Brisbane in a Nutshell Part 3

After having a loopy week at work, full of disgruntled customers and running out of items for sandwiches, Saturday was more than welcomed. However, this wouldn't be just a normal Saturday event, this was Soundwave Saturday, or if you don't know what that means...just a huge music festival.

Now, live musical events havn't been a repertoire in my life, but I do enjoy music and love watching it live, so when I found out about this festival with 6 bands I play consistently on my Ipod, I had to pay the 130 dollars and go. It was definitely money well spent.

The doors opened at 11:30, I was there as the first people were scurrying in. It was similar to a sporting event as the hundreds of people filled the grounds. I walked around sipping in every musical drop like a fine wine.



With 30 bands playing on six different stages, you have to plan you time well to ensure you get to see your favorite bands. I highlighted the list of bands, and planned it all down to military standards...or...something close to.

The first band on the days list was called Goldfinger. I remember them from back in my junior high days as being a band with a little spunk. Well having not performed live for five years...these guys kicked the day off with a bang. The lead singer surfed the crowd, got us to all run at each other like Braveheart and then sprayed us with water.

I was pumped.



Next I met up with some friends who were attending the event and we watched Silverstein, dillinger escape plan and some others. Just so you know, most of the bands playing at this festival were rock, punk, rock and punk, metal, rock and metal, metal and punk...aaaaand...I think that's it. Pretty good categories if you ask me :D

Soon there was a slight rest between bands, so me and my buddies headed off to the nearest beer gardens to indulge in some cool refreshments. Unfortunately...eight dollars for a small beer was something I wasn't prepared for...looks like I'll have...um...one.

Gradually during the day, more and more people kept filling into the grounds. When it got time fo more of the famous bands, it was full on craziness. This was the perfect time to get into the middle of the crowd and juuuust see what happens.



Me and my two friends think it'd be good and safe right in the middle...turns out...it was complete chaos. Especially when the bloodhound gang started playing some of their hit songs. I literally turned into a human pinball, bouncing around all the bodies that surrounded me...crashing, sweating, getting my shirt ripped and my eye gouged. I think I also got kicked in the head at one point.

After seeing all the people crowd surfing, one of my friends thought it'd be a good idea to do the same. It started out awesome for him, lifted up over the sea of people, but then....he's falling...Nooooo...but luckily he didn't slam face first into the ground below as a few were able to catch him and push him to the front.



After a memorable performance by the bloodhound gang, who haven't toured since 2005/06, it was on to an up and coming Canadian band called Billy Talent. Again, I decided to get right into the middle of the party...again becoming a workout on my body as people and limbs were flying all over the place out of control. I loved every minute, however, soon started feeling extremely tired. So I squished my way through the barrage of people and collapsed on the grass. My whole body feeling like it was part of a day of athletic activities. My shirt and hair drenched from sweat.



As I lay there, listening to Billy Talent smashing out tunes in the background, my heart beat starting to slow and finally collecting my breath...I realized what a euphoric feeling I just had.



Soon, darkness began to blanket its self over the grounds...the light shows commenced with fast, sharp bursts and the music continued to pour on into the night. This time I moved up into the grandstands and had a panoramic view of what lay beneath. Rows and rows of people, enormous stages, and sky scrapers laying against the horizon in the back.

With four bands left to play, I picked up my zombie like body and continued to dance away the night. Falling in love with two other bands that I haven't heard before. Nine Inch Nails and Alkaline Trio.



It was a day to be remembered. Stunning music, girls and everything in between. I guess things do always work out for the better, as it was just random luck that I found out about this festival and decided to take a chance.

Once I got home, I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep. I guess music can have a physical and emotional effect on you.

Brisbane in a Nutshell Part 2

Well my last week in Brisbane was something of the "interesting" proportions. Not too much of excitement value, but a few good stories none the less. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken this week...so bare with me.

It was the week to do laundry...I had the day off and made sure I fit the most I could into that day. Unfortunately...after I had completed washing my clothes and hanging them on the line...it started to rain. Yipeeee.

