New Zealand - Christ Chruch and Franz Joesph

Hello - we are now in New Zealand a part of the world where we both have never been before. The flight over was ok as it was in the middle of the night so we slept for most of it. The guy sat next to Amy tho couldn't wake her and was in a rush to get to the toilet.
The country is very much like home really but more spectacular!!

Day 1

We arrived in Auckland but then had to get a flight to Christchurch however two planes we were booked on got cancelled!! - so it took us a while to get here. We stayed in an old jail which was interesting with each room being a cell - so it was pretty small and COLD. That's one thing we didn't expect...... we were in flip flops and shorts and t shirts asking for a heater - it was literally -5 at night!!. Its a nice place though. As we arrived late we just got some food for the stay and hit the sack as the jet lag was kicking in.

Day 2
After a mint sleep for 12 hours we headed off into the city centre with girl we met at breakfast. Not really much there but a lovely city. It had a massive park running through it and a river.
We had to invest in a coat each as it was cold!!! That night we just had a few drinks in the hostel with a few people.

Day 3

We headed off again into town and arranged our travel for NZ. We decided to get a Magic bus ticket which takes you around both islands - its a hop on hop off kind of bus - we thought about a camper van but again the weathers a bit chilly for this plus this is a good way to meet people and see the most of the country.

Day 4

We headed to a market which was being held in the city centre. After we got on a punt along the Avon river. We looked at tickets for the rugby but the seats weren't the best and there was also a light show on at the harbour so we decided to go to that however as always we missed it as it was the night before!!!! there was only one light left on ha lol. Anyway we got some fish and chips and went home to watch the match.






Day 5

We got a tranzalpine train across the south island to Greymouth. We have never seen views like it - amazing without sounding to hippyish. You could walk outside onto a viewing deck which was nice. We only stayed in Greymouth as a stop over on our way to Franz Joesph - good job really as there wasn't much there but the hostel was one of the best.

Day 6

Can't believe that we have spent a week here already!!!. We arrived at Franz Joesph - the first time we got the Magic bus. To our surprise it stopped at places of interest so you could walk around.. We were both looking forward to Franz Joesph as we were going to climb the glacier there!! We got there in the afternoon so we walked around a little rain forest and got ready for the next day!

Day7

We climbed the Glacier. The worlds Steepest apparently. This was truly one of the best things we have done on the trip. We spent about 8 hours exploring it going through caves etc and having snowball fights with other groups. We were lucky as we got on a day it snowed so there was fresh snow everywhere. Guess what.. Amy tripped, tried to disguise it as a jog, fell and her back and slide head first down the glacier.... lol. Its one of those experiences you just can't explain....... Its a must for everyone. We got chatting to a few people in our group and had a few beers that night.

That's about it so far. Next stop is Queenstown where we plan to go skiing. Its just snowed again so the slopes are open.. Can't wait!!










Take Care
All our Love Team RA

xxxx

Arriba!!! -San Deigo

Hello again. Hope everyone is well.

Day 1
After a fantastic stay in Vegas we drove down and back into California to see San Diego. We got there quite late on and it was a bit of a come down form the hotel we stayed in in Vegas!! we just had an early night.

Day 2

We headed for the zoo. It was ace - the first time we've seen giant pandas, they were so cute and big!!! Afterwards we headed downtown and just walked around and saw the city - A very nice one with lots of history, you can really see the Mexican influence everywhere - so Amy fitted in well with her brown little Mexican bod lol.

Day 3

We went to Balboa park, one of the largest in the states. It was gorgeous, loads of fountains and flowers and even a little Spanish part where artists sell their work. We went on a miniature train ride and walked around the butterfly garden. After this we took a tram back to the car and headed to Seaport Village, you could see Mexico from here its only 15 miles away but we were warned not to cross to the border as there is quite a lot of trouble at the moment. Seaport Village was lovely, lots of quaint little shops and a harbour, the sea was so clear we could see crabs and an octopus near the rocks! There was a park where palm readers were giving readings so I got mine (Amy's) done.....easiest $10 that tarot reader ever earned, it was pretty rubbish although she did tell me I have a "come hither thing going on" whatever that means!

Day 4

Our last day here so before heading out of town we decided to go to the old part of San Diego where the first Mexican settlers set up camp, it was a great little place with old style saloon's and little streets and shops, even the park had people with period clothing on and wagons, we had a nice little Mexican meal and got asked by 3 Mexican blokes if the could play a song for us on their bangoes, they didn't half go for it!!

