For the last week I have been in San Francisco. With this being my last destination, I am now planning on my next steps and how I will be able to get back here. The best cities by far have al been the ones next two water. Is this because I dont feel closed off or does it bring a stronger connection to Sydney? San Franciscans can be super stylish and have some great music. The city seems to be constantly immersed in festivals and concerts. As a tourist I did most of the typical things like the Golden Gate, Crooked [View Full Entry]

---

---

For those that have been around Fitzroy, VIC or Newton, NSW some parts of Toronto will be familiar. The area of most interest was Queen street West. This is the side of the city I got to see on the first few days in Canada. Toronto's much celebrated multi-cultural population is fairly evident, but not dramatically different to Sydney or Melbourne. I do like the Canadian accent and the smiles of many of the people who are both friendly and outgoing. With only a short time in Canada and with a keen need to see more of this country, I decided [View Full Entry]

---

---

NYC is a place that may test the boundaries for some people on what is normal. Every day I saw some crazy sights and there was a lot to inspire someone with new ideas and passion. Here are few last photos before I left for Boston. [View Full Entry]

---

---

From New York I took the Amtrak train to Boston and made a direct escape for the nearest beach. I have now walked the beaches on the west (Santa Monica, CA), north (Lake Michigan) and east (Revere Beach, MA) borders. I also went up to Salem and spent sometime with the local witches who tried to cast a spell over me. I have enjoyed meeting new people most are easy to get to know and just curious as to why an Australian would be passing their "little town". One of them I could swear looked just like Bridget Fonda. Nevertheless after [View Full Entry]

---

---

Can you believe that this trip is only just half over? The first half went very slowly and it has taken me some time to adjust to the life of travel, but I am sure you all believe me, when I say that it is not all that hard. With a little bit of time and money I could really achieve anything I wanted here. There is still a full month left, but I already feel like time is running out. Things are moving much faster now and over the next few weeks I will be going to Boston, Toronto and [View Full Entry]

---

---

The destination for this trip was Big Bend National Park, Texas. Located right on the border with Mexico its landscape is a mixture of mountain, extinct volcanoes and desert and low semi arid vegetation. To my surprise the park has recently enjoyed significant rains, so much so, that the landscape appeared to be changing. The national park is a good eight hour drive from Austin, probably too long for anyone to do on their own, but in the end we made it. To share in this trip I had a local friend who was looking forward to going back to the [View Full Entry]

---

---

New York Manhattan is a city that at first take I did not like. But after I gave it another week I found that there were many things to like and so many different sides to the city that I had to reconsider what made a good metropolis. To its credit it really does buzz off its own energy. This is a city for people with energy and ideas. Every day I have seen someone creating a new crazy new idea or product. This place is ruthless to those that try, but many persist and some have made their way. For [View Full Entry]

---

---

On arriving in NYC I decided to rough it and stay at one of the Manhattan hostels. Where ever I go I am trying to find accommodation that is relatively close to the action. With no where to relax in the dorm, I jumped on the train and headed to Time Square. My first few moments in the square were rather disappointing. This part of the city is nothing like I expected and its not a great place to visit, except if you escape off the side streets into a thearte or bar. In all the cities I have travelled I [View Full Entry]

---

---

For a long time before this trip, I had a preconceived image of what each city would be like. Chicago was one of those cities that I thought could not possibly be too interesting. I was so wrong. This is a city with atmosphere and the city has so much going on you could easily spend several weeks here alone. The city serves a wide variety of interests in music, food and theatre. Centred just off the downtown area is a lake. That like St Kilda is feels distant enough to be a completely different place, but is only walking distances [View Full Entry]

---

---

As I passed through to Chicago, I stopped off to meet some friends in Pittsburgh. It was good to meet some familiar faces. I am travelling in the middle of one of the country’s hottest summers and while it is still safe, the sun is very intense. (Sorry for those back home, suffering in the cold HaHa!) Pittsburgh has long moved on from its steel history, but the buildings and character remain. I am sure it will continue to develop and become more of city with a vibrant tourist industry. The old steel rail network has been converted to some awesome [View Full Entry]

---

---