The time had finally come. A while back, way before my trip to the United States, I was asked to do a presentation for a conference that was coming up. Most of my time in Ecuador working on monitoring active volcanoes in this country was dominated by making a database on explosion events at the Tungurahua Volcano. Once it was complete I was using the data that I had collected to perform a statistical analysis on this information - to understand better the distribution of explosions at this volcano and what it essentially tells us about the volcanic system in general. The presentation was to be on my results and findings from this analysis.
The conference was between the 24th - 26th November and was organised by SENACYT. They are basically an organisation which funds scientific and research projects in Ecuador, and this conference in particular was associated to natural hazards and risk management. The conference was taking place at a university down on Ecuador´s south coast, in between Salinas and Santa Elena.
On the 23rd of November, myself and few others took a flight from Quito to Quayaquil and then a short car ride to the conference area. We were staying in Salinas - its a beach town, but is different to any other coastal location that I had seen in Ecuador. It sits out on a peninsular, with tall high-rise hotels lining the beach-front - it looked more like Miami Beach than a coastal town in Ecuador. We were put up in a grand hotel, located on an Ecuadorian Naval Base. We were well protected out there. Our rooms were like mini apartments, looking out to the sea and everything was paid for. It was good living.
I stayed there for three nights - the duration of the conference. Others came and went - mostly just to do their bit and then head back to Quito. A few days before the conference, Tungurahua Volcano had started to show small signs of activity after a repose of about 4 months. Most therefore, made their contribution and left. I however stayed for the duration - as it was my first conference in this country and my boss, Mario, thought it would be a good experience to stay.
The conference was hardcore. It started every day at 8am and generally didnt finish until 8pm. There were many presentations and poster displays, obviously all in Spanish - but it was an interesting experience overall. I did my presentation on the first day. My talk was in English and it went well. I spoke in front of perhaps 200 Ecuadorians and all of them seemed to understand what I was saying - or at least they gave that impression. The talks are only 15 minutes so I wasn´t up there for too long. At the end of the day all the scientists who had presented had to go back up on stage as a panel and the audience would fire off questions to us.
The majority of people at the conference were scientists, military personel and government policy makers, and a whole host of students from the university. While there I was introduced to an Ecuadorian consultant who went to Southampton University in 1978. I had done my first (bachelor) degree at Southampton - although that was done a little after the 1970´s!!!
There were a number of presentations from the Instituto Geofisico, as many of my colleagues came and went over the three days. It was an interesting experience.
At lunch time we would often head to the town of Santa Elena, a small dusty town in this dry region, just 20 minutes ride from Salinas and the beach. At night, we would head back into salinas and stop for great restaurant food along the coast. We would often be eating at 9pm and so by the time we had polished off a few beers and made it back onto the Naval Base - most of us collapsed at 11pm.
On Friday afternoon I took a bus back to Ecuador´s big southern city - Guayaquil, and then took a flight from there back to the capital. It was a great three days - but the work wasn´t over for me. After a short weekend - it was back to the Institute on Monday.....................
Monday 29 November 2010
Santa Elena & Salinas - And The Presentation
Back In Banos For A Third Time
Just a few weeks after my trip out to Montanita, I was back on the road, this time to Banos - again. I went with Diana and one of her friends, Tania. She has a friend who owns a hostal in Banos and we were thus allowed to stay there for the weekend, for free. This is no simple hostal however, it was more like a Hotel. We had a huge room with satellite TV, there was a hot-tub in the hostal, a sauna and a great breakfast, as well as more - it was living in style.
We went down to Banos on Friday night and returned again on Sunday. On the Saturday we did the waterfall bike ride. You rent a mountain bike for $5 (for the day) and ride on the road out of Banos. Its mostly downhill and it takes you along the valley road, where waterfalls line the way and the jungle scenery dominates your view - its stunning. I had done it once before and was glad to be going again. We went as far as the Pailon del Diablo Waterfall - the highest in the area. Somehow I had totally missed it last time, riding straight past - but this time we stopped to take a proper look. It´s an amazing waterfall, its approximately 100 feet high and its powerfall. You first take a 30 minute walk from the road, throgh some pleasant jungle terrain, before reaching the falls. From there there are paths which essentially take you right behind part of the waterfall for an even more impressive display. You often find yourself standing in front of many waterfalls when you travel the world - and this one is definately worth a look.
We also managed to find time to sit in the Sauna and relax in the hot-tub, as well as have a good night on the town. The weekend was pleasant, and with my trip to the coast coming up, where I would have to do a presentation in front of a few hundred people, this was the perfect way to relax before the chaos that was to come..........and it came quickly!!!
