HOLLYWOOD...................

We arrived in LA Anna was still with us, we got dropped in downtown not a very nice part of LA then  got a cab to our hotel in Hollywood. We found a supermarket right across the street so go some dinner there.

The next day we did the Hollywood strip  and looked at all the stars and the Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theatre then had lunch at hooters and wandered by to the motel to lay by the pool in the sun for the afternoon.

The next day we got a bus to Santa Monica we wandered round the pier then had lunch at Bubba Gump and then lay on the beach where we met up with Katie, then bussed back then Anna had to leave to get her plane back to nz. Rachs friend Kate from camp arrived that night to stay with us for a few days.

Next day we went to Disneyland we got the bus there so we had to get up super early to get there on time we got the metro first then the bus it took about an hour an half, but we got to Disneyland in plenty of time and got our tickets we were right at the front of the line for when the actual gates opened at ten am. We met up with Simons friend Rory from camp he hung out with us during the day .We didn’t have to wait in any ques all day the longest was probably 5mins which was excellent. The bus journey home on the other hand not so fun, we caught an early bus than we had planned but this is great the bus was waiting as we walked out the gate well so we thought it was great we were heading down the freeway then all of a sudden the bus just stops then he couldn’t get it going then we finally got going, but we continued to cut out every time we stopped at the lights, he finally flagged down another bus after a long long wait and we transferred buses. We then got the metro back to Hollywood and got home about 10.45pm when we had left at like 6.15am yikes long day.

Next day we went to universal getting there was so simple compared to Disney, we just caught a metro one stop then we got a free shuttle from the metro up the hill to universal studios, again right as it opened at 10am no ques yet again we did the studio tour first which was really cool there was a 360 degree 3d king Kong movie which was awesome and we got to see the set of wisteria land aka desperate housewives. Jurassic park ride was next and we had heard you got wet but we got soaked literally felt like they got a bucket of water and threw it at our faces but it was sooo fun and it kept us cool for a while in the hot sun!!! we did the mummy ride,  Again no ques for the rides apart from the Simpsons ride which took about 30mins but nothing too big. We then had lunch and did the animals on film show, then water world show which was really really good, then the special effects show and then we decided to finish on the haunted house not the best idea was freaky as, but it was fun. Then we headed home via Hollywood blvd were we walked past jimmy kimmel live and people were lining up we knew that you could get free tickets to and we were planning to the next day but the girl stopped us and asked if we wanted to go and then she told us who was going to be on the show and Rachel and I freaked out KHLOE KARDASHIAN so there was no way we could say no, Simon had to run back to the hotel to met mike so he couldn’t go. It was so cool we got out about 8ish and headed back to the hotel, to watch the rugby world cup opening ceremony and the first game we all watched the first twenty mins or so then fall asleep as it was about 1.30 in the morning.

The next day we were all very slow and tired but we decided to do a star tour, which was awesome they took us up the Hollywood hills to look out over at the Hollywood sign, then we went down  Sunset blvd to the sunset strip were there were lots of famous clubs and things, then into Beverly Hills and Bel Air and then down rodeo drive and back to Hollywood along Melrose ave (place). We then grabbed some dinner and Kate left to go back to nz. Rach and Si went to a gig that Davis was working at I was going to go with but I feel asleep.

The next day we got up had lunch then we walked from our hotel all the way to rodeo drive did a spot of shopping (not) and had photos in front of the Beverly hills sign and then got a taxi back to the sunset strip were we had a few drinks, then back to the hotel Rachel and I feel asleep but the boys went out on the town as it was their last night together.

We slept in very very late I think all the travelling finally caught up with us as we were exhausted!!! Went down to Hollywood stars for a bit did a few jobs then back to lay by the pool, got some dinner then mike got picked up, last night with Rach and Si and we watched forest Gump and chilled out.

The next morning Rach and Si left about 7.30am to get their shuttle to the airport to fly to Canada! I mosied around the hotel for a bit then got to the train station to get a train to San Diego to met with Katie from camp!!!!

Las Vegas............

We picked up our car from San Fran airport and headed off on our road trip, first stop was Santa Cruz, brief stop and lunch then back down the 101 to Santa Barbara, the town of Santa Barbara is very cute, we parked up and walked down the pier, then we headed about 10mins down the road to Carpintera where we stayed the night, in the morning we got up and went for a run to the beach to check it out, then back to the motel to get on with the road trip.

