Ok sorry for the long delay but it has been hard to find decent cheap internet. The trip so far has been amazing. I can’t believe how much fun it has been. I wish I didn’t have to come home in New York. I think i have given up on the budget. When you last had me post it was the same day as arrival. Had a pretty relaxing one that day and just chilled out. Next day chilled in the morning till Met up with Bianca and Julie and went down to the Angel’s Stadium to get some tickets to the game that night. I had real mexican for lunch with Michelle and Kenna and it was great catching up with them again. It has been over a year since we last saw each other.
That night was my first ever baseball game. Anaheim Angels (owned by Disney) vs Texas Rangers (owned by George W Bush). Twas a good game, had my first hot dog and also experience a Corona Bomber which is pretty much the equivalent of a Tallie (700ml) in a plastic cup. I had a Pacifico (better version of a Corona) and it was pretty damn good. It was pretty hot at the game. Didn’t cool down much at all. The heat over all on the West Coast was pretty hot.
So the next day was Day 1 of the tour and that meant the bit I was most looking forward to. LAS VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!! We got in around lunch and I had to find myself some shoes as apparently they are pretty strict with dress codes (later to find out they weren’t). Behaved myself pretty well, had an awesome slice of pizza at Caesars Palace and road the Vegas monorail (which in itself is like a party with DJs on the stations). Bit of a bad weekend to come to Vegas as it was Labour Day weekend. 3 Day Weekend and everyone was going to party. Went out that night to see the Blue Man Group at the Venetian and it was fantastic! I couldn’t believe it. After getting out of the Venetian we had to make our way to the other end of the strip in like 15 minutes. Felt almost impossible. Found a Doorman to give us a hand and they arranged for a Cadillac Escalade to pick us up and take us to the other end of the Strip for $45. The driver was awesome. He sped us to the other end in 10 minutes, probably broke several road rules to. Went out to a club called Rum Jungle at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and it was unlike any club I have ever seen in Brisbane or Sydney.
Word of advice. If you come to Vegas, Tip the bar staff $5 on your first drink. They will love you after the first drink and they free pour in vegas and they were pouring my Grey Goose on the Rocks very heavy (probably about 3 or 4 standards). After 3 of those I was very gone and staggered back to the hotel.
Sunday was pretty relaxed. Went out to some outlet malls in a Stretch Escalade and tried to find my pats jersey but didn’t have any luck so ended up getting a Texas Longhorns Hat. In the afternoon chilled out in the room and did some laundry. Through a football around a bit in the car park of the hotel. It was a good afternoon. Wasn’t feeling very well that night so took it easy. The new shoes i had bought turned out to have given me a very large blister so my feet were aching! Saw the bellagio fountains and also checked out New York New York and the Casinos are so over the top. Bought some souveneirs being 3 $5 chips from the Belaggio, MGM Grand and The Palms. Had a quiet night and then an early wake up for our road trip to the Grand Canyon.
On the road for the 2nd time on this trip as we headed east towards arizona. First stop Kingman Arizona and for the first time…. WALMART! This is like a Woolworths, Big W and a BWS all rolled into one. Even has a Gun Department in the Sporting goods section selling not only real guns but Paintball Guns and Airsoft Rifles (was tempted but didn’t want to freak out the Tour Manager). It was so huge. Also tried In and Out Burger. Its such a simple looking place and their burgers were so cheap. One thing to remember over here is that the food is HUGE. Easily feed two people off one meal in some places. I have yet to be able to finish a full meal. Also talking about food and drinks, In Walmart the booze is cheap. Picked up a dozen Pacificos for $12 and decided against the 2 litre bottle of Skyy Vodka for $21.
Arrived late afternoon to the Grand Canyon. This place is amazing and breathtaking. I couldn’t believe it! You look out at this gaping big crack in the ground and see the colour changes in the rock and also the occasional tree and then way down below the Colorado river. Today woke up early for our heli flight over the Canyon. I was already looking forward to this part of the trip but was even happier when I was told to head to the helipad with the EC130 sitting on it. If you haven’t seen this helicopter before here is a picture. They are so comfortable inside and much nicer than a boring old Bell 206 or 407. It was a fantastic flight and I took around 200 photos.
Just walked along the Canyon rim and later on tonight heading to a sunset vantage point. Really wish I had brought my Tripod with me. Anyway i best get off this net and let someone else use it, I shouldn’t be mean and hog the free internet.
Talk to you all soon. Love you all lots.
Mal
Current Location: Grand Canyon National Park Library
States Visited: 3