Sunday 25 August 2013

Travelling Alone Part 2: I think my map is upside down...and on fire.

Now then boys and girls, gather round and gather close: it’s time to continue our story about the lone traveller and his merry adventures! Yes, last week we started to look at travelling alone, specifically looking at the cost of travelling alone. This week? Well, this week we are going to look at the planning side of things when travelling alone and how this can be both a good and bad thing. So what is it like to plan travel on your own? How does it affect you? Is it really not butter?

For an unseasoned (ha, the only way you’re seasoned is if you spill pepper over yourself – down to earth Ed) someone who isn’t used to travelling on your own, planning can be a daunting, exhausting but ultimately rewarding ordeal. The first time I travelled on my own was in Tanzania. I had travelled there with a group of my course mates so we could carry out research for our dissertations and once this was done, the group split ways for a week or so to go travelling. I, as you may have guessed, ended up on my own for the most part and spent my time in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Now, although I enjoyed myself immensely (two of my favourite memories are visiting the spice farm and eating surprise pancakes on my hotel roof – both in Zanzibar), it was a shock to be on my own in this far and distant land. I had to rely entirely on my own planning and preparation! It was up to my sense of direction to find the places I want to go (…that explains why he ended up in Zanzibar. He was actually looking for a nearby restaurant - Ed)! It was both liberating and terrifying to have such freedom on holiday, especially as I was so used to family holidays where I would let other people decide what we would do.

Back then, it was frightening for me to have to plan the trip myself. What did I want to do? Where should I go? Should I stay in the city or visit the countryside? How do I get there? How many places can I visit in one day? What happens if something goes wrong? Now, whilst I like to think I have holiday planning down to a fine art (Translation: militaristic planning and too much free time/lack of a social life – Hard truth Ed), this was an entirely new sensation for me and one that many people travelling for the first time will experience. To be honest, I messed up a few times because I wasn't hugely prepared and I didn't know what I needed to do. Additionally, I left it to the last minute to plan which meant I wasn't prepared. For example, on my first day after the fieldwork finished, I had planned to travel to a nearby village to check out a cultural school there but as I woke up early the next morning, it suddenly occurred to me: how was I supposed to get to the bus station at 6am in the morning? Normally, transport had always been sorted for me and I had completely overlooked it. Embarrassing yes but a good example of how just one small piece of information can easily be overlooked, when on your own. Now, this could happen when you're travelling with friends but there is a much greater chance that somebody will turn around and say 'how are we getting to the bus station'? On your own, it's somewhat less likely that someone will say this to you so you need to ensure you're a little prepared for travelling and that you've tried to think of everything you need to do.

This pressure can be overwhelming at first but it can be a joy as well. Yes, you need to put in all the work yourself when deciding what you want to do on holiday (Yes, I realise that some people don’t like plans but this is for people who do like to have, at the very least, some plan) and you need to do various types of research (I spend ridiculous amounts of time doing this) but it’s your decision. See a quirky museum you want to go see that no-one else would? Enjoy it, you lovable weirdo! Want to spend 8 days tracking mountain goats in the wet Appalachian Mountains? Get your raincoat and goat tracking kit (?) ready and off you go. Plus, when it goes well and you have an amazing day that you completely arranged yourself, it's that much better. You really feel like you've achieved something but, just as easily, if you mess up, you feel that much worse, so you need to be careful.

This also applies to when you are actually on holiday as well. As you are on your own, you can adapt and change your plans when and where necessary, without having to worry about what the other person thinks. My first night in Hong Kong, I had planned for a quiet night as I had flown through the night and hadn't slept well but ended up befriending an American and a few beers later, returned to my hotel room somewhat later than I anticipated. This resulted in getting up later than I planned the next day, which in turn forced me to re-arrange my remaining days to fit in what I wanted to see but this was ok as it was just me. Despite a slightly miserable museum tour in the morning (always carry water), I still able to see what I wanted another day and didn't have to worry about ruining the trip for anyone else. In fact, the day I ended up going to the Museum of Art turned out to be the free-entry day, so it worked out even better as I didn't have to pay! Do you know how many egg custard tarts you can buy with the cost of a museum entry ticket? This is probably the biggest advantage of travelling alone: being able to do exactly what you want, whenever you want.

