A wee trip to LA

Now that we've left the good old US of A for the fair (but savagely wet, windy and cold) hills of Ireland (it being El Crimbo and all that), there's time to post a few words and pics on our not really all that recent anymore Thanksgiving trip to LA.  It was going to be a quiet, relaxing trip with really only one goal ... to do the "Houses of the Stars" tour - me being a massive fan and all.

The morning after we arrived, we headed to the hotel lobby where we were going to be picked up.  I was armed with my camera; Alma overloaded with nothing but enthusiasm - a lethal weapon (no Hollywood pun intended) in any situation.  As with anything Alma arranges, this little trip was going to filled with a few surprises along the way ...

The first was that the bus picking us up for our tour wasn't in fact the bus picking us up for our tour.  Instead this was the bus that was going to pick up everyone from their respective hotels and bring them to a central point.  Hours after being brought to said central point we'd all get to go on our separate tours.  The central point as it turned out was on Hollywood Boulevard so after signing in and getting our super touristy name tag, we headed off to explore for a couple of hours.  Not my most favorite experience in the whole world I'd have to say.  There were loads and loads of street entertainers - have your picture taken with me here, have a nice day there (Vegas like).  At one stage over use of the phrase "God bless you sir" got so extreme I was waiting to see the light !  In between the street entertainers there was a what seemed like a small nation of artists just dying to give away CD's of their music.  I must admit that I did get a laugh when one of them stopped Alma to give her a "gift"  - which of course she didn't want ... but no, no - he just wouldn't have it.  He wasn't going to bite he insisted (oh - thank goodness, now I'm so much more interested).  In fact Alma was so special that he wanted to know her name (& where she came from) so that he could autograph the CD specially for her - what an honor !  Transaction complete, Alma wanted to head on her way when Mr. Boogey on Down to my new and original music asked if she would be prepared to make a small donation towards his creative talent.  This was the part I thought was classic ... Alma informed his dudeness that I had the wallet and that I had already walked ahead - to which the guy stuck out his hand, turned his head away and said, "Give it back !" as indignant as you like.  Brilliant !  Even the art of gifting has financial consequences in LA !

So after scouring the boulevard for a little over an hour we headed back to the tour office only to find that all the people that had signed up for different tours departing at different times were all going to be traveling on the same bus anyway ... so remind me ... why didn't we leave 2 hours ago ???  The guy driving the bus was hilarious.  It was like he had to get back for some urgent once in a lifetime opportunity open-heart surgery (remember - this offer is not available in the shops).  He took off, driving faster than it was possible to take a half-decent high speed photo and started listing off all the famous locations in the district that had been used for the movies of old (Omen, Pretty Woman etc).

Our first stop was at a viewing location for the Hollywood sign - a must see for any self-respecting tourist in LA.  It also provided a good chance to get a panoramic view of LA.

Panoramic view of LA ... the bit that can be seen through the smog / fog on the day.

The Hollywood sign.  The spacing between the O and D looks all messed up - bummer after paying that much money for it, while if you look closely the D looks like it's getting a face-lift (there's also some scaffolding at the bottom of the second O).

So onwards and upwards we went along Mulholland Drive, traveling at speeds that seemed to age those outside our frame of reference - the bus driver ranting and raving about who used to live here; who once walked their dog there etc.

If our driver was to be believed, this is Julia Roberts' place ... Alma being a big fan and all that.

Even the stars need to let themselves go every so often so there needs to be someone close on hand - this fast food van located in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Some geezer that sells suits at $80G's a pop on Rodeo Drive owns this Veyron.  Can't imagine how he ever got the cash together.

On the return journey we popped as far as Venice beach to see if any of the big muscly lads were out in force.  It was Saturday around noon - perfect Goldilocks weather conditions - and yet there was no one much to Alma's disappointment (I'm pretty sure I got over it a bit quicker).

Venice Beach pier.

The whiff of weed was something else with so-called medical centers all over the place offering not only the goods but also the added bonus to provide you with a prescription - because let's face it; drugs are illegal unless you need them for medical purposes.

One of the Venice Beach "doctors" escorts a patient to a treatment center while his patient does his utmost to remain calm during the traumatic experience.

Here and Gone

Having left Wexford in the early hours of Tuesday morning, all was going well.  A 2 hour trip to Dublin, 4.5 hours from Dublin to Chicago; a small stop over in Chicago followed by a 7 hour flight to San Diego.  Then the dreaded words (queue Captains DJ voice) "I'm sorry folks but I have some bad news".... Jane's thinking the worst and bracing for impact as the Captain announces that due to heavy fog in San Diego, they needed to divert to LA ....  ok not going to die on impact (at least not yet) but may well die from exhaustion with a 2 hour bus journey pending!!

Finally after a couple of days ... ah only joking ... but some hours later, they ARRIVED!!!!  Oh and guess what????  The fog had completely lifted again by that point!  Oh the irony of it all (cue Alanis).

A hike up Torrey Pines is a great way to kill any jet lag.  Here Sean is explaining to Jane that in some parts of the world the sky really is blue ... "no really Jane, it doesn't have to rain all the time !!"

Sean clinging to his big sis because he's on unfamiliar turf.

Enjoying Sea World.

Marcel Marceau in deep thought.

