![[46] Reflections of a Backpacker: Fun in San Antonio](images/resized/img/riverwalk_140_140.jpg)
I set off early that morning with Steve eager to see what San Antonio had to offer. It was great to explore a foreign city with someone from back home. In fact I was warming to the idea of staying in San Antonio for a while, it had the right blend of entertainment and relaxation that I sorely needed. It also helped that where I was staying, the Youth Hostel was full of backpackers just like me from all over the World, after weeks on the road this was like social nirvana.
We began our tour ... ![[45] Reflections of a Backpacker: Return to the Lone Star State](images/resized/img/texas_140_140.jpg)
My bus from Mexico City at last reached its destination of Matamoros in the early hours. Several armed Mexican border guards dressed in military fatigues and looking more like soldiers than police boarded the bus. They checked our passports then waved the bus on. The whole experience was a little chilling to be honest. I wondered what would have happened if I was in trouble? Afterwards I realised that the stop and search was a formality and that the US/Mexican border is notorious for drug traf... ![[44] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Place of the Gods and the Parting of the Ways](images/resized/img/teo_140_140.jpg)
Its not much fun sweating out a fever on your own thousands of miles away from home, but you have to deal with whatever hand fate has dealt you. I woke up in the Hotel ‘Bamer’ feeling weak but much improved from the following day. After yet another glass of water and what food I could manage Ben and I decided to visit the place of the Gods: Teotihuacán, an enormous archaeological site of Aztec pyramids just twenty-five miles outside Mexico City.
It used to be a thriving city in the ancient... ![[43] Reflections of a Backpacker: Guadalajara and Mexico City](images/resized/img/mariachi_140_140.jpg)
At 11.15am we began an eight-hour bus journey to Guadalajara. The scenery became more lush and green. Mexico was not the arid, barren desert portrayed in the movies! It was quite humid and even with the air conditioning on we were pretty uncomfortable.
Looking out of my passenger window I was greeted with some interesting sights: there was a lot of litter thrown on either side of the road, obviously the Mexican’s were not troubled by the eyesore that ‘fly tipping’ produces, I even saw a dea... ![[42] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Copper Canyon and Deeper into the Interior](images/resized/img/copper_140_140.jpg)
It was a 5.15am start. It had to be if we were going to catch the Copper Canyon train to Los Mochis. The grumpy taxi driver dropped us off and wordlessly pocketed our tip (I suppose not everyone is at their best at that time of the day!) We treated ourselves to ‘Primera Classe’ tickets, but as we were to find out the ticket may have said ‘first class’ but the carriage did not meet that description. It was okay but a little grubby and the windows were dirty with a few cracks but at least we wer... ![[41] Reflections of a Backpacker: South of the Border](images/resized/img/cacti_140_140.jpg)
We had travelled through three States in one day: Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. One of the places was Lincoln County, made famous by Billy the Kid. It was not too difficult to imagine cowboys riding their horses and driving cattle through here over a century ago. In Texas we saw thousands of long horn cattle which was a pretty awe inspiring sight, coming from a rural area myself I don’t think I have ever seen so much livestock before or since. Our journey took us past the Rio Grande, the rive... ![[40] Reflections of a Backpacker: Family Vacation US Style](images/resized/img/vegas_140_140.jpg)
We were in a convoy of Karen’s car and Dave’s huge RV. I watched the Californian scenery go by with a slightly fuzzy head and through bleary eyes after a late night of drinking and merriment. How Karen and Dave were able to drive was a mystery to me. It probably helped that we had a big breakfast and they had both drank a lot of juice! Crossing the California-Nevada State line I spotted what was billed as ‘The highest and wildest rollercoaster in the World!’ our convoy came to a halt and it wa... 
I Am Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne
With Chris Ayres
Published 2009 by Sphere
Apart from hearing a story of how he once bit the head off a live bat, listening to a few ‘Black Sabbath’ albums and watching MTV’s ‘The Osbournes’ I confess to knowing very little about the ‘Prince of Darkness.’ I picked this autobiography up knowing that I had scant knowledge of its subject and I was eager to learn more. I just hoped it wasn’t one of those glossed over cash-in jobs that seem to do the rounds these ... ![[39] Reflections of a Backpacker: Out in LA and Three Men in a Boat](images/resized/img/la_140_140.jpg)
I remember waking up in Dave’s house in Monrovia on the outskirts of Los Angeles at about 9am after sleeping for twelve and a half hours. I was still feeling disorientated and jet lagged after our flight from New Zealand but the sleep in secure, comfortable surroundings had done me the world of good. After a cup of coffee and a big breakfast we were ready to explore. Dave kindly dropped Ben and I off at Santa Monica, it was time to sample some Californian culture.
Ben desperately wanted to ... ![[38] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Kiwi Experience Ends and the American One Begins](images/resized/img/lax_140_140.jpg)
We had the pleasure of a seven-hour coach journey to Rotorua, lovely scenery and countryside. I saw Lake Taupo, which was pretty as well as some land damaged by earthquakes and volcanoes, which wasn’t pretty. The landscape in this part of the North Island was very dramatic, almost lunar in appearance. Once at Rotorua it was time for more goodbyes, notably Karen. She explained that everything was fixed for our stay with her brother in LA and she would be joining us there upon her return from Ho... 
Dazzling Darren too much for brave Butler
Darren Barker v Danny Butler
Commonwealth and Vacant British Middleweight Titles
The Brentwood Centre, Essex
28th November 2009
An intriguing opportunity to measur... Murray the Magnificent!
