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Published: August 1st 2008
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Hello
Well it now has been a very long time since I last wrote a blog. I am starting to get a bit lazy. Well we have done quite a bit in the last few weeks the first thing is that we finished the Kiwi experience in New Zealand and then we spent 4 days with some people that we knew in Auckland so we got to rest and sleep and they had a cable TV so I spent a good few hours just watching TV. The place where we were staying was on a school site as Den was the site manager so he took me around the school and I also got to meet there IT technician department and they have got some great ideas and their heads screwed on. They have got specially built offices and server rooms which looks great like a proper business and also saves them so much time. If only we had this at philiy. We also went in to the city and had a look around and as always they are very busy. Well that was about it in New Zealand then we went to the air port that is where the
fun started.
We got to the check in desk and she then said that there was a problem she then said wait here and she walked over to the help desk and she was about 15 minutes by this time we where both starting to get a bit worried. Well she explained to us that are tickets were not right and we had to go to the help desk. Once we got there the person said that my ticket was not issued and that my flights where only booked to New Zealand so I was not getting home. So as you could imagine I was very happy. We tried to get hold of STA Travel (that is who we booked are flights with) but there were closed, great. We tried phoning the STA in New Zealand but they could not access the account in England. So the last resort was to phone my travel insurance to see if I was covered but I wasn’t but she was quite helpful. So I said to the guy at the help desk now what do I do he said “you have two choices buy a new ticket or wait until STA open
and get on the plane in two days time” great just what I wanted we could not wait as we have already booked other things. So I asked very sheepish how much he said “I am only doing my job” and said £1042 I could not help but laugh. Well luckily I had backup money just in case I had any problems I didn’t want to use it but I had no choice so still laughing I handed over my card and bought a new ticket £1042 that’s a lot of money but it was a 13 hour flight to Canada. Well by this time I only had about 30 minutes until check in closed so I was very happy that we got there with 3 hours to spare. So Paul Harrison if you are reading this I now need a pay rise.
So we arrived in Canada after a very expensive and long flight and got to the hostel and we had a room to are self’s so it was quite and they had a TV in the room so I was happy. The weather in Vancouver was lovely the sun was shining and I could finally put
some shorts on. The first few days we did not do too much as we were both tired we did a few walks round the beach and went to the markets where we both when a bit pink from the sun as we were not used to it as in New Zealand it was only around 10 degrees and in Canada it was up to 30. We also went to the science world where they had lots of toys to play with so I was happy for a few hours the only problem was there was lots of kids around and I do hate kids. Also one day we went to a rope bridge and river that was just outside Vancouver it was really nice there but there was lots of Japanese tourists there they seem to only travel by the coach load.
We then had to fly to Toronto and luckily I booked this myself so I knew it would be ok. That was a lovely 5 hour flight but I did not mind to much as that was one of the shortest flights. We have been very lucky in Toronto as we are staying with Louise family
friends and they have got a lovely house and we have got our own bathroom and lounge with cable TV yea!! Not that I have a think for cable TV but I is luxury. We have been spoilt here as they have been taking us everywhere and feeding really well. We have been to see the Niagara Falls and when on the Maid of the Mist which took us right in to the centre of it and got very wet but still got some pictures.
On the 29 June we went to Montreal it takes 7 hours by train so I long time and then we only stayed there for two nights but it’s another place that we have done. It was a nice place there was lots to see and do. There is the old Montreal which it by the harbour where we walked around as it was nice and peaceful. They had lots of entertainment shows. Then the next day we were back on the train for another 7 hours back to st. Catharine’s where we are here for another 2 days be for we go to New York which is are last place.
We leave on Sunday and have a 12 hour train ride which I am not looking forward to but this is the last long gurney we have before the last flight but that is only about 5 hours so not too bad. We are staying in a nice hotel in the centre of New York so no more hostels no more noise. We are hoping to do lots of shopping as its cheap I just have to buy another bag as I have no space in my backpack. I am hoping to get lots of pictures as there are lots of famous sites. We just have a lot as we only have 4 whole days.
Well that brings you up to date just not long before I come home.
Mark Asbridge
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