Got a free breakfast this morning from the hostel over the road from ours. Headed out in to town after putting our names down for a $5 dinner there tonight. Having to budget canny heavily now as we seem to be haemoraging dollars and cents in the U.S. Walked up to pier 33 to see about a trip to Alcatraz, managed to get on a trip for an hour later. Got the boat across to the rock and spent a good couple of hours there, doing the audio tour of the prison which was good. It must have been hell on earth being locked up there!!
Once back we had a wander round pier 39 which is full of tourist shops and all that jazz. There's a shop called Treasure Ireland that just sells Irsih related stuff!?! Didnt go in as our Irish needs were satisfied. Did get a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the pier though.
Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering round town. Found China town which was cool. The American Pyramid and all the steep hilly streets you see on the tele with cable cars going up and down.
San Francisco is a quality city. Feels a bit like New York with the massive tall buildings and everything arranged in a grid system. I wouldn't mind living here, you could could just walk around all day long and not get bored here.
Had our $5 dinner which was actually really good, there were loads of travellers young and old taking advantage of the cheap food!!!
Sunday 26 April 2009
IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO. . .
Left Yosemite without seeing the Brazon Racoon, stopped at a grove to see some giant Sequoia's and they were giant. One of them had a tunnel carved through its trunk that could fit a horse and carriage through it - unbelievable.
Drove onto San Francisco following the sat nav which lost satellite connection about a mile away from the hostel but finally found it.
San Francisco is massive man. We did some much needed laundry and then went for dinner in a really American diner from the 50's.
Had a bit of a gander round the streets near the hostel. Its proper hilly here, every corner you turn seems to lead you up a hill regardless of the direction your coming from.
Drove onto San Francisco following the sat nav which lost satellite connection about a mile away from the hostel but finally found it.
San Francisco is massive man. We did some much needed laundry and then went for dinner in a really American diner from the 50's.
Had a bit of a gander round the streets near the hostel. Its proper hilly here, every corner you turn seems to lead you up a hill regardless of the direction your coming from.
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY. .
Got up canny early again but on purpose this time as we are walking a canny long trail today. Going to climb Vernal and Nevada falls. Its only 7 miles long but a 2000 foot ascent. Got a bus to the starting point and a school fof kids got on the bus. These American kids are far too confident for my liking like!! Seriously this 12 year old girl comes up and is all ' Howdee neighbour! where you guys from?' Then starts cracking on to this old couple!
It took about 5 hours to climb to both falls. The size of these water falls are like nothing Ive ever seen before, makes you wonder where all the water comes from. The weirdest thing is the wind that comes off the falls from the force of the water - mental!
We got saoked to the bone from the mist off of Vernal falls. There was a perfect rainbow that permenantly sat in the bowl of the fall where the water fell.
Met an old American guy that started talking to us on our way down who was really friendly. I reckon the American's have to be the friendliest people we've come across. Most people we've been in contact with have been genuienly interested in us and really polite and really helpful.
On the shuttle bus back someone cried bear again but this time there was one. A black bear, that was actually brown, in the woods having a picnic!! Hows cools that!!
Saw a squirrel without a tail.
We had pizza in the evening and saw Jaimie off of Jaimie and his magic torch off of the eighties!! Well a kid that looked like him, got a photo to prove it.
Also heard Coyotes during the night. Aw Aw Awwwwwwwwwooooooooooooo
It took about 5 hours to climb to both falls. The size of these water falls are like nothing Ive ever seen before, makes you wonder where all the water comes from. The weirdest thing is the wind that comes off the falls from the force of the water - mental!
We got saoked to the bone from the mist off of Vernal falls. There was a perfect rainbow that permenantly sat in the bowl of the fall where the water fell.
Met an old American guy that started talking to us on our way down who was really friendly. I reckon the American's have to be the friendliest people we've come across. Most people we've been in contact with have been genuienly interested in us and really polite and really helpful.
On the shuttle bus back someone cried bear again but this time there was one. A black bear, that was actually brown, in the woods having a picnic!! Hows cools that!!
Saw a squirrel without a tail.
We had pizza in the evening and saw Jaimie off of Jaimie and his magic torch off of the eighties!! Well a kid that looked like him, got a photo to prove it.
Also heard Coyotes during the night. Aw Aw Awwwwwwwwwooooooooooooo
YOSEMITE
Woke up at literally the crack of dawn. Its canny hard to sleep when the sun is up in these tents. Plus a woodpecker was going mental right outside so got up at 5:45am. Supprisingly so did half the camp. There are loads of school groups in our site and they are all proper hyperactive kids, running round, pretending to be Rambo or something, screaming at the top of there lungs. It must be a canny cool place to go for a school trip.
Walked some of the trails, saw mirror lake in the morning - we could only go so far up the trail as there was a rock slide in March that totally blocked the way.
In the afternoon we walked up to Yosemite falls, the highest falls in North America - there are tonnes of falls here at the moment because of the runoff from melting snow. The volume of water is incredible man, when it hits the ground it mists and foams up.
We've seen loads of squirrels and chipmonks but no bears or racoons yet. Heather says that when she came here when she was younger she saw a racoon and it was a brazon racoon swaggering round through the tents - so the hunts on for the Brazon Racoon!!.
Caught a bus to round to Yosemite village and had some food.
During the night a fella started shouting proper loud trying to scare a bear away. Shouting ' get lost bear, you're not welcome here, go away' There was no bears there he was just crying wolf or crying bear - Idiot - hope a bear gets him during the night!!
Walked some of the trails, saw mirror lake in the morning - we could only go so far up the trail as there was a rock slide in March that totally blocked the way.
In the afternoon we walked up to Yosemite falls, the highest falls in North America - there are tonnes of falls here at the moment because of the runoff from melting snow. The volume of water is incredible man, when it hits the ground it mists and foams up.
We've seen loads of squirrels and chipmonks but no bears or racoons yet. Heather says that when she came here when she was younger she saw a racoon and it was a brazon racoon swaggering round through the tents - so the hunts on for the Brazon Racoon!!.
Caught a bus to round to Yosemite village and had some food.
During the night a fella started shouting proper loud trying to scare a bear away. Shouting ' get lost bear, you're not welcome here, go away' There was no bears there he was just crying wolf or crying bear - Idiot - hope a bear gets him during the night!!
Saturday 25 April 2009
DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE?
Off to Yosemite national park today for a few days. Drove a little out of the way so we could go via San Jose. I only wanted to go so I could say I'd been because of that song. I had to convince Heather taht the detour was worth it, dont think she's a big fan of Bacharach! The sat nav took us to the centre of San Jose which was a car park but I officially know the way to San Jose and thats all I wanted out of the 100 mile detour!!!!!!
Got back on the correct road to Yosemite. Drove on a 7 lane highway. 7 lanes man, on both sides on the road so that makes it 14 across, dont you think thats a bit excesive!! I guess we are near San Francisco but I bet they rarely use all 14 lanes!!
En route we saw what must have been the biggest lorries on earth. You know them big chunky cabs that look typically American, proper hardcore trucks. It was like being followed by Optimus Prime. I cant imagine an Eddy Stobbard having a go at Megatron like!!!
Got to the entrance to the Yosemite National Park and got loads of maps and that. You have to lock up all your food in Bear lockers as there are Black Bears here that come looking for food, Also they've got Mountain Lions. They saw if you're attacked by one to fight back! Imagine that? Fighting a blumming Mountain Lion?
Started seeing snow on the ground as we got higher into the park. Strange as its red hot, 85 degree F.
Yosemite Valley is amzing man, I reckon its the most amazing place on earth!! Drove passed El CApitan, Half Dome and Yosemite falls - all pretty spectacular!!
We're staying in a canvas tent for 3 nights in a campsite in Curry village set inbetween massive Redwoods - Its proper class, making me feel like a kid again, feels like proper camp America. And with the risk of being eaten by some wild aminal, it makes it pretty exciting to be here.
Went for some beers in Curry Village which was a mistake, as eventually I had to break the seal and was going for a wee every 1/2 a pint. The nearest toilet to the tent is a walked in the dark away. So with the Bears about I'm trying to fashion some kind of chamber pot!!!!!
Got back on the correct road to Yosemite. Drove on a 7 lane highway. 7 lanes man, on both sides on the road so that makes it 14 across, dont you think thats a bit excesive!! I guess we are near San Francisco but I bet they rarely use all 14 lanes!!
