Week 1 : 7th May 2004 Last Day At Work
Well I finally did it - left work. Of course it was all a little bit of a blur but the folks at RFS & Farmers did put on a fuss. Well why wouldn't they ;) I got lots of goodies such as having my desk decorated,
a shared lunch
and pressies like the travel bag, the paua bracelet, the lolly (I mean candy) Lei, the yoga book and of course I couldn't forget the snow dome - complete with pictures of my colleagues and bosses (and I thought I was getting rid of them).
9th May 2004 Aargh 14 hours of travel
Finally we made it on the plane to our year away of fun.
It started really nicely as we had mothers day brunch and then went straight out to the airport. Unfortunately we didn't finish cleaning because of the time factor so sorry Mum, we owe you one!! We had a great farewell party with relatives to see us off at the airport - just like the old days when everyone went to see you arrive and take off.
Because of fog in the morning, all planes had been delayed. Apparently ours was the least delayed by 1 hour and a bit. (Left at 5.45pm) I suppose this was good, but there was no solace in the fact that I missed going shopping for my 42 Below because of time limits and then having to wait in the lounge all that time. (Because we were going to LA - meant we had to go through strict security and therefore couldn't really go back).
Anyways, no great loss. We got the last seats in the back (MINT!) so that we could lean back and sleep. This was just as well as there were no plugs on the plane for the laptop and the movies were shite. I think I watched half of Welcome to Mooseport and then gave up. So we slept for around 8 hours. (Thanks in part to the Business Class Packs that the Hawkers gave us – very nice). This worked out wonderfully, as there was no jetlag and could get straight into it as soon as we got to LA.
Caught a shuttle out to Anaheim and checked in to the Jolly Roger. Mum, you will be horrified to know that they actually want the privet hedges and the honeysuckle on the pristine pavements outside. What are they thinking?
That night we went to Medieval Times – I got a flower for being a mother (of two cats that is – and not a very good one at that - abandoning them for a year). The whole thing was really well done – right down to the fact that they specified we were to get there an hour early. Found out that it was only to get us to spend money on drinks and souvenirs!!). Anyhoos, we watched some amazing horsemanship including advanced dressage seen at the Spanish School of Riding!! Dinner was served by our ‘wench’ Erica which included the hugest chicken pieces and ribs you’ve ever seen!! All food was to be eaten with your hands – ye olde fashioned way!!
10th May 2004 Disneyland Yippee – off to Disneyland– my childhood dream. We chose our days wisely as the queues weren’t too bad – and made even better by the FastPass. A tip given to me by Richard Collier at Farmers that involved grabbing a pass to come back in an hour or so to the most popular rides. This means you can go to the front of the line when you come back. Those poor suckers stuck in the queue who obviously didn’t read the back of the information pamphlet. Oh well, it was to our benefit and we managed to get on all the rides we wanted to. (Including the Tea Cups which was just like in the book we had when I was a kid – however, Craig was highly embarrassed going on them). However, Space Mountain was closed for renovation and won’t be open until next year. Boo hoo!
TOYS WE WANT : A segway: which we tried at the Inovention Pavilion. Craig got so excited that he didn’t take a photo. So we have one of a stranger!
This little puppy is like a scooter which you stand on and it goes backwards and forwards depending on the pressure of your feet. Left and right is with a throttle on the handle. It is So sensitive that all you have to do is think forward, stop or backward and the segway does what you want. It would be perfect for the flat and easy footpaths of Calgary except when it snows! At only US$5,000 each, it’s a steal!
(BTW, Los Angeles has already banned these from their footpaths for fear of two of them colliding.)
11th May 2004 California Adventure Park Disneyland again but this time to the new theme park California Adventure Park, opened last year. This park is not quite like Disneyland as it supposed to show different aspects of California. So there weren’t so many rides in there that we wanted to go on. Except for the Tower of Terror opened last week. Yep – Craig convinced me to go on and I am glad he did.
Check out our top 10 rides of both the Disneyland(s).
1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – they spent US$17.5 million on this baby. The whole thing starts with a theatrical introduction from the ‘hotel’ staff – but when you get on the elevator – it has a mind of it’s own!!
2. Indiana Jones Adventure: go for a wild ride underneath the mountain in an old jeep with a questionable service history.
