I'm in Nam, man.

Ignore what you think about Vietnam, throw your bias to the wind, come to this place. I was really not aware what I was in store for when coming to Vietnam. I was crushed on not being able to go to Thailand at first, but realized my safety was more important, and the sanity of my family. Even though there is political chaos there I was still more then excited to go, and I have been talking to many people who say they wouldn't even think twice about bringing their families with them there right now. But thats neither here nor there, I am in Vietnam and frankly, it is nothing like what you think. I am having such an amazing time here. I go out expecting to eat my dinners alone and end up talking to people for hours, both Vietnamese and foreign. But let me backtrack, before I get too into Nam. I ended up making it all night the other day, and shortly after I had blogged I was apprehended by Singapore airport police and questioned. I apparently had spent too much time at the 'Starby's' and at such random hours that I was raising suspicion. And as it turns out I had no proof of further travel, the online documentation I had didn't have my name or anything pertaining to my personal information on it, and I didn't even have documentation on what airline I was flying. I had all my information written down, but that wasn't good enough. I eventually got out of dodge and having only given them my flight number and airline and departure time they let me continue onward, but made me leave my nice little zone in the nice Singapore terminal. Turns out I was flying budget and had to make my way to the budget terminal. I took a bus and got there around 430am, checked in around 530 and wandered around the terminal. I bought a new camera in the terminal as well! It's a sick little Nikon deal, good megapixel count and a solid zoom. It was very cheap, as far as cameras go, so I was fired up. Anyway, pretty much went to full delusion on the airplane, tried to sleep for a little but couldnt do it. I was sitting in the emergency exit row, so I had tons of room, but no recline function and no arm rest. No problem though, I played Fruit Ninja on my Iphone for the hour ad half flight. Best game ever, you use your finger as a ninja sword and cut flying fruit in half. Highly suggested. Anyway, I landed safely and hopped the first cab to my accommodation. Got here with no problems and talked to the ladies that run the place for little, they were all so funny and interested in me. Honestly, I was expecting the Vietnamese to be very anti-American, but from what I have experienced thus far, they are amazing. Actually, not even 30 minutes ago I was booking a train to Hanoi and Halong Bay and the lady at the travel agency told me she liked me and I made her smile. And before that I was having some dinner and ended up striking up conversation with a Vietnamese guy, same age as myself, and ended up talking to him for about 2 hours. They were so stoked on me they even gave me a discount on my meal, which blew my mind. I saw the prices, and the prices they gave me where much cheaper. I left the difference as a tip, which I guess nobody tips here, but one of the other guys I talked to there said he loves Americans and how well they treat the staff. Awesome people, go to a restaurant called 333's, if Lee is working tell him AJ the fuzzy american says hello. The first thing we talked about was beards. I haven't shaved in about a month now, and i think this is the best beard I have ever had. It probably looks like filth to everyone else, but I think its awesome. It goes well with my wildman hair. Anywho, back the story, a friend of mine, Emily, had come here maybe three years ago and said she was pestered for being American and her and her mom were not really big fans, but she did get proposed to by a 4 foot tall man, so that was a plus. I am having a completely different experience so far, I believe she said that was mainly up north in Hanoi. So we shall see. I will claim Australian or something if I feel harsh vibrations. Everyone assumes I am Australian anyways, I don't know why, I am not that loud... just kidding all you aussies, kind of.. But yea, Vietnam. Love this place so far. Granted I have only been here two days, today was a definite eye opener and truly amazing day. Yesterday was kind of a travel/rest/cruise day. Once I got to my hostel/guesthouse I just relaxed and got some good sleep time. I did go out last night for a little and it was a bit of culture shock. Eating dinner and having man sodas and having 7 yr old come up and hassle you to buy cigarettes is a total mind blower. Its pretty wild how young the kids are walking around working; selling books, cigarettes, lighters, jewelry and whatever else you can think of. There's even moms waking around with babies