27th May - 13th June 2008

Going home for a pit stop - Thursday 12th June

I was sat in an internet cafe last night still unsure what to do next now I'd decided not to stick around Lisbon. Was looking at Berlin, Brussels, Paris or back to the Algarve. Still couldnt decide and almost ended up rolling a dice to choose. I also came very close to calling the guy back and taking the room for rent. Then the idea of Bristol came into my head for the first time since I left. I figured this was probably the closest I was going to get to Bristol whilst I am away (which means the cheapest flight). I was only really looking to rent whilst I sorted out something to do the next few months and maybe try and make a bit of money at poker, which I can try and do at home. Also there's a few things I needed to pick up and drop off back home so booking a flight back made sense at the time although I came very close to one of the other ideas. I checked out of the hostel this morning and ended up spending all day getting the last bit of sunshine by the beach, now I'm waiting to catch the bus from Lisbon to Porto. It's funny how random things can be this time yesterday I was going to carry on traveling, 2 days ago I was happy to rent a place in Lisbon, a week ago it was the Algarve. So how the hell did I end up going home I keep asking myself?!?

Should I stay or should I go? - Wednesday 11th June

I looked around another place for rent this morning and wasn't particularly keen on what I saw when the guy answered the door in his dressing gown at midday (although I certainly dont hold anything against him for that) I got the impression from all the bottles of wine lying around that he was an alcoholic. But nonetheless he was happy to offer me a room to rent for 280 euros until the end of the month. I've spent all day thinking about what I should do next. Then it finally dawned on me that I don't like cities so what's the point in paying to stay in one like Lisbon, where I don't really want or need to stay when I could spend the money on traveling, or go down to Greece to see Joey, or enter a poker tournament. The only problem is the money is really beginning to run out and now I dont know where to go next. Im thinking maybe Caiscais for the next few days which is down the coast from Lisbon and has a beach!

Brilliant week in Lagos - Tuesday 10th June

After moving from the first place I stayed in Lagos, I moved into a hostel called Carlos house and had an awesome few days. Was put in a room with three Scottish guys who were on holiday called Phaddy, Khenny and Ahdam who were probably the funniest three guys youll meet. Im not quite sure how to describe the feeling you get when you meet so many great people in the same place who all just get on. Lets just say its the reason I travel. To meet great people and have great times. The whole randomness of it all. The hostel was brilliant because it had such a community feel to it where everyone got involved. Most nights we'd all sit on the roof drinking, having a laugh then go out in Lagos and the next day no one could remember what really happened the night before. Met some awesome people, Jodi, Gen, Jo, Sven, Arthur, Carlos and many more I cant remember the names of who all just made it a very funny few days to remember. I tried looking for an apartment in Lagos but they were all too expensive because it is peak holiday season, or the cheaper ones wanted me to commit to a years contract. So yesterday I got the bus to Lisbon which was a very dhifficult journey because I Was feeling so rough from the end of the four days drinking in Carlos house and the fact I hadnt had any sleep the night before (definately worth it though). Have checked into a hostel called Easy hostel which is in the old part of Lisbon and resumed my search for a flat to rent for a few months. I went and looked at one last night where the guy wanted me to stay longer than a few months and another guy was looking around so dont think Im going to get that one. Today has been a really random day. I rang another place up and they said to call back tomorrow then literally bumped into the guy who was looking around the flat yesterday so spent the day walking around an old castle sightseeing with him. Afterwards I was eating dinner when who should walk past me but Sven (one of the guys from Carlos house who drinks 2 euro bottles of wine). What are the chances I bump into the only two guys I know in the whole city in the same day? Tomorrow Im going to try and carry on my search for a flat here even though this is probably the dodgiest city Ive been to so far with guys constantly hassiling me to buy hash and some pretty run down areas around here. The only reason Im looking to stay here for a while is because the money is running out and my legs need to recover from all the walking I've been doing.

Week in Vilamora with the parents - Tuesday 3rd June

Left Vilamora earlier on today where I spent the last week with my Mum and Dad. Played some crazy golf. Had some nice food and led on the beach one day. Also walked into Quarteira which was the next town. Arrived in Lagos earlier and staying in a nice place for the next two nights with a pretty cool seaview. Going to try and look for some accomodation here for the next few months, try and learn some Portugese and hopefully make some money.

Too much walking in Italy - Thursday 29th May

Spent the last couple of weeks in Italy with Ed. Dont know how its gone so fast to be honest. Went to Rome, Pisa, Florance, Venice and Milan. Had some laughs, met some cool people. Really liked all the places we went although We did so much walking my legs cant take any more. Left Ed in the airport in Milan where we stayed the night before we flew out. Ed went back to Bristol and I flew to Portugal. When I arrived in Porto I was so tired I couldnt stay awake any more so crashed out at the hostel then yesterday took a 10 hour bus journey down to Vilamora in the Algarve, where I met my Mum and Dad who were supposedly waiting for me at my hotel but were sat in the lobby of some five star hotel. Not quite the place I had booked. The place I was staying at was about 40 minutes walk away, pretty much as far as you can get from the main centre of Vilamora. Apart from the distance it's a really nice place and big enough for about 10 people to stay in. Will be in Vilamora until Monday/Tuesday next week then thinking of looking for somewhere to stay in Portugal for a while.