- 01.04.2002 -

Maketu

Man does it get cold here at night. Luckily the sun is out during the day. One hot shower later and I'm ready for my first cup of coffee. Later we pile into the Holden and head to Rotorua to get supplies and to help Karen and Slim move more gear from their house.

Me and Slim pick up a trailer and we load up two vans, their trailers and the Holden. Only then do we realise that its 3 vehicles to take back. I offer to drive the holden. It takes some getting used to as reverse is across, down, up, left. There are no wing mirrors and the rear view mirror is hanging down so its not a case of mirror-signal-manoeuver but hold up mirror first and look over your shoulders before signalling.

We get some shopping and someone parks in front of me in the car park so I have to find reverse. I do it and they all cheer and wave at me. We pick up Sarah from in town and we chat so much that we loose the van in front, twice. This earns us the nickname of George and Mildred for the rest of the day.

The next STRAY bus arrived as I was sitting on the porch reading a book. The driver was Auto and he pointed mouth agape when he saw me. He got off the bus, ran over hand outsretched saying 'Davo, good to see you. What the feck are you doing here?'. We caught up on this and that over night.

- 02.04.2002 -

We said bye to the bus and the Lake District Sarah (my Mildred) who was leaving with them today. A german woman named Ziggy got off the bus today. I went for a walk with the dog Jessie, and Eharkera and Peter joined me. We walked to an island nearby. What a cool way to waste time. Mark Twain could write books forever here. Jessie tried chasing after rabbits.

Sally and Sarah came to my room later and asked for a favour. They needed to go to a job interview at a Kiwi fruit place and Slim had given them the keys to the holden but they didn't want to risk it. Would I drive? Sure.

We picked up Pam, Margerita and her brother Peter on the way and headed out. I like driving this car even though its falling to bits. For some reason OMC's 'How Bizzare' was playing in my head as I was 'cruising down the freeway in the hot hot sun'.

Later on a van pulled up with 3 young guys looking for Slim. They travel NZ doing motorcross. They have 3 450cc bikes in the back and a 50cc kids bike for teaching. They want to give Slims kids a treat. While we are waiting we play hackey sack, play on the guitar and ride around on the kids bike. Doing 30km/hr two feet off the ground with your knees up around you is a weird experience but a fun one.

I teach them some chords and a few picks on the guitar and they teach me a riff from Staind's Outside. Everyone has a guitar here. Everyone is learning so its fun. There are about 4 guitars in the house alone and while I'm teaching Sally, Boy is teaching me.

Boy takes me out back to a shed and shows me his sons Harley Davidson low rider that is stored there. Next to it is a Honda tourer like my dads back home. Like my dads its in need of some attention. Motorbikes are a big thing here. All his sons ride Harleys. I will too, one day.

Slim and co get back as I'm racing around on the 50cc scrambler. The kids are then given free lessons and we wind down the evening playing on the guitar and sitting on the porch watching the fork lighntening in the distance. Life in the middle of nowhere can be so sweet bro.

- 03.04.2002 -

I managed to score a quilt last night so I slept pretty good. So good in fact that I slept in. Apart from nipping into Maketu for bread, chatting, reading and drinking coffee, I did nothing today. Ah the easy life!

- 04.04.2002 -

Another lazy day of doing sweet fa culminating in the arrival of the next STRAY bus. The driver was Julie so I caught up. Apparently she'd picked up my swedish duo in Taupo and taken them back to Auckland.

Sarah, Sally, Ziggy and I played cards most of the evening. Shirley taught us a new game called 'Arsehole' of which Ziggy was it for most of the evening.

- 05.04.2002 -

Yet another lazy day. Went into Maketu with Slim to get some fish and chips. The guy behind the counter says 'so you'd be the computer expert then?'. Word gets around this small town. Luckily he didn't want me to fix anything.

Booked my accomodation in LA. Last thing I wanted was to turn up in LA with nowhere to stay so thats that taken care of.

Karen scared the pants off me later on as we were out and about. She said she'd heard that STA had gone bust. What? Panic for a few minutes coz all my USA tickets are through them. She phones Slim to find out its actually USIT. Phew!

- 06.04.2002 -

It rained all last night but I finally managed to get some sleep until Sally woke me up at 11am. Thats the longest I've managed to sleep in! Did nothing for the rest of the day. Ah this is the life.

