Day 8 - Phoenix & Albuquerque

Anne at Mogollon Rim, Arizona - at 7,500 feet ASL

Neil at Mogollon Rim, Arizona at 7,500 feet ASL

This is the famous Painted Desert in Arizona which is located in the Petrified Forest National Park

This is the modern district of Albuquerque taken from the Old Town. This city is famous for its crossroads, north, south, east & west. The ground is so hard that we believe Bugs Bunny couldn't burrow through the city.

It happens all the time - picking menus individually and not sharing a meal - this authentic Mexican Restaurant "Sadies" gave us a meal each that could satisfy six beefy Ozzies!!

Our black Ford Mustang - we have nickname :Ralph" - at Albuquerque

With Neil still suffering from a head cold we had a wake up call for 6 am. This gave us plenty of time to pack, check-out and arrange a taxi to the Sky Harbor Rental Cars. The trip from the hotel to the airport takes about 10 minutes. It is Memorial Day in the USA, most locals treat this day as a time to take in some form of outdoor activities. However, last year we were in Boston during this day and the locals there ensured they have placed some remembrance time for their fallen - not here apparently. Well, after completing the formalities of obtaining our rental vehicle with Alamo we left at 8 am for Albuquerque. They gave us a black Ford Mustang - quite gutsy and comfortable. We headed north to Payson and on to Mogollon Rim. Not much to look at at the Rim however, it is at 7,500 feet high and actually rather a chilly location. The scenery was just forest and hills. On to Holbrook and made the Painted Desert for lunch. We were not that impressed with the scenery at the Painted Desert it just looked like a bulldozer had piled up red and white soil into heaps. Continuing on we passed Gallup and Grants into New Mexico. After 8.5 hours on the road we made it to Albuquerque - Bugs Bunny's famous phrase "I took the wrong turn at Albuquerque". It is a city nestled in next to mountains and a semi-desert and has a Hispanic flavour to it. We were recommended by the reception girl at our hotel to try Mexican food at a place called "Sadies. So off we went and knowing they would serve huge meals we decided to take a chance and select our own menu - big mistake. Neil had a Taco Burger and Anne a Burrito - both these meals would feed us for four days - honestly!! Tomorrow we have a short drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico's State capitol. Apparently it it located at a high elevation but nearby is the well known tourist town of Taos - which is about 70 miles on the other side of Santa Fe. Also on the other side is Las Vegas, New Mexico  not as famous at the one in Nevada but still notorious enough for a visit. We need to decide which one of those places to visit - we'll decide upon reaching Santa Fe. Also we have a 9 pm desert Astronomy Adventure viewing outside Santa Fe tomorrow night. This is a company that uses a decent size telescope and for people like us to view the stars in a non-polluted area. Should be great - cheers.  

Day 7 - Phoenix

Lower Cliff Dwelling in Tonto National Park, Arizona - inhabited 850 years ago

Looking out from the Lower Cliff Dwelling in Tonto National Park - note the many tall Saguaro Cacti that grows around here

Theodore Roosevelt Dam at the start of the Apache Trail, Arizona

The Apache Trail - Apache Indians and cattle drives used this trail in those olde days

It was a Memorial Day long weekend in Arizona, the Apache Trail which is usually not busy became a traffic jam through the tight passes

Well guess who is person in front of the Apache Trail,Canyon?

This is the town of Tortilla Flats along the Apache Trail (for sale at $5M USD - the entire lot) - still retains its cowboy look

We had lunch in the Tortilla Flat Hotel. Every bit of the inside wall was plastered with $1 USD notes - not a spot was spared. Must of been over $10,000 worth of wallpaper used! What are the patrons sitting on?

Anne at Tortilla Flats along the Apache Trail

Once a ghost town now a thriving tourist town. The town of Goldfields with it renovated saloon.

