The Extracts

Continuing the State 1 Review, Ben uses extracts from his journal to relay his best and worst moments from Stage 1.

As mentioned in my previous entry, I have documented this first Stage of my journey from start to finish and selecting only the most pivotal moments I have for you given an insight to both my best and worst moments of the journey so far.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Canada: Day 0: Ping Pong

On the eve of his first day hitchhiking across Canada, Ben CouchSurfs with first-time hosts Tom and Katie

After all the excitement of crossing the Ottawa River I made my way to the University campus in downtown Ottawa where I had arranged to meet Tom, who together with his wife Katie would be hosting me for the night at their home in Arnprior.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Canada: One Direction

Upon completing the 1st leg of his travels, Ben Collins reveals his plans for hitchhiking his way 5,000km across Canada

With my week long holiday in Montreal and Quebec now at an end I have this morning made my way back towards the capital where upon crossing the river back in to Ottawa I will pass through the first real milestone of my journey - the end of my first leg...

24 Sussex Drive

Ben Collins reveals how he ended up meeting the Prime Minister and First Lady of Canada at their residence, 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa

In line behind 200 or so people I did everything I could not to draw attention to myself, though given that I was the only person in line wearing anything other than a suit, this I knew was always going to be an uphill struggle...

New Photo Album

Ottawa, Ontario. Canada (2012)

Jail Hostel

Parliament Building

Museum of Nature

Museum of Civilization

Don't Pass Go, Don't Collect £200

Ben Collins blogs about his round the World travel and adventures from the Canadian capital, Ottawa


I had sort of expected to at some point to have a run in with the law but never thought I'd end up in jail... and yet here I was... not even a month after leaving home, drunk and in solitary...