Sunday 28 November 2010
Montanita For Halloween
Halloween is not that big in Ecuador. But around that time there are various religous festivals and also a public holiday - which I have no idea for what reason, and it appeared not many locals had any idea either. Still, it ultimately meant that I had from Saturday to Wednesday off work and so it was decided to do a big party in Ecuador´s beachy town of Montanita.
I went with a host of people. A little while ago I had met a young Ecuadorian girl, called Diana. Her and her work friend Milton, along with my hostal buddies Claudia and Mike all headed down to the coast. The last time I was in Montanita was for last New Years - that was actually the last time I was on a beach, and so after an overnight bus-ride for 8 hours and then another two buses of 4 hours - it was nice to finally be back in the hippy beach town of Montanita.
The place had actually changed quite a bit. Last time, the roads were dirt tracks and the whole place had a very grungy feel to it. Now though, the place seemed to of had a make-over. Paved roads now line the streets and many bars and clubs look new and pristine. Still the place has its grungy, hippy side to it, that I feel makes Montanita what it is. The beach is still big too and the surf is always good - and those things never change.
We stayed for three nights. The place is designed for partying so naturally all three nights were for two things only - drinking and dancing. We soon met up with some other friends that we knew - Nicki and Marie and some others from the Secret Garden Hostal in Quito that we would bump into now and again. The parties were great and although not many people dressed up for Halloween, it still didn´t stop us all having a good time. Our frind Claudia did however manage to get a costume - she went as the pregnant girl from the film Juno. No-one had any idea who she was but she did look pretty pregnant and many people would get out of her way during the night - she naturally played on it.
On most of the nights we would start off on Cocktail Alley - where all drinks are made with fresh fruits and a lot of alcohol. You kind of feel like you are being healthy and unhealthy at the same time. Then we would move to a club for dancing the night away, or relax on the beach where many people would light fires and sit around them with their bum firmly in the sand, chatting until the early hours of the night.
In the day we would chill on the beach, play in the waves and generally do very little. The weather was warm although for the entire time we were there we never once saw the sun, which was a shame.
The trip was great however and everyone had a good time of what they could remember. It was the last time I would see Claudia and my long term mate - Mike though, who were both leaving for different locations and not returning back to Quito. For the rest of us however, we headed back up to the capital and were soon back at work. It was nice to have a little holiday and nice to go back to a place which I had not been for so long. Now though - it was back to work and back to normal life - well for a while at least......................
Cotopaxi
So one weekend, shortly after returning from the United States, off I went with my Canadian buddy Mike to Cotopaxi. It doesn´t take long to get there form Quito, a few hours drive by bus and then an off-road vehicle for 40 minutes takes you right into the heart of basically - the middle of no-where.
Cotopaxi is a National Park but its center piece is the Cotopaxi Volcano. Its one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and its one of the Ecuadorian volcanoes I monitor. I had actually only been out this way once with work, when we were picking up equipment from one of the stations around here. That day, we worked out in the field, right on the flank of this impressive volcano - except clouds prevented us from even getting a glimpse.
Mike and I stayed out in the Secret Garden´s other hostal. Its right out in the heart of nature that dominates this part of the country. Its an amazing hostal too. They rear animals out here for food, use human waste for compost and run the whole place with basically no electricity. The food out here is tasty, the rooms or tents are comfortable and the beer in their hot-tub nicely rounds off a day spent in the mud. One of their toliets also has one hell of a view, as seen pretty much from anywhere at this location - the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano looming in the distance. In the foreground, the immediate surrounding area is dominated by lush, green rolling hills and on each a llama usually sits doing very little with its day. This place really is a brilliant location to get away from all your problems in the world. Personally I dont really have too many problems - but it was still nice just to be here!!!
Mike and I spent a lot of our time relaxing in the fire-lit hostal, drinking beers, being attacked by the four dogs that live here, and generally doing very little. We did find time to get out and about though. There is a nearby waterfall walk, where you trek along a river to some small but pleasant waterfalls. We did it in the pouring rain but also went solo, so we felt as though it was a mini adventure as most of the time we were basically lost.
We also went out to the Cotopaxi National Park. A group of us went out, taking the winding road up to the carpark. There we hiked up the steep sides of Cotopaxi towards the Refuge. It sits at about 4800m (asl) and the walk is by no means easy. From the car park to the refuge, it takes about 40 minutes using the average feet, but its altitude really means that every step is a struggle - especially in the breathing department. The views of the surrounding country up there are pretty spectacular though, so you quickly forget that its such a problem inhaling and exhaling!!!
