Travel Lifestyle Of Your Dreams » USA

The Best 5 Bungee Jumps in the World

Johnny — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:05:33 +0000

aWhat’s life without a bit of near-death experiences, right? With that, I thought I’d roll out the best 5 bungees in the world including 2 I’ve had first time experiences with. If you’ve never bungeed before then it’s gotta be on your bucket list so if you’re hitting up any of the countries these 5 bad boys are in, then get on some disposable underwear and take the leap:

5) Victoria Falls Bungee, Zimbabwe/Zambian border (110m/360feet):
A bit of a controversial choice as this has featured quite heavily in the new recently when a girl’s bungee cord snapped! Also, it’s not in the top 5 highest bungees in the world but it’s gotta be the most beautiful. 111M of sheer fear as you jump of Victoria Bridge, into a circular rainbow thanks to the mist caused by the falls. When your finished you can see Victoria falls as your backdrop, nothing short of amazing.
PRICE: around $110

Me jumping at Victoria Falls. Arggggggggh...

4) Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa – (216 m/708 feet):
The world’s highest single span arch bridge, the Bloukrans Bridge bungee is the third highest bungee in the world at 708 feet (216 m). It’s also the highest point in the world from which you can bungee off, and formally the highest bungee jump in the world.
PRICE: around $100

3) Verzasca Dam, Switzerland – (220 m/720 feet):
It found mainstream fame with the opening sequence of the Bond movie Goldeneye, the Verzasca dam offers a pure freefall swinging bungee from a single cord. If banging into a massive concrete structure at a top speed doesn’t scare you, then this is the jump for you. The Verzasca Dam bungee jump is the second highest bungee jump in the world.
PRICE: $280

2) Macau Tower, China – (233 m/760 feet):
The tallest, highest bungee jump in the world! 6 seconds of unadulterated freefall from the 11th tallest building in the world. It doesn’t come cheap but it grants you automatic bragging rights forever. With the ‘right’ conditions you can find yourself stretching to just 30m from the ground.
PRICE: $300

1) Volcano Bungee near Pucon, Chile (250m/820 feet):
The price isn’t exactly backpacker friendly but basically you get flown up to an active volcano in a helicopter, soaring some 10,000 feet in the air, jumpers sit perched on a helicopter’s skid and then you have to bungee jump off the helicopter into the caldera towards the molten lava. The cord stretches between 350 and 375 feet, leaving jumpers hanging just 700 feet above the volcano Pretty amazing stuff.
PRICE: A disgustingly, prohibitively expensive $9,995 for a 6 day package

Honourable mention:
The Royal Gorge Bridge, Colordo (321m/1053 feet):
Technically, it can be considered the highest bungee in the world but very few people have ever jumped from the bridge, it’s not open to the public and it’s only available every now and again. Often used to break records sporadically.
PRICE: Unavailable to general public. Booooooo.

River Nevis, New Zealand (134m/440 feet)

If you’re on the backpacking trail in New Zealand, a bungee jump over the roaring River Nevis is not to be missed. From a teetering cable car, high over the Nevis River, you enter the jump pod and soak in the rugged scenery. This is the highest bungee jump spot in all of New Zealand, so all New Zealand Holidays should try to factor this beauty in. The freefall lasts for almost 9 seconds and will allow those who jump to see the full extent of this area’s beauty.
PRICE:$200

The Best 5 Bungee Jumps in the World is a post from: onestep4ward.com

A Perfect Day in Paradise – Oahu, Hawaii

Johnny — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:54:22 +0000

With the soft blue waters of Waikiki beach awaiting you and the lush greens of Diamond Head Crater beckoning in the distance, it may seem crazy to even think of prying yourself away from the beautiful city of Honolulu. Oahu, however, has its fair share of secrets waiting to be discovered. To those itching for adventure, adventure awaits, including hidden inland waterfalls, secluded beaches, small towns with lots of character, and snorkeling grounds that are indescribable.

Oahu, Hawaii

A centralized starting point, such as that of The Lotus Honolulu presents the perfect balance for those hoping to enjoy world-famous attractions and explore the island’s less-travelled path. With scenic drives waiting to carry you to any and all corners of the island, there’s never an adventure that’s too hidden or too much trouble to find. Imagine yourself reaching the summit of a 600foot volcanic crater at sunrise, watching the surfers take on the giant waves at the North Shore at midday, strolling through Waikiki at sunset, and enjoying a delicious island dinner at one of the famous luaus on the island. Just imagine the possibilities.

