New Year's Eve in Pattaya, Thailand

I've been here since Sunday, first time in 12 years. The growth of this city is enormous especially when I compare it to a small township I visited first time in early seventies. There are new high luxury hotels, but it does not change the character of this place. It's a paradise for pleasure seeking men with other words one of the biggest gardens of the risen sun in the world.
I yesterday at 7pm had a gala dinner (a must) at the hotel for 1000 baht about 20 euros. Luckily I had a nice company of two pleasant gentlemen Ville 26 and Jori 25, who came from the same small country town Huittinen in Finland, where my lady friend Kaisa
happens to be working and part time living.
Then I later strolled on the narrow alleys, dropping in to some bars waiting for midnight in very crowded city. Of course there were plenty of different offers to keep company to me ( very pretty ones too) but eventually succeeded to get to my hotel alone at around 2am after celebrating the the New Year 2008 in a very noisy circumstances.
I then slept in deep dreams for 10 hours!

Problems with credit cards and Christmas at Sibelius restaurant on Koh Samui, Thailand

I have had longer times all kind of problems with my credit cards. I can blame mostly myself but also the connections in ATM machines and even in banks but the card companies too. First mistakes I made already before leaving Finland last March. I had forgotten the Pin code of my MC card, and did not then apply for the new one. I have 2 DC cards and took one with me but wrong Pin code. In Bali I went swimming, forgetting that I had my Visa card in my pocket. That card did not function any more. The quality of my MC card had been quite bad and on X-mas Eve it finally broke totally and was useless. The ATM machines have been struggling with my Amex a lot if accepting it at all. Already in November I did ask for a new Visa card ,but until now I do not have it. Same thing with the Pin code for my MC. Now I of course need a new MC card too, but I do not expect to get it before back in Finland. My son is bringing the correct DC for excisting Pin code.and I'll get it in Hong Kong in ten days time.
My new Finnish friends here helped me a lot. Day before X-mas I was pennyless, and that day ATM did once again not accept my Amex. Marko 39, had heard about my problems
and came to me with 10,000 bahts (about 250 euros)saying you can pay this back whenever you can.He and his friend Teemu 31 did take care before that of my drinks on a fishing trip we went together. That was the most boring fishing I ever made but we three still had some fun.
The flat I have rented for three weeks upstairs of Sibelius restaurant is about 40m2 big and very good. When I asked the owner Erkki 51, if the payments (rent, food and drinks)can be done from Finland, he immediately answered ,"no problem, miesta on autettava maessa" this is, if a man needs help you have to support him.
We had an excellent Finnish Christmas Gala dinner, with all home made traditional delicaties, necessary raw materials imported from Finnland, and we all Finns, maybe 20 of us did agree that we couldn't have had it better back home.It was a very memorable Finnish Christmas with new friends far from home

Merry X-mas and Happy New Year! Koh Samui, Thailand

I really wish from the bottom of my heart a Peaceful and Merry Christmas as well as a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2008 to all my friends and all readers of this blog everywhere in the world!

Easy days on Koh Samui, Thailand

I have been here soon two weeks weeks, and the lazy days have passed so quickly.
Last week I spent a couple of evenings with Sandor and Mimi from Hungary, and we did have good fun. I then met here a Finnish couple at the beach bar. Tuomas Eskelinen 30,a former Finnish national ice hockey team player with his girl friend Johanna 32.Tuomas had just recently to finish his playing carrier due knee injuries. Two days ago we, a bunch of nine Finns, regulars at the Sibelius restaurant, were invited to an official
opening of a sushi bar, because the Japanese owner happens to like Finnish people.
How it did happen, Tuomas,Johanna and me were the last ones after a bar round to be heading towards our beds.

Celebrating Finland's Independence Day on Koh Samui, Thailand

I arrived here on December 5. which was His Majesty's King Bhumibol's 80th birthday and the entire nation celebrated it. My turn came next day on Dec.6, when my country Finland had it's 90th birthday as an independent nation. I decided to go to a local very good Finnish restaurant "Sibelius" to celebrate with nice dinner and a bottle of good red vine.there were a big bunch of young Finns, and very many girls had beautiful evening gowns. They had also another reason to celebrate, they recently had finished their studies and had made last examines to be professional opticians.
They had just by coincidence found this restaurant in internet, and decided to travel to Koh Samui to be there on that particular day.
I already had finished my dinner, and sat in the bar with the owner of the restaurant
Erkki, who after almost 20 years in Sweden, had made his mind to settle here on Koh Samui,and with the Chef, Tuomas. Then suddenly five girls from the group joyned us. Their spirit was very high and everyone of them was at the best mood.
They all Hanna, Anna, Anna,Virpi and Tiina were very pretty, between 21 -25 years.
We then had some more drinks before moving to another Finnish bar, where another group of Finns joyned us. I went to sleep at 4am but I heard that some younger ones continued until 10am. Next day was the first rainy day during my trip, but it did not disturb me, I was sleeping all the day after my breafast.
Jyrki had also asked me, if I could be interested of a free flat upstairs, just above the restaurant. We went to see it, and I liked it immediately with big TV screen including many channels, especially Eurosport. I got it with half the price what was my special price at Tradewinds, where I did spent so many of my vacationes in last ten years. I yesterday moved in and shall stay there next three weeks.
I yesterday evening then, as so many times before on this journey decided to have pasta, and there was "La Dolce Vita" next door. Later, after listening a while the couple very near to me, asked them if they were talking Hungarian. Yes, they did, and when I told them that I'm a Finn, we became friends immediately. Sandor 38 and Mimi 28 is a very attractive couple, and they had moved here just recently after his several visits to study the business possibilities here. We were the last customers there, and decided to go to sleep after almost whole personal had left home. They told me that "La Dolce Vita" was thei favorit Italian place ,and they had visited them all.
I made some propaganda for "Sibelius", and they promised to visit it soon.
When back in my flat, I could not really sleep because I had to watch all possible Winter sports at Eurosport until 4.30am.

Congratulations Finland, 90 years of Independence

This is a big day for Finland and for the Finnish people all over in the world. We today celebrate our 90th anniversary as an independent country and free nation.
I ask you, if possible, friends of mine or those of Finland to light a candle at 6 pm
your time to give some thoughts to this small but brave country. Thank you!

Last days in KL Malaysia

Day before yesterday Iwas driving around with monorail and finally found myself at the most expensive area of KL with those exclusive brands like Boss, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc. I then decided to stop at Planet Hollywood for some cool refreshment. After a nice meal with good red vines I was leaving but probably waiting for my bill,when three elegant gentlemen passed my table looking for free table. There was none. I said to them that they could sit down here, I'm leaving very soon. They thanked me happily and sat down. Then they asked me not to leave but stay and enjoy their company. They were Iranian 747 pilots Ali, Mastafa and Hassan. We sat there together for a couple of hours,talking about everything including sports, politics and women. They invited me to visit Iran at any time, and I might do it. Maybe next year.I have their connections.
Now I've spent most beautiful time with as beautiful Nina before leaving soon to the airport, heading to Koh Samui in Thailand.

Amazing Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I've been in KL, as it is called here, since very early hours of last Saturday.
During the day I was just strolling around, looking for AMT to get some money.
I did not have any money of any currency left. I did have to convince the taxi driver at the airport that the hotel is paying my taxi fare, even I did not have the slightest idea, if they really are going to do it. Well, it took a while before I could agree with the hotel's night shift to pay the taxi.I had to make a written statement to the hotel that I personally own them RM70 = USD22 ,which I shall pay back in cash next morning. I have not done it yet, and I expect that it has been put on my bill because nobody has asked for my debt. It was quite funny feeling to come here nothing in the pocket. So ,on Saturday I started to look for those machines, which I learned to use just recently. I soon found several but only for Visa or MC. I already before my start to this trip had forgotten the Pin code of my MC, and last week I happened to jump to the swimming pool with my Visa in the pocket. So this former Visa card is now as worthless as any piece of plastic without any special purpose of use. Finally I found one box, which also accepted Amex, but that one was broken and out of use. It anyhow gave me hope that eventually I might find an other working one. So I did maybe half an hour later. What a happy feeling to have first time in two days some money in my valet again.
In the evening I had an appointment with my young friends Martin and Nina Vieth from my home town Helsinki. They have been here in K.L. for almost one year and another one and half year to go. They are in their early 30's, Martin is working in
international IT business, and Nina has time for local friends and visitors like me.
We had an fantastic amusant evening in several bars until they all were closed. We also enjoyed a very nice Brazilian dinner. Yesterday they also had their first wedding anniversary. Martin is today leaving for Bangladesh for business, and I am tomorrow moving to their appartment to entertain charming Nina for 24 hours, with his permission of course.
Yesterday I continued to explore the city with Monorail, went then to the increble Petronas Twin Towers, got the day's last ticket to the famous sky bridge, where I also met two Finnish shipbuilding engineers. Later I found another bar district, where I had some drinks in very international company.

Memories from Sanur Beach , Bali 30 years ago

I visited Sanur Beach first time in November 1977. It was a quiet paradise with just a handful of tourists.In La Taverna Hotel , where I stayed then where a group of medical doctors from New Zealand with their wifes.
A year before at the Montreal Olympics the Finnish long distance runner Lasse Viren
had won the two Kiwi challengers Dick Quax and Rod Dixon in a fantastic run of 5000 meters, where those two had practically sworn to beat the Finn easily. It did not happen. Now, I probably was a very good one,thinking to be a fantastic runner too. The Kiwi doctors decided to have a new match. So one day I had to compete against their chosen one on the beach for a distance of one mile. I was 25 kilos or about 50 pounds lighter than today having a quite good physical form. So let's show them !
The Kiwi's sent some people to the goal area, and we started to run. What an easy thing, I thought after leading clearly after the half of distance, running lightly. Then suddenly there was a total blackout, my legs could just carry me, I did not know what I was doing, except I must just get to somewhere. Finally some people stopped me, and I did remember that it was a competition. I went to congratulate my rival, but he smiled and said, you might not know it, but you did reach the finishing line first.
I was too exhausted to be happy, I only thought it's over. The Kiwis half carried me back. But a couple of hours later, when I celebrated my win with those wonderful people from New Zealand on them of course, I was a very proud Finn, naturally.
New Zealand

About the names. Sanur Beach, Bali

The very charming German lady 28,who I did meet with her boy friend Alex in my last evening at Kuta Beach, was Madeline from Darmstadt. of course.
The names in Bali or Indonesia are very strange and sometimes funny. A pretty bar tender at La Taverna Hotel, where I stayed 30 years ago, has a name Musti. All the personal had fun, when I told to her that the word black is in Finnish musta, and that's why many black dogs in Finland have the name Musti. This word again here means
an Angel! My name Matti pronounced Mati, as they do here, means dead, happily anyhow in Greek language Mati is The Eye! In my opinion only very few languages have in their names or words the same consonant doubled like in Finnish. I just can remember Italians and Japanese having these occasionally in their names.
I celebrated on Saturday my 67th birth day, which I spent alone but enjoying of Hotel's dinner party with not so bad, but cheap local vine, and Frog Dance performed by beautiful dancers with Balinese big band of 23 drummers.
Yesterday I finally got some rain on this journey except, if in a bus (once) or at the night time, when sleeping. To my great surprise there was at noon a heavy tropical shower for half an hour, and then sun shine again.
Here I have been mostly alone. which does not bother me at all, but there is a nice couple from the middle part of Finland with whom I have been talking sometimes at the pool. But,now I guess it's the time for a cool Bintang beer.