Therefore I left all my clothes on the line, because...well...I didn't want to pay the extra to put them in the dryer. So I left the for a full day and then some. Finally, the next day I realized the clothes would probably dry better inside my room. So, I went to collect them all. To my grand surprise...or unsurprise...one of my shirts was missing.

I begin looking around the area...scowering the small corners...still nothing. Then it dawns on me. Oh...I guess someone stole my shirt.

Funny enough...this is a shirt that screams ME...it's the brightest colour I could find and therefore...slightly ugly...buuuut....it's of a very cool place in Asia...Vang Vieng Laos. So some "cool" person decided to steal this neon bright shirt just because of the name...great...thanks...well...atleast that's less laundry and more space for other items.

The other few days during the week were normal is as normal does...nothing exciting...go to work...make sandwiches...talk to the customers...chat with the cute girls and then come back to the hostel.

Now, as you know...hostels can have their upsides and their downsides. Upsides for me...within walking distance to everything important in Brisbane, free wireless internet and you can always meet new people who come to the hostel. Downsides...share room with seven other people, stuff gets stolen, and the possibility that someone decides to have sex in the room.

I'd heard stories of people, having experience the drunk couple who stumble in at night and decide it would be a good idea to make the animal with two backs while there is a room full of seven or eight other people...pretty classy...I on the other hand had never witnessed that, so I always thought they were funny stories.

Then one night...after a long day...I decided to take it easy and go to bed earlier. I'm normally a heavy sleeper and especially after living in a hostel for quite some time...I'm used to alot more disruptive entrances...but this one will still remain a first.

I'm asleep and I can still remember the dream I was having...it's back in the colonial days and I'm a member on this old wooden ship as were going to explore the new lands...all of a sudden an enormous storm arises and the ship is shaking like crazy...swaying back and forth...people are getting thrown overboard...I try and make a move to get out of the way...and the ship violently shakes and I'm thrown over board...I'm falling into the water...then I wake up.

Huh? what's this?...my beds shaking too?

Then I hear the muffled voices...and it finally dawns on me...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I chuckle to myself...thinking how weird that dream was because of what's actually happening.

Oh...I forgot to mention...I'm on the top bunk and the monster with two backs is beneath me. Because I'm on the top...it shakes, wobbles and moves much more then say closer to the ground.

I'm not going to be some loser nerd who's going to yell at the couple...like I've heard people do in the past...so I make the best of the situation and imaging myself on an enormous rocking chair...and funnily enough...I become very relaxed...with the slight rocking and the harmonic breathing and sounds coming below me.

It's almost like an orchestra conducting a sleep rhythm...because I fell asleep very quickly after that. It was better than counting sheep...even though I wouldn't recommend this sleep treatment to anyone.

Ahhh yes...those are the beautiful stories that I'll be able to recount to my Gran kids about my glorious little travels across the world. Never a dull moment.

Still this next week will be much more eventful.

I bought tickets to a 30 band music festival...I'm very excited and hope the hype is as good as the festival...definitely something I've never done back home.

Brisbane in a Nutshell...part 1

After getting a job and deciding that I was going to remain at the hostel(well...just for now) What possible adventures...or troubles could I get into, and be interesting enough to write about?

Well...glad you asked...because, plenty would be the response.

However, let me first explain to you my day to day experience at the little ol sandwich place.

Tucked away in Brisbanes biggest mall is the Myer Center Carvery. Not only do we specialize on sandwiches, we also serve salads, fish and chips, capachino's...well you name it and we basically have it covered.

It's a great group of people that I work with and I've been learning quickly...getting work done and staying away from the gossip. Unfortunately...I work soooo much, I'm now getting tired of it(and I've only done it for two weeks...sheesh...guess this is what traveling does to ya)Anyways...now onto my day off.

Wednesday night.



After working for the past four days, I finally got well deserved day off, therefore my friends and I thought it would be a great idea to take in the Brisbane Wednesday night life.

The night was going great...we're all having a good time of laughing joking and fooling around. Of course girl were also a part of these times, but I never expected this next experience to happen.

After chatting with these two girls for a little, bugging them on where they worked, basically the same old stuff, I witness this guy out of the corner of my eye. His face is getting redder and redder with every joke until finally...POW RIGHT IN THE KISSER.

