Day: Thursday 30th December
Temp: 4C
Hangovers and the obligatory Maccas run, and then on the road for the hour or so drive back to mikes.
I drove, i was way more coherent than mike was - enjoyable countryside to drive through too.
Got back, packed bags & met up with mikes girlfriend & her friend for an afternoon cafe' stop and then ice skating. Ice skating for 2 hrs and rental costed $1.50 and I had a soup which was made with beer & cheese & is famous to the area. Wasn't as bad as it sounds I assure you.
Headed back home for a brief bit before going to Mike's real-dad's place. He had cooked Wisconsin's famous Braatz and cheese curds on the grill for us. Basically it's german bratwurst sausage in the form of a hotdog but served with sauerkraut. Quite tasty. Played some call of duty on the playstation before going home.
Packed bags, went to a local pub to play a few rounds of pool & say cya to a couple of mike's friends that i'd met the other day.
Headed down to Oshkosh again to stay at mikes girlfriends house (It's closer to the airport). Rented a movie and got pizza delivered.
Off to Boston tomorrow to catch up with Ryan.
Wisconsin has been a blast. I've spent shitloads more than I was expecting when figuring i was coming to the country but I got to do a roadtrip to destinations I would never have been to, saw things i would never have seen and met people and made friends with people out of the blue in a part of the world I would never have visited. The people here are big, jolly, genuine american country folk. They love their drink and their food, their guns, their machines and their sport and their country. They're comfortable where they are and found an Australian coming to their area completely fascinating. A warm destination in a cold part of the world (at least this time of year). Couldn't have had a better Christmas in america really.
Cheers mike! You're a true mate.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Day 30: Chicago II & Madison
Day: Wednesday 29th December
Temp: 4C
Slept in comfortably til 11 before checking out & walking to the Willis Tower.
Copy Paste from wiki: Willis Tower, formerly named Sears Tower, is a 108-story, 1451-foot (442 m) skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois.[1] At the time of its completion in 1974, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world, as well as the fifth tallest building in the world to the roof."
We waited in line for about 2 hours. Stupid, but worth it. Was a beautiful day for it - everything was melting.
Had an authentic Chicago Hotdog before getting in the car again. Apparently hot dogs are famous here too. just like the pizzas in every major city it seems :P
Chicago is a very beautiful city. Apparently in the summer it's all green, and the lake has beautiful beaches so it's like a freshwater ocean. Im starting to understand the appeal of bigger cities compared to living out in the country.
The drive to Madison was about <2hrs. We arrived at about 7ish. Checked into a hostel because it was in a good location and fairly empty so we had an 8 bed dorm to ourselves for the cheap.
Had a quick snooze before going out.
Madison is a university town first and foremost, Wisconsin State Capital second. Lots of people our age all of which love to drink and party it up.
We walked & past the town hall. Similar roof to the white house. Apparently most of the capital buildings in each state's capital have a similar design.
It was cool - it was kinda foggy & big flood lights were lighting it up..i got a few pics - will upload them soon.
Since warm weather melted snow and it had refrozen, all the roads & footpaths were covered in ice too. Was very entertaining walking where you could literally slide an entire pavement square. Skateboards are overrated. Got a video too which ill upload.
Bar hopping was great. Started with a FishBowl for $5, and continued to different bars and pubs where drinks ranged from $1 basics to $3.
In Millwauke we randomly met some people at a pub, they were from Kentucky...just cool guys we played pool with. Somehow they were here too completely randomly which was thousands times more awesome when you were under the influence than it probably sounds reading it in this blog.
Anyways, we made it home somehow - and we didn't fall over on the ice. Impressed. :)
Temp: 4C
Slept in comfortably til 11 before checking out & walking to the Willis Tower.
Copy Paste from wiki: Willis Tower, formerly named Sears Tower, is a 108-story, 1451-foot (442 m) skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois.[1] At the time of its completion in 1974, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world, as well as the fifth tallest building in the world to the roof."
We waited in line for about 2 hours. Stupid, but worth it. Was a beautiful day for it - everything was melting.
Had an authentic Chicago Hotdog before getting in the car again. Apparently hot dogs are famous here too. just like the pizzas in every major city it seems :P
Chicago is a very beautiful city. Apparently in the summer it's all green, and the lake has beautiful beaches so it's like a freshwater ocean. Im starting to understand the appeal of bigger cities compared to living out in the country.
The drive to Madison was about <2hrs. We arrived at about 7ish. Checked into a hostel because it was in a good location and fairly empty so we had an 8 bed dorm to ourselves for the cheap.
Had a quick snooze before going out.
Madison is a university town first and foremost, Wisconsin State Capital second. Lots of people our age all of which love to drink and party it up.
We walked & past the town hall. Similar roof to the white house. Apparently most of the capital buildings in each state's capital have a similar design.
It was cool - it was kinda foggy & big flood lights were lighting it up..i got a few pics - will upload them soon.
Since warm weather melted snow and it had refrozen, all the roads & footpaths were covered in ice too. Was very entertaining walking where you could literally slide an entire pavement square. Skateboards are overrated. Got a video too which ill upload.
Bar hopping was great. Started with a FishBowl for $5, and continued to different bars and pubs where drinks ranged from $1 basics to $3.
In Millwauke we randomly met some people at a pub, they were from Kentucky...just cool guys we played pool with. Somehow they were here too completely randomly which was thousands times more awesome when you were under the influence than it probably sounds reading it in this blog.
Anyways, we made it home somehow - and we didn't fall over on the ice. Impressed. :)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Day 29: Chicago
Woke up around midday and drove to chicago.
4th biggest city in the US - i didnt even realise.
The city sits adjacent to Lake Michigan which is massive. Big enough that they even get waves and surf sometimes.
Beautiful City - very clean and nice design.
We went up one of the big towers, i cant remember what it was called, and had a drink and an entre up the top.
We then walked to the pier. It's a massive peir. They just so happened to have an entire function room decked out with christmas stuff. There were thousands of christmas trees, all decorated differently. A bunch of theme-park rides as well as model santa clauses from al lthe countries in the world. Pretty thing to stumble upon.
Continued walking - eventually got to the Millenium Park. Checked out the public art works like the huge chrome ball and the waterfall with a massive tv screen inside it.
Walked back towards home, it was late now and we had been walking for ages so we went and got food. Food was a world famous Giordano's cheese-stuffed crust pizza. One of the things my american friends said i had to try was this pizza in chicago so its another tick off the to-do list. The pizza was good. Very cheezy but the cheese was good quality so not as filling and oily as you might have expected.
Came back to our hotel for a quick refresh before intending to go out. But the beds here were too comfy so we both ended up crashing. First good night sleep we've had since two days before christmas so it was well needed.
4th biggest city in the US - i didnt even realise.
The city sits adjacent to Lake Michigan which is massive. Big enough that they even get waves and surf sometimes.
Beautiful City - very clean and nice design.
We went up one of the big towers, i cant remember what it was called, and had a drink and an entre up the top.
We then walked to the pier. It's a massive peir. They just so happened to have an entire function room decked out with christmas stuff. There were thousands of christmas trees, all decorated differently. A bunch of theme-park rides as well as model santa clauses from al lthe countries in the world. Pretty thing to stumble upon.
Continued walking - eventually got to the Millenium Park. Checked out the public art works like the huge chrome ball and the waterfall with a massive tv screen inside it.
Walked back towards home, it was late now and we had been walking for ages so we went and got food. Food was a world famous Giordano's cheese-stuffed crust pizza. One of the things my american friends said i had to try was this pizza in chicago so its another tick off the to-do list. The pizza was good. Very cheezy but the cheese was good quality so not as filling and oily as you might have expected.
Came back to our hotel for a quick refresh before intending to go out. But the beds here were too comfy so we both ended up crashing. First good night sleep we've had since two days before christmas so it was well needed.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Day 28: Millwauke
Day: Monday 27th December
Temp: -5C
Hung around home and booked our hotel before driving an hour and half south to Millwauke. City known for it's breweries of Miller and its harley davidson headquarters. Checked into our hotel and walked to the basketball stadium.
Millwauke Bucks vs Hawks. We were going for Bucks but they unfortunately lost by about 9points. Still a good game to watch. Nice stadium - lots of cheerleaders & little events & give aways in between scores. They even had a Baby Race where they made them crawl to a finish line haha.
Went out to the bars afterwards for some beers & drinks & then did sort of a pub crawl of Millwauke. Not a huge night life here but was still fun enough.
Oh, and people have been commenting on how much I love the food here, im not in love with it. I'm just talking about it. It's something different and therefore a talking point. Keep your petty judging to yourselves :P
Temp: -5C
Hung around home and booked our hotel before driving an hour and half south to Millwauke. City known for it's breweries of Miller and its harley davidson headquarters. Checked into our hotel and walked to the basketball stadium.
Millwauke Bucks vs Hawks. We were going for Bucks but they unfortunately lost by about 9points. Still a good game to watch. Nice stadium - lots of cheerleaders & little events & give aways in between scores. They even had a Baby Race where they made them crawl to a finish line haha.
Went out to the bars afterwards for some beers & drinks & then did sort of a pub crawl of Millwauke. Not a huge night life here but was still fun enough.
Oh, and people have been commenting on how much I love the food here, im not in love with it. I'm just talking about it. It's something different and therefore a talking point. Keep your petty judging to yourselves :P
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Day 27: Wisconsin Wings And Footy
Day: Sunday 26th December
Temp: -2C
Slept in and then went to the chain "Buffalo Wild Wings" after I mentioned i enjoyed them to mike.
It's more of a sports bar.
True to what i said before, everyone here is passionate about football. Everyone has a jersey or jacket. Everyone was at the sports bar watching the game.
Was a good game, we won by quite a significant amount. I can fully see how living here you would get right behind your team when everyone else gets right into it. Very cool culture.
Chilled at home after the game playing some playstation til about 10pm-ish when we went around to mike's girls house picked her and her friend up and went to a pub in Oshkosh where they had $2 Long Island Ice Teas. Another good night of drinking to Wisconsin's tally.
Tomorrow we are going down to Millwauke to watch a basketball game. Then on to chicago to go up the Sears tower which is the tallest in the world or some generic claim along those lines. Will probably see other sights in chicago and might see a football game live too see what happens. Then will drop by Madison the capital of Wisconsin on the way back, apparently it has a beautiful university and a good night life. More drinking inevitable no doubt.
I'll take my laptop but dunno if i'll update blog for a few days - see how it goes.
Temp: -2C
Slept in and then went to the chain "Buffalo Wild Wings" after I mentioned i enjoyed them to mike.
