Harbour City Ramblings

3 relatives and 3 dogs, passing through 3 states, with 1 destination in mind: Southern California.

And we’re stoked!

Earlier this afternoon my roomies and relatives, Ali and Jeff, and I embarked on an epic journey. We hopped the Coho ferry from Victoria’s Upper Harbour and took sail south to Port Angeles, Washington.

Until recently, I lived on the small curve of land that stretches from the Coho loading dock, around the bend by which it travels, prior to pushing off towards the United States of America. I lived there in James Bay for nearly 5 years, and from my apartment window can recall hearing the blaring horn of the Coho departing countless times, without ever having boarded it myself.

We showed up at the loading dock 2 hours prior to the 3:00pm sailing. We sat sweltering in 30 degree heat while Customs agents toured the parking lot, passively quizzing travelers on their vehicle contents, destinations, and general intentions.

With plans to attend a wedding outside the Bay Area, they gladly let us continue on… so long as we obliged to toss out the unlabeled dog food we possessed. Ali & Jeff’s 3 Yorkshire Terriers are now forced to eat lesser quality canned sustenance for the next week. Fitting, as sub-standard eats are practically a road trip requirement!

Once you hit land and then pavement, the windy road from Port Angeles heading South-East down Highway 101 seemingly takes half a day. Really it was quite lovely and we passed through the wooded, sea-side towns in a couple of hours.

Jeff had been up since 1:00am, thus understandably passed out in the back of the vehicle while Ali and I made some odd road-side observations from up-front:

- Highway 101 is dedicated to the memory of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, and alongside it a Marina dedicated to John Wayne.
- There are multiple adorable coffee huts. Tiny standalone buildings, catering to travelers java needs dot the length of the highway. Awesome!
- And quite fittingly we went by a shanty little “adult” store with a multitude of stacked wood out front. Yes- they sell wood. Insert juvenile snickering here… I did!

Currently we are flying down the I-5, having survived the heat wave by means of air conditioning, consuming H2O and some unusual tasting Americanized Iced Teas.

Out ETA is approximately tomorrow, mid-morning. There’s no stopping along the way, and so far we have roughly 6 hours under our belt of this 15 hour journey.

We’re now in gorgeous Portland, Oregon. If I weren’t so sleepy I’d make a Lost reference. Considering it was announced today that the brilliant producers, writers, cast and crew of Lost were nominated for a dozen Emmy Awards it would be most fitting. Oh well, I’ll probably think of one once we’re Not in Portland… Oh there it is!

California here we come!

As ABC’s Lost enters into it’s final season, it’s time that I plan a trip to visit the very sites which make-up the backdrop that brilliantly compliments the best storytelling on television.

With 6 seasons soon to make-up the entirety of the Lost story-arc, filming locations are spread across most every corner of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Knowing this, I have been doing my fair share of research into pre-packaged tours which claim to satisfy even the most die hard Lost fan. My only worry is whether some of the man-made props will still be available for viewing this fall, when the cold weather hits and I finally decide to hop from my own humble island, to that which the Oceanic 815 and Ajira 316 survivors made camp.

Companies offering Lost Tours include:

• Lost Virtual Tours
• Hawaiian Escapades
• KOS Hummer Tours
• Big Kahuna Hawaii

While the Lost tour may take precedence over all other activities on my personal Oahu To-Do list, it clearly isn’t the only reason to visit Hawaii’s most inhabited and third largest island.

I have managed to come up with some activities and worth-while sights that don’t necessarily include the Other’s compound, Hurley’s golf course, the Pala Ferry dock, or the spot where Desmond confronted and killed his Swan Hatch roommate Kelvin.

Oahu Hiking Trails

With a plethora of trails available for the avid hiker, I plan to take-in my fair share of mountain trekking. I’m not the least bit keen on shopping, nor can I sit still long enough to beach-dwell, thus exploring the jungles of Oahu is right up my alley.

Some trails I intend to conquer:

Manoa Falls –  Located in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, the trail to the falls boasts foot bridges and lush bamboo forests. Manoa Falls is considered an easy trail with a rewarding finish.

Ka’ena Point – Located on the most north west point of Oahu, in Ka’ena Point State Natural Area Reserve. The Ka’ena Point trail runs entirely along the shore with little elevation, but spectacular sand dunes, native birds, and even views of breaching whales off-shore in the winter months.

Makapu’u Point Trail – Located on the south eastern tip of the island, in Ka Iwi State Park. Makapu’u Point Trail provides a steep slope with panoramic views of southern Oahu and surrounding islands, a Lighthouse, and an Aquarium.

These a mere few outdoor activities I intend to partake in once I make my way to Oahu. I gather my list will grow as the fall approaches or I officially book my flight, so if anyone has any suggestions on what to do in Oahu- I am more than open to recommendations.

Along with the bizarre second meeting of Brian and Elizabeth in Rome on Monday, Sept. 22nd- also the Anniversary of Lost and the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 just 4 years back- a couple other strange occurrences happened.

