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.
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.
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