Friday 19th August: and we're on our way home. Before you get the wrong idea the heading above is not one of us. More of that later:
Up we got at 7.30am showered and packed the last of our luggage. We then we able to leave the luggage with the concierge whilst we wandered into. San Francisco. We never strayed to far from the hotel, infect we stayed within two blocks at all times. That was okay because we hadn't really done much in the hotel area. We wandered to another American Style diner called 'Loris Diner' which is just round the corner from the hotel. We kept meaning to call in but it was always full. Today is no different and we have to leave it the first time as it's heaving. It's open 24 hours a day and even when passing at night it looks full. We decide to. Try again later and continue our wandering.
We go into 'Macy's' department store obviously the most famous one is in New York but this store is still very impressive. It's kind of like an upmarket Bentalls if you could imagine it. Everything is quite expensive but still good value by UK prices. The exchange rate is pretty good at the moment. Jen manages to get some Levi's and Calum as well.
We wandered around an art exhibition in Union Square and Les bought a San Francisco Giants Baseball cap from the 'Giants Store'.
We then tried the Loris Diner again. It's still full but as we stand in the doorway a table becomes available. We eat, reasonable prices, massive portions that defeat us all and endless Cokes on tap.
Back to the hotel at 1.30pm and a protest is going on outside. We were warned about the strike action at the hotel before arriving and were also assured it would not effect us. We haven't noticed it up to now, but today the area about 20 people outside walking round in circles chanting "Don't check in, get your money back and just check out..." it's the most civilised strike action ever! If it was in the UK they would have been hurling abuse and shouting at the hotel guests, not in this case. We went in and retrieved our luggage, the taxi was waiting so we set off to the airport early. When I say taxi, I actually meant a luxury, leather upholstered Lincoln executive vehicle with more leather than the average herd of buffalo. Great journey, passing the San Francisco 49ers American Football stadium (very impressive) into the terminal and all is good.
I say "all is good" because I'm looking back on it! Yet again we go to the check in machines. "Computer says no!" 'please go to the check in help desk'. Off we trundle with our copious number of bags. Not a problem as we're quite used to it by now. Bearing in mind Jen telephoned Trailfinders from San Francisco to ask why we were having problems and being told "Sorry about that but we've spoken to Quantas who have organised the tickets and there won't be any more problems" YEAH! RIGHT!
We queue up and eventually get tot the front. We explain again the situation. "No problem, do you have your passport" Les hands over the passports. She taps away on the computer. Without her saying anything it's obvious there is a problem. "Do you have a copy if your itinerary?" Les hands her the itinerary. Again, she taps away on the computer. A look of confusion on her face appears. We point out that as well as the. Ticket numbers. Printed on the itinerary the BA check in lady at Heathrow when we left had written numbers on the front. She taps on the computer "please wait there I'll be back shortly and she disappears with our passports. About 10 minutes later she returns. "All sorted" she says "What was the problem?" asked Jen "Its very complicated, that lady down there with the curly hair and glasses sorted it out, she's very good, I'm not as good as her" she points at the woman before issuing our tickets. I'm not sure if we are supposed to go and thank the woman after that glowing endorsement of her ability but we decide to skip it and head to security.
Now Les is kind of expecting Jen to be smuggling drugs or explosives as she is clearly not good at smuggling fruit. He has given her a pat down before leaving the hotel but she has been out of his sight since that and who knows what this smorgasbord smuggler is capable of!
We get through with no issues, obviously the pat down worked it's magic.
No issues getting on the plane, a British Airways 747 direct to Heathrow. Flight. Time estimated at 9 hours and 20 minutes we even get into the air early.
Whilst waiting to leave, we get the announcement "Ladies and Gentlemen, we will shortly be showing a flight safety video on the onboard entertainment system. Please take a few minutes to watch the video and make yourself acquainted with the safety features of this aircraft"
A few minutes pass and no video. Another announcement "We are having some difficulties with the safety video please watch the flight attendants who will give a practical demonstration". Into our isle and just ahead of us steps our flight attendant. She is a lady aged about 45 years, quite attractive but has clearly done a few miles (and I don't just mean in the aircraft!).
Some people have very expressive faces, if you do have one of those faces, being a flight attendant is probably not the job for you. Someone should have told her that a number of years ago! No sound was needed "I really don't want to be on this plane!" she said silently. "The cabin crew Are making you aware of where the exit doors can be located..." continued the announcement, her arms we up and pointing down the isle and out to the sides behind us and in front of us. "oh for god sake get on with it" she continued silently with a huge sigh and a role of the eyes. Her arms rapidly pointed up and down the isle as though pointing at a rat that was on the loose. She stopped pointing and stood holding the demonstration seatbelt. "The cabin crew are now pointing to the lights that will guide you to the exits in the event of an emergency..." said the announcer. "Come on, come on..." said the attendant still in complete silence. She clipped the belt together whilst pointing at the clip as though no one had seen one before. She then pointed at the release clasp and released the clip almost throwing it behind her into the kitchen area. "To connect the seatbelt push the clip into the body of the seatbelt and pull the belt tight. To release lift the catch as shown..." continued e announcement.
By now the attendant had her lifejacket over her head and tied around her waist. She pointed out the whistle, light and inflation tube. She pointed twice at the bow she had tied around her waist. "Look, look, it's a bow, not a knot a bow. Get it, you morons. Why did I end up dealing with the cattle class when I should have been with the first class passengers!" Not a sound came out but we got the picture. "The attendants will. Now demonstrate how to put on the lifejackets which are located under you seats..." the announcement went on.
Off came the lifejacket and again was unceremoniously thrown into the kitchen area. In her left hand was a face mask. She demonstrated where it would fall from as the announcement explained about a loss of cabin pressure. She showed it going over her head and tightening it before that to hit the kitchen floor.
Cabin staff make the cabin ready for take off and she disappeared with a visible sigh and a further role of the eyes. We love to see a person happy in their work!
It took a while to reset the entertainment system but by now Jen and Les are laughing hysterically at the show provided by the disgruntled air hostess!
Plane up in the air on our way home!
A long flight! We all tried to get some sleep. I think Les managed an. Hour if that, Jen managed about an hour as well, fortunately Calum managed to grab a good three or four hours.
Just over an hour of the flight left now and they've started to serve up breakfast. Flight attendant happy knickers is busy dishing it out to our isle. In fairness she does crack a smile when handing out the coffee. I'll just cover the screen whilst she dishes mine out. She's gone, and not a smile in sight.
