Hawaii - Day 2

It's all about Dave & Stacey today, Mick & Michelle are AWOL at the moment- who knows, perhaps lost in a shopping maze that they cant escape from.

We collected our car after a rainy start to the day, and a bit of a sleep in. As it turned out it's a Dodge convertible. The plan is to do a lap around the Island (Oahu).

Lets go honey.

Pupukea Beach

Getting out of Honolulu took much longer than expected, it's way bigger than you would expect. Our first stop was at the Dole Pineapple Plantation for some pineapple ice cream of course.

Pupukea beach was absolutely great, the picture above doesn't really do it justice, in reality its much larger. A really great spot for snorkelling, wish we had some. Though we went for a swim, it was great, could spend a day there easily.

Next was a drive past the surfing mecca's of Pipeline, Sunset beach etc. Even though it was dead flat there was heaps of traffic and very few places to stop the car. (so we didn't)

Later in the afternoon, we stopped to watch the local ocean racing canoe clubs compete, they use what seems a traditional boat, so many people there, its popular sport.

We made it back to the hotel by about 7pm, so it was along day, though we didn't set off untill about lunchtime. It will be an early night. Will add more on Mick's adventures tommorrow.

Aloha.

Hawaii - Day 1, cont

We had another day of shopping! The weather is not the best for the beach, so it worked out well.

 

The evening was spent at the awards night at the Royal Palace grounds, it was another great night put on by Daikin, we even had the red carpet treatment (no paparazzi)

Some of us had a few sherbets

There was great food, and a very good band, so Mick could practice his "running man" dance moves.

Mick and Michelle are off in the morniing to see the USS Arizona memorial, Dave & Stacey are renting a mustang conv to drive the island 

Hawaii - Day 1

Aloha, we are all here now at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu.

The girls were waiting for us in a gazebo on the beach, which they had obtained with the help of their lovely smiles.

The hotel is very nice, there is a wall with photo's of previous guests (Pricess Dianna, Michael Jackson, Snoop Dog etc etc etc).

They have dolphin pools here as well, very large, very cool, you can swim with them etc. They also have a large sting ray and a pair of Green Sea Turtles.

We had our welcome drinks here last night and met all the Daikin mob from all over Aust & NZ, lots of familiar faces, really good to catch up with freinds we have made over the past years.

Well its now Saturday morning here, so its time to take the shuttle into Waikiki, will let you know about that later. Tonight we are off to the Daikin Awards dinner at the Iolani Palace, it's sure to be a great night.

The Wedding (renewal)

I thought i should add a seperate post for this occasion. I've got to be the luckiest guy on the planet, my wife Stacey is the best a man could ever wish for.

For those that dont know (or wern't involved in the ruse) i will explain the events that occured.

I was told that Mick was to be treated to a special night out with Michelle, and that I was to get him downstairs into the Casino for a drink before we head out somewher with the girls. So we had to be dressed up and ready. All just a ploy to have me all ready to go out.

You would think i'd have been a bit suspicious when Stacey produced my electric hair clippers from home, and sat me down to cut my hair, even though it was cut 3 weeks ago. Also produced a black shirt and pants (neither of which would fit!).

So, as it happened I went down stairs and met up with Mick downstairs, we were having a quiet drink as instructed, when Stacey & the two Michelles arrived,  I had to do a double take to realise Stacey was wearing her wedding dress - tiara and all. The next thing I know Stacey is asking me to re-marry her! Now its off in a limo to the chapel to be re-married by Elvis, yep Elvis is really alive and still marrying people in Vegas.

See the following pics.

It was a whole lot of fun, and really great to have my sister-in-law Michelle with us, now i know why she is in town, duh.

Like I said, i've got to be the luckiest guy in the world. Thanks to all who played a role in arranging this wonderfull moment in my / our lives.

And a very special thanks to my lovely wife for being there allways for me. I love you babe.

Day 17 Las Vegas, Nv to Santa Monica, CA

Holy chit we made it, and all in two peices, both of us. 

Its been a hell of a long ride, we estimate about 5000Klm have been riden. A few close encounters here & there, however, we have arrived un scathed.

