A Drive Through Snowdonia

I thought you might enjoy a bit of a road trip with me, through part of Snowdonia (Eryri), North Wales....

Where In The World Wednesday: San Francisco

The ever fabulous Classy in Philadelphia is currently on a cruise in the Caribbean (lucky thing!)....but her 'Where In The World Wednesday' feature is still running while she's away. If you'd like to take part too, all you have to do is post a picture (or many like I do!) of someplace in the world. Don't forget to use the WITWW button in your post, and to visit Classy in Philadelphia later to post a comment on her WITWW, so that other participants can visit your blog too.

Earlier this week I showed you a photo that I took of the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon....it bears a striking resemblance to the famous Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco...today's destination! This amazing city was the last stop on our 2008 road trip through western USA that I've already written about HERE and HERE.

On the Golden Gate Bridge

I loved San Francisco....the beautiful Bay setting, the hilly streets, and the relaxed, arty vibe of the city reminded me strongly of Cape Town. We had perfect autumn weather the three days we were there...not a cloud in the sky, no sign of the famous Bay fog and barely a breeze.  Our stay coincided with Columbus Day weekend and we watched the parade and Blue Angels' aerobatics display from our hotel, just off Fisherman's Wharf...

Columbus Day Parade

Blue Angels' aerobatics display seen from Hyde Street Pier

We took an evening tour of the former state penitentiary, Alcatraz Island...really spooky by night, but worth the spine-tingling moments in the prison block just for the views from the boat on the way over of the sun setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city scape by night seen from "The Rock".

Truely Golden Gate

"The Rock"

Cell block

Prison cell

While we were on Alcatraz, a fire broke out on neighbouring Angel Island, and we watched while firefighting helicopters tried to dampen the blaze. Apparently a camp fire had gotten out of hand. The next morning we could see the island still smouldering from our hotel room.

We spent the day exploring Chinatown and Little Italy by tram and on foot....

Tram stop in Chinatown

Chinatown

North Beach

Steep roads

There was just time for a quick trip to strain our necks looking up at the magnificent redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) in the Muir Woods....

If you're going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco

You're gonna meet some gentle people there

Scott McKenzie - San Francisco

Where In The World Wednesday: Las Vegas

Believe it or not, it's Wednesday again and time for Classy in Philadelphia's feature...Where In The World Wednesday. If you'd like to take part too, all you have to do is post a picture (or many like I do!) of someplace in the world. Don't forget to use the WITWW button in your post, and to visit Classy in Philadelphia later to post a comment on her WITWW, so that other participants can visit your blog too.

Today, I'm heading for the bright lights of Las Vegas. I'd always wanted to see the dazzling array of neon in Sin City, so I was really excited when our road trip through the Western USA took us there for two nights, back in October 2008.

Fremont Street Experience

The Flamingo

Luxor

The Strip

The Stratosphere

We stayed in the Stratosphere hotel, which is a little bit out of the way at the far end of The Strip. We quickly learnt that we couldn't just walk from one end of The Strip to the other. All the hotels are HUGE, as are their impressive shopping malls...making the distances between hotels overwhelming. I wish we could have stayed at the Bellagio (of "Ocean's Eleven" fame) ....

Fountain show in front of the Bellagio

Harvest display in the Bellagio Flower Court

We also quickly learnt that Las Vegas is geared to part you from your money! Every hotel has a casino....easy to get into, but try getting out again in a hurry....it's a maze of neverending slot machine and gambling tables. We did have a brief gamble, setting $10 as our budget (yeah, last of the big spenders!) and went $16 up on a slot machine, then lost it all within a few minutes. And that was the end of that....

The Venetian

The Venetian

New York! New York!

I think everyone should try and see Las Vegas once in their lifetime, but to be honest, for me that once was enough. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to see and do there, apart from the obvious gambling...the shopping malls are spectacular, the choice of shows unbelievable and the lights are truly amazing to behold.....but I was exhausted by the sensory overload and nervous energy of Sin City, and frankly quite relieved to be moving on to the green tranquility of Yosemite.

Going to the chapel....

Where In The World Wednesday: Arizona

It's Where in the World Wednesday time again, brainchild of Classy in Philadelphia. If you want to take part, all you have to do is post a picture of someplace in the world, then visit the comments section later on Classy in Philadelphia's post to see who else is participating, and leave your link so that other participants can visit your blog too. Remember to use the WITWW button in your post.

Back in October 2008, B and I did a road trip through the Western United States of California, Nevada and Arizona.

It was a fabulous trip and I will eventually tell you all about it, but for today I am going to focus on Arizona. I was really awe struck by the spectacular scenery and seemingly neverending desert landscapes of this state.

On the road

Saguaro cacti

We stopped at Montezuma's Castle, which is built into the limestone cliffs above Beaver's Creek. Once home to the Sinagua people, the dwelling dates back to the 1100s.

Remains of Montezuma Castle

Then it was on to the magnificent red-rock country around Sedona....

Red rocks near Sedona

We took a jeep ride through the red-rock canyons....

We spent the night in Flagstaff, and were up early the next day for the drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.....what a magnificent sight!

 

South Rim of Grand Canyon

 

Baby tarantula in Grand Canyon National Park

Our day included a helicopter flight over the edge of the canyon....

View of the Canyon from the helicopter

We left the Grand Canyon in the late afternoon, heading for the bright lights of Las Vegas....but I will tell you about that another day.