However, this ends up highlighting the final part of travelling alone: the actual being alone part but that's for next week folks. Yes, it's a short entry today but it covered what I wanted it to and besides, the final part is the most important part of travelling on your own, so I want to make sure that I do it right.



Pick of the Week

Servant xService – Time for another anime recommendation and this time, it's a slice of life series! Focusing on a group of twenty-somethings who have started working in a government office, this is a lighthearted series that examines their working and personal lives. With an eclectic mix of characters including an over-eager cosplayer; a talkative grandmother; a talking stuffed animal; and an obsessive little sister, you know you're not going to get bored...especially as that is just the supporting staff! This is slice of life at it's best and is great if you're looking for something that you can relax and enjoy.




Music of the Week

It's always hard for me to pick a song, as there are so many to select.  However, this week it's easy as I've been listening to it for a while. Introducing Miyavi - Secret.  Enjoy


So, that's it from me this week!  The final part of Travelling Alone will be published next week plus we are getting closer to the 100th blog post!  So, if you have any suggestions for what I can do to celebrate, I'm all ears!  See you next week.

Sunday 18 August 2013

Travelling Alone Part 1: The cost of solitude

Much like a twister, I was indeed born to walk alone or so it would seem. You see, I am a lone traveller; a wanderer; a ronin from a lost age (dear god, that sounds arrogant but bear with him- ed). Romanticise it however you like but the fact is, when I travel, I am alone (more often than not - Ed) and I would like to talk a little about what it is like to be a lone traveller. Hopefully, I can show that it isn’t as depressing as it might seem nor is it as glorious as it can be perceived.

This came about with a discussion with a friend who, after my bonus blog entry about a girl, mentioned that it was nice to see some soul returning to the blog. I started to think about this and he was quite right: due to my lack of activities (the working life is not the most glamorous - Ed), it had become a series of lists and travel advice. Now, this isn’t a bad thing as this is a travel blog (of sorts - Ed) but it can become tedious and monotonous for the reader if it is repeated regularly.

So, with this in mind, I decided to try and write something a little bit more personal and inject a little bit more of ‘me’ into it but I was faced with the same problem: my life right now is hardly exciting. I work all week and as I am trying to save money, don’t go out much so I don’t have many stories to tell right now. Then it struck me: I can look at what it is like to travel on your own, based on my own experiences: a compromise! Hopefully, the idea of the self-proclaimed ‘socially awkward twenty-something’ travelling on his own should make for an interesting read and inject some life back into the blog! Now, this is based on my perceptions and as a slightly introverted individual who does not thrive in sociable environments, I accept that my views and opinions will differ from other people but hopefully it will give you some information you may not have had before and if you disagree, feel free!

Now, let us examine the least interesting but still important part of travelling out of the way: the cost of being on your own. Now, in fiscal terms, travelling can be expensive even when you’re in a group but on your own, it can be incredibly prohibitive. Take hotel rooms for example. Unless you book a hostel dorm, chances are you’re going to spend significantly more on your own than if you shared the room. You see, a double room costs just the same for one person as it does for two. Even if you manage to get a single room, it is likely to cost more than if you shared. This begins to get prohibitive and searching for rooms becomes time consuming.  I have to spend a lot of time going through various sites to reach a compromise between quality and cost.

Now, you’re probably thinking ‘why don’t you just get a room in a dorm’ and I have toyed with that idea but the fact is, I would hate this. From past experiences, I feel really uncomfortable sleeping in a room with people I don’t know and don't sleep very well at all.  This in turn would mess with my trip and my mood (as he gets cranky if he doesn't get sleep - Ed). I'm just constantly paranoid that I'll disturb the room and mess up other peoples sleep, which then keeps me awake.  That's even before you take into account my penchant for walking naked from the shower to my bedroom to get dressed. Poor flat/roommates... Therefore, I prefer to stick to single and double rooms and whilst I realise that this is my own issue, it raise a good point especially for those of a similar nature. When travelling alone, do you:
  • Go with a hostel room, which means sharing with various strangers who may be less than perfect roommates but with the advantage of being cheap and has the possibilities of making new friends, or
  • Do you go with the more expensive private room which should provide a more private and peaceful environment but at a higher cost and a less sociable environment
For me, it would push me to my limit as well if, after a day of exploring, I then had to go sleep in a room filled with 7 other people snoring. I can really appreciate the peacefulness of having my own room to escape from the hectic world of sightseeing and just unwind in a quiet environment away from people (of course, if I share a room with a friend, this is a different story as I know and usually like them).

