We are home. But only barely. Firstly the shuttle from hotel to airport took considerably longer than we were told as it apparently had to go to three other hotels after picking us up first: fifteen minutes after we got on it, it was picking up passengers at our neighboring hotel on the other side of the street! Not what one needs after too little sleep and a plane to catch. Anyway, we make it to the airport and the line for check-in is longer than for the studio tour at Universal Studios... We had 10 minutes before check-in closed and much, much longer than that to wait in line. So Zhenya got the attention of some staffers and we were somehow whisked through (don't ask me how - I just tagged along), making check-in with no time to spare, straight through security check and then to the gate where the plane was already boarding and our names were being called out by the staff at the counter. A nice warm-up for our quick transit in Washington!
Ah, good old Dulles Airport in Washington. How I haven't missed it! Hot and humid and people waiting everywhere. We knew we didn't have much time between the flights and we were right. When we finally arrived at the gate, people with kids were called forward for boarding. So somehow we managed to get on two flights without ever waiting at a gate. I guess this is part of the reason why the journey home didn't feel as long as it was (5h + 7h).
But we are home and severely jet lagged. now we `just' have to revert to CET time...
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
San Diego again
Oh, San Diego. It is a dream, it is Shamu, it is a place one should come again and again. This time we had a tight program: zoo and Sea World.
The zoo: HIPPOS!!!! There are beautiful Funani and Otus. Wonderful, beautiful hippos. After spending an hour or so next to them, more animals as koalas, kangaroos, bears, lions, gorillas, etc. must be seen. It was a long day, as too many things to see, but... we managed, we made it. And a cup with the hippo is on its way to Denmark.
Sea World: We went to see Shamu. David was so happy that we just cried. He couldn't hold his feelings. He loves Shamu so much, that now it is a bigger Shamu is on the way to Denmark as well.
Sea World made something interesting this year. They expand working hours to 11 p.m. and one could enjoy extra evening shows. Evening shows are much, much better and funnier. Especially when Shamu dances and rock-n-rolls.
I like the ticket system in America. You buy a customize ticket and then, when you enter the park, your finger print is taken. Excellent idea, so no one can get in with your! ticket. And this system works perfectly. Sea World can still remember me from 3 years ago, so no problem there.
The weather was strange in San Diego. There were no sun. If one reads the forecast then San Diego is the most sunniest (in a good way) city in US, but not this time. And we were so happy about that. It was great. We didn't want sun, or heat. We just wanted a normal temperature which will allow us to walk around without getting a heat stroke.
The zoo: HIPPOS!!!! There are beautiful Funani and Otus. Wonderful, beautiful hippos. After spending an hour or so next to them, more animals as koalas, kangaroos, bears, lions, gorillas, etc. must be seen. It was a long day, as too many things to see, but... we managed, we made it. And a cup with the hippo is on its way to Denmark.
Sea World: We went to see Shamu. David was so happy that we just cried. He couldn't hold his feelings. He loves Shamu so much, that now it is a bigger Shamu is on the way to Denmark as well.
Sea World made something interesting this year. They expand working hours to 11 p.m. and one could enjoy extra evening shows. Evening shows are much, much better and funnier. Especially when Shamu dances and rock-n-rolls.
I like the ticket system in America. You buy a customize ticket and then, when you enter the park, your finger print is taken. Excellent idea, so no one can get in with your! ticket. And this system works perfectly. Sea World can still remember me from 3 years ago, so no problem there.
The weather was strange in San Diego. There were no sun. If one reads the forecast then San Diego is the most sunniest (in a good way) city in US, but not this time. And we were so happy about that. It was great. We didn't want sun, or heat. We just wanted a normal temperature which will allow us to walk around without getting a heat stroke.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Yosemite-Death Valley-Las Vegas-Palm Springs-San Diego
And we have started our long trip around California, plus a little bit of Nevada.
Yosemite
That is the best place on earth. Well, at least one of the best ones. Waterfalls are awesome, the breathtaking nature, trails, all is just great. One should come a bit early in order to get some kind of parking. But all is very well organized. You get to park your car at the parking spot and off you go with a shuttle anywhere in the park. You get off and wonder around, get back to the bus and off to the next stop. The waterfalls are just right there. To some one should go a little, to some a lot, but one can always see them. We have managed to get very close to the lower Yosemite one. And please do notice, all of us. So we have climbed up and down and so did Masha and David. And that was just awesome.
