Day 75 - Vancouver

It's bloody freezing! I was greeted on saturday night with sleet and snow... a big difference to Vegas. The sun's out now though and whilst I don't think I'll get to improve on my suntan it's still nice to see mostly blue skies, even if it is only 5 degrees C. Vancouver is beautiful though. Two weeks today I'll be back at work. Bugger! 

I've really enjoyed my relaxing week in Vancouver.  I've taken it very easy and even had a day off where I did no travelling and no sight-seeing!  That may not sound very exciting to you, but after 11 weeks of constantly being on the go it was really nice to just chill out (and get a manicure!). 

Day 70 - Grand Canyon

WOW!!! We took a quick, but expensive trip to the Grand Canyon this morning with a 40 minute helicopter ride. I wasn't too scared and I wasn't sick. It was certainly worth it for the views and the obligatory champagne. I think Mum & Dad enjoyed it too.

Day 69 - Las Vegas

It rocks! I didn't think I'd like it but it's brilliant fun. We've been here 2 days and have only seen about half of it, partly because we were kidnapped by Klingons for a while. The fountains at the Belagio were amazing. Tomorrow we're going to the Grand Canyon. So far we've gambled a massive 1 dollar.

Day 65 - Palm Springs

After a few days of visiting theme parks, the Queen Mary and various shops we tired of LA and decided to head to Palm Springs. It's a lot hotter here - hurrah!! We went on the cable car up Mount San Jacinto and enjoyed the 20 degree drop in temperature. It was quite strange to be walking through snow in my sandals. After cooling off we headed back to our hotel to warm up by the pool. Tomorrow we're going to the Joshua Tree National Park and then making our way to Vegas - yeah baby!

Day 59 - Hello USA

After 12 hours flying and a confusing 19 hours time difference I finally made it to LA. First impressions... what a dump! Mum and Dad are with me and we're staying in a very luxurious hotel... not! I might go and see if the Beckhams have got a spare room!

Day 59 - Bye bye New Zealand

After 5 weeks of travelling around NZ, admiring amazing views, seeing lots of interesting flora and fauna, sampling the local vino, checking out the rugby talent and jumping out a plane it's time for me to leave Jen AND Jai in New Zealand. There were a few tears.

Day 52 - Dunedin

Dunedin was originally going to be called New Edinburgh but it was decided that would be too confusing so they called it by Edinburgh's gaelic name instead. Many of the street names are the same as Edinburgh and sometimes it has felt as cold as home!

OK, so there was a slight technical glitch there and I somehow ended up with numerous copies of the same thing. Sorry! Dunedin was good, but not that good!

Day 47 - Abel Tasman

According to the guide books this place is idyllic and stunning with golden sandy beaches lapped by crystal clear waters. When we went here it was bloody freezing! I'm actually warming my feet up in the water as it's warmer in there than out. The catamaran trip was good fun, despite the cold and getting wet. At least I didn't throw up this time.