torsdag 28 februari 2013

I went to the zoo, in Phoenix!

I know that I don't have that much time left until I finish my trip, but I thought I'd go to one last place - the Zoo, in Phoenix! I heard about it on the way to Phoenix. I didn't think that I would have the time, but I made some ;) I'll continue the trip later today, without any further stops, until I reach Tumacácori, Mexico.

The zoo's name was Phx Zoo and it had over 1300 animals, divided in five different trails. I couldn't believe that they had so many animals! In Sweden they only have about 10 different animals, when they had around 40 different species at this Zoo. Except the animals, they also had bike renting, which I also tried out, and cycled around and watched the different animals. I also ate in one of their food venues, which had some different foods, like pizza, salads, Mexican food, different sandwiches and some other foods. I took a sandwich with salad and tuna, which was delicious!

A picture of the Zoo's entrence:
Photo: Phx Zoo

The entrence to the Zoo costed 20 $, the bike renting costed me 10 $ + the food for 5,89 $. So it all costed me 35,89 $(≈ 250 swedish kronor), which was a great price :)

Wellwell, now I am going to get in the car(again..) and finish this trip! I am almost at the finish line now! :D I am just doing a stop at the grocery-store to buy some food and snacks, and then I am on my way again! 4 more days until I reach Tumacácori, in Mexico! :D

Source
Phx Zoo: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/
/1300 different animals: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/learn/animals/
Food: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/article.aspx?ARTICLE_ID=100100
Entrence:http://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/hours_rates.aspx

tisdag 26 februari 2013

I'm so sorry for not updating

My computer have ben shut down and I haven't got it working until now. I had to go to the electronic store, Best Buy, to get it fixed. I actually didn't know what was wrong with it, but they told me that I had got some virus that they had to get rid of, for the computer to work again. The bad news, except the virus, was that it cost me 149,99(≈ 1050 swedish kronor). I thought that the prize was outrageous, but they told me that they installed an online virus och spyware removal, so that the computer automatically removes unwanted virus, to keep the computer clean. So, I hope that the price was worth it all, and that my computer works as it should now.

In another, much more fun, note; I'VE BEEN IN VEGAS!
I am currently in Phoenix, but I was in Vegas just four days ago, and it an was amazing experience! I checked in at one of the hotels looked up, called MGM, which was the cheapest I could find, for 113 $/night(≈ 800 swedish kronor PER NIGHT!!). Not cheap at all, but it was all I could find, so I took it! And, I couldn't complain when I finally came into the hotel and saw everything. It had a casino, a huge pool, spa, some different shops, restaurants, nightclub and everything else you think of when you hear "Las Vegas". I felt like I was in a movie, haha! I can't think of one place in Sweden where they have a place like this, especially not this big and with so many casinos. This is Vegas, and nothing can beat this!

When I had checked into the hotel I went out in the city right away. I didn't want to waste a single minute! When I came out, the sun hit me right away and the weather was just beautiful, just as everything else there, in Las Vegas. The buildings and the different casinos, the lights and posters on the walls, and everything else. During the daylight, it almost felt like any other city, but it didn't at night.
Here's a picture of LV during the day;
Photo: Google Maps
And here's a picture of LV during nighttime; 
Las Vegas by Frankphotos CC A-NC-SA

As I said, it was just as in the movies, and I almost felt like a moviestar, walking around in the city. I believe I walked around for about 2 hours when I first arrived, and then I went back to the hotel to check it all out. In the hotel, I visited the casino and gambled for about 20 $, then I stopped myself(haha), so I wouldn't use to much of my money. I also went and ate at the restaurant, which was included in the hotel-price, so it was quite nice! The food was really good, but I didn't waste more than 15 minuter on eating, just because I didn't want to stay at the same place for too long. After I had spent a little time on the hotel and checked it all out, I went out in the city again, and just walked around, visited some different casinos and looked at all the girls, working in the casinos. I could imagine myself working in Vegas, serving people drinks and keeping an eye on all the visitors. I think that it would be an amazing job, and you probably get a lot of money ;)

I believe I went back to the hotel too sleep around 2 am, after a long day in the big Vegas. I fell asleep right away and the next morning I ate breakfast at the hotel, checked out, and continued on my road trip. As I said, I am currently in Phoenix and this trip is almost over. I've been in Jasper and at the Jasper National Park, Calgary and at the Banff National Park, a quick visit in Salmon(just stayed for the night, because I arrived so late, and continued the trip the next morning). I've also been in Las Vegas and in all kinds of casinos, and now I am on my way to my last big stop, in Tumacácori, Mexico, which my finish-line. In about 7 days, I will reach my final destination, and will done with this road trip, trough USA. I can't believe that the time has gone so fast already!

