No Pictures of Kangaroos Here

Km Driven: 732

Not that many more km added to the count but thats because we got caught up in Sydney, and more specifically, Bondi life. Originally we didn't plan to hang around the city here too much until we dropped off our van but now it seems that I may have fallen in love with this place. If I could wake up in the morning, go for a jog on the beach, head to work, then come back to surf and have dinner out on a patio overlooking the pacific, I don't know if I'd want to move

Basically, it's all because I've met some of the nicest people here. When I was teaching skiing at Sunshine Village and living in Banff, I made friends with two Aussies from Bondi who I've kept in touch with since then very meagerly. Almost nothing I guess, maybe a few emails. That was 4 years ago almost. But upon my arrival here, it's as if we'd just lost touch for one night. The Aussies decided to treat us like their new Canuckistani bretheren.

Because Nate and Lucas are both ex-travellers (lucas was in america/canada/south america for 2 years, Nate for 4!! he just got back last month) they know what is hardest for us and what we'd like to do. So since making it to Bondi, we've parked the old girl across from Nate's house, which is right on a huge golf course and 15 minutes from the beach, and have taken part in Aussie life.

First, we went to an Australia Day bbq on Coogie beach where there was a cookout and numerous friend's of Nates wondering who the two white guys were. This quickly developed into a house party at the apartment of the Australian Idol presenter and her boyfriend in a swank apartment overlooking the coast. Beautiful time.

We also met up with Louis' sister and her friends from Montreal. This is really funny because Louis and I ran with the bulls so many months ago and have kept in touch since he took off for his MBA in Montreal. While reading about the race to get to Australia, he reminded me to visit his sister, who is a down under quebecer now and was really cool about inviting a pair of Canadians to her Australia Day party

Since then I've gone out with some of Luke and Nate's buddies, gone surfing with them and made a nice night of the Tennis final which we watched on the biggest tv this side of the equator. Aside from that, Nate's been super helpful in showing the main sights (place the Matrix was filmed!!) teaching about the people and giving us a lift around town to some places. Our first day here we met up and he took us for a swim right away. Then, as if to initiate me to this country and to see if I remembered what we used to jump on skiis back in Banff, we climbed up to some beautiful cliffs overlooking Sydney Harbour. Really, there was a picture perfect view of the Opera House and Bridge which was to distract me from the heights. Luckily, there were locals there to urge me on and I hopped off a couple of times and had a blast . Don't think I've ever dived from that high before

Tomorrow we drive south, time to see what this van can do on the highway

Cruising Down Under

Km driven: 517

It's been a while since the end of the race, and posts have slowed a little. That's due to th need to get adjusted to the new lifestyle. But don't worry, there is so much going on that I'm going to have to do some extra posting to keep you all updated. Also, with the amount of K we're going to put on this odometre, there may be upcoming posts about car breakdowns. Soon? Who know. Take some bets maybe. Keep in mind we've got about 5000km to go

The beut van that we got has been keeping us company for the past week and we've had to learn the ins and outs of a different kind of backpacking. And it is different. I'm definetly a 'backpacker', as the definition goes, but this australia trip is very different from the kind of backpacking that has become second nature to me. So now I have to learn to cope with new problems and live differently to make sure that all goes well and we don't stop in the middle of a desert with no fuel.

The car is great! Drives like a dream, or to put it differently, drives like a toolshed. Originally we were supposed to have no aircon but due to a mix up at the rental agency, we were given the wrong van....which for us is the right van because it has a/c and a cassette player. Hoopah. The inner bowels of the car have a double bed and single bed at night or during the day: a table and two cushioned benches, a stove, a fridge, a microwave, sink and some shelves. Additions we've made include: speakers for the iPod, camping chairs donated to us by some aussies, The Killers Hot Fuss cassette and a cowboy hat. Crucial items

We've driven out to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains to try some hiking but were severly rained out. Still, we trekked to the highest peak in the mtns in the rain and saw some beautiful sights. We even played darts in a secluded old-timey pub. Current plans put me in Sydney for tomorrow's Australia Day where an old (old!) buddy of mine from Sunshine Village ski school has given me the invite to a real Aussie bbq. After that it's road trip time to Melbourne which is about 1000km away down south. The drive down will be along the coast and hopefully by the next update I'll tell you how my surfing skills are.

