What a brilliant bunch at Virgin Australia! Of all the long distance flights ever done, I have to say that this was probably the most pleasant, comfortable and the onboard team were by far the lovliest crew ever. After 13hours in the air, we arrived at LAX pretty fresh and unphased, which is unheard of.
Thur 23rd:
A night in a hotel at the airport before catching a very early(up at 430am) flight to Las Vegas.The realisation that we had hit USA soil still not quite sunken in yet. That didn't happen until we were settled in Las Vegas and breathed a big collective 'ah we made it'. The leg to sin city, was short and sweet, 40min in the air to be exact and on to our hotel, The Orleans; host hotel and venue for the 'MR Olympia 2010'. Seeing all the very big guys and girls roaming in packs around the lobby was an amazing sight. We even sighted a couple of the pro athletes as we checked in, much to our glee. Once settled we hit the buffet for the chicken, salad and pretty much anything else you could ask for, which of course we abstained from, a task that was surprisingly easy considering the amount of fried food that was on offer....then off to the gym for the first of 3 workouts that day....the energy and excitement in the air was kinda super-electric, everyone buzzing about their top-tip for the title-was it going to be Phil Heath, Jay Culter or a random....the choice always came back to LV local, JC.
Well, no girls trip to Sin City would have been complete without 2 very,very critical things-shopping and hot men. This trip certainly didn't disappoint as we had our fill of both. I finally got to experience the famed Las Vegas outlet shopping, and OMG! If that was outlet shopping then forget the 'real' shopping, i will happily be content with the plush surroundings, super freindly and very helpful staff, awesome prices and layout that made it a very pleasant expereince indeed. My cap collection is now complete is all i will say, oh and to all who know how i have a bit of a weakness for anything bling, well yes that was satisfied too.
Oh, almost forgot, the hot men....apart from more meat wandering round the Orleans hotel than a ranch in Texas, Glamazon and I were treated to a very special experience as guests of honor.'Saffhaire Club', male review. Picked up by limo outside the Orleans Hotel and driven to the venue, we were entertained by a bevy of buff, built and very beautiful boys for the evening. All were true gentlemen, had interesting stories about living and working in Las Vegas to tell and really know how to put on a show in true Las Vegas style.
Of special mention, Rico, who organised the evening,wh made us feel so incredibly welcome. Aj who kept the night rolling smoothly with his MC-ing skills and f course the whole team really made it a heap of fun & just a little bit naughty...both Glamazon and I can now rest easy knowing we have actually participated onstage in a Las Vegas show (lol). 
The night before the unveiling of the worlds most honed and perfected bodies, spectators were granted the rare treat of 'Meeting the Olympians' was a wonderful opportunity to have some 'face time' with the people that have inspired the careers and aspirations of so many. 
For me, meeting Adela (who went on to make history by winning her 5th Fitness Olympia title this year)Garcia was a great moment. Nicole Wilkins-Lee was just as pretty in person as her photo's, Heather Mae French was a delightfully positive and bubbly lady, a little chickie like me, she really was so awesome t chat to and really loved her time 'downunder' earlier in the year. 
Jay Cutler was the man of the hour(and went on to take the O title), his legion of fans were out in force to wish him their biggest support, the line to see him was 3 deep and the length of the very vast room, it would have taken well over an hour to meet him. In chatting to all the figure girls above, as well as Cheryl Brown
, the super sweet Dexter Jackson, Tony Freeman...I have been amazed at just how appreciative they all were that people had come to meet them and how privilaged they all were to be at the show. I asked Heather Mae French how they all coped being so depleted the day before their stage time and meeting new people and the bustling crowds, her response delighted me...'without the fans we wouldn't have a show, its because of all of you that we get to do what we love, so any chance to actually meet you gives me energy and makes me happy...i love it'....
Fri 24th:
After 2 photoshoots early (the results of which I cannot wait to see-Chaz Photography was at his creative best again and after 4 hrs i had no more outfits to wear), Glamazon and I headed off to catch the last of the O-Expo. After the wildness of the Arnolds in March, I must say I was a little underwhelmed. All the usual supplement exhibitors were there, but the stands were smaller and other than a few groups gathered around their favourite sponsored pro's, there was not really that much going on.
So we headed back to the hotel for a gym session, feed and then headed to the womens finals. The Bikini division was great and I can certainly see why they have included this into the lineup for the girls. A very, very good addition;achievable bodies for the girls coming into the sport and a firm favourite already with the audience...Sonya Gonzalez, former figure athlete, took Bikini honors with a smaller and neater package than her figure days. For a smaller framed girl I certainly think this was a great move for her, she looked amazing. On the whole the bikini girls were very, very slim and had a 'diva-licious' attitude to their stage personas which fitted well with the Las Vegas razzle. Iris Kyle took MS. Olympia, a great win but she was given a run for her money from a couple of the other girls who presented amazing form. As mentioned Fitness went to the lovley Adela Garcia, specatacular and deseved.
Sat 25th:
Onto our final destination, Mexico City. Where the first 15days will be whiled away in a carb depleted blur as i lead into my show. Glamazon organised accmodation for the days around the show at the prestigious 'Presidente Intercontinental Hotel'. Literally the prefered choice of presidents, rockstars and now Aussie Figure chicks (lol). This has to be the MOST gorgeous hotel i have ever stayed in. I am staying at the competition host hotel near the convention center in Mexico for the World Championships, head there on Thursday but for now, I am on the 31st floor overlooking the stunning sparkling blanket of lights that are Mexico City, I feel on top of the world and so very,very lucky.
One aspect we had not considered was the altitude here; Mexico City is situated over 2.250 meters (7,400 feet) above sea level and watched over by two mighty volcanoes. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with temple ruins from the Inca's (which we will be checking out after the comps). So I must confess, I dont know if the fatigue and breathing difficulty is due to the depletion or the altitude, but either way its been interesting a couple of times-dizzy spell anyone?
So as I take leave of you peeps, thanks for sticking with the rather long post. The depletion is in full swing, I am all set with eggs and chicken after a shopping and cooking trip today. Drinking bottle water like a crazy person and testing out my crude spanish on anyone who is kind enough to be patient with me-and that is everyone, they are all soooo incredibly polite and sweet here...and glamorous too, the men and women are very chiche...I must confess to total nievity in my image of what i was to expect from Mexico City, other than being big and populated by 30million people, for want of seeming rude I had images of the people that closer resembled the characters of movies-farmers, labour workers. I have been humbly set straight on this idea and rightly so. A wnderful city and so full of life and culture, I cannot wait to experience some of it after the show.
4 days to go and all is well, the lack of stress, ease of the travel and the laughs that have been had have made this one of the most pleasant and fantastic expereices in preparing for a show I have had the privilage, to have. Meeting the other competitors on Thursday is going to be just another highlight in an already special trip.I feel so blessed to be a part of this sport......xx
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