Once at the refuge we had a quick rest before continuing up towards the start of the glacier. This walk was quicker and seemed a lot easier than before, even though by the time we stopped we were now at 5100m (asl). This was the highest I had ever been on land. In fact we were so high, that in terms of altitude this was higher than when I jumped out of a plane for my skydive in New Zealand - that puts things into a scary perspective.
We stopped at the glacier, as from this point on you need ice climbing gear (specifically crampons), so we all treked back down again after a short brake. One day, before I leave this country - im gonna attempt the climb to the summit, but for now it was good to see how I fared at the glacier. It wasn´t too bad - so I will definately give the top of this active volcano (at 5897m) a go sometime soon.
We walked back down towards the car park. From there however, four of us had hired mountain bikes to make the rest of the descent. Its a rough, rocky dirt track down - and a little dangerous at times. It was a bumpy ride but equally fun. Mike, messing about on his bike actually went over the handle bars in an acrobatic leap. It could have been serious but in the end he was fine and it bacam more a laughable affair than anything else. It took maybe an hour to go all the way down, where we were then picked up again and taken back to the hostal. We didnt make it back easily - the car broke down and so had to hitch rides with some local Ecuadorians - this is South America for you!!!
The trip out here was a perfect get-away from the smoggy city of Quito. Ecuador really is a beautiful country when you get out into the heart of their mountainous nature and there are not too many places to experience this beauty - as Cotopaxi. It was nice to fully see and climb this volcano too, as I had spent so many months monitoring this bubbling beast without actually too many glimpses it. Next time I have to try the climb to the top too - but thats for another day.
Mike and I jumped in the back of a pick-up truck and sat in the sun - taking our ride back home......................
Returning To My Temporary Home Of Quito (Ecuador)
Before I made it back to Ecuador, whilst still enjoying my time in the wonders of Los Angeles (USA), news was flooding through that an attempted coup was taking place in the capital city of Ecuador, Quito - where I had been living for the past 10 months and where in 3 days time I would be returning. President of Ecuador - Rafael Correa decided to change some polices making it harder for police in the country to gain promotions and recieve better wages & bonuses. This didn´t go down well with the Ecuadorian police and suddenly an uprising and attempted coup began to take place. Correa was trapped in a hospital, as loyal military members attempted to hold off the angry crowd. Reports suggested that the police surrounded the hospital and then proceded with a tear gas attack. Friends living in Quito later told me that the police were also burning objects in the streets and causing the kind of trouble which they are usually responsible for preventing. Such acts were taking place all over the country. After 12 hours Correa was rescued from the hospital, with the military and government taking back control of the situation but consequently with 8 police / military officers dead from gun fighting. Airports in Ecuador were closed for a few days and thus it was assumed that I would not be able to return to the fiasco taking place in the southern part of the Americas. In the end, the airports re-opened and my flight remained on schedule. I made it back to the madness of Quito - where streets were now filled with military officers, each a giant machine gun.
Quito was pretty much back to normal a few days later and my life back in South America picked up where it had eseentially left off. Unfortunately more long term friends were leaving. After 6 months here, my German buddy Jens finally finished up his work in forestry and departed these shores. I did have one very cool reunion though. When I first arrived in Ecuador I made good friends with Maha, a young German girl. We spent some months together traveling around or drinking on the terrace of the Secret Garden. I spent last new Years with her too. She returned back to Ecuador and we spent some time catching up. She didnt stay long and soon returned back to Germany - but has told me she would be back again after Christmas - she really does love this place.
Work was pretty hectic. I returned back and essentially started to plan my presentation. In a few months time, I would have to publically speak in front of a few hundred Ecuadorians on the explosions at the Tungurahua Volcano. A big conference was taking place at a university down on the coast of Ecuador and I was asked to do a 15 minute talk on volcanic activity. I was allowed to do the presentation in English, but I hadn´t yet finished my analysis or obtained all of my results and so it was a manic time for me at work.
I did manage to find some time to have fun. I went to a few great football matches. The first was my local team here in Ecuador - La Liga. They were playing a team from Argentina in the Quater Finals of essentially the South American version of the Champions League. There were fireworks, fights on the pitch, general mayhem and a win for the local team, which meant that La Liga were through to the Semi Finals. For the first time, after seeing hundreds of football matches, I also got a touch of the ball. It was looped high into the crowd and I leapt like a small cat to get a touch on it. I was happy about that.