En route we saw what must have been the biggest lorries on earth. You know them big chunky cabs that look typically American, proper hardcore trucks. It was like being followed by Optimus Prime. I cant imagine an Eddy Stobbard having a go at Megatron like!!!
Got to the entrance to the Yosemite National Park and got loads of maps and that. You have to lock up all your food in Bear lockers as there are Black Bears here that come looking for food, Also they've got Mountain Lions. They saw if you're attacked by one to fight back! Imagine that? Fighting a blumming Mountain Lion?
Started seeing snow on the ground as we got higher into the park. Strange as its red hot, 85 degree F.
Yosemite Valley is amzing man, I reckon its the most amazing place on earth!! Drove passed El CApitan, Half Dome and Yosemite falls - all pretty spectacular!!
We're staying in a canvas tent for 3 nights in a campsite in Curry village set inbetween massive Redwoods - Its proper class, making me feel like a kid again, feels like proper camp America. And with the risk of being eaten by some wild aminal, it makes it pretty exciting to be here.
Went for some beers in Curry Village which was a mistake, as eventually I had to break the seal and was going for a wee every 1/2 a pint. The nearest toilet to the tent is a walked in the dark away. So with the Bears about I'm trying to fashion some kind of chamber pot!!!!!
SANTA CRUZ YOUR'E NOT THAT FARRRRRR
Woke up top 95 degree F sunshine and blue skies. Went down to have a look at the beach to see what the crack was. There's a beautiful white sanded beach full of people playing volley ball and sunbathing, exactly what you'd expect from a surfing USA californian beach! We walked through the Boardwalk which is Santa Cruz's version of Blackpool pleasure beach only out of date.
We sat in some shade for a while and played spot redneck in the Boardwalk which turned into the 'Look at the size of him' game
Walked up Pacific Ave and had a wonder round. Its a gorgeous town centre. Had a few coffees, some food and just chilled out in Santa Cruz for the afternoon.
I did have to buy some $3 undies from the sale in Gap as my kegs are close to dissolving soon. Only brought 4 pairs with me and life on the raod has taken its toll on me duds. Tried them on back at the motel and they're massive man!! They're the right size only huge, nearly come down to me knees, proper Ghandi pants - I guess they'll have to do!!!
We sat in some shade for a while and played spot redneck in the Boardwalk which turned into the 'Look at the size of him' game
Walked up Pacific Ave and had a wonder round. Its a gorgeous town centre. Had a few coffees, some food and just chilled out in Santa Cruz for the afternoon.
I did have to buy some $3 undies from the sale in Gap as my kegs are close to dissolving soon. Only brought 4 pairs with me and life on the raod has taken its toll on me duds. Tried them on back at the motel and they're massive man!! They're the right size only huge, nearly come down to me knees, proper Ghandi pants - I guess they'll have to do!!!
BIG SUR
Said goodbye to Sue and Bill early on as we've got a canny drive up the west coast to Santa Cruz today. Was great to see Bill and Sue and spend some time with them, shame we could only have one evening!!
Set off on the 101 again from S. Barbara to Moro Bay then got on the #1 that took us along the cliff hugging roads of Big Sur. Loads of windy roads that follow the coast for about 100 mile. Having an automatic really helped as all you were left to do was speed up and slow down. You dont even have to thing about it. I bet a chimp could drive an automatic. Worked out that the car has got Sirius radio, DBA, so we've got over 200 radio stations with crystal clear reception plus BBC Radio 1 which is delayed to New York time so we're 3 hours out so no Moyles unless we get up at 3am!!!!!
Big Sur is an amazing stretch of coast and is stunning. Probably the best drive since we've been away. Had the Thrills playing on the stereo for the whole 100 mile. Quality man!!!
There was this weird black sea fret hanging about then as we climbed higher it turned to thick white fog and fully covered the sea and half way up the cliffs. We were above it so it felt like you were looking down on the clouds. Eventually it burned off and we got an amazing view of the Pacific!!!
Stopped to take a photo and this little Chipmonk came running over and I fed him a ham sandwich which he took straight out me hand and sat there whilst he eat the lot.
After leaving Big Sur we drove through Monteray and onto Santa Cruz.
Found our motel using the Sat Nav, which is brilliant although its runs about 5 seconds too slw so we've missed a couple of turn off's.
Got to Santa Cruz after dark so we got directions to some food from the sat nav and carried it in me pocket as we walked down the streets.
Went to Jack in the Box, a fast food chain that I hope comes over the England. I had 3 Yipee Ky-yay Mini Sirloin burgers!! We'd seen the advert on the tele and I became a little obsesed with it. In the advert they have these midgets riding mini sirloin horses rounding up mini sirloin cattle and it has a proper catchy mini sirloin song that got us to go and taste these mini sirloin burgers - Quality!!!
Set off on the 101 again from S. Barbara to Moro Bay then got on the #1 that took us along the cliff hugging roads of Big Sur. Loads of windy roads that follow the coast for about 100 mile. Having an automatic really helped as all you were left to do was speed up and slow down. You dont even have to thing about it. I bet a chimp could drive an automatic. Worked out that the car has got Sirius radio, DBA, so we've got over 200 radio stations with crystal clear reception plus BBC Radio 1 which is delayed to New York time so we're 3 hours out so no Moyles unless we get up at 3am!!!!!
Big Sur is an amazing stretch of coast and is stunning. Probably the best drive since we've been away. Had the Thrills playing on the stereo for the whole 100 mile. Quality man!!!
There was this weird black sea fret hanging about then as we climbed higher it turned to thick white fog and fully covered the sea and half way up the cliffs. We were above it so it felt like you were looking down on the clouds. Eventually it burned off and we got an amazing view of the Pacific!!!
Stopped to take a photo and this little Chipmonk came running over and I fed him a ham sandwich which he took straight out me hand and sat there whilst he eat the lot.
After leaving Big Sur we drove through Monteray and onto Santa Cruz.
Found our motel using the Sat Nav, which is brilliant although its runs about 5 seconds too slw so we've missed a couple of turn off's.
Got to Santa Cruz after dark so we got directions to some food from the sat nav and carried it in me pocket as we walked down the streets.
Went to Jack in the Box, a fast food chain that I hope comes over the England. I had 3 Yipee Ky-yay Mini Sirloin burgers!! We'd seen the advert on the tele and I became a little obsesed with it. In the advert they have these midgets riding mini sirloin horses rounding up mini sirloin cattle and it has a proper catchy mini sirloin song that got us to go and taste these mini sirloin burgers - Quality!!!
SANTA BARBARA
Had an early breakfast in the million dollar bay cafe again! Strange thing happened right; got a missed call from an unknown number at 4am and then the same at 8am which I managed to answer with really bad reception. It was a guy from Stuff magazine thanking me for entering a competition back in december then it cut out and he never rang back - so I dont know if Ive won or what - gutted!!!
Drove out of L.A. via the Hollywood sign. Hollywood is a strange place but I like it a lot. Two days if plenty enough like. Drove up highway 101 to Santa Barbara, where we're staying with Heathers Aunty Sue and Uncle Bill. We met Sue for a soup lunch and a chat then she had to return to her Jury Duty in the afternoon. So we had a nosey round Santa Barbara. Its a lovely place Santa Barbara. It was red hot and clear blue skies.
In the evening we wnet to Bill and Sues house. We all went out for dinner in the evening and we were treated to an amazing meal. I had Mahi Mahi which was unbelievable and this hemp beer which was good. We had some good crack and good chat. Bill gave us some advice on which routes to take on the rest of our time in California. Top night!!
Drove out of L.A. via the Hollywood sign. Hollywood is a strange place but I like it a lot. Two days if plenty enough like. Drove up highway 101 to Santa Barbara, where we're staying with Heathers Aunty Sue and Uncle Bill. We met Sue for a soup lunch and a chat then she had to return to her Jury Duty in the afternoon. So we had a nosey round Santa Barbara. Its a lovely place Santa Barbara. It was red hot and clear blue skies.
In the evening we wnet to Bill and Sues house. We all went out for dinner in the evening and we were treated to an amazing meal. I had Mahi Mahi which was unbelievable and this hemp beer which was good. We had some good crack and good chat. Bill gave us some advice on which routes to take on the rest of our time in California. Top night!!
HURRAY FOR HOLLYWOOD
Went for a $5 breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast in the cafe that they film Million dollor bay round the corner from our hostel. Then got on one of those sight seeing buses. It took us all round Hollywood. Saw Melrose ave, Rodeo drive, Paramount Pictures, Chateau Marmont, Viper Rooms (Jonny Depps night club where River Pheonix died) Whiskey a go-go, House of Blues, Sunset Blvd, the Hollywood sign, Capital records, tonnes of stuff man, this town is pretty cool!!
