Seattle

Thats me in Seattle - the last stop before I head home!

Had a busy few days. Came down on the bus on Thursday [USA border took one and a half hours to get through!] and got in around tea time so went to the Experience Music Project on Thursday Night as it's free the 1st Thursday of the month! Got the Seattle Monorail there from my Hotel, it was built for the World Fair at the same time as the Space Needle. EMP wasn't very good, but the building it was in was very impressive. It was founded by the Microsoft #2 Paul Allen.

Yesterday I went to Pike Place Market, saw the worlds first Starbucks! In the afternoon I did a cruise of Lake Union and Lake Washington which was really good, saw Bill Gates' house in Medina which was really something else. After that I went up the Space Needle and got some really good views as the weather has been great here.

Today I went to the Museum of Flight - saw an old Air Force 1 and one of the BA Concordes. It is on the former Boeing Site and Boeing still have some of their facilities there - they have a test and delivery site for the commercial planes so saw about three brand new Ryanair planes there - much more than any other carrier! Then this afternoon I got one of the Washington State Ferries across the Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. Saw Mt Rainier from the Boat which is quite spectacular.

I've booked a tour to the Boeing Factory in Everett tomorrow afternoon and on Monday I'm planning to go to the Microsoft Visitor Centre in Redmond. Then I'm flying down to LA on Tuesday and fly into London on Wednesday so it's all go!

I've uploaded a few photos to flickr - mostly from the cruise.

Bill Gates House - It is built into the Hill and the
buildings at the top are part of it. 60,000 square foot!


Downtown Seattle taken from the Space Needle

Vancouver!

Made it to Vancouver - took a while at the Border as I arrived in Canada by Bus and there were only two of us who needed our passports stamped [Americans don't need passports to get into Canada] and it took them about an hour so I think the rest of the bus thought we were a bit dodgy or something! All is going well, its a very compact city so it doesn't seem to take long to get around at all. Hostel is quite nice and in a good location.

On Sunday I went to Canada Place, which is quite nice. Bit of a copy of the Sydney Opera House perhaps?! Then went a walk to see some of the sights - the BC Place Stadium which has an inflatable roof, and the Library which is very grand. Looked around Gastown and went to Granville Island which has a market on every day - it was pretty good but very busy.

Yesterday was a public holiday for Labour Day but it didn't seem to affect much. Went down to Stanley Park - big urban park in Vancouver, it was pretty good. Then I went out to the Capilano Suspension Bridge - apparently the world's longest and highest suspension bridge. They had also made a treetop walk and had a few things to do but it was quite expensive - wouldn't recommend it! Went out to Grouse Mountian later in the afternoon but the heavens opened once I got the cablecar to the top which kind of spoilt the view. They had a Grizzly Bear enclosure so it was good to see them and a lumberjack show etc.

Today I had planned to go to Victoria on Vancouver Island but it was raining again in the morning so I decided against it - got very sunny this afternoon again so I'm sure it would have been fine! I'll maybe go tomorrow. Instead I went out to Queen Elizabeth park which was really nice. I had been hoping to get into Bloedel Conservatory as they have parrots etc inside the conservatory but it was closed because of a strike so that was abit of a disappointment. Then I headed to the Science Museum to watch a film at the "Omnimax" Cinema (Just like an IMAX but with a curved screen) which was really good. The film was the Human Body (with that Robert Winston guy) and the screen was apparently 5 stories high so you really felt like you were at the centre of the action!

Head down to Seattle on Thursday so tomorrow is my last full day here. Been uploading my photos so they are on flickr.

Grizzly Bear at Grouse Mountain

Capilano Suspension Bridge - Don't look down!

Leaving California!

Heading to Vancouver tomorrow [Flying to Seattle then getting the train up] for the next 5 days. Had a brilliant time in San Francisco - its a great city. Went on the Segway tour today which was an experience, they are really unique. Very intuitive and once you get the knack it's really easy. We spent a few hours touring the Waterfront seeing the main sights. Started off with the speed limited to 4.5mph then they sped them up to 8.5mph. Apparently unrestricted they can go 12.5mph but they can be modified to do 30mph!

Toured around the centre yesterday, at Union Square etc. Decided against going to Yosemite as I don't think a day trip would do it much justice.

Went out to Silicon Valley on Wednesday - saw Apple HQ and Google. Nearly all the major IT companies are based out there. It's a really lush area and it was very warm when I went out - job there would be good! Still planning to go to see Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington (Just outside Seattle).

Not many plans for Vancouver yet, hopefully it will stay dry as everyone seems to warn me to expect rain. Home on the 13th Sept so must start getting ready for that!

