http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/PolishPaul/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from PolishPaul en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:44:05 +0000 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:44:05 +0000 Our Fourth Annual Beerfest at Fort York has come to an end. Thanks everyone for coming out and supporting our drunken habits couldn't of done it without you Also couldn't of done it as early had we missed the train. We started the day under gloomy conditions no break in sight being hearded around like cattle through the various ticket stations until actually being let loose like the bulls i http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Ontario/Toronto/blog-310900.html Time flies when you're having fun. Having only one week to spend on the north island of New Zealand was definitely a disappointment. My limited time did however make my travel plans very simple. Wellington was a pleasand surprise. A very photogenic city that's easy to get around in. All I had to do was get myself to Central Station by train from our suburb Mana and I could easily spend a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/blog-294611.html I'll let the pictures do the talking and your mouse to do the walking. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-294601.html Franz Jozef Glacier Day Hike.Our morning began a little chilly but that aside it was fairly clear and sunny for the rest of the day. One never knows with weather in New Zealand. We start the day getting all of the necessary hiking gear. I throw on a raincoat waterresistant pants nice thick socks accompanied by a proper set of boots. All set. The bus ride takes all of 15 minutes or so. Be http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Franz-Josef/blog-293372.html So I finally found someone to travel South Island with. Sarah an English gal that took the risk of renting a car with the hope of picking up randoms just found the most random guy she doesn't know what she's in for Off we went out of Queenstown to spend a day in Glenorchy. Great trails are all around this small town and so we decide to do one. At the end of the day we crash at the coolest http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-293003.html Queenstown is smaller than I thought but its location is picturesque. Nestled between mountains a lake and more mountains it's what every pictureperfect town should look like. A vibrant downtown catering to the flocks of tourists that call it home is a must. Souvenir shops are making a killing here as are the adventureoffering ones. On day two I pull the trigger and book jet boating and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Queenstown/blog-287471.html Day 1 Christchurch to GeraldineThe sunny morning turns to a wet then snowy day as we climb. Not exactly the weather we had been hoping for. As we leave Christchurch there are endless vinyards sheepdeeralpaca farms now covered in snow. Driving through a country with approximately 4.2 million human inhabitants compared to over 35 million sheep so I'm told you get used to seeing the furry http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-287449.html Am I ever glad I began stocking up on warm clothes before I left Oz. Brrrr Winter has definitely arrived in the Southern Hemisphere. Landing in Christchurch at midnight really suk'd. Not having accomodation sorted meant that I would have to spend the night at the airport not unlike many other backpackers mind you. It surprised me to find out that the vast majority of homes and hostels are http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Christchurch/blog-287437.html Beaches Backackers my home away from home for two months. I must say this is where I felt the most at home during my travels. It took a few days for me to find work at this particular place although it's not too difficult overall in Airlie. Worked out for the best in the log run met a great crew to work and jam with. Jahgo Gareth Villem Mark Richie and Lucy Alex Aaron Rob and Aaron http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Airlie-Beach/blog-287418.html Welcome Abourd the British Defender I walk into the Southern Cross Sailing office in the hope of scoring a volunteer position working on a sailboat. . Sweet I'm on pon the Defender in just under two weeks. Or so I thought. I go back to Beaches to have some lunch and while doing so I get interrupted by a phonecall. It's Southern Cross. You've just been cut from this sailing trip but come http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Whitsundays/blog-283979.html Welcome to the world just under the surface. The ancestors of the human species came out of the water and onto dry land some time ago I just went back albeit cheating with snorkeling gear. Anyone that lays their eyes on this stuff should come to appreciate the delicate ecosystems that the oceans house. Mine has just been expanded. The multi coloured coral provide a safe habitat for the nume http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Whitsundays/blog-270170.html Welcome aboard The Pride of Airlie. This boat trip does not cater to families nor old folks who feel old. Just a warning to all. It's a far cry from a proper sail boat not spending more than a couple of hours harnessing the wind. This is a party boat plain and simple. We're heading to South Molle Island a tropical retreat that's set up to house party animals and put up with our BS because http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Airlie-Beach/blog-269161.html Another beautiful morning in Airlie. Seems they all shape up to be whether rain or shine. No rain being predicted for the next couple of days sweetI must say it is quite nice being back amongst people with whom I have things in common aside from working together. A desire for the water to find a Sheila to relax in the hammock over a good read. The simple things I took for granted before http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Airlie-Beach/blog-267850.html This is probably as close as I will ever get to being farmer Polish Paul. Nevertheless I feel pretty good about my marginal contribution to the grain harvest in Queensland this season. We're still in the harrowing stage which is the preparatory work well before the seeds go in the ground. Driving the John Deere 8400 day in day out while it pulls a harrow a wide marvel of engineering made of http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Clermont/blog-254680.html A river runs through it. That is the best way to describe this cosmopolitan city roughly the same size as Toronto. While most of my time here has consisted of hanging out at the hostel for the sake of saving money the sights and sounds of the city are there for even the most penny pinching traveller to enjoy. The main drawback of this big Australian city is that it doesn't have any natural bea http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Central-Business-District/blog-248804.html Welcome all to Nimbin Happy Birthday KasiaAfter an hourlong ride through the beautiful countryside and hills of northern New South Wales we arrived. Canadians Americans Swiss Frenchies Brits Aussies and Germans. We were all there for the same reason. WEED COOKIESThis is a place where anyone can buy their dope of choice as soon as they get off the bus I found this out realisti http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nimbin/blog-244395.html I reckon this journey has only just begun. This is my conclusion after landing at the Backpackers Inn Hostel in Byron Bay and talkin with peoples from around the world. So much to do and see. Money is getting spent plenty fast so going to have to tighten up a little bit. But what the lack of money takes away the sea returns tenfold. The beach here is spectacular to say the least. Fine yell http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Byron-Bay/blog-241632.html Good Morning SydneyFirst of all I want to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year 2008 Yeah It's time to forget the misadventures of 2007 and look forward to the things we'll do 2008. This will no doubt be the best year ever I believe it therefore it will be. No matter how one measures happiness I would like to believe each one of us lives one's life in the way that best fits. So good http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour/blog-232468.html Hey everyonealthough the trip to Cuba ended a few days ago I wanted to say that everything was great and launch my TravelBlog beginning there. The people of this Central American country are top notch. Although they may not have most of the material possessions that we all take for granted most seem to achieve a level of happiness that many in the West can only dream about. If you are a ciga http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/Varadero/blog-225784.html Newport New South Wales. The beach here is a pale orange reminiscent of pumpkin pie back home. Only thing is you better make sure you get it all off it seems to stain. Hmmm maybe I was just dirty to begin with Being one of many beautiful beaches of North Sydney it's anchored on both points with some imposing cliffs. The waves are miniscule today from the point of view of the locals. F http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-225787.html