US/Canada July - September 2015

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 42 - Los Angeles
Had booked an all day LA Tour for today. Shuttle picked up then to the transfer depot a couple of minutes from the hotel. Light load on the bus, only about 15 people, had to give a Spanish speaking fella the word about being quite when the driver was giving commentary.
Traffic was very light, and were hitting downtown LA in no time.
Staples Center


The building form Dragnet


Had our first stop at Los Angeles Plaza Historic District, in view of Union Station, which I had last seen from the inside at about 2.00am on my first visit to LA.



Murals on the walls of the plaza

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 42 - (cont)

Olvera Street scenes




Back on the bus then another stop at Hollywood Blvd.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 42 - (cont)
A lot of fellas trying to sell their cd's along Hollywood Blvd, I managed to ignore them all until one of them said to me as I was walking past, 'C'mon Aussie, don't ignore me'. I had a bit of a smirk and chuckle, and then I heard 'That's right, I told you you were an Aussie'. I had nothing on my clothes that signified I was Australian, so I stopped and went back to him and had a bit of a chat. He was a stand up comedian and had done some shows in Melbourne, asked him how he knew I was Australian, said it was what I wore and how I walked, reckons he can spot us quite easily. Seemed a nice enough bloke, so gave him $20 for his cd, haven't put it in to see if it works yet.
Driver had parked the bus next to Hollywood High School, snap of the mural on the front of the school as we drove off.


Bus took is down Sunset Blvd, past The Comedy Store, Viper Room, and The Whisky A Go Go


Through Beverly Hills, down Rodeo Drive, and eventually to the LA Farmers Market, where we had a couple of hours. Too long for me, but I did have a nice jambalaya.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 42 - (cont)
Quite liked the old style pictures dotted around the market.




Next and last stop, Santa Monica

 

[kermatu]

Only been there twice but haven't seen Santa Monica Pier that crowded.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Only been there twice but haven't seen Santa Monica Pier that crowded.

Long weekend, whole area was chokkas

 

[irv]

I have landed in LA 6 times, have not had the desire to explore mainly because in transit 4 times, the other two, other places to visit. Thanks for the photos, probably seen it all through others travels.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 42 - (cont)
Few more shots of Santa Monica. Arrived back at the hotel around 8ish, had another early night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 43 - Sea World
A nearly 2 hour drive there, nearly 2 hours back, was very hot, not much shade in the park so spent a bit of time in the penguin exhibit. Would I recommend going there if staying anywhere other than San Diego - no. It's a huge day time wise and not really worth the effort.
On drop off at the CVS up the road from the hotel discovered frozen Chimichangas for about a dollar each. Had a microwave in the room so grabbed one of each of chicken and cheese and beef and bean. They were sensational, and the staple of my diet for the remainder of my time in Anaheim,

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 44 - Universal Studios

Double decker bus to Universal, sat up the top so I could get abetter view as we drove. Bad mistake, families of Spanish speakers talking the whole time, Pakistani bloke next to me took his phone out and made a call, had to have a word about him being so f###### rude. Obviously couldn't make out any of the commentary from the driver. So was in a less than happy mood by the time the bus arrived at Universal, that soon changed though. Can't help but be in a good mood when you get there.


Simpsons land on the way to the Studio Tour


Harry Potter attraction was under construction


Next to a family from Geelong while we waited for the Studio Tour tram, the dad was into the footy, so was good to have a conversation about it. The backlots and sets are a bit so-so, but the attractions like King Kong are sensational.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 44 - (cont)

Flash flood was out of action


Sit on the right side of the tram to get a close up of Jaws. Wasn't quick enough on the camera to snap him


War of the Worlds set


Earthquake attraction was pretty good, then on to the last of the tour, The Fast and the Furious

 

[kermatu]

Earthquake is pretty good. also liked the surprising heat from some of the explosions on the sets. really well done. I wasn't expecting much, but enjoyed my day there. Staff in an out of the park all really good too.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 44 - (cont)

Very hot day, so made use of the single rider lane on the Jurassic Park ride a few times to cool off a bit.


Terminator, great special effects and extremely enjoyable


Waterworld was well worth watching, amazing all the effects they could put in such a small area


Shrek 3D, like the movies, very humourous, and some unexpected effects in the theatre as well

Sat on the lower deck of the bus on the way home, able ot hear the driver's commentary, and also got some snaps of some iconic buildings on the way.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 45 - Disneyland
Back when I first visited the states, I had no interest in visiting Disneyland, but a few years older and wiser probably somewhere everyone's got to visit at least once in their lives.
Had pre-purchased a 2 day hopper pass, and 1st stop would be California Adventure, arriving just before they dropped the rope to allow people to roam.


From my pre-reading the go was to get a fast pass to Radiator Springs Racers, so that is what I did. Grabbed my pass, then on to Paradise Pier, and a ride on the roller coaster California Screamin. No lines, so no wait.


Strolled around Paradise Pier, then had a ride on Goofy's Flying School. A training roller coaster I guess, pretty tame and aimed at kids, but what the hell, I was in Disneyland and was going to experience as much as I could.
One attraction I wasn't going to go on was The little Mermaid attraction, however even early in the day it was extremely hot, and this one was air conditioned, so in a clam shell I jumped.