Heres a photo of me at the Apple Campus

San Fran and the Bay

Had a busy time in San Francisco this last couple of days. Got a 7 day pass for the MUNI public transport here (great - its only $24 and can use the cablecars, streetcars and buses) so have been on the cable cars a few times. They're just like the photos - ride up steep hills no problem! Its a really nice place but there seems to be lots of homeless people around, much more than I've seen in the other US cities.

Golden Gate Bridge!

Been to Alcatraz Island (Prison) and down to Fishermans Wharf and saw the Sea Lions at Pier 39. Walked across the Golden Gate bridge, then the next day I hired a bike and cycled across it to Marin County to some of the small towns over there and got the ferry back - got sunburnt! Its quite foggy here most days for a few hours so you don't feel that warm but the sun still seems to get through. Been up to Cois Tower on Telegraph Hill and got the cablecar up Nob Hill today for some good views.

Today I went along to the cablecar museum, it was really good - this is apparently the only city in the world with cablecars. The cable runs continually under the streets with the cars and when a car needs to get pulled along the driver has to pull a lever so the car "Grips" onto the cable and then it gets pulled along until he undoes the grip.

Been to a Park called the Presidio which was very posh - it is where George Lucas has his studios for the Star Wars stuff so saw that - and a Statue of Yoda! Planning to go out into Silicon Valley tomorrow see Google and Apple HQ's (Mountain View and Cupertino) and the Computer History Museum. No other plans yet, looking into a day trip to Yosemite National Park and I've seen a tour of the Wharf area on a Segway which looks good fun! Got my photos up on flickr (Got a bit carried away with taking photos of the Golden Gate Bridge!)

Cablecar on Calfifornia St

San Francisco

Arrived in San Francisco this morning - picked up at 3am for 6am flight so quite tired now! Seems like a nice place, much colder than LA/San Diego/Las Vegas which is fine as it will maybe get me acclimatised for going home!

Had a really good time in Las Vegas - loads to see there. Went to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon on a bus tour one day, they were very spectacular - got on Route 66 on the way down! There are lots of free shows etc put on by the Casinos so didn't cost too much either. Didn't hit the gambling machines though!

I've gotten my photos up now on flickr. In San Francsico for the next 8 days, back to slumming it in a hostel! Went out to Berkeley this afternoon to see the University of California's Campus - very nice area. Public Transport here is much better than LA so shouldn't be too much of a problem getting around. Going to get a ride on the cable-cars shortly - the queue today was right the way around a block! Also planning to go to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and maybe out to Scilion Valley see some of the big IT companies' HQs. Seems to be very busy here at the moment, the Hostel is totally full until Monday. I'll stick a few photos in here to show some of the sights of Vegas!



Me at the Fabulous Las Vegas Sign!


New York, New York Casino and Hotel - it was really realistic.

Viva Las Vegas!

Arrived in Las Vegas yesterday, haven't made a fortune yet! Plane was delayed because its surface was so hot the pilot had to send it to be cooled down. Landing was very spectacular as you fly right in over the strip. Vegas seems to just appear out of no-where as you're flying. Spent ages getting checked in to the Stratosphere, they seem to be very busy but the room was even cheaper than I was expecting so that was a bonus. Been to lots of the "Mega-resorts" on the Strip - The Luxor; The Bellagio; Caesars Palace; Circus Circus; New York, New York; etc. Went up the Stratosphere Tower this morning - got a great view of Vegas. Tonight I've been to watch the dancing water fountains at the Bellagio and the Freemont St Experience downtown. I got a bus pass today which was great as it goes along the strip, right past my hotel, every 5 minutes and goes to downtown. It would be quite easy to walk but its been 41 degrees today, and the forecast is over 40 for the whole time I'm here!

Planning to do a tour to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon on Thursday, although I don't have anything booked yet. Possibly going to go and see a show some night, but not sure what as they sell ones off at half price for that evening so I'll just have to make a last minute decision!

Internet here is very expensive so probably won't be able to get my photos up until San Francisco (Friday) - but I've got loads already! Continuous TV news out here about the Hurricane about to hit Mexico - shouldn't be any problems this far up though.

Hot Hot Hot!

Me outside Universal Studios, Hollywood

Made it to San Diego, its a really nice place, quite different from L.A. Loads to see and do here, but I've only got one day left so will have to try and make the most of that. Went to SeaWorld yesterday which was brilliant - saw lots of shows with Shamu (The Killer Whale), Dolphins, SeaLions and a show called Cirque de la Mer which was all dancers and Acrobatics-really impressive. Went to San Diego Zoo today, it is huge so there was lots to see there. They've got a few Pandas so saw them, one has just been born so it was somewhere else with its Mum and Dad! Also had a look downtown this evening, I'm living in an area called the "Gas-lamp quarter" which is full of restaurants etc so its always quite busy.

