Our first stop in Romania was Sibiu, a beautiful little town in Transylvania. Sibiu has a gorgeous feel to it, with its medieval looking streets, steep roofs, and little windows in the roofs that look like eyes watching you!

We got to Sibiu during a Rally Car Race. It was a surreal contrast seeing rally cars in a medieval city! There was even a giant screen projecting the movie – The Theory of Everything. This is a movie about the life of Stephen Hawking. I never thought I’d watch a movie about Stephen Hawking in a little Transylvanian town while being surrounded by rally cars! I like it!

We hired a local guide to show us around the town, and we learned quite a bit about the local history. Sibiu has quite a collection of churches with very distinct art, paintings, and icons. Our guide even showed us the burial-place of Vlad the Impaler’s son (the historical figure loosely tied to the Dracula legend).

From Sibiu we headed out to Brasov, a bit larger of a city in Transylvania. This town is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and has many of the similar features that we found in Sibiu. While somewhat touristy, this city is a definite must see!

From Brasov we set up a four-day trek into the Romanian mountains. Check back in a couple of days for our trekking post! Until then!

Cheers, Shawn

Onward and forward to Sibiu, Romania. We took our first night train of the trip, which was rather interesting. We took the train from Budapest, Hungary, to Sibiu. As you would have heard, Budapest has had a large influx of Syrian refugees. The train station in Budapest looked like a makeshift camp full of refugees.

Because the migrants were heading west, and we were going east, we were able to get a train ticket without too much trouble. When we left, we found what looked like the right train, but the train number inside was different from our ticket. To be sure it was the right train, I found a train worker in uniform, but who looked off shift. I showed him my ticket, and communicated via charades if this was the right train. The fellow looked at my ticket, looked at me, and said, “Sorry, I don’t know where I am.” So the journey began!

The train was about 11 hours long. Mike and I got second class tickets (without sleepers), and Jon got first class with a bed. I’m guessing that I got 3 hours of sleep in all! There’s a long story as to why we bought the tickets at different times, which would likely be a post unto itself – so I won’t go into details as to why. In any case, Jon had to hang out in 2nd class as Mike and I were forbidden from entering the nicer car.

On the train we met some Scout leaders from Germany who were planning a trek in the Romanian mountains. They were very well prepared and had all kinds of equipment imaginable. However, their leader didn’t check the expiry date on his citizenship card. We arrived at the Romanian border around midnight, so our new friend was escorted off the train to be sent back to Hungary. For my fellow travellers, this is a good reminder to always check your passport or ID card before you leave!

Our train ticket had the estimated arrival time, so we knew roughly when we’d arrive. However, it was dark and we were unable to see any of the train station signs. Considering my luck with asking the crew for assistance, we decided to hop off the train and hope for the best!

All worked out well, as the station was indeed Sibiu! Our Romanian adventure was about to begin!

Cheers,

Shawn

P.S. I didn’t plan to write a post solely on the train ride – so I don’t have any good pictures to add in this post. I’ll be adding some posts about our time in Romania in the next few days, and I promise there will be photos. Until then!

The journey heads into Vienna, Austria. This city is full of architectural beauties, with the full decadence of a former imperial capital! Like Prague, it was fun to just wander around the city and look at the buildings!

We also checked out some very interesting museums, including:

• The Music House – full of interactive exhibits showing how sound works, the development of classical music masters, and how some sounds don’t exist in the material universe!
• Albertina – a fascinating modern art museum, that definitely make your head turn
• Kunsthistorisches – houses a massive collection of Roman/Greek/Egyptian/etc pieces, as well as artwork from world renown masters like Michelangelo and Rafael

We then took a bus into Hungary, and will spend 3 days here. Today we wandered around and checked out the Buda Castle right before a torrential downpour started! Luckily my umbrella performed as needed and saved a drenching! We’ll be here for a few more days, then eastward into Romania. Until then!

Cheers, Shawn

The brief time we spent in Northern Ireland and Ireland was not enough! If, no when I travel back I’ll rent a car and buy a tent these would be key. The long and narrow windy roads that lead one through the lush and picturesque lands need time to be appreciated. We stayed at the Vagabonds hostel in Belfast, Northern Ireland which offered a chill vibe, an authentic backpackers hostel with staff like extended family. Making friends had never been so easy, especially with some hardcore games of cards changing polite interactions into humorous ribbing and razing.

The Cliffs of Moher are a must for anyone travelling in these parts. With the longest cliff drop a heart racing 700m, they made my internal alarm system go off approaching the edge. Sitting on the edge gocking down with my heart in my throat, I didnt appreciate the shear drop until walking back and seeing the tiny people dwarfed by the gargantuan cliffs. We did a tour via bus stopping at different spots from fairy trees with supernatural influences to amazing rock formations.

