Airlie Beach, AUS (Day 23)
By admin | August 14, 2008
It has been a long few days… taking the bus from Cairns to Airlie Beach was about 11 hours. Luckily I was able to fall asleep so that it did not seem that long. I am just hanging out in Airlie Beach for the day until I take my 3 day sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands. So I should have some good stories from that. As for the last few days it has just been dealing with travel plans and traveling itself, so nothing to exciting.
Last night was rather amuzing… I went out with my 6 other roommates. There were 5 Germans, 1 Frenchman and me. Was and interesting night. I ended up meeting another American, however he was traveling on his own, unlike the previous groups of rude college kids that I had met. His name was Luke (I believe I am remebering it correctly) and it turned out that he went to an all boys college in Indiana called Wabash. For all those people that know anything about the college that I went to, Allegheny College, you will know that are schools are in the same athletic conference. So it was interesting to have that connection all the way over here in Airlie Beach, Australia.
Also, last night an English girl told me that she thought I was “pulled.” I was really confused for a few moments, but then she explained that it was a slang term that ment she thought I was attractive. So that was a nice boost to the ego, and also an educating experience.
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Cairns, AUS (Day 20)
By admin | August 12, 2008
Yes, I am still in Cairns… to my credit, two days ago I traveled about 3hrs north to a place called Cow Bay. I stayed at a gorgous hostel named Crocodylus Village. The hostel was a series of huts that were set in the middle of the rain forest. It was a wonderful experience to be able to hear all the wild-life around you as you are going to sleep. I will admit I was a little jumpy at the idea of snakes. Actually when I first arrived I took a self guided hike around the rain forest and I jumped at every vine that I thought looked like a snake… and there was a lot.
After I hiked I walked down to Cow Bay and walked along the beach for about a mile. At the far end of the beach there was no one. I felt like I was in the movie “The Beach,” and I was on my own secret island. Before I got to that point I did have to walk down the beach and I was not so plesantly surprised by some male nude sun bathers. Which makes me wonder… the Australian sun is rather intense… do they put sun block on ever appendage? I hope so.
I then proceeded to walk back to the main part of the beach and took a nap right on the sand in the shade of a palm tree… I could not think of a better place to have taken a nap.
The original reason that I went up to Cow Bay was because I was suppose to take a Sea Kayaking tour to a place called Snapper Island, but that unfortunatly got cancelled because of 25 knot winds on the ocean. It was suppose to be a 2hr kayak and I would not want to capside half way through the trip. So I then took the next shuttle backl to Cairns and today I went out to snorkle and scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef. In my travels I met a friendly Australian that was able to get me an upgrade from snorkeling to scuda diving for only half price. That was extremely nice of him… and it was an experience that I was nervous to do, but once I was down there I realized that it is relativly easy and 10x better then snorkeling. I got to handle a sea cucumber, saw some giant clams, some clownfish and sea anemones, ontop of all sorts of other reef fish.
Here are a few pictures of my underwater experience:
All I know is that this was a great experience and I want to go get my certification so I can do this more often… the only problem is that there is not a lot of great places to go scuba diving in Buffalo, NY.
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Cairns, AUS (Day 17)
By admin | August 9, 2008
I arrived in Cairns two days ago and have enjoyed the sunshine immensely. I am being careful not to burn to bad. Today I had the great experience of going whitewater rafting. The rapids were nothing to sever, only grade 2 and 3, but it was still an enjoyable experience.
After spending 45min on a bus, we had to hike up a mountain for about 40min, and I had the joy of caring one of the boats. Which ment I was lugging a inflatable raft on my back… weighing about 40lbs. Which made the hike a little bit challenging… to say the least. But the hike was worth it, because it took us into the middle of the tropical forest. At one point a kookaburra started doing its laugh and I felt like I was George of the Jungle… except I was lugging a heavy pack and did not have any vines to swing on.
At the end of the hike we found the river, and the water was so fresh that you could drink right from the water. It tasted better then most bottled water. You just have to make sure no one is peeing in the water up stream. I went for a quick swim before we got under way and the water was chilly, but was so refreshing after hiking through the humid rain forest. I had a serene moment as I was wading in the water and two beautiful black and bright blue butterflies coasted past me. I really wish I was able to take my camera with me… But the risk of getting it through the rapids safely was to great.
I was partnered up with a young guy from Holland. We made it down pretty safely, there was one moment when we flipped on the second rapid. But I still all my limbs… so it was OK. even though it was a long day, because the group was so big, the scenery was beautiful, and I would do it again anytime. As we finished the river we were greeted by some locals that were watching the tourist try and navigate the rapids. I think they were just looking for some cheep entertainment, and we did not fail. One boat in the group got stuck on the one rock that the guide told us all to stay away from, because we would get stuck and probably flip. The rock was properly titled “Bastard Rock.” Actually, it seemed that if the guide said anything about any of the rocks to watch out for, someone got stuck on them. It became rather comical.