We drove from carpintera down the 101 through Los Angeles into Las Vegas where it was insane hot. Got to Vegas about 3/4pmish checked into hotel. We went for a swim in our pool looking up at the Eiffel tower, best hotel of the trip for sure! Phil and Tanya then dropped Anna off at 7pm as she was joining us on this part of our trip. We then went to the naked and famous (NZ band) at the cosmopolitan then met up with Lucy, Char, Jess, Abbie and Katie (camp friends), went to Bellagio water show and to another bar then headed home.

 Next day we wondered the strip, Planet Hollywood, New York New York, MGM went into all the casinos checked them all out, was insanely hot though. We went to Caesars palace for a swim. We went out that night to Treasure island show and checked out the venetian met up with the girls from camp again then met with Rach and Si friends and went to the rock bar then home.

 Next day we pool hopped, started at the Paris, then to planet Hollywood, then the flamingo. Back to the hotel to get ready to go to the lion king, we walked all the way to the Mandalay bay took like an hour and it was so hot, but the show was amazing amazing, we were able to check out the Luxor while we were down there as well.

 Next morning we got up super super early to check out of the Paris and get our bus tour to the grand canyon, we stopped off at Hoover dam first which is huge!!! Then out to the Grand Canyon, the photos don’t show how insanely giant and amazing it really is. We walked around the south rim for an hour or two then back on the bus for a long drive back to Vegas, we then checked into our next hotel summer bay resort, which was like a time share kind of thing, we had a full kitchen and laundry room within our room which was great.

Saturday we got the bus to the outlet mall and then back to the pool at the hotel, we got some food from target and had a little Vegas family dinner in our room. Left the next morning at about 11am to get the bus to la before we left, I hadn’t gambled the hole time we were in Vegas and we had some time to kill before the bus so I went into Bally’s and found a 25c machine so I put my $1 in and tried my luck first two nothing on the third try Rach got really excited and I thought yay I must have won, then we see it had gone up to $40, I immediately got my cash, then went and bragged to Anna and Si haha, then it was on the bus to Los Angeles!

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear a flower in your hair!

What a long day of travel to San Fran, a very frantic get ready to get a taxi to the airport in New York luckily we had packed the night before! But we made it there on time, we were all exhausted and I forgot about my water bottle going thru security so I had to line up again and the line was massive I don’t know why the stupid security guard didn’t just let me throw the water out then go thru the scanners again grrr very frustrating! We then got on our plane to Chicago, weirdest plane seating ever it was numbered and you go on board via your numbered order but then you can sit we’re ever you want luckily we got three seats together at the back of the plane. In Chicago we got a connecting flight to San Fran little did we know we were going via Denver, Colorado and had a stop there but we didn’t have to get off the plane which was good! We then arrived in San Fran and got a taxi to our hostel. The hostel was awesome very safe and secure and we got a free dinner that night which was awesome, we had a private room with a double bed then a single bunk above!

First day in San Fran, we walked from our hostel down to Pier 33 to pick up our tickets for Alcatraz, it was freezing compared to New York thank goodness we brought jumpers and jackets with us, when then wandered down to pier 39 and thru the shops and saw the seals! Then onto Alcatraz for our 9.30am tour, we did the audio tour when we got onto the island it was really really well done very interesting, if your gona go to Alcatraz you have to do the audio tour!

When we got back from the ferry we walked along the waterfront to a market at the Embarcardo ferry building and got some fruit and Rach and I found a mince pie which we were very excited about!! When then walked up Market Street and had a look in the Westfield mall which was huge and the onto Union Square which is just a small park seating area in the middle of town! We then walked down to the waterfront again to the Baseball stadium and we brought some tickets for that night went and had a few drinks then headed back to the stadium which was amazing were we were sitting it looked right out over the water! One problem was it got very very cold sitting up that high so we were all freezing during the entire game but it was fun to go and see a game in the USA! And the San Fran Giants are the reigning champs!!!

