The Final Frontier

After a wonderful time LA it was time for my final journey to Australia.  The travel to Fiji was about 10 hours or so and then a 3.45 hour layover in Fiji and then off to Sydney.  I must add, I hate flying.... why don't we have teleporters? 

Fiji 747 Airplane

After I arrived in Sydney, I was greeted by my wonderful family here.  Thea Aristea, George, Kleo, Elisse and Christian.  They are very accommodating and lovely people and I thank them all for welcoming me into their home.

The Sydney Oprah House

The first Saturday I was there, Elisse and Christian took me to a beautiful bar and we met up with some of Christian's "Mates" which one of them was celebrating a birthday.   It was a good time meeting some of his friends and hanging out comparing how awesome Canadians are in comparison to everyone else in the world. (lol)

Manly Beach

Very quickly I was getting used to my surrounding, I learned how to travel on the train and was quickly on my way traveling the City and outside areas with the train system that they have here in New South Whales (State)

My Epiphany at the Blue Mountains

Again the sun was in my eyes (Blue Mountains)

3Sisters (Blue Mountains)

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are fun! Bike trails and hiking paths that are amazing.  The mountains are quite unique in their look.  Not like any mountain range I have seen before.  Must say the biking is phenomenal :)

Sydney Harbour

George's Boat from the Fly Bridge

Sydney From Sydney Harbour

Me Driving the Boat

I am leaving on April 17th, 2012 to go to Melbourne. I hear lots of good things and I can't wait to meet my family over there.

More photos soon, I've been experiencing more than photo taking on this trip thus far.

Hanging out with the stars

So arrived in LA and had a few glitches of course, seems like my VISA was compromised and it got declined when arrived at the airport.  I have to order a new card in Australia,  I do have a backup credit card luckily.  

Seems like its hard to get help in the states, I asked for someone to help me carry my stuff and they all looked at me like I was a weirdo.  Its not like I wouldn't have paid but fortunately I am as strong as they come and was able to lug my stuff to where the shuttle was for my hotel.  

After I picked up my rental car, I went to Hollywood blvd and saw the Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre (which is basically a 6 story mall) and walked up and down the road and then ended up eating at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I then went home after to get ready to go out, but my body said hell no and I ended up sleeping the night away.  I did start traveling at 2am (EST) in my defense.  

March 21, 2012 

Venice Peer (I'm not mad it was the sun)

Went to Venice Beach in the morning.  The weather seems to be cooler in the morning and then it warms up getting closer to noon, though it was a fantastic day for a walk on the beach.  I started at the Venice Peer as you can see in the photo.  Bad Picture because I was trying to get the beach but the sun was in my eyes. 

Surfers at Venice Peer 

I walked from Venice along the boardwalk to Santa Monica Peer.  Along the way I noticed lots of shops and also interestingly enough quite a few medical marijuana shops with doctors in there that can prescribe it to you.  (No I did not buy any Pot) 

Along the way, I saw where Arnold Schwarzenegger worked out on the beach.  It was from like every movie you have seen where people are working out at the beach.  Its actually a outdoor recreation center!

Arnold's Bio on the wall

Outdoor Gym

As I was walking I met a man and we ended up talking about different places around the world, we exchanged our life stories.  He's actually a millionaire (no joke) he owns 2 Apartment complexes in LA and he owns property in New York, Arizona and Texas as well.  He walks from Venice to Santa Monica everyday.

So after about an hour or so walk I finally arrived at the Santa Monica Peer.

Amusement Park on the Peer

Ate some extremely expensive fruit there and toured the area.  The amusement park was closed so I walked the peer and saw some dolphins jumping in the water also saw that Cirque du Soleil has a large tent on the north side of the peer. 

I then left to go to Universal Studios and Warner Brother Studios and when I pulled up at Universal the wanted $15 + $77 to get into the park.  I decided to forgo getting into these parks as I am too cheap and to be honest, I'm not really that interested in how they make movies.  I like to keep that a suprise and believe everything is reality when watching a movie, ignorance is bliss.  I toured the area and went to Crystal Springs (Griffith Park)  which is a recreation area that is absolutely gorgeous.  People were horseback riding, golfing and biking it is a well maintained mountain area with lush vegetation.  Of course I didn't take pictures because I am slightly retarded and forgot my camera in the car.  But if you'd like to see what is all about go to http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/griffithPk.htm.

I drove around the area a little bit and decided to go back to the hotel for some R&R and then grab a bite to eat.  

I will add more soon...

 

Crazy's in my life - Time to flee

Well... here we go, this is the first blog post that I am doing and hopefully I will get some good response to this from my peers.  If not, I can always use this as a log of my trip.   It is March 8th, 2012 and I have a few more things to do to get ready.  I got to pay for a few more bills, sell my car and start packing.  If I can't sell my car, my parents said that they would take over the payments while I am gone (God bless them).  I still need to call about travel insurance and do some final closing off of some accounts like cell phone, which I should probably shut down a few days after I arrive in Australia just in case.

I am helping out the County of Simcoe training 2 new staff members that are taking over my role as IT Technician for the Libraries.  I find that I like work, but also my mind is already in vacation mode.  I hope I am doing a good job in training these guys.

I will dearly miss all the library staff that I have worked with in the past 5 years, I love them all.  I can say with confidence that they kept me going through the rough times that I have had in the past year.

New ideas to bring

• Be Selfish (Stop being so generous)
• Enjoy the outdoors
• Concentrate on my health and wellness
• Create good impressions on others

I think these are the things I need to focus on, on this trip.  

For people who are just joining my blog, I have got a 1 year work VISA in Australia.  I am graced with  a beautiful family over there, especially my Aunt Aristea.  She is graciously giving me space in her home in Sydney for the time I will be in Australia. 

I leave from Buffalo on March 20th and will be staying in LA till the 23rd.  I will be leaving from LA then going through Fiji and then arriving in Sydney at 12:00pm on the 24th.  I think this flight is split up enough not to make it too exhausting.

Los Angeles

I've never been to LA, I hope I can find some fun things to do there.  Which reminds me, I still need to book a hotel and rent a car.  If anyone has some suggestions on where to go, please email me or PM me as I have never been there. 

I am keeping everything brief for now, and will be adding more detail once I am on the road.  Stay tuned for more updates. 

Thanks,

Alex