The other game I went to see was an international friendly, Ecuador Vs Venezuela. Ecuador destroyed their South American counterparts 4-1 and it could have been more. It wasn´t a packed stadium but it was still nice to see an international friendly in this part of the world.
I hadn´t been back that long in Quito when I decided to do a few more trips out of the city. One of my good friends, Mike was soon leaving and he wanted to go to Cotopaxi and relax in the Secret Garden´s other hostal out there, and just be with nature. So the next weekend, I packed my bags again and off we went.............................
Sunday 7 November 2010
Last Days In LA & The United States Of America
We drove back from Santa Babara and into the big city of LA. On the way back Brenna wanted to take me to one of her favourite places in her home town - The Griffith Observatory. Sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, the observatory displays views of the Los Angeles Basin (including downtown LA) to the South-East, Hollywood to the South, and the Pacific Ocean to the South-West. The view from up there is extraordinary, and a good spot to see the Hollywood Sign, which so many people come to this city to see.
Its a beautiful park, with full 360 degree views from the top of the hill and we stayed there for sunset to really get the full affect. The showpiece however is the observatory. Its an amazingly crafted building and inside is a fabulous exhibition of all things space related, which includes a giant Faucault Pendulum to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth, a Zeiss refracting telescope and a machine which allows you to choose a meteorite of your design and then hurl at a planet also of your choosing . We spent a good few hours walking around and learning deep answers to the existence of our universe, but mostly just hurling meteorites at planets.
The masterpiece though, is the planetarium. It must be about 45 minutes long and was brilliantly done. As you lie back in your seat, the ceiling above turns into the night sky, and with a word-perfect narrator (wannabe hollywood actor) explained with precision all that we know about the universe we live in and the history of how we now come to such conclusions about it. I wanted to stay just to see it all again, but instead decided to buy Steven Hawkings book - "A Brief History Of Time" which is a mere doddle to read and understand but dont ask me to explain it, that would take about as long as the formation of the solar system!!!
On my last few days in LA, we based ourselves at Brennas student house in Claremont. Before I left, we visited the famous Venice Beach, where we were harassed by the usual nutcases that reside there. If you like to people watch - I cant think of a better place in the world to do it. We also took a ride on the also very famous Mulholland Drive and stopped off for view-point photos. Its a great road for cruising along and admiring the city of LA. We also passed through Beverly Hills, where huge houses and fancy sports cars dominate. Im sure many a person (aspiring actor / actress) has driven through this part of the world hoping their talents will take them all the way to the top (Beverly Hills). For me, its not really my thing and I would take a house in Southgate any day!!!
Our last few days for me were also filled with much eating. We went to as many amazing places to dine, as often as we could. The food portions are still ridiculously large and sometimes not of the healthiest standard, but the thing that makes food in the USA so brilliant - is that you can find anything you want and have it cooked any way you like. The options are so varied that I would often be eating things just to try them rather than to fill an apetite.
My last day in The States we actually spent in Inglewood - the notoriously dodgy part of town. It was close to LAX airport and it made our lives easier to stay in that part of the city. I had covered a lot in my short time to Los Angeles and had some wonderful experiences here and in Vegas. Unfortunately it was time to head back to Ecuador and resume my normal working life. It was sad to say goodbye to Brenna too - im not sure when or if I will ever see her again, but you never know I guess. I took my plane back to Quito - 11 hours later I was back in South America...................
Saturday 6 November 2010
Santa Babara
There are quicker ways to get to Santa Babara from LA, but none are quite as spectacular as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). We cruised a good few hours on this winding road that snakes along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and only stopped off once - for the newly famous "In & Out Burger". I keep hearing about this joint from every American living in or around California - and the burgers didnt disappoint.
Santa Babara is a cool little town. Its small, lies along a beautiful stretch of the coast and has very a chilled vibe. There are not loads of things to do but thats not what this place is really about - its just nice to be there. We spent the few days that we had there walking the main road with its many small designer-like shops and endless amounts of world cuisine restaurants. The beach is a good place for a stroll and theres also a pier with the usual pier like things.
We did manage to head off to the missionary. All over this part of the world, the Spanish once and still do have a strong influence here. The history and the architecture at the Missionary was interesting to see, and I got to learn about a part of history that was somewhat unfamiliar to me.
Santa Babara is a very relaxed place so essentially we did basically very little. We drank a lot of coffee, ate many ice creams and visited as many of the amazing restaurants as we could. It was nice to do so little after the madness of LA. However, we only spent a few days here, so after a good look around we headed back to the big city - where our plans were packed and the time was short.................here we go!!!
