Fijian Arrival

mmmm fiji, After an excessively long flight we landed moderately successfully to the sounds of traditional fijian music and big warm smiles. As it was 5am I wasn't the most alert individual but I did manage to get my bag, some Fijian dollars and found the pickup point for crazy skylodge people. Ride was cool, met a load of girls and we puzzled at the random stop the driver did outside some ramshackle shops. After a palava at reception, I was the only one whose booking was on the computer AND had a room ready. Turns out it's awesome, 4 bed dorm, ensuite, spacious and at that point, was just me. I couldn't be bothered to sleep so I went out and grabbed some breakfast at the bar with 3 of the girls form the shuttle. One is French-Canadian (Marie), others are english, Amie (Sheffield) and Rachelle (South Kent). And now I'm bored of writing...

Well, after eating a pizza and a McDonalds I had to get through security before I ate anymore and exploded. I did finish A Subtle Knife and began The Amber Spyglass first though. I'm now sitting outside a random gate, as it's empty, near a water fountain and has comfy seats. I've set my phone alarm in case I accidentally drift off into a pleasant slumber.

At some random point I looked up and out the window earlier, and was unable to see further 5 metres which initially scared me as I thought that smoke from some crazy fire had done it, but I suspect it was crazy instant fog.

I'm proud, for the first time I've actually sat down and enjoyed writing a large incoherent mess of words. Maybe my lack of listening to music for the soul has stuttered my writing enjoyment. I hope that's not fire I see on the hills yonder! Think I've discarded strict budgeting as it seems a bit inflexible, involves effort and I've already lost track. And I've never been a fan of practicalness. Or real worlds.

LAX

urgh. As some people would have expected, my powers of insomnia cannot be manipulated or bent to my very will. And hence, this is why I'm shattered at a quarter to 4 in the afternoon, gazing glassy eyed out on the hot LA tarmac, watching the air shimmer in agreement with the beastly flying machines. Waking at 5, I made my way successfull to the airport, where I went through all the traditional motions associated with air travel, involving the US. I had just finished The Northern Lights (The Golden Compass), the first book in Philip Pullman's "The Dark Materials" trilogy, and felt the need to buy the last two. I am now carrying far too many books with me for any sensible traveller, I must begin trading, though I hate parting with my novels, especially as everything I find in Hostels is mediocre in comparison.

Anyway, after boarding the tiny Alaska Airlines' 737, I barely noticed the entire journey, so engrossed I was in The Subtle Knife, that I didn't realise we were landing until our wheels caressed the tarmac. Though, with apparently unconscious effort, I took some truely stunning photos of the sun drenched clouds at 15,000 feet. I also admired how tiny the Hollywood sign appeared to be.

In an apparent random sequence of events, I found myself outside without showing my passport to anyone. I'm under the illusions my baggage will be transferred automatically, which I hope is true. Weather: Perfect sunny day, no clouds, not quite the climate for a t-shirt, micro-fleece and emo hoodie.

To cut a tedious story short, I've spent the last 5 hours wandering around the international terminal and have only just now resorted to a coffee and my zen. I've had Chinese for breakfast, used the expensive internet kiosk for an hour, been harassed by a monk, played with some art contraption, read Wired magazine and attempted to find some dice for purchase.

Am currently watching the planes take off. Earlier Rex and I discussed small vs large planes, with Rex preferring smaller ones as they seem less likely to plummet to some crazy Bermuda triangle style disastrous conclusion. Tom, on the other hand, prefers the brute force, hardcore style of a 747, which is basically a lesson in daring physics to try anything. which it rarely does. Saying that, smaller planes seem more fun.

I wish there was some form of noticeboard or bluetooth social network to find people in the same crazy infinite waiting situation I'm in. I blame Sam from STA travel mainly, and my unquestioning trust. Maybe the small children running around me will be my friends, they're playing with some cool toy aeroplanes. though, I suspect they don't fully grasp what it represents, and a potato would be a preferable substitute.

Then I could have a toy.

Bridge and moisture

Unfortunately, there are no photos yet, as I'm typing this from LA airport, but shush, don't tell anyone. Kai and I woke up in time for breakfast, and on further inspection of the weather, decided to wait an hour or two for the rain to ease up. It didn't, so we gave up and braved the crazy weather anyway, luckily I had my cunningly small to store rain jacket, which I utilised with a suspicious intent. We we got the sea bus station, bought a day pass and then just got on the boat in time, with about 20 seconds to spare! Boa was incredibly slow, but was fine. We felt peckish so explored the nearby indoor food market, where we got "chips and gravy" which were an odd cross between real chips and fries.

