www.scottmc.com.au - :: mC around the world ::

I recently got back from my Trek America trip which covered the North East coast of Canada and USA. My itinerary is below & Photos are above. I left Vancouver on the 6th of September and flew to New Ark airport with a short stop over in Calgary (Even shorter than expected because my flight was slightly delayed. I barely made it to the gate in time!!!). My trip finished on the 20th of September and I flew home the 21st.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Secaucus the first night and met with the tour group at 7:30AM the next morning in the hotel lobby. The trip was amazing!! I did everything from Sea Kayaking to Zip Lining (Flying Fox) to Bungee Jumping (off the highest Bungee drop in North America); and not to forget eating dinner in a pitch black restaurant in Monreal.

The whole trip (as most Trek America trips are) was camping with the exception of 1 night in Ottawa when we stayed at an old jail (gaol) that had been turned into a hostel. That night we all (the tour group) went out partying 'til very early in the AM and had a blast!!

My time overseas is coming closer and closer to an end with my flight home (7th December 08 [ 71days]) coming nearer and nearer. Whilst I have had the best time living and working and meeting great people abroad; I am super excited to catch up with everyone back home and have a proper Australian christmas (in the sun!!).

Things in Vancouver are getting colder now; and in another month there is the posibility of the roads icing up - just as I get use to driving on the 'wrong' side of the road.

Well thats it from me for now; hope you all enjoy the photos! Take care and I'll catch ya on the later!

Days: 1-2 New York area, Finger Lakes & Niagara Falls

We head off across the Hudson River and travel through New York State to the scenic Finger Lakes region. Reaching the Canadian border witness one of North America's best known natural attractions, Niagara Falls. Get as close as one dares to this awesome natural wonder on the included 'Maid of the Mist' boat ride.

Days: 3 Toronto

Continue onto the sights and sounds of Canada's largest city, Toronto. Take in a baseball game at the Skydome or get a bird's eye view from the top of the world's tallest free-standing structure, the CN Tower.
Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 4-6 Algonquin Provincial Park & Ottawa River

To the pristine Ontario wilderness on an unforgettable included canoe trip in the province's largest and one of Canada's best known parks, Algonquin Provincial Park. In true Canadian Pioneer spirit, portage paths connect the thousands of possible canoe routes to be taken. Travel a short distance away to the wooded surroundings of northern Ontario for an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Ottawa River.

Days: 7-9 Ottawa & Montreal

Witness the changing of the guards on Parliament Hill in the capital city of Ottawa. A true cultural mix is next on the agenda when visiting Montreal - the second largest city in Canada. Feel the charm of this 'European style' city with its narrow lanes and small cafes as well as being a major finance, business and art centre. Alternatively a thrilling jet boat ride on the Lachine Rapids will entertain adventure seekers.

Days: 10-12 Quebec City & Acadia National Park

Visit Quebec City and explore the streets of the old quarter, North America's only surviving walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving Canada, journey through 'moose country' to the only national park in New England, Acadia National Park. Choose to sea kayak along breath-taking rocky coastline exploring hidden coves, cycle along carriage paths or hike the mountain and coastal trails.

Days: 13-14 New England & New York area

Continue south through picturesque New England before finishing this unique experience back in the New York area.

April-28-2008

Ok, OK... so its been a long time since my last rant... but thats what work does to you!!! Its my final week in Dublin and I've just come back from a 4 & 1/2 day get away to Spain which was much needed after working solidly for the past 9 months.

This weekend my UK brothers, Chris and Alex come to Dublin to hang out one last time before I head to Vancouver.

My flight to Vancouver is this coming Wednesday. I leave at 10:30AM and get to Vancouver at 5:45PM - you've got to love different time zones :) Its not too bad anyways, about a 12 hour flight with a 2 hour stop over - definitely better than the 24+ hour hike from Dublin to Sydney!

Hope everyone is well and all good things are happening back home!!! Talk soon!

Almost back on the road again.... hopefully more regular updates!

October-5-2007

Today's my last day with the department of Agriculture... 7 weeks flew by. For lunch the lads took me out to an Irish pub where I had a beef burger and a few Guinness. Beleive it or not, the first Guinness I've had since being over here - and I am surpised, its not bad at all!!! From now on my Blog postings will be at http://www.trekwithmc.com/weblog/ - where you can checkout a picture of me (taken with a camera phone) pouring 3 Guinness from behind the bar!

