Around the World in 180 days

It was raining when i reached Taupo, and it was raining when i left. I made the mastake of booking 3 nights here (using the philosophy that any less and you cant get a proper feel for the place). One day is enough (unless you like fishing. This place is renowned for trout). Summer might be a different story. theres more stuff to do on the river. Still it gave me a chance to catchup on things. such as Seing a couple of films. (TIP when travelling, put off going to the cinema, untill you're forced to. i.e. raining and nothing else to do). Short blog, shame my time there wasn,t.

Rotorua is about one and a half hours drive from Hamilton and is best described as Lively. The whole area is mass of volcanic activity. The lake itself was once a volcano and around the edges there are pockets of bubbling pools of water, mud and sulphur. These can be found in pockets all around the town of Rotorua. Giving the town an unusual aroma.

For my first full day i took a locals advise and followed the free trek around the lake all the way to Kuirau Park. Walking through the park is surreal and the bridge over the lake is eerie, not being to see 2 feet in front (i was told the temperature of the lake was over 150 degrees, so not worth a dip). The walk takes about three and a half hours and is well worth doing, if not just for getting you your bearings around the town.

The Second day here, i visited Te Puia, a heavily volcanic area wrapped up with morei culture and history. The visit include a traditional morei show, a couple of walks and an impressive guiser which goes off 3 times an hour. They also have the the national heritage workshops there, keeping the traditions of carving and weaving passed on to generations. If you want a bit of culture, its a great place to visit

The third day, i took my pimp mobile and set off for the lakes to the south of Rotorua, taking in the Blue lake, Green lake and lake Tarawea. These are great places to chill, not many people go out to them. In the afternoon, i drove to the otherside of Rotorua to the gondola ride up Mount Ngongotaha. There are some decent walks up there. But thats not why i went. I went for the Luge. The Luge take yous to about half way down the mountain, where theres a chairlift to take you back. There are 3 coarses Sceanic, Intermeadiate and Advanced. Everyone has to do the Sceanic before you are let loose on the other routes. It was funny watching the Chinese being told this in chinese, then totally taking the wrong route and flying off. It reminded me of once being in a meeting with a Japanesse Engineer who used to say "yes, yes yes" to everything and then when asked if he understood would answer "No" (you Know what i mean Phil). The luge is great fun. You need to buy a ticket of 5 runs, as anything less is not enough.

Next day. i visited Hobbiton. The coach drive was about 45 minutes from Rotorua. I decided to take the tour from Rotorua instead of driving. I'm pleased i did. The driver is a real charactor with a moustache that Wilf Lung would be proud of. He also must be Peter Jacksons No 1 fan. He knew everything past, present and future about the guy. As he was there at the time he also had loads of stories about the filming that were never published. tie time flew, before i knew it, we were there.

Hobbiton is deliberatly and cleverly protected by hills in all directions, so that no telephoto lenses can be used (mainly because part of the 3rd episode was filmed at the same time as the third). It was also facinating to learn about the process of creating a set of such a size (e.g. having to moving trees and then glueing on plastic leaves to reflect the book), all the way through to the actual filming and the legal complications were happening and are still happening today.

We were taken to locations and were described to in depth the requirments from the book, the interpritation that Peter Jackson gave and even the words from the movie that was spoken at the location. The detail in creating the set was unreal. Some gardens had over 200 different types of plants. The Hobbit holes from a distance looked solid although stripped down from their original glory. In reality the were wooden frames, now looking weathered (it has been 8 years). Even the bridge (which is no longer there) was originally just scaffolding and polystyrene blocks painted. A lot of the hobbit holes were removed by Mirrormax, with the tour company or the owner not able to replace them, again legal complications means they can't touch the site as the holes are not their property (As if Mirrormax didn't make enough money). The tour takes half a day and is well worth the visit if your a Rings fan or just a movie nut.

Saturday night in Rotorua was another quiet night ( I need nightlife). The only life in the town was the Pig and Whistle, which had a band playing - badly. Where is the night life in NZ?

My only regret whislt being in Rotorua was missing out on doing the "Zorb" which is best described as rolling down hill in a washing machine (its a clear three meter ball that you are strapped in to. I'd planned to do this on the way out to Taupo. However the weather was so bad, my plans went to the toilet. However if you do go to Rotorua, it is a must, along with the Luge, Te Puia and bathing in one of the famous spas in. (nb. when travelling, you need at least 5 days here)

The thought of doing an 100m abseil doesn't sound to scary (if you say it quick enough) and reading it from a magazine in the UK even less. But it was one of the major items on my list to do and God Damm i was going to do it.