The guy just lunged at me and popped me right in the face...luckily it shocked me more then hurt me, but the guy was in a full on roid rage tantum. I ducted out of there before it got anymore crazy...only to get rounded up by a group of bouncers and escorted out.



I thought they were just going to talk to me about the incident, but what they did was, tell me to leave the premesis and leave "Christian" alone.

I was shocked...I tried to explain that I didn't do anything wrong, and if I "WAS" talking to "HIS" girls, he just needed to let me know and not just punch me in the face.

Nope they replied, we heard you attacked him, and since he is a valued customer...you are at fault...leave now.



I shook my head and just replied back with a smart ass comment, but luckily my friends were now outside, having a go with the bouncers, but we all decided to go elsewhere.

Guess we all need to experience new things once in our life that we never expected...glad nothing serious happened...its actually funny to laugh about now.

The next happeing of the week...THE CUT OF DESTINY...my hair.

If you had started seeing the pictures...my hair was begining to spiral...or grow ...out of control. Not only did my hair have a mind of its own...it started creating its own city and transport lines. Also it was starting to get in my eyes...soooo...definitely time to get a cut.



When I walked up to the hair cut place, the lady at the desk starred at me with a look of mix of horror, condescension and disbelief.

To give you a picture, it was like I was dressed as Death and there to take her away.



Once I recieved the A.O.K and sat down in the chair...I started getting nervous...geez I thought...what if she turns it into some sort of train wreck...but then I gazed at myself in the slender vertical standing mirror and the face spoke back to me...ya...it can't get any worse than this.

I wanted a brand new look. A hairstyle that really hasn't even been created yet. Unfortunately...the stylist...she didn't speak much English...so I opted for the easy route of getting a normal cut.



The results...not too bad...I definitely look more...human. And boy I didn't realize just how much hair I had.

Job hunting...Australia Daying and Birthday Partying

The city of Brisbane. Looks small, but is surprisingly enormous. It's nice and green...still really hot, well...moderate by Australian standards...sheeesh.

Therefore, I took a long look at my bank roll, the surrounding area...and thought....hey...I could live here for a bit.

So, that's just what I attempted to do.

But first...I needed a job...so, I got out my resumes...and hit the pavement...hard...(literally and figuratively). Four days straight...leaving around 9am and getting back by 5pm.

Geez, I never thought job hunting would be so difficult and tiresome. I assumed these employers would take a look at my resume and go...oh...yes of course...we've been expecting you...here's your job...and high pay...ahhh...now that's more like it...ahem...wake up.

But luckily...there was someone willing to take a chance on me.

I was down to my last batch of resumes, and it wasn't looking good. I'm making my last rounds in Brisbane's biggest mall, and tried this last place. By some fluke chance, the owner was there at this exact time. So he was able to look at my resume, ask me some questions...and tell me to come in the very next day. Wow, I thought...I have an interview...yes.



After the good news I gallantly skip home and have a little celebration. Onto the next day...I show up fifteen minutes early, the owner greets me and says...alright...they're making sandwiches. Watch them...then get to it. So I'm slightly stunned, but get right into the mix of things. Making sandwiches, screwing up orders...making people laugh...and having a great time while doing it.

The group I'm working with is very helpful and eventually, my two hour trial run has turned into four and I've already got most of the procedures figured out. The owner takes me aside and lets me know I did a great job and I'm hired. YIPEEEEEEEEEE I yell as I jump in the air...well...not really...but in my mind.



Since I started close to the end of the week, I don't start until next Tuesday...lucky me...I get the whole weekend off and started Tuesday...that was perfect...because it was my Birthday and the infamous AUSTRALIA DAY coming up. Therefore...a great way to celebrate the new job.

Now...onto the shenanigans of Sunday and the monstrous Monday.

Because most "normal" people work on Tuesday...Sunday is the bigger night then Australia Day(monday), but by no means any better. So let's begin.

My Brisbane friends and I rock up to the party at 4pm in the afternoon...and I'm greeted with the biggest, rocking, dancing, drinking crowd I've ever seen...on a Sunday, or celebrating a public holiday for that matter.



