Time to go.
Oh well I'm in the midst of doing the final pack of the suitcase. Time has past me on the original plan of the early bus, oh well. 11am bus it is.
Today will be one of the easier bus rides. Only 8 hrs, split 4 and 4. 4 to Seattle, and then 4 to Portland.
My now former workplace sent me off last night. They've saddled me up with the ration kit for the bus. My nanna blanket, Canucks day pack and a medicinal supply. Sweet!
Oh well, I had a good time in Vancouver. But time to go.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Why I now appreciate Possums
Now to some people possums are a nuisance when you live in the suburbs of Australia. They climb onto the roof, along power lines, scavenge the fruit trees and all other things possums do.
Well not that I hated possums for that, in fact I appreciated them for being native animals unlike the bird killing cats, now I have extra reason to appreciate what we have in Australia. It could be worse.
Take here for example. Here in Vancouver we have, Stinky, our backyard scavenging skunk. Yes skunk, Pepe Le Peu.
Stinky brings a whole new level of danger of arriving home in the dark. If you arrive and startle him, beware the wrath. I'm told by my flatmate that they've got some firing power on their stinker. You don't have to be drunk, and patting the nice kitty.
And if you are unlucky as to be a victim be prepared for a lonely month.
Hence for the next 3 days I'm on yellow alert. It's a wonder that the Canadian government doesn't spend millions on a 'Beware of Stinky' Backyard Terrorist Fridge Magnet.
Well not that I hated possums for that, in fact I appreciated them for being native animals unlike the bird killing cats, now I have extra reason to appreciate what we have in Australia. It could be worse.
Take here for example. Here in Vancouver we have, Stinky, our backyard scavenging skunk. Yes skunk, Pepe Le Peu.
Stinky brings a whole new level of danger of arriving home in the dark. If you arrive and startle him, beware the wrath. I'm told by my flatmate that they've got some firing power on their stinker. You don't have to be drunk, and patting the nice kitty.
And if you are unlucky as to be a victim be prepared for a lonely month.
Hence for the next 3 days I'm on yellow alert. It's a wonder that the Canadian government doesn't spend millions on a 'Beware of Stinky' Backyard Terrorist Fridge Magnet.
Monday, July 16, 2007
My ticket to Everywhere
In my works language today marks Day -5. Because in 5 days I'll be out on my new adventure.
At this time I'd like to that the current US Administration for providing some value to the world. That being devaluing the US Dollar to a point where I'm excited. Go that US Peso! It's really quite funny to watch American television and see the talk of it. No longer do Canadians have to put up with being the poor cousin. Soon they can buy them out.
Anyway that chatter is off topic. The current topic, my ticket. Last night I bit the bullet and purchased my ticket to freedom. Or if you read the bus schedule, as I do, my ticket to hell.
First stop isn't confirmed but it still looks to be Portland, as I've already seen Seattle. But first I need to overcome my first obstacle. Accommodation in Portland. Yeah, I hit a snag. After booking the bus ticket I went on to book the hostel to find no availability. Eek! Budget doesn't allow for 5 star hotels for too long. Alas I might be ok, I emailed hostel and they said there is 'limited' room still.
At this time I'd like to that the current US Administration for providing some value to the world. That being devaluing the US Dollar to a point where I'm excited. Go that US Peso! It's really quite funny to watch American television and see the talk of it. No longer do Canadians have to put up with being the poor cousin. Soon they can buy them out.
Anyway that chatter is off topic. The current topic, my ticket. Last night I bit the bullet and purchased my ticket to freedom. Or if you read the bus schedule, as I do, my ticket to hell.
First stop isn't confirmed but it still looks to be Portland, as I've already seen Seattle. But first I need to overcome my first obstacle. Accommodation in Portland. Yeah, I hit a snag. After booking the bus ticket I went on to book the hostel to find no availability. Eek! Budget doesn't allow for 5 star hotels for too long. Alas I might be ok, I emailed hostel and they said there is 'limited' room still.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Beware of sneeky Australian Tourists asking questions...
Last weekend here in Canada was the Canada Day long weekend.
Normally I would organise a big trip out of town on a long weekend. But I had a road trip planned for Kelowna the next weekend. So instead I stayed in town for the festivities. Went walking along the Spanish Banks beach area during the day, and then sat down to watch the fireworks (be it after dark at 10:30pm) along the Kits waterfront.
Didn't do anything Canadian to celebrate Canada day. Perhaps it was in response to their utter ignorance of showing any of the State of Origin. I might if I remember put in a protest to the Canadian embassy for their disregard the pinnacle sporting event on my return.
