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Jason & Ricky's GaycationJason & Ricky's Gaycation
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Jason & Ricky's Gaycation

July 2017 - July 2018
A 350-day adventure by Jason and Ricky Read more
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  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    Day 13

    Travelling the Thames

    August 11, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The City of London claims that the Thames is "the cleanest metropolitan river in Europe". But from the banks of the river it doesn't look so. We definitely wouldn't be swimming in it, even if the fish have returned. Of course, a trip to London wouldn't be complete without a boat 🚣 ride along the Thames.

    We started out hiring bicycles 🚲 and cycled to the London Eye, avoiding the double-decker buses 🚌. From the London Eye, we travelled to Greenwich, and while not far from the London city centre, it isn't as crowded. It's definitely a great escape from the hustle and bustle of London City. We wandered around the borough admiring the palaces and churches; one church ⛪ claims to be the "possible" place of King Henry VIII's baptism, as he was born not far from the church in Greenwich Palace (Palace of Placentia). A trip to Greenwich also had to include crossing the meridian line, walking around the Queen's House, which was commissioned by Queen Anne of Denmark, the wife of King James I, and a walk under the Thames via the foot bridge.

    After the sites of Greenwich, we travelled upstream stopping off at each point along the river, finally ending at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. We circumnavigated the Tower of London before walking across the Tower Bridge.

    The cycle home was pleasant in the 21°C English summer weather, although we got sunburnt and now look like the lovechild of Donatella Versace and Valentino.    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    Day 14

    Vauxhall, Brixton and G-A-Y Nightclub

    August 12, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Equipped with our bicycles hired through the London City cycle scheme, we set out for Vauxhall. We had heard that there were a few gay establishments in the area. Upon our arrival there was much disappointment. Maybe we landed in the wrong area but there was little to see, other than the hoards of police that were positioned in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

    With a quick cycle around Vauxhall, we headed south to Brixton, where we seemed to have entered a completely new world. Scattered throughout Brixton were preachers on the footpaths ranting about Jesus and the need to seek forgiveness and salvation. We did get a very nice chicken biryani from the Brixton market (and as cheap as chips, well nearly).

    In the evening, we set off again with our bicycles and headed for Soho on the other side of the Thames to go to G-A-Y nightclub. The view of London at night as we cycled across the Waterloo Bridge seemed much nicer, with the London Eye all lit up.    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    Day 15

    The Great London Cycle

    August 13, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Saturday was the Great London Walk and today has been the Great London Cycle. We cycled from Elephant and Castle to Soho, via Lambert Bridge. From there, we cycled through Hyde Park to Kensington Palace. Then returned back to Elephant and Castle after viewing the dismounting ceremony of the Queen's Life Guard, via Waterloo Bridge. Apparently, the ceremony has come about because Queen Victoria found the guard drinking and and gambling, so as a punishment a check was put in place at 4pm each day for 100 years. Even though the 100 year punishment has ended, Queen Elizabeth II has continued the practice and established it as a tradition.

    More than 25 kilometres were traversed today, equating to a lot of pedalling. Needless to say, Jason doesn't want to see another bicycle for a long time.    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    Day 16

    Strolling around Stonehenge

    August 14, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    After trekking around London for the past six days, it was time for a change of scenery. Normally, we don't do tours but Stonehenge and Bath needed to be an exception. It was only day two for our tour guide, Ruth, which meant there was some interesting commentary throughout the day.

    2 1/2 hours from London in the Salisbury plains is Stonehenge, one of the most famous landmarks, and oldest in England. The construction of the Neolithic (and Bronze Age) monument began over 4000 years ago. It's amazing to view the massive stones and wonder how neolithic people were able to transport and erect the stones. The enigma continues ...    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    2
    Day 16

    The Beauty of Bath

    August 14, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After leaving Stonehenge, our tour headed Northwest for an hour to Bath, a town renown for their Roman Baths (and hence the name of the town). As we weaved through the countryside, we got a glimpse of different scenery. The English countryside certainly contrasts to the gritty scenes of London City. The beauty of the historical buildings in Bath gives a feeling that you have stepped back in time.

    Apart from the Roman Baths, there was also the Bath Abbey, the Avon River, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, Circus and more. With only the afternoon in Bath, it was difficult to fit everything in.    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    Day 17

    High-End Shops and Shakespeare

    August 15, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    To begin with, it felt like we were re-creating an episode of Ab Fab, visiting Harvey Nicks, Harrods and Selfridges. Not sure who was Eddie and who was Patsy but Ricky felt like a drink afterwards.

    In Harrod's, we had a stickybeak at the Diana and Dodi memorial before getting lost in all of the decadence that surrounded us. To resist the urge to indulge, we quickly exited, dragging ourselves away from the foodhall.

    From high-end shops to high culture, the afternoon was spent under the sun in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (well, a recreation of it). Being the plebs that we are, we were huddled in the yard, like peasants from seventeenth century England. King Lear was on the menu, with a modern adaptation of the classic play.    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    1
    Day 18

    Day of Delays

    August 16, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today we travelled from London to Prague, with a 4 hour delay at Gatwick Airport. Apparently, there was a problem with the plane and they needed to wait for another one to come from Prague.

    Prior to heading to the airport, we had an opportunity to explore Southwark one last time. We stumbled across a small local market and decided to have quick gander at the goods and food on offer. With limited space in our backpacks, there was nothing for people like us, except for a few pastries from the local bakery.

    Next stop: Prague    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    2
    Day 19

    Pretty Prague

    August 17, 2017 in Czech Republic ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Dobrý den, Praha (Hello, Prague). We arrived in Prague late last night, after nearly a 4 hour delay. We were then delayed getting our baggage for another 30-40mins. Lucky our Air b&b host came to the rescue and picked us up from the airport. So this morning was the first time that we were able to explore the city.

    Prague, the city of a hundred spires; apparently that has grown to five hundred since the nineteenth century. Prague is such a pretty city and it seems that every turn you make there is another photo opportunity.

    From Praha 4, we walked into the old town, travelled by the Karluv Most (Charles Bridge), Prague astronomical clock, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Jewish Quarter and the Dancing House.

    For some reason, people kept thinking that we were Russian tourists. There are a lot of Russian tourists here at the moment (along with many Spanish and Italian tourists. I'm not sure there's too many Spaniards left in Spain at the moment). What is it about us that makes people think we're German or Russian? Ne ruský, australský (not Russian, Australian).    Read more

  • TravelerJason & Ricky's Gaycation
    1
    Day 20

    Prague Castle and Plenty More

    August 18, 2017 in Czech Republic ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Apart from the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Prague Castle is probably the most iconic attraction in Prague. The castle complex, dating from the 9th century, is made up of a number of buildings, including the Old Royal Palace, St Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and the Basilica of St George. It’s been the residence of kings and queens of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and now the Czech Republic.

    The panoramic view of Prague from the castle is worth the visit alone. St Vitus Cathedral, although not just dedicated to this saint, is an imposing structure in the centre of the complex with grand, Gothic architecture. The Old Royal Palace, in the Gothic and Renaissance style, hasn’t been as well preserved as the Cathedral but nevertheless gives you an insight into how the kings and Holy Roman Emperors lived. The Vladislav Hall is perhaps the highlight, along with more panoramic views of Prague from the palace balconies.

    The prison within the castle complex provided a different perspective, particularly how cruel humans can be (and continue to be) with all kinds of torture devices and equipment.

    Stepping back into the twenty-first century, we had to experience the nightlife of Prague. But we quickly realised that people don’t go out until midnight, and Cinderella needed to return home before her coach turned into a pumpkin.    Read more

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