Rugby League World Cup 2013

An opportunity presented itself like none other; the opportunity to attend an actual world cup event. For some of you this may be a regular thing but for me this was a first (although I did go to a few Olympic events in 2000).

The real reason anyone goes to the rugby.

In October 2013 the Rugby League World Cup was held in Wales and England. At the time I was staying with Amanda and Goof in Swindon so we traipsed down to Cardiff to watch the opening ceremony and series opener Australia vs England.

The opening ceremony

There was a hostile reception from the UK crowd and for the first half I was concerned I had chosen the wrong nationality to be born to. Before we knew it the Aussies were 10-0 down, but some Cronk, Smith, and Thurston magic powered us to victory.

 England kick off in the opening match

A month later Goof and I found our way to Old Trafford for the Final against New Zealand. Despite the Aussie domination of the competition thus far I still remember the previous world cup that led to a shock defeat to Kiwis. 

Slater takes nap as his skills at fullback were unnecessary.

This time there was nothing to fear as Slater and Thurston tore apart our Southern neighbors. The anti-Australian crowd was a little disappointed as the green and gold hefted the cup high...

Aussies do a victory dance.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Now, Copenhagen is more than just Eurovision and Carlsberg. Yup, its also vikings, lego, mermaids, and flying cars.

A not as cheap as Ryan Air, but more reliable and more comfortable.

In between drinking Carlsberg and attending Eurovision parties Charles, Aleena and I did a little tour of the town. Not surprisingly there was lots of cool stuff to see.  

This was a cool wall outside a construction site. You flip the boards to reveal the coloured rectangles underneath to leave happy messages for passersby. Admittedly we were drunk and left a not so happy message as well as this smiley face.

We visited the Nyhavn district on the canals for drinks and dinner on our first evening before finding ourselves at Eurovision square (in the centre of town) for some live music and drinks. 

Nyhavn

In fact, the entire town was in Eurovision fever with the a pedestrian boulevard decked out as a 'Eurovision mile'.

Baiky diving head first into fun at Eurovision Square.

We visited a lego store, because...well...lego, as well as castles, forts, and statues. We wandered past two of the four palaces Christiansbord and Amalienborg on our way to Kastellet, a star-shaped fort. These forts were developed in a response to gunpowder and cannons. 

  It also has automatic weapons. Did I mention the automatic weapons?

Nearby is also the little mermaid statue that is based on the Danish fairytale 'the Little Mermaid' shared by Disney with the rest of the world.

It was real tough to get a photo that wasn't full of tourists. In this angle all the tourists are hidden behind the foliage.

Sure enough we got to see a replica viking ship and a Danish windmill in a field. On our wanderings in the city we visited a lego store.

 where Charles fell victim to a Danish ninja

and the house where Niels Bohr was born.

I wonder how many other people get as excited as I did when I unexpectedly saw this!

They also had there fair share of fountains, none better than Gefion fountain outside of the Kastellet

 Aleena at the Kastellet - the fountain is waaaaay in the background. I think she hates this photo so I made sure to publish it online.

 And that pretty much sums up my weekend trip to Copenhagen.

I'll leave the Danish flying cars for another post...

Copenhagen: Carlsberg Brewery

Copenhagen wasn't all singing, dancing, and weird costumes. There was serious drinking to be done too. So Charles, Aleena, and I rolled up our sleeves, put on our serious drinking faces, and went to the Carlsberg Brewery. 

Baiky, on the other hand didn't have sleeves to roll up, so he went straight to the drinking.

To the Aussie, Carlsberg as a cheaper imported European beer that is not particularly tasty. Hence, our [Australian] attitude towards Carlsberg is one of indifference. However, it seems that, much like we exported fosters overseas and kept the better Aussie beers at home (VB anyone?), Carlsberg did the same. They have sent their oh-so-standard beer to us so they could keep the secret of their tasty beers under their bosom.

Charlie and Aleena tasting beer under the stables in the bosom of the brewery.

We started our visit with a tour. It introduced us to the founders of Carlsberg brewery, the history of the brewery, and the importance of beer throughout Danish history. The history of the brewery was actually quite fascinating and the owners repeatedly assisted in the development and growth of Copenhagen and Denmark; including leading on initiatives such as workers rights and appropriate wages, funding major works of art projects, and leading research in chemistry.

