40. Washington D.C, America

Well it was time for Washington DC. Inside we have a good feeling about travelling here and not. We, of course are excited about travelling to a different place but it's our last destination before heading home so it means it's all nearly over. :(

All in all we have travelled to 8 different countries. Our modes of transport have varied from car, boat, moped, pick up truck, white van, bike, legs, coach, dingy boat, sailing yacht and 4x4 doorless jeep to name a few! 

In total we have completed 12 flights all together in six months. No wonder we have lost the excitement of flying!! 

This experience is such an eye opener. You see so much of the world and it's different ways of living plus it seems so much smaller. I've even changed myself.....single girl to engaged!! This opportunity definitely makes you learn about yourself and find yourself! 

Day One

We had checked out already before our last day of exploring New York. The greyhound was booked for 12.30am so we had ample time to enjoy our last day. We enjoyed our last complimentary dinner at 5 and decided to do some last minute shopping.
 

Rach was happy to stay at the hotel and do some of her diary whilst Chris and I went shopping. With our left over budget we decided to treat ourselves to some trainers each and buy a hat at Bubba Gump (bubba gimp as I jokingly call it! Ha ha) for someone.

Then it was time to head back and try to fit it all in Chris' suitcase in-between our souvenirs we sneaked in there due to there being no room left in our rucksacks! Rach had enjoyed herself sat beside the fire. It looked very cosy!

The staff at where we stayed were absolutely wonderful! They couldn't help you enough! 

We missed out on the chance of a picture with our favourite receptionist but managed to get our favourite concierge chap! :)
 

Our stay here at the Homewood Suites Hilton was brilliant and we had such a great time! We were really sad to leave!

Our bus was at 12.30am so we had plenty of time to relax and chill before setting off to the bus station.

Time flew by though and we thought well we better set off now!

We grabbed our things together, placed our backpacks on our backs and set off. Chris was alright, he just pulled his suitcase to the bus station! The luxuries ey!

The bus station was only a 10 minute walk away so it didn't take long, we had sussed out where to go earlier in the day so headed in the right direction. This was such a good idea especially with the weight our backpacks were now!

There was a massive queue when we got there and we thought 'oh we should have got here sooner and relaxed here!' I much preferred sitting by the fire though in the hotel!

The queue was separated into two queues and we weren't in the important queue this time. The other queue went on the bus that we were due on (12.30) and we had to wait until 2.30am for another one! They had overbooked and with us just going to the next stop we weren't priority! :(

We left our place in the queue and sat down! All we wanted to do was to sleep! Later on we were told some further bad news....it wouldn't be in till 3am! What a night!

Once the bus came and it was ours we jumped on and managed to grab a seat together with Rach sat opposite us. It wasn't too good a start for Chris' first Greyhound journey!

Rach was just ready to curl up to sleep! We hadn't even left the depot and her eye mask was on. Chris and I weren't too far behind!

After about ?? hours we were here in Washington DC! All we did on the bus was sleep so we felt slightly awake and ready to see Washington! Of course nipping into to Barack and Michelle, they would be annoyed at us if we didn't!

After that really bad experience on the greyhound, Rach and I were so happy that was our last!

Next job was to find the hotel and check in. On our way there we saw this fella having a nap....that's what we wanted!!

The hotel wasn't too far away and the street names were brilliant in Washington. They are listed as numbers one way and letters the other, so it really is like a grid system!

Once we arrived at the hotel we were too early for check in so we dumped our bags into storage and asked for a map. We were only here for two days so didn't want to miss out on anything.

Obviously the first attraction on our hit list was the White House. We learnt it was only round the corner so we didn't have too far to go.

After a gentle walk we could see it. It was obvious we were going in the right direction due to the crowd of people around the gates. It was so surreal seeing the White House after seeing it so many times on TV and shown in movies etc.

Outside the fence there were a few protesters but we carried on with our day.

We were happy not to be taken away by the secret service!

This building is down the street next to the White House. I think it's where the offices are but it's such a beautiful building!

Near the back of the White House there was a crowd of people taking pictures. I wondered what they were doing so we all walked over. They were taking some pictures of these three horses taking a break.

It was pretty cute! So I joined in on the photo taking!

Walking around a bit more we reached the back of the White House which was even more impressive. Mr Obama must be having some work done on his grounds, there was a lot of activity.

