Rising and Chilling in Phoenix

I woke seriously early and got to the airport about three hours before my flight. Check-in was smooth as I have some status with united Airlines which avoids the long queues on what was a very fully flight.

A walk around the shops and some T-Shirts for the Warring kids and a very smooth flight to Houston, stopover for an hour and on to Phoenix.

I work out on the plane that my travels have extended my birthday to a total of 33 hours which is kinda cool!

Graeme picks me up from the airport and takes me to collect the Convertible Jaguar which they are lending me for my trip - a spare car of theirs. I drop off my belongings at the Orange Tree Resort, my timeshare accommodation for this trip, and we meet at Fogo de Chao. This restaurant is a Brazilian Churascaria - constantly bringing around and carving meat at the table with a salad bar (my choice without meat) to due for.

It was so so good to see them back together again and the kids are growing up so fast.

Next morning I wake early and arrive at 08:00 for Hunter's soccer try outs. There are three teams here and they all hold try outs to try and secure the best players for their teams. The very best are offered scholarships saving the parents the $1,000+ season fees. It is very hot, around 35 and Hunter almost faints not having had enough water. I have watched the kids play soccer in 40+ degree heat - it's no fun for them, or me for that matter.

We go back to their home and chill before having Mexican lunch at a dingy little cantina that was probably last renovated when - well you get the message. That said the buffet was outstanding with make your own burritos, nachos etc.

I go back to my 'hotel' which is a lovely spacious one bedroom apartment on a golf course and relax for a few hours and go to Hunter's next Soccer tryout at 18:00 where he performs well and is told he will be offered a place in a good team - happy boy!!

Pizzeria and back to the Warrings where we start to watch Django but after 45 minutes for the 2:45 movie I excuse myself as I am dozing off.

Next morning I bring bagels and cold cuts for breakfast and we watch the last two hours of the movie which I must say I truly enjoyed and recommend to anybody who hasn't seen it.

Penny need to go to some shops so I go with her and we discuss their lives, the kids, relationships etc..

We spend the afternoon shooting the breeze and relaxing. Now Phoenix is an interesting place for me, it is one of the few places that I allow my mind to go blank and empty. I don't feel like I need to be on the go or be doing something - I am not sure why but it is. The weather here is great mid 30's dry desert heat - my favourite - heat without sweat!

I have been here maybe 8 or 9 times and it's kinda scary that I know my way around the place without maps or GPS. The city has a grid system of about 6 major roads in each direction so everything is referred to relative to the major road grids. I like it.

That night Hunter cooks Shrimp Linguine. He is interested in cooking and I must say does a great job of it. I think kids should be encouraged to cook it is a good life skill.

Riley has been sleeping on and off all day and we think its because he has an assignment to do but find out the next day that he has a bladder infection.

I was planning to go to Vegas for four days then LA for one night and home but the closer the reality of two five hour drives became the less interested I was. When I mentioned this we hatched a plan to go to Puerto Peñasco known as Sandy Beach/Rocky Point in Mexico for three days which I am very keen to do. Rocky Point has RV parks, hotels, golf courses and a wide variety of restaurants and clubs. Timeshares are everywhere, and people are buying beach condos. Beach activities are plentiful. You can fish, snorkel sail, scuba dive and go whale watching in the winter months.

This coming weekend is Memorial Day long weekend and EVERYTHING was booked out. A consult on Craigslist and a very prompt commitment and payment saw us secure a two bedroom apartment for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a 3.5-4.0 hour drive with a border crossing but a mid market resort on beautiful sandy beaches - should be fun - let you know.

Monday and I start the day with Graeme having coffee at Starbucks where he tells me his latest idea for an iPhone app - which does sound interesting. I spend the rest of the day chilling in and around their house visiting a few shops etc.. Penny makes pulled pork for dinner which I love. For some reason this only seems to be popular in the USA and its such a good dish. I'm going to try and pulled chicken when I get back.

You've got to love the USA. I have a $100 Skagen watch with a metal mesh band. The band must have caught on something and started to tear. I phone to try and get a new band - sir for $32 including shipping we will replace the band, the case, the glass and the battery, everything except the movement - DONE deal! 

