Friday, October 28, 2011
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS..... SHELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA.
Our last day in the USA was a frustrating one. Our flight with V Australia was Sunday at 8.35pm but the best we could do at our hotel for a late check out was 2pm. After 2pm we had another 2.5hrs to fill before we were picked up by the shuttle bus. It arrived right on time to take us to the LA Airport. That shuttle trip took 45 min to get us to the airport 3 hours before take off.
Everything went ok, until I declined an offer to remove my new braces from my pants....".bad mistake" especially when passing through US customs and immigration. My action led to a full body search and "pat down"
My reason for keeping braces on was that I have lost a kilo or 2 while on hols and my already loose pants would hit the floor without some serious holding up.... I'm not one to seek such attention but I knew the metal clips would send any metal detector into a panic....however , no explanation by me was going to change the US govt officials mind or his desire to follow all protocols.
After being a public spectacle for more than 5 minutes with arms out and legs well spread I was cleared for the take-off
The plan took off on time ..but that 15.5 hours journey is a killer
We were picked up at Melbourne Airport by our wonderful neighbors, who got us home for what we thought would be a hot shower and a good sleep, but alas that wasn't to be, jet lag, time changes and about 36 hours without sleep meant that for the 4 nights, we have been up and down at all hours, but I can now report we are almost back to normal routine.
We had a wonderful holiday in the US and would encourage anyone with an interest in it to go. The country side is truly "grand" with the whole gamut of inspiring land and seascapes. There are great towns and cities to explore. Some towns are new and flashes others old and historic with lots of character The National Parks in the US are fantastic, they are so well run and give everyone the chance to enjoy and appreciate such great countryside. We found the people helpful and very friendly. The cost of holidaying in the US is considerably cheaper to a similar self drive holiday you could have in Australia.
We found the food the most difficult to adjust too, different flavours, lots of sugar and salt and frying oils, but we coped and survived.However we also had some great meals and enjoyed a few good beers and wines
This holiday will long live in our memory...... we hope you liked following our adventure.
Well that's it folks... RUMBELOW'S USA HOLIDAY 2011.
Everything went ok, until I declined an offer to remove my new braces from my pants....".bad mistake" especially when passing through US customs and immigration. My action led to a full body search and "pat down"
My reason for keeping braces on was that I have lost a kilo or 2 while on hols and my already loose pants would hit the floor without some serious holding up.... I'm not one to seek such attention but I knew the metal clips would send any metal detector into a panic....however , no explanation by me was going to change the US govt officials mind or his desire to follow all protocols.
After being a public spectacle for more than 5 minutes with arms out and legs well spread I was cleared for the take-off
The plan took off on time ..but that 15.5 hours journey is a killer
We were picked up at Melbourne Airport by our wonderful neighbors, who got us home for what we thought would be a hot shower and a good sleep, but alas that wasn't to be, jet lag, time changes and about 36 hours without sleep meant that for the 4 nights, we have been up and down at all hours, but I can now report we are almost back to normal routine.
We had a wonderful holiday in the US and would encourage anyone with an interest in it to go. The country side is truly "grand" with the whole gamut of inspiring land and seascapes. There are great towns and cities to explore. Some towns are new and flashes others old and historic with lots of character The National Parks in the US are fantastic, they are so well run and give everyone the chance to enjoy and appreciate such great countryside. We found the people helpful and very friendly. The cost of holidaying in the US is considerably cheaper to a similar self drive holiday you could have in Australia.
We found the food the most difficult to adjust too, different flavours, lots of sugar and salt and frying oils, but we coped and survived.However we also had some great meals and enjoyed a few good beers and wines
This holiday will long live in our memory...... we hope you liked following our adventure.
Well that's it folks... RUMBELOW'S USA HOLIDAY 2011.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
LA GRAND CITY TOUR.... So the brochure says!!
We did the 10 hour Starlight Tour from Anaheim touring LA and its major features, we were excited... but it turned out to be quite a boring day. The journey into LA took an hour from Anaheim then there was the drops offs from other tour options to Universal Studios and Hollywood. We saw the Hollywood sign and a view over LA then back in the bus. The major problem with the tour was that the driver's commentary was very limited, so half the time we were wondering why is that so significant. So we wouldn't recommend this tour, there was one that took in Universal Studios, with a half day devoted to Universal and the other half looking at the down town and movies stars houses that might have been better.So the message is... be very careful about what you choose if you ever do something like this. We did see the walk of fame and a lot of characters representing some of the famous actors. We saw the stars on the footpath with the names of the famous. We saw a few Hollywood stars homes eg Jackie Collins, Al Pacino and a glimpse in the direction of Tom Cruise' home and all the houses in this area very luxurious. We went to the pier and saw the beach in the fog, we went and saw Muscle Beach in the fog, but we did see quite a few characters and a lot of homeless.