Shamu Jumping at SeaWorld!

Possibly going to go to Tijuana tomorrow, which is just across the border in Mexico. Leaving for Las Vegas on Sunday, where I'm staying at the Stratosphere Hotel - on the strip! Everything seems really cheap out here, the dollar is very strong at the moment.

Photos Uploaded!

Very quick post as I've only 2 minutes left at internet cafe! I've managed to get some photos uploaded at flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/suilven222

Been to Wal-Mart and Long Beach this morning and downtown this afternoon. Also had a look at the Walk of Fame along Vine St. Went to Universal Studios yesterday which was brilliant. Check out the photos! Last day in LA tomorrow then off to San Diego on Thursday Morning!

Californication

That's me arrived in Los Angeles! Had a day in Fiji en route when I went to South Sea Island - it was really nice, a tiny island with basically just the beach and the resort. We got to go Snorkelling and saw some exotic fish and Kayaking which was grand. I was very tired when I arrived in LA as my flight into Fiji arrived after 1 in the morning then we left for the tour around 8am and my flight out was at 10pm and as we crossed the International Date Line we arrived before we left which was all a bit disorientating!

Los Angeles is really something, everyone seems to be driving about in a huge 4x4! We're living just off Hollywood Boulevard so a lot of the sights are within easy reach. Been along the Walk of Fame and to the Grauman's Chinese Theatre which has hand and foot prints of lots of famous actors. Also been down to Macy's in Downtown on the Metro and this afternoon we went on a sightseeing tour of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and the Hollywood Hills where we saw lots of famous peoples houses (e.g. The Osbournes, Ben Stiller, Sylvester Stallone, Madonna) It's really hot here at the moment and the amount of Smog around is unbelievable - even the Hollywood Sign is hazy from Hollywood Boulevard! Hoping to go to Universal Studios shortly, and go a walk up to the Hollywood Sign through Griffith Park.

I've got lots of photos but this Internet Cafe doesn't allow me to upload them so I'll post a message here when I get them uploaded!

Back in Auckland

That is us back in Auckland now - returning the Camper tomorrow morning! Planning to go to the Museum and look around the city. Had a good few days in Rotorua - on Friday we went "Zorbing" - where you roll down a hill in an inflatable rubber ball! Rain has been really heavy in Auckland since we arrived but we've been pretty lucky with the weather considering it's the middle of winter here.

Busy planning out my time in USA at the moment. I'm planning to go to Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. Hoping to do some day trips to Yosemite and The Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam. I've got a day in Fiji [the 9th] on the way to LA so I'm planning to do a day trip to "South Sea Island." Looking forwards to getting some Sun in the USA!

Zorbing in Rotorua

Me beside Lady Knox Geyser in Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Taupo and Rotorua

We're in Rotorua now, having spent a couple of days in Taupo. Nice area around here but it really stinks! Smells like eggs because of the Sulphur in the thermals underground I think. Lots of strange things to see here, Volcanos and Geysers and things. Went to a park in Taupo called 'Craters of the Moon' which was a park with loads of big craters all steaming away with the steam from the underwater thermals. We also went to Huka Falls in Taupo which were quite impressive. Drove up to Rotorua yesterday and we've been really busy today, went to the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland today, saw the Lady Knox Geyser erupt at 10.15 this morning then had a look around the park - got some photos up on flickr. Then we went to a swimming pool which was heated by water from the Thermals, that was really good - if not a little hot! Then we went up the Rotorua Gondolas and rode on a Luge for a few laps, it was really good. We also went on the SkySwing which was a pretty scary ride where they pretty much catapult you out in a cage!

Don't have much time so will update this shortly!

New Zealand, South Island

Me up Franz Josef Glacier

That's us in Kaikoura today, on the East Coast of the South Island. I've just been on a Whale Watching tour, saw about 7 Sperm Whales and loads of Dusky Dolphins and even an Albatross! It was excellent - got lots of photos!

Sperm Whale diving under

We've been quite busy on the South Island seeing all the sights. We went to the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast, and got a Hellicopter Ride to the top which was great. Also saw the Fox Glacier, Mt Cook and Lake Mathieson. Then we drove down to Queenstown and spent a little while there, it was a nice little town. We had hoped to drive to Milford Sound but the roads were very icy so we decided it would be safer not to chance it so we went across to Dunedin on the East Coast instead - it was a small town very similar to Edinburgh, with similar street names etc!

