Archiv des Monats: Mai 2014

Spent a day in Santa Monica on the Muscle Beach, last day on Venice Beach,started to San Francisco and slept one night in the car

On Sunday I went with Olli, Lara, Patrick and Pascal to Santa Monica. We drove there by my car and parked, after 30-minutes-drive, in front of the beach. We crossed the Muscle Beach (many workout machines on the beach) on our walk along the Promenade and enjoyed the Santa Monica Pier. Smiley

DSCF5978DSCF5982

After 4 hours, really nice streetshows and good food, we returned to Hollywood. In the evening Pascal, Patrick and me decided to watch the new movie „Neighbors“ in the movie theatre. The film started at 7:45 pm and we enjoyed a good night with a lot of popcorn. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund It was the last night for my friends in LA. They left the next day to San Francisco. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5988DSCF5987

Me instead went with Judith and Nina (two German girls) to Venice Beach. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5999

In front of this beach was a huge skatepark  where boys and girls presented their good skating skills. I forgot to take my inline skates on this trip, damn it. Smiley mit herausgestreckter Zunge There were a lot of people watching the streetshows and a lot of girls and boys doing sport on the beach. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

After that we went to In‘ n’ out Burger (a really famous burger restaurant in California) and had a really tasty dinner. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF6020DSCF6018

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to our hostel late in the night and stayed a while in the car, talking and having fun. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF6023DSCF6021DSCF6022

In the morning of the next day Quentin a guy from Switzerland woke me up. I met him the day before yesterday and he asked me, whether if I could give him a lift to Santa Barbara. I agreed and so he joined Lara, Olli and me in my car. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF6030DSCF6029DSCF6037

We dropped Quentin in Santa Barbara and continued our roadtrip to San Francisco. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF6035

We drove on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), saw elephant seals and enjoyed really nice views along the coast.

DSCF6063DSCF6069DSCF6073DSCF6076DSCF6079DSCF6080

 

Over the night we decided to stay in my car. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

Some days in LA

On my second day in Los Angeles I went to the Walk of Fame, to Beverly Hills and got my really nice car with Patrick and Pascal. Smiley

It was quite a long ride to go from my hostel by train to Los Angeles downtown but in the end I arrived there and met Patrick and Pascal.

DSC_0389DSC_0467

It was so nice to meet them again and we decided to book a sightseeing tour through LA. The tour started at 12:00 pm and took us all the way through the rich and nice parts of Los Angeles. We drove through Beverly Hills, where all the huge film stars have their nice houses. I saw the house of Robert de Niro, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSC_0411  DSC_0416DSC_0429DSC_0407DSCF5799

After that we went along the „walk of fame“ and caught a train which took us to the airport, where I had to pick up my car. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund So I did and we drove home with my brand new Dodge Avenger. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund After I purchased a new navigation system we returned home. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund It was really nice to drive a car again and I got used to it really fast. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5860DSCF5861In my hostel I got to know two really nice Swedish girls (Malin and Denise). I enjoyed good conversations with them and we decided to go to the Universal Film Studios together.

The next day Patrick, Pascal, Malin, Denise and me went to the Universal Film Studios and had an awesome day there.

DSC_0474DSCF5911DSCF5910DSCF5905

The Universal Film Studios are like a big theme park and  there were many things you could experience. We purchased the ‚Front of a Line Pass‘ and so we didn’t have to wait for any attractions.

 

First of all we went to the Transformers Ride which is a ride with 3D Glasses through the plot and the sets of the movie „Transformers“. It was just awesome. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

Our next ride was one in the set of the movie „The Simpsons“. Later that day we saw an awesome show (Underwater) with really popular stuntmen performing in a sea battle. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5922DSCF5920DSCF5931

 

In another show called “Special Effects” we learned a lot about the tricks behind the scenes to create some special effects. They showed us how they create various kinds of landscapes or buildings in front of a green screen.

It was really interesting and we enjoyed every second of it. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund For our last attraction we took  the bus ride through the film sets of Hollywood. It was so amazing, interesting and really funny to recognize popular film sets (houses,streets). I saw the ‚Misteria Lane‘ from the TV Series „Desperate Housewives“, I saw the doorway of the TV Series „How I Met Your Mother“ and the filmset of „World of War“. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5961DSCF5958DSC_0574

 I was really impressed to learn that there are used so many tricks to create a filmset. If the actor is small they just build the doorways smaller to create the effect, that the actor looks taller. After we finished our trip to the Universal FIlm Studios we drove all the way up to the Hollywood sign to take some good photos.