Last easy and amusant days at Satriya pool bar etc.,Bali

So, I could not walk very much in last days except yesterday, and the days went by at the sunken pool bar, but with nice company always. There also were new guests rugby player Ray and his voluptuos girlfriend Henna both 19 from Wellington ,New Zealand.
On Tuesday I did have dinner with Annik and Manuel, whose surname is Dali, and very far, about 200 years ago related to famous Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Day before yesterday I then had the dinner with Nicole and Kenneth. Those both evenings were very pleasant, of course. Yesterday evening I went shopping some necessities, and did walk quite a distance, first time since last Saturday. I stopped at the popular Maccaroni Club for some glases of Australian and Chilean vines, just to compare,
and finished my evening at Satriya's restaurant bar with nice local and international live music. There I also met a very nice German couple Alex 34 and his girlfriend 28, whose name I cannot at this moment remember and I do appologize that
from her. It surely will come into my mind just after I have finished to write this.
Today, very soon I will move for another week to Sanur Beach on the other side of the island. It is more beautiful and more peaceful too.

Further very lazy days, Kuta Beach, Bali

The sunken bar in the swimming pool has been the meeting point of international travellers at the Sartriya Cottages. I've spent most of my time with Bruce from Calgary, Canada, who is my age and a sailing boat designer, with young Norwegians sweet Nicole and Kenneth, who is a professional soccer player but clever enough to study at the same time.Then I did mention last time a swiss couple, which is not a couple at all, just very good friends, who share together the costs,beautiful Annik 25 and very friendly Manuel 23. Then of course Josh and Armando, the American fire fighters from Afganistan, with Armando's girl friend Sandra, who all left yesterday, the guys via Macao and Singapore to their base, and she flew back to Texas.
I some days ago did see clearly, that Josh had a crush on Annik. He anyway did not do anything believing like me before that those young Swiss were a couple. I did play Cupido, and they soon were very much and deeply involved with each other.
On Saturday night Annik, Josh, Sandra, Armando, Manuel and me went to have a dinner in place I knew, then we had midnight bowling, me first time after 40 years, somewhere after a very long walk in my opinion, before moving to the most crazy night club I ever visited The Bounty, not to be mixed with my previous hotel. There I had to ask Annik to play also my girl friend because the local beauties were just too eager to catch me. Annik did play her role very well and the locals were wondering that this goodlooking girl did have two boy friends. We three then took a taxi back to the hotel around 5am, leaving Armando and Sandra, who had a small jealousy fight and Manuel , who did continue to somewhere.
On Sunday a group of seven Swedes, all relatives, arrived to the hotel and being from Northern part of Sweden they all speak at least some Finnish. One man,Lasse absolutely fluently without any accent.
I shall go now back to the pool bar which opens at 11am, because in Saturday night
I twisted my left ankle quite badly. It takes some days before I can again walk normally, so I do not have another choice.

Kuta Beach , Bali

I have enjoyed very comfortable and troughout lazy days in this busy paradise already over one week.
My last day in Australia was fantastic.It was the Melbourne Cup day, the day of horse racing, the biggest annual sporting event in Australia. The entire continent stops for some hours. Jane, Jeff, David and I took part in a champagne lunch at nearby Italian ristorante, with big screens to follow the races. The main start was at 3pm and everybody made bets for his or her favourit horse. I did put A$.20. for my
lucky number 24 horse called Mahler,named after a famous German classic music composer in 19th. century. Of 23 horses, still some few hundred meters before the finishing post, Mahler still did lead, but then unfortunately got tired and two horses did pass him. I had put my money only for the win,so I did not get anything, if I had bet for the podium I had doubled my investment. It was a lot of fun anyway, and a great experience.
Here I stayed the first week in Bounty Hotel, quite good, but somehow I wasn't totally satisfied. It was filled up with very noisy Aussies especially during night time. It did not disturb me, but I did neither socialize with them. Actually almost the only ones except the staff, I was talking with were two very pretty and stylish young ladies from the neighborhood of Perth, Portia 19 and Elle 18.
Day before yesterday I changed my accomodation to Satriya Cottages, a fantastic place very near to the beach with big swimming pool, and even cheaper than Bounty, only US$35 a night including breakfast and taxes. I can warmly recommend this hotel to anybody. Here I met immediately nice talking partners like Kenneth 22 and his girl friend Nicole 19 from Stavanger,Norway. Then there are two American firefighters on their holidays from Afganistan, Josh 31 from Decatur, Illinois and Armando 28, from Houston, Texas. Their station is just some kilometers from Pakistan border, and they know exactly that Taliban is fireing them from Pakistan side.
There is also a very funny middle aged couple John and Maria from Sydney, Australia world travellers too , with a lot of funny stories. With those people and with a Swiss couple, we had yesterday plenty of Bintang beers a lot of laughs in the swimming pool bar until dark.

Sovereign Island, Gold Coast , Australia

I have been spending luxury life since last Friday at my friend's David's luxury house on Sovereign Island. I also visited with him his other very elegant apartment on nearby Ephfraim Island and his country house in the Springbrook mountains.
In change I did promise sunny days during my stay, even the weather man promised heavy rain storm for yesterday, and David had to cancel his foreseen garden party.
I kept my promise, and yesterday as also days before, we had the most beautiful blue sky, not a drop of rain. Many of those people, whom I did meet on this journey do know that I will bring the sun shine with me where ever I'll go. So on this trip, now over 220 days, I did not have one single rainy day anywhere exept one in Florida, but then I was sitting in the bus the entire day. The rain or heavy storms, even hurricanes like in Yucatan and Hawaii, are there just some days after I did leave.
No wonder, that some of the passengers onboard of "Kristina Regina" renamed me as the "Sun Prince" a couple of years ago because I promised every day sun shine for the next day,instead Captain's rainy weather reports. And that was in Norwegian fjords for 6 days, where the rain is most normal. He later admitted to me, that he never before had so beautiful sunny days over there.
Yesterday we had a a nice lunch in Surfer's Paradise with Maxwell's good friends Jeff and Jane, and as always here I did have a good time and most easy life. I have to thank David, who kept me very happy with his good beers and red wines, but especially his charming wife Denise for their great hospitality, caretaking and friendlines to me.
Day after tomorrow I'll fly from Sydney to Denpasar, Bali, where my son Kristian has booked a good Bounty Hotel (hopefully) for me for one week. I might stay longer, but we'll see. I do not stay in Sydney this time because I have been there twice before.
And I now have visited all those other million cities of Australia, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. I cannot say , which one is my favourit, I like them all.

Continueing Western Australia

The most memorable places we visited were The Pinnacles Desert,Kalbarri Gorges, Monkey Mia with it's wild dolphins and pelicans,Ocean Park sharks,Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay snorkelings, Exmouth township, Karijini Natural Park, 80 Mile Beach,
Broome, a town of 30,000 inhabitants plus all drunk abos around and very beautiful Cable Beach with the neighborhood Crocodile Farm. The saltwater crocos there were the biggest in Australia over 5 meters long and really terrible fat beasts.Fresh water crocos and American alligators were nice like family pets, which you (the crocodile man) could cuddle, and they just closed their eyes.
On our route we saw a lot of wild kangaroos, emus, rare eagles, lizards and one dingo.We really sat a lot in the bus but many of us if not all could sleep there more or less comfortable when crossing the deserts on straight roads. The evenings we usually spent together making our dinners ourselves or eating in some local restaurants with good wine or beer. The week was most amusing, and I had really good
time with all those young people. Tonight I'll fly via Perth to Brisbane for two days
from were my good old friend David Maxwell for over 25 years will pick me up on Friday. He and his wife Denise live in Gold Coast, and that shall be my last stop in Australia before flying to Bali in Indonesia next week.

Western Australia

We,8 of us, did make a nice long journey trough Western Australia from Perth to Broome, totally 3200 km in seven days. Most of the time we were: Evan 32, our bus driver and guide, a lovable and helpful Sydney born chap, now living in Perth, Kam 31, pretty English lady of Indian heritage, Abigail 28 nice English lady too on a very long way back to England after working in Hong Kong for two years, Saralee and Anat , both 21 and longtime friends from Israel, Manesh 28 also Indian origin,Jason 23 both from London.

Perth, meeting the Governor of Western Australia

I felt myself very rested and relaxed on late Sunday morning in a very good hotel bed
at Perth Ambassador Hotel. I had already studied on Saturday the life in central Perth. So I decided to continue to stroll near to the water line. I passed a extraordinary beautiful park where a youth orchestra played classic tunes. I went there to find out that it was the Garden Park of Government House. This was an open day to visit Government House and Garden to all citizens, including me. I was taking some photos when stylish gentleman greeted me, and we opened a discussion. I just then got a brilliant idea and asked if he is the Governor. Yes, he said and smiled. I really do not remember what I did say next. Maybe Oh, I am from Finland.We then continued our discussions about my feelings of Australia and walked together to his Rolls Royce, where his secretary took photos of us with their and my camera. I then said goodbye to His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC, The Governor of Western Australia and his Official Secretary Kevin Skipworth LVO.
Later I found a nice pub at the water front, which was totally packed, but there was always a place for one. Then I decided to have six oysters at Sheraton, but they billed me by mistake for twelve. When I claimed about that, Alia a friendly young lady from Mauritius said it's her mistake, and asked me to take ten more oysters, and some jumbo shrimps and some mussels and what I wanted for free from the buffet.I was then more than satisfied.
Late at night starting at 300am I looked in TV how Kimi Raikkonen took the Formula 1
World Championship to Finland.
Today was my last day here, and I went for a Whale Watching Cruise and was lucky.
We saw many of them, nearest only a few meters from our boat.
Tomorrow I start one weeks trip to Broome, 2400 km, a similar bus adventure I did in New Zealand.

