It's incredible how much we can cram into the ole faithful Hahei Express!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Picton or Bust - 10 February
For Craig's birthday we took a day trip to Picton. The sailing was incredibly smooth, although it was quite windy and overcast while we were down there. Helena bet Craig at miniputt! The third time in 18 years! We introduced ourselves to quite a few pubs and had a great day out.
The birthday boy! (after a big feed of bacon, eggs, toast, sausages.) 
Craig's best attemps at miniputt, however Helena was the champion on the day!
The birthday boy! (after a big feed of bacon, eggs, toast, sausages.)We were on the Kaitaki going down, it is the new boat from the UK. The pub (above) was very old English style - quite cute with the wood panelling. The dining room was an awesome set up - like a little food court that you chose your food from. Quite impressed. Below is us backing into Picton - because the ship is so much bigger than the other ferries, passengers actually have to walk onto the car deck to get to the gangway - quite hillarious.
Craig's best attemps at miniputt, however Helena was the champion on the day!Behind Craig is the Aratere which we came back on and below is the view of the twin tunnels from the starboard deck making our way through the sounds.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
All American Vehicle Day
Held at the Trentham Racecourse, just down the road from us. We jumped on the Harley and got free parking inside! woohoo! $4 entry free, was a bargain!
Was a gorgeous day, our favourite local rock band "Turbo Rats" were playing and there was a huge turnout. Awesome fun - might take a picnic lunch next year and a couple of bottles of wine! There must have been about 300 cars on show today, including motorbikes and dragsters! Nice work!
Was a gorgeous day, our favourite local rock band "Turbo Rats" were playing and there was a huge turnout. Awesome fun - might take a picnic lunch next year and a couple of bottles of wine! There must have been about 300 cars on show today, including motorbikes and dragsters! Nice work!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Xmas 2007/2008
hmmmm ... ok ... so we had a "white" christmas last year ... now its time to warm up ... we've just booked our tickets to Brisbane for Christmas YEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAA.
Going over with Dave and Christine just before Christmas and heading down the gold coast together for a few nights before heading to our respective families for Christmas Day. Drag racing on new years day is on the cards again!
Might need to change the name of this blog ....
Going over with Dave and Christine just before Christmas and heading down the gold coast together for a few nights before heading to our respective families for Christmas Day. Drag racing on new years day is on the cards again!
Might need to change the name of this blog ....
Jan 11th - Sightseeing, Shopping and Home Time
We hooked up with Ray a tour operator who picked us up from our hotel, there was just the two of us in a plush panel van with our luggage in the back. We worked out what we wanted to do and see and Ray mapped it our for the day and got us to the airport in time for check in! Was bloody fantastic! It was up to us how long we wanted to spend at each place, Ray just waited for us in the van and caught up on sleep!
Today we covered:
Today we covered:
- Petsmart
- Avenue Womens Clothing
- Disney Outlet Store
- Fullerton Harley Davidson
- Citadel Outlet Mall (Nike, Rebok, Levis, Saks etc)
- Farmers Market
- Hollywood
- Petersens Motor Museum
We spent over an hour at the Harley shop ... Craig got some total bargains - about quarter of the price of parts back home.
The outlet mall was interesting, not the kind of bargains I was expecting - you really needed to have a good look around and spent quite a bit of time there digging through stuff.
Farmers Market was a wonderful experience. It is right in the city and its permanent markets selling all sorts of ethnic foods. YOu name it, you would have been able to find it there. I really REALLY wanted to try authentic bbq spare ribs. I found em - they were delish too *oink* they had icecream, donuts, chinese, japanese, italian, indonesian, malaysian, ethiopian, french etc etc as well as all the fresh fruit and vege stalls. All under cover and quite an array of LA souveniers etc also. Thats good ole LA, always someone ready to take your cash off you.
Ray drove us through some of the upmarket Hollywood homes - not the movie stars homes - that was a bit further away and we really werent that interested anyway. Our last port of call was Petersens Museum, only about 20 minutes drive from the airport and it was really fascinating. Not a huge museum, but it had lots of memorabilia from rockstars and car builders alike. It also has the biggest hotwheels display in the US (probably the world I suppose). We spent an hour walking around there, the displays were really clever and well done - bit more upmarket than Southwards here in Kapiti - but then not nearly as many cars.
