2 days in Las Vegas

From San Francisco, we took another 1.5 hours flight to our next destination.. Las Vegas, Nevada. Our friend was able to get us a good deal & booked a 2 nights stay in Flamingo Hotel which is located in Vegas' famous strip. Since we couldnt check in to our hotel until 3pm & we wouldnt want to waste time, we decided to drive less than an hour from the airport to visit the Hoover Dam-- a concrete gravity-arch dam constructed during the 1930s situated between the US border states of Nevada & Arizona. We explored the dam for a little while & then drove back to the City. We actually didnt do much in Vegas aside from having a quick photo at the vegas sign & checking the strip in only about an hour or so because we went on a day-tour in Arizona the next day. We initially planned to watch a show in Vegas but we run out of time (and energy )-- but atleast we have a reason to come back in Vegas. And as what many people say, Vegas is a city like no other. And it wouldnt be tagged as a sin city for no reason 

Just arrived in Vegas airport 

Vegas is indeed the world's gambling capital because right when you arrived in the airport.. the slot machines are scattered all over 

We grabbed some quick bite at a local fastfood chain called Five Guys. Among the burgers we tried in our trip such as In-and-Out, Mcdonalds, Shakeshack & Whitecastle.. Five Guys' burger is my most favorite.

Hoover Dam

A true marvel of engineering considering that it was built in the 1930s.

Just a few step away are the borders of Nevada & Arizona with one hour time difference. So you'll be in a different timezone in a just a few seconds.

Arizona border

Much love & respect to those who designed & built it.

And because we're tourist, ofcourse, we wouldnt miss to have a quick photoop to the Vegas sign.

Believe it or not this is a candid photo LOL

With my love 

Our double-bed room at Flamingo Hotel

Love the Pink lighting of the bathroom. Plus it has its own TV inside.

Look at this happy boy 

Dinner at White Castle. A mini-burger that literally melts in your mouth

Roaming around at the Vegas Strip

Casino after Casino after Casino

For a tropical folks like we do.. seeing a giant cactus amazes us 

So that's about a short trip in the Sin City. Till we meet again, Vegas.

Always,

Rica ♡

2 days in San Francisco

Last month, Jan & I went to the USA for the first time to visit his bestfriend who lives in California, while at the same time, we also took the opportunity to see as much tourist attractions as we could for 11 full days. We definitely had the best time of our lives in the US not worrying about anything because our dear friend, Jack, arranged everything for us from booking our plane tickets, hotel accommodations, car rentals & planning our everyday itinerary and we couldnt be any thankful to him for being such a warm & hospitable host. We've been very lucky to tick off so many items in our bucket list in this trip. And the highlight & most memorable part-- the romantic marriage proposal of Jan to me in Arizona. Yes, you've read it right. We're getting married! Up to this moment, Im still on cloud 9 & i cant help but to look at my finger every minute. I feel like everything just fell into its right time & right place. BUT..I will save our marriage proposal story for another post because that's gonna be a looonngg blog entry. :) So for now, let me start off our USA blog series with our trip in San Francisco California which is the first City we visited in our itinerary.

From San diego, we took an early flight to San Francisco via Alaska airlines and picked up our rental car near the airport. We stayed in San Francisco for a couple of nights and we truly enjoyed wandering around the bustling City. Every neighborhood of San Francisco has its own unique personality from Lombard street, beautiful Victorian houses, the beaches, many chill spots & entertaining street performers around Pier 39 of Fishersman wharf & ofcourse, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the list goes on. Not only did we enjoy the attractions but also the FOOD. We literally went from one foodtrip to another in San Francisco & I also got to try the yummiest Clam Chowder I ever had in my life in a local restaurant in Pier 39. 

On a side note, because San Francisco is one of the most visited & popular tourist attractions in the United States also means--thieves are all over. On our last day, we had our rental car's window smashed by the thieves and it seems rampant in SF because we've also seen a couple of auto break-ins before our window got smashed. Good thing, we didnt leave any of our valuables inside the car & our friend availed an insurance. So, all good.  

Early morning flight to SFO

That Big American brunch,though 

Looking at this pic makes me hungry T_T

Taken at the Palace of Fine Arts. When I posted this in my social media, many of our friends & relatives commented that this photo is like an engagement shoot.. little did I know that Jan would actually propose in this trip. [Thanks Jack for this photo! ]

Beautiful Architecture

Love all the beautiful Victorian Houses in SF

Lombard Street

Driving in the iconic San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Bucket List-- Check!

San Fran 

Thank you Golden Gate Bridge for still showing up 

Fisherman's wharf

Chillin' along Fisherman's wharf

Pier 39

When you have a photography enthusiast friend :)

Day 2. Lunch at the famous Bubba Gump Restaurant

Spot the Alcatraz

Yum!

Beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean

Pictures dont give justice..

The yummiest Clam Chowder evaaaahh!

That's about our 2 days trip in San Francisco :)

To be continued.

Always,

Rica ♡