- 07.04.2002 -

Happy 18th birthday Sis!

Ziggy left today. We headed into Rotorua to shift some more gear. Got back, played cards and drank wine. God these days are hard.

- 08.04.2002 -

Back in Rotorua again today. Phoned home and booked my plane tickets so I have some bookings in place which I can change if I want. My last lazy day as I'm going to Auckland tomorrow then I fly to LA shortly after that.

- 09.04.2002 -

Auckland, NZ

Time to leave today. Showed Slim how to backup his data, got packed and said goodbye to everyone. It was a sad parting. Went into Rotorua with Slim and Karen. We were late with having to drop of Kayla and I missed my bus. Slim pulled some strings and I got a free ride back with Kiwi. I never paid for the other bus so that was good.

We grabbed lunch at the FAT DOG (huge meals which I could not finish) and then I caught my bus. Back in Auckland I got my old room at CCB and then went out and caught SHOWTIME at the cinema as I figured it wouldn't be on in the States anymore.

- 10.04.2002 -

Easy day today. All I have to do is put my films in for processing, get a haircut, get some postcards and buy a few essentials. Watched BLACK HAWK DOWN headed to the EMBARGO bar and caught the last ever episode of LA FEMME NIKITA on the hostel TV. Very sad ending.

- 11.04.2002 -

Los Angeles, California, USA

Very long day today as I go back in time (ok I cross the international date line).

To cut a long story short, the flight was 12 hours long, I left at 4pm and arrived in LA at 9am the same day. Weird huh?

The in-flight movies were K-PAX and some crappy ones. I did watch an episode of JONATHAN CREEK though. Landed in LA and caught the PRIME TIME shuttle to the hostel. Its moved. Lonely Planet is never truly up-to-date.

Got some kip. There was one other guy in our room. We are on Hollywood Boulevard in North Hollywood. Later I walked up the street. I got offered drugs not 4 feet from the front door of the hostel. Nice area. I walked the Hollywood walk of fame, saw Manns Chinese theatre and walked back where I met Dave (emigrated Scot) who works at the hostel. I paid for the LA city trip for tomorrow and the Vegas/Grand Canyon trip the next day.

I met Malcolm (Australia), my room mate, when he woke up. We headed out for a Thai meal then met up Later at the WHITE HORSE bar for drinks. I met Becky and Belinda (UK) there too. We shot pool and I beat the local hustler. He was a good laugh, his name is Lynol and he.. er.. kinda lends people money for a living. Malcolm, Becky and I went with Lynol in his Lexus sports car and cruised sunset strip then drove to Beverly Hills and went to the Beverly hills hotel. Back on Sunset strip we went into the Rainbow Grill and the Cat Club where members of rock bands like Aeosmith hang out and Jam. It was cool live rock music. I chatted to Belinda most of the night.

- 12.04.2002 -

We got up early and boarded the bus for the city tour. We were pretty wasted. I drank something called Long Island Iced Tea last night. I wont bore you with details but we went to the beach where they filmed Baywatch and posed at the lifeguard point, went to Venice Beach where they filmed WHITE MEN CARNT JUMP, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Marina Del Ray, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive (how much???), the george michael toilet (seriously), Playboy Mansion (another of my lifes goals completed) and Santa Monica. Me and Belinda were pretty chatty all day.

We scored tickets to see the filming of a TV pilot called CLASS OF 2006 but when we got to Paramount Studios it was full. Oh well. Andy (Scouser), Belinda and I went to Hollywood and saw Blade 2 at the cinema where they held the Oscars (Kodak theatre).

- 13.04.2002 -

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas baby! Long bus drive. We were John, his sister Gemma and her friends Steph and Natasha (UK), Belinda, Becky, Jo, Andy, Michael and I (UK), Sandra (NZ), Owen and GF (Oz).

We checked into the DAYS INN just off the strip behind BALLY'S casino. We went to the strip later and did some serious gambling. I won 45 bucks on roulette! I used it on a buffet and 99c pina coladas. Yeah baby. We did the Oceans Eleven pose at the fountains outside the Bellagio.

At MGM, Belinda and I split off from the rest and did our own thing.

We met the others later and continued a tour of the casinos.

