Hawaii

Monday 28 November 2005

Our last day. We walked into the city centre and had a late breakfast. We did necessary things like mail, phone calls and that last of our sight seeing. Spent the rest of the day and the evening on our beach at Waikiki. Beautiful. We catch the plane to NZ at midnight tonight and then wait in transit for our flight to Fiji. We will lose a day due to our crossing the international date line.


Sunday 27 November 2005

Spent most of today at the Honolulu Zoo. It was only $6 to get in and it is opposite the back packers and looks like a green patchy park from the outside so we were expecting to see a few local birds etc. We were very surprised to find the full range of animals found in most top class world zoos. It was a great day and we saw some very interesting local flora and fauna as well. In the early evening we went to see a modern musical called RENT which we had noticed being advertised all over New York. It is set in 1989 and is all about the street people in down town NY before the big clean up in the late nineties. The music and singing was absolutely fantastic and we came out feeling very glad that we had not missed this sensational show.

Flamingoes at Honolulu Zoo

Saturday 26 November 2005

Made a leisurely start. Walked along Kulia to a very good value for money breakfast before posting two shirts to David and sundry postcards. Then a five hour trip to the north of the island to Sunset Beach where the professional surfers play - good wind and big waves today! A quiet evening strolling along the beach.

Diamond Head

Friday 25 November 2005

We walked along the beach and then went into the city centre and looked at all the shops and stalls. We saw the movie "Walk the Line" and we thought it was excellent. Joaquin Phoenix (River Phoenix's brother) did such a good job portraying Johnny Cash that we think he will be nominated for an oscar.

Waikiki Hotels

Thursday 24 November 2005

We walked up, up up and up from our hostel to the volcano crater Diamond Head. It took four hours and it was tough going but one feels so virtuous once one is at the top looking down on the whole island! Going down was fun because it was down hill all the way. Had a take away salad and Hawaiian fruit meal on a bench on the beach. Hawaii is truly as beautiful and romantic as one imagines it to be.

Honolulu Hill Suburbs

View from Diamond Head Crater

Wednesday 23 November 2005

Arrived at LA airport early (in case traffic held us up) and we found that we could get on an earlier flight and flew through the gate just in the nick of time so arrived in Honolulu 4 hours ahead of our scheduled time. This gave us daylight to get to our backpackers (no penthouse this time - just a room for two off a dormitory and a shared bathroom - but central and close to the fabulous beach) and time to plan and what we would like to explore here. Had a walk on the beach and looked at the shops and buildings and generally soaked up the evening holiday atmosphere. It is humid and pleasantly warm here.

Our beach at Waikiki, Honolulu

Los Angeles

Tuesday 22 November 2005

We walked from Venice Beach to Santa Monica which took an hour and it was beautiful white, wide sand all the way with many little street shops, hawkers and street entertainers. At Santa Monica we went on the big wheel, watched the singers and dancers, and had a shrimp lunch at Babba Gump's Shrimp Company. When the sun began to set we walked all the way back again enjoying the beauty of the sunset on the sea against palms trees. We are having a quiet evening, enjoying our last night in our huge penthouse on the beach!

Patsy gets to grips with nature - Venice Beach, LA

Venice Beach, LA

On the Big Wheel at Santa Monica Pier

Monday 21 November 2005

We did the genuine tourist thing today and took an all day guided bus tour of Los Angeles. It started at 8am and we have just returned at 8 pm. It was pretty good and we enjoyed it. We toured Venice Beach, Santa Monica, town central, Hollywood Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, the high peak with the view of the whole of the city, the Hollywood sign, down town and up town, peeping at the houses of the famous and we lunched at the Universal Studio area. We saw the first mission when California belonged to Mexico and we walked along the pavement with the stars names and foot and hand prints set in cement and we saw the chinese theatre. We experienced the unbelievable volume of traffic. We were in a seven lane highway and to enter we had to obey a traffic light flicking red and green to try and stop too many cars entering the highway at the same time through the slip road. When we squeezed onto the highway we crawled at 15km/h for one hour to get to the exit we wanted. There are so many cars and they cannot all fit on the road so everybody edges along carefully in one continuous traffic jam. Who would want to live here if they had to drive every day? Crazy. Anyway, we were happy to witness this as visitors. A good day. We like this sunny, gawdy place much more than we expected to.

