Since I arrived back in New Zealand at the start of 2006, the only time I have been overseas was to Tonga for a week in 2007. My feet are constantly itchy and I feel I have been working long enough now to take another trip. I am taking five weeks off work and leave in ten days.
The itinerary is as follows (and here’s a super map because I like maps):
Melbourne – if I’m going to have to fly through, I might as well stop for a few days and visit some of the ex-pats. I haven’t been since a weekend work trip in 2000, and to be honest I was drunk most of the time so I don’t remember much. It will basically be like visiting somewhere I haven’t been before.
Manchester - I lived there for 1.5-years, and two of my darling friends Mischa and Anna are still there and require visiting. I will enjoy the scallies and Piccadilly “Gardens” and may visit my old work. I also might even visit the spot where Loves Saves The Day once stood, and if I’m lucky Chris Joyce from Simply Red will try to bitch slap me again.
San Teodoro – About a year ago, I was listening to one of the Marcus Intalex Soul:ution Radio mixes, where there was a guest mix from DJ A-Sides. Apparently it was from Sun & Bass, and Marcus Intalex talked about how it was an amazing drum and bass festival in Sardinia and made it sound so awesome that I wanted to go. So, I’m going. I am going to stay in an apartment for a week with my friend Erik, we will dance to drum and bass, cruise around Sardinia, swim at the beach, and generally drink a lot of alcohol. It’s going to be great.
Milan - After the festival I have to get to Saariselkä, Finland which requires me to go through the next two cities. Again, if I’m flying through I thought I might as well stop for a couple of days and have a look around. My only plan for Milan is to see The Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci. I am sure I will also drink lots of coffee, dress like I am being photographed for The Sartorialist, and get hit on by sleazy Italian men.
Helsinki - Ever since I saw the Hel-Looks website I have been rather fascinated with Helsinki. It also has an awesome name, which for a long time I thought was actually “heh-lints-ki”. It’s not. In Helsinki I am going to visit the Design District and try Finnish food. I don’t know what that will be like.
Saariselkä - This is where the excitement happens. My best friend Pip and I are going to Saariselkä to stay at the Kakslauttanen Hotel & Igloo Village. We are going to stay in a glass igloo and watch the northern lights together as a way to celebrate our 30th birthdays and the fact that we have been best friends for almost 20 years. A picture of the awesomeness is required:
Hopefully we don’t get shit weather so I will be doing dances for the weather gods for the next few weeks.
London - What would a trip to Europe be without a smasher of a week in London. There are so many lovely people I can’t wait to see, parties to go to, shopping to drain my bank account with; chances are I may not survive.
Los Angeles – My third time in LA will again be a fleeting visit. I suppose this time I should at least see the Walk of Fame, but at the very least I will be going to Bloomingdale’s and Fred’s and buying everything.
It will be tough coming home. My bank balance will only show sad faces and my actual face will only show big purple bags from lack of sleep. It’s going to be great!
WOW that glass igloo in Saariselkä looks amazing.