TravelTalk - Zadar (pics)

Sorry so short, taking morning bus. Here are pics of Zadar.

I am going to write more in detail about travel to and from Zadar.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - 2 weeks left (Budget Update)

The past week, I have been trying my best to be as cheap as possible, and I think it has paid off. 

With 2 weeks to go left on holidays, I still have 585 Euros and 528.10 Kuna (which is roughly 40 Euros).

I am currently in Zadar, I have paid for my hostel.  Though my plans are not set in concrete, the current plans are to head to Plitvice lake, then to Zagreb, then to Budapest.

No videos for a while, WiFi reception is quite sketchy.

I wrote this yesterday and now my plans are quite concrete.  I am heading to Platvice Lake tomorrow morning and I am going to spend the day there and taking the last bus to Zagreb.

My budget will be quite stretched because I will have to pay for bus, tour, bus, hostel and so forth.  =]

Sorry so short, I ate too much and I am tired. I'm probably babbling.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - 3 days of unvacation in Vis, Croatia

Yes, I've spent the last 3 days on an unvacation.

Haha,  first of all I guess I should explain what an "unvacation" is.

It's a term I like to use when I am on vacation and I just need a break - and I try to imitate normal life back home.

Yes, I know I am on the island of Vis, but after months of traveling, I just needed an unvacation.

So...  What do I do on an unvacation? First, I cook all of my meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. No eating out. I also exercise, running, stretching, abs, etc. I don't focus on sightseeing, just walking around on what's nearby for an afternoon coffee, catching up on emails, paying bills, making phone calls, logistical things, laundry, and what not. Also, avoid the sun, it has been sun in Florida, Las Vegas, California, Hawaii, Madrid, Krakow, and here in Croatia. On an unvacation, no hostels, no couchsurfing -  a private room with a great view has been more than perfect to decompress, gather my thoughts and recharge for the rest of my trip.

Vis is a beautiful place, I could not think of a better place to relax, rest, read, write and to have an unvacation.

I've started writing my book, hopefully I will be finished by April - that is the goal anyways.

Yes, I probably could have spent the last 3 days exploring the island, but I have no regrets about my unvacation.

With that said, here are some pictures of Vis.

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Fatigue (and future plans)

After almost 3 months of traveling, I can honestly say I am tired.  With exactly 3 more weeks to go, I can honestly say I am tired. I must be tired -  I am repeating myself.

Perhaps it's all the flying.
Perhaps it's sensory overload.
Perhaps it's the non constant of everyday life.
Perhaps I just want to sleep in my own bed.
Perhaps, I want to be around friends.
Perhaps, its about worrying about my budget - with 3 weeks left, I have roughly 800€ of my travel budget.
Perhaps, its being surrounded by tourists.
Well, considering I had no plans about Croatia, I've made some plans. After Split, I am going to the least populated island of Vis - to relax, recharge, read, write, make some phone calls, run (at least pretend to have a normal life)  for 3 days. Then off to adventure and hopefully forget about my travel fatigue.

After Vis, 1 more day in Split, then heading to Zadar, Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb...
That's all my plans for the immediate future. Eventually, I will end up in Budapest to catch my flight to Madrid.

TravelTips - listen to your body. You maybe in a new exciting place, but if you're body is asking for a day of rest and relaxation, treat yourself to exactly that. Whether it's spending the day at the beach, spending the day in your hostel reading, going to watch a movie. It's your holiday. You decide what to do.

Mahalo for reading.
Until next time.

TravelTalk - Split, Croatia - 1st day (12-18 hours)

I made it.

 

Considering that my flight was at 0700 in the morning and it involved the second time walking to the airport, I am happy to report that I am in Croatia and I like it so far.  Really like it.

 

Today the weather was almost Hawaii-like (minus the humidity and the trade winds).

 

I absolutely love my hostel, it is the cleanest hostel, I have been in and it is AIR CONDITIONED.  Not to mention the people are really helpful and the people staying are pretty cool.

 

Well, one of the things I really like about Split is the energy of the city. Walking around at 2300, there are people, tourists and locals, young and old, just hanging out, talking and having a great time.