In the afternoon we went to see Observe and Report, Seth Rogans new film, in the Chinese theatre. Before we went in they were rolling out the red carpert at the front of the theatre. Looks like somethings occuring tonight!!!!!!
Film was class. Came out about 7:30pm and walked passed the red carpert. All the lights were on and the press were all lined up and people were arriving. Then Drew Barrymore pulls up outside in a big black car and the crowd and press go absolutely mental!! Its the premier of Grey Gardens. We were swiftky ushered to the other side of the road to watch from a distance then she runs across the road to see all the fans lined up. We were literally a couple of feet away from her - she was absolutely gorgeous man!!!! How cool is that!!!!!
Watch her doing interviews and that for about 1/2 hour. Also saw the other girl whose in it but didnt reckognise her, Jessica something!! After the crowd dispersed we saw a film crew going passed the Theatre and was told they were fiming for an episode of Entourage!!! What a mad town!!
Went for some Guiness in a bar on Hollywood Blvd right opposite the red carpert. Was hoping Drew would come in for a pint after her show!! Heather said I could ask her out if she did!!
She didn't!!!!
In the afternoon we went to see Observe and Report, Seth Rogans new film, in the Chinese theatre. Before we went in they were rolling out the red carpert at the front of the theatre. Looks like somethings occuring tonight!!!!!!
Film was class. Came out about 7:30pm and walked passed the red carpert. All the lights were on and the press were all lined up and people were arriving. Then Drew Barrymore pulls up outside in a big black car and the crowd and press go absolutely mental!! Its the premier of Grey Gardens. We were swiftky ushered to the other side of the road to watch from a distance then she runs across the road to see all the fans lined up. We were literally a couple of feet away from her - she was absolutely gorgeous man!!!! How cool is that!!!!!
Watch her doing interviews and that for about 1/2 hour. Also saw the other girl whose in it but didnt reckognise her, Jessica something!! After the crowd dispersed we saw a film crew going passed the Theatre and was told they were fiming for an episode of Entourage!!! What a mad town!!
Went for some Guiness in a bar on Hollywood Blvd right opposite the red carpert. Was hoping Drew would come in for a pint after her show!! Heather said I could ask her out if she did!!
She didn't!!!!
FLIGHT TO LOS ANGELES
Got picked up by a bus @3:30 in the AM to take us to the airport. Slept on plane and watched bedtime stories - its alright!!
LAnded in L.A. in a bit of a daze. Got a bus to the car rental place and picked up our car. We got an all American chevy that I'm planning on driving to a levy when I find out what one is!!! Its canny nippy but its an automatic and Ive never really driven one before so me left leg is always looking for a clutch and finding a brake instead. Add that to the fact we're driving on the right hand side of the road in the middle of L.A. and we've got a problem. First road I drove on I went straight for the left hand lane.
Found our hostel which is just off Hollywood Blvd and smells of cats wee!! Dumped our stuff and went for a gander round Hollywood. We're litterally 1 minute away from the walk of fame and another minute from the Chinese theatre where they have red carpet premiers and all the hand and feet prints of the stars are set in cement - pretty cool that like!!!
Went for a McDonalds on Hollywood Blvd and noticed that they had a massive security guard in there and was fully armed with an automatic weapon!! A flippin gun in McDonalds!!! I wonder if its incase the HamBurgler turns up!!!!
Spent a couple of hours wandering round. Once dark the whole place lights up like a Christmas tree, every building has flashing neon lights that makes it feel more like a theme park rather than a town!! There's even a King Kong coming out of the roof of some news agents or other!!!!
I'll tell you something else for free, there's some strange folk in Hollywood!!!
There are the ranters who sit alone and constantly chunter to themselves and then scream at passers by about goodness knows what!!! There are the wannabee actors who dress up as the rich and famous and then walk the streets trying to get recognised. We saw Superman, Spiderman, Marolyn Monroe, Jack Sparrow, Chucky (played by an real life midget) Jesus, Gene Simons and endless others. Then there's the just plain crazy, mad as custard the lot of them, they walk around shouting and bothering people. You cant even work out what they want from you or even if they want anything at all!!
Another good thing here is that you dont seem to get I.D'd for alcohol here. Either they're not bothered or I'm starting to look over 40!!!!
LAnded in L.A. in a bit of a daze. Got a bus to the car rental place and picked up our car. We got an all American chevy that I'm planning on driving to a levy when I find out what one is!!! Its canny nippy but its an automatic and Ive never really driven one before so me left leg is always looking for a clutch and finding a brake instead. Add that to the fact we're driving on the right hand side of the road in the middle of L.A. and we've got a problem. First road I drove on I went straight for the left hand lane.
Found our hostel which is just off Hollywood Blvd and smells of cats wee!! Dumped our stuff and went for a gander round Hollywood. We're litterally 1 minute away from the walk of fame and another minute from the Chinese theatre where they have red carpet premiers and all the hand and feet prints of the stars are set in cement - pretty cool that like!!!
Went for a McDonalds on Hollywood Blvd and noticed that they had a massive security guard in there and was fully armed with an automatic weapon!! A flippin gun in McDonalds!!! I wonder if its incase the HamBurgler turns up!!!!
Spent a couple of hours wandering round. Once dark the whole place lights up like a Christmas tree, every building has flashing neon lights that makes it feel more like a theme park rather than a town!! There's even a King Kong coming out of the roof of some news agents or other!!!!
I'll tell you something else for free, there's some strange folk in Hollywood!!!
There are the ranters who sit alone and constantly chunter to themselves and then scream at passers by about goodness knows what!!! There are the wannabee actors who dress up as the rich and famous and then walk the streets trying to get recognised. We saw Superman, Spiderman, Marolyn Monroe, Jack Sparrow, Chucky (played by an real life midget) Jesus, Gene Simons and endless others. Then there's the just plain crazy, mad as custard the lot of them, they walk around shouting and bothering people. You cant even work out what they want from you or even if they want anything at all!!
Another good thing here is that you dont seem to get I.D'd for alcohol here. Either they're not bothered or I'm starting to look over 40!!!!
LAST DAY IN HAWAII
Had one last look round Honolul and packed up ready for the off tomorrow. Flying to the mainland. Went for some food and beers in the evening at the bar with 60 odd beers on tap. I had me first ever taste of Lobster. It was on a surf and turf burger like, but was beautiful!!
They make it pretty hard to buy alcohol here, they I.D. every one who looks under 40 so it mean having to take out your passports everywhere and unless your sitting at the bar you get I.D'd every pint - just slows things down man. Tonight we had to cane it as we've got a 3am rise in the morning so drinking tonight was medicinal!!!
They make it pretty hard to buy alcohol here, they I.D. every one who looks under 40 so it mean having to take out your passports everywhere and unless your sitting at the bar you get I.D'd every pint - just slows things down man. Tonight we had to cane it as we've got a 3am rise in the morning so drinking tonight was medicinal!!!
Tuesday 14 April 2009
THE SUN HAS GOT HIS HAT ON!!
The sun has definately had his hat on these last couple of days, in fact I bet he's had to take it off as its so hot. Thats probably where he's been since we got here, sheltering from his own heat in doors somewhere!!
Spent the last couple of days on the beach. Its absolutely gorgeous here, sun, sea, surf, palm trees, white sandy beaches. Exactly how you imagine what Hawaii would look like. Even saw some Hula girls dancing and guys playing Ukulele's!!!!! Fantastic!!!!
I'll risk saying something a bit controversial here but I think I hate the beach!! (Surely not!!) Dont get me wrong, I do love the beach and love being on it but I hate sunbathing on a beach and I'll tell you for why!! You get there, lube up and it takes about 10 seconds for either the wind to blow or someone to walk passed you before you resemble an ice cream covered in 100's and 1000's. So you spend hours grating your skin away covered from head to arse crack to toe in sand. Plus people on the beach take sunbathing far too seriously man! They rotate themselves like bronze pigs on spits just to get an even tan!!! Insanity! Any tan I get is gone within a week out of the sun so whats the point in torturing yourself!! Whilst Im being honest Im not the biggest fan of the brine either - ever seen Jaws? Well I have!
Rant over!
Seriously though had a nice couple of days relaxing and chilling out. Perfect!!!!
Spent the last couple of days on the beach. Its absolutely gorgeous here, sun, sea, surf, palm trees, white sandy beaches. Exactly how you imagine what Hawaii would look like. Even saw some Hula girls dancing and guys playing Ukulele's!!!!! Fantastic!!!!
