Travel to South Korea, Jeollanam-do, Jeungdo.

23rd Aug: We left Seoul just before midnight for the long drive down to Jelloanam-so. We are heading right to the bottom of Korea. I scored a double seat to myself. It's a shame it wasn't comfortable! Also as we headed south the rain started to pelt down.

24th Aug: We arrived at Wolchulsan National Park around half four in the morning. After Warren handed out torches and muffins, we were off up the mountain. It wasn't raining at this point, but we all grabbed a poncho, just in case. It was 5 a.m. We walked a little way through the national park to the start of the trail. It was pitch black still and I'm glad I had the torch. We came to the start of the proper hiking and there was a temple there. I tried to get some photos, but due to the darkness and my shaky hands, they didn't come out at all.

After a good rest, the group split into two; those who were doing more hiking along the peaks, and the rest of us, who were heading straight down to the waterfall. There were lots of steps on the way down, and then we had to head back up a bit to the waterfall. The waterfall was a bit underwhelming, it wasn't exactly gushing off the side of the mountain. I took my socks and shoes off and went under the waterfall. I was already soaking so it didn't matter. I also slipped on a rock and went arse over tit. At least I didn't hurt myself. We spent a good while at the waterfall chilling out and a couple of the guys did some repelling from above the waterfall. That was cool.

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Travel to Greece, Corfu.

This is the only sea day on this voyage and we enjoyed every relaxing minute, From now on it is port after port. To give us this sea day, the Captain slows the vessel and, at night, stops the engines entirely. We are in the Ionian Sea and cruising north to our first port, Kerkira, on the Island of Corfu.
We have a leisurely breakfast in the dining room where I was able to snag a glass of milk with only two tries. Checked out my bill and noticed that my CCL shareholder credit had not been posted. Provided the Front Desk with the paper work and should see it on Tuesday.

This has not been my best packing experience. I was undecided whether to bring my white slacks or the khaki ones and brought neither. This leaves one pair of casual pants and my jeans for sightseeing and daytime wear. I will cope!

At 2:00 I attended a wine tasting while Joe checked out the poker table (no game) and the belly dancing lessons. Only one of the wines was too my taste but the Cellar was knowledgeable and entertaining and my table mates were pleasant.

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Travel to Indonesia, Java, Yogyakarta.

“The Javanese believe that the placenta is the twin child of a newborn,” Reni Fatmasari says, holding a clay pot delicately while examining its smooth sides. “It is for this reason that when a baby is born, the mother’s placenta is placed in a pot like this, then buried in front of the house for 35 days.”

It’s early Tuesday afternoon and we’re in a roadside stall that sells flower offerings. We’re on our way to the Kasihan Spring just outside the center of Yogyakarta and Reni suggests we stop by the store first to buy flowers we can offer to the spirits that are said to reside in the spring’s premises. While waiting for the woman as she places our purchase in a paper bag, Reni clues me in a little to the traditional Javanese culture. My first lesson: Javanese babies are gods incarnated as humans until they turn 35 days old. That is why parents take a great deal making sure the placenta is okay, because it is of a divine origin.

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Travel to Qatar, Doha.

The time has come. I am in the process of canceling my Dubai visa and officially moving to Qatar. How do I feel about this? Well, you all know that I absolutely love love love Dubai. But I will be happy to finally have a place to call home. Again. I think that maybe once I can officially settle down in Doha, I will feel more at home and happy. I don't know why, but I still basically have the mentality of living out of a suitcase. I try not to buy too much. And I haven't even hung my pictures! Though I do plan to move somewhere nicer in a few months, so maybe I'll still hold off...

Anyway, the process is a difficult one. When I moved to Dubai I had a stellar HR team who did all the dirty work for me. No such luck at our office here. Here, the guy who is supposed to be in charge of everything handed my degree back - it had previously been attested for my Dubai visa.

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Travel to France, Valencay.

It looks like the days of warm summery weather may be over as there is a distinct coolness in the air this morning and shorts and t-shirt are no longer options when we are out sightseeing.

With only one more stay of 4 nights before we get to Paris and hand the car back we need to start thinking seriously about compacting our travelling grocery box into a much smaller container and stop buying any food that we don’t consume the same day.

Before we left Briguieul we took a walk around the fortified part of the village,through the arched entranceway and into the roman style church built in the 12th century and modified in the 15th century that is one of the oldest remaining buildings.

It is a fairly straight run north to what is virtually the centre of the country and we are looking forward to what is described as a French country cottage with the nearest town some 7km away.

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Travel to China, Guangdong, Shenzhen.

I worked in a restaurant for almost 6 years, and during which I was pestered by the impatience and annoying tendencies of foreigners, in particular the Chinese. Well now the tables have turned, and in many ways I have become one of them. In little less than a month, I have adapted to their culture and to their restaurant etiquette. I have learned the ways of street vendors, fast food clerks, and even had lunch at a five star restaurant with a nine course meal. So to all my serving friends, this is for you. I am going to reveal to you what typical service is like in China.

Upon entrance into a restaurant, and this is true for most restaurants, the customer chooses the seating. You walk in and sit wherever you want. There are places where a host seats you, but in those instances, there is always a host to sit you. If there is no host, I usually expect to seat myself.

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