The Cold War Museum I find Cold War history frightening and fascinating, so when I found out there was a museum in a nuclear bunker right under the city centre of Prague, I promptly booked myself a tour. The day of my visit I caught the tram into town, then made my way towards Wenceslas Square. The meeting point for the tour of The Cold War Museum was the reception of the Jalta Hotel, beneath which lies a labyrinth of…
I’m a bit partial to historic aircraft and aviation history, and have been lucky to visit many museums and historic sites during my travels. I thought I would post some photos of Spitfires, Spitfire remnants and related artefacts that I have come across, and hope they will be of interest to other aircraft nuts. My far-from-conclusive list only includes aircraft from outside the United Kingdom. Photographing aircraft in museums can be challenging, especially if you don’t have any decent camera…
I got a job once as a breakfast cook in a hotel. I was traveling around Australia and, being a little short on money, bluffed my way into the position at a relatively large hotel complex. My first day on the job, whilst the head chef was showing me the ropes, I set fire to a tea towel. This action, plus my general unfamiliarity with the workings of a large commercial kitchen, soon made it clear to the chef that…
Berggasse 19 is an impressive building of six storeys, located in Vienna’s 9th District. Built in 1889, it was the home and practice of Sigmund Freud for 47 years, until he and his family were forced to flee the Nazis in 1938. Eighty-five years too late for an appointment, I turned up for a look. I was interested in visiting the Sigmund Freud Museum for a couple of reasons. First, regardless of the fact that nowadays some of his theories…
Back before my Midlife Crisis Odyssey, when I was just having the crisis without the odyssey, a mate asked me one day how I was getting on. I told him I was no longer seeing any benefit from my regular sessions with my psychologist, and he suggested I give psychoanalysis a try instead. Now this particular friend knows a lot about pretty much everything, and feeling I had nothing to lose, I took his advice, found a local practitioner, and…
I’ve really enjoyed exploring Budapest, and a couple of the nature reserves to the south-east of the city, but now it’s time for me to be leaving Hungary. Back in Australia a referendum has been called, and the closest polling booth to me is in Vienna, Austria. House of Terror Museum, dedicated to the fascist and communist history of Hungary So I’m heading west to exercise my democratic right. I’ll be having a good look around Vienna too, and I’ll…
It’s only been a short stay, but it’s time for me to be leaving Romania. Dambovita River, Bucharest I’ve really enjoyed my time here, particularly exploring the Carpathian Mountains. The regional city of Pitesti loves a gaming lounge, and who wouldn’t be tempted in by a photo of fireworks over Sydney? I’m heading east to Hungary to spend a week in Budapest. I’ll let you know what I find when I get there. You can buy as much crap as…
It had been a long 16 hours in a packed train from Bucharest, Romania, and I was very relieved to finally pull into Budapest East railway station, Hungary, around 10pm. From there it was a short walk to my accommodation, and after a snack and a shower, I was ready for bed. Next morning my well-travelled friend Polly, an expert in all things European, messaged me to see if I had arrived ok. ‘Are you staying in Buda or Pest?’…
Whilst researching places to visit in Romania, I came across photos of a spectacular winding road, snaking its way high up to a pass over the mighty Carpathian Mountains. It looked amazing and a blast to drive, so I put the Transfagarasan Road on the must-do list. After a couple of days in Romania’s capital Bucharest, I picked up a hire car to explore the Transfagarasan. I planned to start the drive from the northern side of the Carpathian Mountain…
My short stay is over, and it’s time for me to be leaving Moldova. I’ve enjoyed my time in Chisinau; it’s been nice to just relax and adjust back to life outside Ukraine. Moldova likes to make us Aussies feel welcome From here I’m jumping on a bus to Romania. I’ll let you know what I find when I get there. Nah, really Until then, I’ll leave you with this old Moldovan proverb: ‘If the sun doesn’t come in through…