Thankfully we'd purchased another bag a couple of days ago and when we got to the airport we spent 10 minutes cramming all our purchases into our bags. Our luggage was about 64kg!
After check in we popped into the bar called Route 66 and downed a few. Got talking to a man from Alabama who was on his way to Melbourne via Auckland. Helena had a very interesting conversation with him about farming ... he had a 170 acre farm with cattle but he didnt actually farm ... it was very weird ... or maybe she'd just had a few too many red wines?
The flight was an hour late leaving LA due to another connecting flight to it arriving late. Of course we shouldnt havent worried about rushing home ... Wellington was closed anyway!
So thats it ... thats the White Xmas Tour finished, finito, vammoosed, done. Cool huh? Since home we've printed off 360 photos and now just need to put them along with all the paper work into some kind of order.
Jan 10th - Universal Studios
By day three I was becoming an expert Waffle maker. We got complimentary continental breakfasts as part of our room rate. Not too bad - especially when I found the waffle maker. mmmmmmm yummo!
Universal Studios was a fantastic theme park and day out. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The day was packed with roller coaster rides and live shows galore! At the beginning of the day we studied the park map and worked out what do to when in a logical order and we actually go through EVERYTHING! In one day!
As we stayed in Anaheim, we hd to travel about 40 minutes to get to Universal. We caught a coach which we'd prearranged from home. The tour driver was South African, there was an Australian family on the bus also we the three of us had a great time chucking off about the cricket and rugby etc - the yanks and Canadians were probably wondering what the hell we were talking about! As we came into LA I had to take a pic ... it was very smoggy and the motorways were congested - the above pic was taken at 10:00am!
Here's me and Babe - by the end of our holiday me and Babe had a lot in common *oink* (couple of waffles hiding in there) - My mother really liked this pic ... I wonder what she is telling me?
There was a fantastic live show called Waterworld - it had the most amazing pyrotechnics. When you go in they advise if you dont want to get wet, then you should sit in the "no wet zone" the first time we kinda were on the edge ... and we got wet ... by the actors who ran around THROWING BUCKETS OF WATER ONTO THE AUDIENCE ... ah well - they did warn us! Was an amazing show, we went and saw it twice - in the morning and evening!
This is the ride we went on four times ... it was the coolest. Never saw the movie. The ride was fast, in the dark and was really ewwwwwwwwies at times. There is one part where you suddenly come to a screaming halt and on the wall in front of you there are all these icky bugs crawling all over the place and next thing you feel things crawling all over your feet ... I didnt like that bit - screamed my bloody lungs out ... not that anyone could hear me anyway. I love this photo - you can tell we loved the ride!
Here's me hanging out, looking cool while waiting for the Terminator to show up. It was another show that we managed to get ... Terminator 3D - fantastic!
Of course you cant go to Universal and not see Bruce aka Jaws!
As I looked like Babe ... Craig looked like ...
Another FULL day ... on the road at 8:00am and back to the hotel at 8:00pm - we struck peak traffic leaving Universal - it was an 12 lane highway and it was jammed - both ways.
Universal Studios was a fantastic theme park and day out. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The day was packed with roller coaster rides and live shows galore! At the beginning of the day we studied the park map and worked out what do to when in a logical order and we actually go through EVERYTHING! In one day!
As we stayed in Anaheim, we hd to travel about 40 minutes to get to Universal. We caught a coach which we'd prearranged from home. The tour driver was South African, there was an Australian family on the bus also we the three of us had a great time chucking off about the cricket and rugby etc - the yanks and Canadians were probably wondering what the hell we were talking about! As we came into LA I had to take a pic ... it was very smoggy and the motorways were congested - the above pic was taken at 10:00am!
Here's me and Babe - by the end of our holiday me and Babe had a lot in common *oink* (couple of waffles hiding in there) - My mother really liked this pic ... I wonder what she is telling me?
