Wanderlust Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Wander Wonder Wonton

Let’s go to Vegas, Baby!

March 9, 2014

Well my memory is a little hazy and while what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I do have a few things to spill about.

We stayed the first two nights at Excalibur – it was free as my friend was originally there for a fashion expo.

I arrived and found the girls only to discover we had dinner and that night out at Marquee all taken care of. Oh the perks of being female in Vegas.

We were taken to Tao for dinner, which was delicious. A smorgasbord of Asian nibbles, from sushi to dumplings and fried rice. And of course cocktails.

Next on the agenda, Marquee. The club was huge and we were taken to our table right by the stage. We partied there for a bit but by then had lost two of our crew so Alethea and I headed to The Bellagio to try find a lounge bar after aimlessly wandering around the Cosmopolitan.

The next day we hit the strip. Jenn and I shopped and walked our butts off. We paraded around fashion fair before finding a better mall at Caesars Palace. I got most of my items ticked off and a few more.

We grabbed Mexican at a little joint on the strip as we were running late for our show that night – Thunder from Down Under.

I was almost back at the hotel when I realised I had left my good camera back at dinner. I ran so fast back there I thought I would pass out. Thankfully some lovely ladies had handed it in and I got it back safe and sound. Elated I donated some money for the homeless foundation an then stopped to take some pics for a couple before running back to the hotel for a record turn around.

Showered and dressed we made it to Thunder Down Under just in time. WOW. Those men are gorgeous. The four of us were in heaven. I think a Pacific Heat would do nicely and I’ve thought up a great little show in my head using banana leafs, coconuts and fire to show off the ‘jewels’ of the pacific…

We partied at Tao – thanks to a lovely promoter with a comped table. He seemed to take a liking to me. If you’re in Vegas and want to be hooked up, give him a call:
Garrett Guzman, +1 (702) 544-2777
He will take good care of you if you tell him his Bush sent him haha.

We went to go to Hakkasan but exhaustion (and drinks) kicked in and Jenn and I got maccas then hit the hay.

We got up early to change hotels to New York, New York. After checking in and dropping out bags I was ravenous and found a buffet breakfast close. Hellooooo shrimp and lobster crepes, red velvet pancakes, eggs of every kind and choc dipped strawberries. Happiness.

Then BAM! Hungover set in. One of the worst I’ve had. I felt like a bag of arseholes. I stayed in bed till 4.30pm wishing it away,

When I eventually did feel better we went to meet the other two girls for seafood. Taxi was a poor choice. There was traffic and the stop start motions then speed bumps had me feeling terrible by the time we got to Hurrahs Oyster Bar. Oysters make me happy though so a dozen later I felt better. Another dozen later, some crab, lobster, prawn and mussels, I was happy again.

We had dinner comped at Fix in the Bellagio. I wouldn’t recommend it however two of the dishes – the tuna tataki and the macaroni cheese with truffle was great.

We partied at Surrender but it was an average crowd so my promoter got us to XS (also at Wynne, my fave casino and where I will stay next) with drink tickets where the party was awesome! We met some fun guys there and partied the night away.

My flight back to Vancouver was the next morning which is a bit of a blur.

San Diego – Roadie Days 4&5

March 5, 2014

This ended up being probably our fave spot on the trip.

We stayed at this great resort I found on google called Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island. It was like a tropical resort with lush plantation and a big pool on the waterfront.
We want for a swim but there was a crazy lady (literally the most manically mentally ill person I have met in my life, planning to overthrow the USA government and telling me that we were now connected but not to tell anyone we met and that the devil comes out at night) scared everyone out and we instead went to watch the subset over the harbour.

I thought I heard a dolphin but it was a huge Sea Lion and he was gorgeous! Popping up all over the place like an excited puppy. A fisherman came over on his boat ad told us how they follow them in on the hope of bait or burley being thrown out to them.

After watching the gorgeous sunset we went to the local bar for happy hour where I danced with some locals (swing which I was terrible at but had a great time) then headed off to Brigantine for oysters and Tuesday Taco night!

Brigantine was great fun – they out up with my goofy tipsy mood and the food was great. We went back to the hotel bar for a drink where I met a really interesting man who remote control drives submarines from ships for a living – what a cool job! And he lived on a boat in the harbour too. He kept me occupied while Carso chatted up the bar man.

We had an early night and chilled out in the morning, heading to breakfast at the hotel bar with a gorgeous view of the marina before driving to the airport where Carso flew home and I flew to Vegas!

Palm Springs – Roadie Days 2&3

February 19, 2014

After Hermosa we drove to Palm Springs. We really wanted to go to Hawaii or Mexico but Spring Break had pushed the prices through the roof. Palm Springs was the hottest destination we could get ourselves to.

The drive in was great, the colours are amazing. It’s all these dull browns, beige and golds. Lolling hills then bunches of palm trees – it’s quite a contrast.

Our hotel was in Cathedral City, there was a conference on and the rest were full up. We were right under a massive mountain, in the midst of the desert.

If you want a short summary it would be this: it’s a desert city in the middle of nowhere with lots of palm trees, a giant Marilyn Monroe figure and many retirees.

I’m glad I visited but I probably wouldn’t go again. Although there’s some hikes around there that would be fun.

We drove into town, tried to get a pedicure with no luck then struggled to find a place to have dinner without a 20min wait.

We finally found an Italian place, it had lovely decor and we sat outside while I sipped one of the best wines I have had in my life. They couldn’t give me the name of it, the only info I could get out was that it was from Italy and a red blend. Not entirely helpful when I wanted to buy a lifetime supply.

The next day we got up early and went to get pedicures then I got my hair cut while Carso stayed at the beauty salon.