Oahu volcano

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for those yearning for a special slice of paradise on the beautiful island of Oahu.

Unspoiled Beauty at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Conveniently located a mere 25 minutes away by car, the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden has been stealing the breaths of visitors for decades. Complete with walking trails and campgrounds, this garden showcases the natural botanical beauty unique to Hawaii, and is filled with colors and views that will engrain themselves in your mind. Let the lush tropical green landscape wash over you as you walk around the lake, admiring flowers with richest hues. Pack a lunch, jump in the car, and head east for a wonderful day trip.

Hoomaluhia botanical garden

A World-Famous Beach Trek

Traveling further east to the windward side of the island, you’ll arrive at the small town of Kailua. Home to Kailua Beach, regarded as one of the top beaches in the world, and a favorite of President Barack Obama, this area is ideal for those interested in spending a beach day away from Waikiki. Given its location on the eastern seaboard, Kailua is famous for its windsurfing, as well as a host of other aquatic activities. For further exploring, head to nearby Lanikai Beach, another famous stretch of Hawaiian shore, and hike up to the bunkers from World War II, known as the Pillboxes. The hike is very manageable, and the views upon reaching the summit will not disappoint.

Kailua beach

Scenery You May Recognize

Further north along the windward coast of the island lays Kahana State Park. With its beaches tucked away behind the tree line, this area is fantastic for those hoping to stumble upon a nearly empty slice of island paradise. For those feeling adventurous, head down to Kualoa Ranch and take an ATV or horseback tour through the Ka’a'awa Valley, where you can see some of the famous sites used in the film Jurassic Park and the television show Lost, among others.

Ka'a'awa Valley

There are adventures to be had in every nook and cranny of Oahu. Whether you’d like to take a stroll through downtown Waikiki to hear the Royal Hawaiian Band on a Friday night, or get in the car and watch the surfers on North Shore, when visiting Oahu, the fun is never far away.

A Perfect Day in Paradise – Oahu, Hawaii is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Top 5 Best Places to See A Show in the World

Johnny — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:26:48 +0000

When movies, bars and restaurants become a little too familiar to fill your evenings with, it’s time to branch out and experience something new. I was in this situation in Bangkok myself recently, so I googled what to do in the evenings – I ended up taking my girlfriend to one of the most awesome shows I’ve ever been to. This sparked my interest and I promised to endeavor to see some more around the world, check out my top 5 places to see a show around the world:

1) Broadway, New York, US:

Probably the most famous destination to see a show anywhere in the world, with more than 40 professionals theatres featuring venues with 500 seats or over. You can grab yourself a cheap ticket on the afternoon of the show by turning up to the huge white and read TKTS booth at the end of Time Square (47^th street) where tickets run at 25%-50% discount, yes please! I was lucky enough to see the Lion King here a couple of years ago.

2) London’s West End, UK:

No trip to London is complete without checking out a show in the west end. With around 15 million people attending shows each year, this place is hiving every day of the week. The West End is the most expensive place in the world to rent office space to tickets don’t come cheap, consider arranging one of your theatre breaks before you come to save some cash. I saw the Wizard of Oz here a few years ago, magical.

3) Sydney Opera House, Australia:

The only UNESCO World Heritage Site to make it onto the list, the iconic opera house is a great place to watch any show. Located in Sydney harbor, the site alone is worth a visit but you haven’t really been to Sydney until you’ve sat in the Opera House and watched something. I saw a ballet show here in 2009, very cultured indeed (read: I had no idea what was going on). This is one of the landmark buildings across the globe, yet you can pick up tickets for as little as $15 depending on the event.

4) Siam Niramit, Bangkok, Thailand:

Not anywhere near as famous as it’s 4 contemporaries but as a Bangkok resident, and with it being the inspiration for this article, I thought it deserved a place. Located in the centre of Bangkok, Siam Niramit is a state-of-the-art 2000-seat theatre, open every day, presenting one of the world’s largest stage productions. It comes complete with waterfalls and rives on stage, truly breathtaking and it runs every day. Tickets run around $30. You can purchase them online.

