My final post. Refreshed after a good nights sleep. As you will have noticed, there were a lot of musical references in the titles of my posts.
So, for those of you who don't know here are the titles and artists:
The Last Time................................... Rolling Stones
Homeward Bound..............................Simon and Garfunkel
All I Wanna Do...................................Sheryl Crow
Hotel California...................................Eagles
Feelin' Hot Hot Hot..............................The Merrymen
Viva Las Vegas.....................................Elvis Presley
On The Road Again..............................Canned Heat
I Can See For Miles..............................The Who
Take It Easy...........................................The Eagles
24 Hours From Tulsa.............................Gene Pitney
Is This The Way To Amarillo.................Tony Christie
Get your kicks on Route 66.....................Nat King Cole
Born To Be Wild......................................Steppenwolf
I hope those of you who have followed this blog from the start have enjoyed reading it, it has been great fun writing it and I thank you all for taking the time to read about our experiences and adventures.
I hope that some of you get the chance to do what we have done at some time in the future, I would strongly urge you to grab the opportunity to do so. The trip will stay with you forever!
Vince.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Thursday June 4th " Homeward Bound"
Well, today is the day we finally go home! It seems so long ago that we arrived in Chicago. We have done so much, stayed in some great places, seen some fantastic sights, met some great people and travelled 3200 miles in the process!
Music has played an important part of the journey, mainly thanks to the Route 66 playlist on the iPod. I don't think any of us will be able to listen to Take it Easy by the Eagles without remembering that corner in Wimslow, Arizona. Then there was the time when we were a day away from Tulsa when Gene Pitney came on singing 24 Hours from Tulsa.
Moments like these will really never leave us and always remind us of the 3 great weeks spent driving the "Mother Road".
So it was with a heavy heart that I packed our bags for the final time, they felt a bit heavier than when we arrived! Oh,those outlets!
We checked out of the hotel, put our bags in the car and went for a walk down to Santa Monica Pier.Took our pictures in front of the end of Route 66, had a coffee and a bite to eat. Got chatting to a guy in the mini museum/cubicle on the pier dedicated to R66. It has only been there a few years, was originally in a handcart, but as it got so busy it became a more permanent fixture. Really interesting guy, plenty of facts but more importantly great passion about R66.
It is hard to believe that the road nearly disappeared and it is only recently that it has become so popular. Ironically, it is mainly Europeans that are driving that interest at the moment.
Back to the van for the short drive to the airport. It covers a really great area, the rental office was really easy to find and the shuttle dropped us back at the terminal. The driver was really great, a bit of a character, he loaded all the bags, had a great line in chat and made a slow journey interesting.
The traffic to the various terminals was horrendous, mainly due to the fact that all American terminals are kerbside check in.
Bag drop and security went really well, we even checked our bags in at the First Class desk. Sandra cheekily asked if there was a chance of an upgrade! Of course the wasn't.
Grabbed something to eat, boarded the plane, we were on the upper deck. Nice seats near the rear of the cabin, 2 together. Stewardess was much better than the crew coming out.
As we took off and Sandra tried to put her headphones in the socket, they wouldn't go in. So no chance of listening to any of the entertainment channels! We asked for an adaptor so Sandra could share my jack socket but there were none.
With that the stewardess said that she would move Sandra to World Traveller Plus (Premiun Economy) if that was acceptable. So off she went to the front of the cabin.
I watched American Sniper, great film, Wild, very intense, and 2nd Marigold Hotel, funny! Sandra popped back a few times, and before we knew it breakfast was being served. The flight went really quickly and smoothly. Great plane, plenty of legroom, just a pity that Sandra couldn't be next to me for it.
We had to transfer to terminal 3 from terminal 5,where we landed, to get the bus to the car park. Picked up the car, easy drive home, no issues with driving a manual after 3 weeks of an automatic. The only thing is that everything just seems so small over here in comparison to the States. Drivers seem to be more aggressive as well over here!
Got home, unpacked, did the washing and finally grabbed a few hours sleep at 5 pm.
Our holiday well and truly over, it was good to be in our own bed at last!
Music has played an important part of the journey, mainly thanks to the Route 66 playlist on the iPod. I don't think any of us will be able to listen to Take it Easy by the Eagles without remembering that corner in Wimslow, Arizona. Then there was the time when we were a day away from Tulsa when Gene Pitney came on singing 24 Hours from Tulsa.
