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Howdy!!
I cant belive how long its been since we last wrote a blog! Sorry guys! Here goes with the past two weeks...
First off Fiji! After the freezing cold of NZ we were both desperate for a bit of sun. We were not dissapointed when we got of the plane and were greeted by a wall of heat, Fijians singing and playing guitar and putting seashell necklaces around our necks.
Our tropical island experience was taking place on an island just off the mainland befittingly called Robinson Crusoe's Island. This is backpacker heaven - a beautiful beach, fun games, relaxed atmosphere and food thats included in the price. We were staying in a basic bure (hut thing) just of the beach. It took us very little time to get into the swing of things and do some serious relaxing.
Our days would involve lying on the beach, the occassional game of beach volleyball, eating lots and spending large amounts of time in the sea lounging on either a sea kayak or surfboard. We also met some really cool people which was the cherry on the top. It was an awesome week and not even cold bucket showers could have spoilt it. If anything they made it a true island experience and I don't think we would change a thing.
Next was the States!! After a 10+ hour flight we arrived in a bit of a daze and were slightly overwhelmed by how crazy LAX was. For me, it being the first time I've been in the USA, I was in awe of everything. It's like someone has taken everthing and inflated it to 8 times the normal size (people included as we've seen some massive wadldlers!!).
We were staying in Venice for 2 nights as part of our luxury stay in a beautiful hotel right on the boardwalk (thank you Tim/Daddy!!) The hotel was probably the best part of Venice. This is mainly because it seems like they've rounded up all the nutters in the world and dumped them there. In all honesty I thought we were the only sane people there!! Probably the most mental thing we saw was an evangelical preacher and a black guy getting into a fight after the preacher had proclaimed that we were all going to hell!! We arrived on the 4th July and were expecting huge fireworks and celebrations for Independence Day. Unfortunately apart from people setting of illegal fireworks we were dissapointed. However we did meet up with some people we had met in Fiji for a really delicious meal which was ace!
Easliy the highlight of LA was going on a night tour. We started off at City Walk (a huge shopping complex at Universal Studios). From here we were driven around LA stopping off at the major attractions including the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive (the street where all the stars shop) and at some of the big music recording studios. Was the best way to the city and we had a brilliant time.
From LA we went over to OC country staying with Jim and Katie in Newport. We were treated like royalty here, enjoying a delicious homecooked meal. We went down to Newport pier and spent an enjoyable day taking in the sights. We also went to a huge shopping complex called Fashion Island. With both Macys and Bloomingdales Tots was in her element!!
Next on the cards was Las Vegas. It took us 8 hours to get there but it was well worth it because we were staying the in Luxor (the giant pyramid hotel) which amazingly was costing us the same price as a hostel!!!! The hotel was right on the strip and had a giant light on the top which is the brightest in the world (it gives off enough light for you to read a newspaper 10 miles up in space). By the time we got organised and showered etc it was midnight, we were expecting the place to be a bit quieter. We were hugely mistaken as the place was bustling with people and had an amazing atmosphere. We walked around the different hotel complexes in awe of the size and number of them.
Vegas is a weird and remarkable place. The place never sleeps and truly is the Disney Land for adults. The two nights we were there we spent just walking around the hotels and casinos. Despite not being able to drink or gamble this was still amazing to do. I'm looking forward to returning when I'm 21!!
At the moment we are in Santa Cruz staying with Brett and Molly. This is a great way to recover after Vegas (and the 16 hour overnight bus journey it took to get here). Yesterday we had a picnic on the beach and watched the weekly concert. We then got some blankets and sleeping bags and watched Back To The Future on the beach. This was a really cool and unique experience.
Anyway I'm knackered from writing this mammoth blog - this has to be the longest I've concentrated for 4 months!! There will be pictures to follow at some point soon. See you next week!
Matt and Tots xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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