Where is Bec and J?: United States of America

Sunday, February 22, 2009

California! Here we come!

So for the last 10ish days we’ve been the kids of America! We’ve swung through LA, Vegas (baby!) and San Francisco all in fine style and been granted some pretty decent weather – considering its winter!

First stop was Hollywood! In order to fight the jet-lag we battled on (despite 2 hours sleep on the flight), dropped our bags at the hostel and trekked out to Universal Studios for a fun-filled day of rides and all that great behind the scenes action. However, with empty belly’s our first stop was some lunch – where we bought our first American burger and fries and a coke the size of Spongebob, literally! Being winter, and NOT school holidays (something we are rarely granted when holidaying), the park was empty. We pretty much walked onto every attraction including the studio tour, Simpsons ride, Jurassic Park and Shrek 4D. We also managed to swindle us some free tickets to Jay Leno for the following day – Yay! Go us! We then returned to Hollywood Blvd for some Mexican and an early night.

Day two saw us jump aboard an open bus tour of the platinum triangle (Hollywood hills, Bel Air and Beverly Hills), Rodeo Drive, Hollywood sign and Sunset Blvd – among other things. A little jaded from not being engulfed by celebrities whilst already in Hollywood we thought stalking them at their mansions was the next best thing. On our tour we checked out many houses including; the house of a man who has opened his heart and his home to numerous defenceless young (blonde) women over the years (playboy mansion), the house of a man who has a story all about how his life got flipped turned upside down (fresh prince of Bel Air) and a girl from Laguna beach who now lives in the hills (Lauren Conray). Once finished we took a stroll down the Hollywood walk of fame where we were surprised to see Jarratt’s very own star – and no folks we weren’t California dreaming on such a winters day… he actually has one! I mean if Ryan Seacrest can have one, J’s isn’t that great a stretch of the imagination. We then took a quick bus up to Burbank in time for the filming of the tonight show with Jay Leno. We ended our day back on Hollywood Blvd at Lucky devils for some helpings of meat!

Our final day in LA was spent at the magical kingdom, Disneyland. We teamed up with some Melbourne girls and owned that park! We methodically worked our way through each one of the lands and managed just about every ride. Like universal studies the park was pretty much empty and queues were minimal. Highlights included Indiana Jones ride – where J was the designated drive, Bec being SOAKED on Splash Mountain, the zombie like bear on a rollercoaster whose name escapes us at the moment and Bec’s frivolous purchase of a cookie jar shaped like Mickey Mouse. We later returned to Hollywood blvd (yet again! It’s where our hostel was after all) and fell into bed to prepare for our early departure for Vegas (baby!)

We’d booked ourselves into the amazing Luxor hotel and casino in Vegas (baby!), after dropping the bags we then decided to walk the strip. The amazing thing about the strip is that you can be in Vegas one minute, eating in New York the next and a block later you’re slipping 20 into the pokies in Paris. Vegas sure is a crazy place!!! Exhausted and preparing for the night ahead we headed back to the hotel for had a disco nap in our fancy 26^th floor pyramid room. Well rested we decided to hit the casino floor!!! Unfortunately we didn’t do as well in the takings as those Ocean 11 kids but we managed to have a wicked night! Those slurpee style cocktails are awesome!

The next day we were blessed with a sleep in before our 11am pick up for our helicopter ride to the south rim of the Grand Canyon and over Hoover Dam. What an amazing experience!!!! The scenery is nothing like we have ever seen… the Champagne picnic at the base of the canyon wasn’t bad either ;) That night we walked the neon blazed strip and slipped into Coyote Ugly’s to check out the babes – all on Bec’s suggestion! Needless to say it was an interesting end to Vegas, baby!

Sunday with an early wake up call from Gypsy John we headed out to the airport bound for San Francisco. After arriving into SFO and waiting for our bags we headed into our hostel and once again, in true Jarratt style dumped bags and hit the town. First stop was Chinatown where we managed to find our way into a pretty amazing yum cha style dumpling house. The food was a-ma-zing! We then spent the rest of our time chilling out at the hostel and planning the following days. That night we treated ourselves to a flash Italian dinner in North Beach (as Garcy’s suggestion), once our bread basket arrived, so did the flames! The hostess had carelessly placed the napkin edge on top of our candle-lit table – and up she went! With no amount of ‘help’ calling retrieving our server we resorted to waving the basket at them – at which point it was promptly snatched from us and stamped out. A new basket returned and it was smooth sailing from then.

Monday – Presidents Day & Mummy’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!) – saw us battle the elements out to Alcatraz, bright and early. Once on the island we heard the stories about the Indian occupation, escape attempts and all the craziness that was attached to the Rock in its heyday. With the weather clearing we then escaped from Alcatraz (hehe!) and headed to Pier 39 for lunch of clam chowder with the resident sea lions – not seals! Afterwards we caught the famed Hyde and Powell cable car to Lombard street – the crookedest street. Before riding it onward, and upward, and steeply downward to the façade used in Full House and the beautiful Alamo district, home of the five ladies. Before a thunderstorm descended on downtown San Fransisco. For the next 24 hours it proceeded to pour rain. Not loosing focus we were able to check out union square, Market Street and the surrounding shopping areas before popping in for a movie.