 

Enough writing, I'm sure you are here for the pictures.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Breda, Netherlands - Final Thoughts

Considering my flight is at the buttcrack of dawn, I'm posting this blog early. Wow. Can't believe it has been 1 week already. Time sure does fly when you have good company.

Breda is a small, quaint, yet well connected city (in fact the whole country is quite well connected), that is luscious, and has many things to offer for its tourists.

This city does not have the sprawling urban centers of many other cities, but for those seeking refuge in a town that is easy to navigate, where everyone speaks English and the weather in the summer is no where close to unbearably warm... Netherlands and perhaps Breda is for you.

TravelTips - if you're thinking of smoking weed, make sure you have a friend who is a Dutch resident. Most places in the south will not sell (or even allow foreigners to be in the store)  to those who are not residents. The government has been trying to curb neighboring cities from passing by just to stock up on things which are illegal across the border.

This the first part of my European trip meeting with friends and I have learned some things about myself as well. Sometimes, I am way too cerebral and way too much conflicts and thoughts exists when it really doesn't.

TravelTips - if you're traveling with others, communication is key. Vent, express, if something is bothering you -  especially if you wear your heart on your sleeve like me.

Andrea, mahalo nui loa for your hospitality and you're welcome in A Coruña, whenever you ready.

TravelTips - if you are thinking of booking a morning flight before 0730am (such as Madrid, Rotterdam or Eindhoven) make  sure there is public transportation to take you to the airport. In some cases, you might have to book accommodation near the airport which negates the cheap fare...

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Antwerp, Belgium (in an aftenoon)

Aloha everyone,

 

It has been quite a crazy weekend, I think I've gotten 8 hours of sleep the last 3 days.  It doesn't help that wine, Bacardi, tequila, cosmos, beer, and other things were involved.

 

One of us were leaving from Antwerp (not me, I am leaving from Rotterdam to head to Croatia), so why not spend the afternoon there.  It was really cool city.  I'm actually debating on going back for a couple of days.  I even have a host already! (Should I decide to go to Antwerp).

 

Well, I wanted to share some pictures from my adventures in Antwerp. 

(It was also my first time in Belgium!)

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - A day in Rotterdam

Considering I didn't get home until 9 am yesterday, I was really surprised I had the energy to go out and about... but after making brunch... and a shower it was time to go to Rotterdam.

 

Nope, no driving here, just a train ride away and 30 minutes later (The same train which you can take to Paris, Amsterdam, Eindhoven and pretty much anywhere within 200 miles.

 

So here are some picture of the city....

 

Also some food... (yummy pizza)

O'Pazzo

 

Also some videos.... we are at The Palace.

Which happened to have a Christmas theme party!

 

 

 

 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Running Krakow

 Aloha everyone,

 

Well, everyone here is sleeping (recovering from last night) and I am in awake mode, so I'm catching up on blogs and YouTube videos (so sorry for the many blog today).

 

Anywho.. People ask me why I run on vacation?! Easy, its an easy way to get to know a place, I think if I run through a neighborhood, I can easily remember how big a city is, where I am when I am walking, etc.  I generally don't get lost and I have a great sense of direction.

 

Also, its great running in the morning, no tourists (generally).

 

For those on RunKeeper - add me - hawaiiinsomniac

 

Mahalo for reading.

 

Until next time.

 

TravelTalk - Krakow - Grocery shopping

One of the things I like to do while traveling is grocery shopping.

 

It is really quite interesting to see different ways of shopping.  Not to mention it is probably the best way to save money while overseas, buying essentials and also things that would be much cheaper in comparison to a restaurant.

 

There are some places which have such unique things, and in Poland, most of the things were generally inexpensive in comparison to the United States.

 

One of the things I bought which I really love is shaving cream! I spend about $25 on a jar of shaving cream which usually lasts me a year - here in Krakow, I bought a travel size for 50 cents and its the best shaving cream ever (seriously), I should go back just to buy this.

 

With all of these photos you can zoom in and check out the prices!

 

Sorry I didn't take more pictures =]