Europe May 2014

" A marathon runner's passion, it's pure running. A Jonnie walker's passion, it's pure drinking. A bed & breakfast traveller's passion, it's pure travelling. Travelling and change of place impart new vigour to the mind "

" People who are different are usually the ones that end up making a difference in the world "

" Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't " 

" My 32 days solo visit to Europe (France, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Germany, Belgium, England, Wales, Ireland & North Ireland) from 27/4 - 28/5/2014 - My 5th visit to Europe; Round the Europe in 30 days, I did it my way "

Travel Itinerary:  Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) > Paris > Barcelona > Nice > Monte Carlo > Nice / Cannes > Florence > Rimini > Ancona > Split > Dubrovnik > Podgorica > Tirana > Skopje > Pristina > Skopje > Sofia > Bucharest > Chisinau > Bucharest > Munich > London > Cardiff > London > Dublin > Belfast > Dublin > London > Paris > Kuala Lumpur 

Total cost incurred (32 days) : E$1,155.30 + Pound 98.63 + RM2,478 = RM$8,202 (Euro$1,827)

Qatar Airways ticket (booked online on Aug 2013): Rm2,343= Euro$522
Kuala Lumpur>Doha 21.10>23.40; Doha>Paris 01.45>07.45
Paris>Doha 11.20>18.45; Doha>Kuala Lumpur 20.00>08.50 
Travel insurance (basic): RM60
Airport train/bus ticket: RM$45 (E$10)
Eurolines 30 Day Bus Pass: Euro$340.00
Eurolines reservation fee: E$4 + Pound 6.00
Hostels (dorm-21 nights) : Euro$282.45 + Pound 25.28
Ferry (Ancona>Split): E$50.00 
Regional buses (Balkans & UK): E$209.50 + Pound 32.90
Regional Trains (Italy & Bulgaria): E$109.20
Metro: E$44.40
Day Tour (The Giant Causeway): Pound 21.00
Walking Tour (Gaudi): E$5.00
Food & groceries (owned prepared meals): E$93.75 + Pound 13.45 + RM30
Sundries: E$17.00
Exchange Rates: Euro$1=Rm (Malaysian dollar)) 4.49; Pound 1=Rm5.44; Euro$1=4.35 Romanian Leu; Euro$1=18.71 Moldovan Lei; E$1=7.57 Croation Kuna

The Eurolines 30 Day Pass (E$340) covered the following bus rides (free) in Europe:

Paris > Barcelona
Barcelona > Nice
Nice > Florence
Bucharest > Munich
Munich > London
London > Dublin > London
London > Paris

Am I a recalcitrant traveller ? Still not satisfy even though I had already visited 34 countries in Europe after making 4 visits there from 2009-2012. The answer is probably yes as there was a burning desire in me to see the rest of Europe especially 1) The smaller European nations eg Andorra, Monaco & San Marino, 2) The French Riviera, 3) The Balkan states eg Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania & Montenegro & 4) The countries bordering Russia eg Moldova, Ukraine & Belarus. Against all odds, nothing can hold a person back if he puts his heart & soul into it ! 

Due to visa issues, I forgo my visit to Serbia & Belarus. As for Ukraine, the current political unrest tends to deter many travelers from visiting this country.

Numerous books had been written by travelers on their experiences in travelling round the world in 30 days or even in a year or two ! I too could like to have one of these experiences. As for me, this mini round the Europe trip in 30 days starting from Paris indeed is a major challenge to a free & easy traveler. It was a real test on my mental, physical & spiritual strength especially to a solo traveler & senior citizen. Relying mainly on Eurolines buses, trains & ferry, this trip took me to 20 countries across the European continent. There were challenges I encountered along the way ie wet weather, travelling in odd hours, changing buses, trains & ferry, nearly losing my backpack & notebook in Barcelona, strict border immigration checks on my passport & luggage in the Balkan states, Bulgaria, Romania & Moldova, overnight & long bus trips (29 hrs of bus ride  from Bucharest > Munich) but despite all these factors, I am glad that I had survived the journey and accomplished all my travel goals as planned. 

I was very pleased to see three of the UNESCO World Heritage sites ie San Marino, Dubrovnik & The Giant Causeway. The scenic coastline of North Ireland & the Balkan states from Split to Dubrovnik & the mountainous countryside of Montenegro impressed me a lot. Not to forget was the cross country visit from Bucharest, Romania to Chisinau, Moldova, near the Ukraine & Russian border.  

Ireland becomes the No 45 European country I visited thus far and is also the No 70 country I visited in all these years of my travelling life roaming around the world !  

So what's next after this trip ? I guess I will continue travelling and abide to this saying "Better to burn out than to fade away".

My travelling life in Europe was really a colourful & enjoyable one ! 

My travel menu for this Europe visit :

1) Paris, France

2) La Vella, Andorra

3) Barcelona, Spain

4) Nice, France

5) Cannes, France

6) Monte Carlo, Monaco

7) Rimini, Italy

8) San Marino 

9) Dubrovnik, Croatia

10) Podgorica, Montenegro

11) Tirana, Albania

12) Skopje, Macedonia

13) Pristina, Kosovo

14) Chisinau, Moldova

15) Munich, Germany

16) Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Castle

17) Dublin, Ireland

The Temple Bar 

18) Belfast, North Ireland

The Opera

UNESCO World Heritage Sites :

1) Dubrovnik Old City, Croatia

2) The Giant Causeway, Belfast, North Ireland

3) San Marino Historic Centre

" Everything in LIFE is temporary. So if things are going good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. And if things are going bad, don't worry. It won't last forever either "