Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort Dana Point

... at 7am the next morning, it was a struggle. The Contiki tour of the west coast of America was brilliant. Everything was oganised for us but still had some free time, Lauren (tour guide) was brilliant, all accommodation was swish (compared to what I’ve become used to), met some fantastic people (lots to stay with in Aussie!!!) and seen so many amazing sights that will not be forgotten. At the start of the tour I thought it seemed quite expensive but looking back I think it was great value.

... of Disney store. He asked where the receipt was and I said, buried in amongst one of 3 suitcases. I'm not sure which, and they're stored in the hotel... It was at this stage that I was getting very disappointed, and worried, I was starting to think that they were going to take my ears off me because I didn't have a receipt. So I said "Whatever!" and stormed off. They were not going to take my ears off me! I was pretty ****** that they thought I stole them too ...

... at all. We go on one ride and as we come out of the building, who is standing off to the side? Why it's Mickey and Minnie and there is only one little girl getting her picture taken. I squeal with delight and grab Andrew and race over. I cuddle into Mickey and Minnie and after the photo I am crying again. Ok, no full on bawling, just teary. Our day is spent with going on nearly all of the rides and grabbing a bite to eat in between ...

... of troops in the country both Peacekeepers,Police and Ozzie defence force. You seen these guys everywhere in big armoured cars and trucks in the shops with their assualt rifles slung over the shoulders. Everybody seems to be armed. You could really tell this place was well and truly off any beaten track and there was hardly any tourists at all. We were given plenty of dos and donts while we were staying in Dilli including not going out at night unless you had ...

... I didn't have time to relax in the lounge or work out afterwards. I met DH for lunch at the little coffee place. Had a ham and cheese croissant and capuccino at our little bistro table we liked last year that looks out towards the pool and ocean. It's such a beautiful view. It allowed for more people watching too, as everyone comes through that way. After that it was time ...

... we went wine tasting. Napa Valley is apparently world famous for very good wine, and the whole valley floor is covered in vines and winneries. We swapped cars to the Subaru because it went faster according to Nels, and drove round the valley. The wine was very nice and I found it quite amusing that I was wine tasting. It's not usually my sort of thing. It's nice to say Ive done it though. When we got back, we sat in the pool for a bit, and Nel's ...

... to climb into the tank next door and eat the fish! Then, being smart (yes, smart), it climbed back so that the scientists wouldn't suspect it. Not until they filmed the room overnight did they discover the culprit. We capped off the day with dinner at a restaurant along the marina, with great conversation and interesting company. I could never ask for a better day at work.

... are held - awesome tour), and went on a VIP tour of MGM (almost 3 hrs) - that was the highlight I think. We saw sets for tons of shows and movies and even have a picture of us sitting on the "Friends couch" on their set. Of course we did all the touristy stuff like walking Rodeo Dr., saw the stars on Hollywood Blvd. Grauman's Chinese Theatre with the hand and footprints etc., and went to the Grove. Unfortunately, when we were ...

... Day 300 Friday 26/08/05 Monterey & Carmel Stewart took advantage of the free mix and made pancakes. We headed into downtown Monterey and took a walking tour. This section of town is far nicer than Cannery Row and maintains a lot of its history - from Spanish, Mexicans, whalers, fur trappers and Americans. It was the first place in California to raise an American flag. The walking tour led us through Pacific House, Customs House, the first brick house, the whalers row (with ...

... HEARTLAND: 6/28 - Find some means of tranportation to Zacatecas (most likely through Mazatlan) 6/29 - Zacatecas 6/30-7/2 - San Miguel de Allende 7/3 - Morelia MEXICO CITY & SURROUNDING AREAS: 7/5-7/10 - Mexico City (Aztec Ruins/Teotihuacan, Xochimilco, Anthropolgy Museum, etc.) 7/11-7/12 - Taxco 7/13 - Cuernavaca 7/14-7/15 - Puebla GULF COAST: 7/16 - Jalapa 7/17-7/18 - Veracruz SOUTHERN MEXICO: 7/19-7/21 - Chiapas (San Cristobal de las ...