thrown over their shoulders selling things. It is a pretty heavy sight. But back to today; I was wandering around the street after eating 4 massive doughnuts at this wild little Vietnamese doughnut shop called 'Doughnut,' creative I know, and some dude approached me. He asked where I was from and I said California, and he immediately became thrilled. He went into a full frenzy, "I love America!," he was saying, "Americans are good people" and a bunch of other stuff. I was caught off guard and a little taken back, waiting to get stabbed or something. Keep in mind this is in the middle of the street that we are talking, I am looking around like what the heck is going on, so we get over the side of the road. He starts showing me this book of all these things people have written about him, how he showed them around and gave them the best day ever. He showed me all the writings from these Americans he helped out, trying to make me feel comfortable or something. He told me he would give me a great tour of the city and show me all the best stuff, I said whatever and hopped on his little motorcycle with him. His name was Ngon, he was 50 but looked like he was 30. He even showed me his drivers license later because he thought I didn't believe him, it made no difference to me really, besides the fact that I got a little scared that he was 50 and driving me around on a dodgy little motorcycle that would stall randomly at intersections. Ngon was a true legend. He took me to the Vietnamese War History Museum, which if you are an American and you want to really feel embarrassed, go there. There is no sense of pride in America found there. The pictures will make you feel about 3 inches tall. If you look at another American there, you will see a similar expression as to what you are feeling. Its heavy. I am not anti-America one bit, but I am just saying the way the museum is, is very intense. It will get to you. If not the pictures of the innocent bomb victims then the pictures of the aftermath of the Agent Orange will really get you. Very disturbing. Ngon and I also went to the Vietnam Historical Museum, and saw some other cool monuments through the day. But the highlight of the day was our trip to the Cu Chi tunnels. It took us about 45+ minutes to get there on his bike, but it was worth it when we got there. It was super interesting and pretty amazing. The Cu CHi tunnels where basically the way the Vietnamese outsmarted the Americans. These intricate and tiny tunnels where used to sneak attack and sabotage American Troops. They made me try to fit in the tunnels and it was so small. Some where bigger than others but it was incredible to think of how they could move through such small places so fast and diligently with firearms. It was also interesting to see how they used American weapons against Americans, breaking down bomb shrapnel and dud bombs to make horrible, and very aggressive booby-traps. But as unsettling and oddly captivating all that was, the highlight was shooting an M60. The gun from Rambo. That was how they pitched it to me, and I was sold immediately. I wanted to know the maximum amount of bullets I could fire, that was expensive, so I did about 30 rounds. Which I felt was not enough, but still awesome. Unfortunately the gun was fastened down so I couldn't go nuts with it and light up the hill side that you got to fire at. But I still got to go a bit crazy. The first few rounds where short bursts just to get a feel, they I let her rip. Full automatic power, watching this small section of the hill just light up. Even with the gun being fastened down you could still feel the power. It was a very fun time to say the least. I was all sorts of fired up after that. I want to go to this place in Cambodia that friends of mine have gone to where you can shoot more guns, unfastened, and you can shoot more things. That sounds like a good day to me. But yea, Cu Chi was a very engaging and interesting journey. The only kicker is the video they make you watch before you start the tour, about how beautiful Cu Chi was before the "evil Americans" came and destroyed the lush land. Its messed up. It, again, makes you feel slightly embarrassed. They show video of before and after and how the Americans shot women, children, sacred temples, animals and all this other stuff. Its hectic. But good to know about I suppose. The guns where my favorite part. I felt like Rambo, but like a safer version, because my gun was fastened down, and I had sunglasses on. So yes, I am tired now, and am going to zonk out. I have been trying to make a new facebook photo album but the website wont work for some reason on my computer... its very odd. I will keep trying though, I have a few pictures from Singapore and Indo that are neat. Goodnight! Ps Sorry for another novel, I can't help myself.

