Lostman's Star
Not all those who wander are lost, but I certainly am!
Las Vegas Strip
As in the road, not the action.
The Las Vegas Strip runs along a section of Las Vegas Boulevard, from Sahara Avenue to Russell Road, about 7 miles. Obviously Vegas has much more to offer than the strip but for the sake of this post we’re going to limit ourselves to this area, and in fact, not even the whole area.
I will say this outright, if you’re not yet twenty one, don’t bother with Las Vegas. Yes there are still things you can do but your experience will be far better if you wait a few years. I went when I was about fifteen. Old enough to know what I was missing, not old enough to do anything about it, and the perfect age to feel super conspicuous and out of place.
At least on the strip I could still feel somewhat part of the action. There are shows all along the road, fountains, fireworks, and acrobatics. The buildings itself are as much part of the lightshow as anything else, and I have to admit, running into all of the hotel lobbies to see what new things I would see was a treat. The MGM has Lions, the Venetian has a literal river, and Treasure Island has a pirate ship in a pool outside; how could you not be impressed? Caesar’s Palace looks like the entire place is made of marble, and having already been to Italy at that point it was neat to be able to recognize what they were trying to recreate.
All of the things that I enjoyed about Vegas, the lights, shows, and business, can be found on the strip between Sahara Avenue and Tropicana Avenue. A bit further past Tropicana you’ll find the Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay, and they’re worth checking out in their own right, but they border the airport so don’t expect to be physically surrounded by action and opulence.
There are also a load of shows to see like Cirque du Soleil and many a music artist who perform in the various hotels, and I think that’s the major draw of the city outside of those who are single and ready to mingle with martinis. Well, that and the casinos; though gambling has never held much appeal for me.
After having spoken to others who’ve been to Vegas I think the verdict is pretty clear; make sure you go when you’re of legal drinking age and single. That’s probably going to give you the best experience of the place.
Normally I would say dispense with the fancy stuff when you’re travelling, but Vegas is one of the few exceptions. Bring something extravagant. That suite? Yup. That dress and those heels? You know the ones. The ones that make you feel like you could step on the necks of all who oppose you. Bring ’em.
You are in Vegas to live it up, and if you can’t do it here, where else can you do it!? Go party. Have fun. Use protection.
Oh, and bring your wallet.
You’re going to need it.
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Lost’s Favourite Castles
I love castles. Adore them. I love to run around seeing what pieces of history I can find, small and large, and imagining what they must have been like for the people who inhabited them. These castles though, they’re my absolute favourites; and this time they are absolutely ranked with the best at the top!
To be fair to all other castles though, this list does only comprise of castles I’ve visited. I’m sure there will be a favourite castles 2.0 in the future!
So what are we waiting for, let’s start!
#1. Rochester Castle
This castle is my absolute favourite. She’s imposingly beautiful, and well preserved for a fortress approaching her thousandth year standing. I’m not sure why I feel such a strong connection to it, but I do. It might be because it was the first part of Rochester which caught my eye when I came to live in the area, and what I saw every time I came home on the train from London. Whether in natural sunlight or all lit up in the dark, she was always a welcome sight. I miss her so much!
#2. Dover Castle
This castle. This fortress. This rampaging beauty. She’s everything anyone could ever want in a fortress and more! There are so many perfect little designs built into her, specifically into the defenses of the inner keep. Most archers use left handed bows (they draw the string with their dominant right hand), but there’s a place designed specifically for someone who draws a right handed bow. Someone like me!
#3. Edinburgh Castle
Once described as ‘that damn’d angry bitch’ by a Highlander, Edinburgh Castle is just that. She’s well situated, armed to the teeth, and bristling with cannons which can easily fire shots into the estuary. I can’t help but feel she’d be very proud to be handed such a compliment of her weaponry.
#4. Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris is pretty well a ruin now, but I imagine he was quite the imposing creature in his prime. There’s one particular room that I love, it’s plastered white and the acoustics are amazing. I spent most of my visit singing and playing with the sound. I didn’t want to leave!
#5. Newschwanstein
This one is just a wee baby castle. The others were all constructed in the 11th or 12th century and then built upon throughout the years but construction on Neuschwanstein didn’t start until 1869! He’s all shiny, brand new, and deliberately designed to take on a more ancient medieval air. He’s proof that a castle can be built at any time. Am I saying we should totally be building castles right now? Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Are there any castles you particularly adore? Let me know in the comments!