View of Downtown LA from Hollywood Hills

Hollywood Hills

Hollywood Bowl

Sunday 20 November 2005

Woke up at 5:30am to get on the road back to Phoenix to catch our 11:15am flight. We did not want to say Goodbye to Liz and Wayne but consoled ourselves with the fact that they will be in Australia (Perth for Michael's wedding) and in Brisbane (seeing Wayne's brother) in January and we will see them then. Enjoyed the scenery again for the three hour drive and it was very pleasant tootalling back to the airport (we think we are really getting the hang of right side driving now)!

A short flight to LA and a local bus service trip into Venice Beach Hostel. LA is not much like Phoenix at all. It is absolutely huge and sprawling, really big in every way. Bright, hot and sunny, many cars (some highways have 9 lanes both ways), many palm trees, and it all seems very commercial and glitzy. We reached our hostel and were expecting really dire conditions for $27 per night but we were bowled over when we walked into our private room for two! It turns out that we have an apartment! Scruffy and shabby, yes, but clean enough and we have two double beds (just like the Hilton!), a bathroom ensuite, a room with a safe(?), a room with a kitchen including a microwave and fridge, a TV that works, a private balcony and FREE internet in the room! When we said to the guy that we could not believe what we were getting for our money, he said, "Oh by the way, there are free pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast every morning and every night there are beans, rice and pasta for dinner....er...it is also free but I am so sorry to tell you that you have to cook it yourselves!" Wow, this is unbelievable.

We walked one block to the beach and it was so like the movies it seemed surreal. Huge white sand beach, hundreds of roller bladers/skate boarders with good bodies and tiny shorts, street entertainers trying to outdo each other, blaring music at various intervals, palm trees and hot sunshine. We walked the hundred metres of beach down to the water and watched a magnificent sunset (with the clouds Liz and Wayne were looking for in Arizona, shining brilliantly). We were just gob-smacked at the whole spectacle. Returned to penthouse to microwave rice and beans with a packet of chicken soup. Not bad and we still have treats to enjoy thanks to Liz.

Phoenix

Saturday 19 November 2005

Jumped out of bed early and sat with Liz and Wayne to watch the dawn break. The light changes all the time and the incredible air is invigorating. We then had a scrumptious breakfast on the porch. We were taken down the street to meet all their very friendly neighbours and we were invited into their houses to look at the architecture and decor and views from their windows. Most of the neighbours have these huge American Dream trailers which they use for about half the year during summer to get away from the heat etc. We then toured the town of Yuma and saw the old prison, the Colorado River, the mall which had a display of old cars and an re-enactment of cowboys in earlier times. We had lunch and a beer in a genuine spit and sawdust saloon. At 4:30 pm the neighbours in the street, Wayne and Liz, Sandy and Patsy all went in four wheel drive buggies in convoy through the desert scrub into the bush and up the sandy, rocky mountains. It was such fun to bounce about and ride the rim of the high rocky escarpments. We stopped on a high ridge, built a bon fire, sipped gin and tonics and beer and watched the sun set. We had 360 degrees of changing blue, red, orange and violet light. Dan played his guitar and sang as we looked into the flames and then the starry sky. We soaked up this section of the day with gratitude. How good it was to be here. We bounced back in the 4 X 4's taking a different path home. Wayne and Liz put on a Mexican BBQ with Carne Asada (Mexican shaved spiced beef) and tortillas with guacamole etc. We enjoyed the company of the entire neighbourhood, all of whom have become good friends of the Ingrams. Thank you Liz and Wayne for such a remarkable and memorable time with you.

