But before we get to that I'll run through a few bits and bobs we have done in the last week.
We left the coffee shop in search of fried chicken and ended up going to a place that the internet had suggested in the French quarter, it was a grimey bar where you don't want to think about the kitchen. It had long benches that you'd share with fellow patrons and it was pretty Grimm.. But the chicken was amazing and came with a side of duck jambalaya which was so good! I couldn't fault it. I think it's called Coles? I dunno it was a while ago!
The next day we walked a mile back to the bus station with our heavy backpacks and queued to get on the bus. After my last experience of the greyhound in America my expectations where not high... But if I'm honest it wasn't that bad! I mean the driver was a hilarious woman with a whole load of sass... The air con broke for the last few hours. But really it was fine (it was only an eight hours journey so only got chucked off the bus once. Which was a nice change)
We got into Houston and mike had googled how to get to the hostel on a bus so we went a few blocks away and the bus came pretty swiftly. It only cost 1.25 to ride(80p)!! It was awesome. It took 10 minutes and we had a short one block walk to the hostel.
We stayed at the Morty rich? It's a Hostel International and it was lush. It's apparently the 2nd best hi in the world. It had a pool and a lush garden, a pool table, breakfast included and was just super chilled out. Apparently it's an ex mayor house so it's a big lovely mansion. We were staying in the old guesthouse out the back and had our own balcony and bathroom. It was so awesome, even so when the air con broke (does anyone sense a theme, either I'm getting more laid back or mike has spiked my food with happy pills haha because I haven't been too bothered by these events)
Now Houston was always going to be a lazy stop where we did hardly anything... And it was exactly that. We even couldn't be bothered to go to the space station... It was like 2hours on a bus and fairly expensive. Instead we slept in late, hung out by the pool and on the balcony reading, watching films and just generally recharging our very exhausted battery's. It was - if I'm honest....BLISS.
We did venture out for a meal or two. One was a complete amazing find. It was the first night and after a whole day on the coach I was in no mood to cook so I looked on Google maps at close restaurants. I couldn't see any BBQ places... Go figure... But I did see a well rated Greek place. After deciding we wouldn't mide some falafel we set out to walk the whole 4 blocks.
Now the night before in new Orleans we had been flicking and diners drive in and dives had come on. It was this little greek place just outside Houston that apparently did the best honey glazed doughnuts. I thought awh that's too far out for us to visit. And kept flicking.
So we walked into this place and the queue is 20 people long, I'm not exaggerating, it was huge! And whose picture is sined and on the wall?! Only Guy Fieri! It was the same place! Spooky. I asked the people behind us in the queue what to get and they all said the pork without hesitation. It was the best pork I have possibly ever tasted. The falafel where good too! But the baklava and honey lemon doughnuts will forever stay in my amazing food memory brain section. PheNOMenal!
So being in Texas I was pretty adamant about getting BBQ. We missioned on 2 buses to get to the place I had read about that was fairly close by. It was amazing. I had brisket and mike had spicy pork. The smokey flavour was killer. So intense. The hot sauce was amazing. It was just so good. I love me some BBQ. The staff were awesome too. They gave USA voucher to use for a free meal if we went back within the month. And we would have to if it hadn't been our last day there. Gutted.
I made mike get a haircut. A TEXAN HAIRCUT. It's the same as a British one but it was done in Texas...
Then we made our way over tithe airport. Again on buses. So reliable and cheap! And hopped on a flight to VEGAS BABY!
So vegas is everything you read about. It's loud, crude, in your face, hot, and Um wow AMAZING.
I have learnt a few things here.
1. I like video poker.
2. So does mike.
3. I am lucky when I play video poker.
4. Mike isn't.
5. I have an addictive personality.
6. I'm really glad mike set a daily gambling limit.
7. Vegas is fun.
8. Mike enjoys poker.
9. Mike doesn't win poker.
10. Mike plays poker for fun.
11. Knees burn regardless of how much sun tan lotion you use.
So mostly we have mooched about gambling on occasion.... I managed to turn 5 dollars ona poker machine into 115... Which was pretty cool. I luckily got 4 aces and a 3 which gives you 400 times what you bet. I'd bet a quarter. Hahaa it was pretty cool. I was in shock for like 30 minutes just kinda like what just happened?!?! Haha I LOVE VEGAS.
We went out to celebrate... Hah. So much fun.
12. I'm getting very old when it comes to partying... Not sure I can handle it.
We went to Zarkana Cirque du Soleil. Uhhhhh amazing. These acrobats end are insane!
We have eaten pretty awesome food too. French food (as we are staying in Paris) which is just butter and a heart attack on a plate. NOM.
We went to hash house a go go. Epic food. Just epic. Thanks bec and dave for the suggestion!
AND TODAY... We went to the Grand Canyon.
Now I wanted to go on a helicopter. Buuuuuuut on closer inspection of reviews and costs I was ultimately put off. It was like 350 dollars each for 45 minutes in the air. Now I know that in vegas people chuck away money on machines but to knowingly throw away that much money on not much..... No.
Instead we posted for a 16 hour round trip with a guide, a glorified mini van, a picnic and a whole load of extra awesome.
For less than one helicopter ride we got picked up, given a maccy ds brekkie, shown Hoover dam, driven down Route 66 and stopped at the place of inspiration for the film Cars, a picnic, entry to the national park, a hike with guide and a whole load of photo opportunities. The guide is awesome and knows so much.
It has been so worth the money and so much more. The best part is that it's only ever 10 guest son the tour. So it was personal and all the questions answered.
We went for sunset, and even though it was cloudy it was majestic and just stunning.
WOW!
We are so lucky to have the chance to do this. Wow.
Until next time xxxxxxx
Jess
Location:Houston and Vegas
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