So, the adventure comes to an end on an aeroplane across the Atlantic. The flight isn't too full, so we have three middle seats between the two of us. T is, as usual, having a nice nap whilst I type up the last of the blog.
Pretty soon we'll arrive at Gatwick and the next task will be to try to eat all the foods that we have been missing (and compiling lists thereof) without being sick!
Hasta la vista, America.
We decided to spend our last few days in Texas (Our Trans-Atlantic flight was ex-Houston). Originally we were due to go to San Antonio, but it appears that the weather is appalling there, so we cancelled the reservation and indended to head up to Austin.
As our plane arrived at 4pm, we didn't book a hotel in Austin.
Unfortunatley, US Airways managed to lose our luggage in Charlotte and so we had to hang around the airport for 4 hours. We did get to see some of David Beckham's first match in LA (Chelski won 1-0). We watched it in the same bar that we had had our dinner in on our way out - it was a real deja vu moment.
I managed to remember the way to the bit of Austin I knew (I had spent 6 weeks there in 2003) and we checked into the Holiday Inn at 2am.
Austin is nice. We did a few things:
Eventually, we set off for Houston and stopped by a Waffle House to experience one. T approved. Apart from forgetting to refill the tank, we had an uneventful journey and arrived in plenty of time for our last hop.
We were up before the crack of dawn to check in. I had been especially selected for super security screening. We had a puff machine - which was funky. That's the second time I've be singled out on an internal US flight to Boston. Hmm.
The flight was fine and our luggage arrived safely. T commented (somewhat prematurely, I felt) that we hadn't lost our luggage once on our travels. It was true - then.
We took the T (T, the Boston train, not the travelling companion) to Davis square and waited for ages to get a taxi. Eventually we got to my friend Cindy's house (O.K. Cindy, Tim, Fiona and Bean's house) and let ourselves in.
Cindy and Tim hosted us excellently. And Maria came over to have a holiday photo exchange. We managed to bore everybody to sleep. One of our tasks before we go visiting must be to pare down the pix.
We did go into town. We touristed: Lunch at the Bull and Finch (now called the Cheers bar) and lots of walking around. And a beer at the top of the Prudential tower.
Some of our time was helping look after Fiona. I'm not sure T would get her Girl Guide parenting badge - if this picture is anything to go by. (actually, she would)
We hired a car and went up to Salem and Rockport, which was nice.
We also went whale watching, it was really enjoyable and we saw lots of whales. Mostly whale tails. The guides were very good though.
Our car was from New Hampshire. I had to take a picture of the license plate.
We lived free.
After a magnificent breakfast, we were dropped off at the airport and goodbyes were said. Thanks Cindy and Tim.
We stayed a night in Miami because we pretty much had to. As our flight to Boston needed a 5am check-in, we decided to stay at the airport. It was OK, if noisy (from people banging doors, not planes taking off).
After initially deciding to get an early night, we changed our minds and headed into town for a cocktail and some food. Which was a good decision.
We had drinkies at a very nice hotel (the Raleigh) on the beach.
And then we went down to SoBe (South Beach) to 'Mangoes' - an institution. It was fun. Many mojitos were taken. Dancing was watched.
As we left to go back to the hotel, Brazilians were thronging the streets. They had just beaten Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America final.
And so to bed - early to rise.
So, the Latin American part of the tour is over. We have 10 days in the USA to help acclimatise to English; food; being able to put bog roll in the toilet; that kind of thing.
Apart from endless security checks, going to Miami was a breeze. We were in Business class (the only ticket they had left, and not that much more anyway). Which was OK, but not super-good. We did drink fizzy wine though.
This foreign travel lark isn't all it is cracked up to be.
It is absolutley persisting it down here in Houston. Not a hammock in sight.
Luckily we don't need to go outside, so we won't get wet.
Belize better be dry, or a certain young lady I know will be in tears.
So, we have done the first leg of our travels and are in a(nother) airport hotel - this time at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH - or Houston, Texas to you).
Our room overlooks some lovely planes - which is nice.
It appears that we are drawn towards revolving restaurants - this was our second (after Winnipeg). I somehow doubt that there will be any in Belize.
Righty ho then - bed time.
