Tue 28th
Our plane landed at about 06.00 an hour late, we should still be able to reach our 08.00 flight if we're quick. By the time we went through baggage claim and passed our way through customs the chance was slim. I had the luggage on a trolley and had to run it to the domestic terminal, to be told it was too late to load it. The first flight offered was 15.00, we were gutted.
The attendant came back to us with a chance of flying at 11.00, we were on standby.
Air New Zealand did give us enough complementry vouchers for us to get a good feed before we went to wait. Luckily there was 3 people that didn't turn up for their flight and we were on our way. Landing in Christchurch had us a step closer to home, we just had to claim our baggage again and check in to see what flight we would get to Invercargill. It turns out we're on the next flight at 14.25 and land at 16.05.
After 26 plus hours since arriving at LAX, it was great to be home again, Douglas cooked our dinner for us, Butter Chicken and rice, well done Douglas it was yummy,
It was early to bed, and a great sleep in our comfy bed.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Our last day State-side
Sun 26th
Although we had an alarm set for 8 Margaret came in to wake us at 7.30. We were joining the team for the day at a science world and then shopping (just what I needed) the science thing was great for the kids with a lot of hands on displays and moving dinosaurs. We all walked to the huge mall and had lunch before Margaret was let loose to spend some dollars. After 2 1/2 hours I was glad to leave. Back to the motel so the kids could have a dip before heading to the Pirate show. Vicki and I had all our luggage ready to go in Margaret's room so off next door to Outback Steakhouse for some take-aways. Said our goodbyes to Margaret and the team, moved our bags to the lobby for the short wait for our shuttle. No problems getting through the check in process and just a wait to get back on the time machine. Our flight has just been delayed 1/2 an hour.
Although we had an alarm set for 8 Margaret came in to wake us at 7.30. We were joining the team for the day at a science world and then shopping (just what I needed) the science thing was great for the kids with a lot of hands on displays and moving dinosaurs. We all walked to the huge mall and had lunch before Margaret was let loose to spend some dollars. After 2 1/2 hours I was glad to leave. Back to the motel so the kids could have a dip before heading to the Pirate show. Vicki and I had all our luggage ready to go in Margaret's room so off next door to Outback Steakhouse for some take-aways. Said our goodbyes to Margaret and the team, moved our bags to the lobby for the short wait for our shuttle. No problems getting through the check in process and just a wait to get back on the time machine. Our flight has just been delayed 1/2 an hour.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Buena Park
Sat 25th
Today is our relaxing day, we spent 2 hours in the pool (because all our clothes were in the wash) and it turns out that being in the sun that long turns me into a lobster.
We generally had a lazy day (we might have done something if we had wheels) waiting for Margaret to arrive.
When she arrived both Margaret, Vicki and I were happy to be re-united. It was cool to meet the Koru Care kids and the wonderfull team that organise and look after them. Once the shade hit the pool (about 4.30) I could go back in the water.
Vicki and I took Margaret out for dinner. The uber took 1/2 an hour to arrive and when we got to Rock and Brews there was an hours wait. We re-caught our Uber and he took us for a ride and to our location as well. We had a great meal at Chilli's although the effects of Margaret's flight were stating to show. Margaret got to bed about 9.30, a big day.
Today is our relaxing day, we spent 2 hours in the pool (because all our clothes were in the wash) and it turns out that being in the sun that long turns me into a lobster.
We generally had a lazy day (we might have done something if we had wheels) waiting for Margaret to arrive.
When she arrived both Margaret, Vicki and I were happy to be re-united. It was cool to meet the Koru Care kids and the wonderfull team that organise and look after them. Once the shade hit the pool (about 4.30) I could go back in the water.
Vicki and I took Margaret out for dinner. The uber took 1/2 an hour to arrive and when we got to Rock and Brews there was an hours wait. We re-caught our Uber and he took us for a ride and to our location as well. We had a great meal at Chilli's although the effects of Margaret's flight were stating to show. Margaret got to bed about 9.30, a big day.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Bye bye bike
Fri 24th
Not much to do today, Vicki went to buy 2 more suitcases while I went looking for some drill bits and washed the bike.
We had some time to load some of our luggage onto the bike then go through the boxes and transplant everything into suitcases.
On the way to drop the bike off we stopped in at Keith's to give him a small thank you gift. While there he signed the 3 books he gave us yesterday. The books are on the bike, I will have to wait till it is back in NZ to see what he wrote.
The bike was dropped into Foytt' s for its journey home, only $500 to send it to Dunedin.
Back at the motel with just enough time for a dip in the pool before going out to dinner at Midevil Times. A real midevil feast and tournament. The meal was a bowl of soup, half a chicken, corn on the cob and half a roast potato. No implements, we had to eat with our hands.
The show had a Queen, some knights, plenty of horses, jousting, mace and sword fights compete with sparks.
The margaritas here were a good size.
Not much to do today, Vicki went to buy 2 more suitcases while I went looking for some drill bits and washed the bike.
We had some time to load some of our luggage onto the bike then go through the boxes and transplant everything into suitcases.
On the way to drop the bike off we stopped in at Keith's to give him a small thank you gift. While there he signed the 3 books he gave us yesterday. The books are on the bike, I will have to wait till it is back in NZ to see what he wrote.
The bike was dropped into Foytt' s for its journey home, only $500 to send it to Dunedin.
