Fiji was my first stopover and after landing at 6am at Nadi airport and a quick kip on a couch i took a punt on leaving my pack in the safe hands of the airport luggage room which noted "we are only liable for the amount of your payment relating to any belongings which go missing". So I was covered for $4.10, sounds ominous but then when was i next going to be in Fiji! So caught a cab into town with an Indian Fijian. Not alot there and not a tourist in sight so on the cabby's recommendation I went to the "1st landing".. of what he wasnt too sure but there was a crew from a cruise boat at dock for the day who were negotiating a cheap rate to "Beachcomber island" the main party island. $99 down to $30 and back in-time to make my filght - perfect so I tagged along and realised quickly why so many ppl head there to escape reality... and why there were so many couples on the plane heading over on their honeymoons.
The water was as clear as I've ever seen and snorkling equipment was provided. The crew were great and had some cool stories about their lifestyle, most had been on the boat for a while and were a family. It was also convenient that some of the passengers on board the P&O cruise were on the island and shouting drinks! Native Fijian dancing was also on show just before heading off to the mainland. After managing to survive a summer lifeguarding on the beach without getting burnt I was to arrive in LA with a lot more colour than the locals.
I'd told the cab driver to be back at 1st landing at 5pm on the dot if he wanted to be paid... old habits die hard! He was on time and we headed off for the airport - but not before an unexpected detour. He decided that 5:30pm was a good time to head home for a feed. So i sat down to tea with his family, tv on in the background and indian rotti bread with some exotic sauce which was quite good... i did keep my eye on the cab from the non-existent window of his place to make sure my daypack didn't grow legs. Random but was a bonus to see his place and the surrounding villages.
Met a bloke from UK waiting at Nadi airport who was getting the same run-around from staff relating to US customs requirements and headed with him to a hostel in santa monica. Rain for the first time in a while and ppl everywhere at LAX. Fingerprints and photo were odd but overall I was impressed with how smoothly the airport ran - probably better to have been given the run around the night before in Fiji. I cannot say the same for JFK in NY complete joke even the signing was useless.
Drank 2 for 1 cocktails with a couple of Brits and a kiwi in Santa Monica after visiting the beach. Let's just say that the 6:30am pickup for the NY flight was felt. Nothing like 10c to wake you up I've concluded that jetlag is a croc. Also learnt the hard way in Santa Monica that just because your times up on net use doesn't mean you're signed out of facebook. Should have definitely paid the extra $2 and signed out.
Stayed the first few nights at a hostel in midtown manhatten, walking distance to the main sights. Visited Wall st and checked out the amazing views from Brooklyn Bridge and the Rockerfeller tower. From The "top of the rock" you can see the statue of liberty, central park, the empire state and the entire NY skyline.
Just like in the movies they don't send one police car they send 10. You hear the sirens coming a mile off and just keep out the way! Alot more poverty than I'd expected and was surprised that many of the buildings still rely on the underground steam heating for heating.
Caught up with a couple of mates from pitchers and some guys from Sth Africa that worked the busy season in Melb last yr. I'm currently staying with Sam at the apartment that he has been set up with through the pitchers secondment program... Thanks Pitchers! We went snowboarding at Hunter Mountain which is about 2 hrs from Manhatten on the bus. It hadn't snowed in over a wk and the warning flags to avoid the ice didnt help me. Enjoyed it and after a lesson went ok for first time at the snow/ice. Still waiting to see snow fall but figure it's not too far off!
Central Park is pivotal to the city and is packed on the w/e's and during the wk I guess with people trying to escape the madness and massive scale of the city. Green markets on the sidewalks and DJ's set-up and play tunes with ppl dancing on rollerskates... after the Sat I wasnt lining up to have another 'crack' at getting an arm in plaster! Figured I'd pushed my luck enough already!
Walked the streets of Harlem and have seen more than a couple of guys having arguments both with themselves and others... particularly on the subway. Caught the Staten Island ferry amongst the strongest winds ive ever experienced.. along with the temperature! It ranges from 0-5 degrees everyday!! If its above 5 its "a beautiful day!!" Ridiculous after coming from weeks of 40+s.
Went for a run to and around the central park perimeter. Eerie running in so many clothes and seeing frozen lakes and ice on the rocks from where it had been cascading down. You don't look out for puddles but for ice patches! Was well over an hour round trip, don't know why i was surprised having seen central park from above but should've google mapped it first. Enjoyed it though! Washington and Philadelphia are the next stops. If you have sent me an email thanks for the update appreciate it I'll def get back to you.
Hope alls good with everyone!
Mick
