STUCK

Hi everyone - just a qucik update to say that we are stuck in transit in Brisbane ariport due to travel agent not booking our flight from Brisbane to CHCH - have now been awake for 48hrs and am buggered. We have to wait untill they can get us on the next available flight which may not be untill the early hours of tomorrow. URGGGGH. I need a shower and a change of clothes.
Will update when we are finally home. Sorry KIDS

29 days down...and one to go

Today was our penultimate day in the US. Another beautiful day, with the temperature reaching 81 deg F - that's 27 deg C. We decided earlier in the week that two days' spent at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park (DCAP) just wasn't enough to do them full justice, so we went back for a third day today.

We caught the ART (Anaheim Resort Transport) bus again today. Its a great public transport service that allows you to travel into the major resorts - in our case Disneyland - as often as you like every day for only $4 per day. It's fantastic value, and keeps a lot of tourists off the roads. We headed in earlier than usual and grabbed some breakfast at Downtown Disney - that's a retail and restaurant area near Disneyland. Then it was back to DCAP for a re-run at a couple of our favourite experiences - Toy Story Midway Mania & Grizzly River Run. Mid-morning we crossed over to Disneyland where we tried some new things we hadn't covered in previous visits - the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Jungle Cruise, the Indiana Jones Adventure, the Mark Twain Riverboat, Buzzlightyear Astro Blasters, Captain EO, the Disneyland Monorail, the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, Snow Whites Scary Adventures and Space Mountain:Ghost Galaxy. We also repeated the Splash Mountain Log Ride and the Teacups - two favourites from our last visit. The underlined attractions are our personal favourites.

After we had finished with Splash Mountain - wait till you see the photo - it was time for a spot of shopping for various family and friends, back to the Holiday Inn for dinner and we finished the day with a soak in the spa at the Holiday Inn. We finished packing our bags tonight, wrote the blog (obviously) and planned tomorrow. We are having a lie-in then checking out and heading to Universal Studios where we will do a number of things we ran out of time for yesterday. Then its off to LAX where we need to check-in by 8.00pm. We fly out just on midnight Friday LA time and head to Brisbane for a brief stopover then back on a flight to Christchurch arriving mid-afternoon Sunday NZ time. Then its a brief three hour drive back to Oamaru to see the kids and catch up on some hugs.

The next blog will cover off the last day and the flight home. I think we will both write that one.

Freaking Scary

The outside sets

Yep we made it here

With the stars of the Terminator Show

The War of the Worlds set

Water world show

Stars from waterworld - The actress on the left has appeared in Greys Anatomy

Going into King Kong

Hollywood

Love them coke lips

Abbey's tea house

Terminator 2 bike

Today has been a fantastic day - if not a little scary. By scary I mean the traffic and how long it took us to travel 30 miles this morning, Our average speed was 20 miles per hour in six lanes of traffic. Some point in the journey we decided to take the scenic route and get off the freeways. BAD IDEA. We got to see all parts of LA including, the homeless, Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, Downtown LA. All in all it took us two and a half hours to travel 35 miles to Universal Studios from our hotel in Anaheim. There were a few tense moments and some choice language as "Sandy" got lost too.

The stress was worth it though, because Universal Studios was awesome. We had a full and very fun day with lots of action. We did a behind the scenes studio tour, got to see movie and TV sets and where they film Desperate Housewives. We didn't get to see all the things available so will go back there on our last day in LA. The scary part comes in again when Richard suggested that we do the "House of Horrors". I didn't enjoy this experience and was scared witless. My heart rate and adrenaline levels were right up there after that experience. It seemed that every actor picked on me to scare. I took quite some time to calm down after that one. We had paid a little extra for a VIP pass and that was well worth the extra money as we had the privilege of meeting the actors after the shows and see how they make the special effects.

Alex you would have enjoyed the 3d terminator show - they blew things up and made you very wet and threw the seats around to make it all feel real. Abbey you would have loved the Shrek 4D movie. Amelia you would have loved the studio tour which featured King Kong.

We had some technical problems with the studio tour and the King Kong 3D experience so got to do it four times - it wasn't third time lucky but fourth today. Apparently they have never had a tour that has had to drive through four times to get the full experience.

On our next visit we will attempt some of the rides and explore the displays a little more.