Found the bus to the Capilano suspension bridge, and endured the slow ride, with the world's most annoying sounding windscreen wiper ever.We finally got to the bridge, I somehow got in as a youth with one of my crazy cards, and we went in. Then my jaw hit the ground. Then I wandered around with a huge grin on my face, while Kai was totally freezing, I was too excited to care about the cold. The view was amazing! and walking across the suspension bridge over the valley below was amazing...

[the rest of this post is available for a one off free of $1 trillion.....and/or ineed to get off this airport kiosk because it turns out to be expensive, more later!]

Continued: The rain, mist and everything amplified the beauty and greenery of the trees. We went up to the tree top adventure, which are a series of connected bridges high up in the tree tops, which you can walk along. Good fun. At this point Kai was turning to ice, so I forced him to go along the cliffhanger walk, along the side of the valley, was excellent, though even my hands were beginning to fail in the cold. So going back across the bridge, and playing in the shop momentarily, we caught the bus back to the ferry port, and crossed the river/bay/puddle via StarBucks. Kai then took me to a cool Mongolian near Stanley Park, where you can make your own stir fry, from 4 types of meat and loads of veg buffet style. You then mix your own sauce, either following their recipes or freestyling it, as I kinda did. The guy at the end of the buffet then throws it on a huge circular metal heating device, and fries it for you. All for $6, and it tasted great. As I was leaving in the morning I decided against anything crazy at night, and started/continued reading the Golden Compass, which is very good. Must wake up at 5am tomorrow morning *screams*

The solution to all

After grabbing some really nice take away Thai (I got a Yellow Curry), for a ridiculously cheap price, we returned to ravenously munch it down in the hostel. We decided to attempt to get tickets for Matt Costa, but once we walked there it turned out it really was sold out, much to our disappointment. The night turned into a hunt for beer, though we got pointed to a cheap beer place by a random homeless guy who tried to sell us drugs initially. Apparently it was $10 for a pitcher, though suspiciously it turned out the pitchers had a huge lump of plastic in the middle to reduce their volume. Still worked out cheaper than the other night, so we had two and chatted about diving and general travel. Good fun. On way back we went back in Lennox pub from the other night for 1 more and watched the end of another Ice Hockey match, which the canucks actually won via a shootout. Heading back, we stopped in another pizza place and started chatting to a random Canadian dude about his fries, which are some sorta Canadian tradition, but just seemed like Cheesy chips with gravy to me.

This morning, it's vastly wet outside, which sucks for Capilano, but last day to do it anyway. Had breakfast, and were joined by a cool French-Canadian called Pascal, who seemed nice. Now we're waiting for weather to ease up a bit, and to take the ferry then bus to Capilano.

Woke up earlyish and we grabbed some brekkie. Good stuff. Dining room was quite busy, mainy with the people who had come to see the ice hockey yesterday.

Our plan for the day was too attack the seabus and play on the Calipano Suspension Bridge. However, as we were walking out, Kai spotted that the Chinese New Year Parade was on. So quick change of plan, after investigating the seabus station and wandering through GasTown, we made our way over to China Town.

Unfortunately, we did this through E.Hastings, which I can assure you is crowded with crazy and homeless people. Slightly scary but mostly sad. Once we got to China Town, just 1 block away, we found a good place at the front and waited for the show to being. Though we were an hour early... no matter, we watched all the dragons and people get ready, and laughed jovially at their horrendous level of organisation. There were some extremely cute and small kids with cymbals though, so all was good. The parade started and it was very good, crazy jumping dragons, walking mobile phones, cool dancers and a scottish bagpipe band... who may not actually have been Scottish at all, but they were wearing kilts and the such like. Part way through we started chatting to two girls who went to a university that was up a nearby mountain! Major coolness. Dina, from East Canada, and Rebecca, who strangely enough was from Germany, except her English was amazing and she had a Canadian accent. We bonded over a lack of umbrellas when it began to rain, and my phobia of them - even though I had one. Anyway after chatting for a while and sharing all the free stuff we kept being giving we decided to find somewhere to eat.

Eventually, after battling the crowds we found, what looked like a nice Vietnamese restaurant with little wait. After ordering, which consisted of me randomly pointing at something after panicing, we had a horrendously long wait. We chatted about all manner of things, was very enjoyable, then the food arrived, and it looked cool, except I had a small forest on my plate. Rebecca also ended up with something pork based that looked horrendous, and we got it changed for something that was similar but less horrendous. My leaves were suspiciously not edible, but I ate them anyway and they smelled/tasted like lavender, though Dina disagreed and reckoned they were sage. Twas humourous times, and we spent quite a few hours in there. Afterwards we bid our farewells, swapped facebook info, and Kai and I headed back to the hostel.

