Icy Straight Point was a cute little town, with over-priced fish and chips and not a whole lot else. We got to see a bald eagle who was pretty cool and laid back. Probably because he knew he could eat us if we caused any trouble. Other than that we just wandered around the woods there. The Captain of the boat went bear watching but didn't see any. He's pretty funny, he's norwegian and thinks everything is smashing, and he really likes bears.
After that we headed to Ketckikan, which is a fairly big town. Well not really but compared to others we had visited. It has an area called creek street where all the buildings are built on stilts over the edge of a creek, it was pretty nice looking but the stilts looks pretty slimy and old so hopefully they don't fall down. We got to see a bald eagle that someone had shot and then someone else had looked after, it couldn't fly, but it liked to flap a lot. We also got to meet a hawk and a tiny owl who was really cute. They also had been saved.
Yesterday we went to Victoria on Vancouver Island, which is a pretty cool town. It has about 300 thousand people there, so its pretty big. We went out for dinner, which made a nice change from the ship food, which while its nice its pretty heavy and we wanted something different, after that we got a horse and carriage ride which was really fun. We had a horse called Mike who responded to words so they didn't use reins. After Victoria, we got back on the boat and woke up in Seattle and disembarked this morning. We catch our bus back to Vancouver this afternoon.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Alaska
We wrote this on Wednesday but couldn't post it til now:
On Sunday we boarded the Norwegian Pearl, after waiting in line for 3 hours. Through the US customs they had about 6 people processing US citizens and 2 processing foreign including Canadians. Seeing as we left Vancouver there were a lot of Canadians hence the wait. We got on the boat and were pretty excited to explore. There is so much stuff on here; a bowling ally, pools, hot tubs, movies, theatre, casino, shops and food. There is so much food on board. And so many fatties, bum bags and perms.. About half the restaurants are free and the others have a cover charge of about $10-$20. Its all surprisingly yum. We had expected it to be greasy American food, but there is a whole heap of different stuff. There is a buffet, a couple of proper restaurants, and one with burgers and things. Eating is our favourite past time on the ship, but we've also seen some comedians and dancers and things in the theater, played a fair bit of Big Buck Hunter Open Season PRO in the arcade, lounged in the sun loungers and watched some covers bands.
For 2 days we went through the Alaskan Inside Passage, and the Tracey Arms fjord to get to Sawyer Glacier. We couldn't make it to close to the glacier because there was too much ice, but we did get to see some spectacular scenery. We got to see a bear hanging out on the shore, he was pretty cool.
Yesterday we docked in our first point, Juneau. Its pretty small for a capital, but pretty cool. We saw the governors house, where Sarah Palin lived, we went out to a glacier that was pretty massive and chilly and looked at Russian dolls and ate some Russian dumplings.
Juneau is kind of like Pleasantville in that its roads dont lead anywhere. To get there you have to arrive by boat or plane, even so there are still fast cars, I couldn't work out why.
Today we arrived in Skagway which is a goldrush town. When the Klondike goldrush happened, Skagway was one on the main ports in. The town now has about 700 year-round residents and pretty much looks like it did during the goldrush – its not a big development town. The area around is pretty amazing. To be let into Canada from Alaska the people looking for gold had to take enough food and clothing to last a year which became known as the 1-ton rule. They must have been pretty tough to carry it over the mountains that are around the town, and most of them didn't find any gold anyway. Now there is a railway over the mountains, which would have been nice to go on, but it was too pricey for us.
We're off to Icy Straight Point tomorrow, which doesn't exist in our lonely planet book, so it must be pretty small. We've enjoyed our trip so far, and feel pretty young. We're about 20 years younger than anyone else not with their parents. Everyone else all seems to also have cruised many a time before. The old people let loose, getting buckets of Budweiser at 9.30 am and staying up til midnight at the cabaret shows. They love it!
On Sunday we boarded the Norwegian Pearl, after waiting in line for 3 hours. Through the US customs they had about 6 people processing US citizens and 2 processing foreign including Canadians. Seeing as we left Vancouver there were a lot of Canadians hence the wait. We got on the boat and were pretty excited to explore. There is so much stuff on here; a bowling ally, pools, hot tubs, movies, theatre, casino, shops and food. There is so much food on board. And so many fatties, bum bags and perms.. About half the restaurants are free and the others have a cover charge of about $10-$20. Its all surprisingly yum. We had expected it to be greasy American food, but there is a whole heap of different stuff. There is a buffet, a couple of proper restaurants, and one with burgers and things. Eating is our favourite past time on the ship, but we've also seen some comedians and dancers and things in the theater, played a fair bit of Big Buck Hunter Open Season PRO in the arcade, lounged in the sun loungers and watched some covers bands.
