http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/nzers/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from nzers en-us Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:09:02 +0000 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:09:02 +0000 Our good friend Kerrie was there waiting for us at the exit as arranged lucky considering we were 20 minutes early had no luggage to collect flew through immigration and past the temperature monitors without stopping. We hadn't seen Kerrie since they moved from the Mount to Bangkok almost a year ago. It was so great seeing her after all these months we just clicked back to where we had lef http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/Central-Thailand/Bangkok/blog-413232.html Our last morning and we were up early and enjoying a delicious breakfast outside under the umbrella in the balmy heat beside the pool does it get any better than this In my opinion no wayWe quickly packed our bags which didn't take long given that we didn't have much to pack and met up with Suwan again who was prearranged to take us out to the Floating Village on Lake Tonle Sap. We sat http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/North/Siem-Reap/blog-412079.html This morning after enjoying a really delicious breakfast at the hotel we were met by Suwan who had organised to have the use of his uncles taxi a nice Toyota Camry to take us 50km out of Siem Reap to Kbal Spean The River of a Thousand Lingas Banteay Srei the Landmine museum and another temple the name of which escapes me at present.We left Siem Reap at 8.00am and after a fascinating jo http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/North/Siem-Reap/blog-409743.html The alarm beeped at 530 this morning to enable us to get to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. The hotel had kindly packed us a breakfast box and Suwan was waiting reliably for us at the entrance in his tuktuk. I think he looked a little more jaded than us at this ungoldly hour as we were still on NZ time 5 hrs ahead. The streets of Siem Reap were very quiet and rather peaceful at this time http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/North/Siem-Reap/blog-409331.html Thanks to an exceptionally cheap airfare a good friend now living in Thailand we're off on holiday again only this time without kids and traveling the long way via Christchurch Sydney to Siem Reap Cambodia and Bangkok Thailand. Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples have always been on our Bucket List and now seems as good a time as any to take the opportunity to see them...27 hours afte http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/North/Siem-Reap/blog-408374.html Our last day boo hoo The kids are ready for home and seeing their friends but Steve and I would like another couple of years before we have to go back to the drudgery of work. Even a few more days to wind down would be nice I should have booked a couple of days at the beach on the way home Next time...So we pack up the suitcases squeezing everything we could in every little space but http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/LAX/blog-338433.html San Diego SeaWorld our final theme park. Today's weather is in complete contrast to what we thought San Diego weather would be like it's overcast quite chilly and feels like it's about to rain here we are thinking that it is always brilliantly sunny here...Anyway we get to SeaWorld just before opening at 10am and are greeted at the entrance gates by very grumpy unfriendly staff who rough http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Diego/blog-338422.html Today we're off to visit the biggest museum we've ever seen the Aircraft Carrier USS Midway.As recommended we parked the car for free at the Old Town and took the San Diego Trolley a train into the city centre. Had a quick look around the Seaport Village area before walking along the waterfront boulevard to the Midway ship which is permanently moored in the harbour. OMG It's massive G http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Diego/blog-332615.html Enjoyed a yummy cooked breakfast courtesy of Homewood Suites this morning before heading out for our day at the famous San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park.Decided to take the narrated doubledecked tram tour of the zoo first to get an idea of what's what which was very informative and probably saved our feet from a few miles of walking.First stop after that was the Panda's and for the first tim http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Diego/blog-332597.html Packed up the car again grabbed a quick breakfast gassed up and began the longest drive of our holiday 750km to San Diego. Tomtom had the time estimated as 7 hrs 50 min ewwwww Kids were primed with Nintendo laptop books and ipods to help pass the time.We had soon left the beautiful red rocks and were back on the 4 lane highways passing thru the dry desolate desert country which domita http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Diego/blog-331904.html Did some Tiki touring around the countryside of Sedona this morning before hitching up with our prebooked Pink Jeep Tour an off road 4X4 trip on the Broken Arrow Trail into the heart of the red rocks. Apparently this is the must do activity in Sedona.We had a really exhilarating bumpy ride up and down some pretty steep bits of rock and dirt roads for about two hours which was really reall http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Sedona/blog-331294.html Alarm woke us up at 5.45am this morning so that we could get to the Grand Canyon rim early enough to see the sunrise. Great plan except that the clouds were pretty thick on the horizon and the view again wasn't at it's best. We were however extaordinarily lucky to see what we did tho' because upon returning after breakfast the clouds had dropped lower and we had our first real rain on our holi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Sedona/blog-331289.html Left Las Vegas late this morning and headed thru the desert again towards the Grand Canyon approx 4.5 hrs driving time.Stopped along the way at the majestic Hoover Dam for a guided tour thru the power plant which was really worthwhile. This took us way down deep into the area where the huge water intake tunnels were and then to see some of the 17 turbines in action. Having seen a tv documentary http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Grand-Canyon-National-Park/blog-330593.html Another morning by the pool watching the helicopters buzz past every minute or so on their standard tour of the strip. There must be thousands of these trips per weekDecided to spend the day shopping at one of the Outlet Malls and hopefully find a sporting shop somewhere. Found one thanks to the directions given by hotel staff and had a great day out. I don't know how much cheaper some of th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-330592.html Had a lovely relaxing morning beside the pool to wind down and catch some UV's. Kid's really enjoyed themselves and it was well earned.Later we headed out to explore the rest of the hotels on the Strip and what they each had to offer. First one Excalhibur A Medieval theme. Ashleigh Jordan wanted to do the Spongebob 4D ride that is advertised everywhere. As it cost 10 each Steve and I sa http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-330589.html Sadly it's time to leave and continue our journey on towards Las Vegas today. Loaded the car to the max thank goodness we got a big one and hit the highways again. Tried to locate the Ontario Mills Outlet Mall which should have been on our way but somehow missed it bugger and before long we're out in the desolate barren countryside that is inland California. Drove on a 6 lane plus highway http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-329795.html Our last day at The Happiest Place on Earth. Gates opened at 10am today thank goodness so we could sleep in a bit. Had assumed that because it was Monday the crowds would be less than the weekend and it would be a good day to go but I think everyone else had the same idea 'cos man it was BUSY And it was drizzling slightly I thought people stayed away in the rain Nope.Had a plan http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/Anaheim/blog-329620.html Far out wersquove been away two weeks already Today wersquove decided to tackle the LA Highways again and head to Universal Studios which is approx one hour north in moderate traffic or three hours when itrsquos busy. Turned out to be a wise decision to go today as the traffic on a Sunday morning wasnrsquot too bad and we made it without any stops or dramas. At one point we count http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/Anaheim/blog-329034.html Started the day with a Character Breakfast at Goofyrsquos Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. This treat was an unexpected bonus with our Qantas package otherwise we would not have bothered. The Disneyland Hotel has the reputation as being THE place to stay and the price reflects this. As far as I could tell from our very brief look around the only benefit would be itrsquos proximity to Dis http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/Anaheim/blog-329028.html Headed straight to California Adventure today the newest of the Disney Theme Parks. First ldquoriderdquo Soaring over California a very unique ride which has you belted into seats which raises you off the ground and tips you over a giant screen as if you are on a hang glider whizzing over the beautiful spots in California very coolMade our way around the park in a more orderly fashion http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/Anaheim/blog-329027.html