Suceava around 3.00pm and tried the bus station for a bus to Chernivtsi in the Ukraine. There was only one piece of information on the whole of the world wide web and it said there were three buses a day. I went to the bus station and all they did was nearly clear me from the place. No luck what so ever. I did not know what to do as I had not Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1139324398355576812006-01-26T14:59:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.520+01:00Gura Humorului, Romania (24th of January 2006)Wednesday 24th of January 2006
I arrived to Suceava at about 7.00am in the morning. I wasn't very impressed my the cold. it was bitter. I mean I did not want to leave the cold train. Without doubt, the coldest day since I stated this trip. Vey countryish town, in that most people were rough looking (in a rural sense - wearing wellingtons). My first impression was a farming area. I headed straightMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138973246347177072006-01-25T13:26:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.520+01:00Brasov, Romania (23rd of January 2006)Monday 23rd of January 2006
I was up around 8.30am. I had a pretty good nights sleep and most of the people in the room (Americans) were heading off down south to Belgrade. I had a free coffee in the kitchen and enjoyed the nice views they have from there. I checked out and left my bag in the TV room. There are no lockers anyway in this place. No locks, no doors - very few facilities at all.
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138969172165917572006-01-24T12:18:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.521+01:00Brasov, Romania (22nd of January 2006)Sunday 22nd of January 2006
I arrived in Brasov at 11.08am and was hassled by a few crazies at the station. Lots of people with skis and ski gear abouded. Alot of snow fell over the past few days and whose involved in winter sports were taking advantage. I tried to buy a ticket to Suceava for tomorrow night but they said you can only buy ticket one hour prior to departure.
I purchased a one wayMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138969028026753212006-01-23T12:15:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.522+01:00Sighisoara, Romania (21st & 22nd of January 2006)Saturday 21st of January 2006
Translyvania: vast tracts of idyllic pre-industrial landscape. All these fab walled towns (but big flat complexes on the outskirts). I was headed to Sighisoara, after a stop in Medias. I was looking forward to getting to the heart of Transylvania - a bona fide principality which, for most of the thousand years before it became part of Romania in 1920, was dominated Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1141641352985340072006-01-22T22:34:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.522+01:00Medias, Romania (21st of January 2006)Saturday 21st of January 2006
Anyway, I got to Medias and was very cold and it was snowing. Very slippy and I only had an hour here before my connection to Sighisoara at 15.49. It was a small town and you can see the centre of town by spotting the main church spires.
You can check out the offical site and a picture site.
The historic centre is quite small but the old walls are still there and Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1141313546484236262006-01-21T15:32:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.523+01:00Sibiu, Romania (21st of January 2006)Saturday 21st of January 2006
I was up early in my empty hostel. No travellers, no staff. The place was empty. I just left my backpack where it was and walked to where the old city fortifications were.
Sibiu, Romania Taken on the 21st of January 2006 The city of Sibiu was one of the most important fortified cities in Southeastern Europe. Multiple rings were built around the city, most of Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138968838459965002006-01-20T12:03:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.523+01:00Sibiu, Romania (20th of January 2006)Friday 20th of January 2006
I had a wakeup call at 7.30am. I had a shower and a shave (including a self cut haircut). Anyway, buffet breakfast was included in the price and I got my moneys worth. Bread, yogurts, salami, tea, juice etc.
