Wow what a non-stop time I've had since I got here - it's been a whirlwind. But now finally getting round to updating my blog...

Had a fairly uneventful flight across although security took forever and after I got to my hostel I'd been travelling for pretty much 24 hours so checked in to a surprisingly nice room and went to bed!

Since then I seem to have done loads. My first morning I decided to go for a wander to Fishermans Wharf as it didn't look very far on the map. Having checked the weather forecast and expecting fog and 12 degrees I went out armed with my fleece. After 15 minutes I realised this was a mistake. After a further 15 minutes I realised I should have brough my sunglasses so by the time I got there I had to buy a pair in the first cheap shop I could find. After buying them and putting them on, thinking they looked quite nice, the shop owner burst out laughing and told me I looked like Paris Hilton. And it wasn't a compliment.

So what did I get up to? Well I did an open top bus tour which was fab and took you all round the city to the main sites for a couple of hours and I took far too many photos - think I'll have to go through and delete some! Then I did a boat tour out under the golden gate bridge and round Alcatraz. It was just a privately owned tour rather than the big commercial ones so it was half the price and you got to bring your own food on boards. There's loads of fish stalls down there with giant deep fried crabs, prawns, mussels, you name it. So I opted to get the clam chowder which came served in a hollowed out giant bread roll the size of a loaf of bread, it was gorgeous.

The bus tour guide kept going on about this amazing revolving restaurant so I though I'd pop in there for a drink but when I asked the concierge what floor it was on it's closed down!!! Wanted a good view of the city so I asked where else to go and he sent me to the Bank of America building where I took a lift to the 52nd floor and had amazing views across the city and the bay.

Had a trip to Chinatown which was fab, there were loads of markets on that were packed and I actually saw two people fighting over what looked like a giant spiky melon. Did the Alcatraz trip which was really interesting and a wee bit creepy and also been on a cable car and done a general walking tour of the city and a trip to the aquarium. So all in all a fab few days but I wish I'd stayed there longer.

Next up was a flight to LA which was really delayed so by the time I got to LA and got my bags it was 9.30pm and I really didn't fancy trying to locate the hostel so thought I'd just jump in a cab. 40 minutes and $55 later... Although the hostel is lovely and I'm going to be back there for a few more nights. Sharing a bathroom between 8 girls is a bit of a free for all though!

So I've now arrived in Las Vegas which is just as crazy as you would expect. So much to see and do I don't know where to start. And everything here is so expensive for a poor traveller like me! Shows start at about $50 and the "cheap" restaurants in the guides come in at a bargain $15 for a starter. Anyway plan for tonight is to have a quick shower and then go up to the aquarium, take a bus ride up and down the strip, go up to the stratoshpere tower for some views, the bellagio for the fountains and the mirage for the volcano. And an early night as I'm getting picked up at 7.30 for my grand canyon helicopter flight tomorrow. And think I'm going to go to one of the all you can eat buffets and stuff my face! Will try and update again before I head back to La La Land!!! Amy