Around the firepit with the Ingrams
Wayne and Liz Ingram

Lower reaches of the Colorado River (old Yuma Mission and bridge in background)

In the foothills outside Yuma

Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: Patsy, Sandy, Liz and Wayne Ingram at Lutes Casino – we went there for lunch and a beer on Saturday 19th. A quaint place with all kinds of memorabilia hanging from everywhere. It is not a casino as such, rather a fun place to have a light quick meal and a drink. It is in “Old Yuma” town. The ladies were particularly intrigued with the naked male bicyclist poster over my shoulder. Patsy enjoyed her Michelob Amber Bock beer!


Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: A Model ‘A’ Ford in excellent condition – our stroll through “Old Yuma” town.


Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: We had a splendid outing up the trail to the Gila Mountains (behind our house) and were accompanied by our neighbours. From Left to right - Cherie Jones, Dan Ellis, Paul Jones, Rene Ellis, Liz Ingram, Patsy & Sandy. Went up in 2 little 4WD “Jeeps” plus a 4WD bike. Lit a fire, the men had Pacifico (Mexican) beers and the ladies Gin & Tonics from Ingram’s mobile bar, complete with freshly sliced lemon, ice etc. Dan Ellis treated us to a few campfire/cowboy songs on his guitar, but a highlight was Sandy’s solo rendition of the Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe Grenadier’s song (on guard opposite Westminster Hall) "When all night long a chap remains." We were all impressed with his rich baritone – "sung with gusto"!
We experienced a beautiful sunset and watched the city lights come on – a memorable evening. We went back to Casa Ingram for a “Carne Asada” BBQ – a new experience for the Sandersons!?


Friday 18 November 2005

Hired a car and drove for three hours to Yuma. A very unusual and interesting journey through arid yet beautiful country. Huge mountain rocks surround the boundaries of the horizon and mexican type catii grow on the desert like plains along the roadside. It is strangely fascinating and beautiful. We put the radio on the country cowboy music just to complete the experience for ourselves. Reached Liz and Wayne Ingram who live 15 miles out of Yuma in a new house which is fabulous and intriguing. It is not Mexican but absolutely fitting for Arizona. Liz says the design and decore is called 'Sante Fe" or Adobe style, very popular south western tatse. There are cream coloured gravel tiny stone chips everywhere, even in most people's gardens which is neat and clean but there are very little green lawns or flowers due to the desert conditions. Wayne and Liz have made the most of their beautifully cool home by putting in a pool outside their patio and having a fire pit (a huge circular gas fire that comes up from the ground outside) to sit around and drink red wine on cool desert evenings. The sunsets and the starry sky out here are remarkable. We are so lucky to be having this real American outdoor, outback Arizonian experience! I am off, back to the fire pit and we will probably stay up late! It is great to chat to ex P E pupil Wayne and ex GHS pupil Liz and wonderful to see them again.

Phoenix to Yuma Rest Stop

San Francisco

Thursday 17 November 2005

We bought an all day travel ticket for the cable trolley cars and travelled all over the city, through the streets, up and down the hills, then explored the water front, the Golden Gate bridge and saw Alcatraz from a distance. By the end of today we were both smitten by this beautiful Quake City. Caught a pleasant flight to Phoenix and found that it was what we expect Los Angeles to be like. Flat wide desert type area with many fly overs, dual carriage ways, palm trees and huge advertising signs everywhere. We had a good night's rest in a hostel downtown.

Patsy on San Francisco Trolley Car

San Francisco Waterfront with Golden Gate Bridge in background

San Francisco from the Trolley Car

Wednesday 16 November 2005

Caught the ferry back to Vancouver and bus to the airport. Managed to get on an earlier flight to San Francisco. San Francisco is not very impressive from the airport to the Bay area but once one gets into the city things improve. Many down and out people about who all seem to own and live out of their own shopping trolley. The city is interesting the way it is built on steep hills. Booked ourselves in to the backpackers and took an evening walk around down town. Will see more of the city tomorrow.

