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We're heading on our way home so this is our last post. After travelling more than 38,000 kms in 30 days we can say we've definitely had a great time. We hope you've enjoyed reading the blog as much as we have in writing it. There isn't enough space to write about everything so it's only a small part of the things we saw and did.
We've taken almost 1200 photos during our trip. Hopefully we'll get a chance to show a few of them to you as soon as I can remember what photos were taken of what, where, and when.
A few departing thoughts:
Flying to the east coast of the US from Australia without a stopover completely numbs the brain for the last 2 hours.
Don't leave home without your blood pressure tablets. Despite what you hear, US doctors aren't that expensive but the medicines are.
Don't leave your glasses in your hotel room in Philadelphia. Luckily there was enough time to catch a taxi back to the hotel to retrieve them before the train departed.
There are obnoxious people in the world but an obnoxious Yank is the worst. Although, a Spaniard runs a close second.
It's OK to leer at a topless girl in Times Square when you are sitting next to your wife. In fact, she pointed out the girl to me. The same can't be said about the crazy woman in SF.
Reading about landmarks and historic areas and seeing them on TV is one thing but seeing them in reality is another. Washington DC and the Canadian scenery were incredible.
You will always find someone from Adelaide, such as talking to a young lad from Burnside travelling on a Contiki tour with a girl from Coromandel Valley who had booked her holiday at the Hallett Cove Flight Centre, or a woman from Glenelg on the tour bus to Vancouver Island in town for a conference, or meeting someone you used to work with.
Getting used to buying things with foreign money is relatively easy but being able to work out which coin is what can be difficult, especially at night. In the US and Canada, the 5 cent is bigger than the 10 cent. Invariably you end up with a pocket full of loose change because it's easier to hand over a bank note. At least Canada stopped issuing 1 cent pieces and round up or down the prices. We left at least 30 cents in 1 cent pieces in our Boston hotel room.
To follow that, how do you dispose of a pocketful of Canadian coins you know you will never have the chance to use again? Answer, you find a snack vending machine while you are waiting for your flight, and buy plenty of goodies.
When in Rome do what the Romans do, except when you're in Quebec don't attempt French. As soon as you are welcomed with Bonjour, say Hello. The language automatically changes to English. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with old ladies who work in gift shops.
Tipping can be challenging at the best of times, but when you're pursued out of the door of the Quebec pizza place demanding that you pay the customary full 15% it's guaranteed to turn into a heated argument. We won that bout on a TKO. In the US, the tip is double the tax.
When in Canada try the poutines, a gastronomic delight of baked French fries in a basket drenched with gravy and cheese sauce. Not for us, but Canadians love it as much as Americans love Cheese'n'Mac.
There a lot of jokes about Canada (and Canadians joke about themselves) but nothing can surpass the scenery in British Columbia. Where in the world could you travel 5 minutes from a major city to the ski fields, or 15 minutes to a rainforest.
Canadians are very much like Australians. They love their sport, their beer, and are cynical of their politicians.
Local public transport is cheap and once you've got a handle on it, it's the best way to get around. Although, in New York it's cheap to catch a taxi to get anywhere, except to the airport.
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