It's more of a sports bar.
True to what i said before, everyone here is passionate about football. Everyone has a jersey or jacket. Everyone was at the sports bar watching the game.
Was a good game, we won by quite a significant amount. I can fully see how living here you would get right behind your team when everyone else gets right into it. Very cool culture.
Chilled at home after the game playing some playstation til about 10pm-ish when we went around to mike's girls house picked her and her friend up and went to a pub in Oshkosh where they had $2 Long Island Ice Teas. Another good night of drinking to Wisconsin's tally.
Tomorrow we are going down to Millwauke to watch a basketball game. Then on to chicago to go up the Sears tower which is the tallest in the world or some generic claim along those lines. Will probably see other sights in chicago and might see a football game live too see what happens. Then will drop by Madison the capital of Wisconsin on the way back, apparently it has a beautiful university and a good night life. More drinking inevitable no doubt.
I'll take my laptop but dunno if i'll update blog for a few days - see how it goes.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Day 26: Christmas Day!
Day: Saturday 25th December
Said goodbye to the lads at about 6ish when they left for Cancun.
I got to sleep in for a couple more hours til 8 before checking out and catching the bus to the airport. Man, public transport in this city is soo convenient.
The 4 hr flight to milwaukee in wisconsin was fine, i slept most of it.
The flight then from Milwaukee to Appleton was about 18 minutes long so as soon as i put my ipod in i was being told to turn it off again lol.
Mike picked us up. He's another guy I knew from the exchange students at student acommodation.
He lives in a little town called Fon Du Lac - very tiny and pretty rural - near the Great Lakes northern wisconsin.
Wisconsin is a state known for it's cheeses, its drinking and it's beer, and it's manufacturing. Mike finished uni this year and is now an intern for one of the companies that make big-industry trucks like snow ploughs, fire engines etc. Lucky guy is getting placed out in Singapore in February to start the company's transition into the asian markets.
True to wisconsin nature, he gave me a shot or two of Baileys as soon as we were in the car.
Drove us through the snow-covered properties out to his grandma's place where we had a huge kris kingle and christmas dinner. Had to try everything so was soo stuffed..barely had room to try many of the desserts..i'm going back obese, its a fact.
Mike's family is rather convoluted so lots of the people there were his uncles and aunties but once or twice removed - i lost track - but they were all extremely friendly and welcoming and fascinated with my accent and australia in general. Couldn't have asked for a more warming white christmas experience.
They were all royally jolly big people who love drinking, food, and the local football team the Packers.
The Packers were the first team to win the Superbowl. Ever. The superbowl trophy is actually named after the first coach. So the national sport stems from this area, so everyone from birth is a fan, and a hardcore fan at that. Very cool trivia.
Mike and I eventually left to go visit his step-dad whom they knew all their life so kept in contact with him.
He's a man of projects. He's building his entire house, has a wicked hangout downstairs with a bar, pokie machines, darts table. He fixed up a couple of camaros and also likes tinkering with very old computer parts from back in the days when they were green and black screens. We played a game of darts and pool before taking mikes brother home with us.
Mikes friend met us up at his house before we went to one of the local bar/pubs where we just had beers and played pool. People from wisconsin are country folk and know how to drink so needless to say we got drunk. A jug of beer was $5. Bottles of a nice beer were about $1.50. Shots were $2.
I'm going back obese, i think i said it before.
Said goodbye to the lads at about 6ish when they left for Cancun.
I got to sleep in for a couple more hours til 8 before checking out and catching the bus to the airport. Man, public transport in this city is soo convenient.
The 4 hr flight to milwaukee in wisconsin was fine, i slept most of it.
The flight then from Milwaukee to Appleton was about 18 minutes long so as soon as i put my ipod in i was being told to turn it off again lol.
Mike picked us up. He's another guy I knew from the exchange students at student acommodation.
He lives in a little town called Fon Du Lac - very tiny and pretty rural - near the Great Lakes northern wisconsin.
Wisconsin is a state known for it's cheeses, its drinking and it's beer, and it's manufacturing. Mike finished uni this year and is now an intern for one of the companies that make big-industry trucks like snow ploughs, fire engines etc. Lucky guy is getting placed out in Singapore in February to start the company's transition into the asian markets.
True to wisconsin nature, he gave me a shot or two of Baileys as soon as we were in the car.
Drove us through the snow-covered properties out to his grandma's place where we had a huge kris kingle and christmas dinner. Had to try everything so was soo stuffed..barely had room to try many of the desserts..i'm going back obese, its a fact.
Mike's family is rather convoluted so lots of the people there were his uncles and aunties but once or twice removed - i lost track - but they were all extremely friendly and welcoming and fascinated with my accent and australia in general. Couldn't have asked for a more warming white christmas experience.
They were all royally jolly big people who love drinking, food, and the local football team the Packers.
The Packers were the first team to win the Superbowl. Ever. The superbowl trophy is actually named after the first coach. So the national sport stems from this area, so everyone from birth is a fan, and a hardcore fan at that. Very cool trivia.
Mike and I eventually left to go visit his step-dad whom they knew all their life so kept in contact with him.
He's a man of projects. He's building his entire house, has a wicked hangout downstairs with a bar, pokie machines, darts table. He fixed up a couple of camaros and also likes tinkering with very old computer parts from back in the days when they were green and black screens. We played a game of darts and pool before taking mikes brother home with us.
Mikes friend met us up at his house before we went to one of the local bar/pubs where we just had beers and played pool. People from wisconsin are country folk and know how to drink so needless to say we got drunk. A jug of beer was $5. Bottles of a nice beer were about $1.50. Shots were $2.
I'm going back obese, i think i said it before.
Day 25: Christmas Eve
Day: Friday 24th December
Temp: 4C WARM!!!
We woke up very slowly, but still surprisingly early. Eventually the boys skated with their skateboards through central park, i caught a metro half way and walked. We aimed to meet up near the ice skating rinks - such a nice way to cure the hangover.
We ended up at a big square in central park and we just sat on the benches. Such a cool atmosphere. There was a guy playing music on the saxaphone, a guy blowing giant bubbles, runners going past, people trying tricks on their skate boards, people throwing a frizbee and doing tricks with it like spinning it along their heads and keeping it going and stuff. One of the coolest atmosphere's for a public place for sure.
We wandered to the Apple store nearby, walked past the ice skating rink but it was too busy so didnt bother. The apple store is just a glass building - so its impressive enough to go check it out. Soo busy so didn't go inside.
Went back to the hotel to skype all our families before having a micro nap.
Got woken up by my friend Neeti.
Last year when I went to india she was there via family connections. She's from new jersey more than she is indian.
She commuted about an hour from new jersey and we met up in times square for a bit of dinner. TGI fridays. Overpriced for the tourists and nothing amazing but we were hungry enough so didnt care.
Went back to hotel after saying goodbyes and packed bags before going to bed. We were going to go out to another club but simply couldnt do it physically. And the boys had to get up way earlier than I did to make their flight so we all just crashed.
Temp: 4C WARM!!!
We woke up very slowly, but still surprisingly early. Eventually the boys skated with their skateboards through central park, i caught a metro half way and walked. We aimed to meet up near the ice skating rinks - such a nice way to cure the hangover.
We ended up at a big square in central park and we just sat on the benches. Such a cool atmosphere. There was a guy playing music on the saxaphone, a guy blowing giant bubbles, runners going past, people trying tricks on their skate boards, people throwing a frizbee and doing tricks with it like spinning it along their heads and keeping it going and stuff. One of the coolest atmosphere's for a public place for sure.
We wandered to the Apple store nearby, walked past the ice skating rink but it was too busy so didnt bother. The apple store is just a glass building - so its impressive enough to go check it out. Soo busy so didn't go inside.
Went back to the hotel to skype all our families before having a micro nap.
Got woken up by my friend Neeti.
Last year when I went to india she was there via family connections. She's from new jersey more than she is indian.
She commuted about an hour from new jersey and we met up in times square for a bit of dinner. TGI fridays. Overpriced for the tourists and nothing amazing but we were hungry enough so didnt care.
Went back to hotel after saying goodbyes and packed bags before going to bed. We were going to go out to another club but simply couldnt do it physically. And the boys had to get up way earlier than I did to make their flight so we all just crashed.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Day 24: Statue of Liberty
Day: Thursday 23rd December
Temp: -3
Last night we all just slept after food. We found a place which sold Buffalo Wings and they were pretty good so we pigged out on them again. They taste soo good i wish we had them back in OZ.
Slept-in this morning making ourselves healthy again before grabbing the big camera & going to statue of liberty.
Pretty cool. One of the pre-requisite things you do as a tourist.
Frikkin cold & windy & overcast though - mind you..it started snowing lightly. Technically it's christmas eve back in australia so yes, we were in new york for christmas eve and it was snowing :P
Trained it to Rockerfeller center. Big shopping center basically. Lots of boutique stuff nothing cheap. Massive famous christmas tree out the front as well as an ice skating rink. Very busy - festive spirit is out in force here and lots of tourists have come for the xmas/New years combo.
Went back home & arranged liquors. Jagermeister (help us). Red bull and Mike's Hard Lemonades (Lemonade & vodka pre-mixes).
We sussed out the place we were going to.
It was called Webster Hall. It lets people under 21 into the club but draws massive crosses on their hands so they can't purchase alcohol..Good deal if you ask me - Jason & richard being 20 were happy with the arrangement.
$40 cover charge. But that's because Chris Brown and Soulja Boy were performing (Sisters Ayla & Hannah will be jealous).
The club had 5 stories. The big one where chris brown performed had a balcony level so you could look down. The lowest level had hardly any lights and just played diiirty dirty african-american grind music. The rest of the levels played different music. Had an awesome night. The crowd were very fun.
Some Americans who had a penthouse suite in the middle of times square invited us back to theirs to chill. It was a bunch of Sorority girls and a couple others. Good fun. So surreal.
Every step of this holiday works out for us. We are soo lucky it's not funny. We got a warm weather belt back in banff where we would have frozen, we got awesome acommodation at every step for cheap. Free upgrade to 19th floor overlooking niagara falls, transport that just works out for us. People & locals along the way that show us amazing times. Awesome snow. Awesome weather. Free upgrade rooms at hostels in both toronto AND new york. beautiful weather in new york. snowing on christmas eve. awesome nights out. went to a sorority girls penthouse in times square. saw chris brown and soulja boy at one of the coolest clubs in new york city. The list goes on im sure but you get the idea.
