It was a really early start this morning - 4.45am we got up and left the campsite at 5.30am.
The reason for the extremely early start is our white water rafting trip. There were no hiccups on the trip from Canada to the USA, we even managed to get Tom back in after a bit of paperwork. The rafting place was just over the border. Karola and all the guys got into the rafting gear, then it was on the bus to get to the river. The rest of us were dropped off for our first hike to "Moxie Falls".
After the rafting we drove on to Moosehead Lake stopping along the way for lunch. We got to Moosehead Lake at about 4pm. The campsite is beautiful, it is right on the lake and we had it all to ourselves. The guys went for one freezing cold swim, from which they didn't seem to warm up.
Before dinner Stephen took some of us back down the road to get some good shots of the sunset over the lake. Dinner tonight was a steak barbecue. Afterwards we built the barbecue up to a bonfire and sat around it playing silly drinking games "bunnies" and "karaoke",
Oh and Stephen organised a competition between countries. "Chubby Bunny", it involves marshmallows and is disgusting, but hilarious for those watching.
We unfortunately had to leave the beautiful campsite this morning, we wanted to go to Baxter State Park.
Even leaving at 8.30am we didn't get there until 11.30am cause of the very slow dirt roads. But the park was well worth it.
I hiked with some of the others to Rocky Pond and Little Rocky Pond. It was beautiful and really peaceful.
They only allow a certain amount of people into the park so it wasn't at all overrun. Also the trails were still trails, meaning there was no concrete turning them into paths, it was just a trail in and out of trees and rocks. That way it all seemed really authentic.
We left at 3pm and we are now on our way to Acadia National Park. It has so far been a very "windy" drive, and it had nothing to do with the weather.
We set up camp at Hadley's Point and then it was up to me, Catherine and Robin to conjure up something edible! We had leftovers!
Meaning we used up the pasta and cauliflower. It made quite a delicious meal. After dinner some went into town and some stayed around the campsite.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
East Coast of America Trek: Quebec
Cabins at Quebec! What luxury and even better they had little electric heaters. Half of the group went into Quebec drinking, but I stayed at the cabin with Erica, Catherine and Stephen. We sat around the "camp heater" chatting and Stephen made us hot chocolate with Yukon Whiskey. Very tasty.
We nearly had a good nights sleep, but those that were out drinking didn't all return to camp. Tom & Gary stayed out, unfortunately along with the cabin key, this meant that 3 of the guys were without a bed and sleeping bags. We didn't make them sleep outside, but I don't think they were too comfortable.
View in Quebec - Luvly!We set off at lunchtime minus 2 as "Tom & Jerry" (as they have now been renamed) still hadn't found their way back. Stephen gave us a walking tour of Quebec. Even as we pulled up, I knew I was going to like Quebec, it just looked so "luvly" in the sunshine. After our walking tour we stopped at a café and had a drink and small bite to eat. Then we were on our own for a few hours. I bought myself a fleece scarf to keep me warm on the wilderness campsite. Then I wandered the streets of Quebec with Erica and Cathy. We had a wander through where the peasants used to live, then went up to the Chateau with the funicular railway.
We all went out to eat together in the evening at a restaurant on Saint Jean called "Retro" I had a very delicious steak dinner. Those out partying the night before went back to the campground by taxi after dinner, which was a shame, the rest of us checked out a couple of bars on Grand Allée. Oh I almost forgot, Tom & Jerry bumped into us waiting for a table at the restaurant, they stayed with us there, but then left us to rejoin us at 4.45am.
We nearly had a good nights sleep, but those that were out drinking didn't all return to camp. Tom & Gary stayed out, unfortunately along with the cabin key, this meant that 3 of the guys were without a bed and sleeping bags. We didn't make them sleep outside, but I don't think they were too comfortable.
View in Quebec - Luvly!We set off at lunchtime minus 2 as "Tom & Jerry" (as they have now been renamed) still hadn't found their way back. Stephen gave us a walking tour of Quebec. Even as we pulled up, I knew I was going to like Quebec, it just looked so "luvly" in the sunshine. After our walking tour we stopped at a café and had a drink and small bite to eat. Then we were on our own for a few hours. I bought myself a fleece scarf to keep me warm on the wilderness campsite. Then I wandered the streets of Quebec with Erica and Cathy. We had a wander through where the peasants used to live, then went up to the Chateau with the funicular railway.
We all went out to eat together in the evening at a restaurant on Saint Jean called "Retro" I had a very delicious steak dinner. Those out partying the night before went back to the campground by taxi after dinner, which was a shame, the rest of us checked out a couple of bars on Grand Allée. Oh I almost forgot, Tom & Jerry bumped into us waiting for a table at the restaurant, they stayed with us there, but then left us to rejoin us at 4.45am.
