Palma, Palma...

I have arrive in the beautiful island of mallorca, Been here for a few days now, not really had a chance to check out the town as I've been helping out fitting sails to some of the boats and out on the water sailing. The marina and industry here is massive, like a boneyard of infamous superyachts. Move up the hill to Alaro - a little town in the middle of the island today, looking forward to an apartment and some culture. this will be my base for a few regattas in the med and some work around palma.

Southamtpton-Cowes/Isle of wight

Went to spend fri night with Jizza and Kt, was goodtimes all round. Spent the afternoon at cowes, walked around, went to a boat show. Quaint little town, cool little alleys and brick lanes. Night out good fun, went to a few bars, not great music and apparently a bit dead for a fri saw a few good old scraps though. Then train back to London.

Londontown..

Well I have arrived in Londontown! Got in and caught up with Anna in Windsor and spent 10 days doing the following : Notting hill markets and a catchup with Ryan, KD, Blair, Craig and Mel. Few big nights out in town, Some Sunday roasts, caught up with Queenie at Windsor castle and ran in the great park which just keeps going and going. Was disappointed that legoland was a gay children’s amusement park and not the legendary lego structures I had imagined. Hung out and walked the city parks & gardens, saw some of the NZ war memorials which are pretty cool.

Walked through about 60% of the monopoly board, including Mayfair which just oozes money in the form of ferrairs and masseratis. Did a few museums, the best was prob the natural history museum with the dinosaurs section.

Ran into Rob T on the street in the suburbs, seriously what are the chances! So we did some touristie stuff all shirted up, the way to not be treated as a real tourist.

Had a day at the churches, Westminster abbey, pretty mind blowing, lots of toombs, history and famous people all with a story most impressive thing here was the intricate roof in the chapel that holds the second higest knighting order in England. Also went to an evesong service at St Pauls, amazing building with the huge open dome and sweet acoustics for such a huge space.

All and all really enjoyed the time I spent in London, a big thanks to all who put me up Anna, Jono & Kirsten, Rhino, Nat & Dan much appreciated.

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillmaxwell/sets/72157626793772368/

West Garmany

Flew to Frankfurt and took the train to Dusseldorf about 2hr trip. Here I met my tour Guide Lea, she showed me around Düsseldorf, quite a rich city had a beer at a bar which had its own brewery inside it just for that bar. Had a kebab on the Rhine river, good kebabs here but still nothing on Cuba Kebab. Then went to leas place in Essen, good little West Germany hangout, most of the city was bombed in the war so mostly new buildings. Had a couple of brews that night, good chilled times.

Slept a bit then went to the Rhur museum, awesome place and great example of heavy industry the west germany is famous for. Old coal mine and there were heaps of them here. Also a bit of a natural history museum and history museum. Then went to another part of town owned by some rich dude that housed all his workers there with a sweet supermarket which you’ll see in the photos. Ate a Currywarst after being taught in german the correct way to order it, played some german drinking games – Looping Louie!

The next day on the way back to Frankfurt I visited Cologne Cathedral, amazingly intricate and interesting structure, had some down time here chilling in the quiet time of gods house. This was followed by a brain explosion of loosing my ticket to collect my bag and therefore missing my train.. oops… not to worry though its germany, you just take a faster train! Mean, good on you german efficiency.

A Big thanks to my personal tour Guide Lea, was awesome to have a garman speaker hanging out.

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillmaxwell/sets/72157626669058191/