What a fabulous breakfast - NOT! A probiotic yoghurt drink, a muffin and a biscuit - whoopee!
Now we're not seasoned travellers, but I think it fair to say that having travelled with Quantas, Jet Star, American Airlines and BA on this holiday, Quantas leaves the others in the shade. Better ground staff, better flight attendants, better aircraft, better in flight food and drinks!
55minutes to landing!
Landed at terminal 5. Really quick going through and taken home by Lisa.
Signing off:
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Saturday 20 August 2011
Friday 19 August 2011
Final full day before going back in the rat race
Thursday 18th August: final full day in San Francisco. Sleep patterns are out of sync at the moment Calum and Jen both went to sleep at about 8.40pm last night. Les went to sleep at about 10.00pm. Les woke up at about 2.30am and Jen at about 3.30am. Les dropped off again at about 5.00am, Jen dropped off at about 6.00am. Calum woke up about 10.00am and Jen about 10.15am. Les woke up at 11.00am.
Anyway, sun is out so quick showers all round and then off to Fisherman's Wharf on the 'F' tram. We decide to go and hire bikes for a ride to the bridge. We opt for the cheaper hire and soon find out why. Jen has to move her saddle up and down like a yoyo, Calum says his is hard work and Les's just goes 'Clunk, Clunk, Clunk, Clunk' etc and changes gear all on it's own (it's not designed as a special feature!).
Now when we went out it was beautifully sunny. By the time we got to the bridge the San Francisco 'Aircon' had taken hold and it was freezing. It also meant that the bridge was once again covered in fog!
After a wander round and a few photo's at the base of the bridge it was time for a gentle ride back to the Wharf.
Lunch at our favourite diner and then a last look at peer 39 whilst Calum visited the San Francisco Aquarium.
We then got the 'F' tram back to the hotel for a quick clean up before we head out to the theatre to see 'Billy Elliott'. Great!
11.30pm and we just got in from the theatre. Great performances despite the actors/actresses delivering the northern accent equivalents of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. The show was brilliant. Jen and Les had already seen a production in London, but this one differed despite being the same show. It was still directed by Stephen Daltry so was superb. Very funny, brilliant songs and dancing. Calum loved it as well.
Calum grabbed a pizza on the way back to the hotel and Jen & Les a coffee. We're all in the room, sorting our bags and eating pizza.
Flying out tomorrow. British Airways, hopefully better than when we arrived. Les is going to search Jen's bags before leaving for the airport!
More to follow:
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Anyway, sun is out so quick showers all round and then off to Fisherman's Wharf on the 'F' tram. We decide to go and hire bikes for a ride to the bridge. We opt for the cheaper hire and soon find out why. Jen has to move her saddle up and down like a yoyo, Calum says his is hard work and Les's just goes 'Clunk, Clunk, Clunk, Clunk' etc and changes gear all on it's own (it's not designed as a special feature!).
Now when we went out it was beautifully sunny. By the time we got to the bridge the San Francisco 'Aircon' had taken hold and it was freezing. It also meant that the bridge was once again covered in fog!
After a wander round and a few photo's at the base of the bridge it was time for a gentle ride back to the Wharf.
Lunch at our favourite diner and then a last look at peer 39 whilst Calum visited the San Francisco Aquarium.
We then got the 'F' tram back to the hotel for a quick clean up before we head out to the theatre to see 'Billy Elliott'. Great!
11.30pm and we just got in from the theatre. Great performances despite the actors/actresses delivering the northern accent equivalents of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. The show was brilliant. Jen and Les had already seen a production in London, but this one differed despite being the same show. It was still directed by Stephen Daltry so was superb. Very funny, brilliant songs and dancing. Calum loved it as well.
Calum grabbed a pizza on the way back to the hotel and Jen & Les a coffee. We're all in the room, sorting our bags and eating pizza.
Flying out tomorrow. British Airways, hopefully better than when we arrived. Les is going to search Jen's bags before leaving for the airport!
More to follow:
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Wednesday 17 August 2011
Blowing Hot and Cold
Wednesday 17th August: The weather in San Francisco had got to be the strangest in the world. Today we used the 48 hour tour pass to go around the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. First we take the 'F' tram:
We had breakfast at our diner at Fisherman's Wharf before getting on the bus and going on the tour. It's early afternoon and is very warm, about 26 degrees. The bus sets off towards the Golden Gate Bridge. On the way we get to see lots of the things you associate with San Francisco such as the cable cars:
The cable cars are unchanged in over 100 years. They have wooden brakes, no steering, no power source onboard or engine they are pulled up and down the San Francisco hills on a cable in the road. They were designed to replace horses as they kept dying with the effort and they have been running ever since.
As we travelled towards the bridge the driver/guide told us about the San Francisco weather. Now it's fair to say the weather has not been great. If fact it's been quite foggy a lot of the time. This was - as we were advised - known as 'the San Francisco Aircon' it's caused by the warmth of the bay which averages about 26 or 27 degrees in the summer months meeting the cold air from the Pacific Ocean. This causes moisture to rise and as a result you get fog. In the fog it can be as little as 15 or 16 degrees which is significantly colder. This fog sits over the Golden Gate Bridge. This fog cloud can be clearly seen from Sausalito a rich persons paradise on the northern side of the bay, just down from the bridge:
This picture was taken from Sausalito, above the peer on the right you can make out Alcatraz. Behind that is the Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in a fog cloud. Where we were in Sausalito it was sunny and 26 degrees but over at the bridge it was only about 16 degrees because of the fog:
It was a good day and very interesting.
Anyone seen 'Forest Gump'? Well, we found The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co on peer 39:
We had another wander round the peer and along the front before catching another part of the tour back towards the hotel taking in many of the other city sites including the only building downtown that survived the earthquake of 1906. The builder used steel reinforcement in the frame of the building. It was completed in 1906 and he became a laughing stock for spending all the excess on this addition to the frame. Several weeks later the devastating earthquake destroyed downtown except for his building which was relatively undamaged:
Whose laughing now?
We get dropped off at the town hall, a very impressive and imposing building topped with real gold from the San Francisco gold rush:
Then a long walk up Market Street looking for a skate shop we've been told about so Calum can find a new wheel for his scooter having flat spotted the rear wheel braking! We eventually find the shop but it doesn't do scooter parts. Now we are miles from the hotel. Fortunately the 'F' tram goes by this spot so we found a stop and waited for the tram. After a while it comes along and we pay for our lift back towards the hotel. Two stops later and we all get thrown off. The trams are great, the only real problem is if one breaks down! If it does then any tram behind it cannot pass and on this occasion one of the older trams had broken down blocking our way:
The above is a tram like the one that broke down, but I don't know if it's the same as I took this picture earlier.