Our 10 hour day became 11 hours after all the drop-offs. So we were very tired at the end of the day.
Our 10 hour day became 11 hours after all the drop-offs. So we were very tired at the end of the day.
Friday, October 21, 2011
A RESTFUL DAY IN ANAHEIM
Today we moved hotels, we are now at the ' Clarion hotel' still an easy walk to Disneyland and restaurants... it's a hotel we chose from a brochure supplied by the Flightcentre.... there are better and cheaper in the same area....but we can't change what is!!
After lunch we went and saw a movie 'The Ides of March"..a US political film,about betrayal and corruption in a fight as a candidate for US president ...not bad, stared George Clooney,who also directed and produced.
Out to dinner soon,and that's about it for the day.
We need to be up early tomorrow as we are off on a 10hr tour of downtown LA, Hollywood, and Venice Beach,wharf area....will we survive it...stay tuned.
After lunch we went and saw a movie 'The Ides of March"..a US political film,about betrayal and corruption in a fight as a candidate for US president ...not bad, stared George Clooney,who also directed and produced.
Out to dinner soon,and that's about it for the day.
We need to be up early tomorrow as we are off on a 10hr tour of downtown LA, Hollywood, and Venice Beach,wharf area....will we survive it...stay tuned.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
DAY 2 @ DISNEYLAND & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
We were up early for day 2 at Disneyland, and headed for the fast track tickets for Star Tours in 3D,these tickets should give us quick access to the ride between certain hours. In the meantime we headed for
California Adventure Park. The park is under going alot of re construction, and we felt it didn't have the atmosphere of Disneyland. However we walked around and chose a few fairly sedate rides. TThe pick of the experiences in CA Park was a ride called "Soaring over California" We queued for 40 minutes but it was worth it....thanks John and Lib. You enter a dim room and sit in a row of seats that held about10 at least and there were about 6 sets of seats,after stapping in and putting on 3D glasses, the room goes black and the seats start to move up and forward into a now 360 degree 3D film Of California's famous attractions and cities. Its like being in a hang glider, you soar up and plunge down, curve and twist with the film and moving seats.....fantastic
At 1 pm we were meant to use our fast ticket for the next big ride.....just our luck...technical fault show closed till fixed...so off we go to lunch. After lunch we give it another go..yes its on ....in we go!
40 people enter a room we all sit down and strap in once again put on 3D glasses,,,,,we are off seats shake ,rattle and roll as the story goes on flying in star wars fashion......but wait..our film stops but not the rattling....at the end everyone complains...yes another technical hitch. We all move to another room, this time all goes, well what a ride we have, would do it again but not standing in line for 40minutes....we call it a day, that's Disneyland folks.
California Adventure Park. The park is under going alot of re construction, and we felt it didn't have the atmosphere of Disneyland. However we walked around and chose a few fairly sedate rides. TThe pick of the experiences in CA Park was a ride called "Soaring over California" We queued for 40 minutes but it was worth it....thanks John and Lib. You enter a dim room and sit in a row of seats that held about10 at least and there were about 6 sets of seats,after stapping in and putting on 3D glasses, the room goes black and the seats start to move up and forward into a now 360 degree 3D film Of California's famous attractions and cities. Its like being in a hang glider, you soar up and plunge down, curve and twist with the film and moving seats.....fantastic
At 1 pm we were meant to use our fast ticket for the next big ride.....just our luck...technical fault show closed till fixed...so off we go to lunch. After lunch we give it another go..yes its on ....in we go!
40 people enter a room we all sit down and strap in once again put on 3D glasses,,,,,we are off seats shake ,rattle and roll as the story goes on flying in star wars fashion......but wait..our film stops but not the rattling....at the end everyone complains...yes another technical hitch. We all move to another room, this time all goes, well what a ride we have, would do it again but not standing in line for 40minutes....we call it a day, that's Disneyland folks.
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