We are back home now.We are all tired and not wanting to go to school tomorrow. I had a great time and I would do it again.Yesterday was a good day. We checked out at 12 and we went swimming for 4 hours.We then took the shuttle to the airport and checked in there we stayed in the koru lounge until 9:30 (in LA time). Then we boarded the 747 and took off. On the plane I watched 3 movies and slept for a while. We got to Auckland at 5:30 (NZ time) and we didn't have much time between the two flights.the next two flights were about 2.5 hours in total with 1 hour in between them.We got to Invercargill and drove to Te Anau. it was a nice day and we had a salad for tea.

Sophia

Well we're back here in Te Anau. I'm bored, but the trip was so amazing that I can't find good enough words to explain it to you.
From being sick on the plane going over to America to my first helicopter flight while we fly over the Grand connon.
From disneyland to Universal studies. From the Rv driving around all day long to staying in a grand Hotel with ball rooms.
The trip was the best and maby the last family holiday with Emily.
I started to cry becouse I didn't want to leave America, I just wanted to live there or even just stay for another month. I just want to go back there.

Well that is not all but I am going to let some stuff for Emily and Nicholas to say to you all.


LOVE from SOPHIA

In hotel lobby again. Going to Bubba Gump for tea again. Had a great time at the wax museum.They are so life like!!! Only one more day :(

Nick

In the hotel lobby now. Fire works in the background now from Disneyland(They do it every night at 9:30). Today we had a great time in universal studios and the rides and shows were great!! cant post any pics right now because on the hotel computer going up to room soon and tomorrow will be going back to Disney land for the last day.

Nick.

Emily's post

Well today was really fun! We took a tour around some parts of LA in a van of 11 people.
Only three of the people in the van weren't New Zealanders (including the tour guide/driver) so that was funny.

Some highlights were the Venice beach, seeing the Hollywood stars, seeing some celebrities houses in Beverly Hills and of course getting my picture with the lady pimp off Hung! She was in the Fisherman's Market having lunch with friends so Mum and I went over and asked if I could get a picture with her. She looks exactly like she does on the programme, maybe they used her actual wardrobe for it haha.

Off to Universal Studios tomorrow, very exciting!

Sophia

Here r some photos from the day we arrived at LA.

Hi just came back from hollywood tour. Got my photo taken with Mary-Kate and Ashely Olsen's Star, Big Bird,And Micky Mouse. Bought some t-shirts in the medium size but they r 2 small and i got 3 so someone is going to be in some luck.

SOPHIA

Had a great day today and the grand cannon was awesome.
My first helicopter flight was great but it was scary getting on, because i thought i would get my head copped off.

In Las Angules now with a nice day.Tomorrow we are going to Disney land. the helicopter flight over the grand canyon was awesome and words can't explain it. had a little detour throgh route 66 and stayed at barstow last night going to have a walk soon.

Nick

From Las Vegas

We are all having a fantastic time. Our trip from Lake Isabella to Las Vegas yesterday was fabulous. We travelled up and down - from 2000ft to 5000ft, down to 1000ft, up to 5000 ft, and down to 200ft below sea level (Death Valley), to 4000ft and then down to 1000ft ... and Vegas!! All in a 30ft long RV, and the V12 - and the driver - got a workout!!! The desert was fascinating! It changed so frequently, with the plants changing, colours in the rocks, the absolute vastness of it - awesome! A photographers haven! Death Valley was incredibly interesting.

We arrived in Las Vegas earlier than we expected, at about 3.30, and once settled in we headed into town. Everyone's jaw was dropping - especially Sophia's! Her face was a picture! It's a wonder that Nicholas's eyes weren't out on stalks too actually, but he's learning to have a poker face! Emily was 'noticed' by several "interesting" males - what a hoot!!! Emily and Nicholas were both shocked and amused that a female at the neighbouring table (when we had dinner) was mimicking me eating (with both a knife and fork) - pity I didn't notice or I could have really had some fun!!!!!! Of course, they don't eat with the same utensils here. I think it is ever so funny myself!