5) La Scala de Milán, Italy:

Built on the former site of settlement of the church of Santa Maria alla Scala is the most famous opera house in the world, an unmissable landmark in the visit to Milan.  It has represented many of the most famous operas of all time. Each year, the seasons start on December 7^th, try to book tickets in advance, La Scala is predictably popular.

I’m no theatre expert, far from it, but if you’re in the area of any of these five places – try to check them out. They’re part and parcel of a trip to any of the cities, and they’ll be a memory you’ll always cherish. Happy travels!

Top 5 Best Places to See A Show in the World is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Top 5 Things to Do in Arizona

Johnny — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:40:10 +0000

Arizona may be dusty, desolate and difficult to access but if you make the effort to get here, you’ll be rewarded with some of the US’s most amazing natural landscapes. This should be a definite stop if you’re driving across the country.

1) Grand Canyon: Not a lot to be said about the Grand Canyon that hasn’t been said before. It quite simply should feature on everyone’s bucket list. The UNESCO world heritage site is over a mile deep and will blow your mind, you can’t prepare yourself for the site – you just have to see it for yourself.

Generally speaking people take tours fro Vegas, LA and Pheonix where you can go hiking, white water rafting, bungee jumping all as part of your tour. Not cheap but pretty cool.

2) Barringer Meteor Crater: Over 50,000 years old and caused by an explosion150 times the force of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. The meteorite weighed approximately 300,000 tons ad although most of the meteorite vaporized on impact, large chunks of nickel-iron remnants have been found in the surrounding area so get searching when you’re here! The site is privately owned, but for $15 you’ll get to see a site like no other.

3) Monument Valley: Pretend you’re John Wayne and explore the definition of America’s wild west. The landscape has featured in hundreds of movies (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump). You can drive here when you’re in Northern Arizona, and with fees of only $5 you’d be crazy not to. Just be prepared to be caked in dust for a couple of days after!

4) Saguaro National Park: Found near Tucson in Arizona, Saguaro is everything you want from an American desert. Catus-laden back drops, crazy temperatures and awesome hiking opportunites. Wait for sunset and you’ll see the most amazing colour changes, grab a pic of a cactus silhouette and pretend you’re the best photographer in the world (don’t worry, it’s really easy).

5) Scottsdale: This Arizona town is full of galleries, restaurants and bars – it’s a pretty unknown quantity on the tourist map which is a great plus. Make sure to check out the oldtown, it showcases the ironic attempt of Scottsdale to both embody swank upscale style as well as a caricature of the gruff American West. This part of town is undeniably kitschy but we’re still in the US afterall

Scottsdale is also a great place for anyone who likes to squeeze a spot of golf into their trip, these guys are golfing mad so check out http://www.arizonagolf.com for more info there.

Top 5 Things to Do in Arizona is a post from: onestep4ward.com

Top 5 Sights in San Francisco

Johnny — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:23:43 +0000

San Francisco, many people’s favourite city in the whole of the US, offers backpackers a real treat. The cosmopolitan vibe that lurks in every corner of San Francisco lends a charm that is irresistible. Once there you will be strongly carried away by the amazing climate, truly engrossing sights, panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, bustling nightlife, rolling hills and ethnic diversity that contributes in giving an elegance to the city hardly perceived anywhere in the world. And for all those shopping enthusiasts out there make sure you keep aside enough in your pockets for San Francisco is a shopper’s paradise. No wonder it welcomes thousands of visitors every year. If you’re lucky enough to be one of them, make sure to check out these 5 awesome sights:

1) The Golden Gate Bridge: Shortlisted for being one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, and holding the title of ‘most photographed bridge in the world’, the bridge invariably and without doubt stands as one of the top five attractions in San Francisco. So make sure it tops your list of the ‘places to visit’. It could well be the first thing you see of San Fran if you’re arriving from the North. The Bridge is almost 9000 feet long, 800 feet tall and if you untangled all of its cables they would stretch around the world 3 times. Charge your camera before you arrive, you’re gonna take a lot of snaps!

2) Alcatraz Island: Another must see attraction is the Alcatraz Island that is located at the heart of the San Francisco bay. It is home to the most infamous prisons in the country, prisons which had housed a number of notorious criminals including Al Capone and Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz). Tours to ‘the Rock’ run through the day, starting at 9AM, they cost around $30 per adult and be sure not to miss the last ferry back, there’s no other way off the island – hence why no one ever escaped the prison, in it’s entire history!