It was as if Willy Wonka had just opened the doors to the chocolate factory. People everywhere...covering every square inch of land possible. I just sat there, jaw gaping as I looked around the mass of people...inside...and out. Whoop whoop...time to celebrate...people.

I even meet up with a friend back from Calgary, who's currently living in Brisbane. It was just a great time of catching up, meeting blonde Australian girls, laughing, dancing, yelling and basically letting loose and being a fool.

This entire party went on for 11 hours, until it started pouring rain...then it slowly filtered out, but I loved every minute. I met so many different people in a span of minutes it was crazy. Plus the cheap drinks, or even free drinks from other's added to the enjoyment.

Even though this was the day before my Birthday and Australia Day, it still felt a part of the same day. Australia Day is all about drinking, BBQ's, making friends, acting crazy and basically everyone is jolly and positive. Very similar to Canada Day back home, but alot more over the top.



After the previous day's experiences, my Birthday followed up at a much slower pace, but it sure got going.

After waking up on Monday, January 26, I stepped outside...drew in a big breath...exhaled...looked around...thought...boy...21...(then I heard someone puking) looked over...and there's a guy huntched over...letting it all out. He soon finishes up...then runs after his friends yelling at them to wait up...ahhh...Australia.

Boy this year has been chalk full of firsts, and I couldn't have thought of a better place or way to celebrate my Birthday. So...lets get to it.



I began the day, getting together with the guys at a local pub. I got a few more free birthday drinks, then commenced numerous entertaining events. We played sandle wars, had dance offs and told stories of immense humour.

After we got bored of the bar, we headed off for something to eat. Since it was my Birthday I thought it would be a great idea to have a nice grandificant birthday dinner...so...we went to KFC.

One of the best Birthday dinners ever...hahaha...we ordered a big bucket of chicken...polished that bad boy off, then one of the gang decided to take the bucket and wear it around as a helmet. Pretty funny walking down the street. People sure stopped to take a look.

After KFC...we all decided to split up, so I returned to the hostel...got more free drinks from the people I knew there...then got invited to a house party.



At the house party we watched the fire works...got a free BBQ...more free drinks...games, and many other fascinating plots.




Soon enough...it was getting really late...I had to work the next day...didn't want to be too much of a zombie for my first day...so called it a night.

Australia Day/Birthday...complete and utter debauchery.



It was a pretty intense Birthday...the people, time, date and atmosphere. Who knew that the 26th was not just an important day for me, but an important date for a country.

This year or even trip, sure hasn't disappointed. From getting my first job to bungy jumping there has been much instore...and even more to come.


*Side Note: Since I've commenced work, my trips to other places will be slightly slowed. However, I will still keep up the blog, writing a new post *EVERY SUNDAY* So check back every Sunday for a view into what my life's been like that week.

ENJOY*

Sweat Sweat and more Sweat

My first stop in Australia was Darwin. Located in the upper northern region of Australia this sweltering inferno of sweatiness was something else.

Being that it's Darwin's wet season, the city its self...absolutely dead. I had a few good wanders through the city, but after being completely drenched in sweat and gobbling up Gatorade's like they were going out of style, there's not much else.

Also the skies began to open up, therefore I decided to move along, where it will be nice and dry, no moisture to speak of...in the city of Cairns.



What I didn't realize to check...was the weather. I ended up going into the eye of the hurricane. Torrential down pours, flooding in the majority of the city, 188mm of water and a cyclone 50 km off the coast of Cairns. Hmmm...well...at least this is the first time I've ever witnessed flooding and a tropical storm.



It was pretty fun, walking the streets of Cairns with this enormous spray of rain. Almost like someone had turned the shower on full blast and plugged up every drainage. Then it would stop for a small bit, just so you could relax...them WHAMMY...right back at it...WHOOOOOSH. So ya...I got soaked.

Therefore, time to head to the hostel...chill out and wait for the weather to pass.



Still, the day wouldn't be completely "washed away"(hehehe) as the hostel organized a large get together. It was a great time to meet everyone staying at the hostel and to see a little of the city. We got free t-shirts, dinner and a couple drinks for 10 dollars...so you really can't complain...that is...until I got home and realized...oh great...my wallets gone.




