They say all good things must come to an end and so too has Maddi and I's time in America.

So the question begs, What was the highlight? For me I loved so much and it is honestly hard to choose. The city I fell most in love with instantly was Boston, the most relaxing and genuine American experience I had was in Corning with Maddi's family and I'd have to say the coolest thing we did was, and was always going to be, the Bahamas boat cruise. But then there was New Years' in Miami, Toronto, Indianapolis, New York and San Francisco. Bah! If I'm having a problem naming one main highlight it's a good problem to have, right?

The trip was rounded out with what was supposed to be a relaxing day and night in Santa Monica with the promise of bathing on the pier and beach under a blazing sun before we hit the airport the enticer. Although I did get to the point by mid-afternoon on January 16th where I nearly fell asleep under the sun with my feet buried in the silky clean Santa Monica sands it didn't all go that well.

Firstly we arrived expecting like we have all along when arriving at a hotel. You know, a bell desk and concierge with important information for you like room numbers and keys. In the end when we couldn't find either we were left stranded with piles of luggage until I actually read the fine print of an email that said to call ahead to get your room key. Then when we finally got it we found just one bed in the studio and a toilet that I discovered had only one good flush in it before it proceeded to flood the entire bathroom and studio foyer. I was tired, cranky and in the end I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. It was as if that toilet and studio apartment were saying "I think your time here is just about done." It'd be right.

But the iconic Santa Monica pier was worth the trip. This is the place with that well lit up ferris wheel by the beach you see in so many TV shows and movies. The place also provided the most spectacular sunset I saw all trip, and there were some beauties too. A blend of orange, pink, yellow and every shade of blue filled the sky while the carnival rocked it for a Friday night like it was the middle of summer. If there was one thing I wish I could bring home with me it would be California's winter weather.

The cab ride from Santa Monica to LAX was a slow and long crawl but the driver pumping a mix of ACDC's Thunderstruck, a bit of rap from WC and even some Johnny Cash helped the trip go a little faster. All for thirty five bucks too which considering we were in the thing for an hour was a great deal. And as much as I dislike every aspect of flying there certainly was a sense of relief once aboard and midair the Qantas A380 bound for Melbourne. Even chatting to some Aussie girls at the airport and hearing the accent on so many fellow countrymen who were boarding the same flight made me realize just how much that, despite having an absolute blast in America, I really do call Australia home.

Vegemite here I come! The recovery Paleo Diet can wait a day.