TravelStream™ news feed for member david.mackey on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/david.mackey en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:12:22 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1219852320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1219852320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1219852320/tpod.html Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:12:22 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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New York City, New York, United States

Hi all.  We hope you are all well.The past few days since our last update have been stuffed full of some much activity.  So much so that David cannot walk properly (probably because Sandie dragged him from shop to shop). We will try and condense this as best as possible.Our first day we went to Woodbury Common which is a 200 shop retail factory outlet, 1hr 30mins up state NY.   We were glad we went as we got some amazing bargains.  Later that night we shopped in Virgin Megastore in Times Square and loaded up on much sort after DVD's.  We didn;t eat dinner until 11.15pm that night (which was OK as this was lunch time Sydney time).Sunday started with a fantastic (hire) bike ride through Central Park....without helmets!   I know I know but we thought that vanity would be the better decision as the helmets were (puke).  The we shopped for the rest of the afternoon at FAO Shwartz, Barnes and Noble, GAP, Banana Republic and so on. Again a late dinner as our body clocks are off.Monday we had a Movie & TV Tour which went to were all of the major movie and TV shows were shot.  We then tried for a Rockerfellr Tour which was sold out so that should be today.Tuesday we went on a semi-circle tour of Manhattan which was amazing as we saw so much more than last time.  We then Macy's.  Nothing else really matters does it!  We then went to H&M and Old Navy.  Let me tell you, we need both H&M and Old NAvy back at home.  They both have AMAZING clothes at amazing prices.  David stocked up big to fill the void in his suitcase.  We have also been trying to get tickets to the base ball but as this is the last season for the Yankees at their current stadium as well as the current series with their most hated rivals, the Red Sox, all tickets are sold out.  Believe it or not but we ate dinner at a reassonable hour last night.This morning (Wednesday 27/08) we took a 11min tour over Manhattan by Helicopter.  A bit surreal but well worth it.  Seeing the island, the buildings and the Statue of Liberty was fantastic.  On a side note we have had many funny moments with David having a Seinfeld moment with the shower head.  Essentially the water pressure was so strong he couldn't get close enought to turn it down (just like Kramer in one of the Seinfeld episodes).  All the taps in the bathroom turn in different directions to home as do the light switches.  We literall bumped into Lucy Liu (Ally McBeal and Charlie's Angles fame) right outside our hotel.  We are probably the only english speaking guests at the hotel let alone NY.  There are SO many Europeans here its not funny.  The weather has been superb.....a little cloudy yesterday bit overall great and hot.We are now heading off to the Rockerfeller Centre then to MoMa (the Museum of Modern Art) for the Dahli  Exhibition.We will update again tomorrow.  Sorry no photo's just yet as I cannot figure how to get them onto this computer (as we are - believe it or not - in a Pizza shop).Love to all,David and Sandie
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221607500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221607500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221607500/tpod.html Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:37:48 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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San Francisco, California, United States

On the way to San Francisco (were the bus trip ended) we continued along the coast and had a morning stop in Monterey.  It's sometimes unfortunate that our stops are so short that we really do not get a good idea of whether a town is nice or even what the main attraction is.  Also, the weather plays a big part and this morning it was cold and very overcast.  Monterey is a coastal town and we think heavily influenced by the fishing trade.For lunch we stopped in Carmel where Clint Eastwood has been spotted many a time (but not today).  Carmel is an interesting 'village'.  Interesting in that if you wanted to live there you cannot simply buy a house and move in.  You have to apply to the community and state your case why you should be allowed to live there.  Madonna, as in Madonna (the pop star) applied and was denied a few years ago.  The famous golf course, Pebble Beach is located here and as the annual membership fee is $750,000 US per year you get the idea of the type of area.  Oh, add an admin fee of $35,000 US to the membership and you get the chance to tee off.tour guide recommended.  They have such a good system in a deli like this.  To order a sandwich you fill in a form nd hand it to the person behind the counter and they make it accoring to your instructions.  These were fantastic sandwiches.  We didn't get a chance to see that much of the area but as  
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221519780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221519780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221519780/tpod.html Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:25:34 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Pismo beach, California, United States