In keeping with being a tourist I decided to visit Grouse Mountain on the Monday public holiday. I snuck in the question to my partly oblivious flatmate the night before going to bed, 'Do you want join me in doing the Grouse Grind Tomorrow?' His response. 'Yeah, okay. I haven't been there before.'
Haha, I had my sucker lined up.
The Grouse Grind is a lovely walk up Grouse Mountain. The website describes it as being a relatively short 2.9km trail. Oh, I did forget to mention to my flatmate that the website also says the Grind is 'Mother Nature's Stairmaster'. Hence the 'Grind' title. It rises 2800 feet in elevation over the walk, which is straight up the mountain. If not for the trees, the mountain trail is a 1 push down path.
When I said 'lovely walk up', I meant it would be if we were insane fitness fanatics. For other like me and my flatmate, it's sheer torture. Luckily my flatmate is a Torontian... He had seen mountains before.
Anyway we took 2 hours in the end to climb the Grind. We would have been closer to the record 26 minutes and 26 seconds if not for the fact I was concerned my flatmate wasn't taking the time to see the view, whenever an opening to the canopy came about. Nor the time to sit and enjoy the natural logs on the side of the path watching the others climb struggle. He was very understanding, once in a while he'd look back, and ask me if we'd like to let a few others climbers overtake. Being a courteous person I was quite inclined to just taking a moment every so often to reflact upon what made me suggest this walk.
Anyways heres a photo or two from recent times.
Might I just mention there was much joy expressed when we made it to the 1/2 way sign after 40 minutes. Be it with some colourful language of feeling cheated that it was only the half way sign.
Most of the time you'll notice a certain body language persists in the climbers, one of 'so this is what a death march is like'. But once you get to the top the reward is there. I must say climbing it made the view much more special.
Of course having climbed the mountain we got to take in the shows. Although I had seen the shows on my last visit to Vancouver I was happy just to not be climbing still. The ride down costs only $5. $5 well spent I say. My knees weren't going to survive walking it.
Normally I would organise a big trip out of town on a long weekend. But I had a road trip planned for Kelowna the next weekend. So instead I stayed in town for the festivities. Went walking along the Spanish Banks beach area during the day, and then sat down to watch the fireworks (be it after dark at 10:30pm) along the Kits waterfront.
Didn't do anything Canadian to celebrate Canada day. Perhaps it was in response to their utter ignorance of showing any of the State of Origin. I might if I remember put in a protest to the Canadian embassy for their disregard the pinnacle sporting event on my return.
In keeping with being a tourist I decided to visit Grouse Mountain on the Monday public holiday. I snuck in the question to my partly oblivious flatmate the night before going to bed, 'Do you want join me in doing the Grouse Grind Tomorrow?' His response. 'Yeah, okay. I haven't been there before.'
Haha, I had my sucker lined up.
The Grouse Grind is a lovely walk up Grouse Mountain. The website describes it as being a relatively short 2.9km trail. Oh, I did forget to mention to my flatmate that the website also says the Grind is 'Mother Nature's Stairmaster'. Hence the 'Grind' title. It rises 2800 feet in elevation over the walk, which is straight up the mountain. If not for the trees, the mountain trail is a 1 push down path.
When I said 'lovely walk up', I meant it would be if we were insane fitness fanatics. For other like me and my flatmate, it's sheer torture. Luckily my flatmate is a Torontian... He had seen mountains before.
Anyway we took 2 hours in the end to climb the Grind. We would have been closer to the record 26 minutes and 26 seconds if not for the fact I was concerned my flatmate wasn't taking the time to see the view, whenever an opening to the canopy came about. Nor the time to sit and enjoy the natural logs on the side of the path watching the others climb struggle. He was very understanding, once in a while he'd look back, and ask me if we'd like to let a few others climbers overtake. Being a courteous person I was quite inclined to just taking a moment every so often to reflact upon what made me suggest this walk.
Anyways heres a photo or two from recent times.
Might I just mention there was much joy expressed when we made it to the 1/2 way sign after 40 minutes. Be it with some colourful language of feeling cheated that it was only the half way sign.
Most of the time you'll notice a certain body language persists in the climbers, one of 'so this is what a death march is like'. But once you get to the top the reward is there. I must say climbing it made the view much more special.
Of course having climbed the mountain we got to take in the shows. Although I had seen the shows on my last visit to Vancouver I was happy just to not be climbing still. The ride down costs only $5. $5 well spent I say. My knees weren't going to survive walking it.
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