The trip home was much less stressful and only took us an hour as the traffic was a little less.

Oamaru roads are going to seem very boring after driving on the freeways in LA.

Not long till we go home and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again, and to having some proper food - I am over hotel or restaurant cooked food.

Shamu by the Sea

the whales

Cute - my favourite the polar bears

Penguins

Flamingos

After two days in Disneyland and California Adventure Park, we ventured south today to sunny San Diego and Sea World. Its a 90 mile drive from Anaheim so we returned to the Interstate and the mega-traffic and Sandy's gentle automated promptings.

Sea World was not terribly busy, at least not compared to Disneyland on a Sunday. We checked out the beautiful and graceful Beluga Whales at Wild Arctic, spotted flamingos and Magellanic penguins, did a cool pirate 4-D show, saw "Blue Horizons" - performing dolphins, pilot whales and birds, got dive-bombed by a manic seagull at lunch, rode a river raft experience (fun, but California Adventure was better), took a skyline gondola ride with great views of the park and San Diego, and went up 265 feet in the skytower for even better views of San Diego - its a very pretty city. Highlight of the day for me was "Believe" a show featuring Shamu and three other Orcas. Absolutely stunning creatures. Floss got some good footage on the video camera but the digital camera was frustrating - by the time you clicked they were back under water!!

Floss braved the wheel for the ride home and did a great job. Today we are heading north to Hollywood and Universal Studios. Its about a 35 mile trip through the heart of LA, so the driving will be interesting, no doubt. There's only three days left before the flight home now - we are slightly sad to be approaching the end of our US adventure but also looking forward to seeing the kids and all our kiwi friends again.

WET, WET, WET

My old favourite in person

Mater from the cars movie

turtle from finding nemo

Richard very very wet

Woody from toy story

Cars are cool

Go Buzz

Bug glasses in the bug cave

Go "R"

Give me a "C"

Today's blog title is really about that being wet three times over today. Yep we have had a ball and another very full day. Last night as Richard said we saw the fireworks display at Disneyland and it was fabulous. Shame about the drizzle and getting soaked head to toe walking back to the shuttle. The wet theme carried on today - not with drizzle though but with adventure rides. I convinced Richard to try the Grizzly River ride. While standing waiting we noticed that people were very wet when exiting the ride so decided to purchase some Disney over coats. Well they didn't do much for preventing a thorough soaking. It was so much fun that we did the ride again. It was like rafting the Shotover river but wetter. Fun, Fun, Fun. We both enjoyed California Disney as it had a theme like a fairground on a Pier. We tried some of the arcade games, rode the Ferris wheel, the chair plane thingy (like those ones as kids), watched 3D shows - Bugs Life and the Muppets, we saw a musical called Aladdin, enjoyed the Midway mania - a 3D Toy Story arcade game on a moving carriage, and walked lots and lots. Neither of us were brave enough to attempt the California Screamin' roller coaster or the Tower of Terror. Call it old age, or lack of adventure but we didn't fancy vertigo and motion sickness. I barely coped with the Ferris wheel that rocked.

Tonight after a light supper in downtown Disney we stood for 1 and 1/2 hours and waited for the World of Colour water and light show. This is where the third wet bit comes in. After securing a good viewing spot near the front of the Pier there was an announcement that viewers at the front may get a little wet !!!! - By then it was too late to shift spots as there were people everywhere. We both got quite wet but the show was spectacular. It was images of Disney films projected through water using fountains, laser lights and loads of music and colours. It was incredible, and well worth the standing for all that time.

After the show we had to sprint to make it back to the shuttle - Flossy running in jandals is a bit of a sight to be seen. I have become even fitter with all this exercise every day, but by the time we got the the shuttle, I must have looked a mess as a kindly gentleman gave me his seat. Actually I wasn't puffing, but the water spray had made my hair a real mess (very curly Eric). We just made the shuttle.

Tomorrow we are going to have a quieter day as we have been on the go for two solid days of complete fun and adventure.

We think that we may venture down to San Diego and the Zoo and/or Sea World.

Kid's its not long now till we are home, but we are making the most of the time that we have left here in the USA.

Adios Amigos

Where dreams come true

Mr W.T. Pooh

Floss after Splash mountain - thoroughly soaked!