Boycotting Sleep right now.

Hola. It is about 1:30am right now in the old Singapore Airport. I got here about 3 hours ago now and have about 6 more hours until my flight to Vietnam. They have this neat little hotel thing in the Singapore airport that you can crash in for like 6 hours or so. Full little hotel rooms with bathrooms and whatnot, I tried to get one but they were full... so I decided that I would post up at the 24hr Starbucks in the airport, drink some caffeinated drink and stay awake all night being weird. Thus far, I wish I was sleeping, but my stomach hurts from the drink and I'm in a weird state of awareness and delusion. Anyway, I will catch you all up to speed on where I have been this past week. After my last bitter little post about that theft mumbo jumbo, I went for a surf and a man approached me and asked if I wanted to go to G Land, a world famous surf spot. He proceeded to show me pamphlets and whatnot about the surf camp and I had pretty much already decided Yes as soon as he asked, but tried to play hard to get to see if I could get a deal. The prices where fixed but I got a guy to give me a free ride from my hotel to the boat, I ended up giving him 50,000 Rp. anyway cause I liked the guy. 50,000 Rp. is $5 USD by the way, so I am not that good of a guy. So the guy picks me up the following night at 7pm and drives me to the Kuta G-Land office and I get all dialed in there. At that point I was kind of questioning what the heck I was doing. I had no idea about G Land, or what swells where coming or anything. I was wandering into battle blind, with pea shooters. Most every person where was bringing 6'6's and massive boards. I was strapped with a 5'9 and 6'1. Very Under-gunned to say the least, or so I thought. Anyway, so this bus driver shows up at the office at like 10pm to pick me up and the guy knows like 4 english phrases and everything has to do with the #1. I had no idea what he was talking about and he kept getting mad at me for not understanding what the heck he was talking about. Kind of a putz, but oh well, he cared more about his creepy little dread locks then my safety. He would say things to every girl we passed in the bus, but under his breath or after they were too far away to hear. I was tripping out on the guy. We drive around Kuta for about an hour before picking up the next guy who was a blond, white kid, about 25, very drunk, very loud and at first glance, a total tool. I tried to play the quiet game for a while but caved into his chat storm after a bit. Turns out the guy was from Hawaii, which he made very clear from the pidgin he laid on extra thick from the point he entered the vehicle. He made sure to mention all the professional surfers he was friends with, I tried to play the quiet game again. The bus ride ends up being about 7 hours or so. We got to the port at Java at about 630am I think then had to wait for the boat to pick us up and drive us across to G Land. I was still just so out of it and clueless as to where I was, and what I was doing. I bought some shifty Circle K sleeping pills for the ride and slept through about 90% of the ride as well, so that actually helped. But yes, we get to G Land and walk to the place and at first I was just like where am I? They we walked into the breakfast area and met some people and talked to some guys that worked there and quickly got a feel for the place. The Hawaiian guy was still with me, talking, but I was in my own little world. I wandered off some where and got back and I guess everyone had been taken to get bunks. They were these neat little 2 person bungalows, nothing more than a bed and mosquito net. Theo, the Hawaiian, threw my stuff in the bunk with him. I didn't really care, I figured screw it. In all truth, the guy turned out to be a super sincere, very nice, down to earth guy. Not a mean or bad bone in his body. He had lost his father to a rare infection and was getting away to reflect and cruise on his own. It was his 7th time to G Land and knew it was a place that he could be at peace. I really respected that, and he showed me how cool of a place G Land really was. He knew more about the waves there then the surf guide. He showed me the ropes there and we had some really fun surfs together. So anywho, the first day there was a bit of a blur, big night in the bus sleeping and being bounced, but that first surf was magic. G Land wasn't 'on' that day, but it was on for me. My first wave was one of the longest waves I have ever had and one of the most fun. Also, there's one thing about G land, you need booties to surf there. To get out you have to walk across this reef that is like daggers and ninja stars. Sharpest reef I have ever been on, it made Ulu's look like cotton candy. Needless to say I didn't have any booties, I ended up buying a pair off the chef for $35. I gave them back to him at the end as well cause I am such a nice guy. Throughout the week the surf improved, the barrels got bigger and longer, it got more consistent and though most of the guys there, who had been there many other times, said it wasn't quite doing it's thing fully, I was blown away. The most perfect waves I have ever surfed. It became almost spiritual. I had so much fun it was addicting. Such a blessing. Hours would fly by, 4 hour surfs felt like 30 minutes. But besides the surfing, the people I met in that tiny surf camp in the middle of no where really made the trip. Theo was one that was a treat to have around, but there was also a whole team of life guards from Aus there at the time, a few ex-rugby players that were all buddies from Aus as well, some American guys that where cousins and truly characters, a south African, a Dutch guy, a few Peruvians, and a few Brazilians. I spent a lot of time with the Australians, they took me in as one of their own. They really dug my travel plans, and I loved sitting back with some man sodas after a long day of surfing and talking story with all of them. They all had amazing stories and life advice. I can't remember a time when I wasn't laughing or smiling the whole time. At one point one of the Aussie guys asked how it was possible for