3. Haunted Mansion: a spooky tour through the mountain with really clever use of holograms and projectors!
4. California Screamin’: a really huge old fashioned roller coaster that kept going on and on.
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds: a track ride that takes round and through and up and down the mountain with a few Yeti’s to keep you company.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: a log flume ride that is kind of like “it’s a small world” only less cheesier. (although small world is good if you want that sort of thing)
7. Maliboomer: a reverse launcher on the tower and not as bad as the Giant Drop in Australias’s Dreamland.
8. Soarin’ over California: you get strapped into these chairs that lift you up in front of a giant screen so your legs are dangling. This is like a simulator ride which shows you flying around various parts of California. Don’t go on this if you have a fear of heights.
9. Splash Mountain: a good old log flume with the obligatory steep slide at the end to get you wet.
10. Grizzly River Run: also another log flume ride to get you wet except you are in one of those giant tyres that seats eight people in them.
All in all, Disneyland is good for those people that tend to wuse out on the scarier stuff. There is NO EXCUSE for not going on a ride here – unless you are Craig and don’t want to go on the Kiddies stuff.
12th May 2004 E3 Well we are in LA. Last night had to take a private van out from Anaheim to West Hollywood because of all our luggage and the limitations on the transport system. It only cost us US$95! plus tip. Crikey! Could have got a good night or two at a hotel for that. AND the choice (or shall I say lack of choice) of a hotel was not that hot. The Hollywood Downtowner was, as Regan would say, the kind of hotel that you would open up the shower curtain and there would be a dead body lying there. We were in the middle of Thai Town (which was handy) but as soon as we sat down for dinner – there was a homeless person standing beside the table wanting a handout! The only reason that I felt safe-ish in the hotel was because it was full of people going to E3.
Never mind – today the place feels a little better. The Metro Underground was just a block away and $1.25 each way. It deposited us outside the LA Convention Centre. Craig’s eyes lit up because the US Army were promoting their game and were flying over the convention centre in Black Hawk UH60s (Yeah it means nothing to me either).
E3 was huge alright – apparently 5 halls worth of stuff to look at and we didn’t see it all. There were 60,000 guests attending and so much extravagance it was unbelievable. Even I was excited – and I could play lots of new games that are about to come out. Craig had to keep apologising coz he was behaving like a kid in a candy shop and couldn’t decide where to go next.
These pictures are for you Margaret!
13th May 2004 Universal Studios Caught the Metro the other way this time and went to Universal Studios. Although it didn’t have the same appeal as Disneyland had (coz we like the rides) we were actually pleasantly surprised over the quality of the shows and stuff. We picked a perfect day with temperature around 26-27 degrees Celsius and virtually no queuing at all. I am not going to do a top 10 list as there aren’t enough things to see to make up the list. We missed out on Waterworld (only open weekends) and the new Indoor Rollercoaster Revenge of the Mummy which will be opening up next month. However, Craig’s favourite thing was Terminator 2: 3D – a 3D movie which also incorporated actors running around on the stage and interacting with the screen. I didn’t really have a favourite (they were all good) but yes, Amanda, the banana breath of King Kong on the studio tour was a nice touch!!
14th May 2004 Travel Day Not much to report – it is a bit sad that you have to leave the Hotel at 8.15am to catch a 12.25pm and 2.5 hour flight to get to Calgary at the end of the day. We did arrive in 7 degrees Celsius though which surprisingly wasn’t all that bad temperature wise. I did however immediately get an electric shock or two off the luggage trolley. Apparently it is a fact of life around here because the air is so dry. Ladies – only wear natural materials around here – the synthetics might be a pain (ha). Steve and Tania have been gracious hosts and have a three year old house in the South of Calgary. Tis very cosy and warm except for the basement which I am currently typing in – knew it was good to bring the Ug Boots.
Look - the last of the snow!
15th & 16th May 2004 Weekend stuff Normal stuff – bought case and monitor for computers (which I am typing on right now). Went to Van Helsing the movie, down the road which was pretty good. The funny thing is that we went at 9.50pm and it is only just getting dark. Apparently in the height of summer it doesn’t get dark until 11.30pm – great for riding the horses I bet (except the lack of sleep might not work as well). Talking about horses – the Hills’ are across the highway from “Spruce Meadows”, a famous place for show jumping. We checked it out today and it is the most amazing complex. There are so many arenas for jumping it is not funny. Add to that the countless number of buildings, stables, tack shop and the indoor riding hall and Julia and Courtenay, you will die of jealousy.
Anyway, sorry about the giant write up but it will keep you occupied for a while. This week is doing the boring stuff like finding a job, getting bank accounts, a flat etc.