Our 2^nd day in San Fran we picked up bikes from around the corner and cycled down to Fishermans wharf and up to the bridge which we couldn’t even see! It was freezing as well very foggy but we toughed it out and biked all the way to Sausalito which was so pretty blue sky and sunshine! We had fish and chips and the yummiest ice cream down by the water, we then biked all the way back across the beach to our hostel. We had another free dinner and then we had an arranged pub crawl with the hostel which was fun just walked to a few bars around the area met some nice people.

The 3^rd day in the foggy city, we had our bikes for 24hrs so we made use of them again and biked thru Chinatown up all the way up market st to the golden gate park we were nearly there then Rachs bike got a flat tyre so we had to push our bikes to find a shop to fix it. We headed into the park we wanted to go into the Japanese Tea gardens but they cost $7 to get in yikes so we just popped our head in the door! We then biked back via the painted ladies (postcard row) then back to the bike shop we thought we would be smart and get a more direct route back but we ended up having to walk up a really steep hill then down a really steep hill to get back but we made it! After we dropped our bikes back we walked to Lombard street which was really really cool. We then went back to the hostel and got ready and headed to Fishermans wharf for a real San Fran seafood dinner!

4^th day we walked up to the coit tower then down to Fishermans wharf along the shops got my san fran shot glass then walked down to Ghirardelli square and got hot fudge sundaes from Ghirardelli which were delicious. We then we lined up for the cable car and got them from Powell st into town by union square, we then walked into Chinatown thru the Chinatown gates and walked around then we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner which was really good then back to the hostel to pack our bags and watch a movie.

5^th day we got up early and checked out of the hostel and walked down to market st to get the train to the airport we then picked up our car and headed off for our road trip.

Later San Fran hello Las Vegas!!!!!!

Last few days in NYC

When we got back from DC I met up with friends from camp and headed out to Brooklyn where they were staying we all had a few drinks together then to bed. The next day we slept in and chilled out then got a subway out to the last stop at Coney Island, it’s a beach with a board walk and there are a hole load of shops and rides its like a carnival town! Kind of creepy all the rides looked super dodgy didn’t go on any of them, but they had like lots of food stalls and people selling things all down the boardwalk and there was a hand ball competition going on which looked very intense! We didn’t swim in the sea it was really hot but the water didn’t look that inviting!

The next day Anna and I got the subway into Time Square and just wondered around the shops in time square. And checked into the lovely hotel carter that night, we only had one power plug that we could use with our adaptor and our shower didn’t drain so when we showered we also got a bath at the same time which was super super gross!!!! That night we went out and met some of Simon’s friends from camp at a bar in SOHO.

The next day was Davis last day in New York he had to leave for the airport in the morning so we said goodbye to him then we went and brought our I heart NY t-shirts and Rach and I decided to be ultimate tourist and wear them along with matching shorts so our hole outfit was matching! We had been hassling everyone all week who had been wearing the t-shirts in NY but we thought it would be funny and it kind of was. We then walked down to Chelsea area and went on the high line which was an old railway line about 3 storeys above ground they used it for transporting produce and things in the city. But then they turned it in a boardwalk like walk and it looked out over the city it was very cool, very peaceful and relaxing. We then went to the Chelsea markets just like a row of little shops in building! When then got the subway up to upper Manhattan and went to Dylan’s Candy bar which was a huge huge shop full of candy yummy yummy! Then we went to Central Park and lay in the grass and had a nap for an hour or two! We then walked back to our hotel and had an early night sleep!

Last day in New York City we rolled around Time Square for a bit and went into M and M world and I got my New York shot glass. We then walked up 5^th avenue did a spot of shopping!!! Then continued on to MOMA the museum of modern art which was really cool we spent a few hours in there and had a free audio tour of some of the artwork which was good! We then headed back to the hotel and got ready to go out, a lot of people from Rach and Si camps were in New York and going out so we met up with them and went to the Mean Fiddler which was a really really good night out!

