Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the city of bright lights and everything you can imagine. . . it really did live up to it's name, that I have to say. Arriving into McCarran Airport, only to be welcomed by hot and suffocating weather, but also pokie machines ready to game your dollars away! 

Staying off The Strip we were in the middle of the city life in Vegas, one of our first visits was to The Venetian to book our tickets for the blue man group. It really is quite surreal as you walk through the hotels and see some aesthetic features intertwined with rather beautiful buildings. Not to mention the casino's, which remind me an enchanted game land that is never ending, so vibrant and bright.

The Venetian

Garden at Bellagio 

So we were here to celebrate this guy's birthday, 17-18ish in London, now 20-21 in Vegas! We were fortunate to have our cousin Red join us in our detour around Vegas and SF. These guys are a tad younger then I, however we stem from the same generation alongside our many other cousins. 

Happy 21st Tyrone Fale!

Having travelled with Tyrone before, he is always the navigator, the researcher and the dictionary! Both guys have a sense of humour that is pretty contagious,  friendly, hard case souls who like to have a good time. Typically, they eat a lot, so imagine their reactions when they learnt about the numerous buffets they had in Vegas! 

It is amazing when your "little" brother and "cousin" suddenly grow up and you realise your getting errm "old" lol. However we got on pretty well together, I have to say we were a very cool bunch! 

I loath this bad pic! But it's got us looking all swish for dinner at the Wynn


The Wynn

The Wynn Buffett 

So I caved into heading to the Haunted Vegas tour, which was basically a low down on all the haunted hotels and other places in Vegas and the super stars whom were still hanging around. Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Liberache - just to name a few. There were eyes rolled and skeptical thoughts from a few, but it is probably something you would want to spend money on elsewhere. Mind you being able to hear about the history of Vegas with some of these world famous celebraties was interesting as per the places visited, had we not been on this tour. 

The Blue Man group would have to be the highlight, such a thrilling and  captivating entertainment that is completely out of this world! Sitting in the front row with ponchos, we were unknown as to what to expect, yet the anticipation was almost nervous many times throughout the show, especially with the paint! Besides being splattered by banana, it is indeed something out of the ordinary and worth seeing. 

The Blue Man Group & fans

Loved this show

The boys headed off to New York for a few days, while I was back to San Francisco to stay in Mountain View and spend my last days with Crescent Park Pre-School in Palo Alto! 

We will be back Las Vegas! 

San Francisco

So originally I had flown into SF from Auckland, staying in San Bruno for a night before flying to Seattle the following day. Now I was back for a few days to soak in some sight seeing and enjoy my time off in this spectacular city! 
I was meeting up with my brother Tyrone and cousin Redmynd (Sydney) who were both flying in from L.A to all unite at SFO. Rather exciting being able to see your family during time away in another country! Tyrone was celebrating his 21st birthday by travelling around the U.S, while we were able to squeeze in time altogether in SF and Las Vegas before they flew to New York. 


Where to begin? let alone what to do! We kind of had an idea of the sight seeing stuff we were wanting to do and one of them was cycling the golden gate bridge. . me? cycle? across a bridge as well! I was rather confident, more so then my capabilities - I vaguely remember the last time I was on a bike (long long LONG ago) let alone get across the golden gate on one!  
What made this experience more momentous was the fact that we did it on the year of Golden Gate's 75th Anniversary. 

We made it! 

So off we travelled from Fisherman's Wharf on our bicycles, it turned out to be more challenging then I had assumed and of course involved quite a bit of navigation and perseverance. Locals along the way informed us that it was a great day to be riding the bridge with the clouded sky, the weather worked in our favor as when we reached the end of the bridge the sun decided to shine. 

The scenery was pretty spectacular most of the way, I think there was far more to see on foot/bike, then in a car or bus. You couldn't help but stop every few meters just to take another photo in another angle! (landscape admirer remember) 


Visiting Alcatraz was some what out of this world with it's audio tour, which had some of the ex prisoners and wardens as the narrators. Being able to live and breath an insight of Alcatraz made you feel so much more apart of it all, especially hearing from those who were actually part of the Alcatraz history. 
It also makes you wonder what really did happen to those un-accountable prisoners that "escaped" Alcatraz in 1962. 

Mint shot! 