DSC_0626DSC_0636

Bye Hawaii and welcome to Los Angeles

Today I got up at 5:30 and took my flight to LA at 8:00 in the morning. After I had arrived in LA, I headed straight to a telephone at the airport and arranged, that someone from the hostel came to pick me up.

Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

After checking-in at my new hostel I went to a restaurant to eat something for lunch. There I met a really nice Bulgarian girl and a nice Mexican guy. We had good conversations and a great time. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund I messaged the to Patrick and Pascal about my arrival, and we will catch up tomorrow to go to the walk of fame and to see the Hollywood sign. After that we will pick up my car at the airport. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5751DSCF5752DSCF5753

Days in Hawaii

I had a good time in Hawaii, tanned a lot, went swimming, met new people and organized everything for my roadtrip in America. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5704

Johanna

DSCF5709

…and me

DSCF5711

DSCF5717DSCF5725

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Emina met a lot of Canadians and relaxed at Waikiki Beach with them for some time. It was really nice weather and we all enjoyed good conversations and had a lot of fun. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

Waikiki Beach

DSCF5741DSCF5743

Challenged the Stairways to Heaven

Today at about 2 pm Lara and me (German girl from Köln) went by scooter to the mountain, where the Stairways to Heaven are located. This is a really hard track made of a thousand stairs  leading to the top of the mountain. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund It was really hard hiking but in the end  we managed to see the sunset from the very top. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund We returned to the hostel after 5 hours. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5673DSCF5677DSCF5676DSCF5660

DSCF5690

Hired a scooter for four days, went to Kalua Beach, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbour

Today Quinni, Lara, Olli and me decided to hire some scooters for four days. So we did and started the drive to Kalua Beach. Smiley

DSCF5552DSCF5568DSCF5578

The next day Quinn and me went together to Diamonds Head. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5587DSCF5598

At 12 o’clock we returned and together with Olli and Lara started another trip to Pearl HarbourwlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout.png

It took us about one and a half hour to come to Pearl Harbour and we enjoyed a great time over there. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5622DSCF5621DSCF5633

In the evening Patrick, Pascal, Helga and me went to the Cheesecake Factory and had a really nice night. It was kind of a fairwell-dinner for Patrick and Pascal, because they had to leave the next day to San Diego. I will catch up with them in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5644DSCF5645DSCF5646

Aloha Hawaii, went to Hanauma Bay and liked the new hostel

After I had arrived in Hawaii after my 6 hours flight  – one little stop-over on the Christmas Island, where all the passengers from the flight had to wait in a really small room – I took a cab from the airport to my hostel.

DSCF5453

Christmas Island

DSCF5451

DSCF5463Welcome to the United States

My hostel was at the Waikiki Beach and it is a really good one to check in for 8 nights. I got to know some other Germans from the hostel. Two cool guys from Hamburg, who did their work and travel in Canada for one year, and a nice couple also from Germany. We decided to go together to Hanauma Bay the next day. That’s a lovely snorkelling spot, about half an hour by bus from the hostel. On our way to Nahauma Bay we had a really funny bus driver, who explained everything to the passengers.

DSCF5483

He made good jokes, and we spent a funny time with him. At Hanauma Bay we had to pay 7.50$ admission fee and had to watch a movie about the history of Hanauma Bay.DSCF5490DSCF5493

After that we were allowed to go in. So we did. Smiley We went to the water and were about to go snorkelling, when I realized that my “new” snorquelling equipment which I bought in Fiji, had been damaged during the transport in the plane. So I decided to rent some snorquel equipment at Hanauma Bay for one day. It was worth it, I saw a turtle…

DSCF5519DSCF5518

, really beautiful fishDSCF5503 DSCF5506DSCF5511DSCF5513DSCF5514DSCF5516DSCF5517

… and enjoyed a  lovely day together with the other guys.