Take when I travelled to Hong Kong. One of the busiest places in the world where you are always surrounded by people and I was out all day and most of the night. I was literally surrounded by people throughout and this gets tiring after a while, I felt frazzled by the end of the day. If I hadn’t booked myself a private room to escape from the crowds, I would have hated the trip and would have been miserable throughout. It creates an escape for me: letting me recharge my social batteries.  This then helps me enjoy my time in the country, though I do accept it sacrifices sociability and affordability which other people may prefer.

The increase in cost doesn't end there either: you have tours as well, which can often increase in cost if you're on your own, to the point of being infeasible for most travellers.  Now, I do prefer to avoid certain tours but sometimes they are very useful.  What I've found is that there are two types of tours: the group tour and the personalised tour, with a lone traveller generally being restricted to the group tour due to price. A quick overview: I view the group tour as one where you are given a seat on a bus and driven around to different sites with a group of people and a personalised tour is one where it is your own private group, with a slightly more personalised and detailed tour.  Now this is a massive generalization and I accept this as well but this is the norm, from my experiences and research.

Now, it makes complete sense that it costs more for a personalised tour and it makes sense that it costs more for a single traveller but it often costs up to double for the lone traveller, presumably to cover the cost of the tour. This is a double edged sword.  First of all, it means that unless you quickly make a friend when you're on holiday or are willing to spend significant amounts of money, you're going to be stuck with the group tour which can be prohibitive time-wise and a potentially more sterile experience (I am generalising here yes, but I realise this isn't always the case). However, it does force you to socialise which, especially for people like me, is a boon even if it is only for a few hours. There is a massive difference between talking to somebody for a few hours about their lives and talking to people who are selling you souvenirs or museum tickets. However, I'll talk more about this next week.

Now, why is this actually a problem? A tour is a tour, no matter how many people there are, right? Well no, at least not in my experience. I've been on both but I've found you get a much more detailed insight into the sight when on a personalised tour and it can be tailored on the fly to suit your needs. For example, when I first arrived in Kathmandu, I took a tour of Durbar Square and I happened to arrive during a special statue viewing (can't remember the exact details but these statues are only viewed every few years). As I had hired a private guide, I was able to go see them from a school roof because it was only me and he was able to take me off the proverbial beaten path. If I had been on my own or in larger tour group, I would have been stuck in a queue for an hour or not have been able to see them.  This again prompts the age old argument of cost vs quality, a constant battle for the lone tourist.

Finally, before finishing for this week (this is going to be a multi-piece article.  You've been warned – Ed), there is one final area that travelling on your own affects and it's very dear to my heart: eating! Yes, this is slightly less affected when travelling on your own but it's worth looking at.   For me, trying local cuisine is a major part of visiting the country and I love trying as much as possible...it's probably a reason why I try to eat healthy and exercise throughout the year, just so I can eat as much as possible when on holiday. I mean in one day, I ate roast duck, goose and pork in the same day!  Twice  (I admit this wasn't by choice). Pure dedication. Now where was I? Ah yes, forever alone travelling.

Yes, food can be affected when you're on own but in a more subtle way: the 2 person order. Oh, how many times I have been thwarted by this item on the menu. Usually, it lures you in with a delicious item or by describing itself as a tasting dish/menu but then, as your mouth is watering, it hits you! WHAM. For two people only!  *Sigh* I die a little inside every time I read that.

On that slightly lighter moment, I'll finish with this: when you travel alone, there are only a few silver linings when it comes to cost, one of which is that you can set your own budget. You don't need to set limit or extend yourself to someone else's budget and this can often be a hidden blessing. I realise that this is a slow start to the whole 'injecting the blog with life and soul' but it's a start and next week when I continue, this will improve.  Hopefully you'll have learned a little bit more about me as well!


Pick of the Week

Proxmate - Thanks to Derek for this wonderful addition.  Access a variety of webpages with this handy little add-on and say goodbye to 'This video has not been made available in your country'.  This lightweight little program has made my life as an ex-pat that much better and is simple to use as well.  Check it out, especially if you're in a foreign country.


