home

Well, I lied to my friends and family for months about going to New Zealand for Christmas. I never intended of actually going to NZ. All along my plan was to come home for Christmas and surprise everyone, most importantly my family. Details of my return never made it to Canada, which made the surprise just as I had invisioned it to be.

I had the surprise recorded, which can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H_REhL4DD0

From the time my alarm went off, to the time I rolled into Drew's driveway,(where I hid out for the first night) I had been travelling for about 38 hours. It involved lots of naps, hanging out in Hong Kong, a bump up to business class, and a sigh of relief when the plane landed in Vancouver.

I had a terrific time on my travels, but home is just about the next best thing. I met some awesome people, some of whom I will be friends with for life. I will keep these memories with me forever.

Thank you for reading.

my new hat

On the last night in Byron Bay, I acquired a hat from one of the aussie guy's that was staying at the hostel. My intention, was to try to buy it off him before I left, but he was no where to be found before I left. So, I got a new hat. I've been wearing it out in Sydney, and the girls just can't seem to keep there hands off it. My new friend Cristian, calls it a 'magic' hat.

Cristian is half Italian, and half German, but lives in Germany. Although, if you met him, you would thinks he was 100% Italian. He's pretty much the only person I've hung out with the last three days. We both checked into the room at the same time, and I later found out that it was his very first day in Australia, and his very first day outside Europe. He's 27, but you wouldn't know it. He's here for 3 weeks before flying to America, and South America.

Today, we were out shopping because he forgot to bring a beach towel from home. I was walking in front, and I guess at some point he had stopped. "Steve!" he yelled. I turned around, as did many other people in the mall, and I walked over to where he was. Well. He was squatting down, looking at speedo's. Now, I have never been speedo shopping, nor have I been around when someone else is speedo shopping. I stood next to him for about 20 seconds. Then I got quite uncomfortable. There he is, picking up different speedo's and inspecting them all over, and I have no idea what to do. I finally decided I'd have to let him go, and I went off and looked at other things.

Tonight I have a set at O'Malley's Hotel. It's the Irish pub in which I first played in Oz. The same guy is still there, and when I asked him about playing he said he remembered me. I'm pretty sure I've improved quite a bit since I last played there, and having a 'magic' hat while I'm up there shouldn't hurt either.

Tomorrow, my adventure takes another turn. I'm off to the land of lambs. I will be flying to New Zealand to catch up with all the awesome kiwi's I've met on my adventure over here, for Christmas, New Years and beyond. Some of them are still kicking around Oz, but most of them are back home for the holidays. I really hope they have comfortable couches.

niiiiice.

the nimbin bob marley

I guess we met a celebrity?

Liz, Amy, Lucy and I rented a car in Byron Bay, and drove to Nimbin.Nimbin is classed as the Amsterdam of Australia. Hippieville. When we got out of the car, I looked across the street where there was an outdoor cafe. I have never seen so many dread-locks in one place before. Almost everyone in there had dreads. Old ladies, young men. When we walked passed, there was a guy playing guitar. Liz asked if he could take a picture of him. He said okay. We saw him again later on, and I snapped this picture of him. He then told us that he was the 'Nimbin Bob Marley', and that we could look him up on the Internet if we wanted to. Maybe later.

The city itself is tiny, so we just walked down the main street. Apparently everyone in Nimbin sells drugs. Half the people we walked by tried to sell us this or that. We went to the museum, which wasn't really a museum at all. It was more like a 'Legalize Pot' convention. Most of the stuff in the 'museum' had to do with Marijuana. There were documentaries on the tv's explaining the benefits of pot, pieces of VW vans, neon lights, and more marijuana paraphernalia. When we walked out of the back of the museum, that's where the magic happens. Drug deals going down all over the place. Old ladies selling there 'special' cookies, and old men insisting that they are the best around.

I purchased a hemp bracelet, it seemed like the right place to get one, but I somehow managed to rip it last night, so I don't know how long it's going to hold together. Liz, Amy and I jump back on the bus tonight to take an all night bus trip to Sydney. Byron Bay was fun, but I was sick for about 3 days, and my sinus was blocked so I had a killer headache all the time. It did keep me in at night so I didn't spend to much money here. high people are honest people.

Surfers Paradise

This hostel in Surfers Paradise is one of the best yet. Good people, good atmosphere. At one point there must have been about 15 other Canadians here. We won the international drinking contest a few nights ago. I put my Halloween costume on for the festivities.


The beach here is really nice, I've been playing in the waves almost every day, but it also has rained everyday since I have been here. The rain has even kept us in at night, because no one wants to walk into town when its pouring down.


There's a pub crawl tonight, which I think I may have to sign up for. It will be my last night in Surfers, I'm heading to Byron Bay tomorrow to rejoin the 'Mental Express'. Go team.


(this is usually where there would be a stupid photo. I can't upload any photos. So just imagine me dressed as Levi Jeans, and a few other guys in a swimming pool cheering, one of which whom is wearing a Canadian flag.)

no doot aboot it.

good news, bad news.

I'll start with the bad news.

James and Gavin didn't return with James's car. It needed a new transmission, which obviously couldn't be afforded, so it took a trip to the car wrecker. The next day, Seb's car got stolen from outside the hostel. Fortunately, 2 days later he did get it back, but they had got in an accident with it, the steering is all messed up, and his Nintendo DS is gone as well. He left a few days ago with Frankie, and his friend Kon, to go to Byron Bay.

Gavin, Amy, and Natalie left for Noosa to try to find work, but are having trouble. Clint went up to Coolum to visit a friend and when he gets back he is giving me a ride to Surfers.

Amy #2, Lucy, Camilla, JoJo, James and myself are still here in Brisbane. They are trying to find jobs, I am relaxing.

The good news....

Back in June, I filed a tax return. When I filled it out, I made a mistake, and to make a long story short, the ordeal ended with me having a sore hand, and the locker in my room having a dent. I was told there was nothing I could do, and that my return was going to be $47.19. Afterwards, I decided to file another one with a professional, even though filing 2 would make them both void. I had to take the chance. I'd rather take the chance and end up with nothing rather than having $47.19 and never knowing.

Anyway, I hadn't heard anything for months and figured I was never going to get my money, then I got an email. An email stating that maybe I was getting my money after all. Well, to make another long story short, today, the money has finally arrived in my account. How Much? I'll tell you how much, Twenty-Three Hundred FREAKIN BUCKS! So, it's safe to say I'll be going out with my friend bourbon tonight.

If that doesn't make me smile, nothing will.

Anyway. A few more nights here in BrisVegas. Nic, my kiwi mate from Perth arrives here tomorrow, so we will have at least one big night before I head to Surfers. Other than that, I'll catch ya on the flipside.

i make up my own dance moves.