 

On our way home we had gone to Starbuck’s before we returned to our hostel. There I met a really nice Vietnamesian girl (Quin) from Germany, had a good conversation with her and went out to a restaurant. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund It was a great evening and I had really enjoyed my first days in Hawaii. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSC_1050

Return from Mantaray

Today I caught the ferry to Denarau Port at 2:30 pm and met a really nice Fijian guy on the boat. He is a 35-year old man who works for a resort on one of the islands of the Yasawas. We had a really good conversation and in the end he invited me and my family next time  to come to his village. It’s called Vatulele Village and is located next to Suva. Then he wants to show me everything and that I will get to know his family. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5429DSCF5430

I arrived at Smugglers Cove in the night, had a fabulous dinner there and went to bed.

DSCF5444DSCF5445

One day on Mantaray Island

Today I got up at 6:00 o’clock and caught the ferry to Mantaray Island. It took me three hours to get there by boat. It was a huge ferry which stopped at almost every island of the Yasawa Islands. When I had arrived at my resort, I was absolutely impressed. I had a room of my own again, with my own balcony (tree house bure).

DSCF5365DSCF5366DSCF5367DSCF5368DSCF5364

I went for lunch and applied for a dive after lunch. We went out by boat and I had to put on my diving gear. We went down to 17 m, so that I couldn’t take any pictures and for this time I found it too expensive to buy them afterwards. It was a great underwater world, and we swam through some caves and had a great time. During the dive I had to change my  oxygen tank – I got the tank of my instructor because in mine was only 40 left ( minimum is 50).  I sucked too much air. After we had succeeded in that adventurious bottle-changing under water, we could continue our dive. From that diving experience I have learnt, that I really have to do a diving course in advance, if I want to do some more diving.

I got to know some Danish girls who were really friendly. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund After the dive I went to the beach to tan my skin and relax. There I met two Scottish girls, who wanted to do the Tube Sun Cruise. I didn’t know what it was, but it sounded interesting and I liked the girls, so I decided to join them. Smiley mit herausgestreckter Zunge On the cruise I met the Danish girls again, and alltogether we enjoyed a really nice sunset, floating on our tubes, laughing, making jokes and drinking. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5388DSCF5403

After dinner I had a long and really interesting conversation with a female diving instructor from Australia. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund I learned a lot from her. Tomorrow I will check out and will return to Nadi to stay one night in Smugglers Cove. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

Back to Nadi and checked in at Aquarius On The Beach

Today I woke up at 8:00 o’clock on Robinson Crusoe Island, enjoyed my last breakfast there, paid the bill and went off to the boat. On the boat I met a really nice Danish couple and I talked to them all through the following bus tour. The guy is a tattooist, and he told me a lot about tattoos. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund Then I checked in at my new hostel, and they checked in at  theirs (both were  located on the beach and we were neighbours). I decided to do a horseback-riding along the beach, and I asked them whether they would like to join me. They said „yes“ and off we went for a lovely ride along the beach. I enjoyed it very much, the amazing view from the horse’s back and to “speed” through the water. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5305DSCF5299

After that we went back to our hostels and I joined them for swimming in the sea. After a break outside in  the sun I decided to do my laundry. Smiley mit herausgestreckter Zunge

DSCF5289

I gave it to the reception and it was returned at 8′ o’clock in the evening (really good service in this hostel). Then we went to the city by the local bus. It was only 1,15 FJD and it was a very funny experience. The buses are really old here, and we had to pull a rope to ring the bell, when we wanted to get off. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund In Nadi we did some shopping, some groceries for the islands. I will go to Mantaray Island tomorrow, and they will go to Paradise Cove. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund In Nadi I could show them the amazing fruit market, with all kinds of delicious and really cheap fruits.  Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund We ate some fresh pineapple and just enjoyed the day. Smiley mit herausgestreckter Zunge During our stay in Nadi I realized, that it is a different feeling, walking down the street, three blonde Europeans all by themselves, or being a member of an organized tourist group. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund Almost every second there was a Fijian Indian saying “bula” or “hey” or “hello my friend” offering something to us. We said no to drugs and finished our shopping. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund We returned to the hostel by 6 o’clock. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund

DSCF5332

Later in the evening I surprisingly met again the two English girls from my first trip and we enjoyed good conversations. Smiley mit geöffnetem Mund