September-3-2007

Bonjour!

Back at work today, after 2 beatiful days in Paris. We arrived late Friday night (¬midnight) at Beauvais Aiport (an hour and a half or so from Paris) with Ryan Air. Can't beat the cheap flights!

We woke up early Saturday morning and went exploring... walked and walked and took LOADS of pictures (See above). At about 3 O'Clock we met up with Sophie and Cosimo who flew into Paris at about 1-2PM... all the way from Aus via Dubai. We went out for dinner that night, Sophie and Cosimo had steak, I had the grilled Salmon (Saumon Grille) ... and Jacqui had snails & fish ... eww. Actually they weren't bad at all.. I had 2 and whilst I wouldnt order them by preference it was a fun thing to do whilst in France.

Sunday morning we woke up about 10 (after having a few wines at a restaurant across the road.. Rose and Red Wine) and caught the river ferry (Batobus) to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. We had ham baguettes for lunch and cheese baguettes for dinner - before heading to Beauvais Airport to fly back to Dublin.

it was a great weekend getaway :)

August-4-2007

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since my last update. So far everything is going really well with our apartment etc. Jacqui has been working now for 2 weeks and I managed to find a job with Coca-Cola in their IT department. My first day is Tuesday (7/Aug/07) as the 6th is a public holiday (Bank Holiday, EVERYONE gets the day off).

Jacqui's parents arrived a couple of days ago and today they drove us to Glendalough which is further south than Bray. I took heaps of pics, but only on my phone. They're currently on my Facebook, I'll add them to this page very soon!

Today I received a phone call from McAlister and the boys back home. Was great to speak to you guys!!! It was 3am there and Blake was in another world, where your blood alcohol level is above 0.2... I had no idea what he was on about.. haha!! But still great to speak to you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Lau for tomorrow!!!

July-15-2007 We made it to Ireland

Since my last post we've done quiet alot... obviously Tyrell & Corinne's wedding in Hawaii, but also lots of shopping and wondering around Ireland. The flight over from New York to Dublin wasn't too bad - it was an 7 hour flight from JFK to Frankfurt, Germany and then a 2 hour flight to Dublin.

So far in Ireland - we have checked into our hostel ... private room but it certainly isn't a hotel. We've bought simcards for our mobiles (it feels so good to be back on the air again). We've had dinner at an Irish Pub (not fully tranditional - more like the Ivan Hoe or Steyne.

We've had a look at a studio apartment 5minutes away from where we are staying... the price isn't bad and it was a nice place, however, it was 4 metres by 4 metres which included the kitchen and bathroom - each of them only being 1 x 2 metres. The main turnoff was the fact there was no storage space... no where to put our 4 massive bags full of clothing.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!!!

July-2-2007 At the airport... in Oakland - TRANSIT

Hi Again!

So today is a big day of travelling (flying). We woke up at 8:30am (2:30am Hawaii time) NJ time and got picked up from our Cherry Hill Motel at 9:30am. We arrived at the airport in Philadelphia about 10:00am and our flight wasn't 'till 1:40pm(7:40am Hawaii time). We waited it out... walking around and surfing the net. We boarded our flight and watched the new movie 'Knocked Up' with the girl from Grey's Anatomy in it. We landed in Oakland (Near San Francisco) at 4:30pm and are now waiting for our flight from Oakland to Honolulu. We are due to depart Oakland at 8:30pm (5:30pm Hawaii time) and we arrive in Hawaii at 10:50PM Hawaii time... So its been about a 20hour day... not feeling tired yet - however, as soon as we get on the next flight to Honolulu I'm sure we'll zonk out.

Catchya later,

June-28-2007 Once again - on our own ... in the Big Apple

Hi Everyone!

It's been almost 2 weeks since I last updated you all.

Winnipeg was really nice! And it was awesome to catchup with Kyle and meet lots of new people. Whilst in Winnipeg we partied, went to Lake Winnipeg , went to Grand Beach, went to 'The Ex' - kind of like the Royal Easter Show... but not at easter time. We also went swimming in a fresh water spring - also called 'the pitts'... very refreshing after warm and humid weather.

