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Hellllooooooo everyone..........well...can't believe it that this will probably be my last instalment!! For those of you that don't know....have paid the dentist a little visit here this week (note to self....will never take the NHS for granted again - $94 just to see the dentist!!! Then there was the prescription!!!).....I have an infected wisdom tooth that needs to come out ASAP!!! The lovely dentist lady said "thats gotta come out now!" (in my best american accent!!!)....anyway, the insurance that I managed to get when I was already here (oops didn't check that before re-routing the ticket - another lesson!!!)....didn't cover more than 300 pounds so I am coming home 6 days early.....just glad it didn't happen in SA - eh Aims...can you imagine!!! hehe!!!
So anyway....prior to the tooth incident.....I left you in Monterey just before we got to San Francisco......we drove the last bit of Highway 1 in high spirits in anticipation of getting to San Fran, but also a little sad that it was coming to an end......All of this was dispelled when we arrived.....OH MY GOD!!! Anyone that has experienced the beauty of San Fran will understand....of all the cities I have visited....my beloved London.....the breathtaking diversity of Cape Town, the stunning Sydney (that harbour will still be in my heart forever).....SAN FRAN was a different level......I didn't think it was possible for a city to be so "pretty", yes there is concrete, like all cities, but somehow this is just gorgeous concrete!!! We dumped our gear in the hostel (in the bronx!!! but you get what you pay for eh!!!), jumped in the car and drove out of the city to the Golden Gate Bridge......I can't explain that feeling when you sneak a peek through the trees.....it's presence so imposing......we got our 6 bucks out for the toll and drove across it......there is a vista point just over the bridge where you can see it so clearly and the views of the city and alcatraz are breathtaking.....we then climbed to a higher point the other side of the bridge to see an even more beautiful view.....stunning!!
By this point, we are starving, so we treat ourselves to an Indian meal on Ellis Street....YUM!!! We then had the luxury of no-one sharing our dorm so we chilled out....perfect after the longest road trip ever!!!
There is just a "vibe" to San Fran and 2 days was nowhere near enough to take it all in, so Saturday we got up and drove round as much as we could, took in most of the "tourist" sights and ventured out for some food.....and ventured back very quickly!!! Our hostel was not the place you left after dark!!! I knew that I was driving from San Fran to Orange County on my own the next day as Dena was off to see her Uncle and she was flying directly there, so I wanted some chill time to prepare myself for the 6 hour drive!!! Scary!!!!
Sunday, 7.30am (just to prove Dena wrong - she was convinced I wouldn't drag myself out of bed in time lol!!!), I set off (after doing a practice run the night before - thanks Dena :-) And just to say here....felt quite sad leaving my road trip buddy....2 whole weeks is a LONG time to hang out with someone and I reckon we did just fine eh chick!!! - It took about 6 hours down highway 5, and it was cool....had to keep changing the radio stations....although I did get a total re-education about the religious side of Easter - I mostly chose to listen to the choooons I could sing along to....go on picture it for a minute hehe!!!!
So 2550 miles (in total) later I arrived at my cousin Chris' in Huntington Beach...haven't seen him since we were about 12/13 on holiday in Devon....he now has a lovely wife, Emmi and 2 gorgeous kids, Hunter and Tory, 4 dogs, a house, a boat and a motor home......phew.....he got grown up......!!! It was cool to catch up with him and the whole family out here......then back to Aunty Lins.....sheer luxury apart from sharing a bed with Zo.......!!!! Nan - now I get why you won't share with her!!!! xx
We have had an absolute ball here for the last week.....Aunty Lin has spoilt us rotten, uncle Garry has called us "freeloaders" and counted the hours until we leave haha!!!! Thanks guys - we appreciate it all!! :-)
We have hung out at Long Beach, Huntington Beach, experienced the crazy world of Disney......and Rich - I didn't wimp out, I went on all the rides - you would have been proud!!!!
So all in all, apart from the tooth a perfect end to what has been the most amazing experience of my life......too much has happened to try and sum it up but......I have learnt alot, laughed ALOT, met some COOL people (and a few friends for life - you know who you are :-). seen the most amazing scenery, done the most amazing things and shared it all with you :-) I will definitely be a different traveller from now on, and I can't wait to check out what "home" has to offer.....I am sure there is loads that I haven't seen right on my doorstep!!!
I am really looking forward to coming home and catching up with everyone.....thanks so much to those of you that have continually stayed in touch, you have got me through those moments when I wondered what I was doing.......and kept me in touch with the real world - seriously Tam - your Eastenders updates have been legendary :-)
So.......hope you have enjoyed it half as much as I have, I will update the pics when I get home and hopefully see you soon xxxxx
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