East Coast of America Trek: Montreal
A beautiful sunny morning! Even warm. We had breakfast packed up the tents and punctually at 9.30am we were on our way to Montreal. It was a long drive and unfortunately we didn't take the "weather with us", it got consistently worse and by the time we got to Montreal it was really raining!
I suppose we were lucky we got stuck in traffic, as by the time we pulled up at the campsite the rain took a break, and we were able to build up the tents without trying to dodge the raindrops. We stayed at a KOA campground which had a shelter for us to cook under. That proved very handy, as it started raining again once the tents were up.
Dinner today was hot dogs and salad, then it was off on a rainy sight-seeing tour of Montreal. We drove up Mound Royal for a great but very cold night view of the city, then we went into town to a bar for a quick drink, the bar was called "Thursdays", we didn't all feel welcome there.
For a start we were given the once over, when we walked in and the waitress was extremely rude. When we paid we were all separately told "Service is not included", that's the first and last time anyone demands a tip from me. She was lucky though, we were too shocked to give her the reaction she deserved. We left the bar at 12.30 and it was back to the campground for a very, very cold night.
I think my face froze off last night. I will have to master the art of sleeping with my face in the sleeping bag. It was a bit cold when I woke to a frozen nose this morning. At breakfast we actually found ice on a puddle on the buckets, so the temperature was definitely very low last night. We packed up in good time and sunshine, the rain has completely cleared up leaving sunshine, but also unfortunately a bitingly cold wind.
Today was our sightseeing day in Montreal, or for some jet-boating, which everyone really enjoyed. I skipped that as I will all sports involving water, cause of my cold. Instead of drowning ourselves, Erica and I explored the old town of Montreal. Our first stop however was a café for a hot chocolate (or in Erica's case - tea) to warm us up a bit, as the wind is really icy cold!
Notre Dame in Montreal - Beautiful!We then made our way to the Notre Dame church via the Bureau de Change. The church was incredible, we were there at a good time and waited for a guided tour, which came free with the $2 entrance fee. It was very interesting. After that we were getting hungry and we found a very nice place in the old town, where they did sweet and savoury crêpes. They had a lunch menu which included a soup or salad and dessert. Soup was Asparagus - delicious, then we both had crêpes with ham and cheese and béchamel sauce. I left some of that to leave room for dessert which was a crêpe with warm banana and chocolate sauce. Delicious, the rest of the afternoon 'til we re-met the others at 3.30pm we spent in and out of souvenir shops. And now we are in the van on our way to Quebec.
I suppose we were lucky we got stuck in traffic, as by the time we pulled up at the campsite the rain took a break, and we were able to build up the tents without trying to dodge the raindrops. We stayed at a KOA campground which had a shelter for us to cook under. That proved very handy, as it started raining again once the tents were up.
Dinner today was hot dogs and salad, then it was off on a rainy sight-seeing tour of Montreal. We drove up Mound Royal for a great but very cold night view of the city, then we went into town to a bar for a quick drink, the bar was called "Thursdays", we didn't all feel welcome there.
For a start we were given the once over, when we walked in and the waitress was extremely rude. When we paid we were all separately told "Service is not included", that's the first and last time anyone demands a tip from me. She was lucky though, we were too shocked to give her the reaction she deserved. We left the bar at 12.30 and it was back to the campground for a very, very cold night.
I think my face froze off last night. I will have to master the art of sleeping with my face in the sleeping bag. It was a bit cold when I woke to a frozen nose this morning. At breakfast we actually found ice on a puddle on the buckets, so the temperature was definitely very low last night. We packed up in good time and sunshine, the rain has completely cleared up leaving sunshine, but also unfortunately a bitingly cold wind.
Today was our sightseeing day in Montreal, or for some jet-boating, which everyone really enjoyed. I skipped that as I will all sports involving water, cause of my cold. Instead of drowning ourselves, Erica and I explored the old town of Montreal. Our first stop however was a café for a hot chocolate (or in Erica's case - tea) to warm us up a bit, as the wind is really icy cold!
Notre Dame in Montreal - Beautiful!We then made our way to the Notre Dame church via the Bureau de Change. The church was incredible, we were there at a good time and waited for a guided tour, which came free with the $2 entrance fee. It was very interesting. After that we were getting hungry and we found a very nice place in the old town, where they did sweet and savoury crêpes. They had a lunch menu which included a soup or salad and dessert. Soup was Asparagus - delicious, then we both had crêpes with ham and cheese and béchamel sauce. I left some of that to leave room for dessert which was a crêpe with warm banana and chocolate sauce. Delicious, the rest of the afternoon 'til we re-met the others at 3.30pm we spent in and out of souvenir shops. And now we are in the van on our way to Quebec.
East Coast of America Trek: Toronto
Today Toronto is on the programme, whilst the others went sightseeing, I went in search of help with my camera. I found it at "Japan Cameras" in Eaton Place. The guy there was really helpful and I now know that the camera is fine, it is the lens that is broken. I convinced the guy that I really did want to buy a new lens and am now the happy owner of a zoom lens, which I would have bought sooner or later!