As it is winter in New Zealand, and not that many people around. I was lucky that the instructor agreed to take me down to the caves, usually there is a minimum number of people for the lost world tour. I say tour, more experience. So i just was me and the guide and no more takers.

As was drove up, all around was small hilly pastures. A kinda cross between the dales and telly tubby land. This didn't seem too scary. We approached what looked like a large divot in the ground which had hole about 2 meters wide. On closer inspection of the hole, i could see deep in to a completely different world. A massive cavern of green lined walls stretching down and down to a river i could hear but hardly see. I remember thinking to myself "Oh shit big mistake, at least we don't go down this hole". " And thats only 70 meters" said the instructor. "We're going down 100". the instructor smiled as any colour in my face disappeared.

A few minutes later, we were at the gantry above the drop. Once clipped on, i had to lean back on to a horizontal pole the looked meters away from the gantry. Looking down between my feet. I could see a tiny river at the bottom (in reality the river wasn't that small). I decided to concentrate on the instructor, and with a brief demo of how to descend. I bent my knees, letting the rope take the strain. Wrapped my right leg around the rope for extra control (and somewhere to put my leg) and slowly pulled up the rope with my right hand, allowing the rope through the shackle (ill call it a shackle, it probably has a proper name, but at this time i didn't really care) causing myself to descend.

By the end of this trip i should have firm buttocks, the amount of clenching i had to do. Every so often the rope would turn me around to view the abyss. The cave was lined with plant life and layers of colorful rock formations, totally breathtaking (or was that because i still 80 m from ground zero).

At this point the instructor took out his camera and said "smile". "The guy is taking the piss" i thought. The decent took about 20 to 30 minutes. Once at the bottom i could relax. Or so i thought as the the abseil was only part of the lost world experience. The view fro the bottom was amazing. I could see the gantry as a blemish on the side of the small hole in the roof of the cave. I could also see the tiny hole that the instructor showed me prior to the drop.

For the next 45 minutes or so was trecking through the cave, passing numerous cave formations and fossilized oyster shells smoothed in to the rocks. Gradually the light from the holes in the roof disappeared, leaving the the lights only from or helmets to guide us through the caverns. Once we had reached our destination, we turned off out helmet lights and looked up to see thousands of glow worms illuminating the cave walls

We made our way back to the way out, which was in the form of a 30 vertical ladder which rose in to the darkness. Now a 30 ladder climb doesn't sound scary. But in total darkness (apart from the helmet light) on a rickety wet ladder, it is not as easy as you'd think. (i may have been attached to a harness but at the time, thats not much of a consolation)

Another 30 minutes or so walking through caves and i was back on grass. the drive back to Waitomo was short and quiet. I was probably still in shock at what I'd just done. So next bungy jumping. No F****** chance!

So having left America and Canada here my brief summary of the cities

New York (Manhattan)

Good
Central Park - worth the visit alone
Shopping at 2 dollars to the pound
Loads of good tours

Bad
Hotels are expensive
You will end up bankrupt if you spend more than a week here
New Yorkers expect tips no matter what 17% min

Boston

Good
Newbury Street - Boutique shops but a gret places to chill and get a coffee
Blue Man Group- great fun night out
Cheers - No one will know your name but you wont care

Bad
Tour around city ( ok most of the centre was closed for the day, but to winge on about it constantly even when passing area of intrest was a pain).

Montreal

Good
Good shopping centre - all linked underground
lot of intresting architecture -statues and buildings
Good restaurants

Bad
They speak french - enough said

Toronto

Good
Great Plazas
Always something going on
Loads of theatres (3rd only to London and NY)
Niagra Falls a day trip away

Bad
A lot of beggers (though necesserily homeless, some had decent trainers)

Calgary

Good
The place is spotless
Free streetcar through centre of city
Food ia great
Prince Island Park
Cowboy town
letter boxes covered with artwork - bizzare
Cow Statues

Bad
Cowboy town
Country and western music - enough said

Candain Rockies

Good
Every second is like walking in a postcard
Lake Louise
Moraine Lake
Lake Maleigne
Columbia Icefield Glacier
Spirit Island

Bad
Nothing

Vancouver

Good
Stanley Park (inc free bus around park)
Granville Isalnd
Yale
Gas Town
Loads of other areas to visit
Whistler near by
Rockies near by
Vancouver Island near by
You can swim, ski and sunbathe in the same day - but not at the same time- that would be stupid