Arriving at Alcatraz 

Tourist Shot 

Excited tour guide meeting NZ'ers

It was actually rather interesting meeting a lot of Americans and their assumptions on where they thought we were from sometimes. Hawaii was quite the classic line, the brown skin, brown eyes and sparkling smile that seemed to have sold the look to be Hawaiian in the U.S. Mind you it was quite the geographical test asking them if they knew where NZ was on the global map. It always proved to be quite a chuckle, as our accent and "brown" looks attracted quite a few interested folks especially with these 2 tourists. 

Union Square 

Staying near Union Square saw a lot of visits to the popular shopping spots, Macy's, H&M, DSW Shoes - just to name a few! Oh the joy of travelling is indeed the shopping for me at times. I have to say SF was probably one of my favorite places, or have I said that about every city? 





Las Vegas here we come!  

Exploring Vancouver

Heading to Vancouver from Seattle was looking to be a bit of a challenge, first of all the train I was suppose to be catching had apparently sold out. I had not looked at any other form of transportation besides the train as I was pretty adement that it was going to be my only transportation to Vancouver. I didn't really have a plan b in place and I cringed at the thought of a bus, I know I know -  sounds a bit melodramatic, but I'm a bit of a landscape admirer and to miss all that whilst on a bus would not have been cool! 
However after talking with some very lovely Seattle friends, the next best thing was the ferry line, I was sold before I had even learnt of the adventure ahead. 


Bearing the cold early Sunday morning, off I headed to the ferry terminal. I wasn't actually going direct to Vancouver, but via the capital of British Columbia, Victoria Island! How exciting it was turning out to be, I was glad in a way the train's were sold out otherwise I would have not been able to see this stunning, yet subtle little island on my way to Vancouver - not to mention the views. It was still unknown how I was going to get there via Victoria Island though. . . 

Walking to the bus station, blue skies swarmed the city with a pinch of sunshine that beamed brightly reflecting the island's warm atmosphere. Setting sail onto another ferry whilst on the bus, I was spoilt with more scenic views of pulchritude. The shades of icy colored blue sea and surrounding trees on the non living habitant islands were very photographic. 
Victoria Island was a fleeting visit, yet I'm glad I got a short insight into this small town. I have to say although the ferry ride from one country to another was rather pricey, it was well worth every penny! 

BC Ferry 

Vancouver is known for their love of extreme sports and this was obvious with the amount of people at Stanley Park on a sunday afternoon. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship was departing for Alaska at that exact time, if my eyes could pop out, they probably would looking at the size of that thing! 

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship 

The remains of trees that were blown down from the huge storm in 2006 were still visible as you drove around Stanley Park. More trees have grown over the years filling up the damage left behind by one of the worse storms in Vancouver's history. 

The Hollow Tree is a landmark and
artifact of significant local and national cultural value 

The many cargo ships from around the world anchor far out at sea until their is space for them to move in. The times I went passed, it seemed that they hadn't even moved from the previous day. Apparently they can be at sea for days at a time pending on when a terminal space becomes available. They looked liked statues and the only movement was the sea around them. 

A typical late aftenoon
Cargo ships at sea 

The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) originated in the basement of the main UBC library in 1949, today the museum is given full compliment in their location which overlooks mountains and the sea. The architectual design of this building speaks for itself and signifies such a prominent piece of structure. 

Such Serenity
Just needed a picnic mat and book, afternoon complete.

Garden of MOA

MOA is home to an outstanding collection of archaeological objects, totem poles and acknowledgement of descendants history. The cultures enriching stories speak words of value with a sense of belonging in knowing that their enriching history have a place in this country. 

The other highlight of my time in Vancouver would probably have to be the Suspension Bridge with Laurie and Joanne. Noted as one of the most longest suspensions bridges in the world since 1899. Over the years additional experiences have been added like the treetops adventure and the cliff walk. If you are not a heights person, or someone who gets motion sickness then you may want to boycott the suspension bridge, unless you want a thrilling challenge. . . it really isn't *that* bad though! 

Historical totem poles & a timeline of Capilano himself.

Whoa, here goes!
Note: No jumping or running as you go along the bridge. 

Capilano River 

Treetops walk way
(nothing on the suspension bridge!) 

Great to be amongst the tree tops and feel part
of the forest in an adventurous way! 

I saw more then expected within the time frame I had for Vancouver

squeezing in a diner lunch, china town and gas town walk to see a couple get married near the steam clock. Huge thanks to Katannya for being a fantastic host and tour guide. 

Next Pit Stop - A few days off in San Francisco & Las Vegas 

Each destination is not complete without that mexican meal
& margarita!