I must share about this woman who own the resturant ¨Heaven On Earth¨ that I met in Oregon, while traveling along the Oregon Coast. God just send us to this woman and she shared with us her stories of starting up her buisness and about how God had help her n propering her biz. It was amazing to listen to her stories and she is so generous that she blessed us with so much of her premium products beofre we leave her store. I think this is the secret of her secret, she is so generous in giving that she is reaping the fruit of her givings.
After traveling for 4 days along the Coast, we reach home rather late and both Yvette and Walt had to wake up early at 4.30 to prepare for work at 7am. Amazing, for me I will surely struggle to get up.
3 days in Portland, I went to the largest bookshop in Portland Powell and got some books. Met up with Walt´s mum Eleanor and sister Alice on the friday, had dinner in a country style typical American home resturant. It was a good meal and time of fellowship. And we came back about 10pm (next day we are again going on a trip to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria Island).
Once again come the weekend for traveling to the North West of America, this time without Jerry. We drove up to Seattle to visit the Space Needle, too bad we did not make the dinner reservation earlier and also we missed the sunset view of seeing the city of Seattle. But anyhow, it was a spectacular view to see Seattle from the Space Needle, tooks lots of pictrues.
Got ourself check into a hostle, but both Walt and Yvette struggledwith the place esp. the toilet facilties, the hostel looked kinda old and run down. But I like it cos the internet and breakfast are FREE. Next day, we roamed around Pike Market, but the weather was bad, so we left Seattle earlier to drive to Vancouver. This time in Vancouver Walt is very particular about out loding (having a better toilet facilties) and he wanting to stay in Tsawasen (nearer to the Ferry terminal we will be taking to Victora Island) Since Jerry could not make it for this trip, I automatically become Walt map reader, and it was interest and quite a challenge job for me.
All we did in Vancouver was to drive around, sight seeing in the car, looking for food, logding and interesting sights. We only manage to find a motel at about 12am after circle round Tsawasen for couple of hours. But I must say it is a good place to stay for 2 nights. I like Vancouver, it is a comospolitian city and very alive, beautiful and surrounded with water.
Next day we took a ferry to Victoria Island, again it is a nice queit town with many beautiful building structure and we roam around town for about 8 hours before finally settle down in this very expensive Italian resturant. It was a good day and for once we did enjoyed walking around instead of driving around town.
On our way back to Portaland, we drop by Seattle to meet up with Walt´s brother Willis, at this very popular and crowd resturant Claim Jumper, who serve a very big portion for your orders.
I spent another 2 days in Portland, doing my final shopping and errands and I thank God for Jerry who is so kind to take time off to drive me around town and places. I must say I had a great time in Portland and meeting up so many good friends.
Next I will be in Guatemala, Central America to meet up with my good friend JoAnn from Sinagpore.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Arriving Portland
After about 15 hours of bus ride (hop on and off the bus for about 3-4 times overnight) I had only managed to catch couple hours of real uncomfortable sleeps. But I arrived Portland Greyhound bus station early at about 12.30pm, and was very impressed with the building (one of the best Greyhound bus station I had seen thus far) I had to roam around town for another 3 to 4 hours, as my friend Yvette (I known her from my church in Singapore, she had been married to Walt, a USA citizen,[he is quite a character and a seriously funny person] for 2.5 years already) will be fetching me at about 4pm.
I began to wonder round town found a pseudo japanese cafe and ordered a curry rice (yummy, so nice to taste curry again) then took a fareless tram to the downtown library to check on the free usage of internet, afterwhich went to Powell Book Store (largest book store in Portland). I was dazzled when I first stepped into the bookshop (almost got myself lost), it is so big and filled so many clollection of new and old books. I spend another hour orientating and checking out the books.
My purpose of coming to Portland is to visit Yvette and to see if Walt (whom she had met over in the internet) had bullied my dear sister in Christ, well of course not (just kidding), he loved her dearly. I heard quite a bit of Portland being a beautiful city and very near to the coast, so was actually very excited in coming, as Walt and Yvette had been so kind to take time off from work to travel with me for 4 consecutive days each, over 2 weekends. So I was very excited to the trip that Walt had planned out during my stays in Portland.