Inside the information centre they played a video showing you inside and Mr President and the First Lady spoke to us about living in the White House etc. It was quite informative but Rach and Chris sat down and started to nod off. I was ok, I stood up but the lack of sleep the previous night was getting to us!

We decided to check in at the hotel and get a bit of shut eye. Chris decided to play President in the picture below!

There was no point unpacking, we were flying home tomorrow :(

We had a good few hours sleep and we definitely felt better for it! We were refreshed and ready to venture out again exploring!

Dusk was setting in and we decided to have a gander at the souvenir shops. If you spent over $10 you were able to have a free picture at the photo area.

Rach pretended to be the President and Chris and I were her bodyguards!

Then it was time to pose at the desk.

Rach spent the $10 but Chris and I had to get a picture too! It's only fair! Ha ha.

Once we finally left the souvenir shop we noticed the sky was such a lovely colour. It looked just like a painting.

The buildings we were looking at whilst walking around were really something!

This place is rich with history and monuments.

Chris and Rach met an old friend!

We were glad we had a little rest as we did need it after the night we had! Walking around at this time was great because the sky was beautiful this evening!

It was wonderful exploring this city and spending time together. We were so happy!

The sky was very particular that night with it's cloud formations.

Dusk was turning into night and we were at the Washington Monument. What a sight! It was shining bright and looked spectacular. It was massive!!

Here are the many posing pictures!

Rach had a piggy back and then I was feeling strong and gave Chris one!

The White House looked really pretty that night. With us only been here for 2 days we took advantage of been there at night.

Chris was well chuffed at being able to press the button for the American lights. Earlier in the day we saw our first actual 'stop' and 'go' lights. This is so typically American and it was surprising that in two months it's the only one we'd seen!

Here's Rach's arty picture. She is very pleased with it and you can see why - well done Rach!

Time was up and we had 30 seconds to cross the road. They give you so much time over here! On one set of lights it gave you 10 seconds and another 50 seconds - talk about a contrast!!

After our little adventure we were a tad peckish so Chris spotted this burger place. Rach and I went just for a bite so enjoyed just some fries but Chris splashed out and got a burger AND fries! Ha ha

We took it away and decided to eat it in our room and get cosy. The food was very tasty and it was a good choice! Rach was annoyed she didn't get a burger after drooling over Chris'!

After our tasty dinner we hit the hay ready for an early start. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.....plus our last :(

Day Two

Well today's the day...our last day in America. What a two months it's been! We got our bags together, checked out and put our bags in storage for the last time.

Breakfast wasn't included here which was very disappointing, I tried to get a free one too, trust me!
 

So with our bags away in storage and on the hunt for food we set off. The first thing that hit us was the weather, today it was so much hotter! On a day we'll be walking around exploring it has to be like this doesn't it!!

Due to our trip to Costco we had enough cereal bars so much to Chris' dislike we ate one of them for breakfast however this was pretty standard for us too!

The map was in hand and we had our itinerary planned out. Our transport to the airport was booked so we had until 4 to explore.

Chris was over the moon when he saw a parking metre! We had to take a picture...of course!

As we were taking pictures we spotted this pusher thing over the road. It was facinating! We'd never seen anything like it before!

Back to posing for pictures!

We were making our way to the Lincoln Memorial. In the heat it wasn't too pleasant, we were happy to find shade!

Of course I feel now I have a connection to squirrels so I just had to take a picture of this little chap! He was very cheeky and came towards us stniffing our breakfast bars! 

After getting worried he was getting too close, we made a move. We weren't too far away from the memorial which was good in these weather conditions!!

Once we saw where we were, we couldn't quite believe it. After seeing it on tv, movies and knowing the Lincoln Memorial, being there was so surreal!!

What you can't get from the pictures is just how hot it was! It was a struggle when out of shade, it was that hot!

We ran up the stairs to the sheltered shady area and saw Lincoln in his chair. What a sight! 

There were quite a few people around but we managed to slot in and get some pictures.

On our way round we saw a memorial in place for the troops who fought in the Korean War.

The detail was amazing.

Such a lovely tribute memorial for the veterans.

Walking around in the heat was getting a little unbearable. We were loving the shade and stayed there enjoying it for a while whilst looking at the Martin Luther King stone statue.