Back at the motel with just enough time for a dip in the pool before going out to dinner at Midevil Times. A real midevil feast and tournament. The meal was a bowl of soup, half a chicken, corn on the cob and half a roast potato. No implements, we had to eat with our hands.
The show had a Queen, some knights, plenty of horses, jousting, mace and sword fights compete with sparks.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
On our last legs.
Thu 23rd
Today we left San Diego on the last leg of our road trip. We managed quite a bit of lane splitting through the slower traffic until the HOV lane (car pool, and motorbikes) opened up and we had the VIP treatment. We turned off the interstate and onto the pacific coast highway at Laguna Beach, it is cool to finish our trip on the same hwy as we started.
A brief stop at Keith's to pick up our luggage and the 2 boxes of Vicki's shopping. He gave us 3 books that he has written. That will give me something to read when I get back to work (perish the thought) There was another box here at the motel! Vicki had to Uber with the luggage while I rode through the traffic and arrived at the motel before them.
After booking in we had the first swim in this pool. Swim goes with a drink.
We had dinner and some drinks at the Pirate show across the road, I can't say too much about it because Margaret is going to see the same show when she is here. But it is a very cool show with an energetic cast.
Tomorrow's task is to unpack the boxes and re-pack them into suitcases ready for Sunday and to drop the bike off to Foytt Shipping before they close.
Yes, Vicki has talked me into bringing the bike home.
Road trip to Dunners at sometime.
Today we left San Diego on the last leg of our road trip. We managed quite a bit of lane splitting through the slower traffic until the HOV lane (car pool, and motorbikes) opened up and we had the VIP treatment. We turned off the interstate and onto the pacific coast highway at Laguna Beach, it is cool to finish our trip on the same hwy as we started.
A brief stop at Keith's to pick up our luggage and the 2 boxes of Vicki's shopping. He gave us 3 books that he has written. That will give me something to read when I get back to work (perish the thought) There was another box here at the motel! Vicki had to Uber with the luggage while I rode through the traffic and arrived at the motel before them.
After booking in we had the first swim in this pool. Swim goes with a drink.
We had dinner and some drinks at the Pirate show across the road, I can't say too much about it because Margaret is going to see the same show when she is here. But it is a very cool show with an energetic cast.
Tomorrow's task is to unpack the boxes and re-pack them into suitcases ready for Sunday and to drop the bike off to Foytt Shipping before they close.
Yes, Vicki has talked me into bringing the bike home.
Road trip to Dunners at sometime.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
San Deigo
Wed 22nd
A relaxing morning as Vicki was not feeling too flash.
Mission Bay beach was the first stop. I had to at least paddle in the Pacific Ocean once on this side of the world!
Then we found our way to the historic Old Town San Diego, there were quite a few old spanish/mexican type buildings and a lot of tourist type shops in them.
I found some Mexican Jumping Beans but didn't think we could get them through customs.
After another dip in the pool we went to Ocean Beach (not in bluff) to watch the sun set. It was not as good as the one in Fiji but still cool to see.
Because Vicki enjoyed the soup so much, it was back to North Park for dinner.
Tomorrow is the last leg of our trip, then just to sort out our excess luggage etc.
A relaxing morning as Vicki was not feeling too flash.
Mission Bay beach was the first stop. I had to at least paddle in the Pacific Ocean once on this side of the world!
Then we found our way to the historic Old Town San Diego, there were quite a few old spanish/mexican type buildings and a lot of tourist type shops in them.
In the tourist areas and quite a few other places there are motorised scooters for rent. You download an app on the phone and you can rent it and they charge you by time, you just get off it and leave it on the footpath when you're finished with it.
After another dip in the pool we went to Ocean Beach (not in bluff) to watch the sun set. It was not as good as the one in Fiji but still cool to see.
Because Vicki enjoyed the soup so much, it was back to North Park for dinner.
Tomorrow is the last leg of our trip, then just to sort out our excess luggage etc.
Sea breeze - San Diego
Tue 21st
We back-tracked a little today, we went to a ghost town, Calico. It is an old silver mining town that has been restored with the help of Walter Knott, the founder of Knotts Berry Farm.
To me it has been commercialised a bit too much.
We stopped in at Lake Elsinore briefly, then over the mountain on the Ortega Hwy, a nice twisty road with views of the lake. We came out the other side and were happy to sea the ocean and smell the sea breeze, it has been so long. The 15-20 degree drop in temperature has also been welcomed. As we got closer to San Diego the traffic slowed to about 30 mph so we had our first real go at lane splitting, it was a bit hair-raising but did make the last 10 miles a bit quicker.
After booking in we had a splash in the pool, we chatted with a young electrician who recommended an Italian restaurant in North Park. It was a lovely meal, the clam chowder was very creamy.
We back-tracked a little today, we went to a ghost town, Calico. It is an old silver mining town that has been restored with the help of Walter Knott, the founder of Knotts Berry Farm.
To me it has been commercialised a bit too much.
We stopped in at Lake Elsinore briefly, then over the mountain on the Ortega Hwy, a nice twisty road with views of the lake. We came out the other side and were happy to sea the ocean and smell the sea breeze, it has been so long. The 15-20 degree drop in temperature has also been welcomed. As we got closer to San Diego the traffic slowed to about 30 mph so we had our first real go at lane splitting, it was a bit hair-raising but did make the last 10 miles a bit quicker.
After booking in we had a splash in the pool, we chatted with a young electrician who recommended an Italian restaurant in North Park. It was a lovely meal, the clam chowder was very creamy.
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