Yosemite park has everything: snow in the middle of summer, dears, squirrels, and the bears. And the sign BEWARE OF BEAR is not for fun. Because... there are bears. And we have seen one! Yes we did. And we are very proud of that.
At the certain point me and the kids almost lost Morten, but we were in more advantage position: we knew where the car was, we had the keys and the money. But... we managed to find him. So all was good at the end.
Death Valley
No wonder it is called death valley. Have you tried it? We did and we are not! doing it again. It was hot. Hot like hell. 115F (46 C) and that is at 6 p.m. It was hot. And miles and miles of roads with no cars, just us. And then there was our hotel in the middle or the desert.
Death Valley has lot and lots of sand, rocks and salt. That is about it. It is a very strange place. The strange experience has been for us as we were driving from the picture full of life, snow, water, green trees, to heat and nothing just in the matter of 5 hours. That is awesome and strange.
As we looked at it then we do agree with U.Chris that one should not visit Death Valley in summer and we look at it that way: been there, done that, never going to do so again.
Fun experience: the swimming-pool in Death Valley had to be cooled down, yes! cooled down to 28 degrees with ice!
Las Vegas
When you drive and drive in the desert suddenly there are lights... Las Vegas... It is just unrealistically fun. Everyone has seen pictures of Las Vegas, but it is way different to be there. The light, the experience, people, casinos, shopping center, Caesar Palace, restaurants with the casinos, it is different and unique.
Even our hotel had casino in the restaurant. Kids were not allowed to be at the casino but there were allowed to pass by, so we had an opportunity to see what it is like.
The shopping center are crazy: a little Venice is just right there with channels and gondolas. That is just fun.
And the nights! Oh, the nights. Las Vegas never sleeps. It is full of lights and noise and life. Oh, I love this city.
And of course, the hardest choice one might face in this city to chose between if Elvis or McGraw should marry one.
Palm Springs
And then again on the road again. This time to sunny Palm Springs. The mission was to relax and not to see anything. However we ended up going via some kind of desert, again, visiting Joshua tree National Park and as a bonus taking a cable car to the top of the mountain. All in one day. The cable car was the funniest experience as you get from 35 degrees to about 22 degree, and all the was 8529 foot (2,5 km). That was just great. And the view. Breathtaking.
Do you know how many wind meals Americans can have in one tiny place? The answer is... MANY, VERY MANY and densely packed.
San Diego
And then we were off to San Diego. As one can notice, we have started our blog in San Diego and now we were back here. We love San Diego and trust me, David has been dreaming about coming back to Sea World for years so here we are.
Yosemite
That is the best place on earth. Well, at least one of the best ones. Waterfalls are awesome, the breathtaking nature, trails, all is just great. One should come a bit early in order to get some kind of parking. But all is very well organized. You get to park your car at the parking spot and off you go with a shuttle anywhere in the park. You get off and wonder around, get back to the bus and off to the next stop. The waterfalls are just right there. To some one should go a little, to some a lot, but one can always see them. We have managed to get very close to the lower Yosemite one. And please do notice, all of us. So we have climbed up and down and so did Masha and David. And that was just awesome.
Yosemite park has everything: snow in the middle of summer, dears, squirrels, and the bears. And the sign BEWARE OF BEAR is not for fun. Because... there are bears. And we have seen one! Yes we did. And we are very proud of that.
At the certain point me and the kids almost lost Morten, but we were in more advantage position: we knew where the car was, we had the keys and the money. But... we managed to find him. So all was good at the end.
Death Valley
No wonder it is called death valley. Have you tried it? We did and we are not! doing it again. It was hot. Hot like hell. 115F (46 C) and that is at 6 p.m. It was hot. And miles and miles of roads with no cars, just us. And then there was our hotel in the middle or the desert.
Death Valley has lot and lots of sand, rocks and salt. That is about it. It is a very strange place. The strange experience has been for us as we were driving from the picture full of life, snow, water, green trees, to heat and nothing just in the matter of 5 hours. That is awesome and strange.
As we looked at it then we do agree with U.Chris that one should not visit Death Valley in summer and we look at it that way: been there, done that, never going to do so again.
