Welcome to the Jungle

After an action packed week I find myself in San Fran. We did so much over the last couple of days. Highlights being the Grand Canyon at sun rise, partying on a bus-limo in vegas, hiking in Yosemite and riding the tram in ‘cisco. I cant get any photos up, but ill be home soon.

The night before i left LA i met someone I knew for the first time in 7 months. Ian Wands (uni mate i have not seen for 3 years) was at my hostel! crazy days.

Im off to NY tomorrow so I reckon i must be heading home soon?????

LA has proven to be better than expected. You dont get the same traveller scene as you would in Aus or NZ. But that has helped me cut down on the drink. Im staying in Santa Monica. Went to Six Flags Magic Mountain the other day.

That was pretty good, lots of queing but the best rollercoasters! Driving there and back was quite an adventure. A hire car was cheaper than a coach.

Played some beach volleyball yesturday and then hired a bicycle today and cruised up to Malibu and down to Venice.

Shopping is provong very tempting. Everything is so cheap and the pound remains very strong againts the dollar.

Off to San Fran via the grand canyon, Vegas and Yosemite on Monday. Off now to have another crack at the all you can eat BBQ at the hostel. And the weather is great!…

See you all soon….

 Bula! 

A week in Rarotonga has disapeared! I did not even do much. I guess the relaxed Island lifstyle got the better of me. The Cook Islands really was awesome, such a small place yet a country all of its own! I can’t remember who reconmended it, I know Huber did, but maybe Gemdog aswell, anyway, thank you for telling me! After being in Fiji (only 1 night so far) I can appriciate how absolutelly tiny the Cooks was. It is a proper tropical isalnd. With its own crazy money (trianglular coins and $3 notes), laid back attitude and beautiful scenery, truley a great place to stop on your way home.

One of the best bits was hiering a motorbike - the only way to have freedome to get about the island. A complete circuit only takes 30mins! you have to get a Cook Islands driving Licence, just a way for the govenment to make money, but its a nice sovenier. I enjoyed cruising the island on my Yamaha YBR 125. I was the only one at the hostel to get a bike with gears and a helmet!

Other than rideing my bike and relaxing at the hostel i did manage to go to church (awesome singing and a great buffet afterwards), a local village rugby match (awfull standard but terrific passion) and an Island night featuring Drums and dancing. 

Off on an Isalnd tour of Fiji tomorrow for one week, ill report back next weekend.