• Roland Butt
  • Roland Butt

2019 USA

A 23-day adventure by Roland Read more
  • Trip start
    May 11, 2019

    Sydney

    May 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Stayed a night at the Travelodge at Mascot. The next day we flew to LA for the connecting flight, Qantas cancelIed the flight to New York due to mechanical failure. They put us up at the Sheraton for that afternoon and we carried on with American Air that evening to NY.Read more

  • LA

    May 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Plane was delayed. Compliment to stay in Sheraton for the afternoon by Qantas. Left 10.50pm from LA to NY. Lost one day, we arrived the Radio City apartment the next morning. Very basic room on the 12th floor with two queen beds. The weather was cold and wet.Read more

  • New York

    May 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    It was cold and wet 10C°. We walked to Central Park and The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States. Our New York Pass got us into skip-the-line and audio presentation. We were exhausted and can't walk another step. We took a free bus back to hotel. We had Chinese and walked downtown to Macy's on 34th St that evening.

    Radio City Apartments
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  • New York

    May 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Coldest May day on record 4C° for NYC. We found the place near the hotel for breakfast Silvana had egg and bacon roll with orange juice, I had cinnamon bagel and cream cheese with coffee .Took a bus downtown to 9/11 Memorial Museum and Westfield World Trade Center with our NY pass. It was amazing. That evening we went to Boardway's Stephen Sondheim Theatre to see The Carol King Musical " Beautiful"

    Radio City Apartments
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  • New York

    May 15, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    First sunny day in NYC. We went to Top of The Rock, Central Station, Rockefeller Center and took a bus to Guggenheim Museum. Back on Big Bus to 49th and had lunch at Juniors, ribs, prawns and pasta. Afternoon we went on The Ride.

    Radio City Apartments
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  • New York

    May 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We walked all the way to the waterfront Pier 78 for Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Statue of Liberty. Walked back and saw Blacken prawns, so we stopped for lunch. Joined the Radio City Tour next. It was excellent. Took a photo with one of the Rockettes. Japanese Tankotsu Ramon for dinner. Very tired.

    Radio City Apartments
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  • LA

    May 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    NY to LA

    We were both awake at midnight even though the shuttle to the airport was not due until 2:15 a.m. LA airport was empty. The plane was full and we could not sit together they offer $675 credit. I had to sit between two big fellows. Couldn't check in at the hotel for 3 hours, waited for bags for a long time and finally had to collect our own bags. Not feeling 100%. Met Judi the Tour Director that afternoon.

    . Downtown Grand Hotel (SF)
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  • Los Angeles

    May 18, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We were awake at 3 a.m. In the morning we walked down to Starbucks for bf and afterward we met up with 42 people on the bus for the first time. Begin with a sightseeing tour of a Mexican village, a drive through Hollywood and the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, The walk of fame, Rodeo Drive. Lunch at Brazilian BBQ.

    Grand Hotel Downtown (SF)
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  • Palm Springs

    May 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    LOS ANGELES – PALM SPRINGS

    Journey to the desert oasis of Palm Springs, just 120 miles east of Los Angeles. Ever since Hollywood stars first came here in the 1930s, laying claim to ranch-style estates and holing up in elite hotels, the clean, dry air and sunshine have made Palm Springs irresistible. We went to Aerial Tramway ( $23 ) 9000ft elevation with Cheryl. It was snowing and freezing. Sil down with a cold. Walked around Palm Spring and Ruby's Dinner.

    Palm Springs Courtyard (F)
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  • Scottsdale

    May 20, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We sat in front of the bus. Lunch at Subway. Colorful hotel Sagouro, fantastic craft shops with native Americans Indian handy works. Dinner we had spaghetti and meatballs. Early night.

    Palm Springs Courtyard (F)Read more

  • Williams

    May 21, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Unseasonable weather, very cold . Bags out by 6.30am and we left at 7:30. First stop today is a visit to Sedona, a center for Southwestern and New Age arts. The weather-sculpted formations of dramatic, color-tinted crags rock around Sedona were stunning. For lunch we had a super duper sandwich which was recommended by Judy which was not disappointing. Then pass by the San Francisco Mountains and beautiful pine forests to the South Rim of the GRAND CANYON. Simply amazing but was freezing. I walked around for a while but it was too cold for me, I returned back to the centre and wait for Silvana to finish the walk . Overnight in Williams, a picturesque mountain town with Route 66 as the main street. The Grand Canyon Railway which is over 100years old.

    Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (F)
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  • Las Vegas

    May 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We had early start on the road, took route 66 to Seligman's Angel & Wilma's Gift Shop. Met Delgadillo Angel. Cross the old Mojave gold-strike Delgadillo, that still has traces of century-old ghost towns set in the natural desert beauty. Look out for Joshua trees, a species of the lily family that grows to 40 feet high and can live for more than 300 years. Lunch at Subway and to Hoover Dam. Today’s destination is the man-made phenomenon in the Nevada desert that is Las Vegas, a fantastic city of feverish gambling, neon lights, and glamorous shows.
    In Vegas we went to Pampas Brazilian Grille foe dinner, Vegas Show and walked to Fremont Street downtown.

    Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (MD)
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  • Las Vegas

    May 23, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Cool day. We walked the Las Vegas Strip from one end to the other. We saw Sahara las Vegas, Hilton Grand, Wynn, The Mirage, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, we were tired and had a buffet at MGM Excalibur $45US, Venetian,Tropicana, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. We both bought Skechers. Took the bus back to hotel. 5.45pm we took the bus to Paris Las Vegas with
    Sheryl and watched Ballagio's fountain, the Mirage's volcano and Venetian. Dinner at Danny's, exhausted .

    Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (MD)
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  • Tulare

    May 24, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    LAS VEGAS – TULARE

    Departing the neon lights of Las Vegas, we continue across the desert landscape of Nevada before crossing into California. Saw the big Thermometer, Solar Panels, wind farms ect. Saw the vast Mojave Desert, which covers one-fifth of California. Dinner with Sheryl at Apple Annies- Ribs and beef. Pass through the agricultural land and overnight in Tulare in the central San Joaquin Valley.

    Best Western Town and Country Lodge (ST)
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  • Modesto

    May 25, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    TULARE–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–MODESTO

    First time we had waffles for bf. A long drive to Yosemite NP, stopped at a huge supermarket to get a picnic lunchs for the park. Enter YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of spectacular lakes, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, giant granite domes, pinnacles, and mountains rising more than 4,000 feet above the valley floor. A lot of water we saw. Afterward, drive to Modesto. Dinner at Panda with Sheryl. Chinese.Read more

  • San Francisco

    May 26, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    MODESTO–SAUSALITO–SAN FRANCISCO

    This morning, we continue west to the “Golden Gate City” of San Francisco, famous for its cable cars. Lunch in the pristine waterfront community of Sausalito. Free time to explore this quaint, Mediterranean-style village’s shops, galleries, and breathtaking views. Sil had a Hawaiian ice cream Afterward, included sightseeing takes in the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and bustling Pier 39 @ Fisherman’s Wharf. Blow away by the size of San Francisco and it's fabulous architectures. The Hotel Carlton was very comfortable. Happy hours at night. That evening we went to a seafood restaurant at Fisherman's. We had salad, SeaBass and dessert. Afterwards we went to see the San Francisco bridge at night.Read more

  • San Francisco

    May 27, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Blue sky, fair.
    The day is free. Took a bus to pier 39 for SF Bay Cruise discounted $23, visited Alcatraz Prison. Get a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary that was off limits to the public for years. Afterward, took a good look at Pier 39. Had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf. Walked all the way to top of Lombard St and back down to Little Italy & China Town.
    Back to Pier 39 to catch 3.30pm bus to hotel. Dinner Indian with Sheryl.

    Hotel Carlton (MF)
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  • San Francisco

    May 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Took a ride of the San Francisco’s historic cable cars and finished up at Fisherman's wharf. I took video hangout out the tram. Chinese conductor spoke to me. Spent the day at Fisherman's Wharf with Sheryl. Sil had Cob Egg Benedict and a hotdogs. Waited a long time in freezing wind for the cable car back.

    Hotel Carlton (MF)
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  • Monterey

    May 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    SAN FRANCISCO–MONTEREY

    till cold, dull but clearing.
    Today, you travel south to picturesque Monterey, which was once Spain’s Californian capital, and visit historic Fisherman’s Wharf, where you may spot sea lions and otters. Visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. The rest of the day is free, so why not visit Monterey Bay Aquarium, known for its interactive exhibits and teeming sea life? Lunch Halibut fish and chip at the Wharf.

    Monterey Downtown Days Inn (ST)
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  • Solvang

    May 30, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    MONTEREY–17-MILE DRIVE–CARMEL–SOLVANG

    Today, you’ll take in spectacular 17-MILE DRIVE. Watch Pacific Ocean waves en route to Carmel on Carmel Bay. Nestled in a pine forest, the one-square-mile village of Carmel is incredibly dynamic, yet still quaint and picturesque. Afterward, on to Solvang, where Denmark has been recreated with picturesque buildings and windmills. There’s time to walk the flower-lined village streets and enjoy the “Old World” architecture. Tasty bakery treats and perhaps a Danish smorgasbord for dinner all add to the unique experience.

    SOLVANG Holiday Inn Express Solvang (ST)
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  • LA

    May 31, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    SOLVANG–SANTA BARBARA–SANTA MONICA–LOS ANGELES

    From Solvang, it’s a short drive south to coastal Santa Barbara. Sightseeing includes a photo stop at the historic old mission and a visit to the pier. We saw Bubble Gum Alley and had 1/2 chic for lunch suggested by Judi. There was time to wander along the bustling waterfront or do some shopping in some of the most talked-about boutiques in downtown Santa Barbara. Fascinated to be driving through the Rich and Famous .Next, we make our way to the Santa Monica Pier and the ultimate Southern California beach. The end of route 66. Afterward, head to Los Angeles International Airport around 4.30pm, left at 10.30pm.Read more

  • Trip end
    June 2, 2019