I'll risk saying something a bit controversial here but I think I hate the beach!! (Surely not!!) Dont get me wrong, I do love the beach and love being on it but I hate sunbathing on a beach and I'll tell you for why!! You get there, lube up and it takes about 10 seconds for either the wind to blow or someone to walk passed you before you resemble an ice cream covered in 100's and 1000's. So you spend hours grating your skin away covered from head to arse crack to toe in sand. Plus people on the beach take sunbathing far too seriously man! They rotate themselves like bronze pigs on spits just to get an even tan!!! Insanity! Any tan I get is gone within a week out of the sun so whats the point in torturing yourself!! Whilst Im being honest Im not the biggest fan of the brine either - ever seen Jaws? Well I have!
Rant over!
Seriously though had a nice couple of days relaxing and chilling out. Perfect!!!!
PEARL HARBOUR
We'd decided that we'd got to Pearl Harbour today since its been cloudy and rainy since we got here nearly. Woke up to bright blue skies and scorching sun!!!!
Caught a bus to Pearl Harbour about an hour away from Waikiki. Cued for a free ticket to the USS Arizona memorial which was for two hours later that day so we went for a look round the Harbour. Paid $10 to go aboard the USS Bowfin submarine which was pretty cool!!
Went for a real American hotdog while we waited and watched this fat American kid eat a massive bowl of nacho's like they were going out of fashion. He was reading a comic at the same time but every nacho took up his whole attention. He'd slam one into his massive gob then he couldn't believe his luck when he saw that he had some left. Then another nacho would fall victim to his greedy chops. He looked like this was the happiest moment in his whole life. We watched him until he'd finished the lot as he looked so happy. Then disaster struck. He'd eaten his last nacho without realising it and when he reached for his next mouthfull and saw they were all gone he looked proper upset and I thought he was going to cry - Hilarious!!!!!
Our time came to go to the memorial, we watched a documentry of the Japanese attack showing actual footage from 1941. It must have been terrible man!! Then we were taken by boat the the sunken USS Arizona, which lies beneith the water. Its was left submerged where it was as a memorial to the 900 souls still trapped inside the ship, I guess as a kind of grave.
The Nacho Kid was on our boat and he was looking utterly dejected. I think he was still remembering his last nacho moment rather than mourning the dead -God Bless him!!!
Strange thing. There was hardly any Japanese at Pearl Harbour. I'd thought they must be so many in Honolulu so they could visit Pearl Harbour but there was only a handfull there. They must just be here for the shops and the beaches. Guess I'll never find out? I wonder if for some reason they think that the Pearl Harbour campaign was successful and that they now occupy Hawaii?!? Who knows?!?!
Caught a bus to Pearl Harbour about an hour away from Waikiki. Cued for a free ticket to the USS Arizona memorial which was for two hours later that day so we went for a look round the Harbour. Paid $10 to go aboard the USS Bowfin submarine which was pretty cool!!
Went for a real American hotdog while we waited and watched this fat American kid eat a massive bowl of nacho's like they were going out of fashion. He was reading a comic at the same time but every nacho took up his whole attention. He'd slam one into his massive gob then he couldn't believe his luck when he saw that he had some left. Then another nacho would fall victim to his greedy chops. He looked like this was the happiest moment in his whole life. We watched him until he'd finished the lot as he looked so happy. Then disaster struck. He'd eaten his last nacho without realising it and when he reached for his next mouthfull and saw they were all gone he looked proper upset and I thought he was going to cry - Hilarious!!!!!
Our time came to go to the memorial, we watched a documentry of the Japanese attack showing actual footage from 1941. It must have been terrible man!! Then we were taken by boat the the sunken USS Arizona, which lies beneith the water. Its was left submerged where it was as a memorial to the 900 souls still trapped inside the ship, I guess as a kind of grave.
The Nacho Kid was on our boat and he was looking utterly dejected. I think he was still remembering his last nacho moment rather than mourning the dead -God Bless him!!!
Strange thing. There was hardly any Japanese at Pearl Harbour. I'd thought they must be so many in Honolulu so they could visit Pearl Harbour but there was only a handfull there. They must just be here for the shops and the beaches. Guess I'll never find out? I wonder if for some reason they think that the Pearl Harbour campaign was successful and that they now occupy Hawaii?!? Who knows?!?!
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS AND THAT, LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS
Cloudy and rainy again today - sob sob!!!! Unless you like to shop a lot, there aint much to do in Honolulu on a cloudy day so we went to the zoo.
It was canny good like, saw some Tigers and Elephants and Monkeys and Giraffes. The best were the Hippos, you could go half underground and half above ground so you could see them swimming and coming up for air. They left the best till last, the Chimps were class! Shame it was raining as half of them stayed sheltered under a tree but a few of them were playing and that. They're nearly Human!!
It was canny good like, saw some Tigers and Elephants and Monkeys and Giraffes. The best were the Hippos, you could go half underground and half above ground so you could see them swimming and coming up for air. They left the best till last, the Chimps were class! Shame it was raining as half of them stayed sheltered under a tree but a few of them were playing and that. They're nearly Human!!
SPACED OUT
Cant remember too much about today, Jet lag has won!! Slept in till after midday as it was cloudy and rainy!! Had a look around the town and the shops. They are all designer shops, Macy's, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Tiffany's all like that. Bought a rough guide for California to plan the last leg of our Tour of Duty!
One thing thats strange is that there seems to be a very high percentage of Japanese tourists here. I bet 8 out of 10 people you pass on the street are Japanese. I cant work out why there are so many! The shops? Pearl Harbour? Heather reckons its just because its probably the closest place to Japan for them to come for a holiday. A lot of the restaurants and shops are set up for the Japanese with Japanese signs and menu's. Weird man! Forgive and forget I guess!!!!!!
Watched a bit of cable TV - which actually makes my teeth hurt!! Its painful man! We have 34 channels and about 3 of them are watchable. The rest are constant loops of paid broadcasts, 1/2 hour long adverts for steak knives, 15 minute long adverts for prescription drugs, burger adverts, Judge Judy show, Judge David show, Judge who ever show (I've counted 6 different Judge someone shows all set in a court room sorting out petty $50 arguments between neighbours - pathetic) Dont get me started on the talk shows, the late show, the late late show, the late late late show, David Letterman, Jimmy Falon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, dozens of them - all total Gash!!!!
One saving grace is that House seems to be revered as a small god over here and is on four times a day - quality!! After that there's The Simpsons, Family Guy, Friends and Tool Time to save American tele some face!!!
God Bless the BBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please forgive any wayward, intolerable, gloomy things I may have said above. I dont know where I am, what day it is and why the sun is out at night time! Apologies!
One thing thats strange is that there seems to be a very high percentage of Japanese tourists here. I bet 8 out of 10 people you pass on the street are Japanese. I cant work out why there are so many! The shops? Pearl Harbour? Heather reckons its just because its probably the closest place to Japan for them to come for a holiday. A lot of the restaurants and shops are set up for the Japanese with Japanese signs and menu's. Weird man! Forgive and forget I guess!!!!!!
Watched a bit of cable TV - which actually makes my teeth hurt!! Its painful man! We have 34 channels and about 3 of them are watchable. The rest are constant loops of paid broadcasts, 1/2 hour long adverts for steak knives, 15 minute long adverts for prescription drugs, burger adverts, Judge Judy show, Judge David show, Judge who ever show (I've counted 6 different Judge someone shows all set in a court room sorting out petty $50 arguments between neighbours - pathetic) Dont get me started on the talk shows, the late show, the late late show, the late late late show, David Letterman, Jimmy Falon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, dozens of them - all total Gash!!!!
One saving grace is that House seems to be revered as a small god over here and is on four times a day - quality!! After that there's The Simpsons, Family Guy, Friends and Tool Time to save American tele some face!!!
God Bless the BBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please forgive any wayward, intolerable, gloomy things I may have said above. I dont know where I am, what day it is and why the sun is out at night time! Apologies!
GROUNDHOG DAY
Re-living Tuesday 7th April today. I'm sure theres some weight in the 'crossing the date line again and turning back time' argument! One day!!
Cleared imigration and customs after a bag search. The fellas on the desk are proper aggressive.
'What are your intensions in the USA?' 'Where are you planning on going whilst in the USA?' ' What buisness do you have in the USA?' ' When are you leaving the USA?' ' Have you got anything you shouldnt have hidden inside your bottom?'
