My last day in Kansas was, in fact, spent in Missouri. After packing up all of my things and checking and double checking that I hadnt left any chargers in sockets or my toothbrush at the sink, we got in the car and headed to Kansas City.

Our first stop for the day was for a round of Golf. Drew and his friend were meeting up for a rare day of golf at a very nice course and I was in charge of driving the buggy and cheering (occasionally jeering) the boys on. The quality of golf that was played was not that that you might see on the television, but it was a very pleasant day indeed. We got to play with a lot of sand and water, and I had fun driving the buggy. I havent driven for around four weeks now and was always a little wary to do so anyway over here where they drive on the wrong side of the road. And, sure enough, I even managed to confuse some other buggy drivers who were coming towards me. I pulled over to let them past, but pulled over onto the left, and then, realising my mistake, veered wildly to the other side of the path. It was a near miss but no-one was hurt and it made a good excuse for the americans to have a lot of laughs and jibes at my expense.

We got to hole 14 and the golf, which had been pretty bad all day, got worse and worse (possibly affected by the number of beers that had been consumed along the way) and we decided it was time to give up and go and find our hotel. We were staying in a hotel in downtown Kansas City, near the Power and Light district, a fabulous open area surrounded on two level by different bars and clubs so that you can pick and chose the kind of music that you want to listen to, get a drink, take it outside with a friend so you can have chat and calm down, then choose another bar.

First we showered after a long day in the hot sun, and I put on the LBD that I had borrowed for the evening. One of the girls of the group happened to be the same size as me and even the same shoe size as me and she had no restrictions on the number of outfits that she could bring along in her bags as she could throw it all into the boot of her car. She had several dresses and shoes to chose from, so I got all dressed up for the first time in a month.

We got into a taxi and headed back to the Plaza area as there was reputedly one of the top ten steak houses in the whole of America there. However, on the way we realised that eating at a top ten restaurant would mean paying top ten prices, so instead we chose another near by italian restaurant that served steaks and pasta. We ordered our steaks, which were by no means top ten, but were very good, and finished it off with a nice bottle of Malbeck.

We had taken such a long time in getting ready and finding our restaurant that by the time we finished it was nearly midnight. The girl with the extensive wardrobe was turning 27 at midnight, so we went to a nearby irish pub to celebrate. The pub was packed and after a drink and many happy birthday congratulations we jumped into a taxi to head back to the Power and Light district.

The vibe at P&L is fantastic. Or should I say Awsome. There is music to suit every taste and we quickly found a piano duelling bar. The extremely talented musicians played every kind of song you could imagine with every one of them able to play the piano, drums, guitar, and even the saxophone! They were incredible and we had a wonderful time. The hours passed by and eventually we left the bar, had a quick dance in the communal area below and walked back to the hotel, stopping for a little bit of salsa dancing in a latin bar along the way.

The next day I woke lateish and went downstairs for an extremely dissapointing hotel breakfast, before repacking all of my stuff and heading off to the airport. Kansas City airport is possibly the smallest airport I have been to in a while, and Drew told me that it had once been a very busy international airport, but now only serviced regional airlines.

I boarded my flight with no fuss and headed off for John Wayne airport in Santa Ana - California, via Denver.

The trip passed with no problem at all, and I landed at the airport and took the short walk to collect my bag. My friend Spencer turned up just before my bag came onto the belt and we jumped in the car to head to his apartment. He lives in Newport, Orange County. His apartment is tiny (the whole thing is smaller than my living room) in a gated complex and he pays three times the price of the tennant living in my apartment! It is insane!

We dropped my bag off, and, with a wicked gleam in his eye, he announced that we were going to the peninsula - by BIKE!!! Spencer is a friend of a friend that I had met at Sarah's wedding in October and whose friendship I am thoroughly abusing by kipping on his couch for my trip to California. Before my arrival in the US we had exchanged various emails about what I liked to do with my time, Kayaking? Hiking? Swimming with sharks? I wrote back explaining that I enjoy eating and drinking very much, and while I tried to keep myself fit with the occasional jog along the sea front and bit of yoga now and then, I wasnt much of a sports person. Spencer read the email, deleted it and took no regard to what I had said. So, this is how I found myself on a bicycle for the first time since I was about 12, riding around the streets of Newport.

Each time we set off I wobbled my way, the front wheel veering dangerously from left to right until I had it under control. I was concentrating solely on staying upright on the bike, and vaguely looking around me at the traffic, but silently praying that nothing would be coming my way as I shot off into the middle of the road. Finally, thankfully, we arrived at the peninsula, and absolutely bustling place full of people enjoying the evening sun. We walked along the jetty, past all of the fishermen catching their dinner (we wondered how the fishing lines didnt get tangled up with each other) around the american diner at the end of the jetty and back to the bustling strip. We stopped in Blackies, the most unpretentious bar in the area, for a drink and chomped our way through a bag of peanuts. One white wine spritzer and a glass of dark beer later and it was time to ride the bike home. I boarded my bike and pushed off with gusto and before long we were home.