In Search of Caesar

After seeing the Vatican Museum and other sights in Rome that morning, we had yet to do one of the top things on my Rome list: Finding the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15th, 44 BC.  Even with all the bad omens, and warnings of negative dreams from his wife Calpurnia, Caesar’s good friend Brutus- one of the 60 conspirators in the assassination- encouraged him to go forth to Senate that day. Shortly after addressing the senate, he fell dead at the foot of Pompey’s statue succumbing to multiple stab wounds.

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I believe I’ve changed my mind. I will have to retrieve my heart I had hoped to leave in Greece. Italy takes the cake.

Palatine Hill

We arrived an hour later than expected (thanks a lot Olympic airlines) into Rome Saturday night around 9:00pm. After a rough partial-sleep on the ferry from Crete to Athens that morning, and wandering Athens during the day in the pouring rain, all we wanted when we touched down in Rome was a horizontal spot to rest that wasn’t swaying back and forth over the sea.

Colors Boutique Hotel

Dylan had found and booked a room at Colors, a boutique hotel and hostel located within a 10-minute walk of Vatican City. Incredible place with extremely helpful staff, in an area where we weren’t paying an arm and a leg to eat or sleep.

We had a 3-person dorm with our own sink and shower for 2 nights. The first girl using up the other bed we hardly spoke to as she was in late and out by 5:00am.

The second night we met Rachel. Rachel was very cool to talk to as she was from Israel, and managed to give us the rundown, very passionately, on the history of Israel within the first 5 minutes of our encounter. She told us how boring Canada was as “nothing happens there,” but her enthusiasm and encouragement made me want to some day visit her in Israel.

The Colosseum & Gianicolo Hill

We were up bright and early on Sunday, Sept. 21st, knowing there was plenty to see in Rome. Our first stop was the Colosseum, which was free with the €20 Roma Pass we picked up, along with free entrance to another museum, discounts on all others, and free Metro, Bus and Tram use for 3 days. Outstanding deal.

The Colosseum, built in AD 80, was stunning. We spent a good hour there before passing Palatine Hill, putting our hands inside the Mouth of Truth and heading over the Tiber River to the Trastevere area for paninis. We then wandered up Gianicolo Hill for a few hours to take in exceptional views of the entire Ancient City.

Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon & Piazza Navona

In the afternoon we threw our coins in the Trevi Fountain and gasped at the sight of the 2000-year old Pantheon. We dined near the beautiful Castel Sant’Angelo on an exceptional (and best I have ever had) pizza and wine. That fueled us for the remainder of the evening of walking and taking in dozens of monuments and various squares including the truly Italian experience of Piazza Navona, previously an AD 1st Century stadium.

After the sun went down we strolled past the Piazza’s various vendors and artists. From one end where the sound of accordions filled the air, to the opposite end where we got up close and personal with the Fountain of Four Rivers as a busker played his rendition of one of my favourite songs on his weathered acoustic guitar- Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.”

With sore feet on Monday, Sept. 22nd- the 4 year anniversary of Lost- we checked out of Colors and deposited our backpacks at the train station and made our way again to the Trastevere area for a pasta lunch. In all honesty this was the first pasta I had in Rome, and I hate to say it but the Spaghetti Carbonara I had in Paris was a million times better. But, we had free WiFi and got in touch with our American buddies we met in Amsterdam, Brian and Elizabeth and sent some e-mails home, which is always nice.

Vatican City & The Sistine Chapel

Afterwards we made our way to Vatican City. Our first stop was the Vatican Museum, as we had to get in before 3pm in order to see it all before 4:30pm when they start kicking the art-lovers out.

We saw a slew of ancient artifacts, statues and tapestries though the maze of rooms, each painted from top to bottom with exceptional detail, leading up to the undeniable highlight: The Sistine Chapel.

Walking slowly with the flood of people into the Sistine Chapel I made certain not to look up until fully inside and beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece, which was completed in the 16th Century. Craning my neck upwards it felt as though the world had come to a complete halt, and the sight of it- as cliche as it sounds- brought a tear to my eye. I really can’t even begin to describe it, and I won’t attempt to- it has to be seen to be believed.

We wandered St. Peter’s Basilica for a bit until our legs really needed a rest. That night we headed back towards the train station and unbelievably ran into Brian and Elizabeth. They were off elsewhere so Dylan and I, with a few hours to kill, found an amazing fresh pasta spot for dinner and wined and dined until we couldn’t lift our forks anymore. Two hours later on the way back once again we ran into Brian and Elizabeth on the Metro and followed them to the Spanish Steps to plan our Oktoberfest meeting for Thursday.

The night we took our first night train from Rome to Venice, killing two birds with one stone as we saved on accommodations and got our commute in. Venice is a whole other city and story to tell. But I sure am glad to have thrown that coin in the Trevi Fountain, as I am now ensured a speedy return in the future to breath-taking Rome… Where I really am leaving my heart.