some one to keep a smile on for a week straight. I really didn't realize I was doing it till he said something, and kind of reflected and realized how happy I was there. Having breakfast lunch and dinner with those guys, talking about funny things at every moment, and surfing your brains out with basically total strangers who you stuck on this little remote point on the earth with is a truly life changing experience. I was looking at a few of them and it seemed like they really had things figured out. They all had very good life advice. And the more man sodas we had, the advice got funnier. One guy's advice was to marry a girl that understands you need your man-time and you need your yearly surf trips with the boys. I liked that. Some were more serious, but equally engaging. I loved the laughing, but hearing some of these guys stories was pretty cool. As it turns out as well the South African man was Mark Whittmore, decedent of John Whittmore who was featured in Bruce Brown's Endless Summers, and showed everyone around South Africa. He was a J- Bay local and a total ripper at age 51. He was a true hero to me, and I have never seen a man more into Balinese dance than that man. One night they had these Balinese dancers come for a big ceremony and they had music and dancing and man sodas flowing and the two oldest guys stayed awake the longest and where so into it. I was crying laughing with the rest of the boys. Most everyone got up and danced like twice or so, the two older fellows went up about 10. Every time I looked, there was Mark and Kimbo. Kimbo was a head lifeguard from Aus who was a real man's man. A real awesome guy though. I traded him a surfboard bag for some medical stuff for my trip at the end, and he was stoked. He told me he would have just set me up for free but I was stoked to hook him up. My last day there I sold a few things to guys there and gave a lot of it away to the local guys. I gave away most of my trunks and ding repair stuff, sunscreen and leashes. I actually started bartering surf supplies for man sodas my last night because I was too cheap to buy beers, so I was trading leashes and solar-rez for brewski. There is so much I want to say about all the other people, each person was awesome to hang with in their own way. Joel and Dave the cousins where classic. Played some scrabble, with them one night with Emile the Dutch man. I was helping Emile out most the time cause his english wasn't as strong. But I slaughtered everyone else. It felt good to know that I have some brain cells left. Overall though, a life changing, beautiful trip. I feel so blessed from that trip and I am so stoked that everything came together and brought me there, and that I was safe and injury free. The days the surf was throwing I said some prayers. I took a few beatings dropping into 6-8 ft (they measure from the back, 12-16ft faces for those who don't know) on a 6'1 shortboard, but I also had some gems. The gems made up for those beatings and hold downs. Very happy I came out injury free. though. Anyway I made it back from there safely, obviously. I had the same driver on the way back as well, with the dreads, he didn't remember me, and the ride back was just as frustrating. Took us 12 hours to get back for some reason. He got lost in Kuta again some how. He kept asking me questions that made no sense and got mad at me for not knowing what he was saying. I was the only one in the bus on the way back, everyone else paid extra to take the 'fast boat.' I was the smart one that time, fast boats aren't fast in big choppy storm surf. Everyone ended up feeling really sick from the ride I guess, I ran into a guy this morning in Kuta who took the boat. He said it was hectic. But yup, all is well now, I sold my boards this morning and made a few bucks back, caught my flight into Singapore safely and now it is 230am and I am still wide awake. I know this blog is long, but there is still so much more I want to talk about. I wish I could just discuss all the cool times I got to spend with these characters, but I wont. I guess it isn't as interesting for you readers as it is for me. But I am stoked on it, I miss it. But it was a great end to that chapter of the trip. It will be a while before I get to surf again, but I am going to make it a point to get into the ocean as much as I can everywhere in the world. The fountain of youth as I saw through those men. I am sure in their work elements they are completely different, but alone with their buddy's in amazing surf, they were all groms and we all connected. Theo told me G Land is a magic place, and he was right on, I am in love with Indonesia. Oh yea, that's one thing I wanted to make sure to mention! There is crazy wildlife on Java in the jungles near G Land. I saw my first Komodo dragon. The biggest, gnarliest lizard I have ever seen. The chefs would throw the excess food scraps out the back in this trough for the wild animals. And if the monkeys weren't going nuts on the food then it was the massive wild boars, or the Komodo dragons. The biggest one was about 7 feet head to tail. The chefs were telling me about it but I thought the were exaggerating, they weren't. It was a beast. I watched it devour something so violently it was hypnotizing. I don't know if it was a monkey or food from humans, but it was going to town. Every day you would see some wild animal. I saw my first fire fly too. It made up for not seeing any wild life in Aus that I was expecting. I miss that place but I will be back. I hope you all enjoyed my ranting. I know its long, but I was into it. I want to type more, I shouldn't have had that coffee drink. I might have another just for kicks. Probably blog again about people watching at 3am in Singapore airport. I don't know if anyone is even reading this far. I wouldn't and it's my blog. I am just wasting time now, I have 2 an half hours till I can check in for my flight. Cool thing is there is a camera place right down the way that opens at 6! So I am going to buy a new camera. I took some Iphone photos of G Land and I will make an album soon with my Singapore and Indo pics. Promised. Anyway, byeeeee