We walked the 6 blocks down and 3 blocks across to the hotel, grabbing a Subway on the way to eat in the room. After eating Calum and Jen both decide to go to sleep as they are so tired - it's only 8.40pm but busy days!
One day left.
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We had breakfast at our diner at Fisherman's Wharf before getting on the bus and going on the tour. It's early afternoon and is very warm, about 26 degrees. The bus sets off towards the Golden Gate Bridge. On the way we get to see lots of the things you associate with San Francisco such as the cable cars:
The cable cars are unchanged in over 100 years. They have wooden brakes, no steering, no power source onboard or engine they are pulled up and down the San Francisco hills on a cable in the road. They were designed to replace horses as they kept dying with the effort and they have been running ever since.
As we travelled towards the bridge the driver/guide told us about the San Francisco weather. Now it's fair to say the weather has not been great. If fact it's been quite foggy a lot of the time. This was - as we were advised - known as 'the San Francisco Aircon' it's caused by the warmth of the bay which averages about 26 or 27 degrees in the summer months meeting the cold air from the Pacific Ocean. This causes moisture to rise and as a result you get fog. In the fog it can be as little as 15 or 16 degrees which is significantly colder. This fog sits over the Golden Gate Bridge. This fog cloud can be clearly seen from Sausalito a rich persons paradise on the northern side of the bay, just down from the bridge:
This picture was taken from Sausalito, above the peer on the right you can make out Alcatraz. Behind that is the Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in a fog cloud. Where we were in Sausalito it was sunny and 26 degrees but over at the bridge it was only about 16 degrees because of the fog:
It was a good day and very interesting.
Anyone seen 'Forest Gump'? Well, we found The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co on peer 39:
We had another wander round the peer and along the front before catching another part of the tour back towards the hotel taking in many of the other city sites including the only building downtown that survived the earthquake of 1906. The builder used steel reinforcement in the frame of the building. It was completed in 1906 and he became a laughing stock for spending all the excess on this addition to the frame. Several weeks later the devastating earthquake destroyed downtown except for his building which was relatively undamaged:
Whose laughing now?
We get dropped off at the town hall, a very impressive and imposing building topped with real gold from the San Francisco gold rush:
Then a long walk up Market Street looking for a skate shop we've been told about so Calum can find a new wheel for his scooter having flat spotted the rear wheel braking! We eventually find the shop but it doesn't do scooter parts. Now we are miles from the hotel. Fortunately the 'F' tram goes by this spot so we found a stop and waited for the tram. After a while it comes along and we pay for our lift back towards the hotel. Two stops later and we all get thrown off. The trams are great, the only real problem is if one breaks down! If it does then any tram behind it cannot pass and on this occasion one of the older trams had broken down blocking our way:
The above is a tram like the one that broke down, but I don't know if it's the same as I took this picture earlier.
We walked the 6 blocks down and 3 blocks across to the hotel, grabbing a Subway on the way to eat in the room. After eating Calum and Jen both decide to go to sleep as they are so tired - it's only 8.40pm but busy days!
One day left.
More to follow:
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'Rock' and roll
After arriving at the hotel we settled ourselves in and then wandered out into San Francisco, mainly to get some food. The transport systems here are great, especially the 'F' route trams. A few years ago someone had the brilliant idea of buying up old retired trams from around the US, refurbishing and restoring them and running them on the old docklands route into the city. As a result you have this collection of beautiful old trams, all a bit different to each other and different ages taking people for only $2 or $0.75 for a child anywhere on the route.
We took the 'F' tram down to Fisherman's Wharf and had a wander. This is now the main visitor area for the city. Very vibrant, lots going on and lots to see. We visited the booking office for our prepaid Alcatraz trip to find out times etc for tomorrow and then went for food. We ate at a Rainforest Cafe/Restaurant. Great fun, especially for the young. Big anamatronic animals around the place as well as huge fishtanks with tropical seawater fish swimming about. Food fantastic and so cheap (compared to Australia). We ate well and then walked back to the hotel (Calum scooted) arriving at about 8.00pm. We got changed for bed and were all asleep by 8.30pm.
Tuesday 16th August: up early and off to Fisherman's Wharf to get our Alcatraz tickets and our 48 hour tickets for the 'Hop On - Hop Off' tour bus. We are told to be at pier 33 for 12.40 for our ferry to 'The Rock'.
Breakfast - time to kill so priority is breakfast, we found an old style American Diner complete with Rock and Roll playing on the Jukebox. They do breakfast so in we go. Calum opts for the easy sausages and toast, Jen goes for a Breakfast toasted Sandwich and Les goes for the 'All American' pancakes and maple syrup with bacon on the side! Fabulous.
Still time to kill so we go into 'Ripley's Believe it or not' San Francisco. Great fun and takes a couple of hours. Then over to pier 33 and onto the ferry to Alcatraz
If you've never been before, it's surprising how near to San Francisco city the island is and how big it is. From the dock to the cellblock is like climbing 13 stories! You get a real impression of how alarming it must have been for prisoners being taken there in chains and having to walk up the steep climb to the cells and then be processed:
Issued uniform and a number which is how they would then be referred, Showered:
And then to the cells with all the other prisoners shouting and yelling to them:
We do the audio tour. This is one of San Francisco's top attractions. You are given a set of headphones and this has a commentary by former guards and prisoners explaining the history of the prison and giving a feel of what it was like there whilst directing you around and telling about some of the legends and stories. The whole thing is truly fascinating. Brilliant. You are free to roam until the last ferry at 6.10pm.
We catch the 4.30 ferry to the mainland having taken shedloads of photographs!
Back on the mainland and we headed to pier 39. This is where there are shops, attractions, live outdoor shows and restaurants. The spent some time watching a show and picking up some souvenirs then we ate at the Wipeout Cafe. Its been a warm day but there has been a mist and fog all day meaning that as the evening draws in its cooling quite quickly. This is obvious by this picture of the Golden Gate Bridge:
Then back to the hotel for about 8.00pm. We settled in for the night with a movie - X-Men first class.
Then to bed after another busy day!
