the trip

The return

daveymoore82 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Grueling long flights, specially those with stops, can easilly be rectified with the always welcome company of a young ladie.

Nina, in this case, is great, we had so much fun i didnt sleep a wink. Which left me misserable by the time i was flying out of dusseldorf. Couldnt have encountered worse people than i did in such a foul mood, the drinks ladie pissed me off and the prat i sat next to was the final straw. i just looked over him out the window and saw land, being excited to see blighty once again i said "where do you think that is then?" and he says "UFO", i though nutter, he said "oh you mean down there, i thought you ment out there", which was obviously hot air balloons. he said "oh, well thats britton" and gives me a look like im thick as shit, i could have wacked the tosser in his business suit. No shit! i just shut my eyes and boiled.

Sofie met me back in London and it ended in a pub with simon and gang. was happy to see them all, finished off with an ali baba kebab which i have been dreaming about since i left.

San Diego

daveymoore82 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:41:00 GMT

Ah... where to begin.

Well first off Anders couldn't get me from the station, he had some navy thing, so he was sending someone to get me. Im phoneless and phone boxs were crap, then this little old ladie pulls up and starts signalling me, i was baffled "who, me?" turns out she's anders' granma.

She took me out to her favourate mexican and just spills all the beans on anders, i loved her.

So i eventually saw anders, its been over a year since we last met and the band broke up, and i swaer it felt like not a day had passed. We went out and partyed, anders totally sorted me out.

I was put up by collete and tom, who dont know anders all that well but did all they could for me, fed me and housed me, great sleep for once, so nice of them.

Weather was perfect, people are awesome, beachs are sweet and everyone really loved my accent. i could just have well stayed!

Last goodbyes

daveymoore82 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:34:00 GMT

I found it hard saying goodbye to Pat, i've grown pretty close to both these guys over these past months. we've been through alot of ups and downs, but he's been the captain of this outfit, without him this holiday would not have been half as good, he's a good friend.

We said goodbye and james pulled out some vallium which knocked us out till LA.

Mexico city airport sucks, if you ever go expect to get annoyed. we saw lightning from the place, very errie.

We landed in LAX around midnight and all was closed. We found a dark spot with sleeping travellers and desided to crash there for the evening. Its suprising how well i slept on the floor in the cold. i guess months of sleeping anywhere and everywhere had made me pretty relaxed.

James walked me to the bus depot and we said bye. I cant believe all we have been through together and then all of a sudden, for the first time in 2 months, i was alone with out them.

Back to Antigua and the volcano

daveymoore82 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:27:00 GMT

We were on our last leg of the trip, With a few days left we decided to go back to antigua to party the final days away. We met some more good people but lost our good friend Nick, we said goodbye and i missed him alot, we were together since Belize amd went through lots together.

The first night was pretty debouched and were nearly kicked out of or hostel. The next day we met up with another old friend from our trip Kat, we parted ways a while back and she left for Hondorus, but a few days ago it kicked off and people got shot and stuff and she was evacuated and met us back in antigua.

That day we all climbed a volcano and it was incredible, i thought i'd die half way up, we watched lava flow out, it was so hot up there, Pats shoes melted.

That night we were pretty tired and went for a meal and turned in early.

Antigua too Monterico

daveymoore82 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Antigua is a quint little town but is full of rich americans. Its very nice but nothing like the Guatamala we had seen so far.

However, going out there was fun, as it normally is where there is a lot of money. I wont bore anyone reading with yet another night out on the lash where beer is so cheap we could drink ourselves into oblivion, im sure you can picture such a scene.

Decided to get a chicken bus to Monterico, it was about 5 changes but saved us a lot of money.

Now Aussies (and im generalising here im sure) seem to love the great outdoors more than most. it makes me laugh how if there is a wall to climb, something to jump off, sharks to swim with (as pat did) or some other stupid idea, they are all for it. I personally would rather find the nearest pub, as i have done most times they atempt scuicide. On this occasion we found the biggest bloody waves i ever seen, which doesnt say much, but they were between 7 and 9 foot high, and guess who were first to run in and give it a go? yes, the two aussies. Watching Pat get slammed and james thrown around is great fun, when someone warns me about how dangerous something is i generally steer clear.

