The wonders of Disneyland

We had a nice night at Newport after failing to stay at Laguna beach, our GPS decided we wanted a crazy route and it got late. Our campsite was among the best air stream trailers. Can you spot our RV.



How cool are they?

We finally made it safely to Anaheim. That after about 8 hours driving and a number of wrong turns.
Unfortunately for us our GPS decided to live up to my pet name, 'The Mole!' We were trying to skirt around Los Angeles via the coast road, the mole had other plans for us and took us right through the middle. This included every six lane freeway she could find. Then she would tell us to go straight but on her map show the exit! What THA! I think she was more confused then us most of the time. We missed our exit twice and did a complete turnaround as well as twenty minutes going completely in the wrong direction!
We eventually got here and I'll give you one guess where we are.


Do we look like the biggest pair of mouseketeers you've ever seen?
And YES we have our names on the back of them. And yes that is a ukulele hawaiian shirt I am wearing.
We went to California Adventure park on the first afternoon then Disneyland itself all day today.
Sue went on the scary rides and I held the bags.



If you look closely in this photo, bottom left. That is Sue,on the tower of terror and yes her eyes are closed and that is terror on her face. Some crazy elevator ride where it plummets to the ground.

Today at Disneyland the rides are a bit tamer and we went together on them. Some are just amazing and are good fun.

I did a bit of ukulele spotting today, there obviously very popular in, 'it's a small world', here are a couple for you.






There is just too much to show you and so many photos. The wonderful world of color show was great as was the parade at Disneyland. We are all theme parked out but glad we did it.
Tomorrow it's on to Joshua Tree National park and hopefully some climbing. Let's hope the roads are nicer and the sooner we get clear of the city the better, I need some open air.


No sue you can't take Jessie home with us.

Uke complete me!

Location:Anaheim

Pacific highway one

We are on the road in our RV. We collected it in San Francisco and drove south. Fortunately we got a GPS unit and she was able to get us onto the open road with the minimum of fuss.
We stopped to take some photos of the spectacular coast.



And bridges, this is not the famous Bixby bridge but instead the other one,that tricks tourists who stop and photograph it, thinking it's the Bixby! And it would appear we too followed with that tradition!...



And of course our van. We have called it Escargo.(said with Mexican accent)



Our first stop was Big Sur. A forest area close to the coast. Here we set up our van under some huge trees right next to a lovely little river. We made s'mores on an open fire,a lovely camp ground.






Today we continued south past a elephant seal colony and some more spectacular scenery.


Tonight we are at Pismo beach and staying at the dunes ranch RV park. A simple park but the dunes are wonderful and Sue and I spent a great afternoon running down the dunes.



The day ended with a wonderful sunset and I enjoyed sitting watching it and playing my uke.

Uke complete me!

Location:Pismo beach

Goodby Hawaii and the land of the ukulele

We have finally left Hawaii but not before we went on a tour of the Big Island. What an amazing place, rain forests,volcanoes,lava and black sand beaches.
If I ever return this will definitely be my chosen destination.
We took some time to smell the flowers.



And check out a bit of volcanic activity.



And see black sand beaches.



And a bit more flower appreciation.




Before we left Hawaii. It's a nice place, the locals are lovely and nice to each other. I've never met more courteous drivers.
Mahalo Hawaii.



Here is a sunset for you from the big island. The location is right near the location for the first three episodes of 'dog the bounty hunter', so a location for Cyndi.



Now in San Francisco and off to collect our RV. Probably going to head for highway 1 and go down the coast. My next blog will probably be sent from some random McDonalds restaurant in California.

Uke complete me!

Location:San Francisco

Guns,surf and North Shore

Y'all have got to love the USA! There are shows on tv that are like survivor except the competitions are completed with guns. Not just simple handguns but gatling guns,assault rifles,you name it they are firing them in a team competition format. Crazy and yet compelling viewing.
Then in the middle of honololu anyone over 18 can go shoot basically any small arms. The only restriction is you can't be intoxicated.



So off we went one evening and shot at paper targets in a range within a shopping mall.
We started with a couple of 22calibre pistols,then a rifle followed by a seven shot 38 and ended with a 40 and 45 caliber semi auto pistol.
It's an interesting concept but not one I see being allowed back home.
Sue is currently nagging me to admit she shot better than me. I'll point out it was only two points the difference. Beginners luck!!

We spent a day on the beach an I hired a paddle board. Basically a huge stand up surf board with a long paddle. Lots of fun. Here is Sue on the board.


Well she was there a moment ago!

Last night we went to watch Hawaii university football.
Wow! They sure make it a spectacle,what with a 200 person marching band,baton twirlers,cheer leaders and squads. And it's only a uni team.



Also an Aussie boy in their team,Alex Dunnachie. He can sure kick a ball, well as compared to the locals who throw it.



Hawaii won,for those who care. I think I got the general rules of the game but it takes so long to play cause they keep stopping the clock. 4 hours it took. Got a sore bum from the hard plastic seats it was so long.