The Valencia Hotel, with the Venice replica was absolutely mind-blowing. Nigel, having been to the actual place, but having also watched the doco about the hotel's construction, was also impressed. It is complete with gondolas!!! We absolutely loved the La Reve show last night - it defies description really. The theatre was incredibly, performed in water - it is worth having a look on-line, and seeing a taste of what we experienced. Well worth the investment!!! We finally got to bed at midnight, very tired!

We are all more than a little gobsmacked that there has been a massive earthquake. It is something we joked about alot prior to coming here - and now look what's happened. We may have felt it here, but because it was very windy, and the van moves around alot in the wind, we wouldn't have noticed it. We're about to go shopping, have another look around, then head into some of the complexes to be gobsmacked again!!!!! Fiona and Nigel

This is the replica of Venice, it is very well done. The lights are stunning at night

This is 'the' Trump tower
Death Valley is beautiful, definitely not the scenery we are used to.

We are currently sitting in our RV and we are right beside the strip in Las Vegas. Last night we walked the strip and went to La Reve and it was awesome. In death valley it wasn't too hot thankfully.

We didnt feel the earthquake but it seems that we have to go to the other side of the world to be in another earthquake.Today we are just going to hang out in Las veagas and get some souveners.

Nicholas

hi at lake Issabel now got internet here had a wonderful time in yosemite and there was heaps of snow and on the way back we saw 2 cyotes and on the way there we saw some deer. on the day we spent there we hired some bikes and went 4 a bike and we also got a fire going in the snow! now at lake Issabela we are on the borader of califonia and tomoro we are going throgh death vally and staying in las veagas that nite

nick

Humphs in San Francisco

We loved San Francisco!!! What an amazing city! Reminiscent of the drive to Port Chalmers, a beautiful sky line, friendly people throughout the city - worth the visit. We left the RV at 7.30am and got home at 9.40, so couldn't possibly have tucked more into the day. The rain which came in the afternoon didn't dampen anything - you're tough if you come from Fiordland rain! The cable car has to one of the best value international visitor experiences at $5 for about 20 minutes - and a great way to see the city. Fab seafood at Fisherman's wharf, and the boys loved the submarine in particular! Alcatraz defies words - an excellent experience. We're off to Yosemite today, but will try to drive over the Golden Gate first! No fog yesterday, so we got a fantastic view - off all three bridges actually!!! Probably no wi-fi for a couple of days, so the kids will enjoy blogging when we get reception again. Poor Nige is doing the emptying of both grey water and black water at the moment - we don't want him to look like Robin Williams out of the RV movie - but just in case, we have both the video and still cameras ready - what an opportunity!!! Fiona

San Francisco 2

Yesterday was awesome we went to Alcatraz and had an audio tour in the cells. It must have bean horrible to stay there. Then we went to fisherman wharf for lunch.Then we went to the submarine and that was just awesome. Then we went to the cable car. I was on the out side of the car because there wasn't enough room on the seats. Then we had a snack at Westfields and went back up the hill on the cable car again(this time I was inside it). Then we had burger king for tea and caught the ferry back to the other side of the bay and went to the trailer park. Nicholas

San Francisco

Yesterday was awsome i bought myself an hamonica at alcatraz. and already to teach myself to play it bye making up my own song.
it was pouring down with here so mum gave me some money to bye an umbrella from this shop called Clairs and is kinda like the shop called diva in NZ.
anyway we got hotdrinks, explored Fishermans Wharf, had lunch at a place called Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co. and there food was dilcease.
We also went on the cable car twice.

All the best to you and family.


