Home Sweet Home

With Mickey and Minnie

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Nicaragua

 

Nicaragua

Panama Canal

 We have arrived back home after 47 days away. So it's washing, ironing, sleeping and diet on the agenda now. Had a great time when we were away. Spent a week in Florida where we caught up with Megan, Paul, Sherri and Anthony. We did all the Disney Parks and Universal. There were so many people around as it was Easter and Spring break time

Caught the cruise ship Amsterdam, the flag ship of the Holland America Line from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver via the Panama Canal.  First stop was Cartegena, Columbia, not what I had expected to see multi story buildings.  We did a tour through the old town which was very good.  Then we sailed through the Panama Canal which took all day.  Panama City looked amazing Multi-story buildings as far as you could see.  Next stop was Costa Rica where we took a train ride through the countryside and past the melon fields.  Nicaragua was the next destination, we drove past steaming volcano's and visited the bubbling mud pools.  It is a very poor country just coming out of internal conflict, but very beautiful.  Next destination is Mexico where we visited Puerto Vallarta, a very lovely city.  It was where the Night of the Iguana was filmed  we walked along the esplanade which has beautiful statues along the walk.  Then our favourite place in Mexico Cabo San Lucas was next.  Haven't changed our minds it is still a great place to visit.  Second last port of call was San Diego which we did enjoy, we went to the Hotel where Edward and Wallis Simpson met.  Beautiful beaches in this area.  The temperature of the water changed dramatically from 30 degrees off Cabo San Lucas to 13 degrees off San Diego so here comes the jumpers out of the cases.  It was freezing sailing into Vancouver and raining, but seeing Megan and Sherriden waving from the dock made up for the weather.

We spent a day in Vancouver at Sherriden and Anthony's before catching the Train to Seattle.  From there we picked up a hire car and drove to Eugene Oregon where we stayed with Marcia and Gouly, Wendy met Marcia at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and it was great to catch up with her again and meet her family.  They drove us to Crater Lake, it was rain and snow along the way and snowing when we arrived with very low cloud, so low we couldn't see the lake.  There were 12 ft snow drifts in the car parks. We had a look at the Lodge up there, which was not due to reopen after the winter season until the next week. On the way back to the car decided to have one last look to see if we could see the lake and yes the clouds had lifted and Wizard Island was in view.  It was beautiful.  Had a lovely picnic lunch on the way back at Eagle Rock.  We headed to the coast the next morning after saying our farewells to Marcia and Gouly.  Had breaks along the way at Sea Lion Caves, the Lighthouse at Heceta Head and Lincoln City before arriving at McMinnville where we had gone to see the Spruce Goose, Howard Hughes aircraft which is in the Evergreen Museum there.  We spent the night at Lake Oswego.  Next morning we took the Mt Hood scenic route once again we had rain and snow along the way.  we stopped for a look around Timberline Lodge.  Lots of skiers and snowboarders around and snowing of course.  We drove along the banks of the Columbia River and then took the Oregon Historic Route past Bridal Veil Falls and had lunch at Multnomah Falls on our way into Portland where we spent the night.  Next morning we went to the rose gardens, but we were a bit early as no blooms were out yet.  We went to the Mt St Helen's visitor centre and enjoyed the displays of the mountains eruptions 31 years ago to the day.  We arrived in Seattle, returned the hire car and booked into our accommodation.  We walked to the Pier area and had a fantastic dinner at the Crab Pot.  Next morning we headed to the Boeing Factory and throughly enjoyed the tour.  The hangar was so big that the 777's looked like toys in it.  We got dropped off at the mono rail and went and had a look at Seattle from the Space Needle.  Went for a walk in the Pioneer Square and did the Underground Tour that night, it was very interesting the history of old Seattle.  Next morning we did a walking tour of Pike Place Markets and then had to grab our bags and stored them at the train station as we were heading back to Vancouver that afternoon.  Caught the 99 bus around the waterfront area and then looked around Pioneer Square before heading back to get the bags and head back to Vancouver.

