Portola Hotel & Spa Monterey

Actually, That's not really true, its not true at all. It is a nasty day outside. its blowing about 30-40MPH and pouring down rain. Its not a typically great combination and leaving the boat does not seem like that appealing an idea. But then again spending all day on a 28 foot boat when I have the ability to walk around does not seem that appealing either. So I decided to brave the storm and head to ...

... We were there to see the McWays waterfall, which is a year-round 80ft waterfall dropping straight into the ocean, via a scenic beach. It was a picture perfect scene.

We did however feel slightly cheated. The fee for the park was $10, which we were happy to pay. However, except for the Waterfall trail, all the trails in the park were closed due to fire damage. I ...

... to Nepenthe restaurant. They offer brunch on a fantastic patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The atmosphere there was simply incredible. It felt just like being in a luxury spa..... pure relaxation.... coupled with eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs and bacon!

... did that happen??!?!?!!? Watching from that distance, seeing how tiny the helicopter appeared to be, as it hovered around the area..... only then can one fully appreciate the might of those cliffs! *EDIT* We have since read in the newspaper, that it was a motorbike that went off the cliff and the authorities were informed after someone walking along the beach discovered a duffel bag with personal belongings, including a handgun.

Sobered and humbled by the thought of the van ...

... it would have been too difficult to see anything with the naked eye, and we didn’t have any binoculars.

I would have been interested in diving at Whaler’s Cove. I am sure there will be quite alot to see, and there have been hundreds of leopard sharks spotted there. And perhaps we would have been able to get further out to check out the sea otters, and perhaps even whales!

... and had great fun in a fabulous store (seriously worth a stop off for local and California arts, crazy toys, fab vintage clothes) and a restaurant with an amazing view of the coastline.  As we had just had brunch it was just a juice and ice cream stop and it was annoying that we had not timed it to stay for a meal.

Ian had managed to secure a tee off time at the infamous Pebble Beach Golf Course (well I mean you are on the doorstop).  This is a public course but ...

... wir dann einige schöne Stunden bei tollstem Wett** und wir hätten es noch läng** ausgehalten! Üb** den kurvenreichen Highway 1 sind wir momentan, auf etwa 2/3 d** Strecke, in Mont**ey angekommen, wo wir uns ein Hotel gesucht und glücklich**weise gefunden haben.

Bis morgen lieb** Travelpod!
Dein Stephan und dein René :-)

... migrant humanitarian org  Gila Cliff Dwellings, NMJune 3-June 5 (Deming, NM biggest solar plant in the world, Ancient Indian caves, hotsprings) Roswell, NMJune 6-8 Roswell, Truth or Consequences (I'm going to this town simply for the name- what ...

We did a nice drive along the California Coast from Napa to Monterey and directly to the motel where we checked in using one of the discount vouchers. The funny thing about checking in, is that the receptionist is a total b'stard (rude, incorrect in all ways) and is a vivid imitation of Mr. Fawltey of Fawltey Towers...excellent fun. The motel however is owned by Indians and they were very polite...they just hired a **** for reception! Anyway, after a ...