Astrid

Was five days ago! It was amazing and eye-opening. It makes me wish that all the peopleo ut there wishing to ride on elephants could see the video footage of elephants locked up for a week in the ritual used to break their spirits. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Thailand. Feeding and washing the elephants is so much more fun than jiggling about on an uncomfortable bench which is taking away an elephant’s dignity.

I drove up to Newport beach from Tucson to stay with a friend’s roommate. My friend forgot his mobile phone, though, so when we got to Newport beach we had no way to contact our room for the night. So, we slept on the beach. Aparently this is illegal, but no one said anything. It was lovely. Very soft sand. The next morning we were woken up by a huge group of people cheering- there was a surfing contest going on!

They have a great centre all about sea otters. And once yuo’ve learnt about them, you can rent sea cayaks and paddle out to sea them in the wild. You can also see elephant seals on the rocks of the harbour.

I went to university in Norwich, a four year course with an exchange year in America. On my exchange year, though, I fell in love and never went back to Norwich. I never got to say goodbye!

Go when it’s snowy. I went when there was three feet of snow and it was the best Easter ever.

They give you a free hat if you ask.

I live here in the summer and for a month in winter. I love it. So much to see, not just the touristy sights, but daily life of the Beijingers. Tour the hutongs. Go out to Beihai park on a sunday and listen to traditional music, singing and join in the dancing!

I actually went to school in Copenhagen. Lots to do, the downtown area is lovely to wlak around with lots of shops to look in. My favourite shop is the ‘Sisters Green’ which sells loads of little things, kind of like a fancy jumble sale with stuff for your house of all different types. Oh and their candy is good. The little mermaid is a bit of a let down, I always thought. But if you visit copenhagen, you can always go over to Sweden, it’s only an hour away. Plenty to see.

Gharadhelli’s chocolate shop. A little expensive, but they give you free samples when you walk in. Their hot chocolate in winter is amazing.