For 2 days we went through the Alaskan Inside Passage, and the Tracey Arms fjord to get to Sawyer Glacier. We couldn't make it to close to the glacier because there was too much ice, but we did get to see some spectacular scenery. We got to see a bear hanging out on the shore, he was pretty cool.
Yesterday we docked in our first point, Juneau. Its pretty small for a capital, but pretty cool. We saw the governors house, where Sarah Palin lived, we went out to a glacier that was pretty massive and chilly and looked at Russian dolls and ate some Russian dumplings.
Juneau is kind of like Pleasantville in that its roads dont lead anywhere. To get there you have to arrive by boat or plane, even so there are still fast cars, I couldn't work out why.
Today we arrived in Skagway which is a goldrush town. When the Klondike goldrush happened, Skagway was one on the main ports in. The town now has about 700 year-round residents and pretty much looks like it did during the goldrush – its not a big development town. The area around is pretty amazing. To be let into Canada from Alaska the people looking for gold had to take enough food and clothing to last a year which became known as the 1-ton rule. They must have been pretty tough to carry it over the mountains that are around the town, and most of them didn't find any gold anyway. Now there is a railway over the mountains, which would have been nice to go on, but it was too pricey for us.
We're off to Icy Straight Point tomorrow, which doesn't exist in our lonely planet book, so it must be pretty small. We've enjoyed our trip so far, and feel pretty young. We're about 20 years younger than anyone else not with their parents. Everyone else all seems to also have cruised many a time before. The old people let loose, getting buckets of Budweiser at 9.30 am and staying up til midnight at the cabaret shows. They love it!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hasta luego Mexico
Our last days in Puerto Escondido were just spent lazing about and swimming which was pretty fun. Then we flew out of the wee airport back to Mexico city. The flight was so fancy, I bet that's how classy planes were in the 60's. So much space and peanuts. When we landed we caught a bus to a town just outside of Mexico city, Puebla. It was pretty nice, just the right size and also it happened to have an arts festival in the zocalo which was 2 blocks from where we stayed. We watched some sort of who's line is it anyway comedy thing that was done in a wresting ring, some acrobat/juggler/comedians in really tight white Lycra suits, a band in Mexican wrestling masks, and a jazz band.
One of the days we were there we went to watch some biesbol. It was super fun. They got so excited about it, and the Puebla Pericos beat the Oaxaca Guerroros! Yay! Oaxaca had better uniforms though. Sam liked it so much he bought a hat in support.
While we were there we went out to another town 20 mins away to see a church built on a giant pyramid, in front of a volcano. The photos and descriptions were somewhat misleading in regards to the volcano - it would be like saying Christchurch was built amongst the southern alps. But it WAS built on a pyramid, which is kind of funny because they didn't realize it was there because it was covered in dirt for reasons unmentioned. We were looking forward to going into the tunnels of the pyramid, but they were closed. Sad. It is the biggest by volume in the world, but did look a lot like a hill.
After Puebla we headed back to Mexico city. We went to the zoo which is free, and therefore attracts a lot of school groups. It was a pretty fun zoo, but the orangutan had dreads and looked so sad. He had people eyes which made him seem sadder. There was a super cute monkey family, and a capuchin who had some pesos that he really liked.
The next day we finally went to the pyramids. I'm glad we left the til last because all the other ruins would have been boring after them. They're so big, and in such nice condition. It's on about 20kmsq and is has 2 really big pyramids, a bunch of other buildings, frescos that are still detailed and bright and a podium for speeches that echoes off the surrounding pyramids that was pretty fun.
Today we left Mexico for Seattle. The customs guy took some convincing that it was me in my passport. He said I was too brown, in the photo I had no freckles and today I have lots. But I convinced him and made it! Yus!
Tomorrow we head back to Vancouver then Alaska! Exciting!
One of the days we were there we went to watch some biesbol. It was super fun. They got so excited about it, and the Puebla Pericos beat the Oaxaca Guerroros! Yay! Oaxaca had better uniforms though. Sam liked it so much he bought a hat in support.
While we were there we went out to another town 20 mins away to see a church built on a giant pyramid, in front of a volcano. The photos and descriptions were somewhat misleading in regards to the volcano - it would be like saying Christchurch was built amongst the southern alps. But it WAS built on a pyramid, which is kind of funny because they didn't realize it was there because it was covered in dirt for reasons unmentioned. We were looking forward to going into the tunnels of the pyramid, but they were closed. Sad. It is the biggest by volume in the world, but did look a lot like a hill.
After Puebla we headed back to Mexico city. We went to the zoo which is free, and therefore attracts a lot of school groups. It was a pretty fun zoo, but the orangutan had dreads and looked so sad. He had people eyes which made him seem sadder. There was a super cute monkey family, and a capuchin who had some pesos that he really liked.
