Stop! It's Fiji time!

Bula from Fiji! On my third island already, Beachcomber, the so-called party island. Spent two nights on Mana Island at the Ratu Kini hostel, right on the beach. Fairly basic but pretty good food, and great bunch of people. Stunning beaches and marine life, and lots of chilling out. Not much to do, but that isn't the point. The hostel's dorms were in the same area as the local village, which made it feel a little less like a tourist hostel. Most people on the island worked for one of the two hostels, or hotel on the island. We stayed up to watch the sunset, which waa definitely worth it. The last two nights I stayed at Walu Beach resort which was only about 5 pounds more but we actually had single beds, and shared a bathroom with only 3 other people. Total luxury! We went out kayaking yesterday to a nearby island and saw some really interesting and freaky sea creatures, the chunky sea slugs especially. I experienced Kava for the first time two nights ago, pretty rough, although it was better than the Brooklyn Lager. It was only a third of the strength of normal kava, but still managed to have an effect, which made you a little drowsy. The main effect, however, was to prevent me from going more than 10 metres from the toilet the next day.

Beachcomber has a totally different vibe to it. Average age seems about 18 and the aim to remain as hammered as possible for the entire time. Hmmm, think I'm getting old! I'm only here for two nights anyway, so I'm sure I can suffer it! After this island, I'm off to Bounty Island for two nights, then off to New Zealand. Can't believe how quickly the time has gone and how much stuff I've done. I think because I've been doing so many things and meeting so many people, it feels like I've been traveling a lot longer than I have.

I keep thinking about coming back home and it really depresses me. I never want to work again!

Anyway, I'm off to learn the Bula dance...

Before Escaping from New York

Last day before leaving New York was great. Had a chilled out day moving between the numerous coffee shops. In the evening we tried to find a pub as a kind of leaving do. This wasn't easy. We ended up walking all the way across town, to eventually come across O'Reillys, which served Brooklyn beer, which may well have been taken directly from the Hudson River. At closing time, we took a vote on where to go, and the Bikini Bar came out top, although I think the voting my have been rigged. The bar closed at 4am, so some of us decided to see where else we could go. We decided to walk Brooklyn Bridge, which was possibly the best thing I did there. We started walking just before sunrise, and got a Brooklyn when it was starting to get light. Looking back over to New York was an immense sight, and I just hope the photos I took will do it justice. (photos hopefully coming soon!)

Anyway, time's running out on the surfing meter so better sign off. Will probably continue waffling tomorrow...

Escape from New York

Last day in New York already! Been a fairly full-on week. Feels like i've walked about 20 miles a day, but still only seen a fraction of NY. There's just so much to do here, 5 days definitlely isn't enough. The food here is amazing with deli bars taking up most of new york, and the portion sizes bigger than an average person eats in a week. I've managed to see most of the main tourist attractions, times square, empire state building, rockefeller, met gallery, brooklyn bridge and managed to get in the audience for the david letterman show! Had the guy from 40-year old virgin on and some band, 'Band of Horses' that i'd never heard of. I whooped as good as any american. I've found walking the streets a really good way of getting to understand new york better, and a good way of knowing where not to go! The hostel is in chelsea, which is a fairly busy part of the city. Again, loads of deli bars, and a fairly random 'Bikini Bar' occupied by some even more random guys, apparently... I'll post some photos when i get the chance, of new york that is, not the crazy bar. So its off to L.A. tomorrow for 3 days then onto fiji... Keep you posted. P.

The Beginning

Hello and welcome to my blog!

This is as much my blog as it is yours. It would be great to receive messages from you all as I travel round, whether that's making suggestions on what to see, where to go or perhaps suggesting some challenges I should do. (Please keep them clean - my parents will be reading this!)

Just so you all know where I'm going:

New York, 15th Oct - 20th Oct
Los Angeles, 20th Oct - 23rd Oct
Fiji, 23rd Oct - 3rd Nov
New Zealand, 3rd Nov - 18th Dec
Australia, 18th Dec - 27 Mar
Singapore, 27th Mar - 29th Mar
Thailand, 29th Mar - 22nd Apr

I hope to update this blog every couple of days, but I have no idea how easy it's going to be in some places!

Look forward to hearing from you!

Paul.