3) Fisherman’s Wharf: Featuring among the top five is another mind boggling tourist attraction known by the name of Fisherman’s Wharf. The city’s most popular destination looks over San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate Bridge and the waterfront, still a working pier, offers tip-top seafood dishes, albeit a little pricey.

4) The Cable Cars: The world-famous cable cars run 7 days a week. The California street line will give you great views of the city and you should be dropped off as Fisherman’s warf so start another awesome leg of your San Fran trip.

5) Chinatown: Last but not the least, march through the dragon-draped archway and visit San Fran’s famous Chinatown. It will acquaint you of the colorful and everlasting culture of the city of San Francisco. Visit the vivacious marketplace, the museums, temples, herbal shops and gorge into some fabulous Chinese cuisine at the local restaurant there.

San Francisco is a city blessed with a number of tourist places of note. Though the above are the ‘must see’ but if you still have time in your hand pay a visit to the Lombard Street, Moscone Center, Ferry Building Marketplace and Marrakech Magic Theatre for a terrific and remarkable magic and comedy show by Peter Morrison.

There’s so much to see and do in San Francisco, if you’re worried about missing out on something while you’re here, participating in escorted holidays will ensure you don’t miss anything. So pack your bag and run. The ever captivating city is waiting for you. Happy Travels!

Top 5 Sights in San Francisco is a post from: onestep4ward.com

5 Cool Day Trips from New York City

Johnny — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 23:49:43 +0000

I love NYC, it’s a city like no other and it’s well worth a week or so of your time on any backpacking trip to the US – last week I wrote an article about how to spend a weekend in the big apple, today I’m going to have a look at some awesome day trips you can take during your stay here.

NYC

1) The Jersey Shore: Always a popular destination but after the hit TV show (I know you watched it!) it’s more popular than ever. An hour or two (depending on traffic) from NYC, this is a great place to hit the beach or follow in the Situation, Pauly D and Vinny’s footsteps and hit up Karma club, amongst other awesome venues. A great place to relax and enjoy yourself, it may lack a little culture but it makes up for it in sheer personality.

A typical beach shot in Jersey shore

2) Hoboken: 10 mins from NYC, Hoboken is found on the Hudson river. Birthplace to your grandma’s old flame Frank Sinatra and the birthplace of baseball, this place offers welcome respite from the chaos of New York! It’s pretty small and accessible by foot, it offers awesome kayaking and rafting opportunities. Make your way to the city centre and you’ll see plenty of tour offices offering you a trip to really explore the Hudson river in all its glory, up close and personal.

Rafting in Hoboken

3) Long Island: Accessible by ferry, train or car – Long Island is a relative stone’s throw from the city centre (an hour ‘ish’). Beaches and wineries are the order of the day when you reach Long Island, so if you manage to squeeze both of these activities into your morning and afternoon you’re sure to have a great trip. Also be sure to check out Montauk, Fire Island or the South Shore in Nassau County if you’re wanting to sample the original Long Island iced tea. Delicious.

Long Island, New York

4) Philadelphia: Less than 2 hours from NYC, which is nothing when you get to climb the steps from the Rocky movies !! With museums, art houses and cool architecture galore one day will flash past in a blur. But for me the unequivocal highlight was following Sly’s footsteps up the famous steps. Head to the Franklin Institute and the Museum of Art to relive one of the best movie montages of all time.

Top of the Rocky Steps

5) Atlantic City: Vegas of the East Coast AND only 2 ½ hours from NYC, although a day trip is eminently doable, better to stay the night and watch Atlantic city really shine! Great shows, cool monuments, aquariums and great beaches – ok, now your day is spent it’s time to really experience AC. Casinos, gambling and parties! Check out the Borgata, the Trump Taj Mahal, Caesers and the Hilton Casino to mix it with the high rollers.Trains run around $30 each way and buses (from Port Authority) cost between $20-$40 return.

Trump Taj Mahal

Ok guys, so NYC may try to keep you within the city limits but break free and explore the surrounding areas, you won’t regret it. With NYC being a great hub, flights to New York can be cheap as chips, so get over there as soon as possible! Happy travels!

