Taking The Plunge

Orlando Bloom lied. On the “Behind the Scenes” disc of the extended DVD set for the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, he told his co-star Dominic Monaghan that bungee jumping would cure his fear of heights. They were in New Zealand where A.J. Hackett created the extreme sport of bungee jumping. 

I went to New Zealand on a working holiday visa and was really excited to see the filming locations for the Lord of the Rings movies. When I first arrived in Auckland - because I am afraid of heights - I was quite positive that I would not be bungee jumping, despite the fact that I was in the country where it all began. 

Everyone who suffers from acrophobia has a different experience with heights. I have trouble getting down from chairs, bunk beds, ladders etc. However, I have been in a hot air balloon, on ski lifts, gondolas, the London Eye, and to the top of the Eiffel Tower. No problem with those because I was either strapped in or it didn’t seem like I was really high. 

About to leap! Photo by Sigrid Markert

So when I went to the A.J. Hackett Bungy Jump site just outside of Queenstown and watched my fellow travelers take the plunge, I started thinking: “That might not be too bad.” I didn’t have enough money at the time though, so decided that when I went back to Taupo in the New Year, I would bungee jump there.

Three and a half months later, I arrived in Taupo on New Years Day. My goal was to bungee jump on January 2, 2011. All of a sudden, with the date looming, I got cold feet. Taupo Bungy offers another ride called the “Cliffhanger Swing”. It was less money and seemed like a safer option, so I bought that instead.

I arrived back at my hostel where I met Sigrid, a German girl who really wanted to bungee jump. We decided to go together the following morning. 

The next morning at 8:45 am we arrived at the Taupo Bungy site.  Sigrid was the first bungee jump of the day; I was the first swing on the “Cliffhanger Swing.”  The staff takes safety very seriously and we had to be weighed and sign waver forms before we would go out to the platform. Since I had already done the swing, I could get a discount off my bungee jump if I wanted. I really wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it though. Sigrid suggested that we have a tea and think about it. I decided that since I was at the Taupo Bungy location anyway and would not likely be coming back, I would regret it if I just walked away. 

So at 10:30 am I paid for my bungee jump. More paperwork and another weigh-in followed. For some reason, in the last hour I had gained a kilogram! Now with two different weights on both my hands, a ticket around my neck, and my heart thumping, I joined the queue that had now formed on the bridge to the platform. As the line crept along, I found myself getting more and more excited for my jump.

Waiting in the queue to take the plunge. Photo by Sigrid Markert

It took forever for the line to move along. Plenty of time to reconsider, but I was stuck because I had paid for the jump already. I was really nervous, but excited too. The line crept along and suddenly I was third in the queue. I was strapped into a harness and then told to sit on a bench. As I sat the bungee cord was tied to my ankles, and I put my glasses into a baggie that was tied to my wrist. Then, it was my turn.

Photo courtesy of Taupo Bungy

I stepped to the edge of the platform and was told to look up and to the right. I couldn’t see so I looked in that general direction. My photo was taken and it was time to jump. I knew I had to go on three or else I wouldn’t jump, so after the countdown, 1-2-3, I jumped! 

I don’t know what exactly I was expecting to happen, but it wasn’t what happened next. I was not expecting the free fall! I had jumped and was falling, when I suddenly realized that I was plummeting toward the Waikato River. Then I started screaming: “OH MY GOD!” 

What had I gotten myself into? I fell for 48 metres (158 feet) before my bungee cord yanked me up again. It was scary, but at the same time it was such a huge adrenaline rush! It was awesome! I was on such an adrenaline high after my jump that it took about ten minutes for my heartbeat to return to normal. 

Photo courtesy of Taupo Bungy

My acrophobia has not been cured by bungee jumping. Orlando Bloom may have lied, but I am glad I took the plunge anyway. I faced my fear of heights in the ultimate way, and for that I am very proud! 

More information about Taupo Bungy can be found at: http://www.taupobungy.co.nz/

~Angie

One Day In Toronto

What can you do if you have only one day to see Toronto? A harbour cruise and the CN Tower!

I started my day walking to the waterfront to get on the first cruise to the harbour islands. There are a few options to cruise the Toronto Harbour...I chose Harbour Tours Toronto as this tour runs every hour and takes you to the islands, it also gives great views of the Toronto skyline. This tour was reasonably priced and the guide was great. She was entertaining and had lots of information about Toronto. The islands include a yacht club, where competitions are held annually. They were used as locations in a few movies including one of the Police Academy movies. One island is an animal sanctuary and no one is allowed to go on it.