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Juno Beach
On June 6th 1944, the Allied forces enacted Operation Neptune, the storming of the beaches along the coast of Normandy, France. This was part of a larger plan, Operation Overlord, an attempt to take Europe back from a Nazi invasion. There were five main beaches in total. The Americans invaded the Utah and Omaha sections, the British and Commonwealth along with some European allies and a couple hundred French Commandos invaded Gold and Sword. Canada was given Juno Beach, a six mile stretch with a small town in the middle called Courseulles-sur-Mer.
Arrow and I stopped here on our way to see the American Cemetary next to Omaha beach. I don’t know what I was expecting. I think so much of what we see about those beaches is steeped in war history, we are almost forced to picture it either in the peak of action, sand flying everywhere like some sort of movie, or the horror of the aftermath, all corpses, blood, and wire.
It’s nothing like that, obviously, but specifically, it’s peaceful.
There’s a serenity about the place that I can’t ascribe to any one attribute. When Arrow and I went the tide was out. We were playing in the sand, creating little rivers of the tidepools and looking for shells. It’s a place that invites relaxation. Not the typical suntan with a book relaxation, but a soulful one. Everything from the surf to the wind seems to say “Breathe deeply. You can let your guard down, now.”
We didn’t stop for long, but it was a good place to visit. Good for the soul, good for the shells, good for the sounds of sea breeze.
If you visit I recommend that you bring either a good set of shoes or a set of flipflops so you can make the most of the water. Have respect for your surroundings the same way you might any graveyard, beach, or memorial. It’s perfectly fine to run and play unless you see mourners, and if you have a picnic or a snack make sure you leave with whatever you brought. I also highly recommend the tour Arrow and I took by Paris City Vision, which leaves from Paris and stops at the Memorial de Caen, Juno Beach, and the American War Cememtary. I’ve been on several tours with this company and they’ve all been wonderful experiences.
Are there any places you’ve found in your travels to be oddly serene? Let me know in the comments!
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
3 Kenitsh Day Trips
If you’re staying in London and want to do daytrips out to the nearby counties, Kent is full of cities you’ll want to visit. I’ve chosen cities that can be easily done in a day or afternoon, that are not necessarily cities you would expect on a daytrip list, but places that I’ve been and loved none the less. I’ve also avoided places like Dover because a day trip just wouldn’t do it justice. These are my top 3 choices!
#1. Rochester
Hands down, Rochester is the best city in Kent. I’m biased, of course, I lived nearby, but still. It has an amazing secondhand bookstore, the cathedral is exquisite as is the castle, the pubs are excellent, and the cafes are quaint, cute, and plentiful. All of it’s on High Street too or just slightly off of it, so that’s a nice bonus, but there’s a lot more to see in Medway, so if you finish in Rochester you can always hop a bus and go up to either Chatham or Gillingham. You’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
#2. Margate
They’ve got a super cute market, several book shops, the Shell Grotto, and a lovely stretch of beach and boardwalk to have a stroll down. The town in general just feels very relaxed to me, so if you’re not big on bustling cities then Margate is probably preferable to Dover or Brighton. You can also see WW2 defensive towers remaining from the pier!
#3. Tonbridge
Once a bustling market town, Tonbridge preserved it’s medieval charm in the old buildings and castle ruins. It’s super cute, great for a stroll, and you can probably spend a solid afternoon there if you know which places you want to visit. If memory serves me there are still market days held there. There’s a bakery there which I would happily spend all day in called The Bakehouse at 124. It’s a real Tudor building which means the upstairs needs a bit of bending to navigate, but that’s part of the charm. The staff there are so friendly and the food is delicious, it’s a little piece of heaven on earth.
I’ll be sure to add to make more posts about day trips from London into other counties. There are several immediately accessible, and you won’t want to miss out on what they have to offer.
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Oberammergau
It’s easier to say than it looks, I promise. Apparently it’s pronounced something along the lines of Obamagow. As for what it looks like, picture a Grimm fairytale. Something with a dark forest, maybe a young woman with a billowing cloak and hood. There may be creatures in the woods, but in town there is safety and warmth to be had. Surrounded by the Bavarian alps and beautifully deep forest, it looks like a scene pulled straight out of a book.
