San Francisco

No idea where this is going to end up so you're going to have to be on your toes folks.

Baggage eventually arrived at 2.00 on the 22nd San Fran time. Freezing here so had to buy long jeans anna jersey which is annoying as they were both in the suitcase.... rats rats rats.

We're having a great time but had a few let-downs which is probably due to expectations rather than realities. eg

We took a tour which incorporated Monteray, Pebble Beach (golf course), and other interesting places. The tour was quite good and was enlivened by a Filipino bus driver who had obviously taken lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of speed pills. He talked non-stop with the volume control set on high (to go with the pills) for the two bloody hours it took to get to Monteray. I kid you not but it was literally impossible to even talk between ourselves to comment on what he'd said because he was on to the next bit of information. When we eventually arrived at Monteray he got so excited that there was the possibility that we might see whales that it took 5 minutes to stop the ringing in our ears.

We got off the bus with me having to be restrained from bopping the guy.

Monteray was made famous by the writer john Steinbech who wrote a book called Cannery Row. There is no other real reason for Monteray being known apart from it having been a fishing village. There are posters of Steinbech and Eckhart and other folk made famous from the book but... that was it folks. No Information centre, no booklets, no interest at all apart from restaurants, big fat Americans, giftie places and tour buses. The sad thing is that few people seemed interested.... it was just a place to stop and tick off on the map of "places we have been to". The rest of the tour was spent going through Pebble Beach Golf Course which Stephanie should remember. We played it many times Steph... try to keep up..... "You're in the rough stuff"..... remember? We saw Arnie's House, Danny de Vito's House (small), de Caprio's house, the proper Psycho House, Tiger Wood's parent's house, another house, some other famous person's house, another famous person's house, George Clooney's house (we're collecting his houses: saw his house on Lake Como in Italy.)

On the way back we were supposed to go to a garlic wine tasting but because it was Good Friday it was closed. Instead the driver took us to a fabulous eating area where you had the pick of the sort of places which made America famous for fat people. Luckily we found a remaindered clothes place where we bought some necessary warm weather clothes for the next day.... luggage still in Oz.

Alcatraz

Lie in. Brilliant weather with a start at 11.00am. The past 5 days have been ruddy cold at about 15 degrees C. Talked to a San Franciscan night..... hah hah hah hah hah;.... In 60s joke there... who told us that the temperature all the year round is about 65 degrees farenheit. That's 16 degrees celcius follks.....all the year round? Tell you what..... it wasn't propounded that the 1968 San Francisco "Summer of Love" didn't mention the number of hippies who forgot to take Coldrex and didn't wrap up well. I'm going to have another look at the film of that time. I'm almost positive that it's going to show a lot of hippies with thick woolly jumpers and longjohns.

Oh aye.... Alcatraz. One of the best 26 dollars we've spent. Nothing more to say; What you would expect. We got back at about 4.00. I decided to go to the fitness centre so I did. Had a long look at the Fitness Centre. Looked at all the terrific things which can make you feel good.... had another look..... and another... so decided to got for it.

The Exit door was pretty close so i went for it. Did you know that McDonald's has a happy hour from 5.00pm until 7.00?

Today we did nothing but go to a Travel Agent.

Tomorrow we're off to Noo Orleans.
\

Potential Scotland, Italy, France 2023 50th anniversary

 Unable to book flights as far ahead of course but I'm having fun trying to make an itinerary.

So far it's this:

19th May to 28th June 2023

Fly to Rome on the 19th May. Arrive on the 20th May.
Stay for 3 nights.

23rd May to 1st June: maybe a bit too long.
Leave our major bags at Termini Station.
Possibly stay overnight in Rome to lessen stress.
Rome to Bari, Puglia by Train cost around $40
Train Timetable | Rail.Ninja
Find a 4 star hotel (no 5 star hotels in Bari) at a cost of around $190.
Stay for at least 6 nights and take trips from Bari.

1st June or 31st May
Bari back to Rome
Pick up the bags.

Fly to Paris for 3 nights.

Fly to Edinburgh on 3rd June.

