TravelStream™ news feed for member cumbrianhobo on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/cumbrianhobo en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:26:31 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214496000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214496000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214496000/tpod.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:26:31 -0400 To California and beyond....

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Boulder, Colorado, United States

Will fill in later....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1224122400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1224122400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1224122400/tpod.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:22:03 -0400 Mexico to who knows where!!

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Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Will fill in the gaps later....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1223470800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1223470800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/2/1223470800/tpod.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:20:03 -0400 Mexico to who knows where!!

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Mexico City, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, Mexico

Will fill in the gaps later
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214337600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214337600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1214337600/tpod.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:13:13 -0400 To California and beyond....

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Denver, Colorado, United States

Having seen the guys off from the Excalibur in Vegas i had a few hours to kill before catching the Greyhound up to Denver. I'd deliberately booked myself onto an overnighter, thereby saving on a nights accomodation! I headed down the strip to collect all my winnings from the previous weekend (all $30!!) and by the time i got back to the hotel it was time to head off. The journey from Las Vegas to Denver is approximately 15 hours, and I was hoping to sleep for at least 8 of those. How niave! I can't stress enough how much i hate travelling by Greyhound. Yet again i came across rude staff, disorganisation and poorly mantained buses! The driver actually got lost on at least two occasions. Luckily there was an ex greyhound driver on the bus with us that pointed him in the right direction, thereby saving his bacon! We had to re fuel and change drivers in Grand Junction, which is very close to the edge of the Rockies, so everybody was ushered off for 15 minutes to snack and grab a quick drink. This was probably the best thing that could have happened as it meant that when we got back on, at approximately 5am, the sun was just starting to come up and i was wide awake. The journey onwards from Grand Junction is straight through the Rockies, which are frankly spectacular, especially with the sun creeping over the horizon. It was still another 4-5 hours ride to Denver, but it was by far and away the best 4-5 hours i've ever spent on a bus!

We pulled into Denver mid morning and it took me approximately an hour to find the hostel (i use the term 'hostel' loosely on this occasion). The first problem i had with the hostel was that there was no staff around. There was a note on the door explaining there would be somebody returning at 4pm, which isn't good when you've spent most of the previous day in Vegas in 111 degree heat and then 15 hours on a bus!! I needed a shower. Badly!! Luckily a german girl had taken the lead and called the owner, who promised to come down and book us in. At least then we could dump our gear and get cleaned up!

I'm guessing that, as the only hostel i'd stayed in up to this point was the HI in Santa Monica, i'd been spoiled..... This place appeared to be more bomb shelter than hostel! The bunks were filthy, the lockers were old, small and flimsy, and the (only) bathroom had dried blood on the floor and obviously hadn't been cleaned in days. I made my mind up within about 15 minutes that i had no wish to be there. And not because it was so untidy, but because it was so insecure. Doors to the street were left open, which allowed access to lockers, and rear doors into the dorms were left open too, meaning anybody could get in and have a wander around! My immediate thought was to skip town straight away, but i eventually decided to see some of Denver and stay for two nights.

Denver itself is a very nice city. The main shopping area is known as the 16th Street Mall, which is a mile long, semi-pedestrianised high street. Shoppers are helped along their way by a free shuttle service that runs from end to end, allowing you to walk into the city centre, then catch a bus to whichever shop/restaurant you require. (I wish i'd known about this when i arrived with heavy rucksack in tow!) The only full day i had there i took advantage of the open air music festival that was taking place. We're not talking Glastenbury here, but any free music, along with ice cold Corrona can only be a good thing. America definately has the climate for this sort of thing, and they use it well. Most towns i've been to have had some sort of music show / open air festivities on over any given weekend. Denvers was a country show. Not my usual cup of tea, but when in Rome etc.....

I read somehere that Denver is the US's fastest growing major city. That's not a huge suprise, as from what i saw it has alot to offer. What i can't quite get my head around is the fact that it's in the middle of the desert, much like Las Vegas. Where do these places get their water from? Anyway, the last morning i was in town i found a gem. I got up an hour earlier than expected (my watch was set to California time, Doh!), so had time to kill before i headed to the bus station. I usually skip breakfast (especially when it's this hot!), but decided to sit down and grab a bite. At the top end of the 16th St Mall, tucked away down one of the side streets, i found the Delectable Egg restaurant. ( www.delectableegg.com ) This is a must visit if anybody heads out this way. The food was awesome, and the staff friendly and attentive. If the hostel had left a lasting negative impression of Denver, this place definately evened up the score and more besides. I left Denver thinking i'd probably not given it a fair shot, and that it was definately worthy of more time, especially a weekend. But anyhow, it was only a $4, 45 min ride up to Boulder, and i was quickly on my way.....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213746900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213746900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213746900/tpod.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:14:44 -0400 To California and beyond....

