Dec 21 SHOPPING day Eager to get an early start we get up early, minor issue arises- the shops aren't opening until 0930. Decide to go out for b/f and end up at Cafe de la Presse on Grant (our street) near Union Square. Turns out to be a good move- decent coffee, Christine, Geoff and I split a breakfast basket and fruit platter and still have left overs. As in virtually every other food place the portions are huge. The coffee is served in a cup as big as a cereal bowl (actually that's not a bad thing). Tip. Leave and Christine and I head towards the shops. Geoff is on a bird mission so goes his own way. I make it as far as Old Navy and emerge an hour and a half later. ... read more

***Disclaimer- this probably isn't worth reading if you want to find out anything about travel in Mexico. It's just about our very pedestrian, non-adventurous trip to Club Med. But, if you are one of the friends/family or reader just checking in- here goes... Where is the taxi? We are waiting outside in suburban Miami having rung for a taxi at 4, it's now 0430 and I'm mildly anxious. Call the company- yep they're on the way. 0445 still waiting but the phone rings- the taxi guy is lost. Luckily he's only 3 mins around the corner. Board AeroMexico on time and have a really great flight, the terrain is fascinating- mountainous and green. As we approach Mexico City the density becomes higher, higher, higher.... Wow- it's huge, but interesting and colourful. I love the splashes and ... read more

5 - 8/12 Bid farewell to our friends, we convince them to drop and run. I hate goodbyes. Onward- the plan is to fly to Orlando where we will meet up with Callum and Christine, they are catching a bus to the airport from Port St Lucie where they have spent the last few days. Our flight is uneventful- we fly Air Tran. For an extra $50 we get a big seat and food (like we really need it!), it's a novelty. Arrive in Orlando and take off some clothes. It seems that the entire airport is full of people with Mickey mouse ears attatched to their heads. Actually you could just come to the airport and buy the ears as well as all your Disney souveneirs- there are several retail stores full of the stuff. ... read more

So, we have a week pretty much in Chicago. We have been a few times before so don't intend on visiting places that we have already seen (with the exception of the art museum). Geoff is conferencing and I am planning on meeting up with a friend from Massachusetts as well as some shopping and a few sights. In a nutshell; Shopping Chicago, like most of the US is great for shopping compared to Australia. Firstly, the range is outstanding, secondly, you actually get pleasant and helpful assistants, and lastly, the prices can often run at 40 % of those in Australia. Xmas time is amazing, the stores are beautifully decorated as are the streets. The sales are also pretty incredible. We are within a very easy walk of the State St precinct so we have ... read more

up at 0345 for the 20 minute airport run,surprisingly everyone is up (Callum figured it best not to even go to bed- his plan to avoid jet lag). We leave Perth with the sunrise. Standard airline breakfast number 1. I do love Mundella yoghurt though! Thank you Qantas.Uneventful flight to Sydney taking just over 3 hours. Try not to watch the movie - something about a boy being a tree and on loan to an infertile couple. Have a very good cup of coffee in the lounge- resign myself to the fact that it will probably be the last decent one for a month. Sydney to LAX is on an A380- very nice. Very clean, relatively roomy- not really roomy but i am trying to talk myself into it- it doesn't work, its not roomy.Sitting next ... read more