After my 3 - 4 hrs of roaming downtown, I rush back to the Greyhound station to meet up with Yvette, got to know she had been waiting for me for quite a while with Jerry (a good friend of Walt, he did not originally come from Portland but he had been traveling and living around many part of USA including Hawaii [wow!] for most part of his life, now he is living in a RV [like a caravan - expect a bigger and better looking one] in front of a river, what a different and adventurous life).
As I arrivied on friday, and immediately next morning Walt had arranged for us a trip for the next 4 days down to the coast of Oregon and fruit Loop (to see the fruit harvest). We met up a couple of Walt buddies, Dave and Victoria for early morning breakfast at this very uniquely designed Chicken homely cafe. It was a typical American kind of breakfast (but it was good).
Later, we went do the pumpkin harvest farm and did the maize walk and to see the Arkcapa (a unique breed of animal looklike a mix of inbetween camel and sheep breed) they are very friendly (unlike the sheep shyness) they love to be fed and would come near you and let your cuddle them.
For the next couples of days the 4 of us, had traveled along the Oregon coast up from Seaside down to the California coast. We had a lot of fun talking, fellowshipping, taking pictures and teasing each other. We even nickname each other and I got to know Walt better (so different from the first impression - a serious and quite person, maybe he was shy when he first met us in Singapore) he had a love and passion for the word of God and a desire to live a godly and God fearing life, the kind of husband Yvette had been praying for in her life.
Well, will share more of our traveling stories and pictures in my next chapter.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
I began to wonder round town found a pseudo japanese cafe and ordered a curry rice (yummy, so nice to taste curry again) then took a fareless tram to the downtown library to check on the free usage of internet, afterwhich went to Powell Book Store (largest book store in Portland). I was dazzled when I first stepped into the bookshop (almost got myself lost), it is so big and filled so many clollection of new and old books. I spend another hour orientating and checking out the books.
My purpose of coming to Portland is to visit Yvette and to see if Walt (whom she had met over in the internet) had bullied my dear sister in Christ, well of course not (just kidding), he loved her dearly. I heard quite a bit of Portland being a beautiful city and very near to the coast, so was actually very excited in coming, as Walt and Yvette had been so kind to take time off from work to travel with me for 4 consecutive days each, over 2 weekends. So I was very excited to the trip that Walt had planned out during my stays in Portland.
After my 3 - 4 hrs of roaming downtown, I rush back to the Greyhound station to meet up with Yvette, got to know she had been waiting for me for quite a while with Jerry (a good friend of Walt, he did not originally come from Portland but he had been traveling and living around many part of USA including Hawaii [wow!] for most part of his life, now he is living in a RV [like a caravan - expect a bigger and better looking one] in front of a river, what a different and adventurous life).
As I arrivied on friday, and immediately next morning Walt had arranged for us a trip for the next 4 days down to the coast of Oregon and fruit Loop (to see the fruit harvest). We met up a couple of Walt buddies, Dave and Victoria for early morning breakfast at this very uniquely designed Chicken homely cafe. It was a typical American kind of breakfast (but it was good).
Later, we went do the pumpkin harvest farm and did the maize walk and to see the Arkcapa (a unique breed of animal looklike a mix of inbetween camel and sheep breed) they are very friendly (unlike the sheep shyness) they love to be fed and would come near you and let your cuddle them.
For the next couples of days the 4 of us, had traveled along the Oregon coast up from Seaside down to the California coast. We had a lot of fun talking, fellowshipping, taking pictures and teasing each other. We even nickname each other and I got to know Walt better (so different from the first impression - a serious and quite person, maybe he was shy when he first met us in Singapore) he had a love and passion for the word of God and a desire to live a godly and God fearing life, the kind of husband Yvette had been praying for in her life.