Temp: -3
Last night we all just slept after food. We found a place which sold Buffalo Wings and they were pretty good so we pigged out on them again. They taste soo good i wish we had them back in OZ.
Slept-in this morning making ourselves healthy again before grabbing the big camera & going to statue of liberty.
Pretty cool. One of the pre-requisite things you do as a tourist.
Frikkin cold & windy & overcast though - mind you..it started snowing lightly. Technically it's christmas eve back in australia so yes, we were in new york for christmas eve and it was snowing :P
Trained it to Rockerfeller center. Big shopping center basically. Lots of boutique stuff nothing cheap. Massive famous christmas tree out the front as well as an ice skating rink. Very busy - festive spirit is out in force here and lots of tourists have come for the xmas/New years combo.
Went back home & arranged liquors. Jagermeister (help us). Red bull and Mike's Hard Lemonades (Lemonade & vodka pre-mixes).
We sussed out the place we were going to.
It was called Webster Hall. It lets people under 21 into the club but draws massive crosses on their hands so they can't purchase alcohol..Good deal if you ask me - Jason & richard being 20 were happy with the arrangement.
$40 cover charge. But that's because Chris Brown and Soulja Boy were performing (Sisters Ayla & Hannah will be jealous).
The club had 5 stories. The big one where chris brown performed had a balcony level so you could look down. The lowest level had hardly any lights and just played diiirty dirty african-american grind music. The rest of the levels played different music. Had an awesome night. The crowd were very fun.
Some Americans who had a penthouse suite in the middle of times square invited us back to theirs to chill. It was a bunch of Sorority girls and a couple others. Good fun. So surreal.
Every step of this holiday works out for us. We are soo lucky it's not funny. We got a warm weather belt back in banff where we would have frozen, we got awesome acommodation at every step for cheap. Free upgrade to 19th floor overlooking niagara falls, transport that just works out for us. People & locals along the way that show us amazing times. Awesome snow. Awesome weather. Free upgrade rooms at hostels in both toronto AND new york. beautiful weather in new york. snowing on christmas eve. awesome nights out. went to a sorority girls penthouse in times square. saw chris brown and soulja boy at one of the coolest clubs in new york city. The list goes on im sure but you get the idea.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Day 23: Brooklyn
Day: Wednesday 22 December
Temp: 0'C (Windchill)
Caught the train to Brooklyn and got off somewhere random.
We didn't have maps or know how to use the subway.
Our goal was a bit of cheap shopping and a view of Manhattan NY skyline.
Somehow we stumbled across the shopping district by stroke of luck.
Most of the shops were kind of like Best & Less or Lowes and there was decent stuff for decent prices. None of us bought much, jason got a sweater but that was about it.
We had lunch at a terriaki chicken place and ended up sitting down watching things on Richards iphone for a good hour. Nice chill session though.
Ended up walking to the nearest landmark we could find - the brooklyn bridge - and walked across it at about sunset.
Awesome view - got some photos & view of statue of lib & a nice sunset.
Couldn't find the park where you get the full view of the skyline though unfortunately so there's a bunch of suspension bridge cables in all our photos :P
Brooklyn was interesting..completely different feel from manhattan. Soo many african americans & mexicans. Whites really are becoming a minority. It's funny too because the stereotype of them are soo true. They all wear baggy clothes, bling and talk real cool and loud :)
Oh yeah, it is Wednesday. So far during this trip; every wednesday has involved a drinking session of large (huge) proportions. We are now researching clubs and places which will let us out under 21. Tonight may involve drinking. Will let you know tomorrow. The lads are sick though so maybe not.
Temp: 0'C (Windchill)
Caught the train to Brooklyn and got off somewhere random.
We didn't have maps or know how to use the subway.
Our goal was a bit of cheap shopping and a view of Manhattan NY skyline.
Somehow we stumbled across the shopping district by stroke of luck.
Most of the shops were kind of like Best & Less or Lowes and there was decent stuff for decent prices. None of us bought much, jason got a sweater but that was about it.
We had lunch at a terriaki chicken place and ended up sitting down watching things on Richards iphone for a good hour. Nice chill session though.
Ended up walking to the nearest landmark we could find - the brooklyn bridge - and walked across it at about sunset.
Awesome view - got some photos & view of statue of lib & a nice sunset.
Couldn't find the park where you get the full view of the skyline though unfortunately so there's a bunch of suspension bridge cables in all our photos :P
Brooklyn was interesting..completely different feel from manhattan. Soo many african americans & mexicans. Whites really are becoming a minority. It's funny too because the stereotype of them are soo true. They all wear baggy clothes, bling and talk real cool and loud :)
Oh yeah, it is Wednesday. So far during this trip; every wednesday has involved a drinking session of large (huge) proportions. We are now researching clubs and places which will let us out under 21. Tonight may involve drinking. Will let you know tomorrow. The lads are sick though so maybe not.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Day 22: More Bites of the Big Apple
Day: Tuesday 21st
Temp: 0'C
Nearly every corner has some sort of food joint here. Our corner has a simple Deli/Corner store, but here most deli's have a hot plate heated all day & can cook you food pretty much all day. We got a bacon & ommlette on a bagel. 2 for 5 bucks.
We then trained it to the world trade center/twin towers area. Unfortunately they're building the new one so it was blocked off and we couldn't even find the tribute site. Did see some interesting facts of how it destroyed the subway systems & people in them & how lots more buildings went down than just the two towers. Strange how media can distort truth to make things simpler & more sellable.
Walked through Wall St and then on towards the coast where we had a view of brooklyn. The statue of liberty was a little far away & sun was in a bad spot so maybe we'll catch the ferry to it later.
We caught the trains to Upper East Side are which is well known as the "rich peoples district" which the show Gossip Girl is based. Very fancy, all the cars & shops & just the feel of it feels more sophisticated and rich.
Afterwards we went back to our area (Upper West Side) across the other side of central park. Lower socio-economic area for sure lol..
After a chill we went back out to times square to see it all lit up at night.
Walked to empire state building and paid 20 to go to the top.
Amazing view. The city is huge..bigger than we can really realise. There were soo many planes in the sky - something you don't often see. Tried to get photos but our cameras didn't seem too cooperative and we were just freezing our hands.
Afterwards the lads went home as they were both still a little sick with the cold that we all caught. I felt good enough to continue walking around the streets near times square and broadway. Got lost but it was fine. Ended up walking past Madison Square Gardens which turns out is a basketball stadium.
Train home was a little broken so it kept stopping but got home eventually for a good sleep.
Temp: 0'C
Nearly every corner has some sort of food joint here. Our corner has a simple Deli/Corner store, but here most deli's have a hot plate heated all day & can cook you food pretty much all day. We got a bacon & ommlette on a bagel. 2 for 5 bucks.
We then trained it to the world trade center/twin towers area. Unfortunately they're building the new one so it was blocked off and we couldn't even find the tribute site. Did see some interesting facts of how it destroyed the subway systems & people in them & how lots more buildings went down than just the two towers. Strange how media can distort truth to make things simpler & more sellable.
Walked through Wall St and then on towards the coast where we had a view of brooklyn. The statue of liberty was a little far away & sun was in a bad spot so maybe we'll catch the ferry to it later.
We caught the trains to Upper East Side are which is well known as the "rich peoples district" which the show Gossip Girl is based. Very fancy, all the cars & shops & just the feel of it feels more sophisticated and rich.
Afterwards we went back to our area (Upper West Side) across the other side of central park. Lower socio-economic area for sure lol..
After a chill we went back out to times square to see it all lit up at night.
Walked to empire state building and paid 20 to go to the top.
Amazing view. The city is huge..bigger than we can really realise. There were soo many planes in the sky - something you don't often see. Tried to get photos but our cameras didn't seem too cooperative and we were just freezing our hands.
Afterwards the lads went home as they were both still a little sick with the cold that we all caught. I felt good enough to continue walking around the streets near times square and broadway. Got lost but it was fine. Ended up walking past Madison Square Gardens which turns out is a basketball stadium.
Train home was a little broken so it kept stopping but got home eventually for a good sleep.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Day 21: First Day In New York!
Day: Monday 20th
Temp: About 1C
We got to our hostel. It's called the Pearl or something. Theres no signs. It doesnt have a kitchen, is about 7 stories high and seemed really weird.
Check in wasn't allowed until 3:00pm and it was 7!
We were absolutely knackered from the big night and loong bus drive so it wasn't good news.
Anyways, we started strolling towards Central Park. Went to a corner store deli-type shop which had fresh bagels & brekfast. Super cheap. You could get a toasted bagel, eggs and bacon for $2. Immediately made us feel better.
Central Park looked awesome. Morning light.
We just started walking and started to fathom the size of this city. The park is huuuge. We kept walking all the way to times square. Every bit as flashy as you see on TV. A must-return destination for an evening when it's all lit up.
We decided to get Maccas. Supersized meals. What's more American than eating the fattiest meal possible in the middle of times square? :D
After stuffing ourselves, we strolled to the New York Library.
The building is anceint. More of a museum than it is a library.
We tried sleeping but a security guard told us off after a 10 minute nana nap.
It was close to 2 now so we figured we'd try and check in early.
Navigated the amazingly simple and effective subway system right to our Hostel door, yet only got told we couldn't check in til 3.
Jason & Bish got their skateboards & we went back to Central Park.
Took a different route to see some different sights. Saw that famous bridge & the back of the meuseum of modern history or something. Most of the lakes were frozen over solid too which was pretty cool.
Closer to 3. We got back to hostel same way as before. The big manager was doing an audit so we had to wait for about an hour til we got served. I figured it'd be good to ask for a room closer to ground floor so there were less stairs to walk. The lady ended up upgrading us to a 2 bedroom appartment, with ensuite, with a spare matress for no charge (Saved a $130 upgrade). Now the shitty hostel was not so bad after all.
Much needed shower & rest before heading out for a simple pizza at a nearby shop.
I can see why people love New York. As a city, it just feels different. Theres always something going on. Soo many people. Soo much to see and do. I could very easily live here
Temp: About 1C
We got to our hostel. It's called the Pearl or something. Theres no signs. It doesnt have a kitchen, is about 7 stories high and seemed really weird.
Check in wasn't allowed until 3:00pm and it was 7!
We were absolutely knackered from the big night and loong bus drive so it wasn't good news.
Anyways, we started strolling towards Central Park. Went to a corner store deli-type shop which had fresh bagels & brekfast. Super cheap. You could get a toasted bagel, eggs and bacon for $2. Immediately made us feel better.
Central Park looked awesome. Morning light.