We go to the yogurt bar for dessert and for me a good night's sleep.

Anyway now you know all as I continue to chill out in PHX AZ.

Love to all
XD

A European Quickie

Woke really early on Monday morning, filled and dropped the car back all checked in well before was necessary. I decide on a bowl of clam chowder for breakfast and board the flight. Luckily on both legs my United Airlines status gets me Economy Plus upgrade and the flights were both uneventful except for shitty old planes and equally shitty stale food - no comment about the cabin crew......

I do like Amsterdam and arriving at the hotel at around 10:30 allows me the chance to take have a quick shower and grab the hotel shuttle to the airport and the 15 minute train ride into the city and explore the city.

 

 

 

A few wakeup coffees and walk through the red light district with the ladies in their cabins beckoning me - not one of which didn't look like she would need a painting palette knife to remove her makeup.

The only shopping were some Hopjes for Justin. These are a Dutch coffee sweet that my Grandfather used to give us when we used to visit and which Justin is partial to. Back to airport where I buy some nibbles for  dinner back at the hotel.

Next morning I stay in the hotel catching up on a bit of work, emails and the like and head to the airport to "collect" Justin around 14:00. A quick rest and we head into the city for dinner.

I have researched restaurants and found number 20 of 2000 in Amsterdam. We arrive and I know it is excellent - how so? Because there is not one English football fan there whose every second word if f&*k or the like. We actually have a great meal at Van Speyk.

Getting to the game was totally painless. A short train trip from Centraal and we were within metres of our entry gate.

Anyway long story short an excellent but nor great game. Chelsea took the lead in the 60th minute, Benfica equalised through a penalty in the 68th and VICTORY TO CHELSEA when Ivanovic scored in injury time.

 

As always I'm not sure what was better being at a big sporting event or being there with my kids.

 

Back to the hotel with some hiccups on the shuttle bus from the Airport back to the hotel when it was overloaded and everybody refused to get off.

 

Next morning we leave Justin's luggage at lockers at Schipol Airport and head into town. We have a common interest now - babywear. We attack H&M with gusto. A quick lunch and back to the airport where I bid farewell to Justin - who by-the-by takes some of my excess baggage back to Sydney - G-d bless him.

 

I decide to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the hotel and pack and write my blog.

 

Tomorrow morning off to Phoenix via Houston where I will see my good friends the Warrings and their kids and I will chill out for six days.

 

Now you know all

Hope everybody is well

XD

 

 

 

I Love This City - San Francisco

Next morning I head to Mama's for Brunch. How can there possibly be a queue of more than an hour ON FRIDAY A WORK DAY. Anyway me an queues don't agree so I went to La Boulange for some superb French Toast - somewhere I have eaten before.

The coffee was French Style served in a bowl requiring a restroom visit half way through. I spent much of the rest of the day walking around Union Square and the surrounds. I was feeling a little tired. I grabbed a Ramen Soup for dinner and had an early night.

 

Friday morning and it was washing day having a coffee while the washing and drying took place. Chinatown for a yum cha lunch where I was the only non Chinese person in the restaurant - normally a good sign but it was just OK.

 

After lunch I headed to the Ferry Terminal which was is an operating Ferry Terminal which has been converted to a foodies delight and nearby craft market. Browsed the bookshop - not sure why as there would be NO way I would buy a book.

 

After some investigation I discovered a Michelin Restaurant, La Folie, which proved to be outstanding. Although I was a little underdressed the restaurant had a quiet and subdued ambiance which makes a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of most modern restaurants.

Asparagus Soup, with Lobster, Poached Quail Egg and Brioche Crouton

Dungeness Crab Salad, on English Pea Panna Cotta, Yellow Curry Tuile, Curry Spiced Crab Vinaigrette

Seared Day Boat Scallop and Sautéed Sweetbreads, Smoked Butterball Potato and Leek Puree, Bacon Vinaigrette
Roasted Emigh Farm Lamb Chop with Butter Beans, Fava Bean and Goat Cheese Puree, Smoked Lamb Bacon

Seasonal Sorbets, Grapefruit Sorbet and Mandarin-Honey Granite, Passion Fruit Sorbet Cannoli, Rhubarb-Strawberry Sorbet

 

 

The service, ambiance, food, presentation made it a superb dining experience - to be revisited.

