2014 Christmas Phoenix Trip

It was a wonderful trip, which is my wife said after the trip. We have another family with us together. they also said so.

There is some information about my Phoenix trip during 2014 Christmas. Hopefully a little helps to you when you plan your vacation.

Basic information:

1)      During: Dec.22^nd to Dec.29^th.2014

2)    Airline: US Airways

3)     Hotel: Courtyard Mesa by Marriot (3 star)

4)    Package: Air + Hotel = $1800 USD (for 3 people)

Journey:

1)      Dec.22^nd. About 9:00am arrive Phoenix airport. (2 more hours fly), then took the shuttle to car rental building. Rent a car for 8 days, $340 included $15 per day third part insurance.

Car rental Tips: rent car through internet, pick up compact car, when you take the car, they will automatic upgrade your car to whatever they have if they don’t have small car, otherwise, if they only have SUV left, you may pay $80 to $100 bucks per day.

And use your Credit card which can cover the rental car damage, lost, etc.

Then, directly drive to Desert Botanical Garden. Only about 15 minutes drive. The garden was well designed, and many volunteer old lady around, they will answer any questions you many have. You may have your lunch at Cafeteria or restaurant, much expensive than outside, but similar as Calgary. We chose Cafeteria, as it is 30% cheap than inside restaurant and you can site at beautiful garden with some birds around you. We went back to hotel about 3:00pm.

Then take couple hours rest, after that we drove to glossary store. Most of foods are similar price as Calgary; a few are cheap, for example: red wine. Not like what I thought.

2)    Dec.23^rd. We have already booked a tour through internet. We went to Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture.

The ticket is quite expensive for 1.5 hours tour $80 USD for 3 people. But it will open you and your children’s eyes to a wonderful architecture world. And maybe your child will decide to be an architects because this trip. J

Found a ShangHai Chinese restaurant. Very reasonable price, and good quality.

3)     Dec.24^th. We went to shopping mall as it was the last day before Christmas holiday. They don’t have Boxing Day in US. Northing special, most of wife will love it. I got some brand office pants for $20~$30. And T-shirts only several bucks each. Watch the Christmas light in the evening. Much different feeling because the nice weather.

4)    Dec.25^th. most of places closed in Christmas. So, we chose to go to Camelback Mountain for hiking.

We were lucky; we got a park spot only wait a little while.

I would say this is the most difficult mountain which I did “hiking”.

Why I say that, because at the first couple of kilometers, which is hiking. But after that it is almost climbing. And it is on desert, not many plants you can touch. And you need find the road by yourself. What other people went, it may not fit to you. It’s really challenge for moms. I did worry for them very much, but thanks God, they made it finally. It was a great experience. I saw my daughter’s potential. She even can run couple of kilometers after we back to the normal hiking trail.

We came back to that ShangHai Chinese restaurant again.

5)     Dec.26^th. we drove to Grand Canyon in the morning. Following the sign, directly went to Visitor Centre. There is a bus terminal. You can pick up any trail from the map. Bus will take you to there for free. As the weather is about 0^o C degree when we were there. and the hiking trail was slippery, we only hiked a little bit, then just picked up some viewpoints, took some pictures. We left Grand Canyon about 4:00pm. There’re about 2 and half hours drive to Page. As it’s getting dark at about 5:30pm. It took me 3 hours to drive to the hotel. So, the best time for leaving Grand Canyon suppose to be 3:00pm in winter. Remember update your GPS of western US. And prepare several noodle soups for your family, which will be much better than any food you can find in Page at that time. There are good size microwave and fridge in the hotel. Just remember to check the temperature of the fridge. Don’t know why the last guest adjusted the temperature to deep freezing, so, we found all of our fruits and liquid were freezing in the next morning.

6)     Dec.27^th. Page is small town located at the border of Arizona and Utah. Most of the hotels are operated by first nation. We didn’t find good hotel and restaurant. But the environment is very beautiful. We went to Horseshoes Valley in the morning, then visit Antelope Canyon in the afternoon. Antelope Canyon Tips: you’d better book the tour online; otherwise you have to wait for drop in groups. It will be a long waiting, and maybe pass the good sun time when you come to the Canyon. (I mean you don’t want to walk in dark canyon). We had dinner at a Chinese buffet. Not good food and more expensive than Phoenix.

7)     Dec.28^th. drove to Sedona, a beautiful town between Phoenix and Page. It is filling of art atmosphere. Actually, you felt that you drove into an art world. We went to Devil’s bridge, very good hiking. Think about 3 or 3 and half hour for that. About 5:00pm, we left Sedona. Another 2 hours driving, but most of time should drive in dark and speed at 130 or 140km/h. So, you’d better to leave Page at 8:00am, then you have chance to leave Sedona before 3:00pm.

8)    Dec.29^th. we got a very good sleep, and then drove to MIM (Musical Instrument Museum).
(this photo is from TripAdvisor)
It is the biggest in this world. They collected most of the instruments from every country. And designed a very technology listening system. When you approach the instrument, you will be able to listen the music. Very cool. Except every countries exhibition, there’re also famous Musical people music show, the area where you can play the instruments. The lunch place is also well designed. A little bit expensive than outside, but very good food. Worth to enjoy after couples hours walking. We spent almost whole day. Car return tips: must fill the tank before return, otherwise, the rental company will charge you 3 times than regular price. There is a Shell gas station, under 0.5 miles to airport. The air is at 9:00pm. We arrived Calgary at about 0:00am.

Final counting: spend another $1500 CAD including, car rental, gas, tickets, and food.