- 14.04.2002 -

Grand Canyon, Arizona / Las Vegas, Nevada

Oh god my head hurts and I didn't get hardly any sleep last night. We are off to Arizona across the Hoover Dam. Its a long drive. Belinda is going on another trip today so I'm a bit down. I perk up at the Grand Canyon though. I sat on the edge and watched a bird sore over it. Its 1 mile deep and 16 miles wide. Its so beautiful. It has to be seen to be believed. Gotta bring dad here some day.

Back in Vegas I loose 45 bucks at the Mirage (easy come easy go) and loose the others. The Bellagio was cool. The women had more silicone than the amusements. All the casinos were cool but in a tacky sort o way. I liked the Egyptian theme at the Luxor. Bed at 3:15am.

- 15.04.2002 -

Los Angeles, CA

We stopped off at Barstow on the way back to LA and I picked up some hush puppies so I can go to the better clubs.

We went to the WHITE HORSE later and played pool with some hustlers who beat the hell out of us (esp James an ex-Marine).

- 16.04.2002 -

Caught the metro to Downtown LA and went to the Bradbury building where they filmed Bladerunner. Its the one with the lifts where Sebastian and his toys live and the glass roof where the coke blimp passes over. Its not impressive outside as its small but inside its cool. I get some good photos, hopefully, of the place. Cant go upstairs though as the LAPD IA division is housed here so I go outside and watch a press conference given by the local mayor. All the news crews are here. I got in there and took some snaps. Ah the life of a tourist.

Later I went downtown and watched RESIDENT EVIL (cool film) then met the others and we piled into a cab and went to Sunset strip where JD on the rocks are served in a tall glass. I got completly wasted and got a cab back somehow.

- 17.04.2002 -

Major hangover today. Oh my GOD!!!!!!!

We went to Universal Studios today. What did we do? : Mummy Returns : Chamber of Doom (Scarey!), Terminator 2 : 3D (fecking excellent!!!), ETs 20th Anniversary ride (tacky but fun), Jurrasic Park : The Ride (excellent!!), Special effects stages (Becky got to star in The Mummy and The Klumps), Backdraft (good fire set), Back to the future ride (cool), Animal Planet Live (hilarious), Studio Tour (saw all kinds of sets from JOHN WAYNE films to BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL) Note to self: Bring family next time as they'd love this. WATERWORLD (good god is this good. you gota see it to believe it).

Also at Universal was props from the films like the Supra and suped up Dodge from The Fast and Furious, Blues brothers car and lots of film stuff.

Afterwasrds we went to Universal City just outside the studios. Cops were everywhere as its the world premiere of THE SCORPION KING. We grabbed some food and sat on the balcony. Then the stars started to arrive. We got to see in person the cast of the film, THE ROCK, MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN (god is he big), KELLY HU (from martial law, nice babe!), BRENDAN FRASIER (yes Heather he was there in person), the films director and other cast members, WWF guys plus the WWF producer, that Latino guy from TRAINING DAY and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, the guy from ROMEO MUST DIE (black guy), playboy playmates, etc etc. We were buzzing all the way back to the hostel. We saw real stars in LA. How cool is that?

- 18.04.2002 -

San Francisco, CA

David gave me and Andy a lift to Budget to pick up some rentals. Andy and co were renting a white ford mustang convertible to go around Beverly Hills and down to Mexico in. I'd been asked to come along but I wanted to see San Francisco so I asked Budget if they had any rentals from SF that they wanted returning. They did, a big silver Ford Ranger pickup truck. Not only do I have to learn to drive on the right but I have to do it in a big truck.

I get to the hostel, check out and say goodbye to everyone. I head out on to the freeway, nerves all wired. Its not so bad and after a while I turn on the radio and begin to relax. The coastal drive north on 101 is not bad as it goes through Santa Barabara and up the beautiful western coast. I stop for fuel and drink but thats about it. I'm still late though when I arrive at SF. (I wanted to return the truck before they close at 6pm and then check in to a hostel).

Ever tried to drive around a densley packed foreign city that has really steep hills, trams everywhere and weird turning rules? It was fun in an insane way. I squealed my tyres a few times and scared a few drivers but I didn't put a scratch on the truck. I guess I was so big that the cars just let me go by.