Cel in Australia: 043 848 4642

Australia Begins

It was starting to look like neither of us would make it and that Paul would relax in Canada while I hung out in Thailand. But after an exciting 3 days of running through airports and negotiating with officials, we're both safe and sound and ready to begin what's going to be a very interesting month. Beach, surf, outback, kangaroos...thats all ahead of us. All after we buy our driving hat, which is our top priority right now

Just to fill you guys in on the end of the race, my last leg was just as nervewracking as the first two. I came to the airport for my standby flight at about 3pm bangkok time (4 hours before the flight) only to be informed that all flights from now until february were booked/overbooked. Great...

I checked in for standby along with another kiwi and two aussies. The two australians had actually been waiting 3 days already for standby and had been turned away each time. They had basically spent 3 nights at the airport, trying to get on the same flight as me. I don't have to tell you guys that my hopes of getting on were low. They recieved priority and I was put third in line and told to wait. I sat around for a few hours, meeting up with the flight attendants from last night at one point, who wished me luck

At about 6:50, 40 minutes before the flight was due to take off the ticket ladies told us to wait. People were still checking in and it was going to be close. 7:05 they finally called us up and told us there were 3 seats open. hoopah! Bolting through passport control and security we made the flight at 7:25, to the elation of the flight crew who couldn't believe I had made it and were excited to see me aboard. They even suggested some whitewine and sparkling water for me, as a celebratory drink in lieu of champagne. Here's a photo of some of the Emirate crew who became my best buddies over the past two flights.

So, 56 hours of travel, 20 000km and 4 cities later I ran into the Backpacker hostel in Sydney, wide-eyed and wondering if I'd just been beaten by an afro-ed Irishman, only to hear that it was Paul that would be buying beers last night.

I have to tell you guys, this race became such an intense couple of days ond so much more fun because of all the excitment that I got from you guys and your comments. Thanks for the support and the fun and the cheering (even if some was for Paul). All that matters is that we both arrived safely and that no one besides Paul's pilot got hurt...oh and that I can rub this win in Paul's face for the rest of my life

Intercontinental Circumnavigatory Champion of the World!

Finished

Where's Dzido? Where's Paul?

I can feel the tension too

Next Chance

I'm on my way to the airport now to try and get on standby to Sydney. Last I heard teh flight was full but hopefully some shmuck will forget to set his alarm or something.

This city is so...interesting. It's just very different from anything I've ever seen before. My new Canuck friend Craig described it as a mix of extremes, and thats what it is. You'll walk down one street and see beautiful palaces next to run down slums. Then down another and you'll smell the most intoxicating fruits only to be overcome with the stench of a sewer right beside. ITs really weird and hard to explain

Yesterday I met some really cool people. When I missed my flight it was nightime and Bangkok is a huge city, about 40 min away from the airport. And I had no idea where I was going

The flight crew adopted me as a buddy and they decided to let me come on their bus to the hotel and then give me directions downtown. This was all cool, unfortunatly as we were walking out, the captain came as seemed to be pretty pissy. He wasn't to uppity about me hanging out with them so to keep from causing any trouble I gave him some evil eye and bid the others goodday. They're hoping I get on today's flight b/c all teh same stewardesses and people will be on, so maybe I can see them all again

So lost and sweaty I left the airport and took a bus to the main station. There, a friendly face asked me if I was canadian, noting my roots bag. Canadians unite! Craig, a Vancouverite, was visiting Bangkok for the 3 or 4th time andbasically became my guide for the next 12 hours. He took me to the coolest hostel ever and then helped me plan out my stuff for today. Really really nice guy. I mean, I have no idea where I would have ended up w/o some help.