Canadian Mountie MooseI did a bit of window shopping at Eaton Place after that and had lunch, I then decided not to waste all that beautiful sunshine and wandered the streets of Toronto, trying out my new lens. There is an exhibition on in Toronto "Moose in the City", which is a lot (as in 326) of painted moose, all over town. Some of them are really funny, I got quite a few pictures of them and eventually I sat down in the sunshine by the CN Tower writing postcards and this journal.
At 4pm we all met up again and Tom made it! He got to Toronto with 20 mins to the 4pm deadline - phew!
Once we had all gathered again it was back to the campsite for dinner (Tacos and dessert). After our "award-winning" washing up performance (Catherine, Robin and I), it was off back into Toronto to go up the CN-Tower. Great views of Toronto by night from up there, and funnily enough my fear of heights wasn't as bad in the dark!
From there we went to a bar called "Indian Cycle", there was a great band playing there. Erica and I had fun watching the people on the dance floor, luckily for us on-one there noticed us giggling about them. Except for Stephen who was amused by the pair of us!
At about 11.50pm Erica, Stephen and I left the bar and took a long route back to the bus to explore Toronto's roads at night. Back at the van we climbed on top, chatted and admired the view of the CN-Tower.
Canadian Mountie MooseI did a bit of window shopping at Eaton Place after that and had lunch, I then decided not to waste all that beautiful sunshine and wandered the streets of Toronto, trying out my new lens. There is an exhibition on in Toronto "Moose in the City", which is a lot (as in 326) of painted moose, all over town. Some of them are really funny, I got quite a few pictures of them and eventually I sat down in the sunshine by the CN Tower writing postcards and this journal.
At 4pm we all met up again and Tom made it! He got to Toronto with 20 mins to the 4pm deadline - phew!
Once we had all gathered again it was back to the campsite for dinner (Tacos and dessert). After our "award-winning" washing up performance (Catherine, Robin and I), it was off back into Toronto to go up the CN-Tower. Great views of Toronto by night from up there, and funnily enough my fear of heights wasn't as bad in the dark!
From there we went to a bar called "Indian Cycle", there was a great band playing there. Erica and I had fun watching the people on the dance floor, luckily for us on-one there noticed us giggling about them. Except for Stephen who was amused by the pair of us!
At about 11.50pm Erica, Stephen and I left the bar and took a long route back to the bus to explore Toronto's roads at night. Back at the van we climbed on top, chatted and admired the view of the CN-Tower.
East Coast of America Trek: Niagara Falls
My trip got off to a "great" start. Not only am I fighting the flu, no the flight with Singapore Airlines was delayed from 8.30am to 10.15am.
Luckily I live close enough to the airport and Florian and I went back home and watched the Olympics. I got back to the airport for the correct check-in time, only to find after sitting around for 30 mins, that we were delayed even further! We finally left Frankfurt at 11.30am - 3 hours late!
Despite the delay Singapore Airlines was great, Ramona had got me a great seat, I had loads of room for my bag next to me at the window, so my feet had freedom. The service was good, the stewardesses looked great in their uniforms which looked more like traditional costume than uniforms. The food was nothing to write home about, but then aeroplane food never is!
What was GREAT, was the video screen in the seat in front, that meant no straining my neck to see the film. I saw "Gone in 60 seconds", had I wanted I could have seen another 2 films. Instead I watched some sitcoms and played Nintendo!
I finally arrived at JFK airport at 1pm local time. Getting through immigration, baggage claim and customs took an hour (not too bad). I found the bus place right away, booked a seat on the Gray Line Shuttle and was on my way by 2.15pm (I only booked a one way ticket, I have since found out that they do a return and that way it is $5 cheaper). I don't think JFK is that far out from Manhattan, but it took forever to get there, I was at the hotel at 4.15pm.
Checking in wasn't as easy as normally, as the hotel first couldn't find my reservation, in the end they did, otherwise I would have been kicking up quite a fuss! Then it was first things first, and I tried to get the calling card to work to call Florian. It wouldn't work from the room, but I found a pay phone and gave him the number to call back.
After the phone calls I decided I needed fresh air and went for a walk to Times Square, where I had a BigMac Meal, that was about all I could face! On the way I got pretty wet (rain!), so I dried off a bit in the room, then it was down to the lobby to meet the rest of the guys. Not all were there but those that were, seem like a great bunch.
Let's see: Catherine, 23, from England, Karola, 27, from Germany, Shu-Min, 24, from Taiwan, studying in Cardiff, Wales. That makes us 4 girls so far and there are the following 4 guys: Jamie, 29, from Australia, Gary, 31, from England, Robin, 31, from Holland, Ivo, 33, from Holland (sorry both Dutch guys are from The Netherlands not Holland as they so often told us!). This time I have a male tour guide, Stephen, he suggested that we save our welcome evening until we are all there, nice gesture, so we all went out on our own together.
