Aloha

Sorry about the lack in continuation... we have been using the free Internet in Apple shops while in Hawaii these last past days and i haven't had the guts to do anything more than check my emails and facebook due to the fear i will be told to get off (even though they really don't mind and everyone in the shop is doing it).

Hmmm methinks i will sum up the rest of the tour briefly but check Megs blog (www.statravelblogs.com/surfer89) which has the week in detail! We visited Yosemite National Park which was really beautiful and still covered in snow which was much fun to play in :) That night we camped again and froze our toes off although the following day we headed to Death Valley which was a contrast to the day before in every sense. The temperature rapidly increased and we posed for a group photo in the middle of the long straight road as there were no other cars as far as the eye could see, only a huge expanse of desert and Cati. It was rather humbling driving through as you felt so small in comparison to the sprawling wilderness. We had lunch at Furnace Creek, where the second highest temperature in the world was recorded in the shade (570C)!! We then journeyed to Badwater (one of the lowest points at 85.5m below sea level) and then onto Devils Golf Course which i sure would have excited all the geographers. That afternoon we arrived in Las Vagas and got ready for our evening in a limo which was heaps of fun and stopped at the largest TV screen which spanned 3 blocks and showed a video of Queen's we are the champions and we will rock you to which everyone sang along. Meg and i then waked the 4miles along the strip back to our hotel, stopping only at a wedding chapel which was sadly closed :( The following day we said goodbye to our first tour guide Jason who had to leave due to a family emergency and hello to our new one, Rezer. We had a long driving day, stopping for lunch in a historic town along route 66 finally reaching our campsite in the Grand Canyon at dusk. We thought it might be warmer to squish 4 of us in one tent but i was at the side so just had the cold edge pressing against me keeping awake most of the night... In the morning we headed off to the Canyon where we walked along the edge rim trail taking lots of photos as we went. The Canyon filled with clouds and it suddenly began to snow meaning that our helicopter ride was cancelled so we saw the Imax film instead - a much cheaper alternative!! We then drove on through the desert to Lake Havasu, across the London Bridge and to our campsite which was right on the side of the lake with beautiful views. We watched the sun go down before heading out to Red Robin to have a meal together which was lovely. That evening it was warm enough to sit out by the lake under the stars in just a hoodie chatting which is just what we did until some awful hour. It was such a good night sleep as the temperature was so much warmer!! In the morning we drove through yet more desert until we reached Joshua Tree which was an amazing place, oddly mesmerizing and and beautiful, making me feel like an ant surrounded by huge piles of gravel... It was then straight onto LA where we went to Santa Monica and walked around the pier. We saw dolphins and watched the sunset before going to Bucca to eat our last meal together which was awesome. We then drove the holiday Inn where we were so excited by the double bed each we just collapsed into a heap and fell asleep. The next morning we said our goodbyes and Rezer dropped us off by our hostel on Melrose Ave. We spent the rest of the day washing clothes, sending parcels home and going on the Internet. We met a girl from Bristol who was in our room and ended going out for dinner with her and the other girl (Crystal from OZ) which was a really lovely way to spend our last evening in LA. The following day we packed and headed off the the airport to fly to Hawaii - oh yeah!

So that brings me up to this week which we have spent in Hawaii :) The weather has been mainly good although we have experienced some pretty awesome showers too.... We visited Hanauma Bay and went snorkeling over the reef taking lots of photos of colourful fish, i think i may have even met a relative of Nemo!! We also took the bus to the North Shore to look at the pipeline and watch people surfing - a huge rain storm came in as we were walking back to the bus meaning we got soaked so we stopped in a town and dried off in a cafe, visiting a surf museum and talking to two very eccentric old men. Another day we walked up to Manoa Falls in flip flops which was bit of an adventure, giving up with the whole shoe thing on the steep climb back down as they were covered in mud and water increasing the risk of falling and breaking our necks... we cleaned off in the mountain stream and took far too many photos of the rain forest as we walked along. We also took the bus to Pearl Harbour and walked up Diamond Head which gave amazing views of the Island. The rest of the week has been spent on the beach and in the sea which has been so relaxing in comparison to the previous weeks where we were constantly on the move. So all in all Hawaii has been a great place and one of the first which i don't want to leave (besides a few problems with alcoholic, drug taking, tattooed roomies causing us to move rooms after a few unbearable nights).

Tomorrow morning at 4am (yay - not) we are off to Fiji which hopefully should be just as nice as here. Although i must say the prospect of another 6 hour plane journey does not fill me with joy.


PS i promise the next entry wont be as long....