Quebec City - 402 years young

Quebec City is the first city to be established in Canada. I made the 2hr journey from Montreal > Quebec using the carpool system. It was unbelievably cheap. The cost was only $19CAD compared to $45CAD on a bus or train.

The drop off location from the carpool was 10km out from old Quebec (Centre-ville), the excitement now begins; trying to find the correct bus into downtown but instead, I just hopped on the first bus. Correct change is required in Quebec Province when using the bus system but I guess the driver knew that I was a tourist when he heard my French so he let me on for free. After 10 mins, I had a hunch that the bus was not going directly into the city. A beautiful Quebecois helped me with directions and even offered to walk me to the old city; what a gem. I asked if she wanted to join me for the drink in the evening and her response was 'I’m having a quiet night with my dog and my husband' Ownage!

For such a small city, there are a lot to see and do because of the historic civilisation and battles that took place. My first meal of the day was at 6:00pm with 2 pints of beer; I was pretty pissed when I left. After 30mins of more strolling, it started raining heavily. I ran into a restaurant to take cover and decided to drink some wine until the weather settled. It was there I meet an old local lady and ended up chatting; 3 glasses of wine later, she offered to show me small local bar with live music. The place was unique, low roof because Frenchman’s were quite short 400 years ago and slightly underground. The great thing about this place was that there were no tourists in sight; all local Quebecois, I felt very privileged. Anyway, ended up leaving after a bottle of wine and stumbling back to the hostel while waking everyone else in the room up.

Day 2 started with a hangover and a visit to the Citadelle, it is a fortress built by the French but was re-enforced with start-shaped walls by the British after they took over in 1745. When the external walls were built, canons were added to point toward the city just in case the French decided to revolt.
Chateau Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world. Yeah it was nice but I decided to go the extra step. As the sun was setting, I caught a boat across the river to Levis Island and viewed the bright lights Quebec City from afar. There was also a micro brewery where I drank a pint of local brew and admired the view. More sight-seeing then it was back to the hostel for an organised pub crawl. I pulled a phantom at 3am because I was too hammered to carry on.
Back in Montreal now and only 3 more days before I depart for Toronto. I’m excited and kinda annoyed that I didn’t get the opportunity to live in Montreal. C'est la vie

Sam

Chateau Frontenac

Check out the detailing

View from the sea

Rue de Petit Champlain

Montreal still manages to amaze me

2 weeks in Montreal now and this city does not get boring: there is always something happening. Although it does get a bit annoying when you have missed out on something because you forgot to research or remind yourself. It is comparable to a small London but more peaceful and calm.
The metro and bus network are very convenient, they also have bikes that you use to ride between each metro.

So one day last week, I armed myself with a metro day pass, a map of the city, my attitude of 'I don't know what's there but I'll take a look' and away I went. My journey can be seen here on google maps.
First destination was Stade olympique (Olympic Stadium) where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held. The stadium is rarely used now due to small structural problems and I would say the ability to fill it with 66,000 people. What makes the stade olympique unique is the inclined tower which measures 175m height and the tallest of its kind in the world. Although it looks pretty cool, it's main purpose is to retract an attach the roof over the stadium.

Next stop was the Montreal Biosphere which is an environmental museum to teach us about environment and what pollution is doing to us blah blah blah. I was only there for 20mins before they closed but I was getting intrigued. Within my proximity was the Montreal Casino, it would be rude of me not to take a walk around and compare it with Las Vegas. Anyway, walked out 30mins later with the wallet $200CAD lighter.
While in the casino, I kept hearing people say 'La Ronde' so onto my trusty map I look to find the place. Ah its very close, only about 3cm on the map and I can walk. Wrong! It was 2km away and the worst part of it was that it closed at 7:00pm; I was there at 7:30pm. La Ronde was an amusement park, it seemed pretty cool from the distance but when I got there, empty, everyone has gone home, not even the cleaners were there.

By this time, I had been walking around for roughly 7hours, I am the man! The night is not over. Travelled to station Mont-Royal as this is the location for hip and groovy restaurants. The neighbourhood was amazing, its like the place you would live and never leave since everything is available for you. The bars and restaurants stretch about 15 blocks. Next was Place des Arts; the performing arts centre. I came to watch the fountain and lights spectacular. Think water shooting from the ground with lights, music, holograms. I briefly recorded a video below. The fountain show was not as good as the one at Bellagio casino but the holography took the cake. The final stop of the night was around station peel in downtown Montreal. This is also where the famous bars are. It is a small section but once you step foot inside this area, you feel the party pumping. I have been dying for a Guiness so went in to a trendy Irish bar and ordered my drink. When in downtown (West) everyone speaks English, you don't even need to say a word of French as this is where all the
foreigners hang out. In the East (where I live), people would speak in French and change when required.

