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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Neighboring state- Oregon

Finally one long weekend. He gave us all his time. No work! No stress! A good family time with his family. 

Day 1- We started a little before noon. Packed food! And started on the road. A long drive, around three hours. Halted at Mount Saint Helens. A volcano observatory! Beautiful scenarios and landscapes! We watched a short video on the devastation that happened in 1980! And how that affected and changed the landscape of what's today known as a national monument. 



Drove a scenic path 1 hour to the Mount St. Helens, stopping by a couple of view points on the way. Stopped at a picnic spot for lunch. 


Then drove out another hour plus a hour to reach the hotel in Portland! 

Day 2- Started our day at Starbucks with coffee and snack sized breakfast! 

Then debated our plan - either to wait and have lunch before we hit the road for a 40 minute drive to the Bridal Veil Falls, or to start off to the falls and find something on the way. While I wasn't sure of what we would find on the way, we wandered around downtown. Right then was a gloomy weather with light showers. Still wondering what to do! We stopped by downtown pioneer square. Clicked a few pictures. 




Ah! Plan was made- Chinese to go! Picked up some Chinese food and drove to the falls. It was a short trek of less than a mile, but strep and narrow for the parents. A beautiful falls in the end! 



Then drive out, by chance found a scenic location called Vista House. Before stopping there, quickly stopped to fill our tummies. 



On the return to the hotel, again stopped by downtown Portland, a mall, I wanted to do some shopping, not to forget it's a tax free state! 


Day 3- July 4th - Independence Day! 
Me on a shopping spree. 


Back home! Tired even after such a relaxed vacation! 

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Its Vegas! Wohooo!!!

A happy ending! ;) I so miss Vegas! A super cool city in Nevada! It’s even more different than New York City and Seattle put together (a little comparison with the places I have been to). So I would call this 

The largest city in the state, 
The hugest street to walk by, 
The greatest well build and planned city, 
The most happening place in the country, 
The wowest architecture and design, 
The craziest crowd even off season, 
The best pedestrian friendly location ever seen.



I loved the themes of the hotels and resorts (mostly outdoors), while B loved the gaming place (of course indoors). I was running out of battery to click pictures, while he was running out of cash to play with! LOL. 




And if we parted in two ways for too long, you did know we got lost in the maze. These hotels are purposely build to keep us engaged in either gaming or shopping or dining and/or gazing around. The exits are nowhere to be found. And with us- with contrast taste buds in all walks of life! No doubt- the hotels are sure to win! 

Anyways back to the actual story: 

Wednesday evening we started from home to the airport. Parked the car, b told me to check-in the bag- we packed our stuff together into one big bag. I had one little handbag and b had his office backpack! It was partially an official trip. I reached the check-in counter, couldn't find the confirmation number, so asked the airport assistant at the counter to help me out, handed over my boarding pass and my ID. She got it done in a jiffy. 

Then we stood in the long security lane. And then parted to different gates, yup, b had his tickets officially booked and he booked mine later. So we had different timings too. But he managed to find similar tickets - matching up the time as much as possible. So I reached one hour behind him. He was waiting for me at the airport. As the flight was approaching Las Vegas, I looked out of the window, it looked all deserted. Then towards landing, I could see a couple of building. Looked like a pretty small city. As I got off the flight and entered the airport, wow... From that point everything was different and unique compared to the rest of the states. The airport has slot machines and gaming lounges. 

Then we met at the baggage claim area. Waited for our bag. All the bags ran though the belt, a couple of rounds and then stopped. Our bag wasn't there. We walked around, to double check. Nope it wasn't there. Then I quickly pulled out the baggage tracking slip and we headed over to the baggage claim office. The officer there, checked my slip and asked if I was Diana? What?! Obviously no! Then he said my baggage was in Sacramento. We were surprised. And he said he will redirect it as soon as possible and would be back to the airport by later that night and they would bring it over to our hotel, early the next morning. That lady who was supposed to help me, had actually swapped the baggage tag! Errrrr.... 

We caught a cab and went to the hotel tired. B had work the next day and he needed shoes. He went over to buy them. And we ordered pizza for dinner. I slept off early, b had severe cold since afternoon I guess. He was sniffing and sneezing all day. Definitely not a great start. But we were still excited about being in Vegas! And I was positive I would get my bag soon and could take a shower! Ha ha. 




Early the next day, I called up the airport guys about the status of my bag, they said the guy the previous day was all wrong. It was still in Sacramento. Upset was I, then this lady was actually working on it. She said she will resolve the problem asap. Every 30 mins I called her for updates and she did have good updates. Finally she called back with good news. And by afternoon we had the bag in hands! B sick, but still went to work, then they sent him back soon, too sick u know. Came back. Took medicines and rest. 

I got ready, walked out with all my energy and excitement. Walked towards the strip. Walked all of downtown. Not much inside the hotels, took the escalators, crossed the roads, clicked pics and selfies, walked and walked and walked. 6 hours I walked! And finally lost my way, caught a cab and got back, intact. Lol I was so broken, legs so weak, soaked myself in the tub- hot water! And quickly caught some Z's.








Friday morning we checked-out of this amazing hotel and went to a hotel on the other side of the strip! Before that, we were called for a small tour of the big group of hotels and a program to get us into trouble. Lol. At the end of rejecting the crazy offer, we were handed in 4 -$25 dining coupons that could be used at a list of selected restaurants in less than 10 hotels! And also rides to and fro the tour in limo cars! 

The next hotel was at the corner of a huge junction and on 4 corners of the junction were big beautiful hotel resorts. And they were all connected by escalators and bridges for easy pedestrian access. The city is so pedestrian friendly! So by afternoon we headed to one hotel for lunch by cab. Then from there we hopped in and out of many hotels on the strip. Hoping to walk back all the way to our hotel. But nope, we actually walked the wrong direction. So we were even far away, no other go - caught a cab and got back! 