New Zealand 2026 South Island

 7th to 21st October = 14 nights

BOOKED Flights 97,600 + $495.16

PRICE FOR TWO IN AUS DOLLARS

7th-9th October
BOOKED Novotel Christchurch: $707.46 but check for cheaper closer to the time.

Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram: $70.00

Hired car for 11 days 9th to 20th: Mazda CX3c: 112,891 frequent flyer points. Tried to change main driver unsuccessfully but $28.95NZ for extra driver which is fine.

Hotels daily seems to be around $200 a night anywhere in south island.

Therefore Hotels: $2,800
Food: $700 - $50 a day
Booze: $120 - $9 a day
Petrol: $400 - $36 a day
Hop on Tram: $70 Christchurch
Te Anau day tour Milford Sound: $400-$500
TOTAL maybe: $4,660

Suggested 14 day car itinerary for 77 year olds starting and finishing in christchurch new zealand. Miss out dunedin and include greymouth at the end
. 4 star hotels and prices.

Here’s a relaxed 14-day South Island self-drive itinerary starting/ending in Christchurch, designed specifically for 77-year-olds:

🚗 14-Day Christchurch Loop (Leisure Pace)
Days 1–2: Christchurch (2 nights)
Recover from travel + gentle sightseeing.
Highlights
Botanic Gardens, Avon River punt
Tram ride, Riverside Market
4⭐ Hotels
The George – NZ$350–500
Sudima Christchurch City – NZ$250–350

Days 3–4: Lake Tekapo / Mt Cook (2 nights)
Drive ~3 hrs (easy, scenic)
Highlights
Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd
Optional Mt Cook scenic drive (no long walks needed)
4⭐ Hotels
Peppers Bluewater Resort – NZ$280–400
The Hermitage Hotel – NZ$300–450

Day 5: Queenstown. FORGET IT. Not worth it.

Day 6-8: Te Anau (3 nights)
Drive ~2 hrs
Highlights
Gateway to Fiordland
Relaxed lakeside stay
4⭐ Hotels
Distinction Luxmore Hotel – NZ$200–300

Milford Sound Day Trip
Return to Te Anau (long but manageable day)

Highlights
Coach + cruise recommended (no driving fatigue)
👉 A Milford Sound cruise is one of NZ’s top experiences.

Days 9–10: Wanaka (2 nights)
Drive ~4 hrs via Queenstown
Highlights
Lake Wanaka waterfront
Café/rest day

4⭐ Hotels
Edgewater Hotel – NZ$280–400
Oakridge Resort Wanaka – NZ$220–320

Day 11: Franz Josef Glacier (1 night)
Drive ~5 hrs (longest day, but spectacular West Coast)
Highlights
Glacier viewpoints (short walks)
Optional scenic helicopter (no hiking needed)
4⭐ Hotels
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier – NZ$250–350

Day 12, 13: Greymouth (1 or 2 nights) - Obviously stay with Val and Ken.
Drive ~2.5–3 hrs via Hokitika
Highlights
Coastal scenery
Hokitika Gorge stop

Day 14: Christchurch (1 night / departure)
Relax, shopping, depart next day.

2025 Cruise, Europe, Scotland.etc.

 14th Aug to 23rd Sept. (35 days)  Pre-trip planning 

3rd August Update

Bank at end of Aug.............. £5,084
Still to be paid ..................... £3,893
................................Credit = £1,191

9 days in europe (€78 a day) so need at least €700 which is $1,280.
19 days in Britain at £70 a day so need at least £1,330 which is $2,840.
TOTAL TO TAKE FROM OZ BANK ACCOUNT IS AT LEAST $4,120 AND MAYBE $4,500 which would leave us with around $22,000 in the bank.

Meal cost approx. £57 a day plus wine @ £20 a day average: eg M&S: £6; Restaurant: £25.