Los Angeles
Brenna again kindly came to meet me at the bus station. I was in a bit of a bad way. Four nights in Vegas can take it out of you. But there was no time for feeling sorry for myself, I ws back in LA and we were off to Sunset Blvd to meet a relative of mine - Julie. I probably hadnt seen her for, well, I cant even remember in how long - but it was a fair few years.
Sunset Blvd naturally had the perfect sunset - we arrived just in time. We met Julie in an English style pub, complete with dishes such as sheperds pie & bangers and mash. She obviously choose it to make me feel at home. We had a good catch up. I knew it was going to be an interesting night when Julie decided she needed a tranquiliser to calm her down. She was a lot of fun though as she retailed stories of the many famous people she had met in this town.
She later took us to Hollywood. I got to skip from one star to the next, before we all put our hands in the many prints that reside at the world famous Graumans Chinese Movie Theatre. I have the exact same hand size as Tom Hanks if you were wondering. We also got to walk up the glamorous steps at the Kodak Theatre - I didnt feel out of place among the home of the stars, not even once!!! We naturally took a ton of photos as has the millions of people before us and the millions of people who will come to this part of the world after we leave.
Later that night we drove back to Brennas student house. She technically lives just outside West LA, in a place called Claremont. Its a small suburb town and mainly houses a series of small, interconnected universities, one of which Brenna attends. Her student house was nothing like the abode that I lived in when studying. For me, the biggest highlight in our house was the toasted sandwich maker, but this house is complete with egg producing chickens and a swimming pool. This is LA I guess.
In Claremont we got to check out Brennas universities before visiting some of her friends that I knew from Ecuador as well. It was odd seeing them all out here because I only knew them from my time in South America. I think it was even weirder for them though - each person becoming quite emotional as my presence brought back memories of their time in Ecuador. Later that night we all got together for dinner and a little reunion. It was also in Claremont where I really remembered how good American food is. I mean the food in Vegas was amazing but I was often too ill to enjoy it properly. Here, I rediscovered my apetite and over the next 6 days I would eat more food than I had done in a long time. I started on the Bagels.
We left Claremont and headed off to another part of LA, Irvine, to visit Brennas parents. On the way we stopped off in Los Angeles Little India, where we had great curry and I picked up English Tetleys Tea and two tins of Heinze Baked Beans - amazing find. Irvine is one of the oddest places I have ever been. Voted the number one, safest city in the United States of America its essentially a planned suburb town, with fake but always beautiful lakes, immaculate roads and perfect houses. It felt like stepping into the Truman Show. Homeless people here are picked up by authorities and dumped outside the boundaries of Irvine, as it spoils the look of the place. Only in America!!! The streets here all look eaxactly the same and while you can decorate the inside of your house more or less however you like, the outside must comply with a thousand rules and regulations.
It was nice to see Brennas parents again, and I also got to meet her cool younger sister too. Around Irvine they also have public hot-tubs which you can go and use whenever you desire, so naturally after dinner thats exactly what we did. Brenna always told me about Irvine. I guess some people really love it but she said it was incredibly boring growing up there. I really didnt know what to make of it, I have never seen a place like this before!!!
Brenna and I left her family and headed off to the beach. I hadnt been to the beach for a long time (last New Years in Montañita, Ecuador) - so I was glad to be heading back to the Pacific. We went to the famous Laguna Beach. Its pretty much exactly how you would imagine it. Rich young kids hang about on the pristine sandy playa, where the sun always shines. The shops are all cute, generally selling delicious ice-creams and milkshakes and every car you see is worth more than I will ever earn in my entire life.
It was now the weekend, and we decided to leave LA for a few days and head up the coast. We rocked into Brennas motor and started to cruise up the PCH. We were off to Santa Babara......................
Saying Goodbye To My Boys...... And Vegas
We had one night left. Luckily we made the most of it. We ended up in the club of The Ceasars Palace, named "Pure". Naturally we had our VIP table and beautiful women serving us drinks all night. Maybe I didnt explain this before, but you are also given a giant bouncer who looks after you all night. For example, if you put a cigarette to you mouth, he will light it for you before it touches your lips. He also disappears now and again and returns with a handful of women. If you dont like them you tell your bouncer and off he goes to find you more. The whole thing is completely ridiculous. Most of the women he brought us were typically from England, as naturally most of Vegas is filled with people from the British Isles.
This last night was probably the best. We partied long and hard into the night and made the most of what was to be our final fling in Vegas. The next day I said some long and sad goodbyes. We certainly had fun out there and I have no idea when I will see this beautiful lot again so leaving was a pretty sad affair.