12am, time to catch the last metro. The Gay Village is suppose to be a good place to party, since it was on the way home, I had to stop at Station Beaudry which is bang in the centre and walk home from there.
There were people everywhere and loud music playing but then it got weird. Doormens were wearing bondage gear, seedy old men sitting on park benches, people looking at me like a piece of steak.
By this time, I was about 5 mins from my place, a car pulls up, the driver looks at me and gives me the action with his head for me to follow him. We all know the gesture, its the 'Hey lets go' or 'Hey want me to fuck you in the ass?' It was tempting but I denied the offer. Not more than 2mins later, a differnt car pulls up and gives me the same offer! I mean really?!?! Is it really that easy? The next time I have a shitty old Corolla, I am going to cruise around town, stop beside some girls, not say a word and give the head nod motion.
What a way to end the night!

So I am still unemployed, its good and bad. I am however spending my spare time studying for my microsoft exams so atleast my downtime is not going to waste.
Oh I have also decided to move to Toronto on October 1st as the job market is bigger there. So time is nearly up for me in Montreal but I will still try to make a trip to Quebec City before my departure.
How about those earthquakes and storms back home!?!

Sam

Fountain Show 1 - 10.0 MB
Fountain Show 2 - 8.9 MB





Stade Olympique

Biosphere

Old Montreal

Montreal Summer is sticky

2 weeks of travelling really takes a toll on your body. Since my arrival in Montreal, I have been sleeping alot. Maybe its the 30°C days or maybe the 25°C nights. I am also feeling a little homesick but I know its just a phase that I'll overcome.

Anyway, I flew premium economy from Wellington to Los Angeles and this is probably the only way people should be flying. The flight was peaceful, relaxing and also spacious. The food also did not taste like cardboard. Los Angeles was cool, VIP experience at Universal Studios was fully worth it. We also got to walk onto the set of the TV comedy "Parenthood". I was in Los Angeles with Chris and Cher and I think we did pretty well covering all the attractions in LA. Stayed on Sunset Strip, visited Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, Staples Center, Venice Beach, eating burgers at Johhny Rockets, eating burgers at Mels Diner, eating shrimps at Bubba Gump, hired a mustang, visited Muholland Drive, saw the Hollywood sign, stalked a few celebrity houses, lunch at The Beverly Hills Hotel, pee at The Beverly Hills Hotel, drove to Las Vegas through Mojave desert.

The drive through the Mojave desert was brilliant, temperature shot to 48°C. Vegas was slightly lower at 43°C but I think we had a few nice days at 35°C. I was in Las Vegas for Eileen's 30th Birthday Party but arrived 2 days earlier. As a surprise, I decided to pick her and her friends up from the airport in a limo. Although cheesy, it put a smile on their face. The Las Vegas strip is over 5 miles long, it is very deceiving due to large surrounding hotels. We also visited the famous club "Ghostbar" on the 55th floor of the Palms hotel then it was to "Rain" to dance the night out. Circus du Soleil "O" was awesome as well. The whole stage was constantly revolving and elevating within the pool. Too bad everyone was too hungover from the night before; the sight of bobbing heads were hillarious.
The helicopter ride over Grand Canyon was breathtaking. Landing at the bottom for lunch gives you a sense of sanity; life is too short to tuck money under your matress.

Montreal is beautiful and everyone is so polite. I'm staying by the Papineau Metro Station. While walking around this area, I notice an influx of sausage, "Thats fine" I say to myself, its probably just an area with tradies since they are all wearing singlets. "Why are people looking at me funny?" thats fine, I'm just good looking with my oversized pecs and calfs. "Why does that guy have his tounge down another guys throat?" thats fine, he was checking his teeth. But then I saw it! How could I have been so blind. It was a male Spa! That totally gave it away, I was in a gay village. In fact, the place is actually called Le Village and it is the 2nd largest gay community in North America.
So I guess this is some of the exciting things to experience if no research has been done before your travels.
Its late and I am still unemployed.
Los Angeles photos here
Las Vegas photos here

Sam

This is what everyone came to see?

Tom Hanks and Zoltar

War of the Worlds Set

Bunce on Jackass prop

Expensive pee

Bunce at 2am

Me at 4am

The arrival

Had to have a cigar on the 55th floor

Daily Pool Party

Hoover Dam

Why is everyone crouching?

Award for Best No Look Shot

Pow Pow

Mister Ed in Vegas?

Trip to Auckland

What a fun and tiring weekend. 5 of us flew up to Auckland to indulge in food, wine and drink copious amount of alcohol. You can’t put a price on travel and inappropriate fun.

Due to the late flight, we didn’t arrive into Auckland until 9:00pm and because Fiona and Nicole decided to get all pretty so they could go out on the ‘pull’, we didn’t leave the apartment till 10:30pm.
The bar of choice a little Mexican place where we drank different flavour of margaritas. So good.....
Onto the casino next for about an hour until the girlfriends got annoyed.

