30th April 2009 London Day 2

Today we did Madam Tussauds and the London Dungeon which where a bit of fun - the dungeon was a little scary but they have a couple of rides in there so that is good. The weather was not as good as yesterday but no rain and not too cold so able to get around ok. We went to Picadilly circus after the Dungeon and the kids went to Ripleys Believe it or not and Tim and I went up Regent Street shopping and then stopped at a pub for a couple of drinks. It was then off to Victoria station where we had dinner and then we went and saw "Wicked" the musical which was an awesome show. We have had a great time in London and covered quite a bit of ground and seen most of the sites. It has been over 20 years since I have been here and it has brought back some memories seeing the names of places. Off to Hitchin tomorrow to see my relies and surprise my Nan - cant wait!

29th April 2009 Tour of London

Had a great day today - woke up and looked out of the window and there it was - blue skies and not a cloud in them - how cool is that in London! So up and at them we went and got some breakfast and then off we set to get the big red double decker hop on hop off bus. It took us right round London and we got to see all the sites. Got off at Buckingham palace which is just beautiful and then we walked through Green Park to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. From there we walked to catch the tube to Westminster Pier were we got on a cruise that went down the Thames to Tower Pier. Great to see it all from the water. We then decided to go on the London Eye which was fantastic - great view of all of London and with the weather so clear you could see for miles. It was then home to Great Portland Station where we met up with Shaun - so cool to see him again. Went and had a drink at a local pub and then off to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. Just like old times and doesnt feel like 12years since we have seen each other. Then back to the hostel and time to do the washing - yippee!! Somethings you cant get out of.

28th April 2009 Paris to London

Left Paris this morning early and we really had a great time there - what a beautiful place! Then caught a flight to London (which was delayed an hour due to fog) which was only an hour long - the kind of flight we like. Caught the train from Heathrow and then the tube to our hotel which was an effort and a half dragging our heavy suitcases up the stairs - no lifts or escalators - what the! We went to get on the tube to the YHA and Emily got on and Tim put 3 of the suitcases on and the doors started closing and we were still on the platform - Oh no!!! So some guy on the tube and Tim pried the doors open thank god as that would have really topped the day off. Any way made it the YHA which is really great and alive with people young and old. Dropped our stuff off and then headed back out on the tube to discover a bit of London. There was a little bit of light rain but then it fined up with blue skies - but freeeeeeezing!! We went to Picadilly Circus and then walked to Leister Square and bought our tickets for Wicked which we are seeing on the Thursday and then walked to Covent Garden via Trafalgar Square. Shaun rang and we are catching up tomorrow night which will really good - cant wait. Home to bed as we are all so tired and we stayed up late in Paris as it doesnt get dark until 10pm.

27th April 2009 Paris Day 3

Today our last day in Paris we headed off to see the Arc De Triumphe and Champs Elycee and the weather held out for us and we actually had some sunshine! We caught the Metro there - great transport and very clean and so often - and when we got to the Arc De Triumphe we decided to go to the top - 284 steps - the calves were screaming by the end of the climb but the view was worth it. Even though Paris is very expensive, we have found the tickets for things very reasonable and most of the time children are free. After climbing back down the 284 steps we went for a walk down the Champs Elycee and ventured into some of the shops. Alot of car showrooms and this why Tim is in the Formula 1 simulator ride as this was in the Toyota showroom. From here we thought on the way home we would have a look at Notre Dame and every one was a bit tired and not real keen but when we got in there everyone was amazed at how beautiful it is. Went back to the hotel from there only 2 stops away in Bastille and Tim and I went out for dinner down the road and the kids stayed home and we bought them back dinner. We are being picked up at 8am tomorrow morning to go to the airport for our flight to London. Weather is looking good for us so cross fingers!