Indian Pacific, 40 hours train journey from Adelaide to Perth

This famous route was quite interesting because you met all kind of people in the lounge or restaurant wagon. In the first evening I got company of Milan, a Croatian guy, who escaped as a young man the former Yugoslavia 41 years ago. He had been living in Australia since with all possible works all over. He had met many Finns in those places and could easily remember all worst words in Finnish.But he could not drink like we Finns, and had to retire at early hours. Next day he had a terrible hangover, and he did not anymore visit the restaurant wagon. We then arrived into the metropol of Cook, where we explored for one hour this most isolated township of the world, with only four inhabitants. There an elegant lady came to me, asking if I could take a photo of her aside of Indian Pacific. We started to talk and met later in the restaurant until we arrived to Kalgoorlie. Dr. S.D.Bhikha ,Sharma = peace, is working as a director
in one office of South-African government. We then also met another South-African, Sam originally from Afghanistan. We all three moved to the most famous pub of Kalgoorlie, where especially I had a lot of fun with four local beauties Hayley 25, Karleigh 20,Ashlee and Farrah ,both 18. Sharma and Sam were really very amused. Sharma as a Hindu did not drink alcohol, but Sam even a Muslim did. Our stop in Kalgoorlie took three hours, and we all had great time. We arrived in Perth next morning.

Adelaide, Australia

On Tuesday, day before yesterday I found myself after almost 11 hours train ride here in Adelaide. In the the train however I had good company, my neighbor Jason 36,was as interested as me to spend more time in the restaurant bar than in the wagon seat. We soon got company from another Melbornian, Steven 50, and with a lot of jokes and stories the journey went so fast that I did not have time to eat.
When finally in my hostel, I was so hungry that after leaving my gears in my room I just asked for a place for a good steak. I did not find that place but another one I'd seen advertised as one of the best in town. The piece of meat was big but I have had many much tastier ones, especially in New Zealand.I then had a couple of wines more, and moved to another bar to take some Cuba Libre's, first ones for a long time.
Around midnight I decided to retire just to find out that I could not remember my hostels name or address, and because I had been doing some circling before, I did not know to which direction to go. I knew only that it was some 15 minutes away when walking. So I thought it would be the best way to start to circle again making rounds always bigger and bigger. So in nightly unfamiliar city with no one to see, it was quite an adventure. It probably took one hour before I found my place, this small hostel on a side road. Next day aasked for a map, and marked the name and the place of the hostel, but now especially in the day light I suddenly knew the surroundings easily. I had seen all the buildings at least once before!
Now, just in few minutes I shall start my very long journey by train to Perth, 36 hours.

I just

Mornington, Australia

Last Thursday my old friend Heikki picked me up from my St.Kilda Base Hostel in Melbourne. After roughly one hour's drive we were in his beautiful home in Mornington. Even a gap of 43 years, since we last time met or were in contact with each other except some calls recently, did not disturb our conversation or anything else, as both of us knew each other immediately, there was only a difference of weight and less hair compared with old times. We at once started to talk like we had been in touch just maybe some weeks ago. Of course both of us have had enough material to keep discussions alive all these days. Heikki has been a great host driving me around here in places like Mount Martha,Dromana,Arthurs Seat,Main Ridge,Flinders,Red Hill,Rosebud,Rye and Sorrento. I have enjoyed his and Bina's, his Sicilian born wife's fantastic cooking,beautiful wines and warm hospitality. Yesterday I got kangaroo meat, first time in my life, and it was a great delicacy. We have to get that perfect tasty meat to Finland too! I suggested that Heikki should start a new business with it and some good wine agency for Finland, Sweden and maybe Norway too.
Tomorrow I'll start a train journey of 10 hours to Adelaide, and after a couple of days further to Perth on West coast, which trip just takes some 36 hours. It's a big country.

Strolling around in Melbourne, Australia

It seems to be that sunshine is following me arond the world, at least until now.
So did this beautiful city show it's best smiling face with it, extraordinary modern
architecture as well as those historic buildings from 19th century.I immediately liked this city! And I also again happened to meet some young very nice people like
Ida 20, from Sweden with his bar tender Kiwi boy friend Chris 23, Suz 22, from England, Lucy 21, a native Melbornian and surprise surprise Marianne 25, from Finland.
But tomorrow I am going to see my old friend Heikki Wallasvaara, whom I have not seen or been in contact with in last 43 years!( except now recently ). I guess we'll have something to tell to each other during next two or so days, me as his guest.

Melbourne, Australia

I still go back to my last day in Christchurch. As always it was a splendid day
and I just happened to find the only Sunday jazz terrasse in the city. A trio of Mike (Aussie),Al and Gary (Kiwi'es) called themselves " Acustic Groove" played very emotionally jazz, blues,soul and country. I asked them about their idea of their music category.The ansver was very simple . Great Music! There I also met Garry Scurr
47, divorced from Brisbane. We decided to continue our conversations together with beer later this month in Brisbane. I then continued to sports barto see how beautifully Kimi Raikkonen did win! Two young Germans Simon and Anne,both 20, were there for Kimi and Ferrari too.

Goodbye Christchurch, goodbye New Zealand

I am happy that I stayed so many days in Christchurch. This is absolutely my favorit city with it's 400,000 inhabitants in New Zealand. Younger peoplle might like Queenstown more, but for me this city's cosmopolitan feeling, it's beautiful parks around Avon river, majestic buildings from Viktorian and Edwardian periods with many galleries and museums, and of course those international and elegant restaurants, where you can enjoy all tastes of the whole world, are most significant here.
Yesterday I had a fantastic day. First a friendly optician lady repaired my sun glasses for free giving me a good mood. I then decided to celebrate my good mood on a terrasse with a couple of Guinessies. There I met a young married couple Charlotte 30 and Richard 33. She was from Denmark, and had met her Kiwi husband as a young student more than ten years ago in U.S.A. Richard spoke good Danish because they had been living in Denmark before settling in Christhurch six years ago. I then moved to another restaurant having a delicious ribeye 300gr for NZD 27 and some nice shiraz. I then further went to another place, where I a day before had an excellent Autrich pate with mixed Cranberry and Juniper gele. I was curious to know , where those berries were imported from. The answer was Turkey! I there had a glass or two with daily news papers, before going further to a sport's bar to follow Formula 1. qualifications. Like in previous evenings my last stop was very near to my hostel , a cozy jazz bar Blue Note. There I met two Spanish beauties Paula and Neves, both 22.The bar had every evening except sundays a different small combo playing there, and it was very injoyable. I then noticed that two big paintings on the wall were
made by two Finnish artists Jorma Nyman and Kaisu Klemetti, a married couple.
My host told me that they live part time here and are regular visitors in the bar.
So this is my last day here, and you can guess from were somebody can find me on this beautiful sunny day as so often here before. Later I shall follow the Formula 1. competition in China. I have a very early wake up call at three o'clock in the morning to get in time to my flight to Melbourne

Finishing the journey trough N.Z. in Christchurch

When starting to explore the South Island about two weeks ago I did have an idea how
magnificent the surroundings would be but it even more. My English is not good enough to explain nature's splendid amazing beauty I lived here.when first passing Paparoa National Park rainforest, the coastline of Punakaiki with it's Pancake rocks.The to Hokitika to look the traces of gold rush in 1860's. After tiny beautiful Franz Josef,Lake Matheson,called Mirror Lake because it's reflection of Mount Cook and Southern Alps, then Lake Havea and Lake Wanaka for more photos and the
Kawerau River, where all Bungy jumping started 1988. When then travelling to extraordinary beautiful Milford Sound Fjord you pass Lake Wakatipu in Te Anau. And even after Lake Tekapo on the way to Christchurch you can most of the time admire the Southern Alps.
Then day before yesterday we had a farewell party, 14 of us, a nice evening but the end of common journey, which I'll never forget especially after I have added my many nice photos next April to this blog.

Dunedin and Lake Tekapo, N.Z.

Dunedin was another quite amusing small city of about 100,000 inhahabitants of mainly
Scottish origin in the first hand. The only cultural thing I did there, was to pay a visit into Otago Settlers Museum. Those three days there were mainly sunny, that is perfect for control the city life from beautiful terrassies. One evening I also enjoyed for a while a nice company of three Canadian ladies from Toronto,Katie 26,Megan 23 and Emily 22. The last evening after Formula 1 race from rainy Japan, went very well with Scotty 27, who would be my bus driver for next two days.
We then arrived to Lake Tekapo with great views to snow covered mountains.
I there met old friends like young Josh, Sid 60,from England, the only one even near to my age on this four weeks great tour with Magic,and of course pretty Anne 29, from Northern Ireland but living now in Dublin. We then decided to have a Mini golf
competition, where in our group Scotty showed after a most hilarious game that it was not the first time he did it there, twice hole-in-one, but Anne was very good too. I came third after her leaving Josh on the Jumbo place. However he managed to make the most fantastic hit of the day! He hit the ball quite hard,the ball passed thefirst difficult pointbut not the second one.Then nobody saw what happened, we just heard a "blop" and there the ball was many meters behind our backs in a small pond.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Since being here down on South Island for few days the weather has been marvelous even a bit cold in the evenings, near freezing point. We have been driving a lot and I have seen the most magnificent landscapes and sceneries of my life. I have a lot of photos which will be added into my diary after my journey next April.
Today I am exactly in the middle of it.
During the last days I spent due invitations my evenings with young South Americans,with a couple from Argentina Sebastian 30 and Natalia 32, and with four students from Mexico Aura and Hermino, dating friends and Armando and Honorio , all 18, but very mature.
Yesterday Armando did a Bungy Jump from 132 meters.
The day before I really considered to make the same from 42 meters at the place it all started 1988, from a bridge to a river creek, but the possibility came to me to quickly, there was only five minutes to prepare myself with it, and I absolutely would had needed a night before it, as those who did jump.
Queenstown itself, is a most beautiful and very amusing small city, most expensive in whole N.Z.to invest in land or properties. Here I could have stayed longer, but I did book my trip further to Dunedin for tomorrow.

Nelson, Greymouth and Franz Josef, NZ

Now I had arrived to the Southern Island. First reactions were cooler weather and very different landscapes. In all those places I stayed only one night having great sceneries from the bus ,when crossing mountains or driving along gorgeous shore lines or passing multiple rivers.In Greymouth we visited local Monteih's Brewery having a lot of free tasting of their seven different type of beers.
Smewhere we also visited a big seal colony of and very strange pancake rocks, formed by sea and rain storms during millions of years.