We just started walking and started to fathom the size of this city. The park is huuuge. We kept walking all the way to times square. Every bit as flashy as you see on TV. A must-return destination for an evening when it's all lit up.
We decided to get Maccas. Supersized meals. What's more American than eating the fattiest meal possible in the middle of times square? :D
After stuffing ourselves, we strolled to the New York Library.
The building is anceint. More of a museum than it is a library.
We tried sleeping but a security guard told us off after a 10 minute nana nap.
It was close to 2 now so we figured we'd try and check in early.
Navigated the amazingly simple and effective subway system right to our Hostel door, yet only got told we couldn't check in til 3.
Jason & Bish got their skateboards & we went back to Central Park.
Took a different route to see some different sights. Saw that famous bridge & the back of the meuseum of modern history or something. Most of the lakes were frozen over solid too which was pretty cool.
Closer to 3. We got back to hostel same way as before. The big manager was doing an audit so we had to wait for about an hour til we got served. I figured it'd be good to ask for a room closer to ground floor so there were less stairs to walk. The lady ended up upgrading us to a 2 bedroom appartment, with ensuite, with a spare matress for no charge (Saved a $130 upgrade). Now the shitty hostel was not so bad after all.
Much needed shower & rest before heading out for a simple pizza at a nearby shop.
I can see why people love New York. As a city, it just feels different. Theres always something going on. Soo many people. Soo much to see and do. I could very easily live here
Day 20: Things to do when you do nothing
Day: Sunday 18th December
Another early morning knock on the door followed by a pushy italian room cleaner was our morning alarm along with the muchly-anticipated hangover.
We rounded our stuff together as quick as we dared before retiring to the movie room at the hostel which was lovely dark and had cushy seats that we all could sleep on.
It took a good 3/4 of the day before I ventured to go outside. I made it to the corner starbucks where I got myself a Cafe Grande Mocha Latte and sat with a free paper and just people watched by the window for about an hour and a half. Soo good.
I got a flame smoked hot dog from a little stall on the way back. Hangover cured. Sleep and incoming illness maybe not so much.
Chilled in the movie room & talked to a few backpackers until we caught our greyhound overnighter at 9.
The bus was pretty good, had wireless, extra leg room and powerpoints. Still didn't make the 9 hour drive any shorter, nor more sleep-filled.
At least i was awake to drive into New York City & see the skyline.
Simply amazing.
Another early morning knock on the door followed by a pushy italian room cleaner was our morning alarm along with the muchly-anticipated hangover.
We rounded our stuff together as quick as we dared before retiring to the movie room at the hostel which was lovely dark and had cushy seats that we all could sleep on.
It took a good 3/4 of the day before I ventured to go outside. I made it to the corner starbucks where I got myself a Cafe Grande Mocha Latte and sat with a free paper and just people watched by the window for about an hour and a half. Soo good.
I got a flame smoked hot dog from a little stall on the way back. Hangover cured. Sleep and incoming illness maybe not so much.
Chilled in the movie room & talked to a few backpackers until we caught our greyhound overnighter at 9.
The bus was pretty good, had wireless, extra leg room and powerpoints. Still didn't make the 9 hour drive any shorter, nor more sleep-filled.
At least i was awake to drive into New York City & see the skyline.
Simply amazing.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Day 19: Top of the World
Day: Saturday 18th December
Temp: -4 (Feels like -8)
Woke up at 10:30 cos of stupid room checkout. Hostel was too busy so we had to change rooms. Sucks.
Started walking around the downtown & ended up in a shopping mall again. Prices were more than Buffalo so we didn't get anything just looked.
Jason and I both felt a little under the weather. Probably a combination of the big night out at Buffalo and drinking and poor eating.
We went to the CN sky tower and got a ticket to the top.
The thing is the tallest building in the world apparently. I'm gonna say its cos of the huge radio tower on the top of the thing but who am I to judge.
Amazing view. We were lucky we went up when we did as it was comparatively a clear day. The city is huuuge. It feels like Canada's version of New York.
They had a glass panel which you could stand on and look down - pretty freaky.
Made our way back to the Hostel. Rich went skateboarding around downtown while Jason and I had a really good sleep.
Stocked up on some liquor before joining a bunch of people at the hostel for drinks. The hostel organizes a pub crawl, but we didn't end up going on it - we just followed the crowd.
Good night, although when you follow a crowd you don't see as many clubs. I only stayed in the one the whole night.
Shame really, I would have preferred to have had a weeks accommodation in Toronto and have done a day trip to Niagara Falls instead. But then I suppose Buffalo might not have happened.
Quite a few of the backpackers have raved about New York. We booked our greyhound. 11 hr overnight bus. Will be killer. Looking forward to it though.
Hopefully there are enough bars & pubs & clubs which Jason & Richard can get into being only 20. We shall see.
Temp: -4 (Feels like -8)
Woke up at 10:30 cos of stupid room checkout. Hostel was too busy so we had to change rooms. Sucks.
Started walking around the downtown & ended up in a shopping mall again. Prices were more than Buffalo so we didn't get anything just looked.
Jason and I both felt a little under the weather. Probably a combination of the big night out at Buffalo and drinking and poor eating.
We went to the CN sky tower and got a ticket to the top.
The thing is the tallest building in the world apparently. I'm gonna say its cos of the huge radio tower on the top of the thing but who am I to judge.
Amazing view. We were lucky we went up when we did as it was comparatively a clear day. The city is huuuge. It feels like Canada's version of New York.
They had a glass panel which you could stand on and look down - pretty freaky.
Made our way back to the Hostel. Rich went skateboarding around downtown while Jason and I had a really good sleep.
Stocked up on some liquor before joining a bunch of people at the hostel for drinks. The hostel organizes a pub crawl, but we didn't end up going on it - we just followed the crowd.
Good night, although when you follow a crowd you don't see as many clubs. I only stayed in the one the whole night.
Shame really, I would have preferred to have had a weeks accommodation in Toronto and have done a day trip to Niagara Falls instead. But then I suppose Buffalo might not have happened.
Quite a few of the backpackers have raved about New York. We booked our greyhound. 11 hr overnight bus. Will be killer. Looking forward to it though.
Hopefully there are enough bars & pubs & clubs which Jason & Richard can get into being only 20. We shall see.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Day 18: Toronto
Day: Friday, 17th December
Temp: -2C
Staying in 4 star accomodation is awesome. You get to sleep in til whenever and have a lovely warm shower when you please.
After a goooood sleep in and recovery day we decided to check out a day early and head to toronto.
We booked the Greyhound, packed our stuff and headed to the bus terminal where we waited for our bus which was about an hour late.
Two hours later it started to arrive in Toronto. Huge city. Very cool. Will enjoy New York if it's supposedly even bigger.
Walked to the hostel - it's called: Canadiana or something - right in the entertainment district of Toronto.
I skype'd my friend Johnny to find out where he was at and we caught a cab to meet him for some beers.
Johnny was another exchange guy from Metro student accomodation but he stayed longer rather than just doing a temporary study abroad thing. African/american/pakistani combo - the kid knows how to have fun.
Lockout is early at about 2am so its both good cos you don't get tired, but it ends your night really quick.
Temp: -2C
Staying in 4 star accomodation is awesome. You get to sleep in til whenever and have a lovely warm shower when you please.
After a goooood sleep in and recovery day we decided to check out a day early and head to toronto.
We booked the Greyhound, packed our stuff and headed to the bus terminal where we waited for our bus which was about an hour late.
Two hours later it started to arrive in Toronto. Huge city. Very cool. Will enjoy New York if it's supposedly even bigger.
Walked to the hostel - it's called: Canadiana or something - right in the entertainment district of Toronto.
I skype'd my friend Johnny to find out where he was at and we caught a cab to meet him for some beers.
Johnny was another exchange guy from Metro student accomodation but he stayed longer rather than just doing a temporary study abroad thing. African/american/pakistani combo - the kid knows how to have fun.
Lockout is early at about 2am so its both good cos you don't get tired, but it ends your night really quick.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Day 17: Shopping & Hangovers
So we woke up slowly. All of us had hangovers.
We chilled out for a gooood while just talking to the guys.
Greg eventually lent us his car so he could sleep more and we went to the massive shopping mall.
The thing is almost a mile long with heaps of shops.
We shopped most of the day. Got some warm clothes, a new jacket and some much-needed new snowboarding gloves.
Went home and talked a bit longer before greg dropped us back at the border where we walked back across the bridge and tried to explain to the border control why we were walking into the country with nothing but a snowboard lol.
After getting home we all fell asleep pretty much instantly. I crashed without even getting my bed open, the tv and lights and my computer were all still on haha.
Soo good.
We chilled out for a gooood while just talking to the guys.
Greg eventually lent us his car so he could sleep more and we went to the massive shopping mall.
The thing is almost a mile long with heaps of shops.
We shopped most of the day. Got some warm clothes, a new jacket and some much-needed new snowboarding gloves.
Went home and talked a bit longer before greg dropped us back at the border where we walked back across the bridge and tried to explain to the border control why we were walking into the country with nothing but a snowboard lol.
After getting home we all fell asleep pretty much instantly. I crashed without even getting my bed open, the tv and lights and my computer were all still on haha.
Soo good.
Day 16: Buffalo and American Life
Woke up early and with a hangover and put on our snowboarding gear and hiked with our boards all the way to the bridge which crossed the niagara river and through the US border. The border control guy didn't like us coming into the country with only our boards but he let us in anyways haha.
In my first year at griffith i stayed at Metro On Central which is a student accommodation complex. Greg was one of a handful of American exchange students who came to Australia to study abroad for a semester.
I didn't really know him that well, but I did remember he always had a good time and we regularly shared rounds.
Anyways, I hit him up on facebook and he said he only lived 20 mins away so offered to pick us up and take us snowboarding.
He picked us up from the border and we then drove to his place.
He shares with 4 other guys some friends some work mates and the place is sweeet. It's about 4 stories high and has heaps of couches and poker table and fire place and is such a sick hangout.
We dropped the gear we didnt need and went to his parent's house to pick up his brother and some home-cooked food. His mum cooks amazing. A simple sandwich of just bread, home-glazed ham and turkey tasted the most amazing sandwich ive eaten. It was unreal.
We then got to the slopes. I think they were called Holiday Valley. They don't have much vertical descent cos this area is pretty flat, but it had been snowing blizzard-like all day and consistently over the last week so there was heaaaps of powder.