Today was going to be a lottery of sorts.  Leaving L.A. was always going to be a good thing as it is a place that everyone likes to leave.  Some say it is the entertainment capitol of the world as they flock there to get a crack at stardom but those simply visiting it really is nothing to write home about.  There are simply too many people, cars and way to much smog.  If it wasn't for Hollywood and the airport (being the major arrival point) we really feel that LA would be forgotten.Heading up the Pacific Coast Highway we didn't know what to expect.  Suburbs like Santa Monica and Malibu were great to see.  The smog cleared, the sun came out and along with the sun the surfers and cyclists were doing what they do.  It was amazing to see the number of people playing on a workday.  The hills of Malibu were full of many mansions with a view of the coast that would obviously cost a fortune.  Sandie slept most of the way along the coast.  Stopping in LA for two days (or anywhere for two days) you start to unwind a little and you get out of the constant grind of a new hotel each day.  When you start to unwind you really do unwind hence Sandie headbutting my shoulder and and the seat in front of her.The further north we went the nicer the scenery.  The further north we went we noticed the cost of petrol and coffee dropped.  Cheaper coffee is a good thing.  Pity the taste didn't improve.We arrived in Santa Barbara for a small scenic drive (bus driver got lost) through the town before a quick photo/toilet stop at the first misson set up many years ago.  We were then dropped off half way between the pier/beach area and he centre of town.  Given the beaches and coasts in Australia are far more attractive than here we opted for a quick lunch at Subway before walking the streets in the town.  Santa Barbara certainly is a beautiful (expensive) area.  All of the houses are of a similar style with a italian/mexican feel and colour.  Michael Jackson had his trial here a few years back so that shows the status of the town.  Also helps understand the prices for everything to.Back on the bus we travelled what seemed a short distance (maybe David slpet too?) to Pismo Beach.  We didn;t know at the time but the tour company had never used this hotel before so they were a little nervous.  No need to worry as it was so clean, very modern with spacious rooms and grounds and close to amenities.  We were all given vouchers for a free drink at the bar for that evening and for a free full breakfast in the morning.  We quickly go changed and walked over the supermarket for a few needed items to then come back and grab a drink before dinner.  We were the only ones in the bar so naturally started a conversation with the barman.  The american football was on the BIG screen and it was hard not to get drawn into it.  The barman recommended the Japanese restaurant across the road.  He also slyly handed our drink vouchers back 'just in case' they were ours and we may have wanted another drink.  Glad he did as we had a fantastic meal that was fresh and cheap (given the declining Aussie dollar).  We ran back to the hotel for a nightcap with ghalf of our bus.  All in all a good night considering it would be the last night on the bus trip. 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221364260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221364260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221364260/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:58:21 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Los Angeles, California, United States

An 8.00am departure after 3 hours sleep was a little hard to cope with.  Up at 6, bags out at 7, leave at 8 with breakfast somewhere in between. The bus broke down and we sat in the hotel lobby until after 12.00pm midday.  It was a little stressful for some of the others as they were flying from LA that night but we finally arrived into LA in the later afternoon.  We had to endure the street squakers on Hollywood Blvd before heading to the hotel.We spent 2 night in LA and spent a whole day at Universal Studios.  Even though we have been there countless times there were things they had changed and other things we never tire from.  The I Love Lucy exhibition had been closed and was replaced with something.....not as interesting.  The rides were fantastic and we got drenched on the Jurassic Park ride.Off to Pismo Beach in the morning.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221277320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221277320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221277320/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:50:57 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

After departing the hotel in Williams we travelled through a small town called Seligman which is on the famed Route 66.  The rest of the day we spent driving through the desert for lunch in Las Vegas.After arriving at the Excalibur Hotel Casino in Vegas we decided against yet another buffet (where the tour guide gets his for free) and opted for a quick bite elsewhere so we could get out and explore the strip.  We walked through to the Luxor which has the pyramid, New York, New York which has a small Statue of Liberty and Empire State and Chrysler Building and a roller coaster (all in the front of the casino).We checked in our hotel which was Circus Circus.  Yes, it had a HUGE clown sign out front and few others within.  I had to do a recon through the lobby, then the lifts and corridors and then the room before it was safe for Sandie to go in.  Fancy booking a hotel called Circus Circus for someone that has a clown phobia.We tried to get into one of 4 Cirque de Solei but all were booked out so we went for a walk to see the strip.  The time was 4pm.After walking until 2.00am we thought we should go to bed.  $8.00 on the pokies, $20.00 on food and drink, $30.00 on souveniers.  The strip was amazing at night and nothing much to look at during the day. Would you believe there are currently something like 3 new casino's being built right now.  Like they need more.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221190620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221190620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221190620/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:41:48 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Williams, Arizona, United States

