I cannot describe wholly in words just how incredible this trip was, nor just how brilliant the people I met along the way. If you were only considering the Southern Sun Trek I would say go for it, you will experience America in a way you couldn't possibly imagine.
I decided to go on this trek because I had been to California before and wanted to see more of the USA. Vegas and New Orleans were key features but I discovered these though good were only part of the outstanding trip.
Our trek leader was one of the best things about the trek – his insight into all the places we visited in the short time ensured we experienced everything on offer. Organised to a fault, anything that could have gone wrong he was efficient and calm in sorting out, plus he was just a bit of a legend to be honest.
I will try to give a basic outline of the trip, well some of my favourite bits - we crammed in a lot in 21 days and did a crazy amount of stuff in that time.
I managed to do all the key attractions of New York in a day - was exhausted from doing it though and would recommend going a few days early just to get it all in! My favourite part was the Empire State Building, cliché I know but I met up with a few of my trek group the night before we were due to leave and we went to the top Empire State Building at midnight, at that time you didn't have to queue to go up and the views were spectacular.
Getting to the Newark hotel wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be and the majority of people in the hotel were trekkers and though I didn’t meet any of my trek group for a few hours just going to the bar and meeting everyone excited to be going on their treks was pretty cool.
Our trek group was a real mix of nationalities and ages ranging from 18-30. There were 13 of us on the trip so we fit snugly into the van. Having trek mates from so many countries is a lot of fun comparing cultures and just having a laugh (there were continuous Aussie vs Brit drinking sessions) was a good experience in itself.
Washington DC - Our first stop was a lot of memorials and museums (this is why I suggest starting at the New York end I just don’t think finishing in Washington would be as good a time!) the first night there we saw the memorials lit up – seeing the Lincoln Memorial at night is pretty awe inspiring. The next day having taken on some of the Smithsonian Museums we went to a bar at the top of the ‘W’ hotel. It’s a bit of a walk but worth it for the view you get over the White House.
West Virginia and White Water Rafting – This is a must! One of the people my trek group was slightly worried about doing it but the rafting leaders were really helpful, they made us all feel very safe – even when we fell out they were quick to get us and haul us back in the raft.
Nashville - What a brilliant city I had no idea what a wild place it was until I was there - hundreds of bars line the streets will bands playing in every one. Be prepared to line dance it’s hilarious - I am now the proud owner of a Wild Horse Saloon glass boot from which I drank many cocktails. Dancing in the streets to bands whilst drinking moonshine (impressively horrible) is certainly one way to fully appreciate Nashville in all its glory.
New Orleans - Nothing can really prepare you for New Orleans – a beautiful city by day, crazy by night. The grenades are an experience and the constant carnival atmosphere will make you wish you had more time there. When in New Orleans, go to the Maison bar/club on Frenchman's St It was an epic night, entry is under $10 and the guys fully appreciated the burlesque dance halfway through the live band's performance.
Austin – Salt Lick! All BBQ food will be ruined for you once you’ve gone to Salt Lick – we were in near tears from eating so much utterly delicious.
White Sands - We had the option to skip Roswell and go to the White Sands in New Mexico. If this is ever an option for you take it. It was one of the highlights of my trip and cannot thank our trek leader enough for giving us the option. The white sands are made of gypsum and looks like snow – we hired out some sand boards and went down all the dunes which were hilarious. We then managed to hire out our own dune to camp for the night, watching the sunset from the dunes was pretty spectacular and having a bottle of Jack Daniels to share amongst the group was a pretty good way of seeing off the evening. We camped in just our sleeping bags (no tents just mats) under the stars with no facilities – the ultimate in basic camping - but it was completely worth it.
Monument Valley – Other than the spectacular views and the wonderful stories and food provided by the Ne (local Navajo people – not too sure how to spell it), just the sensation of waking up after sleeping under the stars in monument valley is brilliant.
Grand Canyon – Nothing can ever prepare you for the Grand Canyon – if you can afford it go in the helicopter it’s an awe-inspiring sight, seeing the ground drop as you go into the canyon is exhilarating.
Zion – I actually preferred Zion to the Grand Canyon in some ways (less touristy possibly) we walked the Narrows which is a river walk surrounded by cliff faces and is a lot of fun (hire the boots and sticks!) and early the next morning we climbed Angel’s Landing, I have no idea how I managed to survive climbing it (I discovered my fear or heights at the Grand Canyon) but it was entirely worth it – if you feel like giving up just go for it, even if just to see the view, to have the justified sense of achievement that makes it completely worthwhile.
Las Vegas – Well we survived it! Take advantage of all that is on offer (ladies for you loads of clubs are free entry or free first drink!); one of the best bits was the Caesar’s Palace buffet –that is the ultimate in excess. We saw the Bellagio fountain at least 3 times; you must watch it at least once. The gambling it goes without saying is pretty cool but be aware that you must have your passport at all times, any table you go to will demand proof of ID before you can place any bets.
LA – You will have less time than you think you will to do LA I suggest staying there a few days if you’ve never been before. Whilst Venice Beach is pretty cool if you are looking for something a bit different go to Hermosa Beach (I got this tip from the locals) you can get a bus right by the hacienda hotel that will stop just 5 mins from the beach, perfect sands and good music right on the beach are guaranteed.
So those were some of my favourites, I couldn’t possibly fit it all in. Whilst considering the other aspects camping isn’t as bad as you think it could be, the tents are pretty easy to put up and you may get used to putting them up in extreme winds/heat or just in the dark, take bug spray and bring some speakers with you for your music. I didn’t come across anything that could potentially kill me, the worst thing was the red ants which were hardly devastating (though those and cockroaches combined in the shower was certainly an experience!). Cooking is pretty fun you get to learn more about cooking skills than you ever thought you would, I even cooked in the winds of a hurricane. You’ll find friends you would probably never make in a lifetime and you’ll never forget what you saw and did together.
Thanks for reading my review, it was the best of holidays, go while you can and I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did.