Floss behind the wheel of Mickey's auto in ToonTown

Miss Minnie Mouse and friends

One mouse; two Kiwis

Richard behind the wheel at Autopia

Floss lives a childhood dream in the Teacups - they were amazing fun.

If the title isn't a massive giveaway, let me cut to the chase. Today we went to Disneyland. And it was absolutely, blinkin' amazing. Everything I imagined it would be and more. And more. And more.

Higlights? Many of them. A stunning evening fireworks display over Sleeping Beauty castle. Brilliant animatronics displays. Whizzing around in the famous teacups. Screaming down the log ride at Splash Mountain (and Floss got soaking wet!!). A cool submarine Finding Nemo attraction. Winnie the Pooh. Meeting Miss M Mouse. And Mr M Mouse. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - thats a rollercoaster ride. A glimpse into the future of technology with Innoventions.

A list of highlights doesn't do justice to the tremendous attention to detail; the skill with which people are moved swiftly through the attractions; the cleanliness of the entire park; the vision and imagination of its creator... I do believe it is the happiest place on earth.

PS:You might remember we went to Columbia, MO and saw Mizzou beat the Colorado Buffalos and take their winning streak to 5-0. That's now 7-0 with wins at Texas A & M and at Columbia against Oklahoma. Mizzou have climbed to 6th in the College rankings from 24th a few weeks ago. Go Tigers!!!

Cowboys, Canyon, and Choppers

The Colorado River from the helicopter

"Not sure 'bout this" - it's not that big.

Wow!

Sunset in the Mojave Desert

Diamond Bar Ranch and Spirit Mountain

Nostalgia on Route 66

The Ranch

This is made out of M & M's in Vegas

Look at that holiday puku! Homer and his twin.

Cutesy

Hard spiky Joshua Trees that grow in the desert

Don't mess with me - Jerry "the Marshall" with his gun and all

Awwh romantic - champagne at sunset in the Canyon, riding Chip and Dorango

Dorango (left)







Well Gidday there from warm and balmy Los Angeles. As the title suggests we have had a fantastic two days and are now in Anaheim. Two days ago we left Las Vagas and "flew" to the Grand Canyon - by flying I mean that we exceeded the speed limit by 20 - 30 miles per hour. It seems that in the states a speed limit of 75 means 85-90 and if you drive slower than that then you get honked at. For our Kiwi followers 85 miles per hour is approximately 140-150km per hour. This equates to low flying in my terms. Who would think that a little red Toyota Corolla would go that fast. I LOVED driving that fast, there must be a speed demon hidden inside.

The drive to the Canyon was long and became challenging as we hit the unpaved roads and recently flooded roads. We were in need of a four wheel drive. We drove to a place called "Diamond Bar Ranch" on the West Rim of the Canyon. The Ranch was our destination for the night. The organisation was a little haphazard, but still an experience that we will never forget. As the pictures above show, we had the privilege of horseback riding in the Canyon sunset. It was very romantic and brought back my love of horseriding that I always had as a kid. Richard was funny and not quite so comfortable riding the horse. My horse "Chip" tripped on the way down the trail, and I nearly went flying over his head, but fortunately I had a good strong hold on the saddle and managed to hang on. We rode through the "Joshua Tree" forest. Joshua Trees are something not to mess with as they are hard, spiky and very strong. After Sunset we all sat around a table for some real Cowboy food - steak, refried beans, and baked potatoes. In our group there were travellers from all over the world and one other Kiwi. The only Kiwi that we have met on our travels (outside of the NZers at the ICMA Conference). After dinner we all shared a few ales around a campfire, watched the stars and sung some songs. All very romantic. Everybody retired for the evening relatively early, ours was to a pine cabin, but some braved the teepees. Apparently they are not very waterproof. The next morning - after a sleep-in and a bath in an old Iron bath - there were no showers here, we all shared a leisurely morning over breakfast, coffee, and laughs. The flight that was booked had been delayed as President Obama was flying out of Vegas and National Security had closed down all the air space. Not good for all the struggling businesses in Las Vegas and the Canyon. It was really great to have some down time as we had been on the go for two and half weeks and were getting quite tired. The helicopter flight was spectacular and really is the only way to see the Canyon. I do admit to saying a few choice words as we flew over the edge as it was a long way down, and I felt like I was falling out of the helicopter. The rocks in the Canyon were a range of colours from brilliant oranges and reds, to browns and ochres. it is a very old place. The oldest rocks in the Canyon are the oldest rocks on the planet and are 2Billion years old.