Moments like these will really never leave us and always remind us of the 3 great weeks spent driving the "Mother Road".
So it was with a heavy heart that I packed our bags for the final time, they felt a bit heavier than when we arrived! Oh,those outlets!
We checked out of the hotel, put our bags in the car and went for a walk down to Santa Monica Pier.Took our pictures in front of the end of Route 66, had a coffee and a bite to eat. Got chatting to a guy in the mini museum/cubicle on the pier dedicated to R66. It has only been there a few years, was originally in a handcart, but as it got so busy it became a more permanent fixture. Really interesting guy, plenty of facts but more importantly great passion about R66.
It is hard to believe that the road nearly disappeared and it is only recently that it has become so popular. Ironically, it is mainly Europeans that are driving that interest at the moment.
Back to the van for the short drive to the airport. It covers a really great area, the rental office was really easy to find and the shuttle dropped us back at the terminal. The driver was really great, a bit of a character, he loaded all the bags, had a great line in chat and made a slow journey interesting.
The traffic to the various terminals was horrendous, mainly due to the fact that all American terminals are kerbside check in.
Bag drop and security went really well, we even checked our bags in at the First Class desk. Sandra cheekily asked if there was a chance of an upgrade! Of course the wasn't.
Grabbed something to eat, boarded the plane, we were on the upper deck. Nice seats near the rear of the cabin, 2 together. Stewardess was much better than the crew coming out.
As we took off and Sandra tried to put her headphones in the socket, they wouldn't go in. So no chance of listening to any of the entertainment channels! We asked for an adaptor so Sandra could share my jack socket but there were none.
With that the stewardess said that she would move Sandra to World Traveller Plus (Premiun Economy) if that was acceptable. So off she went to the front of the cabin.
I watched American Sniper, great film, Wild, very intense, and 2nd Marigold Hotel, funny! Sandra popped back a few times, and before we knew it breakfast was being served. The flight went really quickly and smoothly. Great plane, plenty of legroom, just a pity that Sandra couldn't be next to me for it.
We had to transfer to terminal 3 from terminal 5,where we landed, to get the bus to the car park. Picked up the car, easy drive home, no issues with driving a manual after 3 weeks of an automatic. The only thing is that everything just seems so small over here in comparison to the States. Drivers seem to be more aggressive as well over here!
Got home, unpacked, did the washing and finally grabbed a few hours sleep at 5 pm.
Our holiday well and truly over, it was good to be in our own bed at last!
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Wednesday June 3rd. Route 66 " It is what it is"
Great night's sleep in our new room, didn't wake up till about 8.30! Just as well really as it was very misty and it was drizzling with rain. It was still very warm, the sea was very rough and the surfer boys were all going to the beach with their boards.
We were originally planning to go on the beach and later hire some push bikes out, but the weather changed that.
We met up about 10 ish and agreed to go for a drive until the weather got better.
Off we went to Venice Beach, we only briefly looked around the other night, so thought it would be good to do during the day.
It is only about 5 mins drive up the coast, we drove down a side road to the beach, parked up and went onto the promenade. Venice is like Camden with a beach. A whole bunch of crazies, new agers, old hippies, artists, drown and outs and tourists all crammed into one long strip along the beach.
The street sellers sell all sorts of wierd stuff, carvings, paintings, tshirts etc etc. You can have tarot readings done, get holistic treatments, even have your chakras sorted!
The place only starts waking up about 10.30, so lots of the street sellers were setting up, lots of buskers play along the promenade, they were all tuning their guitars and as always along this stretch people were out riding bikes, jogging, skate boarding,walking their dogs, or just plain walking along like we were.
We came across The House of Ink tattoo parlour. I'd read about this place online before the trip, so we popped in and asked the price for our Route 66 design. The shop was empty apart from a guy and a girl behind the counter. We showed them the design, they asked a few questions and they quoted between $250- $300. They said it would take about 2 hours. We said we would think about it and off we went.
We carried on walking along the prom, the mountains towards Malibu were covered in mist, it wasn't raining anymore and quite pleasant. We were all having discussions about having the "tatt" done, how long it would take etc, etc. Finally I decided to have mine done, Pat also said he would have his done.
So back to the shop we went.
We walked in, said let's do the tattoos and negotiated a price. We got the 2 for $220 each plus tax, a total of $250. Pat and I signed the forms, showed our ID and Nick started drawing up the designs.
