The Rest Of Day 4... Around the wheel we go...and SHOPPING

After Ma'ams House we trotted off over the river and jumped on The London Eye. It was a magnificent view across London...and a nice rest from the walking.

After dinner it was time to hit the shops on Oxford St...  Wow!

Day 4 - Ma'ams House

Ok so I will admit I am a fan of the Royal Family, the pomp and ceremony and in particular Her Majesty, I get the republican stuff, it all comes down to personal persuasion. That said, visiting Buckingham Palace, The Royal Mews and the Gallery was a special experience.  Here is us at 'the front door'...

And at the back door after putting the milk bottles out....

The shear history involved and setting foot inside "Head Office" to also view a special exhibition and collection of HM's coronation memorabilia was very unique. Again no pictures were allowed inside, but memories last forever.

We didn't stay too long in the gallery...

Eyeing off Queen Victoria... She seemed a tough old nut..

We can see why some of the folk looked a bit annoyed... You would too wearing this...

And as for MC Hammer inventing THOSE pants.... Sorry mate it has been done a long time before you...

The Royal Mews were interesting.... Hearing about the purpose of each carriage and when they are used, and why they are used.

An interesting point regarding the royal cars... They are specially built so that Her Majesty can be standing upright before "alighting".

And this guy, with the giant cigarette lighter, needs to put his pants on properly before having his next statue made! His gym membership looks like it is paying off! Yup it is a boy lion too.

We enjoyed a lovely cuppa following the tour.... Needed it as there was a LOT of walking!

Day 3 - Dinner Surprise

We went to a burger joint.... A kiwi burger joint. Not much else to say :)

Day 3... Sightseeing Part 1...Bit delayed posting as we've been busy!

We decided to hit the town... It's a big town to hit! Being the quintessential tourist, we boarded the topless double decker and let someone else do the driving. Clyde came along for the ride.

He was rather impressed with the size of that Ferris wheel thing called the London Eye. Not too fussed about those types of rides myself... Unless glued to the seat by g forces.. Which this is not. Convinced by the better half that such a ride is well worth it, that was schedule for day 4.

He was also fascinated to see that Big Ben is not actually that big. Truth be told, the name comes from the 13 tonne bell which sits within what is now called Elizabeth Tower. Here is Clyde photo-bombing...( for the oldies...that doesn't involve a backpack with wires, but getting in the way when's picture is taken).

Earlier in the day we saw the Marble Arch... Clyde can be seen in the  picture...look closely. Interesting to learn that this arch was moved a few miles from its original site when a previous royal (think it may have been good old Queen Vicky) decided to do some extensions to Buckhingham Palace.

After a full day being out and about we called it a day after visiting London Tower, and the viewing of the Crown Jewels. Absolutely breathtaking especially when you see footage of the occasions when these have been used. We couldn't take photos inside the vault. The photo below is the general area where they used to lop naughty people's heads off! ... Ryan's Siamese triplets attached at the shoulder are also doing well ;)

An Unforgettable Experience - An Evening With Fleetwood Mac.

We have spent a few evenings with Fleetwood Mac however none like this. Firstly being at the O2. This building, a tent on steroids, goes for what seems miles. Within this tent are restaurants, a few smaller arenas and then the main space. Lucky the fog stayed outside...

Anyway the distraction of the architecture was great until FM came to the stage. The roar of 20000 folks sent goosebumps everywhere. Unfortunately at times our jet lag wanted to say hi but soon enough we were back on our feet having a wiggle to some well established hits. Just seeing these artists individually and collectively become immersed in their craft, be it percussion, guitar or the vocals was beyond words. The experience of being taken on that journey with them was out of this world. Mick Fleetwood's drum solo which lasted over 10 minutes got the heart thumping, Big Love by Lindsay was just intense with an ovation to follow.

Then the truly beautiful Stevie belted out Stand Back like never before. Her vocals were as polished as when this track was originally recorded. Her grace throughout the evening was beautiful. Good to also see that Stevie and Lindsay do actually get along...now, considering many hits were penned at times of extreme hatred, betrayal and sadness among the group.

(A bit blurry but you get the idea).

"Don't Stop" was one of my fave's hitting a chord as this is one song that personally helped me through a very dark time. In saying that many of their tunes take me to a happy place,  also with fond memories of being a kid in Wellington. Oh the 70's!

I believe that most of the world's best music has already been made, FM is testament to that.

Wow that blog entry went on a bit... I guess this will be one of the highlights of #DBC40. Thank you to my sweetheart for organising this. You are incredible. 

Not sure what today's adventure will be... It may involve a double decker bus, topless. Not us, the bus :)

Dunk x

Day 2 - Good'ish Sleep and Time To Explore...

Well, from what we have seen things are equally priced compared to home. We have spotted some sales in the Westfield...lucky considering the crap exchange rate. So a little, I REPEAT a little bit of shopping will be on the cards. Would you believe that corduroy is back on-trend. It has been about 33 years since I sported cord pants.

Off to Kensington and Knightsbridge today. Oyster card in hand (British version of a Go card). Looking forward to a cup of tea in, or near, Harrods.

Not too much planned as we have a date tonight with Stevie, Mick, Lindsay and John. Very much excited about FLEETWOOD MAC tonight at the O2!

Time to get out and about.

D.

Day 1 (stiiiiiiiiill... Over 24 hours without a shower......) We Have Arrived...