There was a fantastic live show called Waterworld - it had the most amazing pyrotechnics. When you go in they advise if you dont want to get wet, then you should sit in the "no wet zone" the first time we kinda were on the edge ... and we got wet ... by the actors who ran around THROWING BUCKETS OF WATER ONTO THE AUDIENCE ... ah well - they did warn us! Was an amazing show, we went and saw it twice - in the morning and evening!
This is the ride we went on four times ... it was the coolest. Never saw the movie. The ride was fast, in the dark and was really ewwwwwwwwies at times. There is one part where you suddenly come to a screaming halt and on the wall in front of you there are all these icky bugs crawling all over the place and next thing you feel things crawling all over your feet ... I didnt like that bit - screamed my bloody lungs out ... not that anyone could hear me anyway. I love this photo - you can tell we loved the ride!Here's me hanging out, looking cool while waiting for the Terminator to show up. It was another show that we managed to get ... Terminator 3D - fantastic!
Of course you cant go to Universal and not see Bruce aka Jaws!
As I looked like Babe ... Craig looked like ...
Another FULL day ... on the road at 8:00am and back to the hotel at 8:00pm - we struck peak traffic leaving Universal - it was an 12 lane highway and it was jammed - both ways.
Jan 9th - shopping Day and Medieval Times Show
Today was a quiet day - we caught a cab to The Block at Orange.
A huge outdoor shopping complex/mall. Wasnt what I expected - we bought a couple of bits and pieces but finding size 11 shoes and my size clothes want very forthcoming. I thought America being the land of the fatties would be a breeze, but not today it wasnt.
I did buy myself a leather jacket for the bike - just a mens bomber style - US$50 was pleased with that.
It was a stinking hot day (30 degrees) and by the time was got back to the hotel we were both feeling a little buggered. I decided to go for a swim, had the pool to myself - it was wonderful and refreshing!
That evening we went out to a Medieval Theme show dinner - it was bloody fantastic - would highly recommend it to anyone going to LA. It was set in a huge arena hall seating up to 1,100 people around a sand pit which horses and knights paraded and fought battles - it was fantastic.
When you first go in you get give a crown to wear and depending on what colour it is, that is the colour knight you cheer for! The show included dinner which was served up on metal bowls and plates - no knives and forks! We had vege soup and garlic bread, half a chicken (no lie - half a bloody chicken each) - spare ribs, a roast potatoe and a chocolate pastry thing for dessert. All through the show they come along and top up your goblet with either beer or coke! Yeehaa!
Jan 8 - Disneyland
Disneyland - the most magical place on earth!
You know what ... it actually is! Despite the heat, crowds, crap food and billions of screaming children - the place really is magical.
Just to be there was something special.
Being winter and the first day all American children went back to school - doing all the rides was a breeze because there were no queues! BLOODY FANTASTIC!
Our first ride was Splash Mountain - a water log ride ... somehow I managed to get in the front seat, Craig behind me ... the last bit of ride is a 80ft drop and I got drenched, not just a little bit wet ... I'm talking drowned! My hair was soaked and my clothes were dripping - thankfully I wasnt wearing a white tshirt! LOL It was a warm though so by lunch time I'd dried out. We completed 4 rides before lunch, miss most of the crowds.
The best ride was Space Mountain roller coaster - I screamed the whole way it was SOOOOOO COOL. Completely in the dark - loads of twists and turns and ups and downs all to the music of Red Hot Chilli Peppers .. WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO
Some of it I remember from when I was there when I was 8 yrs old. My favourite ride then was "It's a small world" - it still is at 36yrs old too. I cried back then and I cried this time round - instead of my Dad sitting next to me this time it was my husband - quite emotional really. So much of it was new for me though - especially Tomorrowland - that was very cool.
They no longer do a main street parade and instead down in Frontierland they have a waterside Mickey adventure show - which apparently has lots of lights, singing, audience participation and of course at the end ... FIREWORKS ... it starts at 7:30 - the gates close @ 8:00pm. So we hurridly did another couple of rides before heading down for the show. Unfortunately the show got cancelled at the last minute due to "high winds" ... we couldnt believe it! The flags were hardly blowing ... hell Craig can fart harder than those high winds they said ... anyway, disappointed, but we came, we saw, we conquered Disneyland ... and in one day.
