TravelStream™ news feed for member tom.steibelt on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/tom.steibelt en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:45:26 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1185067920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1185067920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1185067920/tpod.html Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:45:26 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Back on the train the next morning to Boston, thankfully the train didn't take too long today and I also got to start the new Harry Potter book. It kept me entertained the whole way:) Once in Boston it didn't take us long to get to our hostel and get all sorted. At checkout we'd heard that there was a baseball game on and that we might be able to still get tickets for it, so we trotted on over but the receptionist had got her times wrong...the game had started a couple of hours ago, but it meant we could find out about getting tickets for tomorrows game (They seem to play baseball each and every day!)Knowing that tomorrow would probably be totally take up by baseball we headed out to explore some of Boston. We started off by walking up Newbury Street checking out some of the fancy shops and getting confussed by a store called "The cupcake shop"...you'd think it'd sell cupcakes wouldn't you?? At the end of Newbury Street we walked onto Boston Common and watched people go by and quite a few wedding parties having their photos taking in the park. All very nice.Feeling suitable relaxed we walked back through Trinity Church Square checking out the old churches right next to modern skyscrapers. Even managed to send a Russian tourist completely the wrong way back to his hotel, not on purpose... Spotted a supermarket as we hastily left the square and stocked up on some tasty food, eating pasta nonstop really gets you down!On the way back to the hostel we wandered through the Christian Science Church Park. There was a fountain, long pool and some nice arcitecture, unfortunately the actual museum and exhibits were closed. Nevermind. That night back at the hostel we had a tasty pork and jacket potato whilst watching the ridiculous hype around David Beckhams arrival at LA Galaxy. They're half time review was all on David even though he wasn't on the pitch; how he'd untied his shoe, waved to the fans and then chatted to a team mate. Crazy! Retired soon afterwards to catch a few zzzzzs
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184981340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184981340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184981340/tpod.html Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:32:05 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