I got lost and ended up over the Bay Bridge. I'd tried parking near the hostel but they wanted 25 bucks for the night because my vehicle is so big. I should of been narked at being lost but I was amazed at myself for being pretty cool. Travelling does that to you. You learn to deal with just about anything. I put on Denis Leary as I drove over the San mateo bridge back to SF airport. I checked into a cheap Red Roof Inn hotel for the night. I had a hot meal at the restaurant. My room was fancy with a nice bath and cable TV. The same cost as the hostel for one night and parking the truck! I'll go with luxury each time. I watched C.S.I on TV and a film before lights out. I have to return the truck by 9:15am tomorrow.

As a side note, the dashboard of the truck kept flashing THEFT in red letters. I thought I'd accidentally set off a lojack device and had visions of the SFPD kicking my hotel room door in at 3am and shouting 'Spread em!'. I found a manual in the truck that explained it was just showing that the engine was disabled while the key was not in the ignition. Phew.

- 19.04.2002 -

Up early and back on the motorway. The first budget place was not at that address anymore, neither was the second. The third was on Mason, a really steep street with cable cars. I parked illegally, got told where I should put the truck by Budget and drove it to a multi-story car park. Ever played DRIVER on the Playstation? Thats me that is in this car park, tyres squealing. I returned the truck in time and walked to the hostel where I met my room mates, also from the UK, then headed out.

Listening to the local radio over my walkman they mention tributes to Robert Urich. I Log on to the net later and find out that he died. He was one of my favourite actors. I used to watch SPENCER FOR HIRE religiously. Its amazing how you miss important pieces of news when you travel. For instance, on the city tour in LA the driver was pointing out who lives where and he said that a particular house was where the recently deceased Dudley Moore lived. 'He's dead?' said all of us Brits on the bus.

I ended up spending the day in the wharf district. I also went out to Alcatraz for the night trip. What a cool but scarey place. I wouldn't of liked to be a prisoner here. I recognised most places from the Clint Eastwood film. Hmm everywhere I am going in the States so far I can relate to one film or another. Funny that.

Alcatraz is not actually a state park because of the prison history but because it used to be a military base during the days of the gold rush. It has a lot of history and the prison part is only a small part.

- 20.04.2002 -

Phoned home today then went to Lombard street to see the famous steep twisting road. Then walked down to the art institute and followed Columbus Avenue downtown. stopped for an indian meal them walked over to the Embarcero for coffee and to read for a bit. Its 4 highrise buildings connected by walkways with chairs so you can sit under the sun and gaze at the surrounding downtown skyscrapers.

I'm a bit worried today. The tooth I got done in Bangkok has been playing up now and again but I've been ignoring it. It feels loose and I'm trying not to test if it is as I am getting paranoid that it will fall out. I think the tooth below is pushing it outwards when I bite. I was hoping it would be ok until I get home but I dont think it will be. Damn. I dont want to pay to see another dentist abroad. Lifes a bitch every now and again.

- 21.04.2002 -

Stayed up late loast night shooting pool and chatting with some guys from the UK. Consequently I slept in this morning. I headed over to the wharf to hire a mountain bike. The place is called Blazzing Saddles and offers a 10 dollar discount to anyone from the hostel.

I rode the bike over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County. It was a beautiful sunny day and its a good way to spend it. It took me 3 hours to get to Turibon. I sat by the water reading for a bit then cycled back to Samsarilo for lunch.

I returned the bike earlier than intended. My toothache was back with a vengence. I napped for a bit then beat Nick at pool. He's from Malvern in the UK. I said I had a cousin from there and he wanted to know where as he's met no one that knows where Malvern is so he usually says hes from Worcester. He even knows Bromyard.

Man. These computers are using Red Hat Linux and crash every few minutes. I thought Linux was supposed to be good.

- 22.04.2002 -

The past few days I've been walking two streets over to see whats going on. Nothing. They are supposed to be filming the HULK on Samsome street but they are just setting up props. I ask a guy whats happening and he says nothing until next week.