Once they were done , we were prepped and stencils put in place for the tattooing to begin. I don't find tattooing painful, just a little uncomfortable at times. Nick was a really nice guy, it transpired the he and Jennifer were married, had 3 kids and had been tattooing for about 7 years at this shop. We were chatting all the time about all sorts of things, he thought the idea of us travelling R66 then getting a tattoo to commemorate that feat was really cool.
Sandra and Lel went and had some breakfast, popping in and out of the store whilst we were having it done. Both the girls were saying it was really looking good. Pat's was finished first, mine some 10 mins later, they told us how to care for the tattoo, what cream to get for it etc. We had our pics done with them and off we went. Sarnie posted the pics on Facebook later, when we got back to the hotel.
We stopped and had some brunch,we were all starving and the sun had come out by this time. As the weather had changed we decided to revert to plan A and get out some bikes. On the way back to the hotel we stopped off at a drugstore, got the cream for our tattoos and off we went.
At the hotel I checked us in online and printed our boarding passes, a really nice Australian guy was in the reception office, he was very chatty, asked about the trip etc.
When it was time to hire the bikes, we went to the office, the manager was back by this time. Bike hire was $8 per hour or $14 for 3-5 hours. Well it was close to 4pm and there was no way that after 3 weeks of eating, drinking and driving America that we would be able to ride bikes for over 3 hours! I asked the manager if he could do a deal for 4 bikes for 2 hours at $40. Without looking up he pointed to the sign on his desk and said "there's the rates". I said that I could see that, said we didn't need the bikes for 3+ hours and could he do a deal for 2 hours. His answer was "book them for 3 hours then!"
All through this brief conversation he never once looked up or made eye contact, what an asshole, as they say out here! After 3 weeks I'm becoming quite American.
We basically told him to"shove it" (another Americanism), and went on down to the beach, hired them there and selected our bikes. After a few trial turns on the pedestrian pathway it was time to hit the cycle lane!
I have not ridden a bike in over 50 years but after a few mins it seemed like only yesterday. That saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike, it is so true!
Sarnie was really good, she went off like a steam train, pedalling away like a good'un!
We eventually caught up with her, cycled past Venice and along the beach for a couple of miles. Saw some great beachfront properties, how all the locals used the facilities all along the beach. There are areas for skateboards, body building, volleyball, children's play areas and snack bars and toilets as well. It puts places like Sothend into the shade!
After nearly an hour we were back near the hire shop, so thoroughly knackered and with legs like jelly we gave our bikes back, paid our rental and staggered to the nearest bar for a beer!
The sun was out, the place was buzzing and we all agreed how nice it would be to live in a place like this.
For our last night in America we thought we would go to The King's Head pub for a traditional English meal. After showering, removing the covering from my tattoo, putting the cream on it and getting ready, we jumped in the van, headed downtown and went to the pub.
This pub is so English, it is like an old style pub, not many of those left in England now. We had pies, mash and vegetables, we have all been craving veg after 3 weeks of dining American style! They were dlicious, even though we were all stuffed, " afters" were ordered. Apple pies, trifle and rhubarb crumble, the pies and crumble with Bird's Eye custard! Handsome!
Back to the hotel to finish off the remaining beers and voddie then off to bed for our last night in America.
We have all had a great trip, so many memories, so it is with a heavy heart that we retired for the night knowing that most of tomorrow will be spent packing our cases for the journey home.
We were originally planning to go on the beach and later hire some push bikes out, but the weather changed that.
We met up about 10 ish and agreed to go for a drive until the weather got better.
Off we went to Venice Beach, we only briefly looked around the other night, so thought it would be good to do during the day.
It is only about 5 mins drive up the coast, we drove down a side road to the beach, parked up and went onto the promenade. Venice is like Camden with a beach. A whole bunch of crazies, new agers, old hippies, artists, drown and outs and tourists all crammed into one long strip along the beach.
The street sellers sell all sorts of wierd stuff, carvings, paintings, tshirts etc etc. You can have tarot readings done, get holistic treatments, even have your chakras sorted!
The place only starts waking up about 10.30, so lots of the street sellers were setting up, lots of buskers play along the promenade, they were all tuning their guitars and as always along this stretch people were out riding bikes, jogging, skate boarding,walking their dogs, or just plain walking along like we were.
