Well, this is the end of my long journey.  It was the best trip, probably because it was my longest trip i have ever taken.  If you mad…

Caught the early train to Frankfurt Am Main airport for my very long journey home.  There was a baby on board that cried the entire flight back,…

Walked through the streets of Trier like a zombie looking for a hotel room.  Luckily i found one near the train station called Monopol.  Ka…

Little did i know...this would be one of the craziest and longest days of my life.The cheapest way to get back to Germany, was to fly out of Gl…

We decided to learn about the city by joining a free walking tour.  The tour is definitely free but the guides reveal that it is customary to ti…

Went to the National Museum, again, this time early in the morning.  Well, it still took us all day, and even worse, Kat and i lost each other, …

Flew out of Dublin with Ryan Air for 35 euro to Edinburg, Scotland.  We got to our hostel in the afternoon, and the front desk needed a few hour…

Took the short train ride to Cork in the morning.  It turned out to be a nice sunny day, so we walked around town for awhile.  Kathryn want…

Bought a ticket for 62 euro roundtrip from Dublin to Cove on the train.  However, we learned later that bus tickets were only 18 euro roundtrip,…

We booked a hop-on, hop-off tour at the Bachelor's Walk bus stop.  We bought our tickets inside a store near the bus stop for 14 euro, whic…

Flew with Ryan Air from Hahn to Dublin for 37 euro.  Arrived pretty late, so we went straight to the hostel.  We booked a room at Litton La…

I am ready to travel some more, getting ansy!

more relaxing

Didnt do much really, mostly hung about and relaxed. 

Flew with Ryan Air out to Hahn Airport in Germany.  The price with all the crazy Ryan Air taxes and loads of fees was 50 euro.  My mom pick…

The train to Balaton took 6 hours and cost 35 euro.  The only reason to come to Balaton as a backpacker, i would guess, would be to fly out of t…

We had lunch at Napoli Restaurant.  Huge portions of great tasting food.  I had the peanut spaghetti, which i have never heard of, but it w…

We walked down into the city and ate lunch at Baltazar.  Not really suited for the backpackers.  All the waiters were wearing tuxedos, and …

We woke up late today, to the dismay of our not so friendly hosts.  They were more than upset at us for checking out late, but that is understan…

Before the trip to Split we went to the old town once again to explore the town during the day.  We took the bus again.  We had lunch at Ba…

Woke up early and we walked down to the beach, about a 10 minute walk from the room.  Many restaurants and concessions run perpindicular to the …

We walked up to the fort behind the main town.  The walk can take awhile and it is pretty much straight up, so walk prepared.  The view fro…

The walk down to the beach took about 15 minutes from the room.  We stopped at a couple of fruit stands for breakfast.  No sand on the beac…

Booked 2 seats on the train to Bar in the morning.  The trip lasts 8 hours and cost 2000 din per person for first class.  We ate at a resta…

There was some confusion with the travel guide and the hostel address, so the taxi driver took us to a different hostel than the one we were expectin…

Hired a taxi to see Bran Castle and Rasnov.  Total price was 60 Lei, but we had some people from the hostel join us, so it was only 15 Lei each.…

Before we travelled to Brasov, we decided to walk around the city of Bucharest.  First we walked down B-dul Unirii, Bucharest's homage to Champs…

Ok, getting out of Bulgaria is not as easy as it is in most countries.  Here is the deal.  If you want to leave Bulgaria by train, you must…

We learned more about how to catch a cheap taxi.  Mira told us that the cheap taxis have more writing on the actual sides of the car.  The …

My friend's ex lives in Varna, so i was excited to visit a city were i knew a local.  We took a bus to Varna for 25 BGN, and it took 6 hours.&nb…

Bulgaria's capital city of Sofia, as the rest of the country, is trying desperately to find itself after gaining independence from the Soviet Union.&…

Booked a flight to Sofia, Bulgaria with Olympic Airways for 200 euro.  Booked a hostel online before arriving called Art Hostel.  A double …

We took the scooter around the island today to explore the many beaches.  First we went to Ftelia, then Elia, of which we spent some time on.&nb…

Walked to Paraga Beach.  The beach was absolutely packed.  The beach beds were very expensive at 6 euro each.  Waiters constantly ro…