 While they may have introduced the concept of pH their advances in protein chemistry to stalled until they utilised the services a skilled computational chemist that they could identify the importance of introducing multiple beryllium/erbium dimers into all nearby protein carriers. In fact, this was considered so crucial that it was repeatedly administered to all surrounding protein bodies until they fell asleep.

As per history lessons in school I found the early and middle-age beer history more entertaining than the modern histories. Particularly the historical periods known the Great Nordic Inebriation, which describes the flood of beer consumed by the Danes as the economy improved during the Renaissance A flood is loosely described in the Nordic Dictionary of Gatt as somewhere between 10 and 30 litres per day; I would be more accurate but after 15 litres my counting becomes somewhat fuzzy.

 The old brewery/tour house

Other highlights of the tour included a counter that endlessly published the litres of beer produced; the single digits were a blur, and a beer bottle collection which is the largest collection in the world, and patting draft horses despite the signs warning visitors that it might be dangerous.

 The exhibition had 16 838 bottles, but the apparently they have a total of 22 276 bottles. We could not find the Aussie bottles.

We finished up by going to the bar, sniffing some bottles in the aroma room that apparently helps you choose your preferred beers, and going on for a beer tasting.

Baiky finished up by hooking up with blowup doll we found outside the brewery entrance. Stay classy Baiky.

 All in all we achieved our goals of drinking good beer and learning that there is more to the world than Carlton Draught.

 The founder of Carlsberg brewery hangin' with some wannabe hack brewers - maybe we should call it the Charlesberg Brewery?

Eurovision

I have so many AWESOME things to update on, but by far the MOST awesome is EUROVISION! Therefore I am skipping chronology for the sake of AWESOMENESS.

Whoa, slow down buddy - you hve just exhausted your CAPS and awesome quota.

 Firstly we got to catch a Eurovision ferry to Eurovision Island. The we got to enter the Eurovision pre-party and enjoy refreshing Eurovision beer (the beer wasn't actually branded as Eurovision beer, it was Carlsberg, but I was kinda excited). Ringing the outside of the party space were the European flags. After much searching I was able to locate Malta's behind stall, a couple of coils of rope, and a wheelbarrow.

 And the costumes, of the costumes!

 Eurovision was held in a massive warehouse that was decked out in ways that only Eurovision knows how. At the entrance there were blokes dressed as Conchita offering free hugs, in a great show of support for the Austrian entrant.

Free hugs! Bargain!

Charles, Aleena, and got in nice and early so that we were only a one row from the front. Looking to my left I chuckled as I saw a bloke in a green top that looked surprisingly like a Raiders jersey.

Wait, wait wait...that IS a Raiders jersey! Everyone meet Rowan!

Turns we weren't the only Aussies to travel to Eurovision. In fact, there were Aussies everywhere. Pretty soon the acts started up; unfortunately I did not get any good photos of the Polish act  but I was there for the atmosphere and not photos. Whie not as intense as many concerts I have been too as it is a family event, everyone was super friendly and the music was really good. The acts sound much better live. Despite common conjecture, the British singer was really good when seen and heard through digital media.

They even had a halftime show!

 We smashed a few beers while rocking away to classics like Tick Tock (Ukraine), My Słowianie (Poland), Coming home (Malta), and Cliché Love Song (Denmark). And, of course, we went crazy when Conchita sang Rise like a Phoenix.

Guess which my favourite was (hint, even though it was ruled by my more basic of instincts it was not Conchita).

The countdown was less exciting than watching on TV, but we covered that by throwing back a few test tube shots. It then took us all of three seconds to decide that next year we should travel to Austria in May...

 Clearly the Norwegian behind us are impressed with our drinking skills.

Scotland the first

After my job interview I headed back to Swindon to visit Goof and Amanda to await the result. Upon hearing of my success and celebrating with not one, but two grilled cheese sandwiches I decided on a final trip to finish off my six months of traveling: Scotland.

Scotland: Cloudy, misty, wet. This is Glencoe and it sums it up perfectly.