Today we rode through the Mojave Desert, to arrive at Los Angeles. Apart from the LA section, we rode in 40+ celcius, it was stinkin hot. Luckily we used a wet silica gel neck thingy, they worked a treat and helped us keep cool.

Riding into LA is hectic to put it mildly, trucks, cars, over passes, under passes.

We dropped off the bikes as planned, all went smoothly, untill we were in the cab half way to the hotel and Dave realises he has the keys to his bike in his pocket! An expensive mistake.

We spent the night in Santa Monica at our favorite Mexican Cantina, its allways fun in there. Diablo (buffalo) wings & Corona is a good combination

So, the journey ends, we are now at LAX, back where it all started, back in the Lounge writing the blog. We are waiting for our flight to Honolulu. It wont be route 66, though we will continue to blog our travels.


Adios Amigos, Dave & Mick

Day 16 Las Vegas, Nv

So it seems Michael & Michelle are really getting into the swing of things here in Vegas, doing the big flying fox along Fremont St.

Dave & Stacey had a great day shopping with sister Michelle, now the question is, why is she here exactly?????

Ok, well Mick and i were sitting at our favourite bar down stairs this afternoon, since I had been involved in a ploy to get him out of the room and ready for he andMichelle to go out for a lovely surprise dinner for his birthday (of many days ago as you may re-call)/

Seems i have to get all dressed up for Micks birthday (again?????). kept out for the surprise, "we're goin to the chapel & we're gpoin to get married"!

Some of you may recognise the dress & tiara

Elvis was definatley in the building

More info on wher to see more on tdays events later, keep watching. We will add more, in the mean time it's off to Hawaii for the girls tommorrow, and we're off to Santa Monica for the last leg of our journey, so see you there!!!

Aloha, Dave & Mick.

Day 15 Las Vegas, Nv

Well just in case any one is sceptical that we are in Las Vegas, then the following should dispell your scepticism.

Mick and Dave had a day apart, it was difficult at first, but were ok now. We had a few drinks together this evening.

Dave & Stacey went for a ride out of town, and ended up at Red Rock Canyon, in the Mojave desert, not far out of town, though it may as well have been a million miles away.

We all met up this evening after being to see some shows. Mick & Michelle saw the Donny & Marie show, and Dave & Stacey (and sister Michelle who is in town also) went to see Jersey Boys.

Stretch Hummers are so last year.

Stacey & sister Michelle

Hopefully the following video might help show the lights of Vegas, we are all having the best time here, it will be a shame to leave so soon.

Day 14 Las Vegas, Nv

So the day finally arrived, we're off to the Grand Canyon the easy way. Transported to and from the air port by limo, and a champagne picnic inside the canyon.  We cruised over Lake Mead & Hoover Dam on the way.

Great new helicopters as well, that made the viewing even better.

Dave & Stacey

Mick & Michelle

Cool Cactus

The afternoon was one of shopping with our nearest and dearests, at the factory outlets. One of us thought it would be a good place for a snooze, hey Mick. All sorts of bargains but mainly clothing. Super cheap Levi's etc.

The evening was just as good as the morning, as we all went of the see a show. Luckily for us it wasn't Celine Dion, it was the Holly Maddison "Peep Show". I'm not quite sure how to describe it, perhaps best summed up as an "eye full"!

Hágoónee'.  Dave & Mick +2

Day 13 Williams Az to Las Vegas, Nv

We have made it to Las Vegas, Yeahhhh. Had a great run through the desert to get here from Williams, More wide open spaces, and even longer dead straight sections of road, Cactus & Coyote's.

Stacey & Michelle were patiently waiting for us at the Aria when we arrived. It was terrific to see our hanbrakes oops -wives, after two weeks away.

Hi kids mums having a beer!

After settling in to the hotel, we went down the strip to "New York - New York", and also check out the "Coyote Ugly" bar there (very average).

The girls are all worn out from a two day shopping extravaganza, so its back to the Aria, via the strip. Were off for a helicopter trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon tommorrow, so there should be some good snaps to show you from there,

Hasta Manyana, Dave & Mick

Day 12 Williams Az.