Another huge day - started 6:00am and we got back to the hotel after dinner at 9:00pm. I wore my pedometre and did 15,000 steps!
You know what ... it actually is! Despite the heat, crowds, crap food and billions of screaming children - the place really is magical.
Just to be there was something special.
Being winter and the first day all American children went back to school - doing all the rides was a breeze because there were no queues! BLOODY FANTASTIC!
Our first ride was Splash Mountain - a water log ride ... somehow I managed to get in the front seat, Craig behind me ... the last bit of ride is a 80ft drop and I got drenched, not just a little bit wet ... I'm talking drowned! My hair was soaked and my clothes were dripping - thankfully I wasnt wearing a white tshirt! LOL It was a warm though so by lunch time I'd dried out. We completed 4 rides before lunch, miss most of the crowds.
The best ride was Space Mountain roller coaster - I screamed the whole way it was SOOOOOO COOL. Completely in the dark - loads of twists and turns and ups and downs all to the music of Red Hot Chilli Peppers .. WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO
Some of it I remember from when I was there when I was 8 yrs old. My favourite ride then was "It's a small world" - it still is at 36yrs old too. I cried back then and I cried this time round - instead of my Dad sitting next to me this time it was my husband - quite emotional really. So much of it was new for me though - especially Tomorrowland - that was very cool.
They no longer do a main street parade and instead down in Frontierland they have a waterside Mickey adventure show - which apparently has lots of lights, singing, audience participation and of course at the end ... FIREWORKS ... it starts at 7:30 - the gates close @ 8:00pm. So we hurridly did another couple of rides before heading down for the show. Unfortunately the show got cancelled at the last minute due to "high winds" ... we couldnt believe it! The flags were hardly blowing ... hell Craig can fart harder than those high winds they said ... anyway, disappointed, but we came, we saw, we conquered Disneyland ... and in one day.
Another huge day - started 6:00am and we got back to the hotel after dinner at 9:00pm. I wore my pedometre and did 15,000 steps!
LA or Bust - 7th Jan - Pomona
We arrived in LA on the 6th of Jan in the early evening - by the time we got to Anaheim where we were staying it was getting late and we were hungry so wandered down the road to an Aussie Style Outback Steakhouse - or so they advertised, however the only Aussie thing about it was Fosters on Tap! In saying that I had a fantastic grilled chicken breast with steamed veges and jacket potatoe - not a fry or ketchup in sight! YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAA
Things were looking good! On our way home I just about got run over as I kept looking the wrong way to cross the road ... *doh* ... never let me out alone in the states I'm a danger to myself!
We woke up early the following morning - just readjusting to the new time and got ourselves organised to get to Pomona - today was our big adventure of the NHRA drag racing museum and the Easyriders Motorcycle show!
YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA
We caught Taxi's both ways ... cost us a bloody bomb, spent US$160 on fares, including tips to get there and back, but wouldnt have missed it for the world ... it was incredible. The drag racing museum is to drag racers like the Vatican is to Catholics ... if you are a petrolhead drag racer - this is the pilgrimage of a lifetime.
The museum was smaller than what we expected, but it was just awesome being there.
Then after ambling around there, just around the corner was the Easy Riders Motorcycle show. I'm sure Craig was in hog heaven even before we got in the gates, because in the carpark there must have been at least 1,000 harleys parked up ... was truely incredible - we've never seen anything like it. Some were factory bikes, some had been custom altered with bolt ons and paint jobs.
We saw some rather dubious characters and there were quite a few patches such as the Hells Angels. To give you some kind of idea, everyone entering the show had to go through metal detectors, security guards and half the Pomona police force before getting in ... quite an eye opener for these two wittle ole kiwis!