It was suuuch a good day on the mountain. Soo much powder..champagne powder they call it. It was soo soft. We took some tree runs and did a few jumps which were soo cool cos you just land in fluff. I saw a mound of snow and thought it was a mogul like usual and prepared to suspend the impact but the mound just exploded into powder underneath me. The most amazing experience i've felt snowboarding yet and i will never forget it.
We snowboarded all day (there was night skiing) before heading back at about 6ish.
Greg organized cheap tickets for a NHL ice hockey game between the Buffalo team and Boston. We got these tickets for like $25 and normally they're valued at about $180. They're right down the front, only about 7 rows back from the front glass and almost right in the middle. So you can hear all the impacts and see everything.
Walking into this stadium was amazing. It's soo unreal seeing it live. This was a big hockey match and the stadium was virutally packed. Both teams want to try get in a good position to get into the playoffs so there was a great atmosphere.
Greg explained the more subtle rules as they happened and we just watched the game it was soo good. We were really lucky, a guy got a hatrik and it's really rare so all the fans throw their caps onto the ice when it happens. There were a couple of fights which all the crowd get right into. There were big hits. Multiple goals. the game was back and forth. And best of all Buffalo won! :D
It's cool, each whistle they take a break and have time for ads and fun things like shirt shooting, or trivia and other funny things to keep it interesting. Very cool xperience and i can see how people love the game soo much.
After the game, Greg took us to an authentic buffalo irish pub where we ordered a round of drinks and about 30 Buffalo wings for $18. Buffalo wings are world famous. Every american i spoke to before coming over said I had to try them. And these were authentic. The real deal. They're like marinated in a buttery-tobasco type hot sauce with a crispy coating on the outside. There's nothing like them and they're amazing.
We headed back to his joint after detouring for some mixer's and some buffalo-style pepperoni pizza and more wings to eat after we were intoxicated.
The americans showed us a few drinking games and college-life style things.
We played a game where you had to come up with a word which begins with the letter of the first card that is dealt. Very hard and very funny as people get drunker & struggle to think of words
We played a game of Kings.
There was also this game called "Icing". Basically if somone drops a smirnoff ice infront of you or tricks you into finding it, you have to drop on one knee and scull it no matter where or when it is. Some of the more creative ones are hiding it inside a jacket where somone ultimately finds it, or hides it under a shampoo bottle. I got iced just as i was about to fall asleep which was very entertaing albeit hard.
We got appropriately maggot and played beer pong into the wee hours of the morning with the aawesome drinking food of pizza and buffalo wings.
HUuuuge day/night and a very memorable one. Greg and his housemates showed us such an awesome time and showed us how americans definitely know how to drink. They party very hard compared to the Aussie mentality of just driking alot. College life in America would have been soo much fun.
In my first year at griffith i stayed at Metro On Central which is a student accommodation complex. Greg was one of a handful of American exchange students who came to Australia to study abroad for a semester.
I didn't really know him that well, but I did remember he always had a good time and we regularly shared rounds.
Anyways, I hit him up on facebook and he said he only lived 20 mins away so offered to pick us up and take us snowboarding.
He picked us up from the border and we then drove to his place.
He shares with 4 other guys some friends some work mates and the place is sweeet. It's about 4 stories high and has heaps of couches and poker table and fire place and is such a sick hangout.
We dropped the gear we didnt need and went to his parent's house to pick up his brother and some home-cooked food. His mum cooks amazing. A simple sandwich of just bread, home-glazed ham and turkey tasted the most amazing sandwich ive eaten. It was unreal.
We then got to the slopes. I think they were called Holiday Valley. They don't have much vertical descent cos this area is pretty flat, but it had been snowing blizzard-like all day and consistently over the last week so there was heaaaps of powder.
It was suuuch a good day on the mountain. Soo much powder..champagne powder they call it. It was soo soft. We took some tree runs and did a few jumps which were soo cool cos you just land in fluff. I saw a mound of snow and thought it was a mogul like usual and prepared to suspend the impact but the mound just exploded into powder underneath me. The most amazing experience i've felt snowboarding yet and i will never forget it.
We snowboarded all day (there was night skiing) before heading back at about 6ish.
Greg organized cheap tickets for a NHL ice hockey game between the Buffalo team and Boston. We got these tickets for like $25 and normally they're valued at about $180. They're right down the front, only about 7 rows back from the front glass and almost right in the middle. So you can hear all the impacts and see everything.
Walking into this stadium was amazing. It's soo unreal seeing it live. This was a big hockey match and the stadium was virutally packed. Both teams want to try get in a good position to get into the playoffs so there was a great atmosphere.
Greg explained the more subtle rules as they happened and we just watched the game it was soo good. We were really lucky, a guy got a hatrik and it's really rare so all the fans throw their caps onto the ice when it happens. There were a couple of fights which all the crowd get right into. There were big hits. Multiple goals. the game was back and forth. And best of all Buffalo won! :D
It's cool, each whistle they take a break and have time for ads and fun things like shirt shooting, or trivia and other funny things to keep it interesting. Very cool xperience and i can see how people love the game soo much.
After the game, Greg took us to an authentic buffalo irish pub where we ordered a round of drinks and about 30 Buffalo wings for $18. Buffalo wings are world famous. Every american i spoke to before coming over said I had to try them. And these were authentic. The real deal. They're like marinated in a buttery-tobasco type hot sauce with a crispy coating on the outside. There's nothing like them and they're amazing.
We headed back to his joint after detouring for some mixer's and some buffalo-style pepperoni pizza and more wings to eat after we were intoxicated.
The americans showed us a few drinking games and college-life style things.
We played a game where you had to come up with a word which begins with the letter of the first card that is dealt. Very hard and very funny as people get drunker & struggle to think of words
We played a game of Kings.
There was also this game called "Icing". Basically if somone drops a smirnoff ice infront of you or tricks you into finding it, you have to drop on one knee and scull it no matter where or when it is. Some of the more creative ones are hiding it inside a jacket where somone ultimately finds it, or hides it under a shampoo bottle. I got iced just as i was about to fall asleep which was very entertaing albeit hard.
We got appropriately maggot and played beer pong into the wee hours of the morning with the aawesome drinking food of pizza and buffalo wings.
HUuuuge day/night and a very memorable one. Greg and his housemates showed us such an awesome time and showed us how americans definitely know how to drink. They party very hard compared to the Aussie mentality of just driking alot. College life in America would have been soo much fun.
Day 15: Gotta relax every now and then
Slept in again.
Another fine and cloudy and snowy Tuesday.
Did hardly anything all day.
Got slightly drunk before heading to the Casino and winning a little bit on the blackjack tables and drinking the $6 long island ice teas again.
We went to the Dragonfly which is a famous club. Unfortunately it wasnt open, only open saturday.
So we asked a local security guy where the place was to be on a tuesday night.
Not the first person to suggest it but he suggested a canadian strip club as they get extremely "naughty" and are an experience unto their own. He also suggested the local pub Jacks where most people hang out on tuesday for the live band.
We opted for Jacks given it's closeness.
Live band was great. The pub was still relatively quiet but there were a couple of local girls we just chatted to for a bit and got the low down of the area of Niagara Falls.
We got home at like 3am after walking home and eating heaps.
Another fine and cloudy and snowy Tuesday.
Did hardly anything all day.
Got slightly drunk before heading to the Casino and winning a little bit on the blackjack tables and drinking the $6 long island ice teas again.
We went to the Dragonfly which is a famous club. Unfortunately it wasnt open, only open saturday.
So we asked a local security guy where the place was to be on a tuesday night.
Not the first person to suggest it but he suggested a canadian strip club as they get extremely "naughty" and are an experience unto their own. He also suggested the local pub Jacks where most people hang out on tuesday for the live band.
We opted for Jacks given it's closeness.
Live band was great. The pub was still relatively quiet but there were a couple of local girls we just chatted to for a bit and got the low down of the area of Niagara Falls.
We got home at like 3am after walking home and eating heaps.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Day 14: Can we get any cheaper?
So -12 degrees celcius appeals to you eh?
If it does, you are a crazy soul.
We were hardly dressed as we intended to just cross the road for breakfast for a $7 buffet and even just the walk across the snow covered road and car park we literally froze. It was killer.
The brekkie was okay, but so far every meal we notices includes +tax + tip + hidden costs like drinks (Even water!). It seriously costs too much to eat out.
So we went back to the hotel after and dressed up a bit more warmly then caught a cab to the factory outlets center where we figured we'd do some shopping. Instead it was just brand-name outlets..cheaper yes, but not by enough to warrant us buying stuff other than for when we get to NYC.
So we caught another cab to the budget food outlet.
Let me reiterate where we are staying. We are staying at the Mariott. $350 per night on average. More for a room as big as ours. http://www.niagarafallsmarriott.com The place is seriously for businessmen, rich families and crazy people. As such, the place has huge showerheads and shoe polisher's and does not have a kitchenette in any of the rooms as the regular clientelle are usually endowed with enough cash to eat out for every meal.
We are backpackers.
So now we put our heads together and decided to get a $25 electric stove, pots and pans, some cooking utensils, and a bunch load of ingredients to be able to eat our own food. We embarrassingly took all this into our elaborate hotel in a massive cardboard box. Our home-made kitchen is situated in our toilet to avoid setting off the fire alarm, we are using hotel-provided shampoo for dishwashing soap and a hotel-provided facewasher to clean our dishes with. Meanwhile we look across our room and the 3 queen sized beds to our panoramic window out at the brink of the niagara falls lit up with floodlights. It is the most surreal experience as a backpacker ever :D
After procuring a meal fit for...backpackers. Spag bol. We went down to the gym, had a swim, and spent a good 20 mins in the sauna :D
Spoke to a friend on facebook who lives across the border in Buffalo NY. Greg was one of the exchange students i knew from first year when i stayed at student accommodation. I didn't really know him that well other than getting along with him well when we were both appropriately drunk. Either way, he gave us some good suggestions. It now looks like on Wednesday he's going to come pick us up and we can go snowboarding during the day, and at night there is an icehockey game which he should be able to hawk cheap tickets for us. Will be awesome if it all goes to plan.
If it does, you are a crazy soul.
We were hardly dressed as we intended to just cross the road for breakfast for a $7 buffet and even just the walk across the snow covered road and car park we literally froze. It was killer.
The brekkie was okay, but so far every meal we notices includes +tax + tip + hidden costs like drinks (Even water!). It seriously costs too much to eat out.
So we went back to the hotel after and dressed up a bit more warmly then caught a cab to the factory outlets center where we figured we'd do some shopping. Instead it was just brand-name outlets..cheaper yes, but not by enough to warrant us buying stuff other than for when we get to NYC.
