GAME: The Great ANZAC Pretend Planning on Paper PTR - Out and In for ADRs (05/04)

[jacs1234]

Can I come too? I just happen to have $25,000 in my wallet!

 

[jacs1234]

Can we stop at Joe's crab shack in California for dinner one night? They have awesome cocktails and the most amazing (yet ugly) crab I've ever tasted.

 

[austraveler]

Sorry girls. I have been out of the loop, planning our Med port trips for August. I better pull my weight and will do some pricing for the cruise so we can get that bedded down. It is all looking fabulous except for the LA part. I think LA is a dive and would love to limit our time there to fit in Disneyland and not much else. SF is much more to my taste. I do have a good food suggestion for LA though. There is a Mexican takeaway called The Hat that has the BEST Mexican you will ever eat. Be prepared to pay about $5 for your lunch.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Sorry girls. I have been out of the loop, planning our Med port trips for August. I better pull my weight and will do some pricing for the cruise so we can get that bedded down. It is all looking fabulous except for the LA part. I think LA is a dive and would love to limit our time there to fit in Disneyland and not much else. SF is much more to my taste. I do have a good food suggestion for LA though. There is a Mexican takeaway called The Hat that has the BEST Mexican you will ever eat. Be prepared to pay about $5 for your lunch.

I think I can cope with a $5 lunch, but tell me, do they have margaritas?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Can I come too? I just happen to have $25,000 in my wallet!

Hi Jacs! Welcome to the AirBus!

I'll get round to updating the Cast list soon....

We're back to an even number...looks like twin share!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just an update on the budget.

Thanks to Jacs for jumping into the boat with us....and thanks to someone else who voted, our budget based on 16 votes is $400K.

Less
Spending money $80K
Spending money $8.85K (for Jacs1234)
Airfares $123K
ABD China $55K
Cruise TBC



We have a balance of $133K left.

 

[queenie82]

I'll sit in a nice cocktail lounge while you girls go 4wheel driving. Sooooo not my thing. But I can appreciate others may enjoy it.

Would we got to San Fran for a few, and why not 2 nights in Vegas baby???? Seriously Vegas without the kids, it will be just like the movie The Hangover. I dibs being the dentist .

I'm WAAAAAAAAYYYY over Vegas too.

I agree about Hollywood now actually Queenie. It was overrated but I did enjoy it for a one time thing but yes, I don't need to rush back. That said, I would still enjoy it, it's just not as AMAZING as one would hope. Did we really fight over that, oh how I've grown .

Maybe I do know what I'm talking about some of the time

How many days are we spending at DLP???? Can't wait to see it.

I would say at least 4 days. If it includes a weekend 5 days. Weekends are busy

Hey on the road trip - can we stop in Amish country on the way down, I'm dying to buy some of their beautiful quilts.

It's not exactly on the way as you need to go about 3 hours inland. But it's fine with me. It's a lovely part of the world.
I saw a beautiful quilt when I was there but the dollar was really bad so we didn't get it.

Sorry girls. I have been out of the loop, planning our Med port trips for August. I better pull my weight and will do some pricing for the cruise so we can get that bedded down. It is all looking fabulous except for the LA part. I think LA is a dive and would love to limit our time there to fit in Disneyland and not much else. SF is much more to my taste. I do have a good food suggestion for LA though. There is a Mexican takeaway called The Hat that has the BEST Mexican you will ever eat. Be prepared to pay about $5 for your lunch.

I think a coastal drive might be nice. I agree LA is a dive.

As for the Mexican... no thanks

 

[PrincessInOz]

Catalina Express, from Long Beach

..goes out past the Queen Mary

...heads towards Avalon, an hour by the CE (yes, I needed drugs)

We rented one of these.

One-way driving most of the time. So, no worries for those who aren't sure about driving.

Just have to remember NOT to hit the cart in front.

We went to Wrigley Garden.

...and just drove around. Views were spectacular.

We also did a semi-sub trip (not sure about the photo sizes here)

Lots of fish.