The hostel has given me a number of a dentist service. I get sent to Sutter st to a fancy highrise. I'm worried that this is going to cost but Yolanda, the secretary says not to worry, the dentist will have a look first and let you know. I go into a room and wait 20 mins. He turns up for 30 secs and tells a nurse to take an X-ray. It takes a few secs and comes up on the computer screen. Pretty hi-tech. He comes back 20 minutes later and says your bite needs adjusting. He uses a drill for 5 secs to file the tooth down then sends me to reception where they charge me 100 bucks. I'm pretty pissed esp when I'm told in the hostel later that the USA is really expensive for medical care, and more so in San Francisco. My insurance company better pay for this. They never paid for the root canal in Bangkok.

The pain is still there but at least my teeth no longer hit each other. I catch CHANGING LANES bargain matinee. Its a good film. Can't see why its number 1 at the box office though. Oh well, only a week until Spiderman is out. The cinema has a 20ft spiderman stuck to the outside. Tacky.

I pop in to the Wells Fargo and North Beach museums. Boring. I've seen San Francisco nowe. I think I'll just hang out for a few days rather than act the tourist. I leave for Vancouver in a few days.

I stayed up late again shooting pool with Daniel (Edinburg), Cord (Chicago), Richard (NZ) and a French Canadian guy. About 2-3am I figure the guys back home will be at work so I email them for a while to find out whats new back home. Things change with time. It seems people are either getting married, buying houses or shopping for new stuff.

- 23.04.2002 -

Slept in and missed breakfast. Tried calling my insurance company but had no luck. Went downtown to the Metreon again after grabbing a bite to eat and saw MURDER BY NUMBERS, the new Sandra Bullock film. It suprised me by being quite good. You should watch it.

Tried to find an American Airlines office to confirm all my flights but they'd shut down their local branch. Cut backs I guess. I grabbed some supplies from the local supermarket and headed back to read. Met my new room mates. Apart from John (Virginia) whom, I met yesterday, we have two young guys from the Czech republic who just got here.

Played pool with Daniel (12-7 to me) and Cord (1-1).

- 24.04.2002 -

Slept in again. Put on my walkman, Nickleback's 'How you remind me' was playing. I have heard this song a million times being played in every country I have passed through and I never get tired of listening to it. Becky said it was her and Belinda's travel song. I guess its mine too.

Walked to the Coit tower where you can see most of San Francisco from. Walked for a further two hours to Golden Gate park. Nice place but I'm knackered in this heat! Stayed for a while then headed back. Another 2 hour walk.

I'm flying to Vancouver tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it. I hate flying. I have like, another 8 flights or so before I'm back in the UK. As soon as the stewardess walks by I start ordering the neat whisky's and wait for the movie to start.

Back at the hostel its free food night. (Backpackers like things like that, oh yes we do). It was jacket potatoes with hot salsa, cream chese and all the trimmings followed by cookies and cream icecream with whipped cream. Yum. They lost the crowd thoutgh when tonights video turned out to be Babe. I mean, come on, we are hardened travellers here. It turned out the organiser for the evening, Rachel (UK) chose it, only to play pool instead. Sigh.

- 25.04.2002 -

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Checked out early. Instead of paying 20 bucks for a shuttle straight to the airport I caught 2 local buses which got me there just as fast for 4 bucks.

At the domestic airport I found that I was way too early. Canada is classed as domestic and its only international flights that you have to arrive hours ahead for. Still there were army guys with M16s in attendance and my bags were X-ray'd the usual two times. Hmm.. I seem to of done something wrong. I walked through without checking any luggage. This works out to my advantage as there are earlier flights available so I do not have to wait 3 hours. Would I like to get on an earlier flight? Sure. The helpful guy changed my ticket and routed my backpack all the way to Vancouver. I'd still have to wait in Dallas though as my second flight could not be brought forward.

These are the flights that annoyed me when I booked the tickets in Oz. The whole package was cheap but they used Dallas and Chicago as hubs. So if I wanted to fly San Francisco to Vancouver I had to go via a hub. Stupid aint it? To have to fly to Dallas to get to Vancouver. Thats why Dallas and Chicago are two of my stops. Why fly to them and not look around? Plus I'm going to see my old travelling buddy Shawn in Dallas of course.

So I flew to DFW airport from SFO in a few hours and lost two hours because of the time difference. I'll get them back when I go to Vancouver though. The flight was pretty good and the stewardess's served me non-alcholic drinks a lot. There was no movies just episode after episode of 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. I'm not sure if its on in the UK yet but avoid it at all costs. As the french would say, cest merde. Channel 3 was playing rock music so I tuned out.