The next morning we got up and got a taxi to the airport for a long day of flying to the West Coast thank goodness we got out of the East Coast before this nasty hurricane hit!

xxxxxx

The White House

The White House…

Thursday the 18^th of August, we woke up early got organised and checked out of our hotel we walked to port authority and got on the Peter Pan bus at 8am to Washington D.C, very tightly crammed bus but there was free wifi so I wasn’t complaining, we got to D.C about 12.30pm we then went on a mission to get to our hotel, we walked down the street two blocks with all our luggage to the train station we stood staring at the map for about 10mins until we asked for help, only  cost $1.85 and one transfer and we made it to Foggy Bottom, two blocks away was our hotel the River Inn which was amazing! Kitchen, so much space, best shower ever! We were so hot and tired by the time we got to the hotel from lugging our luggage around we had to rest for a bit.

Then it was time to get walking yet again, we headed down to the waterfront and walked along the river to the Lincoln Memorial, what a huge building just for a statue but it was amazing, from the Lincoln memorial you look out over the reflecting pools, except they were all dug up which was kind of disappointing but it was still a good view. We then walked along to the World War 2 memorial and then up to the Washington Monument.

Every chance we got we took a rest it was so so hot and we had done a lot of walking, we couldn’t wait to get into an air conned museum, first stop was the Natural History Museum which was really cool, they even had the bones of a New Zealand Moa!

I really wanted to go into the Smithsonian Castle because I thought there was something exciting in there but turns out it’s a really cool building but it’s just and Info centre. We then went to the Air and Space museum which was fun. But we missed the National Museum of Art it was closed when we got there. After all the Museums we headed to the White House, at this point it started to rain and thunder and lightning, but we toughed it out and we waved to Barack and Michelle and had our photo, we then walked back down to our hotel, found a supermarket and got some food for dinner, the boys made us Nachos, we had a couple of drinks at the hotel then we wandered down the road to Georgetown which kind of reminds me of Parnell or Ponsonby.

Friday, Rach and I woke up and headed back down to Georgetown to go to Georgetown Cupcakes, they have a TV show on the food channel called DC cupcakes so we had to try them I got a lava fudge cupcake it was delish, we then headed back to the hotel to pack up and got back on the train to the bus station and here we are free wifi on the bus best invention ever! Back to NYC talk soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Empire State...

Finally made it to NYC…..

After a long flight (sitting on a stand still plane) I made it to New York, I got a cab and met Rach at the hotel in the lobby was so funny to finally see her again. Then we headed down to time square which was just round the corner we walked past hotel carter and I said oh heaps of people from camp are staying there and next thing you know I see three people from camp Natalie, Katie and Tom it was so bizarre then from the hotel comes Carl, Abbie and Jess was really cool to see them again and how crazy to bump into them in the big apple. We then walked thru time square to T.G.I.F were we met Simon, Leonie and Mike so cool to spend time with New Zealanders they said the word jandels and I expected someone to say no flip flops haha. We then went to a little bar and then back to the hotel about 2am ish.

Day One in the Empire State

We woke up about ten am and headed across the road from breakfast, we then caught the subway from time square down to Spring Street in Soho and walked around Soho, we nearly missed the Kardashian's store it had the smallest signs but we went inside and had a look around, we had to get let in by security and then they had another security guard inside, for a tiny shop it seems a bit extreme but I guess they are who they are and everyone knows them. We then continued to walk through Little Italy basically just a few streets with a lots of Italian restaurants and shops saw a lot of handbags, then we walked through Chinatown not that exciting just a street full of Chinese shops, from there we walked to the Brooklyn bridge which was super busy but it was so cool, we walked all the way to Brooklyn and went to a little pizza place which had a huge queue out the front but Rach and Si had already been so they knew to ring and order, we then got our pizza and headed down the street to Brooklyn Bridge park, we sat in the park overlooking the bridge and the city eating our pizza.

After lunch we then walked back across the bridge and down to the 9/11 Memorial Site where they have a lots of info and artefacts and the plans for what is being built there, it was really sad. We then walked past were ground zero was, it just looks like a giant building site. From there we walked around the waterfront to the ferry terminals and caught the free Staten Island ferry, we went right past the statue of Liberty then on the way back the sun was setting over the harbour it looked gorgeous. By this time we were all exhausted from all the walking we had done so it was nice to sit down.