Bad
Shopping Mall is dull- reminded me of home
Lots of homeless, I mean lots - im sure this will be sorted for the winter olympics in 2010

Seattle

Good
It has good coffee
It has good seafood
has a good art museum
Pig sculptures - bizzare

Bad
Just Dull

San Francisco

Good
Great Artwork -if you like Deco then heres the place ( not the footballer)
Pier 39

Bad
transport system too overcrowded

Overall

Best Bargains

- Fung Wah bus to Boston 7.50 GBP
- Helicopter ride over Niagra about 40 GBP for 15 mins but well worth it
- the parks i.e. free

Rip Off
- tram tour Around Boston was NAFF
- sending stuff home- costs more than the stuff you buy

Most irritating

Having to add tax to every thing US and Canada
American kids - they're just irritating, stupid and rude.
Pan Pipers i think i lost them in San Francisco - (nb i have nothing against Mariache bands (however it's spelt))

5 Questions that need to be answered

1 Why is there alway a kebab shop next door the strip joints? (THAT I'VE PASSED and not gone in ). you wouln't find me dead in there - a kebab shop that is.
2 Baseball - isn't it just rounders for blokes?
3 Why is it every city i go, theres a Jamie oliver book in every bookstore
4 French people - what is their purpose?
5 Has everyone from Harry Carrs found a job now

Useful websites while travelling in USA/Canada
www.hotwire.com - didnt get a bad hotel for the price of a hosel

PS Sorry i havent sent out any emails as yet, Ive lost my contacts list so i havn't got any way to get in touch, so if you can send an email to ilangley@ntlworld.com i can pick it up and copy the address and get back.

Hamilton is a small town just over an hour and half south of Auckland. I decided to stop here to take in the Waitomo caves before heading off to Rotorua. The town is pretty quiet but ideal as a base to do the caves (nb. Stop no more than 2 nights here). Theres a bus that leaves at 9.45, which works out ideal. Nightime is pretty quiet. The only livley places is the Sky City and the Cinema in the local mall. However i did get to see the all blacks beat the Aussies in the Rugby (which is always a good thing).

Another strange thing in NZ is their facination they have with Netball. It gets Prime time coverage on TV (they also beat the Aussies that same day). Down side though. I was waiting for the shirt swapping at the end, it just didn't happen.

Finally in NZ, and already been away 6 weeks. To say its flown by is an understatment. Having only a 3 hour flight was a relief ( still the flight movie sound didn't work again and they ran out of chicken). I was praying they would run out of coffee (aka airplane) but sadly no. Jumped on the local shuttle bus to the city centre and first thing in noticed (apart from being in fiji clothes and being much colder) was how similar it is to the UK. Apart from the wooden houses in the suburbs you could easily mistake this place for any town in the UK. The weather is similar to what we get in April, which for their Winter is not to bad. Mind you i am on North Island. South island is a different thing altogether. The plan once i get the Pimp mobile is to spend a week and a half on north, 2 and a half on south island. Should be fun.

The day i arrived there was a tri nations rugby match between the all blacks and South africa. To say the island stops when there's a match on is an understatment. I also have learnt the words to the Haka

the Haka

Ringa Pakia A
Ka mate. Ka Mate
Ka Ora, Ka Ora
Ka mate. Ka Mate
Ka Ora, Ka Ora
Tenei te tangata
Pu huru huro
Nana, tiki ma
whaka whiti te ra
A upane, kaupane
Upane Kaupane
Whiti te ra!
Hu!

and the translation is

Tis death, tis death
Tis life, tis life
Tis death, tis death
tTs life, tis life
This is the man the fierce powerful man (the hairy man in some translations)
It was he who captured the sun and caused it to shine
It rises it sets
It rises it sets
The sun Shines

Doesn't really sound too scary if we said that to them in English!!!

The New Zealanders have a different Haka for the Austrailians which i saw at the recent game. I dont think it can be translated (and get past any monitors for the website) lets just say it wasn't friendly.

Auckland has everything going for itself. A vibrant harbour, great scenery, great restaurants and not to be outdone, its own sky tower ( the tallest in the southern hemisphere). This one in true kiwi fashion, has a controlled base jump. Having been up there on the viewing gallery and stared through the glass floor, that was enough. The sign said the glass was a strong as contrete. This was generally taken as an invitation for kids to test it. Why they would try to jump up and down on the glass to test it beyond me.