We walked back into the apartment and I noticed for the first time that there was no bed in the studio, and no sofa. Where, I asked Spencer, exactly will I be sleeping? Aha said he and tugged at the large mirror in between two cupboards on a unit at the side. Pulling the mirror down he revealed a bed!! Cool, I have only ever seen those in the movies! Spencer gallantly offered me the bed and he slept on a futon on the floor. Being a bit of an eco-warrior this is nothing new for Spencer, so I quickly drifted off into an undisturbed sleep.

The next morning we arose very early indeed - 7am!!! We had made a pact the night before to rise early and go for a morning run. I may not have explained the extent of my running abilities very well, because as we embarked on our run he explained to me that the whole course was 3 miles long!!!! We employed my technique of running for ten minutes, then walking for ten minutes, but it soon turned into running for 3 minutes and walking for ten minutes and shortly after that I gave up with the running totally and we just walked the rest of the way. The run/walk was very picturesque and I enjoyed gawping at all of the large houses along the way, and enjoying the view accross the national park and the ocean.

We arrived home, pleased with ourselves for being very active so early on a Sunday morning. we breakfasted on cereal, soya milk, strawberries and blue berries (Spencer is a vegan), and, rested and refreshed we got back on the bikes and headed down to the national park / water reserve to rent a couple of kayaks. Spencer gave me general instructions for handling the kayak and the paddle and off I went. I was rather pleased with myself that I didnt immediatley end up in the water and as we were cruising along I glanced over at Spencer. He seemed suspiciously calm and it wasnt costing him as much effort to move his kayak along. I asked him if he was used to going this slowly and he admitted that indeed, he was not! However, we had a great time, making our way slowly up the waterways and closer to the ocean. I was dumbstruck by the sheer size of some of the residences along the way, each with their own private jetties and magnificent yachts in berth. We rode past one old boat that a seal had claimed as a perfect resting spot, lounging on the deck in the sunshine. We had been paddling for about an hour, and I was concious of the fact that i would have to have some energy for the return journey, so I convinced Spencer to turn around and head back to the centre. On our return some other people in Kayaks came our way, and I tried to steer myself out of their path. I ended up close to one of the jetties, and in my wisdom decided to push against it with my paddle to try to launch myself off again. My grasp of physics is clearly not great, otherwise I might have been able to calculate that this would be an excellent way of sending me off balance. It was touch and go for a moment whether I would end up in the water or not, and thankfully I didnt. But my kayak did seem to be taking on an extraordinary amount of water. I was trying so hard to make the kayak go faster and digging my oars deeper into the water, and each time I raised an oar water would trickle down the handle and onto my hands, my face, my legs, my feet - everywhere.

When we finally made it back to the kayak centre, I was wet from head to toe and Spencer was dumbfounded about how I had managed to get so much water all over me. I squelched out of the kayak and rinsed it down, returning my oar and life jacket to their position. I squelched out to where our bikes were waiting for us, and painfully mounted it for the ride home. We made it home and I thankfully got into the shower to wash all of the sea water off me, and put my trainers, shorts and socks out onto the balcony to dry.

I was already tired. The night before coming to California had been a late one, and my first night had also been a late one, going to sleep at 1am and waking at 7 for our run. My legs hurt from the running, my bottom hurt from the uncomfortable bicyle and now my arms hurt from the kayaking. But, I was having an adventure in California, so, when Spencer suggested a trip on a whale watching boat I was very keen, although slighly worried that it might involve a bike ride to catch the boat. I was right, and after a spot of lunch we left the apartment once again on our bikes.

I still hadnt mastered the initial setting off stage on the bike and I was still a bit wobbly. It all went horribly wrong when we had to cross the road. Spencer looked right and left, the way was clear and off he went confidently, leaving me for dust. I couldnt tell if there was a car coming from behind me as it was on my deaf side, so couldnt hear anything. I could, however, see the car coming in front of me, so I tried to slow down, wobbled dangerously, couldnt find my feet to place on the floor and then, BANG! I fell smack on the pavement, banging my knee painfully, splayed out on the california tarmac. And what does every 12 year old do when they fall off their bike? Burst into tears of course! I folded my arms around myself and cried like a baby, from the pain, and the embarrassment! Spencer finally realised that I was not behind him and came back and found me on the pavement. I'm sure it took him all his strength not to laugh, and take a picture at the pathetic sight, but to his credit he didnt, and helped me to my feet and suggested that we might take the bikes home. I nodded tearfully and limped my way back to the apartment and greatfully left the bikes behind.

I perked up quite quickly, and we set off for the second time to go to see the whale watching. What Spencer didnt tell me, was that the walk to the harbour was about three miles long. We walked and walked and walked and my spirits started sinking further and further. I rallied a little when we walked accross the Island of Balboa, the most twee place I have ever seen. The houses looked the colour of candy floss and all of the shops sold expensive classy tat. Their was an air of extreme wealth about the place, it was a fascinating place to be. We got to the ferry, a tiny tub that could hold 3 cars and about 20 people. The line for the cars wound its way along the street, but we walked past them all and got on the ferry for the short 3 minute trip accross the harbour, costing just one dollar.