Our brief and final stop in Ireland was Dublin. We were well informed about the history of old Dub’ by a funny and energetic walking tour guide. We learned about a plaque commemorating a fake priest bolted on a bridge and a disturbing satirical story named A Modest Proposal, which involves eating humans. Of course the Guiness Museum was paid some attention, a modern interactive exhibit explaining the history and future of the company. And a pint of Guiness. We were treated with some beauty hospitality and conversation hanging out at a local pub. What started with one pint ended several hours later glowing and full from our new friends generous supply of deep fried godliness. Ready to shake a leg we had trouble with the door and were quickly inform by the drunken bar jester the proper way out, he left us with a hilarious set of curse words describing our inability to exit. We laughed all the way home.

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The palaces, cathedrals, and architecture do not disappoint, especially when they’re lit up at night! Prague has a great charm, even though it is buzzing with visitors. Upon arrival we walked 4km from the train stop to the hostel with our big backpacks – it would have been entertaining to see us dodging, bobbing and weaving through the crowds!

Prague is a city where it’s great to just walk around! The beauty of the city is evident when looking down most of the streets! And to beat the heat, we ducked into several basement pubs for a cold Czech beer! It’s great having beer cheaper than water or Coca-Cola! My kind of place.

We also stopped in the Museum of Communism, which gave a very interesting view of typical life in the country during the Cold War era. Prague played an important role in the eventual collapse of the USSR with its Velvet Revolution, in which it peacefully transitioned from a communist state to a democratic state. Fascinating history. We also checked out a memorial to the victims of communism – which is the ghoulish looking photo below.

We’re getting ready to head off to Vienna, Austria tomorrow. From there we head east! Until then!

Cheers, Shawn

We made it to Krakow, Poland! On the first evening we found a very chill pub that brews its own beer. The honey beer was to die for! If anyone plans to visit Poland, their beer is top rate! Not only their beer, but their food as well.

We walked into a little restaurant that was attached to a family’s home. Even though we didn’t speak Polish, and our host didn’t speak English, we were able to order a delicious dinner of bacon/cheese pierogies with sauerkraut. On top of this, the prices are great!

But we did more than eat and drink the whole time! Some of the highlights include wandering around the beautiful square, and running into a live outdoors concert. A group of about 12 singers were performing traditional Polish songs – along with honouring the service personnel in Poland’s military.

During one day in Poland, we made a trip out to Auschwitz, the ominous Nazi extermination camp. I knew that this was going to be a heavy experience, but seeing the mountains of prisoners’ shoes, baby clothes, and human hair was very shocking. A staggering 1.2 million people lost their lives here, many of whom were Jewish people. We remember those who lost their lives here, and ensure that nothing like this happens again.

Our time in Poland has been great. The vibe, food, and people were fantastic. I definitely recommend visiting Poland for my fellow travellers. From Krakow we head east to Prague, in the Czech Republic. Until then!

Cheers,

Shawn

Hi everyone,

Due to a recent purchase of a chess board, I’ve been distracted from my blog writing! I’ll try harder to establish a better work/personal life balance, hehe.

We made our way into Germany – first to Cologne and then to Berlin. Cologne was a very chill city to relax and recharge. After traveling for over two months, we’ve come to realize that downtime is a definite must!

Right near our hostel was the beautiful Cologne Cathedral, a fascinating and huge gothic church. Check out the photos. Other highlights include the Roman-German Museum, which contains a vast array of Roman ruins from the era of the Roman Empire, and much more. A must for history buffs everywhere!

On the 30th anniversary of my life’s journey, we hopped a bus to Berlin. Berlin is a city of beauty, history, and charm.  We visited the Topography of Terror, a museum outlining the horrors of the Nazi regime. This was certainly a heavy visit, one to remember those who died/suffered under the regime, and to ensure that it never happens again.

We also visited the remaining portions of the Berlin Wall – quite something to see in person. I can only image what it was like to be here when the wall originally fell! Other highlights of the city include the Brandenburg Gate, the Pergamon Museum (ancient civilizations), the Neues Museum (ancient Egypt), and the Altes Museum (a collection of artifacts, coins, and exhibits from ancient civilizations. Very interesting!

From Berlin we head out to Krakow, Poland. Onwards and forwards!

Cheers, Shawn

Amsterdam is a city like none other! When we flew into the Amsterdam airport, the border officer asked, “What are you doing in the Netherlands?” We replied, “We’re staying at a hostel downtown.” He looked at us, stamped our passports, and replied, “Have fun!”

And fun we had. Jon and I met up with our buddy Mike, who we knew from back in Canada. Now we’re the Canadian trio meandering around Europe! The first day in Amsterdam we wandered around the city and found out some bizarre facts:

• Many of the city’s buildings are not straight and are actually leaning – apparently to make it easier to hoist supplies into the buildings
• Watch out for the bikes and trams! Both will ring a bell when they’re approaching, but will NOT stop for you. Pedestrians beware!
• An open mind goes a long way to making for a peaceful and prosperous society

The Netherlands has a long history of accepting outsiders and permitting social aspects that may be considered taboo. Some examples include religious tolerance before its neighbours, providing a safe environment for those in the prostitution trade, and legalizing marijuana. While these issues are contentious in many parts of the world, Amsterdam has found a way to make it work.