We came across The House of Ink tattoo parlour. I'd read about this place online before the trip, so we popped in and asked the price for our Route 66 design. The shop was empty apart from a guy and a girl behind the counter. We showed them the design, they asked a few questions and they quoted between $250- $300. They said it would take about 2 hours. We said we would think about it and off we went.
We carried on walking along the prom, the mountains towards Malibu were covered in mist, it wasn't raining anymore and quite pleasant. We were all having discussions about having the "tatt" done, how long it would take etc, etc. Finally I decided to have mine done, Pat also said he would have his done.
So back to the shop we went.
We walked in, said let's do the tattoos and negotiated a price. We got the 2 for $220 each plus tax, a total of $250. Pat and I signed the forms, showed our ID and Nick started drawing up the designs.
Once they were done , we were prepped and stencils put in place for the tattooing to begin. I don't find tattooing painful, just a little uncomfortable at times. Nick was a really nice guy, it transpired the he and Jennifer were married, had 3 kids and had been tattooing for about 7 years at this shop. We were chatting all the time about all sorts of things, he thought the idea of us travelling R66 then getting a tattoo to commemorate that feat was really cool.
Sandra and Lel went and had some breakfast, popping in and out of the store whilst we were having it done. Both the girls were saying it was really looking good. Pat's was finished first, mine some 10 mins later, they told us how to care for the tattoo, what cream to get for it etc. We had our pics done with them and off we went. Sarnie posted the pics on Facebook later, when we got back to the hotel.
We stopped and had some brunch,we were all starving and the sun had come out by this time. As the weather had changed we decided to revert to plan A and get out some bikes. On the way back to the hotel we stopped off at a drugstore, got the cream for our tattoos and off we went.
At the hotel I checked us in online and printed our boarding passes, a really nice Australian guy was in the reception office, he was very chatty, asked about the trip etc.
When it was time to hire the bikes, we went to the office, the manager was back by this time. Bike hire was $8 per hour or $14 for 3-5 hours. Well it was close to 4pm and there was no way that after 3 weeks of eating, drinking and driving America that we would be able to ride bikes for over 3 hours! I asked the manager if he could do a deal for 4 bikes for 2 hours at $40. Without looking up he pointed to the sign on his desk and said "there's the rates". I said that I could see that, said we didn't need the bikes for 3+ hours and could he do a deal for 2 hours. His answer was "book them for 3 hours then!"
All through this brief conversation he never once looked up or made eye contact, what an asshole, as they say out here! After 3 weeks I'm becoming quite American.
We basically told him to"shove it" (another Americanism), and went on down to the beach, hired them there and selected our bikes. After a few trial turns on the pedestrian pathway it was time to hit the cycle lane!
I have not ridden a bike in over 50 years but after a few mins it seemed like only yesterday. That saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike, it is so true!
Sarnie was really good, she went off like a steam train, pedalling away like a good'un!
We eventually caught up with her, cycled past Venice and along the beach for a couple of miles. Saw some great beachfront properties, how all the locals used the facilities all along the beach. There are areas for skateboards, body building, volleyball, children's play areas and snack bars and toilets as well. It puts places like Sothend into the shade!
After nearly an hour we were back near the hire shop, so thoroughly knackered and with legs like jelly we gave our bikes back, paid our rental and staggered to the nearest bar for a beer!
The sun was out, the place was buzzing and we all agreed how nice it would be to live in a place like this.
For our last night in America we thought we would go to The King's Head pub for a traditional English meal. After showering, removing the covering from my tattoo, putting the cream on it and getting ready, we jumped in the van, headed downtown and went to the pub.
This pub is so English, it is like an old style pub, not many of those left in England now. We had pies, mash and vegetables, we have all been craving veg after 3 weeks of dining American style! They were dlicious, even though we were all stuffed, " afters" were ordered. Apple pies, trifle and rhubarb crumble, the pies and crumble with Bird's Eye custard! Handsome!
Back to the hotel to finish off the remaining beers and voddie then off to bed for our last night in America.
We have all had a great trip, so many memories, so it is with a heavy heart that we retired for the night knowing that most of tomorrow will be spent packing our cases for the journey home.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Tuesday 2nd June. "Until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard"
Not a good night's sleep. Too much noise and too hot in our cupboard! Manager wouldn't reduce our rate, his argument is we have an upgrade at no extra cost. Our argument is by upgrading us we have a worse room. He says we have a sea view, we say there is a tree in the way!