Fun experience: the swimming-pool in Death Valley had to be cooled down, yes! cooled down to 28 degrees with ice!
Las Vegas
When you drive and drive in the desert suddenly there are lights... Las Vegas... It is just unrealistically fun. Everyone has seen pictures of Las Vegas, but it is way different to be there. The light, the experience, people, casinos, shopping center, Caesar Palace, restaurants with the casinos, it is different and unique.
Even our hotel had casino in the restaurant. Kids were not allowed to be at the casino but there were allowed to pass by, so we had an opportunity to see what it is like.
The shopping center are crazy: a little Venice is just right there with channels and gondolas. That is just fun.
And the nights! Oh, the nights. Las Vegas never sleeps. It is full of lights and noise and life. Oh, I love this city.
And of course, the hardest choice one might face in this city to chose between if Elvis or McGraw should marry one.
Palm Springs
And then again on the road again. This time to sunny Palm Springs. The mission was to relax and not to see anything. However we ended up going via some kind of desert, again, visiting Joshua tree National Park and as a bonus taking a cable car to the top of the mountain. All in one day. The cable car was the funniest experience as you get from 35 degrees to about 22 degree, and all the was 8529 foot (2,5 km). That was just great. And the view. Breathtaking.
Do you know how many wind meals Americans can have in one tiny place? The answer is... MANY, VERY MANY and densely packed.
San Diego
And then we were off to San Diego. As one can notice, we have started our blog in San Diego and now we were back here. We love San Diego and trust me, David has been dreaming about coming back to Sea World for years so here we are.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
North of California
We got the car and off we go. Well, just as we picked up a car Chris needed to pick up something so he left, coming back 30 minutes later and having one of the dour handles inside of the car and not outside. So, we had to change the car first. But all in all we managed to leave SF area with a few rides over the hills.
The first stop was the north coast of California. We have visited Muir Redwoods and
Muir Redwoods had one of the greatest natures in North California. Huge and tall trees, deers just right there. Everything is wonderfully organized by Chris, who knew when he was taking us and where.
Riding the car on the coast of California is a great fun, but not for those who sit on the back of the car, as it is a very curvy road.
The next stop was Point Reyes - the windiest point in the Pacific US. And we do believe it. Oh boy, and it is cold as well. Well, that is where one should look for whales in the last of March and for harbor seals and elephant seals when we were there. Great nature and not so much visited.
And the picture of the day. David got in an accident, so thankfully it happened in America in the woods where all ordinary Americans have tissues, wipes and practically all the necessary medical supplies.
The first stop was the north coast of California. We have visited Muir Redwoods and
Muir Redwoods had one of the greatest natures in North California. Huge and tall trees, deers just right there. Everything is wonderfully organized by Chris, who knew when he was taking us and where.
Riding the car on the coast of California is a great fun, but not for those who sit on the back of the car, as it is a very curvy road.
The next stop was Point Reyes - the windiest point in the Pacific US. And we do believe it. Oh boy, and it is cold as well. Well, that is where one should look for whales in the last of March and for harbor seals and elephant seals when we were there. Great nature and not so much visited.
And the picture of the day. David got in an accident, so thankfully it happened in America in the woods where all ordinary Americans have tissues, wipes and practically all the necessary medical supplies.
Bridge and the rest of San Francisco
Well, even that it is summer it is not that warm. Especially if one decides to sail on a mini ship to see... the bridge. The most famous Bridge. But even that we got frozen to death we have seen it, we have sailed under it, we made it.
Then there we sea lion, of course. There were just there when we have arrived at the dock. Kids couldn't believe their eyes.
And during the last days we were visiting Academy of Science hosting aquarium, natural history museum, planetarium and tropical gardens under the same roof and San Francisco zoo were on the program. Did I mention that in San Francisco if one takes a public transport one receives 2$ to 4$ off from admission. Very smart system.
As of the rest of the time... there was food of course, very lovely and very expensive food.
Then there we sea lion, of course. There were just there when we have arrived at the dock. Kids couldn't believe their eyes.
And during the last days we were visiting Academy of Science hosting aquarium, natural history museum, planetarium and tropical gardens under the same roof and San Francisco zoo were on the program. Did I mention that in San Francisco if one takes a public transport one receives 2$ to 4$ off from admission. Very smart system.
As of the rest of the time... there was food of course, very lovely and very expensive food.
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