Nice place and very calm, good place to relax, too many couples though.

Panajachel too San Pedro

daveymoore82 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:38:00 GMT

The ride on the chicken bus (cheap bus) is madness. Its only a few quid but they drive like maniacs, there were moments i thought we roll over the cliff, infact the next day we saw one that crashed on the same route as us in the paper.

Panajachel is pretty touristy, we only stayed a day. Stupidly once again i met this english guy, really nice guy. It ended up somehow me and him alone at some point in the evening and pretty drunk when he goes off and chats to some bloke, he comes back over and says would i come with him for 10 minutes to score some coke, so the idiot i am i say yeah sure and we end up in some dark backstreet and this guy leaves us both standing there like lemons, i was getting pretty twitchy about the whole situation when someone struts by, shoulder barges the both of us and takes his top off while stairing us down, I had resigned myself to the fact we were going to be jacked any minute when a car was parked behind a wall lights on, when out of nowhere this dealer shows up all smiles and that was that. Idiot!

Next day we moved on to San Pedro, its the celebration of Saint Pedro here, so more rockets going off.

I decided to swim out really far and nearly passed out mid way, Thanx to Anna (this english girl we met) i was able to rest on her shoulders a minute to sort my head out, freaked me right out!

People went to buy some mushrooms today (think you{re getting the picture of the place) so i decided to stay in.

Coban, Semuc champey and chichicastenango

daveymoore82 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Travelled all day to Coban and stayed the night.

Next day we went to Semuc champey. Its a beautiful jungle with big waterfalls rivers and pools which we swam in. Had a few camera problems so not many photos from here on to chichicastenango.

We also went to a bat cave and at sunset millions of them swarm out of the cave right infront of your face, its really was incredible. We were ment to be picked up outside but ended up waiting a while, got a little concerned due to it being pitch black in the jungle and also knowing that to guards with big shot guns were just a few feet away from us, but all went well.

Say goodbye to some friends except nick who is still with us.

Travelled all day again to chichicastenango. Its the most stunning things driving through the highlands, shame i got no photos, however, and there normally is a however, the van got stuck several times going up, meaning all the men had to get out and push the bloody thing up hill, was amazed Pat kept his temper.

Eventually made it and its was great, its the crazyest ´place on the trip so far, in the morning we thought world war three had started, its really sounded like the town was being mortared and we even though we heard gun fire, seems silly, but a few days previous we played pool with a fella that had a pistol in his belt, as it turned out it some big catholic prosession parading through the streets, got some pics you can see. At one point we were standing at a stall (the stalls are awesome by the way) when some bloke runs over, pushes jim out the way and lights a rocked vertually under his arse. All the stall people ran for the hills and we looked at each other and bolted as the thing went off.

You do get alot of hassle here to buy stuff, but its so poor and i feel so rich in comparison. Jim cant resist buying crap for the kids.

Guatamala - floress

daveymoore82 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:04:00 GMT

Got ripped off at the boarder exchanging money, nothing new, but on the flip side we knew they would try and con us trying to cross at boarder control, so when they asked us for 20 quetzales (about a quid 30 to me and you) we went on and on for a receipt until they gave in and told us to sod off. Tight gits you say?

It really seems to me that the further south we get the poorer people are. It was mainly dirt roads to Floress and animals are roaming the streets, dogs and cows etc... Tin houses and kids trying to flog us stuff, its pretty tough resisting, most times we cave in.

Guatamala has had its fair share of problems. Civil was wasn{t that long ago and its pretty corrupt. Its indiginous peoples are still badly treated and many were killed or vanished in the war. To top things off people from wealthyer nations come here and kidnap children. I was advised not to take any pictures of the kids because the locals get very suspicious, ONe japanese guy got lynched doing just that.

I{d say the nicest people i{ve met to date, interested, helpful and friendly, all these countrys have been shafted at one time or another by the richer countrys but they dont seem to be too bothered, or they{re just polite.

Floress was nice, Pat slept in a hammock and we chilled out, amazed at how cheap it is here.