It automatically makes you defensive and then when they realise you're good, they transform into the nicest people youre ever likely to meet! 'Thats it buddy, you have a wonderful stay and welcome to the USA' - Bizzare!!
Got to the hotel at about 8am which was about 2am in me head, managed to get a couple of hours kip on the plane but we'll see where the Jet Lag takes us!!!
Suprisingly our room wasnt ready at 8am so we dumped our backpacks and went for a scout round Waikiki beach and Honolulu. The sun has got his hat on today! Its absolutley roasting with clear blue skies.
We got a tram taht does a loop of Honolulu to kill some time and get our barings. We realised that there were a few different loops and we'd got on the shopping mall route. So we saw all of Honolulu's shopping centres and car parks!!! Got our barings though and went to check into the hotel.
We got upgrade to a better room, something to do with the fact that we booked directly through the hotel! Anyway we've got a sea view and two, count them TWO balconies, one facing the beach and the other facing the town. Its a corner room so its massive, two double beds, cable TV and en suite - nice!
Jet Slags winning a bit - had to have a kip in the afternoon. Watched the build up to the Masters which is on this weekend. They're getting pretty excited about it - they've even got a whole channel called the golf channel and all they're talking about is the Masters - Good Times!!!
Forced ourselves to go for food and found a great way to stay awake - we got on the ale! Found a bar that has about 60 draught beers!! Even had Newcastle Brown!!!!
Cleared imigration and customs after a bag search. The fellas on the desk are proper aggressive.
'What are your intensions in the USA?' 'Where are you planning on going whilst in the USA?' ' What buisness do you have in the USA?' ' When are you leaving the USA?' ' Have you got anything you shouldnt have hidden inside your bottom?'
It automatically makes you defensive and then when they realise you're good, they transform into the nicest people youre ever likely to meet! 'Thats it buddy, you have a wonderful stay and welcome to the USA' - Bizzare!!
Got to the hotel at about 8am which was about 2am in me head, managed to get a couple of hours kip on the plane but we'll see where the Jet Lag takes us!!!
Suprisingly our room wasnt ready at 8am so we dumped our backpacks and went for a scout round Waikiki beach and Honolulu. The sun has got his hat on today! Its absolutley roasting with clear blue skies.
We got a tram taht does a loop of Honolulu to kill some time and get our barings. We realised that there were a few different loops and we'd got on the shopping mall route. So we saw all of Honolulu's shopping centres and car parks!!! Got our barings though and went to check into the hotel.
We got upgrade to a better room, something to do with the fact that we booked directly through the hotel! Anyway we've got a sea view and two, count them TWO balconies, one facing the beach and the other facing the town. Its a corner room so its massive, two double beds, cable TV and en suite - nice!
Jet Slags winning a bit - had to have a kip in the afternoon. Watched the build up to the Masters which is on this weekend. They're getting pretty excited about it - they've even got a whole channel called the golf channel and all they're talking about is the Masters - Good Times!!!
Forced ourselves to go for food and found a great way to stay awake - we got on the ale! Found a bar that has about 60 draught beers!! Even had Newcastle Brown!!!!
LEAVING NEW ZEALAND
Last day in NZ today, off to drop the car off and catch a flight to Sydney then on to Honolulu. New Zealand has been awesome man!!! We drove 3878km in total. Four weeks isnt enough here, two months would have been perfect. We did see pretty much everything we wanted to see and have been blown away by this country.
Heather did get her skirt changed and we managed to drop the car off in time so the double yolker fullfilled its vow!!
Flight - Sydney - Two hours in airport - Flight to Honolulu
The time difference is weird, we've crossed the date line so have gone back in time a day.
Set off from Auckland at 9am on Tuesday then a 3 hr flight, 2 hr in airport, and a 9 hr flight and arrived at 7am on Tuesday - The same day!!!!! So we've arrived before we have even set off!
Wonder what would happen if you could go round the world and cross the date line again? Would you go back to Monday?? I'm sure I remember watching Superman turning back time by crossing the date line loads of times - Imagine that!!
Looking forward to Hawaii like, we've got a week in Honolulu and it'll be so good just to be in one place for more than two days. A bit of time to take stock, get a haircut and chill out in the sun!!!
Heather did get her skirt changed and we managed to drop the car off in time so the double yolker fullfilled its vow!!
Flight - Sydney - Two hours in airport - Flight to Honolulu
The time difference is weird, we've crossed the date line so have gone back in time a day.
Set off from Auckland at 9am on Tuesday then a 3 hr flight, 2 hr in airport, and a 9 hr flight and arrived at 7am on Tuesday - The same day!!!!! So we've arrived before we have even set off!
Wonder what would happen if you could go round the world and cross the date line again? Would you go back to Monday?? I'm sure I remember watching Superman turning back time by crossing the date line loads of times - Imagine that!!
Looking forward to Hawaii like, we've got a week in Honolulu and it'll be so good just to be in one place for more than two days. A bit of time to take stock, get a haircut and chill out in the sun!!!
Wednesday 8 April 2009
AUCKLAND
What a cool place Auckland is man!!!
Went for breakfast on the K Road, which feels a bit like Camdon, a bit rough but well cool. Had poached eggs on toast and I got a double yolker!!!!!! Never had a double yolker before. The fella said that meant I'd have a lucky day today!!!!
Had a mooch round K road and no word of a lie we saw a shop called 'LUCKY MART' - havin' that like!!!
Had a lucky walk round town, Heather found a skirt in one of the shops, which I guess was lucky as that meant no more skirt shopping!!!
We jumped on a bus that did a circuit of the city, so we just stayed on it and rode the bus all the way round - quick way to see the whole city!
Went up the sky tower and got the 360 degree view of the city - Lovely stuff!
Went back to the hostel to clear the car out and pack up all our gear as we're dropping the car off tomorra. Heathers button fell off her new skirt!! Whats going on? Its supposed to be a lucky day - I should have given her one of the lucky yolks! Went in to town for tea and the skirt shop was closed. Hopefully the luck will carry over to tomorrow and she'll be able to get it changed. We have to be at the airport at 10 am to drop the car off or face a late fine. Fingers and yolks crossed.
Went for breakfast on the K Road, which feels a bit like Camdon, a bit rough but well cool. Had poached eggs on toast and I got a double yolker!!!!!! Never had a double yolker before. The fella said that meant I'd have a lucky day today!!!!
Had a mooch round K road and no word of a lie we saw a shop called 'LUCKY MART' - havin' that like!!!
Had a lucky walk round town, Heather found a skirt in one of the shops, which I guess was lucky as that meant no more skirt shopping!!!
We jumped on a bus that did a circuit of the city, so we just stayed on it and rode the bus all the way round - quick way to see the whole city!
Went up the sky tower and got the 360 degree view of the city - Lovely stuff!
Went back to the hostel to clear the car out and pack up all our gear as we're dropping the car off tomorra. Heathers button fell off her new skirt!! Whats going on? Its supposed to be a lucky day - I should have given her one of the lucky yolks! Went in to town for tea and the skirt shop was closed. Hopefully the luck will carry over to tomorrow and she'll be able to get it changed. We have to be at the airport at 10 am to drop the car off or face a late fine. Fingers and yolks crossed.
Monday 6 April 2009
OFF TO AUCKLAND
We said goodbye to Anya and the kids around lunch time and set off for Auckland. Our last long drive in New Zealand. Checked in late afternoon and had a looksee round the city. Auckland is a cool city man!! I love it here!! We walked round the quay side. I got to have a look at the moon through a massive telescope that these chaps had set up and the quayside. Went for food and then found a bar with an Irish fella playing guitar - he was pretty good!!!!!!!
WHAKATANE
Had a good day today. Chilled out in the morning and watched saturday morning tele with Emily, Anya's eldest. Then Anya came back home from Andrews football game.
In the afternoon we went to Ohope beach where the kids surfed and we had a walk along the beach. Walked up the cliff with the kids and we found a dead blue penguin!!!
Its a lovely place Whakatane, dead layed back and chilled out. Anya says her boss, an optom, regularly blocks out an afternoon of tests to go golfing or hunting or to play squash!! Thats the way to live man!!!! I bet people here live a lot longer than back in Britain. The airs is fresher, the fruit and veg taste better, the pace of life is less hectic, the people are more active and happier. It makes Leeds look terrible .
Spent the evening chatting and watching DVD's, which was class, we've both missed just having a night in the house!!!!
