We had a bit of a sleep in this morning before waking up to get everything packed up and ready to head home to Australia. Thankfully everything fit into our suitcases. We flew into the USA with one big suitcase each and we will be leaving with two suitcases full each - holiday well spent! Lol

Pete and I checked out of our hotel at 11am and started our final day. Our flight to Sydney isn't due for departure until 7.55pm so we had a full day ahead of us to explore. We loaded up our Ford Focus and headed out for a big breakfast at IHOP in San Fran. The food was lovely and what was even better was the holiday spirit the locals showed to a homeless man sleeping outside the restaurant.

This lovely lady finished her meal and was at the counter paying for what she ate when she walked outside and grabbed the homeless man and paid the cashier for a big breakfast meal for him. She said "I have already eaten so I won't be staying with you but please do enjoy your feast and Happy Holidays to you!" I (along with the guy himself) was completely blown away by her generosity and how amazingly kind that was of her.

The holiday spirit didn't stop there either. We had an American businessman sitting at the table behind us and halfway through eating his meal he ordered a stack of pancakes. As the waiter brought them out to him he said "Please take them over to the gentleman with the backpacks (the homeless guy) and wish him a happy holidays!

OMG, I had heard of the term "Holiday Spirit" in America but didn't realise how truly giving some of them can be. Totally amazing.

After breakfast we decided to head back out to Silicon Valley. It was a really nice drive out there yesterday so we decided to take the trip again whilst we had time and use it to explore the town a bit more, and of course we couldn't leave San Fran without me driving down Lombard Street just one more time!

Our drive out to Silicon Valley was lovely, we had the sunroof of our Ford Focus open and enjoyed cruising around listening to some awesome American tunes. We stopped in at Taco Bell for some lunch, Pete's a huge fan of Taco's - me not so much but I can at least say I've now had it! haha

Eventually we made our way slowly back to the airport to drop of our car. We had spent most of our day just cruising around, sussing out all the colourful houses and just relaxing before our huge long haul flight home. Unfortunately we weren't able to book a direct flight so we had flights from San Fran to LA, then LA to Brisbane and from Brisbane to Sydney ahead of us - I couldn't wait to get it over with!

The flights turned out okay, it did drag out and was met with a few arguments at San Fran airport as the flight was full and they tried to force us to check in our carry on suitcases. It had tons of breakables in it, mostly Christmas presents so I was super against it. Fair enough it was a packed flight but I didn't agree that they just hand pick at random who has to check the bags in and given that we were flying a hell of a lot further than to just LA I was not interested in having our breakables in the undercarriage for that long!.. It should be a more fairer process than just selecting people at random like that, considering some had items that they clearly wouldn't need on a two hour flight!!

Our tickets allowed us 7kgs each to carry on and I wasn't going to give those bags up easily. In the end they forced my hand and took the bags from me however once on the plane I found there was tons of room left in the over head lockers and most others were still boarding the plan with suitcases, guitars and prams. Uh-Uh, I was absolutely furious! I spoke with the flight attendant who allowed me to leave the plane and speak with the check-in lady to get mine and Pete's bag on the flight. After a bit of arguing and me standing my ground asking for the manager I was glad to walk back through the plane with both mine and Pete's suitcases in hand. Pete just shook his head at me, I don't think he expected that I would actually get my way with it. At this point in time I was just so ready to be back at home in Australia with all my favourite food, my favourite drinks and my favourite people. I couldn't wait to be back in my own bed and most of all I couldn't wait to see my kitty cat - I have missed his little face greeting me at the door every day!

All in all this holiday has been incredibly fun. We have seen some breathtaking sights, experienced things I never would have imagined I would as well as things I have always dreamed of seeing for myself "one day". I have had the best time away with Pete and although I spent half of the holiday sick as a dog, I am glad (and a little bit proud of myself) that I pushed through it and can honestly walk away with fond memories of this trip. I can't wait to get home and start going back through all of our pictures.

Until next time,
Chow Xx