We were off again, but this time to a warmer destination...
After queuing for two hours to get through security - there we were thinking we had plenty of time to grab a leisurely breakfast at the airport, in the end it was a mad dash on the way to the gate, coffees in one hand, showing our ticket as we boarded on the other... - we finally sat down on the plane and ate.
I had one heart stopping moment when I got the gates mixed up, and as T was queuing for coffee, saw them closing the flight! It
turned out on closer inspection of the sign the flight was not to our destination, but to Las Vegas...
I had one heart stopping moment when I got the gates mixed up, and as T was queuing for coffee, saw them closing the flight! It
turned out on closer inspection of the sign the flight was not to our destination, but to Las Vegas...
We flew southwest, over the snowy landscape of Chicago area...
...then the snowy caps of Aspen gave way to dessert... (we flew over the Hoover Dam)
...and then on to our colourful (i.e. not shades of white) destination:
...Los Angeles!
This wasn't our first time to the city. We visited about seven years ago on a stopover from Auckland to London. Heads fuzzy with jet lag, we spent our time - less than 24 hours - in Beverly Hills in a daze. We made it to Paramount Studios, however it was the time of the writer's strike and therefore the studios were dead, and nothing was being filmed - definitely not the best time to visit a film studio!
This time around, we were less jet-lagged and therefore could jump into appreciating the American city life straight away. Staying in the city of Pasedena, which lies to the northeast of downtown LA, we were instantly taken with the beautiful Spanish-esque architecture; combined with the smell of freshly cut grass and perfumes of flowers, not to mention the warmth, it seemed like summer to us (despite the locals saying it was cold!!)
This wasn't our first time to the city. We visited about seven years ago on a stopover from Auckland to London. Heads fuzzy with jet lag, we spent our time - less than 24 hours - in Beverly Hills in a daze. We made it to Paramount Studios, however it was the time of the writer's strike and therefore the studios were dead, and nothing was being filmed - definitely not the best time to visit a film studio!
This time around, we were less jet-lagged and therefore could jump into appreciating the American city life straight away. Staying in the city of Pasedena, which lies to the northeast of downtown LA, we were instantly taken with the beautiful Spanish-esque architecture; combined with the smell of freshly cut grass and perfumes of flowers, not to mention the warmth, it seemed like summer to us (despite the locals saying it was cold!!)
We checked into our hotel, and made the mistake of sitting down on the soft comfy bed...but in the nick of time managed to prise ourselves off it and go and meet our friends - the reason we came to the city.
The novelty of not needing a coat was amazing; it was as though we had never walked outside without on before! And we were able to wear different shoes for the first time in months!
Fuelled by caffeine, cake and the buzz of seeing good friends again, we powered on to the evening, jet lag coupled with our 5am start (2am local time) well and truly setting in. Walking around Pasedena Old Town with our friends, we had spotted a champagne bar called P.O.P, so we went and had a holiday glass of bubbles. On the menu was a brand of champagne called Ployez Jacquemart - this meant something to us, as we had stayed at the B & B of this champagne producer a couple of years ago. We perhaps looked a little overly excited when we ordered it, but we hand't seen it anywhere since that holiday.
Just one sip and we were transported back to the huge bedroom we stayed in, with big windows looking out over the vines.
Just one sip and we were transported back to the huge bedroom we stayed in, with big windows looking out over the vines.
Waking up at 5am the next day, we got up and had a walk around Pasedena - our smiles getting bigger as the sun made an appearance - before meeting out friends at Manhattan Beach, on the southwest of the city. Multi-million dollar beachfront homes line the bike/walking path which runs along the shore. Apparently houses around this area are some of the most expensive in the world, comparable per square foot to areas of New York.
From there we drove to Venice:
...and then onto Venice Beach, which was a total contrast to Manhatten beach. A creative and artistic place, souvenir shops lined the walkways rather than boutiques.
Walking along the promenade we passed the famous Muscle Beach, where a couple of guys were flexing their stuff. We then walked back along the beach, our white feet reflecting the sun, having not been out of thick socks and boots for almost three months.
Walking along the promenade we passed the famous Muscle Beach, where a couple of guys were flexing their stuff. We then walked back along the beach, our white feet reflecting the sun, having not been out of thick socks and boots for almost three months.
We then drove along Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu as the sun set over the water. It was stunning.
On the drive back to the hotel we sampled another of L.A.'s delights: traffic. Lots of it.
Still, we made it back eventually, and supper was in the hotel's restaurant, sat outside (although I should admit it was sat underneath a patio heater...) There was a slight mix up, and we were served our main before our starters, so it ended up being a tapas style mix up of various dishes, but we were so tired we didn't care.
Still, we made it back eventually, and supper was in the hotel's restaurant, sat outside (although I should admit it was sat underneath a patio heater...) There was a slight mix up, and we were served our main before our starters, so it ended up being a tapas style mix up of various dishes, but we were so tired we didn't care.
Sunday morning we decided to have a walk in the hills of Griffith Park - one of the largest urban parks in North America - and go and see a certain white sign. We drove and found a busy spot, got out of the car and just decided to check with a guy that we were indeed on the correct path to see the Hollywood sign.
"No, you need to get back in the car, take a right, another right at the garage, and then follow the road to the observatory."
Ah.
We did as he said, and ten minutes later we were in the right place, relieved we had bothered to ask.
"No, you need to get back in the car, take a right, another right at the garage, and then follow the road to the observatory."
Ah.
We did as he said, and ten minutes later we were in the right place, relieved we had bothered to ask.
It was hard to believe we were in the middle Los Angeles.
And we were rewarded with some spectacular views:
Our time with friends soon came to an end, and all to soon we found ourselves saying goodbye, not sure when we would see each other again, or it what country. Moving around is a wonderful experience, but the heartache of moving away from good, true friends - those you don't find very often in this life - is very hard,
A 5-hour flight and we returned to cold and snowy Montreal.
Where, upon landing...
Where, upon landing...
...it was very cold.
And very snowy.
Brr!
Hurry up spring!
And very snowy.
Brr!
Hurry up spring!