12th March, Coming home…

What can I say?! It has been an unbeleivable year, everytime I think about what I have done seems overwhelming. Went skating in Central park for 3 hours – I need to remind myself where I am sometimes but its all drawing to a conclusion….

Couldn’t resist this one…

Central park ice skating…

“So where are we exactly?”

“The world’s gone upside down.”

We Checked out were John Lennon was shot and this is the memorial at strawberry fields central park.

I can’t beleive how quick the time has past and that practically a year ago I had no prpper planning with no clue about any of this. I am surprised I have managed to make it all the way through with all my plans followed and more. I had no idea I would make it to the states let alone cancun or disney land which was a good ‘off the cuff’ decision and I’ve had a ball. Now I have to think of getting back to the UK and sorting my life out and getting the bank balance up to speed.  I still don’t think I am fully ready but I have a flight to LA tommorow from new york (all the way from the East to West side) and one more day to see some sights but I really think I am ready to get back. I am looking forward to my own bed, some home cooking and seeing everybody again. No real Idea about were I am going to settle for a bit, looking at London (i feel just about ready to tackle the big cities now!) but who knows, might look at bristol again maybe abroad…

Favourite places have got to be shanghai and Sydney just for the fun, diversity of people and all the people I have met there. But generally all the places have been great, but I guess the biggest diference to anyplace has to be the people you meet there as that can really make a difference to having a really good time or a mediocre walk round and see the sights on your lonesome which is good now and then but I really do prefer the company of people.

Top things to do are still the classics, the great wall (and tobogan down!) that moutain trek in Xian, campfire songs in the middle of the jungle and sleeping under the stars in north thailand. Tthat full moon party (Mellow mountain bar on the left – people who have been there know what I mean). Also cycling round the chaotic streets that is shanghai were its everyman for themselves on that road, and one of the best things is getting some seriously cheap dumplings off street vendors at 11pm and trying to make conversation with someone who doesn’t speak any english and you don’t speak any mandarin. Walking aimlessly in the cities finding little places of interest, having a coffee/beer, trying to work out where you are on a map and people watching. The list goes on….

When of the best things you have to develop is talking to complete randoms – you can’t be shy in this game. Or you can if you like the company of yourself for days on end. One girl I chatted to said she started barking like a dog in her room just because she hadn’t spoken to any body for like 4/5 days… Made some good friends, and met a lot of people residing in London so I plan on catching up with a few and few around england.

So right now I am psyching myself up for the next flight to LA which quite frankly I’d rather just go straight back. Who knows I might be partying with a Celeb tommorow night… But I doubt it.

8th March, Too cold…

 

A rather small Statue of liberty…

Time square classic.

Brooklyn bridge from brooklyn, you can’t tell how cold it really is!

From the brooklyn bridge…

From the empire state building.

Madison Square Garden, Big East (or something) 2 matches lasted in total 5hours. Bloody ‘timeouts’.

I cannot beleive how cold it is here, I know I have been chasing the sun for almost a year but this is ridiculous. It’s much colder than england from my recolection but I havn’t been back for a while. I never suffered from having to run into a warm building because it was too cold outside…

Anyway, been having a good time here. No crazy partying apart from Lisa’s birthday weekend were we finished off the rest of the alcohol we had taken from Cancun’s all inclusive including that tequila we had won from bingo – which we basically give away to moe hardcore drinkers.

Had a strange experience being dragged along to a beauty salon as Lisa had signed up for a whole load of girly stuff, so I had to come along as they did men’s cuts and needed one. Didn’t realise I would have be given a ‘golden’ robe to put on (tres gay – I was feeling gay enough!) but soon didn’t mind as the place was heaving with women and I was the only guy…

Been over the Brooklyn Bridge, did a couple of tours around the city including booklyn, got some good night shots etc, went to a comedy club – funny stuff, went to see the lion king on broadway which was awesome and all the other touristy things like the empire state building and also went through a tour of ‘gound zero’ (as the media coin it) which was really touching as the tour guides were people involved and one had lost her firefighter son. Also went to a basket ball match at madison sq. gardens for something called the big east – we wanted to get tickets for some ice hockey (see some fights!) but got tickets for this which apparently we were quite lucky to get. All good fun but american ‘time-outs’ get ridiculous, with 2mins of play that can last 20 minutes with either teams calling for ‘Time-outs’ and subsistutions. It was becoming a joke at 13sec left of play and even 3 sec left of play….

So plan on checking out the place were John Lennon was shot and the tribute at central park and doing some ice skating at the rockefella centre in the next few days. Still far too cold…

2nd, March The big apple…

After having a great time in Orlando and not drinking at all in the evenings, which consisted of eateing pizza, chinese and watching TV (or should I say adverts) We have finally arrived at NY. Havn’t seen much at all and it looks like e

ngland outside – cold, rainy and cloudy. But then again its New york and not the UK….

Here’s just a selection of pics from orlando, no explanations needed really – classic themepark fun I guess. More like holiday snaps than backpacker pics.

Having to pack at 10pm leaving in the morning at 430am. Wasn’t in the mood at all. Needed to sort out hostels, taxi’s, pack and even find out what time my flight was…

Oh well all done now. Need sleep though.

23rd February, Holiday Continues….

Here we are at Animal Kingdom. After 4 days in miami partying like there’s no tommorow, being here is a welcome change! This travelling lark has turned into one BIG holiday. Love it!

Off to Islands of adventure on the morrow, more rides and crazy pics with crazy characters! 8 days left of parks to go!! Ave it!!