 

Prices were even bearable $80 for three courses, $90 for four and $100 for 5 and the five courses included three amuse bouche. 

 

Saturday morning and I visited COIT Tower somewhere I have not been before and which has unbelievable views of San Francisco. 

I was a little tired on Saturday afternoon so after a bit more driving around I had an old man nap. For dinner I decided to walk to WholeFoods to get some soup only to find they didn't have and seafood soups - talk about cuisine disappointment. Interestingly the city was shrouded in fog quite strange considering it is Summer! Back to the hotel to pack which took quite some time.

 

Sunday morning and I go to the Ferry Terminal for a quick breakfast - something I haven't had for a looooong time - grilled cheese on toast but I would describe this as gourmet style with maple mustard.

 

On the ferry to Alcatraz where I spend three hours touring. Can you believe that around the 1950's many of the prisoners played bridge and when Autobridge came out (a game that can be played by just one person it became a huge hit) who would have thought. As they said playing bridge and they weren't thinking about escaping.

I learned some of the interesting history including how it started as a fort to protect San Francisco, then became an army installation, a prison and after it closed as a prison it became a protest colony for 19 months by American Native Indians at a time when the US Government were pushing them onto reservations. The result of this protest was a change in Government policy. 

 

I move hotels to the Hyatt near the airport as my flight to Amsterdam leaves at 10:30 tomorrow morning. In a moment of clarity I realise that I had booked my Amsterdam hotel to arrive on Monday whereas the flight arrives on Tuesday - oops phone call and all fixed.

 

So that's all for now. Monday wont exist for me as I'll be flying arriving Amsterdam in the morning on Tuesday. Justin will arrive Wednesday afternoon (I have a five hour energy drink for him) and the game on Wednesday night. and Friday Amsterdam to Phoenix for chill time.

 

Hope everybody is well

 

Love to all

David    

 

       



Finishing LA and San Francisco

Tuesday Morning and a late start with brunch at Wholefoods - Lobster Bisque and make your own salad and off to the Griffths Park Observatory which sits atop the Hollywood Hills

There was a great show in the Planetarium about water and the universe. and the exhibitions were all quite interesting.

I head to Burbank (Studio City) for the Leno Show taping. Despite the queuing for 60 minutes it was really good fun. The guests were Laurent Graham and Ken Jeong (I knew neither). His band is awesome and the most interesting part is that it is recorded directly to tape with no retakes and all mistakes are left in. Leno's pre show audience monologue was very funny and the show was very enjoyable.

My back has been giving me some trouble so I arranged to have a remedial massage which turns out to be near the Leno Show taping so have a one hour massage and feel much better as I head back to the hotel with a light meal in a nearby restaurant.

No more tickets or bad news and I find out that I should not have been booked so have to plead my case - Yawn

Next morning I had planned to leave for San Francisco at 06:00 but don't hit the road till 08:00. Bad planning on my part - I had wanted to drive up the coastal road for the scenic beauty but only found out the night before that this was around 10 hours versus the six plus hours straight up the freeway. I opt for the less driving option!!

Stopping a few times along the way I reach the Gilroy Premium Outlet Centre around 15:00 and spend two hours there. Now I don't really need or want much so have to thank my kids and kids-in-law for providing reasons to go to outlet centres. Polo Kids, Osh Kosh Kids, Hilfiger Kids and more relieve my need for retail therapy.

The hotel I booked is in Japantown - unbelievably accurately named. Apart from the hotel being called the Kabuki Hotel there would be 50 Japanese Restaurants of all types immediately surrounding the hotel. A tired puppy has a Ramen Soup and an early night.

Next day, a rather chilly one for which I have not packed clothes, I end up doing things I have done before: Pier 39, Sausalito Galleries, Union Square and a lot of general walking. I buy a ticket to Alcatraz for Sunday morning which is the firs available. Haven't done this for many many years so it has some appeal. Breakfast/Lunch taken care of.