Anyhoo, I need to run to the airport. For all I know, paul is in the air already so I need to make this close. Fingers crossed

*** Best line of the trip so far:

Flight official: No sorry sir, there's no way we can switch you to another flight, Im sorry.
Dzido: I'm actually in a race around the world.
Flight official: Is that so?
Akward extended silence
Dzido: Yes

Mid Point aka. Where am I?

Well well well, I expected to log on to cheers from the Paul bandstands about his imminent arrival in the land of the Fosters only to see that this really is getting more interesting.

Let me recap the last few long hours here.

My flight from London wa delayed by 3 hours because of, get this, someone having died on the inbound flight earlier. Yeah. Unfair circumstances I think. Bad stuff, but understandable

This meant I would miss my connection in Dubai if not for the fact that a large group of us on the plane were going the same way, so Emirates managed to hold the flight an hour for us. I got off the plane in Dubai with 30 minutes to connect but STILL had to get myself onto the connecting Sydney flight standby.

I ended up waiting in teh wrong line 15 minutes and then decided to just push to the front and shout "my flight is leaving in 5 minutes!!" at which point someone paid attention to me. Well, all they did was tell me that I couldn't go on standby to Sydney this late. Dejection...I thought it was over

So I ran through the metal detectors, only to be stopped and forced to take off my belt and shoes. THEN I sprinted the last 5 minutes before departure, through the entire Dubai terminal with my belt in my hand and my pants halfway down my butt.

See, here the main thing to understand is that the flight to Bangkok is the same one that continues on to Sydney. So all I really want is to be able to stay on it....nothing more. SO once more, in vain, I try to haggle with the Emirates people right at the gate, telling them that I NEED to go standby to SYdney once I'm in Bangkok. They tell me that Bangkok has to do that. Dejection

Once in the air I pull my trump card, magic smile. AFter dinner I walk to the back of the plane, the stewardess meeting, and plead my case. They listen attentivley and I explain to them that I am only going to have one hour after landing in Bangkok to check out, grab my bag, check in and get back on the flight. They somehow agree to help me! How cool is that. One of the POlish one's tries to fax my info to Bangkok and try to book me whil the others just act nice and ask me about travels.

With my new connections I arrive in Bangkok and even as the plane is still taxiing down the runway, a stewardess grabs me and takes me to the fron of the plane to unload, passing stunned first class travellers and others who dont know if I'm some sor of terrorist or VIP. Tension rises as we park and meet with Bangkok officials who listen to my appeals presented by the Emirates crew. Phone calls go out and people are radioed and we wait...only to hear that I am stuck in Bangkok for 24 hours at least.

My next flight chance is tomorrow at 7pm....wish me luck

Sigh.

I thought it was over right there, no way did I think PT would be stuck. Now it seems that the race has reached the climax is still 50:50 odds. Who knows, the way these things are looking, neither of us might get there!

Money and time running out on the internet machine. Tomorrow I'll tell you guys how I made new friends and navigated to a cool hostel here. And also how I fully respect now Paul's first night in India....this place is weird

What's a race without delays?

Bet none of you expected an update this early.

It's 805 in London and my flight was scheduled to leave at 8pm...somethings not right here

Due to a "passenger incident on the inbound flight" my plane is delayed by about an hour and a half, so far. Maybe indefinetly. "passenger incident"? what? I wonder if someone puked. Either way, im not thrilled. This leaves me about an hour to try to catch the Sydney flight once I'm in Dubai and puts the ball in Paul's court. To keep my fans happy, last I heard his standby flights were all full in Vancouver, but that can all change

On the bright side I'm flying in a 777. I've never been in a 777! It's huge and beautiful and as I've explained to many people, for me machines = large toys = so cool!

Stay tuned, who knows what might happen next

** Update ** The flight is leaving at 10pm instead of 8. That means one hour for me between flights for the connection. Yay exciting running with backpacks. Wish I had a camera man and commercial breaks to make it even better...