BOOKED AND PAID cruise 11 days Italy and Croatia. Aqua. Not obstructed and no connecting room.
Cost $9,270.10 Deposit $900 paid on 17/03/25.
Balance of $8370.10 paid 17/05.
$10,010 (30/05) obstructed view plus $150
03/07. Nothing left.... all sold.
Checked in Boarding Pass 08/07/25

BOOKED AND PAID Emirates per person. $1,709.16. 24.25 hours. Leave Brisbane 2100. Dubai 3.40hrs transfer and change planes.

BOOKED AND PAID Qatar (both) £1,718.04. Leave London 10.50am. 21.20 hours. Transfer is 45 mins. Doha and change planes.

BOUGHT Simify eSims cards (2) $29.25 each (10 gig for 30 days each card). Register and activate first card on 13th July.
Second card on or before 12th September.
Bought 51 gig actual simcard for me ($31.90). Activate on 23rd in Sicily.

BOOKED AND PAID Venice three nights non refundable Hotel Rialto, €767 (paid).

Celebrity shuttle from Tronchetto, Venice BOOKED AND PAID $137.05 each (17/05)

BOOKED AND PAID Hotel Hermitage Florence: Cost is £247.75 non refundable including breakfast.

BOOKED AND PAID Air France Florence to Paris: £291.30 each including bags and no cancellation. (16/05)

BOOKED AND PAID Hotel Europe Saint Severin Paris: Trip.com: £771 ) + €44.24 Tax. Refundable. Superior room with balcony.

Flight from Paris to Edinburgh
Easyjet no refund (both) inc. bags.
BOOKED AND PAID 12/05: £209.74 - Leave 1420 Arrive 1510.

PAID Airlink Edinburgh Airport to Hanover Street, Princes Street - every 10 minutes.

BOOKED Mount Royal, Edinburgh, Classic room: £938.70. Breakfast and free cancellation.

BOOKED car with Indigo: Alamo/Enterprise: 12 days.

6th-8th. BOOKED AND HALF PAID The Sanctuary, Millport.

Pitlochry, Wellwood Manor Hotel, 8th to 12th (4 nights). BOOKED WITH CANCELLATION. £792.

12th to 15th. BOOKED Brackness House B&B Luxury $907 (3/06)

15th to 16th Broxburn 1.28hr: Macdonald Houston House Hotel. BOOKED AND PAID Hotels.com using free night. $66.95

18th to 19th BOOKED Leonardo Royal Hotel, Jeffery Street: Booking.com. £274.50 (13/07).

19th. BOOKED AND PAID 1st class Edinburgh to Kings Cross. £239.60 both. Leave 11.00 arrive 15.38.

19th-22nd. The Dilly. BOOKED. 30/05. £969.57.

14-15 August Brisbane, QLD, Australia

ACTIVATE THE FIRST ESIM BEFORE WE LEAVE Brisbane to Venice

Flight with Qantas/Emirates BOOKED AND PAID (per person) $1,709.16. 24.25 hours. Leave 2100. Dubai wait 3.40hrs and change planes. Arrive Venice 13.25.
$1,810.76 (6/5): $101.60 each increase.
$1,813 (25/05): $103.84 increase

15-18 August Venice, Italy (3 nights)

Arrive in Venice 13.25 by Emirates.

BOOKED AND PAID three nights Hotel Rialto, Venice. €767.19 (paid) Junior Suite. no cancellation and breakfast. Through https://www.rialtohotel.com/ (15/05) SOLD OUT.
Three days later €845 (22/07)

Getting to Venice from Marco Polo airport
Alilaguna line Arancio (Orange) straight to Rialto. Queues, takes about 1 hour. Cost €22 each.

Look into taking water taxi if we can share. Could cost €35 each. Takes about 25 minutes.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDED SUGGESTIONS NEAR RIALTO
"Vino Della Casa" is house wine.
Piccollo is an amount around 200ml (glass and a half).
Areas like Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, and Castello (across the bridge) tend to be less touristy.
Osteria Al Vecio Forno
Osteria Al Giardino
Ca Dolfin
Antica Ostaria Ruga Rialto (Recommended)
Antiche Carampane
Da Mamo - hugely recommended