Well its Thursday night and all is good in the world. Blog soon and hope all are well.
XX David

 

Eventful Two Day

Woke up lateish on Saturday morning and it was midday before I got going. Got to the car and a $58 ticket awaited me on somewhere I thought it was legal to park. Oh well the hotel was $36 a night to only $22 in the toilet.

Yesterday my second phone decided it didn't want to speak to me any more so I headed off to the Apple Store and The Grove $149 plus tax for a replacement phone.

While waiting for my "Genius" appointment I went to the Cheesecake Factory of for lunch - haven't been for a long time but the salad and shrimp were excellent and no I didn't have any cheesecake.

New phone in hand I headed to the Getty Centre which is one of the places I love to visit, more for the place than the museum although I did spend a couple of hours visiting the galleries I didn't visit last time.

Chilled for a while at the hotel and then to a new dining experience Chaya, an Asian Fusion Restaurant which i can now highly recommend. The Salmon Ceviche, Tuna Tartare and Spicy Shrimp Soup were excellent. (menu http://www.thechaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Dinner-website.pdf)

Off to bed and it is midnight before I get to sleep. Another excellent night's sleep ending in what would be an "interesting day".

I reach the car and manage a Quinella - a $58 parking ticket AND a flat battery. The car has two headlight settings, Auto and Normal - I now know that. After 90 minutes the roadside assist turns up and $49 later I head towards Canter's Deli, a traditional Jewish style deli that hasn't been renovated for 40 years but at which one still has to line up for a table.

Egg salad, chopped liver and coleslaw and my food needs are satisfied until dinner. I arrive back at the hotel and as I open the car door a bicycle hits the door. He pulls up along the road groaning that he thinks he has broken his toe. Anyway after 10 minutes and $30 to replace the pedal on his bike it is all sorted - is today Friday the 13th or something???

I take it easy and relax most of the afternoon and early evening I go for a 6+ kilometre walk landing at a 24/7 restaurant where I have a nice meal finally getting to sleep at midnight but not after booking my trip to Amsterdam to see Chelsea play in the Europa Cup Final with Justin. Airfares were ridiculously expensive around $2k so I used my United Miles which were expiring in early 2014. Hotels were problematic but managed to get a booking at the Novotel Schipol Airport 9kms from city at a very reasonable rate.

I had five days without any plans so that fills those days nicely with the flight leaving San Francisco and returning me to Phoenix on my birthday. 

Tomorrow's plan is Universal Studios - well it has been twenty years and Griffiths Park Observatory and on Wednesday the 6+ hour drive to San Francisco which I intend to leave early and take slowly.

Monday morning and a bit drizzly. I go to Wholefoods for a make your own salad breakfast and head to Universal Studios which was kind of lucky as, When I got there I managed to get a ticket for the taping of the Jay Leno Show on Tuesday. The tour of Universal has changed a lot, they charge $299 for the type of tour I did 20 years ago where you go into working studios etc and get a real behind the scenes experience. This is against $80 for a regular admission to park, all rides and attractions. But in line with most businesses looking to optimise revenues they sell a front of the line ticket for $129 where you go to the front of the queue for everything. With some attractions having wait times of 20 minutes that is a real time saver as I found out.

Everything now is a about 3D including the rides which were amazing compared to the thrill rides of yesteryear.

Anyway had a great time spending about 5 hours there and heading back for a well earned nap before dinner with a bridge playing friend at a restaurant called the Hungry Cat near Sunset and Vine. We shared the seafood platter which was superb and I resisted the chocolate bread and butter pudding.

Back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

No other news apart from the fact that two visits and a few phone calls I finally regained my US Number which, being old and forgetful, I allowed to expire.

Best to All
D

 

Up Up and Away

Well this trip came abut "somewhat" accidentally. The Cavendish Bridge Tournament was supposed to return to Las Vegas in 2013 and when I saw Qantas return fares to LA on the A380 at $1300 ($450 fare and $850 taxes!!) I decided to grab a ticket nine months before the normal week of the Cavendish. Of course the Cavendish never happened and I was "stuck" with a return trip to the USA. With my surgery and three grandkids I hadn't travelled for more than six months so holiday n the USA didn't seem like such a bad idea.