A day of rest at last, we enjoyed a bit of a sleep in.

Last night we had a terrific meal in a local grille, it was packed out & people lining up out side, so we sat at the bar (again) and ate there. The "Arizona Cowpunchers Reunion Rodeo" is on this weekend, and it seems everyone is in town tonight. We couldn't resist having a few at the Saloon across the street, so in we go, omg, cowboys & cowgirls . And i mean only cowboys & cowgirls, the place was full, some even with spurs on!. We played pool for a bit, 2 games we were in front 4 to 5 balls, then in of the black both times! There was dancing and really good time had by all. We looked like fish out of water though, with our "California Boots" on (thongs).


After breakfast care of our host Elton at the Grand Hotel, we went of in search of the local car wash, because our poor bikes are really filthy. They had a good wash and a polish, all ready to see the girls tommorrow in Las Vegas.

Then we checked out the local shops, it's quite the old west town here, it really feels like its kept much of the Route 66 charm, that is so typical. Mick (Michael to some - hi Mum) bought some new fancy boots and western shirt. So he is all ready for the big rodeo in town this afternoon

My new shirt

The rodeo was great, it was actually a real family affair. Not just broco riding, they have steer riding for the kids, "milking" comp for the whole family - 3 people.

More Cowboys & Cowgirls than you could poke a stick at here!

The evening was spent here ay the motel, with our host and Jack Vink, who wrote "Banished to the Strips of Concrete", we have even a signed copy. Quite a character, and a really nice guy.

Well its actaully Sunday morning here now, and were are just about to set off to Vegas, as soon as we get a bit lower in elevation it will be 40  celcius, and its allready windy, so were ion for a hot ride.

So we hope you enjoyed the day off as much as we did.

Adios amigos, Dave & Mick

Day 11, Tuba City, Az to Williams Az.

So we did it! After a great breaky of Pancakes, we hit it again. Didn't take to long and we entered the Grand Canyon National Park after parting with $12 bucks each.

There were great views of the canyon, we rode along the South rim to the Village, stopping along the way.

 There's no way you could get this close to the edge in Australia, there would be a 2m high fence and warning signs every where.

We left the Canyon and headed towards Flagstaff, still in Arizona. It was an 80 mile run, via an almost brand new pristine road. We started at an elevation of about 9000 ft, and dropped to 6000 ft, along the way we had probably the best ride of the trip. We were taken from the high desert through to Alpine forests along the way down, all the while riding through roads with long wide open sweeping bends that could be taken at 100mph (80 would have to do). It was fantastic, the fun was short lived tough as the lower we descended, the higher the wind speed.

We bought the best chilli cheese dogs here in Flagstaff at a drive thru (we parked).

This is home sweet home for the next TWO nights, yes folks two nights! We are at and old classic Motel in the centre of Williams, Az. There's a Rodeo in town, so we are staying to check it out tommorrow.

More on that later, check it  out, till then keep well. Were off to Dinner, and a big sleep in.

Cheers, Dave & Mick

Day 10. Gallup, NM to Tuba City, Az.

Hi All, Today we left New Mexico and decided we could do a run up through into Utah, to ride through Monument Valley. It was a great decision, because the scenery was by far and away the most spectacular we have seen. The landscape changed completely, the roads were again wide, flat and in great condition.

The pictures below say more than we can in words, so have a look. I'll add afew more tommorrow, as the Wi Fi is really slow here, its taken 2 hours to upload six pics so far.

The Mexican Hat

The valley is part of the Navajo Nation (Navajo Indian Reservation), we covered 560Klm today, so another big day, especially as the wind was back at 60 K//Hr.

We stopped at a small town called Tuba City, still in the reservation - so its a dry town.  So it should be an early night.

Tommorrow we'll stop at the South gate of the Grand Canyon, before we stop at Williams, Az for the afternoon / night. Weve only got 250miles to go to Las Vegas, but have 3 days before we are due in there to meet the girls. So we will now slow down a bit, and  spend a bit more time looking around.

Dave & Mick