Eventually we ask to move rooms and he eventually finds us a room on the 2nd floor, much bigger and still with a sea view!
Hastily put the bags in there and off we go.
A nice stroll along the promenade to the shopping district, we decided to do the bus tour of Hollywood today. I managed to grab some things from Abercrombie and Fitch, one of my favourite stores over here, had a look at the Kings Head pub, a little bit of England in America, and went to join the tour.
Our bus only had about 8 people on it, the guide was really entertaining, even if he repeated himself a bit.
We visited Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, The Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are presented, and Rodeo Drive.
A different tour to the one we did a few years back, much more walking. Still very enjoyable and informative.
Met a few crazies out and about, saw a hideous yellow Roller convertible with yellow leather seats, so crass, as well as Bentleys and a host of posh cars!
We were dropped back at our hotel and we enjoyed sitting on the terrace looking at our view.
The girls went to pick up the washing and have their nails and feet manicured.
Pat and I had dropped them off and when we got back to the hotel we sat on the terrace and had a few beers.
The girls got back, had a couple of drinks as well and off we went out to the hotel we had a drink in last night for something to eat.
The food was great, we ended up being the last ones in the restaurant. We left and had a wander down
to the pier, as it was late everything was closed. We walked back to the hotel, decided to get some bikes out tomorrow to explore a bit more of the beach area.
Eventually we ask to move rooms and he eventually finds us a room on the 2nd floor, much bigger and still with a sea view!
Hastily put the bags in there and off we go.
A nice stroll along the promenade to the shopping district, we decided to do the bus tour of Hollywood today. I managed to grab some things from Abercrombie and Fitch, one of my favourite stores over here, had a look at the Kings Head pub, a little bit of England in America, and went to join the tour.
Our bus only had about 8 people on it, the guide was really entertaining, even if he repeated himself a bit.
We visited Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, The Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are presented, and Rodeo Drive.
A different tour to the one we did a few years back, much more walking. Still very enjoyable and informative.
Met a few crazies out and about, saw a hideous yellow Roller convertible with yellow leather seats, so crass, as well as Bentleys and a host of posh cars!
We were dropped back at our hotel and we enjoyed sitting on the terrace looking at our view.
The girls went to pick up the washing and have their nails and feet manicured.
Pat and I had dropped them off and when we got back to the hotel we sat on the terrace and had a few beers.
The girls got back, had a couple of drinks as well and off we went out to the hotel we had a drink in last night for something to eat.
The food was great, we ended up being the last ones in the restaurant. We left and had a wander down
to the pier, as it was late everything was closed. We walked back to the hotel, decided to get some bikes out tomorrow to explore a bit more of the beach area.
Monday 1st June " Welcome to the Hotel California..........."
Got all our stuff packed up ready for the final leg of the road trip, off to the beach at Santa Monica and the end of Route 66.
Whilst I packed Sandra went downstairs to get a coffee, some 40 mins later she returned! She had 2 coffees, a muffin and a breakfast sandwich. She did want an omelette, but after waiting 30 mins to be served she was told it would be a 40 min wait for it to be ready!
This 5 star hotel is totally unable to provide sufficient facilities for the guests in it's 4000 rooms! It really does flatter to decieve. The decor, surroundings and rooms are great. Where it lets itself down is how long it takes to get food, drinks etc.
I have come to the conclusion that they are not hotels in Vegas as we would expect, they might boast 5 stars but they are casinos with rooms. I cannot imagine a 5 star hotel in London operating the way the Bellagio does. It would shut down in less than 6 months!
Of course, the trials and tribulations didn't stop there. As we went to check out we were told we had to join the same line as new arrivals checking in, there must have been some 50-60 people in the queue.
When we complained we were told to check out on TV in our room. On seeing Lel and Pat we found out that the system was down, so we couldn't do that either. Eventually I grabbed a house phone and checked out that way!
Since our last visit to Vegas it has changed quite dramatically, hotels have got much, much bigger, queues have got longer, the"Strip" has got much, much busier. It has always been a party town but is now a magnet for hen and stag do's and is more like an upmarket Albufeira, Magaluf or Malia!
I for one wasn't sorry that we were leaving, it certainly isn't reflective of America and I can't see myself coming back here again.