Near the port, Ios has a free hospital.  So Kathryn hobbled on down and had the doctor take a look at her injured foot.  Luckily we were th…

We tried to go to Klimi today, a private beach, accessible only by a vehicle.  However, a scooter is not the best vehicle to try to make it to K…

We took the scooter around the island to see the different beaches and to ultimately view Homer's supposed tomb.  The first beach we went to was…

Woke up pretty late today and had to rush down to the beach to make the Canoe Safari, it is actually a kayak trip but hey it's Greece.  I think …

Picked up Kathryn at the port around 5am, the ferry was a little late.  She had to take the slow ferry because she arrived in Pireaus after 8am,…

Woke up early to work out at Ios Gym.  Went to the beach and hungout with the cool Norwegians Ingrid, Anna, Karine and Charlotte.  Played v…

Not much happened today.  I worked out and then laid around all day.  As i am writing this i am pretty ashamed at this lethargic day. …

Went to the beach today, and played volleyball all day.  A large group of Norwegians were on a high school graduation trip.  They made grea…

Went to the port today to check information on ferry schedules and flights out of Athens.  There are many travel agencies to choose from.  …

Went to the beach with Andrew, walked around and told people about slammer bar, something i was supposed to do everyday.  It is actually pretty …

Slept in late today, again, worked out and went to the beach, again.  Days get pretty repitative here on Ios.  Ate dinner at Harmony, emplo…

Went to the beach and hung out with Melissa and Heather from San Francisco.  For dinner went to Cafe Delphini.  Delphini is located at the …

Slept in pretty late today, then went to the beach.  Hung out with Andrew from work and Matt and his girlfriend from Canada.  They went on …

Ate at 7-11 for breakfast, no not the gas station, the restaurant.  7-11 is very close to Kostas.  The owner is Greek, but caters to Scandi…

Finally found an apartment today.  15 euro per night with air condition, refrigerator, and bathroom in the room.  The place was called Kost…

I went to the beach for awhile, but spent most of the afternoon searching for a new place to live.  Apparently, Francisco does not allow guest…

Woke up late after a night of hard drinking and went to Mylopotas Beach.  This is where pretty much everyone on the island hangs out during the …

I have added what my good friend Kurt Carlton has wrote about Ios.  I did this because he is a professional writer and he really captures Ios in…

Took a ferry to Ios early in the morning.  The fast ferry takes 1 hour and costs 16 euro, slow ferry takes about 2 1/2 hours and costs 7 euro.&n…

Departed Frankfurt International Airport, layover in Athens then onto to Santorini.  Ticket price was 259 US.  There are benches in the Ath…

Went shopping for supplies to get me through the next 2 months.  Pretty boring entry sorry.

Pentagon Motor sales in Kaiserslautern sell BMWs with United States specs for much cheaper than you can get in the states.  Also, they ship the …

Arrived in Germany pretty early.  Took a shuttle to Spangdahlem, Germany, where my mother lives.  After hanging out there for awhile we wen…

Got 2 long, full hours of glorious sleep.  Flew with US Air for about 700 US dollars.  US Air is really the best company i have found to fl…

I have one day to replenish supplies, so i did some shopping for my Europe part of my trip. It was Shady's Birthday tonight, so we went big and rese…

Well, that concludes my South America trip, thanks for reading.  I will now write about my European section of The Great Trip of 2007. ciao

Cool and rainy day kept me from enjoying one final beach day in Rio.  That is ok, because in a few days i will be in the Greek isles. Took a bu…

After a fitful night of hot, sticky sleep, Holly, Donna, and i went to tower 9 on Ipanema Beach.  Rented a chair while hanging out on the beach …

I took a bus from near the hostel to the airport for only 1200 pesos.  The buses left every 15 minutes and took about 30 minutes.  I booked…

Well, not much going on in Santiago on Sundays.  Pretty much everything is closed.  Including the laundry shop where i left my clothes.&nbs…

Walked around the city with Jolene.  We were told about a park down the street from our hostel.  The park was not very impressive, however,…

Got up early to catch a bus to Mendoza (can not catch a bus directly to Santiago from San Rafael) with Iselin bus line for 17 pesos.  Also, bus …