Forest and I stopped there just for an hour on our way to Linderhof Palace. It was a nice little stop, just to use the facilities and maybe pick up a souvenir or two, but I think I would like to go back and stay a bit longer given the chance.
The buildings are wonderfully decorated with murals, and I get the feeling that because of time constraints I didn’t really get to see the full potential of Oberammergau. Later on the bus as we were leaving our guide told us that the town is famous for a play which has been performed every decade since 1634. As the plague ripped through Europe, the inhabitants of Oberammergau promised God that should they be spared they would perform a play every ten years which depicted the Passion of Christ; his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
They were spared, and so the play goes on! Whether or not that’s exactly how it happened I can’t say, but it does make for an interesting story, and apparently a very competitive audition. We’re told that every boy in town tries out for the part of Jesus, every girl for Mary. It’s apparently the pride of the town, and I have to say that I wouldn’t mind going to see it one day, though apparently this time around it’s been postponed two years because of Covid.
If you’re stopping there during a tour be sure to have your camera ready to capture the scenery and the murals, and have your wallet ready if you want to purchase food, a drink, or something to bring home with you. A Christmas ornament will run you about €20, a solid seized stein about €100.
Are there any little towns you guys know of that give off similar fairytale atmospheres? Let me know in the comments!
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle reader.
Adrenaline Junky’s Wishlist
“If your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?”
Who else remembers the adults in their life asking them that? For me it had a habit of popping up whenever I mentioned something vaguely interesting or risky my friends were doing. My parents insisted that they asked this question to help me become a critical and independent thinker, free of outside influence.
So I thought independently of them and went bungee jumping.
They’ve stopped asking.
That same trip I also went over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. In fact, I loved the thrill of both so much that it turned me into a bit of adrenalin junky. Not hardcore, but I now love a good rush! I’m hoping that when Covid is over I’ll be able to travel to these places to get my fix of fun! Obviously these things need to be done with professional assistance, don’t go doing these things by yourself!
#1. Skydiving
I was given the chance to go skydiving in New Zealand but I passed it up and I regret it so much! The next chance I get, I’ll be in the front of the queue. At AJ Hackett’s in Queenstown New Zealand when asked which jump I wanted to take, the Bridge Jump (lowest), the Swing, or the Nevis (highest), I remember saying, to the great amusement of the person at the counter, “Nevis. Go big or go home, right?” The highest sky diving point is apparently from a helicopter off of Chomolungma, or Mount Everest. It’s expensive, $30,000 USD last I checked (yikes!), but there is a reason I called this a wish-list!
#2. Swimming with Great Whites
I just really want to swim with sharks. Preferably without a cage, but if it takes a cage to get me in the water then so be it. I’ve wanted to do this since I was about twelve, sitting in front of the TV with Grandma Lostman watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Swimming with chainmail on the bottom of a coral reef never appealed to me, but seeing those giant Great Whites appear, literally, out of the blue, my little heart wanted to experience that for itself! The best place to see them is apparently in Guadalupe, an Island off the western coast of Guadalupe.
#3. Base Jumping
Picture it. You’re at the top of a cliff. The wind lifts your hair, as you look down on the crags below. You hear l’appel du vide, the call of the void, jump, it whispers. You lean forward, your heart tight in your throat.
You’re falling. Air rushes past you. Your mind is screaming, I’m going to die! There’s nothing but you, your fear, and the wind. You spread your limbs and POOF! The webbing in your suit catches the wind and suddenly you’re suddenly a flying squirrel, gliding along the air currents. You’re flying! Not on a plane, not because of a parachute, YOU are flying! I can’t imagine how exhilarating it must be, but I don’t want to imagine it. I want to do it!
#4. High Diving (Sliding?)
This one is a new discovery! Apparently you put on a wet suit and slide down what is essentially a massive waterslide with an upturned end that launches you into whatever body of water is at the end. It sounds super fun but worth a bit of research. Apparently you wear a lifejacket during this whole process, which doesn’t sound like the best idea to me, considering how it panned out for passengers of the Titanic (the lifejacket snapped their neck as they jumped from the bow of the boat). Those jackets were made differently than modern ones though, so it’s definitely worth a look! There’s one in Texas called the BSR Royal Flush which looks amazing and doesn’t require lifejackets.
#5. Wing Walking
Yes, exactly like those high-flying circus acts. Although in the modern day and age you’re given a safety harness and are strapped to wings. I’d love to pilot the plane too, because who wouldn’t? They’re biplanes from the 1940s, as a history nerd that’s a dream in itself come true, but walking on the wings? Sign me up!