5 Cool Day Trips from New York City is a post from: onestep4ward.com

How to spend a weekend in New York City

Johnny — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:19:08 +0000

NYC – the city that never sleeps. What a place, this was one of the first cities I ever truly traveled through and what a time I had (lost my wallet, passport, phone, camera and bag in a drunken stupor thanks to an insane happy hour promo in manhatten but that’s another story!) Ok stop digressing Johnny boy…

I heart NY

There’s enough stuff to see in NYC to keep you occupied for months but realistically if you’re backpacking through you’ll probably only have 2 or 3 days. So prepare yourself for some rapid fire backpacking and use this itinerary to make sure you make the most of the limited time you have here!!!

Friday Night: Let’s say you land on a weekend (lucky you!). Shake off the journey and refresh yourself with a couple of slices of New York Pizza (available from almost every corner) and head to the empire state building for an endearing view of New York City at night – it will blow your socks off.

The Empire State Building at Night

The view from the Empire State Building at night

Saturday Morning: Up early and head towards the Central Park in the morning. You can check out the Zoo and Conservatory Garden en route. After breakfast check out John Lennon’s House where Yoko still lives (and, morbidly, where he was killed) and then take a tour of Greenwich Village, in Manhatten. You can soak up some of the real New York atmosphere in the lower east side for the rest of the AM.

John Lennon Tribute in Central Park, just minutes from his apartment where he was killed

Saturday Afternoon: Make your way towards the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Take a ferry tour ferry tour from Battery Park. The Statute of Liberty is one of those iconic sights that you have to pinch yourself that you’re actually seeing it in real life, a cool experience! After, make your way to Times Square to feel the chaos of NYC in full flow. Try to score some cheap Broadway tickets from the ticket stand in the centre of Times Square too.

The Statue of Liberty from the ferry

Saturday Night: After some over-priced drinks and a light dinner at Times Square head for your Broadway show and you’ll really feel like you’re visiting New York now – this place buzzes at night.

Broadway

Sunday Morning: Get ready for a shopping spree. New York is known as a shopper’s paradise. Head towards Macys and Bloomingdales and indulge yourself in some endless shopping. Gentlemen, tell the ladies that the credit card is off limits or you’ll find yourself in some serious trouble, I promise you that!!

Macys Department Store in New York

Sunday Afternoon: After lunch make your way towards the Rockefeller centre and the Museum of Modern Art. Feel humbled when you think how rich Rockefeller was and then redeem your negative emotions by feeling so very civilized and cultured as you walk around the Museum for an hour or two.

Rockefeller Center & the Statue of Atlas

Sunday Night: Head back to the hotel after and prepare yourself to bid goodbye to New York City. Whether it’s a flight out of there or a Grey Hound bus, get ready to say goodbye to one of the world’s most interesting cities. Love it or hate it, it’s one in a million.

OK guys, this itinerary should keep you covered for a couple of days, if you find yourself in town for any longer fear not – there’s a multitude of things to do to keep you occupied. There’s no end of cheap flights to New York now so you have no excuse for not getting our ass here asap. I love NYC, I hope you guys do too. Happy Travels!

How to spend a weekend in New York City is a post from: onestep4ward.com

What to Do With A Week or Two in Florida

Johnny — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:33:37 +0000

The US gets a raw deal when people talk about backpacking. I worked at 3 different American summer camps throughout my time at university, and after camp finishes you have a great opportunity to spend your hard-earned cash with another 2 months left on your visa (a great perk of camp)! It seems that not too many of the backpacking crowd venture too far into the US, Vegas and LA get their fair share but other than that you’ll practically have the country to yourself!

A common site in Florida

Florida has a reputation for being more of a holiday-maker’s destination as opposed to a regular backpacking haunt but no longer I say, as it’s easier than ever to get cheap flights to Florida. There’s plenty of things to see and do in the ‘Sunshine State’, you just gotta get yourself over there to see. Here are a few things to make sure you don’t miss on your trip here:

Things to see and do in Florida:

Miami: Miami is a great to place to chill during the day on one of it’s many awesome beaches (Miami beach being the one that grabs all the headlines) and when the sunsets, it turns into a great party city, especially around spring break!

