Wazza's European Adventures

So here I am. Back again, looking backwards to my European Adventure. I was, looking back, one hell of an adventure. Next post please!

Wednesday, 29th of June, 2016

I woke up with a slight chill, only to realise that I had the window open. It was still kinda cold for me... 19 degrees Celsius and people were walking around with tank tops on! I still wasn't used to it, but I found out that English summer is very, Very different. I mean, 23 degrees and people were literally stripping off, sweating like it was the middle of the Sahara. And the looks I got from the locals, like I'd bumped my head whilst trying to open a car door with my head... yeeeahhh, nanananaaaa....

I had breakfast - a couple of pieces of toast with Vegemite - would you believe it, I found it in the shops - and then went upstairs to have a shower and got ready before Brian dropped me to the train station. 

So on the train, again. It was refreshing to see other scenery, instead of the, not drab, but repetitive scenes and scenery of the Fremantle to Perth line, or the Armadale, and Joondalup to Perth lines, in which I had once lived down. There was miles and miles of fields and farming. The setup and planning here was amazing. In a country with 68 million people, there was still giant areas of rural areas, fields and farms, sometimes to as far as the eye could see. And then suddenly, over a hill or around a corner, there would be a small town or village, with a quaint name or two...

And the areas, or borough's as the English call them, are things like Nazeing, Hertford Heath, and Cheshunt, or Bayfordbury...

Anyway - travelling from Harlow to London was fun. I didn't really do it that much on this adventure, really. I realised that I had seen much of London when I was much younger, so I decided this time to see the family then see more of the country, which I eventually did... Just keeping reading the blog!

Got to London - went to Shoreditch and had breakfast number 2 with my younger cousin Romelle, who'd been there for 2 years, and was actually leaving to go home in a couple of weeks. 

We had a great breakfast. It was an Indian restaurant with a twist. I can't remember - no it was an Indian Fusion restaurant. That's the one. It was called DISHOOM, and it is worth going there. One hundred percent. It was fantastic. I wanted to eat more. I had a different kind of bacon and eggs, with a naan, or a paratha, or something. It was absolutely delicious, and I loved the freshly squeezed orange juice. 3 glasses necked!

It was about 10:30am when I gave her a big hug, and continued on for some of the sights that I wanted to see this time around. 

I managed to walk no more than like, 700 metres, when I came across a pub. I needed a beer. And it was pretty early for one, unless you're Irish. So I had one. I'm not Irish, but relatives are, so that counted.

This was a pretty busy day! I just had a look at my timeline... I'm gonna have to put up some photos! I'll be back soon!

Wazza's European Adventures!

G'day! Hi, I'm back, and here to continue telling you about my adventures that I recently had in Europe!

Did you know that after I had that double burger meal from McDonald's, it totally slowed me down? I wanted to do something, but didn't want to spend too much cash, as I am on a budget.

I went to the nearest shopping centre, and I really needed to! My brand new (3 weeks old!) Sony Vaio laptop (one of the best ones - y'know - touchscreen, flipper, the keyboard lit up), and I was really upset to see such a magnificent creation by one of my favourite companies go "kaput". I was angry. Pretty angry. I still have to go back to JB Hifi and talk to them! But anyway, I went and walked to Harlow Shopping Centre and decided to get the repairs underway myself.

"3 weeks, maybe a month..."

"GET OUT"

I left my laptop in the care of two guys that were more interested in World of Warcraft than a supermodel coming into the shop, which, in a way, kinda made it a bit more secure in my mind. I had walked all the way to the town centre, so I decided to walk around and find out what the place had to offer. 

Some really amazing shops, some usual shops, no K-mart or anything like that, but they did have those cheap shops like the Australian Reject Shops, but better, because they sold EVERYTHING, and everything was a quid each! I bought a good amount of food to tide me over, so I wouldn't be eating my cousin out of house and home (which sometimes I think he did think!), and that I'd have something to take with me to any festivals and/or pub crawls that I was intending to do.

So after a bit of a walk around, an ice cream, and buying some amazing comics that I hadn't seen before, and some movies, I decided to call it a day and head on home. 

Walking home I took some photos of the "street signs" around the area... And it's a bit harder to understand as there are no real street names, just names of the areas that you actually had a house in. It was weird... Like Nicholls Field, North Grove, Sadlers Mead... and up to 200 people could be living in each of these areas, not bigger than 5 acres of land... It's totally crazy! I don't know how 68 million people live on this island, close to the Arctic Circle (close enough!) and actually "LIKE" it!! I don't get it. And then they whine and whinge about it? I have told my cousins to move to Freo! They'd think it was paradise, and then I'd send them to the Gold Coast! They would probably think it's Disneyland! Lol. I am actually looking forward to my cousin and her kids coming over. It would make my life a bit more interesting!

I walked back home. 

I got home and put my feet up, had a smoke or two and then did something that I really wanted to do when I got here. And that was watch the football! It was great... just me and the tv... 

Couldn't ask for anything else. 

