The map below is the approximate route we drove through. 9000 kilometers, 33 days, 15+1 countries.
perjantai 24. heinäkuuta 2009
The boys are back in town
Back to reality... I'll update this blog when I feel like it ;)
The map below is the approximate route we drove through. 9000 kilometers, 33 days, 15+1 countries.
The map below is the approximate route we drove through. 9000 kilometers, 33 days, 15+1 countries.
lauantai 18. heinäkuuta 2009
The last two weeks: From Nis to Prague
So, yeah... I sort of did not have time to update the blog for two weeks. Shit happens. And I go camping for a week. I'm just writing a quick status check this time too as it's bed time for me. I trust the picture to come will make do better than the blog.
The trip took us to Sarajevo in Bosnia & Hercegovina after Nis. It's a city where you'll be able to spot a few damages left there by the war. The day after we travelled to Dubrovnik, Croatia via Mostar, a nice place to stop by. We went camping in Dubrovnik, spent a lot of time at the beach and drinking beer in the park. Also included in the trip: Kotor, Montenegro. A pretty town by the sea.
After a few days in Dubrovnik we zoomed to Split just to head straight onwards to Zadar and a HIHostel. Nothing much to see in either of the towns if you're not going sailing. After a night's rest we continued to Plitvice lakes, also in Croatia. Quite a nice daywalk in pretty landscapes and waterfalls. From Plitvice we headed to Bled, Slovenia, to go, yet again, camping. We spent our time there soaking wet, first rafting in ice-cold water (including a 7,5 meter jump) and later in rather heavy rain. There's also another quite similar town to Bled, Bohinj, which I recommend visiting for it's a little cheaper but I'd say it offers the exact same possibilities: hiking, canyoning, rafting etc.
After two nights and as many dishes of pasta bolognese feat red wine we headed to Ljubljana, just to spin around the town. The following morning we ignited the engine to stop by at Mestre, Italy and visited Venice for some 5 hours. By night we had arrived to Lake Garda, more exactly Riva del Garda and the camping spot situated in the very centrum of the city. Which would guarantee quite short nights for us, thanks to a guy so enthustiastic in chainsaws he'd start cutting down something at 6AM on a saturday morning. Italy.
Lake Garda was a joyful experience, including a hike at Monte Baldo even if at salty prices. (18e for a cable car up and down). I recommend hiking up the mountain and going down with the car, which will guarantee a nice hike and save your knees. Just ask someone, possibly the tourist information if the hike will cover nice views and no struggling in bushes. We also visited some wine farms near the lake, an experience in itself and came back some red wine richer.
The trip would then advance to Zell am See with Grossglockner Strasse on the way. We arrived just half an hour before the camping sites would close - talk about good timing. At the g.glockner strasse (more exactly at the edelweissspitze) we saw, apart from the nice views, three bentleys from the UK. I wonder if it was a Top Gear episode in filming. From Zell am See we took a daytrip to Kaprun and the dams. A three-hour trip advancing 1km in altitude and in distance... I have no idea how long. I do not recommend hiking without a shirt but with your backpack on though. I looked like a zebra afterwards thanks to the red tanlines.
Next would follow Vienna, the city I've been thinking about when it comes to erasmus studies. And I must admit I quite enjoyed the days I spent there, even if the heat was with the sun constantly shining at a warmth of over 30 degrees.
And now I'm in Prague with more than 6500 km driven. A week more to go or so. Worth it? Definitely.
The trip took us to Sarajevo in Bosnia & Hercegovina after Nis. It's a city where you'll be able to spot a few damages left there by the war. The day after we travelled to Dubrovnik, Croatia via Mostar, a nice place to stop by. We went camping in Dubrovnik, spent a lot of time at the beach and drinking beer in the park. Also included in the trip: Kotor, Montenegro. A pretty town by the sea.
After a few days in Dubrovnik we zoomed to Split just to head straight onwards to Zadar and a HIHostel. Nothing much to see in either of the towns if you're not going sailing. After a night's rest we continued to Plitvice lakes, also in Croatia. Quite a nice daywalk in pretty landscapes and waterfalls. From Plitvice we headed to Bled, Slovenia, to go, yet again, camping. We spent our time there soaking wet, first rafting in ice-cold water (including a 7,5 meter jump) and later in rather heavy rain. There's also another quite similar town to Bled, Bohinj, which I recommend visiting for it's a little cheaper but I'd say it offers the exact same possibilities: hiking, canyoning, rafting etc.