Orlando: The theme park capital of the world, home to Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World! Reserve yourself a timeshare suite nearby a theme park for the true Orlando experience. There are some timeshare resorts, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, which are located right in the parks so you don’t even have to leave at night! Animal Kingdom is a great resort because some of the suites have private balconies that overlook a Savannah filled with African wildlife like Giraffes and exotic birds.

Not a lot else to say, rent a car, splash the cash on the theme park entry fees and have a cracking time for the next 3 or 4 days, this place is crazy. If Orlando magic, of the NBA, are in town try to check out a basketball game too, a true American experience.

Walt himself at Disney World

Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex: Effectively a high-tech, interactive astronaut museum, complete with IMAX. If you time it write, you may see a rocket launch into space, a sight to behold I’m sure, but not one I was lucky enough to see I’m afraid.

St. Augustine: Famously, the oldest European settlement in all of the USA (founded by a Spaniard in 1565). This historical town is a real gem, full of Spanish architecture and a discernible European feel. Tourism has certainly hit this place though and you’ll find a huge array of things to do here.

The Spanish flavoured St Augustine

Sunshine Skyway Bridge: The longest cable-stayed bridge in the world (almost 9km!), this bridge is seriously impressive!

Holocaust museum: In St Petersburg, the museum is one of the ‘best’ in the world. You’ll spend half the time with your jaw on the floor at man’s inhumanity to man, and the other half holding back the tears. This place is very impressive, but be warned, it pulls no punches.

Daytona International Speedway: Famously found on Daytona Beach, the NASCAR track is often providing a race of some sort so get yourself down there, it’s an awesome day out.

Daytona Speedway Track

Everglades National Park: A UNESCO world heritage site, renting a car and driving across the US 41 is a great experience. There are loads of different trails to follow either by foot or by car and with entry being $5 per person ($10 per car) a few days here is very manageable, just watch out for the alligators – they’re everywhere :S

Scuba: I wasn’t going to include this (after my ill-fated attempt at scuba in Australia last year!) but I figured with so many scuba lovers in the world today it was my duty to! Florida offers great diving – coral reefs, sunken vessels, loads of sealife and it’s readily available along the whole coast.

Ok guys, Holidays in Florida offer something for everyone – including us backpackers! If backpacking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options for Florida holidays – regardless of how you take your trip, this place offers so much so have fun and happy travels!

What to Do With A Week or Two in Florida is a post from: onestep4ward.com

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Pretending to be a boyband in Vegas

Johnny — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:12:32 +0000

If it’s true that “all’s well that ends well” then the following little white lie can be more than excused!

Ok, the title sums it up but this story leads to a stint of medical research and marriage! So… I had just finished working on a disadvantaged kids summer camp in New York State and after 3 or 4 days partying in NYC to celebrate (and losing my wallet and passport in drunken stupor) I headed to Vegas to meet two of my best friends.

Our accommodation in Vegas!

Accommodation was sorted – we had bagged the honeymoon suite in the Venetian hotel because of some ridiculous online promotion and rather than look like some strange, intertwining gay love triangle we decided instead to pretend we were a British boyband (I’m Irish, my friends are English and Welsh). Foolproof… or so we thought.

Inside the Venetian hotel!

After failing to get upgraded to the executive suite by the Venetian (don’t think they were fooled by my quick rendition of ‘flying without wings’ by Westlife) we dropped our bags in our lush room and explored the city of sin.

After a few complimentary drinks on the poker floor in the Venetian and taking a bit of a hit on both the roulette table and the poker tables we were socially lubricated enough to expand the lie… Queue an impromptu photo taking and autographing signing session downstairs in the Venetian. Not content with that we went to bigger and better things…

The scene of the free drinks, the photo shoot and the money loss!

Trist nightclub, complete with full indoor waterfall, had a queue a mile long and a heavy cover charge. But being the international sensation that we were (pretending to be), we weren’t gonna queue! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this method for VIP treatment, but in all honest if I went on holidays to Las Vegas again, I’d probably do exactly the same thing!

The waterfall in Tryst

So, calling on one of our believers (who was very impressed with the web of lies) from earlier on in the day got us straight passed the queue, VIP style and marched right into the centre of the club where they began asking us which table we would like. Ermmmm…$600 for a bottle of vodka!? DISPERSE! DISPERSE! DISPERSE! After a lame excuse or two we fobbed the guy off and met up again at the bar ($30 cocktails, nice!)

