My last Hafa Adai,
So as some of you might have read in my last blog, I was finishing up my contract at PIC, leaving island, but returning in a month to eagerly pursue a career with the Guam Fire Department. Well, after much kicking and screaming, I have accepted the fact that GFD isn't for me and that I need to get back out there and see some more of this beautiful world we have. Before I indulge you on my soon to be reality, let me recap the last couple of months of me being here upon my return.
Once realizing the fire department was going to be taking a while, I knew I was going to need some way to support myself during my time out here, so through a connection made while working at PIC, I was given a job at a beach bar, bar tending a few nights a week. Being that this beach bar was the brand new hot spot in Guam, it turned out to be surprisingly lucrative for me during the short time I worked there. So much so that I was able to plan a 3 month trip based on the funds. But we'll get to that in just a bit. Being that bar tenders work all sorts of arbitrary hours, I found myself having quite a bit of time to continue exploring the island. I saw more waterfalls, deeper caves, and even climbed a mountain! Well, mountainous for Guam. More like a large hill, but it allowed for a spectacular view of the entire island. North to South, East to West, I was able to see it all from this "high altitude" and what a view it was. The water falls explored may have not been as exciting as my writings on Tarzan falls, however they did make for a great hike going straight downstream, rock climbing down each waterfall, continuing through the lush green landscape and cool, clear water. And of course, I had to spend one of my final days at my most favorite beach in the whole wide world. Ratidian. So majestic and tranquil you could just forget about everything and be completely content just laying on the white sandy shore. I know I mentioned this before, but I surely will miss this beautiful island.
My last week was spent saying goodbye to friends, teammates and co-workers and what a fun week it was. The water polo team took me out to one of my favorite restaurants on island called Mermaids. We all talked about past games and tournaments ahead and what sort of travels I had in front of me. That team was really the reason why I came back to Guam. Each of them helped me out in some sort of way that got me back out to Guam. Truly some of the most genuine, caring individuals I have met yet.
So now for some more interesting news. One of my best buddies, Ryan Priest, had me promise him before he left Guam that I would travel with him if I didn't get the firefighting job. This guy has been all over South East Asia traveling for the past 3 or 4 months, and now I am going to be meeting up with him in Nepal to trek Mount Everest. It is a 17 day trek that will take us up to the base camp of Mount Everest, and then to a few different peaks around Everest. We aren't able to do the summit due to financial restraints and our time schedule, but what we are doing should be quite amazing to say the least. After we trek Everest, we plan on returning back to Kathmandu for the "Festival of Lights" which is supposedly an annual event that is the biggest celebration of the year among the Nepali people. This four day festival will be celebrating family, friends, life and togetherness. I cannot wait to immerse myself in this unique culture and explore their traditions.
After Nepal, Priest and I will then travel to India where we will see the famous Taj Mahal, Veranassi, Ganges river and something I am particularly excited for, the annual Rajastan Camel Festival. This beautiful state is home to one of the largest gatherings of people and camels in the world! At this festival they will be trading, selling, and best of all racing these camels. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to hop on one and get in on a race. My travels to Southern India while studying abroad were unforgettable and I am very eager to now explore the North and all it has to offer.
Since I'll be all the way on this side of the world, I have decided to explore Thailand with a few friends. This trip has so much in store. My buddy Priest just got done doing a month there and after hearing his stories, I'll be sure to make some memories of my own after trekking from Chengmai all the way down to Phuket. I have heard so many great things from so many people about Thailand, I cannot wait to explore it for myself.
After doing a month in Thailand I will be heading to New Zealand in January where I have a job lined up working for an Amphibious Boat Tour company. They are old WWII boats that can both drive on land and in water. The company is based out of the small chain of lakes in Rotarua NZ. Sounds a bit quirky, I know, but it will put my year long NZ work visa to good use which will set me up with the financial backing to do some more traveling around the North and South islands of New Zealand. I plan on making a surf adventure out of my time in NZ because of the amazing surf it has. I'll start in the North in a small surf town called Raglan, then head to Tauranga, and then start zig-zagging my way South the Blenheim, Seddon and other surf destinations.
Here are some pictures, and a video at the end, of my last month in Guam.
Love and miss you..
Cliff line in Tumon Bay
Last Cliff Jump!