In the afternoon we went to Ohope beach where the kids surfed and we had a walk along the beach. Walked up the cliff with the kids and we found a dead blue penguin!!!
Its a lovely place Whakatane, dead layed back and chilled out. Anya says her boss, an optom, regularly blocks out an afternoon of tests to go golfing or hunting or to play squash!! Thats the way to live man!!!! I bet people here live a lot longer than back in Britain. The airs is fresher, the fruit and veg taste better, the pace of life is less hectic, the people are more active and happier. It makes Leeds look terrible .
Spent the evening chatting and watching DVD's, which was class, we've both missed just having a night in the house!!!!
Sunday 5 April 2009
ROTORUA - ANYA'S HOUSE
We're off to visit Heather's mate Anya today, who now lives in Whakatane. We're staying for a couple of nights with her and her two kids.
Spent most of the day in Rotorua. The thing with Rotorua is that because of all the sulphur pools and volcanic steam coming out the ground, the whole place stinks of rotten eggs!!!!!
Spent a couple of hours watching about 40 old ladies play Crown green bowls in the government gardens. It was quality!!! They were all either call Ethel or Maud!!! The gardens are beautiful with old bath houses, croquet lawns, tennis courts and bowling greens, a stunning place with the floral bouquet of eggy farts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drove to Whakatane to Anya's house, its a canny big bungalow with a double garage, which I was canny jelous of, Id love a single gargae never mind a doubler!!!!! Spent the evening chatting with Anya and the kids, had a blast on the play station. Showed them our photos so far, I felt sorry for Anya as there are thousands of them man, the kids lasted about 10 minutes!!!!!!!
Spent most of the day in Rotorua. The thing with Rotorua is that because of all the sulphur pools and volcanic steam coming out the ground, the whole place stinks of rotten eggs!!!!!
Spent a couple of hours watching about 40 old ladies play Crown green bowls in the government gardens. It was quality!!! They were all either call Ethel or Maud!!! The gardens are beautiful with old bath houses, croquet lawns, tennis courts and bowling greens, a stunning place with the floral bouquet of eggy farts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drove to Whakatane to Anya's house, its a canny big bungalow with a double garage, which I was canny jelous of, Id love a single gargae never mind a doubler!!!!! Spent the evening chatting with Anya and the kids, had a blast on the play station. Showed them our photos so far, I felt sorry for Anya as there are thousands of them man, the kids lasted about 10 minutes!!!!!!!
ROTORUA
Had a canny day today!!! Got up early and went to a volcanic area of Rotorua, there is a geyser called Lady Knox there that they set off each day at 10am. So we got seated and the fella poured soap powder into its cone and it took about 5 minutes for it to erupt!! The water and steam went about 20m high - crazy!!
Spent a couple of hours walking round the track which took us round all the geysers, sulphur lakes and that! The colours of the lakes and rocks were unbelievable man!!
After that we drove to Rainbow Springs where they look after Kiwi birds and release them in to the wild when they're big enough to fend off stoats and that!! We got to see a pair of eggs brought in by some volenteers. Then some newly hatched Kiwi's and three big un's in the nocturnal house. They were well cool, they're bigger than chickens and have long thin beaks and are quite agressive, which we were shocked at since everywhere you go here there are pictures or cartoons of fluffy cute kiwi's but in reality they're swines!!! But were canny cute like!!!
They had a wild life park here as well where you can walk around and see all sorts of native wild life. Best of all they've got massive trout: browns, blues, rainbows, american brook end even Tiger trout (cross between brown and brook) They were mint! The Rainbows have their own pool which can be accessed by the fish by a fish ladder, a small stream that they can swim up and down, which leads to the lake at Rotorua so they are free to come and go as they please. Brilliant!!!!
Had tea in the hostel kitchen. Pot Noodles and a bottle of the posh wine from the vinyard tour, the best wine to have with Pot Noodles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spent a couple of hours walking round the track which took us round all the geysers, sulphur lakes and that! The colours of the lakes and rocks were unbelievable man!!
After that we drove to Rainbow Springs where they look after Kiwi birds and release them in to the wild when they're big enough to fend off stoats and that!! We got to see a pair of eggs brought in by some volenteers. Then some newly hatched Kiwi's and three big un's in the nocturnal house. They were well cool, they're bigger than chickens and have long thin beaks and are quite agressive, which we were shocked at since everywhere you go here there are pictures or cartoons of fluffy cute kiwi's but in reality they're swines!!! But were canny cute like!!!
They had a wild life park here as well where you can walk around and see all sorts of native wild life. Best of all they've got massive trout: browns, blues, rainbows, american brook end even Tiger trout (cross between brown and brook) They were mint! The Rainbows have their own pool which can be accessed by the fish by a fish ladder, a small stream that they can swim up and down, which leads to the lake at Rotorua so they are free to come and go as they please. Brilliant!!!!
Had tea in the hostel kitchen. Pot Noodles and a bottle of the posh wine from the vinyard tour, the best wine to have with Pot Noodles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FISHING FOR MAORI TROUT
Didnt sleep well as I was too excited about fishing! Got up and checked out early and set off for the Waitahanui river which feeds lake Taupo. Stopped at a different tackle shop for some different flies as the one's the chap gave me yesterday didnt fill me with much hope. The guy in the new tackle shop was much more helpful and said that river should be good sport. He did warn me that they will be loads of Maori's fishing at the mouth and to avoid them as they class that river as Maori land but said not to worry!!!!! On arrival at the car park near the river we saw a painted sign saying 'MAORI LAND KEEP OUT' so I set off, leaving Heather with the car, bricking me self. I started fishing near the carpark just incase I needed a quick get away!!!
First fisherman I saw was a massive Maori guy fishing up and down the river. Im totally cacking it now!! After about 1/2 hour of no luck the Maori fella comes towards me, I nearly die of fright. Then he smiles and says ' any luck?' We chatted for a while and he gave me some advice and a few flies and was the nicest guy ever!!!!! We both fished the same stretch for an hour or so and had a canny chat.
Fished a bit further inland for an hour or two. Crystal clear streams that didnt yeild any fish. In fact I couldnt even see any in the stream so I dont know why I stayed so long to fish it! So I went back to the mouth of the river and met me marra again, he hadnt caught owt either so made me feel a bit better for blanking!!!
Drove on to Rotorua after dropping me gear back off at the shop. Had a wander round Rotorua in the afternoon then went to a Belgiun bar for muscles and a Snitzel to consol me self after blanking!!!!!!
First fisherman I saw was a massive Maori guy fishing up and down the river. Im totally cacking it now!! After about 1/2 hour of no luck the Maori fella comes towards me, I nearly die of fright. Then he smiles and says ' any luck?' We chatted for a while and he gave me some advice and a few flies and was the nicest guy ever!!!!! We both fished the same stretch for an hour or so and had a canny chat.
Fished a bit further inland for an hour or two. Crystal clear streams that didnt yeild any fish. In fact I couldnt even see any in the stream so I dont know why I stayed so long to fish it! So I went back to the mouth of the river and met me marra again, he hadnt caught owt either so made me feel a bit better for blanking!!!
Drove on to Rotorua after dropping me gear back off at the shop. Had a wander round Rotorua in the afternoon then went to a Belgiun bar for muscles and a Snitzel to consol me self after blanking!!!!!!
NAPIER - LAKE TAUPO
Had breakfast in town and took some photos of the Art Deco buildings which are pretty spectacular. The whole town was re-built in that style after it was flattern by an earthquake not so long ago when it was a modern style of architeture.
Drove about 150km on a solitary road to Taupo, the trout capital of New Zealand. All over the town are statues, images and shrines to the mighty trout and rightly so. All the guide books say ' A trip to Taupo is not complete without fishing for trout' or ' Get out on the lake and catch a trout' It didnt take much to convince me. So I had a read and it recommends hiring a guide to take you out either on the lake or one of the rivers. For a guide it costs $300-500 which is about 100-175 quid for half a day. Forget that!!!!!! So I hired some gear from a fella in a tackle shop, got me licence and all the info I needed and planned me own day for tomorrow for less than 25 pund!!!! Thats more like it!!!!!
Went back to meet Heather at the hostel and showed her all me gear and told her me plans - I could tell she was facinated!!!
We cooked tea in the hostel kitchen and had a rare night in front of the tele, watched friends, neighbours, corry and a new episodes of house - great stuff!!!!!
