Dreadlock Holiday

[Stewey]

Great TR
cant wait for the rest

cheers
Stewey

 

[love_the_life]

Great TR
cant wait for the rest

cheers
Stewey

Yes, but I'm waiting for the main event

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 4 - cont
Inside, and got my geek on for an hour or so. Really is well worth visiting, and some very interesting information and exhibits.



Staff witched on the Tesla Coil every hour for a few short bursts. Had a great view, until an extremely tall German woman rudely decided to plant herself directly in front of me. Made sure I got in the way of her taking photos when I came across her outside a little later on.





Bit hazy



Some of the tracks leading from the entrance of the par up to the observatory

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 4 - cont

Jumped on the shuttle to the Vermont/Sunset Station, then on to the Red Line to Union Station



Time for lunch and a walk up to Phillipe's French Dipped



Went the single dip, hindsight should have double dipped, single was a little dry. Dessert looked more flavourful than it was



Walked up Olvera Street, then back to Union Station, which I really like as a building



Back on to the Red Line for one stop to City Hall, where I intended to head up to the Observation Deck for some more photo opportunities

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 4 - cont

Wasn't much activity around City Hall, apart form the many homeless on the lawns. Found an entrance, the two security staff informed me the observation deck was closed, so change of plan needed.
Bit of a wander around the area, then back to the subway.

LA Times building



Took the one stop to Pershing Square, unfortunately had a really bad vibe around the area. Out of the station, and a young fella was verbally attacked, large bloke yelling in his face telling him he's a fa_got and that he has to leave the country. Walked a block down to a set of lights but still a really ordinary feeling, dodgy characters, long stares so about turned and back down in to the bowels of the subway.

Still about 4 hours before shuttle would pick me up from the hotel, so thought would while away some time at the car show. Not a car person by any stretch, but would fill some time.

Off at Pico Station, and decided to have another crack at a photo at the Morrison Hotel. In luck, no truck, however was a fella walking, talking on a mobile phone walking up the street and just knew he would stop in front of the window I wanted. And he did. Can just see him behind the lamp post.



After a couple of minutes of waiting patiently I called out 'Mate, do you mind moving, I just want to take a photo of that window'
He gave a sorry and said sure. I replied with a 'Thanks mate, didn't want to be rude and take the photo with you in it'
Head down to turn the camera on, heard the fella say 'Oh, you want to take it with me in it'
Result - the 2016 Jim Morrison



Had to have a bit of a laugh, and he did move off after a few moments, so I did eventually get my photo.

Off to the Convention Centre, and it is huge. More so when they also have exhibits in the underground car park

As said not a car nut, did take a few photos though. Rev Heads enjoy.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 4 - cont





Managed to while away a couple of hours, then headed to Highland Centre and wasted more time until time to head back to the hotel





In lieu of a shower changed my short and threw on some deodorant, all in the carpark, and moments later the shuttle turned up about 15 minutes early. Only 1 other person, and no other pick ups, so a fairly painless drive to LAX.
Toasted cheese at the food truck in the AA Terminal, then the announcements to call for people to check in their carry on. Plane was full, no dramas re carry on for me as put it under the seat in front. Always amazed at the size of and amount of carry on that gets taken on panes in the US.
Window seat and managed a little bit of sleep and then arrival into Miami.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 5

Didn't take long for bags to come out, then on to the MIA Mover to the Metro Bus. While on the mover had the iconic Miami view of the full sun coming up over the skyline. Unfortunately the camera was deep in the back pack.$2.25 for the Metro Bus, 2nd best value airport transport in the US, to my hotel in South Beach, Crest Hotel Suites. It was only about 7.00am when I arrived, and asked the fella at reception if I could leave my bags. He had a look at the computer 'You can have your room now if you want'.
Happy days. Showered, changed clothes then off for a walk.





Really love Art Deco, so was getting a sore neck taking it all in.Headed to Lincoln Street Mall and grabbed some breakfast.



Vendors were setting up for the Sunday markets



Bit more of a wander, then needed to sleep, so back to the hotel for a couple of hours kip.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 5

Rest of the day spent wandering, beaching, stocking up on sunscreen, grabbing a few things for people back home

 

[Rugby]

Enjoying the TR. Great photos.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 6

Metro Bus back to the airport by about 10.00am, about a half an hour wait then on to the cruise transfer bus to Port Everglades

Das Boot


Through the formalities, issued with the cruise card, then into the herding shed where there was about another 45 minute wait until it was my pens turn to board.
What to do?, straight to the buffet of course. Wasn't impressed with the desserts, however on walking back past the station realised I'd made a huge mistake and taken from the gluten free section.
Rooms were available by now, so headed deep into the bowels of the boat to my cabin. As I had booked quite late, I'm guessing the only available cabins at that time were the disabled access cabins, which is what I would call home for the next 12 days.