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We took the 'F' tram down to Fisherman's Wharf and had a wander. This is now the main visitor area for the city. Very vibrant, lots going on and lots to see. We visited the booking office for our prepaid Alcatraz trip to find out times etc for tomorrow and then went for food. We ate at a Rainforest Cafe/Restaurant. Great fun, especially for the young. Big anamatronic animals around the place as well as huge fishtanks with tropical seawater fish swimming about. Food fantastic and so cheap (compared to Australia). We ate well and then walked back to the hotel (Calum scooted) arriving at about 8.00pm. We got changed for bed and were all asleep by 8.30pm.
Tuesday 16th August: up early and off to Fisherman's Wharf to get our Alcatraz tickets and our 48 hour tickets for the 'Hop On - Hop Off' tour bus. We are told to be at pier 33 for 12.40 for our ferry to 'The Rock'.
Breakfast - time to kill so priority is breakfast, we found an old style American Diner complete with Rock and Roll playing on the Jukebox. They do breakfast so in we go. Calum opts for the easy sausages and toast, Jen goes for a Breakfast toasted Sandwich and Les goes for the 'All American' pancakes and maple syrup with bacon on the side! Fabulous.
Still time to kill so we go into 'Ripley's Believe it or not' San Francisco. Great fun and takes a couple of hours. Then over to pier 33 and onto the ferry to Alcatraz
If you've never been before, it's surprising how near to San Francisco city the island is and how big it is. From the dock to the cellblock is like climbing 13 stories! You get a real impression of how alarming it must have been for prisoners being taken there in chains and having to walk up the steep climb to the cells and then be processed:
Issued uniform and a number which is how they would then be referred, Showered:
And then to the cells with all the other prisoners shouting and yelling to them:
We do the audio tour. This is one of San Francisco's top attractions. You are given a set of headphones and this has a commentary by former guards and prisoners explaining the history of the prison and giving a feel of what it was like there whilst directing you around and telling about some of the legends and stories. The whole thing is truly fascinating. Brilliant. You are free to roam until the last ferry at 6.10pm.
We catch the 4.30 ferry to the mainland having taken shedloads of photographs!
Back on the mainland and we headed to pier 39. This is where there are shops, attractions, live outdoor shows and restaurants. The spent some time watching a show and picking up some souvenirs then we ate at the Wipeout Cafe. Its been a warm day but there has been a mist and fog all day meaning that as the evening draws in its cooling quite quickly. This is obvious by this picture of the Golden Gate Bridge:
Then back to the hotel for about 8.00pm. We settled in for the night with a movie - X-Men first class.
Then to bed after another busy day!
More to follow:
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Tuesday 16 August 2011
"Are you going to San Francisco"
Monday 15th August: up nice and early, car loaded and off to the airport. Nice and easy, straight to the Hire Car return, easy easy easy!
A quick check over the car "that seems fine" said the attendant "have you filled her up before arriving?" You know that feeling when you suddenly realise the day is going to be more expensive than you planned "no, we forgot, we did fill up in Noosa but obviously we've driven here since" a quick look at the fuel gauge revealed a half tank "we'll have to charge you the return rate for the half tank, sorry" $75.00 or £50.00 later for a tank that would have cost $20.00 or £14.00 to fill!
Anyway, into the terminal and try to book in. Well surprise, surprise 'Passengers not recognised, please go to service desk!'. Off to the service desk we go. "Are you going international?" we're asked. "Yes, San Francisco", "Okay I'll have to book you in manually". The process goes ahead and after booking our luggage onto all three flights (thankfully we don't have to keep getting our luggage) we are booked on the planes - well at least as far as Los Angeles where we clear customs and pick up our tickets to San Francisco.
Through security - wait for Jen to be tested for explosives (again) - then through to the gate for the flight.
Brisbane to Sydney 9.15am take off lands in Sydney bang on time 10.50am. By the time we clear the plane and get our shuttle bus to international departures at Sydney it's 11.30am. We have to clear customs leaving Australia, which we do with ease. The customs people even appear friendly. Security again and we stand looking at Jen expecting her to be explosive checked but this time it doesn't happen.
We head through to the departure lounge and have time for Jen & Calum to have a game of cards before we head to the gate. The flight is due to take off at 1.05pm but is delayed until 1.30pm. Once again it's an Airbus 380, magnificent. On the 380 they have a tail camera and you can watch the plane from your in-seat screen. Jen and Les watch the plane taxi & take off whilst Calum watches Kung Fu Panda 2.
1.35pm on Monday 15th August and we're up in the air! The captain is confident we will make up the lost time and no turbulence is expected.
What's really strange about this flight is it's 13 hours long, we are then in LA for 2 hours and 45 minutes. We then have a 1 hour 15 minute flight to San Francisco, but we land in San Francisco, after clearing immigration at Los Angeles at approximately 1.35pm on Monday 15th August - Bizarre!
It's a long flight, a very long flight and it really feels like it! Calum managed to grab about two hours sleep whilst Jen and Les got none despite repeated attempts. We saw lots of films though! before arriving we are handed a form to complete. The form (one per family) is so we can confirm we have no prohibited items including food items in our luggage, sharp items etc. One person taking responsibility needs to sign the form. les completes and signs the form.
Arrival at LAX airport and we go through the first level of immigration. Whilst queuing a cute spaniel comes over with his handler and sniffs along the queue of people. It stops at Jen and sniffs her bags "have you got any food items in your luggage ma'am?" asked the armed and uniformed lady handler. "No" replied Jen "Only a roll" Les realises that when completing the in flight form he had taken it for granted that none of us had food with us! "Does the roll have any meat in it?" continued the handler "It's got ham in it' replied Jen. The lady goes on to say we will need to declare it and she then rewards her dog with a treat form picking out the criminals smuggling the food!
Passports are checked by an immigration officer along with a confirmation that we're only holidaying and where we will be whilst we are. The baggage collection. Despite having our bags checked at Brisbane, being America we have to collect and go through customs then re-deposit the bags when cleared. We collect the bags and the join the customs queue's. Whilst in the queue another larger but still cute spaniel comes over and sniffs our luggage. Jen says "We were stopped before, I've got a ham roll" "it's got meat in it?" asked the male handler - perhaps in America they have non meat ham? Otherwise a very odd question - "Yes, ham" replied Jen. "Passport and entry card" demanded the handler. Les handed him the passports and the card completed on the plane. He glanced at the passports and then in green marker pen scribbled something on the card. He handed them back and Les looked at the card, the only word he could make out was 'Meat'.