Music of the week

Skinred - Babylon is my song of the week.  Why?  Because I can.  Also because it's a great song.


Well, that's it for me this week!  I'll see you next time for my next entry in Travelling Alone.  Until then, buy high and sell low.  Probably.

Sunday 11 August 2013

It's almost like a travel blog

Have you ever been punched in the stomach whilst doing sit-ups?  I now have.  Seemingly to see if I'm getting strong.  Down, up, punch.  Down, up Punch.  Certainly an interesting experience but enough about that!  It's time to continue my look at Nepal!  This week, I'm going to be taking a look at Pokhara: a key attraction for Nepal and the start/end for many treks.




Top 5 things to do in Pokhara, without paragliding. I have no intention of doing something crazy like that

So this week, we will be looking at things to do in Pokhara that I would highly recommend and that may be slightly different than what is in your guide book. Now, these may not be interesting to you and they certainly aren't the only things you can do but these are my recommendations.  So let's start then, shall we?


Have a beer by the lake
Now then, this seems like a pretty obvious one but with one slight difference: I actually mean by the lake. There are a load of bars in the main street that claim to be by the lake but you end up in an enclosed area with maybe a window looking out at the lake. Kind of rubbish really. However, if you head to the outskirts and look about a bit, you will find some bars with tables at the actual lake edge: a much nicer place to enjoy a cooling beer after a long day of trekking or relaxing. It's a much more tranquil experience to be right next to the lake, as opposed to be staring at it from afar.


Walk up to the Peace Pagoda, don't drive
When you're having a beer by the lake, look for somebody sitting near a boat. Chances are, for a small fee, they will be able to take you to the path to the pagoda. Whilst it isn't the easiest walk in the world (but it isn't hard either), what you get is a beautiful and leafy walk up to the pagoda that will give you some great views of the lake and the surrounding area, without having to sit in a car for ages. Plus, when you actually get to the top, it's that much more of an accomplishment.




Take in a museum or two

Now, you don't actually go to Pokhara to stay indoors but perhaps you should as it has two highly interesting museums for you to visit. The first is the smaller but still highly informative Gorkha museum. As you might be able to guess, this small museum details the Gorkhas as well as their involvement in various wars around the world. Don't be put off by the fact it has seen better days: there is still a lot of interesting information here and it is well worth a couple of hours. The second museum is the International Mountaineering Museum, which is significantly larger than the Gorkha museum. Here you get detailed information about mountaineering within Nepal but that's not all. You also get a lot of information on Nepal in general e.g. the various clans, the mountains themselves and much more. Both are well worth an afternoon or two and provides some insight into Nepal that you might not find elsewhere.


Walk down a mountain.
Now, it is well worth heading up to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the mountain range but it is also worth walking down the mountain as opposed to being driven back down. Basically, when you go see the sunrise, you get driven to near the top (usually around 4am) and walk to the top where you watch the sunrise before driving back to town. However, I would really recommend walking back down as, like entry number 2, you can can get some stunning views of the valley and the lake. Not only this but you can enjoy a morning cup of tea at one of the small cafes that are on the side of mountain which certainly adds to the experience. Finally, it's just a joy to be able to walk through some of the thick forestry that cover the mountain and to see the flora and fauna from close up.


Escape from the bustle of the town
Yes, Pokhara is seen as a town where you go to bars, mingle and generally have a sociable time but sometimes it's nice to get away from it all. That's where Hidden Paradise comes in. Located outside of the town (it's walkable but is longish), up a winding back road finishing with a tiny path through rice paddies (car's can't get through), you really escape from the noise and the excitement of the town. However, this isn't a bad thing. Nestled amongst the trees, with a stunning view of the area, you can enjoy the tranquil environment with a comfortable seat in front of your bedroom. A great way to unwind from a week of partying or after a long trek and really affordable as well.




Pick of the Week

Hokkaido Highway Blues – If you have the slightest interest in Japan or enjoy travelogues, I would highly recommend this book. The author, during a drunken night out, decides to follow the Sakura (cherry blossoms) as they bloom, from one end of Japan to the other. The catch? He has decided to hitch-hike the entire way. What results is a humourous, candid and honest tale that covers his journey whilst revealing what it is really like to live in Japan. A great read that will leave you laughing.