A brief update.

Hey folks. I figured I would just throw a quick update up since I was online. I am actually online for un-fun reasons. I got robbed yesterday while I was surfing at Dreamland. Pretty bummed about it, mainly because my camera was amongst the items stolen. Luckily I had uploaded all the photos on it to my computer before I left, so I didn't lose any pictures. But sadly enough I am camera-less now. I was online to file an insurance claim with the travel agency, we will see how that goes. I don't know how they want me to show receipts for the items. #1 I am traveling, #2 the camera was a gift, #3 that's just annoying. So basically a word of advice, which no one told me, don't bring wallets, glasses, cameras or any valuables with you when you surf. Even if you lock them up inside your scooter, people have ways of breaking into them. I am pretty sure the crooked thief who robbed me syphoned my gas too. I had about half a tank getting to Dreamland and then none on the way home. I think the guy/girl/or both who did it may have had a little conscience though, they left me a few bucks. 4,000 Rp. actually, which is about 40 cents American. Over all it could have been a lot worse. I mean I still have my passport and my drivers licence and my ATM card. Unfortunately I had just gone to the ATM yesterday morning to get out my money for the week... Pretty lame. Yesterday over all was pretty weird. I had a minor scooter accident, didn't go down, but I popped another tire and bent my back rim. The bike overall still works pretty well, I just have a really awkward scooter now. The engine backfires a lot too, which usually scares the heck out of me and everyone around me. People look at me like I am a jerk too, as if i meant to do it. It gives me a good laugh sometimes. Also I had to change my trip to Thailand, due to all the political turmoil going on there, I was advised by family and a few others to reconsider. So i cancelled it and am now flying into Vietnam instead and I am going to check out Cambodia and Laos that way instead, as well as Vietnam. I heard the islands off Thailand would still be safe, But I will see how that goes when I get to Nam. I need to go surf and clear my head. I also need to find a way to get 2 passport photos for my Vietnam Visa. Everyone I have asked looks at me like I am talking crazy when I ask them. I am assuming I will find a place in Kuta. Overall though, Bali is still awesome. All the little lame things that happen are actually pretty insignificant in the grand scheme, but they are just get under your skin sometimes. I know this will all get sorted and it will all work out, so I apologize for the droning/dry blog update. The next one will be happier I am sure. Goodbye!

