Rudkin

September is holiday time! We all need a good holiday, somewhere that is relaxing and allows us all to chill out. It has been a stressful year for us all. The kids first year at High school, and mum & dad totally exhausted from working far too hard band doing far too much! So we are off to FIJI to enjoy some "Fiji Time" We have booked at Double Tree Resort by Hilton Fiji on Sonaisali Island on the west coast of VITI LEVU one of the islands of Fiji. Two days before leaving Celina decided to confirm our accomodation and in the process upgraded our accommodation to an Ocean Front Bure. Only another FJD800. Hope that tree back home is being watered? The forecast for the week (16 -24 September) is between high 20's and ... read more

Geo: 25.2561, 55.2477Woken at 3am uk time (7am dubai) on board QF002 with just 60 minutes to landing and breakfast is served, pretty ordinary just a cheese and onion toasted sandwich!It appears Celina watched a movie and didn't sleep too well, I slept the. Whole journey as I was well and truly exhausted, and the kids had a pretty good sleep.Airport is huge and extremely exotic, big columns, very high ceilings, lots of glass, waterfalls, palms and LED lights, very nice indeed and very clean. Cleared customs without any issue and proceeded to the exit where we arranged a larger than normal cab as we are now five people and 11 bags plus carry on....it is amazing how much we travel with...things will have to change big time, next time!!!!!Whilst Dubai has a population of just ... read more

Geo: 51.4748, -0.0684857Landed a bit rough!Bright blue sky's and temperature just 1 degreeNot quite last off the plain, collected bags, all in good shape, almost immediately. Got through customs without any hassle, no bag X-ray area, no inspections what so ever, very casual indeed. Found a larger than normal London cab, loaded the bags and off we went for what we anticipated to be a 30 minute ride. It turned into over 60 minutes and UK$81 later that's $AU150, extortion indeed!London Metropole Hilton Hotel is very nice indeed. Checked in all rooms were ready but Dad and Keith and Joe handn't yet arrived from Leicester on the train. ....they travelled 1st Class. We were now pretty much shattered, it's 13:00 in London but 05:00am in New York so we have been going for just on 20 ... read more

Geo: 37.7855, -122.411It's now 08:30am and everyone is still very much asleep.....we intend taking it easy today, just wandering he city, particularly Union Square. Interesting to note that whilst large retailers were in abundance in New York they were spread far and wide where as in San Francisco they seem to more clustered together, so shopping should be much easier. Shopping is likely to just be looking because a) we have no space for anything more and b) funds are drying up seriously....but we will see, you just never know what might happen....and as Vesna commented Iin the past few days...."life is short - so enjoy" ...so we will continue to enjoy this most remarkable holiday!!Forecast for today is continued overcast and temperature of 16 degrees.Finally off to find breakfast, much more difficult in San Francisco. ... read more

Geo: 40.7614, -73.9863Expecting our new suitcases today before we checkout at 12:00 noon. Made call to United about claiming for damaged bag. Left Celina with this while I went to the FedEx office to collect our new suitcases. All collected ok an returned to hotel via taxi and re packed everything.First stop Aeropostle to exchange a T Shirt, we ended up buying a new jacket, scarf and beanie for Sophie, before rushing off to Rockefeller Centre for Top of the Rock, only to find that when we got there our New York pass had expired yesterday so if we wanted to view we are up for $94.00. Some solid pleading by Celina and they treated us as an exception and let us in. Even upgraded us to Privileged Visitor which for $5.00 came with a picture ... read more