I have to say I liked Las Vegas. I mean I dont know if I could have spent any more than four nights there. I would have had to mortgage a house to afford it and there would have been so much alcohol flowing through my body I probably would have been diagnosed as medically dead!!! But still, when your with your boys and your in a place as frantic and fun as Vegas - its hard not to have a good time.
With just being glad to still be alive, I slept on the bus all the way back to LA. Here I would spend six days with Brenna - and I couldnt wait......
Friday 5 November 2010
The Grand Canyon
Im not sure how I did it really. After going out all night with my boys in Vegas, I took a brief two hour nap before getting up at 7am for an eleven hour day trip to the Grand Canyon. I always knew I was going to do it. I mean you cant come to Vegas and not go to one of the natural wonders of the world. Thats like Neil Armstrong taking a spaceship ride all the way to the moon and just before he puts his foot on the surface he thinks to himself - "ah no, I cant be bothered - lets just go home"!!!
None of my boys ended up going, I guess they were just happy to soak up the desert sun and evapourate all the alcohol that was still flowing through their bodies. But for a geologist - it just had to be done.
I was picked up in the most bizarre transportation. It was bright pink, and looked like a cross between a Limo and an off road vehicle. It was very stylish - pink doesnt normally suit me but I could have definately driven around the streets of London in that beast!!! Our group consisted of four French-Canadians, two guys from Austrtalia and a couple from Colombia (who I had great fun chatting to in my broken Spanish). Our guide was nice enough and always very informative too.
It was about 2-3 hours to get out there. Along the way we passed along desert roads and through Joshua tree forests. The scenery out there is pretty spectacular. We also drove over the Hoover Dam, probably the most famous of its kind in the world. We were given a few brief facts about it as we drove past. The dam is massive and the amount of water it holds back (within Lake Mead) is astonishing. The newly built arch bridge had just been finished too - it opens in a few months or so I believe.
Eventually we stop, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Here we were taking a helicopter ride into the canyon. It wasnt long ago that I had just taken my first chopper ride, that time around an active volcano (Reventador) in Ecuador, but now I would get to go again within the geological wonder of the Grand Canyon. It didnt disappoint. The ride was spectacular as we headed out to the canyon and then descended into it. The Colorado River snaking its way through the deep canyon walls really is a site to see, and its this river that is pretty much responsible for the whole formation that lies in front of you.
When we landed, we were quickly off again, but this time on a boat ride down the Colorado River. We were given a brief description of the canyons formation, but as I pretty much knew everything our guide was saying, I was more interested in taking in the view and naturally, in steering the boat. My boat captain skills unfortunately were not much to be desired im sad to say so I instead decided it was better just to be awestruck!!!
We then took another helicopter flight out of the canyon and back onto safe ground. From here it was a short drive to some look-out points. The first was by Eagle Point - aptly named for a specific rock formation nestled within the canyon that looks exactly like an Eagle with spread wings. Its located in Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and its now home to the incredible Skywalk.
Built in 2007, the Skywalk is a U-shaped glass, open-air bridge that hangs 70 feet passed the edge of the canyon and approximately 4000 feet above the ground. I had to take a walk around this marvel, for most definately the ultimate views of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon West. Its amzing to walk around it, with 720 degree views. Built with layer upon layer of glass, this bridge is actually capable of supporting twelve 747 jet airliners. With this in mind - I felt pretty safe.
We later had lunch at another look-out point (I cant think of many better locations to take a bite to eat) before taking the 3 hour drive back to Las Vegas. This time we stopped off at the Hoover Dam, just so we could get a proper look before continuing back to Sin City. The whole day was an unbelievable experience and an adventure I will certainly never forget.
When I returned back to Vegas, I was just in time to see The Bellagio musical water fountain show, which in its own right is up there with the Grand Canyon (well almost). But for me there was no time to waste. I had just one night left in Vegas - and there was some serious partying to do...................
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Las Vegas (USA)......."I Had A Dream I Could Buy My Way To Heaven - When I Awoke I Spent That All In Vegas!!!"
Getting out of Quito almost went perfectly. I thought it was going to be a real hassle but initially appeared to go very smoothly. That was until we were in the plane and on the tarmac ready to leave. Then the notorious mist came into the Quito valley and there we proceeded to sit on the runway for an hour. I had connecting flights and a bus journey from LA to Vegas, so this was not good news for me. After an hour we were allowed to leave and in the end - it luckily all worked out.