This trip is somewhat unusual insofar as I haven't totally planned everything I plan to do. I have so fa planned four days in Los Angeles and Palm Spring followed by a drive along the Pacific Coastal Highway up to one of my favourite cities, San Francisco - a drive I have never done. There is a great outlet centre about 100km south of San Francisco not that there is ANYTHING I need but that won't stop me looking. Well let me amend that I haven't really done too much baby outlet shopping so let me say nothing I need for myself.

I haven't had a Nobu meal in a long time so Nobu Los Angeles may be seeing me make an appearance - I do love that restaurant. I plan to keep my fine dining experiences down to twice a week. I have unfortunately totally disconnected from my friend David in LA so it will be on my lonesome which is fine as I usually sit at the bar and it is easy to chat with those around you. The only restaurant in San Francisco that I have earmarked is Foreign Cinema - best selection of oysters ever - but have to look around for some new ones as well although I may give the Stinking  Rose (a garlic restaurant) another whirl.

I then have five unplanned days before I head for one of my favourite holidays - six days in Phoenix visiting my friends the Warrings. I am not sure what it is but Phoenix is one of the places where I totally chill out, I'm happy to stay off my email and just enjoy the place. I love the desert vista, the wonderful dry heat and yes it will be hot around 40 degrees but without humidity the only issue is not getting sunburnt.

Another five  unplanned days and then home. During one of the five day periods I plan to head to Mexico. Where I go will be subject to availability using my timeshare and airfares but a return airfare of $350 and Puerto Vallarta seems a distinct possibility. As for the other five days i would like to go to New York but that seems like a lot of work for only five days so I am thinking of doing a San Antonio, Houston Fort Worth triangle but will decide all this n the next few days.,

We all think of the USA as an economic train wreck but hotels in major cities still remain expensive with very little in Los Angeles or San Francisco under $250 including taxes for a three and a half star hotel although I have managed to keep most below $200 using Priceline and LastMinute. In Los Angeles I managed to find a 70 square meter suite in West Hollywood for $210 so not too bad I guess. In Phoenix I am staying at the Marriott resort using my timeshare points so no cost there or Mexico which reduces the cost substantially.
Anyway them's the plan. I am on the plane starting this blog. I do love the A380, the seats are comfortable and the general ambiance is one less crowded than other planes. my second favourite is the 777 with similar feelings. No Internet and the charging port at my seat doesn't work properly which is a pain but I will survive. I believe that there are only two spare seats on the plane which isn't surprising given the cheap airfare.

Arrival in LA will be a pain as I have to visit two phone shops to sort out my phone and Internet connection and without the Internet connection I don't have GPS but I have a reasonable knowledge of LA and where the phone shops and hotel are located.

I managed to sleep for around six hours which is less than I expected but hopefully I will make it through to the evening after my 09:45 arrival.

I am sure I have written this in one of my previous blogs but why do people think that they can anonymously fart on a plane.

I guess I should write a note to my surgeon Dr Brenner thanking for the success of my recent surgery after going 11 hours without visiting the bathroom - well done doc!

Arrival went smoothly luggage in hand I collected the car and headed to AT&T who have a nice pay as you go plan $50 for a month of 4G connection with 5GB which can be tethered from my iPad to other devices.

Feeling hungry and being lunchtime I grab what is generally regarded as one of the best burgers in the USA, "In and Out". for a very modest +/-$2.50 - very satisfying.

You know the moment as you open the hotel room door wondering exactly what you will find. This hotel is excellent with huge room pool and gym and everything I need in a hotel.

I go for a walk and have a look around doing all the things necessary to stay awake and finally around 21:00 decide to go to nearby Comedy Club which was amazingly good fun. Six comedians - three Jewish of course - over one and a half hours for just $16 with food and drink available at a cost. Highly recommended and I may go to more!!

Finally hit my pillow at 01:00 and manage to sleep for eight straight hours something rare in my world.

Well that's my kickoff blog will update in a few days.