Cliff jumps & Dancing in the desert! - SUMMER '15

One year later, but never too late! 
The American Dream Trip video is finally up! Credits though to my baby sister who had to sift through a whole load of footage to get it down to about 4 minutes. There are bits of when they did some travelling with my parents and a close friend, when I hadn't arrived yet. I don't think I'll ever get bored of watching and reliving our trip because it meant so much to me and all the fun I had with my sisters! 
Enjoy! 

The American Dream Trip - The Midwest.

We made it to Chicago, people! 

After such a hectic travel itinerary in the West Coast, (there was definitely too much to see and we made so little time to see it all) our next flight took us to the Midwest. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I reunited with my baby sister here along with two of her friends from Uni. They had just returned from their summer break and there was a mess up with their temporary accommodation which meant they were bunking in with us and we would be making our way to Ann Arbor, Michigan with them a little later on - so much more fun eh. Every cloud has a silver lining! 

Chicago was a gem! It had all the makings of a small metropolitan with its tall skyscrapers and bustling sidewalks but with the added chillness factor! There was just something about Chicago that won me over and I wouldnt mind at all if I had to live here! 

Enjoy the pictures..

Cant get enough of my sister's face in this one. We were all really hungry and the deep dish pizza that came with its gorgeous melting cheese.... I'm salivating as I'm typing...

After spending about two full days in Chicago, we were set to take these kids hoMe to Ann Arbor, Michigan. We didnt really notice the 4-hour journey due to some very creative car games that the kids introduced. By the time we reached the small town of Ann Arbor, Michigan the sun was out... and so were the frat boys and sorority girls! The frat and sorority houses that lined the university avenue and the atmosphere of the small university town were so surreal, it felt like I had stepped into a classic American college movie! 

One the things I found to admire about when I was there was the significant University Pride and Spirit that everyone had. The University of Michigan's slogan is: Go Blue! and their nickname, The Michigan Wolverines. You just couldnt help but feel so united when strangers literally call it out whenever they see a fellow Wolverine. Kinda felt a little FOMO not having studied in the States to be honest! 

My sister gets the ultimate treat of living next to a Frat House! Yeay. Lol

And as a treat for us helping out with moving, my sister took us for some hearty Halal Beef Ribs in Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn was about a 30minute drive from Ann Arbor and is known for its large middle eastern muslim community. Official verdict: DELICIOUS! 

It was a bit of a bummer that I didn't get to spend more time in Ann Arbor with my sister as we had to be on our way. But I left with so much pride. I got to see the cosy, small town my sister was residing in, her quaint university campus, and also meet some of her friends. The short stopover really made me appreciate how much my baby sister has flourished into such a fine young lady, able to take care of her own affairs and so mature - although, she did still need the manpower of Afiz and I to help with moving the heavy boxes! Lol. I'm definitely coming back baby! 

Mad love, 
Peja x

The American Dream Trip - San Francisco & The Bay Area

I think I left my heart in San Francisco.

....Just kidding. I didn't. But I easily could have. Looking back at these pictures makes me feel like I want to go back. I liked that place a little too much and it totally reminded me of a larger, busier version of Hastings (which I adored oh so much!) the cooler temperatures, the food, the colorful homes on steep hills and that glorious golden gate bridge all covered up in fog... gosh that city is pretty. 

Because of the unscheduled detour on the PCH, our time in San Fran was short, but satisfying nonetheless. A few pictures to share... 

Seafood FTW! Even though we were both already so full and nearly sick, we HAD to try the famous clam chowder on Pier 39. It was really filling and so gooooddd and so worth it. We probably should have ordered it in a bread bowl cause those looked even better! So dont make the same mistake we did. After our heavy lunch, we wandered on the pier which had a buzzing atmosphere. I loved all the colors, the buskers and the Sealions! 

I think we have a sealion on the loose here! 

I really wanted to do the Alcatraz visit (you can just about make it out in the distance) cause I like things like that but because the tour would take up half a day we didn't really have the leisure of doing so. All the more reasons to come back to you, San Francisco! 

