Southwest, USA
November - December 2012
On everyone's dream list. A trip to California, USA. Follow our journey as we struggle with jet lag in Hollywood, spend 2 birthdays & 3 days at Disneyland and then live it up in San Diego.
California is a state located on the west coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state. We love Americans. They are so friendly and curious and well, we really are expecting this place to fulfil some dreams.
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Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets – Cheapest Prices in 2019
Southwest, USA
This famous theme park in California is full of movie magic. You know all about it, which is why you want to go. But now you're looking for Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets, and I can help you out. Find out everything you need to know.
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San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets – Cheapest Prices In 2019
Southwest, USA
I’m not going to convince you to visit San Diego Zoo. If you’re reading this, you’ve already done your research. You know you want to go. Now it’s just a matter of finding the best San Diego Zoo discount tickets. After all, why pay full price?
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The Ultimate Arizona & Utah Road Trip Guide: 15 Days Of Scenic Byways, Canyons, Hiking And Exploring
Southwest, USA
Arizona and Utah are amongst my favourite places on Earth. The stunning natural beauty speaks for itself. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. It’s raw, majestic, inspiring and yet peaceful. And the best way to explore this magical land is by road trip. I’ve packed this massive article with everything you need for your next road trip adventure: maps, route planning, activities, hikes, food and accommodation. All you have to do is enjoy it!
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Thanksgiving On The Road – Home Away From Home in Los Angeles
Southwest, USA
I like Thanksgiving. Heralding from Australia, I can’t say I’ve got heart-warming childhood memories of family get-togethers on Thanksgiving Day. It was just another normal day Down Under. But there’s something about the spirit of this holiday which transcends cultures and countries. A universal understanding that a grateful heart is a happy one. And this particular day is a perfect time to stop and reflect on the reasons we have to be grateful.
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3 Ways To Explore The Queen Mary With Kids
Southwest, USA
The Queen Mary, the most luxurious ocean liner of her time is available now to guests as it’s permanently docked in Long Beach, California. Find out why kids will love exploring this unique ship.
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5 Reasons to Take a Break At Chuck E. Cheese’s
Southwest, USA
Looking for somewhere fun to take your kids in Las Vegas? Find out why this place is one of our kids’ favourite locations… anywhere in the world.
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Behind The Wheel Of A Ferrari F430 Scuderia
Southwest, USA
Dream Racing in Las Vegas has the world's largest and fastest selection of Supercars and the only one where you can get behind the wheel of a real racing Lamborghini, Ferrari or Porsche Race Car. Find out how I managed to get strapped into a car worth more than the average American house... and you can too!
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Help! I’m Trapped In The Venetian Las Vegas!
Southwest, USA
The Venetian Las Vegas has everything in one spot - luxurious accommodation, oodles of pools, delicious food, world-class entertainment, ultimate relaxation and retail therapy. Is it possible to spend an entire vacation in one Las Vegas hotel?
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How To See Arizona’s Best Highlights In 1 Day
Southwest, USA
If you only have one day on vacation in Arizona, then make it a good one. See how you can fit all this in one memorable day: a sunrise scene flight over the Grand Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour and rafting trip down the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend. Impressive, eh?
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#BenderGoRVing: Our Very First RV Trip
Southwest, USA
We embarked on our first family RV trip with great success. Follow our 1-week journey through Nevada, Utah and Arizona, witnessing some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. We did all the hard work planning the trip so you don’t have to!
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Phase 8 #motherofallroadtrips: Grand Circle (Part I)
Southwest, USA
The final phase from our epic road trip across the US and Canada takes us through part of the aptly-named Grand Circle, including Colorado, Utah and Nevada.
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The Real Monument Valley Tour – Sorry, No Tourists Allowed
Southwest, USA
We went behind the scenes at one of the most stunning natural wonders in the United States - Monument Valley. Beyond the well-worn tourist road, there’s a special trail reserved only for local Navajo guides. We explored for several hours and got up close to numerous rock formations and locations that most other visitors miss.
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Argument with Airport Security in Las Vegas
Southwest, USA
Leaving Las Vegas was a lot harder than getting in, which is surprising considering the amount of border crossing security we saw in San Diego. And I thought Australia was bad.
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To Eat or Not To Eat – That is Not the Question in Vegas
Southwest, USA
Vegas, the city of sin is home to many of the 7 deadly sins and gluttony is high on the list. Everywhere you look there is a buffet. While in Vegas we did head to a few of the buffets, generally one every second day with a few squished in at the end that we wanted to try. Here is an overview of the buffets we visited that you might want to check out when you get to Vegas.