So we caught another cab to the budget food outlet.
Let me reiterate where we are staying. We are staying at the Mariott. $350 per night on average. More for a room as big as ours. http://www.niagarafallsmarriott.com The place is seriously for businessmen, rich families and crazy people. As such, the place has huge showerheads and shoe polisher's and does not have a kitchenette in any of the rooms as the regular clientelle are usually endowed with enough cash to eat out for every meal.
We are backpackers.
So now we put our heads together and decided to get a $25 electric stove, pots and pans, some cooking utensils, and a bunch load of ingredients to be able to eat our own food. We embarrassingly took all this into our elaborate hotel in a massive cardboard box. Our home-made kitchen is situated in our toilet to avoid setting off the fire alarm, we are using hotel-provided shampoo for dishwashing soap and a hotel-provided facewasher to clean our dishes with. Meanwhile we look across our room and the 3 queen sized beds to our panoramic window out at the brink of the niagara falls lit up with floodlights. It is the most surreal experience as a backpacker ever :D
After procuring a meal fit for...backpackers. Spag bol. We went down to the gym, had a swim, and spent a good 20 mins in the sauna :D
Spoke to a friend on facebook who lives across the border in Buffalo NY. Greg was one of the exchange students i knew from first year when i stayed at student accommodation. I didn't really know him that well other than getting along with him well when we were both appropriately drunk. Either way, he gave us some good suggestions. It now looks like on Wednesday he's going to come pick us up and we can go snowboarding during the day, and at night there is an icehockey game which he should be able to hawk cheap tickets for us. Will be awesome if it all goes to plan.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Day 13: I Walked all the way across Canada to America
Far out, we all slept in til about 1:30pm
Sooooo goood.
Unfortunately there is heaps of fog and clouds and rain and snow in Niagara Falls at the moment so the morning view wasn't as spectacular as it might have been.
We made our way to a Boston Pizza joint for brekfast/lunch before stopping at a Hershey's Chocolate outlet.
We then crossed the bridge over Niagara Falls through customs into the US.
The US side of Niagara is absolutely dead. It seems almost like a ghost town with grafitti and vandalism and hardly any people or shops. Dunno if it was from the recession or not but everything was closed. Entire shopping centers. Food outlets. You name it.
We did go into a take away store to check and confirm that the prices across the border were significantly cheaper and bigger serving sizes before walking the 5km home.
On the walk home we walked through a park with a bunch of fairy light displays lit up. Apparently it is the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights at the moment which means the occasional night of fireworks as well as a bunch of fairy lights and christmas lights everywhere.
Back at the hotel as lazing around and ordering in for food as well as a swim in the 25m heated pool and jacuzzi.
Tomorrow we will go to the shops...we are spending far too much on food lol
Sooooo goood.
Unfortunately there is heaps of fog and clouds and rain and snow in Niagara Falls at the moment so the morning view wasn't as spectacular as it might have been.
We made our way to a Boston Pizza joint for brekfast/lunch before stopping at a Hershey's Chocolate outlet.
We then crossed the bridge over Niagara Falls through customs into the US.
The US side of Niagara is absolutely dead. It seems almost like a ghost town with grafitti and vandalism and hardly any people or shops. Dunno if it was from the recession or not but everything was closed. Entire shopping centers. Food outlets. You name it.
We did go into a take away store to check and confirm that the prices across the border were significantly cheaper and bigger serving sizes before walking the 5km home.
On the walk home we walked through a park with a bunch of fairy light displays lit up. Apparently it is the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights at the moment which means the occasional night of fireworks as well as a bunch of fairy lights and christmas lights everywhere.
Back at the hotel as lazing around and ordering in for food as well as a swim in the 25m heated pool and jacuzzi.
Tomorrow we will go to the shops...we are spending far too much on food lol
Day 12: Long Roads Traveled
3:45am start. Dislike.
Richard drove to Calgary airport thankfully.
The flight to Hamilton in Ontario was about 4 hrs so slept some which was good.
Then discussed our alternatives of taxi+bus+taxi from Hamilton town center to Niagra Falls, or just a taxi direct to our accomodation. With a little pursuasion and bargaining from our Indian taxi driver we decided to taxi direct 1.5 hrs for $120.
Jason's parents are members of a time share in Canmore and somehow it gives them discounts to this hotel to, so our accommodation is now the Mariott Hotel Falls view. We got upgraded to the 19th floor and our room overlooks the Niagara Falls and to put it simply, it is absolutely amazing.
The room has a shoe polisher and the biggest showerhead you've ever seen. Seriously this is the stuff for business men and rich people, not backpackers and snowboarders. Although I'm not one to complain ;)
After a quick unload we started walking for a food place for dinner. Found an all you can eat buffet for $16 which had pretty decent food so suited us perfectly. They had an italian duo walking around playing the accordian and violin to each table. When they got to our table I decided to be clever and ask them to play their most difficult song and which 'best showcases your ability'. They then played some classical song which i have no idea and it was incredibly fast and entertaining, well worth the tip we gave them.
Finished our dinner and got some cheap alcoholic beverages on the way home.
Back at the hotel we managed to get free internet thanks to our accents and sussed out where the places to be on a Saturday night in Niagara Falls. Turns out the nightlife at this place is better than we were expecting. Since the drinking age is lower, americans sometimes duck over the border. There are plenty of tourists. In addition to the 80 thousand or something people here. Kinda a similar night life and scene to the Gold Coast funnily enough.
Ironed our good shirts and went first to the casino. We were drinking $6 long island ice tea's (full strength) and making a couple bucks here and there on various tables. The night club scene followed shortly after and we stayed there til lockout.
Richard drove to Calgary airport thankfully.
The flight to Hamilton in Ontario was about 4 hrs so slept some which was good.
Then discussed our alternatives of taxi+bus+taxi from Hamilton town center to Niagra Falls, or just a taxi direct to our accomodation. With a little pursuasion and bargaining from our Indian taxi driver we decided to taxi direct 1.5 hrs for $120.
Jason's parents are members of a time share in Canmore and somehow it gives them discounts to this hotel to, so our accommodation is now the Mariott Hotel Falls view. We got upgraded to the 19th floor and our room overlooks the Niagara Falls and to put it simply, it is absolutely amazing.
The room has a shoe polisher and the biggest showerhead you've ever seen. Seriously this is the stuff for business men and rich people, not backpackers and snowboarders. Although I'm not one to complain ;)
After a quick unload we started walking for a food place for dinner. Found an all you can eat buffet for $16 which had pretty decent food so suited us perfectly. They had an italian duo walking around playing the accordian and violin to each table. When they got to our table I decided to be clever and ask them to play their most difficult song and which 'best showcases your ability'. They then played some classical song which i have no idea and it was incredibly fast and entertaining, well worth the tip we gave them.
Finished our dinner and got some cheap alcoholic beverages on the way home.
Back at the hotel we managed to get free internet thanks to our accents and sussed out where the places to be on a Saturday night in Niagara Falls. Turns out the nightlife at this place is better than we were expecting. Since the drinking age is lower, americans sometimes duck over the border. There are plenty of tourists. In addition to the 80 thousand or something people here. Kinda a similar night life and scene to the Gold Coast funnily enough.
Ironed our good shirts and went first to the casino. We were drinking $6 long island ice tea's (full strength) and making a couple bucks here and there on various tables. The night club scene followed shortly after and we stayed there til lockout.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Day 11: Last Day
Early morning and a surprisingly quick getup and out to the slopes.
Started off at Sunshine again. Day was clearing up after the extra snow last night so it was good fun.
After about lunch time we headed back to Lake Louise for one last time. They were lucky and had about 26cm overnight so it drastically improved the sub-par icy conditions we had earlier in the week. Managed to find some wicked powder runs under the gondola so just kept going up and down the gondola. It was good because it was closed in so you could take off your gloves and warm up and chat a bit easier and the snowboarding run was a bit longer before catching the next lift.
I got confident and hit a few jumps and moguls around the place and also hit some rails and boxes in the park which was good fun...i can see how soo many people do it.
Chilled out in the spa for a while just chatting, we all need to pack for a 4am start tomorrow but we're all putting it off for some reason...
Started off at Sunshine again. Day was clearing up after the extra snow last night so it was good fun.
After about lunch time we headed back to Lake Louise for one last time. They were lucky and had about 26cm overnight so it drastically improved the sub-par icy conditions we had earlier in the week. Managed to find some wicked powder runs under the gondola so just kept going up and down the gondola. It was good because it was closed in so you could take off your gloves and warm up and chat a bit easier and the snowboarding run was a bit longer before catching the next lift.
I got confident and hit a few jumps and moguls around the place and also hit some rails and boxes in the park which was good fun...i can see how soo many people do it.
Chilled out in the spa for a while just chatting, we all need to pack for a 4am start tomorrow but we're all putting it off for some reason...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Day 10: Sunshine & Hangovers
Seedy this morning.
Got ourselves to the slopes a little later than normal but thats okay i dont think any of us minded.
Was snowing quite heavily overnight and all day today so it made all the runs very fresh and powdery.
Got some beautiful runs which were untouched stretches of powder and all you had to do was point your board straight and float through it like a cloud. Soo awesome it really is magical.
The powder also makes for some easier blacks & harder slopes so hit a few of them too.
I've improved so far to the point where i don't constantly fall down from stupid mistakes and now it has gotten to the point where i can appreciate snowboarding more. Having to sit down & strap on bindings every flat part is an inconvenience compared to skiing, but the consistent challenge of riding a snowboard makes it a far more dynamic and entertaining mode of transportation compared to skiing which is comparatively easy.
We were all v. tired so have gone to bed early. Our last big day tomorrow before we have to get up at like 4am to drive back to calgary and catch our flight to Toronto.
Got ourselves to the slopes a little later than normal but thats okay i dont think any of us minded.
Was snowing quite heavily overnight and all day today so it made all the runs very fresh and powdery.
Got some beautiful runs which were untouched stretches of powder and all you had to do was point your board straight and float through it like a cloud. Soo awesome it really is magical.
The powder also makes for some easier blacks & harder slopes so hit a few of them too.
I've improved so far to the point where i don't constantly fall down from stupid mistakes and now it has gotten to the point where i can appreciate snowboarding more. Having to sit down & strap on bindings every flat part is an inconvenience compared to skiing, but the consistent challenge of riding a snowboard makes it a far more dynamic and entertaining mode of transportation compared to skiing which is comparatively easy.
We were all v. tired so have gone to bed early. Our last big day tomorrow before we have to get up at like 4am to drive back to calgary and catch our flight to Toronto.
