Chapter 3: So the thing about iced coffee...

AND A BILLION DAYS LATER, FINALLY, ANOTHER BLOG ENTRANCE.

'Bout bloody time, I know. But every time I tried, there were no computers, broken computers, only wi-fi....epic fail. Until Phoenix, Arizona and their lovely air-conditioned business centre with free internets and computers attached! Cheering :D

Now for the run down on the millions and millions of days we've missed.

San Francisco was an amazing city. Absolutely beautiful and we really didn't have enough time there. We did a hell of a lot of walking on all those bloody hills they have - its 49 square miles and there are 43 hills o.O Yeah. We drove a couple, walked a couple. More fool us, we're driving them all next time.

Off the recommendation of a lovely gentleman on the plane, we dined at Scoma's on Pier 39, where the waiters called us cute and gorgeous and Brooke had to wear a bib while she ate her roasted crab :D Don't worry, there are photos :D We also found taffy and an a LEFT HAND SHOP :D I was in heaven. So much brilliance, all around me.... And then that was the point where we decided, "Oh, let's walk to Lombard Street! It's not far." Course hills never show up on maps, do they? And not only was it more than a 45 degree angle slope, it was a hot arsed day as well. Charming phrase, sorry.... But was pretty awesome, the crookedest street in the world. And then we walked home too. Not sure our brains were fully functioning there, with that decision. Cos we found another of the massive hills to walk up in that process. Sigh. Was a little bit funny though, cos on that trip, passed a guy who saw the camera in our hands and called out, "You ladies having a good holiday?" "Yeah, loving it!" "Fantastic, well you go out there and break some hearts." So sorry, Cameron and Ian, but we've been given our orders :P

Sadly weren't able to do the Alcatraz tour cos the tickets sold out two weeks in advance, so that was a touch devastating. We did, however, get to hit up the Academy of Sciences. And have dinner in Chinatown. Kinda awesome. Though Brooke did have a moment of random as we were walking through Chinatown, proclaiming suddenly, "I wore a green singlet once." No clue where it came from, and she didn't have one either.

We have decided American airports suck arse. Well. Mainly me. Every piece of luggage you check in costs $25 - something we didn't know wasn't included in the ticket price, so be warned folks - and every time you pass through security, you have to chuck your drinks and remove your shoes. It's a freaking ordeal.

Course, earlier that day, had decided to go to Starbucks for an iced coffee. We definitely got what we asked for. Ice and coffee. Without milk. It was rancid. So next time we're asking for milk o.O But wow. Who the hell would drink it without????

In any case, we have made it onto our Contiki tour now :D We're in the third day, atm, so that's a tad exciting. Course it took this long for us to go round the bus and actually introduce ourselves...was a bit funny at dinner last night, a few of the girls had a guy sit next to them, some random, but learnt over the course of the evening that he was on the bus with them :P It's totally like that, 50 people, half of whom you don't know...Vast majority is, of course, freaking Aussies, and majority again from Adelaide :D Lol, INCLUDING ONE FROM PARA HILLS (west). Pretty hularious. A typo, just for you, Cameron ;)

One thing we're struggling with is the whole pedestrian sign not making a sound - we actually have to pay attention when we're crossing the roads here, otherwise we miss it :( Devastating. And I can't seem to find speed limits, so our taxi driver is doing 50mph on suburban streets, we're gripping the handles....terrifying. We may come home in pieces. Just saying.

San Diego was a pretty gorgeous city too, just fyi :) Hit up Sea World yesterday and that was A-MAAAAZING!!!! We saw the orcas jump and do a show and omg :D :D Think I have some brilliant photos, if I do say so myself. And will put them up as soon as I find the cable in my suitcase :P Also saw dolphins and beluga whales and polar bears and a walrus and turtles and yeah :D We also became a little lobster-ish. Well. Me more than Brooke. Despite the swathes of sunscreen I lathered upon myself, still managed to go a charming shade of red on the top of my shoulders. Not cool man.

Then drove to Phoenix today - 47 degrees people. Good times. Especially when the air con in the bus begins failing towards the end of the trek :s We're going to a baseball game tonight, so that ought to be interesting...bloody well better cool down by then. And then we have our hot air balloon ride at 5am in the morning tomorrow :D Ima be knackered some more :D

I know this is a relatively short post for omgsomuch but I have to go get ready for said baseball and given my beloved sibling is swimming it up, figure she can fill in more next time.