We are now in New York staying on 79th Steet at Park 79. We are hear one more night before heading to Philadelphia for 3 days and then Hawaii for Ty and Corrine's wedding!

Hope everyone is well back home!

June-16-2007 On our own again - in San Francisco

Hi Everyone!

After 10 huge days on our Contiki tour (LA to the Bay), we are now once again on our own.

We are staying in a hotel in San Francisco called the Opal! We deciced against staying in the hotel recommended by Contiki as this one was about $50 cheaper per night and is just as good! Plus it has free internet :)

Yesterday, as the last part of the tour we drove around the city ('San Fran') on the Contiki bus and checked out all the city highlights. San Francisco is a crazy city! Very beautiful! There is so much to do here!

Today we are going for a picnic with the rest of the Contiki group (as the final farewell) in Washington Square.

Last night we went on a Harbour Cruise around 'The Bay' and went right under the Golden Gate bridge! Which we could barely see because of the fog... we were told this was always the case!

Because of the fog in San Fran - we were told that the Sour Doe (White bread with a 'soury' taste) made in San Francisco tastes so much better than any other Sour Doe made in the whole of the USA and nobody knows why, however, they believe it's because of the fog in the air - that possibly adds extra moisture?

That's it from me for now,

June-6-2007 Left Anaheim for San Diego/Tijuana

Hi All,

We're officially on Contiki for the next 10 days so watch for blog/text updates in the Contiki area above!

June-3-2007 Anaheim to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Venice Beach

Hi Everyone!

This morning we woke up at the early hour of 7:30am and boarded a tour bus at 8:45am to head from our hotel in Anaheim to LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and all the way to Venice Beach.

In Hollywood we walked down the famous stretch of road covered with 'Stars' filled with names, handprints & footprints - from George Clooney to Marilyn Monroe and everyone else!

In Beverly Hills we walked down Rodeo Drive and looked in the windows of shops with clothing & shoes starting at $500 a piece and going right up to $10,000 and above for each item.

In Venice Beach we walked along the beach front and watched the buskers and street entertainers.

Catchya all later!

June-1-2007 Seattle to LA

This morning we checked out of our Seattle hotel ('Inn at Queen Anne') and caught an 11:58 United flight to LA. We got to our hotel in LA at about 4:30PM.

We are here in LA for 5 nights before heading on our contiki tour trip - LA to the Bay which finishes up in San Francisco.

May-29-2007 Whistler

Today we caught a Greyhound bus at 8am this morning and went to Whistler, which took 2 and a half hours. We had some lunch and went up to the top of the mountain by chairlift (about 1.6km).

The sun was out and it was really warm, however, there was still alot of snow on the mountains.

May-28-2007 Vancouver - Capilano

Hi All!

Today we went over to North Shore, on the SkyTrain (train) and SeaBus (ferry). We walked over the Capilano Suspension Bridge and up around through the pine trees.

May-27-2007 Vancouver

Hi again!

We've been having a great time in Vancouver! Today we went to Ty and Corinne's for lunch, and then up to a really nice restraunt at Bernaby Mountain for dinner.

While it hasn't been sunny over here, the weather has been good! No rain, and not too cold (at coldest probably 15 degrees).

Today we watched a Lacrosse game that Tyrell was doing physio/bandaging for. Really good! There are 3, 20 minute periods to the game.. we took a couple of pics :)

We still need to book out bus trip down to Seattle, which could be a problem because Greyhound buses are on strike at the moment... hopefully another bus company will take us.

Thats it from me now! We'll post some pics up soon.

May-25-2007 Vancouver

Hi everyone, from Vancouver! We arrived in Vancouver this morning about 9AM. Our flight out of Honolulu was delayed by about 2 hours, which wasn't too bad as we kept ourselves busy watching TV shows we'd downloaded in the hotel the night before and had some food and cocktails at one of the airport 'Bar & Grills'.

At the moment, we're waiting to checkin at the Howard Johnson - it's 11:44am here now and checkin isn't 'til 3pm. Everything (all hotels etc) are busy this time of year because of the Alaskan cruise season so unfortunately - no early checkin.

mC & Jacqui.

