LA at night

On our last day in LA we set off for some last minute shopping at Glendale Mall. But as most of you know last minute shopping is normally pretty expensive when your last name is Clark. Lots of money later we headed back to the hotel.

That night we went on a night tour of LA. We began at the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard where it just happened to be the red carpet premier of He's Just Not That Into You. We headed up Hollywood Boulevard toward the Kodak Theatre. Then we set off to a look out above Hollywood. We went to the Farmers Market, 3 different scenes from Pretty Woman, Bel Air, Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills.

The next morning it was yet another 5am start, leaving our hotel only for mum to have to sit at the airport for like 12 hours. Finally after flying on the smallest aeroplane know to man we arrived in Canada 2 hours early.

Over the last week we have been shopping and mum i bought you a jumper. Tomorrow ben is going to victoria.

Leaving LA

Universal Studios

Arrived at Universal Studios at 9:30, to register for the VIP Experience. Once registered we moved into the VIP lounge, where the toilet alone was almost as big as our lounge room at home. We were served a breakfst of coffee, orange juice, fresh fruit and pastries, then it was off to do the studio tour. We toured Props storage, Sound Studios, Wisteria Lane, Set of Life, we parted the waters of a river to drive through and experienced many other simulated natural disasters, as well as seeing Norman Bates load a body into his trunk, when he realised he had been seen, he came after us with a knife, so it was a quick get away, rode the many exciting riddes including Jurrasic Park, The Mummy, The Simpsons and other 3/4D attractions. We had photo's with many characters including, Bart & Lisa Simpson, Spongebob, Shrek & Fiona, Crash, Frankinstein & Woody Wood Pecker & his girlfriend. On the way out we did just a little shopping and then went to The Hard Rock Cafe where we ate dinner surrounded by Superbowl fans, as it was Superbowl Sunday. The atmosphere was similar to that of an AFL Grand Final.

Vegas

29/1

We left Anaheim at 8am, checked in at the airport, Jacinta's luggage, again 3 pounds over, quick re shuffle and we were on the plane. Arrived in Las Vegas at 12:30pm, a beautiful sunny day and an airport complete with poker machines as far as the eye can see, checked into the hotel (huge hotel), first stop New York New York. We'd seen the rollercoaster from the ground and shakily headed for the ride. YAHOOO!! Back for a re-ride!

Now we jumped on a bus and toured the Strip. Checked out a few souvenier shops and headed for the outback steakhouse for tea (as Australian as Americans can get), with sore feet we headed back to the hotel.

30/1

First stop Luxor Hotel for the exhibition of the Bodies, then it was ESPN Zone for lunch, where we ate in reclining leather chairs, drinking jugs of beer (Mum), whilst watching Nadal beat Verdasco, from here we climbed the Eifel Tower, visited Madam Tussauds, rode a gondala up the canals of Venice before heading back to the Excalibur for Tournaments of the Kings.

Bye for now, tomorrow back to LA for Universal Studios.

Oh and Andrew, as you obviously didn't want a pen from Harrods, we found one for you, Las Vegas style

Disneyland

On 26th January we left Modesto at 5am, and set off for Anaheim, 8 hours later we arrived. After ringing to confirm our transfers and finding out they didn’t exist, we set out looking for food and then on to Downtown Disney where we shopped in very expensive Disney stores and ate tea at EPSN Zone.

The next morning we were off for our first day in California Adventure Park and Disneyland. We rode California Screaming and since it was the best, including a loop we had to ride it again. After having lunch on the Pacific Wharf and shopping for a while, and riding the many other rides, we exited and headed for Disneyland. Here we walked down Main Street USA, and rode various rides including Splash Mountain (where we got a little wet). At the end of the night, we watched Fantasmic, a fireworks show about the power of imagination.

On our last day in Anaheim, we explored the rest of the Disneyland, experiencing a virtual Star Wars ride, Finding Nemo, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Mountain Bobsled, and again Splash Mountain, where we got absolutely soaked, plus many more. We met Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Pooh Bear, Tigger & Goofy. We took a ride on the Mark Twain River Boat and again watched the Fantasmic Show before our last trip into Downtown Disney. On the way home we stopped at Captain Kidds for a buffet dinner. Our feet were sore and we were glad to see our beds.

Outlet Shopping

We started today by sending a box load of luggage home, then set off for Tracey, where there are outlet shops, much like Harbour Town, but cheaper. We possibly bought as much as we sent, so not sure if it made much of a difference. Now we will display some of our purchases.

San Francisco- Alcatraz

Set off at 8am, for San Francisco.

An hour and a half later, we arrived in a warm sunny San Francisco, to the tune of Funky Town. Hopped on the ferry and headed for Alcatraz. In the distance it looked quite small, however after climbing the many steps, not so small. We wandered through the cells (tiny cells), were locked in solitary confinement (the hole), pitch black, blacker than you've ever seen (or not seen). We spoke with Joyleen, who lived on the island as a child, as her father was a prison guard. She said life was very normal, crime free. They went to school in San Francisco, and came and went from island as they pleased.

As we left we found a store that sold sunnies, so we all bought a pair, including 2 pairs of shutters.

After this, we completed our tour and then boarded the ferry to head back to San Francisco for lunch. Then it was shopping at the mall, yipee!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISH!!!