There's no place like home.

We boarded our flight home on time. Pushed back 5 minutes late - then sat on the tarmac for another 2 hours whilst they fixed an electrical fault :) At least there are plenty of entertainment options on an A380 - including a webcam in the tail so you can watch what's happening. It was a long flight, almost 16 hours after taking off. Cathy managed to get some sleep until David needed to go to the toilet!! Graeme picked us up at the airport and it was delightful to pull up and see our new driveway and lawn. We went to bed early. There's nothing like your own house, your own bed and Australia!!!

On our way home.....

We have been looking for a birds-eye view to check out DC and finally found it in the clock tower of the Old Post Office. There are very few high buildings due to a DC regulation that limits the height of buildings to twice the width of the street it faces. It gives DC a magnificent wide open feel.

We had late check-out and still got to the airport in plenty of time. Our DC to LAX flight was early and we are currently sitting in The Qantas Club (with many others) awaiting our flight.

David eating his way home.

Tuesday October 20

We got up early so Cathy could do the "Friends of Children Fun Run". The run was 5km and temperature was 38F, close to freezing!!! David amused himself watching planes take off from the nearby Ronald Reagan airport whilst Cathy ran hard to be 7th women across the line in 25:28.

David trying to keep warm.

However the highlight of the day was our Segway tour around Washington DC. Not because of the sights but we just had SOOOOOO much fun on the Segway's. After a short training video and some 1:1 instruction, they let us loose at low speed (6.5 mph). Thing were really fun once they removed the speed limiter - top speed 12.5mph. They are very inituitive to handle and it wasn't long until we were mucking around like big kids. Highly recommended.

Cathy's Birthday Dinner

Cathy and David had a wonderful night at "The Oceanaire" seafood restaurant in F Street. Washington DC. Our waiter helped us pick fish that are currently in season and made sure Cathy's wine glass was never empty.

Picture sizes do not indicate ratio of consumption.

It's Sunny

Same old. Cathy went to Conference in the morning and we walked the sights in the afternoon. Still cold and a windy despite the blue skies.

We have a romantic dinner booked tonight to celebrate Cathy's 21st Birthday....again!!

The Rain Went Away

After 70mm of rain in 5 days, the wind arrived to blow most of the clouds away. Cathy rushed off to the lectures whilst David wandered in the Exhibition hall eating the free confectionery.

About 2pm we left for a lovely walk to the White House, The Vietnam War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII memorial and the Washington Monument.

It is all very impressive. We caught the train back to the hotel to give our legs a rest.

David looking tired

More Rain

A third day of rain for us in Washington DC. Constant soaking rain - just like Melbourne 20 years ago. Cathy got up early to attend the conference. David used the Metro rail to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space. An amazing collection of original items - esp from the space program. Cathy did some afternoon shopping and came back with several bags that had names printed on the outside.

Friday 16 October

Cathy started the day in the gym then headed over to some interesting neonatal sessions at the AAP "pre-conference".

David bought himself a puppy.
We spent the afternoon at the International Spy Museum. We can't tell you any more as it's "Top Secret". Beware - just reading this may wipe all the information from your computer! Then off to the VIP Welcome reception that Cathy somehow got invited to.

After Cathy's first martini she was chatting up everybody.

Flying High LAX to Washington DC - Thursday 15 October

Another early start for a boring day travelling - to arrive just in time for DC Peak Hour. Cathy made a friend on the plane - a neonatal nurse from LA also coming to the conference. They are already planning a shopping trip!!!

Flying High QRO to LAX - Wednesday 14 October

Phil and Sandy managed an early start to get us to the Queretaro Autobus terminal for the 6.15am bus to Mexico City Aeropuerto. We exchange lots of hugs at the end of our very special stay with our Mexican family. News of Chris was a little more positive which lifted our spirits.

Quererato - Tuesday 13 October

Phil picked us up to drop Cathy, Sandy and Sandy's cousin at the market to buy provisions for our Mexican cooking experience.

Ruti gave directions and the 3 girls made red hot salsa, chili negro con huevos (black chili with eggs), steak, shredded pork, Nopal ensalata (cactus salad) and potatoes with cheese and coriander.

Meanwhile the boys slept on the couch! We did take a break to pick up Romi from school - where the teacher reported her brain was still at the beach and she has lots of homework to do.

Dinner with Sandy's family was again a delightful experience and it was sad to be finally saying "Adios". We also received news that Cathy's brother Chris was unwell in hospital in Melbourne so it was quite an emotional day.

Quererato - Monday 12 October

We slept in then went wandering around "Centro Historico" and beyond. David bought a T-Shirt ($Peso30 = $A2.50) to replace the one he left behind somewhere. Phil and Sandy came and picked us up to go to their favourite Taco Place. Taco's in Mexico have round soft corn tortillas rather than the hard shaped ones in Australia. Phil was on a diet and only had 4!! This was followed by coffee in a coffee shop that was most like home.