The Harry potter book came out the other day. Ive never seen so much hysteria over a book. Every one was dressed up, adults and children. I decided to forget the book, go see the movie. (i know its 2 episodes behind) Supprisingly the Potter films are getting better as they go along, usually sequals are Naff, with a few exceptions (star wars and Alien) but even their sequals were dodgy (why Ewoks, it was just plain stupid and as for Jar Jar Binks)

Anyway for part of my time in Auckland i stopped in the local base backpackers, which are great if youre travelling alone and dont mind sharing. I however opted for a room to myself (too much gear put in lockers). The hostels are great to get sorted out with trips and for emailing. the only downside was the screaming woman next door. It sounded like she was in real pain. This went on for several hours through the night. Poor girl. Fortunatly i was able to get the hotel across the road for $4 more. (still using the backpackers for booking and email and damm fine coffee)

Wilst in Auckland, i picked up the campervan (or pimp mobile or mystery machine, as it will be a mystery if it gets back in one piece). Taking it for a spin, i headed up to One Tree Hill,(stange that there no tree there) where there is fantastic views of Auckland. Like most hills in NZ it was once volcanic but now dormant ish!

My first impressions of driving in NZ in winter is Don't, if you don't have to. Although they drive on the left, there are strange rules you have to be aware of. Rules such as giving way to the car turning right at a junction, when youre turning left, as the same time being aware of people crossing the road. Also, cars can overtake on the inside lanes was well as the outside lanes on motorways. Fortunatly overtaking in my pimp mobile is not a problem. The roads are not the best either, paricularly when wet. A dual carrigeway can turn in to a singal dirt track without warning. Finally the driver here are nutters (must be the extreame sport mentality carrying on to the roads). So my advise is if you can get to where your'e going. Use the bus. It pretty reliable for what iv'e seen and is stress free (nb this is taking to account it's Winter here, driving in the Summer would be much safer).

On my last day i was fortunate to meet up with Eddie Wilde. He was good enough to show me around the suburbs of Auckland, places i would have never found. I can't believe hes been out here 3 years already. I don't think he's does as well. He's having a great time and looks totally relaxed and not regretting leaving the UK one bit. The lifestyle he has here is much more exciting and the cominity around put on loads of things to do (last time Grimsby did something like that did that was Bonfire night. and look what happened to that)

My final night, i decided to go for a little culture. so i went to see the Auckland Philharmonic with Burt Bacharach at the new Arena that just opened. For those under 30 reading this, who havn't got a clue who he is. I guarentee you'd know at least 10 of his songs. He was one of the worlds most prolific songwriters and has had No 1 records in the 60 through to the 90's (he was also in the 3 Austin Power films and has recorded with Dr Dre, so he still he street cred) As cheesy as it sounds it was a good concert.

Iv'e enjoyed stopping in Auckland. Like Vancouver its a place that grows on you the longer you are there. I could have stopped here another week and gone north . Unfortunatly, north of Auckland is totally flooded and is a no go area. Plus, South Island is beckoning.

Lost day 39, not in a drunken haze. Sunday turned in to Tuesday somewhere over the Pacific, crossing the date line

I stopped at a hotel just outside Nadi near the airport, and for the first night or day i spent sleeping to catch up with my clock.

Once caught up with my sanity, i picked an island and the following day jumped on to a boat for Mololo. Not before briefly visiting South Island, Treasure Island, Beachcomer Island and Bounty (Bounty being famous for Celeb love island)

On arrival (like all the other islands) yourer greated with a traditional fijian ditty and ending with a Load "Bula" they Say Bula alot, I think it hello, either that or "fat bloke", these people are the most friendlest people i've ever met. i dont know how, but within half a day every fijian on the island knew my name (didn't get that in cheers)

Mololo is everything you'd expect from a tropical island, great beach, palm trees and swimming is like jumping in to a tropical fish tank, without the dodgy plastic shipwreck and mermaid.

Later on there was the cerimonial lighting of the fire, which corresponded with what the natives called "happy hour". Not being aware with this concept. I decided to investiagte. Aparently all drinks are cheaper during this time. What a genius idea. I don't think it will catch on anywhere else. The late meal was a polynesian BBQ (like a normal BBQ but with fruit). This was interupted by a tropical storm. Eating during the storm was ok, after all it was that fine rain. Sleeping in the storm was also fun in my little Bure (shack). Anyway the lizzard i shared the room didn't mind it either. he just sat on the curtain rail guarding the place. I figured that he owned the place and i was a guest.

By morning the storm had gone as if it had never happened. having taken the walk to the top of the island (just like being in lost). i decided to go island hopping for the day.