What a way to start a vacation... But some careful planning and knowledge of options meant we were not offloaded and that we stayed ahead of the game.

On our travels we did spot the place where naughty Australians are sent...

Heathrow was just mind blowing... Metal everywhere.... Annnnd then the queue for the lovely interaction / interrogation (kidding...just lots of questions as usual) by Her Majesty's Customs.

We made it to the hotel in Shepherds Bush, via the tube and London taxi... 

The shower was the best ever...

Had a nap and a quick walk around....

We have worked out that the definition of jet lag is - When your body says I WANT WEETBIX, but you are trying to eat STEAK. Didn't finish the steak... 

Day 1 (yep still due to time zones...) STRANDED

So here we are in Singapore. 

Before leaving BNE our onward flight with Lufthansa was empty, great when you are on standby. not great when there is a typhoon in the area. The LH A380 via Frankfurt to London was oversold upon our arrival at Changi. Quick risk assessment... Wifi connection found, iPad put to use on the work portal, flights cancelled and new bookings made all 90 minutes before pushback. Back to the original plan to give Etihad a go via Abu Dhabi. 

We managed to get the last two seats on board, no fancy bed up the front but stuck in the middle. Hard to complain with the price paid... Lucky for a no show, so we had 3 seats to spread out.

A few time zones and 7 hours later.. Hello AUH....11pm and 29 degrees.

Next flight full... Except for 3 seats at the pointy end. Business class booking made, downgraded to the ass end do the bus and a 0235 departure. Yep she was a full ship. More time zones, more miniature food but we got to London 8 hours before we had originally planned! All part of the adventure, just waiting for MANY refunds from various airlines for unused tickets.. 

Day 1 - DBC40 Trip, It is time to go...

The trip has finally begun. Bags are packed, Clyde in tow and it is up to the Staff Travel Gods.

Due to a typhoon hammering HKG the plans have changed several times. Time to leave Australia...next step, we don't actually know!

So we have ended up flying with the opposition, their service was great...the VERY talkative passenger next to us wouldn't shut up, even noise cancelling headphones didn't work on her. All part of the fun.

Home now...

So....
1. Ryan won all games at bowling.
2. We didn't get lost getting to Santa Monica.
3. Dinner at Cheesecake Factory at Marina del Ray with Kellie and Liz was lovely. It has been great to meet new family or become reacquainted (depending on perspective, D's or R's)
4. Checkin procedures at LAX are much better these days, better organised now.
5. Row 2F & 2G were comfy, service was incredible, awesome food, but the bouncy floor on the 777 made the bed feel like a trampoline... (yeah ok.... It was damn awesome to actually have a bed for 14 hours over the Pacific)
6. Moderate to severe turbulence, at 3am (destination time), at 40k feet, while sleeping in bed (with a seatbelt), is not a pretty feeling but the Boeing slammed through it easily enough.
7. No apparent jet lag
8. Currently passing through the "Post Holiday Blues" phase of the vacation.
9. Now planning the next one.

Last day :((( Updated!

So we caught the bus to Santa Monica, some serious storms meant to be hitting but the blue sky is telling us other things! Last night was the first time we have slept well since being here...ironic considering we are located right next to 2 runways at LAX.

The iPhone has been good for transit maps, not often getting lost, thank heavens!

Here is a funny sign we saw at Nordstom (posh department store)

Off for dinner with Kelly and her wife Liz (Ryan's cousin who he hasn't seen for over 10 years). But before that we are filling in time with ten pin bowling at the lanes next to the hotel.


Not looking forward to the usual staff travel BS which generally occurs at LAX, we are hoping it goes smoothly.
Fingers crossed....

Great view from hotel at LAX

Ohmigod! I think I felt a little tingle in my pants when we opened the curtains at our LA airport hotel room. AND the window opens for full sound effects! To keep busy until flying back late tomorrow (except for planespotting), there are tenpin lanes next door, so we may head there. Oooh must go as there is a SQ A380 pushing back for departure from TBIT (sorry in plain English... Singapore Airlines big mother of a jet is preparing to depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal)

Clyde met a someone at the airport!

Our little travelling friend is very happy and not so lonely right now.

We are making sure there is no "Monkey Business" going on. She has better keep her legs crossed!

Oh by the way, welcome to 40000ft over one of the eastern states! Inflight Internet...very cool!

Last day in New York - chilling.

Today we went back downtown to exchange a few clothes which we bought a few days ago. This also gave us the opportunity to take a stroll near the WTC. We didn't go to the memorial which is under construction, but since being here a new appreciation of what occurred and the wide impact 9/11 had on this city. It was a little sad in reflection and thought of those who never returned home from work that day, and those brave and proud men and women officers who sacrificed everything in the line of duty.
It was quite chilling walking those streets, looking skyward and hearing jets flying overhead.

The Freedom Tower construction is well underway as is going to be higher than the original towers.

On a brighter note, we are all packed, with an additional bag (muppets take up a bit of space you know).

Just finished dinner at Times Square, and a chilly stroll home 42nd St to 26th to help dinner settle..

Next stop LAX for a night.

Introducing "Yorkie"

Well, FAO Schwarz was a fun few hours, especially the "Wotnot" section, designing our very own muppet who we christened Yorkie.

Unfortunately it was way too wet to take Clyde, but we did see his relatives, he stayed behind and had a nap.