Megan met us, Sheriden and Anthony were in Montreal with Anthony's work, and we spent the next 7 days in Coquitlam with her and Paul at their home.  We had a great view over the valley as they are way up high on the mountainside.  We caught up on the washing and rest while we were there.  Went to the cinema one day and caught the bus down to the Mall when Megan and Paul were both working.  Played a round of golf. Megan caddied for us, went to Fort Langley, where Vancouver was first settled.  Helped Megan to choose and plant flowers and vege's in the garden.  We went back to Sheri and Anthony's on the Friday and stayed with them until we flew out on Wednesday night.  We did lots of walking with them, went to the Sun Yut Sen Gardens and Van Duesen Gardens one day.  Had a picnic at Vanier Park, went to the Museum of Vancouver another day and caught the water taxi around False Creek to Granville island and the World of Science, went for a walk through Lighthouse Park over in North Vancouver.  Met Megan and Paul and had a farewell dinner at the Tea House in Stanley Park.

Last day in Vancouver, Megan came over about 10am, got the bags packed and ready to go and then walked down to meet Sherriden who worked until 11.30.  Wandered around the city and had a look at the Olympic Caldron.  The Canucks (the local ice hockey team) are playing tonight in the first grand final match so have decided to catch the train the the airport as there was so much traffic around.  Arrived and got through security easily and got upgraded to Premium economy class so should be a great trip home.  Had a great flight, got lots of sleep.

We had a great trip saw some awesome sights and met some great people.  Thanks to everyone we caught up with and thank you for making our memories of our trip very special to us.

It's a bit cold here in Vancouver

Cabo San Lucas

Cartegena, Colombia

Costa Rica

Michael and Wendy
 

Arrived back in Vancouver

We have been touring through Oregon and Washington State in the USA for the last week.  We caught a train to Seatttle and then picked up a hire car and drove to Eugene, Oregon where we were the guests of Marcia and Gouly.  I first met Marcia when I was a volunteer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and we have kept in contact since then.  We had a great time with them showing us around their beautiful city and countryside.  They took us up to Crater Lake, it is Oregon's only National Park.  we had snow and rain on the way up there.  Once there we couldn't see the lake because of low cloud and it was still snowing.  We went for a walk and had a look at the Lodge, which was still closed for the winter.  Massive snowbanks each side of us.  On the way back to the car we decided to have one last look to see if the cloud and cleared and wow, what a great view.  It was a long trip but worth every moment to see the Lake.  we stopped on the way back for a picnic lunch.  Marcia and Gouly helped us plan our next day's drive from Eugene to Lake Oswego along the Coast of Oregon. 

We had a pleasant day drive up the coast through Florence up to Lincoln City.  Stopping along the way to see sea lions, lighthouses and beautiful coastal scenery.  We headed inland to McMinnville where the Spruce Goose is at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  It would have been nice to spend more time there but it closed at 5pm so got kicked out and we still had to get to Lake Oswego about 1 hour away.

The next day we did the scenic drive around Mt Hood    Up to Timberline Lodge for a look around, lots of snow boarders and skiers on the slopes.  The drive brought us out at Hood River on the Columbia River.  After following the Columbia River for awhile we turned off onto the Oregon Heritage Trail and saw 3 beautiful waterfalls on our way into Portland.

We had one night in Portland and the Hotel was within walking distance to downtown so walked around, caught the tram, walked along the river's edge.   The Columbia River  is huge makes the River Murray look like a creek.

We headed back to Seattle with a detour to see Mt St Helen's.  It was the 31st anniversary of the day it last erupted the day we visited.  would have liked to get closer but had to be in Seattle by 4pm  to get the hire car back.  Our Hotel was right in town on top of the hill, walked down to the Pier and went to Crab Pot for dinner.   It was all uphill on the way back but we just made it back.  Next morning we went out to see the Boeing Factory Assembly plant for the 747's, 777's and new 787's. The planes were dwarfed by the size of the building, it was massive.  We got dropped off at the Monorail after the tour and went to the Space Needle.  I was very brave and went up, great views all around.  We headed back to the Hotel and then went to Pioneer Square and had dinner and did the Underground tour it was pretty amazing how it came to be and was very interesting tour.  Next morning we had booked a walking tour throught the Pike Place Market.  We had samples from the vendors stalls, restaurants we visited along the way by the end we were full,  we had to check out of the hotel by 12 so quickly back to the hotel and grab our bags and then dropped them at the railway station  for our trip back to Vancouver.  The weather was fantastic while we were away, some rain and snow up in the mountains but mostly sunny in Portland and Seattle. 