After our food we headed to Dana Point in the O.C (Orange County) to stay with some of Rich's uncle's friends - Sumone and Lynn. It was a gorgeous town and an even nicer house with amazing views overlooking the beach. We had a lovely meal and a few drinks on the patio, then headed inside for a few games of pool and a match on the Wii.

Day 5

Packed our bags again and went further into Orange County to Newport Beach - now this was where all the surfers were! A gorgeous beach, really white sands. We were playing some footy and all of a sudden I got a pain in my big toe - a bloody wasp had stung me so rich had to play on his own....again. After a few hours at the beach and a bit of wave hopping we went to our next motel which was right near Disneyland

Day 6

As you can probably guess we went to Disneyland for our last day in America - what a way to finish off, however we did manage to get ourselves into the wrong park at first!! In fact when I rang home to wish Jan a Happy Birthday we were in some random theme park not Disneyland like I kept saying! We had to be escorted out and let into the right one....whoops. An amazing day all round, loads of rides, met some characters, then a parade and a firework show at night which was another highlight of trip to the states.

Day 7

The day of our flight, we didn't fly until 9pm so we had the day to look around the area once more. We went up to Malibu to have a look at the beaches which were once again gorgeous, had a walk along the shore and then thought we best head off to the airport to hand in our car, it was really sad to let it, go we'd grown quite attached!

All in all what a fantastic few months we've had, we can't believe how much we've seen and done, America has definitely not seen the last of Team RA!!

We'll be in touch after our first few days in ChristChurch, New Zealand, here comes a very long flight!

Al our love
Team RA
xxx

What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

... so we're not telling you anything!!!!

After a 5hr drive through the desert we arrived in the brilliant Las Vegas!! As soon as we arrived we couldn't stop smiling at the place.. It was just fantastic and so hot!! It was in the 100s all the time. We stayed in the Stratosphere hotel which was cheaper than all the hostels we stayed in!lol. It was ace, It had 2 pools the tallest tower in the country and even its own shopping plaza!! it was huge.

Day1

After we arrived we dropped the car off and walked down the strip - signing up to casinos to get cheap food deals ( Soz if we know how to travel now!!) 10 mins in the heat you could feel yourself burning!! pure desert heat!! After a walk we took a ride on the mono rail that goes down the strip. That night we tried out our membership cards on a cheap buffet which was class - mash etc, then we had a bit of an Amy and learnt how to play craps (One with the dice) I got told to stop celebrating like a gay......ha ha lol.

Day2

This was a pool day. We just lazed around and played ball in the pool. It was funny because a random man who looked vaguely like Elvis was loving walking around and chatting to people..(suppose you had to be there reading that back lol) The pool was mint with palm trees and waterfalls. That night we walked down the strip and went to see the famous fountains at the Belagio (Where Oceans 13 was filmed) - we won $20 in there. After we went to MGM Grand where Ricky Hatton fought and other big fights are held - this was ace. Massive!!!! After we just walked around and took it all in..

Day3

We fulfilled another ambition as we took a helicopter over the Hoover Damn and the Grand Canyon. We can't describe how it was as it won't do it justice but we can tell you that we sat in the front on the chopper next to the pilot!! It was just class!!!! We felt like Same Difference arriving at a concert ha ha lol. After the flight we got picked up by an old fashioned horse drawn wagon (just like you see in cowboy films) and were taken to a Cowboy Ranch where we stayed over night. We were given a pine cabin which was ace - we really felt like we were proper cowboys - even started to strut like one!!! We saw probably the worst gun fight ever as there was only one shot fired lol!! (I don't know what we were expecting) but we still clapped and left a tip then got dressed up in gun coats, hats and neckerchiefs. - loved it!!!

That evening we went on a sunset horse ride around the mountains and into some of the Mojave desert where we had a glass of Champagne and watched the sunset while a cowboy sang and played his guitar.. another was another was trying to make our horses stay still (think they were getting bored) We then rode back to the ranch and had supper inside the Diamond bar then sat round a camp fire roasting marshmallows, looking at the stars and listening to Casey Adams play music and tell stories.. It was just a breathtaking experience and definately a highlight so far!!!

Day4

We met a lovely couple from OZ who were on our flight and we ended going back with them on the way back as well. On the way back we flew over Lake mead and the strip. We flew into the flight area for the film Top Gun - so we were told..