LOVE FROM THE AWESOME SOPHIA HUMPHRIES.

it was awesome yesterday and today. we took a stretch limo to the camper van place and bribed the guy to take the RV early.then we just drove half way to San Francisco and stayed there over night. in the morning i saw a deer in the camping ground and we took off at 10am.on the way we stopped to see elephant seals and there was a chipmunk there. then we started driving and after about an hour we stopped 4 a toilet break and there was another chipmunk that i fed out of my hand. now we are in San Francisco and having tea

nick

Yup!...The concierge organised a STRETCH LIMO to take us to the campervan...it had a bar and everything!

Really excited to see an American police car!

Hi up today in NZ time: 5:14 so you can work out the time i got up
the reason i a posting this early is because i got board just lying down on bed trying to go back to sleep when i cant get back to sleep.

On Sunday i got sick on the plane to LAX sucks ayah
it was all because of all the fizzy i drank before the flight then 1-2 hours before the flight a landed i was sick because the fizzy had fizzed up in my own stomach


Well in invercargill i was alright then in Christchurch still alright (we got to see Uncle John and his new girlfriend((she is soooo buetiful)) ) then last of Auckland the plane had made my day bad by making me sick but apart from that all the movies were down right plan BOAing i didn't watch 1 or 2 but 4 movies and noon of them i wacht to the end!!!!!!!
1:Lovely bones about this girl that got murded and in heavan all she is thinking aboaut is RAY RAY RAY BOARING
2:Avatar
3:Fantistac Mr fox
4:and 2 hannah montana episods that were AWeSome becouas i had never seen befour

In LA i have seen 3 limos so far SWeet but sadely no autographs or celebritys

SOPHIA

hello back again just had a swim and dad said that i had to get out:(
here are some pics that i just uploaded on to the computer

LA

In LA now after a 12 hour flight. On the plane I watched 4 movies ,played a lot of games , got nice food and had a sleep. In the hotel room now that looks awesome and yet again FREE INTERNET but not play any games. Every one is tired and hungry and having Mc Donald's for tea. After tea I might be going for a swim and having a LONG sleep.

Nicholas

auckland

At Auckland airport now having lots of fun this koru lounge thing is great. You get free food and internet and good chairs and you get to go on some psp that are supplied here. Not long till i leave the country.And dad is enjoying the free beer:)


Nicholas!!!

having a great day so far and i'm so excited that i am going to america. Its to good to be true!!!!!!!!!!!

SOPHIA

hello in invercargill (got free internet here in the kour lounge:) )having great time went to buster crab 4 lunch and having a coke now

nick

Yep - we are all very excited and cant bekieve that it is going to happen. Tired and ready for bed.
Nigel

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the day the great day of America soo very exicted. But i absoltly hated this day so tired and had to work alllll day to get the house Brane Smanking Clean.
cant wait for tomorrow so happy. my tummy alreading going abit upside down so yea thats is pretty much it for me anywhy

LOVE FROM SOPHIA

Counting!

Most of Sophia's clothes are clean, so we're definitely into the 'packing' stage. Nicholas worked on getting his room ready to leave - looking good. We're just organising our paperwork reading to go now. Emily is pretty set, and has things ready to pack. We are still having 'mares about her hair ... the new "chocolate brown" she got put in by a new hairdresser on Saturday has come out "black"!!! Hmmm. Onward we trudge with the organising! :) Fiona

countdown

only 6 days now cant wait till we get there

nick

Learning!

Nigel and I are trying to get our heads around this new technology! Can we upload photos from different locations??

Countdown to America

What an exciting weekend - albeit a little busy at times! We are now on countdown - only 7 sleeps until we leave! The job this weekend was to get the washing all done, and organise the clothes we want to take. A bit of a mission - but we got there ... except with Sophia. She was at a sleepover, and came home late this afternoon ... absolutely shattered! Nigel has been getting the business end of things organised, while Emily, Nicholas and I sorted things like a first aid kit, last minute shopping etc. This week will be very busy, so we just have to make sure we keep ticking things off the proverbial list!