At Crater Lake

Crater Lake with Wizard Island in background

Mt St Helen's

Now we are back in Vancouver at Megan and Paul's house in Coquitlam now.  4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, theatre room, lounge, dining and family room just for the two of them.  So plenty of room for them.  Sherri and Anthony arrive back from Montreal tomorrow night, so probably catch up with them on Monday some time.

Nearly Orlando'd out

Spent this morning at Epcot, it was fantastic, went on Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track, the seas with Nemo, the Land and Captain EO after yesterdays 14 hrs at the Magic Kingdom(where we had a great time) we had had enough by 2pm and returned to the Motel for washing, packing(as we leave tomorrow) and a swim.  Picking up Sherri and Anthony at 8pm

Mickey, Michael, Wendy and Minnie

Having fun in Orlando

Today we went to Disney Animal Kingdom, a fantastic well run and organised Park.  We first headed to Africa and did the Kilimanjiro Safari followed by the Pangani Forest exploration Trail, very good lots of information and action.  Next stop Wildlife Express Train to Habitat, Habitat and the Conservation Station.  Then rode the Rapids on the Kali River Rafts where we got drenched, check out the photo.  We did the Maharajah Jungle Trek hoping to dry off during this time but still wet.  Had a break from the action rides and watched the Nemo stage show.  Had a scary ride on the Dinosaur before having lunch.  Then it was off to see the Lion King Festival.  a brilliant stage spectacular with acrobats singers and dancers.  Time to call it a day and headed home.



Megan and I after the Kali River Rapids ride



Had a great day at Kennedy Space Centre yesterday and did an Airboat ride on the Everglades saw crocs , fish, turtles and lots of birdlife.  The space centre was very interesting and we saw the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad waiting for the 134th shuttle launch on  April 29th, it will be the 2nd last launch.  Did the launch simulator ride it was very good.  Watched a 3D film on the Hubble Space Telescope.  Spent last night a Disney Downtown with the 1,000's of others.  there are so many people in Orlando this weekend.

Disney Hollywood Studio's

Spent the day at Disney Hollywood Studio's.  The centre piece of the park was Mickey's Magician's Hat there were people everywhere, laughing, crying, screaming  noise all around.  Went to see Indiana Jones Show, Lights, Motors and Action, Beauty and the Beast, Muppets 3D, Honey I shrunk the kids, Narnia. and the street parade.  Quite a hot humid day, by the end of the day there were lot's of very red, sunburnt people.  Caught up with Megan and Paul first time for 2 years, they looked very well.  We enjoyed a meal with them at TGI Friday and today going to Universal, Harry Potter with them.

Mickey's Magician Hat

Michael lost in Honey I shrunk the kids

Arrived in Orlando Florida

Had a good flight from Adelaide to Auckland.  Just got through Transit and the plane's status was showing Final call.  Checked at desk to see if upgrade was possible and upgraded to Premium Business Class.  Had a very nice flight to LA.  Didn't get much sleep though.  Arrived in LA and booked into Hotel at the airport and had a couple of hours sleep before heading to Manhattan Beach.  Very beautiful area with lots of people on the beach, in the water, playing volleyball and shopping.  Had an early flight to Orlando next morning.  Arrived Orlando at 4pm caught shuttle to Hotel.  unpacked and then went for a walk to see what was around the area and had dinner, in bed by 10.15.  Only slept till 4am got that dam jetlag.  Michael still snoring though.  Got a big day today, Disney Studio's and then catching up with Megan and Paul who are flying in at 8pm.

Michael and Wendy

Orlando

Cartegena

Corinto

Cabo San Lucas

Seattle

Vancouver