Lots of room, huge bathroom, the lounge looked like it had never been cleaned so didn't go near that, bed was comfortable. I'm not a good sleeper however found that on the cruise slept better than ever. Have to rig up something that gently rocks my bed at home. Cabin was also serviced twice a day.
Little inconvenience with the disabled access cabin, the cabin door was automatic opening and closing, so whenever I went into the cabin, the door remained wide open for anyone passing to have a good gander at me and the cabin for a good minute or so. More than a little uncomfortable.

More exploring the boat, until departure at 4.00ish, where we were escorted out by the Coast Guard

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 6

Some pics of Fort Lauderdale as we're departing







Centrum


Made my way to dinner, and met my dinner mates for the next 11 nights, a young couple from Canada. Great people, we had a lot in common - sport fans, dog lovers, and we all had sweet tooths, so enjoyable dinners for the whole trip, and a bit of education on Canada for me and Australia for them

1st dinner a tropical chilled soup for entree, it was mango and something, memory fading a bit, main of beef, bit rarer than I would have liked, but very nice, and no doubt I would have liked the dessert.

 

[RB]

I am enjoying following your adventure. I am with you when you say that the beef was a bit on the rare side!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 7 & 8



Day 7 was spent getting some more information about the ports and the shore excursions. I hadn't done as much research as I would have liked, as I was taking leave 5 weeks before the end of the school year, I had to get reports done as well as lessons sorted, and tieing up lose ends at home. I was too cheap to pay $30 a day for slow and limited internet on the boat, so a couple of information sessions on shopping in the ports and about the shore excursions would have to do.
Quite disappointed at the information the cruise line gives out, fine if you're there to shop for diamonds, not so good if you're keen to explore by yourself. The maps they make available to you are simply done, with duty free shops highlighted. Quite a feat when all but one port make you walk through duty free villages as you get off.
Information about the shore excursions were basic, but did assist a little in helping me choose some things to do. They do push fairly hard that if you go with other providers the boat doesn't wait if you're late. In hindsight, would have made some different decisions however my own fault for not doing the work prior to going.

Dinner that night


Mashed potatoe on the plate, and always available at the lunch buffet, I would go on another trip on the boat just for the spuds
Lemon meringue dessert



Went to see the show that night, was Marcus Terrell and the Serenades, past finalists of America's Got Talent, quite entertaining, worth seeing.

Next day was quite possibly the laziest day of my life. Woke at 9.00am, waking that late is something I've never done that I can remember, showered, breakfast buffet. Back to the cabin, turned the TV on, next thing I know I wake up. 1.15pm. Time for lunch, up to the buffet. Better do something, grabbed a book, went and lazed in the sun for a couple of hours. Back to the cabin, washed the layers of sunscreen off, lay on the bed, wake up at 5.45. Time for dinner, shower, dress, off I go.



Back to the room after dinner, 1st of the towel animals



The show at 8.30 was by the ships dancers and singers, and it was bad. Train wreck bad. So bad that I couldn't get up and leave. It was f###### terrible.
Was a late night adults only comedy show by Sam Fedele. Was very good for the 1st half hour, then he went off on a tangent about racism and lost his flow and the crowd.
1st port the next morning, was looking forward to getting off the boat.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 9

1st view of Antigua






St Johns



Cathederal and Recreation Cricket Ground to the right


They didn't make it

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 9 - cont

Through the duty free village



Walked through the streets up towards the cricket ground Close up of St Johns Cathedral



Few more minutes of walking and arrived at St Johns Recreation Ground, rarely used now since Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was built for the 2007 World Cup.



Prison situated over the road



Grand entrance gates of the prison

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 9

Inside the ground, looking a bit worse for wear




Richie Richardson Stand, favourite batsman to watch taking on the short stuff wearing the big floppy hat. Didn't seem right when he started wearing a helmet towards the end of his career.


Andy Roberts Stand


Time to head back to the port as I had an excursion to get to.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 9

Spent a bit of time wandering around Redcliffe Quay before starting the tour

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 9

Mr Friday was the owner/driver of the bus and wasn't in a good mood. Before we left out guide, had to try and lay down the law that she was the guide and he was the driver. Mr Friday was in his late 70's, our guide 30ish and don't think he took too kindly to being 2IC. Another fella had to come over and lay down the law, and finally we took off, with some trepidation. As we were going out of the carpark, the bus lost power and stopped. Things weren't looking good. A bit of a fiddle with the engine by Mr Friday and we were off. Thankfully no more problems for the rest of the tour.


