Home now...

So....
1. Ryan won all games at bowling.
2. We didn't get lost getting to Santa Monica.
3. Dinner at Cheesecake Factory at Marina del Ray with Kellie and Liz was lovely. It has been great to meet new family or become reacquainted (depending on perspective, D's or R's)
4. Checkin procedures at LAX are much better these days, better organised now.
5. Row 2F & 2G were comfy, service was incredible, awesome food, but the bouncy floor on the 777 made the bed feel like a trampoline... (yeah ok.... It was damn awesome to actually have a bed for 14 hours over the Pacific)
6. Moderate to severe turbulence, at 3am (destination time), at 40k feet, while sleeping in bed (with a seatbelt), is not a pretty feeling but the Boeing slammed through it easily enough.
7. No apparent jet lag
8. Currently passing through the "Post Holiday Blues" phase of the vacation.
9. Now planning the next one.

Last day :((( Updated!

So we caught the bus to Santa Monica, some serious storms meant to be hitting but the blue sky is telling us other things! Last night was the first time we have slept well since being here...ironic considering we are located right next to 2 runways at LAX.

The iPhone has been good for transit maps, not often getting lost, thank heavens!

Here is a funny sign we saw at Nordstom (posh department store)

Off for dinner with Kelly and her wife Liz (Ryan's cousin who he hasn't seen for over 10 years). But before that we are filling in time with ten pin bowling at the lanes next to the hotel.


Not looking forward to the usual staff travel BS which generally occurs at LAX, we are hoping it goes smoothly.
Fingers crossed....

Great view from hotel at LAX

Ohmigod! I think I felt a little tingle in my pants when we opened the curtains at our LA airport hotel room. AND the window opens for full sound effects! To keep busy until flying back late tomorrow (except for planespotting), there are tenpin lanes next door, so we may head there. Oooh must go as there is a SQ A380 pushing back for departure from TBIT (sorry in plain English... Singapore Airlines big mother of a jet is preparing to depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal)

Clyde met a someone at the airport!

Our little travelling friend is very happy and not so lonely right now.

We are making sure there is no "Monkey Business" going on. She has better keep her legs crossed!

Oh by the way, welcome to 40000ft over one of the eastern states! Inflight Internet...very cool!

Last day in New York - chilling.

Today we went back downtown to exchange a few clothes which we bought a few days ago. This also gave us the opportunity to take a stroll near the WTC. We didn't go to the memorial which is under construction, but since being here a new appreciation of what occurred and the wide impact 9/11 had on this city. It was a little sad in reflection and thought of those who never returned home from work that day, and those brave and proud men and women officers who sacrificed everything in the line of duty.
It was quite chilling walking those streets, looking skyward and hearing jets flying overhead.

The Freedom Tower construction is well underway as is going to be higher than the original towers.

On a brighter note, we are all packed, with an additional bag (muppets take up a bit of space you know).

Just finished dinner at Times Square, and a chilly stroll home 42nd St to 26th to help dinner settle..

Next stop LAX for a night.

Introducing "Yorkie"

Well, FAO Schwarz was a fun few hours, especially the "Wotnot" section, designing our very own muppet who we christened Yorkie.

Unfortunately it was way too wet to take Clyde, but we did see his relatives, he stayed behind and had a nap.

Sister Act

WOW!! Raven Symonne was the lead (Whoopi's part). Don't know who we are on about... Think Cosby Show, the youngest daughter! Absolutely amazing set, costumes, singing, the works. A well deserved ovation at the end. Broadway crowds really interact.
The story was a mash of both movies, completely different score but still very funny.

Ryan is back on solids, we had a snack after the show, we found a seat on Broadway to watch the world go past... This was our view...and around the corner...

We were going to go up The Empire State building but the rain has now set in, and not anticipated to lighten up until we leave...may have to leave it until next time.

Can't wait to make our own Muppet tomorrow..yes it will be green and blue!