On to Ravenna
Get Line 2 vaporetto to Tronchetto terminal. Leave hotel at 9.15 then take the Celebrity shuttle (11.00am) straight to the ship. (must be at the shuttle 30 minutes before 11.00am). Takes 3 hours and I've put check-in for 2.00 to 2.30.
BOOKED AND PAID $137.05 each (17/05)

18 August Ravenna, Italy

Boarding Celebrity Constellation Room 9073 Aqua Suite
$9,270 (17/03) paid $900 = $8,370.10 PAID 17/05.
01/04 Price is now $10,512.20.
12/04 Price is now $10,210 aft.
02/05 Price is still $10,210 aft.
17/05 Price is $10,188 midship (obstructed view)
19/05 Price is $10,512 midship (obstructed view)

Boarding 2.00-2.30

18-28 August Cruise Italy, Croatia (11 days. Leave after 10 days)

Aqua £4,618 or $9,270
Room 9073
Two bottles of Pinot Grigio bought.

Things to do in each city.

19th: Zadar, Croatia - Town is 2km away. Tuktuk is fully booked. Take the bus or if there is a transfer then do it.

20th: Dubrovnik, Croatia - Dubrovnik City Tour: Panorama Drive & Sightseeing Walk: just outside the terminal. 9.30 aaaaargh. BOOKED AND PAID $161.10 (23/06) both.
https://www.viator.com/reserve/checkout/confirmation?itineraryId=1639796573&storeCard=true

21st: Split, Croatia
BOOKED AND PAID Grand Diocletian Tour: City Highlights Tuk Tuk tour (2 hours) £72.38 for both

22nd: Kotor, Montenegro: 200 metres from cruise terminal so no point booking anything.

23rd: At Sea

24th: Messina Sicily: Arrive 0800 Leave 1800. Maybe just stay in Messina and take the hop on bus. Otherwise get the bus to Taormina.
INSERT AND ACTIVATE MY SIM CARD.

25th: Naples. City is 10 minutes away. Hop on hop off buses are probably best for us. Cost is €28 each.

26th: At Sea

27th: Arrive Livorno for Florence. Stay onboard then leave the ship on the 28th (Permission has been given) and stay Florence 28th-30th.

1. Taxi from the port to the station is around €25 but make sure the price before we start as they try to rip you off. See if anyone else is going to the station.

2. Train to Florence. Cost €10.80 each. Leave 1312 arrive 1433. Time: 1.21.

BOOKED AND PAID (Booking.com) Hotel Hermitage. £257.11 (28-30th). Superior double. Breakfast and no cancellation.

Leave on the 30th BOOKED AND PAID Air France Florence to Paris: £291.30 each including bags and no cancellation. (16/05)

28-30 August Florence, Italy (2 nights)

Hotel Hermitage. Superior Double Room. BOOKED AND PAID (Genius) Booking.com (just 100 metres from Uffizi). Superior twin room with view for 2 nights non refundable INCLUDING BREAKFAST. £247.75 (19/04) + £20 tax.
£374.23 (09/05)
£451 plus £20 (26/05)
£361 ,, ,,, (28/07)

The pizza restaurant we usually go to is called Gustavino. The wine we had was Cormons pinot grigio by Cantina.

BOOKED AND PAID Uffizi 28th August at 10.00am. Cost 29 euros each. Skip the line. Try it on for the 29th as there's no way we'll make 10.00.

Florence to Paris
BOOKED AND PAID Air France Florence to Paris, 1250 to 1440: £291.30 each including seats, bags and no cancellation. (16/05)
£317 (25/06)

30 Aug. - 03 Sept. Paris, France (4 nights)

4 nights

BOOKED AND PAID for Hotel Europe Saint Severin Trip.com: Refundable. No breakfast. Tradition room (Superior room?) with balcony. £771 ) + €44.24 Tax (27/04)
Taxi is €55-€70 and takes 30 minutes - probably cheaper than a shuttle.
£840 (9/05).
£1,094.25 (17/05)
£1,017 (02/06)
£1,368 + €44.24 Tax (14/07)

Paris Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise by Batobus $96.42 (both). Seems a good idea. Sunset is 8.30 so book for then.