Eventually we got to the red line. A notice read 'Stand behind the red line and wait to be called' we duly did as the sign instructed. We were called forward when the previous family were done. "Passports and entry card" the man demanded, no please or thank you, this was a clear instruction. Les handed over the passports and card. "Where are you staying?" "How long for?" "Are you on business?" "What is your country of origin?" "Where have you come from today?" questions, questions but no additional stamps in the passports! He looks at the card. "You've got food?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "Yes" replied Jen "it's a ham roll" "Did you buy it in the airport?" he asked almost hopefully. "No" replied Jen, "I made it before we left" Les has premonitions of us being sent back to Australia (not a bad thing as it happens!). You need to go over there and take all of your luggage, he points towards the queue of shame. No one else is in the queue of shame, the barriers zig zag around in full view of everyone until we reach another sign 'Wait here to be called!'
We wait, still only us in the queue, in front of us is a large X-ray machine with about eight uniformed customs officer all standing chatting. After a couple of minutes one looks us and they stop talking. Another of them, a female calls over "Put your luggage on the conveyor" again, no niceties just do it. We go over to the conveyor leading into the X-ray machine and Les starts loading the luggage onto the belt "Just the hand luggage" she barks at us "Sorry" replies Les and continues with the hand luggage. "Passports and entry card" she barks again. She looks at the card, signed by Les and the passports. She hands back Jen and Calum's passports "You two can go" she says to them "You need to hang on" she says to Les, passing his passport and the entry card to another customs officer. The luggage goes through the X-ray machine. At the other side is another customs officer...
"You've got a meat sandwich?" he asks "it's a ham roll" replies Jen who thankfully hasn't gone. There is a visible mumbling from the customs officers watching the bags go through the X-ray machine. One of them goes over to the customs man we're talking with and whispers in his ear. Now at that point you begin to think, did we leave the bags at all? Could anyone have planted anything? All sorts of possibilities. As the bags come out, he goes straight to the red and black rucksack Jen had been holding. He vigorously pulls it open and drags out our small cool bag. This too is vigorously pulled open. With his latex glove covered hands he pulls out the clear plastic bag containing not one but two ham, cucumber and tomato rolls. "You know the minimum fine for bringing food into the US is $300.00!" he says. suddenly Les remembers he's got a packet of mints, does that count? The customs man reaches further into the rucksack. Well at least he won't find anything else! Out of the bag comes the custom officers hand clutching an orange. Oh my god thinks Les, I'm going to jail. And not just jail, a big american jail. Not just a big American jail, but one like the one in 'Shawshank redemption'!
The customs officer puts his hand back in the bag, it can't get any worse at least! Out comes his hand again clutching another orange. A large customs officer watching proceedings from behind the X-ray machine tilts his head back and then shakes it in a 'When are these people going to learn' kind of way. It's at that point you realise they are all wearing latex gloves and you hope it's just for handling the food! "Sorry, I forgot they were in there" says Jen apologetically. The large customs officer continues to shake his head in a 'Yeah right, that's what they all say' kind of way.
The Customs guy we're talking with throws the food in a bin. "That's okay, these things happen. But next time you come to the US remember it's any food, candy, fruit, meat, anything must be declared and shouldn't be brought in" he hands back Les's passport and the form with clear written on it and signed. "Just take it to the guy over there" he points at another customs officer behind a desk. We take over the passports and he promptly stamps them. Les decided not to mention the mints.
Finally, very tired, we are in the US. We re-deposit our bags for onward flight to San Francisco and then have to leave the terminal and take the short walk to the domestic flights terminal.
Next flight is operated by American Airlines. We try again to book in automatically "and fail. We kind of guessed that would happen. We spoke with an attendant who tried to help. He found Calum on the system but couldn't book him on the flight. The booking in machine produced a small piece of paper with go to customer services ticketing. We are directed to further along the airport. The queue is huge. When we arrive the plane was running 10 minutes late but that still left us with just over 2 hours and 30 minutes. Thanks to our brush with customs we now have just over 55 minutes! Jen goes and explains this to a couple of American Airline staff who are chatting at the entrance to the queue. She has to interrupt them but the explains the situation "You need to join the queue" well thanks for all your help!
Fortunately the queue moves quite quickly and after about 15 minutes we get to the front of the queue and explain our story including that our bags have been checked in and are on the plane.
She goes to the computer "I can't find your booking or your tickets, have you altered your booking at any time?" does this sound familiar to our regular readers? "No we haven't changed anything" we explain. She asks for a copy of our itinerary which she is duly given? "I can't find the ticket numbers" she says, almost as if we would. "Oh yes, here they are" she said looking through the itinerary. "These aren't the right numbers" she says, almost accusingly. She 'tut's' and shakes her head and then 'hey presto' she produces three tickets for us on the flight. 25 minutes to take off and we quickly head to airport security to get on the flight which is almost due to board.
We join different queues. Calum and Les go through one queue and Jen through another. It's another shoes off job and a full body scanner. Calum and Les get through and wait for Jen (AKA International Flyer of the year!). "Where's mum" asked Les, "She's talking to that man" replied Calum. Les looked over in time to see Jen by a security officer who was going through her bag. We then saw him produce a bottle of Suncream from the bag. Jen and the man had a conversation and we see the bag put through the machine again minus the Suncream which has been put to one side. The bag comes out again and another conversation takes place. The bag is gone through again. The security guard then produces a melted ice pack full of liquid from the cool bag in her bag. At this point Les almost swears and probably would have done if Calum wasn't with him. Only 15 minutes left until the plane takes off! The freezer bag is put to one side and the bag goes through again. This time there is a conversation between the man and Jen. He is holding the Suncream and Freezer Bag, she is shaking her her head and pointing. He is holding the items. He then turns and bins the items. Jen walks through and joins us.
Off to the gate just in time for boarding. On the plane, packed in like sardines but only a 50 minute flight to San Francisco which goes without a hitch. We arrive, grab our bags and of to the hotel in a death defying taxi. In the room by 2.30pm brilliant!
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A quick check over the car "that seems fine" said the attendant "have you filled her up before arriving?" You know that feeling when you suddenly realise the day is going to be more expensive than you planned "no, we forgot, we did fill up in Noosa but obviously we've driven here since" a quick look at the fuel gauge revealed a half tank "we'll have to charge you the return rate for the half tank, sorry" $75.00 or £50.00 later for a tank that would have cost $20.00 or £14.00 to fill!