After two nights and as many dishes of pasta bolognese feat red wine we headed to Ljubljana, just to spin around the town. The following morning we ignited the engine to stop by at Mestre, Italy and visited Venice for some 5 hours. By night we had arrived to Lake Garda, more exactly Riva del Garda and the camping spot situated in the very centrum of the city. Which would guarantee quite short nights for us, thanks to a guy so enthustiastic in chainsaws he'd start cutting down something at 6AM on a saturday morning. Italy.
Lake Garda was a joyful experience, including a hike at Monte Baldo even if at salty prices. (18e for a cable car up and down). I recommend hiking up the mountain and going down with the car, which will guarantee a nice hike and save your knees. Just ask someone, possibly the tourist information if the hike will cover nice views and no struggling in bushes. We also visited some wine farms near the lake, an experience in itself and came back some red wine richer.
The trip would then advance to Zell am See with Grossglockner Strasse on the way. We arrived just half an hour before the camping sites would close - talk about good timing. At the g.glockner strasse (more exactly at the edelweissspitze) we saw, apart from the nice views, three bentleys from the UK. I wonder if it was a Top Gear episode in filming. From Zell am See we took a daytrip to Kaprun and the dams. A three-hour trip advancing 1km in altitude and in distance... I have no idea how long. I do not recommend hiking without a shirt but with your backpack on though. I looked like a zebra afterwards thanks to the red tanlines.
Next would follow Vienna, the city I've been thinking about when it comes to erasmus studies. And I must admit I quite enjoyed the days I spent there, even if the heat was with the sun constantly shining at a warmth of over 30 degrees.
And now I'm in Prague with more than 6500 km driven. A week more to go or so. Worth it? Definitely.
tiistai 30. kesäkuuta 2009
Nis, Serbia
One thing I never mentioned in this blog: rainy clouds seem to be following us everywhere. It was rather depressing to look at weather forecasts when in Finland it was going to be sunny all the time... lucky for me the forecasts are never accurate, at least on my road trip.
Anyway, here I am, after a few... alcoholic beverages, at a hostel in Nis in Serbia. It's been awesome. After leaving yet another fantastic host (Denes) this time in Budaors, a suburb of Budapest and the lovely city, I have arrived to Nis. And I guess it's a part of the slavic culture to make your guests feel like at home. I won't go into details but Eastern Europeans do know how to accommodate their friends even if it's about couchsurfing.
About driving: We left EU for the first time today. The roads in Hungary were in quite good condition, but I wouldn't say Serbia is any worse. Sure there are some quite... historical tracks at times, but mostly the infrastructure's in quite good condition. Not to mention the motorways on which you have to pay a certain fee to drive.
Tomorrow, if everything goes as planned, we'll be arriving to Sarajevo after a tour in Nis.
Anyway, here I am, after a few... alcoholic beverages, at a hostel in Nis in Serbia. It's been awesome. After leaving yet another fantastic host (Denes) this time in Budaors, a suburb of Budapest and the lovely city, I have arrived to Nis. And I guess it's a part of the slavic culture to make your guests feel like at home. I won't go into details but Eastern Europeans do know how to accommodate their friends even if it's about couchsurfing.
About driving: We left EU for the first time today. The roads in Hungary were in quite good condition, but I wouldn't say Serbia is any worse. Sure there are some quite... historical tracks at times, but mostly the infrastructure's in quite good condition. Not to mention the motorways on which you have to pay a certain fee to drive.
Tomorrow, if everything goes as planned, we'll be arriving to Sarajevo after a tour in Nis.
lauantai 27. kesäkuuta 2009
Budapest
Again, after a few beers even though I had them yesterday Im here.
So our trip took a detour in Zakopane where we stayed for a night and got to know the place a little. No hiking this time though, Ill have to visit the place sometime again.
We arrived to Budapest yesterday afternoon after some hassle. Everythings been great since, its almost like Finland here with the drinking culture. You can see a LOT of people in the parks drinking some beer during nighttime. Our hosts also been good in showing us the local culture without the most popular tourist attractions.
About driving: the roads in Slovakia Hungary are well-conditioned, and at many places brand new. the drivers are less of maniacs here than in Poland, this might be because the roads are not suited for driving on three lanes even if there are only two.