Saturday morning was brilliant, eating from the farmers market and shopping in the city. By 2pm, it was time to have a sit down and talk about life; yeah right! Warm 2nd floor balcony, bottles of Craggy Range later, we were stumbling back to the apartment; ok maybe just me.
Bottle-o, Kentucky bourbon & coke, supermarket, wine, apartment, drink, drink, drink.

6pm, dinner at Bellota which is a famous tapas bar owned by Peter Gordon. He’s kind of a big deal. The night slowly went downhill as the 3 bottle of wine was brought out. Mike fell off his seat then Ham decided throw a glass of water all over Mike, people in the booth next to us got up and left. As the night went on, others sitting around us slowly got up and left as well. Ah well, it was our night and we will be loud if we want to. Finished the night off with a show at the Comedy club then 8 cheeseburgers from Wendys.

Sunday morning, hangovers, mind blanks, angry Fiona, sorry Ham, rough flight, sleep.

Awesome weekend, less than 3 weeks before I depart New Zealand
Auckland pics Here

Sam

Kids - 9.5 MB
Naked Handstands - 2.8 MB
Taebo? - 7.7 MB

Grrrroooaar

Cool Kids

Mike trying to tell a story

Looking interested

Ham keeping warm

3rd bottle of wine

 

Is that water all over the wall and your shirt?

 

Morning after

 

Fiona very excited 

All Blacks vs Ireland in New Plymouth

Last weekend, The boys and I took a 5 hour drive up to New Plymouth to visit Tristin & Kirsten and to attend the rugby match between The All Blacks and Ireland. Since we were up in farm country, we stopped in at bottle-o to get a 12 pack of 440ml 8% Kentucky Bourbon & Cola. The first can was good but every can after tasted like diesel. It was great to see Tristin and Kirten again before they head off to London for their OE. They prepared us a huge leg of ham for dinner which we demolished throughout the night. A quick overview of the binge drinking night goes as follow; drinks > ham (dinner) > drinks > ham (post match) > drinks > ham (post clubbing).

The game was average we had had crap standing tickets but the most entertaining part of the night was walking home at 3:30am. We all had been drinking for the last 8 hours but meatloaf decided to chase after Ham (This is my mate's name, not a coincident that he had also been eating ham all night). It was raining, cold and very wet; basically a disaster waiting to happen and it did. Meatloaf's leg fell into drain as it was missing the grill, he almost broke his leg. Anyway, he managed to get a great big nugget on his shin and was in pain all weekend. Gutted!

Only 9 weeks before I depart off the shores of New Zealand again.

a bientot

Sam

Pregame - 4.9 MB

At the game1 - 6.7 MB

At the game2 - 7.6 MB

Postgame - 11.5 MB

The boys admiring the guttering

Game Time









Idiot

Sleepover

au revoir mon ami, au revoir

Home Sweet Home

Settling back in NZ lifestyle has been somewhat good and bad. The good being a job; working with a great group of friends makes the whole 9-5 days so much more enjoyable, visiting friends and family that I has neglected for 2 years and living in this beautiful city. The bad side of it is that I am getting way too comfortable in my surrounding. Everything is just too familiar here; I know where to go for a drink or a meal and where to keep away from. It’s a pretty good life.

I have also recently spent a week in Brisbane visiting friends, relaxing, wining and dining while engaging in minimal activities. What an amazing week it has been. This trip has given me more determination to move back overseas to continue my travels.

Currently, my plan is to move to Montreal, Canada in August 2010. My 12 month working holiday visa has been approved and I am counting down the days before I depart.

So far, my itinerary looks something like this:

August 17, Fly from Wellington to San Francisco
August 20-22, Drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles
August 26, Fly from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
August 31, Fly from Las Vegas to Montreal

The last 5 months have obviously flown by fast. I managed to enrol in night classes for French which I probably only attended 50% of the time, spent a day at the races (horses), watched the semi-finals of the A-league football match between Wellington Phoenix & Perth Glory from the corporate box, had dinner at my bosses whilst getting very hammered on Canadian Club, went to another race day, watched another football match involving Wellington Phoenix, celebrated my dad's 55th birthday and that’s all I can remember as I have the memory of a goldfish.

12 weeks to go!

Sam

Waikanae Bach

Wellington Phoenix

Meatloaf at the Races

Go No. 4

Happy New Year!

Why is my life so busy? I really don't have a clue. I don't even have time to write this stupid blog that only 2 people read (Mum & Dad). Mais en fait, I recently received a message from an anonymous reader and he/she writes:
'Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!'

