2 years. That is how long it took me to update this blog. Hello yes I am still alive, I've neglected my travel blog as I've been busy with my life (purchased 2BR -2 Bathroom flat here in Australia!)
Exciting isn't it? The housing market in Australia especially in New South Wales is expensive. I don't live in Sydney, I live in one of the suburbs west of Sydney and my 2BR flat is more expensive than my auntie's house in Florida that is huge! I don't understand the pricing. I bet if I live in Houston, I would have a huge house for a lot less. My townhouse in Marikina is only like a downpayment in Oz. Don't get me started on the units that are actually in Sydney. (A studio unit costs about $900,000!) It is insane.
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| April 9 - the day I got the keys to the flat during the worst pandemic! Also anxious that NSW might go stage 4 lockdown and I will be unable to move to the new place. But all is well. I'm living in my own flat now. |
Anyhow covid-19, I'm wfh so I thought I'd continue where I last left of. So many travels untold, I'm still in 2018- USA, while me and my mom have already traveled to New Zealand last year and I'm also planning a trip to Europe. (Supposedly this year, if it wasn't for this virus mayhem. So postpone it is 'til who knows when.) BUT all travels must be blogged for my future demented self for recollection so here goes! ...
It's been a while so I have forgotten the actual order of our USA adventure but thanks to tours4fun, it was able to serve as a guide :D ..lol
https://www.tours4fun.com/yellowstone-mt-rushmore-skywalk-las-vegas-grand-canyon-west-9-days-tour.html
However my tip to you is don't go on a 9 day bus tour! M and myself's back and legs were aching on our 7th day of road trip so I suggest 5 days is better then stay and rest in a place for a bit then go back to the road.
Day 1 - We were picked up in LA and I remember sleeping all the way through the Mojave desert as my body has not adjusted yet with the time difference. We didn't do much this day just traveled through the desert and all the way to Utah.
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| The mojave desert, was hoping for a glimpse of Area 51 but.. nope. I did see random letters on mountains that didn't make sense. Apparently they are called Mountain Monograms and are found all over Nevada. It is accdg to wikipedia, university rivalries. |
Day 2 - Utah has the best canyons, I remember Antelope canyon and Bryce canyon topped the so called Grand Canyon of Nevada. Clear winner here atleast in my opinion.
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| Antelope canyon, just a sample photo of one of its swirling sandstones. You must absolutely visit. |
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| Bryce canyon - also add to your list of destinations. |
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| These two filipinas one who lives in San Diego, CA and the other is a nun who lives in Antipolo, we met in this tour. They gave us their contact to be friends on FB but I lost it! Too bad titas it was nice hanging out with the both of you, I hope we meet again. |
Day 3 - Traveled to Wyoming to see Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone Park! Was able to visualize yogi bear for sec in the park (my generation knows Hanna-Barbera cartoons as you know he lives in Yellowstone!) then able to see the Prismatic spring, Old faithful geyser, fountain paint pot, some wild elks and buffalos but no bears.
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| This is Grand Teton National Park, we also rode a cable car before in Jackson, Wyoming. |
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| Ye Old Faithful geyser |
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| Yellowstone park is filled with geysers and prismatic springs because of the volcano. |
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| I forgot where this is but this is the next day when we were about to leave Montana. I think it's still in Yellowstone park. It's just one of those scenes you see on a documentary film. Stunning. Thankful to be alive to witness something so beautiful. |
Day 4 - Next is South Dakota to see the Devil's tower, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Mount Rushmore, I thought it was big but in reality it isn't that big haha.. I guess my imagination was something similar to Richie Rich's movie. If you remember the film, they've got their own Mount Rushmore.
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| Devil's tower, there were rock climbers too and dozens of ground hogs below it! |
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| Trying my best to fit my face and be at par to their greatness haha.. |
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| I felt cheated haha just kidding, Crazy Horse Memorial will not be finished in my lifespan but for it to finish, they require donations so yep I hope one day other people will be able to see. The tourists of this generation will only see a head! |
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| Atleast there is a museum inside, you can find crude tools on display, like arrows, tents, spears, clothing etc of native indians. |
Day 5 - Went to Independence Rock and Salt Lake City. I like the vibe here, reminds me of my 2014 trip to Washington DC.