P.S. Amanda, that bag you picked up for me has been invaluable. Good choice!!
P.P.S will work in the next couple of days to get you more photos..
a shared lunch
and pressies like the travel bag, the paua bracelet, the lolly (I mean candy) Lei, the yoga book and of course I couldn't forget the snow dome - complete with pictures of my colleagues and bosses (and I thought I was getting rid of them).
9th May 2004 Aargh 14 hours of travel
Finally we made it on the plane to our year away of fun.
It started really nicely as we had mothers day brunch and then went straight out to the airport. Unfortunately we didn't finish cleaning because of the time factor so sorry Mum, we owe you one!! We had a great farewell party with relatives to see us off at the airport - just like the old days when everyone went to see you arrive and take off.
Because of fog in the morning, all planes had been delayed. Apparently ours was the least delayed by 1 hour and a bit. (Left at 5.45pm) I suppose this was good, but there was no solace in the fact that I missed going shopping for my 42 Below because of time limits and then having to wait in the lounge all that time. (Because we were going to LA - meant we had to go through strict security and therefore couldn't really go back).
Anyways, no great loss. We got the last seats in the back (MINT!) so that we could lean back and sleep. This was just as well as there were no plugs on the plane for the laptop and the movies were shite. I think I watched half of Welcome to Mooseport and then gave up. So we slept for around 8 hours. (Thanks in part to the Business Class Packs that the Hawkers gave us – very nice). This worked out wonderfully, as there was no jetlag and could get straight into it as soon as we got to LA.
Caught a shuttle out to Anaheim and checked in to the Jolly Roger. Mum, you will be horrified to know that they actually want the privet hedges and the honeysuckle on the pristine pavements outside. What are they thinking?
That night we went to Medieval Times – I got a flower for being a mother (of two cats that is – and not a very good one at that - abandoning them for a year). The whole thing was really well done – right down to the fact that they specified we were to get there an hour early. Found out that it was only to get us to spend money on drinks and souvenirs!!). Anyhoos, we watched some amazing horsemanship including advanced dressage seen at the Spanish School of Riding!! Dinner was served by our ‘wench’ Erica which included the hugest chicken pieces and ribs you’ve ever seen!! All food was to be eaten with your hands – ye olde fashioned way!!
10th May 2004 Disneyland Yippee – off to Disneyland– my childhood dream. We chose our days wisely as the queues weren’t too bad – and made even better by the FastPass. A tip given to me by Richard Collier at Farmers that involved grabbing a pass to come back in an hour or so to the most popular rides. This means you can go to the front of the line when you come back. Those poor suckers stuck in the queue who obviously didn’t read the back of the information pamphlet. Oh well, it was to our benefit and we managed to get on all the rides we wanted to. (Including the Tea Cups which was just like in the book we had when I was a kid – however, Craig was highly embarrassed going on them). However, Space Mountain was closed for renovation and won’t be open until next year. Boo hoo!
TOYS WE WANT : A segway: which we tried at the Inovention Pavilion. Craig got so excited that he didn’t take a photo. So we have one of a stranger!
This little puppy is like a scooter which you stand on and it goes backwards and forwards depending on the pressure of your feet. Left and right is with a throttle on the handle. It is So sensitive that all you have to do is think forward, stop or backward and the segway does what you want. It would be perfect for the flat and easy footpaths of Calgary except when it snows! At only US$5,000 each, it’s a steal!
(BTW, Los Angeles has already banned these from their footpaths for fear of two of them colliding.)
11th May 2004 California Adventure Park Disneyland again but this time to the new theme park California Adventure Park, opened last year. This park is not quite like Disneyland as it supposed to show different aspects of California. So there weren’t so many rides in there that we wanted to go on. Except for the Tower of Terror opened last week. Yep – Craig convinced me to go on and I am glad he did.
Check out our top 10 rides of both the Disneyland(s).
1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – they spent US$17.5 million on this baby. The whole thing starts with a theatrical introduction from the ‘hotel’ staff – but when you get on the elevator – it has a mind of it’s own!!
2. Indiana Jones Adventure: go for a wild ride underneath the mountain in an old jeep with a questionable service history.