Turns out the dude we were gonna see tonight (Matt Costa) is all sold out, so we may just grabbed a Thai or something. In the mean time I wandered down to sunset beach, as the skies cleared and I watched the sun set there while reading my book, which I've now finished! Was a beautiful sight, but it began to get extremely cold, so after playing for a while on the rocks, and returned triumphant to the hostel.

The solution to all boredom

As with so many things while traveling, anything can happen, luckily rather than being struck in the eye by a flying raccoon pony, I met a cool German guy called Kai who now lives in my room with me. We chatted for a while, and decided, the best course of action for everyone involved was to go to a pub and obtain us a few beers. So we asked at reception and found a cool pub on Granville St, which looked suitably pub-like for both of us. The ice hockey was on, Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado. or something similar, good fun watching the players randomly decide to beat each other up for no apparent reason. All the people watching in the pub only became actively excited when this occurred.

We had 2 pints of some generic Canadian beer that the lady served us, as we were unsure what to get. While sliding back to the hostel, we stopped in a pizza place and in a strange twist of fate, got some pizza. Twas pretty good. I read loads more of my Dice Man book as well, excellent stuff. Tomorrow we plan to tackle the Calipano Suspension Bridge.

Kai's been traveling for past 4 months, Oz -> New Zealand -> Hawaii. Apparently on the greyhound in Oz they lost his bag and it was never found! He just had to rebuy all his clothes again, luckily his important stuff was safe in his hand luggage. Scary.

I need robotic feet

and knees. After Prospect Point I carried on walking all around crazy locations, and mostly in circles trying to find the famous totem poles. After hitting the coast, realising how badly I'd been going in circles (next time get a map) and seeing the statue of a girl in a bathing suit, which symbolises how Vancouver relies on the sea, I finally made it to the totem poles. Which were jolly good. I then carried on walking coastward until I got to Georgia St, and had a conversation with a lady about how annoying it was that on all the public maps some fools I had scratched off the area around "You Are Here", so your exact location became slightly mysterious.

No matter though, and trundled along to Robson St, which turns out is the main city shopping area, or according to a book in a big book shop. There's even a very big HMV there, though my internet sources told me it was a Virgin. I wandered back, via a 7-11 to get some instant noodles and green beans.

Now spent the past 50 minutes typing up blogs and putting up photos (the colourful pretty things). I'd like to warn you that I have far more photos, some which are probably better than the ones I've put up, but they illustrate vaguely what I've been up to. Be happy, and don't expect this to occur frequently.

*collapses*

Well I've just walked miles and miles, all over Stanley park. Got up a bit late, and missed the free breakfast. Luckily I had a large can of chicken, veg and rice soup, which I made under the scornful glare of some random woman. I decided that because the crazy weather people had lied and it wasn't raining again, I'd walk along sunset beach and all along the coast.

The woods/park are amazing, beautifully green, and I saw the huge green bridge across the bay (Lions Gate Bridge). After heading inland, I spent hours walking around the lush forest, with no one around. Streams trickling all around me, beautiful. I eventually found my way to Beaver Lake, where I played with some crazy black squirrels, that then began hunting me velociraptor style. I swiftly made my getaway, following a sign to hollow tree. Though I had to cross snow and swamp to reach it. It was indeed hollow. After walking for ages, I finally made it to Prospect Point, by which point (haw haw) I was weak from hunger.

Got served by an awesome waiter, and I had a HUGE Stanley Park Double Decker, 2 huge burgers, loads of Canadian bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, gerkin and with a huge pile of delicious home made chips. I also had a large diet coke, and an AMAZING walnut and maple syrup topped Ice Cream. Was chatting to waiter about traveling and in the end he only charged me for the burger! I was so happy I left a note and a generous tip.

Evening

I did indeed get one of the tiny boats back, which was very fun and extremely faster than walking, 30 minutes to 2 minutes. I returned to the hostel tired but triumphant, but not before aiding an old woman who was lost.

For the rest of the evening I read my Dice Man book, which is excellent and very addictive. At 10ish I made some instant noodles to munch while reading.

I can has photos?