We went to Trader Joes – I know I’ve said how much I love this place before but I really do LOVE it! We got a huge haul for $40 including a triple cream Brie, triple cream blue, almond flavoured sparkling wine, cured meats variety, crackers, olive dip, two types of choc.. Amazing. We would easily pay double that in Canada for half the quality.

The almond sparkling wine blew my mind. It tasted like happiness. Amaretto and sparkling wine. Yum.

We ate then hung out poolside for an hour or so. Hoped I’d get a tan but no luck.

Outlet shopping! That was fun. I bought my brothers a pair of Supra shoes each and treated myself a gorgeous Kate Spade bag. Carso bought half the mall. We had a great time!

When I was ordering my soy chai latte I was singing ‘At Last’ by Etta James. When I was handed my cup, he’d written ‘vocalist’ on it as my name. Lucky he was cute haha.

We stopped at Marunga Casino on the way home for dinner and had the President’s Day special – NY steak & prawns with soup, veggies and mash.

We went back home for a early night before our trip to San Diego the next day.

Hermosa – Roadie Days 1&2

February 19, 2014

We arrived in LA about 4pm and grabbed our car rental. Thrifty the thrifty buggers had a heap of additional charges we didn’t know about and were unhappy about. They did give us an upgrade to ease the pain thought d we drove off in a beautiful, black Chrysler 200.

Our hotel was great, massive room and good location – the Quality Inn, Hermosa.

We headed to the Rockefeller for dinner. It had the potential to be fantastic judging by the menu but it didn’t end up surpassing expectations.

We walked down and out over the pier, watched the night fishermen, before wandering back, soaking up the atmosphere outside the bars that like the street to the pier.

Both of us were exhausted from a big night in Vancouver the previous night so it was back for an early night and to try out the hotel shower. That’s one of my fave parts – testing out the hotel showers. Bliss.

We slept in and went for breakfast at the hotel and took the car into town for a look around in the daylight. There’s some cool shops and the beach is just awesome.

There was this great community event on for people to learn o play drums down the beach – so good!

Hot’s Kitchen for lunch – LOVE this place!! Go visit it. I can’t praise their tacos enough.

From there we hit the road to Palm Springs, driving along the coast and ending up in a Walmart in Compton – that was a sight!

Last weekend in BC

February 15, 2014

To celebrate my last weekend in Vancouver, I left. Haha I ended up in Whistler with three of my fave people, Jay, Ka Lei & Kieran.

We hired an apartment (no small feat when it’s a long weekend and you’re booking last minute) in the village for Saturday and Sunday night – yay for Family Day stat holiday – and took the beast down Saturday.

Such a gorgeous drive from Vancouver to Whistler, I spent most of my time taking photos.

Apartment was lovely, with a fire and hot tub, even though we never used the hot tub it was nice to know it was there. Ka Lei couldn’t be convinced to hop in nude.

Saturday and Sunday were gorgeous days, clear blue skies. We just hung out in the village drinking warm beverages and looking around. Apart from Sunday. We stayed in bed all day almost after a massive night on Saturday.

My friend Sunny and his wife, Carol ended up being in town Saturday night. I should know this means it will be a big night! We met them for dinner at The Mix in the village – great place for cocktails and then went on to Ric’s Bar & Grill for dinner.

We shared dip, oysters and Caesar salad then I chose the 6oz filet with a lobster tail cooked rare mmm amazing.

Next up, Barefoot Bistro, or rather the ice bar next to it. We were given massive coats to put on for the freezing temperature in the room, which probably matched the temperature outside and had vodka tasting. I was half cut by this stage and evidently we were all being a ruckus, not listening and taking a bunch of photos, as intoxicated people do. Only thing was old mate, the one running the tasting got pretty upset about it all. I did three of the shots and left the fourth, that’s enough straight vodka for me!

Buffalo Bills was fun as always, lots of dancing. We partied on until it shut then grabbed a pizza at Fat Tony’s – heaven in a box. Well in my intoxicated state it was anyway!

Sunday we spent mainly in bed around about 3pm. We all needed to relax. We then discovered Pure Bread on a walk around the village – amazing!

We had a delicious platter at home and had a few drinks. The cards came out and suddenly it was 11pm! Such a good night.

Ka Lei broke out in some crazy rash, she was probably just allergic to losing! Just kidding Ka Lei, I know you’ll read this haha.

Monday was a public holiday. We checked out & wandered around the village, it was snowing heavily and watching the snow flakes fall was gorgeous.

We just wandered from store to store, grabbing hot drinks. Started with a chai latte and finishing with a mulled wine.

Lunch was a bit of a disaster, the places we chose weren’t open so we decided to eat in Squamish (which I have taken to calling Sasquatch) but due to heavy snowfall, treacherous road conditions and an ill, Jay we went straight through.

The drive back was a contrast to the way there. The gorgeous green and blue traded in for a beautiful blanket of white.

Perfect way to end my last weekend in BC!

Miami, Florida, Day seven

February 9, 2014

My last day in Miami!

I was sad to leave but glad to get out of that bloody hostel.

I slept in, hungover and eventually got up went to breakfast at Juice ad Guava as I’d seen the scrambled eggs with goats cheese on the menu a day or tow before and had been craving it ever since! Plus a juice kick for my hangover.

Mae and I lost each other and by the time we found each other it was almost time to leave! We walked back along the beach grabbed my bags and I taxi’d to the airport.

Sooo many people trying to clear security, took an hour, it was ridiculous.

I flew via Minneapolis and had just enough time there to watch the half time show of the Super Bowl!

Eight hours later I arrived back in Vancouver!

Want new blogs to your inbox?

You have Successfully Subscribed!