The Race is On!!

Paul just sprinted out of the hostel and into the rain with both of his backpacks, just about 15 minutes ago with cheering aussie staff behind him. I'm more a proponent of the Tortoise and the Hare approach...slow and steady, baby.

But suddenly there's money invovled, which is very cool, and that much more exciting. Mom, Dad, you guys are hilarious!

The finish line is Sydney Backpackers Hostel. Victoria House, 7 Wilmot St. I'm not yet sure if I can find it cause Paul has the guidebook, but I'll cross that bridge later

Just as a note, the last check showed that both Paul's flight from Vancouver and my flight from Bangkok were both oversold...trrrrrrouble!

The Amazing Race

There is no possible way that Paul and I could have picked routes that were any different for our Australia trip

--> Paul's trip takes him over Greenland, back to Canada, into Vancouver for a quick stop. Then to Hawaii for some fuel and finally to Sydney.

--> My flight begins with me heading the other way, going first to Dubai, UAE. A few hours after landing I leave for Bangkok where I will have 2 hours to find the last standby flight of the day to Sydney.

Because of the absurdity of the situation and the fact that at some point during this trip both he and I will be shaking hands, then 20000 km away, and finally ending up at the same hostel, we decided that a race is completely necessary.

Right now in Leicester Square we're 16981 km from Australia's capitol city, Canberra. Starting in London, tomorrow we will travel in opposite directions around the globe, covering more km than any sane man should in two (or more) days, we will get lost in more cities than is possible, and we will spend more time in cramped airplanes than is legally allowed, before arriving at the finish line in our hostel in Sydney sometime at the end of the week...hopefully.

As of now, if all goes off without a hitch for the two of us, Paul will get to Sydney airport one hour before me on thursday. But then its a footrace to the hostel, and God knows how Paul can read a map with all that hair in his eyes.

That's if all goes well. I'll admit that Paul has the advantage here. He's leaving 6 hours before me and arriving (ideally) one hour earlier. Also, I only have one flight from Bangkok to Sydney per day, and only 90minutes to catch it, other wise I'm stuck in Thailand for 24 hours. Besides that there's the little things like, not speaking the language in either country, delays, terror warnings and imminent military coups in Thailand and the fact that my bag is 7 kg heavier. But Paul does have to cover a longer distance, and he has been described by his current travelling partner as "dead weight" (joking).

Either way, I'm confident it will be a photo finish, place your bets now. Winner gets a beer

Quick decisions

Changes in plan just take over on this trip, and why not? Spontenaity is so much more fun. I know what you're thinking...how is this guy ever going to work a day job. Maybe I won't...? Surprises are great

So when Britt sent me a message with "I can come to europe... maybe" as the opening line, that set off 24 hours of panicy searching for connections, tickets, trains, anything to work out a quick meeting in Europe in a tiny window of 4 days, for two people who haven't seen each other in over 7 months. After much frustrating and fruitless searching with proposed meets in Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris and Prague, things clicked and I decided to pack up in Warsaw on a whim 6 days earlier than planned and fly to London to meet Britt. This involved the fastest packing up of an apartment EVER, meetings with numerous friends in record time and brief moments of panic where Paul had slap me hard across the face, hand me a beer, and remind me that I was still sane. An overnight train, last minute flight and busride later I arrived in London to jump Britt

It really was a great time. Since I somewhat know the city I could somewhat play tourguide and keep us from getting lost (too much) and inaugurate her to European travel. Without rushing too much, we saw some main sights and spent much time talking about how great my hair is and how Britt should come to Australia. The evenings were fun too. We went to see a show one night that had me tapping along, then checked out some English pubs with Paul Todd, saw myself crowned the undisputed arm-wrestling champ of the world, met new (weird) friends that were sometimes polish and had some great photos taken. Lots of singing was done too (seen right) especially when they played accoustic Erasure at the giant tree bar we got to.