#6 BONUS! Fly a Jet
There is a place in Russia that will let you fly a MiG – 29 Jet. Yes. A JET. THEY LET YOU FLY IT. It’s a Cold War era jet, but to me that makes it all that much cooler. They’ll do aerial acrobatics, go supersonic, and get as high as they can, the closest to space most of us will ever come. This is all done by YOU. You have a co-pilot with you of course but apparently they let you take control. For how long and how much I don’t know, but I cannot express how much I want to do this!
I’m always looking for new, daring, thrilling things to do during my trips so if you know of an activity that will get your heart pumping let me know in the comments!
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe gentle readers.
The Dark Hedge
If you’ve looked into tourism in Northern Ireland, you’ll have likely seen the Dark Hedge advertised. I have to admit it’s a very short, nigh on pit-stop-ish attraction and it’s not even actually a hedge as many would know it, but it is a very pretty stop and as I’ve said, highly advertised so I figured I’d include it.
The Dark Hedge is actually a row of beech trees planted along the sides of a road leading up to a manor built in roughly 1775 called Gracehill House. The hedge itself said to be haunted by the Grey Lady, a ghost who flits across the road and between the trees, though no one knows for sure who the Grey Lady is.
Haunted or not, it is very atmospheric. The canopy of the trees are close enough to block out most of the sun, which means on a sunny day the road is speckled with dancing light from between the leaves. On cloudy and windy days it certainly lives up to it’s haunted reputation. Photographers both professional and amateur will find this place a spectacular stop.
If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones you’ll recognise the Hedge as the King’s Road, and you can still see the marks made by the production units on the road. Look for a little x on the road!
You definitely can’t spend all day here, and I doubt that you’re able to visit Gracehill House, but for a brief, perhaps twenty minute to half hour stop the Dark Hedge is definitely worth it. Bring comfortable clothes, something warm in case it’s cold or raining, and your camera.
Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe gentle readers.
Covid Update
Hello one and all! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend, and a happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it!
I have some very exciting news.
I was able to get my first Covid-19 vaccine dose!
For those of you who are nervous about it I definitely recommend talking with your doctor about it. From a personal experience I can tell you that I felt very well cared for at the clinic I attended. I received the Pfizer vaccine and apart from a bit of joint pain in the first few hours and a sore arm I’m feeling great.
I’m one step closer to being able to travel again and I’m so excited for it!
I am writing this though because I’ve heard some musings and stirrings about vaccination passports, and I wanted to address it.
The rumour that I heard was that as far as international travel goes, some countries would not be accepting the papers given by vaccination clinics and hospital staff because they were too easy to forge. They would, however, accept the yellow vaccination passports given out by the World Health Organization. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE.
According to the CBC Trudeau isn’t fond of the idea of vaccine passports, and by it’s own admission neither is the World Health Organization.
After having done some research on the subject I completely agree with both the WHO and Trudeau that it’s not a good idea. It’s a very long topic to get into, which I’m more than happy to do if it’s requested of me, but for now it’s sufficient to say that it could lead to a lot of discrimination; especially against people of lower socio-economic status and people of colour.
That said I can’t guarantee that Canada or other nations around the globe won’t impliment some form of vaccination passport, so as always it’s better to be prepared. If you happen to have the yellow vaccination passport distrubuted by the WHO you can bring it with you when you get your Covid-19 vaccine. You can ask that the nurse who is giving you the shot sign and date it for you. My nurse was happy to do so! I’ll be bringing my little yellow passport again for my next shot to get the second dose written in. It’s an excellent way to keep track of which vaccinations you’ve had, and if some countries decide to use it as a requirement for entry your Covid vaccine will be one less shot you have to worry about. There isn’t really a downside to bringing it with you!
That’s it for Tuesday gentle readers, if you have any questions at all about the Covid-19 vaccinations I wholeheartedly suggest you talk to your doctor about it, call your local health unit, or listen to what Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Anthony Fauci have to say on the subject.
Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay at home, and stay safe gentle reader.
Lord of the Rings Tour of Wellington
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan planning a trip to New Zealand, you’re going to want to add this tour to your itinerary.