Tummy bug

Well Ryan has been in bed all day with a tummy bug, and has become quite good friends with the toilet with his head stuck in the dunny all day. He has only now able to keep ice cubes down, and hopefully will be in reasonable enough shape for Sister Act tonight. It has been good to stop for a bit and rest as we haven't had a good night sleep since arriving in the states thanks to a noisy hotel in Cali.

To give him some piece and quiet this afternoon, I went for a trot all the way down W26th to 12th Ave (right next to the Hudson). Saw the spot where Capt Sully ditched, and continued on past the Intrepid. Didn't manage to see Concorde from the outside, but a good walk anyway.

Yesterday we had a big walk around Central Park, and had a play with the radio controlled yachts. Earlier in the day when on our way to Liberty a cheeky squirrel was eyeing our breakfast muffins. Lunch was less eventful on Wall St.

NYC is certainly a unique and friendly place. Lots to see and do and lots to eat. Pizza is awesome and the hotdogs aren't too bad either (Not as good as Dad's though).

Tomorrow...FAO Schwarz, hope Clyde the monkey doesn't get home sick, clothes shopping and doing anything else to stay out of the forecast heavy rain.

NYNY

Quick post...busy... Having great time. Seen Lady Liberty... Off to Central Park. Back later!

West to East

Well we made it to pretty much the other end of the globe. Had a good flight with Delta, and an informative yellow cab ride from John F Kennedy International.

The hotel is great, far better than where we were in LA. we are still trying to work out all the remotes...for the bathroom and curtains. And then we also have to work out how to use the 8 different nozzles in the shower. The TV which is hidden in the bathroom mirror is a little distracting but probably very useful.

Must make sure to turn it off when shaving so nothing important get sliced off!

A day in the sun...cont

So the walk was amazing, highly recommend to anyone who wants a different view of tinsel town. You cannot get too close to the sign due to security and the threat of arrest.
We had out little travel buddy Clyde join us for this one too.

A weeee bit of a walk

It took just on 2 hours to complete a sometimes steep climb to the top of Mount Lee. The view was incredible. The legs hurt now but it was well worth it. It is hard to appreciate the size of the Hollywood sign, stretching over 100m and 14m high.

Going back up to them there hills....

The Hollywood hills that is, this time hiking the trails to the Hollywood sign, why? Because we want to :))

Cirque de Soleil IRIS

Holy hell batman! What a unique experience. It was well worth the money. Being in the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are presented was just WOW.

The show itself was a journey through movie making history and development, from silent movies to cops'n'robbers, with aerial acrobatics and just an amazing production.

We would highly recommend seeing this unique experience! Sorry no photos.

Did you know..

The Hollywood & Hyland Centre, the shopping complex attached to the Kodak, has been designed to obtain a view of the Hollywood sign at any level. Well there you go.

Good shopping too!

Tonight at the Kodak....

This is going to be a big night...just being in the theatre will be a big thing for Ryan.

Remember Beverly Hills Cop?

Look familiar?

And what a funky looking gas stop! Only in Bev Hills!

Gotta love public transport

I think I was sitting next to a white Sammy David Jnr!

Bus trip around them there Hills, Beverly Hills that is..

Today we did the touristy thing and went driving around the Hollywood hills, Mullholland Dr and Bev Hills. The highlights, and lowlights....

Saw the Beverly Hillbillies house, where Madonna lives (had a strong urge to go through her rubbish, but no), Dr Phil's place, Elvis' Hollywood home, Michael Jacksons house, yep the one where he was carted out in a bag and Betty White's house (where she probably will be carted out in a bag), even the car wash where "The Car Wash" was filmed! And many many more...

Photos below are:

MJ front gate
Dr Phil
Bin day at Madonna's
The Car Wash
The Hillbillies Mansion
Betty White residence
Michael Jackson's bedroom (yup where it all unfortunately came to a sleepy end).