An Interlude from the Macau Interlude - The European Expedition (One of More)

As has been said before, travel (especially the kind done on your own) is a really powerful thing. Being able to spend some time away from home with the family was really nice, not to mention the many great experiences with new and old friends, as well as just some time alone by myself (and learning how to understand a little alone time). Most of all, it was a challenge to throw one's self into a number of new environments where you know no one (with a pair of exceptions). No friends to lean on, no favourite restaurants to run to for shelter, no kind of reference point or source of grounding that one might gravitate towards in the event of intimidating circumstances. Solo travel offered me more than a vacation, it offered me a chance to grow. 

Introspective reflections aside, the purpose of this post is to give you an idea of what was seen and done, and to try and give justice to the sights and sounds that made Northern Europe so lovely. I have a monumental amount of photos that I'll have to pick through, so this bides the time before I jump into each place. Countries of visitation, adventures and mishaps are as follows (including destinations). 

Scotland (13 days): With the intention of joining my parents & relatives at the McKenzie clan's bi-deccadual (what) reunion, a work schedule conflict meant I arrived in Scotland a few days afterwards. I spent the longest time here, and still could have spent weeks and weeks and WEEKS just eating, drinking and driving  taking the bus around the country, still hungry for more. I really think Scotland was my favourite country to visit (perhaps of all time), but no matter where you go, each place offers a totally different experience, with unique foods, sights, history and culture. More on that later.

Destinations: Edinburgh, Glencoe, Oban, Plockton, Portree, Inverness, Glasgow, Troon

Pictured: St. Giles Cathedral (above) & the town of Dornie



Ireland (6 days): Ireland was a sort of impulsive decision. After planning my trip to Scotland, and then Sweden & London, I found I had a spare week between the departure of my parents and my scheduled flight to the land of the Suedes (where everyone wears suede). I decided to do a driving tour of Ireland, visiting a new town each day to see as much as I could within a week. After finding out my car insurance wouldn't cover me outside of the mainland of the U.K., I had to change things around and decide what exactly to do. With limited money and only a few ambitions, I decided to concentrate my time in Belfast and Dublin, the two largest cities on the island. 

Destinations: Belfast, Bushmills, Dublin

Pictured: Some building in Dublin (above), the Giant's Causeway in Bushmills (upper right), and the Titanic Museum in Belfast, N.I. (right)

Sweden (7 days): Unlike my other destinations, the trip to Sweden was primarily to see some people I had known for a number of years. As it turns out, Sweden itself is not all that expensive (maybe 10% more than Canada for your standard goods), but there are some things that cost quite a bit more. I did a number of Swedish things, and a number of Canadian things for Swedish people. I saw a football game (European football here folks), visited the Volvo Museum (of COURSE you did Stuart), and had a hell of a good time with friends both Swedish and Canadian (not to mention a lovely dinner out that made me gassy enough to propel the next SpaceX rocket) They'll the a separate post for that too. 

Destinations: Gothenburg, Katrineholm, Stockholm

Pictured: The NordissomethingMuseet (above) in Stockholm, and a handsome early 1950's VW beetle in Gothenburg 

London (1.5 days): I did my best to see as many things as I could in a short period of time. As it turns out, I accidentally saw more things than I planned to, by wandering around the west end and stumbling upon famous places like they were hoddog stands. There was plenty to see, and it all cost a pretty penny (I think the total cost of my 36 hours in London was the same as my entire week in Ireland), so WATCH OUT POTENTIAL LONDON TRAVELLERS.
Buuuut there were some pretty really excellent things in that crowded (very very crowded) city. Like the other posts, more on that later


Destinations: It literally says where I went. Come on.

Pictured: Regent Street (above) and Westminster Palace 


So that was my summer trip, a really fun, pricey, fattening, and satisfying was a really good time. Although, given the choice of a European trip and adventures in Canada next summer, I will definitely pick the glorious lands of Canadia so I might see some of the lovely people that inhabit its vast, tasty lands. More blog posts will come soon, as I choose the right photos to tell the stories that cost me the money to make the things happen. If that makes sense. TL;DR: SOON

Also, I put together a little scorecard of my feeble accomplishments over the past four weeks. Take a look (or don't, I'm not your mom)

--- --- --- European Trip Stats --- --- ---

Distance Travelled by Air: 26343 KM (Approx 66% of the way around the world)

Countries Visited: Five (If you consider Scotland, Northern Ireland & England to be countries, which they do, mostly)

New Foods Attempted: Haggis, scotch, oysters, black, white & blood pudding, scones, fish pie, sticky toffee pudding, Irish soda bread, sil, schnapps, swedish candies & pop, reindeer, MANGIA

Favourite Food: Fresh "So-fresh-it's-dripping-with-seawater" Oysters (2nd place goes to haggis) 
Favourite Drink: Alcohol Single Malt Scotch (2nd place goes to more scotch)
Weight Gained: 4 lbs (OOPS)
Money Spent: $5752 (plus a tidy sum paid to the rental agency for the muck up)
Oldest Thing Touched: The Atlantic Ocean (duh)
Neatest Thing Done: Climbed Arthur's seat (a mountain in central Edinburgh) to say 'WOW NEAT'
Least Stereotypical Inconvenience: Bars in Dublin closing at 11:30 pm
Times Rendered Bed-Ridden by Illness: Four
Photos & Videos Taken: 3,282
Museums Museum'd: 14
Volvos Desired: 40+
ML of Scotch Brought Home: 750 See below
Number of Cars Rented: Two
Number of Cars Crashed: One
Unfortunately, upon my landing in Hong Kong Monday morning, the airline informed me that my luggage had been delayed and would be delivered the following day (Tuesday). Tuesday came around and they give me a call, saying that the luggage was stolen some point between its delivery and its transport to my place in Macau. After a bit of chatting with the company rep today, it looks like I'll get some money for what was in the case, so it's not all that bad. 

WELP time to go buy some different clothes. Maybe I can pretend to be young and hip and shop at H&M where all the kids go.