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| Literally the rock behind it |
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| Just had to prove been to Great Salt Lake, the largest salt water late in the west. |
Day 6 - Still in Utah, saw the Utah State Capitol and a Mormon church.
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| Utah state capitol looks similar to the Washington DC Capitol |
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| Bye Salt Lake as we head for Las Vegas baby! |
Day 7 - It's a free day we arrived at Las Vegas Nevada! Finally.. it's so beautiful at night, but when we were there it was scorching 40 degrees so wasn't able to explore til the sun was out. We went to Venetian Hotel, Grand Ceasar Palace, Bellagio and even til the miniature Eiffel tower replica and Hershey chocolate factory! Vegas it was fun.
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| Venetian Hotel |
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| It's already 6pm but I can feel the heat. |
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| Paris? No? |
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| Beautiful fountain musical show |
Day 8 - Trip to the Grand Canyon west rim and the Hoover Dam, the hottest area of Nevada.
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| Eagle point west rim of Grand canyon, the less travelled road. |
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| M and her bird's eye view |
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| Honestly we didn't stay too long at the Hoover dam it was above 40C and it felt like walking in an oven. We felt like fainting so we took a snap and head back to our van. |
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| Some more of our night life at Fremont! |
Day 9 - We had an extra day so we stayed in one Hawaii feel resort in Las Vegas called Tahiti Village resort. I had so much fun here because it was near an outlet mall! Had a shopping spree and felt very tropical!
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| Oasis of the desert! |
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| Bye Vegas as we head to Florida the next day. |
After our tours4fun, we were headed to Florida to visit my auntie and at the same time, have fun in Orlando! We went crabbing and fishing, then went to Disney Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Animal Kingdom ( oh you must ride the Avatar flight of passage ride it is absolutely thrilling!) then went to NASA Space Kennedy!
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| My uncle and auntie! Family time! I idolize these two, most of my money earning/saving strategy came from them, I want to retire with money and investments, not rely on pension fund alone and not rely on other people for money. We must plan our future and not depend on other people too much like in PH. Unfortunately it is a third world country and old people do not have enough money in their retirement because they did not plan for it so most rely on other members of the family or other people for their daily expenses. Most people just accepts their fate, as Bill Gates said, "If you are born poor, it is not your mistake, but if you die poor, it's your mistake." |
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| Ever driven a porsche? A rich friend of mine let me ride one! |
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| As always I will request snow crab legs whenever in Florida! Thank you uncle and auntie! |
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| Elon Musk's SpaceX at NASA Kennedy center! |
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| Dream big and reach for the sky |
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| The atlantis space shuttle. When I was young, I knew all about planets my specialty was Jupiter because shoemake Levy comet crashed into it(1992) and made the headline. I studied comets and Jupiter but now I forgot about them! |
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We also rode a space shuttle take off simulator here at Kennedy Space Center! I recommend these for kids to inspire them to become astronauts and aim for greatness. Let's contribute to our society.
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| Welcome to Epcot! Where you can see and experience a taste of different countries around the globe. |
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| Europe? Nope. Also don't forget to ride Soaring! Feels like your flying! |
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| There is a very long long line for the Avatar flight of passage ride but it is worth it! This is found at Disney Animal Kingdom, and the moment we stepped in, we queued for it already for 2 hrs even though we just arrived! A must go! |
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| Watch the Lion King! |
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| Also take a ride on the safari! Feels like you're in Africa, you ride this safari look a like truck! |
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| Pink Flamingoes! Just one of the species you will see in the safari ride! |
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| We also had a little tennis game! M was a natural! |
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| This was my birthday and my uncle prepared my steak! The best steak ever thank you uncle! |
After our Florida escapade, we had 6 hour flight back to Los Angeles and booked a morning hotel stay (because it was a red-eye flight) before heading for another gruelling 15 hour flight back to Sydney.
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| This is us being silly trying to highlight our fats made in the USA haha! Also boredom at peak for flying 15 hrs from LA to Syd. Thank you Qantas for the entertainment too. |
Next travel post will be our roadtrip to North NZ! And my Queenstown travel with my mom, my auntie and uncle from Florida (yep they visited me here in Syd last Nov 2019) and Tita N! Writing again when I get the chance and energy.