Whilst admiring the statue we heard a helicopter and wondered if it was the Presidents private chopper!! We weren't sure but it looked like it to us! Who knows who was in it or where it was going! :S

It wasn't picking us up and saving us from the heat that's all we knew!!

The next attraction was the Jefferson memorial. We walked around the lake and it was so relaxing - well especially coming from New York City! 

From here you could see the Capitol Building standing proud.

As we approached the memorial you could see how detailed it was and architecturally beautiful it is.

We took a moment to sit and reflect on where we were and soak it in....as well as the sun!

You could hire a pedalow but we didn't have time or the money for that. The dollar supply was running low :(

Once we got inside the Jefferson Memorial and looked up it was lovely! Such detail!

In Washington, Id definitely recommend  looking at all the memorials if possible due to them being such gems.

We had plenty of time so after posing with Jefferson we sat there again - we did quite a bit of sitting that day! Sometimes you have to just sit and take it in as to where you are and what your doing so you can believe it!

What we did notice which made us comment, was outside there were some normal trash cans but....

..Near the Jefferson Memorial they were made from marble! I suppose it's to make it not look out of place.

Walking on we saw an advertisement for a bike tour but it made me laugh as it said bring your own bike!! We couldn't do that tour then!

Then we saw a map of the area and realised just how much walking we had done!

We were to cover some more ground like I mentioned before but due to the strong sun and heat we didn't risk it. We didn't want sun stroke when we were flying home!!

This district made me laugh though...

We made our way back to the main strip, to see the Capitol Building from a distance. On the way we spotted two school buses, we won't see them back in England!

Even just walking down a street you walk past a massive building! This is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing - very posh! They were advertising the new $100 note that has come out. Fancy what goes on in there!

As Rach and Chris have played the game Fallout they spotted this and laughed! The game has a section on Washington DC so when we went to the Jefferson Memorial they were saying 'you go this way','this is in the game!' and 'wow, that doors in it'! It was funny!

So when they saw this it made them remember it once more!

I just had to get a picture!

This is as close as we got to the Capitol Building due to the heat of the sun and having to get back to get ready for our airport pick up.

Standing in the middle of it all was such a thing though. One side you have the Capitol and the other you have the Washington Monument. Its a shame in front of you wasn't the White House! That would top you off!

Rach had marked down where the FBI offices were so we of course had to go there. We may have done a world trip but we didn't have any information to report...our business was just to take some pictures (like always!)

Typical tourist moment alert!

Ohhhh a police car!! Snap! Ha ha.

Time was calling us back to our hotel. We had to retrieve our luggage, get changed, refresh ourselves and wait for the airport pick up.

Before we got there we stopped off at Starbucks. We had drunk all our water on our walk, so we needed something else to top us up! I asked straight away for some ice tap water, I was desperate! Then Chris and Rach copied me!

We made our way back refreshed and each holding a frappicino! It was delicious and well deserved after all that sight seeing!

Once we were back at the hotel we got our luggage. As you can see from above we just sat and relaxed for about an hour and a half.

I don't know who Rach thought she was wearing my travelling hat!! It doesn't look right on her head. It's my hat and once it's on my head it means we are travelling somewhere new. That's the rule! :)

It was a sad and joyous occasion, Rach and I didn't like leaving our travelling adventure days behind but yet we were happy to be seeing our family and friends. 

Once the time came for the pick up, we were waiting outside with our luggage.

I got confused at the sign below and thought it meant the hotel didn't like....solicitors.

Rach thought I was joking but I was obviously having a blonde moment!

Whilst waiting outside we saw a fire engine pass and saw this guy at the back. We had never seen that before! I wonder what's it's like going though traffic whilst being sat up there!
 

The taxi came and once again we saw this famous sign!

Ha ha! We tried to pretend we had missed it. The driver was hanging around for a lady who was late and she was lucky to get the pick up. The least she could do was tip him but she didn't! So we didn't feel so bad when we didn't.

Whilst on our journey it started raining! We just laughed and said 'it's getting us back into English weather!'

That's it for our time in Washington. Rach is going to inform you all about our flight home. I really hope you've enjoyed reading about our short and sweet trip in Washington. We had such a wonderful time and I'm sure we may be back again in the future.

Lots of love,

Nat xxx