Oh yeah something pissed me off in San Francisco and I must share it with you as I'm sure it will amuse at least one reader (Hi Wes!). You know how I've been going to the Metreon cinema complex to catch the matinee movies at half price? Well I was reading the local rag last night and it said that Eliza Dushka (plays Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will be at the Metreon on May 3rd. No tickets needed. Just turn up to say hi and get her autograph. Aggggghhhhhhh! Goddammit.

I had to kill 6 hours at DFW so I walked around, read a movie magazine (lots of sequels coming out soon here), ate, called home, watched CNN and generally lost my mind. When we finally borded I was almost strip searched. Four of us were taken to one side while everyone else borded and they told us to remove our shoes and then they searched us with those wands, patted us down and searched all our carry-on stuff. The only coincidence between us 4 (mother and child, asian girl, business man and me) was that we were the only passengers who were not in possesion of an American or Canadian passport.

As it happens I wished I'd never boarded the plane. It was the worst flight I've ever had the misfortune to experience. The turbulence bordered on theme park ride! Man I felt bad and scared. You have to pay for alcohol on American Airlines flights so I did just that and settled in to watch the in-flight movie 'Joe Somebody' which wasn't too bad but nothing to write home about.

The guy sitting next to me talked most of the time but that was cool as I wanted to take my mind off the turbulence. He's flown a lot and has just come back from Costa Rica. He had a bit of trouble at customs with his machete that he was bringing back. Hmm.. Stewardess!

At Vancouver airport things got even worse. You'd think a country with our Queens face on their money that likes to think they have close relations with the UK would be nicer to UK citizens right? Well I hoped so. I got sent to a side room where they hand searched all my luggage. After they had suitably messed it up they scanned it with the X-ray machine. They would not let me hold on to my camera film that I have yet to develop and scanned that to, so if it doesnt turn out ok I aint never coming back so there! hah.

Then I was sent to immigration and asked twenty questions about why I am here, where I am staying, am I carrying any illegal things (where? I just got searched twice!), can I support myself here in Canada?

The end result was that they gave me a stamp in my passport for 6 months so that I should not have to go through this again in Toronto. The other thing that this did was convinced me that I was not going to go to Seattle on this trip. I wanted to do a sidetrip to see the space needle etc as Seattle is only 2 hours drive from Vancouver. However I was not about to go across the border again so soon. No way.

So here I was tired and exhausted as I limped through the airport lounge. I changed some US travellers cheques into Canadian money and went to the hotel desk. 'Whats your cheapest clean hotel price for a room with a bath and a cable TV?' priorities as ever in order.

The choice wasn't hard. 48 bucks for a shared bathroom or 69 for your own luxury accomodation (30quid). I chose option 2 and caught the airporter shuttle down town. My room was amazing. Kingsize bed with 4 huge pillows, coffee point, big bathroom with sunken bath, 40inch TV with 44 channels. Heaven! The view from my window on the 4th floor was of the skyline of Vancouver lit up with Neon.

- 26.04.2002 -

Woke up au naturel. As Lincoln used to say, if there is no urgency to wake up in the morning, switch off your alarms and let your body decide when it wants to wake up. You'll feel better. I did. I went downstairs for my free breakfast. Basically its an all you can eat there breakfast buffet consisting of cereals, muffins, bagels, spreads and fruit. Oh and coffee.. strong coffee.. aah.

Check out is 12pm. Much better than the usual 10am checkout time that hostels like to employ. I walked around for a bit deciding what to do. On the one hand I could go to the hostel and try to meet fellow travellers. On the other hand I could stay here another night in absolute luxury. Hmm. I wanted to go with option 2 and I kinda knew I would but my mind has to convince itself first. Its like the devil and angel on your shoulders scenario. The angel is saying that you should save your money and go to the hostel and make new friends. The devil is saying screw that, you got a bath here, 44 channels including 10 minutes of free pr0n (not that you need it), unlimited coffee, shampoo and soap (until room service figures out that it keeps falling into your bag). The devil is also saying that the TV has movies so you save money on entertainment! The devil won. Its only 30quid right. Back home a hotel room like this would cost more than double. Damn the devil.