Saturday, again we walked down for lunch- cab- another hotel- used another coupon. And then a couple more hotels- this time more organized - i was sure not to lose directions- Though super tired - still I didn't give up and neither did I let b to. We walked back to the hotel. On the way back, b got 2 tickets for a magic show. It was super awesome!!! That was Saturday! 





Sunday- we checked out- got a cab to the airport- car rentals- rented a car, drove to Hoover dam. Took the tour, ate, and then drove to the bridge above, parked there, walked and then drove back to airport, on the way back stopped by DQ for icecream. Dropped the car back, took the shuttle to the airport, 10 mins away. Then it was time for his flight. He left. I pulled myself and the bag .  Changed to comfortable clothes and then checked-in my bag in kiosk, tagged the label to my bag, double-checked the name and destination. Then handed it over at the counter. Then went towards my gate, through the security check. Had 3.5 hours to while away. Did my best. Got the flight. Net worked in the flight too. Surprise! But not much charge on phone. Had to save it to call b on reaching sea-tac airport. 

Yup I was counting my charge left as I was in air, landing, at the gate, got my bag, at the pick up zone! And then my mobile switched off. Called from a strangers phone. And then he found me. We got back home!!





Monday, January 4, 2016

Christmas in Seattle with Movie Nighters

Okay! Let me explain the title! We are a group of 4 (sometimes 5). Myself , my sis, and 2 buddies- J and L. And sometimes my hubby joins us, on days his work permits him too. Poor him. He didn't have as much as vacation as the rest of us! We 4 call ourselves the "Movie Nighters". Guess that's self explanatory! 
So yes, my sis, J and L reached the airport 24th night, also my hubby. He was back from an official trip the same night. So they all came home together. I was waiting at home with dinner and desserts ready! Controlling myself from eating the dessert- jamuns!

Of the whole planning, the only thing we booked and confirmed for to stay the next day at a cabin in Redwood National Park, CA. And my hubby was reluctant of driving that long and asking us to cancel it. Hmmm... I had to pull up all the crazy and somewhat okay reasons to stick onto the plan as planned! 

25th December- 
Morning we started as planned- Straight to California. All 5 of us can drive- but my hubby did the most part, a little bit me and L. Alternatively getting tired to drive. We reached late night! 

Pluses till here: 
  1. Though dark, the moon's light was so beautiful- huge and super bright! Like a torch light over us! (No exaggeration guys!)
  2. Pacific Ocean Coast was WOW! High tides! These moments surely can't click pictures of. I can still hear the gushes and sounds of the waves.
  3. The drive though the forest was good too. 

Minuses till here:
  1. Too long to drive in a day- All tired to drive
  2. Wrong season - not great weather either
  3. Should have taken more stops/ sightseeing on the way- not just for food/ gas
 26th December-
Morning starting from the cabin.




We saw these drive through tree on the net. Drove straight there. It's a drive-thru Tree! A bark so huge that actually you can drive through it. There's a road going through the tree. And a small loop! We were scared at first, we our car could really get through that space?! Drove through really slowly- we made it. Then we drove through a second time. This time to click good pictures. 



The tree stands this tall!

Driving out of the forest- Stopped by the Pacific Ocean! 




Night stayed at Eugene, OR. Around an hour away from Portland. 

27th December- 
I just wish it didn't pour all day! Yes, Whole day of rain! We drove straight back home! 

NO way- a great plan! We dream't we could come another day to Portland! That's still a dream! 

28th December- 
My hubby went for work, before we all woke up. L said we shall take the day slowly. So I said the Falls is the closest. Just 30 mins away! Had breakfast and got ready. Started to the Falls! Quite a good day! 




Got back to the city, had lunch, got some groceries, L cooked yummy pepper chicken fry for us! Then we dropped him to meet his friends (on a condition to bring back ideas on places to visit and things to do around in this season!). Ha ha! L got a long list! 

29th December - 
We didn't want to wait and pile up all Seattle for the New Year weekend! So this day we went to Seattle downtown! Took the monorail and walked to Public Pike Market. Had hot apple cider juice!



Then walked to the water front - took a ride on the ferry wheel (Giant wheel). Then we took the link train to went to Chinatown- Nothing much there, Then stopped at University street station, and back the Seattle center and drove back! 






30th December - 
Booked for Zip-lining! Planned for Bungee Jumping and many others (Didn't even think of Zip-lines)
Expect the Unexpected! We did zip-lining! 





31st December -
Movie Nighter's Chapter continues! Evening had dinner at Anjapar! And Cheers to 2016! 

1st January- 
Movie Nighter's Continuation! With addition of J's Salmon bake special! 

2nd January-
From the last trip to Seattle downtown, we just left behind the Space Needle for our 5th member! 
They have special packages fr 2 trips- Day and Night views! We thought we could bypass that, and make it on a single trip to the deck! Starting up by 430, right when the sun started to sink in! LOL!

We reached there at 415. But surprise you need to book for your slot! It was only available from 630. Every 30 mins a slot! So we booked for 630. Now we had 2 hours to while away... My hubby said coffee shop... and I decided to walk a mile to the south union lake. Yes it was cold! But we had nothing else do to better. So all walked to and fro the lake.. On the way back, stopped at Starbucks! And then reached the Space Deck! 






3rd January- 
Time to depart. Monday was back! Vacation was all over! 

This is the reality! But wanna know the plan? 

http://alegra2013.blogspot.com/2015/12/planning-trip-is-super-exciting.html

Enjoy reading! :P