Grizzly Peak, where Rushing Rapids are located, which was my next port of call, about a half hour wait for this one unfortunately.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 45 - (cont)

Bit of a wait for Soarin over California, but well worth it, probably the attraction I enjoyed the most over the two parks.
My time slot had arrived for The Rapid Springs Racers, and glad I grabbed the Fast Pass, as there was a huge line waiting to get on. Only about 10 minutes for me. I felt for the gentleman and his daughter who were in the same car as me, as a nice Father/Daughter photo from the ride was ruined by a shady looking git seated next to them.
Scenes from Car Land



Tower of Terror was next, no idea what I was in for. Quite the rush initially.


Went for some lunch in Downtown Disney, had an ordinary Po Boy.

Time to hit Disney proper.


Transition into thanksgiving was happening

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 45 - (cont)


Headed to Tomorrow Land, Space Mountain was out of action unfortunately. Grabbed a fast pass to Star Wars, not a big fan of Star Wars, but the ride was brilliant. Hit up the Buzz Light Year shoot em up, the Submarines, some car ride, then on to Fantasy Land. Had to do It's a Small World, also Pinnochio and Mr Toad's Wild Ride, which wasn't all that wild.Kept wandering, jumped on Pirates of the Carribean, Raiders of the Lost Ark, headed up Tarzan's tree house, then the Jungle Cruise.


Grabbed a Dole Pineapple float, then headed into the Tiki Room, which I thought better of, and turned back around.
Unfortunately Haunted Mansion was out of action due to preparations for Halloween.
By this stage it was mid evening, and I headed back to California Adventure to watch World of Colour.




Found a little alcove in front of The Little Mermaid to stand and watch, unfortunately I was moved on by a staff member. Was quite a crowd, and I couldn't be coughd standing in a crowded area, so pulled the pin on a long day and walked back to the hotel.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 46 - Disneyland
No photos as didn't take my camera today. Started at California Adventure again, another ride on California Screamin, then the Ferris Wheel and then another ride on the Soarin Over California. No lines anywhere today, very few people in the park.

Jumped over to Disneyland to get on what I missed the day before. Noticed a long line the day before waiting for Peter Pan, didn't waste my time the day before, unfortunately did today. About an hour in line, Peter Pan very underwhelming. Over to the Matterhorn, then Big Thunder Mountain, then lined up for Splash Mountain. After about half an hour of lining up, the ride stopped for some reason, I gave it another 5 minutes until the heat and the crowds beat me, and I called it quits as I was all Disneyed out.

Bit of late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, then back to the hotel for a swim and spa.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 47 - Anaheim

A nothing day. Walked up Katella Ave towards Angels Stadium, just to spark the memory bank of many years ago. Not many hotels left along that strip, mostly new apartment buildings.
Rest of the day was spent doing some laundry, having a swim, or sitting in the air con in front of the TV, Bonus - Donnie Brasco, Goodfellas and Casino played one after the other.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 48 - Honolulu
Another early start to be ready for the shuttle to LAX. Traveling on an AA 757, so wasn't looking forward to the flight ahead. At the gate was a newish A321, as well as Dallas projected as the destination. We were all assured we were at the right gate, so on an A321 it was.
Headed down the back of the plane to my seat, and it looked like it was a lightish load toward the back. Stayed that way for a few minutes, until a traveler's, and flight attendant's, worst nightmare, Chinese tour group. About 30, and in the 5 or so rows on both sides of the plane in front of me. I had a spare seat next to me, and the guide was in the aisle seat. As soon as practical I made sure I sprawled so he didn't get any ideas of commandeering the spare seat. The rest of the group was a nightmare, seats back, tray tables down, getting up during taxiing to open the bins; flight attendants were back and froth putting out spot fires, as well as the guide who was up and put of his seat trying to get his group to behave. You could see and get the vibe that the attendants were getting very upset with this group.
Bit of a feeling of home during taxiing.


Watched a couple of movies I had downloaded on my laptop, Ted and I can't remember the other one, no doubt it wouldn't have been one that would have made me think.
Before long, we commenced our descent, the tour group did their own thing, the attendants were pissed off once again, and we lined up for landing.


Just before touch down, the engines revved up, and I experienced my first go around. Captain came on a little time longer and told us the plane prior ot us was taking it's time getting off the tarmac. 2nd time , no dramas, and was soon off the plane taking in the sweet tropical air.


Bit of a wait for a shuttle, but eventually got to the Sand Villa Hotel. Room that backed on to the elevator shaft, however not a sound from it the whole time I was there.
View of Ala Wai Canal from the hotel balcony.

 

[kermatu]

Day 47 - Anaheim

A nothing day. Walked up Katella Ave towards Angels Stadium, just to spark the memory bank of many years ago. Not many hotels left along that strip, mostly new apartment buildings.
Rest of the day was spent doing some laundry, having a swim, or sitting in the air con in front of the TV, Bonus - Donnie Brasco, Goodfellas and Casino played one after the other.

Sometimes a do-nothing watch-movies day in the middle of a trip is just what you need!