3. Haunted Mansion: a spooky tour through the mountain with really clever use of holograms and projectors!
4. California Screamin’: a really huge old fashioned roller coaster that kept going on and on.
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds: a track ride that takes round and through and up and down the mountain with a few Yeti’s to keep you company.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: a log flume ride that is kind of like “it’s a small world” only less cheesier. (although small world is good if you want that sort of thing)
7. Maliboomer: a reverse launcher on the tower and not as bad as the Giant Drop in Australias’s Dreamland.
8. Soarin’ over California: you get strapped into these chairs that lift you up in front of a giant screen so your legs are dangling. This is like a simulator ride which shows you flying around various parts of California. Don’t go on this if you have a fear of heights.
9. Splash Mountain: a good old log flume with the obligatory steep slide at the end to get you wet.
10. Grizzly River Run: also another log flume ride to get you wet except you are in one of those giant tyres that seats eight people in them.
All in all, Disneyland is good for those people that tend to wuse out on the scarier stuff. There is NO EXCUSE for not going on a ride here – unless you are Craig and don’t want to go on the Kiddies stuff.
12th May 2004 E3 Well we are in LA. Last night had to take a private van out from Anaheim to West Hollywood because of all our luggage and the limitations on the transport system. It only cost us US$95! plus tip. Crikey! Could have got a good night or two at a hotel for that. AND the choice (or shall I say lack of choice) of a hotel was not that hot. The Hollywood Downtowner was, as Regan would say, the kind of hotel that you would open up the shower curtain and there would be a dead body lying there. We were in the middle of Thai Town (which was handy) but as soon as we sat down for dinner – there was a homeless person standing beside the table wanting a handout! The only reason that I felt safe-ish in the hotel was because it was full of people going to E3.
Never mind – today the place feels a little better. The Metro Underground was just a block away and $1.25 each way. It deposited us outside the LA Convention Centre. Craig’s eyes lit up because the US Army were promoting their game and were flying over the convention centre in Black Hawk UH60s (Yeah it means nothing to me either).
E3 was huge alright – apparently 5 halls worth of stuff to look at and we didn’t see it all. There were 60,000 guests attending and so much extravagance it was unbelievable. Even I was excited – and I could play lots of new games that are about to come out. Craig had to keep apologising coz he was behaving like a kid in a candy shop and couldn’t decide where to go next.
These pictures are for you Margaret!
13th May 2004 Universal Studios Caught the Metro the other way this time and went to Universal Studios. Although it didn’t have the same appeal as Disneyland had (coz we like the rides) we were actually pleasantly surprised over the quality of the shows and stuff. We picked a perfect day with temperature around 26-27 degrees Celsius and virtually no queuing at all. I am not going to do a top 10 list as there aren’t enough things to see to make up the list. We missed out on Waterworld (only open weekends) and the new Indoor Rollercoaster Revenge of the Mummy which will be opening up next month. However, Craig’s favourite thing was Terminator 2: 3D – a 3D movie which also incorporated actors running around on the stage and interacting with the screen. I didn’t really have a favourite (they were all good) but yes, Amanda, the banana breath of King Kong on the studio tour was a nice touch!!
14th May 2004 Travel Day Not much to report – it is a bit sad that you have to leave the Hotel at 8.15am to catch a 12.25pm and 2.5 hour flight to get to Calgary at the end of the day. We did arrive in 7 degrees Celsius though which surprisingly wasn’t all that bad temperature wise. I did however immediately get an electric shock or two off the luggage trolley. Apparently it is a fact of life around here because the air is so dry. Ladies – only wear natural materials around here – the synthetics might be a pain (ha). Steve and Tania have been gracious hosts and have a three year old house in the South of Calgary. Tis very cosy and warm except for the basement which I am currently typing in – knew it was good to bring the Ug Boots.
Look - the last of the snow!
15th & 16th May 2004 Weekend stuff Normal stuff – bought case and monitor for computers (which I am typing on right now). Went to Van Helsing the movie, down the road which was pretty good. The funny thing is that we went at 9.50pm and it is only just getting dark. Apparently in the height of summer it doesn’t get dark until 11.30pm – great for riding the horses I bet (except the lack of sleep might not work as well). Talking about horses – the Hills’ are across the highway from “Spruce Meadows”, a famous place for show jumping. We checked it out today and it is the most amazing complex. There are so many arenas for jumping it is not funny. Add to that the countless number of buildings, stables, tack shop and the indoor riding hall and Julia and Courtenay, you will die of jealousy.
Anyway, sorry about the giant write up but it will keep you occupied for a while. This week is doing the boring stuff like finding a job, getting bank accounts, a flat etc.
P.S. Amanda, that bag you picked up for me has been invaluable. Good choice!!
P.P.S will work in the next couple of days to get you more photos..
posted by Craig R at
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