That warm message made my day, so I guess its now time to get a book publishing deal. I will call it something lame like all autobiography. Maybe something like 'A boy and his laptop' or even 'The Soh: Born in Singapore, grew up in New Zealand and wants to speak French. A story of someone that probably wants to be a dog'.Back to the story, I arrived back in Wellington on Sunday evening, Monday was spent doing the rounds and meeting people for coffees, lunch and dinners. Tuesday, I was back at work at First NZ Capital. They have always been good to me and I am grateful to be back at work after a 5 month holiday. 2 weeks flew by since it was the Christmas and New Years period. Dinners, drinking and catching up everynight.

Now the schedule gets even more busy. 4 days in Napier for New Years, 6 days in Fiji for a wedding, 4 days in Auckland to see people. Lets briefly talk about New Years.
New Years, beach house in Waimarama, Napier with 28 degree weather. Sipping Gin & Tonic on the 2nd floor balcony a stone throw to the beach and a spit to the swimming pool. This was the good life! Then came New Years Eve, hhhhmmmmm 5 naked males making a whirlpool at 1am under the influence of alcohol. My mate Mike is a tall lanky guy so he decided to surprise Grant with a leap frog. For those that are over 8 years old, a leap frog is when one person infront leans over and another person runs from behind and jumps over the leaned over person while stabilising with their palms on the back of the person. So there goes Mike trying to leap frog Grant with no warning and butt naked. Where this equation goes wrong is that this was a frontal leap frog in the dark. So poor ole Grant managed to get teabagged in the face. Again for those that don't know this, a teabag is when the scrotum of Person 1 slaps the face of Person 2 with enough force to make a nice sounding clap. Beers, beers, beers!

Saturday morning 5am, wake up, drive 30mins to Napier airport, fly 1 hour to Auckland, wait 3 hours, fly another 3 hours to Nadi (Fiji), spent 2 hours catching bus and boat. 6pm, at long last I am finally at the resort on Mana Island. I was in Fiji for the wedding of Chris and Cher. I was surrounded by coconut trees, the sound of the ocean and vodka pineapple slushys. It was a daily routine for the 11am Vodka Slushy followed by a swim, sun, snorkling, sun, swim, sun and dinner. The wedding ceremony was beautiful; soft sand, clear sea and a sunset to tie the knot. What a fantastic place to be. Weddings instantly make you a happier person to see the joy on everyone's face. Bula!

Auckland, lots of catching up, lots of drinking so lets just skip this.

Tonight, I went to get Petrol in my mums 1.5 litre Honda Jazz Sport, it was late and I was just minding my own business and suddenly the Asian guy next me starts talking.

Guy: Honda Jazz, very nice cars.
Me: Thanks, its my mums and its nice.
Guy: What is the Sport version like to drive? We have the 1.3 litre version and we like it a lot.
Me: (I look over at his car and it is a Brand New Merecedes CL55 AMG! My Honda cost $24,000NZD, his Mercedes cost $200,000NZD) That is not a Honda Jazz.
Guy: (Laughs) I actually just bought 5 of these for my company and they are really good for deliveries, the seats fold down and it can fit 18 boxes (uses his fingers to draw imaginary boxes in the air)
Me: Really? I might have to look into it one day
Guy: (Opens my back door and starts showing me how to fold the seats down) See, it folds down flat.
Me: (Puzzled and surprised) Oh right, cheers, well I have to pay now, have a good night.
Very funny night, a bit weird but I guess Wellington is full of Weirdos anyway.
Below are a lot of dumb videos, its amazing how much shit dribbles out of my mouth.
Vid - 5.2 MB

Naked Chefs

Naked Chefs Golfing

Family Dinner









Why do I hang out with retards?

Brilliant!

Beautiful Wedding

Fiji Sunset

Tick Tock Tick Tock

The last 4 week has been hectic. My last 2 weeks in France involved a lot of partying and travelling to say my goodbyes. We visited the historic village of Larzac where sheeps are bred to make the famous Roquefort blue cheese. We also made time to visit Marseille, Lyon and Barcelona. The people of Barcelona really do know how to party. Even though they start late, they are still going strong at 6am in the morning. The clubs were also amazing; some even compare the club scence to Ibiza. After arriving back in London, we made a boys trip to Prague. Those that have been to Prague will know how cheap everything is and how beautiful the girls are. After Prague, I spent 4 days up in Guisborough to visit McLaren and Walker. I first meet them in Brisbane for New Years 07, then I joined them in Newcastle for New Years 08.

Back home in London now and trying to pack before I depart the shores of England on 8th December. This experience has been amazing. Living in France has given me a first hand view of how the French enjoy life. Living in London gives you thick skin since you have to put up with havoc lifestyle.

The job market in NZ is still pretty slow so I'm still trying to decide whether to move to Australia or try to find a job in NZ. Either way, I'm just going to play it by ear. Not much to say, missing everyone lots and see you all very soon.

Sam

Montpellier Friends








I love Shisha









Larzac







Ice Bar Barcelona








Pouring our own pints








Church of Bones