The journey was good. I think the train was empthy but I think they shove people in certain compartments to save on heating. Eight people can fit in a Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138967632259192462006-01-19T23:47:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.524+01:00Timisoara, Romania (19th of January 2006)Thursday 19th of January 2006
Anyway, the hostel never woke me up but luckily I was up anyway. I left quite early and took the metro to the main train station. The information board was out of action and nobody knew what line the train was leaving on until about 5 mninutes before departure. Yes, I sweated that i would miss the train. It was due to to leave at 9.35am from budapest (Keleti) and Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1138967198922486382006-01-18T17:41:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.524+01:00Budapest (17th & 18th of January 2006)Tuesday 17th of January 2006
This was a last minute trip. Very last minute. So last minute, I only booked a one way flight with Easyjet for £14.00 (Sterling). I was hesitating about going as I had a lot on with work etc, it was just after Christmas, it was going to very cold over there etc. Even the day before travel, I was undecided about going, as losing £14 on a missed fliht was not a big dealMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1136821157122922982005-12-11T15:38:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.525+01:00Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland (9th and 10th December 2005)Day Three - December 9th 2005
We didnt do a whole lot as we were heading to Glasgow later on that day. We left our luggage stored in the hostel and headed to the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, not a big Favorite of mine. It was £6.50 entry and I really would not go there again or recommend anyone to do so. You get a free glass and a small squirt of Teacher's (blended) whiskey. You can check out Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1134594909461060742005-12-08T20:35:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.526+01:00Edinburgh, Scotland (7th and 8th December 2005)Day One - December 7th 2005
We arrived in Edinburgh around 7.45pm. It wasnt as cold as expected and you can get a £5 open-return bus ticket from there to the city centre. Its not a pretty ride into town with the same shops fabricated from the rest of the UK from Boots, M&S etc. We got dropped off 20 minutes later at Waverly bridge and we walked another 15 minutes to our chosen hostel called "Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1124731872545777432005-07-11T18:30:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.526+01:00China (July 10th to July 11th 2005)I suppose it should be noted that this wasn't a backpacking trip. i was simply a tourist not that in 2005, there is much diference between the two. Anyway, I did very little but relax for the month.
Day Eleven-July 10th
I woke up wondering should I stay or should I go. It was 8.00am and as well as relaxing I wondered what I was going to do. I required at the hostels yesterday about trekking, Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1124721419358554312005-07-09T19:29:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.527+01:00China (July 9th 2005)I suppose it should be noted that this wasn't a backpacking trip. i was simply a tourist not that in 2005, there is much diference between the two. Anyway, I did very little but relax for the month.
Day Ten-July 9th
We arrived about 8.00am. I thought i Might know my way to the Tibet Hotel but somehow I got lost. Theres a nice new bus station here and its fairly efficient. I took a 5 Yuan taxi Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1118159500011452262005-07-08T16:49:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.527+01:00China (June 31st 2005 to July 8th)I suppose it should be noted that this wasn't a backpacking trip. i was simply a tourist not that in 2005, there is much diference between the two. Anyway, I did very little but relax for the month.
Day One - June 31st
My flight from Heathrow to Paris was at 10.15 to arrive at 12.25. I got up far too early at 6.00am and took the 6.40 ish train to Victoria. From there its a tube to Hammersmith Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1108217091439236692005-02-12T13:45:00.000Z2007-08-25T17:06:06.527+01:00Making the move.Apologies for the lack of posts on this site www.irish-guy.com / www.ballyhea.net) for some time. Nearly three months in fact. I have spend time looking for a job. Found one, then a second... finally taking up a subject close to my heart.
I am a few weeks into a Ph.D entilted.
Connections, Mobilities, and the Culture of the Backpacker
Interesting, yes and it should involve some traveling for Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1100286599608139862004-08-20T19:04:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.528+01:00All Ireland Hurling Final Day 2004On the 15th of August I travelled to Dublin by train to see Cork take on Wexford in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final. Cork produced a flawless dispaly and trashed Wexford.
Hurling is a game similar to hockey, in that it is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. It is Europe's oldest field game. When the Celts came to Ireland as the last ice age was receding, they brought Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974018.post-1091985802019778372004-08-17T23:14:00.000+01:002007-08-25T17:06:06.528+01:0017th of August, 2004I was down to a local Reaping demonstarion last week. Just a half a dozen enthusists cutting a 1/2 acre of wheat the whole fashioned awy. It was very enjoyable.
Early reaping was all done by hand. Reaping is the cutting of the grain. In Egypt a flint blade was used to cut the wheat. In Europe the scythe had been introduced by the Romans. Yet the Europeans continued to use the sickle until Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455916929209775095noreply@blogger.com