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Within the Arctic Circle

Written by Ryan Mcbain
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Churchill Way out on always frozen ground, and far from everything at the northern end of the train tracks, on the shores of frigid Hudson Bay, Churchill defies logic. Presented with a list that includes barren, freezing, almost unreachable, expensive and small Canadian town, few people would pick this as a place to spend precious vacation time. Add to that the chance to see uncommon wildlife in their natural habitat and potential danger, and the polar-bear capital of the world has become Canada's worst-kept secret. The remoteness of the town and vastness of the surrounding area instill a feeling that you're in an important place. Things like community teamwork, values and neighbors take on a whole new meaning. The world that's so easily taken for granted means nothing when you consider that the same distance you'd travel to your grocery store back home could spell disaster if traveled out here. A visit to Churchill can teach a person a couple of things: the world is not small, and polar bears are very large. Polar Bears Polar bears spend winters hunting on the frozen ocean, where they can smell seals through a meter of pack ice. As the ice melts, the bear are forced onto land, where they wait, and return north when the ice returns. Churchill happens to be smack bang! in the middle of that migration path. Up to 300 bears have been seen migrating along the coast between Nelson River (200km south of Churchill) and cape Churchill (400km east), Churchill being the most populated with bears, at one point more bears than residents. Recently, warmer and shorter winters mean the ice melts sooner, freezes later and the bear's hunting season dosen't last as long. Returning to land still hungry is not a good thing for the bear, or the people who live here. These are not the same cuddly balls of fuzz one might see in Coca-Cola commericals or wearing Santa hats in department stores. They are huge predators with razor-sharp claws and they can run up to 50km/h. That said, bear aren't in the habit of attacking unless they feel threatened or extremely hungry. Coming between a cub and mother is the worst thing you can do. Wandering from town without and experienced guide or inquiring about recent sightings is the second worst,which i just found out! crikey! i went wandering basically everyday, saw polar bear tracks and kept going =P silly me, but hey you wanted photos, so i got photos =P! Local authorities maintain a 24-hour vigil most spring into summer; gunshots are fired at night to shoo off town-bound bear. If bear do break the perimeter, they're tranquilized and moved out of town by helicopter. The three-strike rule applies; the third time a bear is caught, it's taken to the cinderblock jail cells of an old military base for the winter. (Authorities spray paint numbers onto the bears at 1st strike so 3rd strikes are logit). Unfortunalty there are no tours of 'Polar Bear Jail' Beluga Whales In the Summer months the Hudson invited the spectacular Beluga Whales. Up to 3500 of these glossy white torpeodoes follow the warm water into the Churchill River every summer. It's possible to see them from shore, but you'll probably hear them first; early whalers called them 'sea canaries' Northern Lights The aqua-turquoise-yellow dance of the aurora borealis is nothing short of spectacular when you're hundreds of miles from urban lights. Would have to be the most beautiful natural excitment in Churchill, if not, the world (excluding myself, ofcourse). Most clear nights all year round the Aurora Borealis dances over remote Churchill. Most intense during the cold dark winter months. With colours that would put a rainbow to shame. All of that experienced, thought, typed; Churchill is a must see for travlers who are obsessed with remote places and polar bears. Eg, Simon Webster. I would also like to send my gratitude to Mum & Dad for helping me financially and helping me plan the trip =) Until the next adventure,... 'take care now, bye bye than' Dr. Ryan J McBain BVSc (Bacholor Of Veterianry Science) haha, i like the look of that ;) Read More Add Comment (0) Hits: 117
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 April 2008 )

New York, Philadelphia

Written by Ryan Mcbain

Thursday, 27 March 2008

New york

New york is the most awsome city i have ever been too, it is on a much larger scale than what is is portrayed to be on TV or a magazine. It's a megatropolis pretty much,

The traffic is hectic, 3 times worse than Sydney no doubts. I went to downtown Manhattan with a mate who actually lives in NY, which is helpfull, otherwise i would have been lost in the maze.

Surprisingly the subways of Manhattan (NY) are disgusting, homeless people everywhere, urine stench with a rubbish everywhere, i was horrified. The only real thing i actually liked about NY was times square, and all the sky scrapers, oh, and the statue of liberty ofcourse! that was awsome.

I also when via ground 0 to check out where the twin's once where. Very depressing.

I only spent like 2 nights in NY so didn't see too much, you need atleast a week to check most of NY out.

Although i am glad i went there, atleast i got that downpat in my book.

Philadelphia:

At 3am i got a bus to Philadelphia, PA whith Dan, to stay with him on Campus. Which was in North phili, I would not reccomment this place to anyone, it was dirty, very dangerous, and sketchy.. also the people seemed to be rude. Phili is like %90 African american, and in North phili, %80 of them are homeless (phili is the #1 murder state in USA) i got told a few days after..The government spends no time what-so-ever on these homeless people nor the suburbs it's saddening to see.

