Bula!! (thats hello in Fijian!!)
So we are now in Fiji- and its wicked- hot and exoctic, lovely beach, blue sea, paradise!!
Arrived here a few hous ago, but it looks good so far!
Ok, so once again its been ages since this was updated- it seems that whenever Rob is with us, we are so busy and time flies!! no time for blogging!!
San Francsisco was amamzing- up there with New york as one of the best places in America. Highlights were biking across the golden gate bridge, going thorugh Chinatown, visiting Union Square, and riding the trams.
It was lovely and hot, which helps too...
We stayed in an English themed hotel before Rob arrived, which was quite cool, and funny- but the second hotel, The Powell, was the best hotel ever. It is in a perfect location, right in the main square in San Fran, by all the public transport stops, walking distance to all the main attrarctions too.
The best bit though, was that every week night, they did a "hospitality hour" where all drinks were free! It was meant to be for an hour only, but the 2 nights we went- we were there over the weekend unfortunately- it went on till we had drunk enough!! from about 5 til about 10ish, both nights!! all good!! we got rather tipsy on free beer!! One of the managers there, Francis, was really cool, and was chatting to us, and kept giving us more beer!! legend!!
great hotel tho- if you ever go to SF,- and you should- I would recomend staying there. great location, great rooms, and free beer. :-)
Oh, and Virgin lost Robs suitcase!!! luckily, they found it, still in London, and it arrived the next day thankfully.
Hmm... what else?? Lots of crazy homeless in san fran, but they dont really bother you, they are just funny!! we saw some guy playing a violin - except it only had 3 strings, and his bow was a stick with thick string tied to it!! It was awfull! And one guy hides behind bushes, then jumps out and scare toursits, and then asks you for money!! funny!! lol!
There is a big harbour area called Fishermans wharf, which is really good to see- and sells loads of seafood- so we had clam chowder in bread bowls, and whole crab!!
The crab was lush- they cook it fresh in front of you, bash in the shell etc, and then you just crack on into it, it was really nice!!
What else did we do? it seems so long ago!! probably did loads more- but I cant remember!! will uploads pics in a min, so you can alll see for yourselves!!
After that we went to Vegas- and it rocked!!! I half thought I wouldnt like it, and it would be tacky and seedy. It wasnt!! There is a bit of a seedy/tacky element to it- if you want it, but you can easily avoid it if its not for you. All the hotels/resorts are amazing!! so big, you have to see it to believe it. We stayed at The Stratosphere- it was huge!! the hotel had like 5 restuarants, a shopping centre, a buffet, a starbucks, 4 bars, and loads more- all inside one hotel!! mad!!
All the big ones are great too- Bellagio, Cesars Palace, The Mirage etc- all great to see. Loads of free stuff to see too- The Bellagio fountians are beyond words- we watched them 5 times- and I would still watch again- just amzing!!
Treasure Island had a great priate show- There was a volcano erupting with such heat your face burnt, cant even remember what hotel that was!! Rio had a great show, Ceasars palace was amazing- just like being in Rome.
My favourite was probably New York, New York, it was done out so well- it was actually like being in NY, with all the different areas. the statue of liberty replica, looked just as big as the real thing!
We did so much there- we just ran out of time- barely had time to gamble!!
We also bought some huge maragrita things, and got rather drunk- and went to The Flamingo and shouted at the flamingos!! doh!! We also didn't make it to the grand canyon, we wanted to try and do a tour, but just ran out of time. Oh well.
It was off to LA after that- that was cool. Again, time went too fast,we were only there 3 days, and it just flew by. We went and saw the LA Lakers play, that was really good. Great atmosphere- as they had already made the playoffs, and they won the game we were at, so the crowd were buzzing. It was also supporter appreciation night, so they were giving out loads of free stuff, which was good. We only managed to win a voucher for 2 freee tacos each, but we didnt get time to use them! doh!
We stayed in Hollywood for all 3 days, but it wasnt as glamourous as we thought it would be- a bit dirty, and LOADS of beggars everywhere, some who were quite intimadating. Loads of tacky tourist shops too, so a bit dissapoiting. We stayed right by the walk of fame, and the Chinese theatre, where they hold all the movie premieres, and have all the red carpet and all that jazz, and have the handprints and footprints of all the stars who have been there, so that was cool- loads in the photos for you all to enjoy!!