Earlier today, in the office, “water-cooler talk” minus the water-cooler (with the addition of caffeine) began when Linda mentioned seeing a promo for (ABC’s) Lost Season 4 re-runs on the Sci-Fi Channel the other night.  She’s not yet had the privilege of watching this past season, and I refuse to divulge any delicious, delicious tidbits of info about the brilliant continuation of the series.  Spoiler-free, that’s how we do things.  On September 15th they begin with the first four episodes of Season 4.  It’s the perfect resource for those wanting to play catch-up before the second to last season starts in early 2009.  And now Linda and her daughter- whom she cannot watch it without, Anneke- can continue the journey themselves… No waiting until December for the DVD release.

There are still a few things I want to see prior to the series end… Before Lost (and this part truly pains me to have to come to terms with) completes this unprecedented and incomparable piece of art, spanning 6 seasons: (I’ll surely come up with more as it goes along and/or I continue to re-watch past episodes, but) the ‘T’s’ I wish to see crossed, along with the ‘i’s’ I hope to see dotted” list begins with…

Haven’t seen Season 4?  Don’t read any further!  Ye be warned.

…A final Sayid/Sawyer face-off; reminiscent of the “If the shoe fits…” stomp-down in the early days of the Pilot: Part 2.  Now that Sayid is even more bad-ass than previously thought (torturer?  Pfffft… That career ain’t got nothin’ on being one of Ben’s goons), watching him take-on a new and improved (simply hope and wishful thinking only here) conman Sawyer would be the equivalent to Godzilla vs. Dracula… or whichever other fantasy figure he’s actually famous for fighting.

And in order to be completely satisfied with her untimely death, I need full disclosure on the Rousseau story.  Flashback, definitely.  Absolutely an Alex tie-in (minus the Karl).  If only a flashforward were possible.  Oh, the places you could have gone Rousseau.

One random last Lost note.  You know what makes Dr. Jack Shephard a great leader- his ability to dish out motivation, instruct while instilling confidence in the redshirts.  Giving credit and paying compliments as they’re due.  They then respect and put their trust in him.  It started with the dirty work of having the Losties sort through the luggage, then fuselage, and then hatch duties came into play.  He’s always been best in the leader role, motivating others to do their duties to the best of their abilities.  That is awesome.

Lost makes you think, gets your gears going.  Lost teaches you life lessons.  These are a few reasons why I watch Lost.

“…THIS is a crow-bar. See? They got their little stools and everything.” – Moe Syszlak, as he pulls a framed photo out from behind his bar depicting crows sitting on tiny stools.

Over the last few days I have heard an increase in the amount of children screaming outside of my apartment building.

Don’t be alarmed.

It’s pretty common as I live within a few blocks of an elementary school. They stroll passed often enough, friends or parents in tow. The alarming part is- they’re now screaming not as they run buoyantly to class to find out what they’ll learn today, or back home proudly to relay what they’ve been taught to others- they’re now screaming as they dodge dive-bombing CROWS!

It’s that time of year, and it’s happening all over Victoria, among other cities. The crows are nesting, and they feel a determinate need to protect their young’uns. Much to the fear of those who choose not to commute to work (or school, downtown, etc…) while encompassed by a frame of metal and powered by a motor. If you’re biking, you’re safe. But without the protection of a helmet, you run the risk of being swooped down upon.

Speaking of biking, it was Bike to Work Week last week. Thousands of Victorians abandoned their vehicles and started pushing their pedals; incentives included various Celebration Stations with free goods from local suppliers, daily draw prizes, and watching your wallet swell while the gas gauge in your car remains still, if only a little longer.

I don’t live far enough away from my work place to make signing-up for BTWW count. Which is fortunate for me, really. Unfortunately the weather has been unpredictable and all-around lame. I would hate to have been the person biking home in the 40 km/h winds last night.

Lost Hiatus Equals More Gordan Ramsay…

Now that Lost is over until early ‘09, having ended with a bang at #1 in the ratings that week, Hell’s Kitchen has my full attention.

In it’s 4th Season, 5 chefs remain, and lately I have seen some of the most entertaining episodes of this series… ever. That being said I don’t see any standouts, yet. The entertainment factor is high, but the quality of participants is waning compared to earlier seasons. Difficult to say right now, but I’m going to predict Corey, Bobby, and Petrozza in the final 3. Which is interesting considering the age gaps (25, 37, and 47).

If you’re not an HK fan, and don’t intend on watching it tonight @ 9pm, the upside is there’re still a few things to be done indoors while the weather is uncooperative this rainy June and you can’t bear to make a tee time.

Scorsese’s Rolling Stones documentary “Shine a Light” is still at the IMAX. I’ll be seeing it shortly, but I believe it plays nightly at 8pm for only another week (until Thurs, June 19th ‘08).

Iron Maiden in Vancouver

It’s nice as an islander to have the reminder now and again that Vancouver gets 65% more rain than Victoria. I saw proof of this last week while there just for the one night. The Iron Maiden show at the Pacific Coliseum was fantastic, well worth trekking through drenched downtown Vancouver for a day.