Oh yea, I lost my wallet and my glasses. But thankfully got them back. How lucky is that!

19th February, We’re going to Miami…

This place is bonkers. It’s full of pretentious, wall-to-wall ego’s fast cars, plastic woman and a big helping of attitude… And I love it! Got to the hostel and was really jammy as they were fully booked, but had a cancellation 5mins before. Worked out fine.

Jazz on south beach hostel….

South beach.

Pizza. Chill time. Love it.

Pretty much routine here, rise mid afternoon, meet up for lunch and then head to the beach, get back sleep and then get ready for the next party.

Me surrounded by women.. How did that happen?!!

Big pink. The place to be for lunch.

Checkout its menu! too much!

Hostel kitchen…

Hostel mess – love it! Packing up is a pain in though.

Absoloutely filthy! Shared this between 3 people…

The view out crazyJenny’s apartment. What a random night!

What more can I say? Big food portions – one plate is enough for three with a starter. Always share no matter how hungry you think you are!

Last day here, so Going to get some more street shots. Its beautifull outside, 1pm and we are stuck on msn in the dorm – what a pair of losers.

14th February, Holiday is over…

Had a great time here. Just been basically chilling by the pool, topping up the tan and having a few cocktails. Food is amazing here, espscially having been backpacking for the last few months. Just your classic holiday all inclusive…

What a shot! He saw me talking a photo ran up to the wall and tried to climb over! (it’s a tapir if you don’t know – I didin’t!)

Just finished packing and just enjoying the luxury of having a hotel room with air con, tv, en suite etc before heading back a hostel in miami on the morrow.

9th February, Hola!

I’ve packed in being a backpacker for a short holiday at an all inclusive here in cancun trying to get my moneys worth and no doubt going to put on a few pounds in the process. Met up again with Lisa and staying with her and her folks at this really nice resort. Bit strange though as I hadn’t even thought I’d be going to cancun on an all inclusive when you plan you travels but hey, I made it and I’m loving it.

Swam with dolphins yesterday which was nice, and got an awesome shot of me and the dolphin doing a ‘jay pose’. He loved it. Also been to Coco-Bongo’s a huge club with live shows going on all over the place  – over your head etc with impersonations ranging from MJ to Elvis. Ummmm… Again its not really travelling but I can’t complain – its kind of one long holiday anyway when you look at it!!
So on that note here is another selection of photo’s…

Check the pirate ships ahoy!

May as well get the cocktails in…

Bit of swimming with some seals. He’s loving it!

Me’n snake man…

 

Various pics from Coco bongos – best club ever!

Land ahoy!

Some Japanese dudes we met on the pirate ship…

El capitan!…

Not over for another month and Miami, Florida and NY and back to LA still awaits… On a pirate boat tonight looks like a riot. Just done a huge shot of tequila and I am going right off it – I suppose its because its free…

5th February, Another Interlude

Well I made it through fine, surprisingly. I’ve heard so many problems. SPent about half an hour on the phone with American airlines to confirm my ticket to cancun in the morning. Its all automated and didn’t recognise me saying ‘cancun’ as my arrival even when I said it in as american accent. Then when I was put through to an operator it was pretty much the same…

Anywho, I decided to check into a hostel instead of roughing it at the LAX. Great homely place near venice beach home of muscle beach and all the classic cliches, its all true through, People jogging in there 100′s, Girls rollerblading in bikinis and the token crazy looking people.

So at the mo just in the lounge watching TV. I don’t plan on doing anything else. Just getting used to americans is going to take some time. Its been the longest monday in my history i’ve arrived 9hrs before I left…

5th Feburary, Bula ‘o’ clock

Here are just some photos of my time here. Lots of relaxing on the beach and chatting to new people.

A great sunset. I feel I am spoiling it a bit so with me in there! It doesn’t even look real!

Group by the beach.

Getting invlolved with the local drink – Cava. Its non alcaholic and is made from a plant root. They drink it by the bucket full.

There was a load of us who went down to this nearby local hut.

 

 

Fire show madness. Bit too far foward methinks!

Met this welsh guy who had been travelling with his guitar and getting people to sign it. Great stuff! Good guitar/singer too!

Some fellow brits by the pool!

I’m rather proud of my ‘national geographic’ insect shots!

A group of us went to visit the local village.

Been a good chilling few days. More cava drinking with locals and losing track of the days and the time, hence ‘bula’ o’clock. Its been a great time here and bumpin into other travellers from wellington and auckland was cool also seen some amazing sunsets. I would definately go back. Great people nice weather and met a lot of diverse people – in fact more aussies than when I was in oz.

So right now sat at Nadi airport and stressing out over the over complex security in LA. Had no address to stay in LA and had a pavlova out of Now I am freaking out over the fact I don’t even know if my flights through american airlines are confirmed.

But relax…. Fiji time….

1st Febuary, More ‘Bula!

Made the it to the boats fine for the island first island trip to Kuata for a 30 mins cruise down which was absoloutly stunning – real postcard island stuff. Amazing sunshine tiny tiny islands with clear blue waters and all that. It was amazingly hot and I got proper sunburn on my shoulders and I did use sunscreen.

Check out the postcard shots! Taken on the cruise down.

Day was spent chilling by the sea again (you’ll start to see a pattern emerging here!). Got quite a few Mos bites so there back damnit! No real stories really just a lot of chit chat with fellow travlellers and everyone including me nearing the end of their travels. Strange though, I’ve met more aussies here than i did in australia.

Us travellers getting ‘jiggy’ with the locals.