I love this place.

Hello all, I am still in Bali and still loving this place. It has been a pretty awesome week. A lot of relaxation and riding of my sweet scooter. I had a bit of an ear infection this week from surfing after some heavy rains. But I got it taken car of right away and its all gone now! Stoked. There is supposed to be a massive swell coming tomorrow as well, not really showing too much today but that's okay. It is kind of like Hawaii here where it can go from 5ft to 20 in a short amount of time. I am so into life here though. I can definitely understand why so many people leave their home countries and move here. Land here is incredibly cheap as well. I love the way everything looks and feels here too. The Balinese architecture, statues, and landscapes are so cool. I can for sure see myself building a house all Balinese style. The furniture is another thing as well, it is so cheap and so awesome. I have found so many cool pieces I wish I could bring with me. I have been going for a lot of scooter rides around the city and around the lower part of the island and come across some really neat places. Yesterday I made my way to the Bali Safari and Aquarium. That was unreal. The picture up top is me with my new little friend. I wanted to take him with me. He was a little mad man, so strong too. They had some pretty rad creatures at the zoo. They had a massive tank with piranhas and I apparently had got there moments after they had just dropped a whole chicken into the tank. There was just a chicken skeleton in there being ravaged by all these little red piranhas. It was pretty sweet to watch. You could see their little dagger teeth poking out of their mouth. They also had some massive lions and tigers. I got there just as they were feeding the tigers as well. They had this massive white tiger, it was a beast. I ended up buying some special pass when I got there that was Rp. 385,000, which is really only $35 US, and it gave me a free safari ride and free time with the monkey and access to some other parts of park, like rides and whatnot but I didn't care about that. They had another deal where you could get to hang out with lions and get your picture holding one, but unfortunately they weren't having it yesterday. I was bummed about that, I fully wanted to play with a lion. But yea, anyways, I got to go on this safari thing and it was pretty awesome, driving through all these different habitats from around the world. You go through like an Indonesian part, then an African and an Indian. And some of the animals fully come right up to the truck. We had to stop for a bit because this massive male lion wouldn't move. And once it did it went right outside my window and gave me a full stare down. I snapped a picture of it licking its chops at me. I was hoping it was looking at the small child next to me. Overall though, the zoo is amazing, I might have to make another trip up there before I leave... It was a pretty gnarly ride up there on the scoot scoot. Driving through Kuta and on the freeway was insane. You go into full survivor mode. There's people flying by you in cars, military guys riding motorcycles with machine guns strapped to them, trucks almost running you off the road, a dude with a bird in a cage and a whole family on a scooter weaving in and out of traffic and 100000 other scooters fighting with you for position. I ran into a car once, but kept going hoping they didn't notice. That was my only real mishap. Totally minor. I actually got super into it, I was having a blast. All my old motorcycle skills came back, I felt like I was in a race. Apparently there's no speed laws? I was amazed. I was just going with the flow of traffic and just following peoples lead at first. And people where just blowing by the cops. So I gave it a try and it was all peachy. Sometimes they would fly right by you right after just to get in front of you. It was heavy. Up towards the zoo area though was some pretty unreal land. It was the full Indonesian rice patty fields that you see in the pictures. I wanted to stop and get a picture so bad, but pulling over was wayyy too hectic. Pretty sure I would still be on the side of the road trying to get back into traffic. It is pretty fun using your horn every couple seconds though. It's not like the US where the horn is like bad thing almost, its more like you just use it as a 'what's up,' 'i'm here,' or 'i'm passing you.' I love that scooter. The funnest way every to check surf or go surf or even to just get food. I seriously love this place. This will not be my last trip, that is for certain. I was told a while back that once you go to Bali you're ruined. You will always want to go back, and keep coming back forever. That human was correct. So all in all, everything is going great, I am happy as a clam and pretty amped on this place. I still haven't even gotten any other surf breaks! I have been at Uluwatu everyday I surf, because it has been the best. Hopefully with this new swell I can get come Padang Padang, Bingin or some Dreamland. There are a ton of waves around here. I really want to make it to Lakey's, I need to figure that out monday. Its a cheap flight and even cheaper stay there and the waves are supposed to be phenomenal. So many exciting things! Wellll I am off. Maybe a beach day today, or surf when the tide drops and the waves pick up. Who knows! The beauty of Bali. Gooodbye.