Another view of Goldfields, Arizona

Anne and the "gunslinger", Goldfields, Arizona

We were picked up from our hotel at 7am and as we were the first couple we had to drive around Phoenix and Scottsdale to collect the other eight passengers. This was a good way to see Greater Phoenix with it opulent housing estates. It is a long weekend in the US (Memorial Day is on Monday) therefore most locals are enjoying the weather (rather warm) and going to places where boating and camping reigns. It was a two hour drive to a sacred place inside the Tonto National Park. We climbed a steep hill and explored the Lower Cliff Dwelling used by Indians 850 years ago. It is actually built inside a cave with all forms of cacti littered around the countryside. Apparently they said there were rattlesnakes and gila monsters that live in this area. Both are poisonous however we didn't see any. From there we passed through the Theodore Roosevelt Dam that holds back water along the Salt River and creates a series of three lakes. Phoenix water supply is reliant on this river and lake system. We entered the Apache Trail famous for the Apache Indians using this trail along the Salt River which later cattle drives were used to move stock from the south to the north of the country. There we many conflicts between the white men and redskins along this route. As the long weekend was in full swing, the traffic was horrendous. Locals with boats that consumed most of the dirt road and block the tight passes that climb the mountains were experienced. We ended at a place called Tortilla Flats and had lunch in a bar that had thousands and thousands of one US dollar notes that took every inch of the inside walls. Our guide was saying that the town went for auction at a $5,000,000 USD reserve price - apparently nobody bid but it is still on the market. Interesting the town is located in the Superstitious Mountains famous for a lost gold mine that nobody has found yet. An old German had lay claimed that he found a mother lode and died before he revealed its location. That was about 100 years ago and now many people venture in these mountains looking for that mine. They say he was a loud-mouth and possibly nothing is there at all. We continued to a place called Goldsmith, a ex-ghost town brought back to life as a tourist trap. Nevertheless, it still has the old original buildings and cowboy charm that it was famous for. We returned to our hotel at 4:15 pm after many hours of driving. Neil has a cold and trying to shake it off. We are now ready to have dinner and hence pack our bags for tomorrow rental car pick up. We leave Phoenix tomorrow and head for Albuquerque New Mexico. Another early start and about six hours of driving. Cheers

Day 6 - Phoenix

We rode the new light-rail from our hotel to the terminus where Walmart and many shops are located.

The Phoenix Convention Centre next to our hotel

Comic Book enthusiasts playing ?????? board games in our hotel

Nearby architecture near our hotel, Phoenix

One of the many tens of thousands keen Comic Book people in Downtown Phoenix

This pub is owned and frequently visited by Alice Cooper (of rock fame).

Our three-wheeler push bike rider and guide "Greg" giving us the good oil on Phoenix

Old City Hall, Phoenix

The Phoenix Sheriff Office - home of the meanest law enforcer in the US. His tough treatment of inmates and crime abusers is world known

First thing this morning was a call to our tour agency in Phoenix inquiring about our hotel pick up for our Phoenix/Valley 5 hour tour today. Well, the response was all not good. Apparently there wasn't enough people to justify today's tour (possibly due to the Comic Book Convention) and secondly the scheduled tour guide rang in sick (again he was probably one of those Comic Book nerds who did not want to miss out on this auspicious event). Now, picture this, the tour company name is "Ma & Pa Tours" - doesn't that fit their namesake to run a tour for overseas visitors? Anyway it was an ill wind that blew good. We were literally tired from yesterdays travel and late arrival in Phoenix - we must be growing old!! In lieu of the tour we went by the new Phoenix light-rail to Bethany Home Road shopping complex and found a Walmart that helped us with goods for our forthcoming road trip. Also J.C. Penny was there and found some clothes for our little grandson Lakeyn. On our return to our hotel the Comic Book thing was in full swing. There must of been tens of thousands of youngsters, grown-ups and strange looking people in town. About 5pm we ventured around downtown and found a great cafe that served cheap and decent sized (Australian portions - not the huge plates usually served in the US) meals. During our repast we noticed a three-wheeler push bike rider soliciting people to take them for a one-way ride or a short tour. So we befriended "Greg" who pedaled us all over downtown and explained all the good stuff that goes on. One particular site was the Sheriff's Officer who has the worst reputation of treating his customers. He basically feeds them small amounts of water, little nutritional solids and is a mean son-of-a-bitch. After missing out on our afternoon tour (which we will be reimbursed) this short tour at 6pm (temperature was cooler) was a better way of enjoying Phoenix. For any Ozzies who wish to visit Phoenix, Arizona for the first time there is nothing much of interest in history or icons. However, Phoenix is famous for the Diamond-back baseball team who won the world cup and has a you-beaut stadium. In fact we went past the stadium just before hit-off time. The weather is hot here, very similar to Las Vegas (about 35 deg C) with no humidity. Tomorrow we have a ten hour tour of the famous Apache Trail and Desert off-road travelling (yes - this tour is definitely confirmed). We should have some good photos to place on the blogspot tomorrow night - cheers to all.