Wellington, NZ

My time went in Wellington very quickly even I spent there 5 days.I just did stroll around the city every day and when there was a nice bar I dropped in.In the last day I managed to put some other culture in my daily program, visiting for a couple of hours the world famous Te Papa Museum. I should have left for me at least two hours more. I have agreed to meet some people to celebrate my last eveing there.Mostly I sat after sunset in the hostel's Blend bar, where we coud get some free snacks every evening like pasta, rice or hot dogs etc., of course we enjoyed the Happy Hour too.
During my stay here I have just briefly met Kiwies, they are all young Europeans as before, like beautiful Maria 30, lovely Jenny 21 and Josefina all from Sweden,Flora 30 from Ireland, Nicola 35,Chris 33,Rupert31,Jack 21 all from England and Josh 18 from Wales.Then Last Saturday I flew with a small Cessna, it took only 12 passengers, over the sea and mountains to a tiny airport of Picton. W e then were transported to a township called Nelson, where we the Magic bus tour members, did overnight. Those tour members might change every day because everybody has their individual interets, but sometimes you meet somewhere old friends you already met before. Now there was pretty Margaret from Ireland I had seen in Paihia 10 days earlier.

Awesome adventures on Northern Iisland , N

Last Tuesday I went with a bigger group of all possible nationalities, mainly Europeans anyhow, to Cape Reinga the north point of NZ. It was very interesting to look how the dark blue Pacific Ocean met the light blue Tasman Sea, the waves really hit each other. A very beautiful viewing point too.
Later we climbed up a at least 200m high sand dune of about 60 degrees. Toughest work I have done in my whole life. But then sliding down with a special board 100km/h
was a real big thing of that day, and paid back all the troubles getting up.
The evening was splendid with many pretty girls around at Base Backpackers bar.
Best regards to Taz, Becky and Annika in their mid twenties, all from England. And very best regards to Dempsey 25 soon, our fantastic funny Maori bus driver, guitar player and good guy.
I then was back in Auckland for one night to continue to Rotorua.In the first morning
we (12 brave, ones 9 guys and 3 girls ) went exploring underground caves and river one hundred meters down from earth level.We spent over three hours with rubber tires in total darkness (water 11 degrees celcius but wet suits on us, it did not feel cold). Millions of glowworms, cascaiding undergrond waterfalls and partly very small cave passages was very exciting.
Next day however I lived the most thrilling experience of my life.Kaituna Cascades.
In their own words ....pass trough amazing steep, narrow, bushclad canyons,over and trough 14 rapids in purpose built Kaituna rafts in one hour including the 7 meters Tutea Falls. Culture, History, Adrenalin overload. This trip offers it all.Grade Five.... Fabulous paddling and of course we did swim after this big one and after another one too. I also did do one rapids just swimming by myself, and was rescued to another boat. But it was an absolute great fun , I did not panic in underwater turbulencies and followed given instructions, and did not even loose my paddle.
That was an adventure of a life time in Rotorua. And I have a dvd with plenty of pictures showing how we managed the falls. One staff member took on shore very good photos.
Today we visited Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland with its volcanic environment. Now I have arrived to Taupo, and continue tomorrow to Wellington.

Paihia and Russel , NZ

After 8 hours beautiful travelling with Magia bus we 19 backpackers arrived to this beautiful township some few hundred kilometers north from Auckland. I was lucky and got a very good apartment for NZD50 only at Bay Adventurer.
On Tuesday I decided to study the first historic capital of NZ until 1840, Russel (or Kororakeka )on the other side of the bay. This little town (1000 inhabitants),once very important one,is now a romantic place for retaired people or honeymooners from different places of the world.
I visited the oldest still working church in NZ., the fine Museum, the Flagstaff Hill,after heavy climbing, where the treaty between England and Maori chiefs was made and The Duke of Marlbrough Hotel bar, which also is the oldest in NZ.This city was once called the Hell Hole of the Pacific, because of the rough life of the whalers and Maori women, who fighted drunk in Dukes's bar.
I there met some local gentlemen,who then invited me to private Swordfish Club,and I was not allowed buy a drink because someone always did. A fine evening.

Aotearoa

This word is the Maori name for New Zealand, and means The Land of Long Clouds.
I like to go back to Auckland to thank very helpful and also atractive Melissa Irwine and the whole staff at Darby street's Flight Center for their efforts and work to make my further journey so enjoyable and economy as possible.
I also still like to praise The Maritime Museum having there HMS Bounty"s anchor found almost 200 years later after Bounty's destroy. Very interresting were also many smaller and bigger outriggers from different South Sea islands.

Seventh day in Auckland , New Zealand

My first days just went in running to travel agencies and Air New Zealand officies
for some formalities plus arranging my coming routes here and partly in Australia too. I also spent a lot of time looking U.S.Open of tennis in my hotel room with some resfresment or in local pubs.
Yesterday I however had a very interesting harbour cruise almost privately because only a young Japanese couple was there with me, and I had a plenty of time to teach the capitan and the bar tender the history of Finland. I also learned a lot . I never knew that at the end of 19th century Russia was a real threat here too.
Afterwards I visited for several hours The Maritime Museum, and it was the best I've ever seen. And I have been in many of those around the world.
Today I spent first the morning hours in the magnificent Sky Tower about 200m over surface and then had a snapper lunch at the beautiful marina of Viaduct harbour.
It also was the first warm day during my visit as long the sun was there, until 3.30pm.
There was yesterday also a nice surprise, when I did check out from my CityLife Hotel. The clerk just said to me, wait a minute and vanished coming soon back with
another pretty lady. I thought that someting is wrong but the new young lady just smiled friendly and asked, if I am from Finland in Finnish.She was the Assitant Manager of the hotel and years away from Finland and from our home town Helsinki.
Her name was Sanna Jurvainen, and it might be possible that she is moving back to Finland some day , her next destination however is Irland, her boy friend's home country.

Auckland , New Zealand

I yesterday arrived back to cold weather. Not too cold but under 20 degrees in celsius anyhow. But my son Kristian did arrange a most luxury suite at the main road
of Auckland downtown for me at a reasonable price. Hotel's name is CityLife at Queen's road. I still stay here for 4 nights, and continue then further southwards.

Aitutaki ,Cook Islands

After very enjoyable days on Rarotonga I flew for two nights to Aitutaki. Aitutaki itseif was with it's 1500 inhabitants a boring place but the lagoon there was a thrilling experience. I got some bread in hy hands to feed fishes, and suddenly some hundreds of them attacked me.The biggest ones were about 40 - 50 cm long, and of all possible colours and forms. I could touch many of them. and one mean fish eventually did bite my finger.
I have written a lot about young girls I met during my journey but there was no hanky panky with them, just friendly conversations, dinners and drinks together, with usually many more girls than men, and often very pretty ones too.
The ladies in Polynesia are mostly not so beautiful but especially on Rarotonga I saw some slender, fantastic goodlooking and elegant local females.
I have been thinking, if Finlandia Vodka does still excist because I have not seen it anywhere before Guatemala in comparison with the rival Absolut Vodka ,which is everywhere. 25 years ago you could find Finlandia in all corners of the world. Now except Guatemala I saw it in one place on Fiji and here at taxfree in Auckland.
What is wrong with it's marketing?

Happy evenings on Rarotonga

I really have enjoyed my life here with young around the world travellers, mainly girls from many countries like Jo,Lisa,Rosemary, Maddy from England, Julia and Karin from Germany, Sara and Elisa from Italy and Manuela from Rumania etc. Happy life really.

Vara's Beach House, Rarotonga

I have now been 4 days in this marvellous place at the most elegant part of the island, Muri Beach. According Lonely Planet"s comments in their 2003 edition this guest house would not be advisible. However, I totally disagree because Vara's Beach House is very clean ,perfectly silent after 11pm and having all necessary facilities. All of those many, mainly young people I talked with were very satisfied with their existence here. I especially like to thank the most beautiful person,charming Moana ( Moana means ocean )at the reception for her help in different cases.
I just heard that Lonely Planet has totally changed their opinion about this place in their 2006 edition, being now very positive.
I also must recommend the Yacht Club and those two nearby hotels for their excellent kitchens.
I tomorrow fly to Aitutaki for two days, before leaving for New Zealand very early on Saturday morning.

Rarotonga , Cook Islands

I again stepped 24 hours backwards when coming here a couple of days ago.I got a tiny room at a backbaggers hostel after spending the first night in an expensive bridal suite. However this Vara's Beach House is with it's location perfect. Direct at Rarotonga's most beautiful Muri Beach. It was a rainy day yesterday but nearby bars had nice drinks and fantastic food. Today paradise was at it's best.
I still like to send my best good luck wishes to two Irishmen Paul and Simon, both 28, probably in San Francisco now, whose last two weeks in their around the world are left. Their journey also takes one year but they were working in Australia for 8 months. Also my best regards to sweet Asinate, who at her 25th birthday made overhours to help me with the cruel internet connection on Fiji.
I am staying here until Saturday but visiting most probably Aitutaki Island before heading to Auckland, New Zealand for longer time.

Travelling in paradise with the best friend

I came a couple of days ago back to Fiji, but now to the other side of the island, where I did stay last week.
Sometimes I do feel myself very lonely, and then my iPod is the best friend. I have there some 600 melodies of my favourite artists from 40's to 70's. These mostly romantic jazzy tunes are from singers., who are to my youngest readers totally unknown. The name Sinatra is probably well known, but how about with names like Mel Torme,Frankie Laine,Vic Damone, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington,Eydie Gorme or Mamas and Papas, Boswell Sisters or Four Freshmen etc.. Those tunes bring me back to the days long ago.
It's the same thing ,what happens with the taste or smell. You can suddenly really remember forgotten times. Just something like this happened to me yesterday. I have been searching for as good spaghetti bolognese I did eat 44 years ago in Rhodes, Greece.After at least one thousand bologneses in best Italian ristorantes or five star hotels around the world, I experienced it here.
Yesterday evening I met a very nice n pretty dark skinned lady which I thought she was Fijian Indian.However,when I asked her where is shes from ,Iwas very supprised that she was Swedish, Maria 30,adopted from Sri Lanka when she was a baby.Now she was immigrating to Auckland ,New Zealand.And she wished that we could meet when I will arrive to Auckland.
Today I had a most wonderful day in a paradise.I booked myself on a day-cruise with the schooner "RA MARAMA" built 1950.From the begining of the cruise from the 60 participants,I was selected to cruise chef for KAVA ceremony,later ,I also had some formalities in this position.It was an interesting day with many nationalities I met there.Anyhow, the most interesting person I met was a beautiful Japanese lady who lives here in Fiji,Tomoni Kumagai 32.Since I coudnt remember her name ,I called her Moomin and she really liked it.
It was a day full of sunshine,swimming, great seafood and drinks (in my case,good Australian red wine).

