We took a break from our shopping and did a smallish day trip (5hrs each way) to the Grand Canyon while we were in Vegas. Having the car is a godsend and you kindof get used to driving on the wrong side of the road scarily enough! Hope I can go back to the normal way.... Anyways no words can describe the magnificence of the canyon so here's a few photos..... [View Full Entry]

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Sunday, Sept. 7: San Luis Obispo After blogging Sunday, I joined the hostel occupants for a lasagna meal. Everyone was in good spirits...the wine was a-flowin'...but I just wasn't feelin the crowd. There was one girl there, Claudia, from Switzerland with whom I quickly bonded. She and I decided to go into town-only a 6 block jaunt away, sadly, I forgot my camera. We landed at the Frog and Peach bar where it appeared a live band was setting up. This gave us more time to chat about our travels, experiences on the west coast, and our preferences in beer. I [View Full Entry]

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Thursday was almost a repeat of Wed... We got up late. Had cereal for breakfast. Then headed to the pool. Today I wanted a bit of shade and so sat where the building shades, but ended up entirely in the shade. It was fine as it's still hot out. But I would like to try to tan my stomach. It's usually the only other part that tans nicely :) Don worked out at the gym and spent our pool time in the hot tub. I sat around reading magazines and watching people. Then we went back to the room late afternoon. [View Full Entry]

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From L.A. to Las Vegas 6th - 9th September 2008 Santa Monica early mornings are not so different to others in California except that there are more joggers, cyclists, Tai Chi enthusiasts and bag people on the promenade. All week I have been waking early due to the time difference (and I am an early-riser anyway) to creep outside, leaving John sleeping for Spain, the UK and the US (I envy him) to have a fag and watch the world go by. By 6.30 there are always dozens of people about doing their thing and strutting their stuff. I don’t envy [View Full Entry]

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Hey So today was a good day jam packed with stuff. We got up late, as usual. We had bowls of cereal for breakfast in the room. Went to the pool. Today my dream of taking my laptop down to the pool and being able to work at the pool was crushed. I tried to work at the pool today to do my revisions but no matter where I sat or which way I faced, it is too bright out there and my own reflection or the wall behind me is about all I can see on my screen. So the [View Full Entry]

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Viva Vegas. Oh ya, I forgot. On Monday night we rented "Baby Mama" with Tina Fey... It was pretty funny. Today we slept in. Got ready. Had muffins at Starbucks -- did I mention it's right in the lobby directly when we come off the elevator. I am not saying this for my excitement since we all know how much I hate starbucks. But Don loves it. We went to the pool -- I'll post pictures of the pool tomorrow. Sooo beautiful at the pool. Hot, sunny, good music. I like to just sit on my chair and read and listen [View Full Entry]

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Saturday I woke from my train induced slumber to a pink sky. The pre-dawn sky. I got out of my bunk to go to the bathroom and stopped to look out the West window of the train door. I was looking at the pre-dawn sky over the desert of Utah. The sun was still on the other side… it wasn’t up yet. I just kept looking at the sky, waiting. Dorothy came out of our room and stopped to watch with me. All of the sudden, the sun came up from beyond the horizon. It was like a bright orange ball [View Full Entry]

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Here I am, first full day in Vegas My blog will likely not be as exciting or filled with as many pictures now til we leave Vegas. Just because we come here so much, the sights and hotels are really a novelty to me anymore so I don't remember to take pictures, etc. :) I will try to remember for all you reading and those that haven't ever been here..... Anyway, today will be a boring blog day. We didn't do much :) I went to bed late the night before and so I slept in til like 11 am and [View Full Entry]

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Just got back from Reno, NV. Went to Donner Memorial and then went swimming in Lake Tahoe. A great experience, the water was cold but crisp and sweet. Went to Virginia City, had read a Mark Twain book about it, found it very interesting and people (visitors and townspeople) quite decent. Rode the train and train ride was about the correct length, not too long and not too short. The car musuem was full of interesting cars, was a bit too much for me though may have been about right for a real gearhead. Lost a bit in the casinos. Great [View Full Entry]

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I really can't wait to go. I have lots of stuff to do. So, I just can't wait until I'm not working. Then I will have plenty of time to get everything done. Work has been dragging this week probably since it's my last week. I've been counting down the days until I leave for Hong Kong. I recently borrowed a bunch of books from the library. I have many books to browse and read. I've been reading Multicultural Manners and it has some great information. The city guides are really detailed with restaurants, accomodation, [View Full Entry]

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