TravelStream™ news feed for member markandbecs on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/markandbecs en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:20:09 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245370076/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245370076/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245370076/tpod.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:20:09 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, United States

Early start and then headed to Graceland for our 9.15 tour, there were a whole lot of people there for a guy that has been dead since 1977. Did a tour of the mansion - he had some pretty odd taste including the jungle room (green shaggy carpet floors, walls and ceiling), the TV room and his own personal raquetball court. Also his graveyard (and his family) was there and a couple of his own personal planes that he used for touring. It was a pretty good tour and lasted about 4 hours. We then headed down into Mississippi and Tunica Resorts where we were staying for the night.
Very long checkin process and then the girls were onto the Spa and the boys headed for the Golf course. It was a tough course with rough so bad that as soon as the ball was off the fiarway it was lost (I lost 9 and Carl lost 10) and I managed to win on the 18th.

Had a big buffet dinner at the Casino where we all ate way too much, Carl did some gambling, girls went for wine.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245038400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245038400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1245038400/tpod.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:07:51 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Bit of a sleep in and then hit the road for the 3 hour drive to memphis all the way along the interstate. Got into Memphis about 1.30 and headed for Sun City Studios only to find out that they do tours hourly so we headed back in the hot hot hot weather for a walk around Memphis. Basically it can be summed up as sub-prime, not the nicest town in the world. Headed to Beale Street and wandered through there but it was fairly quiet as it was a Monday afternoon. Becs and I hit the Rock and Soul Meusem and Carl and Nicole hit the Gibson guitar factory. Museum was pretty good, we then headed back to Sun City for the tour which was 40 minutes and pretty good - saw the studio where Elvis recorded etc.

Monday night we went to BB Kings for dinner (Pulled Pork Sammie) and a bit of blues music, then went to another pub down the road and watched a really good 8 peice band playing a bit more upbeat blues music until they finished at about midnight and headed home.



]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244865600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244865600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244865600/tpod.html Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:49:54 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Nashville, Tennessee, United States

13/6
THe boys had an early start as we were designated washing people as the girls were getting up to go shopping.....so the boys went and did the washing and were back to the hotel in time to catch the girls in the hotel room reading the gossip pages on the internet (apparently the magazines were finished). So we got them moving down to the shopping centre while the boys had another round of mini-golf (it seems carl sucks at mini-golf and Mark will be getting a couple of beers post golf).
Packing post shopping was a squeeze getting everything into the trunk. Finished off the shopping and hit the highway, everyone was a bit sleepy so we had a couple of stops includinga taco bell (6.5 out of 10). Got into Nashville after crossing the time zone into Central, checked into hotel and then started preparing for the CMA. We got a few beers in and then caught a taxi downtown to go to couple of pubs to soak up the atmosphere before hitting the stadium.
Got to the main event in time to see Josh Turner kick off with "firecracker" and a few other of his other songs, we liked Josh...then on came Jamey Johnson (a bit more rocky heavy country) followedl up Leanne Womack, The Judds (in a re-union), Trace Atkins (including Im going to marry for money) & ending up with Martina McBride. Overall we have a new appreciation for country music, not so much the slow songs but the more upbeat tempo ones and more the guys than the girls. Headed into downtown Nashville to grab some food and then hit some bars - most of them had live music so we went to a couple and ended up at Wild Stallions to see some line dancing and then called it a night about 2.30.
14/6
Bit of a sleep in and then headed to IHOP (international house of pancakes) at Becs request (rated 7) and then on into downtown to see the Country Music Hall of Fame and have a wander around downtown to see what the entertainment was on. the hall of Fame was pretty good. Saw a couple of acts on the river (including Cheater Cheater) and a wander around then back to the Wild Stallions as the girls wanted the free line dancing lessons on offer all day, we watched a bit of the line dancing, but the girls didnt get involved. We liked Nashville overall. Pretty quiet night.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244692800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244692800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244692800/tpod.html Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:52:25 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Sevierville, Tennessee, United States

Earlyish start from the Holiday Inn for their light brekkie (in comparison to others we have had) and then on the road for the long drive.
Stopped off at Best buy for a camera for Carl and Nicole and then it was a longish drive to head to Sevierville via North Carolina, and quite a few rounds of the lyrics game (boys beat the girls) and had about 9 hours on the road before getting to the days inn for 2 nights of accomm. Headed to dinner at the Apple Barn (or something like that anyway) for some good old country cooking and Cortney our hostess found it absolutely thrilling that y'all come to Tennessee. And thought that Carl sounded like Steve Irwin. After dinner we headed off for some mini-golf challenge where the holder pairing evened up the competition by giving the Harding-Wakefield pairing a bit of a hammering.

