Tuesday 20 November - Las Vegas

Off to the cheap ticket outlet in time for opening at 10.00am this morning hoping to get tickets to Human Nature but alas either none available or the previous night was their last show. So we settled for our second choice of Australian Bee Gees Tribute show which is just across the road at Excalibur. Breezed through New York New York and into Excalibur to purchase the bargain buffet deal - $35 each and allowed to eat all day at both Excalibur or Luxor. So late breakfast and then to souvenir shopping before late lunch!

A digression from the road trip to say that we had a lovely FaceTime session with Jessica and the dogs last night and Patch was very vocal but I have to add the photo below to show how relaxed at least one of the boys is while we are away.

Meanwhile Alison and Philip have had great trouble keeping Jenny under control as she has been chasing all manner of men today including firstly two cast members from Thunder Down Under - she can publish details and photos of that encounter. This afternoon she accosted a security card for a quickie - picture that is!

This afternoon Alison and Philip gave the Navman a workout and finally convinced it that there are more states in the USA than California. Hopefully we will now be able to navigate to Tusayan in Arizona tomorrow.

Now heading off to dinner at the Excalibur Buffet before the Bee Gees show. Show was great - the three guys looked the parts of Maurice, Robin and Barry and sang well for pommies backed up by Australian drummer and guitarist.

We all need to get a good night's sleep so we can get away by 8.30am for our long drive to Tusayan and the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Monday 19 November - Las Vegas

Slept in this morning. Jenny collected her winnings from her spree on the Breakfast at Tiffany's slot machine on Sunday afternoon.

Headed across the road bridge to Excalibur and breakfast of hot cinnamon scrolls and coffee. Continued the walk through covered areas and moving walkways to the Luxor where we marvelled at the lobby inside the pyramid then through more walkways to Mandalay Bay but ended up not paying to see the shark aquarium as we have done that type of thing at home. Alison stopped along the way for a Men at Work Show!

Jenny headed back to the Tropicana while Alison and Philip went in search of an optometrist to see if Philip's sunglasses could be repaired. Had been told that there was a business like Spec-Savers in the Las Vegas Fashion Mall so headed there on foot. For those of you who know the LA Strip that is some distance - past Treasure Island. Glasses now repaired and safely housed in a super duper hard case, managed to buy a universal camera battery charger as well so now Alison will be able to shoot to her heart's content with our little Pentax camera. Could not face the long walk back to Tropicana so took a cab with the nicest driver who actually was from Thailand.

Now back from our first Las Vegas show experience. Las Vegas the Show - highly enjoyable. Another watch of the Bellagio fountains and n ow back at the hotel enjoying supper.

Sunday 18 November 2012 - Las Vegas

Safe exit from LA this morning with only one spat between Philip and Alison over which ramp to use to get to the freeway. Ended up heading the wrong way for a while but all was redeemed with a circuit of the Angels Stadium. One detour due to roadworks on an off-ramp on the outskirts of LA but we managed to follow the signs and get back on track. The navigator was no help as it would not recognise any location outside of California!!! We had printed off a set of directions from Google Maps and that was perfect to get us to the hotel. So we are now safely parked and have transferred our luggage to our rooms. On the 8th floor of the Club Tower but looking to the airport not the strip. Heading off now to have late lunch at 4.07pm!!!!

Thought that we might swap our Ford Escape for the Pink Cadillac! Dined in the Food Court at MGM Gand and then Jenny returned to the Tropicana while Alison and Philip did the walk down the Strip as far as the Bellagio and watched the fountains dance at 7.30pm. Then back to a ticket outlet and purchased tickets for Las Vegas the Show for tomorrow evening.

Saturday 17 November - Anaheim

Slept in this morning and then off for the bargain breakfast at Captain Kidd's. Then over the road to Downtown Disney for some looking and shopping. Took a few "selfies":

and then introduced Jenny to Build A Bear. Visited Fossil Shop and Alison ended up with a new watch and Philip a new wallet. Then a juice bar for a healthy late lunch and a stop to talk to a lonely Melbourne woman travelling by herself. Then Jenny had to succumb to a desire for something that she had been eyeing for the last two days and she can be seen below flossing her teeth!