Music of the Week
Time for a classic: Johnny B Good - Chuck Berry.  Put some spring in your step with this tune and enjoy your Sunday!


Time for me to leave but don't worry, I'll be back.  You'll never get rid of me!

Sunday 4 August 2013

Project Atoll: Those Paths We Walk Update 4: You (Can) Not Advance

Who the hell plays a trumpet at 3am?!? I mean seriously! I was woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of someone wandering through the streets, letting out blasts of this horn and singing a repeated chant. BLAST BLAST BLAST CHANT CHANT. BLAST BLAST BLAST CHANT CHANT. At 3am. I checked my clock. Unhappy Robbie is unhappy. Thankfully, there was no such blasting last night, so I got a good rest for the first time in weeks. Just in time as well. Why?

Well because it is time for a Project Atoll: Those Paths We Walk update, and a big one at that (though not exactly long).


Project Atoll: Those Paths We Walk Update 4: You (Can) Not Advance

Indeed, it is that time of the month again and as mentioned, it is a big one! You see, after many weeks of writing and many coffees downed, I have finally finished stage 1 of Project Atoll. Yes, I am ecstatic to announce that the full story outline has been completed. After:

  • 16571 words and
  • 23 pages

it is finally done. This is, of course, only stage 1, with several more stages to complete but it is still a major milestone for me. So, what is next? Well, my plan now is to go through the storyline which is split up into months and then split it into smaller scenes, which I will then start writing scripts for. During this process, I will most likely spend some time doing some edits and some restructuring as well, to get it into the best state for script writing. I will now also begin to put some feelers out for some artists who are interested in working on it and start getting some more concept art created as well.

Obviously, this is my biggest announcement of the week but I would also like to introduce the newest character to the cast. Although I have written about her in the outline, she has previously just been referred to as 'Stanley Bay Shop Girl', so it is nice to have her finally fleshed out a little and for her to have a name. In the interest of fun as well, I will give you a little teaser: she is the love interest of one of the other characters.

Changying Chyou


Sex: Female
Age: 22
Nationality: Hong Kong Citizen
Favourite Food: Roast Goose
Least Favourite: Pak Choi
Description: Changying is seen as a very caring and warm girl, who just wants to provide support and help to those she cares about, even if she has known them for a short time. Studying to be a sociologist in Hong Kong, she spends her summer holidays helping out at her aunt’s store in Stanley Bay. She also has a mischievous and playful streak that helps endear people to her.


Pick of the Week

Logitech M235 Mouse – Now, I don't often recommend any products but this mouse impressed me recently. As a mouse, it works great and is comfortable and reliable to use but that isn't why I'm recommending it. No, instead I'm recommending it because I dropped from the third floor onto hard tiles and the only damage was a slight peeling of the rubber grips.  Seriously.  This is 100% true.  It still works perfectly at well.  I'd be in much worse shape if I was dropped off the third floor.


Music of the Week

This week, it is the return of Tech N9ne but this time he has a friend!  I give to you, Tech N9ne featuring Serj Tankian - Straight out the gate, 


Well, that is it from me this week.  If you need me, I will be hunting trumpet/horn players in my area.  Don't forget you can subscribe at at the bottom of the page either!  See you all next week! 

Friday 2 August 2013

It just came flooding back

I had the urge to listen to the song linked below today and suddenly got transported to a day in my youth, so I thought I would share with you all the story.

It was my first year of university and I went out to meet the girl who had introduced me to this song.  Now, another friend had introduced me to her (or her to me) and we had never met before (RIP MSN), so I was quite nervous about the meeting (as I'm sure you can guess).

However, what followed was (to me anyway) an amazing day where we connected really well and got along perfectly.  We went to the cinema to see some random film; we walked along Sauchiehall street and watched the street performers; we talked and talked and talked; hell I even got a kiss or two.  The sun was shining, our hands were together and the company was perfect.

I never saw her again.

I have no idea what happened: as I said at the start, I thought it all went magically.  Maybe I was wrong as it wouldn't be the first time I misread a mood.  So, if anyone knows a girl that liked the Dresden Dolls, enjoyed art and once went to meet a short guy with long blonde hair and ridiculously baggy black jeans, feel free to subtly ask what happened for me.  Even pass on a hearty hello.  Maybe it was the jeans...

TLDR: Robbie is an emotional girl today.