Day 9: Sight Seeing
Didn't ski today, we used it as a much needed rest-day.
Slept in comfortably and jumped in the car and started to drive.
Took a scenic route through the rocky mountains on the way to Lake Louise.
Stopped at some canyon, cant even remember what it was called.
Walked up the path towards it for a bit, except we weren't really expecting to hike for as long as it took, so we just walked along the path until we decided it was enough.
It was very very picturesque with a little frozen river in the canyon that was literally a slice down an entire mountain from flowing there for the thousands of years. Really atmospheric and peaceful, glad we did it, even though we didnt do much.
We kept driving to lake louise.
Saw a field with a few Moose (I checked the plurality).
It was snowing now too. (Sucked for our visibility but was cool)
I was a little dissapointed cos Lake Louise was frozen over and not beautiful and blue like you see in the pictures. I'm coming to the conclusion that Banff area is actually better in summer for many many reasons. Skiing is better closer to the coast like Brittish Columbia/Whistler/Silverstar cos they simply get more snow over there. Still can't complain though.
Started to drive on a road called Ice Fields Parkway which was a direct line to Jasper a few hours away. It was snowing pretty heavily though and after a while of driving through the snow and scenery we decided to turn around and head to Banff village.
Wen't browsing through the tiny little shopping centre and stocked up on a bunch of alcohol.
Started a respectable drinking sesh with the lads before catching a cab into the town of Canmore. It was disappointing. I guess Canmore is more for retirees and families to rent a condo and escape into the wilderness rather than hit the night scene. Oh well, we still managed to talk to the bar tender and a couple of random locals.
Slept in comfortably and jumped in the car and started to drive.
Took a scenic route through the rocky mountains on the way to Lake Louise.
Stopped at some canyon, cant even remember what it was called.
Walked up the path towards it for a bit, except we weren't really expecting to hike for as long as it took, so we just walked along the path until we decided it was enough.
It was very very picturesque with a little frozen river in the canyon that was literally a slice down an entire mountain from flowing there for the thousands of years. Really atmospheric and peaceful, glad we did it, even though we didnt do much.
We kept driving to lake louise.
Saw a field with a few Moose (I checked the plurality).
It was snowing now too. (Sucked for our visibility but was cool)
I was a little dissapointed cos Lake Louise was frozen over and not beautiful and blue like you see in the pictures. I'm coming to the conclusion that Banff area is actually better in summer for many many reasons. Skiing is better closer to the coast like Brittish Columbia/Whistler/Silverstar cos they simply get more snow over there. Still can't complain though.
Started to drive on a road called Ice Fields Parkway which was a direct line to Jasper a few hours away. It was snowing pretty heavily though and after a while of driving through the snow and scenery we decided to turn around and head to Banff village.
Wen't browsing through the tiny little shopping centre and stocked up on a bunch of alcohol.
Started a respectable drinking sesh with the lads before catching a cab into the town of Canmore. It was disappointing. I guess Canmore is more for retirees and families to rent a condo and escape into the wilderness rather than hit the night scene. Oh well, we still managed to talk to the bar tender and a couple of random locals.
Day 8: Norquay Village Um Nah Sunshine
Went to norquay village. It was tiny. Had about 3 skiiable runs and they were quite steep and very icy. We figured we cut our losses & packed up and went back to Sunshine.
In general it was a good day there too. We're all so tired. looking forward to the day off the next day
In general it was a good day there too. We're all so tired. looking forward to the day off the next day
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Day 7: Sunshine Village
Another blue bird day!
Went to Sunshine resort today. It's a little bigger than Lake Louise and has more skiable terrain.
Snow was less icy and the day promised to be much better. I did stack pretty hard 2nd run in the morning though and it put a dampener on nearly the whole day - landed on my ribs & head so am pretty sore.
We tried to go down a powder black run that was fenced off because there wasnt enough snow. A ski-lifty caught us though and nearly took our ski passes off us and instead made us hike up the powder. Now believe me when I tell you, walking up powder is one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life... I was soo.utterly.spent..
Oh well, got some more amazing photos and videos :)
Went to Sunshine resort today. It's a little bigger than Lake Louise and has more skiable terrain.
Snow was less icy and the day promised to be much better. I did stack pretty hard 2nd run in the morning though and it put a dampener on nearly the whole day - landed on my ribs & head so am pretty sore.
We tried to go down a powder black run that was fenced off because there wasnt enough snow. A ski-lifty caught us though and nearly took our ski passes off us and instead made us hike up the powder. Now believe me when I tell you, walking up powder is one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life... I was soo.utterly.spent..
Oh well, got some more amazing photos and videos :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Day 6: Canmore & Lake Louise
Lake Louise Ski Village today :)
It was still dark when we left, but as we were driving the sun was peeking up and lighting up the mountains and it was soo epic and beautiful. I'd easily reckon this is one of the most picturesque places on earth. And we are staying here. Right in the middle of it. Its soo cool.
Loooong day but soo good. I was a bit rocky at first since I havent snowboarded in about 2 years but picked it up again by the end of the day.
We were really lucky with the weather too. It was very warm for this time of year. Normally its -20 degrees celcius, we had a balmy -5 so it was awesome and relieving because the week prior they had temps of -49degrees. Soo cold you could put a mug of hot chocolate out in the cold and it will be frozen in about a minute.
The snow was mediocre as since this part of Canada is soo inland it doesn't get much sea moisture.
But the view. oh my god. Words will never do it justice, neither will pictures. But yeah. Beautiful clear day too.
A swim in the heated jacuzzi before retiring for the day.
Going to another resort tomorrow 'Sunshine' which is on the other side of the hills and closer to banff. Hopefully the snow will be a little better, but even if it isn't, the fact that I am here and am able to see the sights what i have seen is more than enough to be thankful for. People all too often forget places like this exist getting caught up in the daily grind.
It was still dark when we left, but as we were driving the sun was peeking up and lighting up the mountains and it was soo epic and beautiful. I'd easily reckon this is one of the most picturesque places on earth. And we are staying here. Right in the middle of it. Its soo cool.
Loooong day but soo good. I was a bit rocky at first since I havent snowboarded in about 2 years but picked it up again by the end of the day.
We were really lucky with the weather too. It was very warm for this time of year. Normally its -20 degrees celcius, we had a balmy -5 so it was awesome and relieving because the week prior they had temps of -49degrees. Soo cold you could put a mug of hot chocolate out in the cold and it will be frozen in about a minute.
The snow was mediocre as since this part of Canada is soo inland it doesn't get much sea moisture.
But the view. oh my god. Words will never do it justice, neither will pictures. But yeah. Beautiful clear day too.
A swim in the heated jacuzzi before retiring for the day.
Going to another resort tomorrow 'Sunshine' which is on the other side of the hills and closer to banff. Hopefully the snow will be a little better, but even if it isn't, the fact that I am here and am able to see the sights what i have seen is more than enough to be thankful for. People all too often forget places like this exist getting caught up in the daily grind.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Day 5: Flying L.A --> Calgary
Leaving L.A early was meh. Still a little seedy from beers.
Arya dropped me off at the airport. Soo incredibly cool of her to put me up & everything; its so hard to convey how much you appreciate something sometimes.
Flight out of L.A was cool. Lots of smog was blanketing the city & it looked awesome to fly out over the top of it.
Landed in Phoenix Arizona for a transfer flight. Not alot here. No more than I could have seen on google earth lol.
Best part about Arizona so far is free internet at the airport. And a dude with a cowboy hat which looks incredible..i'll try and sneak a photo of it :P
-------------
EDIT:
Here now. In the airport waiting for Jason & Richard to arrive from Vancouver. I'm loving the free wireless!
EDIT 2:
Sweet catching them. We hired a car and went to a supermarket for our weeks groceries then went to our hotel in Canmore which is Jason's parent's time share. Canmore is about an hour or so drive from Calgary.
The hotel is sweet. Hotspa, all the amenities...its very good.
I asked the car rental place some details..looks like we might need to pay a bit more than expected since we are under 25yrs which kinda sucks.
Arya dropped me off at the airport. Soo incredibly cool of her to put me up & everything; its so hard to convey how much you appreciate something sometimes.
Flight out of L.A was cool. Lots of smog was blanketing the city & it looked awesome to fly out over the top of it.
Landed in Phoenix Arizona for a transfer flight. Not alot here. No more than I could have seen on google earth lol.
Best part about Arizona so far is free internet at the airport. And a dude with a cowboy hat which looks incredible..i'll try and sneak a photo of it :P
-------------
EDIT:
Here now. In the airport waiting for Jason & Richard to arrive from Vancouver. I'm loving the free wireless!
EDIT 2:
Sweet catching them. We hired a car and went to a supermarket for our weeks groceries then went to our hotel in Canmore which is Jason's parent's time share. Canmore is about an hour or so drive from Calgary.
The hotel is sweet. Hotspa, all the amenities...its very good.
I asked the car rental place some details..looks like we might need to pay a bit more than expected since we are under 25yrs which kinda sucks.
Day 4: Santa Monica & Venice
PRO TIP#101: Never trust directions from people who genuinely have no idea.
Case Scenario: A mexican dude who is wearing a UCLA jersey, and likely only ever travels direct from his home and the uni campus. Would NOT know where the heck the corner of Pico avenue and Overland dr is. Let alone what buses to catch.
Too bad i missed the memo.
The dude sent me on a fools errand, catching about 4 different buses and a few hours extra, i finally got where i needed to go.
I was continuing my tour bus today, and i planned to jump on the tour somewhere in the middle. It worked out well albeit buses.
Continued listening to the pre-recorded gps-guided english narrator until Santa Monica where I jumped off.
Santa monica pier was cool - it was like stepping into a hollywood set since it is used so often in movies (the big ferris wheel on the ocean). Also the place where baywatch was filmed. as well as the part where forrest gump finally finished his running. then stopped, turned around, and just kept running again in the other direction.
I hired a bike for $6 and popped in my ipod and rode down to venice beach during the afternoon sunset. Listening to the Foals, was tres cool.
Venice has ....character. There were soo many homeless people and hippies lying down and enjoying the grass and the afternoon sun.
My favourite one was a fat dude who was belly dancing half naked around a regular run-of-the-mill light post...He was in a happy place lol.
Finished the rest of the tour and went to a big shopping 'mall'. I was looking for a nicer jacket. Didnt find one. Found shoes instead. Go figure.
Had an american pretzel at the mall. Big. Doughy. Salty and greasy. kinda like all the food lol.