New York, Ontario, Canada

We spent the whole of today on the train from Toronto, leaving at 9am, to New York arriving at 10pm. Wohoo!! Getting into New York wasn't the greatest as we had to trek 10 blocks to get to our hostel feeling very hungry, but we made it:) And then wolfed down an organic burger before dodging the guys "playing for the wrong team" on the way home:)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184895540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184895540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184895540/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:44:23 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Today we spent four hour on the internet trying to find a place to stay in New York...everywhere was full on only had girls dorms...After that we walked around Toronto for a bit and Julesy splashed out on some slipper booties...they're gonna be fun to carry around!That night we met up with Xander, his girlfriend and Mark from way back in the day. Was great to met up with them all and catch up on all thats been going on. Funny as Xander was the last person to see us before we went away:)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184808960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184808960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184808960/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:38:40 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Just chilled out today as don't think there are too many sights in Toronto, more just places to explore. Either way with the latest Harry Potter film out and a cinema round the corner from us, we ended up there at 12! It was enjoyable though the cinema was way too cold...the seats felt damp!Spent the rest of the day on the internet and chatting around our hostel to some of our roomies. That night it was pasta and sauce hmmm!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184715420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184715420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184715420/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:35:34 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Headed down to the falls this morning to catch the legendary Maid of the Mist boat. We got handed our sexy kagools and before we knew it we were heading off. First off we cruised past the American Falls and experienced a little drizzle from the spray. Then it was off into the heart of the Horseshoe Falls where the little drizzle turned into a torrential downpour. It was amazing!After getting thoroughly drenched we motored back to the dock and wandered around the tourist trap of Niagara Falls. So many haunted houses for some strange reason! Brought some breakky and it came to a scandalous $10 all we'd got was a couple of bananas and some juice! Later on we brought lunch for the same amount! After stuffing our faces we headed down behind the falls and in behind them too. The views from behind them were'nt amazing it was more the pounding sound, but the view from outside was excellent, if not a little wet again!Then it was back to the hostel to pick up our bags before catching the afternoon train to Toronto. Or so we thought...when we got to the station we found out that the Amtrak train was running a couple of hours late and as we'd yet to pay for our tickets the kind lady there told us to hop on a bus across the street which would take us straight to Toronto and for less money! Score!Checked into a really nice hostel in Toronto after a marathon walk and once freshened up headed out to find some food. We ended up in a pizza place (surprise surprise!) and just as we were choising what to have got handed two garden salads. We both looked at each other and thought it was one of those complimentary things so tucked away, then the waiter came back with garlic bread as well...surely this all couldn't be free...still we munched away. It was then that I overheard our waitress telling the guy who'd just delievered the food that it was for the booth next to ours!! Free food alright!! Our waitress thought it was quite funny too and thankfully didn't ask us to pay for it either:) After our tasty pizza and free food we headed back to the hostel feeling jolly happy!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184612760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184612760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184612760/tpod.html Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:12:57 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Most of today was spent on trains or waiting for trains.Had a long wait in Buffalo as our train to NF was delayed. And then waited ages to get off the train as Canadian customs were grilling some Indian travellers.Once we finally got checked in we hopped on a bus down to the falls and had a really helpful driver who pointed us in the direction of a huge buffet at one of the casinos. Needless to say we stuffed ourselves silly. Roast beef, roast pork, pizza, pasta, chinese and then there was the desert table. Julesy told me to get one of everything and we'd share them...so I literally got one of everything! 3 types of chocolate cake, cheesecake doughnuts, cookies, ice cream and some fruit for good measure. We wobbled out of there feeling we'd got our monies worth!Outside we stopped for a bit to admire by the falls by night. Truely awesome! Over 750,000 gallons a second fall over the falls. Thats a lot of bathtubs! Feeling a little jadded from all our travels (and all the food) we hopped on the bus home and slept very well!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184525640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184525640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184525640/tpod.html Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:05:53 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Headed downtown with all our bags to drop them off at the Amtrak station before hopping on a tour bus for the day. First stop was Millenium Park where we had fun checking out a massive stainless steel kidney bean and the wacky reflections it creates. There was also two huge blocks with changing faces on them which spat out water much to the delight of all the children there!Hopping back on the bus we cruised round the south of Chicago before hopping off to get some free popcorn! Its gotta be done! And the popcorn was really tasty. Back on the bus again we rode up Miracle Mile past loads of fancy stores and around the Hancock Centre before getting off again to pick up some free Herseys Chocolate. Hmmm.The architecture was very interesting even if we hadn't a clue what exactly wew were looking at...I couldn't tell a neoclassical column from a post modern if I tried! For the rest of the tour we had a fun little guide who even serenaded the bus with his opera singing...it was powerful stuff! Back at Millenium Park we hoped off again to try and wander across to Navy Pier, a fun place with rides and restaurants. Unfortunately several large buildings and roads blocked us from getting there (at least we'd cruised past earlier on our tour!), so we headed back to Giodarno's for a massive pizza. We went for a Chicago Town stuffed pizza which in places was 4" thick. Filled us both up!Before hopping on our train we moozied on down to the shiney kidney bean again to take some pics of the city at night. Back at the station we hopped on our train without any worries and found the seat really comfy and with loads of leg room! Wish it was like this on planes!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184441280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184441280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184441280/tpod.html Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:40:38 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Woke up after a good nights sleep and headed out to explore and to do some internet stuff. We started off at the public library for some free internet and then after a tasty bagel from across the street walked down to Buckingham fountain which shoots water 150ft into the air on the hour every hour. And if you stand down wind can get you rather wet as we found out:) Still it was nice and refreshing...After sitting there for a bit we walked over to the Sears Tower, once the tallest building in the world. We even managed to get up for free which was handy as a couple had brought tickets online but couldn't face the huge queues. What I don't think they realised was that as they'd already brought tickets you skipped most of the queue! After not too bad a wait we were rocketing at 30mph to the top floor 1353ft (412m) high. The views up there were great even if we didn't really know what we were looking at. Then another couple offered us their audio guide as they'd finished with it. Score! We'd managed to get the whole tour package for free!Spotting the Amtrak station close by we thought we'd quickly dash in there and pick up our tickets. Oh how wrong we were. We went in and it was sunny and came out and it was dark. Amtrak's booking system is beyond a joke. All we wanted to do was go from Niagara Falls to Toronto and back. Eventually it all got sorted and we grabbed a Subway on the way home not to impressed.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184354280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184354280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184354280/tpod.html Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:27:43 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Leaving California today for Chicago. It was a sad moment saying good bye to our car. We'd clocked up 2850 miles together and guzzled a lot of petrol as well! On the flight over to Chicago I watched a film whilst Julesy got chatting to an American lady. Julesy was stunned that this lady had never heard of David Beckham! Had bearly heard of Victoria either! The lady was amazed at our trip though and wanted Julesy to keep her posted of how it was going and what we thought of the US of A.Once off the plane and out of the airport we slowly made our way over to our hostel. I saw slowly because the train stopped everywhere and took ages. I think we landed at 8 and didn't get to our hostel till 10.20 Ridiculous! And we were sooo hungry. We just dumped our bags, had a quick shower and then went off in search of food.We ended up in at a strange hot dog / burger bar where the chefs and girls behind the counter hurl abuse at customers. Talking to people outside it seemed this was one of the highlights of the place. It was funny hearing some of the converstaions going on...and one guy just shouting out that we how much he wanted his Polish hotdog!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184267460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184267460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tom.steibelt/world_tour/1184267460/tpod.html Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:18:25 -0400 Tom and Jules trip around the world 2007!!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

LA, California, United States

As the motel was a little pricey we decided to drive back to hostel where our whole America trip had started. It was also located near Hollywood so meant we could do some exploring there as well. We drove up Beachwood Dr to get a couple of pics of the Hollywood sign, headed into Hollywood to walk past all the stars names and to check out Mann's Chinese Theatre. There was also a recent footprint thing for the cast of Harry Potter! Gonna check that out soon.After Hollywood we drove out to Venice Beach to try and catch a Pacific sunset but had our geography slightly wrong as the sunset behind some hills instead of over the ocean. Oh well! We also spent some time at the library using their free internet and planning the next leg of our trip.
]]>