Sunday, Wellington New Zealand

Back in Wellingtkn after nearly a month away and what a lovely day it is. As it is Sunday no one is at home. Having jet lag we have 2nd lunch in Rougue and Vagabond craft beer bar, with its funky comic toilet.

Sights of Vancouver Canada

Before departing Vancouver we had a day to wander and although the sun had deserted it was a very pleasant stroll around Downtown. The Canada Place docks had 2 cruise ships which we watched for a while. Also included for your delight in the underground maze of shopping is the wet umbrella bagging device to stop drips!

Stanley Island Vancouver Canada

Walked West today along Robson Street with its shops and cafes from our Hotel, down to Stanley Park, which is a massive green area North of Vancouver City. After wanding its shores, spent the afternoon in the aquarium where they focus on rehabilitation and mainly house animals that can not return to the wild like the 2 femals dolphins which lost fins in fishing nets. A good day.

Downtown Vancouver Canada

Vancouver is larger than anticipated with 2 million people spread out across the available land. The streets from the airport were wide and reminiscent of Auckland in building architecture. We are excited about visiting the City although the view as you cross the bridge to downtown disappoints somewhat in its reminiscence of Chernobyl after the disaster with masses of rolling ugly tower block housing with no finesse at all.

Our hotel is however pleasant enough on Robson Street and we have an outstanding British Columbian red wine, which we did not expect.

In the morning we make our way to The Lookout viewing tower, bizzarely the streets for a work day morning are desearted. The views are good though and orient us.

We next head for Gastown which is an old suburb that has a good tourist street with some statues and coffee shops where we spent some quality time. The tourist guides recommended walking from here to the Chineese gardens as short stroll away. This walk was highly eye opening as unbelievably they seem to have housed all the prostitution, homeless and drunks between 2 tourist locations. Genious. The smell from the streets is a thing that will stay with us for a long time, being of the lowest human conditions which I willl not go on about too much but you would get fresher air with you head up your own bottom. Although the Chineese Gardens were nice, we decided to rapidly leave this forgotten area to avoid further chance of mugging or death.

Yaletown in the opposite direction was interesting in the other regard as it is another area where you can buy cosmetic surgery, have your eye brows removed and painted back on or have various types of organic yoga. At least you only fear getting killed by a Ferrari.

Deciding we were too middle class for the delights of Chinatown and Yaletown we headed to Granville Island, which we found was where the other 10,000 tourists and locals had gone. How they all got their since the public access is like finding your way through a underground maze, however found it they did. It was a good spot anyrate and we wandered for a few hours and got some food, checked out the colourful market.

We had heard that one of the best Canadian micro breweries was here and we found that and did their very informative tour. The beer was very good and met our craft beer expectations of maltiness and  hopiness variations.

Lake District Trip, North West UK

Apparently stayinng in a youth hostel in the Lake District is the way to go according to my mate Phil who booked the boys weekend into the Eskdale YHA. The room is somewhat reminiscent of a prison cell but the place is clean and tidy with many local establishments at hand. I had pulled a mussle in my leg so had to go to the pub and rest. Also went to the second pub and third pubs and rested more. The scenery on the way in over the Wynose Pass and Hard Knott Pass was more incredible than remembered.

UK Visit, Starting South to North

Landed in UK from Los Angeles and immediately got on the road to the Cotswolds via a nightmare trip to a packed Bicester Village shopping (not bother with that again).

Next day went to Herefordshire having lunch in Ross on Wye, then after an evening headed north.

Hollywood & Beverly Hills, America

Two days in Beverly Hills started with a trip to the iconic Hollywood attractions which were a must see. While here we toured the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held every year, but unlike the rest of the world (eg Sydney Opera House) no photos were allowed. This is a bit of a theme in Los Angles, many good things mixed with some stupid rules, ridiculous locals and remarkable insula thinking which all come together for your entertainment at the Beverly Wilshire Restaraunt. The hotel was however interesting for a night, the Hotel toilets being particularly good. Rodeo Drive is also a must see so you know how to not act when you have money but do have no style, where you can shop for non matching clothes, a face tuck, stretched wide eyes and big white teeth all in one morning. Better shopping once you have had a laugh is at the departments stores like Saxon 6th Avenue.

Universal Studios, Los Angeles, America

Started our UK trip with a 4 day stopover in Los Angeles so our first destination was Universal Studios. Jet lag beingi tempered by Autobots, Shrek and Forestrr Gump.