While cycling past them I made a break for freedom and nearly went up the arse of Mr Hughes who was admiring the baby bear - honestly!!! I had a friggin coronary and was ready to hit warp speed back down a hill but thankfully they moved on with no dramas. There was a mumma and baby bear in the middle of the road and when we stopped mumma did not look impressed to see us. While camping and cycling, we have had a number of encounters with wild black bears - the most hair raising was when we were cycling back from Port Renfrew. We have seen some absolutely stunning spots and the freedom of having a car and bikes has been just wonderful!!! The 94 Ford Taurus we purchased only set us back $600 and it runs like a dream (touch wood!!!). It has the best selection of outdoors / sports gear I have ever seen!!! Needless to say we purchased a tent, sleeping bags and a cooker for our island camping excursions. Mazza and I have discovered our new favourite Canadian store � MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-Op). They were such amazing hosts and I can now understand why they love their hometown so much!!!!! Dave has also got me hooked on Margaritas� He gave me his secret recipe and as a result, I have graduated from my Japanese Slippers!!! Seattle is the home of our wonderful friends Dave and Melissa who we met while cycling in Cambodia. Seattle has definitely been a highlight for a number of reasons � the city itself is just so picturesque with lakes, beaches, mountains and a great city vibe (the home of the best sangria and nacho�s I have had since Mexican Caf� in Auckland!!!). I cannot believe another two months has gone by and what a time we have been having!!! Two trips to Seattle, we brought a car, I played nurse when Mazza fractured his ankle, we�ve been riding our new bikes, camping on the island at every opportunity, had a number of kiwi friends visit and of course working / earning money to maintain the travel lifestyle we have become very accustomed to!!!

My little french cousin malajuven