The next day we finally went to the pyramids. I'm glad we left the til last because all the other ruins would have been boring after them. They're so big, and in such nice condition. It's on about 20kmsq and is has 2 really big pyramids, a bunch of other buildings, frescos that are still detailed and bright and a podium for speeches that echoes off the surrounding pyramids that was pretty fun.
Today we left Mexico for Seattle. The customs guy took some convincing that it was me in my passport. He said I was too brown, in the photo I had no freckles and today I have lots. But I convinced him and made it! Yus!
Tomorrow we head back to Vancouver then Alaska! Exciting!
Monday, April 19, 2010
flying fish
Yesterday we went on a somewhat seaworthy vessel with a Mexican man who promised us turtles and dolphins. It was pretty fun because it was just the 2 of us and the man who spoke very little English. We didn't really find any turtles, we found a boat who had already caught one who we got to look at after. I felt pretty sorry for the wee turtle because he looked like he really wanted to go swimming, but it was still pretty nice to be able to talk to him. As for the dolphins, I think the boat man had given up on them and was just heading for the lagoon to drop us off, but we spotted some in the distance so he took us toward them. It was a pod of them and they were so good at backflips even Crusty Demons would have been impressed. Then a mama and baby dolphin swam by the boat. They were pretty cute and freckly. As we were heading back in we saw some flying fish which are speedy little fellas. Pretty impressive.
Then the boat guy took us to a lagoon which he'd pick us up from in a few hours. When we got off the boat he told us to follow these two guys, which we did. They led us to an umbrella which we didn't realize we would have to pay $60 peso for as soon as we had sat under it because most places let you use them if you buy stuff. I guess they have some sort of deal together. Anyway, the beach was pretty nice and clear and a lot safer than the one near where we are staying. The water is so warm around here, and we had a pretty fun day of swimming.
When we were picked up by the boat man the umbrella/cafe owner gave home a Corona to say thankyou for bringing us and our pesos. As soon as we headed off he popped the top off, judging by the empties, his 8th beer of the day. He thought it was hilarious and yelled something in spanish about cerveca. Sam says probably cerveca 4 lyf.
The past two days we have gotten fairly burnt as a result of two winters in a row so today decided to hang around our hotel. So today has mostly been spent reading and practicing underwater handstands while trying not to peel. Nice and relaxing!
Then the boat guy took us to a lagoon which he'd pick us up from in a few hours. When we got off the boat he told us to follow these two guys, which we did. They led us to an umbrella which we didn't realize we would have to pay $60 peso for as soon as we had sat under it because most places let you use them if you buy stuff. I guess they have some sort of deal together. Anyway, the beach was pretty nice and clear and a lot safer than the one near where we are staying. The water is so warm around here, and we had a pretty fun day of swimming.
When we were picked up by the boat man the umbrella/cafe owner gave home a Corona to say thankyou for bringing us and our pesos. As soon as we headed off he popped the top off, judging by the empties, his 8th beer of the day. He thought it was hilarious and yelled something in spanish about cerveca. Sam says probably cerveca 4 lyf.
The past two days we have gotten fairly burnt as a result of two winters in a row so today decided to hang around our hotel. So today has mostly been spent reading and practicing underwater handstands while trying not to peel. Nice and relaxing!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Puerto Escondido
So we spent our last day in Oaxaca looking at ruins, which is pretty hot work. We went to see Monte Alban which was the strongest of the Zapotec civilizations, they even had stone carvings of upside down leaders from other towns just to show how strong they are. Then they abandoned the town though, and no one really knows why. There were so many massive monuments and things, it was pretty impressive. We bought some guide book anticipating a lot if Spanish signs, but it was in english as well so it was ok, any way the guide book made this one tomb sound really amazing, but it looked like a closet when we went to see. I guess they took the stuff out so no one would steal it. Other than that it was a fun trip. The mini bus ride up was an experience, it was about 70km p/hr in a 20km one lanes area with judder bars.
Anyway, turned out that trip had nothing on the trip to puerto. It was about 260km but took 6 hours because it was like driving on traffords hill ( takaka hill for the south islanders) all the way, with donkeys wandering on the road nibbling. Also, I guess speed limit signs don't work that well here, so throughout villages there are brutal speed bumps every 100m or so, which act to slow people down only just before they hit them. For all this speeding up and slowing down fir 6 hours you'd think they'd go through a lot if petrol, but the tickets were only about nz$15 and there were only 6 of us. I have no idea how anyone earns a living here, but they seem to be doing ok. We arrived safely, and are really excited to be here. We've been swimming so much in the pool were we're staying, not in the beach yet because we need beach towels, but it's on tomorrows adgenda. Where we're staying is nice, it's an apartment which means we get to make pancakes for breakfast every morning and it'll be nice to cook for ourselves again. There is a pool which is nice, and it's super close to the beach. We also have our own patio which is pretty cool, and our room is pretty cute. All for only $35 a night! Bargain!