More information can be found at: http://www.harbourtourstoronto.ca/

View of the Toronto Skyline

   

Cruising around the Harbour Islands - one of the locals

In the afternoon I went to see the CN Tower (Canadian National Tower). It was really important to see the CN Tower because it is so closely associated with Toronto and, by association, with Canada. There are several options when you visit the CN Tower. You can go part way up and stand on the glass floor, or you can go to the top to the Sky Pod for great views of Toronto. Or the more daring can walk around the rim of the sky terrace on the EdgeWalk. 

I went to the first observation deck and faced my fear of heights (again) by standing on the glass floor. It was really crowded, but I still got a few photos to prove it! Then I went to the top of the tower to the Sky Pod. It's a bit more money, but still reasonable. I walked around for 360 degree views of Toronto. It was amazing!

More information can be found at: http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html

On the glass floor, CN Tower

At the top!

~Angie

Cave and Basin

The Cave and Basin, in Banff, Alberta, Canada is the birthplace of Canada's National Parks. In the Autumn of 1883, three railway workers, working on the Canadian Pacific Railway, discovered a cave and thermal pool in the Canadian Rockies.

The three men saw an opportunity to make some money and set out to find out how to get rights to develop the area. Over the next two years, surveyors came to have a look and eventually the Federal Government bought the land. The Rocky Mountain National Park was founded and people started coming west to visit the thermal spas. The Rocky Mountain National Park, later known as the Banff National Park, is the first and oldest National Park in Canada; the third in the world after Yellowstone National Park in the USA, and the Royal National Park in Australia.

The cave and thermal pool that was discovered in the Canadian Rockies eventually became known as the Cave and Basin. It is located within walking distance of Banff town centre or the Banff Springs Hotel. This attraction was closed down for renovations, but recently opened again in the Spring of 2013.

The Cave

The hole where the railway workers entered the cave

One of the main renovations to the Cave and Basin is that the former thermal swimming pool was bricked over to create a courtyard with a movie screen at one end. The decision to close the pool was made in part to the fact that people from all over the world were coming to Calgary for the Calgary Winter Olympic Games in 1988. As a result, a lot of hotels in Banff, Alberta built their own pools. Also the hot springs in Banff are hotter than the thermal pool at the Cave and Basin. So the pool was closed for good in 1994. Just outside of the courtyard is the Basin, a small thermal pool that is home to a rare and endangered snail. You are not allowed to touch the water, but our guide was nice enough to fill a bucket so that we could feel the temperature of the water. Entrance fees to the Cave and Basin are: Adult: $3.90; Senior: $3.40; Youth: $1.90

The Basin

The Courtyard

If you get the chance to visit Banff, Alberta, Canada, be sure to visit the Cave and Basin, National Historic Site. It is very interesting.

~Angie

Misadventures In Transit

After a year of traveling in the South Pacific, in April 2011, I was ready to come home. I had just over a week of travel still ahead of me when I left for the airport in Auckland, New Zealand on April 1, 2011. The fun was just about to begin...

I had rebooked my trip home back in January, changing my dates with Air Pacific over the phone. They sent an email with an itinerary showing the dates and flights of my trip. I thought I was good to go.

I arrived at the Auckland International Airport at around 11:45AM. I got in line to check in and the wait began. Finally I got up to the ticket counter. The girl was checking my piece of paper and a puzzled frown formed on her forehead. She called her supervisor over. She too looked puzzled. Finally the supervisor said to me that I just had an itinerary, not a ticket number. I needed a ticket number in order to get on every flight on my journey home! My itinerary was: Auckland, New Zealand to Nadi, Fiji that day. Then after eight days, Nadi, Fiji to Los Angeles, USA. After another two days, Los Angeles to Calgary, Canada.

The panic began to start. I had no ticket! I was on the phone with Air Pacific for an hour trying to get this trip booked. I had noticed that my credit card was not charged, but I figured if they did not ask for my money, that was their problem.

At this point in my trip I was using my credit card full time - I had very little cash. My heart was in my throat when the supervisor walked away with my only means of paying for anything for my entire trip home! She was going to call Air Pacific to get a ticket number from them. She told me to wait to the side of the line up for check in. Meanwhile the girl at the counter was about to check my luggage through to Los Angeles! I told her no! I am staying for a week in Fiji first and need my luggage there. Stress was starting to build now.

After waiting for about thirty minutes the supervisor came back and told me to meet her at the gate. She still did not have a ticket number for me. I checked my luggage and went through security.