Gary has been here for three days already and knew some bars, and we headed to them. So we all got to know one another a bit. Cathy, Shu-Min and I left at 10pm as we were all jet-lagging. I am sharing my room, but I haven't met her yet. Finally switched off the light at 10.45pm.
Well, my room-mate was in the other bed, but we never met. When I left the room after dressing and repacking with my torch, she was still asleep, and I never bothered her, it is strange though sharing a room with someone and never speaking!
We are now in the van on our way to Lake Ontario (near Niagara) once again, I am doing the tour backwards, this time this is to ensure better foliage colouring towards the end of the tour. Most of us have "trekked" before, so packing the van up went really quick, now it's just a long driving day - 450 miles whatever that is in kilometres!
We met the two missing Trekkers Erica, 31, from Australia and Tom, 22, from England, since then Erica and I have discovered that not only 69 a great year, but that we were both born on the 5th June - wow!
And now for the really annoying thing of today, my camera has packed up on me again - GREAT! I feel sick just thinking about it, I have one more theory, which I will try out, when we get to the campground, and if that doesn't work, then I am really going to be pissed off. I have already changed the film and batteries, but that didn't help. My next plan entails testing it without a film in it and if it works then, then maybe it is the cheap Aldi films, and I will buy something here and test it.
Jamie has a spare camera, which he has lent me, so if it all fails at least I won't be completely without.
Well, we have since arrived at our campsite and the camera doesn't work without a film in it either - AGH! I was so upset I had to call Florian to calm down again. But I won't write about the camera anymore, otherwise it will annoy me all over again.
The american view of the FallsWe made good time getting from Seneca Lake to Buffalo, so we got to see the American side of the Niagara Falls, that was good as I hadn't seen them before. From there it was on to set up camp on the banks of Lake Ontario. It was a really clear evening and we could clearly see Toronto on the other side of the lake.
Unfortunately there was an extremely cold wind blowing off of the lake, so it wasn't exactly a comfy meal we had, but around the campfire it was nice and warm, also very smoky so even now two days later we all smell like a campfire!
Cause of the wind the campfire party was not that late as we all crawled into the warmer tents and even warmer sleeping bags.
The wind had died down in the morning, so breakfast tasted even better, as I wasn't fighting with my hair! We were all packed up and ready to leave by 8.30am and it was off to the Niagara Falls, but our first stop was Walmart for things like hats, scarves and gloves for more windy evenings!
There was a huge hiccup in our tour at the Canadian border, Tom had left an important piece of paper in his bag in New York and the Canadian officials wouldn't let him in.
Whilst the rest of us went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch and on the Maid of the Mist tour, Stephen and Tom went to see what they could do about the problem on the American side. We met Stephen again at 3pm but no Tom, he will hopefully rejoin us in Toronto, once his papers have been fedexed to him from NY.
The Maid of the Mist tour is a boat trip right up to the Falls, everyone gets a blue poncho and then everyone gets a free Niagara shower or drowning, whichever you want to call it!
From Niagara it was on to the "planes, trains and automobiles" campsite, so called by us as those are the sounds that surround us. Other than that the site is OK. After a delicious pasta dinner, we went to downtown Toronto to a couple of bars for a drink. We got back to camp around 1am, wrapped ourselves up in our sleeping bags and went to sleep. Well I guess we all did, I know I did.
Luckily I live close enough to the airport and Florian and I went back home and watched the Olympics. I got back to the airport for the correct check-in time, only to find after sitting around for 30 mins, that we were delayed even further! We finally left Frankfurt at 11.30am - 3 hours late!
Despite the delay Singapore Airlines was great, Ramona had got me a great seat, I had loads of room for my bag next to me at the window, so my feet had freedom. The service was good, the stewardesses looked great in their uniforms which looked more like traditional costume than uniforms. The food was nothing to write home about, but then aeroplane food never is!
What was GREAT, was the video screen in the seat in front, that meant no straining my neck to see the film. I saw "Gone in 60 seconds", had I wanted I could have seen another 2 films. Instead I watched some sitcoms and played Nintendo!
I finally arrived at JFK airport at 1pm local time. Getting through immigration, baggage claim and customs took an hour (not too bad). I found the bus place right away, booked a seat on the Gray Line Shuttle and was on my way by 2.15pm (I only booked a one way ticket, I have since found out that they do a return and that way it is $5 cheaper). I don't think JFK is that far out from Manhattan, but it took forever to get there, I was at the hotel at 4.15pm.
Checking in wasn't as easy as normally, as the hotel first couldn't find my reservation, in the end they did, otherwise I would have been kicking up quite a fuss! Then it was first things first, and I tried to get the calling card to work to call Florian. It wouldn't work from the room, but I found a pay phone and gave him the number to call back.