Anyway, into the terminal and try to book in. Well surprise, surprise 'Passengers not recognised, please go to service desk!'. Off to the service desk we go. "Are you going international?" we're asked. "Yes, San Francisco", "Okay I'll have to book you in manually". The process goes ahead and after booking our luggage onto all three flights (thankfully we don't have to keep getting our luggage) we are booked on the planes - well at least as far as Los Angeles where we clear customs and pick up our tickets to San Francisco.
Through security - wait for Jen to be tested for explosives (again) - then through to the gate for the flight.
Brisbane to Sydney 9.15am take off lands in Sydney bang on time 10.50am. By the time we clear the plane and get our shuttle bus to international departures at Sydney it's 11.30am. We have to clear customs leaving Australia, which we do with ease. The customs people even appear friendly. Security again and we stand looking at Jen expecting her to be explosive checked but this time it doesn't happen.
We head through to the departure lounge and have time for Jen & Calum to have a game of cards before we head to the gate. The flight is due to take off at 1.05pm but is delayed until 1.30pm. Once again it's an Airbus 380, magnificent. On the 380 they have a tail camera and you can watch the plane from your in-seat screen. Jen and Les watch the plane taxi & take off whilst Calum watches Kung Fu Panda 2.
1.35pm on Monday 15th August and we're up in the air! The captain is confident we will make up the lost time and no turbulence is expected.
What's really strange about this flight is it's 13 hours long, we are then in LA for 2 hours and 45 minutes. We then have a 1 hour 15 minute flight to San Francisco, but we land in San Francisco, after clearing immigration at Los Angeles at approximately 1.35pm on Monday 15th August - Bizarre!
It's a long flight, a very long flight and it really feels like it! Calum managed to grab about two hours sleep whilst Jen and Les got none despite repeated attempts. We saw lots of films though! before arriving we are handed a form to complete. The form (one per family) is so we can confirm we have no prohibited items including food items in our luggage, sharp items etc. One person taking responsibility needs to sign the form. les completes and signs the form.
Arrival at LAX airport and we go through the first level of immigration. Whilst queuing a cute spaniel comes over with his handler and sniffs along the queue of people. It stops at Jen and sniffs her bags "have you got any food items in your luggage ma'am?" asked the armed and uniformed lady handler. "No" replied Jen "Only a roll" Les realises that when completing the in flight form he had taken it for granted that none of us had food with us! "Does the roll have any meat in it?" continued the handler "It's got ham in it' replied Jen. The lady goes on to say we will need to declare it and she then rewards her dog with a treat form picking out the criminals smuggling the food!
Passports are checked by an immigration officer along with a confirmation that we're only holidaying and where we will be whilst we are. The baggage collection. Despite having our bags checked at Brisbane, being America we have to collect and go through customs then re-deposit the bags when cleared. We collect the bags and the join the customs queue's. Whilst in the queue another larger but still cute spaniel comes over and sniffs our luggage. Jen says "We were stopped before, I've got a ham roll" "it's got meat in it?" asked the male handler - perhaps in America they have non meat ham? Otherwise a very odd question - "Yes, ham" replied Jen. "Passport and entry card" demanded the handler. Les handed him the passports and the card completed on the plane. He glanced at the passports and then in green marker pen scribbled something on the card. He handed them back and Les looked at the card, the only word he could make out was 'Meat'.
Eventually we got to the red line. A notice read 'Stand behind the red line and wait to be called' we duly did as the sign instructed. We were called forward when the previous family were done. "Passports and entry card" the man demanded, no please or thank you, this was a clear instruction. Les handed over the passports and card. "Where are you staying?" "How long for?" "Are you on business?" "What is your country of origin?" "Where have you come from today?" questions, questions but no additional stamps in the passports! He looks at the card. "You've got food?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "Yes" replied Jen "it's a ham roll" "Did you buy it in the airport?" he asked almost hopefully. "No" replied Jen, "I made it before we left" Les has premonitions of us being sent back to Australia (not a bad thing as it happens!). You need to go over there and take all of your luggage, he points towards the queue of shame. No one else is in the queue of shame, the barriers zig zag around in full view of everyone until we reach another sign 'Wait here to be called!'
We wait, still only us in the queue, in front of us is a large X-ray machine with about eight uniformed customs officer all standing chatting. After a couple of minutes one looks us and they stop talking. Another of them, a female calls over "Put your luggage on the conveyor" again, no niceties just do it. We go over to the conveyor leading into the X-ray machine and Les starts loading the luggage onto the belt "Just the hand luggage" she barks at us "Sorry" replies Les and continues with the hand luggage. "Passports and entry card" she barks again. She looks at the card, signed by Les and the passports. She hands back Jen and Calum's passports "You two can go" she says to them "You need to hang on" she says to Les, passing his passport and the entry card to another customs officer. The luggage goes through the X-ray machine. At the other side is another customs officer...
"You've got a meat sandwich?" he asks "it's a ham roll" replies Jen who thankfully hasn't gone. There is a visible mumbling from the customs officers watching the bags go through the X-ray machine. One of them goes over to the customs man we're talking with and whispers in his ear. Now at that point you begin to think, did we leave the bags at all? Could anyone have planted anything? All sorts of possibilities. As the bags come out, he goes straight to the red and black rucksack Jen had been holding. He vigorously pulls it open and drags out our small cool bag. This too is vigorously pulled open. With his latex glove covered hands he pulls out the clear plastic bag containing not one but two ham, cucumber and tomato rolls. "You know the minimum fine for bringing food into the US is $300.00!" he says. suddenly Les remembers he's got a packet of mints, does that count? The customs man reaches further into the rucksack. Well at least he won't find anything else! Out of the bag comes the custom officers hand clutching an orange. Oh my god thinks Les, I'm going to jail. And not just jail, a big american jail. Not just a big American jail, but one like the one in 'Shawshank redemption'!
The customs officer puts his hand back in the bag, it can't get any worse at least! Out comes his hand again clutching another orange. A large customs officer watching proceedings from behind the X-ray machine tilts his head back and then shakes it in a 'When are these people going to learn' kind of way. It's at that point you realise they are all wearing latex gloves and you hope it's just for handling the food! "Sorry, I forgot they were in there" says Jen apologetically. The large customs officer continues to shake his head in a 'Yeah right, that's what they all say' kind of way.