So our trip took a detour in Zakopane where we stayed for a night and got to know the place a little. No hiking this time though, Ill have to visit the place sometime again.
We arrived to Budapest yesterday afternoon after some hassle. Everythings been great since, its almost like Finland here with the drinking culture. You can see a LOT of people in the parks drinking some beer during nighttime. Our hosts also been good in showing us the local culture without the most popular tourist attractions.
About driving: the roads in Slovakia Hungary are well-conditioned, and at many places brand new. the drivers are less of maniacs here than in Poland, this might be because the roads are not suited for driving on three lanes even if there are only two.
torstai 25. kesäkuuta 2009
Krakow
Past midnight seems to be a suitable time for writing a blog... and after a few beers.
Anyway. In addition to Bialystok's foods and hospitality of Wojciech, we've had the pleasure to enjoy some local food in Krakow as well. Dumplings called pierogami are worth tasting, as is something called zapakanka... (sandwich with cheese and mushrooms and ketchup) mind the spelling. :D Anyway, everything seems to have been boiled in fat. But it's tasty. Pizza will also be stuffed with 1cm cheese filling. Of course our hosts have been awesome so far.
Visited: Auschwitz, salt mines. Both are worth seeing even if the latter is quite touristy for my taste.
About driving: 1550km so far. The roads have gotten worse since passing Bialystok. The road from Krakow to Auschwitz has quite a few construction sites, which means the road will actually be driveable in a few years. Polish drivers are the worst problem though, even the trucks will pass you if you drive 90km/h (the limit). I'm not surprised they have a few thousand roadkills a year. Insert safety dance here. Oh, and while passing Warsaw we experienced a phenomenon: at one point the weather was 31,5C and sunny and 2,5 hours later 17C and raining so heavily we had to stop because we couldn't see shit.
Anyway. In addition to Bialystok's foods and hospitality of Wojciech, we've had the pleasure to enjoy some local food in Krakow as well. Dumplings called pierogami are worth tasting, as is something called zapakanka... (sandwich with cheese and mushrooms and ketchup) mind the spelling. :D Anyway, everything seems to have been boiled in fat. But it's tasty. Pizza will also be stuffed with 1cm cheese filling. Of course our hosts have been awesome so far.
Visited: Auschwitz, salt mines. Both are worth seeing even if the latter is quite touristy for my taste.
About driving: 1550km so far. The roads have gotten worse since passing Bialystok. The road from Krakow to Auschwitz has quite a few construction sites, which means the road will actually be driveable in a few years. Polish drivers are the worst problem though, even the trucks will pass you if you drive 90km/h (the limit). I'm not surprised they have a few thousand roadkills a year. Insert safety dance here. Oh, and while passing Warsaw we experienced a phenomenon: at one point the weather was 31,5C and sunny and 2,5 hours later 17C and raining so heavily we had to stop because we couldn't see shit.
tiistai 23. kesäkuuta 2009
In Bialystok
After a few beers in Bialystok at a home of a friend (thanks Wojciech) who I alerted on one day's notice I'll finally get some sleep :) even if it means waking up in 7 hours and here I am writing a blog...
So yeah, my day pretty much consisted of driving a car from Tallinn to northern Poland with the assistance of my sidekick Kennet. In total the drive-o-meter appeared 850km in the end of the day.
What can I tell you about driving in the Baltics? First of all, they appear to have forgotten speed limit signs of 50km/h everywhere after road construction sites have been completed. And a shitload of 70km/h as well. But all in all I was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition of the roads, there were very few exceptions.
Tomorrow the trip will continue to Krakow.
So yeah, my day pretty much consisted of driving a car from Tallinn to northern Poland with the assistance of my sidekick Kennet. In total the drive-o-meter appeared 850km in the end of the day.
What can I tell you about driving in the Baltics? First of all, they appear to have forgotten speed limit signs of 50km/h everywhere after road construction sites have been completed. And a shitload of 70km/h as well. But all in all I was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition of the roads, there were very few exceptions.
Tomorrow the trip will continue to Krakow.
sunnuntai 21. kesäkuuta 2009
D-Day -1
I just realized I have to wake up tomorrow at 6AM, cruise on a boat (motherfucker) and drive through Baltics to Bialystok (northern Poland), some 820km.
See http://www.viamichelin.com
See http://www.viamichelin.com
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