I first had a flight to Atlanta and then onto LA. From there I was met by Brenna, who I had met in Ecuador and spent 4 months with. She lives in LA and kindly agreed to pick me up from LAX. I have been to the States before but never to the West Coast,so I was pretty excited. I had about 3 hours until my bus up to Vegas so Brenna and I grabbed some lunch in downtown before having a wonder about. LA is big. People always tell me that but it really is sprawling. How people get around without a car is well.....well its not possible really. Luckily Brenna did have transportation so getting around wasnt a problem - although it did always take a while.
After a good catch up with her I caught my bus to Vegas. I was seeing Brenna properly when I was returning back, but for now - it was time for some serious partying. The bus ride from LA to Vegas took 6 hours through the desert. Its an interesting ride although my excitment was stopping me from really appreciating it all. I hadnt seen my boys for 10 months and now I would get my reunion in Sin City. Oh how I couldnt wait.
I arrived into Vegas at night and when you finally see all the lights and the hotels, it kind of blows you away. Everything is so massive and bright, its hard to keep your eyes focused. I eventually found my hotel for the next 4 nights - The Ceasars Palace, probably one of the biggest hotels in Vegas and certainly that I had ever seen. When I walked in it felt like stepping onto the set of "The Hangover", just as I hoped it would. There I stood with my giant backpack looking more out-of-place than anyone else around me. They were all dressed in suits with neatly packed suitcases. Not that I cared in the slightest!!!
It didnt take long before I was with all my boys, drinking and getting lost within the maze that is The Ceasars Palace. It was incredible to see them all. Non of them had changed as I had expected and hoped. Everyone that I would of wanted to see was out there, except Michael who couldnt make it because of an operation. He was sorely missed. Within an hour it had felt like I had never left them all though and thats always how I want it.
Our nights in Vegas were done in style. The boys had found some guy who basically arranges your entire party for you. We were picked up in limos every night and taken to a club of one of the major hotels where we skipped any lines and walked staright through. We had our own table in every club with beautiful women serving us drinks all night. If you can imagine a party in Vegas then we were living and partying right in the heart of it.
On the first night we partied in the club of The Venician. The party was pumping and the Jagermiester was certainly flowing. I cant remember drinking so much for a long time. There isnt too much I can really divulge about our nights out in Vegas but we all certainly had fun.
In the day you really get to see Vegas. Some of us would head onto Las Vegas Blvd and check out the other hotels. All of them are amazing. Each of them are massive but all have their own individual style. Ceasars Palace is pretty incredible to see, but equally The Bellagio for its class, New York New York for its roller coaster and The Venician for its gondolas. They all transport you to a different part of the world and all somehow within the confines of four walls. Some people in our group barely left The Ceasars Palace however, not because they didnt want or need to, but because they couldnt find the exit. Those of us with a sense of adventure managed to get out now and again.
The gambling was a bit of a novelty for me. The sheer number of places to gamble is staggering and people do it all day and all night, always hoping for that bit of luck or that bit of skill which they all believe they posses to take the house. Most come away very disappointed. The other boys did a lot more gambling than I did, although all of them had a fair amount more money. By the end of Vegas I ended up down by about US$100. I only played blackjack a few times and the odd slot machine. However I did put US$50 on black at the roulette with my friend Chris on our last day there......naturally it came in red!!! I dont think gambling is for me!!!
Others in my group lost over 15x more than I did, and some even more still.
For me however, earning Ecuadorian wages and living on Ecuadorian prices and then coming to Vegas was a bit of a shock. I really traveled from one extreme of spending to the other. In Ecuador I would spend maybe US$20 a day on normal living, including my accomodation, three meals and a few beers in the evening. So naturally I was a bit shocked when one bottle of water cost US$5 instead of the normal 30 cents. You can therefore imagine how much I spent each night on getting a VIP table at the night club of The Bellagio for example. Most people there often looked at me with utter confusion when I asked them where I could get my US$2 almuerzo (three course Ecuadorian lunch)!!!
Despite the costs, the entire city is mental in every other way too. The parties never end and the sheer number of model style-looking women is unbelievable. Most of them are on the arms of generally ugly, but clearly wealthy men and most of the time the whole thing looks completely ridiculous and certainly a little fake. Still, I dont remember anyone complaining at the time.
On our other days we sat by The Ceasars Palace pool, (or number of pools) which were quite simply - amazing. There, when we wernt too hungover, most continued drinking and lying in the heat of the desert, which was always scorching!!!