Day 5 - Hawaii & Phoenix

A typical Japanese Wedding -showing off to the public on Waikiki, Hawaii

Hardly ever used - the Farmer's Market in Waikiki, Hawaii

Not much to tell today. We wandered around Waikiki during AM hours and we were collected by our Shuttle Bus at 1230 pm for the airport. Checking-in was standard and waited in the Hawaiian Airlines Lounge for our call. The flight left on time at 2:45 pm and about 9 and a bit hours later we were in nightime Phoenix at 2330 hours. We had our transfer vehicle waiting for us and only took 10 minutes to drive from Sky Harbor Phoenix Airport to our Hyatt Regency Downtown. When we arrived there was all sorts of activities happening. Apparently there is a Comic Book Convention going on this weekend and the hotel along with the Convention Hall next door is the focal point of this popular event. Boy there are many "nerds" in Phoenix - all dressed up in Star Wars trooper outfits, hobbitts, Superman, Wonder Woman etc etc etc. It was so busy at that time of the night the entire complex was saturated with these people. Somebody had tripped the fire alarm....and the elevators were out. We had to drag our luggage up a couple of floors through the fire escape. Nevertheless, we hit the sack rather tired about 1 am. Phoenix is three hours ahead of time with Honolulu.

Day 4 - Hawaii

Our Hummer 4 wheel drive vehicle

Neil & Anne from Waikane (east side of Oahu) with Chinaman's Hat in the background

The location scene of 50 First Dates Kualoa Regional Park, Oahu

Neil & Anne on location - 50 First Dates and other movies

In Kualoa Ranch - actual WW2 gun emplacements and a scene from Pearl Harbor

Located in Kualoa Ranch - a movie set from one of the latest movies involving lost civilisations??

Murder location scene from the TV series "Lost"

Trick photography re-enacting a "Lost" scene, located in Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

Background scenery from Jurassic Park, Lost and Pearl Harbour (zeros flying low just before they destroyed Pearl Harbour - instead of flying directly south they were flying back to Japan!!)

Another trick photo using one of the main actors in "Lost"

Godzilla's footprint

The sign says it all

Finishing our tour, taken at the Kualoa Ranch entrance - that Chinaman's Hat is in the background

It was good sleeping in this morning and took advantage of washing our clothes in the hotel laundry. Whilst that was under way we discovered a Ross clothing store around the corner. After three trips to Honolulu we didn't know that they existed in Waikiki - well Anne had a ball buying cheap clothes - their clothes and stuff are cheap. Had lunch in the International Market food court and was picked up for our Small Group Hummer TV/Movie tour at 1pm. We had a young Mexican couple with us and our guide/driver was a knowledgeable local who reminded sooooo-much like our Stu Whitaker who still in the RAAF - all characteristics were inherent between both these persons - uncanny!!! We drove across the backbone of Oahu where many scenes of the new series of Hawaii Five O were used - damned if we can remember what they were used for as we have never seen the show. Continuing on we made it to the north-east side of Oahu and visited many locations of "Lost" "Last  Resort" and some of the scenes from 50 First Dates. Not far from there is Kualoa Ranch owned by the Morgan family who has owned this property for six generations. Their property is a living cattle ranch, however they have leased their valley to the movie world. Many films and TV series were made there - Windtalkers, Pearl Harbour, Lost, Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, You Me Dupree, Godzilla, Brady Bunch Returns and many others that we can't remember. Overall it was a good tour and it was good riding a Hummer as we were off-road for many miles. It is amazing standing on the sites of famous stars and actual scenes that we see in their movies/TV series. Interestingly, we saw the spot where the SS Minnow left for their three-hour tour in Honolulu harbour. We returned to our hotel at 6pm and had dinner at Chili's. Quite different from our normal eatery at the Cheesecake Factory or Duke's Bar. We leave Hawaii tomorrow for Phoenix Arizona...on the 2:45pm flight. It is a six hour journey and they are three hours ahead of us at the moment. Therefore we will arrive just before midnight. In view of this we'll will catch up with our blogspot the next day. Cheers to all.

