Wow, what's up from so far away. Sorry for the delay between post but I took a bit of a "holiday" while Jaime was visiting New Z and Australia, which if heaven is a compilation of the finest memories in our life's then I will truly live "Sydney" again*** There is so much that has happened in the past few weeks. Beyond the fact of traveling the world, I've recently been blessed with a partner for life. That's right ladies, I've retired the Jersey because the woman of my dreams and my best friend said "YES"*** I told most of you I was going to ask her on the Sydney Harbor Bridge but it seemed to crowded and rushed. So after the climb of our lives, we walked down to a little spot over the water at the base of the "Oprah house" looking @ the Harbor Bridge and the infectious lights of Sydney, said some "choice" words for her ears only and walked away with a smile that only she could give me! ! Love you Bay-B***
- Alright enough of the "Love Shambles" and on to "CHINA",,Upon my arrival, I had roughly 2 days to explore before my new travel partner met me, "Phil",,,aka "P.J". He will be with me for the remainder of the trip so be prepared to see some crazy pic's and even crazier stories! ! For the first couple days I wandered through the city in Awe! I was blown away by the massive amount of people and how I stood out like never before. I visited Gardens and walked the city wide eyed like a man just given sight. The day after P.J. arrived I would have to say was the highlight of Hong Kong for me. We took the ferry to the island of Lang tau where the Po Lin monastery is located and home of the largest bronze Buddha in the world. We climbed the steps and watched and the many travelers had come to pay respect to such a humble prophet that changed the face of Hinduism with just one life time,,,,,,Incredible****
- I am currently checking in from Shanghai, which is my first real experience of "Culture Shock,,if New Zealand was "Choice", Sydney was "Surreal", Hong Kong was "Crazy" then Shanghai is none other than a "different world"! We arrived, checked into our hotel, which our days of luxury are numbered, and went to the market across the street. I lie to you not, P.J. and I being 2 "White Dudes" were greeted by an officer at every exit and were followed around the store by 3 or 4 people at all times, makes you think a little huh*** The next day we decided to get out and experience the city and were graced to meet a professor of calligraphy by the name of Dr. Luo Fei. We spoke outside in the park for a while and then he invited us back to his shop to view some of his work. He then asked us if we would like him to write our names and his wishes for us in calligraphy, just wait until you see the photos! ! ! We thanked in his native tongue with "Xie Xien" and decided the following day we would take a trip with him and 2 of his students outside of town to an ancient village which thrived from the 14th to the 17th century under the Ming Dynasty. The village's name translated into "the water town". Boats through canals is the main form of transportation and all I can say is.......check the photos!
Anyway, that's where I'm at and I miss and Love you all, the Internet is more expensive that I thought so I'm not sure where I will be checking in from next, until then, I send my thoughts to my friends and my love to my family and Jaim's***
"Zhai Jian" - Goodbye! ! !
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Auckland's Jungle
Whats up everyone, hope this message finds you all doing well! !
- Wanted to let you all in on what was going on down here. Over the past few days, I've had the opportunity to borrow a car and do some exploring. It's a little different driving on the left side of the road but I think I'm getting used to it. The first day I went into Auckland, parked and just walked around town for a few hours. What a great city, so diverse with culture and architecture, a great fusion of Old world and new. I was told the other day that Auckland was voted the 4Th best city to visit in the world,,,,apparently who ever voted hasn't been to the A-town *-) There are some really great parks downtown such as Albert park and Victoria park, it's nice to go get lunch and just sit in the park and people watch. There are so many different cultures that call New Z home such as Australian, Asian, European, and a large population of S. Africans.
The next day, a friend of Joe's is a competitive pole vaulter and invited me to come and try. I really just wanted to wear the spandex so off we went! I cleared 10 ft and Joe's friend said I was a natural as he cupped my butt 8-)Just Kidding guys,,,,wait till you see the pic's,,,,priceless! ! The next day some friends and I drove right outside of town to Mt. Eden from which you have a spectacular view on the the city and all that surrounds. I was unaware of this but from Mt. Eden you can see that Auckland is surrounded by 14 different Volcano's, Wow lets keep Mother Nature happy right! ! After that we drove up through the mountains to the only spot you can see both coast lines, the Pacific to your east and the Tasman to the west, unfortunately we were stuck in a cloud and could barely see the car in front of us. I will try to top it again when Jaime gets here in a few days and hopefully get some pic's.
The next stop on our journey was the Waitakere National park which is one of the Jungle preserves about and hour south of Auckland,,,,WOW,,,would I sound under educated to just say,,,"That was really cool"! ! !
You would think after all that we would be exhausted but oh no, that night was one of Joe's friends B days so out on the town we went. We started at a friends house to watch the "All Blacks" vs. S. African "Spring Bocks",,,the All blacks lost and man do people down here take Rugby serious. After that we went to the first bar and to my surprise, the band that was playing did nothing but Pearl Jam and Sublime covers. A little different with the accent but great! ! Next to this underground club named A-isha,,,,,That's why they call it Tech-NO*** J.K. when in ROME right! ! Anyway, that's whats going on and I miss you all! ! The blog site is a little restrictive with the picture capability so for you guys that don't do the "Crackspace",,,I've done a flickr account through yahoo,,,,, http://www.flickr.com/people/76797840@N00/
Hope all is well and I'll send more soon! !