The Metropole seemed like a nice spot to stay.

Food was okay in Avalon. [Having trouble with photobucket (will post food later)]

 

[queenie82]

hmmmmm....
Thanks for posting the info and photos PIO but I think I'd get bored after about an hour. Nicer than LA but I've done similar things on Hamilton Island. Complete with driving around in a Golf Cart, but with nicer fishies

Yes I've been to lots of places so am picky

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Well since Queenie is so "over" Vegas, how about we hit Mexico and drink ourselves some local tequila and have a grand old time?

Has anyone noticed that i'm always mentioning alcohol? I think I have a problem

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Princess - your photos look beautiful. I'm keen, we'll just leave Queenie at DL for a few days while we check it all out.

 

[queenie82]

Well since Queenie is so "over" Vegas, how about we hit Mexico and drink ourselves some local tequila and have a grand old time?

Has anyone noticed that i'm always mentioning alcohol? I think I have a problem

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I've been to Mexico....me don't like...

Ok....we'll go to Vegas and I'll go watch Phantom at the Venetian again and catch a couple Cirque Du Solei shows :

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'd prefer a driving trip out to Sequoia and possibly Yosemite, on the way to SF.

ACtually ....


What about we drive up the coast to SF and keep going to Napa/Sonoma Valley?

Should keep both Queenie and Shuttergirl happy?

 

[queenie82]

I think the Napa is overrated but it is beautiful.

I'd LOVE to go to Yosemite.
And here's some fun...
Pronounce it like you do Vegemite. This is what a guy at a travel agency (I think a twit at Flight centre) did. We've been laughing about it ever since.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Queenie is sounding just a little bit "jaded" about some of these destinations so I think we need to go with a majority rules vote on where to go for this leg.

That seems like the only fair option don't you think Queenie .

I do like the sound of Yosemite though, but can we keep hiking to a minimum or at least take an esky and you can park me somewhere after a km or two and I'll stop for a little tipple, and wait for you all to return hahahah.

I'm actually happy to see all of the places along that coastline so whatever works for everyone, will work for me.

 

[queenie82]

I'm not a big drinker nor cheese eater so I was relying on the beauty of the Napa and overall atmosphere to be lovely. Also lovely wineries themselves and tours etc.

I really enjoy going to the Hunter Valley, however I just didn't really enjoy the Napa. It's very nice. So I'm happy to go there. But just don't expect the same as you get in the Hunter or Barossa. Or Margaret River in WA...now THAT is lovely.

As for Yosemite. What you need to remember is that popular national parks in the USA usually involve placing the carpark about 100-500m from the "lookout" or "site". Sometimes closer. Many places are entirely wheelchair accessible.
In Yosemite there is an open air tour trailer thing that takes you around and up to the top of the "Mountain" (The name escapes me)

So Yosemite is WELL enjoyable without any physical exertion.

You'll be right mate :

 

[PrincessInOz]

ESPECIALLY if we're staying at Ahwahnee!

Shuttergirl - You can stay in the lodge with a nice red or bubbly whilst I go climb at least to the top of Vernal Falls or possibly walking to Glacier Point.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I like the sound of the open air trailer thing and I don't mind walking a bit (I did do WDW remember ) but serious hiking is just not my bag but I'll have a little wander then retire to a lodge or something and enjoy the scenery. Sounds perfect.

 

[jacs1234]

So it sounds like we're visiting Yosemite. I'd love to visit there. I don't care about Hollywood or Vegas, so won't miss that, but wouldn't mind a trip to the Grand Canyon.

 

[shushh]

LOL...all this because I added 2 days to our LA stay and forgot to add why...

I saw the LA ABD and thought the many "behind the scenes" tours would be nice for those of us who have been to Disneyland countless times. As it takes up 6 days I added 2 on just in case there were those who wanted to see LA.

Having said that, I'm happy to go with the flow. All the suggestions sound good to me, except for the margarita...I'm more than happy to drink it but someones needs to bring a stretcher along for when I pass out after!