Everyone seems to speak English in the town which is popular with Americans, but not so much that it's like Cancun. It's so nice and tropical here with coconut trees, and mangos, so many they're in the gutter, in Canada they were like $5 each. Limes here are 70c nz a kg which seems pretty nuts also. So we're here til the 24th then we fly back to Mexico city and probably will go to a city called Puebla from there then back to Mexico city for a few days then back to Vancouver to go on our cruise.
We haven't heard anything from any job prospects yet, so we've booked tickets back to NZ, so we'll see everyone on the 28th of may, after which I will be joining the Westpac Christchurch ranks once again!
Anyway, turned out that trip had nothing on the trip to puerto. It was about 260km but took 6 hours because it was like driving on traffords hill ( takaka hill for the south islanders) all the way, with donkeys wandering on the road nibbling. Also, I guess speed limit signs don't work that well here, so throughout villages there are brutal speed bumps every 100m or so, which act to slow people down only just before they hit them. For all this speeding up and slowing down fir 6 hours you'd think they'd go through a lot if petrol, but the tickets were only about nz$15 and there were only 6 of us. I have no idea how anyone earns a living here, but they seem to be doing ok. We arrived safely, and are really excited to be here. We've been swimming so much in the pool were we're staying, not in the beach yet because we need beach towels, but it's on tomorrows adgenda. Where we're staying is nice, it's an apartment which means we get to make pancakes for breakfast every morning and it'll be nice to cook for ourselves again. There is a pool which is nice, and it's super close to the beach. We also have our own patio which is pretty cool, and our room is pretty cute. All for only $35 a night! Bargain!
Everyone seems to speak English in the town which is popular with Americans, but not so much that it's like Cancun. It's so nice and tropical here with coconut trees, and mangos, so many they're in the gutter, in Canada they were like $5 each. Limes here are 70c nz a kg which seems pretty nuts also. So we're here til the 24th then we fly back to Mexico city and probably will go to a city called Puebla from there then back to Mexico city for a few days then back to Vancouver to go on our cruise.
We haven't heard anything from any job prospects yet, so we've booked tickets back to NZ, so we'll see everyone on the 28th of may, after which I will be joining the Westpac Christchurch ranks once again!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Montezumas revenge
On Saturday night Sam came down with a case of montezumas revenge, which involves a lot of spewing etc. so Sunday was mostly spent drinking Gatorade and eating imodium. Sam was too sick to leave the hostel so it was up to me to brave the markets alone to get some fruit so he could eat some thing. Numbers are not my forte in Spanish so I was a bit nervous but luckily the fruit was $20 and the water was $8, which are two of the only numbers I learnt, which made me happy even if the fruit was pretty pricey.
Today we explored Oaxaca, we looked through the markets, saw a dancing mascot (so funny I almost choked on my churro), had some chocolate snacks, and bought some trinkets. While we were out I saw a cute bag in the shape of a pig but it was about the size of a jack russel so way to big to get home, but I later found one the size of a piglet so bought that one with some successful haggling. He's so cute.
To get to Puerto Escondido it's 5 hours faster to get a second class bus so today we tried to suss out the second class bus station, but it smelt like poos so we went elsewhere and got minibus tickets, which will hopefully be more successful.
Tomorrow we are probably going to head out to see some ruins then off to Puerto Escondido the next dat
Today we explored Oaxaca, we looked through the markets, saw a dancing mascot (so funny I almost choked on my churro), had some chocolate snacks, and bought some trinkets. While we were out I saw a cute bag in the shape of a pig but it was about the size of a jack russel so way to big to get home, but I later found one the size of a piglet so bought that one with some successful haggling. He's so cute.
To get to Puerto Escondido it's 5 hours faster to get a second class bus so today we tried to suss out the second class bus station, but it smelt like poos so we went elsewhere and got minibus tickets, which will hopefully be more successful.
Tomorrow we are probably going to head out to see some ruins then off to Puerto Escondido the next dat
Saturday, April 10, 2010
EXPLOSIon!
Woah totally forgot to mention:
Gasoline Tanker Explosion En Route To Oaxaca
We passed the still smoking wreckage of a gasoline tanker as it lay upon a flatbed tow truck. The proud road was decorated with an immense CRATER as the minstrel trees looked on. Holy shit. Too real.
Gasoline Tanker Explosion En Route To Oaxaca
We passed the still smoking wreckage of a gasoline tanker as it lay upon a flatbed tow truck. The proud road was decorated with an immense CRATER as the minstrel trees looked on. Holy shit. Too real.
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