Mikey B*
- Wanted to let you all in on what was going on down here. Over the past few days, I've had the opportunity to borrow a car and do some exploring. It's a little different driving on the left side of the road but I think I'm getting used to it. The first day I went into Auckland, parked and just walked around town for a few hours. What a great city, so diverse with culture and architecture, a great fusion of Old world and new. I was told the other day that Auckland was voted the 4Th best city to visit in the world,,,,apparently who ever voted hasn't been to the A-town *-) There are some really great parks downtown such as Albert park and Victoria park, it's nice to go get lunch and just sit in the park and people watch. There are so many different cultures that call New Z home such as Australian, Asian, European, and a large population of S. Africans.
The next day, a friend of Joe's is a competitive pole vaulter and invited me to come and try. I really just wanted to wear the spandex so off we went! I cleared 10 ft and Joe's friend said I was a natural as he cupped my butt 8-)Just Kidding guys,,,,wait till you see the pic's,,,,priceless! ! The next day some friends and I drove right outside of town to Mt. Eden from which you have a spectacular view on the the city and all that surrounds. I was unaware of this but from Mt. Eden you can see that Auckland is surrounded by 14 different Volcano's, Wow lets keep Mother Nature happy right! ! After that we drove up through the mountains to the only spot you can see both coast lines, the Pacific to your east and the Tasman to the west, unfortunately we were stuck in a cloud and could barely see the car in front of us. I will try to top it again when Jaime gets here in a few days and hopefully get some pic's.
The next stop on our journey was the Waitakere National park which is one of the Jungle preserves about and hour south of Auckland,,,,WOW,,,would I sound under educated to just say,,,"That was really cool"! ! !
You would think after all that we would be exhausted but oh no, that night was one of Joe's friends B days so out on the town we went. We started at a friends house to watch the "All Blacks" vs. S. African "Spring Bocks",,,the All blacks lost and man do people down here take Rugby serious. After that we went to the first bar and to my surprise, the band that was playing did nothing but Pearl Jam and Sublime covers. A little different with the accent but great! ! Next to this underground club named A-isha,,,,,That's why they call it Tech-NO*** J.K. when in ROME right! ! Anyway, that's whats going on and I miss you all! ! The blog site is a little restrictive with the picture capability so for you guys that don't do the "Crackspace",,,I've done a flickr account through yahoo,,,,, http://www.flickr.com/people/76797840@N00/
Hope all is well and I'll send more soon! !
Mikey B*
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Good Day Mates***
What's up guys,
I thought I would check in from down south! ! Arrived early yesterday morning still a little hurting from the nights in Sinful San Diego and being it's my first time to the southern hemisphere, I found New Zealand a bit more chilly than I expected, 4 degrees C which is just a bit above freezing. I'm staying in little city called Takapuna, which is on the North Shore of Auckland bay with a friend of a friend named "Joe",,and Joe's F'n Crazy but cool as shit!! I arrived a little before lunch yesterday and ask "Joe", what should we do? His reply well, "Let's get on the pizz" which means to pack a crate of 24 oz "Spates" beer bottles, a local brew, and walk to the "Cellar", a liquor store close by and exchange them for new ones. Needless to say, a few of Joe's mates came by, we threw some meat on the grill and "Got on the Pizz". Today however, I going to be a bit more productive. It's a little before lunch time here, I just got back from a short walk the market, had a little lunch and I'm about to go for a walk to Auckland harbor and to another small city close by called Davenport. It's a great day here so I should get some good pic's and load them later tonight. Hope all is well and your in my thoughts.
I thought I would check in from down south! ! Arrived early yesterday morning still a little hurting from the nights in Sinful San Diego and being it's my first time to the southern hemisphere, I found New Zealand a bit more chilly than I expected, 4 degrees C which is just a bit above freezing. I'm staying in little city called Takapuna, which is on the North Shore of Auckland bay with a friend of a friend named "Joe",,and Joe's F'n Crazy but cool as shit!! I arrived a little before lunch yesterday and ask "Joe", what should we do? His reply well, "Let's get on the pizz" which means to pack a crate of 24 oz "Spates" beer bottles, a local brew, and walk to the "Cellar", a liquor store close by and exchange them for new ones. Needless to say, a few of Joe's mates came by, we threw some meat on the grill and "Got on the Pizz". Today however, I going to be a bit more productive. It's a little before lunch time here, I just got back from a short walk the market, had a little lunch and I'm about to go for a walk to Auckland harbor and to another small city close by called Davenport. It's a great day here so I should get some good pic's and load them later tonight. Hope all is well and your in my thoughts.
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