Arya came to the mall after she finished work and we met up with one of her friends she did her course with. Nice bloke. We went to a pub called Fathers Office. It's pretty cool. They have nearly every beer on tap. And a menu of about 4 pages worth of beers. You can taste test them and find just about every beer suited to your preference.
We all had to drive so we all went back to arya's place and back to the irish pub near hers so we could walk. Continued beers maybe more than we should have :)
Went to sleep for a couple of hours left. Had to wake up at 4:50am in order to make my flight!
Case Scenario: A mexican dude who is wearing a UCLA jersey, and likely only ever travels direct from his home and the uni campus. Would NOT know where the heck the corner of Pico avenue and Overland dr is. Let alone what buses to catch.
Too bad i missed the memo.
The dude sent me on a fools errand, catching about 4 different buses and a few hours extra, i finally got where i needed to go.
I was continuing my tour bus today, and i planned to jump on the tour somewhere in the middle. It worked out well albeit buses.
Continued listening to the pre-recorded gps-guided english narrator until Santa Monica where I jumped off.
Santa monica pier was cool - it was like stepping into a hollywood set since it is used so often in movies (the big ferris wheel on the ocean). Also the place where baywatch was filmed. as well as the part where forrest gump finally finished his running. then stopped, turned around, and just kept running again in the other direction.
I hired a bike for $6 and popped in my ipod and rode down to venice beach during the afternoon sunset. Listening to the Foals, was tres cool.
Venice has ....character. There were soo many homeless people and hippies lying down and enjoying the grass and the afternoon sun.
My favourite one was a fat dude who was belly dancing half naked around a regular run-of-the-mill light post...He was in a happy place lol.
Finished the rest of the tour and went to a big shopping 'mall'. I was looking for a nicer jacket. Didnt find one. Found shoes instead. Go figure.
Had an american pretzel at the mall. Big. Doughy. Salty and greasy. kinda like all the food lol.
Arya came to the mall after she finished work and we met up with one of her friends she did her course with. Nice bloke. We went to a pub called Fathers Office. It's pretty cool. They have nearly every beer on tap. And a menu of about 4 pages worth of beers. You can taste test them and find just about every beer suited to your preference.
We all had to drive so we all went back to arya's place and back to the irish pub near hers so we could walk. Continued beers maybe more than we should have :)
Went to sleep for a couple of hours left. Had to wake up at 4:50am in order to make my flight!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Realisations So Far # 1
Realizations so far:
*L.A at least, there is still alot of racial separation. Mexicans, blacks, and whites.
*Drivers are crazy
*L.A is a city built for cars. Everything has a drive through, and it is city law to have parking pretty much everywhere...hence why the place is spread out so far ya think?
*Marijuana activists once changed the sign to "Holyweed"
*Hugh Heffner was the biggest contributor to the new upgraded sign
*Mobile Phones over here don't use sim cards. To find one and get a phone unlocked is extremely rare.
*The food isn't as bad as everyone makes out...but where it's bad is that its very hard to find a place that serves a 'balanced' meal.
*L.A has soo much glitz & glamour on the surface, but you go a couple suburbs in and you hit pretty low socio-economic areas..lots of mexicans doing all the labour work....its a mix of gold coast and india lol
*L.A at least, there is still alot of racial separation. Mexicans, blacks, and whites.
*Drivers are crazy
*L.A is a city built for cars. Everything has a drive through, and it is city law to have parking pretty much everywhere...hence why the place is spread out so far ya think?
*Marijuana activists once changed the sign to "Holyweed"
*Hugh Heffner was the biggest contributor to the new upgraded sign
*Mobile Phones over here don't use sim cards. To find one and get a phone unlocked is extremely rare.
*The food isn't as bad as everyone makes out...but where it's bad is that its very hard to find a place that serves a 'balanced' meal.
*L.A has soo much glitz & glamour on the surface, but you go a couple suburbs in and you hit pretty low socio-economic areas..lots of mexicans doing all the labour work....its a mix of gold coast and india lol
USA Day 3: Glitz & Glamour
Wow! What a day!
Got up relatively early (11am) back to my normal sleeping pattern now lol.
Caught buses back to hollywood again. They're really not as bad as everyone makes out. They come regularly enough. I guess the design of the city of L.A is soo spread out it makes for longer travel times and people love to blow things out of proportion.
I booked myself onto one of the open-top tours. I smiled and spoke in an aussie accent and she gave me a discount too lol sweet.
The tour went in a loop around hollywood & Bel Air & Beverly Hills. The list of sights are below for those who give a shit about what i saw :
Chinese Theatre
guitar center (hand prints of famous rock stars)
chateau marmont (famous hotel)
comedy store
whisky a go go (famous pub which pushed acceptance of rock music & revealed various stars)
santa monica blvd
beverly hills/camden drive (rich ppl. nuff said. They even have a separate alleyway to put their rubbish in because it's unsightly on the main road)
Rodeo drive (rich ppl shopping. There was the most expensive suit for 15 thousand USD)
Four seasons hotel (elton johns fave spot)
Beverly shopping centre
Labrea tar pits/LACMA (fossils of dinosoars/museum/los angeles contemporary museum of art)
farmers market
melrose ave shopping (where all the hip hop kids are break dancing & shopping for pants that are too big for them)
pinks hot dogs (famous hot dogs that are rather yummy. i had one for dinner)
paramount studios (just the door)
So yeah, long tour. Finished it & pretty much figured out the buses home.
Saw a movie being filmed too today. Didn't see who it was, but a truck had a car on the back of it and a bunch of lights and cameras pointing inside the car with the actors inside. Next time i see a car scene in a movie i'll know they dont actually drive, and the surrounding scenery will be lower down than normal haha.
Arya's been busy with work the poor thing so she ordered a pizza in.
Got up relatively early (11am) back to my normal sleeping pattern now lol.
Caught buses back to hollywood again. They're really not as bad as everyone makes out. They come regularly enough. I guess the design of the city of L.A is soo spread out it makes for longer travel times and people love to blow things out of proportion.
I booked myself onto one of the open-top tours. I smiled and spoke in an aussie accent and she gave me a discount too lol sweet.
The tour went in a loop around hollywood & Bel Air & Beverly Hills. The list of sights are below for those who give a shit about what i saw :
Chinese Theatre
guitar center (hand prints of famous rock stars)
chateau marmont (famous hotel)
comedy store
whisky a go go (famous pub which pushed acceptance of rock music & revealed various stars)
santa monica blvd
beverly hills/camden drive (rich ppl. nuff said. They even have a separate alleyway to put their rubbish in because it's unsightly on the main road)
Rodeo drive (rich ppl shopping. There was the most expensive suit for 15 thousand USD)
Four seasons hotel (elton johns fave spot)
Beverly shopping centre
Labrea tar pits/LACMA (fossils of dinosoars/museum/los angeles contemporary museum of art)
farmers market
melrose ave shopping (where all the hip hop kids are break dancing & shopping for pants that are too big for them)
pinks hot dogs (famous hot dogs that are rather yummy. i had one for dinner)
paramount studios (just the door)
So yeah, long tour. Finished it & pretty much figured out the buses home.
Saw a movie being filmed too today. Didn't see who it was, but a truck had a car on the back of it and a bunch of lights and cameras pointing inside the car with the actors inside. Next time i see a car scene in a movie i'll know they dont actually drive, and the surrounding scenery will be lower down than normal haha.
Arya's been busy with work the poor thing so she ordered a pizza in.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
USA Day 2: Hollywood
Woke up at about midday and caught a cab to Kodak theatre in hollywood.
The cab driver was indian, and drove just as recklessly as only an indian can lol, It bought back memories of being in india last year!
Got out and strolled along the star strip and saw a bunch of weirdos dressed up as various cartoon characters. harry potter & superman & the hulk and a bunch of others. I avoided them.
Walked a few blocks to Best Buy (major electronics store ALA Harvey Norman) and got myself a phone, then figured out the busses in L.A to get home.
Arya got home from work just as I was walking past her fave Irish pub so we had a couple of beers and a pub meal which was pretty good.
The cab driver was indian, and drove just as recklessly as only an indian can lol, It bought back memories of being in india last year!
Got out and strolled along the star strip and saw a bunch of weirdos dressed up as various cartoon characters. harry potter & superman & the hulk and a bunch of others. I avoided them.
Walked a few blocks to Best Buy (major electronics store ALA Harvey Norman) and got myself a phone, then figured out the busses in L.A to get home.
Arya got home from work just as I was walking past her fave Irish pub so we had a couple of beers and a pub meal which was pretty good.
USA Day 1: Sleep & Mexican
Slept today. The entire day.
The day that there is instantaneous transport and no jet lag, is the day that i will deem it to be the future.
Arya got home from work and we met up with Nachi (another of adi's relatives) and went to a mexican resteraunt.
The place was called 'pink taco'...I do wonder if they realize the alternative meaning of it haha.
The day that there is instantaneous transport and no jet lag, is the day that i will deem it to be the future.
Arya got home from work and we met up with Nachi (another of adi's relatives) and went to a mexican resteraunt.
The place was called 'pink taco'...I do wonder if they realize the alternative meaning of it haha.
USA Day -1 : Flight
Wooooo hoooo! Im off!
This trip has been soo long in it's confirmation that it feels kinda weird that i'm finally going.
Ashley gave me a lift to the airport in thanks for helping her move her TV. Fair deal if i do say.
Some people hate flying.
Various reasons; some are scared theres going to be a crash, some hate the security involved. I dread flying solely for one reason: the people you have to sit next to.
I had to sit on a 12 hour flight next to a two yr old, a 7 month old baby, and a fat lady.
Needless to say, the flight ....left a bit to be desired.
Anyways, Here now. Got picked up by Arya. She's the Indian sister of Adi's whose wedding it was last year. Got to her house and practically fell straight asleep. ZZZzzzz
This trip has been soo long in it's confirmation that it feels kinda weird that i'm finally going.
Ashley gave me a lift to the airport in thanks for helping her move her TV. Fair deal if i do say.
Some people hate flying.
Various reasons; some are scared theres going to be a crash, some hate the security involved. I dread flying solely for one reason: the people you have to sit next to.
I had to sit on a 12 hour flight next to a two yr old, a 7 month old baby, and a fat lady.
Needless to say, the flight ....left a bit to be desired.
Anyways, Here now. Got picked up by Arya. She's the Indian sister of Adi's whose wedding it was last year. Got to her house and practically fell straight asleep. ZZZzzzz
Monday, February 22, 2010
Done and Done
Finally finished working out the blogger...i think it looks good - will be a good thing to have when I travel
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