So that was this day. I'll be back to tell you more over the coming weeks

Get out there and travel!!!

CIAO!!!

Wazza's European Adventures

Paradise Wildlife Park - part 2

Hi - and thanks for coming back!

Continuing on my merry adventures at Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, UK.

Below are some of the little creatures that I was truly amazed with. Their tactility was amazing. Their hair styles were even better. These guys were everywhere in their shelters (you know the ones - the shelters are in a more darker, secluded area of the park, usually close to the reptile sanctuaries) and they didn't make much noise (unlike the monkeys and gibbons!) They are extremely cute and very tactile. 

 I absolutely loved this little guy (below). He and his mate were going from branch to branch, keeping a good eye on me, and Brian. We got some amazing photos, just like this one where he was looking directly into my phone, and then into Brian's camera.

These two guys below, took the cake. They weren't doing a thing at first - just moseying around, looking for things in the dirt. Then they saw us, and jumped up to the nearest tree closest to the window, and started preening each other for our enjoyment. I was quite amazing.

So after a good walking around, to see where we really wanted to go - we wanted to find the big cats! - we strolled past the gibbons... oh boy! What a racket! 

 This big guy was probably the boss of the structure, going from one tree to another, going inside and outside, yelling at the others.

As you can see, this guy (below) was in and out of their sleeping structure. He gave us the ol' up and down, checking us out as much as we checked him out! These guys were amazing. The strength, flexibility and dexterity was too cool!

These below... were the noise makers. You could hear them all the way from the other end of the zoo! They swung back and forth, and did some amazing somersaults and flips just for fun. And they knew they were being watched, so they kept up the noise...

If one stopped the noises, the next one would start!

"WOOO WOOO WOOOP WOOOP WOOOOO!"

Freaking cool! I almost couldn't get their sounds out of my head for the rest of the day.

We decided that we had enough of the primates, and we went looking for the big cats. They are probably my favourite animals, and I heard there were some Bengal Tigers, Lions and Panthers in here, so we went for a search. We didn't have to walk far, as immediately after the gibbons were these majestic creatures.

 These are Siberian Snow Leopards... And they are so amazing. They were really hard to find, because their shelter was made for them, and it really does represent and look like Siberia in the cage. The only parts that aren't are these "sleeping platforms" on which they just sit there and snore away. They have agility too, walking around on nearly nothing to get to these platforms.

Look at this guy! He looked huggable! But I dare not! lol

I just loved the way they were so casual. Let's face it - they were bored! But they came right up to my face on the second floor balcony, and then just dropped on the platform with a "thunk!!" and stayed there. I didn't manage to get any more photos of them, but they were beautiful creatures.

Next were the other big cats...

This leopard was just bored shitless! He was not moving, and sleeping in the glorious sunlight. We tried to wake him (I think everybody did!) but to no avail. He was having some serious zzzz's!

 Sleeping away...

 Now this is what I was waiting for. I was here to see these guys. The Tigers. I'm a Tiger in Chinese Astrology, and I like that I'm a Tiger! :)

This one (left) was on the ground, pacing around. He was just exercising apparently (this is what the zoo keeper was saying)

He went up on the walkways, and then plonked himself down, to watch US! I just loved the attitude these guys had. Chilled!

When I managed to get a good shot, it was from this angle - these two were bored. I mean, what else is there to do when you are a tiger in the zoo? Sit back, relax, get fed, sleep and watch all the humans go by!

This guy (above) was pacing madly, after this shot. There is a protected area where you can take photos without the wire, and he would come right up to you, stare you in the eyes and walk off... I got a few of them... 

This one was just so regal, so majestic. I'm going to put him on a t-shirt!

 This photo (below) - it was roughly 30 cms away from my camera phone. Almost looked directly into his eyes.

Okay - I've gotta do some work!

Part 3 coming soon!

Cheers!

Waz

United Kingdom Part 1 - Landing, Shearing and The Only Way Is Essex

WAZZA'S EUROPEAN ADVENTURES

FIRST ONE ON EUROPEAN SOIL

G'day all! How are ya? I'm pretty amazed, tired, and still wanting more. I've just landed really... still bouncing away from that landing! I have also realised that my little airport that I've seen in W.A. has really nothing on a 'fly one in @ 0', the next @ 28' will be landing, we'll be on the next one after that' in a minute!

I landed in Heathrow airport, I think it was the 14th or 15th morning, and my cousin Sarah, whom I hadn't seen in almost 31 years, is there with a jumper or jacket covering her must have been cold hands. The classic "You alright?" straight out of her mouth. I couldn't believe I was actually on European soil for the first time in that long. After a big long hug (we used to get along so well when I stayed in Clapham Common for 4 months or so, we we're 10 and 9) she talked and whilst I followed her to the car. 

After getting in, and remembering what the traffic was like way back then in 1985 (the year Back to the Future was released, the year the Achilles Lauro was hijacked by terrorists, and the first mobile phone call was made!) we zoomed out of the car park into traffic, and into a roundabout, then another, then a very thin road (we had to mount the curb), then another roundabout after a small straight, then guess what? A really really long motorway! It's straights and roundabouts.