I decided on Scotland because it has awesome mountains, was recently voted the best holiday destination in the world, and because Alison. We hired a car and so started the 10 hour drive to THE NORTH (yup southern UK has road signs that don't indicate what cities are ahead, just that you are heading to THE NORTH).

Commando Memorial - because the Brits realised if you could survive here the war would be easy.

Our plan was to visit Alison, who was at the time managing a hostel on Oban - a small town on the west coast of mainland Scotland and to visit the isle of Skye because Goof told me it was a good idea. Amanda, well, she had a job and had to work for living; someone had to pay for Goof's jetsetting lifestyle!

When Goof and I travel only the most luxurious travel methods are used. 

For the uninitiated (like I was), Scotland is essentially a whole bunch of islands very close to northern mainland Britain. Most are connected by bridges. It is really mountainous, and hence, incredibly scenic. Common myth suggests that it is extremely cold in winter - these myths are true. It is also full of Scots; they drink a lot and punch each other, which is hilarious. Many of them are extremely difficult to understand. It has Lochs, which is their name for a lake; no one could tell me what the difference was (not even Google could give a conclusive answer). Similarly it seemed that Glen was just a fancy name for a valley.

There are also cows. Lesson complete.

We arrived in Oban just in time for a Halloween party at Al's place, Oban Backpackers. Al gave us some costumes and we drank our way into the social cliques of the hostel. The following two days we toured the small town visiting places such as McCaig's tower, a nearby castle, and a quick visit of the distillery.

A lovely view from McCaig's Tower over Oban with the Isle of Mull in the background. Don't let the blue sky fool you, it was both freezing and raining.

We also drank a beer; lots and lots of beer. This was not out of any desire to please our baser needs, but more an attempt to fit in with the locals. We also broke up a fight (this became a habit of Goof and over our next few adventures together...). Then we set off on an epic adventure to Isle of Skye.

An Aussie incognito in Scotland.

This drive took us the better part of a a day and we some of the best scenery I've come across that rivals that of Switzerland and the Blue Mountains. We stopped off at a memorial to British commandos, which if I remember correctly were first introduced into the British army in the Great War; Loch Ness, but it was waaaay to cold to go swimming; and Glencoe, a famous glen that was used in Skyfall because the moutains and mist make it look so spooky.

Loch Ness - even Baiky didn't want to swim.

We stayed overnight in another hostel in Kyleakin, a small town on the east coast of Isle of Skye before our next day of sightseeing. We spent the day following a coastal road around the northern part of the Isle. This included rock formation the Old Mann of Storr; Staffin, a place where dinosaur fossils were found; Fairy Glen; and Uig. Uig just had cows, but it has a cool name (and cows).

  Old Man of Storr - it was also raining in this photo.

That's pretty much it. We drove back to Oban, and the next day back to Leicester where I was to start my first full-time and permanent job. I believe academic term this a career. By the way, in case you were wondering - Scotland deserves the title best tourist destination.

 Fairy Glen - the fairies had little quaint little messages for us.

Leicester, UK

Sadly this is where my travels come to an end. You see, this visit to the UK was for a job interview, and, well...apparently I am awesome (who knew?!). But its okay, Leicester is not a bad place and I'm really close to lots of stuff, like Europe, and Eurovision, and ... castles. Hell, even the States are just across the Ocean (Hi Max!).

Yup, another working fountain. My fascination with these has not changed since leaving Russia. This one is in the Leicester Town Square.

As with my job interview in Exeter, I used the opportunity to see what Leicester had to offer. Very early on I found pubs and pool tables. In fact, it was the evening after my interview that I joined a clan, Clan McTwat, in a local pub. While I promised I would see them again if I actually got the job I have only ever seen one of them since, and that was in the distance on the main street.

 

The main street, complete with a street performer.

Leicester is not a bad place. Similar in size to Canberra and has a pretty good uni (where I work). It is probably most famous for King Richard III. The uni recently dug up his remains. Archeologists have been trying to find his burial place for quite some time so this was a well recognised feat.

  

King Richard III, in all his glory before brained by a poleaxe.

 They also have a comedy club, which I have visited on many occasions and is really good. Next door to the comedy club is a Walkabout bar. This is an Aussie bar that sells Aussie beers. Hell yes have a sunk a few VBs there. I had an awesome time on Australia Day too (don't tell work - it was a Sunday this year).