It would appear I'm developing a taste for tea. After the International Village, I waltzed to china town, slightly wonky, and played in the Andy Livingstone park for a while, on the water stepping stones. I randomly stumbled across the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which although costing $10, was really nice and I even got free chinese tea. I made a rat as well, using paper, scissors, glue, pencils, pipe cleaners and a fuzzy ball for the nose. I made his eyes wonky, which the woman there agreed gave him "character" but she also initially thought I was a "really big kindergarten kid". RK was suspicious of her intended use for the rats so didn't make one. I wandered around China Town for a bit, but it was a bit run down and there was an overlap with the crazy people from E.Hastings.

I headed to pacific boulevard because it sounded cool, past the BC stadium, but all around was a bit like a construction site. So I went inland and enjoyed walking through Yale Town, which has lots of expensive boutiques and the such like. Went through David Lam Park and along beach avenue where I discovered a little boat show.

Hmm, this is starting to become a list of places I visited *sighs*. Feel free to skim read. In my wise state, I decided the best course of action was to go across to Granville Island via the bridge. Unfortunately, due to its ridiculous height, meant I had to backtrack vastly to get up on the bridge and then I ended up deep in South Granville. Once I finally made my way back to Granville Island, I spent a few hours wandering around the public market and all manner of tiny shops. Found an amazing looking sushi shop tucked away, but I was far from hungry, plus I should save the monies. I tried to find an interesting book in a cool shop, but it was all meh, I might try again in a bit. Currently drinking some crazy herbal tea and listening to a cool guitar player play some Tom Waits, or someone....

I think my plan is to get one of the crazy bath tub boats across the water. I should skidaddle as either me or the guy at the table next to me really stinks.

RK convinced me to get a chinese, so I got spicy garlic pork and chicken in black bean sauce. Very nice, except the mountain Dew had no Caffeine! Sounds like someone is warming up a Microphone for something, time for investigation....

Down with Solo Travel:

I don't believe you've met my traveling companion yet, his name is Roadkill Panda:
We got off to a rough start but our friendship has been firmly cemented after a complex incident involving a megaphone, half the population of Sweden and a plate of oysters. Needless to say, we now get on like an orphanage on fire. Unfortunately, he tends to be rather blunt when faced with new or scary situations.

Some people may claim his name is "Pandamonium", but RK, as I like to call him, denies this ferociously, or as ferocious as a flattened, bamboo eating endangered species can be. He is a perfect companion though, rarely questioning my decisions and happy to split up for periods of time.

He is also pocket size.

It would appear that many places in Vancouver fail to open until 10 or 11. And even more places are still being building, including "International Village" which I am in now. I've been wandering haphazardly through downtown Vancouver. I was happily skipping along until I glimpsed something further ahead:

"Holy Moly, there's a mountain at the end of the street"

I carried on, and eventually got to Canada Place, and the bay/inlet (Burrard Inlet?), where, just across the water, was North Vancouver and a load of whopping big snow topped mountains. Crazy!

I wibbled along the coast, towards GasTown, which turned out to be quite nice and quaint, though mostly souvenir shops with life size mounty bears. The GasTown Steam Clock was the main attraction, which was basically a steam powered clock that looked similar to Little Ben (near London Victoria). Further on was maple leaf square, which was quite nice. I was gonna cross West Hastings to China Town, but it looked a bit dodge so I backtracked, on the flipside and circled around. Now in International Village, where most of the shop areas are empty, but there is some form of Chinese Mark for Chinese New Year. there's also a large amount of people standing around, looking slightly confused. I might treat myself to lunch as they have Indian, Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Maccy D's. Anyone that chooses McDonald's automatically loses at life.

I was wondering why I felt a bit rough and tired, then I remembered I'm allowed jet lag. Luckily, coffee is the cure for all ailments.

Except insomnia *glares at Shing*

mmmm peanut butter bagel and orange juice, a perfect start to the day. Last night I had a small wander around nearby and bought some food, including soup. Woo! After realising I had no map and was getting tired I found my way back to hostel. Vancouver looks quite nice, though as I've heard so much about the drug and homeless problem I keep judging people so. The street nearby has it's fair share of starbucks but also has may Chinese, Indian, and Japanese restaurants/shops. There's even a Safeways?!

I slept moderately well, though I did manage to knock my bottle of water over quite successfully. Today I'm gonna explore downtown, though with my excellent research skillery I know to avoid East Hastings.

Not sure this apple should be brown.... but it tastes alright.

This trip, I have decided to actually vaguely budget, and in true plageristic style, I shall set 30 (Edited as I mistyped) quid a day as sir Rex did.

I forgot bananas hurt my soul.

Arrival.