So before i complained too much about the place i left and i am back up here in lovely Montreal.. I won't say i regret going to phili, it was an experience i will never forget. Although i reckon even Jay would have wanted to lock himself in the campus haha, too dangerous to walk around in those areas aye. Oh well, all the way USA:P

I can now confidently back up my view on USA, I think Canada is about 100 times better, USA has no healthcare at that, the government spend money on the CBD not outter suburbs, such as New Yorks - Queens, Harlem, Brooklyn & Jamaica. Phili's - North and West areas. They are infested with African American Homless people who find joy in mugging nearly anyone who walks down their areas at anytime of the day. I am not it's the homless peoples fault, it's not, it's the government not helping them out.

Although USA does have nice areas i suspose such as Colorado, Chicago, Louisiana. I will give them that.

The americans i talk too even think Canada is a much more layed out, put together countrie which i find both funny and surprising, usually USA citizens are very patriotic right?

Anyways i'll stop venting. Back to the present:

As i said i was in Montreal, I scored a 4 * apartment with a girl by the name of Simone, awsome lady i met 2 weeks ago. Even though she is 51 she acts like me so it's awsome.. and if i wanna chill out i come here and chill, on the pc or have dinner, drink, tv etc..

My next dest will be Vancouver, meeting up with a bloke i meet a week back here in Montreal via the name of Chris, awsome guy. From Vancouver i want to try and wing it up to Whitehorse (capital of the great Yukon) for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) before April 15 when the day tour ends, cheap as chips i might add as well. See how i go. Might as well whilst i'm up here right?

Anyways i am off to Cafe Depot for the best coffee ever, ( i swear they mix it with amsterdam ingrediants), and write some post cards.

Also i want to thank Brian for giving me the yellow book by Dale Carniege, Awsome book dad, love it.. helped me a lot.

talk later, peace

love too all.

Cheers, Ryan

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Montreal

Written by Ryan Mcbain

Friday, 14 March 2008

Hey, everyone!

I have been in Montreal for over a week now and never want to leave! it`s the most gorgeous, hardcore, awsome city i have ever been too and if i have had been to every city i`m sure i would still have this same feeling for Montreal!

Montreal contains such beauty`s as the "Old Montreal" old school architecture, The Nortre` Dame Cathedral, (Celion Dion got married their) The biodome and biosphere which is just spectacular as you will see in the album!

The Olympic stadium, old school subways (French love to make boring things seem awsome, for example, on all of the underground stations, instead of having an average cement wall, they use 1800`s brick with patterns, indents etc, pretty awsome to stare at whilst intoxicated. Or just sober).

The night life here is amazing! most nights i go out with the "gang" from the hostel with Hernarldo (house keeper) as the leader, and we party all night, come back to the hostel than party more, and usually hit the sack after 5am! it`s the life for a young guy like my self!

The hostel i am staying at is the best hostel by far, it`s ratings are all %100, the people i have met here will always be in my memories they are just awsome! I usually go out with Jim, Peter, Brian, Megan, Trish, Daniel, Julian, Devon, Mary-Beth, Margaret, Peter Number 2 and more, they are all from USA... they are all awsome people! and i have met plenty more.

Last nigth was awsome, we went to Club Campus! which goes off on Thursday night, so we all got 2 cases of Corona, chilled in the lounge room, laughed, joked, drank up than left for the club around 10pm,

Once we got there we sat down, had profressional massages from this wonderful lady who i actually just met! and than we drew hair on all our chests with pens, than went to the floor! we owned that floor lol, no other guy had any chance! not with Brian, Peter, Jim and I, we go crazy on that floor, as if our egos are as high as heaven and it`s the last night of our life`s!!

I can`t tell you everything about all the wonderful nights otherwise i will be stiing here for hours and so would you.

All i got to say is, is that Montreal! night life and day life is amazing, the best, it`s as if i am on ecstasy all night long haha. Apparenlty the Summer here is better! everyone parties in the parks, like the Moon dance in Thailand, Siberia trance in spain or Park life in Sydney. Difference is, they only happen once a year for 1 - 7 days, It happens here all the way through summer! May -August!

Deffinalty have to check it out next year, haha, i am having too much fun.

Anyways! i am off to have my usual 3pm coffee and laughing fits on the floor with Daniel (funneist guy one would be likely to ever meet)

Also i am going on a road trip to NY tomorow with Trish, Megan and Dan! should be awsome!

I will try get back on a pc in New York, or Philidelphia!

Take it easy, I will see you when i`m looking at ya!

P.S

sorry about late post, to busy partaying!

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