Week 1, Day 5 (May-23-2007)

Hi All,

Yesterday we went on another FREE tour to Hana which was an all day tour. We left the Banana Bungalow hostel at 8:30am and got back at 9:30pm... just in time to miss being able to cook dinner (the Kitchen closes at 9:30PM).

Today we arived in Waikiki, back at the ParkShore Waikiki Hotel for 1 night. Tomorrow we leave for Vancouver, where we will be staying for 5 nights. Then we board a Greyhound bus and head to Seattle for 2 nights.

Week 1, Day 3 (May-21-2007)

Hi Everyone!,
We're in Hawaii at the moment, staying at the Banana Bungalow Hostel. Its not the Ritz but for the price it's definitely worth it. They have FREE tours included.

Contiki - LA to the bay

2 nights - Days Inn, San Diego - LA
1 night - Courtyard by Marriott, Scottsdale - AR
2 nights - Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, Grand Canyon - AR
2 nights - America's Best Value Inn, Vegas
2 nights - Pines Resort, Bass Lake

Contiki - Day 9 (14-June-07)

We are currently in Bass lake now staying in a chalet type place. It is really beautiful here. We went swimming in the lake and it was very refreshing. The temperature here is about 25-27 degrees, so it is a good break from the 30-35degree temperatures of vegas.

The chalet we are staying in has a full on kitchen etc, so Jacqui is cooking up a storm (Rotini Bolonaise).

*This may not be an actual picture of the Rotini Bolonaise.

Tomorrow we leave Bass Lake and head to San Francisco where the Contiki tour ends. We are then on our own again for the next 3 nights in San Francisco until we fly out to Winipeg and meetup with Kyle on the 18th of June.

HI TO EVERYONE BACK HOME!!

mC & Jacqui

Contiki - Day 7 (12-June-07)

Hi everyone!

Our photos are being put up today (for the last 4-5days worth of pictures) so check them out if you have the time - there are LOTS!

Contiki - Day 6 (11-June-07)

After a long day on and off the bus we have finally arrived to Las Vegas! The accomodation we are staying in is nothing special at all... it's a motel. It does however have air conditioning and a bed which is fine!

Last night we went to a cabin party in one of the other 'Contiki-ers' cabins. We were warned against having room parties but were allowed room 'gatherings'... we ended up going to bed at about 2am after quiet a few Greygoose and Soda's.

Tonight we're going out for a group dinner which was included.

We have lots and lots of pictures of the past few days at the Grand Canyon (about 160) and we'll put them up shortly along with the Phoenix and San Diego zoo pictures.

Contiki - Day 3 (8-June-07)

Phoenix was really nice! We went swimming as soon as we got to the hotel as it was so... HOT!

Contiki - Day 2 (7-June-07)

G'day!

Today we left our hotel in San Diego and went the world famous San Diego zoo. We spent just over 5 hours there and saw lots. Whilst there we went of the cable car's (Sky) and a bus tour of the zoo, as well as a long walk all around the zoo. Some very different animals there, including one that is part of the Giraffe family that is the size of a horse and has Zebra colouring on it's legs.

For dinner we went to a Mexican restraunt across the road from our Hotel. The food wasn't great, but the servings were large and filled us up!

Catchya,

Contiki - Day 1 (6-June-07)

Hi Everyone,

This morning we woke up at about 6:30 to meetup with the Contiki group at the Best Western - Stovall's Inn.

Today we started in Anaheim and drove to San Diego where we went on a Habour (or should I say 'Harbor') cruise of the bay. We saw a bunch of military/navy bases and some animal life - Sealines, Birds etc. Jacqui took a bunch of pictures which we'll upload soon.

We then travelled further south across the Mexican border to Tijuana where we had lunch at a place called Iguanas - Ranas. We had some mexican food and beer - Corona in Mexico is like Fosters in Australia, nobody drinks it! So I was drinking 'dos equis'.

'Dos Equis'

After a few hours in Tijuana we headed to our hotel in San Diego. 'Days Inn Suites'.

Tonight we go out for dinner to 'Dick's' which is a restraunt much like one I went to in Vancouver,Canada called the 'Elbow Room' which is known for the waiters and waitress' being very blunt with you... as in "What do ya want?" & "If you want water - Grab it yaself!" or "The taps over there".

That's it from me for now! Catchya all later,