We then got to Balboa, another very beautiful place, with a 'fun area' full of arcades, carosels etc. Spencer told me that this was the birthplace of the frozen banana, so I thought it would be only proper to try one. I did, it was definately frozen, but covered in chocolate and chocolate sprinkles so I couldnt eat it all. The idea of frozen banana is a good one though, definately worth trying out all you guys in Cyprus!

We walked around the arcades for a bit then turned up at the shop to buy our tickets for the whale watching trip. The trip was actually sold out, but one guy was trying to sell on his tickets as his wife couldnt find any parking. I grudgingly admitted to myself that Spencer had made the right choice in walking rather than bringing the car, and we took two of the tickets that they guy was selling. We got onto the boat and headed off on our two and a half our journey. It was lovely on the boat and again we got a good look at the incredibly ostentatious dwellings along the harbour.

Before long we found a pod of Dolphins, who played cheekily with the boat and in the surrounding sea. I tried to take photographs, but it was very difficult. I managed to get one dodgy one, and a bit of film, and then switched the camera off so that I could just enjoy it.

We watched the dolphins for about ten minutes and then it was time to get going again, further out to try to find the whales. Eventually the captain announced that there were two whales ahead that they had seen. He described their location as we headed out there and I searched and searched to see what he had seen without any luck. He slowed the boat and explained that the whales had gone on a deep dive, and this could last about 15 minutes and we would just wait. We all held our breath in anticipation, some clowns started speaking like Dory in Finding Nemo, trying to entice the whales to come up for breath.

Finally, they did, and I was very relieved to see what everyone else was seeing. We saw two beautiful, enormous blue whales. I didn't even bother with my camera, I just watched these creatures in awe and amazement. I felt so lucky to be in that specific spot at that specific time and witnessing something so wonderful.

We were all extremely happy with what we had seen, and finally, regretfully, the captain announced that we had to turn back to shore. He had had to go quite far out to find the whales and we were running late for the return trip. No-body minded though and we gave him and the crew a round of applause as he turned the boat around and headed back.

Spencer and I headed inside for a drink, and I took the opportunity to finally have a hot dog. I was almost not going to have one when the barman advised me that they had run out of ketchup and announced that I wasnt sure if I wanted one as I wanted to have an authentic american experience hot dog. There was a busy body in the line next to me and he advised me that they dont put ketchup on their hot dogs anyway, just mustard and sweet pickle. So I said ok, and had my hot dog with mustard and sweet pickle. I had been right not to have eaten a hot dog all of this time. It wasnt that great, and just like any other hot dog I had ever eaten. But, at least I had had a hot dog in the states.

Eventually we made it back to dry land, and Spencer and I stopped in a very nice bar for a drink before the trip home. I had made Spencer promise that we could take a taxi home, and I was so tired already from such a long day and a bit touched by the sun that all I had was a water. He decided that we would have more luck finding a taxi on the Island of Balboa rather than on the peninsula so we got back on the ferry for our return trip. We decided to walk in the direction of home and stop a taxi on the way, but, of course, we could find no taxi to take us. We did pass one, but by that point Spencer said we were almost home anyway so we let it pass. He was lying. We walked for another half an hour, and by then I was in full wimpering mode. My knee hurts, my feet hurt, my thighs hurt, I need to go to the toilet and I have a stitch. We finally got home and I pulled the bed from it's hidy hole and collapsed on it greatfully. I dosed myself up with antihistamines as my sneezing had returned, and eventually climbed under the covers in a bid to warm up. I think I had a touch of sun stroke as I was shivering, sneezing, in pain and generally feeling very sorry for myself.

I had originally arranged to meet up with my friend Ani the next morning, but that would mean getting up in the morning at about 6 am in order to get a lift with Spencer on his way to work so that he could drop me off at the metro. I called Ani and postponed our meeting until Tuesday and declared that I would have a lie in.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep more quickly than I ever remember without the involvement of alcohol.

This morning I awoke at 12 o clock. I had to get up to go to the chemist to get some more antihistamines, so I dragged myself into the shower, gingerly washed my knee, which is now beginning to scab over, and limped accross the road. I bought my antihistamines, and lots of other lovely stuff that you just cant resist when you are in a pharmacy, a quick sandwich from subway and a chocolate bar to replenish my drained energy and then returned to the apartment.

I ate my sandwich on the balcony in the glorious sunshine, having moved my trainers into the sunshine as they were still a little wet from my adventures yesterday. I have had a lovely day recouperating in the sun and I am ready for a gentle adventure tonight, perhaps the cinema or something like that. But if Spencer suggests that we cycle or walk I might have to kill him. Watch this space!