Home at last

It was a whirlwind trip. Travelin' Monkey, for one, is glad to be home.

Hello L.A. . . . Goodbye L.A.

Our layover on the way home was only 45 minutes. We traveled fast through LAX and made our connecting flight. And the purse was Travelin Monkey's traveling spot for the entire trip.

Monkey boat

We took a ride across the harbor to Coronado . . . by boat. It was fantastic.

The only thing better was the view from the other side.

We took the boat to meet family for dinner . . .

. . . equally as awesome. The Katy and The Brian crack The Monkey up.

Off the grid

We went to tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that several blocks outside the trendy area of downtown San Diego. Pokez was
its name and holy monkey were we happy with our lunch choice.
Best food so far.

More to explore

We went back to Old Town to do some more exploring after breakfast.

Speaking of, we hit Brian's 24 for breakfast, awesome.

Monkey Monday

What a Monday in San Diego. We started walking along the harbor and noticed these colorful "birds".

We wandered around some more and saw one of the craziest bridges ever.

After some more exploring, we ended up at Petco Park. Pretty cool.

A short train ride and before we knew it, we were in Old Town. Good thing we were hungry . . .

. . . and thirsty.

After lunch, we hopped a bus to the beach. The sand and sun were awesome. The water, on the other hand, FREEZING!

Another train ride home (not this one, but a smaller one) and it's time for an evening out.

Big orange pillow . . . GO RAMS!

We made it our hotel. If you can read a hotel by its pillows, this one looks pretty awesome.

The best part about our trip so far . . . watching this VCU Rams defeat those pesky KU Jayhawks.

Salty Monkey

Made it safe and sound to Salt Lake City for our layover. Traveling Monkey was in awe of all the mountains, airplanes . . .

. . . and beer.

Pig in a terra cotta shop

I know a fake when I see one...onward to the real Terra Cotta Soldiers!

There was a clear no pig zone around the real Terra Cotta soldiers...something about a bull in a china shop ruining it for the rest of us.

Official beer of the NBA

This beer is brought to you by the NBA.

Garden envy

I lack the green hoof to compete with the Yuyuan Garden.

Hotel envy

Hotel #2 in Xī'ān....puts the Doubletree in Beijing to shame. Can I stay here forever?!

One more from The Great Wall

Those folks are wondering how one little piggy could make it this far (me too folks).

Sleepless in China

You find interesting things when you rummage through hotel closets when you can't sleep.

And those interesting things you find in hotel closets have pop tops.

You've been warned

Everywhere the signs. Piggy do this. Piggy don't touch that. It's a little intimidating.

I see why it's a Forbidden City. They wanted to keep all the high class toiletry to themselves.

Not exactly sure what to make of this.

I got it already, sheesh.

Ooooohhhhh, FORBIDDEN

Prepare to enter the Forbidden City.

Heavenly Gate.

They say if you rub the door it's good luck!

Anyone see the Last Emperor....anything look familiar?

Hmmm....the Imperial Garden is looks like it needs a revamp.

Being friendly is not forbidden.

Summers by the lake...that Empress had her head on straight!

Which way to the Sacred Way?

Today I visited the Sacred Way where I was greeted by philosophers.

The Sacred Way was quite a peaceful walk.

Crazy looking creatures called Qilin also crossed the path of the Sacred Way.

We rounded out the day at The Birds Nest also known as Olympic Stadium site of the 2008 Olympics.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall

Greetings from The Great Wall of China!

P is for Pagoda...surely not the last you will see me at this trip.

Almost to the top...huff puff pant ugh!

Not sure what this sign says but pretty sure it says, "I'm kicking your little pork hiney, Love The Great Wall."

I DID IT...I conquered The Great Wall!

Ahhhh China

I MADE IT!

When in doubt grab everything in sight.

Any hotel that greets you with cookies gets an A+ in my book!

I'm a little tuckered out so I'm gonna do what the pillow tells me.