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Vegas Uncovered - Shows & Attractions For Your Kids
Southwest, USA
Soon we were driving in pitch black. There were no street lamps and no cars on the road. We drove like this for nearly 4 hours before we saw the eerie glow of Vegas' neon garb on the horizon. Join our 10+ hour road trip from San Diego to Vegas, via Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park & a car breakdown.
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Swinging My Legs Over the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Southwest, USA
Standing on the precipice with the wind tearing at my hair looking down thousands of feet into the grandest canyon of them all you can’t help but imagine its origins. My heart starts racing, the wind is pushing me back from the edge, which in the back of my mind provides a small measure of relief since it’s not pushing me into the ravine. I take another step closer and then sit down on the edge, slowly dangling my legs over.
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Why You Should Rethink the Google Map That Says it’s 6 Hours from San Diego to Palm Springs to Joshua Tree to Vegas
Southwest, USA
Soon we were driving in pitch black. There were no street lamps and no cars on the road. We drove like this for nearly 4 hours before we saw the eerie glow of Vegas' neon garb on the horizon. Join our 10+ hour road trip from San Diego to Vegas, via Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park & a car breakdown.
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SeaWorld San Diego… You Sunk My Battleship
Southwest, USA
In 2007 Josh and I had watched the Shamu show twice, impressed with the killer whales and their trainers interaction, movements like dancers in a choreographed show. In 2012 SeaWorld sunk my battleship. Find out why the death of a trainer in 2010 resulted in a lack of comradeship and intimacy of the trainer/whale dance.
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Cheetah Race At San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Southwest, USA
Having previously visited San Diego and loved the zoo we did not have the opportunity to visit the Safari since it was quite far out and difficult to get to. Since we had a car and the opportunity we decided to skip the zoo this time and discover the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
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Sunsets & Seals at La Jolla
Southwest, USA
La Jolla, San Diego's "Jewel by the Sea". Dramatic coastline, spectacular views, hugging seals & sunsets that intoxicate you.
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San Diego: Penthouse Living & Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road
Southwest, USA
We had use of a hire car in San Diego and it was my first time driving on that side of the road. Luckily that scary experience was mixed with the most amazing Penthouse we could have found in San Diego.
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Where to Stay Near Disneyland, Anaheim
Southwest, USA
When researching for places to stay at Disneyland I was confronted with two issues. One was cost and the other location. Neither go hand in hand really.
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Our Last Day in Hollywood: American Girl, Gap & Farmer's Market
Southwest, USA
Our last day in Hollywood we decided to visit a few places I had wanted to stop on the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, but never had time. La Brea Tar Pits & the Farmer’s Market. Well we never made it to the Tar Pits, as I got very distracted with shopping at the Gap, but we did make it to the Farmer's Market.
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Disneyland LA: The World’s Happiest Place on Earth Just Got Merrier
Southwest, USA
I’m going to Disneyland. I'm not excited for me. I'm excited for my kids. I can’t wait to see the awe and innocence on their faces reflecting every little discovery they will make! Check out their awe. And also check out my video as I take you for a ride on the California Screamin'!
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$1000 on Theme Parks - We're not in Asia anymore - Universal Studios
Southwest, USA
So USA is the land of entertainment. But entertainment is not cheap when it comes to the big brands. Witness our frustrating apartment move before hitting a fun day at Universal Studios LA.
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Chewing Gum in Hair Leads to Hollywood Hop-On-Hop-Off to Santa Monica Pier
Southwest, USA
With Josh still in Portland for business our third day got off to a rough start. A friend from Australia was visiting and we wanted to meet up. It never happened. We missed him by a few hours Why? As I was getting the kids dressed I started to brush Mia’s hair and noticed a huge clump of pink, sticky, icky, gum in it. Our first gum-in-the-hair experience.
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The Long Haul Flight From Bangkok To Los Angeles
Southwest, USA
How did we do it? Nearly 48 hours of travel to get from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Los Angeles, USA. Including a not so pleasant stop over in Shanghai, China. You will also find our arrival in LA with shock to the system prices and our new home in Hollywood.
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When Alone With Kids in Hollywood Visit El Capitan Theatre
Southwest, USA
Our second day in Hollywood my husband left us for business is Portland. And all of a sudden I found myself a single mum in Hollywood. After researching some of the only places kids are welcome in Hollywood we found El Capitan Theatre & Wreck it Ralph.