BigMal's World

So i didnt really explain what has been going on the last few days. After the big party towns of Memphis and New Orleans i thought we would be having a bit of a relaxing time. I was wrong. Currently running what is termed.. the Gauntlet. From Amarillo to Orlando is termed the Contiki USA Gauntlet. 10 days of traditional Contiki partying, we did not disapoint.

You have all read about dallas and memphis. New Orleans was pretty seedy but it was pretty good for partying. Florida on the other hand was quite different. From the minute I stepped off the Bus in Pensacola (our first stop in Florida) the drinking began. By the end of our lunch/beach stop I had consumed 6 drinks (ranging from beers to daiquris to shots of Jamaican rum.. yuck). After dinner that night the drinking continued into the early morning till i could no longer walk and promptly passed out in my bed.

Orlando held more of the same. Pleasure Island was awesome. I wish they had something like it back home but sadly they dont. I found one club called Masquerade (the first club we went to actually) which was a very good dance club. When we first got there it was pretty much more commercial dance but by the time we left it was all trance and a touch of progressive and house. It was an awesome club. The dance floor rotated in a circle (like a lazy susan). It was fun 😀

Then the 2nd night in Orlando after hitting the theme parks all day was spent at the Pizza Party. Pretty easy way of relaxing you would think… NOPE!!!! Had been drinking during the day at lunch (Hard Rock Orlando) and then consumed not to much really that night. BUT i was playing beer pong and we lost of course and then of course… the beer bong. I couldn’t believe how much of the beer you actually wear. Horrible. Afterwards that night they threw me in the pool. BASTARDS! right after i had showered after the beer bong.

Last night though, I took it pretty easy, still had a few beers but nothing to huge. Today again a couple of beers tonight but nothing to huge. Took it very easy.

Some highlights non drinking wise from the last few days:
* Seeing the Disney Golf Ball at Epcot
* Riding Test Track and Mission: Space
* Seeing Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Centre
* Seeing the size of a Shuttle and the Saturn V rockets
* Having lunch with a Real Astronaut and getting my photo taken with him

I am having a great time and I just wish it did not have to end. Wish i could just keep going travelling at the end of this but I will need to wait a bit I guess.

Current Location: Howards Johnsons St Augustine – Room 125
States Visited: 13

Well its been quite a few days since the last update. Had no access to the net in New Orleans and was to busy partying the last few days to worry about it. But I thoguht i would grace you all with my presence on the net for a few minutes. New Orleans was awesome. It was such a great party atmosphere however Bourbon St was seedy as hell. Lots of sex act places or strip joints in plain view.

I did a cooking school in New Orleans learning to cook some creole food. It was pretty good. Partied a bit in Pensacola and also the first night here in Orlando at Pleasure Island. I found an awesome club called Masquarede and it was all dance and trance music so I was in heaven.

It was a good time i tell you that. Last night though…very messy. Was playing beer pong (lost) and did my first beer bong. But not some small pissy thing. A two story beer bong! I was covered in beer it was not good.

Anyway best be off, goign to Disneyworld any minute now.

Location: Suites at Old Town, Orlando Florida
States Visited: 13.

Blues music, its known the world over, yet I have never really listened to it. However its all your gonna get in Memphis. Last night went to Beale St and it was fantastic. We went to a place called BB Kings. It was great. Was sitting right next to the stage with a beautiful singer and I ended up buying her CD cause she was good. Had my first try of Catfish. It was fantastic! Loved every mouthful of it. Other than being in Memphis yesterday was pretty cruisy. We went to a place called Texarkana. It is literally the border between Texas and Arkansas. you can jump back and forth between the two states and when you drive down the main street. One side is Texas the other Arkansas.

Also saw the Arkansas state capital building in Little Rock. So extravagant and nothing like at home. If thats what a state capital is like I can’t wait to check out somewhere like Washington DC with all the monuments etc.

This morning was amazing! Went to Graceland. So so so so so worth it! Took quite a few photos although not many of them will work out as you could not have flashes anywhere inside the compound at all. Saw his two planes. The Big Convair 880 and the Little Jetstar. Awesome planes.

Tonight prolly have a quietish one on Beale St somewhere maybe. Heading in search of Good Ribs!

States Visited: 9
Current Location: Benchmark Hotel – Memphis, Tennessee

I forgot to mention this in the last post but some of the nights on this tour have been crazy. I have talked about vegas but suprisingly the other crazy nights have not been there. We certainly have had our share of wierdness. The canyon was pretty quiet for us but it was nice and serene. In Cortez though we decided to have a Pool Party after dinner to enjoy ourselves and relax by the pool. It went good to start with and when we found out someone was stealing the girls panties from the washing machine and had been doing it all day and they saw the guy it kinda deterioated. O did i mention in Vegas one of the girls ended up in hospital. By this point we had the Paramedics and the Cops come (not our fault for the cops it was to do with the panty theif).