Now if any of you are a 90's baby (with the exception of Afiz), you would probably remember this street and this house in particular. Care to take a guess?! Mrs. Doubtfire?! Lol I was sooooo excited to be here because I remember that movie to be one of my favorite when growing up and probably one of my favorite Robin Williams movies! Let me know if you got it right! 

The Painted Ladies looking very pretty.

This view is from Battery Spencer and the view was just WOW. We were really lucky that we caught the Golden Gate Bridge on a good day, because a local who was there mentioned that the view is normally obscured by fog on most days. So to get to see her in all her glory, we were truly privileged! 

That night we took a drive up to Twin Peaks just before the sun set to take in the city lights. It was so windy and cold up there that I was a bit scared that we would get blown off the hill. But the view was incredible. We could see the whole of San Francisco, the bay and the bridges! Apart from the occasional howl from the wind though (and light chatter from the crowds), I remember it being peacefully quiet at the top. Afiz and I were just comfortable with the silence between us and taking it all in, just having a moment. It was just one of those rare special moments that you get. I was very grateful for it. 

This is Lombard Street, which is the crooked-est street in the world. We drove down here on the first day and it was so much fun! 

I know I probably sound like a broken record now, but I'm coming back for you, San Francisco! Hope you guys have a wonderful week! and if you're spending it in San Francisco, please don't tell me!

Mad love, 
P xx

The American Dream Trip - Pacific Coast Highway & The Big Sur.

Hey, LA was fun! But I was definitely looking forward to the next part of our trip.... The Pacific Coast Highway(PCH)! When I was researching for The American Dream Trip, I came across an article (which I cant seem to find anymore) that said, "Driving The Pacific Coast Highway is the great American experience". And then I also spoke to my ex-housemate who did it the previous year and she showed me this video... It didn't even take me to finish the video to say, I was sold!    Make sure you watch this in HD, it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand!
As you can see from the map, the stretch of Highway-1 that we were driving on, also known as the PCH takes about 10-hours give and take to get from LA to San Francisco. Its worth noting also, that this was an estimate without any stops. But when you're driving along something as epic as this, c'mon, it's a no brainer guys. 

I initially wanted to leave bright and early, with big plans for the day roadtrip and an epic sunset finish in The Big Sur the same evening. But in typical holiday-mode fashion (and LA traffic), we didnt get onto the Highway until 2pm. But actually, in all honesty, high fives for getting on the road AT 2pm and not later. The important part is that we successfully experienced what we came to see, there was no drama (considering we actually were stuck on the highway overnight with no cellphone range at all!) and we ended up getting our epic sunset, with an extra night camping and stargazing!   I have to tell you that all this travelling and nature is growing on me big time! I used to not think twice about it. Being pretty much a city girl. I didn't think that the places like this would be exceptionally beautiful or terrible. I just didn't pay much attention to it. But something is really going on with me right now that where I cant get over the details on this pretty planet. The beauty of it is just insane! The desert trails were beautiful to wonder, with the lines and movement in the rock even makes you appreciate how intricate God's work is. The sounds of the coast crashing against the cliffs and you wonder how its possible for the ocean to be THAT blue! I probably sound so weird right now. Me five years ago would have laughed so hard if she's heard the future me loves boxing (and the gym! of all places!) right now and being in the outdoors. Lols. I just wish I'd have taken notice of it sooner. Anyway,this earth is really spectacular and nature is becoming one of my happy places. :)    Some pictures...

By the time the sun had set in the west coast, I was pretty bummed that we were missing out on the scenic drive, being in the dark. More so when we found out that a certain stretch of the highway would be closed between 8pm-6am. According to the initial plan, we were supposed to already be in San Mateo for the night at our friends. But due to the circumstances, (no cell phone, no road access) we ended up making the decision to crash at one of the State Parks along the way - Pfieffer Big Sur State Park. I mean why not, when we had all our camping gear in the car already! It was a blessing in disguise as I got to see this in the morning!

As I was looking back at all the photos, there werent very many that I took which no way at all discounts the experience we had. However I definitely wished that I could have spent more time exploring The Big Sur. I wish I could have explored Pfieffer Beach and McWay falls, and Monterey Bay. Next time I'm coming, I hope you're ready for me Big Sur!

P xx