Drove about 150km on a solitary road to Taupo, the trout capital of New Zealand. All over the town are statues, images and shrines to the mighty trout and rightly so. All the guide books say ' A trip to Taupo is not complete without fishing for trout' or ' Get out on the lake and catch a trout' It didnt take much to convince me. So I had a read and it recommends hiring a guide to take you out either on the lake or one of the rivers. For a guide it costs $300-500 which is about 100-175 quid for half a day. Forget that!!!!!! So I hired some gear from a fella in a tackle shop, got me licence and all the info I needed and planned me own day for tomorrow for less than 25 pund!!!! Thats more like it!!!!!
Went back to meet Heather at the hostel and showed her all me gear and told her me plans - I could tell she was facinated!!!
We cooked tea in the hostel kitchen and had a rare night in front of the tele, watched friends, neighbours, corry and a new episodes of house - great stuff!!!!!
Wednesday 1 April 2009
WINE
Didnt go fishing - Sams number had smudged in me sleep. Dont think I'd trust those two lads sober!!
At Midday we'd booked onto a winery tour. We visited 3 wineries and a cheesery which was proper mint. Saw all the Vinyards which are being harvested at the minute so all the vines are bursting with fruit. Saw the processing side of it which was canny interesting - pretty simple, possibly not as intricate as making beer. Best part was each place we visited we got to sample their wares.
I could get into wine drinking and tasting but there's too many inconsistancies in wine for me!! With beer you can taste a stout, a bitter, a wheat beer, a larger and tell the differnce between the type but then appreciated the differences between say, two bitters from different breweries. With wine there are too many different types and vinyards to understand!!! Two Savigon Blancs from differnt vinyards taste totally different to me but a savignon blanc and a chardonay could be the same wine. It probably my untrained taste buds like, but I'd like to get into it. Really enjoyed the day. There were a couple wine buffs, younger than us, in the group who were giving it ' I prefer Malbourogh Savignon Blancs over these Hawks bay Savvys' All I knew is that it tasted good and I guess thats all that matters really. I bet wine drinking would be more popular if people were less snobby about it and took it less seriously! At the end of the day its just a drink, there to be drunk and enjoyed.
Give me half a bottle of Blue Nun and we'll call it even!!!!!!!!
At Midday we'd booked onto a winery tour. We visited 3 wineries and a cheesery which was proper mint. Saw all the Vinyards which are being harvested at the minute so all the vines are bursting with fruit. Saw the processing side of it which was canny interesting - pretty simple, possibly not as intricate as making beer. Best part was each place we visited we got to sample their wares.
I could get into wine drinking and tasting but there's too many inconsistancies in wine for me!! With beer you can taste a stout, a bitter, a wheat beer, a larger and tell the differnce between the type but then appreciated the differences between say, two bitters from different breweries. With wine there are too many different types and vinyards to understand!!! Two Savigon Blancs from differnt vinyards taste totally different to me but a savignon blanc and a chardonay could be the same wine. It probably my untrained taste buds like, but I'd like to get into it. Really enjoyed the day. There were a couple wine buffs, younger than us, in the group who were giving it ' I prefer Malbourogh Savignon Blancs over these Hawks bay Savvys' All I knew is that it tasted good and I guess thats all that matters really. I bet wine drinking would be more popular if people were less snobby about it and took it less seriously! At the end of the day its just a drink, there to be drunk and enjoyed.
Give me half a bottle of Blue Nun and we'll call it even!!!!!!!!
WELLINGTON - NAPIER
Arrived mid afternoon in Napier and checked into Wally's hostel run by a fella from Darlington who looked like Steve McClaren and had a similar mental state as him. He was proper loco man, he just kept talking and seemed to know everything about everything. I kept expecting him to turn on a Dutch accent like McClaren did after being in Holland for a week talking to the British press. After an hour of listening to his ramblings he gave us the key.
Wandered round Napier, one of the largest Art Deco towns in the world, dead pretty!!
Went for a drink in the evening and turned into a pretty eventful night!!
Met a very drunk Kiwi guy in a bar who we got chatting to, who phoned his mate to come down. Had a good laugh with them two, Sam the drunk one, had a marker pen and liked to draw willy's of everything. At one point he came back from the toilet and said to me 'Ive drawn you a picture in there' It was a four foot willy drawn on one of the walls. The bar staff and bouncers were very tolerable of him as they didnt kick him out. It was a water soluable pen so they just kept wiping away his artwork off all the surfaces he could get his pen near. He was a good laugh like! He's big into fly fishing so we had plenty to talk about, His mate, Nathan, was a fishing guide and a hunter - he'd shot a deer that morning!!! We got talking to these Ozzy girls and the alds offered to take us all fishing the next morning. Sam in his drunken state txted his boss saying ' NOT COMIN IN TOMORROW TAKING THE ENGLISH FISHING' He wrote his number on my forearm which his marker then got it took off him by the bouncer.
Now the bouncer is another set of stories all together, he was the size of Hulk Hogan but had the face of some one who was bullied alot as a kid - he showed me a scar on his Bicep where he'd ripped it open punching someone!!
Higlight of the evening: Sam got his fly rod out of his Eute (which he planned to drive home even though he'd already lost his licence for drink driving) loaded the rod with line and was showing the girls how to cast in the middle of the road. Nathan then grabs the end of the line and said 'this is what a trout does' and then legged it full pelt down the road for about a block and a half with Sam trying to reel him in!!!! Proper nutters but well funny!!!!
Wandered round Napier, one of the largest Art Deco towns in the world, dead pretty!!
Went for a drink in the evening and turned into a pretty eventful night!!
Met a very drunk Kiwi guy in a bar who we got chatting to, who phoned his mate to come down. Had a good laugh with them two, Sam the drunk one, had a marker pen and liked to draw willy's of everything. At one point he came back from the toilet and said to me 'Ive drawn you a picture in there' It was a four foot willy drawn on one of the walls. The bar staff and bouncers were very tolerable of him as they didnt kick him out. It was a water soluable pen so they just kept wiping away his artwork off all the surfaces he could get his pen near. He was a good laugh like! He's big into fly fishing so we had plenty to talk about, His mate, Nathan, was a fishing guide and a hunter - he'd shot a deer that morning!!! We got talking to these Ozzy girls and the alds offered to take us all fishing the next morning. Sam in his drunken state txted his boss saying ' NOT COMIN IN TOMORROW TAKING THE ENGLISH FISHING' He wrote his number on my forearm which his marker then got it took off him by the bouncer.
Now the bouncer is another set of stories all together, he was the size of Hulk Hogan but had the face of some one who was bullied alot as a kid - he showed me a scar on his Bicep where he'd ripped it open punching someone!!
Higlight of the evening: Sam got his fly rod out of his Eute (which he planned to drive home even though he'd already lost his licence for drink driving) loaded the rod with line and was showing the girls how to cast in the middle of the road. Nathan then grabs the end of the line and said 'this is what a trout does' and then legged it full pelt down the road for about a block and a half with Sam trying to reel him in!!!! Proper nutters but well funny!!!!
WELLINGTON
Had a $5 breakfast at an Irish bar which set us up for a good days walking round the city. Wandered round the shops for a bit, then walked and saw the parliment buildings. Round the harbour. Had a look at the Te Papa museum - where we saw a colosal squid on display. Wasnt taht colosal like. I was expecting the Kracken but it was about 3 meters. Caught the cable car up to the botanical gardens and university area. Wandered back down into the city. Stopped for about an hour to watch a cricket game. It was red hot, clear skys and it was class just sitting there watching the cricket.
Went for a few drinks and food at Wagamamas. At 8:30pm New Zealand had 'Earth Hour' where places were supposed to turn off their lights for an hour. Wagamamas didnt as we left but the pub we went to after did so we drank the night away in candle light!!!!!
Went for a few drinks and food at Wagamamas. At 8:30pm New Zealand had 'Earth Hour' where places were supposed to turn off their lights for an hour. Wagamamas didnt as we left but the pub we went to after did so we drank the night away in candle light!!!!!
FAREWELL SOUTH ISLAND
Had a walk into town to book a hostel in Wellington for the next couple of nights. Turns out all the hostels are full for tonight!! We think its because The Kings of Leon are in town tonight. After about 8 knock backs we got our selves some where to saty, an ex halls of residence, Im thinking tiny beds and sinks to wee in!!!!!!
Drove the car onto the ferry, it took 3 hours, 1 hour through Marlborough sounds, 1 hour on choppy open sea and 1 hour into Wellington. Saw Dolphins swimming alongside the ferry as we left Marlborough sounds!!!
Drove off and into Wellington, found the halls, went for a walk round town, most places were closed by this time but still had a canny time wandering round the city. Wellington can definately call its self a city. Its pretty big!