My room in The Ceasars Palace hotel certainly filled all my desires, with a flat screen TV, a double bed complete with 39 pillows, and a hot-tub. I shared my room with the legend that is Mr McCluskey, although we were both always in other rooms most of the time and I think we only spent one night in there at the same moment.
The food out in Vegas also has to be mentioned. We always ate well and out there its hard not too. On one night we really did it properly, all ordering steak and a few bottles of wine. I spent more on that meal than a weeks living in Ecuador.....although the steak was very tasty.
Vegas had definately lived up to everthing I had imagined, especially with seeing all my boys out there. I mean I probably would have had just as much fun with them all in Blackpool as its definaetly not the place that makes a place but the people that your with at the time. Okay, not Blckpool, but you know what I mean. Before I departed though there was one more thing to do, it was only a few hours drive outside of Vegas and for a geologist its a must. So with the boys all too hungover to go, off I went on my own to see one of the natural wonders of the world - known simply as..............The Grand Canyon!!!
Turning 27 In Ecuador
Ecuador is not a bad place to celebrate your 27 birthday, especially when you have a ton of friends with you and a party bus. When the 18th of September (2010) rolled around I was a pretty happy man. I had hired a Chiva Bus, essentially an opened top vehicle complete with DJ, disco lights and as much alcohol as you can put down your throat. It drives around Quito for 2 hours while you dance the night away and it ended up becoming a pretty messy affair.
Before this bus madness however, we first had some drinks on the terrace of the Secret Garden Hostal, above the twinkling lights of Quito. I have some amazing friends here and they had treated me to a whole host of suprises. The terrace was decorated with birthday banners, then I was give a number of brilliant presents, including an "I love Quito" t-shirt with all the names of the guys who had helped create it on the back. I also got a giant bottle of Jagermiester - which was finished by us all in about 40 minutes, and the entire DVD box set of 24, season 8. Yay. Amazingly these guys had also made me a brilliant hand drawn card by Dom (a very talented Australian who had been volunteering at the Secret Garden for some time) and an incredible cake in the shape of a volcano, complete with dripping lava. It wouldnt be until two days later when we actually ate it but I can tell you it was delicious. I was also given presents by my Ecua-brothers (Jefferson and Santo), by Jaqui, Mike and by Diana. I was a bit overwhelmed by it all!!!
As people started to gather on the terrace we continued to party and drink ourselves stupid. Eventually we all left for the party bus. I had 35 people on it. Most were friends from the Secret Garden, but equally I had work mates there, some of my other Ecuadorian buddies and a number of all their friends. The party bus was brilliant. I dont remember most of it but I do remember enjoying it if those two things together are possible. Half way through the night the bus stopped by a park and we all got off for some sort of drinking games. I had to dance with three people and the rest would vote on who was the winner. I would then be the king of the party and the winner would be the queen. It was no suprise that everyone picked Dom as my queen!!! We were given crowns and prizes.
We continued on the bus before eventually being dropped off in the Mariscal. There 35 drunk people headed off to a club for more dancing madness. I was pulled up on stage at one point and an entire bottle of champagne was poured over me. By the end I could barely stand. I woke up the next morning a little hung-over.
It was a fantastic night which I enjoyed immensly. Its nice being in another country surrounded by amazing people, especially who you have only just met say a few months before. It really shows you how brilliant most people in this world can be. Two years ago I was celebrateing my birthday in New Zealand by jumping off a large bridge. Last year I was back with my boys in London, an amazing reunion after not seeing them all for a year and a half, and this year im getting drunk with 35 people on a party bus around Ecuador. I wonder where I will be next year.......???
With my birthday over for another year I only had a week left of work before my big trip away. My friend Ricky was getting married in London in February (2011) but his bachelor party was taking place in Las Vegas in one weeks time and I would be leaving Ecuador for the first time in 10 months to share in this holiday of chaos. I couldn´t wait. I would spend 4 nights with my boys in Vegas (after not seeing them all for almost a year) and then spend 6 nights in Los Angeles with Brenna. It would be amazing, but leaving brought some mixed emotions. The amazing group of friends that had been with me here in Ecuador for the last few months were all leaving. Most would be gone when I returned in 10 days and that was sad.
The week before I left, Ella and Nina had gone to Colombia. Elena (my work buddy and good friend) had headed back home to England and slowly others were soon disappearing. I put these sad thoughts to the back of my mind - for my trip had arrived. I was off. I packed my bag and prepared myself for a bachelor party in Vegas. 12 boys from London, spending 4 nights going mental in the Sin City of the United States Of America. Only one thing passed through my mind.............god help me!!!!