The Customs guy we're talking with throws the food in a bin. "That's okay, these things happen. But next time you come to the US remember it's any food, candy, fruit, meat, anything must be declared and shouldn't be brought in" he hands back Les's passport and the form with clear written on it and signed. "Just take it to the guy over there" he points at another customs officer behind a desk. We take over the passports and he promptly stamps them. Les decided not to mention the mints.
Finally, very tired, we are in the US. We re-deposit our bags for onward flight to San Francisco and then have to leave the terminal and take the short walk to the domestic flights terminal.
Next flight is operated by American Airlines. We try again to book in automatically "and fail. We kind of guessed that would happen. We spoke with an attendant who tried to help. He found Calum on the system but couldn't book him on the flight. The booking in machine produced a small piece of paper with go to customer services ticketing. We are directed to further along the airport. The queue is huge. When we arrive the plane was running 10 minutes late but that still left us with just over 2 hours and 30 minutes. Thanks to our brush with customs we now have just over 55 minutes! Jen goes and explains this to a couple of American Airline staff who are chatting at the entrance to the queue. She has to interrupt them but the explains the situation "You need to join the queue" well thanks for all your help!
Fortunately the queue moves quite quickly and after about 15 minutes we get to the front of the queue and explain our story including that our bags have been checked in and are on the plane.
She goes to the computer "I can't find your booking or your tickets, have you altered your booking at any time?" does this sound familiar to our regular readers? "No we haven't changed anything" we explain. She asks for a copy of our itinerary which she is duly given? "I can't find the ticket numbers" she says, almost as if we would. "Oh yes, here they are" she said looking through the itinerary. "These aren't the right numbers" she says, almost accusingly. She 'tut's' and shakes her head and then 'hey presto' she produces three tickets for us on the flight. 25 minutes to take off and we quickly head to airport security to get on the flight which is almost due to board.
We join different queues. Calum and Les go through one queue and Jen through another. It's another shoes off job and a full body scanner. Calum and Les get through and wait for Jen (AKA International Flyer of the year!). "Where's mum" asked Les, "She's talking to that man" replied Calum. Les looked over in time to see Jen by a security officer who was going through her bag. We then saw him produce a bottle of Suncream from the bag. Jen and the man had a conversation and we see the bag put through the machine again minus the Suncream which has been put to one side. The bag comes out again and another conversation takes place. The bag is gone through again. The security guard then produces a melted ice pack full of liquid from the cool bag in her bag. At this point Les almost swears and probably would have done if Calum wasn't with him. Only 15 minutes left until the plane takes off! The freezer bag is put to one side and the bag goes through again. This time there is a conversation between the man and Jen. He is holding the Suncream and Freezer Bag, she is shaking her her head and pointing. He is holding the items. He then turns and bins the items. Jen walks through and joins us.
Off to the gate just in time for boarding. On the plane, packed in like sardines but only a 50 minute flight to San Francisco which goes without a hitch. We arrive, grab our bags and of to the hotel in a death defying taxi. In the room by 2.30pm brilliant!
More to follow:
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Monday 15 August 2011
Has anyone seen 'Psycho'?
Sunday 14th August: Final full day in the paradise that is Australia! Never before have we felt such a compulsion to stay anywhere. It's such a varied country that there is somewhere to cater for all needs. It really is paradise on earth.
Our final day in Australia and we're still in Noosa. The weather since arriving has been fantastic but today it almost seems like Australia knows we're leaving. It's a little overcast and a little cooler than it has been (still about 20 degrees but cooler than the last week). At one point it even begins to rain. Only a little, and very light but rain nevertheless.
We drove around Noosa in the morning and went to the Markets at the Marina. Very small and very expensive but worth a look. Noosa is beautiful. It is basically the spectacular beach we've talked about before, but it is also a series of intricate waterways with little estates of housing interspersed with Shops and restaurants. There are little parks by the waterways and they all have the communal bar-b-ques. They are all over Australia. Great idea, you just turn up and if not in use, help yourself. They are spotlessly clean and are looked after, they even have sinks next to them to clean your food/plates etc. Amazing really, they would be vandalised in seconds in the UK!
Here are a couple of shots of the waterways near the Market:
Whilst the one young lad turned up with his girlfriend on his Jetski, after a while he dropped her off and headed back down the waterway. What a way to travel! A couple of other young lads turned up in their boat with a little outboard to get fishing supplies and then off they went to go fishing. A whole different way of life but what a way of life!
At the Marina, Calum found a skate park and was happy using his scooter whilst Jen and Les drank Latte's and absorbed the atmosphere:
To keep us entertained, we had Calum (who made friends with some other lads in the park) and the pelicans:
Which flew about us very close.
Early afternoon and we headed back to the hotel. On the way we discussed the flights coming up tomorrow. Three flights in all, the first being at 9.05am from Brisbane to Sydney, then onto LA, then on again to San Francisco.
Th first flight is the one bothering us the most because from our apartment to Brisbane it's a good 2 hour drive and on a Monday morning this could be getting busy. We also will need to set off in the dark and the roads are not lit.
We made a Decision to try and book a hotel near the airport for the night and lose the extra night at Noosa. A quick visit to an Internet cafe and we manage to book the Formule 1 hotel near the airport (before you say anything it really is spelt Formule and not Formula okay!).
3.30pm and we set off having first booked out of the hotel and said our sad goodbye to Noosa!
The drive down to Brisbane went without a hitch. As we turned off the Gold Coast highway we realised we were tantalisingly close to Surfers Paradise but no, we had to get to the hotel - which was on an industrial park!
Now, this is where we ask "Has anyone seen 'Psycho'?". As we booked into 'The Bates Motel' sorry 'Formule 1' the receptionist - a tall thin male called Norman - told us "I've booked you into room 108. Mother used to like room 108!". Thanks we said, taking the pass key-card and moving off to the room. "enjoy the shower" called Norman after us.
To say this room is not the best we've stayed in is something of an understatement:
As you can see Calum had to sleep above our heads on the 2ft wide and 5ft long bed above our heads. No tea or coffee in the room but you could grab a vending machine coffee for $2.50 or about £1.80.
Still the TV was good, lots of films streamed to the rooms, everything from Disney to Hardcore Pornography. Great fun for Calum flicking through the channels (we quickly took control of the remote!).
The shower did work fine - we put a guard on the door - only it did flood the bathroom floor. The picture above was the room without our cases and bags. There was no room at all after that! Remind me again, why did we leave our luxury apartment in Noosa to pay for a night here? Oh well, tomorrow we leave the most wonderful country on earth and this little setback will not spoil that impression of the country.