I went back to the hotel and chatted to the concierge. I described my dimema and he managed to get me a further discount by entering a code for a promotion they were having on-line at the moment. 'If anyone asks you got it from our internet site ok?' Ok. He also gave me a map, arranged for room service to pop by and drop off more bathroom toiletries. I also pointed out that the complimentary TV guide had experied so he arranged to have a new one delivered free of charge. Priorities again Dave. He was pretty cool.

I felt good knowing that I had a nice cosy hotel room to come back to later on. I headed into town and did the usual stuff that every tourist does when arriving in a new city. Find out whats free and goes and sees it.

One thing that wasn't free that looked interesting was the Art Gallery. They had a new display called 'The Uncanny: Experiments in Cyborg Culture'. It was 11 bucks to get in. 6.50 (3quid) if you can prove you are a student. I used my youth hostel card again and the usual I'm a student traveller speal and got in at the student rate. I maybe living in a fancy hotel room at the moment but I'm not deluding myself. I'm a cheap barsteward and I know it.

The gallery was amazing. Hing, Koony and Richard would love this. Imagine life size models of cyborgs, music piped in from Bladerunner and the Terminator, wall video screens showing clips of every cyborg film you can think of. Room size anime models. One of which was an anatomically correct nude girl that looks like Pretty Sammy that transformed into a space ship. This gallery was pretty amazing. There were robotic models that actually worked and showed facial expressions. I stayed here a while.

The rest of the gallery was so-so. There's a famous painter called Emily Carr and a weird Scot with a thing for limbs. No, the cyborg gallery was what did it for me.

Grabbed an Indian after I was finished with downtown. I'd been to Gastown too and seen the steam driven clock and the usual must-see sights. I headed back and had a long soak with a book and a filtered coffee. The maid had kindly left more tolietries which went into my bag.

I nipped out over the road to buy some munchies then veg'd out in front of the TV channel surfing. How I've missed this! La Femme Nikita which was filmed here was on most channels, as was lots of sci-fi shows I've never heard of like 'Code Name Eternity' starring Oliver Grunner from the Nemesis and Automatic cyborg movies. I caught an episode of Dark Angel and was amazed how the plot had changed since I last saw this show. They have a cool show called 'North of 60' based in Canada which was not bad.

- 27.04.2002 -

Sniff. I have to move on today. I booked my hostel yesterday so no last minute changes of mind. Still, I don't have to check out until 12pm so I filled up on breakfast, had another long soak, watched some TV, had a coffee and made sure there were no toiletries that I'd missed. I waved good bye to luxury and checked out, heading on foot to the hostel.

The hostel was surprising clean and modern. It even supplied all the bedding. After checking out the place I headed down to the Marina then crossed Granville Bridge to Granville Island. The local radio stations were playing Nickleback and loads of groups that sound similar that I have never heard of, Grunge/light rock is really big here.

I sampled the local food and beer and watched a street entertainer and escape artist called 'Scott Free' who was pretty good. I walked back over Burrard Bridge and grabbed some essentials (Dr.Pepper) from the supermarket. Back at the hostel I met a guy from Scotland and a girl from Cardiff. They were watching the end of The Abyss then put Happy Gilmore on video. This hostel has a library with book exchange that has to be the biggest I have ever seen.

- 28.04.2002 -

Headed down Davies St to hire a mountain bike when I passed a bakery and stopped dead. For 1.55 (70p) you can get a 9 inch eccles cake. Screw the diet! It tasted so good too. Yum!

I hired a mountain bike and headed around Stanley Park which is an island in itself. I went over Lions Gate Bridge. I can see why Canada refers to Vancouver as the San Francisco of Canada.

I got lost and headed into the woods off-road where I ran into a film crew interviewing some guy. The outdoors is beautiful in Canada. The sun is out but its bitter cold! My right knee was hurting real bad so I headed back into the park across the bridge, found a quiet spot in ther woods overlooking English Bay and read for a bit.

I cycled to the Greyhound station with the intent of buying a ticket to Victoria. In the end I couldn't be arsed. I'm feeling lazy at the moment. I think its burnout. Its not easy to do stuff EVERY day for months and months on end. I watched some guys on street bikes practice wheelies and front tipping before returning the mountain bike. I'd heard that there was a much cheaper way to get to Victoria rather than just sitting on a Greyhound bus. It sounded more fun so I grabbed a leaflet on how to do it from the hostel. Maybe this will wake me up tomorrow. Something to look forward to.