Luckily, nothing..."extremely" important was in it. Just 50 dollars, my drivers license, student card and hostling international card...you know...the basics. Still...loosing or getting something stolen sucks, but hey...its another experience I've never had, and it makes you learn. Basically, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

The next day I was pretty bummed about the whole lost wallet as I tried tracking it down, therefore I needed something to shake things up...you know...basically rock my world. So then what better way to do that than something...uber extreme.

Like Bungy Jumping...boooyah.



This wouldn't have happened unless I met these great guys and girl the night before. One of the guys I met the night before threw me the idea of bungy jumping...I thought to myself...heck...I've never done anything really extreme...let's shake my foundation...so I agreed.

Therefore, the group of us rented a car, drove up to the bungy jump place and commenced operation...jump of life. To tell you the truth...I wasn't that fazed by the drive there, the sign up and the walk to the top. Maybe it was because I was just ignoring that I was actually doing this, but as soon as I strapped on the bungy cord and started making my way to the edge...wow...the emotions just started flooding. I thought to myself...geez...I'm actually doing this...I must be crazy.



I brought my toes to the line...tried not to look down...and then the lady started counting me down to jump...



Afterwards, I was still in shock...it was such a rush and an inexplainable experience that I was speechless. I literally couldn't find the words to explain it.


It was funny how I turned numb to the whole thing...until I got some food in me, then I snapped out of it. Wow right now...that was the best thing ever.

Next part of the day, was to take a nice relaxing drive out to a picturesque waterfall location. It was pretty cool driving around North Western Australia, seeing the vast array of trees, bananas and unique vegetation in the area.



Not only did I see all the green, I noticed two names, that I'm sure I've seen before.Edmonton and Innisfail...hmm weird.



Now this was a huge debate for me. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. I knew I wanted to and how awesome it would be, but just the expenditure of the whole thing was putting a little damper on the idea. However, after thinking about it, talking with others, and being able to find the cheapest dive place in the area...I signed up.

Boy oh boy am I glad that I did. 3 dives...perfect weather conditions, a beautiful sunny day, the calmest waters I've ever seen, and so clear you could see the bottom 15 meters away. BOOOYA...this is why I love diving.



Another great part to the dive was, I turned out to be the only certified diver that day. So I got a little special attention and didn't have to wait around for anything...if I wanted to dive...I was first priority.

I thought diving in Thailand was great...well...diving on the great barrier reef, made diving in Thailand look like playing at a childrens park then going to Disneyland.



I was blown away with the enormous amount of sea life down there. It was like diving into a massive aquarium. The reefs and the fish were amazing, stuff I've never seen before or just seen pictures in books. I saw sharks, turtles, enormous fish as big as me and coral...wow coral as far as the eye can see and unique only to here.



This is exactly why I'm glad I've taken my dive course and why I love diving, just seeing all this life up close and very personal. I even got to follow an enormous sea turtle for about 10 minutes. Now snorkling is good, but you just can't possibly do something like that.

Another bonus about scuba diving...you meet tons of different people. So I met a group of awesome Australians so that night, we shared in some drinks, laughs and a good night on the town. It's crazy to think that by taking one step forward...all these other doors open up.

Well...first couple weeks in Australia and I can already say...love the country...the heat is intense like nothing I've ever felt before, a little expensive, but all in all great fun. Now I'm off to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and another great part, my Birthday is on the same day as Australia's national holiday...it's going to be pretty crazy.

The last of South East Asia

It's all said and done. South East Asia is now in the past, and Australia is the current and the future. However, there's still a few stories to be told about my last days in Asia, and here's the recount of how it went.

First off...Kuala Lumpur. A city of cities...not quite sure where to classify this baby...so lets just start from my last time here.

*Doc Brown steps out of the shadows...he motions for you to come forward...as you draw closer you see the Delorean. Doc tells you to jump in, then leans over and says..."when this baby hits 88 mph you're going to see some serious s**t"...then with lights flashing and buttons beeping you shoot off with a flash in the night*

There's my attempt to bring you back to the past...anyway, back to my first arrival in Kuala Lumpur.