Today we hired a bright red jeep wrangler and drove around Oahu.
It was hard driving on the right but I'm getting the knack now. Lucky as we get our RV in a few days and the open road awaits. My navigator was most excellent - we only got lost twice!!



Getting out of Gold Coast like Waikiki was great and we got to see the real Hawaii. It's very pretty over the other side and if we return we will definitely head elsewhere.






Tomorrow we go over to the big island for the day so I'll take lots of photo's.
Mahalo.
Uke complete me!

Location:Waikiki

Kamaka Kamaka Kamaka

Mahalo. The day finally arrived when I got to collect the newest family member. Beside the alarm not going off and getting off the bus way to early, we got to the factory on time and I got to meet her.
The factory is just a little place but I saw the double K from across the street.



And this rather cool street marker.



When we entered the little reception area and introduced myself it was like meeting family. They were wonderful, and I met Tekla, who I have been conversing with via email for the past three months. The other women in the office told us to call her Princess. This was some little joke they had going and you know how much I enjoy a joke. Happy to oblige. It got a roaring reception when I said " thank you princess".

We were given a wood token for going on the Kamaka tour and it's pretty cool as it's the cut out sound hole from the ukulele's.
Here are a few shots from the tour.


Each ukulele is hand made and everyone is handled by each person in the factory as is passes through the process.


The factory only makes around 17 ukulele a day.


Each one is hand sanded about four times or more.
Then each one is hand checked for perfection and to ensure they have the perfect tone.


Until each one is collected by it's new owner. Not everyone gets to collect their ukulele off a Kamaka family member.
Here I am happy as a uke player in a Kamaka store!



I've tuned her now and she sounds amazing. Such a beautiful instrument and made by a family who all love their work. Now all she needs is a name that reflects her beauty and perfection.
Aloha.


Uke complete me!

Location:Waikiki

Melbourne to Hawaii... Aloha

Well here we are finally hanging out in Waikiki.
The trip over was relatively uneventful. Very long and I managed a bit of sleep. Sue on the other hand didn't sleep,watched too many movies and played 'who wants to be a millionaire'. She only won €32 000. Still trying to find who we get the cash off.

After about 20 hours in the air we arrived technically before we left,but that's another story.

Mackenzie has gone off to stay with nana and pop in Bega and is missed. I'm sure she is well spoilt already.

Sue and I spent the day shopping and have already purchased fantastic hawaiian shirts.



How sexy are we?

Our hotel is very cool and if you hop out onto our 60cm wide deck you can actually see Waikiki beach.



Actually from the pool deck you can see the whole beach and what a great beach too. We plan on hitting the waves on longboards and paddle boards in the following days.

They also supply complementary coffee and how good is this?
Coffee and a woman playing the ukulele, all my favorites.



We are off to the Kamaka factory tomorrow to see how they made my new baby, till then Aloha...
Uke complete me!

Location:Waikiki

Thanks New Zealand, hello shoulder

Since I'm home on sick leave today and not allowed to lift my arm I thought I might post some other New Zealand photo's and winge about my shoulder.

Most of you have read about the New Zealand trip and all its trials and tribulations. On reflection it was a real experience and something I do plan to do again. There is another company who set up base camp at the bottom right next to the ice. No hills! Sounds like the trip for me and these worn knees.

After the trip I had booked a short flight from Wanaka to Christchurch for the return home. What I didn't plan was the thick fog that left us stuck at Wanaka airport for hours.
When the plane finally arrived it was much smaller then I imagined.



Another George was the jack of all trades at the tiny Wanaka airport. He checked you in,tagged you bags. Gave out the boarding pass which had a gate number...very funny,there's only one door out. He then used the PA to tell us our flight was boarding. The whole airport is no bigger then a lounge room so he could have just spoken to us. Prob got to follow procedure. Then George walks from behind his counter to the gate and scans the boarding pass he just gave us! Very funny. He should have had different hats to wear. George must be the standard name for nice blokes in NZ.


The views are still spectacular and it won't be long till I go back for an extended holiday in this lovely place.



The entertainment didn't end once back in Christchurch. All of a sudden a siren sounded in the airport and everyone was ordered to evacuate the buildings! Just a false alarm.
Thanks again New Zealand.
Here is a photo of my uke and a kiwi just as proof I did have it with me.



Since my return to Melbourne I have done as promises and headed off to have my shoulder looked over. An x ray and ultra sound were done and the news is not that good. I had been hoping it was just tendinitis or minor impingement but no such luck. I have a tear in my supraspinatus tendon, just over 1cm long and wide. So basically a torn rotor cuff! Damn it! The prob is the chances of a heal without surgery is about a 40-50%. I've been to a sports medicine doctor who specializes in shoulders and he's injected cortisone into the joint to lessen the inflammation to allow me to do physio relatively pain free.
Time will tell if I can repair it with treatment or it's surgery and a long recovery. Surely uke playing is good therapy.
Till next time. Just under four weeks till USA so stay tuned.
Uke complete me!

Location:Home