I grabbed a bite to eat then went back to the hostel to sort my stuff out. I've booked a bed for 2 nights in Victoria. I don't want to stay in Vancouver for the full week that I'm here. I'm informed that Victoria, the capital of British Columbia is a must-see. So my goal tomorrow is to get there via public transport and the ferry!

I spied a cheap internet place not far from the hostel earlier so here I am, updating my web site. As for why I haven't met many people at the hostel, 80% of people there are asian and keep to their own groups. Those that are not are either french or work here. There is no real fellow travel atmosphere so its just as well I'm moving on soon.

Back at the hostel tonights movie was PITCH BLACK which I haven't seen since it was released at the movies. It was just as good the second time around. I don't think Vin Diesel has made a bad film today. Not one I've seen anyway. They are showing trailers of his upcoming movie here at the moment. Its called XXX and looks the dogs bolericks.

- 29.04.2002 -

Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC

Getting to Victoria was easier than I figured it would be. A short walk to a bus stop where I ran into a surfer dude back from a short break in Costa Rica we chatted while waiting for the bus. The bus was 4 bucks including transfer to the ferry terminal. The ferry was 9 bucks and the bus to Victoria at the other end was 2.50 bucks. Thats 15.50 bucks in total. The Greyhound including bus to the hostel was just shy of 40 bucks for the same one-way trip. A difference or what?

I checked into the hostel. The male dorm had 44 beds! I found my bed, locked awat my gear and headed out. The air is so clean here, the sun is warm and its a great place to just chill. I walked around and ended up at the Parliament/legislative building. I got the free tour and was amused by all the photos of the Queen. I sat in on a live debate that was being filmed. I was amused when one speaker used the word 'download' when instructing the opposition to 'downlaod the information I am giving you into your brains'.

Next I checked out 'minature world'. I like models but the level of details in these models was amazing. From space to past wars and represntations of places from works of fiction, they were all amazing. Some sets had lights that faded so that the houses lit up and you could see the level of detail inside. I played with the trains but failed to crash any.

Back at the hostel I met John (NZ) and Chris (Denmark) who were heading out to get fish and chips. Victoria likes to pride itself on being as close to Britain as you can get. Old Vic's fish and chips said they were 'authentic british'. Yeah right down to the chinese cook. They were the worst fish and chips I have ever had the misfortune to try. Yuck.

It doesn't get dark until 9pm so I headed out for a walk then came back and played cards with John and Chris, teaching them how to play Cheat.

- 30.04.2002 -

Goddammit! What is it with my luck these past few weeks? On the radio and every lampost that I passed today are adverts telling me that Bif Naked and Live on Release are in town on May the 4th. Argh! Bollocks. There goes my chance to hear 'Lucky' performed live.

I walk out of town to Craigdarroch castle which turns out to be a disapointing small building built by a rich tycoon who died before it was completed. I checked out the Art Gallery a few streets down which was also not up to much.

I decided to try Whale watching which is what Victoria is famous for. The ride on the Zodiak was good but the 3 hours turned out to be 15 minutes of watching Orcas from half a mile away and a lot of nothing. I want my 58 bucks back! Sigh.

On a side note. All Japanese tourists who stand in front of you taking pictures of absolutely nothing, should be locked in a room and forced to listen to Kylie Minogue on loop. For ever. Just my opinion you understand.

Headed to the 'Elephant and castle' authentic British pub. The waiter asked what I'd like. The menu was basically salad with everything. 'Can I have potatoes and veg with my steak and kidney pie?' I enquired. He looked at me as if I was an alien. 'Er it comes with salad sir'. I know but in Britain we have it with veg and potatoes. 'Ah. Well I guess we are a pale imitation' he replied. He was cool though and got me mash and 2 veg, plus a pint of Guinness.

I walked around town later on and found an authentic British sweet shop. It had all the usual stuff you see at home. Not a Hershey Bar or Rocky Road in sight. I asked for a sherbert fountain.

The town was pretty dead tonight. I could of seen THE SCORPION KING at the ODEON (I thought they were only in the UK) but I wanted to read my book more so I headed back.

David Kei

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