After we arrived back we just had another day by the pool just thinking of what we had just experienced. That night we went to Freemont Street which is in the old part of the strip. Here we saw a mint light show then we went to see the building Elvis got married in (Its changed now but the building is still there), saw a few shows outside the casinos then got the bus home.

Day5

Our last day in Vegas.. Its probably the only place where we didn't want to leave. Anyway we went up the tower in the hotel we were staying in and saw the views of Vegas again then booked a show for the evening, booked our accommodation for San Diego then went by the pool again.

That night we saw a Variety show which was a giggle inside a mall that was an Aladdin theme and even had a sky.

The morning before we left we visited the hotel Elvis performed from 1969, saw flamingos in a hotel and went inside New York New York hotel.. which had little streets inside the hotel.. You've got to see it to believe it.. Its just mint!! Its the best week we have had but we have other places to see before NZ.

Next stop San Diego

All Our Love

Team RA xx

"Do you take sugar" 2 for amy and none for me becks

LA 30/05 - 5/06


Hello all. Can't believe another week as gone by!!! This week we were in LA. Wow what a place!! Like every other city we just fell in love with it straight away! Especially when the Hollywood sign was outside our Motel!! Plus the added bonus of very hot weather!!


Day1

We arrived late in the afternoon so we took a walk down Hollywood Blvd, walked on the walk of fame, saw the Kodak theatre ( where the Oscars are held) and also the Chinese theatre where film premieres are held and also the famous hand prints. This was ace with batman, pirates and Rambo walking around in costume!!


Day2

We got a map of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills so we took the car, put Courtney Cox's house in the tom tom and headed off!! ha ha lol. We drove around Bev hills (as we call it now) saw Becks, Sampras and Jenifer Aniston's houses just to name a few. We also went to where OJ Simpson killed his Mrs and lover (allegedly) and drove past the crime scene of the Marline Munroe death.. very good. Massive houses we can see why everyone goes there to live. Its funny them all being neighbours...


After the drive we went to Rodeo Drive where all the rich and famous shop. We found a free parking garage which ended up being Valet Parking - our Toyota looked a bit out of place with all the RR's and Ferrari's - "Take it easy bud we've only got 3rd party" as I chucked the keys to him over the bonnet.lol


After this we went to the Hollywood sign. Parked up and went for a walk.. Reading later the house we parked outside was Tommy Lee's!!!


Day 3

We walked down Hollywood Blvd to get a tube when we noticed that a film premiere was on. We walked down and it was the film Kung Fu Panda. Guess what... we saw Dustin Hoffman and Jack Black.. loads of paparazzi and news crews.. it was another pinch your self moment. Anyway after this we took the subway to Long Beach - which took ages!!! We felt and looked out of place in our beach gear and everybody around in gangster rap clothes..."don't start stuttering Rich they might think you are rapping and kick us in!!" Long Beach was good though and we even walked on the Grand Prix track, had lunch in the marina and then went back after sun bathing.


Day4


Well this day was supposed to be on day 2 but we slept in!! So we went to Universal Studios... The thing is the thing was on fire the day before and part of the studio set was gone !!!! We couldn't believe it. We still had a mint time seeing where they filmed Jaws, Desperate Housewives, and Bruce Almighty just to name a few. We then went on a few rides- (The Simpson's one is mint!), saw a few shows including a special effects show and a movie animal show with Archie the monkey!! its was a good laugh. We then had tea in Bubba Gump Shrimp.


Day5


We had another beach day this time in Santa Monica. Then decided after to hit the town and have a few beers around Hollywood. It started off well but because we haven't drunk that much we had to call it a night as Amy felt a bit rough. We were in a taxi going down Sunset Blvd when we had to stop in the middle of the road for Amy to be sick - everywhere!! People were driving past beeping and shouting all I could do was ask the taxi driver why he had one sandal in the front seat - because his driving foot gets swollen!!! ha ha lol. All in all it was a good night and spoke to a lot people who kept us giving drinks just because we're English


Day6


Amy stayed in bed all day!!!! I just walked around. It turned out that a Russian cage fighter was staying next to us. I bumped into one of Ozzy Osbourne's mates.. don't know how we started talking.. That night we both drove around Bel Air where Arny lives. This was like Bev Hills and even had a gate to enter the area. Then we called it a night.


Next stop in LAS Vegas.. Can't wait


Hope Everyone is well


All Our love


Team RA xxx