I am Thompson Boy

Current Location: Middle of Aegen Sea heading to Pireas Port, Greece So Santorini came and gone with just a blink of an eye. I don't really don't know what to say about the whole experience, there are plenty of highs and then some lows and I am still deciding if that place is worth the hype at all. Everyone I knew seemed to have something to say about that place - go this place, eat that, take this tour, don't forget to go to another island etc etc and not being cocky and all, I took none of it because most of it just cost me more money and more importantly time that I don't have in the Schengen area. I am trying to get out of Greece as soon as possible and even that I ended up wasting one day in traveling time. My next stop will be Albania and I can't wait to get back to normal prices even though I am still trying to figure out how I will be doing this since I don't have any Leks (Alabanian currency). Anyway enough about Albania already, going back to Thira...

Current Location: Middle of Aegen Sea heading to Santorini, Greece What can I say, it's amazing feeling to be on my way to visit one of the world's most popular island, Santorini that appeared in virtually almost every damn bucket and top 10/20/50 must see/visit/romantic/expensive list ever out there. The truth of the matter is that while you only see the sea-scapes and the blue top white street postcard perfect pictures, someone in the process somehow forgotten to mention that getting there is less than romantic. First thing first, you need to figure out your options between taking a ferry (cheaper) or flying over there. The former takes up to 8 hours depending on the speed and price. I went for the cheaper (€38 one way) but less rocky ferry even though the faster and faster here being just relative is still 5 hours. Won't even talk about flights because of the price during summer but that saves you tons of time, a mere hour. Being on budget and traveling long term...

Current Location: Athens, Greece My God, I am so behind updates that it is no longer funny. I took a really nice overnight bus from Istanbul to Goreme and you might not think much of Turkey's transportation but damn it's good - free tea/coffee with water and cake. There's entertainment, every seat fitted with a small monitor and free WiFi! The reason why I am so behind is that I had too much to do and met so many people and it was so much fun. I thought I could catch up with blogging in the sleepy town of Selcuk but boy was I wrong. Out again with people and I was so sorry to leave. Right now I am writing this on a top bunk bed in the centre of Athens and pretty worn out to be honest. Took a morning flight out from Selcuk and arrived here by late afternoon. I am a little sad to keep on parting ways with really nice people but that's just the way it is. It's my journey and no one else can really come with me. Ok, no more sad stories, back to Goreme - basically a to...

Current Location: Istanbul, Turkey So my first leg of 150 days in Europe has just started in Istanbul and truth to be told, it gets lonely at times and I am dying to talk to people. I mean I need to tell someone the marvels of the harem and the beautiful sites and not keep it to myself or pour everything on Facebook that can get annoying for people reading it at work. I mean if I were them, I would be like what is wrong with this person and what he has to complain, living his dream and all while others can't. The thing about hostels is that while it's great to meet people, you don't always hit it off with other travellers and especially those in a group. That's one thing good about going through it alone - you can't hide behind a group and more aware of your surrounding and desperation makes you reach for others. I am about to meet some local folks that I found on Couchsurfing so that should be interesting. Istanbul have been amazing from the start - no one told ...