The rain just started coming down, I was tired, dirty, unshaven, lost and now...wet...great. Eventually, after asking 5 different locals for directions, getting more lost, making my way back I finally decide to just trust my gut. Turns out...my gut was pretty smart...I found the places I was looking for. So after arriving at 5:30am I found a place I could rest my weary fluffy head at 8:20am.

After a few hours of snoozing, it was time to walk the city...oh let me just find a pay phone...turns out I look for a couple hours, find hundreds of pay phones, buuuut none work...hmmm...nice system KL.



So I decide, it would be best to just go out and explore the city. I find a bunch of great shops, a chocalatery, tons of skyscrapers, huge shopping malls and the Patronus Towers(don't know why, but they alwayse remind me of Harry Potter)

As the hungry monster starts to settle in, I make my way to little India, where I find this great little restaurant run by this little old man. Great food, good price...I'm fucking set. A crazy upside down type of city, with a flair for the theatrics and great food. That was my first experience with KL.

Now...THE RETURN(sounds like some low budget horror flick)

A little more familiar, I end up meeting these two Canadians on the trip from the airport...STORY TIMES SUPREME ensue.

With these newbie KLer's and myself knowing a little about the city, we end up doing a full night of exploration. Seeing more of the skyscrapers, malls, towers and finding some more great restaurants and drinking holes.



After exploring a little more of KL my opinion kind of remained the same. A bustling China Town, a spicy little India, numerous grand looking skyscrapers, deluxe malls and a vast change from one block to the next. You can go from rich, business types, to the poorest of the poor in under five minutes.

Now...it's time to leave.

Again bus is the comfiest and most affordable way to travel in Malaysia...that is...when it works...let me explain my little...BUS OF DOOM.

First, trying to buy the ticket.(It reminds me of those old Disney movies where Goofy ended up making a complete fool of himself while the voice over guy explained things that seemed oh so easy)



Tons of people selling tickets everywhere, but trying to pick and chose your ticket price is a little more difficult. Everyone saw me come up, and immediately, the prices started skyroacketing...well...I'm not having any of that. After bargening...heckling and laughing...I finally find a little stand that sells me an affordable ticket. Righto...got some time to kill before I take off, perfect.

I think its a good idea, that since I've already got my "GOLDEN" ticket...I should spend the rest of my money on food...because...well...I don't need anymore of this Malaysian paper. Hmmm...will this come back to haunt me? I just don't know(Foreshadow anyone?)

I arrive back at the counter plenty of time before my bus leaves. They look at my ticket, scratch out the platform number and put a new one. Ya that's reeeeeeeeeal comforting. They point me in the direction of the new platform and say You go there.



So I head down to the carbon monoxide sweaty pit of death and begin to wait...and wait...and guess what?...you guessed it...wait some more. Until eventually it's well past the two o'clock departure time.

I ask around...but no one knows where the bus is...so I head back up to the booth...where a little discussion ensues...they offer me my money back...I reply I need to get to Singapore...they take me back down to the pit and tell me to wait a little longer. Ya...thanks...way to instill a little confidence.

I suck in a little more of that tasty carbon monoxide...with sweat pouring down my back and a scraggly old man puffing smoke in my face...this was pretty much the most comfortable I've ever been. Until finally...YESSSS...BUS TO SINGAPORE.




I make sure it's actually heading to Singapore...board that bus , flop into the big seat and we take off...only to go around the block...and come back. Um...excuse me...weren't we leaving? Great...I'm all ready to go...but now we have to make sure all the seats are full.

Departure time 3:45pm...hmmm an hour 45 later...not bad.

After a long journey I arrive at the Malaysian border...walk in, get my passport stamped and walk out...only to find...the bus no where to be found. Luckily there's numerous other passengers waiting as well...so then I don't feel so bad. Still I'm hoping the bus driver just didn't decide to take our money and run. But lucky for us...he didn't...he just got lost...hey buddy...aren't you a BUS DRIVER...ya thanks...didn't notice that you needed to know where you're going.

We all hop on, and no more then five minutes down the road...Singapore customs...time to get out and get another stamp. This time I make sure I know where to meet the bus. Go in...forget about filling out the entrance card, return to the back of the line, and finally make it out of there...only to find...no bus. Hmmmm...is this Deja Vu? I don't think its a big deal...until I finally realize...there's no one else here.