26th April 2009 Paris Day 2 - the Morning

Well before we went up the Eiffel Tower we went to the Louve which was massive. Last time I was in Paris with Contiki we couldnt go to the Louve as it was closed so this is the first time I have seen it. We went in and of course our first point of call was the Mona Lisa which I have attached a photo but it is a bit blury but it is behind glass so I think this doesnt help when taking photos. We wandered around and looked at the statues and some of the paintings but didnt see all of it - you would have to be there all day! The architecture of the building itself is mind blowing and the ceilings are absolutely beautiful - that is what I love about Paris and alot of the European places is that everywhere you look there is this beautiful old buildings and statues everywhere. We were talking about other places we would like to go and Tim said Rio De Janeiro and Emily said that Rio DeGeneres was in the book twighlight - well we cracked up and asked if this was the distant cousin to Ellen DeGeneres!!!! Then we went to get a drink and Matthew got a coke and Emily said can I have a Zup - I said a what - and I looked up and the cans and I said do you mean 7up - so funny!!

26th April 2009 Paris Day 2

Today we decided to go up the Eiffel Tower - what a buzz! It was about 2.30 in the day and the queue to get the tickets was not very long and it only took us about 30 mins to get through and then off we went to the first level stop. We got out there and what a sight it was from every angle - I had forgotton what a great view it was and how pretty a city Paris is as we went up the Rockafella tower in New York and although this was a good view the city was not as pretty as Paris. We then got back into the elevators and headed to the top for the best view for as far as you can see. Even in the lift going up the view is fantastic. Got to the top and it did not disappoint. It was good to get our bearings and to see where everything is in the city. The photo I have attached with the green sign and 3 people says "beware of the pickpockets" - we have seen some classic signs on our travels. After coming down the main part of the Eiffel the kids and I decided to take the stairs part of the way and that took it out of us. When we got down to the bottom we got the photo with the Army people and their real machine guns and then off to dinner at Torcedo at a nice cafe and to see the Eiffel Tower light up as it finally got dark about 9.30 and every half hour the tower twinkles with large fairy lights. Tried to get it in the picture but it does not do it justice.

25th April 2009 Paris

Finally arrive in Paris after a very long sleepless flight with some french women pushing her knees in me the whole way which was very annoying but got my own back by pushing my seat right back. Got in about 12pm Paris time which was really only 6am New York time so body clock really out of whack and havent had any sleep. Got to the hotel about 2pm after customs and luggage pick up and what a nice place. They upgraded us to 2 studio rooms so this will be the first hotel we wont have all shared a room - I think about time!!! After we got settled we went for a walk around our area and then down to the seine for a look. It was drizzling but not too bad - need to invest in a brolli as think it is going to rain in the next few days but need to trooper on and see the sights. Soooooooooooo expensive here - had to do some laundry 13 euros to wash and dry - that is $26 and I need 2 washing machines so that was a total of $52 to do the washing. US $1.25 in America. We will probably stay in tonight as we are all really exhausted but will hit the pavement/metro early tomorrow to make the most of the day. Well that was what I thought but we all got a second wind and it wasnt raining so we went and got our Metro ticket and off we went to see the Eiffel Tour. Just before the last stop you come out of the underground to a bridge where you are greeted by the site of the Eiffel Tour and at night it is just awesome. Matthew was looking out the window and his eyes lit up "look at that!!!!" - it was cool. Got the camera out and realised that I had left memory card in computer after updating blog so got some photos but they are on the camera's inbuilt memory so will have to go back tonight to get another look so I can upload it. Got home about midnight - overtired by now but it was worth it.

24th April 2009 Last Day in New York

This was our last day in New York and off we went back into Times Square and then we went to the Rockafella Centre where we went to the top of the building where the viewing deck was on 69th floor to have a look at the whole of New York. As you went up in the elevator all lights started flashing and you could see yourselves going up. The view was awesome and we were told to go up the Rockafella Centre instead of the Empire State as the New Yorkers reckon it was a better view. After that we went down to South Ferry and had some lunch at the South Seaport area which was really nice - a bit of last minute shopping and then headed back to the hotel from hell to await our pick up. We left it a bit late to get back to the hotel and had a fight with the ticket machines and by the time we got back the shuttle bus had been and gone but lucky it said that it would go pick another person up then come back. We were not sad to say goodbye to the Days hotel as it was a run down piece of rubbish - quite a good location but really run down. The only one so far that has not been very nice. We enjoyed New York but dont know that we would rush back - too many people and really dirty, lots of homeless - gonna get that with 8.5million people. It was the ride from hell to the airport - very scary driver are the New Yorkers - surprised we did not collect a few cars on the way. Then up up and away to Paris - flight at 10pm and to arrive at 11.30 in Paris.