After that it was back to the Clarion and a rest in the lobby and read of newspapers while we waited for the maid to finish in our room. Got to pat a beautiful little nine week old Siberian Husky puppy who was staying at the hotel. Alison and Philip then headed off to pick-up our transport for the next 15 days and what a nice vehicle it is. A 2013??? shiny black Ford Escape with leather upholstery.

Philip managed to drive it safely back to the hotel inspite of Alsion's demands that he slow down - he was only doing 32mph in a 40mph zone. We head off to Vegas tomorrow and hope we are not chased by one of these - 

Disneyland Second and Last Day

Started the day with great breakfast at Captain Kidd's opposite Disney main gate. $5.99 for 3 eggs, bacon, chipolatas, real hash brown and pancakes with maple syrup. It certainly fortified us for hitting the park.

Today was dedicated to Disneyland and we started in Tomorrowland. Star Wars ride is the best - what a hoot listening to Jenny's reactions as we flew through space! Did Buzz Lightyears, Finding Nemo Submarine ride, then Jenny and Philip took to the bob sleds of the Matterhorn - twice!!! Philip says that he won't complain about the lack of padding in V Australia seats again after this ride. Also managed to take the It's A Small World ride (all themed for Christmas), Peter Pan's Flight, the Train and the Haunted House (also themed for Halloween and Christmas as you will see from the following photo).

Caught the parade again in daylight and a show in the Golden Nugget Saloon while we ate ice-cream sundaes for lunch. Left the park and shopped in Downtown Disney and then headed home and picked up pizza for dinner on the way.
Now for the downer for the day - Jenny discovered that her camera battery was flat and that she hadn't packed the correct charger lead; no worries we had back-up but then Philip discovered that his Nikon battery had gone flat and the charger was back at the hotel; no worries we had back up but then Alison discovered that the Canon was suffering memory card read issues!!!! So only captured video with the little flip camera today.

First Full Day and Off to Disneyland

Good night's sleep after the long day and flight yesterday. Quick breakfast at the hotel and then to the park. Started in Disney California Adventure and put Jenny in the line to get us fast passes for Radiator Springs ride. Boy are we glad that we got them as the queue later was taking 90 minutes. Ride was great and Philip had to hold on to his Jack Sparrow hat! He wanted to buy one at Disneyland in Tokyo but saved money so today he splurged. Loved Soaring over California ride (twice), Bugs' Life 3D show, thought about California Screaming roller coaster and then thought NO, went on the big Mickey Ferris wheel and you guessed it suffered a technical glitch while we were near the top so had a good view of the park for a little while!
Lunch in the New Orleans section of Adventureland and then the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. That's what inspired Philip to buy the hat, Disney Pirate's Lanyard and some collector pins. Everyone needs to be a kid at Disneyland. We were proud to wear our special Disneyland "I'm Celebrating Retirement" Badges as well. Lots of jealous park crew including some older than us!
Fabulous Christmas themed parade this evening (have posted a short video on Facebook), followed by a light show on Sleeping Beauty's castle with artificial snow in Main Street and then a truly magnificent fireworks display.

Anaheim - Clarion Resort Hotel

We have arrived. Survived the 12 hour flight. Seats could do with more padding for rear ends! Leg room and cabin crew excellent. Go V Australia. Super Shuttle transfer to the hotel and nice corner room on the 7th floor looking towards Disneyland - hopefully we will be able to see the fireworks at night. Room ready for us so that is great. Jenny having a lie down but no Bex and Ali and Philip going for a walk to the nearest shop - 7 Eleven.
The picture shows the view from our room to the back of one of the roller coasters in Disneyland.

Just returned from another walk to Disneyland to organise the tickets for the next two days. Served by a lovely lady called Irene who asked if we were celebrating anything so we now have "I'm Celebrating Retirement" Badges to wear when we head off tomorrow. Dinner tonight will be at the hotel with happy 1/2 price appetisers and beer - yippee! Also enjoying some cheap bourbon prior to dinner.