Canada

Tuesday 15 November 2005

Woke up in this fine house to find everybody else had left for work and school. We really enjoyed a sleep in, some morning TV and getting some washing done. We caught the local bus into town and then explored the water front, the museums, art galleries, streets and shopping malls. When we returned Nick took us to the quaint local pub called the Penny Farthing. At home we shared a delicious curry meal which Carmel had cooked for us and talked until late. Another great day.


Monday 14 November 2005

Rich and Daphne drove us to Whistler this morning. Patsy has always wanted to see Whistler as it is a very popular destination for Australians who all rave about it. It was like a quaint Austrian village and the ski lifts were open. On the drive there and back and from Rich and Daphne's house there are views of large snow capped mountains. We enjoyed Rich and Daphne's warm hospitality and we know that we will see them again one day, hopefully in Australia for their next holiday! We drove back to Vancouver, this time in daylight so the continuous construction work and traffic did not seem quite so daunting. Vancouver has the "Wow" factor. There are many fascinating bridges, lots of ice blue water and many lakes and everything else is either bright emerald green or snow capped. There are no vacant bald spots - just 360 degrees of beauty. We dumped the car at the airport and jumped on the bus which took us to the ferry to cross over to Vancouver Island. We were met in Victoria by Nick van der Westhuizen (ex PE pupil) and taken to his home where we met his wife Carmel and their youngest son Michael. Nick and Carmel are both doctors who have settled in Victoria and cannot see themselves ever moving again because they love it here. A beautiful island the size of England and only 600 thousand people. Sound like paradise?

Nick and Carmel Van Der Westhuizen

Sunday 13 November 2005

We felt sad saying goodbye to yet another dear friend as we waved goodbye to Ruth at the airport. We flew to Vancouver and hired a car to drive the 60 km to Squamish. It ended up being a difficult drive because we lost the light soon after we reached the main highway (so we lost out on the stunning views) and there were so many cluttered road works and very narrow pathways with umteen barrels and markers without any arrows or instructions so we were constantly unsure of where we were allowed to drive and the oncoming traffic was very close to us and very heavy as thousands were returning from Whistler after the long weekend. The bright lights in our eyes was a strain but again we hugged the right edge and reached Squamish safely to visit Rich and Daphne Humphries. We soon recovered from road rage over some wine and a good trout meal. How good to catch up with these great people and we talked and remembered into the night. Great sleep.

Sandy, Patsy, Daphne and Rich Humphries

Daphne and Rich Humphries

Saturday 12 November 2005

We had a pleasant drive to Edmonton with Ruth who introduced us to Tim Horton's coffee on the way, numerous times! Arrived at Pete Fairbridge's home east of Edmonton in the early evening. Pete was instantly recognisable and it was very good to see him. Ruthie found that she knew the same people that Pete knew from earlier Rhodesia days - again small world. Pete showed Sandy their U14A school rugby team photo - in it Fairbridge, Sanderson, MacFarlane, BatesT, and Humphries the only old boys from 1965 (apart from Geoff Hawkins) that Sandy is in touch with. Pete was a great host and cook and we all enjoyed the evening immensely remembering old friends and old times. It was great to have Ruthie with us too.

Pete, Ruthie, Patsy and Sandy

Pete's House

Friday 11 November 2005

All Canadian flags were at half mast for Rememberence Day and we couldn't help thinking that it is hard to believe that UDI was 40 years ago today. Anyway, we had another good look at Lake Louise and then drove through beautiful country to Banff and spent more time enjoying an even better 5 star hotel, wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere and admiring the architecture and decor. We had a sandwich lunch at a natural lay-by ( a log in the bush on a hill) with tremendous views all around. The day was topped off with a delightful evening socialising with Ruth's friends high up in their luxury apartment with river views. Here we met Lu-Inge and Nico Breed, Emor and Johan Kilian, all from South Africa and now well settled in Canada.