I did meet her at the gate and the plane was boarding. No ticket number yet. She was on the phone with Air Pacific and they were calling the final boarding. It was just me and the captain's girlfriend left to board. Finally she got the ticket number from Air Pacific. She wrote it on my itinerary and I boarded the plane to Nadi.

I had a great week in Fiji and eight days later it was time to go to Los Angeles. I went through security and they announced the first boarding call for the flight. Then six names were called to go to Security for a screening. I was one of the people called. It was not so bad - just a pat down and they checked my carry-on luggage. I was one of the first to board the plane. It is a bit disconcerting, though, to be singled out for an extra security check!

Once in Los Angeles I ran into more problems - this time with the bank. I arrived in Los Angeles at 12:30PM, I got to my hostel in Santa Monica at 2:30PM. I had a travellers cheque that I needed to cash. I was told to go to Western Union. They were closed. I asked a girl on the 3rd Street Promenade where I could go to get a travellers cheque cashed. She told me Bank of America or Wells Fargo. They were a few blocks over and across the street from each other. They both closed at 4PM. Wells Fargo was on my side of the street. It was now 3:45PM.

I went to Wells Fargo. They did not know what they were doing. The guy I dealt with obviously had no idea what a travellers cheque was! Finally he called his supervisor over. She told me they could not cash it because it was in Canadian Dollars! Hello - it's a travellers cheque! Of course it's in Canadian Dollars! I was too late to go to Bank of America. So frustrating!

Two days later on April 11, 2011, I arrived home. My flight arrived twenty minutes early and I breezed through customs to find my family was not there to greet me! I had been gone a year and no one showed up. My brother-in-law walked by me fifteen minutes later and twenty minutes after that my mom and sister showed up.

What an adventure. Welcome home!

~Angie

What I Learned While Backpacking - Tips On Packing, Money, And Safety

I traveled by myself to the South Pacific - specifically New Zealand. I went to Los Angeles, then spent one month in Australia, then backpacked throughout New Zealand for ten-and-a-half months, finally going to Fiji for one week on my way home. I was gone for exactly one year.

I also lived out of a suitcase for one year. I had a smaller suitcase so I had to be selective about my packing. I had one pair of dress pants, two pairs of jeans, one pair of capris, three t-shirts, one hoodie, one sweater, one dress, one skirt, and dress shoes, plus pyjamas. I bought two more sweaters in New Zealand for work. I packed flip-flops to use in the common showers, one book (you can exchange books at hostels as you go), my limited toiletries (no hairspray, or any extras like hair gel), and two towels. I learned to be creative and mix-and-match my clothing so that I could have work clothes for a full week.

I learned a lot about money management while I was traveling. Before I left Canada, I added my mom to my bank account so that she could deposit money if I needed it. If you use your bank card overseas there are certain banks that you should use and not others. I found out after being charged an arm and a leg every time I withdrew cash from a bank machine, that my bank from home had an agreement with a specific bank throughout the South Pacific. Check which bank in the country you will be going to has an agreement with your home bank. It will save you a lot of money in the long run.

I learned to be selective when shopping for groceries and when eating out. I made some mistakes but I learned from them. I went to a fancy restaurant in Wellington because they were advertising French Onion Soup. I should have clued in when the menu did not have a price listed. I paid $20 for one bowl of French Onion Soup and a Coca-Cola. I quickly learned which restaurants and cafes offered the best bang for my buck!

I bought an iPhone just prior to leaving because it would allow me to use the internet and phone home. It seemed like a good idea when I bought it. The sales rep assured me that I could use a New Zealand SIM card with my iPhone. This was not true. I had to buy a mobile in New Zealand so that I could have a New Zealand number for employers to call me. It took several months to realize that I should have my iPhone on Roaming, I was paying a lot to use my phone for things like checking emails and taking photos. I don't think it was the best purchase for my circumstances. Make sure that your phone will work in your new country and make sure you have it switched to Roaming for the area you are visiting. Otherwise it will cost you a bundle!

Lastly, safety while traveling - particularly for women. In Australia I booked a hop-on/hop-off bus tour, which was a great way to meet people and see the country in a short period of time. In New Zealand I did a mix of traveling with a tour group and traveling by myself. When I traveled by myself (on the bus), I always made sure that I would arrive at my destination with plenty of daylight left to find my accommodation and eat before bed. Several times, I would be reminded to be careful and stay safe. New Zealand is a safe country to visit, and it can lull you into a sense of security. But like every other country, there is crime and sometimes crimes against tourists do occur. Just use your head, do not do anything you would not do at home, and be careful and aware while you are traveling.