Cruisin through the jungle
Mount Lam Lam lookout
Tarzan Falls Waterfall repel
Tarzan Falls
So as some of you might have read in my last blog, I was finishing up my contract at PIC, leaving island, but returning in a month to eagerly pursue a career with the Guam Fire Department. Well, after much kicking and screaming, I have accepted the fact that GFD isn't for me and that I need to get back out there and see some more of this beautiful world we have. Before I indulge you on my soon to be reality, let me recap the last couple of months of me being here upon my return.
Once realizing the fire department was going to be taking a while, I knew I was going to need some way to support myself during my time out here, so through a connection made while working at PIC, I was given a job at a beach bar, bar tending a few nights a week. Being that this beach bar was the brand new hot spot in Guam, it turned out to be surprisingly lucrative for me during the short time I worked there. So much so that I was able to plan a 3 month trip based on the funds. But we'll get to that in just a bit. Being that bar tenders work all sorts of arbitrary hours, I found myself having quite a bit of time to continue exploring the island. I saw more waterfalls, deeper caves, and even climbed a mountain! Well, mountainous for Guam. More like a large hill, but it allowed for a spectacular view of the entire island. North to South, East to West, I was able to see it all from this "high altitude" and what a view it was. The water falls explored may have not been as exciting as my writings on Tarzan falls, however they did make for a great hike going straight downstream, rock climbing down each waterfall, continuing through the lush green landscape and cool, clear water. And of course, I had to spend one of my final days at my most favorite beach in the whole wide world. Ratidian. So majestic and tranquil you could just forget about everything and be completely content just laying on the white sandy shore. I know I mentioned this before, but I surely will miss this beautiful island.
My last week was spent saying goodbye to friends, teammates and co-workers and what a fun week it was. The water polo team took me out to one of my favorite restaurants on island called Mermaids. We all talked about past games and tournaments ahead and what sort of travels I had in front of me. That team was really the reason why I came back to Guam. Each of them helped me out in some sort of way that got me back out to Guam. Truly some of the most genuine, caring individuals I have met yet.
So now for some more interesting news. One of my best buddies, Ryan Priest, had me promise him before he left Guam that I would travel with him if I didn't get the firefighting job. This guy has been all over South East Asia traveling for the past 3 or 4 months, and now I am going to be meeting up with him in Nepal to trek Mount Everest. It is a 17 day trek that will take us up to the base camp of Mount Everest, and then to a few different peaks around Everest. We aren't able to do the summit due to financial restraints and our time schedule, but what we are doing should be quite amazing to say the least. After we trek Everest, we plan on returning back to Kathmandu for the "Festival of Lights" which is supposedly an annual event that is the biggest celebration of the year among the Nepali people. This four day festival will be celebrating family, friends, life and togetherness. I cannot wait to immerse myself in this unique culture and explore their traditions.
After Nepal, Priest and I will then travel to India where we will see the famous Taj Mahal, Veranassi, Ganges river and something I am particularly excited for, the annual Rajastan Camel Festival. This beautiful state is home to one of the largest gatherings of people and camels in the world! At this festival they will be trading, selling, and best of all racing these camels. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to hop on one and get in on a race. My travels to Southern India while studying abroad were unforgettable and I am very eager to now explore the North and all it has to offer.
Since I'll be all the way on this side of the world, I have decided to explore Thailand with a few friends. This trip has so much in store. My buddy Priest just got done doing a month there and after hearing his stories, I'll be sure to make some memories of my own after trekking from Chengmai all the way down to Phuket. I have heard so many great things from so many people about Thailand, I cannot wait to explore it for myself.
After doing a month in Thailand I will be heading to New Zealand in January where I have a job lined up working for an Amphibious Boat Tour company. They are old WWII boats that can both drive on land and in water. The company is based out of the small chain of lakes in Rotarua NZ. Sounds a bit quirky, I know, but it will put my year long NZ work visa to good use which will set me up with the financial backing to do some more traveling around the North and South islands of New Zealand. I plan on making a surf adventure out of my time in NZ because of the amazing surf it has. I'll start in the North in a small surf town called Raglan, then head to Tauranga, and then start zig-zagging my way South the Blenheim, Seddon and other surf destinations.
Here are some pictures, and a video at the end, of my last month in Guam.
Love and miss you..