View from Banff Springs Hotel

Johan and Emor Kilian, Ruthie, Lu-Inge and Nico Breed

Pete Fairbridge at home

Thursday 10 November 2005

Ruth drove us through the route Bow Valley Parkway and the scenic route to Lake Louise with breathtaking views along the way and the Castle Mountain Internment Camp Memorial to the Ukranian, Austro-Hungarian internees during the first WW. We visited the Chateau at Lake Louise, a magnificant 5 star hotel right on the lake and then moved on to stay at a really cosy back packers youth hostel which is nearby, well appointed with lovely views too. Ruthie, Patsy and Sandy had a great evening in the back packer's kitchen eating Ruth's good chilli and slugging back Chilean cab sav!

Ukranian WWI Memorial Bow Valley

Lake Louise

Wednesday 9 November 2005

Up at 0700 to catch the Express Bus to the airport at 0812 for a 1210 flight. Due to very bad weather, thunder-storms and fog, the flight was delayed 3 hours. We got to Calgary at 1720 (4 hour flight) and were met by Ruth Hargrove. Ruth drove us to her very spacious flat via her old flat that had been flooded and some Christmas lights. The rest of the evening was spent catching up and remembering the past times together. It was really good to see Ruth again after 21 plus years. She was looking extremely young!

Ruthie at Home

Tuesday 8 November 2005

We made another lazy start and walked along the Niagara River to the bus station. A beautiful sunny day. The bus trip was brilliant, we could see Toronto across Lake Ontario, a distance of 70 km. We spent the afternoon shopping in the Eaton Centre with English fish and chips at the Food Hall. The evening was a"get your breath back" watching CNN!


Monday 7 November 2005

Woke up to a warm sunny day and the chilly wind had disappeared. Went to study the beautiful falls in daylight and took a tour underground to view the falls from below and behind. Magnificent. Looked up John and Irene Kotsch who did a years exchange teaching at Toowoomba Grammar in 1998. It was great to find them and we enjoyed a lovely evening in their home.

John and Irene Kotsch

Sunday 6 November 2005

Caught the Greyhound bus to Niagara Falls and walked through town to the Lyons Youth Hostel. We are back to the genuine barest basic living conditions but it is clean and central. The chilly wind nearly bowled us over and we were very glad that the hostel in Toronto let us leave our big packs (with camping equipment etc) in their luggage room. The extra clothes Rose gave us came in very handy when we walked to the Falls to see it lighten up at night. One gets quite wet from the spray and the wind is really cold, but it is beautiful and quite spectacular. A bright fireworks display happened over the falls while we were there. We think this may happen every night so we will be back there tomorrow. The streets are all a bit commercial but great fun anyway and we are enjoying ourselves.

Niagara Falls

Saturday 5 November 2005

An uneventful flight to Toronto and a downown express bus to our hostel in the middle of the city. Not a bad one this time, we have bathroom ensuite (which is very unusual for backpacker price) and TV in the room with CNN. We watched in amasment as CNN announced that 900 cars had been trashed in Paris! It is noticeably cooler in Canada and autumn is more advanced than USA. Met Thanos Dimitrakopoulos (ex PE pupil) and his lovely wife Josie and had dinner with them in town. They have three sons. The twins Daniel and Alexander and the youngest is Nickolas. We enoyed walking through the streets of Toronto (even thouugh the number of beggars was somewhat alarming - drug problems we suppose) and we landed up at the ORIGINAL Hard Rock Cafe for night caps! Sandy's ears are still ringing from the loud rock and roll music (oldie) but it was such good fun.

With Thanos & Josie Dimitrakopoulos

Patsy and Robert Wadlow in Niagara