Jason's Trip Around The World, and now life in Singapore - Scotland

Scotland Highlands

jason@willock.org (Jason Willock) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:25:05 -0400

Well I have just returned from a long day trip to Loch Ness and to see some
of the Scotland Highlands. I was lucky, it was a nice sunny day, and we were
able to see the tops of all the mountains. Apparently this only happens like
50 or 60 days of the year!

Had a little boat cruise on the Loch Ness in the search of the monster, but
alas no luck today. There is one crazy English guy who has been camped out
next to the Loch since 1991! He left his wife and kids to prove that Nessie
exists! Sure it is a nice place but 16 years is a little much!

Other than that the last few nights I have spent in Glasgow, it is a much
different vibe than Edinburgh, more a working class town, and no where near
as visually appealing. But the people are very friendly, so that makes up
for it. But if I had the choice and could only see one city, Edinburgh would
be my choice.

I wouldn't mind coming back here sometime in the summer and just take my
time and explore the country.

Tried some Scotch Whiskey today from a local distillery, I was never a big
fan of Scotch, but this stuff tasted quite nice. I can see how start to see
why people pay big dollars for a nice glass of scotch.

I am leaving the U.K. Tuesday, this will probably be my last visit here on
this trip! Heading the Berlin for my first taste of Germany, I am looking
forward to it, as pretty much every German I have met along my travels has
been very friendly!

Sunny Scotland!

jason@willock.org (Jason Willock) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:19:14 -0400

Well the last couple days in Scotland have been nice and sunny, a little
windy, but with tempratures in the low 20's and sun, I can't complain!

Edinburgh is one of the most visually appealing cities I have been too, the
photos I took don't really do it justice, it's a great city. Also a
University City, so the hostel has been pretty full with University students
looking for a place to stay. A University city usually means nightlife, and
well Edinburgh has great nightlife, and the hostel has nightly pub crawls,
where someone from the hostel will take a group of people out to a few pubs.
Great way to meet people, and see some good bars. I was taking it pretty
easy though, and didn't drink too much. The beer here is rather on the warm
side, which isn't my cup of tea.

Hopefully my new phone and SIM card arrive today, as I am leaving for
Glasgow this afternoon. I am pretty sure my phone will make it, but not to
sure on the SIM Card. I of course went with a phone that has GPS and WiFi, I
just got to use to having it, and I felt lost this week with out it. Just
the ability to go and check email with out having to lug my laptop around is
one the best features. And helping me keep track of directions to the next
hostel, and flight info etc. I have had to rely on Pen & Paper lately, how
ancient is that!

I have decided that sharing a room with 3 girls is not as exciting as one
would think. Most girls seem to take way to long to get ready, going in and
out of the room, and making all sorts of noise. These 2 girls in the room
this morning took over 2 hours to get ready, and must have tried on 3
different outfits. All just to walk to the castle! Not so good if your trying to sleep in!

I am starting to tire of jumping around all over the place, I will need to
settle down for a short time after this month I think. This month I have
already everything planned out until the end of the month! From there I will
have to figure out what I want to do. Seeing pictures from my friends Lani &
Drawsen in Japan and S. Korea really has me itching to get to Asia, it looks
so different compared to Europe, which is great and all, but I am finding
things are starting to blend in to each other.

Anyhow enough from me for now. I am looking forward to Glasgow and then I
will do a daytrip into the Scottish Highland, and see Loch Ness and other
great sites!

Edinburgh

jason@willock.org (Jason Willock) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:00:54 -0400

Well I arrived in Edinburgh Scotland late Monday night. I am feeling a little better now. I had a couple relaxing days where I didn't do much at
all. I had no internet access which was a bit painful as I wanted to check out camera's and phones. I also realized my mistakes in how I let the events from Friday night happen. I just let my guard down. Unfortunate, but I have gotten over it.

I have gotten a new camera, a couple steps up from the one I had. Just charging the batter so I can take some photos of this pretty cool city. Both
visually and literally, it was 10 degrees last night! High today is about 16 or so. Actually a nice change from the sweltering heat in Portugal!

Not much else to report. Just thought I would let everyone know that I was o.k. And in much better spirits.

Now I just have to decide on a phone. Trying to decide if I need GPS or not, it is so handy! But won't be as useful in Asia I don't think.

Anyhow I will write more after I actually see the city, and get some new photos to upload!