Lake Mathieson

We went past Lake Tekapo on the journey up to Kaikoura which was a nice little spot in "MacKenzie Country." Planning to drive up to Picton today and get the ferry across to Wellington and go to see Rotorua, Lake Taupo, and Gisborne. So it's all been quite busy! We've done over 3000km in our Camper, but it seems to be pretty reliable and no problems yet (other than the amount of fuel it uses!)

New Zealand, North Island

That's us in Wellington, in the North Island of New Zealand! Everything is going fine so far, we've got a little camper and we've stayed in it for most of the nights so far. We're heading down to South Island tonight on the ferry and everyone says it is much colder so we will need to see how it goes, might have to check ourselves into a hostel more often!

We went up to the Bay of Islands, looked around Auckland, went to Waitomo Glowworm caves and on to New Plymouth yesterday, where we saw Mt Taranaki.

I've uploaded my photos so far to flickr. Not taken very many as what we have seen so far hasn't been all that impressive. Hoping the South Island will be more scenic and we are planning to go past Rotorua and Lake Taupo on the way back to Auckland [we come back to the North Island on the 31st July] which should be really good.

Must go and put a new parking ticket on the camper!

Sydney

Sydney Opera House from Harbour Bridge

Getting ready to set off now. Leaving tomorrow at 11.30. We walked across the Harbour Bridge on Thursday and got some great photos of the Opera House. Went back at night and got some aswell.

I went out to the Blue Mountains yesterday, it was really nice. The mountains give off a blue haze because they are covered in Eucalyptus Trees and their oils affect the light spectrum making the air appear blue apparently! Did lots of walking around the hills and went on a Cable Car across the valley and a scenic railway (the steepest in the world) down the mountain.

The Three Sisters and the Blue Mountains

Planning to go to Rocks Market today and have a last look around Sydney. I've uploaded lots more photos on flickr.

Southern Queensland

Been a rushed week! Been to a few of the main stops on the east coast:

Brisbane

Seemed like a really nice city. We just arrived when the doctor was arrested for the terrorist thing in Glasgow so that was all over the news! We went to the Castlemaine XXXX Brewery, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Southbank. It was State of Origin weekend, kind of like Six Nations games in Edinburgh so it was very busy. We went to the cinema to see Oceans 13 - was quite good.

Surfers Paradise

Much bigger place than I imagined. It's on the Gold Coast, and the beach stretches all the way down the city. We went up the Q1 Residential Tower (20th Tallest Building in the World!), and relaxed at the beach.

Byron Bay

This is another surfers area - it's the first main stop in New South Wales. We hired Bikes and went a tour around, then today we went a walk upto Cape Byron Lighthouse - the most easterly point in Australia. Its normally a great spot to see Whales and Dolphins but today its been very windy so didn't spot any, lots of surfers out about though!

Getting the overnight bus to Sydney tonight, that's going to be a 14 hour trip. Staying there until Sunday when we head off to New Zealand. We've hired a camper for 3 weeks, its going to be winter there so we're preparing ourselves for the cold weather.

The last six months in Australia seem to have gone by incredibly fast!

Koala with Baby from Lone Pine Koala Park

Me in Surfers Paradise with the Q1 Tower in the background

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays

That's us just arrived in Brisbane this afternoon (After an 18 hour bus journey down!). Airlie Beach was very nice, very touristy but it had a nice lagoon and the weather was great. We stayed at a place called Bush Village, which was slightly out of town but quite nice. There were lots of Rainbow Lorikeets around which were very tame and shared our Breakfast with us!

Rainbow Lorikeet at Bush Village, Airlie Beach

We went out on a day trip to the Whitsundays and did some more snorkelling - it wasn't as good as Fitzroy island but still quite a lot to see. It turned out there was a Sea Snake in the water when we were in but thankfully it didn't get anyone! Then we got to Hill Inlet to look at the shifting sands of Whitehaven Beach - it was really amazing, the sea was clear as anything, you could even see the Stingrays in the water from the top of the hill! We got along to Whitehaven Beach then and got a few hours on the beach - it is a Silica Sand beach which is really fine sand.

Not much planned for Brisbane so far - going to go to a Koala Sanctuary at some point and possibly the Castlemaine XXXX Brewery - apparently there are lots of freebies!

Shifting sands from Hill Inlet

Me with Whitehaven Beach in the Background [Need to crop out the corner of the boat!]

