Cordoba

Im back!! The crazy fantastic time its been.... Although short it was certainly eventful...

My time started at 3am in the morning, me having to wake up to get my plane, thetrain was full of drunken louts, not something I wanted at that time in the morning I can tell you- but hey! To be fair I did do ALOT of waiting around and ALOT of traveling! But it was worth it. 10 hours later I arrived in Cordoba- a beautiful city in Analucia and the home of my friend Joel! We went for a lovely walk along the river had Morrocan spiced tea, and some lovely soup- curtoisy of Joel, had a fantastic afternoon all in all, meeting his flatmats and relaxing on the sunterrace (with his lovely dog too...awww)

I had to have a sleep too- we had a long night ahead of us!! I had a fantastico night!! We danced until the early hours- met loads of people. Exept when I left the club, minus my friend- whom I couldnt find, minus my coat, and my sobriety! OMG, i WAS SO DRUNK!! I couldnt ring my friend either and couldnt remember where he lived, in the end I ended up geting in a taxi and somehow thinking it would be a good idea to sleep in the train station... what was I thinking!>? OMG i WAS IN A PICKLE.. and considering I didn't have a coat either, I had to stay in cafes drinking expensive coffee and sleeping, how grim!! In the morning, I managed to buy a hoody, and catch a bus into the centre of Cordoba, find my friend (somehow I managed to remember where he lived!!) I gave him a good telling off for going missing nd leaving me I can tell you!

Needless to say it was all good in the end, we went to the Mesquita- a impressive mosque with a church in the middle- take that Osama!! Well on a serious note, to be fair it was abit weird! it was kind of like abit strange that they did it, I'm not religious, but I would recommend a trip just to see it, Cordoba historic centre is UNESCO world heritage site, so you kind of get the picture when I say, GO!!

I had to go back to Malaga though at 5pm, I somehow managed to loose my ticket, but Joel fort my battles and got me on the coach, I was soo tierd though I went straight to my room and to bed.. no going out, despite the opportunity for a pub crawl! The next morning I woke up, and found out that one of the guys from the pub crawl went missing and ended up in hospital after being beaten up in an allyway!! This could have been me, it really hit home, kind of how stupid and under prepared Id been on the whole trip, you cant rely on people to look after you people- you have to have back up plans!!

Hey though a lesson learned is better than being robbed huh? I loved Cordoba, despite the rain, I want to go back now.. maybe in the summer though... catch up soon xxx

Goodbye Finland?

A whizz around finland, and then Im gone. Wow what an amazing trip... so far... and it went by so quickly.

Ive farmed.. abit.. tried my best to keep up with the partying locals., Laughed alot, met loads of new frieds, experienced a whole new culture, cities, countryside, lakes, beaches, excellent views, food, and some of the best hospitality Ive ever experienced off total strangers.

Today Ive been to Saumenlinna- Finlands very own island fortress for my last day in this beautiful country. Dispite the (torrential) rain I have had a fantastic time. I got the chance to climb aboard one of Finlands only Submarines, and experienced Finland's military history. Interestingly enough although the islands history is military, today it survives as almost a little village a 20minute ferry ride from Helsinki.. On rising land I might add!!

It was nice to spend some time with Neil also,we stayed in 3 different types of accomodationand alot of lugging around my backpack like some kind of oversized Turtle- at one point I thought my legs would actualy give way!

However Im really excited for the next part of my trip.. and all the fun Im going to have.. and this, only brings smiles, its not goodby finland, only see you soon, Ill deffo be back!!

For now though its hello Estonia... only 2hours ferry away and now Im in the craziest damn hostel ever!! Im here with some tantric music going on!! woop!!

please leave a comment I would love to here from you, ciao for now!!

Pispala ;)

Hei hei!! Greetings once again from finland, If you have been following me on the map, you will see Ive been going crazy with mad and random things that I have been doing!! But also there is just enough time to relax abit too!!

Today I am at a place called Pispala which is in Tampere, This district is amazing, its very alternative, and has some really lovely old buildings aswell as some even cooler derlict factories!! I went to this place today to see some brilliant art, and also climbed the steps of Pispala, and also went to the Pumpkin house, which is near the beach. Its amazing because they actually have beaches and islands here which are close in the center of the city, in the middle of Finland.

This district is also the place were Rajaportti sauna is, which is the oldest public sauna in Finland, which Im hoping to go to. Saunaring being something of a Finish way of life. Talking of Saunaing, I went to Minnies cottage near Kokkola 2 days ago. Its on a island, and has a traditional smoke sauna, which is beautiful! We also had fish from a smoked oven, which tasted.. well..amazing!! I do miss her.. But my new host Marek, is a really nice guy and Im staying with him in Tampere for the next two days, close to the city. We went slacklining yesterday which means we walked in between two trees on a flat rope. Its ALOT harder than it sounds believe me.

Well tonight Im going to an "Ozi" barbeque (how finnish) and am just hoping the thunder and rain doesnt start again as its been raining all night, but still its really humid! Im still enjoying myself and hjaving a great time....

Hope to here from you all in my next sporadic jaunt! Nakkimeen, Luke xxx

Please leave a comment and Ill reply to you xxx