12/6 - Early start, quick brekkie at the hotel and then driving on up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a walk. On the way up the hill we saw a little black bear forraging for berries and bugs and we parked next to him for about 5 minutes, he came up to about 3 metres from the car. We then did a 2.7mile walk up to Rainbow Falls (700m elevation) which was very nice - heaps of trees around meant that the views werent really there but the hike was really nice. Took about 3 hour round trip for the 5.4mile return trip. Popped home for a quick shower and then it was time to hit DOLLYWOOD. WHich wasnt quite what you might expect....it was basically a big theme park catering to the hillbillies (as I overheard in the park). There were quite a few rides and we ended up doing about 8 rides - roller coasters, log flumes, water war etc. etc. and then we went through Dollys museum and tour bus (old one). Found out a couple of interesting things:
1. dolly is one loaded woman (apart from the obvious loaded)
2. When you can't bring the rollercoaster bar down you are too fat (fulla behind us)
3. It would be fair to say that there were quite a few of his buddies there, America is one fat country - there were a large amount of large people there, possibly not held by the fact that there were about 150 little people movers for those too lazy to walk around.
We finished about 8 and then headed for Bennetts BBQ House and it was good (8 outta 10) and then back for the 2 more rounds of free mini golf rounds (the harding-wakefield pairing took them out, for a couple more rounds of icecreams) and headed for home.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244520000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244520000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244520000/tpod.html Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:38:56 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Bailed out of Charleston fairly early and headed to Waffle House for brekkie (6 out of 10), Carl ordered the smallest breakfast, which he was very proud of, but generously helped out Nicky to finish off her sausages and toast to help wash down the deep fried bacon rashers, and then started heading north - stopped in a Walmart Superstore for a visit and to get some bargains - Carl picked up some Wrangler jeans and a cowboy hat - tres Nashville.

On the way into Myrtle Beach we passed a mini-golf course and the Harding Wakefield pairing took down the Holder pairing by a couple of shots. It was very hot but good fun. Got to Myrtle Beach around mid-afternoon and got to our motel (Days Inn on 8th Avenue South), before heading for a look around MB. Headed to Broadway, which was basically a big mall for drinking, eating and entertainment for all the family. if you were after deep fried food, taffy or fudge this was the place to head to. There was no real retail shops there and it was massive (about an hour to walk around). It also had Margueritaville and Senor Frogs so we stopped in for some drinkies then headed back to our Motel, where the manager was patrolling and on hte look out for all the Seniors there on"senior week" that were up late and making noise. We had a coupel of drinks then got a taxi back to Broadway for our evening entertainment which involved dinner at a pub, which was also a karaoke bar and stayed that for about another hour after dinner taking in the karaoke, which included Don't Stop Believing. then on to the next bar which was a duelling pianos type which was great as 4 guys took turns on the stage and knocked off some requests and other classics for a couple of hours (including Journey's Don't Stop Believing). The girls loved it. When they shut at 1.30 we dashed across to Revolutions, which basically sucked and shut at 2, then we dashed next door so Nicole could request Like a Prayer, they shut at 2.30. We dashed between the bars because it was absolutely hammering it down and there was the most awesome forked lightening storm going on. Got home at about 3 and about a dozen people at our place was out watching the storm.

Checked out at 10am next day and headed to book the golf course, another visit to Walmart (for Becs to buy some elastic pants for the expanding waistline from American food), then up to Tangers shopping mall (for Nicole to get an elastic dress - see above) and we hit Pizza hut for a $8 all you can eat buffet pizza (keep feeding the machines). Pizza Hut got a 6.5 (better than Waffle House, but not brilliant). Then it was the Outlet Mall for 45 minutes of power shopping which we did quite well on and then it was off to golf for the boys and the pool for the girls.

Mark and Carl played the World tour golf course which has holes featured from all the famous golf holes in the world - 1st and 18th from St. Andrews, Amen Corner + 16th at Augusta, 17th at Sawgrass HIll (Island green etc.). Had a shocker of a start of 10, 9, but it came round, Carl picked up a birdie on the 8th at Troon and I got one at Sawgrass, but it wasnt enough to pull it back for a 3 and 1 win for Carl (95 v 102).
That night we headed to one of the several mega buffet places that they had - 120 items available for consumption with a slight seafood flavour at Tommy's Crab buffet. Some of the locals were walking away from the buffet with a couple of plates at a time - its not like you cant come back! We all walked away a bit overstuffed again. It got a 6 out of 10 as it wasnt quite all that all.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244433600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244433600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244433600/tpod.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:35:01 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Fairly short 2 hour drive from Savannah into Charleston, headed to the Magnolia Plantantion for a tour of the property. Not quite what we were expecting, thinking more grand mansion style house with cotton/sugar can plantation - not rice fields....

