Conclusion: Don't Dream It's Over

There is freedom within, there is freedom without

Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup

There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost 

But you'll never see the end of the road

While you're traveling with me

- "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House

This time when I returned to Sydney I did not fall into despair, thinking my dreams were dead. I know that there will be plenty more adventures in my future, so long as I have my soulmate beside me. My whole world has opened up, quite literally in this case, thanks to a wonderful man who gives me courage. He kept me afloat while I was stuck in a queue at US customs and after a tyre blowout in  the Scottish highlands.

I thought I'd learned most of the stuff I needed to know about travelling from my one epic trip to the UK in 2013. But there were plenty more experiences to be had this time around, especially as I hit up two new countries. So here you go, 15 essential points I gleaned from my 2015 trip.

1) Never go to popular Northern Hemisphere destinations in summer. Just don't. You will find yourself battling queues and crowds and your photos will always have someone's nose or hand in it.

2) AVOID New York in July. It is disgustingly hot and smelly.

3) You may need to cross the road to reach your desired subway platform. Check in advance to avoid panting and puffing.

4) If you are visiting Toronto, don't stay in Hamilton. Only two trains before 7am to get to Toronto? Dismal.

5) Try to get to Niagara Falls either early in the morning or in the evening when it's not too hot. It's also okay to park a little further away from the Falls to save money.

6) Tim Hortons is a Breakfast God.

7) Research the events going on in the place you intend to visit. This stops you from accidentally going somewhere during a busy sporting event or a freaking parade.

8) St Paul's Church is NOT St Paul's Cathedral. You probably didn't need to hear this, but I wish I had.

9) Always go the speed limit in Britain. They too have discovered average speed cameras and they are not always obvious. On the flip side, you will annoy the shit out of people stuck behind you!

10) Know how to change a tyre with confidence. You never know when you'll be stranded near Loch Ness!

11) Skye is the prettiest place on Earth.

12) Always check seasonal opening times. This is particularly helpful if the attraction is only open at 12pm or closes entirely for a few months.

13) I can't wait to marry the man I love.

14) Don't ever let yourself think you will never get to go on another epic trip!

Days 27-30 - The Long Journey Home

Day 27

Had a lazy morning involving a trip to Pret-A-Manger for a late breakfast. We found Waverley Station easily and began the long wait for our train to Kings Cross. I had to climb my way through a long queue to use the toilet! We got our luggage stowed without having to fight people then sat back to enjoy our first class trip. It’s always nice to travel in style.

When we arrived in London we took the taxi at 6pm to our hotel. It was still light and warm as we walked the short distance to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen across the Thames - we used the Millennium Bridge which is for pedestrians only. It still had slow-moving traffic, caused by tourists, nut vendors and idiots on their phones. We enjoyed our burgers in Southwark (along with an elderflower drink - I’ve become too fond of elderflower during this trip and I have no idea how I will survive without in Sydney) then it was my turn to cause a hold up on the bridge.

There are nice views either way on the Thames - especially if you want a shot of The Shard! I also realised how close we were to St Paul’s Cathedral (not St Paul’s Church which I mistakenly went to at the beginning of the British leg of our trip haha!), rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

A brilliant summer evening in London.

The late evening lighting was beautiful on the cathedral, giving it an almost divine look. The blue sky above it - sublime. The closed doors drawing no tourists into my photos - perfect. One could have a religious experience just taking photos of it!

You can't ask for better lighting than that.

Went back to the hotel. This trip is winding down. I don’t want to leave but I want to go home. I miss it. I miss reliable and fast wifi!

Hopefully the flight goes well tomorrow. May the Force be with me.

***

Days 28-30

Yet another lazy morning before transferring to our “day room” where we passed the time with free wifi. We got to Heathrow a little after 6pm - did VAT refund, had food etc - then we were boarding, bound for Sydney via Dubai. I spent this first leg watching movies.

Dubai was far less painless than the flights. I always had someone behind me (a different person both times!) who kept putting their feet on my armrest! I crushed their toes with my elbows until they learned their lesson. Also, the button to put my chair back didn’t work which made me upset until an attendant revealed to me that there was another button under the chair. Thank goodness!

On the second leg I finished a book then listened to thunderstorm ambient music so I could sleep. Eventually I gave up, but soon enough we were in Sydney at 5:15am but wait - some non-QANTAS ground crew had left shit all over the bay we needed to pull into it. We had to wait for it to be cleared. Ugh.

Customs were not bothered to search our bags after we revealed we were declaring teabags. I suspect they rolled their eyes once they let us through. We were met by my parents outside and were driven home just as darkness lifted. :D

Our house-sitter, my future brother-in-law, had washed the bed sheets - what a wonderful thing to come home to!! Now to wash everything else…