Nuku'aloofa, Tonga

I just yesterday came here , and I am leaving back to Fiji tomorrow, but to Nadi, not to resort near Suva, where I spent joyful and lazy days. Tonga is clean and friendly too, however a bit boring. I have a most wonderful apartment of three rooms
and all facilities, including a fantastic King size bed. This accommodation is maybe
the best I had during this trip, having a great view to ocean from both bedroom and
living room, and from balcony of course. I can look movies 24 hours a day, or play
with their CD-player my new Mexican music. Fridge also has necessary drinks.
This remainds me very much Margarita Island in Venezuela, over six years ago, where I also sat on the balcony looking the ocean, and playing my new South American music , and excellent local rhum.
It seems that I left the Caribbean and Caye Caulker in good time. Now monster hurricane Dean is going to hit those atolls anytime, and I can only hope that my friends over there have been safely evacuated to mainland Belize.

Around the bars of the world

Because my journey is more or less concentrated to study the different living styles in the bars of selected locations, I also meet the most interesting people of the world with their refreshing thoughts about anything.
So I still like to send my best regards to Frenchy in Honolulu, who tried to meet me again without success several times. I also like to send my best regards to "Maddog" Gary Derks from Netherlands, and to the honeymooners David 40 (Welsh)and beautiful Esther 31( Irish )Tidy, all in Honolulu.
How it does happen, here also my social life is mostly concentrated into the bar of this fantastic resort,in communications with the local people or those immigrated here mainly from Australia or New Zealand.
Of course there are also pretty waitresses, and my favorites are Luisa 29,and Lati 21. Not to mention a very pretty student Meredith 20, a traveler from Minnesota.
Yesterday evening however there was a big surprise. I was introduced to a strong good looking man. I did not believe my ears after hearing his name, and I had to ask where is he from. I am Risto Harmat from Saaremaa , Estonia. I just laughed amused,and said , that you most probably can talk Finnish. Sure, he answered, I was studying in Turku in marine school for two years. And when he really understood that I am a real Finn , he almost broke my ribs, when hugging me. Risto, now 35, left the nordic hemisphere, when he was 20. He was now living here very satisfied for years earning as a skipper of a fishing boat. We then had together a very wet evening until the bar was closed.

Uprising Beach Resort, Viti Levu, Fiji

When I yesterday left Honolulu I was 12 hours behind my native Finland's time. Now here in Fiji I am suddenly 12 hours ahead, because crossing the GMT zone. It was the most wonderful flight over the Pacific, not just because the Fiji based Air Pacific was the friendliest airline I can remember, but listening at landing to Christmas Islands or with the other name Kiribati, the fantastic tunes of Valse Triste by the greatest Finnish composer Jean Sibelius performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under dirigent Hellmuth Karajan. I must say I had tears in my eyes because only we Finns know, what Mr Sibelius means to us, as an exsample with Finlandia, Karelia and Tuonela and with his beautiful Christmas song En etsi valtaa loistoa.. His works are the symbols of our freedom and existence.
I then was naturally checking the resort's bar after arriving here, and the very handsome dark skinned bar tender introduced himself as James Johansen, after asking me,if I would be European. He told me, that his greatgrandfather came from Denmark, and wanted to know if I could tell him something about this far-away country. I did try my best.
He also told me, that there are a lot of Johansen's on other islands too. Well, quite a man this greatgrandfather.
Trough this I remember a most powerful man on American Samoa, not too far away from here, I met over 30 years ago. He practically owned whole island, and the U.S. governor usually asked his advice, when troubles with local people. He was born in Minnesota sometimes early last century from Finnish emigrants, but had been living in
South Seas already over 40 years. The awesome thing was. that he was speaking correctly very good Finnish, even he had not used the language once before meeting me, and since his mother died 1945. His name was, if I still remember it ,Dr. Muukkonen or very similar, typical Finnish name.

Honolulu, Hawaii

This is my fifth day here, and I have taken all these days very easy.
There are several reasons for it. I am carelessly used my credit cards being now far over my budget, you have let your liver to rest, and Honolulu is not anymore so much fun for me as it used to be during 70's and 80's, when I visited this city many times. Everybody admits that this place has changed a lot, you can easily see it, but maybe me too.
It is still the most friendly city in U.S., for exsample I do not remember when a bank service anywhere was so friendly and helpful than in Bank of Hawaii.
When my friend Balasz heard that I am in Honolulu, he immediately sent me a message to contact his old friend Frenchy. I called him, and he commanded me immediately to show up at The Hawaiian Yacht Club. I did ask him, how would I recognize him , and he just gave a simple answer, everybody knows me here, ask anyone. So it did happen, it's that guy with two ladies at that corner table. We immediately found eachother symphatetic, and had good stories and a lot of beers with a lot of laughs. He introduced me to many of his friends maybe to everybody there, and I really felt myself like at home. Frenchy's, real name is Rolf Luttgau from Braunschweig, Germany, but he left his home country over 40 years ago, and had a strong accent, when talking German. I asked why they call you Frenchy, his answer was, look they call this guy Dutchy, but he's a German too.
Then everybody wanted to introduce me to the Chef of H.Y.C. He was a very nice guy,
a Swedisch speaking Finn, Goran Streng, who had been working in many first class hotels allover in the world as chef.
The best things here here are absolutely the great restaurants, especially the Japanese. I did visit the Benihana of Tokyo and Kobe Japanese Steak House and both
were mouth-watering experiencies, maybe I did enjoy Kobe even more. I only drank ice water with the meals as I did not like to spoil the taste of those tender delicaties.
By the way, who knows what is Humuhumunukunukuapuaa? This word has inside it three Finnish words , and could be translated into English like Funfunsleepsleephelp!
It is a small fish existing in Hawaian waters only!
Most tourists visit here The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour, which is a most
dramatic but beautiful place. But very few of them knows that without Elvis Presley's concert here 1961,it probably never had been possible to build the monument. He donated totally almost $55,000. for this project.
Day before yesterday I met at Hilton Hawaiian Village , a nice young man John,27 working for Hilton. We had a chat for a while, and when he heard about my journey, he immediately said that I should write a book. He was the third person in 24 hours who expressed that. A day before a lady ,Bunnie Hollinger at H.Y.C. had said the same, and then I had a call from Finland, Heidi Lund a friend over 30 years told that to me too.
Well, tomorrow I shall leave Honolulu, if hurricane Flossie agrees with it.

Antigua, Guatemala

Sometimes during the afternoon yesterday, I saw very dark clouds covering the sky, and I knew it`s going to rain heavily in any moment. Of course I looked for the next convenient bar in the neighborhood, and the first big drops were falling down, when I entered into The Black Cat or El Gato Negro. There I soon started to talk with a slender Swiss lady from Geneva, Laurence 33. After the rain was over she went shopping because leaving for home today. We had a nice chat and I got a new reader.
I already knew, where I was going to spend my evening. I had met earlier during afternoon a Tennessee born Bill Harris from Nashville, who with his wife Maria did run a beautiful rustic restaurant La Peña de Sol Latino since one year, with live music every evening. I had a best Fillet Mignon of my trip with excellent Chilean house red .Mario Guerra sang and played guitar with Bill on congas. Beautiful Maria II, 25 from New Jersey served , and when free, she gave me strong shoulder massage, which I still can feel very well.
I also met there pretty Lucy Kurtz 22 from Michigan , whose mother was a Finn with common Finnish surname Koivunen. I told her that the name could be translated as Little Birch. She plans to visit Helsinki next December ,and I said that my sons most probably could show the city to her. Her boy friend Thomas Haider 22, from Austria might just acommpany her.
Tonight I shall listen there some Cuban music.

Tikal, Flores and Antigua in Guatemala

After a very stormy night at Caye Caulker,I yesterday morning at 7.30 left it by speed boat to Belize mainland. During that night I several times thought that this tropical storm would take my cottage and me with it.Then after 7 ours of travelling I finally reached Tikal, the ancient city of Mayas. Nothing went as promised by the probably Pakistani travel agent but on the other hand it was an interesting journey
trough beautiful Guatemala.
Tikal was discovered in the jungle 1848 and opened to public 1956. It´s history covers years 1500 B.C. to 925 A.D., when the city was mysteriously abandoned. It is also today really in the middle of a jungle as a protected area because of it´s rich fauna and flora. It will be closed every day at 6PM until next morning. There were on the road warnings of cougars or panthers and snakes. I found Tikal much more exciting than Chichen Itza in Mexico. I then took a shuttle to Isla de FLores,where I had a romantic dinner on a lake restaurant by myself. Three hours later I sat again in a bus for all the night on my way to Antigua via Guatemala City, and arrived here at 6AM.this morning. I soon found a very simple hotel for two nights for US$ 6. only. I got the room immediately and went to sleep for 3 hours.
I also had slept on the bus 5 to 6 hours, so I did not need more sleep anymore.
Now I am exploring this very colonial looking small town and enjoying good local Gallo cerveza.

Swimming with sharks and sting rays

I yesterday had once again an amusant evening. First I met in my favorit Sports bar two charming ladies Brianne 30 and Elizabeth 28 from Washington, DC. Brianne had visited some years ago my home town Helsinki, and her comments were superb. She said she could have stayed there forever. Very soon after they had left, a young local beauty Madoy Enriguez 22 (still for 10 days) came to me, asking if she can sit there and talk with me.She had problems with her boy friend and asked my advise.We had much fun together for three hours before she decided go home , not to get too drunk.
Today before I left for snorkeling I met her again briefly, and she was very happy. She told that my words did help her a lot, even she has not yet decided what to do with the boy friend.
Yes, a small international group went for big reef to look for fishes. We were snorkeling there for almost three hours in three different places. Only one shark, maybe one and half meter long ,a one meter long barracuda and a lot of sting rays around you, I even touched one of them. The biggest was for sure with it's tail over two meters, and they all were at least one meter long.They were very funny, and at one time I could count almost 20 of them.

Lazy day in paradise

It's been a beautiful day, a very relaxing one. Most of the day, after refreshing morning swim, I've been sitting with a cold beer in shadow places with the book my friend Balazs gave me,when I was visiting him. It tells terrible stories with sarcastic smile about his childhood in communistic Hungary.
When I yesterday started to count different nationalities on this tiny island, I now can add some more of those. Today I have been talking with English and Danish people. There is a very funny bar tender originally from Angola . A beautiful Dutch girl was adopted from Sri Lanka. And on the alleys I today have heard Japanese, Swedish, Spanish and Russian.