Day 3 - Hawaii

Passing along Waikiki - the surf is unseasonally big!

Flying over Diamond Head - at 2,500 feet

The open Cessna Caravan cockpit

Flying along the steep and high Molokai Island sea cliffs

Our wings - the Cessna Caravan on Kalaupapa (Molokai Island)

The Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai Island - home of the leper colony

Our wheels on Kalaupapa

St Francis Catholic Church on Kalaupapa - the effigy of Mother Marianne Cope (now a Saint) is on the left

A portrait of Father Damian - just before he was diagnosed with Hanson's Disease (leprosy)

St Philomena Catholic Church at Kalawao with our 75year old guide in the centre. This church was founded by Father Damian in 1869

Father Damian's grave (his remains were removed in the 1930's to his home country in Belgium. Now this is a sacred site for all missionaries and Catholics alike - located in Kalawao

Guess who at Kalawao, Molokai Island

The unfortunate souls with leprosy were forced to swim from the ship that brought them here to the beach on the far right. The ship would anchor between the pointy island and the land mass nearby. Many drowned. This was the first settlement for lepers on Molokai before Kalaupapa was firmly established. For those who are interested with the story of lepers on Hawaii, the movie Hawaii (James A Mitchener) and the 2009 Molokai details the sad history of this part of Hawaii. 

We were collected at our hotel at 7am and headed for the light aircraft terminal at Honolulu Airport. Our flight to Molokai Island was in a Cessna (9-seater) Caravan that flew at 5,500 feet all the way to Molokai - a 30 minute flight. On board was an American woman who became one of those obnoxious loud-mouthed tourist who had to share all her experiences with anybody in earshot - we avoided her as much as we can. We landed at the Kalaupapa Airfield and was greeted with our tourist bus - an aged old school bus. To picture this part of the island it is an inaccessible peninsula for lepers back in the 1860's. They were treated badly until the 1940's when a cure was discovered. Apparently there are 13 residents still living there now and the youngest is 64 years old! We met one and you could not see any signs of his disease. It is now called Hanson's Disease and the title "leprosy" is not used today. Our guide was a 75 years old knowledgeable male (his name was Buzz!) and he told us many personal stories that happened on this part of the island. The 13 patients are free to go anywhere they like have their own homes and basically don't want to leave their paradise. The area now is under the control of the National Parks. Kalaupapa and the old nearby colony of Kalawao ( it was moved to a better part of the peninsula away from winds and harsh conditions) was made famous by the Franciscan Catholic Father Damian (also a Saint). He treated lepers with dignity and care until he succumbed with leprosy in 1889 at age 49 years. His unselfish duties was taken over by Mother Marianne Cope who was just canonised recently. Their stories are portraited in the movies "Hawaii" and "Molokai". Overall it was a good experience visiting this island and amazed at the paradise these people endured once the settlement was firmly established. Our Cessna Caravan brought us back to Honolulu at 3:45pm and after dinner we tried to attend another ballroom dancing. Unfortunately only established lessons were offered so we ventured back to Duke's Bar for those great lava flow cocktails. That is all for today. Tomorrow we have another tour - a Small Group O'ahu TV-Movie Location Hummer Tour starting at 1pm for five hours. Cheers