We went to Tikal and saw some more mayan ruins also, very impressive, i love the mayan stuff.

On the road out of Floress the bus driver nearly killed us trying to over take a police car, oddly no one seemed to care, also the bus got ambushed by kids at every village, street food is recommended!

Gallery: San Pedro

daveymoore82 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Gallery: Coban, semuc champey, chichicastanango and panajachel

daveymoore82 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:39:00 GMT

Tulum too Belize/Kaye Kaulker and San Agnasio

daveymoore82 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:22:00 GMT

Tulum turned out to be a great time, we met some cool people and had alot of laughs. Saw some more mayan ruins and got lots of beachs. I stupidly let myself dehydrate and after one heavy night out drinking i passout a few times, thanx to Jim he got me in bed and full of water.

Enering Belize was a shameful relief to see everything in engish. Belize was part of Britain until the early 80's, the queen is on the money and everything. In the 17th century Britih pirates robbed and looted the spanish ships across the Belize coast line, so that was pretty cool to sail across. I also found out that once a week the British RAF fly to London and if you are a Brit then you can hop on and get a free lift. Incase anyone is thinking of a trip there.

The ride through Belize was an eye opener, its very poor, people living in sheds and shacks and that. After arriving in Belize city (which is dangerous, with guys with machine guns on the road sides to keep the peace) we got a boat over to Kaye Kaulker, its so nice there on the caribean islands, although there were storms the whole time so didnt get up to much. Tried lobser and we all loved it.

We have been crossing paths with people all along the way and 8 of us travelled to San Agnasio on the Guatamalan boarder. We had so much fun together.

If you like Regae and weed you´ll really enjoy this place. Also the rice and beans are awesome.

Gallery: Guatamala

daveymoore82 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:57:00 GMT

Gallery: Tulum to Belize Caye Caulkel

daveymoore82 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:29:00 GMT

Playa del Carmen, the Cenotes and Chichen Itza the 7th wonder of the world

daveymoore82 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:53:00 GMT

As you may have noticed I retrieved my pictures. God knows how, although im pretty clever, but Im happy. Also due to popular demand of the public i´ve tried to included more pictures of myself.

Jim needed rest, and so most of our time here was not too heavy, not that i really wanted to, its very touristy and american.

Pat and i saw the moon rise over the ocean, it came up blood red and looked much bigger. We just sipped beers and took it easy.

I got an ear infection but thats gone now.

Funny because our worries about mexico of getting mugged etc... turned out to be nothing like that, its peaceful, but the police are who you watch out for, we heard stories along the way and Pat saw first hand what happens when he was with someone when they had a camera stollen from them.

Ok, the days trip to Chichen Itza, its one of the 7 wonders of the world, not too sure if its the 7th though, just sounded good.

Millions of years back an asteroid hit what is now the golf of mexico but was then under the ocean. It caused rock to rise up from the sea and created deep holes and caves and caverns and underground rivers, the same asteroid as what extinct the dinosaurs.

Around 150 years BC, the Miyan people went in search of a new home with fresh water and founded Chichen Itza with its large Cenotes (caves or wells...). It streched over 20 kilometers wide and was home to some 50,000 inhabitants. The pyramids in its centre are a natural calander and were built around the equinox so that each spring and autum the sun passes through the buildings and creates a stunning view with colours and light, and every 52 years they would build new ones on top of the old which are still inside.

Human sacrifice was commen and could be seen all over the place, as it turns out the upper classes would sacrifice themselves in order to preach eturnal life, heres the mental bit, when they found the tombs and looked inside they found no trace of bodys in any of them, but they did find possesions, as i turns out their bodys were used to fertilize the land for crop! and each one killed is remembered and respected on the walls of the buildings. Also the buildings were build for acoustics, when you stand and clap in one place you can hear it bounch between each building around you, pretty impressive, not stupid people at all.

After we went to a Cenote near by and swam in its rich blue water. There are tree roots hanging from the top stretching down to find the water, i really recommend it, although i nearly had heart attack jumping from a ledge quite high up, im getting old.

Found a kebeb that night, very happy end to the day.