From there headed to our motel 6 on the outskirts from Charleston (over the river) and had lunch at Moes south western grill where we all had burritos and they were great (rated a 9 on the takeaway food guide). As usual we got a bit of rain coming our way when heading into town but we wandered around the waterfront (Rainbow Row of houses and the historic district). Lovely city Charleston, very grand, great old houses and mansions in a nice setting. A posh man's Savannah really. The girls decided that it would be acceptable for the boys to buy them a house around those parts.

Headed to a supermarket for a cheap lite dinner as still full on burrito. Our $92 bill for snacks and a couple of drinks didnt quite manage all those goals. Headed back to motel and played some cards.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244376673/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244376673/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244376673/tpod.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:15:38 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Savannah, Georgia, United States

Headed via Dublin (Georgia) and a quick stop at the Country Barrell for brekkie. Learnt that ordering tea in Georgia gets it very sweet and very cold. Also, biscuits are basically scones and casseroled has browns are better hot than cold.

Got into Savannah a bit after 11 and was able to check straight into the cool Thunderbird inn, Las Vegas style with Southern Comfort = they define cool apparently.
Quick hop on hop off city tour, viewed the Mercer House, wandered the squares, had a couple of beers and more deep fried food down on the waterfront and then home for afternoon jetlag sleep. Had a ghost tour at night, we survived without being haunted by demons.

All feeling a bit knackered by time we got home at midnight.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244462908/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244462908/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244462908/tpod.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:10:40 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Macon, Georgia, United States

Motel 6 off the I=75 at 8.30. Checked in and then hit first fast food joint. chick fil-a for some deepfried chicken and a couple of bottles of Bud Light from the service station back in the room.

Jetlag kicked in at 4.30. nice. On the road at 7.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244290004/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244290004/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/4/1244290004/tpod.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:08:21 -0400 Southern States with the Holders

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Atlanta, Georgia, United States

28 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane to LAX to Atlanta and finally made it to greet the Holders. Hired a car from Hertz, talked ourselves into an upgrade to a Chevy (they wont be making too many more of those) Malibu. Hit the road at about 6.30 bound for Macon.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/3/1213203420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/3/1213203420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandbecs/3/1213203420/tpod.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:14:56 -0400 South America

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Isla Mujeres, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Mark 8/6:
Bus from Chichen Itza to Cancun, taxi to the port & 15 minute boat ride across the Carribean sea bought us to Isla Mujeres just off the coast of Cancun. I could tell that Becs was keen to see a bit of Western stuff as she latched on to the first McDonalds cheeseburger she could find. Anyhow, we made it across to the island and checked into our little hotel & had a wander around the beaches of the northern end of the island. We stumbled across a street party that was going on but didnt really join in, instead I got a corn in the cob with lime and chilli from a street seller and it was damn tasty! Had dinner on the main drag and a fairly early night after the early start and cross peninsula trip.

Becs 8/6:
Arrh yes the cheeseburger from maccas, sometimes its the smallest things that bring the greatest joy. It was about 4pm and I hadn´t eaten all day so took the chance at grabbing something before we got on the ferry. Mark forgot to mention that he also had one!
Isla Muyeres was a nice little island and I was glad we stayed out there and not in Cancun. Wondered around the shops for a bit, Mark looking for a hat and me a t-shirt but struggled to find anything that didn´t have Isla Muyeres all over it.

Mark 9/6:
Washing day. Oh the glamour of travel. Once that was dealt with we had a plan of hiring a golf cart to cruise around the island, but at $50 a day it was a bit too steep, and it started raining so that justified our decision. Actually the prices are starting to reflect where we now are, that being a fairly touristy spot awash with dollars from the USA.We mucked around town, avoided a thunder storm and ended up with beers and wines (first bottle since Peru) on the deck. Becs even got a special treat because we got a bottle of Argy bubbles from the local off licence and then we hit the town!
Which was very quiet for a Monday night but we went to a couple of places and eventually headed home about 1ish.

Becs 9/6:
Yes unfortunately the plans of touring the island in a little golf cart went out the window when we saw the prices, thought it was a bit steep for us, would have been okay if there were 4 of us. But in the end it was a blessing in disguise as the dark clouds rolled in and torrential rain came down. We had a lovely balcony outside our room so it was beer, wine and bubble to pass the rainy day with along with a game of cards and some mexican chips and salsa. We sampled the local Mexican wine and unfortunately we either picked the wrong bottle or the local wine it pretty bad. We popped it back in the fridge and it was only after the bubbles and beer that we attempted it again! Party night in Isla Muyeres wasn´t all that, very quite indeed but has great potential.
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