After THE best breakfast we took photo's of the famous movie stars who had stayed at the hotel.We drove down to Glen Canyon Dam for a short tour and walk across the bridge adjacent to the dam.  This dam controls all the water between upper mid-west and lower mid-west states.Next we drove to Grand Canyon where we walked along the southern rim which is about 5km and two hours.  The scenery was great but we thought Bryce Canyon was better, most likely because we could get down into it and walk through it.We arrived late at our hotel in Williams which is on Route 66.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221103680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221103680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221103680/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:36:30 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Kanab, Utah, United States

We had three bonuses today.  Free breakfast in Salt Lake, a free dinner with an undisclosed surprise.Spent the better part of the day driving through Cowboy country.  Beautiful scenery.The afternoon we spent sightseeing and walking through Bryce Canyon.  Let me say this has certainly been a highlight.  If only we could get some photo's on here for you.  The walk took nearly two hours and was about 4.8k's.  Easy walk except for the last climb out where we struggled a little with our breathing.  We didn't realise we were 8000ft above sea level where the air is rare.  We actually got to use our legs for a change.That evening we arrived at a town called Kanab.  Kanab has hosted many a major Cowboy movie and TV series.  The hotel, Parry Lodge, has had too many famous guest to name but we spent the night in the same room that Yvonne De Carlo slept in only a few decades ago.I mentioned a surprise earlier....Dinner was the surprise.  We were taken down the other end of town where we we FORCED to dress up as soldiers and indians etc and make believe were were making a cowboy film.  Don't worry, we bought the photo's to prove it.We had such a great time.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221016860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221016860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1221016860/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:28:23 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Today started off with the whole tour group being denied access to the restaurant for breakfast.  It was interesting to see out Tour guide get angry in English when his first language is either Dutch or German.Anyway, we had to scoot back to Yellowstone to try and find someones lost glasses and also in the hope the snack bar was open.  No glasses, no food!We spent the morning on the bus and finally stopped for breakfast/lunch in Jackson which we are sure is a lovely town however we spent all our time there scouting something for lunch.We arrived late afternoon in Salt Lake City, Utah which is a dry (no booze) state.  Given the morning we had we certainly needed a drink for dinner and were worried that we would have to smuggle booze across state lines.  We found a sports bar (not owned by Mormons) which cooked up a feast and sold all the booze we wanted.  We dined with two other couples from the tour and spent the night laughing our heads off.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220930160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220930160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220930160/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:21:20 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States

Today was another cold start with 3C/39F in Cody and an even colder start in Yellowstone National Park of 24F.  If you do the conversion that is a freezing -4C (ish).We arrived in Yellowstone to find a Bison wandering along the main road.  He was big enough to render a small car undrivable.  What a sight though, something we Aussie's never get to see.We spent the whole day in the park spotting different wild life such as squirels, Bison, Moose, Deer and Elk.  Arrived at our holtel in West Yellowstone which is actually in Montana.  Both Wyoming and Montana are REAL cowboy country.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220843100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220843100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/david.mackey/1/1220843100/tpod.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:16:14 -0400 29 Days, 13 States & countless cups of bad coffee before life begins at 40!

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Cody, Wyoming, United States

After the debacle of no restaurant in the hotel last night and going to bed with no food it was a nice surprise to get a FREE breakfast this morning.The temperature was a cool 3 degrees C/39F.  Rather bitter!We crossed the border from Sth Dakota into Wyoming and had a lunch stop at a Perkins Restaurant where we struck up a conversation with a couple who must have overheard our accents.  They seemed to be a 'retired' couple from Montana who were travelling home but what was surreal was that (other than looking like current Vice President, Dick Cheney) he actually knew the George Bush family and many others working in the White House.  Sandie and I had to watch our words!Following lunch we travelled up and over the Bighorn Mountain range.  The lower part of the mountains was covered by clouds and the top of the mountains was covered in snow!  No wonder it was cold in that area.  Not only HAD it snowed, it WAS still snowing as we were descending the mountain.  Even the lonely 'ol Moose was running from the snow.Arrived that afternoon in Cody (as in...you know, Buffalo Bill..?).  It was freezing that Sandie had to buy some winter PJ's (adorned with local mooses) and some gloves.....Cody don't sell gloves now do they.Our accomodation was a lot of fun as it was a log cabin (with central heating).  Dinner at the local Holiday Inn was cut short as a Buffalo Bill look-a-like was doing the rounds of the restaurant.
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