But now, I am going to pack my stuff and go to bed. This is my first night in Phoenix, and I am going to stay here for tomorrow too. Then, I am going to continue my way to Tumacácori, which I plan to reach next tuesday. Goodnight!


Source
Photo of Las Vegas: Las Vegas by Frankphotos CC A-NC-SA


torsdag 7 februari 2013

Fishing, mountain climbing and 50 bucks!

Today, a quite funny thing happend! I was on my way back to the motel in Calgary(I'm a few days back on schedule by the way, I'll catch up tomorrow!) and I really had to use the toilet. I looked for the nearest gas-station and got to use the toilet for 1 $. But when I got in to the toilet there was a wallet on the sink! I took it up too have a look inside and found 200 $ and lot of credit-cards, and I panicked. I didn't know what to do, so I closed the wallet, and then I opened it again to look for an ID. Luckily, I found one. The wallets owner was named Phil Hubbard and looked to be about 50 years old. I was still in need to use the toilet, so I did. When I got out I didn't tell them about the wallet but thanked them for letting me use the toilet. I just went to the car and drove back to the hotel and looked up Phil on the internet.

Luckily Phil had his number on the internet, on a page for theatre. Obviously he's an actor, I thought. I didn't wait longer and used the motels phone to call him. He answered politely with his name and a "may I ask who this is?" with a voice reminding me of Sideshow Bob. I told him that I've found his wallet, and I can't even tell you how happy he got! He told me that he had been searching for it everywhere and started to get desperate. I told him to meet me at the motel I'm staying at, Canadas Best Value Inn, and he didn't even hesitate. 10 minutes later he was outside to meet up with me. I waved at him when he came driving and he looked really happy. When he had parked the car and met up with me he thanked me a thousand times and insisted on giving me something for the trouble. Even though I didn't wanted anything, he didn't take no for an answer. He took up his wallet and handed me 50 bucks, thanked me one more time and got in his car. Then he drove away, waving and smiling at me.

And that's how I got 50 bucks(= 350 swedish kronor), haha!

In another note, like I wrote in the beginning, I'm a few days back on schedule. I'm currently staying at a motel that only costs 63 $/night(≈ 440 Swedish kronor, CHEAP!) and they have nice people, a great cafe and restaurant and just a cosy view, so I haven't really felt like driving away from here, haha. But I promise, tomorrow I will continue on the road trip!

While I've been here in Calgary, I've been at Banff National Park and gone fishing(can you see ME fishing?) and it was quite fun! You had to have a lot of patience, but I at least got one! :D They threw it in the water again though, haha, but I got one!

I've also been mountain climbing, and it was probably one of the scariest things I've ever done. I think I got up to 10 metres and then I wanted to go down again, haha!  It was kind of a  waste of money, but I wanted to try! I've got the 20 $ back now that I've got 50 from Phil for finding his wallet ;)

Now, I am going to the café to get some snack and maybe a cup of warm tea. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, so I'll probably look up a near food-store to buy something and stack up for tomorrows long driving. I think I'll aim at driving to Kalispell, Montana, tomorrow, even though it's about 200 miles driving. If I've got some good snacks and some good music I can sing to, I think I can make it! Let's go!

Source
Hotel/Value Inn: http://reservations.calgaryhotels.org/hotel/?refid=4129&rs_hid=9562903
Banff National Park: http://www.banffnationalpark.com/
Fishing: http://www.banffnationalpark.com/activities/fishing-in-banff-national-park-canadian-rockies.html
Mountain climbing: http://www.banffnationalpark.com/activities/mountain-climbing-in-banff-national-park-canadian-rockies.html