Giverny Monet’s House and Gardens Half Day Tour CANCELLED but I still think we should do it if only taking the bus or train ourselves; although it would take an 1 hour and a half if we could find a bus.

Flight from Paris to Edinburgh
Taxi is €55-€70 and takes 30 minutes - probably cheaper than a shuttle.
Easyjet no refund (both) inc. bags and booked seats.
BOOKED AND PAID 12/05: £209.74 - Leave 1420 Arrive 1510.

PAID Airlink Edinburgh Airport to Hanover Street, Princes Street - every 10 minutes.

03-06 Sept. Edinburgh, Scotland (3 nights)

PAID Airlink Edinburgh Airport to Hanover Street, Princes Street - every 10 minutes.

BOOKED Mount Royal, Edinburgh, Booking.com. Classic room:. Breakfast and free cancellation. Pay on arrival. They said they'd upgrade us so take the email.
£938.70 (20/04)
Cancelled 02/06 and rebooked for £844.61
£883.00 (08/08)
£1,229 (24/07)

06-19 Sept. Scotland (13 nights)

13 nights

It seems that it's something you have to do on your phone rather than a physical card so ACTIVATE SIMCARD BEFORE 14TH using the code I've been given.

Hire car 6th to 18th September - 12 days: Alamo/Enterprise cars.
BOOKED with Matt from Indigo Car Hire
Ford Focus or similar (automatic) = £577.23 (15/05)
Paid £50 deposit and the rest on pickup at Waverley. £200 refundable deposit.

Millport 6th-8th 2.29 hr drive from Edinburgh (6th & 7th)
Apartment booked (above Angela's Nails: the Dairy) and paid £173.34 with total bill £270.34. Cancellation before 7th August BOOKED AND PARTIAL PAID.

I'd like to stop in Kirriemuir on the way down to see Bon Scott's statue but no biggie.

Pitlochry: 8th to 12th (4 nights). Wellwood Manor Hotel, Superior Queen BOOKED WITH CANCELLATION AND BREAKFAST. (30/05) £792.
(13/07) £980

12th to 15th - 3 nights (12th, 13th, 14th)
Anstruther 2.00 hrs. from Braemar.
BOOKED through Booking.com. Brackness House Luxury B&B. Breakfast and cancellation: £435 (03/06)
Ronald's suggestions:
The pub was the Ship Inn in Elie. It’s worth visiting Falkland Palace, Glamis Castle The Crusoe hotel in Lower Largo - Daniel Defoe was born there.

15th to 16th
Broxburn 1.28hr: Macdonald Houston House Hotel. Standard room inc. breakfast. BOOKED AND PAID Hotels.com using free night. $66.95 paid as Royal Bank wouldn't go through.

16th to 18th Distance 40km around 40 minutes away from edinburgh.
Tontine Hotel, Peebles: Own website. BOOKED. £312 (17/06). They matched the booking.com price.
Classic twin room inc. breakfast and cancellation.
£321 (18/06) Genius
(13/07) same price

18th to 19th BOOKED Leonardo Royal Hotel, Jeffery Street: Booking.com. £274.50 (13/07) Genius: Executive Double Room. Breakfast and cancellation.
£328.50 (16/5) Genius.
£360.00 (26/05) Genius.
£349.00 (28/05) Genius
£377.00 (03/06) Genius
£350.00 (21/06) Genius
£374.00 (25/06) Genius
£310.00 (02/08) Genius

Car has to go back on the 18th at 11 am.

19 Sept. Edinburgh Waverley Station, Scotland

19th. BOOKED AND PAID (28/05) 1st class Edinburgh to Kings Cross. £239.60 both. Leave 11.00 arrive 15.38.

19-22 Sept. London, England (3 nights)

All to be refundable including breakfast.

Taxi was £25 the last time so check before going.

The Dilly: Superior Twin. Booking.com. Breakfast and cancellation.
19th-22nd. The Dilly. BOOKED. £969.57 (30/05).
£1,197.00 (3/06).
£1,151.00 (25/06).
£1,726.00 (22/07) Unbelievably.

