Albugerque #Day15

This morning, all going off a couple of hours of sleep, we got up to go whitewater rafting! A handful of people went horseback riding but about 30 of us heading to the rafts.  

The water was quite cold because it was melted snow! We could still see a tiny bit of snow left on the mountain even though it's 30 degrees today. 

 

 

One of the girls on our tour got play tackled out of the raft and ended up dislocating both her shoulders! The poor thing! 

The rapids were pretty tame for the majority of it until this one section that went for a minute and was so hectic! 

 

 

After rafting we had a few hours to roam around Durango Main Street and grab some lunch before we got back on the bus at 2pm to head to Albuquerque. 

We arrived in Albuquerque at about 7pm, had dinner and an early night for (fingers cross of the weather is okay!) Hot Airballoning for sunrise!! 

Durango #Day14

Our longest driving day today and also my birthday! 

We left the Grand Canyon at 8am and drove all the way to Durango. We had 4 stops along the way including Monument Valley which was a highlight! 

 

 

Road where forest gump was filmed: 

 

We didn't arrive at Durango until 6:15 at our accomodation at the base of the Rocky Mountains. 

We had some amazing Mexican food for dinner and then headed to the local bar for some drinks! 

Tomorrow morning we are going whitewater rafting :) 

Grand Canyon #Day13

Today was my favourite day so far and also Ellie's 21st Birthday! 

This morning we got up early for a 25 minute helicopter ride of the Canyon. Was absolutely incredible! 

 

 

Ellie and Alysha: 

 

 
 

After the helicopter ride we went for a little hike along the 'Rim Trail' travelling along the top of the Canyon. There were lots of amazing look outs along the way. Then walked 30 minutes straight down into the Canyon 'Bright Angel Track'. We didn't go too far down as it was so warm and a lot harder hiking back up! 

 

 
 
 

At night we met up with the whole group to go to 'Hopi Point' the best point to view the sunset. It was surreal soaking up the mere size of the Canyon ending our last night here! 

 

Grand Canyon #Day12

Driving day today!

 Left Vegas at 9am with a couple of stops along the way to the Grand Canyon.  

Stopped at the famous Route 66 to grab a photo!! 

 

(There is nect to no internet/reception here so I will post more photos at a later date!) 

 

Arrived at the Canyon at 5pm and had a quick glimpse before dinner. It is absolutely stunning! So amazed at the pure size and beauty of it.  

 

 

Tomorrow morning we fly over the Canyon in a helicopter! 

Las Vegas #Day11

Our only full day in Vegas! Today got to a scorching 47 degrees Celsius! Apparently it's the hottest it's been in 20 years. Let's just say we weren't spending a whole lot of time outside just jumping casino to casino to escape the heat.

Our whole contiki group: 

 We spent the day exploring all the different themed casinos from, Rome, Paris and Bellagio. The detail in every building was just amazing! 

 

  

 
 
 

We had a late afternoon swim at our hotel that has an aquarium in the middle so it feels like you a swimming next to the fish and sharks! It also has a water slide straight through the middle of the aquarium which was so awesome! 

 
 

We got all dressed up and went back out to the Vegas Strip. We went to Gordon Ramsey's restaurant for dinner and then went on a party bus that took us around Vegas for just over an hour! 

 

  

Las Vegas #Day10

First day of our Contiki Tour! 

On the bus for 5 minutes and Ellie threw up all over me haha let's just say our friendship is closer then ever!  

 

Took us a few hours to get to Vegas! 

Vegas is so dazzling and overtop in all the best ways. We didn't arrive until late arvo and only saw a small bit  of the Strip before dinner. 

  

Dinner was in Caesar's Palace at Planet Hollywood- 

Then we went to a wedding chapel where Elvis sang to us and a couple from our Contiki tour had a fake wedding! Was so funny. 

They do 1250 weddings here per week!!!

   

After we went to Freemont street to experience this amazing light show! It's the biggest screen in the world. 

 

Then it was off to bed for Ellie and I as we still have a few more days until we are 21 so no clubbing for us tonight! We can rest up for a big day in Vegas tomorrow. 

LA #Day9

We checked out of our Venice Beach hostle and killed a few hours wondering by the beach until we moved to our next hotel- 

 

It is pride week here and someone had covered the sand in every single countries flag, naming i t'One Love'. Was such a cool thing to see! 

   

  

Aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi! 

 
Got our selfs a little Henna Tattoo: 
 

 

We checked into our new hotel closer to the airport and had our first meet up with our Contiki group and tour guide! We just went over some paperwork and then the bus leaves at 8am tomorrow for Vegas!