braggy's Travel Blog, Travel Photos, Hotel Reviews

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This place was Great visited Apr 26, 2006

Ok i underestimated how tired i was.... if i was tired in Singapore i just about was dying on approach into Dubai. That was until i saw the oil fields at sunrise for the first time... it was amazing.

A dust storm had just hit the airport reducing operations to one strip only, the bright orange glow of the newly dawning sun was incredible visibility was only about 1 kilometer and everything from hotels, cranes and planes where painted in bright orange dust.

In addition to the amazing new landscape, i had just been deposited into what has to be the most complex mixture of peoples that have ever congregated in one place. Muslims, Christians, Jews and Buddhists. White blacks asians and arabs all stirred in together with a side order of traditional desert cuisine, chinese take aways and of course the ever present McDonalds. It was a babel of sights sounds tastes and smells the likes of which i haven't seen since Thailand.

At this stage i had been 14 hours without sleep, so for once in my life i decided to follow my mothers suggestions.

1. Buy a bottle of 18 Johnny Walker (120 Dehrims || 23 AU)

All my fellow scotch drinkers can tell you just what a bargain that is even for duty free.

2. Buy a cup of coffee with the few coins i had left.

It truly was a rewarding experience to see men from every walk of life and of every faith existing together peacefully though very sleepily.

Ah Life! It's a beautiful thing

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Apr 26, 2006 | Comments (0)

Singapore International Airport - Singapore, Singapore

This place was Average visited Apr 25, 2006

Tired so tired.... 7 hours of movie repeats, all the complimentary alcohol you could drink and of course the required terrible plane meals i arrived safe and sound in singapore airport. Slight differently to Brisbane International... ok completely different. Very lax security on check in only cursory baggage checking going on.

However the fact that it was conducted by guards carrying MP5's really made a big psychological difference. In Brisbane they take you to the side and calmly explain that you cannot take a hammer onto the aircraft (kudos dylan) in singapore it was extremely clear that you would have special weapons and tactics squad all over in about 2 seconds if you so much as looked at them funny let alone tried to bring on a backup full of knife's forks hammers spoons saws etc etc you know what a scout carries in his/her backpack!

Very quickly i was learning that i wasn't in kansas any more!

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Apr 26, 2006 | Comments (0)

The Real Beginning - Brisbane, Australia

visited 2006

And at last so it begins. Europe here i come! The only down side i forgot to consider in all my joyful jubilation was the 24+ plane trip.

After a tearful and heart felt good bye at Brisbane International Airport from Kieran, Basil, Robert, Abi, Emma and of course how could i forget Kathleen (Kieran's girlfriend for those of you that don't know) i was reluctantly sent down the stairs into the no mans land of australian immigration.

After a suspicious glance or two and a extremely cursory check of my baggage i was allowed through into the departures lounge. After 30 minutes or so of reading my book (Deep Six by Clive Cussler) i was convinced i had read the book before (sorry Em) however when i went to begin to write my blog entry on my laptop i discovered the Kieran and Robin had completely flattened the battery...

Finally after twiddling my thumbs and trying to read a novel i had already read a great big lumbering 777-300 arrived at gate 79 and it was hear that it really hit me.... my god i'm leaving the country.

Anyway guys thats all for me for now!

As Always

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Apr 26, 2006 | Comments (1)

And Finally Home - Brisbane, Australia

This place was Great visited Jun 27, 2004

Yep Home At Last! Thats that trip over. I'm going to bed

This entry is part of the trip itinerary Australia - New Zealand - Australia

posted Mar 8, 2006 | Comments (0)

2 Hour Stop Over - Sydney, Australia