Gallery: Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza and the Cenote

daveymoore82 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:15:00 GMT

Gallery: Mexico, Cancun and Isla Mujeres

daveymoore82 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:34:00 GMT

Gallery: LA

daveymoore82 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:30:00 GMT

Gallery: Vegas

daveymoore82 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:18:00 GMT

Gallery: Santa Cruz and the trip to Vegas

daveymoore82 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:54:00 GMT

Entering Mexico, Cancun and Isla Mujeres

daveymoore82 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:17:00 GMT

Free booze on the plane, this kinda set the pace for this trip thus far, and we all needed a rest, which we finally got last night.

Did a stop in mexico city which is huge, saw a crazy protest in the airport and then got our connecting flight. Was the most terbulance i´ve ever experianced.

Cancun seems lovely on arriving, its very flash in the tourist part and theres alot of money, its full of yanks. Then we rolled into down town and things got very different indeed. I wouldn´t say slum, but its the poorest place i´ve been to. Stayed in this hostel and decided on going out in town.

We dont speak any Spanish, we had no guide book, we ha no clue where we were, but looked for action, and for the next two days got ripped off something terrible. We did do a night in the flash bit which was ok, but on one perticular rip off taxi ride we asked to take us to where the fun is and we ended up in this dark place with loads of stray dogs chasing and barking at the car, and then we rolled up at what we assumed was a brothel, and all these dodgy blokes sitting around. Made the guy take us back home, and that was that for Cancun

Next day we lugged our stuff in the heat to Isla Mujeres, i think we found heaven! We only intended on staying a day and it turned into 5. This hostel called the pocana is the coolest place i´ve ever seen, it has its beach out the back, they have a bar on the beach which turns into a party every night, live music every night, the people were amazing, i even got a massage there and played beach volley ball, and women out numbered men! haha We didn´t want to leave but our bodys couldn´t take any more booze so we headed to playa del carmen sadly.

One stupid thing did happen to me though, it all started with james and his bloody drinking games, which even he regreted the next day, i found him and pat passed out on the beach that night. There was loads of us sat around playing and then this girl leans over the game so we cant play. Now i was drunk, and i know what you all think of me, but every one was getting pissed off, so i very lightly... slapped her butt, bad i know, sorry mum, but she through sand in my eyes. I dont know if many people have experiance the pain and the temperary blindness, but i was in a bad was for around half an hour. But sure enough the night rolled on, danced our arse´s off, and i carried pat to bed.

LA

daveymoore82 — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Im sorry for no pictures, i lost all my pictures from san fran onward because of crappy computers, i hate computers! I will use Pat and james' photos when they upload them.

This was the place i most wanted to go, as it turns out its ranked bottom of the list of the place i've seen on this trip.

I cant make to much of a judgement because i wasnt there long enough, and its so massive, the whole place is built for cars, so walking places is not advised, both for distance and the fact that its rough as houses.

Pat went and saw a band on the first night and me and james drove around and took a wrong turn somewhere and locked our doors and got out quick.

Found a cool bar and went to an awesome club, felt proper shoreditch actually. oh well

We stayed in another motel and debated where to go next, mexico or head down to san diego, and decided we would make our way down after.

Saw venice beach, 'people are strange when you're a stranger', very strange people indeed. i really liked it, it was kinda camden by the sea, pretty cool, i think this place has some cool things happening, but we just didnt know where to start with such a short time, shame.

Last day there we woke to find our tyres had been slashed, how nice, that made our minds up to dump phill and make our way to mexico, we took phill to a wreckers and sold him for 250 bucks (sorry, too much time with aussies) Pat was dead happy, the ride to a hostel for the evening took all day, and being the skin flints that we are took public transport through all the wrong places, saw compton, haha, i shit my pants.

I met some people, stayed up way too late for a big trip the next day.

Vegas and the Grand canyon fiasco

daveymoore82 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:56:00 GMT

'Sorry mate, we got car problems, you know about cars?'

'You boys aint from round here are ya?'

