Dec 2006

Well we are just about to leave Vegas - just waiting for our shuttle back to the airport. It has been a really great and interesting time here.

Where did we leave you last? Thats right - on the Tuesday we were desperate to do some laundry otherwise we would have looked similar to all the homeless people around here. We were advised that the nearest laundromat was near Hard Rock Cafe and on the map it is only 2 blocks away, so in our wisdom we decided to walk!! Two blocks turned into 3 miles passing the most dodgiest and scariest people ever, carrying our suitcase full of dirty clothes. Not the best experience. So after our long, long, long, long walk we treated ourselves to Hard Rock Cafe lunch and couldn't resist getting the souvenir martini glass - had to start my collection again!

After the laundromat we caught a cab back but not before getting asked for some powder if we want some by a drug dealer. You have never seen us move so fast!!!

That night we went to see the Stage show we suffered through the timeshare presentation for! In one word, it was actually quite crap!! Very amateur and wouldn't pay any cash to see it. There was one chick in it who just couldn't dance to save her self and was always out of time with the others - she was the best thing about the show!!!! Sorry, there were 3 drum guys who came on as an interlude who were fantastic! Yes, the Jubilee Show was full of boobies.....so Mike was in heaven!!

Yesterday we met up with Angie and Laura (Mike's aunty and cousin) for the afternoon. It was really cool meeting them. We went through the Fremont Experience, the Star Trek Experience and even the M&M Experience - yes you read that correct - the have an M&M Experience (4 levels of it!! - with even a museum)

Anyway, we have to sign off now as our shuttle is arriving. We will finish off our Las Vegas Experience hopefully at LAX Airport!

Speak to you all then

Luv Karen & Mikey

Hello all

Well we are well and truly in the Vegas atmosphere. After the arduous flight and terrible US customs (which suck big time) we have settled in and visited many casinos. We have had great fun playing all the crappy out of date pokies and even did really well on the roulette table. Tomorrow we are visiting all the other ones we missed!! Even the Palms Casino to do a bit of celebrity spotting (apparently that is where they all stay!)

Today we went to the Las Vegas Outlet Centre and did a huge shopping spree for waqrm winter clothes. The best place on earth for cheap stuff.......craps all over Harbour Town etc. I have discovered that Mike is a much more fussy shopper than I am!! Was getting excrutiating in the end but it was worth it - he looks rather hot in his new get up!!!

It is really hard to get used to the fact that everyone smokes inside here - even in the restaurants. Really plays havoc on our sinuses that we had to buy special nasal spray for it! We really do appreciate the non-smoking laws in Australia now!!

Funny quote for the day - we saw a homeless guy with a sign that said "Why lie, I need beer"!!!! It was hilarious!!!

We have done so much walking today! The Strip is HUGE! A lot longer than you realise and the weather is freezing for the middle of the desert - about average 15 degrees. People aren't really understanding our accent either - we have to talk slow like they are all dummies - which we have to say that most Americans are! Couldn't live in this country if we were paid!!! Sorry Guy!

We had to do a Time Share thing today to get free show and dinner tomorrow night for the both of us. We got caught by the salesman as soon as we arrived at the hotel (not good after 32 hours of flying!!) We must have looked like right suckers!! But we went for it - and believe it or not it isn't a bad deal! Too expensive for us though. But we do get tickets the oldest and best show in town. Mike is really happy as they describe the show as "Rhinestones covering practically nothing" So we will let you know all about it when we are next on line.

It is 2am in the morning here and we have been walking all day so we are about to call it a night (well me anyway, mikey still has a date with another pokie! - on limited resources mind you)

There isn't much more to update you guys on, but will definitely have lots more stories next time we are on line.

We love you all, and talk to you soon.

Keep sending those messages!!

Luv Karen and Mikey

hi all we just got off the plane less than an hour ago,
Both really tired and Grumpy.... US Customs sucks we ended up doing a total of 30 hours in airports but gained a day, and haven't slept a wink, going down the buffet now for a steak and bourbon with my baby then coming back up for some sleep.
Got sidetracked by a Timeshare company on the way, got to go to breakfast with them in the morning but they gave us free buffet and show tommorrow night going to upload pics soon stay tuned

Hello everyone, we are just about to check out of our hotel and start making (slowly) our way to the airport. I am also just about to show Mike around the famous Chch Arts Centre.

The drive down from Awaroa Lodge went quite fast apart from getting caught in a huge hail storm while travelling down the side of the mountain - needless to say Mikey was a bit of a wuss and did not trust my driving at all (Karen was hell bent on killing us, i'm sure) He doesn't know what he is talking about ;-) Mike actually was not much better in the driving department - collecting a little tropical bird in the front fender and not realising it was slowly getting sucked into the engine. When we found it we both nearly retched!! It was disgusting! Then Mikey hit a huge rock while trying to park!! Only a little scratch but I am enjoying teasing him about it!!

As soon as we got back we went out on the town and feeling extremely sorry for myself this morning! Caught up with some old friends which was awesome! So much for making sure we were in bed by 11!!

Next stop - Vegas Baby!!!! We are very excited and Mike is bouncing around like Tigger!!

We love getting all your messages, so please keep them coming. When we get to Vegas we will try and find a place that we can upload the photos on the website. We have some beautiful shots - and some very interesting ones!! (No, not that kind!!!)

We love you all and think about you often. Anyway we better go and check out of the hotel and have some breakfast before we pass out. We will write another message to you all and reply to the messages we have received so far when we get to the States.

Ciao for now!

Luv
Karen & Mikey

Hello all

We are currently sunning ourselves in the most beautiful Awaroa Lodge. We have never been anywhere that is so remote, relaxing, peaceful. And we are getting completely spoiled; we even had dinner personally made for us by the General Manager (aka my stepbrother Allan). This place is so remote that we had to take an hour and a half boat ride just to get here - but well worth it - going through the Marlborough Sounds, exploring the seal colonies etc. You would all love it up here!

We did have a bit of drama driving up here. It is a 6 hour drive and about 3 hours before we hit the lodge we stopped to get something to eat. I then proceeded to leave my purse (with all our NZ money in it) on the table of the cafe and drove off!!! We didn't realise it was missing until we got here. Thankfully, after nearly throwing up with fear etc, we found out that someone handed it in, with cash and all!! We will pick it up on Saturday!! Not a great way to start the trip!!! We will just have to drink to take away our worries (what a shame!!)

It is only 1pm here and the most exercise we have done is get out of bed!! Our plans for the rest of the day are go have lunch, walk around one of the trails here, go back and take a nap, have a glass of wine with our books, take another nap, have dinner, play some poker, go back read our books with another glass of wine and then sleep - personally we could really get used to all this!

Believe it or not we do miss everyone over there, and think of you often while we are being luxurious and relaxed (and yes, quite tiddly from the copious amounts of wine we are drinking!!)

We are back to Christchurch tomorrow morning and then have plans to go out on the town with Michelle Barrow - which we are really looking forward to!

We will update again when we get to Vegas - which is on Sunday!!

Take care, and please drop us a line when you can! We would love to hear from you!!

Luv
Karen & Mikey