After Cortez the next big night was Amarillo. Bugger me was that huge. After dinner we all went to this club in downtown somewhere and it was $17 to get in, I drank myself stupid at the club on Beer, Shots and Tequila and then went back to the hotel alone because I was feeling depressed. But when I got back everyone was out on the balcony drinking so I decided to join them. I had another beer and talked for a while and by the time everyone got back from the club it was around 3am. At this point i tried to go to bed but it turned out the cops had come and arrested 4 of the guys. I thought my room mate was joking until i saw Keeth (commonly known as irish) walk past my room in handcuffs.

Then there was last nights efforts in Dallas. $1 drinks, got royally fucked up and was playing people in Mortal Kombat. The first guy I was playing i whipped his ass so good that he would still be feeling it. Then he moved on and another guy came along but he kicked my ass over and over again. It was good. I enjoyed that you didnt just have to drink and dance in the club.

o and i pwned the Tour Manager in Mortal Kombat. 1 hit off a Flawless Victory.

A lot has happened since I last spoke with you. I enjoyed the Grand Canyon at Sunset, took in the breathtaking Scenery of Monument Valley, Went 4WD’ing in Durango Colorado in the Mountains, Floated in a Hot Air Balloon over Albuquerque new mexico and then finally headed into Texas.

Its been a good few days. Highlights would have to be the hummer trip into the mountains in Durango with a climb up to a disused gold, silver and platinum mine. It was good, although being a 14,000ft was a bit rough when trying to walk around. Also checked out Monument Valley which is so beautiful its breathtaking. Enjoyed that heaps. Coming into Texas though and a big big party in Amarillo. It was an experience. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I would of liked to of been able to see the city more but I drank myself stupid instead. I think the total was at about 8 beers, 3 wierd test tube shooters and a shot of tequila. I was fucked. I could barely walk. I enjoyed the night though apart from one bit.

I got my heart broken thats for sure. There is one girl on this tour that i was attracted to. And low and behold she hooks up with someone else on the tour that night. what a way to get your heart broken. Anyway not much on that.

Tonight i am off to Texas Stadium (its currently raining at the moment though so hopefully it pisses off). Yesterday we had a tour through the stadium and a mini game on the field it was a great experience. So loved every minute of it. Tonight should be good. Get to see my first ever live game. YAYAYAYAYAYAY Can’t wait. Anyway i best be off. I have some laundry to do before the game.

Love you all lots, miss you all.

Mal

States Visited: 7
Current Location: West End Hotel, Dallas, Texas.

Ok sorry for the long delay but it has been hard to find decent cheap internet. The trip so far has been amazing. I can’t believe how much fun it has been. I wish I didn’t have to come home in New York. I think i have given up on the budget. When you last had me post it was the same day as arrival. Had a pretty relaxing one that day and just chilled out. Next day chilled in the morning till Met up with Bianca and Julie and went down to the Angel’s Stadium to get some tickets to the game that night. I had real mexican for lunch with Michelle and Kenna and it was great catching up with them again. It has been over a year since we last saw each other.

That night was my first ever baseball game. Anaheim Angels (owned by Disney) vs Texas Rangers (owned by George W Bush). Twas a good game, had my first hot dog and also experience a Corona Bomber which is pretty much the equivalent of a Tallie (700ml) in a plastic cup. I had a Pacifico (better version of a Corona) and it was pretty damn good. It was pretty hot at the game. Didn’t cool down much at all. The heat over all on the West Coast was pretty hot.

So the next day was Day 1 of the tour and that meant the bit I was most looking forward to. LAS VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!! We got in around lunch and I had to find myself some shoes as apparently they are pretty strict with dress codes (later to find out they weren’t). Behaved myself pretty well, had an awesome slice of pizza at Caesars Palace and road the Vegas monorail (which in itself is like a party with DJs on the stations). Bit of a bad weekend to come to Vegas as it was Labour Day weekend. 3 Day Weekend and everyone was going to party. Went out that night to see the Blue Man Group at the Venetian and it was fantastic! I couldn’t believe it. After getting out of the Venetian we had to make our way to the other end of the strip in like 15 minutes. Felt almost impossible. Found a Doorman to give us a hand and they arranged for a Cadillac Escalade to pick us up and take us to the other end of the Strip for $45. The driver was awesome. He sped us to the other end in 10 minutes, probably broke several road rules to. Went out to a club called Rum Jungle at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and it was unlike any club I have ever seen in Brisbane or Sydney.

Word of advice. If you come to Vegas, Tip the bar staff $5 on your first drink. They will love you after the first drink and they free pour in vegas and they were pouring my Grey Goose on the Rocks very heavy (probably about 3 or 4 standards). After 3 of those I was very gone and staggered back to the hotel.