I did remember a lot of roundabouts, but I can appreciate the fact that they are used all of the United Kingdom, as there is a much greater population here, and there are not just cities with their suburbs, there are villages, and hamlets, and other small types of areas. And these are scattered, so you'll see (via motorway) small patches of fields and farming with constant exits to places. Chelmsford, Harlow, Hatfield and Cheshunt are all around the places that I'm first staying.

Sarah and her husband Terry (and their two sons Louis and Benjamin) had kindly put me in the local for a couple of nights, and that's exactly what I was looking forward to - Old English hospitality and a warm and cosy atmosphere at a place of bard and lodging, namely the Full English.

THE COCK INN

So here I am... In a REAL English pub! And what a name too... THE COCK INN... Seriously... The Cock Inn... I'm still can't believe it. I know where I get the prankster blood from... I still haven't stopped laughing.

Anyway, I was in here for two days. I got meet Terry and the kids just for a couple of hours, and then they dropped me off to the "establishment". The Cock Inn emblazoned on the front, I chuckled as I loitered in. Terry got me setup in a fine little room to myself, and considering that I may not have that much privacy in the future, I took advantage of the ensuite, had a shower and a shave. Decided to keep on the beard of Satan on for a couple of days or weeks more, who knows.

So first thing was first - a beer, and unfortunately a warm one - but still needed to have a true pint. Got downstairs, slipped, regained my balance only to hit my head on the roof support, but not just the support, the support that actually had a sign saying "mind your head", whilst trying to celebrate my fortunes for not falling down the stairs only moments earlier.

Such genius. 

Anyway... Got to the bar rubbing the now what seemed to be a golf ball size bump on my head, and ordered after some careful consideration, I went for a Stella Artois. And it was cold! Yay! Fantastic. I was in a pub that had tv's in the right position, the local around the parts had his own bar glass and actual seat in the pub. Actually met the gentleman over the next two nights. Found out who the bar staff and the owner Billy was. THE COCK INN SHEARING is definitely a true English experience. 

I got there the day of one of the Euro 16 games. I know it wasn't either the Welsh or English game, but I think this was the actual day one of the Irish teams were playing), so there was a few people in the pub watching the game. I got to know one of the other locals (who I found out down the track they were all kind of related as the bloke behind the bar was married to this fellows daughter or something like that) and found out he was a supporter of my team - Manchester United - and that he lived 2 doors down. I asked him about his place as his was quite a nice place, but the whole of Shearing seemed to be lovely. Loud bunch of lads, especially as their team scored. It was a whole lot of dreary squabbling if it was the "other" team. I had a great meal there, had a mingle with them during the match. Staff were very accommodating, so much so that I decided to give them a high rating on my tripadvisor account!. Found out that the lovely young girl behind the bar had relies in Perth! One day in and Kevin Bacon will be next. I went to bed quite early after the long flight from Hong Kong and the bed was rather too much to fight. Face first on the bed, bouncing to a comfortable position with my head slightly off the side of the bed to breath, and that was about it...

THE ADDITIONS!

First thing I hear is a bird that I have never heard before, as it pretty much inside my window; I left in open the night before as I was feeling rather warm. Quick shower and then a cigarette, and I'd be ready for breakfast, the Full English Breakfast. I was wanting to devour one immediately, stat, NOW!!

Only to realise that it was 4:50am in the morning, and the sun had been up for the last half hour

TV - here come the fancy and not-so-fancy voices and characters of morning tv in the United Kingdom. Not as sensationalised as U.S. or even Australian TV, but proper use of the English language and it's dialects. 

My word old bean, it's rather posh!

And here they are. The female morning presenters. The opposite of Kylie Gillies, Sonia Kruger and Tracy Grimshaw... Bless. 

And yep, they're all stunners, and some with that English accent (Scottish and Irish are the ones that make you follow you like when Mutley or Dino from The Flintstones got the smell of dinner coming through the hole in their rock domicile. Yeah Irish or Scottish girls with red hair is like my kryptonite. I'm useless. After a couple of hours of this, I jumped into the shower, and got ready for brekkie.

Got down and got my FULL ENGLISH. And what an English. The full arrangement of sides as well as the classic black and white puddings, bacon, eggs, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms and tomatoes, and I had mine with a flat white. After about 5 mins, I was licking the plate and offering to clean for breakfasts like that for a few weeks!

I had a wonderful dinner with my cousin and her family. And watched yet another game of the Euro 16 games. After one dinner, we walked about 150m to the main shops in the area, the Water Gardens, and went for a wander around, with Terry showing me the shops and things to do in the area.

It was still 9:32pm and the sun was still high in the sky. Little did I know but about 30 mins later it had turned pitch black. I didn't know this, because Terry gave me a lift back to the Cock Inn and I went upstairs and must have passed out...

THE FULL ENGLISH