LA

There were lots of turbulents but they didn't seem so bad when lying down and I did finally sleep and didn't want to wake when the hostess came round with hot towels and juice.

After a lovely breakfast I felt better and we were soon coming into LA which is huge and so spread out with long very busy roads.

It was a super landing, very smooth and as we were first off we were at the front of the queue for immigration. After all the stories we had been told about arriving in USA we had no trouble at all and the staff were very pleasant. We did have to hold Jon's stub up for the fingerprints though!

Our cases arrived safely but took a bit of time coming through. We went out and found the stop for the courtesy bus to the hotel which took about ten minutes even though it was an airport hotel the site is very big. We checked in and the room was very nice. The first thing we needed was a shower
and change of clothes. We took off at 7.00 pm on Wednesday and arrived at 10.00 am on the same day. I don't know whether I am coming or going at the moment. The bellboy who brought our cases up asked us what he should call us and being used to Kiwis and how friendly and familiar they are, he said Jon. As they bellboy was leaving and for the rest of our stay he called us Mr and Mrs Jon!!!

We then went out to the hotel bar for lunch which was OK. I wish I had brought a swimming costume with me as the weather was so warm and the hotel had a lovely pool.

We went to reception and booked a tour of LA with five minutes to spare. Everyone is so polite and helpful.

We enjoyed the tour of city and Venice, which is not very nice. It gave us a feel for it and we now know where we want to go when we come back with Heather.

Hollywood Boulevard is very busy with lots of people and we felt a bit dirty, not like you see on the TV.

We were told where to go to view the Hollywood sign which seemed a long way off. The letters are 30 foot wide and 50 ft high and were originally used as a marketing ploy to sell off plots of land but is now one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

We then went to the Farmers Market which was lovely with some very nice shops and we managed to get a cup of tea.


We are feeling very, very tired now and wanted to get back to the hotel but there was so much traffic it took a long time.

We got changed, again, and went down to the bar and had cocktails while we waited for a table in the restaurant.


We had a really good meal, we shared a starter and then had a lovely steak followed by New York cheesecake and a coffee which I hope IS decaf.

Now we are really very tired and looking forward to bed.


WEATHER
Lovely warm sunny day 18 degrees