http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/swissmaple/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from swissmaple en-us Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:06:19 +0000 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:06:19 +0000 Although Dave and I had finished our big road trip I wanted to do one more little trip. Back to Canberra Now Canberra is one of those cities that people love to hate Ottawa anyone but I really don't think it's that bad. Last time I made fun of Canberra's many roundabouts as it's impossible not to drive in circles. I also have to point out that some of their merging lanes are practically non http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Australian-Capital-Territory/Canberra/blog-450344.html A lifetime ago it now seems I started this blog with a trip to Denver. And now I'm writing from there yet again Just for fun I decided to reread the old blogs. It's been said that travel changes a person and of course I spot small changes both in my writing style and my attitude towards things. Ah I was naive eh And I suppose I will look back on these most recent travels in a few years http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/blog-429345.html We drove into Queensland via an inland road up a very steep hill that the car didn't like it resorted to blowing white smoke at us through the vents. We left the car to cool as we took pictures of the New South Wales and Queensland signs and then headed on our way. Our goal was Lamington National Park the Green Mountains Section.We had in mind to do a big overnight hike as I have yet to do o http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/blog-420271.html We set off on our road trip to explore a bit of the east coast of Australia. The last time I was in Oz I checked off all the states except Queensland and I hadn't explored a whole lot of New South Wales. I basically missed the regular tourist trail up the east coast. Thus this time we decided I had to see something new.We started our road trip in the Blue Mountains. Having quite enjoyed my walk http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/blog-420270.html After the USA AOk trip I spent about a month in Goshen NY before I decided I had to return to Montreal.I moved into an apartment chockfull of international people doing various internships and returned to work whilst trying to enjoy as much spring as possible.I took great delight in walking down my Plateau stairs every morning watching the tree in the front yard change from a dull dead gr http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Quebec/Tadoussac/blog-412496.html This time coming to the land down under was somehow even longer than the first time. Well I did chose the discount flight I was quite pleased that I wasn't sharing economy class with chickens at the price I got my ticket and had two layovers but either way Australia is bloody far awayWithin a few days of arriving Down Under I discovered a new phobia. Now last time I was here I chased http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Kiama/blog-412394.html Note to readers You may want to read the stories of our USA road trip in chronological order in that case start with or and work back from thereBabump babump babump babump klang powf screeeeeeeeeeeeeech Babump screeeeeeeeeeech An odd smell begins to join the chaos that was pounding our ear drums.Oleg had enough. He did not want to go any further. The funny noises started sh http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-377352.html We entered southern California expecting to stop at a visitor's centre to pick up brochures instead we were greeted by yet another border patrol truck inspection site. We had seen these in New Mexico and Arizona...but like everywhere else we were just waved through leaving us to wonder what that was all about. Taxpayer dollars hard at workWe needed supplies but unfortunately for us we ha http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Mojave-National-Preserve/blog-377187.html We entered Arizona on a sour note as it was snowing yet again. We decided to try and see northern Arizona despite the weather as it would be a shame to be in Arizona without seeing the grandest of canyons and the valley of monuments.But the weather just wouldn't cooperate. We drove on Navajo roads to Canyon de Chelly managing to catch it in the brief sunlight. Canyon de Chelly is breathtakin http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/blog-372721.html After leaving New Orleans we continued west to the big state of Texas.We reached Texas past sunset having driven on bridges over the Louisiana bayous for what seemed like hours. One of the first cities we came to was oddly not on our map. It took us a few moments to realise the cities we were seeing in the distance were not actually glistening gold cities but really cities of huge oil refine http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-Mexico/blog-376776.html New Orleans was one of the cities on Dave's list. Nevermind that it was too early for Mardi Gras.I was a bit apprehensive of New Orleans. I knew lots of people who had been there before the hurricane in 2005 but no one could tell us what it was like since then. Except Chuck and Charles our Florida Keys buddies who spent the weekend drinking on Bourbon Street. All the stories I had heard were m http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Louisiana/New-Orleans/blog-376775.html Finally we reached Florida After getting some maps and freshly squeezed Florida orange juice at the visitor's centre we ventured off into the state known for Disney car races old people alligators and sunshine.Of course when we first arrived everyone was bitterly complaining of the cold as it was hovering between 1015C 5060F. The warmth we were so desperately trying to find was elud http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Florida/blog-376773.html After exploring DC we headed south to Newport News Virginia to visit my cousin Ben. The first time we were in Newport News we were impressed by how fake it seemed. Being so close to Navy activities seemed to mean that everything in the town had to be perfect. Each blade of grass must be xx inches high each tree must have x number of leaves. It was a lovely city but we couldn't help feel it w http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/blog-379738.html We set off for Washington DC bright and early on a frigid morning. Within a few hours we had checked off several license plates seen a few state signs laughed at all the NJ drivers on the side of the road it was very frigid so I'm guessing they ran out of wiper fluid and couldn't see a thing or hadn't cleared the snow off their vehicles and paid 15 in tolls. We of course hadn't bothered http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/District-of-Columbia/Washington/blog-377354.html Between two snow storms we made our escape to the south.Of course we didn't venture too far south to start with...there were friends to visit first Our first visit was New York New York.Now New York is a big city. Growing up my impressions of the City were generally of a big scary place where no one knows your name and with lousy weather as my luck always guaranteed bad weather on city http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/New-York/New-York/blog-376877.html Time has flown since our last trip in September. And while we haven't been traveling we have both making observations about our surroundings like any good travelers would. Most of our observations have centred around the change of the seasons and the onset of winter. may be the most common statement as of late. It may have something to do with the onset of winter. You see it is the Auss http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Quebec/Montreal/blog-360122.html Ten days with no place to call home. What better way to spend it than a road tripWe only had 10 days but we had 10 big days including the Gasp peninsula parts of New Brunswick and Cape Breton and the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Highlights included some amazing camping spots moosesigns and footprints but no moose sightings cute fishing villages lighthouses friendly people crazy drive http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Nova-Scotia/blog-323084.html Ah Montreal.The city that I call home when I travel.We're back in Montreal for the summer and we're loving itWhile Dave and I were running a chase point or checkpoint for the Montreal City Chase we were distracted by a man wearing a clown wig riding on a kid's scooter chased by a blue bus full of drunk guys two of which were hanging out of the overhead emergency exit throwing water balloo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Quebec/Montreal/blog-300106.html Bonjour du QuebecThe past month has just flown by. After we explored a bit of the Vancouver area we flew east from Seattle to the little airport in Newburgh New York. The main reason we went all the way across the country was to go to my cousin's wedding in Newport News Virginia. And what a fun wedding it was A mix of Columbian Swiss and cheesy American wedding traditions with toasts and ch http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Quebec/blog-281145.html This entry is dedicated to our wonderful host and friend Phil who sadly left us in September. May you have a wonderful view for eternity. I've always had a bit of a urge to fully explore the Rockies. What better way than to live there Well unfortunately that was far out of our budget so I'll have to place that back on the dream list. No checkmarks here.We left Vancouver ages ago. Ok it was http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Jasper-National-Park/blog-289350.html