Ps. Just realized, as of today have been gone 4 months. It's going way too fast.

Bali is amazing.

Hello. I am going to make this blog brief, not because I don't feel like letting you all know what I am doing, but because I love Bali and I want to go play. As you probably guessed I made it to Bali safe from Singapore. I randomly met this Brazilian TV show host guy in the airport and started talking to him and whatnot. Ends up he is super cool and a surfer, and I tell him about it being my first time in Indo and he just fully took me under his wing at that point. Let me stay in his place when we got here, set me up with a super cheap scooter with surf racks, and helped me get all situated down in Padang Padang with a super cheap, decent room. I have been surfing Uluwatu every day, 2 or 3 times a day. It is only about a 3 minute ride from my place. The waves have been absolutely pumping, barrels for days. I love this place so far, truly my kind of life style. The people here are amazing, I love the way they always smile and greet you. The food is pretty amazing as well. I won't drag on about it in this blog. Maybe the next one. The cost of living is super cheat as well. I am in absolute love with this place. Anyway I am off, time to go eat then surf again. Ciao.

Singapore is hot.

So I am not in Singapore. I arrived here last night. Had an amazing flight into here, mainly because AVATAR WAS ON DEMAND ON THE LITTLE PERSONAL TV SCREEN!!! Yea, it was probably the coolest flight ever. Even though this baby in front of me had a total crush on me and kept throwing his toy car at my face. He was a cute kid but kind of a jerk, he would just stare at me and laugh and then I would entertain him from time to time, but when I didn't the little selfish man would throw his car at me. It seriously happened three times. And I felt obligated to give it back to him every time. There was no justice. Avatar made up for it though. I also watched The Men Who Stare at Goats again, which I really like as well. Once I flew in it was pretty easy, no hassles at all. I left my boards in luggage storage as well so I didn't have to tote them around with me, which was an amazing idea. There's no way my boards would have even fit in the cabs here. Some of them are so freakin dinky. I guess they suit the people here. I feel like an Avatar man here! The people are not very tall. I went on a nice little walk to get breakfast this morning at about 730am and ended up going on a 9 hour excursion. I felt super good after my convenient McGriddle breakfast sandwich and hash brown that I decided to venture out to find this new casino that was recently finished. Supposedly it is the most expensive casino ever built, it went, I think, over to 2 billion over budget to finish. And you can see why. I took a million pictures of the thing. But anyway, After I found that and wandered around for a bit I got very lost and ended up in some weird places and found myself looking over the heads of everyone in these little Asian markets. It was classic. I had a blast though, even though I had no idea where I was I just kept going with my instinct. Which actually led me a couple miles in the wrong direction. I had to learn the train system to find my way back... But it all worked out. I also went on this thing called the Singapore Flyer. It's this giant ferris wheel essentially that is a massive cylinder that is fully air conditioned and whatnot. It goes up ridiculously high and you can see for miles. You would think this would have helped me find my way home, if so, you obviously don't know how bad I am with directions. Anyway, I had some solid adventures today and I am excited to get lost again in a little bit when I try to get dinner. It was classic too, while I was lost I ended up in this really nice mall and wandered into a watch place. I was looking at some intense watches and the little Asian man working there assumed I was loaded or something because he brought me into a room and