All were from singapore...sooo you do the math...THE DRIVER LEFT ME...ya guess he didn't like my previous driver joke. Now, I just need another ride to Singapore, lets ask around...someone will give me a lift in.

Nope...no one will dig into their hearts and give a poor stranded Canadian a ride into Singapore...unless...I pay...two dollars...or...five Rupiah(Malaysian currency)...Oh good I have that...right? Hahaha...oh ya...I thought I didn't need that...uh...do you take cookies?

With no ATM around, and no cash in my wallet I'm screwed...no one will take someone without money.(also they don't believe I have no money) I negotiate...I talk...I...beg...still nothing. Then I remember about the few Canadian coins I have lying arond...maybe they'll take that

Lucky for me...they do. Phew...thought I might have to hitch hike my way in.

At the train station I catch my second lucky break...the last train of the day. Who would have thought that leaving KL at 2pm I would be catching the last train of the day in Singapore.




Finally, I arrive at the hostel steps...look down at my watch. 12:27am...hmmmm...leaves at 2pm arrives at 12:30...niiiiice 10 and a half hours ain't bad.

Oh...should I point out...the length of a regular trip from KL to Singapore...5 hours.

Actual lenght of trip...10:30 hours

Getting left at Singapore customs...catching the last train of the day and hoping to find a place to stay at 12:30am...Priceless

There's somethings that you just can't control...for everything else there's laughter.

Now...one thing I'm hoping for...is a little more luck. I couldn't book the hostel online, so I'm standing out front and what do I read...no rooms available after 11pm without email confirmation.

Fingers crossed...well.......here goes nothing...as I reach forward and ring the bell. London bridge is falling down rings over the speaker................................silence...........................still silence..........finally....the door slowly creaks open...a old lady emerges from the darkness...she immediately asks if I have a booking...I reply no, but catch her with my explanation right before she closes the door.

I eventually convince her to give me a room and what a relief. Yes she may have overcharged me, but hey...I was glad I had a room.



Next couple of days were spent killing time and trying not to kill the checkbook. I went on a few excursions, but nothing that thrilling. I was starting to just think of Singapore as...well...nothing...it was just "another city". That is...until I met Johnny. A crazy, 10 year traveling, rambling, intense story teller guy.

This older Danish guy came a waltzing into the hostel one day with a story about everything, that I thought he was crazy. But, boy, did he ever open my eyes to soooooo much more of Singapore.

As I mentioned previously, I thought the guy was crazy. He just came into the room and immediately began into this little rant. I was just looking at him, nodding my head hoping he'd go away...that is...until he mentioned a cheap place for food and drinks.....Then, my ears perked up. Oh what the heck...he's harmless enough.

That night, we explored mostly little India. Found numerous small places to eat, chat with locals and share some stories. He also took me to an authentic Curry grinding place. Boy the smells in that place were intoxicating. Fresh curry just staring me in the face.




More exploration and even more unique little shops, big malls and small local cafe's. Johnny, was also a great mentor in helping me out with travel tips, planning excursions, the works.



Finishing off the night was something I never thought I'd do. Drinking a beer, sitting on the corner of a street, chatting with friendly locals and looking across at a Singapore Cafe. Wow, something else.



Because I had such a unique experience with Johnny, I decided to tag along the next day as we went on a 12km walk around an isolated rain forest. But get this...it's in the heart of Singapore.



You could just lose all sense of where you were, walking in this enormous protected rain forest with tree's spreading out as far as the eye could see. I would have never thought we were in the heart of Singapore, even though, you could walk up a hill and see the skyscrapers.



I saw monkeys, lizards, birds and very few human beings. Again, good ol Johnny boy pulled out all the stops. Not only was it a perfect day, it was an exhilarating walk aswell.



I was really debating weather or not to go on the walk, but I'm glad I did...sure beats watching movies all day.

Finally...it was time to say goodbye to South East Asia. Four months already gone...geez it's gone so quick.

Next stop on the adventure list....Darwin, Australia.

The heat, the outback, the many adventures left to enjoy.