After the phone calls I decided I needed fresh air and went for a walk to Times Square, where I had a BigMac Meal, that was about all I could face! On the way I got pretty wet (rain!), so I dried off a bit in the room, then it was down to the lobby to meet the rest of the guys. Not all were there but those that were, seem like a great bunch.
Let's see: Catherine, 23, from England, Karola, 27, from Germany, Shu-Min, 24, from Taiwan, studying in Cardiff, Wales. That makes us 4 girls so far and there are the following 4 guys: Jamie, 29, from Australia, Gary, 31, from England, Robin, 31, from Holland, Ivo, 33, from Holland (sorry both Dutch guys are from The Netherlands not Holland as they so often told us!). This time I have a male tour guide, Stephen, he suggested that we save our welcome evening until we are all there, nice gesture, so we all went out on our own together.
Gary has been here for three days already and knew some bars, and we headed to them. So we all got to know one another a bit. Cathy, Shu-Min and I left at 10pm as we were all jet-lagging. I am sharing my room, but I haven't met her yet. Finally switched off the light at 10.45pm.
Well, my room-mate was in the other bed, but we never met. When I left the room after dressing and repacking with my torch, she was still asleep, and I never bothered her, it is strange though sharing a room with someone and never speaking!
We are now in the van on our way to Lake Ontario (near Niagara) once again, I am doing the tour backwards, this time this is to ensure better foliage colouring towards the end of the tour. Most of us have "trekked" before, so packing the van up went really quick, now it's just a long driving day - 450 miles whatever that is in kilometres!
We met the two missing Trekkers Erica, 31, from Australia and Tom, 22, from England, since then Erica and I have discovered that not only 69 a great year, but that we were both born on the 5th June - wow!
And now for the really annoying thing of today, my camera has packed up on me again - GREAT! I feel sick just thinking about it, I have one more theory, which I will try out, when we get to the campground, and if that doesn't work, then I am really going to be pissed off. I have already changed the film and batteries, but that didn't help. My next plan entails testing it without a film in it and if it works then, then maybe it is the cheap Aldi films, and I will buy something here and test it.
Jamie has a spare camera, which he has lent me, so if it all fails at least I won't be completely without.
Well, we have since arrived at our campsite and the camera doesn't work without a film in it either - AGH! I was so upset I had to call Florian to calm down again. But I won't write about the camera anymore, otherwise it will annoy me all over again.
The american view of the FallsWe made good time getting from Seneca Lake to Buffalo, so we got to see the American side of the Niagara Falls, that was good as I hadn't seen them before. From there it was on to set up camp on the banks of Lake Ontario. It was a really clear evening and we could clearly see Toronto on the other side of the lake.
Unfortunately there was an extremely cold wind blowing off of the lake, so it wasn't exactly a comfy meal we had, but around the campfire it was nice and warm, also very smoky so even now two days later we all smell like a campfire!
Cause of the wind the campfire party was not that late as we all crawled into the warmer tents and even warmer sleeping bags.
The wind had died down in the morning, so breakfast tasted even better, as I wasn't fighting with my hair! We were all packed up and ready to leave by 8.30am and it was off to the Niagara Falls, but our first stop was Walmart for things like hats, scarves and gloves for more windy evenings!
There was a huge hiccup in our tour at the Canadian border, Tom had left an important piece of paper in his bag in New York and the Canadian officials wouldn't let him in.
Whilst the rest of us went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch and on the Maid of the Mist tour, Stephen and Tom went to see what they could do about the problem on the American side. We met Stephen again at 3pm but no Tom, he will hopefully rejoin us in Toronto, once his papers have been fedexed to him from NY.
The Maid of the Mist tour is a boat trip right up to the Falls, everyone gets a blue poncho and then everyone gets a free Niagara shower or drowning, whichever you want to call it!
From Niagara it was on to the "planes, trains and automobiles" campsite, so called by us as those are the sounds that surround us. Other than that the site is OK. After a delicious pasta dinner, we went to downtown Toronto to a couple of bars for a drink. We got back to camp around 1am, wrapped ourselves up in our sleeping bags and went to sleep. Well I guess we all did, I know I did.
Hawaiian Dream Trek: Big Island
Woke with a jump this morning, my tour today included an unwanted wake up call at 5.30am! 6am would have been much better, but oh well!
Was up and waiting at the front door to be picked up by 6.25am. Was actually picked up at 6.45am. Then it was off to the airport, where I got to be a " real " tourist and wear a silly badge!
The flight was again uneventful and only took about 40mins. We were picked up at the airport by our guide called Karen and were in a small bus - 24 of us. Everyone seemed to feel sorry for me as I was on my own (the only one!), but I obviously looked happy enough as they all soon stopped worrying about me, but they all insisted on helping getting me on my pictures, it was easier to let them, than try to explain, that I prefer landscapes to pictures of me!
