Round the World

We arrived in London at about 9.15 am having had no sleep (but watching a couple of good movies - wild hogs and shooter). So we figured the best option was to try to make it through the day and wait until night to sleep. After Kate gave us a cup of tea (normal tea - not what we got in the states) and some toast and Vegemite - we felt half human - and were ready to shower - and take on some of the sites of London. We headed for the city and got off the tube at St Paul's cathederal. From there we wallked to the London eye - but london being typically wet and miserble - we figured it wasn't where we were going to spend our extremely hard earned pounds. So we walked around to Big Ben, and westminister abbey, and by this time didn't think we could make it much further, so for a much earned rest, and to get out of the rain - we bought a hop on hop off bus ticket. While dosing in and out of sleep we managed to catch a glimpse of some of the sights we intended to see the next day. We met Kate and Mark in town after they finished work, went for a bite to eat, and checked out picadilly circus and covent garden market.
That night we slept very well. By the time we woke up the next morning - and got going half the day was gone, so we went and saw Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Picadilly Circus, and also visited Harrod's.
The final day, we went to abbey road, and walked across the pedestrian crossing as you do - but were quite shocked at how unrecognisable the area was. From the we went to Camden Town - now this place has a hip (punk almost) market - really big and worth a look if your in that area.
The day ended with a awesome home cooked meal - thanks Kate we really appreciated it. It will be the last one for a while. Next stop - Ireland.

Washington is an amazing place. On our first full day we headed to what we thought would be the number one attraction - the white house. After initially being told we couldn't see it - we were then advised that this was temporary - but they wouldn't say why. Well after about 20 mins we got to see it - and it was a big white house and that was about it. So the next biggest object in our site was the washington monument - we arrived to discover that you needed to have been there at 9.00am to get a pass - we managed to get onto a tour and the view was spectacular from the top - you could see out over all of DC, and the pentagon in Virginia, plus every memorial or museum you can think of; then to the movies for some washington action - live free or die hard - bruce willis as the usual John McClane.
The next day we headed to iwo jima. The moment most recognised by fans of the movie - flags of our fathers, then onto arlington cemetary where the likes of jfk and the tomb of the unknown soldier reside, from there we headed to union station and the postal museum - which was fascinating. And lastly the Spy Musuem - which had a great james bond movie car from GoldFinger - and if someone can tell Richard A - that they were impressed with sean's mata hari t-shirt that dan designed (and sean just happened to be wearing that day)
The next morning we were up early to que for tickets to the holocaust museum. This was pretty disturbing but paints a very real picture of what happened in the 30's and 40's in many parts of europe. We then had a brief look at the folk life festival in 'the mall' but it didn't capture our interest very much, (but sean got to give some ribbing to the irish about galic footy fights)so off to the washington national zoo. I can't believe these places are almost all free. The panda's and tigers were jo's fav's, while Sean was facinated by the reptile enclosure.
Our last few hours we decided to spend in historic georgetown. Unfortuntely the place doesn't wake until midday and our shuttle was picking us up at 2 so we missed georgetown at its best. However can highly recommend the tenderloin steak from bourbon in Morgan Adams - went back two nights in a row - and reasonably priced for that area.
Until our UK entry - where we have just arrived, and luckily enough to be staying with Kate and Mark.
somehow managed a trip/tour of US capital as well - which was fascinating

Well we have now been to Canada, and really enjoyed visiting the falls. Maid of the mist was really great, journey behind the falls - wasn't anywhere near as good though.
Tax system needs some work - we actually have a decent one in comparison. GST, PST and others all get added after you have purchased your items - you never have any idea what the total bill will be.
Butterfly house was really neat. Sean was the main attraction according to the butterfly's they all came and sat on his hand, hat, neck - but they didn't come near me?
Would have been interesting to see the falls frozen over in winter. They light them up and night time - in different colours, and they also put on fireworks display the night we went down there, which looked great.
It looks like a real hick town in some parts, and like an amusement park in other parts. Very extreme town.
The travelling from buffalo to niagara - wasn't as straight forward as we thought it would be - they said the bus we were planning on taking would take about four hours, so we ended up taking a cab which only took about 45 mins, (with a flat rate of US$75) and slight delay crossing the border. Glad we weren't heading back to USA on a weekend - the queues the other way were mad.
We have now arrived in Washington - our last destination in America - and will update you toward the end of our visit here.