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Sydney, AUS (Day 15)
By admin | August 6, 2008
So my time in Sydney is over, and it is a good time. I can only deal with this big cities for so long, but it is a nice city. Actually yesterday I took it easy and took care of some stuff and then went to see Dralion by Cirque Du Soleil. This is the second one of their shows that I have seen, and it was spectacular. I was just sitting there wondering how they do that and how could I do it. Then I realize that I am 6′5″ and weigh 240lbs. and fear attempting a back hand spring. So I will just go to the shows and have them just wow me.
After the show I took some pictures of the city at night and then stopped for some drinks. I had a 2 for 1 coupon… I had to use it. Well the 2 for 1 lead to a few more. I had a few drinks with some Irish boys and after they called it a night I listened to the band finish there set. They were pritty good. Just as I was about to call it a night, I did something that I have not been able to do sinse I left the States. I ran into some people from the States. Needless to say I was a bit excited at first, because it has been mostly Irish and English folk that I have been meeting, and an occational German. But finally some Americans, actually a very big group of them. The only problem was… they were the rudiest people that I have met so far on this trip. I actually wanted to back-hand a few of them. No wonder the rest of the world hates us… we are dicks. It is people like those that just digust me and the country that I come from. I hate rude people , and it seems that the United States is a country full of rude people. At least that is the view people outside the US have, and after last night I see why.
To the rest of the world I promise we are not all like that.
Topics: Travel | 1 Comment »
Sydney, AUS (Day 12)
By admin | August 4, 2008
Well I made it th Sydney in one piece. There was a delay in my flight, but nothing to serious. Yesterday I spent the day walking around Central Sydney. I was beat at the end of the day, I actually sat down on a park bench and fell asleep for a bit. But I was all over the main part of Sydney. I got to see somethings that I planned on seeing and I also stumbled upon some pleasant surprises.
I started the day with a trip to the Sydney Aquarium and then quickly followed that up with the Sydeny Wildlife World. I can tell you it was nice to see all the animals that can kill me. Did you know that Australia is home to the most venomous snakes. I did know this, but when you actually see them a few feet away, you start to think about it differently. I also enjoyed the numerous amount of deadly spiders that they also have here in Australia. Oh, and let not forget the Crocodiles and the Salt Water Crocs are especially meaner then the Freshwater Crocs. There is also the number of different shark species that is present in the Great Barrier Reef… which I did want to go snorkling in. But I also did get to see Kangaroos and Qualla Bears, they are so cute.
After getting familiar with the wildlife of Australia I then proceeded to hike my way up to the Sydney Harbor Bridge were I was able to have a great view of the Harbor, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the staple od Sydney… the Sydney Opera House. It was seeing the Opera House that made me realize that I was in Sydney and not just some big city. I feel that all major city just all feel a bit the same.
Well from the bridge I went to see the Opera House up close and then I finished the day with a walk through the Botanic Gardens. On my walk I also was surprised and impressed to find the Queen Victoria Building and the Martin Place Station. I feel that I have covered Central Sydney, now it is time to get to the coast and to see some beaches.
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Christchurch, NZ (Day 10)
By admin | August 2, 2008
So today I am leaving for Sydney and it looks like a good day to travel, because it is raining outside. I have actually got really lucky with the weather so far… knock on wood. It was a beautiful day yesterday and it has been the only day the Christchurch has seen sun in the last week or so. Theyu have been getting a big storm system this last week that has been causing floods and other chaos… or as I like to call it, “Traditional Buffalo, NY, weather.”
Also, after yesterdays overload of rugby, I now think Football player are pussies and the real athletes play rugby. That is an intense game, with intense fans. Last night I watched New Zealand “All Blacks” crush there country rivals the Australian “Wallabies.” I watched the game at this bar, or pub, called the Holy Grail. I have never seen a more impressive sports bar… and a bar that was themed around rugby. I was in a sea of people dressed in all black… I am luck I was dressed to match. So you have an idea of what this bar looked like, it had a main viewing area with a screen that rivals most movie theaters, and plenty of flat panel tv’s through out the bar. Any where you looked there was the game. The bar was also 4 stories and had stadium seating available so that everyone had a great view of the main screen. It was a great thing to be a part of.
As promised here are the pictures of my bungy jump.