Peter Jackson was pretty crafty when it came to shooting locations, and chose easily accessible spots for at least a few of his scenes. Quite a few can be found around Wellington on New Zealand’s north island, and it’s definitely worth picking a good tour to see them all. Four of them can be found relatively close to each other in a park which contains a mountain. The original Maori names for this mountain are Tangi Te Keo and Matairangi, while the anglicized name is Mount Victoria. Fun fact, see the long white cloud in the photo below? That’s what the Maori named their land after! Aotearoa means the Land of the Long White Cloud.
I don’t recall the name of the tour company who was hired but I do remember that it had some very specific stops, though Weta workshop wasn’t one of them, or if it was it wasn’t for very long. I remember some sort of gift shop but I don’t think we truly went in. If memory serves me the Hobbit was being filmed when I visited, and so that could account for our inability to have a look around. I would really have loved to see it though, so personally I recommend that any tour you choose have Weta as a stop.
What I know for sure is that I saw is the Gardens of Isengard which was filmed at Harcourt Park. It’s a beautiful park on it’s own, but the way Peter Jackson changed it is rather ingenious. He didn’t have to alter much to make the world of Tolkien come alive.
The road where Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin fall onto after being chased by Farmer Maggot is nearby, and although the tree isn’t there the path and the indentation are. Grab a picture while you’re there!
The forest which provided the filming location of Rivendell is close by, though there is very little which remains of the Elven city. This is on purpose, of course, the government of New Zealand required that very little damage be done to the plants in the area, and also that every plant that had been removed be brought back. It was done, and the lush forest of Rivendell lives on!
Helms Deep is also on the list of places that you can visit, but it is a very short visit. It was, and to my knowledge still is an active quarry, and so when filming was done the miniatures and sets came down.
Lord of the Rings was a big part of my life, so I was super happy to see all of these locations, and I fully recommend any fan visit them should they be given the chance! Bring good walking shoes, and a water bottle as you’ll be doing a bit of walking. Not a lot, but enough that heels aren’t a good idea! Bring something waterproof too, just in case it rains. You won’t want a lack of a raincoat to damper your experience!
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and be safe gentle readers.
Top 5 Big Cities
I’m definitely a city girl. Despite having lived in smaller towns most of my life, I love the energy and sleeplessness that big cities provide. I’ve been to a fair few such cities in my life, but these are my top five. The rank is just personal opinion, and isn’t based on anything in particular; rather it’s a mixture of the general atmosphere the city provides, how much I would want to live there, and how much there is to do.
#1. London, England
If home is where the heart is, then my home is London. I loved exploring the central boroughs, speaking with the people, and in general just being in London. There was always something new to do, the energy was constant and vibrant, I just can’t say enough about London to do it any justice. It’s the perfect place for people who love to be in the heart of the action and who thrive in busy places.
#2. Paris, France
Paris is magical. I don’t know why, I’ve not managed to put my finger on it, but there’s just something about it that I adore. Maybe it’s the blending of the old and new, the fine cuisine, or maybe it’s just that everything has a touch of everyday elegance about it which, when scratched, covers brutal and dark history. It could also be the macarons.
#3. Edinburgh, Scotland
I’d gladly go running back to Edinburgh at the drop of any and all hats, especially the High Street which culminates in Edinburgh Castle. That street alone is perfect for an afternoon of wandering, shopping, and generally being at ease in the world. The city offers history, good food, and an atmosphere to die for, so I’d have no problem spending a good few years of my life living there.
#4. Cardiff, Wales
I adore Wales, and Cardiff is reminiscent of a sort of European Toronto. There are castles to explore, as well as little covered alleyways called arcades all over the city which host local small businesses. Many of the arcades are very art-deco in style and feature strings of lights which gives it such a cool and upscale atmosphere. I only spent a few days in Cardiff but I really enjoyed my time there and would be happy to return; plus it’s not all that far from Hay-on-Wye, the book store town!
#5. Montreal, Canada
If I was ever to move to Quebec, I’d head straight for Montreal. It was always one of my favourite cities growing up, mainly because I was weirdly obsessed with the metro. I’d always wanted to ride the subway and Montreal gave me my first opportunity. I love the atmosphere that comes with the mix of modern architecture and historical buildings, the comfort of being in my home country, and I appreciate the opportunity it provides me to use my French! The food is excellent too!
What are your favourite cities? I’m really curious as to which ones people love! Let me know in the comments!
Lostman's Star 