The boat trip went to Mana, Castaway, Tokoriki, and Matamanoa- next door to which is the island of Modriki- where they filmed Castaway ( the Tom Hanks one, not the Amanda Donohoe one allas, need i have to mention the rock scene!)

The Night meal was excellent again, you can't go wrong ordering fish here. The fijian finished the night with a game which resembled the Whale / rabbit / shark game ( all those who went to Amsterdam in 91(yes that long ago) you know what i mean), But theres is with elephants and giraffes.

The following day i had to go back to Nadi to get the plane to NZ. I probably should have had much longer there. There are so many islands to visit, each one slightly different than the other, but all just as friendly

One down side there is a Mc Donnalds on the Main Island just outside Nadi, the coach driver calls it "the American embassy"

Had a day to kill in LA before my late night flight.

Day to kill being appropreate after the flight i had coming to LA.

About 30 mins from touch down the plane took a swurve and nose dive for about 10 seconds. Minutes later the captain announded " Ladies and gentlemen thats what happens hen a 747 hits turbulance" The 747 being another plane in front of us that dropped out of the sky in front of our plane. I still have indent from the woman fingernails who sat next to me.

The hotel room had this sign out side my room... I knew there was a reason why i didnt go to Vagas.

So fresh day ahead and a fresh pair of underwear, i decided against doing the LA tour and headed to the local beach for the day (plus it was a free bus)

The fight from LA to Fiji was damm long 14 hrs. Particularly when you have a dodgy headphone jack and 6 out of 10 movies don't Work. The screaming american kid and the snoring frenchman didnt help. (thnakfully they provided ear plugs) The BA flight had been combined with AIR PACIFIC ( fijis national airline ). I hope the Islands are better than their planes.

Flew into San francisco today, and once again i was jammy in my hotel location, right on Union Square. A very Art Deco type of Hotel. Went walkabout down Market Street then along the sea front to Pier 39. This was the inspiration that made the Pier in Cleethorpes what it is today. I think Mark Mayor must have been on acid if he was trying make the Cleethorpes one the same as the one in SF. This one here is a bit like Main Street in Alton Towers. Loads of Restaurants, novilty acts, Carousel, art galleries and a bunch of seals thrown in at the end of the pier. So the comparison is close. Take that all away, they are both Piers. They have a view of Alcatraz, we have Bull Fort.

The Following day (4th July) was a chill out day walking around the city before the BIG fireworks display. There are more Art Galleries in SF than Reataurants here, I counted 7 on one block.

The Transport system needs a bit of work. I bought a 3 day card which i thought was a good deal. However, i was working on the perception that you could actually get on a bus. Most of them were fully loaded. The streetcars were a completly different ordeal. It takes about an hour and half to cue for the street cars. (i know this personally). You get to a point when you decide that you're not going to pull out and be beaten after all the waiting (my point was about the 40 minute mark). Next day a called a cab.

The forth of July Fireworks were spectacular - in new york that is. The SF fireworks were more like the september specacular at the Boating Lake. Screams of YER, ALRIGHT and you guessed it AWESOME, rattled around the quay side. I couldn't help thinking that these people don't get out much. Tens of thousands of people saying this was the best display ever. I've had more fun with a bunch of bangers and a copper tube as a kid ( forgot you can't do that now? can you)

Following day tried to get to Alcatraz, but it had been booked up for the week ( something to do with a public hoiday). So instead i took the cheezy boat tour around the island with a dodgy captain birdseye impersonator (Aarrrhhh), complete with a couple of sea shantys. Whilst on the boat, an unearthly Fog came in to the bay glowing. I was hoping some deranged lepper infested goast ship would jump out and take the captain. But it was just fog, it happens here a lot.

Saw the bizzarest thing on TV. CNN showed a program on how easy a terrorist could do serious damage at certain unprotected places in the US. I think terrorists will send them a big thank you. The people of Boston must be most pleased having seen the programme.

The last day is decided to visit Golden Gate Park, which is another massive park about a mile away for the centre. However having finally arrived there by bus! i decided against going in. Maybe it was the street gangs hanging around outside or the drug induced people lying spaced out on the park benches. Perhaps it was the colourful artwork, or the people hugging aroud a blazing oil drums either way i decided "bugger that" and went to see Die Hard Instead.

Seriously San Francisco is a great place to vistit (transport aside), the restaurants are really good and even the buskers play with a bit of class. If you like art this is the place for you.

I met a family whist there who invited me back to there place. they eat a lot of donuts and watch TV lot MMM donuts...