Stay connected too. It is very important to send an email or phone home every once in a while - I usually would send an email about every four days because my mom would worry if she hadn't heard from me. Sometimes something beyond your control will happen too and it is important to update your family and friends on your whereabouts. I was on the South Island, on my way to Christchurch (but not there yet) when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch. I had not planned to send an email until I got to Queenstown two days later, but I had to send emails and update Facebook when the earthquake hit because people were concerned that I was there and possibly hurt. Keep in contact and let your family and friends know that you are okay.

Traveling is great and can be a life-altering experience. Happy travels!

~Angie

Why I Travel

There are two types of pleasure travellers: those who go to sit and relax on a beach somewhere, and those who go to experience a place. I fall into the latter category.

I travel because I have read about a place and want to experience that place for myself. Or because I have watched a movie and am inspired to see where it was filmed.

History is one of my motivators for travel. I want to see places, buildings, cities that I have read about in books or seen in films. Some places I have visited because I was inspired by books or movies are:

• Prince Edward Island, Canada - Inspired by Anne of Green Gables
• United Kingdom - inspired by various books by authors including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, JRR Tolkien and JK Rowling. Also by historical figures like Elizabeth I, Robert the Bruce and Jack the Ripper, and by historical events like the beheading of Anne Boleyn, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and the death of Princess Diana. Also the Harry Potter films, and Stonehenge.
• New Zealand - inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films
• Australia - inspired by the Crocodile Dundee films and the unique animals
• Thailand - I wanted to go to South East Asia and was inspired by the movie The Beach, though I did not go to Phuket, where this movie was filmed

Chiang Mai, Thailand

I have traveled just to sit on a beach, or lay in a hammock. But that is not my main motivation for traveling. I want to see and experience everything I can while I am in a location, because I may not get the chance to come back again. 

I had an argument with my mom prior to leaving for Australia because I wanted to go to the Red Centre and see Uluru. This was an expensive excursion and my mom was against me spending money to see "just a rock". I won the argument and added that three day trip onto the end of my Australian adventure. I am so glad that I did go to the Red Centre. It was well worth the extra money spent to get there, and I feel that I have seen everything in Australia that I want to see.

By contrast, I have been to the United Kingdom twice now. The first time I missed seeing the British Museum, so that was first on my list of things to see upon my return ten years later. I have still missed some things. I have to go back to Edinburgh to see the castle and JK Rowling's hand prints, and I have to go back to Oxford because original transcripts from the Lord of the Rings are on display in the Bodleian Library. Those are something to look forward to in a future trip to the UK.

There are lots of reasons to travel. These are just some of the things that motivate me to see the world.

St. Augustine wrote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." 

~Angie

Abbey Road

On my second trip to London, I made a point of going to see Abbey Road Studios. I wanted to see where the Beatles recorded their music. The studios are a bit off the beaten track (for tourists), and it takes some maneuvering to get there, but it was well worth the trip!

Abbey Road Studios are located in the City of Westminster, an area of London that is accessible by bus not far from Baker Street and the Baker Street tube station. It took me about half an hour to find the correct bus stop as it was a few blocks over from Baker Street.

The Road Sign on a building across from Abbey Road Studios

I wasn't sure which  bus stop to get off on Abbey Road, so I got off at the first one I came to. Fortunately, this dropped me right in front of Abbey Road Studios! The building is behind a wrought iron fence. Over the years Beatles fans have written messages on the fence posts - some good, some not so good. One person wrote: "The Beatles Music Sucks!" Abbey Road Studios is a mecca for Beatles fans, so this made me wonder why that person even bothered to come to Abbey Road in the first place, as the studios are off the tourist track.

Abbey Road Studios

Of course, any true Beatles fan must have their photo taken while crossing the cross walk in front of the studios. This cross walk is not the one that the band crossed in their famous Abbey Road album cover photo. That cross walk is further up Abbey Road. But fans and tourists have taken photos at the cross walk in front of the studios for years.

Crossing Abbey Road - Beatles Style!

Though Abbey Road Studios are a bit hard to get to on limited time in London, this excursion is well worth the trip! Check it out next time you are in London.

~Angie

Temples and Buddha Statues in Bangkok

There are a lot of Buddha statues around Bangkok, Thailand. Two of the most famous are: The Reclining Buddha and The Emerald Buddha.

The Reclining Buddha

The Reclining Buddha is the most famous Buddha statue in Thailand. He can be found at Wat Pho, in Bangkok. This temple is one of the largest and oldest in Thailand.