There were 2 premieres when we were there- 17 again with Matthew Perry from friends, and the dude from high school musical, and one with Drew Barrymore. People started queing about 2 tho- the stars dont arrive till 8!! so we didnt see anyone famous!!
Lisa spent most the time at the basketball trying to spot celebs, but we didnt see any!! oh well!!
In our shuttle to the airport we did meet a woman who lived in Hawaii, and who's son had been arrested by Dog the Bounty Hunter!! thats our biggest claim to fame so far tho!!
Also met a guy at our hostel in Fiji today, who used to live in Paulton, near Bristol (he's actually from New Zealand) who worked for Micheal Evis at Glastonbury, and now runs his own company in Australia supplying stages and light rigs etc for frestivals in Oz- we are hoping to chat to him more over the next few weeks, see if he can get us work in Oz, or get us free festival tickets!! ;- )
hmm.... what else have we done??..... we got the local bus in Fiji from the airport to the hostel- that was an experience!! we were the only white people on the bus- the rest were all locals!! so we got a lot of stares!! and the driver was crazy!! flying round bends, and over taking etc!! scariest 3hrs of my life!!
I am still facsintated by all this time difference stuff- we overtook you from LA to Fiji-we went from 8hrs behind the UK, to 11hrs in front!! we took off on the 16th April, and landed on the 18th!!!! work that out!!! I find it crazy!!1 I fee like I have somehow lost a day of my life!!- what the hell happened to Friday the 17th! I just feel like I am now a day older than I was before- yet I never even saw that day!! we had an 11hr flight, yet landed over 24hrs after we left? it leaves me so confused!!!
Oh well- back to Fiji- the hostel is really cool- we have a garden room (in it now!) its very basic- a bed, a fan, a small shelf for clothes, and a few lamps (No TV etc!!) cool tho.
We are right on the beach, its lovely white sand and warm blue sea, that leads onto a coral reef, heaven!! Lisa fell asleep in a hammock earlier- not a bad way to sleep. We have free afternoon tea everyday at 4, tea/coffee/fruit juice scones and jam. Going for that in a min- its 3pm at the moment. We get free brekkie everyday, will let you know whats its like after we try it. There are free sea kayaks to use, and free snorkelling equipment, hammocks dotted about, between coconut trees. A small pool- but the sea is warm, so can swim in that!!
There is a special evening meal everynight- u have to pay, but its cheap. We have just signed up for tonight- its a traditional fijian night- called lovo, i think, its underground ovens, where you put all your food in a hot clay pot, then bury it, and it cooks in the pot underground!! sounds great!!
beer is cheap too- they have one called fijian bitter- we had 2 bottles each just now, very nice, and only about 1pound a bottle!! all good!!
Will tell you more about fiji once we have been here a while!!
for a quick food update- San Fran we ate in a great place called the Cheesecake factory, it was at the top of a Macys department store, overlooking Union square, and the food was huge!!! huge burgers and of course huge portions of cheesecake for dessert!! we actually went back the next day and me and rob bought another slice each to take away!! mmm!!
We ate in Chinatown one night- oh and bought really cheap t-shirts there- for 2 dollars each- all good! I had to buy new trainers too, as the first day we were there, it was hot, so i went out in flip-flops, but Lisa and I walked for miles, ended up walking to Fishermans wharf, and apparently as anyone who knows about san fran will tell you, its built on hills and, I ended up with blisters from my flip-flops, but we had to walk back yet, so I went in a cheap shoe shop an bought some trainers for 30dollars!! I needed some anyway, so not too bad.

food in Vegas is crazy- all you can eat buffets- and its stupid amounts of food. choose from mexican, italian, currys, beef, turkey, potatos of various kinds, soups, salads, piles of cakes etc, all in one buffet! we did one in our hotel, where it was all you can eat all day (you can come and go as you please) for $20. bargain!! still ate way too much tho!!
Dont think we ate much after that!!
LA we found a really cool mexican place on hollywood boulevard, co-owned by Landon Donovan- (football fans should know him) they had a happy hour every day where all beers were half price, and various other offers everfyday, so we ate there 2 out of 3 days.