Tuesday 2nd October

Our last sleep in America was difficult.  It was extremely hot in our little room, and we couldn't open the window because it opened out onto the street.  So we had the air conditioner on all night which was super loud!

We spent the morning in Monterey, but didn't end up going to the famous aquarium because we'd already been to one aquarium this trip, and tickets were $35 each.

We drove around a bit and looked at places.

Us at the beach.

There was a big cruise ship.

Charles taking photos

Beach!

Then we drove back to the Kravitz's to say goodbye, and then on to the airport!

A funny little dwelling that we kept seeing on our way into San Francisco on the 280 motorway.  On the 6th time past, I finally got a picture.

And also a picture of this pointing guy.  He's huge.

We returned our car, and then flew to Los Angeles.

Chrissy had a BAD COFFEE at the airport.

And then we came home!  Thank goodness for that.

Monday 1st October Pictures

Monday was a very big day!

This Heritage House Tableware shop was in the Fyshwick of San Francisco.

This is about half the room.  There was also a room full of knives and forks!

Turquoise Florentine, Wedgwood.

Precious Platinum, Royal Doulton.

Autumn, Lenox.

Another Wedgwood.

Wires on the drive to Monterey

Our stop at the In N Out Burger at Gilroy.  Charles with a soda as big as his head.

Me at the In N Out!

Are we in Australia?

Beach!  Monterey!

Dinner at a posh restaurant.  We both had posh fish and chips.

The window behind Charles looked out onto the sea!

Monday 1st October

Today is our last full day in America.

First we got up and went to see Heritage House Tableware in San Francisco. It had SO MUCH fine china! Chrissy really liked it and Charles liked it too. They even had Turquoise florentine by Wedgwood.

Then we drove to Monterey which is a coastal town. We stopped on the at at the Gilroy In N Out Burger because it is delicious.

The drive was a bit difficult but we managed and arrived around 3:30. It was nice and warm - probably around 25. Then we settled into our room and went for a swim in the hotel pool.

Then we drove downtown where the wharf is, and looked in all the coast-y nick knack shops. We had dinner at a posh fish n chips restaurant where we could see the sun go down.

The Internet in our hotel is quite poor. Right now we're in the hotel bar where they're playing the football on a huge screen and there are men getting excited about the score. "5 interceptions! Wow! Wooooww!"

No photos today because it's too hard right now. Will try to update tomorrow.

Sunday 30th September

Today we slept in a little because we were so tired from the wedding! After a nice brunch at Starbucks, we headed to Erin's house to say hi. They were having an open house for most of the day to say goodbye to many of their guests so we just stayed long enough to see Sam and Erin before we drove up to San Francisco.

Our first stop in the city was "Japan Town" which has a few malls and parks with Japanese style things. Christina mainly wanted to go to a Lolita shop: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, which we've been to in various locations around the world. Christina mainly likes BTSSB accessories and not dresses so she came away with a nice cardigan this time which was on special.

After BTSSB we got some lunch at a Japanese restaurant (yakiniku lunch set and katsu curry) and then headed to kinokuniya.

After a thorough look at kino to catch up on the latest trends in dresses, bags, cameras and dresses we got the car and drove into the middle of the city.

Our idea was to find uniqlo and the china town area, then find a park somewhere and have a walk around, but it was a bit stressful getting the park. Eventually we saw a garage and because it was Sunday afternoon it was empty and cheap but still a bit difficult to figure out.

After we escaped the garage we went for a nice walk around the china town area which is full of horrendously tasteless shops but was fun to look at. Christina was reminded of "big trouble in little china" and advised me not to step on the grates lest Lo Pan jump out and get me (I managed to escape).

After we walked up a HUGE hill for ages we walked down in the direction that we supposed uniqlo was and instead found the lomography shop (fun but didn't buy anything) and then found uniqlo CLOSED or ABANDONEd or something. It was a weird situation where they're moving stores or something.

Anyway we got back to the car and agreed that it was a great walk so why not top it off with a big long drive to the Golden Gate Bridge?

So we set the GPS and followed where it led us up and down hills and through tunnels until we came to the big long highway leading up to the bridge JUST as everybody else got there. Oh we'll, the view from the road was nice and we eventually got over the bridge to the viewing area and had a great time.

After a long drive back we visited Sam and Erin and the kravitzs again and were fed leftovers for dinner which was great! Now sleep!

Wedding day - Saturday 29/09/12

Today was the big day! Charles and the other groomsman, Mark, were instructed to arrive at Sam's posh hotel room at 11am. Christina came along too. The photographer didn't show up until around 12! And then he only took photos of Sam! So when he was done Chrissy took photos of the boys.

After that, the photographer left with Sam and we were at a loose end for a few hours. We had lunch down at the deli near the hotel. Then we drove up the mountain to the venue with Sam's dad at 2.

Then - more standing around. I think the two groomsmen were in about 1/8th the photos the girls were in. But we had a nice time hanging out. It was really hot at this stage - around 30 degrees. Christina was the holder-of-stuff and the deliverer-of-messages-and-rings at this stage so she got a bit hot and bothered.

At 4pm people started arriving and sitting on the lawn. The wedding ceremony itself was really lovely, and we were glad to see that it was about the groom as much as the bride.

Post ceremony we all went down the stairs to a huge open pavilion where they were serving nibbles and drinks. Chrissy made friends with the other groomsman's partner Aileen and her two kids. The bridal party finally came down after signing the official documents.

A big meal was served buffet style and was delicious. There were a few speeches and I thought Charles' one was the best. Sam's dad's speech made us both cry.

Then the party moved indoors (although the weather was warm all evening) and a dance party got started. The music was good fun and we all danced together.

Then the reception was over and we all drove down the hill again. We met Sam and Erin at their hotel and drove them to the Stanford Inn for an after party. We stayed a little and then went home. We were tired after a loooong day of wedding stuff.