Instead of condemning others for various perceived vices, it may serve the greater good to look at these issues in a real world context, and remember who is worthy to throw the first stone.

Now I promise I’ll get off the soapbox! We checked out some fantastic sites, including the Vincent van Gogh Museum. This 19th century Dutch artist added so much to art as we know it today. A fascinating artist, personality, and legacy! We also checked out the Rijksmuseum, which showcases numerous art pieces, artifacts, and historical exhibits. If you’re in Amsterdam, you must check it out!

While in Amsterdam, we arrived for the worst storm recorded ever for the month of July. While we were wandering around the van Gogh Museum, trees were being ripped from their roots, the trams were shut down, and many umbrellas met their maker! My umbrella was not sparred… luckily I had a poncho that my Dad gave to me prior to starting the trip! Thanks Dad!

All in all, Amsterdam was a blast. Now we head into Germany. Cheers!

I nabbed a few photos from the following site: http://www.amsterdam.info. They permit use of their photos so long as they are credited – I’m getting good with all this copyright stuff!

Ireland was a blast! From Belfast we hopped a bus to the Republic of Ireland, to Galway City. This chill little city was hosting its annual Galway International Arts Festival. The exhibits included a giant whale air balloon, many amazing surreal sculptures by Patricia Paccinini, and much more. Very cool!

We took a day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher. These are some fantastic ocean cliffs that rise 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. Standing at the edge and dangling our feet over the edge was quite the experience! We also checked out some fantastic castles.

We then hopped accross the country to Dublin! We had a great pub experience while in the city. We skipped the very touristy Temple Bar area, and found a local pub called The Deer’s Head. The people we met were very friendly and generous. We ended up staying for six hours, but only paid for a few beers. When we shared our backpacking stories and plans, our new friends kept feeding us Guinness, chicken wings, and fries! A true Dublin experience! If you’re in Dublin, check out The Deer’s Head!

Included with the photos is a rather strange statue of Lady Justice. She’s holding her sword in an offensive position, with her back facing the people. Back when the British occupied Ireland, they had a different sense of justice! Not to fear, however, as the Republic of Ireland obtained its freedom in 1921. The history of Ireland is quite fascinating – I recommend Googling it!

Now off to Amsterdam! We’ll try to behave ourselves – until then!

Cheers,

Shawn

We made the journey to Belfast in Northern Ireland, UK. We have enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding area, and learned much about the region’s political history. To be honest, the past troubles of the area brought a heaviness that I haven’t yet experienced on the trip.

We flew into Belfast on July 14, one day after a “Marching Season” riot took place in the city. For some background, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (with England, Scotland, and Wales). Northern Ireland has a majority population of Unionists and Protestants, who seek continued union with the United Kingdon, and a minority of Republicans and Catholics who seek to join the Republic of Ireland. Each year during the “Marching Season,” the Unionists march to celebrate the victory of the Unionists over those wanting a united Ireland. Sadly the 2015 celebration resulted in clashes including fire bombs, fires on the street, and confrontations with police.

We took the bus from the airport to the city centre, and then walked to our hostel. While looking around we saw smoldering fire piles from 2 nights ago. The size of these fires must have been huge to smolder for two full days. We saw the very large wall that separate the Republican and Unionist sections of the city. After seeing the rough state of the city on our walk to the hostel, Jon and I wondered what we had gotten ourselves into.

To gain a deeper insight, we hired a local cab driver, Peter, who lived through the past conflicts of Northern Ireland. I won’t go into the details here, but Peter discussed The Troubles that erupted into a near civil war in Northern Ireland. A peace agreement was made in 1998, which set up a strong roadmap to peace for the region. Peter personally lost close family members in the conflicts, but has a strong hope and belief that the situation is and continues to become much better.

Aside from the riots on the 13th, the region continues to be a peaceful and beautiful place. The people that we have met in Belfast have been very welcoming, and are committed to the ongoing peace in this beautiful region! Today the two sides have laid down their arms, and express themselves in artistic murals throughout the city. While some are rather intense, they provide a unique insight into the region’s past. Check out the photos.

Enough with the heavy stuff! Yesterday we had an amazing day trip out to the Giant’s Causeway. This is an amazing sight of natural beauty, with 40,000 basalt columns that form into hexagonal (six-sided) columns. There is a very interesting geographical explanation for how this happened – feel free to Google it for more details! The 40,000 columns go along the coast cliffs of Northern Ireland – a truly beautiful site. The photos are quite fantastic!

The natural beauty of Northern Ireland is astounding. I’ve never quite seen such lushness in the greenery! If you can make it out to Northern Ireland, I highly recommend it. Tomorrow we hop a bus to Galway City, in western Ireland. Onward and forward!

Cheers!