After shirking the staff, drinking our overpriced drinks we recommenced our extragavant lie. Before too long a group of American girls were loving our stardom and my best friend got chatting to a beautiful Texan girl. The night rolled in a hazy success but when we left the Texan girl and my friend unlocked lips, exchanged numbers and went their separate ways.

Dan and Tasia on their wedding day!

To cut a long story short, my friend kept up the lie about our fame on the phone over the next few days. She soon rumbled him after an extensive google search and discovered that he (we) look NOTHING like who we said we were – disaster?! Apparently not, they are now happily married with a kid and a house, living the American dream in Texas – As I said, all’s well that ends well..

The most gorgeous kid in the world

Pretending to be a boyband in Vegas is a post from: onestep4ward.com

7 Tips for working at American summer camps

Johnny — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:15:21 +0000

OK, so having worked at 3 summer camps in America over the years and having unforgettable times, meeting unforgettable people and seeing unforgettable things – I want to impart onto you some of the hard earned knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years…

1) If it’s your first year ever doing summer camp then I can stress strongly enough GO THROUGH AN AGENCY. Yes they will charge you (exorbitantly at that – around $500 AUD i think), yes you’ll initially begrudge the fees but I promise you – you won’t regret your decision. From visas, to flights, to people at the airport waiting to pick you up, to having courier services from JFK airport to your camp direct – they are professional, efficient and helpful. At a time when it’s pretty scary to be moving to America for 3 or 4 months, they ensure you can concentrate on making friends and having fun while they take care of the red tape. I recommend BUNAC and CAMP AMERICA – both have been in the industry for decades, google them and you’ll have a host of resources.

2) Choose your own camp if you have preferences: This is a huge tip, which most people never hear. Do you want to work on a special needs camp, ADD camp, disadvantaged kids camp? (incidentally, I have worked on all 3 of those cams and true, it’s more tiring than other camps but it’s also much, much more rewarding). If you feel you want to work on a wealthy camp, or a day camp, or a city camp then do your research, identify the camp you want, contact them and explain you are with an agency but you would like to work with them. Explain to Camp America/BUNAC your situation and they will, very easily, hook you up with your camp of choice.

3) Want to work on camp with your mates? Believe it or not, this is very easy – in fact, lots of the camps love it because it means you’re much more likely to stick it out if times are tough. 2 or 3 of you can work at the same camp no problem. One thing though, my mates and I never did this, we went to our own camps, made new friends and met up after camp – i’d recommend that as often when you travel with existing friends you lose the incentive to throw yourself into meeting new people, naturall – up to you.

4) Do you want to do something specific throughout camp – art, sport etc? There are generally two types of counsellors at every camp: General counsellors – where you are with the kids throughout the day at their various activities and participate in all events whether it’s swimming, football, arts and crafts. The other type is a Specialist Counsellor – where you are for example a football specialist, you deal with all the different bunks of kids throughout the day and tutor them all on football.

5) Choose a flexi-ticket return flight: This is essential… ESSENTIAL! You can either book a fixed date flight home or a flexi ticket for an extra 100 quid i think, where you can come back anytime within a couple of months at a weeks notice. Choose the flexi ticket. I promise you will make the most amazing friends and you WILL want to travel around America, eat super-sized macdonalds and take photos on Liberty Island and you’ll regret not having the flexi ticket when all your new friends do! I made this mistake the first time, i certainly didnt make it again.

6) Don’t have experience? Don’t worry – they will still employ you i promise. Remember though – that football coaching you did with the U12′S, when you helped the kids with homework, you old babysitting job – get these on your CV, make them sound infinitely more impressive and before you know it camps will be fighting to give you a job!

7) Too scared to make the jump and sign up? DON’T BE! Everyone is in the same position as you and within a week you will laugh at your hesitance and be glad you didn’t miss out on this awesome experience. Sign-up and go!

time off from summer camp

kids at my second camp

Camp is a great way to experience the US, you’ll meet new friends, improve kids’ lives, live in a new country, all of which will change your mentality forever. Ever since I went on a few cheap holidays as a kid I knew traveling was the lifestyle for me, and know I’m finally living it. Happy travels!!

7 Tips for working at American summer camps is a post from: onestep4ward.com