The Pixar Parade was fabulous - as were the evening show characters

Very musical, larger than life .... watch out for those water squirting characters!

No expense spared for their shows or facilities.

The characters in the evening show looked beautiful in the night.

Disneyland

Well today we went to Disneyland. We had a great time. Although it was rather warm walking around both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park (just opposite) we did have fun. we didn't get to see 1/2 the available attractions, so we are glad we have a 2 day pass.

We started with catching a shuttle bus from our hotel and arrived eager to see it all! Top on our list was trying to gain tickets to the "World of Color" show which is on just after the park closes. However, after inquiring at 3 places we were told the show was sold out!!!! As we were standing, trying to decide where to go next we were approached by a staff member to tell us that there had just been a cancellation and we could book the dinner package which would entitle us to reserved VIP viewing location. Done deal!

After exploring many parts of the parks (train ride, character spotting, Buzz Lightyear laser ride) and much more we ventured to our dinner. A lovely Italian restaurant which had a very fancy menu. Everyone was able to find something they would like from seafood pasta to lamb shanks or tenderloins. We also got to see the Pixar street parade -which was awesome.

Off to squeeze in some more rides - this time Andrew and the kids braved the Grizzly bear water rapids ride (where all 3 got considerably wet!) before the show.

We arrived at our designated viewing position (which was by far the best in the venue) and settled back to enjoy the show. All we can say is it was SPECTACULAR! The pre- show & show lasted for over an hour. We stood with another Aussie family, from Melbourne, and compared our travel journeys. Shame he was a Collingwood supporter!! We even saw a person wearing a port Power jumper the other day (there is no escaping these Aussies!)

Back to our hotel via shuttle and we were tucked up in our room by 9.30pm tired but happy.

Off to conquer Legoland tomorrow. will get to experience Disneyland again on Friday.

Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it!!!!

Back to the shuttle

We've hit Los Angeles ....

Well we are on the last week of our vacation. We have now moved to Los Angeles and I must say we are getting very proficient at negotiating airports and shuttle bus services. We have not been very impressed with the number of luggage locks we have had lost in transit ... the count is 5 so far and that is with 3 different airlines. Obviously they are unlocking our bags to check for security reasons and just not bothering to replace the locks back on the bags!!!

We are staying just over a km from Disneyland. The hotel isn't as nice as our previous one, maybe we are just getting a bit fussy having experienced so many hotels in the past month. Our last one, the Hyatt at fisherman's Wharf was especially nice.

We have our own personal taxi driver - the lady who works in the gift shop is happy to drive us anywhere for a nominal fee. If you have seen the roads and the way they drive here you'd take her up on this service too.

We went to a Medieval Tournament and dinner show tonight. It was a hoot! Jousting and fantastic horse riding was a highlight (as was eating our meal with our hands - no cutlery). Nick felt quite at home!

To bed for a big sleep as we have Disneyland to conquer tomorrow. It is very hot here (they are having a heat wave at present) in the mid 30's. The pool may even get a work out tomorrow evening!

We love SF!

Spent a wonderful day walking the streets of San Francisco. Just wish this town wasn't so hilly!!!!!

Needed to purchase another carry-on bag to accommodate our purchases - like the camera Steph bought today!

Started today with a lovely breakfast in a cute coffee shop opposite the hotel. Sitting in the sunshine, munching on eggs, bacon and fruit with a cup of coffee has got to be the best way to ease into the day.

Walked around the city, eventually catching a cable car to the cable car museum. Very interesting. kept walking from there to Union square where we shopped in Macy's and the kids got new watches. Very trendy.


Next a long walk up to Lombard Street to see the crookedest street in town ... we'd hate to be driving down it!

Back to the hotel to have a swim and a soak in the spa. Now to decide where to go for dinner???

Off to LA tomorrow for our last week here.

San Francisco

Started the day with a great breakfast from a small coffee shop opposite the motel. Great meal with lovely fresh fruit.

On to catch the Urban Safari tour (in a zebra striped bus!) Fun tour with lots of funny people. Several Aussie families (SA, NSW & Vic represented), 2 Kiwi families and a family from Texas. The American family certainly felt outnumbered!

The tour took most of the day and ended with a ferry trip to Alcatraz. We took an audio tour and discovered many interesting facts.

Walking back to the hotel along the waterfront was certainly an experience. The city is VERY eclectic!

Airport delays

Sitting at the Phoenix airpport waiting for our flight to San Francisco to be ready to board. Got to the airport at 9am for a 10.20 flight. Everything went very smoothly until we had to make a gate change - of course the new departure gate was a fair distance away!!! new departure time 10.40am (we can cope with this!)

Now we have "mechanical issues" with the plane and won't board until about 11.45am. Definitely don't want to hear about mechanical issues just as you are about to board a flight! At least it gave us time to update our blog!

Grand Canyon to Phoenix

Travelled to Phoenix today to stay with Sharron's host 'cousin' Kristen and her family (husband RJ and daughter Jaymie). Enjoyed the last day with Sue and Den - sorry to leave their company.

Out to eat at a barbeque place ... good!

Tried to give them the vegemite experience - not that successful! LOL

Grand Canyon continued

We spent the day walking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It's awesomeness and size cannot be captured in the photos we took. It has to be seen to be believed.

There was a shuttle bus which took you to the many lookouts. We alternated between walking and riding the shuttle to each lookout. We even walked down into the canyon for a bit and watched the mules carrying their loads back up the steep, narrow tracks.

Moved on to another motel and went and saw a National Geographic Imax movie on the canyon.

On to Phoenix tomorrow, which is where we will leave Sue and Dennis. We have enjoyed their company and travelling with them. It will be sad to say goodbye! We certainly have created many special family memories already.

Happy Birthday to Sharron's dad, Harry, who turned 80 today. Sharron got him out of bed with a birthday phone call!

Grand Canyon

We travelled to the Grand Canyon today via Four Corners (where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet). Bought some handmade Navajo Indian items. Drove through rain and thunder storms, but hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow when we tour the amazing Grand Canyon. Caught a glimpse of it as we drove through to our lodge.

There is only wi-fi in the reception area and cafe of the accommodation - so we will not be updating the blog quite as often.

Very tired from travelling, but enjoying the diverse scenery we are travelling through.

Mesa Verde

Visited a beautiful place called Mesa Verde today. It is world heritage listed and is in the Mesa Verde National Park. Basically it is cliff dwellings that the traditional people have used. The drive again took us to a high altitude (around 7000 feet) and gave us breathtaking views.

There were 2 locations that we specifically visited - Clifftop Palace and the Balcony House. Both were excellent examples of how whole communities were constructed on the cliff faces (or under overhangs). Steep ladder climbing and traversing across cliff faces were exciting (even Sharron managed to do it with her intense fear of heights!) Also needed to crawl through very small tunnels to see the entire site!

Both Nick and Steph earnt their "Junior Ranger' badges. Nick was chosen to lead the tour for the Balcony House tour ... which was a hoot!

Back to our lodge to relax with the children playing table tennis in the basement and adults preparing dinner and relaxing.