Weekly summary and photos
Trip Start
Feb 15, 2012
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20
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Trip End
Sep 17, 2012
Where I stayed
Houston, Texas
Saturday, February 25, 2012
What a week - we have had an amazing time, seen some amazing things and had lots of fun. Plus last night caught up with great friends, Zhanna and Vitaly
San Fran put on its best weather and it was so much like Melbourne in springtime. Overcast for a while then the sun bursts though for some glorious sunshine then before you know it you are reaching for a warm coat. It was good prep for the cooler days in Vancouver.
What were the best of San Fran...hard to say. We did the obligatory bus tour to get our bearings and a good overview. As always when we travel, we walked a lot, along from Pier 1 to Fishermans Wharf...great stroll. Seeing trams from all over the world was a nice touch - but couldn't help but think it must be a maintenance nightmare for someone?? California Academy of Science was a great filler of several hours as was the MoMA.. We did Sausalito on ferry, seeing Alcatraz on the way...plus a bonus of seeing some America Cup yachts in practice.
Then on to Vacouver. Beautful, even if it was the off season. Thanks to our friend Laura we had a nice upgrade at the Westin...sensational room with sensational view.
Did a LandSea tour on our first rainy day and loved our bike ride around Stanley Park (in the dry). Spent best part of a whole day Granville Island markets and then had a fun seaplane ride seeing Vancouver from the air. Sandy also loved taking a train ride into suburbia and back - even though she had a snooze for part of the skytrain trip
Friday morning off to the airport and on to Houston. Had dinner with Zhanna and then coffee with Z and Vitaly - was great so see them again. Only spent a little time on BHPB matters ;-)
Saturday has been spent at Houston's equivalent of Chadstone - Galleria. Fascinating just looking at the similarities and differences. Lots of the same shops, but some a few different faces. Aussie dollar is great. I must also say that when Oz brought in GST, the person who made the rule "prices quoted must include tax" is a sheer genius. It gets me every time in the US - you think you know the price but then comes all the taxes. Crazy
Dinner tonight with Weill's and then on to Miami Monday to see the Vanselow's
Comments
Sandy, what is that look on your face? Looks as though you are having a massage! Xoxo
That's exactly right..there is a harp like instrument built into back and the music goes right thru you like a massage
Hey - I have read every entry!!!!!!! Keep the fun times rolling xxx
So agree with your GST comment Gary! But here's a thought we heard in Van - they lowered the tax (!) and credit for the lower cost could be placed with the govt. And less work for sales assistants changing price tags?
I too loved Vanc and San Fran. It does look to me like Vancouver has grown a lot since I was there.
Only fond memories of Houston for me and I loved the Galleria even though I am not a shopper!
Glad you are having a ball!!
reading everything with great interest!
we too are keeping an envious eye on your trip.
Deanna, wish I had a photo of GBs face in the sound cradle! I didn't dare scrabble around in my sack to find my camera. It would have wrecked his moment. Sound cradle has strings like a harp down the sides. This one has a seat. Another had no seat, but you could lie on it and play it yourself or lie under it & played by someone else. Standing it up one can wheel in a wheelchair and have it played. Sound therapy. It was amazing the way my legs relaxed, I took note and then they released a whole lot more. Incredible. I might buy one when we arrive home. I wonder if G could play it? XX SJB