We found a company that arranges tours around the surrounding area of San Rafael.  It was 65 pesos per person, which was haggled down a little b…

When i first stepped off the bus at 9am, i wanted to get back on it.  The weather has changed drastically for the worse.  Authors important…

Woke up late per usual.  Went to Desnivel for the final time, Lomo of course, damn fine.  Went to the main bus terminal, this is where my b…

Ooopsy, i was supposed to wake up early and go to Uruguay today.  But once again i got drunk and couldnt wake up.  This city if very hard t…

Woke up really late, again.  Went to Desnivel for dinner, had the lomo, yes again.  Again it was brilliant, damn this place is good.  …

Went shopping, again, on Florida Ave and Santa Fe Ave.  I liked the shops better on Santa Fe, so if you go shopping in Bs As, make sure you al…

Woke up pretty late today since i didnt get to sleep until about 8am.  This hostel is crazy.  Dont expect to get much sleep here. …

We went to the Recola cemetary today.  This is where Evita and the rest of Argentina's elite is buried.  Somewhat interesting, but 30 minut…

Walked around Bs As with Holly and Donna, girls i met in the hostel.  We ate at Punta Cuoro for lunch.  Again, i tried the lomo o…

Went to Desnivel with a large group when we woke up around 2pm.  I met Jamie and Hanah today, friends of Jess, Lucy, Hana, and Kess.  Today…

Since everything was more expensive for less at the Milhouse compared to Tango City, i moved back to Tango City.  It was no problem getting my r…

When i was in Brazil, i was told to stay at Milhouse hostel in Bs As.  When i tried to book it online, there were no availabilities for the 1st …

Walked around the city for a couple of hours.  It is hard to do alot if you get up at 2pm.  Ate dinner at the restaurant next door, Tranque…

Arrived in Buenos Aires at noon.  Be very careful at this bus terminal.  It is very crowded, and a travel companion had their bag stolen at…

Made plans to visit Asuncion, Paraguay.  Booked a hostel and was about to leave Brazil when the staff at Paudimar Falls tells me US citizens nee…

After 22 hours and 1500 kilometers i arrived in the town of Iguassu Falls at noon, 25 degrees south latitude.  I booked a room at Paudimar Falls…

I said my goodbyes to the fellowship (Brett, Joe, and Byron) and headed out to the falls of Iguazu.  I got a bus to the main bus terminal for 2 …

Brett and I went to the Christ Statue.  We used a taxi from the hostel to take us.  The cost was 50 real.  There are several ways to d…

Brett and i took a bus back to Rio de Janeiro.  The other 2 checked out another beach town that was recommended by Filip.  This time we sta…

Byron and Joe got up early and went on a snorkeling expedition.  Brett and i explored the town.  Brett got a manicure and we went to a fanc…

Woke up early to a very empty town.  Apparently this is a late rising city.  We rented a dune buggy to explore the many beaches of Buzios.&…

Before the trip to Buzios, we had one last hike.  This would last all day.  The Fellowship of Brasil included Joe, Brett, Byron, Antonio ou…

After a vegetarian breakfast, we set out for a short hike near the cabin.  We were directed to a site where slaves dug out a cave in order …

Travelled by bus today from the main bus station to Casimiro de Abreu.  The bus ride lasts 2 hours and costs about 40 reals.  Our final des…

Today we went to Ipanema Beach.  Rented an umbrella and some chairs from the guys on the beach.  We got the bill and it was over 300 Reals.…

Went to a Brazillian Football (soccer to the Americans) Match.  Supposedly this stadium at one time held over 200,000 screaming, crazed fans.&nb…

Today Rio hosted The Red Bull Air Race Championships.  This is the first time i had seen anything like this.  An obstacle co…

Signed up to go hang gliding through our hostel.  Total cost 210 Reals, does not include a ride to and from hostel.  The company does pick …

Crossing south of the equator for the 1st time.  I thought this was a special occasion, where everyone jumps out of their seats and cheers.&nbsp…

Booked a flight out of Dallas/FW with flycheapabroad.com, paid 950 US dollars.  Travelling with Brett, a college friend.  Overnight flight.