Reconnect Internet etc through Spintel.
https://www.spintel.net.au/my-account/dashboard

22-23 Sept. Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Flights with Qatar booked (both) £1,718.04. Leave London 10.50am. 21.20 hours. Doha and change planes. Transfer is 45 mins.

I am promised that there will be no problems with the connection as someone will be there taking us to the connection to Brisbane. Brilliant.

Las Vegas continued



CUDDLING A DAD EFIGY AFTER AN ALL YOU CAN EAT



It grows on you....

Like a leech.



You don't want it but sometimes it can do you good.

We've been to two shows so far: Greg London two nights ago and Vegas: The Show last night.... and they were absolutely brilliant. Best seats in the house right in the front row and neither of them cost more than $55 each (plus ruddy tax). We're off tonight to see something called Cirque de Soleil "O" which Liz says is a must-see. Big ask as the tickets cost twice more each than the previous two shows put together.

Found a brilliant pokie yesterday. Didn't lose once as every time we put in $3 we won a coke. Got bored.... .and a bit sick after a while so we tried another game.



NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET RID OF THE WRINKLES
WERE UNSUCCESSFUL

 Blackjack. $100 limit. I think the last time I played it was during lunch hour at Napier College between sleeps. Started with $100 and after half an hour of brilliant play ended up with $100. Mum said at one stage I had $145. Wish she'd told me at the time.... quit while you're winning is the best motto.

Within the next hour we've decided to.... gasp.... don't care if we lose so the $100 is up for grabs. Liz has decided to let me play with the cards this time.

Still cannot believe that we've managed to go right round the Americas without once being served Hash Browns for breakfast. OK we've missed breakfast the last 4 mornings since arriving in Las Vegas but ..... really.... America's best cuisine present to the world and none of the buggers serve hash browns?

You know that one where "Home is Where the Heart Is"?

Work it our for yourselves... we're off to lose $100.

Queue Las Vegas

We don't really like Las Vegas but are hoping it will grow on us!

Nobody seems to be particularly happy and we know why. We've always wondered what sheep must feel like.... and now we know.... ever seen a sheep smile?

From the minute we got off the plane we were herded through a disney-like lineup to get a taxi. It was hilarious. I made meh meh sheep-like noises all the way but don't think the rest of the sheep understood what I say trying to mmeeeesay.

After getting the taxi from the airport to the Fabulous Bellagio we fought our way through a long line-up of people trying to get taxis (probably to get "away") so that we could get to the check-in area. Took more than half an hour to check-in to the fabulous five star Bellagio where it appeared that most people in front of us were arguing with the check-in staff... probably trying to cancel their bookings! It's honestly the most impersonal hotel we've ever been to.

Got to bed at around 10.30 last night because of the stupid travel agent but got up early about 9.30am. It took nearly 2 hours to find somewhere to get food. Why? Everywhere we were recommended to go to had at least a 20 minute wait to get a seat (queue). We eventually found a place called Ed's Burgers (something like that) where the female who took our order wore a swimsuit and fishnet tights. There is nothing more designed to put off a 62 year-old male's breakfast than having a 20 year old bum stuck in your face while ordering.

Had to queue for the Bellagio Cafe for a coffee and when I told the female m'aitre de we'd find our own seats she told me to get back in line..... we went somewhere else where the queue was only 3 minutes.

The view from our room 14016 is ridiculous and at night quite incredible. There is a fountain show which hands-down beats anything you've ever seen before. We're looking directly towards an Eiffel Tower. To the right is Planet Hollywood and to the left is Caesar's Palace. The Rocky Mountains are shown between the two areas.

Mum and I are at this moment arguing about where to go tonight. I just want to go to bed and forget about the whole thing but Mum wants to go out. Mum wants to go to Planet Hollywood but I'd prefer to go shopping.

Just told Mum that there were lots and lots of folk our age walking along the strip with wine and beer in their hands having a great time. Mum said "I never saw that". I'm not surprised with that observation: Mum walked straight past a woman dressed as a chocolate and didn't even notice.

Tell you where we went laaaater.