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Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Well, after a six hour journey from hell i eventually arrived in Las Vegas. I don't know if anyone else is the same, but i had it in my head that Greyhound buses were big, silver, air-conditioned Boeing 747s of the road, that transported you from city to city in relative luxury. How wrong i was.... I guess i've seen too many 50's b-movies!! The actuality is that the bus fleet is almost as run down as the staff. We set off late, as the scheduled bus hadn't turned up (there were guys in the queue infront of me that had been waiting for 5 hours for the previous bus!), and twice our coach had to pull over and stop to allow the engine to cool down. Getting in to Vegas was a welcome relief, all be it a very hot one!

It's three years since i was last there, and although the ambience is exactly as i remember it, the building work that's currently going on has completely changed the look of the Strip, especially between the Wynn and the Stratosphere. I'm guessing alot of the current projects will take at least a couple of years to get finished (MGM City Center will be HUGE!), so a return visit in 2010 is definately on the cards :o)

The guys arrived Thursday evening for Marks Stag / Batchelor weekend, and it was great to see everyone for the first time in a few weeks. Vegas is built around the idea of taking money from your pocket, and we didn't let anybody down!! I managed to have beers on the bar for the guys before they'd even checked in (i was prompted via text, but i'd have had it in hand anyway, honest :o)). The next few days/nights were spent wandering from Casino bar to Blackjack table to restaurant to Casino bar. I'm not sure you can go too far wrong with that!! Pete flew in early Saturday morning from Chicago, and it was great to see him again too. Married life is definately suiting him.

Finally i managed to get to the Grand Canyon!! Third time in Vegas and this time i managed to wake up without a hangover on the given day. We all took a hire car (minus Pete, who had to fly back home early doors) down to the Skywalk.

http://www.thecanyon.com/webpage.php/swmc/webpages/grand-canyon-skywalk-pictures
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213722000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213722000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1213722000/tpod.html Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:00:29 -0400 To California and beyond....

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Santa Monica / LA, California, United States

Well folks, it's been a while since i last updated, so there's plenty to be getting on with....

Firstly, Santa Monica. For the life of me i can't remember why i decided to begin my trip in Santa Monica, but i'm so glad i did. The Hostel i stayed in was 5 minutes walk from the beach (and WHAT a beach!!) and 5 minutes walk from the 3rd Street Promenade, which is the main shopping/entertainment area within SM. The hostel itself was fantastic. Secure, clean and all the amenities you could ask for. Getting used to sleeping in a dorm with 5 other guys coming in and out of the room at all hours took some getting used to, but all in all i thoroughly enjoyed my stay there. I manged to meet up with a friend, Kate, who i'd not seen in 2 years or so, and she's been fantastic, showing parts of LA most tourists would no doubt overlook (Venice canals, Malibu, Downtown LA, Hollywood Forever Cemetery!!!). We even managed to get out hiking in the San Gabriel mountains one Saturday, which was beautiful. I also hooked up with some guys (and gals) at the hostel too, heading out with them to take in Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, Universal Studios etc. I'll upload some photos when i get the chance.

LA is a sprawling city, the likes of which i've never seen before, and it's SO hot!! Bombing around the backstreets in Kate's open top jeep has definitely been one of the highlights so far, although it did nothing for my hair, leaving me looking like Doc Brown of Back to the Future fame more often than not... hey ho... anything goes in LA so no major worries there :o)

Next stop Vegas....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1212799020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1212799020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cumbrianhobo/1/1212799020/tpod.html Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:45:43 -0400 To California and beyond....

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Santa Monica, California, United States

Well folks, after approximately 22 hrs on the road, i finally pitched up outside the HI Santa Monica. First impressions of the hostel are good, although i was so knackered when i arrived i could hardly keep me eyes open. I've spent most of my first day just trawling round the local vicinity to get my bearings, and then spending an exhuasting afternoon lying on the fantastic Santa Monica beach.... sorry to rub it in :o)
I'll write more over the next couple of days, although it'll probably be more of the same i'm afraid :o)
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