When we got back to Manhattan we caught the subway up to Grand Central station and it was most defenelty Grand, didn’t realise it was as amazing as it was, for a train station it was beautiful. From there we walked up to the Empire State Building, the queue was seriously long to go up to the observatory deck but we toughed it out and made it up and we were so glad we did it was dark by this time and the city lights were amazing a 360 degree view of the city a definite must if you come to New York. From there we caught a taxi back to the hotel and chilled for a bit, then we headed down to McDs to use the internet, were I bumped into Natalie, Katie and Tom again such a big city yet I bumped into them twice. Then it was time for bed after our long day of walking.

Day Two in the big Apple..

We woke up similar time, got organised and then started walking this time we headed from the hotel up toward central park, we detoured thru Rockefeller centre which was so cool, in winter they had a ice skating rink in the middle, it is a bar in the summer, apparently they have the xmas lights there as well, we walked around then headed down 5^th Avenue, for those who love to shop this is the place to go all the big names, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Harry Winston, Trump Tower, we didn’t go into any shops but it was amazing just to walk down the street and see them all, we then found FAO Schwartz with the giant piano, so of course we had to have a play on it, they had some amazing toys in that shop, a Barbie foosball table if you’re willing for $25,000.

From there we headed across the road to the Plaza hotel Rach and I walked into the lobby it was very fancy if only we could afford to eat there. We then wondered over to Central Park, so amazing a huge big park in the middle of a giant city, there were lots of people there eating their lunch and sunbathing running thru the park, it was nice to walk thru the trees and the fresh air. We walked up about ¾ of the way then grabbed some lunch then headed back down the other side we stopped outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a photo then back into the park to find the boathouse and the mall (frequent movie appearances you’ll see from the photos) we then walked back to the hotel from central park, Rach, Si and Leonie headed down to lower Manhattan to have dinner with a friend and I caught up with my friends from camp for dinner, we went to planet Hollywood then to an Irish Pub.

Off to DC now will update asap, ps on the Bus to DC using the internet weird free WiFi loving it!!! xxx

Florida

Longest road trip of my life, went to this weird little area called South of the Border which was south of the border for South Carolina was so colourful and had some weird crazy shops and big Mexican statues (photos will explain). Then we got to Rachel’s apartment in Gainesville about 9.30pm and chilled out watch a movie then went to bed, the next day we went tubing down a spring which was so cool, we hired but inner tubes and literally floated down he river it was so relaxing and the water was delish as it was so hot, it took about an hour and a half but was so nice to do the water was really clear and there were lots of turtles along the way so a wicked day. We then headed to Rachs Uni the University of Florida and walked around and checked out the Swamp which is the football stadium it was huge, and was seriously hot this day. We also checked out the basketball stadium and pool complex very very flash. We then drove to Tampa to Rach’s dads place and we got some food and then went for a swim in the pool, the next day we all slept in late which was awesome so nice not to be told when we needed to wake up. So Friday we just chilled out by the pool all day was so relaxing and so hot thank god they have air con in the houses! Friday night we had drinks and played drinking games finally got to play beer pong which I had never played before and my team won! 

Saturday we had another nice lie in then we just chilled out as the weather wasn’t the greatest in the evening we went to a mall right in Tampa which was massive and really really flash and we then had dinner at a restaurant called the Cheesecake factory had a nice bit of steak which was really good! Sunday we went out for breakfast more like brunch then we headed to the beach, the weather said the temperature felt like 103 deg f which is so hot, the sea water temp said it was 31 deg Celsius and it felt like it not like the sea at home where it is usually cold to get into this was like stepping into a bath it was really nice though. We then went home and got showered and went to another beach to watch the sunset and had dinner at a restaurant on the beach was really nice, then just chilled out back at the house. I packed my suitcase ready to go in the morning!

Monday woke up got organised then got dropped at the airport got my flight from Tampa to DC fine then got to DC and got my connecting flight got on board taxied out onto the tarmac and sat on the plane for two hours then we went back to the gate and they told us our flight was cancelled so we had to get off the plane wait in a huge queue and re book our flight so I did all this re booked for the 6pm flight got on the plane and here we are sitting on the tarmac and have been for the past hour I was meant to arrive in NYC at 4.20pm today yet I am still in DC on a plane arghhhhh seriously frustrated. Apparently there are storms in NYC and I heard someone saying the subway was flooded so that is obviously why we haven’t arrived yet but hopefully we will get there tonight fingers crossed.

To be continued …………………………………………………..