Thank you Australia for a great holiday. San Francisco next, it almost seems like a let down!
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Our final day in Australia and we're still in Noosa. The weather since arriving has been fantastic but today it almost seems like Australia knows we're leaving. It's a little overcast and a little cooler than it has been (still about 20 degrees but cooler than the last week). At one point it even begins to rain. Only a little, and very light but rain nevertheless.
We drove around Noosa in the morning and went to the Markets at the Marina. Very small and very expensive but worth a look. Noosa is beautiful. It is basically the spectacular beach we've talked about before, but it is also a series of intricate waterways with little estates of housing interspersed with Shops and restaurants. There are little parks by the waterways and they all have the communal bar-b-ques. They are all over Australia. Great idea, you just turn up and if not in use, help yourself. They are spotlessly clean and are looked after, they even have sinks next to them to clean your food/plates etc. Amazing really, they would be vandalised in seconds in the UK!
Here are a couple of shots of the waterways near the Market:
Whilst the one young lad turned up with his girlfriend on his Jetski, after a while he dropped her off and headed back down the waterway. What a way to travel! A couple of other young lads turned up in their boat with a little outboard to get fishing supplies and then off they went to go fishing. A whole different way of life but what a way of life!
At the Marina, Calum found a skate park and was happy using his scooter whilst Jen and Les drank Latte's and absorbed the atmosphere:
To keep us entertained, we had Calum (who made friends with some other lads in the park) and the pelicans:
Which flew about us very close.
Early afternoon and we headed back to the hotel. On the way we discussed the flights coming up tomorrow. Three flights in all, the first being at 9.05am from Brisbane to Sydney, then onto LA, then on again to San Francisco.
Th first flight is the one bothering us the most because from our apartment to Brisbane it's a good 2 hour drive and on a Monday morning this could be getting busy. We also will need to set off in the dark and the roads are not lit.
We made a Decision to try and book a hotel near the airport for the night and lose the extra night at Noosa. A quick visit to an Internet cafe and we manage to book the Formule 1 hotel near the airport (before you say anything it really is spelt Formule and not Formula okay!).
3.30pm and we set off having first booked out of the hotel and said our sad goodbye to Noosa!
The drive down to Brisbane went without a hitch. As we turned off the Gold Coast highway we realised we were tantalisingly close to Surfers Paradise but no, we had to get to the hotel - which was on an industrial park!
Now, this is where we ask "Has anyone seen 'Psycho'?". As we booked into 'The Bates Motel' sorry 'Formule 1' the receptionist - a tall thin male called Norman - told us "I've booked you into room 108. Mother used to like room 108!". Thanks we said, taking the pass key-card and moving off to the room. "enjoy the shower" called Norman after us.
To say this room is not the best we've stayed in is something of an understatement:
As you can see Calum had to sleep above our heads on the 2ft wide and 5ft long bed above our heads. No tea or coffee in the room but you could grab a vending machine coffee for $2.50 or about £1.80.
Still the TV was good, lots of films streamed to the rooms, everything from Disney to Hardcore Pornography. Great fun for Calum flicking through the channels (we quickly took control of the remote!).
The shower did work fine - we put a guard on the door - only it did flood the bathroom floor. The picture above was the room without our cases and bags. There was no room at all after that! Remind me again, why did we leave our luxury apartment in Noosa to pay for a night here? Oh well, tomorrow we leave the most wonderful country on earth and this little setback will not spoil that impression of the country.
Thank you Australia for a great holiday. San Francisco next, it almost seems like a let down!
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday 13 August 2011
Lazy day in paradise!
Saturday 13th August: After a bit of a lie in, it was off down the beach. Noosa beach is world famous as a beautiful spot as well as a surfing Mecca. Unfortunately today the surf has left us and the sea is as calm and flat as possible. The beach is still beautiful, helped by the temperature being around 27 degrees with beautiful sunshine - stunning!
As the day progressed it got hotter and hotter, the sea got more and more inviting. More and more people arrived but the beach never looked overcrowded (note to Dave Stansfield - this place is a Boobfest!) (note to Les - this place is also a pert Bumfest) (note to all the ladies - this place is a blond Hunkfest). Jen & Les hired a double kayak and Calum a 'Stand Up Paddle' board (you'll have to ask?) and we spent an hour messing about on the water. It's only waist deep 100 yards out and swimming around you are hoards of fish. We had to get some cheap goggles so Calum could swim among them.
The sun was so intense that Les & Calum both got a bit burnt whilst Jen just got darker! Calum was by far the worst:
Early afternoon and we returned to the hotel for Calum to swim in the pool whilst Jen & Les read books on the loungers. Then back down the front for some evening photo's of the beach:
Whilst walking around we came across two beach weddings taking place. It really is the perfect location:
This picture was taken early evening as the sun went down. It was still around 23 degrees outside and the views were stunning.
We wandered back to the hotel through the little town and saw a wireless Internet connection. We tried it, cost $5.00 and failed to connect. We now have 6 updates to publish, it's looking like San Francisco will be the place to send.
We're now back in the hotel, Calum is in the pool again:
One more day left in paradise!
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As the day progressed it got hotter and hotter, the sea got more and more inviting. More and more people arrived but the beach never looked overcrowded (note to Dave Stansfield - this place is a Boobfest!) (note to Les - this place is also a pert Bumfest) (note to all the ladies - this place is a blond Hunkfest). Jen & Les hired a double kayak and Calum a 'Stand Up Paddle' board (you'll have to ask?) and we spent an hour messing about on the water. It's only waist deep 100 yards out and swimming around you are hoards of fish. We had to get some cheap goggles so Calum could swim among them.
The sun was so intense that Les & Calum both got a bit burnt whilst Jen just got darker! Calum was by far the worst:
Early afternoon and we returned to the hotel for Calum to swim in the pool whilst Jen & Les read books on the loungers. Then back down the front for some evening photo's of the beach:
Whilst walking around we came across two beach weddings taking place. It really is the perfect location:
This picture was taken early evening as the sun went down. It was still around 23 degrees outside and the views were stunning.
We wandered back to the hotel through the little town and saw a wireless Internet connection. We tried it, cost $5.00 and failed to connect. We now have 6 updates to publish, it's looking like San Francisco will be the place to send.
We're now back in the hotel, Calum is in the pool again:
One more day left in paradise!
More to follow:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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