If one was bored, and decided to judge cities by their airports, Vancouver would be at the top by a long way. Spacious, clean, friendly, and there's even an oriental river running through it. Bag took a while to emerge but I wasn't in much of a hurry. Grabbed a taxi as Gordy said they were all electric, very quiet smooth ride, driver wasn't chatty though, so I gazed in wonder out the window.

Hostel is awesome, although no free wifi, most sturdy bunk beds I've seen so far. Very clean, showers, although having the traditional random controlling mechanism, is hot and powerful. I just need to explore now....

Chasing The Setting Sun

Not been my most enjoyable flight, initially delayed due to unknown vague reasons. Plane is far too hot and I feel exceptionally under prepared for this. Eventually we take off and I play with the TV/Computer, slightly disappointed in my inability to crash it. I watch 3.10 to Yuma, which is pretty good and keeps my attention. Chicken Casserole served during, which is quit enice but I somehow lose control of my chocolate. It's a crazy town.

I watched the Sarah Silverman Show, which is pretty poor, and try and watch some Owen Wilson fil set in India, which proves dull and I give up. Read A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary For Lovers, it's a novel I'll have you know. About a Chinese girl coming to London to learn English, and falling in Love. It's given me the annoying desire to write in broken English and in the present tense, I'm far too influenced by everything. I sleep for a while but wake up feeling groggy, dirty and suspicious of my mental state. Since then, I've been reading constantly every now and then admiring the permanent sunset out of the window as well as what could have been ice flows or lakes.

Had a quick was and coincidentally feel cleaner now, still don't feel like I'm ready for travelling. It appears the air hostess lady hates me and didn't give me a sandwich. I got this journal out to instill a sense of traveling, but I've just realised I've forgotten how to write interesting collections of letters. I do, however, have some cool, thin nibbed pens.

*1 minute*

Everything is good. I have black coffee and a sandwich invented by John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. Good show.

And

I'm off...

Initial Itinerary

February 7th: London Heathrow to Vancouver
February 12th: Vancouver to Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji
February 26th: Nadi, Fiji to Auckland, NZ
Take the "Magic Bus" down from Auckland to ChristChurch
March 23rd: Christchurch, NZ to Melbourne, OZ
Travel from Mebourne to Cairns
Meet Louise and Claire along the way.
April 30th: Cairns, OZ to Brisbane, OZ to Singapore
Meet Rex and Adam in Singapore.
Travel around/up Malaysia with them fools.
Explore Thailand
June 3rd: Begin organised coach tour from Bangkok, exploring Cambodia, and ending in Ho Chi Minh City.
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong
Travel into China and to Yangshuo, Kunming, Guiyang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing
30th July: Shanghai/Beijing to Tokyo
August 7th: Tokyo Narita, Japan to London Heathrow

My Extremely Rough Plan of my trip is on google maps. I was going to embed the map, but when I'm trying to access my blog on a computer made from a piece of cardboard, a boomerang and a passing Muay Thai master, I thought it might be unable to handle it. That is all.

A Note on Style

For people not accustomed to my writing style, I'd like to introduce the strange world of how I type and perhaps my various thought processes. Possibly in bullet point form:

• Although sometimes it may appear I am depressed, or forlorn, or similar, I am in fact just overally emotive as I like that style of writing.
• I tend to drift off onto tangents, ramblings and attempt to write about something in a manner that's not typical. I also sound pretentious.
• I often make up words that sound vaguely correct, or extend certain roots to words that are nonsense but often seem to make sense. I can't think of any now.
• I sometimes write in the third person. This is mainly to amuse myself, and not some deeply rooted attempt at having a superiority complex.
• This blog is written to be child, adult, and relative friendly. I hope.
• I normally write this sort of thing in a coffee shop, after too much caffeine, so its level of sensology could possibly be askew.
• Black. No Sugar. No Milk.
  

Finally I shall leave you with how Rachel describes my writing style:

"humoristique, quelquefois assez 'geeky'...I don't know, just natural, funny, slightly eccentric...humour and sarcasm and info and emotastic doodles"

or as Dan said:

"I like your blog it's largely irrelevant gobalgygook"

Blog

Hey, loyal readers, fellow crazy travellers and Rex. You may suspect I have been knocked of the bottom of the earth, but fear not, I'm safely in New Zealand, and doing so much stuff I don't have much time to play upon the internet.

I shall type up some of my journal (and write some days that I haven't done yet) soon. In the meanwhile here is what I have done in bullet point form (I only have 1 min of internet left):

• Arrived in New Zealand
• Visited Bay of Islands
• Sand Boarded
• Missed a Bus
• Caught up expertly
• Went Black Water Rafting in glow worm caves
• Went White Water Rafting