Well, will share more of our traveling stories and pictures in my next chapter.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Friday, October 14, 2005
Some of my favorite shot and moment in USA
At Santa Monica - the group who does the nature walk
2 Aussie friends I met at Niagara Fall
Jacilyn and me, our first time experiencing Helicopter flight
Funcky old lady window display at San Deigo
Posingwith Shelly in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
In San Fancisco with Landy and her Family
We arrived San Fancisco on 9/10/05, after the long 18 hour bus journey (not too bad, I did manage to catch some winks) We found our way to Landy's apartment, Landy is a friend I know from a Leadership course we attended some years ago. Her husband Ramesh was been seconded to come to work here in San Fancisco for 2 years and she had just arrived like 2 - 3 months ago. she adjust her lifestyle here being pregnant with a new baby inside.
We soon got aquianted with her intelligent and adorable daughter, Tara. Both Jacilyn and myself had our funtime playing with her.
I love SanFancisco, it is a beautiful city especially hopping onto a cable car up the hillslope. We went to Fisherman wharf and had a good time feasting on our seafood crab and Golden gate bridge (am very impress with the story behind the building of the brigde). We also visited the Alcatraz Island (an island used for Military and locking prisoners before) It was interesting to walk around the cells house and learn about the history and stories of some of the inmates.
We also visited the famous Cheesecake Factory to have our dinner with Shelley (we met up with her to visit some part of San Fancisco together, she is putting up in a hostel downtown) and Landy, Ramesh and Tara. The food was delicious and sumptous and we were stuffed by the dessert time. Highly recommend to visit the Cheesecake Factory if any of you visit USA.
Tonight, I will be traveling to Portland to meet up with another friend of mine from Singapore Yvette. She had been living in Portland for couples of years already and is happily married to Walt, a US citizen. Am looking forward to meeting up with her and Walt.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Scenic view of Grand Canyon
Here's some pic taken of Grand Canyon, the Condor, and our tour guide Micheal. He is quite a character, he left his comfortable job as a computer analysis and travel to Flagstaff, fall in love with the mountain and have been staying here, working in the hostel front desk and now as driver cum tour guide for 4 years already. And he is still loving what he is doing, though may not earn him a lot of cash but it is his passion. Good for you Micheal.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Thursday, October 13, 2005
In Grand Canyon and Sedona
After the luxury we had spent in LV (staying in the Hotel, with queen size bed and a swimming pool to laze around). We arrived in Flagstaff on the 5/10/05 evening, after taking the 7hrs or so Greyhound bus ride. The next day, we took the guided tour organise by the hostel to Sedona, and we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, it is a town filled with red rocks and mountains. We hiked for about 6 hrs to the Cathedral rock and the scenery up there is just awesome.
Next day, we went to Grand Canyon and we just enjoyed the view at Grand Canyon, it really has a reason for being famous and well known throughout the world. The view is so spectacular and amazing. Some of us did a slope hike down to the Railey creek and after the journey, I was really exhuasted. I had not been hiking since Alaska. While hiking we saw 2 condors perching on a slap of rock seemingly posing for photography. Awesome.
Next day, we left flagstaff to Pheonix (intending to meet up with a friend there, but he did not show up) so me and Jacilyn took th ebus to roam downtown. Pheonix is quite different from the other cities we have been to. There don't seems to have lot of people on the street and the buildings or shopping area are very sparse and distant. We were quite disappointed that the friend in Pheonix play us out and did not come ot meet up with us at the Greyhound station as agreed.