Our tour started off with a trip to Akaka Falls, for me the hike was nothing, but the older generation were quite puffed. But the falls were beautiful and we saw them from a completely different angle to all the other falls I have seen this holiday. From there we went to the Macademia Nut factory, we got a free bar of chocolate cause we were stood in the wrong line, but who's to complain. I bought a small tin of nuts for Mum, I wanted to get some uncracked ones, but they didn't sell them. After 1/2 hour there it was on to an orchid farm. There I got Mum loads of Hawaiian plant seeds and roots.
And then finally we made our way to the Volcanoes National Park. First stop there was Volcano House, where we had lunch looking out over a crater. Then we carried on our journey stopping to look at various craters and lava flows. We got to the sea and in the distance you could see the steam cloud, where the new lava was going into the sea. Unfortunately that was the closest we got to the lava. I would have liked to have seen some hot stuff, but it didn't happen.
From there it was back to the airport and back to Oahu. Once back, I found out that Nicki's scuba diving had been cancelled that was annoying 'cause she could have joined me. Can't be changed!
We met Albert and Mei for dinner at 20.30 and today we went to Duke's Canoe Club which is directly on the beach. It was fun there, as I got carded! Yes, nearly 30 and the waitress thought I was not yet 21! GREAT! Nicki at 26 was not quite as pleased, but when she is pushing 30, she will be!
Dinner there was delicious, I had " Opah " fish, (Hawaiian Moonfish) Then it was back to bed.
Last Day
Nicki and I went out shopping this morning, first we went to Crazy Shirt and bought loads of T-shirts (one for me, Mum and Ramona), then I wanted some new Tevas (smart ones) but they didn't have any in black, so I went without. Nicki bought a bag for all her goodies. Then it was back to the hotel to pack and see Mei and Albert off. We checked out after Mei and Albert had gone, and then went to lay on the beach.
We left the beach at about 4pm to have a shower at the hotel, they let you have a room for 1/2 hour after having checked out. I thought that was great service.
After our shower we went to Keo's for dinner, delicious, we should get the cook to move to Germany. But why would he want to leave Hawaii! After dinner we made our way back to the hotel and Nicki left at 7.50pm. I waved her off of course and then did some last minute shopping. When I got back to the hotel the bus driver that the others had had, was waiting to say goodbye to me. That was so cute, cause I wasn't actually going to the airport with him, as I had booked a return shuttle coming in. Won't do that if I go again. Two single fairs would still have been cheaper!
I left the hotel to the airport at 21.00 and was there in plenty of time to check in and buy a couple of magazines. My flight left on time at 23.00pm and that apart from the long flight home was the end of another great holiday!
Was up and waiting at the front door to be picked up by 6.25am. Was actually picked up at 6.45am. Then it was off to the airport, where I got to be a " real " tourist and wear a silly badge!
The flight was again uneventful and only took about 40mins. We were picked up at the airport by our guide called Karen and were in a small bus - 24 of us. Everyone seemed to feel sorry for me as I was on my own (the only one!), but I obviously looked happy enough as they all soon stopped worrying about me, but they all insisted on helping getting me on my pictures, it was easier to let them, than try to explain, that I prefer landscapes to pictures of me!
Our tour started off with a trip to Akaka Falls, for me the hike was nothing, but the older generation were quite puffed. But the falls were beautiful and we saw them from a completely different angle to all the other falls I have seen this holiday. From there we went to the Macademia Nut factory, we got a free bar of chocolate cause we were stood in the wrong line, but who's to complain. I bought a small tin of nuts for Mum, I wanted to get some uncracked ones, but they didn't sell them. After 1/2 hour there it was on to an orchid farm. There I got Mum loads of Hawaiian plant seeds and roots.
And then finally we made our way to the Volcanoes National Park. First stop there was Volcano House, where we had lunch looking out over a crater. Then we carried on our journey stopping to look at various craters and lava flows. We got to the sea and in the distance you could see the steam cloud, where the new lava was going into the sea. Unfortunately that was the closest we got to the lava. I would have liked to have seen some hot stuff, but it didn't happen.
From there it was back to the airport and back to Oahu. Once back, I found out that Nicki's scuba diving had been cancelled that was annoying 'cause she could have joined me. Can't be changed!
We met Albert and Mei for dinner at 20.30 and today we went to Duke's Canoe Club which is directly on the beach. It was fun there, as I got carded! Yes, nearly 30 and the waitress thought I was not yet 21! GREAT! Nicki at 26 was not quite as pleased, but when she is pushing 30, she will be!
Dinner there was delicious, I had " Opah " fish, (Hawaiian Moonfish) Then it was back to bed.
Last Day
Nicki and I went out shopping this morning, first we went to Crazy Shirt and bought loads of T-shirts (one for me, Mum and Ramona), then I wanted some new Tevas (smart ones) but they didn't have any in black, so I went without. Nicki bought a bag for all her goodies. Then it was back to the hotel to pack and see Mei and Albert off. We checked out after Mei and Albert had gone, and then went to lay on the beach.
