A Wonder of the World!
Trip Start
Aug 15, 2005
1
9
31
Trip End
Dec 21, 2005
The Grand Canyon,
Arizona,
United States
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Some of this entry is actually travelling from last night from Las Vegas to Flagstaff, Arizona. We managed to catch our bus to Kingman, Arizona where we would catch the connecting train to Flagstaff. The bus left the airport terminal early and it was only by chance we walked past some guy shouting 'anyone leaving for Kingman'! There were no signs and lots of people complaining! Our luggage was loaded onto one bus and we left on another....I was worried sick about our bags but we were assured they were all going to the same place! We were also hoping to get a few hours sleep during travelling tonight as we have arranged to go to the Canyon on Saturday morning (10th). The bus was a small mini bus and full so we got to sit cramped up at the back...we had to laugh or we would cry! We put the ipod on and shared the best of driving ballads (thanks Denise for letting me lend the album!) it made us smile for an hour or so
Dan....thinking?
. The bus was freezing cold from the air conditioning but the girl next to me was moaning because she had no air!. Okay so we made a stop off for petrol (or gas as they say over here!) after driving for 2 hours then drove for a further 20 minutes before changing buses for another 40 minutes then arriving in Kingman at 1 am in the morning. We were due to leave at 2 am but our train was running late by an hour and a half! We were cramped in this little waiting room in the middle of nowhere for 2 and a half hours!!!The lady on the train called us outside at 3.30 am where we walked down to the track and the train just stopped there for us to climb onboard! We got good enough seats to at least get a few hours sleep. Next thing we knew the lady was waking us up '30 minutes to Flagstaff'. We were whacked and arrived at Flagstaff at 6 am.
I picked the tickets up that we had reserved for the bus journey to the Grand Canyon. We then walked across the road to the nearest Motel, knocked the owner up and grabbed a room! It's much colder here but nice being away from the intense heat!
Grand Canyon
We managed to grab 1 hours sleep at the Motel, which actually made us feel much worse
Great to be here!
! We freshened up and walked over the road to catch the bus to the Grand Canyon. We each had a $6 fee for park entrance and $2 each way for gas as the prices have risen rapidly and everyone is fuming about it! We were on the bus with a strange driver, it was his last day in the job and he was just trying his best to entertain the passengers, giving information over the microphone on the Volcanoes, Elks and other stuff! I was glad to arrive there as I was too tired to be listening to him all day! We actually passed Bedrock too (Flinstones) it was really cool.We arrived at the Canyon at 10.45 am. It has free shuttle bus services to different lookout points on the South rim. We decided to walk to the rim first and well....WOW what an amazing sight. You just can't stop looking! Absolutely amazing and to be honest it just didn't look real! We walked along the rim past Bright Angel Lodge, Yavapai observation station to Mather Point where we caught the green line to Yaki Point. There is no trail here but has the best views of the Canyon we'd seen! It was just so peaceful and we walked out a bit just sitting there looking out, you couldn't hear a single thing it was just beautiful and certainly a 'wonder of the world'...it was just one of those moments! After the long walk, we got the shuttle bus back to Maswick Lodge where we tucked into spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread wich was just yummy. We got some postcards for our travel books and sat eating ice cream looking out watching the condors hovering around below us
It really is a wonder!
. Our bus collected us at 5.45 pm to take us back to Flagstaff where we were staying the night. Now the crazy bus driver who took us to the Canyon this morning picked us up! He was somewhat of a comedian wannabe! He asked one guy to take a photo of him next to the bus, everyone on the bus was pulling faces out of the window for the picture! He was going on and on all the way back to Flagstaff, same stories as on the way! He was quite funny. A young girl from Malaysia introduced herself to us just before we got off the bus, she was really interested in the places we are going so she has asked if I email her and she also gave us a pin badge for our travels!
We got back to the Motel and it was pure noise! A night club across the road or something and a train honking every 20 minutes! I used ear plugs and gave Dan a pair to allow us to get a least a few hours!
We leave tomorrow for Phoenix. Vince and Mandy (Sarah's Aunty and Uncle) are picking us up from the airport and we are planning to stay with them for a while before leaving for Fiji.
Comments
Wow
What else can I say, the photo's are amazing - keep them coming. Glad you enjoyed Driving Rock Ballads, I'll keep my CD collection up to date for when you get back!!!!
Looking forward to your next instalment, it makes me wish I was there.
Love Denise.
Cornwall calling again
Hi Vicki just learnt how to get the photo's on screen and they are great! We are really enjoying them. Uncle Frank says there is no need for us to go now we have seen it all! only joking we are loving all the news and we are so pleased we can share it with you.Lots of love from us all XXX
Hello
We knew you would be amazed at the Grand Canyon and when you said you just had to keep looking at it, we felt exactly the same. We were in our jeep and we drove round just a part of it and that was incredible. Try to catch up on some sleep now you have a lot more to do yet. Enjoy.
Lots of luv to you both.
Auntie Wendy & Uncle Paul xxx
Hi Again
Just had to say how wonderful the photos are. This certainly brings back memories of our time in USA. An experience we will never forget, neither will you. So much more to look forward to. Enjoy yourselves.
Luv Auntie Wendy & Uncle Paul xxx
Mommy Bev & Ross
Hope you are both ok? The pictures are absolutely fantastic (I've just got to go to Las Vegas)! I now recognise Dan! Martin went on holiday with him and his family about 8 years ago! Say hello to him for me!
Take care of yourselves - lots of love - Mommy Bev & Ross x x x
Hello
We are at Rog & Yvonnes going out for the night to a charity do with Steve Lakin, been looking at the lovely photos and catching up with your news. Looks brilliant, looks as though you are really enjoying yourselves..... Best Wishes Mike & Sonia...Take Care.