A hard earned thirst deserves a good cold beer...

There are a few sites around town such as guild halls, museums, and even a space centre. But it does lack the nature reserves of Canberra, so I haven't enjoyed running as much since I got here. I've been checking out the greater Leicestershire area (no photos yet) and there are a few breweries, parks, and even a steam train - so there no shortage of stuff to do.

A Guild Hall. You know, I went through the Hall, read all the signs and took lots of photos and I still don't really know what Guild Halls were actually for...

There was one important aspect of Leicester though I had to suss out as quickly as possible. It did not take me long but it had been a while since I had had...

Airport security can't foil me this time!

Well, in brief, that's Leicester. There will be more on this as I do live here now. But before I started work I got one last hurrah, cause Goof and I went to Scotland! 

 

 Clan McTwat! Sadly, no one in the clan is actually Scottish. I assume one day I will see them again in a random pub and we can once again try to take over the pool tables.

Germany: Berlin

In Malta I met an EF teacher who was from Berlin but had spent years in the great Southern Land I still call home, Ina. As I am a charming lad we soon became friends and she invited me to join her for her 30th B'Day if I happened to find myself in Berlin on the correct date. So, I made sure that I was and thus began a journey of wander and awe.

Awe(some) - trees made of lights and light shows on buildings.

You see, Berlin has never held in interest to me. I was never a fan of modern history in school and my understanding of its development after WW2 was limited to knowledge gleaned from Top Secret!. This however was all to change - and this is that story...

I also learnt that Germans are weird...this, however, was my favourite shop.

I arrived in Berlin by train and met up with Ina brother Hanno. Together (with his missus) we taxied to Ina's house where I was introduced to Ina's husband (a West Australian). From there I shopped for clothes as her B'Day appropritely named Dirty Thirty Denim Do.

 Rockin' the Denim at the afterparty

Then the drinking began. The party was held mostly on a tram, and then we moved to a pub (thankfully I did not have to DJ) where Baiky and I rocked the dance floor. Thus my introduction to the German Drinking Culture was complete.

Party on a tram!

Next on my list to cross off was modern history. This was achieved in two ways, the first of which was a walking tour that pretty much covered the end if WWII and the involvement of Berlin in the Cold War. The tour went past the site of Hitler's grave, remnants of the Berlin War, the Jewish memorial, a chocolate factory (it wasn't all war and death), Brandenburg Gate, and the Bebelplatz.

 

Hitler's final resting place is now a carpark.

I followed this with a visit to the DDR museum, an interactive museum that concentrates on line in the German Democratic Republic. As I had pretty no understanding of the divide in Berlin (it was taught in school but I actively did not learn it) this was a hugely educational.

  

The Jewish memorial.

For Culture I visited the flea market in Mauerpark on a Sunday. I'm not much of a market person but it was good to poke around (and their was a Berlin wall marker there too).

 

Remnants of the Berlin wall, interestingly, the cylinder on top is carefully designed to ensure that it cannot be climbed. It is impossible to reach around and grip the other side.

What was cool though, was I got to see the beginning of the Bearpit Karaoke Show. Story goes that a random guy started turning up every Sunday with a karaoke machine attached to his bicycle and a few people would have a go. Now its an institution, with crowds of people turning up every week.

 And I mean everyone - even Hallinan turned up!

And it is still run from his bike! I also paid to go on a pub crawl that visited "alternative" pubs in Berlin. They were super quirky, with one having a continuous table tennis competition on (I did well the first time but went out early in the following games). Apparently the pub tour changes every time, but it was a good way to go out and meet people.

 

We even visited an Absinthe bar! Last time I had shots of absinthe Baiky had to carry me home.

Finally, I finished my Berlin trip with a beer guide book that listed a bar crawl that meandered past all the major sites in the city centre (many of which I had already visited on my first tour).

 

Brandenburg Gate.

Baiky and I gave it a go, but there were a shitload of pubs and I'm only one guy. I got through about thirteen, but by then the weather had turned horrendous. It was cold, bucketing down in rain, and dark. I did get to see a few more sites though including a lego giraffe!

This giraffe is pretty much the best thing I have ever seen and I do not know who that person is trying to gratify him orally.