After our relaxing morning, we drove for what seemed hours to get us to Anaheim. We made a slight detour to "Route 66", just to say that we had been there. "Sandy" our navigator was not that great at finding rest stops along the way, and when driving through the Mojave Desert, there are not many safe places to stop. I didn't know that I could hold on for two hours!. My driving got faster and faster. Some of the places "Sandy" took us were less than desirable. Rest Stops at night, no matter how busting one is, do not appeal when there are "big buggers" standing outside the ladies rooms. SCARY. When we finally found a rest room, in a place called Barstow, there were detours in place, and "Sandy" got a little disorientated. Not to worry, if all else fails then read the signs and follow your nose.

Eventually we made it to Los Angles at 9.30pm. Richard did a fabulous job of driving us through the fog, rain, big,big trucks, eight lanes of traffic, (that is 16 in total), and got us to our destination just in time to see the Disneyland fireworks.

Viva Lost Wages

Flying seagulls - wind farm on much larger scale than in NZ

The fountain show at Bellagio

Midlife crisis - He's always wanted one of these

Excalibur Castle - very pretty at night

Lost wages - actually he's winning

This road went forever!


A view of the Mojave Desert and Joshua trees

Morro Bay and poor planning - a gorgeous spot with a power plant on the foreshore

Morro Bay and view from our balcony

Richard here again and I'd like to backtrack briefly on my visit to the Googleplex and our stay at Morro Bay, before describing our time in Las Vegas (sometimes referred to here as "Lost Wages"). The Googleplex is the HQ of Google, the search engine people. They have a really interesting workplace culture, intended to foster innovation and creativity. It feels like a cross between Disneyland and a Uniuversity campus. The staff are pretty young and the turnover is quite high - our tour guide Ben had been there four years and he was pretty much a google veteran. Click here for some more information about the Googleplex and Google culture.

Jumping ahead, Morro Bay was really pretty and our hosts, Molly and Jeff Anderson were absolutely amazing people. They are brother and sister, and run the Inn with their brother Roger, who we did not meet. Here are a few reviews from other people who have stayed, and we had an absolutely amazing experience and endorse every single word. Our great hospitality experience continued with breakfast at Frankie & Lola's on the seafront at Morro Bay. Then, under the careful eye of Sandy the Navman (NavWoman(?)) we travelled east from California's west coast inland through the Mojave desert then northeast to Las Vegas. we were warned it was a long and boring drive through the desert but we found it fascinating. We passed through irrigated areas that grew almonds, cashews, pistachios, dates and pineapples. We passed Edwards Air Force base which has a famous past in America's space programme, we saw Joshua trees, hundreds of trucks, speed limits "enforced by aircraft", and a speed limit of 75mph (that's 120 kmh but most of the traffic was driving at 140kmh with no apparent difficulty. The road was l-o-o-o-n-n-n-g-g-g and straight and a lot of it was three-lane freeway with a dedicated truck lane which really helped the traffic to flow.

Sandy guided us faultlessly to the door of the Excalibur Hotel, ably assisted by Floss who was my extra set of eyes for lane changes on six-lane freeways which are a l-i-t-t-l-e more challenging than Thames Highway, Oamaru on a Sunday morning. We checked in and hit The Strip. Anyone familiar with Vegas knows that they have the shortest building and planning codes anywhere in the Western world - just two words - "anything goes". It is outrageous, it is vibrant, it is unashamedly in your face and living it LARGE! Neither of us are big gamblers, but the people watching, the architecture, the attractions - Vegas is a must do - and we were out and about till around 2am. It is a city that never sleeps. Check out the pics for a flavour of this town. We were serenaded on a faux venetian gondola by Antonio, an ex-serviceman who did his military training in Missouri, sacrificed his knees to ice hockey and does a passable Dean Martin. We saw the fountains at the Balaggio, the volcano at the Mirage, posed for photos on Harleys, shopped at the Hard Rock cafe, met a living statue and played "spot the hooker" - which became easier as the evening wore on. There were some persistent men (and women) handing out publicity material for the sex industry while people walked along with their children. As I said, in Vegas, anything goes.