Good Morning Peeps...!

We are officially almost home!! But please check out where we are...oh yes...Newport beach, where the OC was filmed, gotta love that!! Well we didn't actually stay there but thought it would be better on the place thingy!

We arrived in LAX on Sunday lunchtime, a little tired but all good. Picked up our car from the airport - oh yes a convertible ford mustang - a bit cliche but had to be done! In white as well, this is west side timmy putting out a holla to all our peeps back in the hood! I'm not getting carried away or anything??!!

Anyhow we headed down the interstate towards San Diego, 7 lanes of traffic driving on the wrong side of the road was an eye opening experience in itself! Saw 3 lambourghinis, hundreds of porsches (1 of which paid our road toll for us - he must have been impressed) and more massive SUVs than you can swing a dead cat at! Things aren't done by half here!

Arrived at our motel and headed into SD where we managed a bit of shopping and a chinese with our waiter Paul, great food and the portions were even too big for me! I know hard to believe! Hard my first Bud on tap, great stuff, Em had a glass of vino or should i say a bucket!

Sea World the next day was incredible - saw Shamu, what an amazing show in a huge stadium. The whole place is geared around the big guy to the expense of some of the other marine life (saw some sea turtles kept in a paddling pool, which was a bit distressing as these guys spend 30 years of their lives out at sea!). None the less the place is incredible and just huge!

Yesterday we travelled up the coast visiting Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, much to Ems delight! Had a corn dog from Janes Corn Dogs (slightly overrated in my opinion but another American thing crossed off!).

Today we're heading further north up to Big Sur after staying in Pismo Beach (which is stunning!). Looking forward to a visit to monterey aquarium tomorrow - will keep you updated!

Realised we haven't mentioned Cook Islands at all!!!! What a stunning place. Stayed at Varas backpackers right on the beach - beautiful!! Spent most of the week in the water snorkelling with our new Danish friend Torben - saw an amazing amount of fish! A very entertaining start to our week, qwe got to the aiport in rarotonga and went to the Vara's board, Lilly (the lady picking us up) looked at us like we were aliens...Noone had written us down on her book thing so we were rather anxious! But we got on the coach anyway and then more people arrived Jo first and the same thing had happened to her then so on. When we arrived at vara we were put in any rrom that was readya nd clean and were told to sort it out at reception the next day....thrilling! but it all worked out a treat and cemented a week long holiday with Jo, Torben and Trina...an awesome group! We had a wicked week eating together every night....crashuing a stag do and goign to the local rugby club as it was the only place open till later...! An awesome week that we will never forget, a bit like this entire trip really!

Well we're off to see Cramel and Big Sur...

Home 2 weeks on friday!! Woohoooooo!!

lots of love xxxxx