This whirlwind tour of Europe (8 weeks, 8 countries) is a gift to Stacy (our daugther) for graduating from high school, Class of 2003. Here we are at San Francisco Airport, waiting to board our British Airways Jumbo jet. [View Full Entry]

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After a weekend in the mountains visiting Adrian and then Clay I headed to San Francisco for a few nights visiting Elizabeth and Kristen went back to Arizona. I had gone to San Francisco on the way to a meditation course in North Fork California (http:///www.dhamma.org). I had met many people in India that had dont this course and I decided that I should give it a try. It was 10 days of silence with 11 hours of meditation each day and was very hard work. It was apparently the same technique that Buddha used to gain enlightenment and the focus [View Full Entry]

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Under construction..details to follow [View Full Entry]

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I had the opportunity to see San Francisco when Keith (Dennis’ nephew) and his girlfriend, Janice picked me up from Tita Sibi’s house. Stayed with Keith and Janice in their cool condo which is just beside the Candlestick Park. Went around San Francisco - of course you won’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge (wondering why it’s described as Golden when the Bridge is not Gold ha..ha..ha..), Crookedest Street and Pier 39. Oh, I saw Alcatraz from afar. While in the city, I was able to visit my cousin Grace who just had another baby girl. [View Full Entry]

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I touched down in San Francisco on June 20th 2002 after an 11 hour flight from London. Feeling tired and weary I did what any savvy budget traveller would do and hailed down a cab to take me to my Hostel. It took me a little while to settle into life in the Hostel. What no room service? The Pacific Tradewinds Hostel was a small and welcoming joint and I quickly made friends with some varied and interesting characters. I quickly developed a rapport with Robie from Canada, based mainly on a mutual apprecation of drinking and womanizing. I spent a [View Full Entry]

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I've booked up a car with two new friends to travel south. Matt, Steve and I will be driving to Yosemite today to camp in the wilderness. I spent lots of time yesterday reading about bears. To trek in the national parks you need a bear proof container - and in it goes everything that vaguely resembles food, any toiletries and even deoderant. The containers are made of thick plastic and open with the aid of a quarter. The bears don't even bother trying to open these containers, presumably because they don't have any change. We have the car for a [View Full Entry]

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Alcatraz - trust the Americans to take a top security prison that has been "home" to some of the most violent and notorious criminals of the 20th century - and to turn it into the biggest tourist attraction in the city. I booked a tour with Cherolyn from Canada - and embarked on the journey. (Aside - this travelling thing is cool - just walk into a room of strangers and ask if anyone wants to go to prison today, and someone will.) I've seen the island in so many movies - too see it in real life is awesome, shame [View Full Entry]

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San Francisco is the bollocks. It's frantastico - sorry thats crap... Anyway - I've booked a trip to Alcatraz for tomorrow - had clam chowder and a had a generally very nice day. The highlight of the day was the 52nd floor of the Bank of America - $5 for a beer in the restaurant on the top floor and you get to sit at the top of this very cool building and just look down - and around at the amazing SF vistas. The music they play sucks though. I've also visited the Palace of Fine arts - a reconstructed [View Full Entry]

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I'm here ! I've made it out of the UK and in to the USA - so many firsts for me over the past 24 hrs... First time out of Europe, first time in the states, first time with a passport stamp, first time through the metal detectors without bleeping. The plane journey was uneventful - enjoyed three movies and read a lot. Couldn't sleep too excited. Upon arrival I was worried about customs and imigration - and the ton of junk I've bought over with me - I had my travel guitar with me and everyone kept asking - "Is [View Full Entry]

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Well, here goes for another entry.............. In March 2002 i decided i wanted to visit a few places in America (and one in Canada) the places I chose were San Fransisco, New Orleans, Washington and finally Toronto. I like to visit places where when you see a landmark or an area you can associate it immediately with the place. Well my first stop was San Fransisco (not San Fran or Frisco) but know by the locals merely as THE CITY. The sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Cable Cars running through the street and the nortourious prison Alcatraz instantly make [View Full Entry]

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