What we couldn't say......

We are excited to pass on the message that Phil asked Sandy to marry him in the early hours during their romantic dinner. Sandy was surprised and excited to say "Si" (That's Yes to you Aussies).

A romantic spot by the pool.

The happy couple just a few hours later.

The ring, a family heirloom from Grandma Jones transported to Mexico by "Cathy's Worldwide Shopping and Delivery Service".

The Happy Family - Phil and Sandy with Romi the centre of attention as always (aka Lucy Lobito)

Acapuloco to Taxco and Queretaro - Sunday 11 October

We reluctantly checked out of the Mayan Palace and made our way to Taxco - famous for it's silver jewellery and markets.

Cathy and Sandy shopped (surprise!!).

We had a late lunch at "El Adobe Restuarante".

Phil had the difficult job of driving through Mexico City in the dark. We think we were caught in Sunday traffic but it may have been the normal chaos. As we passed the Zocolo, we asked Phil if he knew the way. He said "We are only a little bit lost but at least it's not anywhere dangerous!!!". After using his Mexican method of "Phone a Friend", we eventually found the correct road with signs to "Queretaro" and gave out a cheer. Only Cathy's little brother would head into the biggest city in the world without a map. It was then that the heavens opened and the already dangerous roads seemed treacherous. We shared the road with many large trucks moving out of Mexico City. We were relieved to arrive safely after our 14 hour adventure. Acapulco was worth it.

Mayan Palace, Acapuloco - Saturday 10 October

We sat around the pool all morning whilst Phil and Sandy went for the Timeshare Presentation. 3 hours of sales pressure to get us a 10% discount on our food and beverages - That IS brotherly love!!

Late in the afternoon we took a journey to Wal-Mart. The highlight was Corona slabs at 191 Pesos (that's $A15.91). Cathy said I couldn't get any - That IS wifey love!! Cathy and David went for an early dinner whilst Phil and Sandy had a late night romantic dinner by the pool.

VOTE 1 - Give that man a Corona

Mayan Palace, Acapuloco - Friday 9th October

We woke to brilliant sunshine. It was time to try all that the Mayan Palace had to offer. Cathy set off for the beach to join the morning jogging group but found no other takers so jogged alone. The humidity and running on sand made this quite a challenge. David found the cyber cafe to update the blog. We all enjoyed the Aquapark spending most of the day floating around in the flowing canal on inflatable rings. Unfortunately, the water slides were only for children.

Whilst we are away....

Our Garden Landscaping is in the very good hands of John Matthews. Our aggregate driveway has just been laid. We are very pleased with the result.

The lawn is being laid (Sir Walter) and irrigation pipes in the garden look great.

Off to Acapulco - Thursday 8th October

A very early start especially as we have been sleeping until 10am. We got off to a flying start in the Jetta Express then hit the Mexico City traffic. The volume of traffic and the close negotiation for space have to be experienced to be believed. And, if it stops a chorus of horns begins.

Like any beach holiday, we arrived in the rain but when we checked into the Mayan Palace our smiles could not be contained. There was even a nightime show of lightning to entertain David.

Romi is delighted with the pools and beach.

While Cathy and Sandy were happy to sip on margaritas.

Queretaro - Wednesday 7th October

We had breakfast in the hotel courtyard. Phil arrived and we walked another section of "Centro Historica" to a hip coffee shop. Cathy and Phil continued onto the market where they found many different types of vegetables and chilli. Our 4 course traditional Mexican meal cost only 50 pesos each (about $5.00). Afterwards we hung out - relaxing around Phil's pool and checking out the fitness centre.

Queretaro

We had a wonderful sleep-in followed by breakfast with Phil, Sandy and her uncle. We wandered the streets window shopping through the "Centro Historico". Very different from Chadstone - David bought something and Cathy didn't!!!

That evening, we had a wonderful home cooked Mexican dinner with Sandy's family. We felt extremely welcome and played language games (Spanish to English and vice versa) to end the evening.

Sandy gave us a little Mexican doll as a welcome present. It has a hidden surprise. Click the photo (NSFW)

Our Day in Mexico City

Most of us were up early to exercise. David knew there was shopping to be done....so rested up. We went window shopping through the historic shopping precinct and had our first tacos at Sanborns. Cathy keep everyone entertained with her attempts at Spanish. Her mistakes were very cute - she was "a man" rather than "hungry", and she called a "Princess kitchen" a "Dirty Princess". Whereas, David's vocabulary has doubled in a matter of days!!!

The streets are very busy. David and Cathy sat people watching whilst Phil and Sandy selected some shoes.


We toured the Palacio Nacional where we saw the history of Mexico in murals. They are currently being restored. We walked through the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral which was huge with many interesting chapels. A two hour bus trip took us north to Queretaro just in time for sunset.