The Reclining Buddha

The Reclining Buddha is 15m high and 43m long. It is very difficult to fit the whole statue in one photograph. He reclines in his right arm. His feet are inlaid with mother of pearl designs displaying images of flowers, elephants, and tigers.

The Emerald Buddha

The second most famous of Bangkok's Buddha statues is the Emerald Buddha. He is found on the grounds of the Grand Palace, in Wat Phra Keaw. 

The Emerald Buddha

The Emerald Buddha got his name from his colour - he is green like an emerald. He is not made from emerald; he is made from green Nephrite, and he is dressed in gold. He has been housed in the Wat Phra Keaw since 1784, after three hundred years of transfers between Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand.

So, if you get the chance and are visiting Bangkok, be sure that you do not miss seeing these incredible statues of Buddha. They really are awe-inspiring!

~Angie

A Day At Universal Studios, Hollywood

Universal Studios, Hollywood...a must see for any movie fan.

The "Universal Studios" globe

The first stop of the day was the studio tour. This was really cool. I got on the 'train', a bunch of cars all hooked together that provide open air seats, so that you can see everything. There was lots to see...

Wisteria Lane from the Desperate Housewives set. The studio where CSI was filmed. Norman Bates carried a body from the "Bates Motel". And the War of the Worlds set, having just been used to film the Tom Cruise version of the classic story.

Norman Bates outside the "Bates Motel"

The "War of the Worlds" set

There was also a set for a simulated earthquake where I got to experience an earthquake for the first time. (This was about five months before I experienced a real earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, but it was a scary experience none-the-less.)

After my studio tour finished I wandered around the Universal lot. Lots to see. I 'met' Lisa Simpson before heading down to the park to check out the rides. Afterward, I decided to watch "Waterworld", a live production put on every day.

Lisa Simpson & me

"Waterworld"

I even had time to watch a movie. It was a full day and a really fun day.

Tickets can be purchased from your hotel or hostel, including transportation. Or they can be bought at the Studios entrance. You can also buy them before you go, online at: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

~Angie

The Deadliest Place On Earth

Fraser Island - the deadliest place on Earth. The most venomous snakes and spiders in the world are found on Fraser Island, off the Eastern coast of Australia. There are dingos on the island as well. Fraser Island is a World Heritage Site and is made entirely of sand. Despite this, a subtropical rainforest is able to grow and thrive on the island.

There are several options for visitors to Fraser Island. You can camp on the island, or day tours are offered from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. I took a day tour that showed visitors who were short on time all there is to see on the island. It was cool because you travel in a 4WD all-terrain vehicle that could go in the ocean as well as on land. I really liked when we got to go down the beach into the ocean.

Riding through the water along the beach in the 4WD all-terrain vehicle

We walked through the subtropical rainforest. Lots of vegetation to see, which is cool because it is all growing on sand. One girl in my group had a spider fall on her. Glad it wasn't me! And we saw a snake curled up in the rafters of a building too.

The spider - look closely, it is camouflaged

The snake

The vegetation in the subtropical rainforest

One attraction on Fraser Island is McKenzie Lake. This is an inland fresh water lake and is popular with tourists. It is also one of the most photographed lakes in Australia.

McKenzie Lake

A really cool thing to be sure to see is the ship wreck of the Maheno, that was beached on Fraser Island.

Maheno Ship Wreck

Maheno Ship Wreck

Maheno Ship Wreck

For more information about tours here is a helpful website:
http://www.fraserisland.net/fraser-island-tours.html

Fraser Island is a very interesting place to visit, but beware of the dingos!

~Angie

Faerie Glens

When I was in Scotland, I got to visit a couple of faerie glens. Very interesting...

The first was at Cloody Wells. This was an interesting experience. Traditionally people leave offerings for faeries so that their wishes are granted. In Cloody Wells, people left all sorts of un-traditional offerings. These included socks (not a pair, just one sock), t-shirts, bandanas, and panties. The "offerings" are hung all over the branches of the trees in the glen.

"Offerings" at the Cloody Wells Faerie Glen

The second faerie glen was a bit more "normal". It was near the western coast of the Isle of Skye. This one had a faerie castle that visitors can hike up to the top. Also, the "offerings" were more traditional: coins, jewelry, trinkets.

Faerie Castle Ewen, Glen Uig, Isle of Skye

Traditional "offerings"

If you get a chance, it is very interesting to visit Scotland - go see the faerie glens! Make an offering and a wish!

~Angie