Found a cool bar attatched to a brewery.
Drove the car onto the ferry, it took 3 hours, 1 hour through Marlborough sounds, 1 hour on choppy open sea and 1 hour into Wellington. Saw Dolphins swimming alongside the ferry as we left Marlborough sounds!!!
Drove off and into Wellington, found the halls, went for a walk round town, most places were closed by this time but still had a canny time wandering round the city. Wellington can definately call its self a city. Its pretty big!
Found a cool bar attatched to a brewery.
PICTON
Nowt much to report on today. Just drove from Montueka to Picton where we'll get the ferry to the North Island tomorrow.
We had the choice of going a short distance on a yellow road (minor road) or a much longer distance on a red road (major road) We went for the short yellow road and regretted the decision all the way to Picton.
Always go Red!!! Always!!! When you buy tomatoes you buy red ones not yellow ones!! Same with peppers! You know where you stand with red stuff! A yellow traffic light, do I slow down or speed up. A red traffic light I stop, its safe, you can trust it!!! Always go with red roads, Dorothy chose a yellow road and look what happened with her, she ended up killing two women. If I fell down and cut me self and red stuff comes out, I'm happy in the knowledge my body is working and its just blood. If yellow stuff comes out either I've got a bad blood disease or I'm Ming the Mercyless (or was that green blood) See!!!! confusion already. Always go red!!!!!!!!!
The yellow road was an hour and a hlafs worth of consecutive hairpin bends, apart from making us feel a bit ill, it gave the feeling that you were skiing in a car and made me feel a bit reckless!!! Got there eventually and Picton was spinning!!!!!
Checked into Tombstone hostel, named after the graveyard it sits in!!!! The doors where coffin chaped and the keys had skulls on them. I hope I dont see any red stuff tonight!!
Seriously though, this is probably the best hostel we've stayed in, incredibly friendly, laid back, tele rooms, pool tables, spa's and not over busy. Quality!!!!
We had the choice of going a short distance on a yellow road (minor road) or a much longer distance on a red road (major road) We went for the short yellow road and regretted the decision all the way to Picton.
Always go Red!!! Always!!! When you buy tomatoes you buy red ones not yellow ones!! Same with peppers! You know where you stand with red stuff! A yellow traffic light, do I slow down or speed up. A red traffic light I stop, its safe, you can trust it!!! Always go with red roads, Dorothy chose a yellow road and look what happened with her, she ended up killing two women. If I fell down and cut me self and red stuff comes out, I'm happy in the knowledge my body is working and its just blood. If yellow stuff comes out either I've got a bad blood disease or I'm Ming the Mercyless (or was that green blood) See!!!! confusion already. Always go red!!!!!!!!!
The yellow road was an hour and a hlafs worth of consecutive hairpin bends, apart from making us feel a bit ill, it gave the feeling that you were skiing in a car and made me feel a bit reckless!!! Got there eventually and Picton was spinning!!!!!
Checked into Tombstone hostel, named after the graveyard it sits in!!!! The doors where coffin chaped and the keys had skulls on them. I hope I dont see any red stuff tonight!!
Seriously though, this is probably the best hostel we've stayed in, incredibly friendly, laid back, tele rooms, pool tables, spa's and not over busy. Quality!!!!
ABEL TASMAN KAYAKING
Early start, got picked up by a Kiwi fella called Luke (who'd become the first reason I felt like a returning Jedi today) Got aboard a sea taxi (big speed boat) which took us to Onetooti beach in the north of the marine park. Got kitted out and shown how to drive the two man kayak's. They had peddals in the back seat that turned a rudder which made stearing alot easier.
Set off on the open sea to Tonga Island and got to go within 20meters of the fur seal colony. The massive Bull seals make the strangest noise (not unlike Chewbacca) A few seals swan upto our Kayak which was well good to see them that close up. we paddled for a couple of hours to Bark Bay where we left the kayaks and the two of us walked part of the Abel Tasman trek back to Torent bay. The path goes through the dense forest of Abel Tasman (exactly like the forest moon of Endor) Didnt see any Ewoks like but Im sure I heard a couple of them having a chat. Also some birds must have watched the films as one of them was doing a hellish R2D2 impression.
So that confirms it: I was on the forest moon of Endor with the Ewoks and R2D2 trying to Randez vous with a guy called Luke. Coincidence!!!????!!!! Thus I am a Jedi Knight!!
Met back with young Skywalker who took us back to our hostel. Quality day!!!!!!!
Set off on the open sea to Tonga Island and got to go within 20meters of the fur seal colony. The massive Bull seals make the strangest noise (not unlike Chewbacca) A few seals swan upto our Kayak which was well good to see them that close up. we paddled for a couple of hours to Bark Bay where we left the kayaks and the two of us walked part of the Abel Tasman trek back to Torent bay. The path goes through the dense forest of Abel Tasman (exactly like the forest moon of Endor) Didnt see any Ewoks like but Im sure I heard a couple of them having a chat. Also some birds must have watched the films as one of them was doing a hellish R2D2 impression.
So that confirms it: I was on the forest moon of Endor with the Ewoks and R2D2 trying to Randez vous with a guy called Luke. Coincidence!!!????!!!! Thus I am a Jedi Knight!!
Met back with young Skywalker who took us back to our hostel. Quality day!!!!!!!
NELSON - MOTUEKA
Hung over we checked out and drove back through Richmond and spend an hour there. Drove onto Motueka just outside Abel Tasman national park.
Hostels canny but there are loads of Argentianians here who are working picking fruit but who all seem to talk at the volume of jumbo jets. One lass, a great whale of a girl, did not close her mouth once, just jabbered away in Spanish, so loud the North Island could have heard her across the sea. When she had nothing left to say she banged out drum beats on the table and her thunderous thighs with her dustbin lids for hands. Man, she drove me round the bend!!!
Checked out the town, bought some food and cooked it in 'the kitchen of a thousand decibels'
Up early the morn for sea kayaking in the national park!!
Hostels canny but there are loads of Argentianians here who are working picking fruit but who all seem to talk at the volume of jumbo jets. One lass, a great whale of a girl, did not close her mouth once, just jabbered away in Spanish, so loud the North Island could have heard her across the sea. When she had nothing left to say she banged out drum beats on the table and her thunderous thighs with her dustbin lids for hands. Man, she drove me round the bend!!!
Checked out the town, bought some food and cooked it in 'the kitchen of a thousand decibels'
Up early the morn for sea kayaking in the national park!!
NELSON AND THE MAGIC BUS
Wandered round Nelson most of the day, taking it easy and chilling out. Booked a sea kayak trip in Abel Tasman.
Ended up back at the hostel late afternoon, went for fish and chips and then back to the Sprig and Fern to try and sample the rest of the beers!!
Back at the hostel we opened a bottle of wine and went to see what was occuring. Got chatting to these Canadians who were canny funny. Some one had left a pan boiling on the hob and after about 1/2 hour it boiled dry and filled the kitchen with smoke so we went to the magic bus in the garden. I think the idea is you go in there to chat instead of annoying the neighbours. They should call it the hash bus as there was a blue haze coming out of all the windows!!!!
Got talking to this Dutch girl and the Canadian said that we had similar accents and for some reason I said that we were related! "really?" he said and I put me arm around her and said 'yeah, she's my. . . '
The word sister was there on me tongue waiting to come out but what actually came out was
' Mam'
She didnt like that. Not one bit. She went mental!!!!!
Turns out she is my age - wupps!!! She must have had a canny tough paper round like, as she looked twice her age!! Canny night though!
Ended up back at the hostel late afternoon, went for fish and chips and then back to the Sprig and Fern to try and sample the rest of the beers!!
Back at the hostel we opened a bottle of wine and went to see what was occuring. Got chatting to these Canadians who were canny funny. Some one had left a pan boiling on the hob and after about 1/2 hour it boiled dry and filled the kitchen with smoke so we went to the magic bus in the garden. I think the idea is you go in there to chat instead of annoying the neighbours. They should call it the hash bus as there was a blue haze coming out of all the windows!!!!
Got talking to this Dutch girl and the Canadian said that we had similar accents and for some reason I said that we were related! "really?" he said and I put me arm around her and said 'yeah, she's my. . . '
The word sister was there on me tongue waiting to come out but what actually came out was
' Mam'
She didnt like that. Not one bit. She went mental!!!!!
Turns out she is my age - wupps!!! She must have had a canny tough paper round like, as she looked twice her age!! Canny night though!
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