Inside the main hall there would have been millions of dollars of custom made bikes and choppers - there were accessory stalls galore and up one end there was a stage with live bands playing heavy music ... the atmosphere were electric! There were some really scary looking biker bitches (goes with the really scarey bikers) ... holy crap! I saw one Afro American woman who had a number two peroxided afro haircut squeezed into white leather chaps and crop jacket which was adored with studs and tassles - she would have been about 5'2 and at least 6 foot round. I sooooo wanted to take a photo but I thought if I got caught she'd probably punch my lights out - was a real eye opener thats for sure. I bought some leather gloves! Craig bought T Shirts (now theres a surprise).
This day we'd been on the go from 6:00am until 8:30pm .. needless to say, we crashed when we got back to the hotel.
Things were looking good! On our way home I just about got run over as I kept looking the wrong way to cross the road ... *doh* ... never let me out alone in the states I'm a danger to myself!
We woke up early the following morning - just readjusting to the new time and got ourselves organised to get to Pomona - today was our big adventure of the NHRA drag racing museum and the Easyriders Motorcycle show!
YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA
We caught Taxi's both ways ... cost us a bloody bomb, spent US$160 on fares, including tips to get there and back, but wouldnt have missed it for the world ... it was incredible. The drag racing museum is to drag racers like the Vatican is to Catholics ... if you are a petrolhead drag racer - this is the pilgrimage of a lifetime.
The museum was smaller than what we expected, but it was just awesome being there.Then after ambling around there, just around the corner was the Easy Riders Motorcycle show. I'm sure Craig was in hog heaven even before we got in the gates, because in the carpark there must have been at least 1,000 harleys parked up ... was truely incredible - we've never seen anything like it. Some were factory bikes, some had been custom altered with bolt ons and paint jobs.
We saw some rather dubious characters and there were quite a few patches such as the Hells Angels. To give you some kind of idea, everyone entering the show had to go through metal detectors, security guards and half the Pomona police force before getting in ... quite an eye opener for these two wittle ole kiwis!
Inside the main hall there would have been millions of dollars of custom made bikes and choppers - there were accessory stalls galore and up one end there was a stage with live bands playing heavy music ... the atmosphere were electric! There were some really scary looking biker bitches (goes with the really scarey bikers) ... holy crap! I saw one Afro American woman who had a number two peroxided afro haircut squeezed into white leather chaps and crop jacket which was adored with studs and tassles - she would have been about 5'2 and at least 6 foot round. I sooooo wanted to take a photo but I thought if I got caught she'd probably punch my lights out - was a real eye opener thats for sure. I bought some leather gloves! Craig bought T Shirts (now theres a surprise).
This day we'd been on the go from 6:00am until 8:30pm .. needless to say, we crashed when we got back to the hotel.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
We're Home!
Crikey that time went quick eh?
Just a very quick update to let everyone know we are home safe and sound with all our luggage! That includes an extra bag we purchased in the states to bring all our loot home in!
We were unable to update while we were in the States - couldnt find an internet cafe for love nor money! Apologies if you thought we might have dropped off the face of the earth! It kinda felt like we'd had our arms and legs amputated by not being able to keep in contact with everyone at home - very weird.
We had a fab time and we'll be posting updates with pics over the next few days.
We had a little drama getting home in that when we arrived in Auckland an hour late due to a delay leaving LA, we found that Wellington Airport was fog bound and closed and we couldnt get home anyway! After a couple of long winded attempts at ringing the AirNZ 0800 number we were able to get reticketed to Palmerston North! Thankfully we have a wonderful father/in-law who came and picked us up - so while were should have been home around 10:00am Saturday morning we didnt get home until after 5 on Saturday!
As you could imagine Auckland airport was utter chaos!
We've picked up Jack and Calais today, they were VERY excited to see us home!
Anyway, just a quick post - check back over the next few days for updates on our adventures in the States - we certainly had a few!
Just a very quick update to let everyone know we are home safe and sound with all our luggage! That includes an extra bag we purchased in the states to bring all our loot home in!
We were unable to update while we were in the States - couldnt find an internet cafe for love nor money! Apologies if you thought we might have dropped off the face of the earth! It kinda felt like we'd had our arms and legs amputated by not being able to keep in contact with everyone at home - very weird.