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Christchurch, NZ (Day 09)
By admin | August 2, 2008
Well yesterday I spent about seven hours on a bus, in a seat that did not have ample leg room. But I made it to Chistchurch. It has been an interesting time here so far. Last night I had a few drinks at the bar that is located on the ground floor of the hostel, and around midnight called it a night. Unfortunatly I am sharing a room with five other people and I think all of them at one point or another woke me up last night. The snoring battle that proceeded in our room at about four in the morning was surprisingly interesting. The victory goes to the guy that sounds like a muskrat drowning when he snores. Granted I do not know what a muskrat sounds like… let alone know what it sounds like when it is drowning, but if I had to imagine that sound it is the noise this guy makes when he sleeps. Good God… I just realized that I will have to share a room with him again tonight. Last night I was on the brink of physically assaulting him… tonight my breaking point might be reached.
Other then snoring contests at four in the moring… today was fun. In the morning I walked around the city. Christchurch has character. I like it better the Auckland, or at least the bit I have seen of it. In Cathederial Square I watched two guys play chess, and they were playing on a gigantic board. Just so you have an idea of scale, the pawns (the smallest piece on the board) went up to my knee.
In the afternoon I went to watch a professional rugby game. It was the Canterbury vs. Manawatu, and Manawatu won over the hometown team, 25-24. Deffinatly an interesting sport and I can see the simularities with football, well american football. I had the joy of watching the match with four other guys that were all from the UK. They helped explain the delicacies of the match. Now it is time to get geered up for the New Zealand vs. Australia game tonight.
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Queenstown, NZ (Day 07)
By admin | July 31, 2008
This is the first full day I have had in Queenstown with out having to worry about the conference I was attending. So what did I decide to do on my day off… Bungy Jump! Here in Queenstown they offer three choices for Bungy, and I decided to go with the big one. It is called the Nevis Highwire Bungy, and you fall 134m (440ft). It is about an 8.5 second fall, and they told me that I was to jump first.
They cart us out to this station that is dangeling between two mountains, and they strapped me in. I was carfully listening to all the instruction that they gave me… but at the same time I was saying to myself, “Oh… shit!” I tip toed my way out to the ledge and the assistant asked me if I was ready. I laughed and said, “NO!” But that didn’t mater… all I heard was, “5-4-3-2-1.” On 1 I jumped throwing my hands in the air and just staired at the ground getting closer and closer. Half way down I realized that I wasn’t making a noise and started to yell in excitment. I moment hits in your mind when you think the bungy should of snapped you up by now, but then it does.
It was the most trilling thing that I have done yet, and the view wasn’t bad when they are pulling you back on to the jump pad. I do have some video and photos of the event, but those will have to be posted at a later date. But I strongly recommend that if you have a chance to Bungy Jump you take it, it is deffinatly a surreal feeling, especially once your feet hit ground… you find yourself asking, “Did I just do that?” or “Can I go again?”
Topics: Travel | 2 Comments »
Queenstown, NZ (Day 05)
By admin | July 29, 2008
Well… I have been in Queenstown for a few days now and the view is breath taking. This is a place I can see myself on a regular basis. Waking up to a view like this on a regular basis can only put you in a good mood every day.
Today was the second day of the NetSafe Conference 08, and the day that I presented. I will say for having presented this material for only the second time, and this the first time in front of a room of strangers, things went rather well. Oh course I always have the problem of my brain moving faster then my mouth, so I might trip myself up… but besides a few stumbles I think I spoke well. I also seemed to get a good response from the people in the audience. So over all I am happy with how it went. Actually some of those people might end up reading this… and if you are one of those people thank you for taking the time to explore my digital identity. (Sorry… there are still a few bugs on the site.) They actually were taping the presentations, so that will be interesting to see myself speak… maybe I wasn’t as bad as I thought they might have been.
As for the conference it self, it has been an enjoyable experience, and it is always interesting to listen to other people views on cyperspace. It allows for me to look at things differently, because sometimes you get so focused on what you are doing that you tend to put on blinders to other issues. Plus it this has given me an opportunity to meet some interesting people that are in my field or a simular field.
Topics: Conference, Travel | 1 Comment »
Auckland, NZ (Day 02)
By admin | July 26, 2008
Well I was not planning on writing a blog today, but what else do I have to do. Today I have been stuck inside, because the weather outside is horrific. I am hoping that it clears up a bit for my flight to Queenstown tomorrow morning… but we will see.
After today I have decided that I am going to speed up my trip through the south island of New Zealand and try to get back to the equator. I can not take this cold weather. I have to deal with it for 8 months in Buffalo and I will not deal with it now. Maybe that opinion will change once I get down to the southern island but I could really use some sunshine, sand and tropics.
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