We left the beach at about 4pm to have a shower at the hotel, they let you have a room for 1/2 hour after having checked out. I thought that was great service.
After our shower we went to Keo's for dinner, delicious, we should get the cook to move to Germany. But why would he want to leave Hawaii! After dinner we made our way back to the hotel and Nicki left at 7.50pm. I waved her off of course and then did some last minute shopping. When I got back to the hotel the bus driver that the others had had, was waiting to say goodbye to me. That was so cute, cause I wasn't actually going to the airport with him, as I had booked a return shuttle coming in. Won't do that if I go again. Two single fairs would still have been cheaper!
I left the hotel to the airport at 21.00 and was there in plenty of time to check in and buy a couple of magazines. My flight left on time at 23.00pm and that apart from the long flight home was the end of another great holiday!
Hawaiian Dream Trek: Waimea Canyon, Kauai
As we had all decided on the short hike today, we had a bit of a lay in and had a big fried breakfast at nine with scrambled eggs and bacon! Of course, I started with Cocoa Pebbles first. After breakfast and the washing up, we set off for Waimea Canyon which is the Hawaiian version of the Grand Canyon. Although not as big, it is still as beautiful, and when you are stood at the viewpoint you feel just as small as you do at the Grand Canyon.
Too close to the edge for me!After the viewpoint, we went on a short 3 mile hike along the top of the canyon. This time I took notes of how much of the trail went down hill, so that I was prepared on the way back up! The hike was relatively easy, but would have been even easier, if I hadn't had been a bit scared cause of the height and sheer drops. The hike took us to the top of some waterfalls, which I didn't actually see cause I didn't go down the scary part. Nicki and I sat up a bit higher worrying about the others dangling their legs over the edge!
Going back up Ulrike and I went at our own pace rather than at Nicki's Mountain Goat speed. So we arrived at the top a bit later than the rest. Then we went further on up the road to some picnic tables and a museum for lunch. After lunch during which we also fed the cockerels, we went to the Kala.(something) lookout point, which was totally in the clouds, so that was a big shame.
swimmingWe turned back then and headed to our campsite, where I headed straight for the shower, I was so filthy. Nicki, Todd, Albert and Mei went for a swim in the little lake in the campsite. Ulrike and I had by then showered and wandered over to watch them. Nicki was trying to teach Mei to tread water, but she didn't really succeed, from where I stood with Todd it looked more like the pair of them were drowning! Apparently they were laughing and not choking, could have fooled me!
Nicki cooked for us today: Falafel, delicious, I think I will have to see if I can get the mix for that at home. I have only ever had them on Trek!
Again we postponed the washing up, which was probably not the best of ideas, but I was sleeping in the other cabin, so I didn't have to go to sleep in a garlic infested room!
We went to bed quite early as we all had to be on the road by 7.15 for the helicopter ride over Kauai.
Well, I woke up twice in the night and heard the rain, but was convinced it would have passed by the morning. And when I woke at 6.45am I could hear birds outside chirruping, so I thought all was well outside. But I was soon proved wrong, when I made my way to the loos!
It was grey extremely cloudy and drizzling. Todd was up and scrubbing out the van, so I asked him if it was worth waking up properly, he is like me, forever an optimist and assured me it was!
Well, Marcus was not too pleased he had to surface even though it was raining. And when we all set off at 7.15 he more or less complained all the way to the helicopter place. There they told us what Marcus had predicted, that our flight would be put back two hours to 10am. Todd was to phone them at 9am to reconfirm that. Well, back at the campsite the weather just got steadily worse come 9am! And our flight was cancelled all together. I'm quite disappointed, but I suppose that is a reason to one day come back to Hawaii.
After doing all yesterdays and breakfast washing up, we packed the van up, and headed for the airport, we had decided to go back to Oahu on an earlier flight as there there are more things to do on a rainy day. But this also meant that Todd left us earlier. I actually missed saying goodbye to him, as I was baby-sitting Ulrike, who checked her baggage in before we left the airport to Waikiki. Instead of us all getting a taxi to the hotel, we took the city bus ($1 each and ever so easy as we knew where we were going!)
We all checked into the hotel and then headed straight back out for some lunch. We went to a Japanese noodle house, where only a few days earlier Albert had entered a competition. He had to eat a bowl of Ramen (noodles in a broth - huge portion) in under 20mins. He did it in 11! I would have liked to have seen him beat his own record, but he decided to be civilised and eat at a normal pace. I had fried noodles which were delicious. After eating we all split up and Marcus and I went to the Imax Theatre and saw the film about the volcanoes (Ring of Fire). Scary seeing as I am going to the Big Island tomorrow.