23rd April 2009 New York Adventure

Well a busy day today after a bit of a sleep in which we all needed and we caught the subway in again to Times Square which is where we caught the double decker bus from. Of course we had to sit up top and it was minus but the view was awesome so we just had to grin and bear it. The picture which all the cabs was the first one taken - look at them all - taxi anyone!!! Not like our Perth anyway we then went on our Downtown hop on hop off loop which went past the Empire State Building and the World Trade Centre which we got off at. You cant really get the whole picture from the photo attached as it is all fenced off but it is massive the area and we went into The Tribute Memorial which showed pictures and videos and a wall with all the names of the 2700 people that lost their lives - it was really emotional. It was about 4pm and we got back on the bus and returned to Times Square where we got some tickets to a broadway show - Mary Poppins - not the top of my list but you got think of the kids. Prior to the show we went to Planet Holleywood for dinner which was yummy and checked out all the famous memorabilia and Emily was so excited to see clothes worn by people out of Titanic and Twilight and then off we went to the show. We got in there and had mezzanine seats which were brilliant and after about an hour and half the curtain went down - everyone clapped and off we went to get subway home but on the way out the lady asked us "will you be returning tonight" - strange question - we replied "no" - she then informed us that it was only a break - you can see we are seasoned theatre goers!!! Well back in we went laughing our heads off and sat for the second half of the show which was just as good and got out about 11pm.

22nd April 2009 The Big Apple

We got up early on the 21st and got a taxi to the airport in Las Vegas (10mins from Hotel) and got on our American Airlines flight and decided not to eat at the airport as would get fed on plane - you would think - wrong!!! They must be like Virgin back home as only drinks provided and you could buy snacks. We were so tired so didnt really matter. Got to New York JFK - 18 Terminal airport - MASSIVE!! and we had our transfer from there and they picked up people from different terminals and we were like sardines - great way to meet fellow travelers - NOT!! Finally got to our hotel and well lets say not the Hilton - say no more - only 3 nights here so suck it up. Just went and grabbed a meal which was great - round the corner and so yummy and then hit the sack in our double beds that fit dwarfs - I am ok but Tim touches the walls on both sides (not really - but feet hanging over). Then this morning up and ready to hit the streets. Had at the same place and then went and caught the subway which is just up the street from our hotel and we caught it to downtown to the end where the ferries go from. From there we caught a free ferry over to Staten Island which went passed the Statue of Liberty and as you can see in the picture it is overcast and cold. We then came back and went to Times Square and had a walk around and then had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. After lunch hit the streets again and then the kids went to a movie -Hannah Montana - and we went shopping and a for a drink and some time out from each other which we needed. We then came back to the hotel and have bought a Hop on Hop off bus ticket for tomorrow to see all the sights and might go see a show tomorrow night. 8.5million people and we passed 5million of them today - it was crazy but educational.

20th April Last Day in Vegas

Last day in Vegas - very sad to be leaving but nice and hot for out last day. Tim has gone to the pool for some rays and I took the kids to Titantic the artifects which was the kids enjoyed. That night we went to a show the V (Variety) show at Planet Holleywood in the Miracle Mile Shopping Plaza which has 170 shops in it and 21 restaurants and these pictures which are inside was where the theatre was. The show had comedy, acrobats, impersonations etc and it was fantastic - very funny!! We then did our last walk of the strip where we had dinner at the Harley Davidson Cafe and then home to bed as we had an early start - 4.30am - in order to get to the airport. The Welcome to Vegas picture was when we got to the airport - and guess what they had slot machines at the airport - go figure!!!