America

Earlier in the week (Monday 17th Aug) we left New York behind us (sad to leave but we have to move on), and flew across the country to Los Angeles. We weren’t actually staying in L.A. but just south in Anaheim as we planed to take Archie to Disneyland. We arrived into our hotel in the early evening and checked in. We had a large suite on the top floor which was quite big compared to all the places we had stayed at on the trip - the only downside was, while being two rooms, it was actually only a single bed room with two queen sized beds - we got over that pretty quickly though. ...

Updated 24-Aug-2015: As promised, more pictures have now been added to this post. Sorry for the delay in getting this next blog post published. There was so much to see and do in New York and we were constantly on the go so by the time we got home to our apartment each night we were buggered - and the last thing I felt like doing was sitting down in front of the computer - so I have saved it all up and have put it together as one big blog post. ...

After almost 18 months of planning, we are now quickly approaching our departure date. Our bags are packed (well mostly), and we are ready to go. In the past Laura and I have either travelled solo or more typically together as a couple - not this time however… Since we last had the opportunity to travel abroad, a few things have changed… mainly the arrival of our son (now 18 months old) who will be heading off with us to experience the wonders of the big wide world. ...

This morning I find myself at Raleigh Airport (RDU) waiting to board a plane - a few days ahead of my original return schedule. Due to some family medical issues back home, I have decided to cut my trip short and head home early. Most of last night was spent rearranging flights. I’m now flying home via Detroit and LA back into Melbourne. It’s going to be a long haul, but with only about 4 hours sleep last night, I’m hoping to sleep well during the flights. ...

So it’s a Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina. I find myself downtown with not much to do - as most places are closed. On a cool afternoon, I now find myself at The Flying Saucer - possibly the best bar I have been to in the Northern Hemisphere (and defiantly the US!) With over 200 beers available, made up from both local brew craft and imported, where else should I be for a belated solo Australian day party? These guys know how to do beer. Every option is covered - even direct from the cask. ...

So it appears they are coming thick and fast… In my second “Only in America” post, I want to cover what appears to be an emerging “extreme sport” in the local area - The Krispy Kreme Challenge. So, what exactly is the Krispy Kreme Challenge? I think they describe the challenge best on their own web site: 2400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour. The mantra of the Krispy Kreme Challenge epitomizes the test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude. ...

To kick off my “Only in America” series of posts (I am assuming there will be more than one), I bring to you some pictures of a locally “pimped ride” I came across in the car park of a local mall on my morning walk. I can only assume, that, much like the unique creatures that evolve in places such as Easter Island, this vehicle has similarly been forced to evolve and adapt to survive in local conditions. I believe this one is particularly adapted to the snowy and icy conditions that are being experienced in the local area. ...

So its now late evening in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I have checked into my hotel after some 26 hours of travel. The fleeting moments that I saw of both Los Angeles (airport) and Atlanta (airport) have not really left much of a lasting impression. LA was busy, and the queues started from the moment you left your seat on the plane. Atlanta was somewhat more organised and low key - however it was later in the day. Raleigh was almost closed. ...

Tonight, I find my self making final rushed preparations for a business trip to America (well lets be honest here… the fact that they are my “final preparations” does not also mean that they are not my first round of preparations either!). So tomorrow morning I will find myself sitting on a Virgin Australia flight for the best part of 14 hours. This constitutes leg one of my outward journey, and will take me from Melbourne to Los Angeles. A few short hours after that, I will find myself on the second leg of my journey on board a Delta Airlines domestic flight out of Los Angeles headed for Atlanta. Finally, the third leg of my journey will get me from Atlanta to my destination, Raleigh, North Carolina (Where? did I hear you say…). ...