We met up with Nicki after the film and we all headed to the shopping mall. Nicki bought more clothes at Gap and I got a T-shirt for Sven. We got back by 7pm with time for me to shower before we saw Ulrike off to the airport. She got a shuttle bus at 7.50pm and we all waved her off. I think she was having a hard time trying not to cry!
We re-met in the lobby at 8.30pm for dinner. We went to the " Shorebird Beach Broiler ", where you are responsible for cooking your dinner. They have a salad buffet and you get raw meat which you barbecue yourself and the whole thing is directly on the beach. Beautiful setting and great fun. We were going to go have a drink after that, but I had an early morning ahead of me, so we headed back to bed! It was gone 11pm anyway.
Oh, I nearly forgot, I tried a Mai Tai at the restaurant, which was really delicious, so I will probably have another tomorrow!
Too close to the edge for me!After the viewpoint, we went on a short 3 mile hike along the top of the canyon. This time I took notes of how much of the trail went down hill, so that I was prepared on the way back up! The hike was relatively easy, but would have been even easier, if I hadn't had been a bit scared cause of the height and sheer drops. The hike took us to the top of some waterfalls, which I didn't actually see cause I didn't go down the scary part. Nicki and I sat up a bit higher worrying about the others dangling their legs over the edge!
Going back up Ulrike and I went at our own pace rather than at Nicki's Mountain Goat speed. So we arrived at the top a bit later than the rest. Then we went further on up the road to some picnic tables and a museum for lunch. After lunch during which we also fed the cockerels, we went to the Kala.(something) lookout point, which was totally in the clouds, so that was a big shame.
swimmingWe turned back then and headed to our campsite, where I headed straight for the shower, I was so filthy. Nicki, Todd, Albert and Mei went for a swim in the little lake in the campsite. Ulrike and I had by then showered and wandered over to watch them. Nicki was trying to teach Mei to tread water, but she didn't really succeed, from where I stood with Todd it looked more like the pair of them were drowning! Apparently they were laughing and not choking, could have fooled me!
Nicki cooked for us today: Falafel, delicious, I think I will have to see if I can get the mix for that at home. I have only ever had them on Trek!
Again we postponed the washing up, which was probably not the best of ideas, but I was sleeping in the other cabin, so I didn't have to go to sleep in a garlic infested room!
We went to bed quite early as we all had to be on the road by 7.15 for the helicopter ride over Kauai.
Well, I woke up twice in the night and heard the rain, but was convinced it would have passed by the morning. And when I woke at 6.45am I could hear birds outside chirruping, so I thought all was well outside. But I was soon proved wrong, when I made my way to the loos!
It was grey extremely cloudy and drizzling. Todd was up and scrubbing out the van, so I asked him if it was worth waking up properly, he is like me, forever an optimist and assured me it was!
Well, Marcus was not too pleased he had to surface even though it was raining. And when we all set off at 7.15 he more or less complained all the way to the helicopter place. There they told us what Marcus had predicted, that our flight would be put back two hours to 10am. Todd was to phone them at 9am to reconfirm that. Well, back at the campsite the weather just got steadily worse come 9am! And our flight was cancelled all together. I'm quite disappointed, but I suppose that is a reason to one day come back to Hawaii.
After doing all yesterdays and breakfast washing up, we packed the van up, and headed for the airport, we had decided to go back to Oahu on an earlier flight as there there are more things to do on a rainy day. But this also meant that Todd left us earlier. I actually missed saying goodbye to him, as I was baby-sitting Ulrike, who checked her baggage in before we left the airport to Waikiki. Instead of us all getting a taxi to the hotel, we took the city bus ($1 each and ever so easy as we knew where we were going!)
We all checked into the hotel and then headed straight back out for some lunch. We went to a Japanese noodle house, where only a few days earlier Albert had entered a competition. He had to eat a bowl of Ramen (noodles in a broth - huge portion) in under 20mins. He did it in 11! I would have liked to have seen him beat his own record, but he decided to be civilised and eat at a normal pace. I had fried noodles which were delicious. After eating we all split up and Marcus and I went to the Imax Theatre and saw the film about the volcanoes (Ring of Fire). Scary seeing as I am going to the Big Island tomorrow.
We met up with Nicki after the film and we all headed to the shopping mall. Nicki bought more clothes at Gap and I got a T-shirt for Sven. We got back by 7pm with time for me to shower before we saw Ulrike off to the airport. She got a shuttle bus at 7.50pm and we all waved her off. I think she was having a hard time trying not to cry!
We re-met in the lobby at 8.30pm for dinner. We went to the " Shorebird Beach Broiler ", where you are responsible for cooking your dinner. They have a salad buffet and you get raw meat which you barbecue yourself and the whole thing is directly on the beach. Beautiful setting and great fun. We were going to go have a drink after that, but I had an early morning ahead of me, so we headed back to bed! It was gone 11pm anyway.
Oh, I nearly forgot, I tried a Mai Tai at the restaurant, which was really delicious, so I will probably have another tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