We had a fab time and we'll be posting updates with pics over the next few days.
We had a little drama getting home in that when we arrived in Auckland an hour late due to a delay leaving LA, we found that Wellington Airport was fog bound and closed and we couldnt get home anyway! After a couple of long winded attempts at ringing the AirNZ 0800 number we were able to get reticketed to Palmerston North! Thankfully we have a wonderful father/in-law who came and picked us up - so while were should have been home around 10:00am Saturday morning we didnt get home until after 5 on Saturday!
As you could imagine Auckland airport was utter chaos!
We've picked up Jack and Calais today, they were VERY excited to see us home!
Anyway, just a quick post - check back over the next few days for updates on our adventures in the States - we certainly had a few!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Lewes and Brighton
On our way to Brighton this morning we stopped in a quaint town called Lewes all the shops kinda closed in over each other, the lanes just fitting a car or small lorry down them. Not sure how the buses and trucks made it through, but somehow they did! Loads of antique and secondhand type shops - really not sure how they all survive really, but they seam to. Went into a petshop that sold the most fantastic garden bird houses - could be a unique market for New Zealand there - ooh and we saw our first ever LIVE hamster - very cute!
Lewes is also the home of the Harvey Brewery - while walking through the town you could distinctly smell the hops brewing.
Lewes is also the home of the Harvey Brewery - while walking through the town you could distinctly smell the hops brewing. On to Brighton - glorious day as you can see - definately a bite in the air but fantastic blue skies. Brighton wasnt what I expected, I was kinda expecting a seaside village like Whitianga (without the white sandy beaches), but it was nothing like that. Actually quite a big town with fascinating alleyways and shops everywhere. The main drag had all the apartments along the sea front.
We parked just across the way from the old pier - the remenants still rotting away into the sea.
Then of course there is the famous Brighton Pier! Which is an amusement area full of bars, little stalls, amusement park rides and arcade style areas with arcade games, pokie machines and video game machines.
A fantastic photo opportunity at every stop eh?
Pete even found a reminder of Arntie R!
After we left the pier we went into the township and Pete showed us around the Brighton Royal Pavillion. This sea-side residence was built for King George IV, and was also used by his brother William IV and their niece Queen Victoria. Originally a farmhouse, in 1787 architect Henry Holland created a neo-classical villa on the site. It was later transformed into its current Indian style by John Nash between 1815 and 1822.
After lunch at an old style English Pub (Helena had Fish'n'chips!) we had an extensive wander around "The Lanes" - the cultural part of Brighton. Very similar to Cuba Mall but 50 times bigger! Lots of alternative style shops, cafes and jewellers!
We parked just across the way from the old pier - the remenants still rotting away into the sea.
Then of course there is the famous Brighton Pier! Which is an amusement area full of bars, little stalls, amusement park rides and arcade style areas with arcade games, pokie machines and video game machines.
A fantastic photo opportunity at every stop eh?
Pete even found a reminder of Arntie R!
After we left the pier we went into the township and Pete showed us around the Brighton Royal Pavillion. This sea-side residence was built for King George IV, and was also used by his brother William IV and their niece Queen Victoria. Originally a farmhouse, in 1787 architect Henry Holland created a neo-classical villa on the site. It was later transformed into its current Indian style by John Nash between 1815 and 1822.
After lunch at an old style English Pub (Helena had Fish'n'chips!) we had an extensive wander around "The Lanes" - the cultural part of Brighton. Very similar to Cuba Mall but 50 times bigger! Lots of alternative style shops, cafes and jewellers!
On our way home Pete took us up to see Jack and Jill - two windmills but unfortunately they are closed over the winter months.
Great views from Jack and Jill overlooking the west of the South Downs - over Pete's town of Burgess Hill.
Great views from Jack and Jill overlooking the west of the South Downs - over Pete's town of Burgess Hill.
Home again, a night in tonight - having Helena's (the English Helena not the kiwi) homemade Lasagne and some yummy garlic doughballs which the kiwi Helena has fallen in love with.
Hard to believe its our last chance for UK sightseeing tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