Sunday was pretty relaxed. Went out to some outlet malls in a Stretch Escalade and tried to find my pats jersey but didn’t have any luck so ended up getting a Texas Longhorns Hat. In the afternoon chilled out in the room and did some laundry. Through a football around a bit in the car park of the hotel. It was a good afternoon. Wasn’t feeling very well that night so took it easy. The new shoes i had bought turned out to have given me a very large blister so my feet were aching! Saw the bellagio fountains and also checked out New York New York and the Casinos are so over the top. Bought some souveneirs being 3 $5 chips from the Belaggio, MGM Grand and The Palms. Had a quiet night and then an early wake up for our road trip to the Grand Canyon.

On the road for the 2nd time on this trip as we headed east towards arizona. First stop Kingman Arizona and for the first time…. WALMART! This is like a Woolworths, Big W and a BWS all rolled into one. Even has a Gun Department in the Sporting goods section selling not only real guns but Paintball Guns and Airsoft Rifles (was tempted but didn’t want to freak out the Tour Manager). It was so huge. Also tried In and Out Burger. Its such a simple looking place and their burgers were so cheap. One thing to remember over here is that the food is HUGE. Easily feed two people off one meal in some places. I have yet to be able to finish a full meal. Also talking about food and drinks, In Walmart the booze is cheap. Picked up a dozen Pacificos for $12 and decided against the 2 litre bottle of Skyy Vodka for $21.

Arrived late afternoon to the Grand Canyon. This place is amazing and breathtaking. I couldn’t believe it! You look out at this gaping big crack in the ground and see the colour changes in the rock and also the occasional tree and then way down below the Colorado river. Today woke up early for our heli flight over the Canyon. I was already looking forward to this part of the trip but was even happier when I was told to head to the helipad with the EC130 sitting on it. If you haven’t seen this helicopter before here is a picture. They are so comfortable inside and much nicer than a boring old Bell 206 or 407. It was a fantastic flight and I took around 200 photos.

Just walked along the Canyon rim and later on tonight heading to a sunset vantage point. Really wish I had brought my Tripod with me. Anyway i best get off this net and let someone else use it, I shouldn’t be mean and hog the free internet.

Talk to you all soon. Love you all lots.
Mal

Current Location: Grand Canyon National Park Library
States Visited: 3

Ok im safe and sound on the ground in LA. Internet is expensive at the hotel (69c a minute). Will update later. Flights were good. Packed for both of them. I tell you what its been a while since I have done such a long flight and bugger me AVOD is a god send. Anyway im gonna go find somewhere cool to sit cause its hot as hell and im tired as all buggery (ive been awake 24 hours).

To everyone at work, not missing you a bit. To everyone else… miss you heaps!

Well if you look above I am now into the Single Digits of days left to go. My ears should be good to go (ive been popping them several times a day), My flu is almost gone and I now have everything ready.

I was a bit dissapointed to find that I am only allowed to take one piece of carry on luggage as I was hoping to be able to take my Camera in its brown camera bag. But sadly no 🙁 I wish I could as it would make things so much easier, to be able to carry a back pack and a camera bag but i highly doubt I will be allowed. O wells. I’ve done all the final purchases, the special TSA approved lock, some toothbrush covers (im leaving the electric toothbrush behind), the power adaptor and also a multi tool (impulse buy).

I am really looking forward to the trip at the moment. So many sacrifices have been made to put this trip into place, working extra hard, no leave etc. I drove my body into the ground and have spent most of this month sick, never doing that again thats for sure.

This time next week i’ll be partying in vegas, exploring and enjoying myself. Anyway i best be doing something constructive with my day. I think some BF2 is in order (i finally made staff sergeant).

Next update… Anaheim 😀

Wow. I cant believe it. In just over a month.. I’m to be going to Dallas to watch “Gods team” play. It may cost me quite a bit ($115AUD) but I just don’t care. This is something that will be a once in a lifetime thing for me. I am going to an NFL game. Brendan will be jealous (till he finally gets to see a packers game that is) but I know deep down if I did not do this. I would leave the USA feeling like I had not done something I could of done.

I know that this one night (its a sunday night football game) could possibly be the best night of my life. I will finally get to see the game that I enjoy so much. I would love it even more if it was the Patriots but I can’t have it all. This holiday is going to be amazing. So much fun and so many new experiences. Partying in Vegas, watching football in texas, seeing the Grand Canyon from a Helicopter, Seeing the Giant Golf Ball at Epcot. Touching the WW2 Memorial in Washington DC, Seeing the Enola Gay and then Seeing Miss Liberty herself in New York.

I pick up my tickets tommorrow, so there is no way I can back out at all. Its all go and no turning back. Kinda like a Kangaroo or an Emu, neither can move backwards only forwards.

Next week is stars so will post more about that when I get back. It will be interesting I’m sure.