Well we have lived it up in new york, and seen as many sites as we could.
We started out visiting Strawberry Fields, in Central park - and have heard that it is a big park - but its more than that - it is gigantic.
We then headed into Time Square. That was pretty amazing. We saw the empire state building - were about to take elevator to top - when it started pouring with rain - so we figured we'd see more on foot.
So we went to Grand Central station - the scene of many films including men in black I & II. And capped off the night with dinner in an Irish Pub??? and a trip back to Time Square to see the night lights, and a walk down broadway.
The next morning we headed to the Ferry's to decide which trip to do to see the statue of liberty. After seeing the queue for the one which stops out front and lets you climb it, we thought a nice cruise by it would be ample. We also had a good view of the brooklyn bridge, and numerous other new york sites. After we got off the cruise - took a leisurely stroll through Battery Park - and up to see the big bull who used to be out the front of New York Stock exchange. Then walked up through the financial district and saw the site of the world trade centre - which still seems quite raw. The construction they are doing there won't be finished until 2011 (i think).
We sat on the stairs of the courthouse (that is filmed in Law and Order) and walked past city hall (but due to heavy security could not get very close to that). We also walked through the streets of SoHo and are not quite sure what the fuss is all about - with people selling rip of DVD's, Sunglasses and handbags on every corner - we thought it was mistaken for Thailand.

Today we went for a walk to the Hudson river - but couldn't figure out where to cross the major highway (no pedestrian crossing in sight) - so headed back into town. Went to the Manhattan Mall, and to Hell's Kitchen Flea Market - and managed to find ourselves at yet another Irish Pub in the Port Authority Bus Terminal. We then went back to 42nd street to catch a train back to our hostel, so we can get the usual washing done, and get packed ready for our next adventure - Niagara Falls.

Until then.

Well Jo got to see her host family - and it was like no time had gone by at all. Picked up right where she left off. Was great to catch up with the entire family - and their now grown up children.
The town hadn't even changed very much - just a few new houses here and there. Marlys cooked huge meals the entire time - that filled the entire table - served buffet style - we certainly were not going hungry there.
The wildlife was pretty amazing as well - saw deer everywhere - saw a snapping turtle laying eggs on the side of the road, and the birdlife was active as well. (was dissapointed that we didn't see a black bear - because there have been recent sitings). Other popular wildlife we missed out on seeing were skunks, racoons, and chipmunks - although we saw a little dead one of those.

Then we hit Chicago.
After an ealier than expected departure from Minneapolis we arrived in Chicago. The plane flight was much quicker than the met rail to our hostel from the Airport - but that's life I guess. Met system runs all nite long - every day - and quite regularly too - even off peak its every 6-7 mins.

Our minds were too busy thinking about the baseball game that night - which met and even exceeded all our expectations. The atmosphere was amazing, the fireworks when a home run was hit, and the final result - being a win to our 'beloved' white sox. There was only one row between us and the outside of the stadium (sold out game) but could still see everything really well.

Yesterday we found our way to Navy Pier - and sampled Chicago Fish and Chips. The fries looked more like potato crisps than chips, but still tasted pretty good, and the Cod wasn't bad either. The 312 beer wasn't bad either.

We also walked the length of the 'magnificant mile' - chicago's answer to Beverly Hills. It seems a lot longer than a mile.

Today we went to the Field Museum - which puts Melbourne's museums to shame. (Sean even took a photo of Winston for Pete) They have every type of preserved animal you can think of (even a tassie devil) - almost in its natural environment. The Dinosaur exibit was pretty cool as well. Most of the exibits are free to enter which contributes to why these american's understand their history so well.

Big culture shock in chicago - is when you catch a train and your the only two caucasean's in the carriage. That doesn't happen in Melbourne.

We haven't exactly witnessed a 'Windy Chicago' it's been quite warm - even the nights have been warm. We are still getting confused about which side the traffic is meant to come from - we even waited for a bus on the wrong side of the road. People don't go left or right here - everything is - north or south, east or west.

Early start tomorrow cos we have to be at airport by 7.00am. And given it took us two hours to get to the hostel - you do the math.

Until New York - cheerio