So love you all, will update soon, and mwah :D

Chapter 2: Slash's best man

Well today turned out better for us :P We actually managed to get to LA and SF :D Cheering. Course there were still hiccups. Why wouldn't there be???

The flight to Sydney = uneventful. The flight to LA = long and boring and struggletown with the sleeping. Upside, the cabin was blue while we were sleeping, and then as 'dawn broke' it turned purple, pink and orange :D The flight to SF = trying. Customs took forever to process us, and it didn't help we picked the slowest line. Then we had to walk a billion miles to get to terminal 7, where our airline was. Then the system didn't actually recognise we had a booking. Then the line for security was massive - had to take off our shoes (everyone does), and nearly lost Brooke in a giant silver box of supersonic terrorist detection o.O

BUT THEN, the guy sitting window-side next to Brooke was an absolute legend, chatting away to us about the places to go, things to do, what not to do, and how he was having plane dramas of his own...trying to get to Ibiza that day to be a best man at Slash's wedding vowel renewal ceremony. Lol. Kinda hilarious.

AND NOW WE'RE HERE, IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Kinda marvellous. Though we're both so exhausted from the stress of the past two days that all we're really doing is keeping low in the hostel, recuperating and the like, in order to make sure tomorrow is packed full of all the stuff we were trying to fit into our three planned days before the planes stuffed us round...

So yeah. Though saying that, we did wander down to Union Square and check out the Disney shop, Macy's, Betsey Johnson and the like. Was kinda awesome. As was the jazz band playing in the middle of Union Square on the gorgeous Sunday afternoon :) So chilled.

That's where I'll leave it folks. When Brooke and I get more settled and such, we will add photos...hopefully :P Or at least when we have to empty our memory cards ;)

Chapter 1: Delayed Virgins

Yeah we've had a pretty crap day here, folks. Fog in Melbourne had us circling Tullamarine for two hours before we flew back to Adelaide to re-fuel, have a walk around, and then try again, which meant we missed all our connecting flights to LAX and San Fran. We were not impressed.

Slight silver lining was that we did get free Krispy Kremes, put up for the night in a decent hotel, and dinner....and a shuttle ride to and from the airport, with a driver that called us "delayed virgins". What a charmer :P So between tears, waiting, feeling somewhat sick, missing a day in San Fran, not eating lunch (cos the gay hotel messed up lunchtimes)...yeah, we are less than impressed. Not fans of Melbourne, that's for sure.

BARRING THAT, the crew on our Virgin flight to Melbouren were freaking awesome, from the pilots to the stewards - such awesome humour. When we finally made it to Melbourne, the steward in charge whispered into the mike "Guess what? We're he-rrreeee." :P Absolute gold :D

As was Brooke's first quote of the day: "Things will have changed when we get back. Like Maccas." LOL. In her defence, she was thinking of the TTP Maccas.... :P

We're biding our time now, hanging out in the hotel room, doing nothing....eating. Watching tv. Fantastically holiday-y stuff. Not a great day, but could have been worse. And Virgin's been fair champion in making sure we're looked after.

So that's it for now, guys. Photos of our room and sad faces will come later when we have more time and inclination ;)

Chapter 0: We haven't left yet

"So write then, but not lame." Brooke fills me with confidence before I even start writing, jeez. Lame sister :P "Oh, so not lame!" Nice retort, Brooke.

It's two sleeps before we leave, we just set up this blog, titled by Elliott, and Brooke demanded we write something.

Something.

Bahahahahahaha :D Feel the POWER of my writing :D :D :D Mum is currently berating Brooke and her severe lack of clothe-hanging, saying she's left her jacket lying in a gutter..."It's not a gutter, it's my room!" Well, Brooke, that really depends. When was the last time you vacuumed more than just the entry???

"What else do you want me to write?"
"I dunno, what've you written?"

"I hate your mouse."
"I hate your f....cat. Do you like that?"

"Does this need a wash?"
"No, yes, no, yes, no, yes. No. Yes."

"Does this hat need airing? How many people wore it that night?"
"Probably. It was a bit of a slut that night."

There you go, folks, a taste of what is to come ;)