started showing my watches that were $7,000, $10,000 and $17,000 watches. At first I was awkward, but I snapped into it in a few seconds and got the guy totally into it. So I am sitting there in trunks and tank top with sandals and hat on trying on watches worth more than me. I was waiting for the champagne or caviar to come out. Maybe a hand massage while I decided, I don't know. I started hustling the guy too and I got him to drop the price on this Breitling watch to close to half off, which made it only about $7,000 if I payed in cash... I felt kinda bad after a while and had to leave but I got the guys card just incase I decided to come back... ha. It's pretty intense how the Asian people hand you they're business cards. They hand it to you with both hands holding the corners and they look at it like they are handing you a baby. And you are supposed to take it like you are receiving a baby, and never put it in your back pocket, just like a baby. I remember learning something about that in a business course in college and when the guy handed me the card it all came back and I was amazed. My brain still functions after Australia! Anyway I am done with the computer, it's too hot to type. I'm sweating like a mad man. I am going to go find some where with A/C. I will write again once I get to Bali, or when I am in Bali... I leave tomorrow for Indo. Hugs n kisses.

Final Day in Aus.

Well, sadly enough today is my last day in Australia. Its been amazing, brutal, hilarious and life changing for sure. I will most definitely be making my way back here. This past week was one of the best I have had here as well. All the boys looked after me really well and made sure I had a blast. Played a ton of golf, got to surf almost every day, had some amazing nights out on the town and got to do some more exploring. I really appreciate Rocket for driving me around and making sure I was having a good time. Same with Josh, Siffle and everyone else as well. Rocket would pretty much always make sure I wasn't bored here and always had something to do. He was on holiday as well, takin a bit of a break from work. I cannot wait for the boys to come over to the states. It will be a blast. Some wild wild men. Last night was a friend of mine, Wade Ziems', engagement party. Needless to say it got pretty loose and was a hilarious evening. The party scene in Australia is so funny, everyone always has an amazing time. Especially me, I love it. I wake up with a sore face and stomach from laughing so hard.

Tomorrow I leave for Singapore. I am excited to see the place, but it will for sure be sad leaving Aus. and all the boys. As a thank you I made some 'American style' ribs for everyone. Rocket and I had a surf in the early morning and then hit the butcher right after and I whipped up some of my special marinade and let the ribs chill all day in it while we went and explored Byron Bay and Lennox Head. Got a fun little surf in down there, but there were so many hippies. I guess it's pretty well known for being a hippy town. It was gorgeous though. There was some really awesome real estate down there as well. I don't know how those hippies afford such epic homes. Anyway, the ribs were a hit, they turned out amazing. It was awesome too because all we made was meat. It was a real man meal. Everyone was into it, I think. Libby was a good sport, she was the only girl there. I have been making sure to have at least 1 meat pie a day this week as well. A meat pie and bundaburg daily. I will miss those so much.

It really seemed like this week flew by, I had such a great time. Thank you to everyone. I fly out tomorrow around noon time from Brisbane and I am gonna take the train up there. I love trains. That will be a huge turn of the page for me. The start of the completely solo mission. It's going to be amazing. I'm sure internet is going to be scarce through some of this, but I will try to update and answer emails when I can! Ciao!

PS the long awaited Australia photos. Enjoy!