Part 5 - Cancun, Mexico

Just got back from Cancun for Spring Break. Craziest week ever. 

The Hotel

Stayed at the Gran Caribe Real Hotel. Probably the best hotel i've ever been to. All inclusive has a new meaning here. Open bar and open buffet everyday. There is no other feeling like eating a massive meal or ordering a heap of drinks and then just walking away without getting the bill. The hotel was on the beach so all you had to do was walk past the pool to access the beach. I've never seen such clear waters in my life. The Caribbean is definitely something different. There was a bar on the beach with a tonne of lounges where you could just sip on mojito's and enjoy the sun. 

                                                                 Jagermeister Lounge

                                                               Mojito's all day long

                                                                     Our backyard

Xcape

We went to Cancun on a tour group called Xcape. They organised all our activities and events for the week. They are the best (thanks Dani and Bea). 

The Xcape Crew

Isla Mujeres

Apart from all the open bar clubs we went to, one of the events was a cruise to Isla Mujeres - an island north-east of Cancun. We hired golf carts on the island and travelled around. Crazy stuff. This place was beautiful. 

 Golf Carting

 Coco Frios

Isla Mujeres

On the way back from Isla Mujeres we had a boat party (which was open bar yet again). Shit got wild and there was a lot of dancing involved. 

Departing

So much more happened on this trip but it would take too long to type out. Definitely sad to leave this place but I will be back. Adios for now Cancun. 

Part 4 - Philadelphia

Headed up to Philly over the weekend with a big group (~20) of mates to check out the city, eat and get blind. 

The Sites

Stayed at the Marriot Hotel Downtown in Philly which was located in the hub of the city. Best thing about it was that it was next door to the Reading Terminal Market which is a huge market place selling all types of foods and fresh produce. We went there everyday to eat because it was so good. 

                                        The best Philly Cheese Steak - the TrainWreck

Did the typical sites around Philadelphia (which wasn't much) including the "LOVE" sign (very small) and the Rocky statue/steps which leads to the Philadelphia Art Museum. Was a great walk to both and took some nice snaps. 

                                                                   The Love Sign

                                                                       The Crew

                                                                     Rocky Statue

                                                                     Rocky Steps

The Museum was holding a Korean Art exhibition so I had to hit it up (because Korea is #1). Had a lot of cool Korean art as well as other historical stuff. Was a good cultural break from all the drinking and such.

                                                   Traditional Korean Painting Script

                                                               Traditional Han-Bok

South Street

Hit up South Street on Saturday night for some drinks. Went to a super hipster bar with graffiti all over the walls which would not be out of place in Newtown or Surry Hills back home. Had some good brews then moved onto another bar somewhere else. Finished the night off with a shitload of pizza from 7-11 which actually shits on Dominos or Pizza Hut back home haha. 

                                                                         Pre-Gaming

                                                                      Tattooed Mom's

All in all a great trip with great food, people and drinks. Next stop Cancun!

Part 3 - New York

Travelled to the Big Apple for the first time over the weekend with a bunch of exchange mates. It was insane.

The Sites

We stayed at the Hotel Carter near Times Square. Let me just say that this is a 5-star top-rated hotel and everyone should stay there. Markus Schulz stayed there. Just kidding, it was probably equivalent to a 0.01 star hotel but we were out most of the time and it only cost us 70$ each for two nights so it was worth it. We arrived in NYC around lunch time and headed straight for Times Square. This is partly what defines New York as one of the greatest cities and is insanely huge like the movies. I love Times Square. 

                                                                   The NYC Crew

We then headed to Staten Island to pass the Statue of Liberty. We literally got on the ferry to Staten, saw the statue, took photos and then caught the next ferry back to the city.

                                                                The Statue of Liberty

The next day we hit up the Empire State Building and Central Park. The view from the Empire State is crazy. You can literally see the whole city from the top and you feel like a king - great experience. 

                                                                        The View

Central Park followed shortly after and it was another place that swallows you due to its size. The park is massive and has paths leading all through it with an ice-skating rink in the middle. We just chilled and walked through the park and played around with the GoPro.

                                                                    Central Park

Last stop for the tourist attractions was the 9/11 Memorial. This was actually one of my favourite sites and was a humbling experience to visit and recount the events of 9/11. They have two monumental reflecting pools dedicated to all the people that lost their lives on that day.

                                                                  9/11 Memorial

Pacha NY - Markus Schulz's 10.5 Hour Set

Saturday night we went out to Pacha NY for the release of Markus Schulz's new album and his epic 10.5 hour set. Let me just say that this man is a living legend and lives for trance. Who the fuck can stand there for 10.5 hours straight mixing a live set in front of a packed crowd? INSANE. The night was crazy and one of the best yet. Everyone was having a great time thanks to a friend of ours ;) We stayed till almost 7am and the club was still packed. New Yorkers know how to party. We will definitely be back for more ..... 

                                                  Pacha NY with the Markus Crew

Part 2 - University of Maryland

Settling In

Finally settled into my apartment on campus! Got lucky with both my room and roommates. Staying in a single room in an apartment with 4 other guys (2 Belgians, another Aussie and an American) who are all mad chill and love to get blind. Our apartment location is prime as its across the road from the shops and bars :)

                                                                     Charles Hall

The Weather

It has been cold as fuck since arriving with the temperature ranging from -10 to -15 degrees Celsius each day. However, the snow makes the campus look bloody nice so thats a plus. 

                                                                    White Campus

The Food

Everything in the States is big, especially the food. I'll just leave some pics to prove my point..

Traditional Diner Brekky

Five Guys Burgers with a "small" fries

El Rancho Chicken Omellete

                      One single slice of pizza which is the size of a whole pan back home

Part 1 - Washington D.C.

After months of applications, fees and interviews, I've finally arrived in the great country of America! Took me 24 hours on two planes to get here but I've finally made it. Flew via Korean Air so the first stop was naturally the Motherland. Korean Air has their in-flight games down pat. Played street fighter for ages but ended up rage quitting cos Ken is impossible to beat. 

                                                                    Fuck you Ken

The earliest students could move onto campus was the 21st of January so I stayed in a hostel in D.C. for three nights prior to moving onto campus. D.C. is like Canberra on steroids. Its quiet during the day time with a lot more monuments to see. Did all the touristy things like see the White House and Lincoln Memorial. The White House was a bit of a let down but the Lincoln Memorial was great. I think I appreciate the architecture in America a lot more than back home as they seem to have maintained a lot of the culture and history in their buildings. 

                                                                The White House

Lincoln Memorial

I also tried some famous American eats like Chipotle and Ben's Chilli Bowl (as seen on Man v Food) and they were both gainz to my taste buds. Ben's Chilli Bowl has been regularly visited by Bill Cosby and President Obama so naturally it's always busy. I recommend the half-smoke dog with chilli cheese fries from Ben's, excellent/10.

                                                                Chipotle Burrito Bowl

                                               Ben's Half-smoke and chilli cheese fries

Last day in D.C.

On my last day in D.C. I went out with a few guys (shout out to Steve) from the hostel and hit up some bars. Was meant to be a one drink kind of thing but one thing led to another and we were drinking 66% proof whisky -_- 

We actually first asked for absinthe but the bartender told us that Absinthe is counted as a hallucinogen (due to its high alc. content) so they don't sell it.....strong wtf.

All in all a great pre-college stop over. Ready to move into campus now!