I was trying to convince Sean to go on the "Manta" (the super crazy fast roller-coaster in Sea World).  Finally he decided he would but of course, only if I joined.  I was sh*tting bricks but hey you only live once.  It was the best fun.  I screamed the whole way around and could hear Sean (what can only be described as "yelping") the whole way around.  We both came off shaking and headed straight back for another go.  It was brilliant!!

Having boasted to Marie-Jose for almost a year about how brilliant my brother was at golf, the day finally arrived when I could show him off!!  He strolled up to the tee box, me smiling proudly and as the golf club struck the ball, my dreams were shattered.  Blown away as the golf ball dribbled off the tee and rolled a mockingly 10 feet down the fairway. Jane and myself looked in horror at each other while Marie-Jose tried her best not to jump up and down in delight.  He let us down...... badly.... very badly indeed.  It would seem that this was only a sign of things to come.

It all looks good, so why isn't it working?

Jane takes a swing at it.

I think it was the worst he has ever played (as weak as it sounds, let's put it down to jet lag).  I almost beat him myself and that's saying something.  Marie-Jose beat the socks off him and did well not to go "nah, nah, na nah na" in his face!!   Jane took a little while to get going but after a few lost balls, was playing brilliantly.  On finishing the round we immediately booked another round for two days later.  Sean could not leave defeated and ashamed; he had a new goal in life.  He later came back to prove himself after two days of intensive Rocky like training and beat us all in a rather more convincing manner.  That's my bruv !

No trip to San Diego would be complete without visiting the Del hotel, so tourists that we are, we dragged the lads that far.

The ladies enjoying Coronado beach.

And if Coronado Island is a must then there's even more to be said for Vegas.  To be fair, there was no way we were not going to Vegas.  It was pretty much all Sean could talk about during the weeks building up to the trip.  So who am I to disappoint him?

Las Vegas baby - outside the Monte Carlo hotel!

You may wonder why we are all wearing jeans and jumpers in Vegas.  Well .... it was bloody freezing - that's why !  Ok ... not Ireland freezing but freezing nonetheless.  Even Sean and Jane were cold ... well actually Jane is always cold but still - you get the idea.  We gambled at the hotel casino the first night and of course lost.  It was a little embarrassing actually.  Jane and I were playing 10 cent machines and when we won anything ... I mean anything ... the bells would chime long and hard.  People were stopping to look to see what we won; such was the commotion.  Mad gamblers that we were, we were only putting in the bare minimum and winning like $3.00 (again the bare minimum).  I know, we'll never make it big but we enjoyed it.

Jane strutting her stuff in Vegas.  Ha ha ha ha - staying alive.

Sean missing all the goings on at home.

Cue Jaws theme tune.  I dunno - but if I was that duck I'd be pretty nervous.

Besties !

St. Mark's square, but then inside the Venetian Hotel.

We stayed cool while those around us were just buzzing all over the place.

See I almost won, I just needed them in the middle.  Oddly enough, I can't remember if this smile was at the beginning or more towards the end.

Jane & poker, she hadn't a clue (check out the hand she has) but she was happy God love her!

It hardly even fits in her hand, but again - she was happy !

As my birthday was celebrated in Vegas, my hubby got us tickets to see the "KA" show by Cirque du Soleil.  It was absolutely amazing.  As those of you familiar with the Vegas ways they usually build the theaters specifically for each show.  This theater (in the MGM Grand) was just amazing.  The show itself was really mind blowing.  One moment I was lost in the magic and the next I was literally praying to God that nobody died.  I said several Hail Mary's at one stage when these two guys were.... ah I can't explain it.  If you ever get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.  To round the trip off we headed to the older part of Vegas (where it all began).

Old town Las Vegas

After that, sure we had to drag them as far as the Safari park.

I dunno - do you?

Taking the whole grumpy gorilla to a whole new level.

Whatever you do - don't stay still for too long.

Gerald or Geraldo as he's known closer to the Mexican border.

A white horned rhino.

As vicious as this looks, it was actually only a yawn.

Of course it wasn't all fun and games.  We also did 'normal' everyday things ...

Just doing the California thing with the hood popped back.

OK - so maybe it was all fun and games then - sheesh !

Sean either trying to figure out why he still has this phone or he's taking a picture.

Coronado Bridge

Choosing a fridge magnet is NOT as easy as it looks you know !!

Wildlife Extravaganza

Yesterday we went for a stroll around Lake Hodges, so I took my new Sigma DG 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 APO along for the walk - he needed the company.  We managed to spot quite a wide variation of wildlife, but suffice it to say a little more practice is needed.

The uzi 9mm - er I mean new boy's toy.

Our first road runner sighting.

What he should have looked like if I new how to use the lens.

Some white pelicans on the lake (which is actually a man made reservoir).

Mr. Squirrel.

Mrs. W.

A picture from the lake bed ... aaargh I'm drowning !

Halloween 2012

This year we held another Halloween party round at our place.  My contribution during the preparation phase was fairly limited in fairness because if I wasn't in bed, I was working.  So Alma together with some friendly little elves had to pull it out of the bag themselves.  And that they did !

One year on without any cleaning and the place was starting to look really authentic.

No - despite the obvious cheesy puns, this guy didn't help out.

Some of the guests arriving.  No holds barred this year on the costume front !!

The day after.  I don't know about you, but I'd say Alma looks fairly shook.