Cobh, Co Cork, Ireland

I am in Cobh visiting Carly & john Coleman and their little daughter Ella. Ella turned one on friday, therefore I flew over for her first birthday party. I had a little bit of a shocker of a journey, due to the fact I went to Gatwick instead of Heathrow, so £77 later I arrived in Heathrow with 5 mins to spare before checkin closed....whew...could have been worse.

I flew to Dublin because I bought the flights at the last minute and it was the best I could get, so I then had a 4.5 hour bus ride to Cork. Poor Carly (8 months pregnant) had to pick me up at 11pm at night from the bus station..

I have had another go at milking the cows, feel like I could almost (not quite) live on a dairy farm.. I am still totally scared about being kicked though...I thought cows were supposed to be gentle... I did get to feed the two day old calf which was fun.

I got in touch with some distant relatives on this trip..they happen to lie about 30 mins away from Cobh. So I spent saturday night with them. They showed me where my great great grandmother grew up in Ireland before marrying and imigrating to Melbourne. So I now have an understanding of my Smiddy roots from Co. Cork.

I am back in London for a couple of days then heading to Denmark on Friday...this time I am sure I am flying from Gatwick...

Hair colour: confirmed brunette!

Ngaira

Great Nana Ellis & William Petrini

This photo was taken at carolyn's 30th in Canberra - Nana's first hold of her great grandson.

London, UK

Hi,

I am back in London and trying to get a million things done in a month! Yes...that means I was offerred the job in Australia 0 therefore I am in London for as short a time as possible to organise things here before moving back....

I got my car back on the road on friday - I drove it back to London this morning and am now about to start the selling process. So if anyone knows anyone who wants a very loved car, very cheap to run then let me know.

I have had an agent in to look at the flat - and they are now trying to get tennants......will keep you posted on the progress of this...

I am trying to catch up with every one..because it will be a while before I head back here. My old mobile is up and running, so give me a yell.

Ngaira
xx

Los Angeles

After an 11 hour delay from New York to Los Angeles i arrived at my hostel at 10pm, after leaving Mike's house at 5am!! I had a great time in LA - I went to Universal Studios - which I would recommend to anyone. I went on a city tour for a day, where I learnt what prats there are in LA, who just want to be a star - or think they are one already and feel they need to tell you about every commercial they have taped. LA is definately not the place for me...but I did learn on Friday that I was successful in my interview and I have been offered the job as OT director at Calvary!! YAY!

So to those European's I am flying back in on Monday afternoon 15th for about a month...
To those Aussies - I will see you again in a month!

Ngaira

Yankee Stadium, USA

I went to my first baseball game last night - New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox. I am sad to say however that the Yankees played really badly, I almost considered offering my services in the fielding department!

We managed to get a group of 7 of us there, to share in this unique american experience. We had beer, hot dogs, cracker jacks and peanuts! I also learnt some new american terminology...will not comment here on it...not sure it is that polite.

I was shocked at the crowd.. jeeze they were tough to keep happy. When the ball was hit into the grounds, if it was not caught....the poor person was yelled at by everyone in the stand!

I ended up at Mike's local with his two work colleagues until 4am...I didn't have to get up, but they hd to be at work at 8am...ouch!

Going to see a broadway show tonight..Odd Couple with Matthew McConaughy - looking forward to it.. before jetting off to LA tomorrow morning.

Go the Yankees!

New York, USA

I had a great last day in Vegas with Angie - which ended with a girls night out at a Moroccan belly dancing restaurant then watching the fountains at Bellagio! We had a really early thursday morning - so I only got about 4 hours sleep after getting home and then packing for NYC.

I landed in La Guardia on Thursday night after a long flight from Vegas. My flight was with AirTran, the service was brilliant but it seemed it was an all stops flight, and you think I am joking. We flew from Vegas to Dallas to Atlanta to NYC - a total of 9 hours!

We were not allowed to get off the flight at Dallas, however the pilot came down the aisle taking orders for passengers for starbucks and various takeaway outlets...rather amusing! I had leftovers from the night before with me, however he did get me some cutlery, and very willingly too!

I made my own way from La Gaurdia to Mike's apartment, and arrived with surprising ease on his doorstep at 10pm. He cooked me up some eggs for dinner and after a good catchup I literally fell into bed!

Friday was spent sightseeing around NYC on foot. I went to the site of The World Trade Centre and visited St Paul's Chapel across the road. I went to Macy's (because apparently you have too!) but Selfridges in London is soo much better. I visited Madison Square Park, Washington Square Park, and Gramercy Park. I went aboard the Coast Guard's Tall Ship which is temporarily docked at South Street Seaport and then walked across Brooklyn Bridge.

I got the Metro back to 42nd St and met Mike and his roommate Mark and we headed out to dinner at an Ethiopian Restaurant with some drinks to follow.

Yesterday (saturday) was a bit of a slow day with fatigue setting in. Mike cooked us up eggs bennedict for breakfast and we caught the train to Coney Island. We all had a hotdog from the fast food outlet that claims to have 'invented' the idea. The fellas went on the rollarcoaster, after my effort in Vegas, I declined the opportunity. I did go on the ferris wheel though!

We all slept on the train back to Manhattan, and chilled out before heading out to dinner at a Steak House. Great steak followed by a few beers with Mark, the rest piked and went home at 10pm!

Its now sunday and I am hoping to go to a gospel church in Harlem, if I can wake up Mike.... fingers crossed.

Ngaira
xx

New York, USA

I landed in New York last night - and managed to get from La Gaurdia to Mike's apartment on 42nd St!! YAY! Was great to catch up with him - it has been 6 months since we finished travelling together..time flys.

I am heading to Brooklyn Bridge today and the WTC site. Looking forward to exploring New York!

Grand Canyon, USA

Angie and I left Las Vegas on friday afternoon after work and drove to Williams a small town 55 miles from the Grand Canyon. We gotin at about 11pm, and got upgraded to a queen suite - very nice! We got up early in the morning to get to the Grand Canyon...it is an amazing site. I guess I was expecting something great...but I didn't expect something that big and wide.

We bought some supplies from the shop and decided to do one of the least hiked trails - South Kaibab. We hiked to the thrid point which wsa a 6 mile (10km) return hike with an elevation change of 2040ft or 622m. By the time we got back to the car 6 hours later - we were both pretty tired and covered in red soil! We went and booked into our hotel and cleaned up before heading back to catch sunset...amazing!

We had dinner at a local restaurant, being served by cowboys - and once again I was served a scone with my steak - the americans call them biscuits...so desert and dinner all in one!

We slept very well, and got up to go to church in the Grand Canyon. We went to a really nice catholic service, then walked the rim trail for a cuople of km's to stretch our legs.

We drove home, feeling very satisfied with our weekend and the great time...we were chatting away so much..we missed our turn off to Las Vegas, and didn't realise. We drove so far we ended up in California...a road trip to remember..