Magnetic Island

That's us on Magnetic Island at the moment - just off Townsville, QLD. We got the bus down from Cairns yesterday, passed by loads of sugar and Banana plantations on the way. Apparently it is the place in Australia which gets the most Sunshine per year - 320 days! Its certainly been very nice weather here today, been up at Horseshoe Bay enjoying the sun, then went on a walk to Florence Bay and on the way I saw an Echidna - kind of like a Hedgehog (Native to Australia I think). Hostel here isn't very nice, we're setting off tomorrow, heading down to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.

The plans so far are:

• Whitsundays 29th June


• Brisbane 3rd July


• Gold Cost 6th July


• Byron Bay 8th July


• Sydney 10th July

So it's all a bit of a rush but hopefully we'll see the main sites!

On Tuesday we went Snorkelling on Fitzroy Island (on the Great Barrier Reef), it was absolutely amazing. There were loads of fish all around, and the colours of the Coral were great. Definately one of the best things I've done out here, the water seemed quite cold but you soon got used to it once we got in! Saw one of those Clownfish (like Nemo) hiding in a bit of coral and there was a shoal of fish which seemed to have thousands of fish kept swimming around us.

Anyway I've just been uploading a few more photos to flickr. We're planning to book a Camper Van for New Zealand shortly, going to be there for around 3 weeks, so it will be a long time in a small space!

Here's a snap of me in my Snorkeling gear on Fitzroy Island!

Cairns and the East Coast

That's us in Cairns now. Arrived yesterday and planning to leave on Wednesday. Had a look around the city yesterday, its a nice place but there isn't a lot to do as it is really only a base for tours to the Great Barrier Reef. We're planning to do a daytrip to Fitzroy Island, an island in the reef tomorrow.

Darwin went well, our last day there was really hot so we got to see a bit of the real heat!

We've ordered a bus pass with Greyhound today to travel down the East Coast from Cairns to Sydney with unlimited stops. It's a huge distance but hopefully with plenty stops it will be manageable!

I'm uploading my photos now so they should hopefully be up on flickr shortly. Heres a photo of Cullen Bay in Darwin to show off how tropical it was looking!

Kakadu, Litchfield and Mindil Beach Market

Been a busy few days these last couple of days! On Wednesday we went on the Tour Tub (Open-Sided bus) and did a circuit of the main sights in Darwin. We went to the Museum which had a really good exhibition about Cyclone Tracy which came here in 1974 and almost totally destroyed the city. Then we went to the Botanic Gardens, Fannie Bay Gaol and some WW2 Oil Storage Tunnels. Wednesday was apparently the coldest June day on record in Darwin - it was 22 degrees! There's also been a little rain and the locals can't believe it as usually in the dry season (April - November) they get absolutely none. It does mean theres been more rain in the waterfalls and things so it's fine in a way. It's getting steadily warmer and the forecast for tomorrow is 31.

Yesterday we went to Kakadu National Park. It's a vast park in the Northern Territory (bigger than Switzerland apparently). We went to a few cultural centres there, as there are still a lot of Aboriginals living there. We saw some ancient rock paintings, and we did a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong. Saw loads of birds and a few wild crocs - one really big one. On the way home we went by Mindil Beach Market which is a night market which runs until 10pm at night. It had a real asian feel about it, and the temperature was quite nice for a walk around.

We went to Litchfield National Park today, a much smaller park and closer to Darwin so we didn't have to get up so early! We went on the Adelaide River first and saw some Jumping Crocodiles then went into the National Park and saw Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and Tolmer Falls. They were pretty spectacular and there were lots of folk swimming in the plunge pools (apparently they are thoroughly checked for Crocodiles before they are opened for the dry season!).

I'm going to try and upload my photos once I get a faster internet connection. Planning to have a look around Darwin again tomorrow, go to Cullen Bay and look around the centre.

Darwin

Made it to Darwin on Monday. Flight was fine - much quicker than the train! On Monday we just had a look around the centre and got settled in. It was really warm on Monday, a bit like Singapore again. Yesterday we went to Aquascene in the morning - which is a place where you can hand feed all kinds of fish, they come right into the pier and swim around your feet. That was pretty good, then we went out to Crocodylus Park which is like a Crocodile Farm. They had hundreds of Salt water and fresh water crocodiles, which they farm for their meat and skins. We made it in for a feeding so that was really good, they seem so docile then all of a sudden they turn a bit crazy! There was also a little Zoo at the park so we saw lots of different native animals.

Today we're planning to get the Open Top Tour bus and go out to the Museum and Botanic Gardens and a few other sites. Then tomorrow we're off to Kakadu National Park and on Friday we're going to Litchfield National Park and doing a Jumping Crocs tour where they feed wild crocodiles off the side of a boat and they jump out of the water for their food!

I've put some new photos on flickr but haven't had time to title them yet!