John Murray v Jon Thaxton
Vacant British Lightweight Title
Altrincham Sports Centre
3 October 2009
In front of a sell out crowd at the Altrincham Sports Centre in a H... The Form Book points to Murray
This Saturday sees an eagerly awaited contest for the vacant British Lightweight title between undefeated former champion, Manchester’s John Murray and popular former British and... Will the last one leaving turn the lights out please?
It seems professional heavyweight boxing in Britain is going through a critical phase at the moment. When the American monopoly over the World titles has been usurped by two Ukra... It has to be Mayweather
Saturday 19th of September sees an intriguing contest between Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr (USA) against Juan Manuel Marquez (Mexico). The contest held at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas... Sherlock Holmes (2009)
The World’s most famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes gets another adaptation here in director Guy Ritchie’s originally named ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ You would be hard pressed t... The Soloist (2009)
This tells the true story of how journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr) met and befriended the homeless but exceptionally gifted musician Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx). From Br... Public Enemies (2009)
From renowned director Michael Mann (‘Manhunter’, ‘Heat’, ‘The Insider’) comes this gangster thriller set in 1933. It begins with a jailbreak and follows the activities of bank r... Terminator Salvation (2009)
I was uncertain of how this film would play out before I went to see it. I am a fan of the original and learning that this one was to be directed by ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throt... Star Trek (2009)
Just in time for the summer season of blockbusters comes a ‘reboot’ (that word again) of ‘Star Trek.’ The television show and the cinematic entries looked out for the count a few... I Am Ozzy
I Am Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne
With Chris Ayres
Published 2009 by Sphere
Apart from hearing a story of how he once bit the head off a live bat, listening to a few ‘Black Sab... Tropic of Capricorn
Tropic of Capricorn
Simon Reeve
Published 2008 by BBC Books
This book charts Simon Reeve and his crew’s experiences travelling along the Tropic of Capricorn. Even if you... Force of Nature
Force of Nature
Robin-Knox Johnston
With Kate Laven
Published 2007 by the Penguin Group
Apart from watching news reports and a documentary film my knowledge of sailin... John Reynolds The Autobiography
John Reynolds The Autobiography
By John Reynolds with Jason McClean
Published 2006 by Haynes Publishing
Any British fan of motorsport will recognise the name of John Rey... And Another Thing...
And Another Thing…
By Eoin Colfer
Published 2009 by the Penguin Group
Douglas Adams always intended to write a sixth ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ novel before his u... [46] Reflections of a Backpacker: Fun in San Antonio
![[46] Reflections of a Backpacker: Fun in San Antonio](images/resized/img/riverwalk_100_100.jpg)
I set off early that morning with Steve eager to see what San Antonio had to offer. It was great to explore a foreign city with someone from back home. In fact I was warming to t... [45] Reflections of a Backpacker: Return to the Lone Star State
![[45] Reflections of a Backpacker: Return to the Lone Star State](images/resized/img/texas_100_100.jpg)
My bus from Mexico City at last reached its destination of Matamoros in the early hours. Several armed Mexican border guards dressed in military fatigues and looking more like so... [44] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Place of the Gods and the Parting of the Ways
![[44] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Place of the Gods and the Parting of the Ways](images/resized/img/teo_100_100.jpg)
Its not much fun sweating out a fever on your own thousands of miles away from home, but you have to deal with whatever hand fate has dealt you. I woke up in the Hotel ‘Bamer’ fe... [43] Reflections of a Backpacker: Guadalajara and Mexico City
![[43] Reflections of a Backpacker: Guadalajara and Mexico City](images/resized/img/mariachi_100_100.jpg)
At 11.15am we began an eight-hour bus journey to Guadalajara. The scenery became more lush and green. Mexico was not the arid, barren desert portrayed in the movies! It was quite... [42] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Copper Canyon and Deeper into the Interior
![[42] Reflections of a Backpacker: The Copper Canyon and Deeper into the Interior](images/resized/img/copper_100_100.jpg)
It was a 5.15am start. It had to be if we were going to catch the Copper Canyon train to Los Mochis. The grumpy taxi driver dropped us off and wordlessly pocketed our tip (I supp...
Daniel's Blog
| Mayweather v Mosley: The Stakes are High |
In a fascinating match-up that should secure huge bragging rights for the victor, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr faces WBA Super World Welterweight Champion ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley on 1st May at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA. Both have agreed to an Olympic style drugs test prior to the Superbout. In light of recent doping allegations that have hurt the sport this is a welcome measure. In such a high profile contest I hope this sets a precedent. In a sport such as boxing with its morale already on the floor a sense of fair play and transparency is sorely needed.
After months of wrangling with that other Superstar of pound for pound boxing, Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather has decided to turn his sights on the man from Pomona instead. Ironically the mooted Mayweather v Pacquiao bout fell through over precisely the issue of drug testing. Whether the two boxers will ever face each other in the ring now remains to be seen.
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One to Watch
| The Cleveland Show |
From Seth MacFarlane the creator of 'American Dad' and 'Family Guy' comes this spin off: 'The Cleveland Show.' For those already familiar with Peter Griffin and his family you will know who Cleveland Brown is.
Cleveland is the quiet, calm, thoughtful drinking buddy of Peter and now he has his own spin-off show. As fans will already know Cleveland divorced his domineering wife Loretta in 'Family Guy' series 4.
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