Our final day, with the weather clearing we raced back down to fisherman’s wharf and hired 2 “blazing saddles” to bike the bridge. Once completed... with sore bums, but great pictures we tiredly headed out to San Francisco Airport to write this blog to you! We hope you’ve enjoyed it – next stop …. LONDON!

Had to be done...

California dreamin' ???

Luxor Hotel and Casino

J at the slots!

Us in the Grand Canyon

In Alcatraz

Locked up :(

Streets of San Fran.

Biking to the Bridge!

Made it!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

New York, New York

Sorry it's late (Caryn ;) ) - been a little busy..... but here goes.... team effort this one~! :)

After a long flight we arrived in New York tired from all the movies we watched on the plane trying to get adjusted to the time change. We caught a cab from the airport straight to our hotel and jumped straight in bed after a few problems with payment.

The next morning we both woke up eager to see the sites. Firstly we admired the hotel room; we had spent some money and got a flash room for Christmas instead of a hostel like normal. It was great it had a big TV, its own fridge and even our own star bucks coffee maker. With our spirits high we headed for down town in freezing -6 degree temperatures. Firstly looking at Ground Zero, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge all before stopping for our first big slice of pizza. We then headed back to ground zero for a tour with two survivors of 9/11. That night we headed to Madison Square Garden for Cirque Du Soleli’s Wintuk.

Wednesday was Christmas Eve and we headed straight for Fashion Avenue, Seventh Avenue to do a spot of shopping, we got lost in Macy’s, swung by Saks, and despite Bec’s best efforts left Tiffany’s empty handed. We also passed the Library and the Grand Central Terminal. That afternoon we went to Radio city and watched the world famous Rockettes perform in the Christmas spectacular from row C!!! That night we had a dinner at Ruby Foo’s on Broadway.

Christmas morning we opened presents, crossed the road for a hot diner-style breakfast and then headed into Times Square. Everywhere we looked everything was bigger, brighter and better. Then in amongst it all there was the ‘Naked (sleazy) Cowboy’… fighting off Japanese tourists Bec managed to get a photo with him and immediately felt dirty! We then headed for the biggest M&M shop in the world for some red, blue and white supplies. Before walking through a snow covered central park passing the famous ice-staking rink and John Lennon’s Imagine memorial.

That afternoon we went back to our room for a feast of spreads, chocolates and a nap so we were fresh for a fancy night out. We had booked a table at John Georges, a very classy Resturant by Columbus Circle, inside the Trump tower AND overlooking Central Park. Dinner was great we both enjoyed 5 courses of excellent food and wine, making it a very special Christmas. Hot Damn!

Friday morning we headed up the Top of the Rock (NBC Rockefeller centre) for some great views over the city. We also did an NBC tour, went past Schwarz, Barneys, Bloomingdales and Dylan’s candy bar – where Bec may, or may not have lost her mind! We also purchased our first vendor hot dog and coke for the bargain *insert eye roll here* price of 14 US dollars! That night we Thanked God it was Friday and headed to TGI’s for some Baby back (Baby back) ribs and were carded for the first time in this over 21 only drinking country! Woohoo – proud moment for J. After that we endued a very yawn filled game of b-ball; that had plenty of DEFENCE by the NY Knicks against the Timberwolves.

Saturday we rose bright and early to make our way to South Ferry for our 8am boat ride to Ellis and Liberty Island. First stop was Liberty; we grabbed our audio guides and made a beeline for the big lady herself. After waiting, and waiting and waiting to pass through security (where we were shot with some crazy gas?!) we made our way into the pedestal. We wandered through the Museum, gazed up into the hollow structure and took a trip around the famed statue. A little disappointed by size (yes! that’s right, to us size DID matter on the day), we boarded the next leg of our ferry ride to Ellis Island. Ellis Island proved to be less … controversial, than we were expecting and quite boring. Our afternoon was livened up however by the fog that had set over Manhattan and hence trapped us on Ellis Island… but not for too long. After a short wait we returned back to the Island and safely to our hotel. That night the elements kept us in a room with an EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA large (which was only a medium by American standards) size pizza and some trashy television.

Next, being Sunday, we thought it best – being the good Catholics that we are – we attended some church. We had a very traumatic morning before boarding the bus but the sites of Harlem including the Apollo Theatre, Franco the Great, Sugar Row and George Washington’s house on the hill. We ended just before lunch with a half hour hardcore (do you want more) session of hand clapping, knee slapping, halleluiah PRAISE JESUS! Being cleansed and free from sin, we headed for some sex and the city (tour). We visited all the sights from the show (and some from the movie) including sampling cupcakes from Magnolia’s Bakery, Cosmo’s at Aiden’s Bar “Scout” and making personal inspections of some rabbits at the Pleasure Chest. That night – After visiting Katz for lunch (famed deli from When Harry Met Sally) and not entirely satisfied of our Meg Ryan Movie fixed – we headed to the Empire State Building for the last ride up inside the elevator…. However, we were a little early. After 2 hours of lining up we finally made it up to see some spectacular night scenes. That night we nibbled on some pretty find looking breast at Hooters ;) Chicken breast that is!!!

Our final day in NYC was spent riding the free Staten Island ferry for one last look at lady liberty and despite our vagabond shoes wanting to stay we jumped in a taxi made the mad bolt out to JFK for our flight homeward bound.

On Brooklyn Bridge overlooking the Island of Manhattan!