We had actually went thru quite a hassle with the annoying staff at the greyhound station counter in Flagstaff. Appearently the bus was quite full when we reached the station in the morning intending to catch the 8am bus to Pheonix. She was very unfriendly and rude towards me and insisting that there is nomore space in the bus, When I enquired with the bus driver, he was kind towards me and secretly asking me to go up the bus to check for myself if there are anymore space seats. And I found 3 space seats, I was very happy and ran down to inform the driver, he motioned me to quickly borad the bus. But as Jacilyn was waiting for me in the waiting lounge, I ran in asked her to be quick as we got ourself space seats. But when the annoying woman saw me intending to board the bus, she ran out to stop us and insist that we had to play by the book (that is to pay extra $10 for the change of timing) and etc. which was what I was willing to abide to from the beginning but she wasn't please to have us get into the bus. But God has always been good to me and granting me favours. What I am feelings about the whole situation is that this woman is having an inferiority complex on her handicap and thus wanting to exert power by displaying her superiority complex. To me I don't care as long as I get what I wanted. Hmm... me being me again in this situation, never give up until you try the last resort and never take NO as my answer till I tried all possiblities. Good for you, Joy.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Biz entreprise in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a place filled with neon lightnings and almost 70% of the people are tourist. It has more hotels than residential buildings. But I must say Las Vegas is a fun place to travel around.
Infact, if one got the time and is a smart traveller, one will get quite a lot of free stuffs, like shows and soveniers.
The night before our departure to Flagstaff, we went to Fermont experience and I was very impressed with a street spray paint artist. He did his artwork by use spray can and paper, I was mesmerised by his creativity, but I could not afford to buy one of his work as it is quite expensive for me US$35. However, when I cam down to San Fancisco, I saw another similar artist and doing the same type of artwork, but his painting only cost me US$7. Of course me being introduce to this new form of artwork grab the chance to buy the painting.
Also, this got me to think in term of biz sense, both are creative artist in spray painting but the one in Las Vegas his sales is so good that his painting sold by the minute without much persuation (I could estmate his sales volume to be over $5000). Well, the one at Fisherman Wharf in San Fanscico is having a harder time to sell all his painting, eventhough at a cheaper cost. So what I learnt about this in doing biz is a good location, never underprice your product of works (it will be appreciated more if it is pricly with taste) and have a professional look work envoiroment.
Here's the pic of work I bought at San Fanscico and the artist in Las Vegas work. And the artist at work and his creation in Las Vegas at Fremont Experience. Also my posing with my fav magician Lance Burton.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Friday, October 07, 2005
In Las Vegas
Here's some of the photos we took when we are in Las Vegas. LV is a fun place to be in, lots of free show and stuffs to see, but I suggest a max of 4 days will do. We got lucky and got 2 pair of free helicopter ride round Las Vegas strip night view and to watch Lance Burton the world famous magician show for free. Also got 1/2 price ticket to see a dance musical. We really had a fun time in LV.
We arrived LV early sunday morning on 2/10/05 at about 5am. The Grey hound station were quite pack with people. But when we got outside to walk a distance to catch our bus to our hotel Tropicana along the Strip. It was a quite an expreience, cause there were many weird people hanging around the road and beggers sleeping by the wayside. When we reach the hotel we were told that there we can only check in at 12pm as the room were full. So with our tired mind and body, we loitered around on the street for almost 6hrs. But during that time, I was caught by a promoter who happen to ask me if I want free ticket to see shows, I was enticed by her offers and yes, we got 2 free ticket to a helicopter ride over the night scene on the Strip and Lance Burton (now my idol) a very promising and talented magician with acool and sexy voice.
But in return we need to attend a 1.5hrs of sales talk about Marriot hotel time share, the talk wasn't that bad as the sales staff wasn't really pushy with us. and true enough we did get what we were promised.
When we return to our hotel at about 12pm, we were shock to see a long queue and were expect to queue to check in. I wasn't really happy about this, as I am dead beat and needed some rest. Instead of queueing, I try my way to talk to another person on another counter to had us check in first, when I was there, he told me that check in is at 3pm (oh no way, I was aghast) and I beg him to have us a room fast (even an unpack room is also ok) But my pity look face does work for me and he gave us a room to checkin first. Thank God for kind souls around.
Alright, will share more pic and updates about in my next blog.
my email: joydive@gmail.com
Sunday, October 02, 2005
In Tijuana
This is Shelley Flippi from England, a very fun-loving and jovial girl to hang around with. Also with me is Jaclyn from Singapore, a cool and calm girl to be with she will be with me traveling in USA for 23 days. Great. You people will love these girls.
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