A day-trip to San Francisco from Los Angeles is not to recommend. It's a 6 hr drive on the interstate, one way. Sort of a hit-n-run experience. You step on it to make the most out of your day in SF, but still the time just isn't enough. Our Ford Mercury is big and comfortable, more than enough for the three of us. The coastal highway would have been much more scenic, but we just don't have the time, so I-5 it is. It's really not too bad. The valleys leading out to the inland of California are nice. Dry, not [View Full Entry]

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TJ. Tijuana. Good old Mexico. Mexico is a very interesting country. Massive in size, very intriguing culture and history, various climates with desert as well as tropical forests, big cities and small villages, friendly people. The contrast from neighboring San Diego and California is indeed gigantic. You have clearly entered a country that is not the US. It doesn’t feel very exotic though. More like sleepy, touristy, and not at all interesting from a traveling point of view. This is where Californian college kids go partying because the drinking age more generous than in the US. This is where visitors to [View Full Entry]

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Ok, I admit it, I was caught by the hype of making the turn of the millennium one to remember. No fear of the Y2K bug, no fear of lunatics sending a missile into a crowd in a high profile location. SO, Vegas here we come! Cruising into the Strip for the first time is a mighty experience, even for an experienced traveler like myself. The eyes are all over the place, there is so much to see, everywhere you look. The insanely grand hotels/casinos, all of them a theme park in themselves, leave a lasting impression for the first-timer. Appears [View Full Entry]

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A car ride in the desert is about as exciting as it sounds. Even the four hour ride between Los Angeles and Las Vegas would be a rather dull transport, had circumstances been ordinary. However, the occasion is a bit special. Six friends in a party mood, travelling in a big white rental car to celebrate Y2K in Vegas. The ride is some four hours, meaning that random pit stops are a must. One takes place right after having crossed the border to Nevada. Stretching the legs, taking a leak, getting a drink, or what have you. And, looking up. The [View Full Entry]

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It’s never raises more than a few feet above the water. It’s straight as an arrow. The fact still remains; Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the world. 25 miles of bridge between Metairie and Mandeville in Louisiana. One might think that this would be an interesting ride. The fact is, it’s probably hard to find a less interesting ride. Look to your left, there is water a few feet down. Look to your right, there’s water a few feet down. Look in front of you, there’s probably a car. It seems unlikely that anyone would drive off the bridge [View Full Entry]

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"I got my first real six-string. Bought it at the five-and-dime. Played it til my fingers bled. It was the summer of 69." Those opening lines from the opening act more or less guarantee a good show. Especially since they come from the person who came up with the whole concept of singing about his careless, happy youth, back in 1969. Linda Perry, you know the What's Up girl, served as a crowd-starter. Pretty good choice, but the main performer can carry his own show. There are only two persons during the whole show at the rather small stage at the [View Full Entry]

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The Northshore on Oahu may very well be the most laid-back place in the Western world. Even though it is probably possible to do some shopping or catch a brutal party there, the reasons for going there are usually not the mentioned. The place is apparently one of the hottest places for surfing on the planet. Hence, it attracts the surfing crowd. Non-surfers go there to chill. A perfect spot to spend a day off from school once the city life and killer (oh, well...) nightlife of Honolulu gets on your nerves. A friendly game of boule, a case of beer, [View Full Entry]

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It's like sticking your head into an aquarium, and watch the act. Hanauma Bay has the perfect features for tourists. Rather small bay, shallow, with a reef separating the ocean from the lagoon. Hundreds of snorkeling tourists every day. The underwater creatures almost seem to have rehearsed their moves in order to please the humans. Colorful fishies, random sea critters, the occasional turtle, even a reef shark every now and then. The bay is closed on Tuesdays though. Wonder why...Underwater block party? [View Full Entry]

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A night at the Roxbury. They told us the place was pretty nice. And it was pretty nice. We didn't have any problems getting in, as did the two nerdy guys in the movie a few years later. Maybe the dinner reservation for 40 people helped us get in the door. The upstairs dancefloor is alright. Pretty big, pretty average. I try to make conversation with the cute American girl standing right next to me. It's not going very well. Not until the DJ plays Ace Of Base, and I mention that I'm from the same country as they are, she [View Full Entry]

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I've seen them before. Hundreds of times. But only in movies. Hans und Helga, the two arrogant, brusque, German customs officers. Riding alone, undisturbed in my coupe all the way from Prague to Berlin was too good to be true. "Does any of you speak any English?" Why do I even ask? I've seen the movies...what fun would it be if they did? The concept is simple: show us all your stuff! Now! "Do you have anything that you shouldn't have?", is probably a good translation from their language. "No, I don't", hoping the are not searching for booze. Of course [View Full Entry]

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