'No, England and Austrailia'

'Welcome to the desert'

Yes car troubles, This cool guy helped us out eventually after a long hot issue in the middle of nowhere going to to the grand canyon, acctually took all day getting out and back, so annoying, thought pat was gonna have a fit! Also, the part we went to is the part owned by natives and they dont let you wonder off or anything, its all a rip off, so saw it from a distance and left.

Ok, i get why people go to vegas, its great fun. What i dont get is why anyone would travel from god knows where to vegas to put money in to a fruity when they could do it in their local.

Acctually we had a great time, very debouched and i loved it.

Turned out to be all i expected and more. A tip, buy a six pack and stroll around with it, you can take them to the bar and everything, you can do anything you want there, smoke, drink, drugs and buy sex, its totally crazy, bit too much maybe.

Spent the days by the pool with beers, Heaven, although we may go to hell!

Santa cruz to Vegas

daveymoore82 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:48:00 GMT

Arrived in Santa cruz tired and hungry, Pat was still sick, for the life of me i have no idea why we did it, but decided on an Indian for dinner, was really nice and i never saw a fast food Indian before, but it finish Pat off.

Santa cruz is cool, the sun was out, the beach full, and very chilled out, I could really stay here the summer.

That night we went out and camped in big sur.

Then next day headed south to find a doctor for Pat, once again james excelled in map reading and there was some confusion over where we were and how far we'd travelled.

Stopped at a motel near Bakersfield in the most intenst heat and jumped in the pool with beers. Lovely.

Hit the road early next day to catch the football somewhere.

Fixed the stereo, bit worried about the car, will Phill make it!? The worry is that it will over heat, and as the gauges only work now and then we wouldnt know anyway.

Stopped in this military town to watch the game, well funny, the bar ladie phoned her sister to come see who walked in the door, she arrived quick tarted up and took pictures of us.

San Fransisco

daveymoore82 — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 07:37:00 GMT

Entering San Fran i was suprised by the amount of smog, then again the weather wasn't that good so...

Also, not sure if people know about the car pools, maybe im an idiot, but its a lane on the highway where if you have 3 or more people in the car you get to go in this lane where there is no traffic. Genius! Also skipped the toll in.

The hostel was shockingly cheap, and we met this awesome old hippy guy that owns the hostel and he had a parking spot for us where its one of the only places in town that you dont have to pay, so we saved alot, the Aussies loved it.

So all was good, we were on the sleezyest street in town, where we did our first night out, James got harrased by these two old ladies, was brilliant, he looked so worried. We ended up at a house party that night.

Next day just walked around alot, saw china town, biggest in the world, and also the place where the hippy movement began 'stanton', cool place.

Last day was a big party for me and James, but Pat got sick, shame, he was really sick infact and that lasted a few days.

Me and James went on a bender and by the time we got back it was light out, met a load of people and had a great time back at the hostel, involved a sauna with some red wine at 6 am.

Next day hurt some thing terrible, also found out they messed up our bill and we owed money, to which the Aussies protested and got us off the hook, good lads!

Liked san fran, Pat had enough, but James loved it, ate his money though, had to stop him buying a stupid hat he loved.

also bumped into a girl from work, what are the chances?!

Bridgeport and Bodie

daveymoore82 — Sun, 24 May 2009 09:35:00 GMT

This is all wild west stuff.

The little town bridgeport is in the middle of nowhere, but i had a really nice burger.

We followed a scetchy map some bloke drew us of how to find hot springs out there. Ranch's and open preries all around and lots of horses running about, drove out to the back end of beyond and pitched up for the night, we found the hot springs but i didnt bother going in, James did and he stank all night, lucky we had a spare tent for him.

Waking up was cold, really cold, we were up at 6 am and the mountains were beautiful in the sunrise with the snow all over them.

We got out to Bodie, its an old gold and silver mine that was home to around 8000 people at one point but was abandoned when they dried up.

Its now preserved and its so cool. It was known for its lawlessness, a sea of sin, sounds awesome, but there was at least a killing a day.

Leaving here we entered Navada, which means we went the wrong way, i was in the back so its james' navigation not mine. Got a picture anyway.

Caught a glimpse of lake Tahoe, was beautiful.