Caye Caulker, Belize

If you had asked me some three days ago what or where Caye Caulker is, I wouldn't have had an answer. I wonder how many of you have ever heard about this place.
It is a tiny Caribean paradise island, 5 miles long and half a mile wide some 30 miles away from Belize coast. Long beaches,turquoise see,beautiful reefs,hot sun and
cheap beer and rhum in a perfect breeze all day long. It's quite international over here. In 24 hours I've met people from Australia,USA,Canada,Germany,Holland and Poland. I booked my cottage for 6 nights for USD.30. each, so I have 5 more days to simply relax.

Belize City, Belize

I just yesterday did remember that I did not mention by mistake the name of restaurant, where I heavenly enjoed my life in the last evening in Playa del Carmen.
It was La Casa del Aqua, and the duo's name was Bluenova. The music was mainly Bossa Nova based but also they sang beautiful Mexican, also Argentinian ballads including
tangos and of course American standards like At Last and Misty etc.
Yesterday evening after 8 hours in two busses I arrived to Belize City.
On the way I received great tips but also frienly help from three young German ladies
from Hamburg. Svena meanwhile lives in Berlin but Annike and Mira in their home city. Still many thanks to them all.
Here after a search I found with the help of friendly taxi driver a Chinese guest house Ma Ma Chen, price USD.30. Today was a very hot day and practically all places were closed. After a long walk I first found a cozy hotel Smoky Mermaid, where I had my late breakfast with two beers. That's because as the Germans say, I had a Nachdurst. Yes, I also last night was in a jazz club, Perky Parrot. Good local Belikin beer. but music was not exactly my taste - too young.
Later today I sat for some other beers in a harbour patio with very drunk but harmless local people. A beer USD 1.50. Now I finnish this in Radisson hotel , where frienly staff gave me the possibility to use this. Tomorrow I will find my self in an paradise island Caye Caulkin, where I might stay for six days before leaving for Guatemala.

Cozumel and ...

This was again one of those fantastic days of my life I´ll never forget.
Last night after an amusant evening with my new friend of Norway, I reached my bed at 3am, and most probably did sleep immediately after getting my chlouthes off.
Well, very fresh this morning around 10.30 I was having an breakfast of two fried eggs, of two icecold coronas and some papas fritas. After that I was ready to a snorkeling trip at Cozumel waters. The fast ferry trip took just about40 minutes, and an hour and a couple of beers later I was sitting in a glass bottom boat with nine other eager snorkler. We were 7 women and 3 men. An young Canadian couple, Melissa from Missori ( who promissed me a perfect dinner,if in their neighborhood ) with her husband,3 young ladies from Philadelphia, a Japanese and a Mexican girl and me. We had a good trip, we saw a lot of colorful fishes just around yourself but practically no corals. Then afterwards I was just thinking what to do at Cozumel, when somebody called for Matti.I did not react, because I knew there should not be anybody around ,who would mean me. But there was another call for Matti ,and then I looked behind ,and I saw those three Phillies between 28 and 22 from Pennsylvania, who wanted to know, if I would like to join them for some snacks and drinks. They did not have to ask twice, and we had some three hours a nice time together.
Back in my hotel in Playa del Carmen, and after a refreshing shover I was walking the 5th. Ave. when I heard an angel singing. I went up to the second floor of the restaurant called Bistro . I took a bar table ,and was amazed how marvellous voice did come out from a tiny beautiful singer. I was a fan immediately. She sang and a man ( her husband )played piano wonderfully. We soon were friends. They were from Argentina but living in Mexico for five years. During the evening I kissed Laura Celave nine times, and most probably told her husband Martin Maina as many times , how good they were. She gave their record to me . The house offered free drink to me, because el Jefe Pablo Castillo said that I am an ideal customer for them, who really does understand for good taste and fantastic music.
Goodbye ,I love you all! Thanks! I had an awesome day!

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

I`ve been here for two days and have had fun. This place is for Americans and Mexicans what Torremolinos or Playa del Ingles are for Europeans. Very beautiful and clean beaches, and warm water of course. There is also a ferry connection to Cozumel island, where are some of the world`s best diving and snorkeling waters.
I yesterday met an young Norwegian guy Idar 28, and that did mean a lot of Coronas with some Jagermeisters too.In a night bar we then enjoyed for a while a company of two very good looking ladies from Mexico City, Ana and Gladys.
I extended my stay at least until tomorrow and try to get myself to Cozumel today

Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

I yesterday had a whole day tour to these ruins of ancient city of Mayas.The Mayan culture lasted from about years 600 to 1250 a.d. ,until it vanished mysteriously, leaving only these phenomenal monuments like the pyramid behind themselves. They were agricultural people, whose most important need was the rain. Very logically the rain and the sun were worshipped as main Gods.The best known thing they left behind is their calendar, which profes their very high math skills.
Chichen Itza is now one of the new 7 wonders of the world, and abbsolutely worth of
visit. I however recommend to read the history of this place first in internet or elsewhere ( I did not ), and it does give you much more, when you´ll experience it all here.
I believe I by now have visited all the wonders of the world except Taj Mahal in India.
I was 35 years ago in Delhi, and wanted to go to Accra , where the burial monument lies, but without offending Indian people I was so fed up with my experiencies there
that instead of making my way to Taj Mahal I stayed in my five stars hotel´s pool bar. I regret it now but I think it´s not too late. There might be in this huge country the best and most human people in the world, but also the worst.

Two more nights at Santa Lucia in Cancun

Nothing special happened during the two days, if we do not count a drunken guitarist, who, when he saw me started play and sing a Jose Feliciano Christmas song We wish you a merry Christmas..., and after that Hoo Hoo Hoo.. you are Santa Claus! I was laughing but his friend did not like those jokes, and bought for me two beers and wanted to buy more because I was so nice gentleman. I politely refused, and went back to my hotelroom, and I really had to agree with that guitar man, and did cut my beard a lot and felt myself much younger, when I later headed to Santa Lucia.
Now there were an other singing artist Bety Melendez from Kolumbia.She was a great Diva at grandmothers age at least, but I could imagine her as one of grand old ladies of latin music. She fantastically took the audience with her program of mostly quite old but poular canciones from all over latin America. My friend William Coba introduced me to her, and we had a nice chat after she had finished her program of two hours.
On Friday or better on Saturday morning I felt my self tired, and because my favorit Alex Shanini just had maybe a bit lazy night joking with people, I was in bed already at 4.00am.
Now on Saturday night, Sunday morning all performing Santa Lucia artists were there.
It was a night of great latin music, and especially Alex was in strong form. He sung fantastically from 2.00am to 7.30am having only breaks at the stage for his many tequilas. Around 6 o'clock he remembered to sing for Matti,first My Way in Spanish and just after that a long Beatles medley in English, for Matti too.
I must correct some remarks I made about Alex after meeting him first time in the club.First he is not really young but youngish, in his early forties, athletic body, and a great condition even after a lot of tequilas.
I this morning saw him first time in day light ,when the show was over. And if he has been singing for 15 years and is the greatest favorit of Cancun music lovers, I cannot say he is talented like I did, but a great professional with big heart for music. I received as promised his new record with wishes and signature. We said warm good byes , and the whole personal wanted to thank me for my support.
If anyone of you, my dear readers, is going to visit Cancun, you have to come to listen Alex and others at Santa Lucia, downtown Cancun. Thank you Santa Lucia, all you entertainers and the great friendly personal for these four fantastic nights I spent there . I never forget you!

Late nights in Cancun

In my first evening I started walking around to look for places with live music.
I first found myself around 10pm in an elegant and intimate bar Los 4 Elementos.
11.30 the duo Los Miserables, Andres Tenorio and Alex Can, started with very romantic
music. By that time there were a lot young good looking women but I had more fun with
Miguel Madrigal Davalos, a Police Officer and a-look-alike with my good friend, an eager law defender Mr.Ilkka Iho back in Helsinki. Around 2am I moved further and entered in another cozy bar Santa Lucia.There was entertaining Alex Shanini, a very talented young singer with this trio. We became friends and time to time in between his latino songs he decided to sing for me, which he also always announced, some bestsellers from Elvis Presley´s or The Beatles's collections.I have no idea, why he made this , might be my age, maybe because of the English language to be more polite to me. Of course I had a lot of fun , and everybody in the night club knew , who was de Finlandia.
I was back in bed around 4.30 am.
Yesterday after dinner I was back in Santa Lucia. The first singer was a man about my age "El Bohemio de Cancun" Alfonso Chavez. He sang beautifully old and contemporary ballads in Spanish and English. Then the there was another guitarist/singer Alvaro Gonzales for whom the singing was just a hobby, even he was
very professional and excellent too.You can find him at www.alwaysdiving.com .
Then at 1.30am my friend Alex started again, and he must be The Heartbreaker of Cancun. Now there were practically no empty seats, and women from 20 to 40 loved him and men bought him drinks, including me. The same procedure continued as night before latin hard rock but ballads too, and once in a while a Beatles or Elvis number for my friend Matti. I was in my bed at five a clock, but he still continued singing without longer breaks than a small drink needed, when I was leaving.
I'll be back there tonight again, and Alex is going to give me his brand new CD.

Cancun, Mexico

I yesterday afternoon after a sleeples night arrived to Cancun, and had really superb fun until 3.30 in the morning. This is a great place.I am not staying at tourist area but in the heart of downtown, some miles away from tourist hotels at the beach. I continue this tomorrow.

Last day in Santa Monica

As I did yesterday, then with the bus to the end of Venice Beach, and a brave walk back to Santa Monica, I did today a nice walk of a couple of hours in Santa Monica, with just two one beer stops, before I finally ended at The Lobster. At the center of Ocean Avenue, this bar & restaurant was absolutely most interesting place I saw
during my voyage in U.S. It was elegant and friendly, a bit higher priced but the visitors or customers made it interesting. I was there one of the few men alone,single women did not exist, and noboby was at all interested in my personality,
except the bar tenders , who did run their job,but no personal contact. All other were couples of all kind of art. Rich not so young men with like fashion models looking girls, and beautiful women intimately together, not to mention these gay men with considerable age difference. And all the time the place was crowded.I felt myself like a peeping Tom, but it really was most interesting to look that type of life of strange people.
Next time I hope to make my comments from Cancun, Mexico.

Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, California

These are my very last days in U.S. mainland this time. I came to Santa Barbara last
Friday evening. After walking a while I found a place in filled up restaurant at the bar table. Soon my next neighbour introduced himself to both men on his both sides.His name was Jim Palam,a local businessman. The other one was also in local business life involved, born in Norway but U.S. citizen. His name was Fred (I know his whole name but he did not want me to publish it in my blog). After Jim soon left we got better friends as Scandinavians,and flirted with the waitress Carrie ,who had a very beautiful northern European face and blond hair.First she denied any connection with Scandinavian countries but came after a while back, and told us that some her ancestors in fact were coming from some northern country and from Germany. Before leaving Fred invited me on Saturday to look with him a little bit around. After he left a young couple Brad and Lauren (soon to be )Kettmann , both 29 and from San Francisco, took Jim's and Fred's seats. I then had a nice chat with them.
Next morning Fred called me, and asked if it's alright that he picks me up from my hotel at 6.30 pm for dinner. He did not have to ask twice. He then was punctually at the hotel entrance with gorgeous new Bentley. We drove first to a private country club trough beautiful sceneries. He then suggested that before dinner back in Santa Barbara, we should taste his wine from his own vineyard at his home. Well, I never in my life have seen such a home with great big windows to his very well kept garden and over the Pacific Ocean. We sat in the garden some 20 meters over the sandy beach and enjoyed the sunset at the horizont with really excellent red wine. The big mansion, where he lived alone had a beautiful collection of arts, pictures of his girl friends (one from Finland),and a collection of photos of republican presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr.and Bush Jr. plus mr. Gorbatchew, all with him in the pictures. Then in his garage was one Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1963 and two Mercedez's. And we had good dinner then later, with not so good wine than his own.
Yesterday I probably had my last Greyhound trip ever to Hollywood from where I took a taxi to Santa Monica, after seeking at least 2 hours a local bus without success. I soon found reasonable priced Sea Lodge Inn for $140 a night.
Later in the evening when walking on the street I heard a very familiar language.
Two gentlemen from a little coastal town of Porvoo in Finland, had just finished a day before a long journey Route 66 from Chigago to Los Angeles. Mr Juhani Henkola and Mr Arto Haakana did not recommend anybody this boring route. They were sure that my southern choice was much better. We then celebrated with several Mexican Coronas in various bars. They left today via Paris, France back to Finland. I am still tomorrow here,but will fly very early Wednesday morning to Cancun, Mexico.

San Francisco, Monterey and Carmel ,California

Early on Friday morning July 6th. I did arrive to San Francisco. I was lucky to get my room already around 8.30am, and could take a nap of few hours, even I also did sleep quite many hours in the bus. In the afternoon then I started to walk around
to look after places , where I did have so good times more than 30 years ago. It was not easy and the results were very poor. However I found The Buena Vista, the birth place of Irish Coffee.Seemingly the bar had a new ownership,the name was not anymore
La Buena Vista, the interior was completely different and not better, the old funny atmosphere of young students was gone, and even the story how Irish Coffee was invented, had changed. After one tab irish I left to study Fisherman's Wharf more exactly .Everything was new for me, and once again I was disapointed because all was too touristic without any feelings. I continued to Columbus Avenue with many Italian
ristorantes. The Italians are champions to create very cozy places with nice and warm atmospheres, not depending in which part of the world you happen to be. So in San Francisco too. Of many possibilities, maybe because of the trattoria's nostalgic name Volare I chose this " a taste of Sicily " according their advertisement.There I was happy with good food and wine, and especially with warm, fascinating,Italian born waitress Irene 26. Next day, saturday found me in an Irish bar after some shopping, a new Digi camera and some spare parts for my Ipod. There I met Scott McNally,from Canada but working and living now in California. After a while we sat in an Belgian bar because I wanted to introduce him my favorit Red Chimay beer. Scott immediately liked the taste of Chimay. Then we soon were in China town, drinking in a Chinese bar Gold Dust now Tsingtao beer, Scott soon sighed two pretty young ladies, and invited them to sit with us. They gladly came to us, but instead accepting us to buy them drinks, they insisted to buy their own drinks but ours too (three rounds ! ).Then Scott got a home call, and I had to tell him how to find his car. We had very gay and pleasant times with you, Becky Kempf 29 and Missi Waitz 28, both from Chicago. Thank you! I know you'll be reading this back home.
Nothing very special did happen in the following days .I enjoyed the nice weather, having long walks allover, visited several galleries, took a ferry to Sausalito trying to find traces of my old days there. Then after five nights I decided continue my trip via Salinas to Monterey and Carmel. It was a most hilarious bus ride ever. The bus driver lost his way first time after five minutes. Already in Oakland his delay was a half an hour. The worst happened in Santa Cruz ,when he passed the same corner four times. In most places like in Salinas he needed passenger's help to find the bus station. Instead of four hours this sightseeing trip took almost seven hours, but we saw a lot and my co-passengers as me too, were just laughing. It was so unreal and macaber. I then finally got, after changing twice with local busses,to my hotel. I ate something at nearby Grannma's Kitchen, where soon came a young lady without any invitation to my table, and started to sell me any car I wanted. Very soon Lynette understood that I really do not need a car. She then very nicely gave me her visit card, and said call me if you need anything, anything at all I can help you.
Next day in Carmel after a long walk in the city and at the beach area , I had light lunch and four or five coronas, on a hot day in Porto Bello an Italian taverna ,of course.The owner was Hungarian born,and teased me saying that I must come from Tampere.There I met Kevin & Myrle O'Neill with their Bison Friche dog, same race as I have at home, and we naturally talked mostly about this fantastic dog race.They then left, and I had an other long conversation with Doug & Amy Wolf from Pennsylvania with their two tiny girls Chloe and Olivia. I evetually got back to Monterey, where I heard beautiful music coming from a bar. There was an excellent blues singer Lisa Lehua Taylor, to whom I personally told my opinion about her singing. She did thank me very chearfully.

Santa Monica , California

I finally found again a net connection, but being quite tired. thursty and hungry after todays trip, I shall come back tomorrow with my experiencies in San Francisco,
Monterey, Carmel and Santa Barbara.

Las Vegas, Nevada

I did not wait very much from Las Vegas but I still was disappointed with my two days
visit here. Maybe because I do not gamble with money, I cannot find that excitement what brings people here.For me Las Vegas was just on my route, and I decided to stop here for a couple of nights. I was here last time 35 years ago, and I then found this city somehow exciting. Like the name of one best known hotels here "Circus Circus", you could call the whole city with that name , at liest the strip.
Today I am heading to San Francisco. It will once again be over 24 hours in Greyhound, because via Los Angeles and with several stops. But I have time, and hopefully not too big expectations from Frisco, one of my favourite cities in the world.The time in very near future will show ,how long I am going to stay down there. By the way the temperature in Las Vegas has been quite warm, 117 F. or 47C. in last days.

Flagstaff, Arizona

My first train trip in U.S. ever to Flagstaff, took 6 hours. It was a very pleasant one, not just mention the bar and restaurant, but especilly because of great sceneries. When I arrived at night, I was lucky to get a room at a motel near railway station. Day before yesterday I then went trough the historical part of this, another well known Wild West town, with about 60,000 population. The most charming place is The Weatherford Hotel,built at the end of 19'th century, where Zane Grey wrote his maybe most famous novel, The Call of Canyon. Other guests the hotel has noted, were President Theodore Roosewelt and the publisher Randolph Hearst. I yesterday went to see that magnificent Grand Canyon. I just was amazed, the trip was worth of every penny ($88.)and took 10 hours.
Tonight I shall take again a nightly Greyhound to be early in the morning in Las Vegas.

Santa Fe ,New Mexico

After, once again, 24 hours travelling I arrived to tiny but very beautiful, historical town of Santa Fe.The population is about 70,000,and I guess that most of the inhabitants are artists, because of so many galleries and exhibitions.
For me the place was a romantic Wild West city from the past. Even the inn where I stayed had the name of famous US. Marshall Pat Garret, and the street was naturally Santa Fe Trail. The first bar,The Anasazi Lounge, I landed, had as bar tender a very friendly lady, Lynn,whose family came to Santa Fe already in 1590's, when the first Spanish mission was established. Her famous earlier family members were Pat Garret, Billy The Kidd, an outlaw and Lucien Maxwell. who was at his time the biggest land owner in whole U.S.A. In 24 hours I thought to know everything important , and decided to continue with Amtrek to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Disapointing news

On my last day in San Antonio I did receive very disapointing message from my girl friend Kaisa in Finland. She had got a new dream job but in condition she would start to work next week.Just 10 days before we should meet in Vancouver. She had no other choice than cancel her trip to west coast. Of course all I had planned had to be forgotten. She was very, very sad too, and she told to me that this should not change our relationship at all, and she would be waiting my return in 9 months time. Well,I needed a couple of days to recover, and to see the sunshine again

San Antonio, Texas

Before leaving today to Santa Fe with Greyhound again for a 24 hours ride again, I shortly commentate San Antonio. I mainly came here because of Alamo. Every little boy in my childhood even in Finland knew Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Colonel Travis, because of the battle of Alamo in 1836 ,when all fort defenders, apparently 189 men were killed against the Mexican troops of over 6000 men under General Santa Anna. The site is today very interesting and impressive, thanks to The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who since 1905 have taken care to preserve this heroic place for future generations.
Another famous and gorgeous place is the whole Riverwalk a must to visit. It really is a tropical river like in rainforest ,which snakewise goes trough the whole downtown. There are bothsides a plenty of bars &restaurants to rest when strolling along side the river. Mostly all the best hotels are on the banks of the river or very near anyway.

Austin , Texas

I arrived very late to Austin , So first next day I started to do excursions to Austin's music bars. I immediately found on 6th street a bar Nuno's where a band played most beautiful blues ,I've heard in many years. I just now do not remember the singers 77 years name but I have his record, and I try to remember it next time . I then went to The Ivory Cat, where Kenny Luna had his music show, and I enjoyed the nice company of Lauren and Diane.The last evening I started at Belmont's Garden Patio moving then again to Nuno's. At Belmont's I had talked with Katie 21,a pretty waitress of German parents. Now after finnishing her job she suddenly appeared at Nuno's. She then first offerred to me a drink, then she commanded the bar tender a friend of hers to offer another drink to me , and did agree with him that all my further drinks would cost only $1. instead of $4.50. So I had again very nice company and very unexpensive evening.

Cuba Libre in Dallas, Texas

Cuba Libre has been my favourit drink during this whole trip with the exception of some or more beers. so it was very funny coaccidence that the almost nearest bar & resturant to my hotel in Dallas uptown had this name. I soon became into very friendly relationship with miss Heather Cary, General manager. She soon introduced her most important people there to me, and I really was in good hands.
So I herewith send my best regards to all of you, especilly to Ellen 24, who I did choose to be Miss Cuba Libre.
The rival of next door was The Porch, Also very popular place in the evening.So my best greetings there to beautiful bar tender Emily.
Next day because of a taxi non-show,miss Gaydon Sage, General Manager of La Quinta Inn took me personally to the bus station, even I missed the bus by one minute,I am very thankful to her helping me a lot in different cases.