Random buildings along the drive



Drove to the south of the island to Shirley Heights, and a view over English Harbour



About 10 minutes here, some hazy views of Montserrat as well, then down to Nelson's Dockyard

 

[Justinf]

Day 2
On the subway and the quick ride to Universal Studios. Was here just last year and wanted to come again to see the Harry Potter part of the park, not that i'm in any way interested in Harry Potter, more so interested in something new.
Off the train and at the bottom of the hill, signage for a shuttle, however I decided not to wait and to walk. Advice for anyone visiting, wait for the shuttle.
Slogged up the hill, over an overpass and then spat out to the top carpark which had decreased considerably in size since my September 2015 visit.
The reason for the carpark shrinkage - security booths

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They were set far enough away that you could still get a decent shot of the entrance.

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Had an early 9.00am entrance, only part of the park that would be opened would be the Harry Potter area. Was in at about 8.45 for a little wait, but at 9.oo ropes were dropped and the small crowd went in to the HP section.

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No wait for the Harry Potter ride, free lockers for your valuables, which you need as you get tossed up, down, sideways on the ride. Enjoyed the ride for the first part, but by the end was happy it finished, was getting a bit motion sick.
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Went to the second ride, Flight of the Hippogriff? Very underwhelming and short, so mush so the people running the rides were telling everyone they could stay on and go again. No one took up the offer.
Then went to a very, very short line for something to do with wands. A 30ish bloke, complete with robe and wand, jumped in the line behind me and was very excited about the line being so short. Asked him a simple question re what was this attraction about. Received a spiel about wands, and how he was hoping to be picked as the wand waver. Asked him how long it went for, he said about half an hour. Grown men in robes and wands, half an hour, not for me. Out I wen to wait for the rest of the park to open. Did come back later to grab a butter beer though

What did you think of the butterbeer? I could barely finish it was so sweet.

 

[Justinf]

Day 3 - cont

After the Grammy Museum still a little bit of time before the start of the Lakers game, so went for a bit of a wander around the LA Live area. Approaching a corner heard a bit of a commotion, and on turning the corner came across the Spurs team bus, with Pau Gasol signing autographs. He was there for a good 3 or 4 minutes before an official came off the bus and told him it was time to go.

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Off to Staples Center, transformed into the Lakers home court tonight

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Wandered around inside for a while before going to my seat, which ended up being a ripper, front row of the upper deck, end seat, 2 seatmates next to me only stayed for about 5 minutes of the night.
Few shots of both teams warming up, had to get one of the Aussie. Very good footballer in his junior days, but pretty sure he made the right choice to stick with basketball.

View attachment 87462

To the pre game and the Lakers were on another level to the 2 previous nights, no photos will do it justice

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Game ended up going down to the last minute, until the Spurs steadied and came away with the win.

View attachment 87464

Walked back up to the Red Line station, and as a solo traveler, particularly at night, and in subway stations, its always my aim to keep a low profile and not to give away that I'm a non local a long way from home. So on the platform was a drunk middle aged white guy walking around introducing himself to people, shaking their hands and asking their names. Run of the mill harmless, loud, obnoxious drunk. I managed to get by him without any contact and sat a fair distance away. Of course, the train was running behind time, and the drunk eventually got to me, extended his hand, introduced himself and asked my name. Wasn't going to shake his hand, who knew where that been. so gave him a fist pump, and as quietly and as disinterested as possible 'Tom'. Give it to him, he was drunk, but was well aware, immediately giving the 'Oh, you're an Aussie'.
Told him 'yeah', and hoping he would shut up and move away. Nope, he sat down and started talking about his son who worked in Queensland they year prior. Okay, he had settled down, wasn't being loud, and most people on the platform had lost interest in him. Then, just like a puppy, he lost interest in talking to me when he spotted another bloke walking on the other side of the platform, and proceeded to yell out 'Hey man, come over and meet Tom, he's from Australia'.
Great just what I needed. The bloke waved him away, and my drunk buddy got up and wandered off to annoy other people, and making me more uncomfortable by telling all within ear shot, 'go and meet Tom, he's all the way from Australia'.
Tried as much as possible to lose myself in the crowd, and make myself as inconspicuous as possible on the train. All ended well , got off the subway and in to my hotel room with no one trying to roll me.

#GoSpursGo

Patty Mills for PM