The past 5 days were sooo much fun and sooo full but still passed by way to quickly as with anything this great.

Again, spontenaity is fun and I'm happy it worked out. Now to move on to the last leg of the trip which necessitates a change to the blog title. I'm not entirely sure where I will be between the 16th and 18th but hopefully by the end of the week I'll be sitting in my new mobile home in Sydney wearing a cowboy hat and boxers

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Europe, me and the Rome carabineri police who spent the evening sitting around sipping champagne and posing for photos from tourists.

My trip down to Italy was 'great success' and loads of fun. After finishing christmas celebrations in Poland with all of my cousins and aunts and friends I flew down to Rome, through Milan, to meet with the newly Indian Paul and his family (his mom, sister, cousin and sister's beau). As usually happens with travelling, the trip got off to an perfect start with a 3 hour delay in Milan due to fog and lineups. I don't EVER want to fly Ryanair again during the holidays. It was pandemonium at this airport: people running, yelling, punching, biting. The lineup for passport control stretched ACROSS the terminal and down the stairs to the basement bathroom. Ridiculous x10.

But, fun times aside, I made it to Roma and Paul was waiting for me with my name (however inappropriatley he'd spelled it) on a piece of paper, looking like he'd just been dragged through a desert. Which he had.

Our apartment provided by Paul's mom was fantastic, aside from the fact that I broke the heaters. It was huge and I was allowed to sleep on a couch, instead of my usual floor/table. Not only that but it was about 500m from the Coliseum. Company was great and the entire trip really felt like a 'family holiday', except this time Paul and I were playing the role that my dad always played.

Everyone else: "Aw guuuuuys....I want some McDOnalds"
Dzido and Paul: "No! One more church! It's beautiful, you have to see it! Pick up the pace! You, in the back! Stop crying!"

The city is stunning historically, so much to see around every corner. I remembered a lot, but so much of it was just like visiting a new city for me. We went through the Coliseum, the Forum, the Vatican, St.Peters, the Spanish Steps. And we balanced all of this walking with some nice breaks at Italian restaurants where much was tasted and tried.

New Year's was really nice. We somehow managed to get a place at this restaurant (super last minute) across from the coliseum. So that the photo just above was what I saw as I sat and sipped on some bubbly. Then at midnight the city went crazy with fireworks and we got to watch the old roman ruin lit up with colours all around. Laura could barely contain her excitment, I took a picture. Tom tried to impersonate Laura barely containing her excitment, I took a picture of it.

I sat around looking smug and enjoying the view of the old city.

After all the hooplah of New Years with champagne and fireworks and fancy hats, our second to last day was just as cool. We decided to go visit the ruins of Pompei, perfectly preserved under the hardened ashes of the volcano Vesuvius. Since we had such a big group we decided to rent a car. Unfortunatly they only had the sweetest of sweet sportscars left so we packed the lot of us in our new six-gear Alfa Romeo wonder and took off. I'm not kidding you guys, this car drove like a big stick of butter across a hot frying pan, smooooth and very seductivley. I had so much fun because no one else drove. The only hard part was getting used to city driving which can only be described as: chaos. Really, does no one realize that there is a shortage of rules in this country? At times you could be driving down a FIVELANE ROAD only to have it merge, with no prior indication, into one! And suddenly you look around and its pandemonium, people honking, yelling, Dzido stalling the car. Pandemonium

Pompei was sweet. At one point we were listening to the decription of the volcanic eruption, when the sky began to grow dark and it started to hail M&m's, ouch. Very scary. The amount of the city that you can walk through is almost too much. But the trip went off with only the requisite number of problems that were quickly fixed, and we all had fun listening to people snore in the car.

The past two days have been a blur though. We drove Paul's family to the airport at 4 am, then the next day we took off back to POland at 4 am ourselves. Two flights, one train and a streetcar over 12 hours, woo hoo! I slept like this -->