Dallas

On Sunday, the17th.I left Nashville with with Jensen's, for a rideof almost 700 miles, over 1000 km.to Dallas. Because of a heavy thunder storm in Dallas, we overnighted in their luxurious camper near Benton in Arkansas, having a nice rhum party. We then next afternoon arrived to Dallas. In the evening I did check the famous Greenville avenue, but because of Monday , it was quite dead. Next day I was up just for lunch in La Quinta Inn, where I had a room with my friend's help. The only restaurant open for lunch in the neighborhood was Cuba Libre, where I enjoyed a very good Mexican taco lunch. Afterwards I took a taxi to downtown about 3 miles away to The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.This museum, opened 1989, tells with original films (videos), pictures and all kind of materials, including the riffle, of the assassination of president John F. Kennedy at it's authentical place.The corner, where the sniper, Lee Harvey Oswald lured behind the school book boxes, is excatly in the condition, as on that terrible day Nov.22.1963. From the next window you can imagine, how easy it was to kill the president from that open window.This shocking event came into my mind as clear as if it did happen yesterday, not 44 years ago. Later on that very hot afternoon I walked along the Market street, visiting some bars. At Landry's I met a very good looking African American couple Nate and Carolyn, both 23. Yet unmarried. Nate smiled proudly, when I said to Carolyn that she should be a photo modell with her looks. She laughed, and said that as a matter of fact, I am. After they left, the bar tender brought to me a new drink and said, that's from the young lady.

Last days in Nashville

My Best Western Hotel was about 10 miles away from downtown area, in Opryland.
Taxifare$22.one way. However the local hotels had made an excellent agreement with Tommy's Transportation. The deal was $10. to Broadway and back to the hotel any round hour you wanted until 2am. the minibus driver Jerry Burns introduced every passenger to eachother, he was a local guide and told good stories. So everybody had fun in his car. The place next to him was always for me. I was his new best friend!
This way I also metMy young friends Ryan and Alice Jensen,with whom I didi spend a wonderful evening at Rippy's, where that night was a rock-a-billy band from Ryan's native Texas. That evening I also met Kelly,a wonderful young woman at Legend's Corner. She is working in music business herself. Next evening I was back at Rippy's but this time there plaeyed Darryl O'Donnell, a very good guitar player and country singer with standards of Willie Nelson, Glenn Campbell etc. Later I visited another bar, where a young lady Heather Thopson 22, a star to be born, sung breathtakingly "Bobby McGee" and "Hit me with your best shot".
On last Jerry' shuttle a Nebraskan couple told everybody that they know where Finland is. It's there where Sweden and France are!

About young and beautiful bartenders and waitresses

My younger brother did critise me because of boring stories of of young and beautiful
ladies in service to help my thirsty throut. Well, everybody is free to say his opinion but I like to remind that this writing is a diary and until now at this trip, I have spent almost every evening in a bar or cafe. Where else?
Exactly 20 years ago I was sitting at Finnish Club as last customer with late honorable chancellor of Helsinki University, Ernst Palmen. He was then 71.He told me
that he always liked all kind of women especially those young and beautiful. And they liked me, he said. So you will be hearing a lot more of these young women, already next time.

Nashville, Tennessee

Last Monday it once again was a long trip with Greyhound. Since Balazs brought me to bus station it took with all waiting times 18 hours before I was here in my hotel.
The busses however are quite comfortable, and I am sleeping a lot. This time maybe 10 hours. It does not disturb me that sometimes I am the only white passenger.
Nashville downtown is very clean and safe, local police forces are patrolling there all the time . People can really without any hesitation stroll at night from one music bar to another.
The first evening I did spend at the Grand Ole Opry,an American icon, of course.Opry has a new concert hall since 1974 outside from Nashville downtown, but only half an hour to walk from my Best Western hotel.Maybe I did wait more from Opry, I do not know, somehow my feelings were kind of flat afterwards.
The music bars in downtown are fantastic. At both nights I just reached the last shuttle to my hotel at 2am.My places, where I did enjoy the music mostly ,have been
The Stage, Legends Corner and Bluegrass Inn. Yesterday night in the last mentioned played Chuck Meade & Chris Scruggs Band. They played all kind of music from country to rock and from bluegrass to famous ballads. It really was great to listen them.
Day before yesterday I met and spent several hours with a young married couple Ryan 28 and Alice Jensen 27 . Ryan has an Italian mother and looks,but Danish father and temperament. These very nice people asked me to travel with their car to Dallas because leaving on Sunday, the same day than me. They know Dallas very well and promissed to introduce the best places there to me.That suits me very well.

Raleigh, North Carolina

It yesterday took 10 hours to get here, where I stay as guest of my old Hungarian born friend Balazs Szabo. He is a famous painter and author here. We had a nice evening with good food, drinks and company. Today we visited Wilmington at the coast, where we met his son Domenic.

I shall stay here still two nights, until Monday evening, when I 'll have a night bus to Nashville, Tennesee.

Charleston, South Carolina

This is another wealthy city of southeast. Many ways as beautiful as Savannah with their beautiful Victorian houses and nice gardens. I here too, lived in an old villa $120+tax a night. Also long walks every day and no taxis. It was very hot and humid, 90 degrees, must be around 36 in centigrades. During afternoons I enjoyed great food, mostly steaks and cold beer and tennis from France. I also saw in TV the three last matches, when Ducks with Teemu Selänne did win the Stanley Cup. But as always when you get familiar to the place and start to like it, you are leaving.

My last evening I first spent in Charleston Music Hall listening the great melodies and evergreens of Johnny Mercer, a native of Savannah. All songs I love from him were there, like Skylark, The Days Of Wine And Roses, Fools Rush In, Moon River,
Jeepers Creepers, Blues In The Night, Come Rain Or Come Shine and Dream. I especially loved the singing of young and beautiful Tiffany Parker, who later kissed me, when I told this to her. After this I continued like many of the audience to the bar next door. There I soon met Jenny Morrison 26, who was adopted from Mexico as a baby, This young beauty gave me a lot of compliments and wished I would have stayed in Charleston much longer, when she realised that I will be leaving next morning.

Savannah, Georgia

After travelling via Miami, Orlando and Jacksonville by Greyhound bus with waiting times over 24 hours I finally arrived to beautiful Savannah. I found a nostatalgic villa from civil war's time to stay for three nights. It wasn't cheap $ 179.+ tax, but very friendly place to stay. They served fine breakfast but also free vine with all kind of delicaties every evening together with all other guests. I was walking long tours in the historical part of the city every day and admired it's beauty.

On Sunday, June 3rd, I was having a light lunch in the park called City Market. There was a noon park concert where a trio called Courtenay Brothers played greatly country rock. Little later I found myself in a company of two young ladies. Blair Stevenson 25,Intern Architect and Jamie Hunter 25,a real estate practicant had invited this lonely soul to join them. Soon we already were eight young people together having fun until midnight. Some of them then drove me back to my place.

Last day in Key West

I did visit Art and History Museum, which introduced among other things Ernest Hemingways life in Key West and Havanna, Treasure Museum with real cold and silver coins and other specific treasures worth of hundreds of millions dollars excavated from Spanish galleon, and Pirate Museum. I then after this culture shock went to Tony's Saloon, opened originally 1933 by Tony Tarracino. This barkeeper to be later a most popular man in town and a mayor of Key West, was a close friend of Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Humphrey Bogart. I met him there and was photografed with him. And I must say that Tony, this 90 years old ladies man was absolutely a charming character.

Key West

I very first like to thank my very old friend ( since 1967 ) Jerry for those wonderful sailing days at BVI waters. We visited most exotic places,had the best possible weather all the time and had a lot of fun. I had it easy onboard because the skipper decided that I am a VIP, and he with my son Kristian and his girl friend Anna did all the necessary job onboard.
Day before yesterday I did arrive to Key West after travelling this short distance for 14,5 hours from hotel to hotel due delayed flights and long waiting times.
But there always must be some luck too. First I could share a taxi on Tortola with a Latin beauty Alexandra, who did celebrate her 30th birthday with her friends there, but had to rush back to her native San Juan in Puerto Rico. We had an amusant 40 minutes ride and I saved $22. Then I sat at the plane with a very well formed young and pleasant African American lady with pretty smiling face. Soon were we friends, and she offered to drive me to my Inn, which was not so easy to find on a small alley even with the help of her new GPS.I did save $40. She is working as a assistant director for food and beverage at Hyatt Resorts here. Today I was there as her guest at Hyatt's beach bar enjoying some most delicious tropical drinks at her account. As I did not have any ticket to get away from here on Saturday, Amy Brown ( that's her name )asked her colleague work for me. After one hours work , we found out that the Greyhond would be the best way to get to Miami. During that time I of course sat in the bar at her cost(Amy had to work ), and I had most wonderful time with the bar tender Lisa to whom Amy had intoduced me.
I yesterday sat in a nice but very unexpensive bar for some drinks because they played old jazz. Funnily they did not take tips, which normally is between 15-20%.
The owner Steve Nakonechny from Thunder Bay, Canada told me that her wife, who is French is too proud to accept tips. Steve 53, a former truck driver has lived here for 13 years and running his Cafe Tropical succesfully with his wife. Steve himself was born in Canada but his parents came from Ukraine and Poland.And he remembered that his closest neighbour in Thunder Bay was a guy from Finland, Jarmo Lahtinen.
Key West is ok, but once you have been here, it is according to my opinion, not necessary to come back .

Tortola , West Indies

Last Sunday I finally arrived here, really after 40,5 hours without a sleep, maybe a short nap in the plane. Here I have been in a paradise. In Madrid my son Kristian and his girl friend Anna joined me to be a week together here. So we had marvellous sailing days with KRistian's godfather Jerry Salaman and his boat a Bavaria 41 called
Dawn Raider.We started from Beef Island continuing to Cooper Island and Norman Island
( known as Treasure Island in famous novel by Robert Louis Stevenson ). Today we
arrived to Frenchmans Cay, where I am now. I said good bye to Kristian and Anna, I still might meet Jerry, his wife Jula and daughter Gemma before flying to Key West on Monday.In the ewening day before yesterday, we had a lot of fun ,when in the beach bar where we were dining, appeared suddenly four very pretty girls from Oklahoma City. They made the whole place crazy having fun and dancing on the bar table beautifully. The men just dropped their eyes! Then they asked Jerry and me to join in their wild Indian dances, which we did as long we could. Thank you Betsy, Erin, Meredith and Lauren for a fantastic evening. Who knows, maybe we'll meet in Oklahoma City.