One thing that got to us all was the fact that smoking is still allowed in the casinos, I can understand why they allow it but having been in a non smoking culture in the UK for some years it is amazing how abhorrent a smoking environment is to us now. How times change!
So off onto I15 most of the way to Vegas, flat desert scenery as far as the eye can see, bordered by mountains in either side. Scenery changes to mountainous area but we start to see the effects of the LA smog. Visibility gets worse and there is a haze in the distance hanging over the mountains.
As we near LA traffic gets busier, the freeways get wider and driving gets more manic. We hit a few traffic jams on the way but nothing like the traffic on the opposite side. It must have been crawling along for some 15-20 miles. Don't think I'll ever moan about the M25 ever again, well at least not until the next time I'm stuck in traffic!
Finally found our hotel, right opposite the beach. Sandra asked for a room with a view, we got upgraded and we ended up with the worst room in the hotel!
We had loads of washing to do, so found the laundry nearby, had something to eat in a really trendy place. California is so different to the rest of the USA, so health conscious. Every other person has a yoga mat under their arm, they are either biking or jogging everywhere!
Food was good, we opted for burgers, yet again, and Sandra's one looked like a mini Devastator challenge from the Red Dog Saloon in Hoxton!
Got back to our cupboard of a room, changed and walked along the front to nearby Venice Beach. As it was getting darker we turned around and came home. A wierd place in daylight, not somewhere you want to be of a nighttime.
Found a nice hotel on the beach with a terrace bar, so had a couple of drinks there before going back to the hotel and our cupboard.
When we got back we asked if the rate could be reduced as it was a really terrible room, far too small, even though it was classed as a sea view room.
Guy said he would leave a note for the manager, not hopeful.
Whilst I packed Sandra went downstairs to get a coffee, some 40 mins later she returned! She had 2 coffees, a muffin and a breakfast sandwich. She did want an omelette, but after waiting 30 mins to be served she was told it would be a 40 min wait for it to be ready!
This 5 star hotel is totally unable to provide sufficient facilities for the guests in it's 4000 rooms! It really does flatter to decieve. The decor, surroundings and rooms are great. Where it lets itself down is how long it takes to get food, drinks etc.
I have come to the conclusion that they are not hotels in Vegas as we would expect, they might boast 5 stars but they are casinos with rooms. I cannot imagine a 5 star hotel in London operating the way the Bellagio does. It would shut down in less than 6 months!
Of course, the trials and tribulations didn't stop there. As we went to check out we were told we had to join the same line as new arrivals checking in, there must have been some 50-60 people in the queue.
When we complained we were told to check out on TV in our room. On seeing Lel and Pat we found out that the system was down, so we couldn't do that either. Eventually I grabbed a house phone and checked out that way!
Since our last visit to Vegas it has changed quite dramatically, hotels have got much, much bigger, queues have got longer, the"Strip" has got much, much busier. It has always been a party town but is now a magnet for hen and stag do's and is more like an upmarket Albufeira, Magaluf or Malia!
I for one wasn't sorry that we were leaving, it certainly isn't reflective of America and I can't see myself coming back here again.
One thing that got to us all was the fact that smoking is still allowed in the casinos, I can understand why they allow it but having been in a non smoking culture in the UK for some years it is amazing how abhorrent a smoking environment is to us now. How times change!
So off onto I15 most of the way to Vegas, flat desert scenery as far as the eye can see, bordered by mountains in either side. Scenery changes to mountainous area but we start to see the effects of the LA smog. Visibility gets worse and there is a haze in the distance hanging over the mountains.
As we near LA traffic gets busier, the freeways get wider and driving gets more manic. We hit a few traffic jams on the way but nothing like the traffic on the opposite side. It must have been crawling along for some 15-20 miles. Don't think I'll ever moan about the M25 ever again, well at least not until the next time I'm stuck in traffic!
Finally found our hotel, right opposite the beach. Sandra asked for a room with a view, we got upgraded and we ended up with the worst room in the hotel!
We had loads of washing to do, so found the laundry nearby, had something to eat in a really trendy place. California is so different to the rest of the USA, so health conscious. Every other person has a yoga mat under their arm, they are either biking or jogging everywhere!
Food was good, we opted for burgers, yet again, and Sandra's one looked like a mini Devastator challenge from the Red Dog Saloon in Hoxton!
Got back to our cupboard of a room, changed and walked along the front to nearby Venice Beach. As it was getting darker we turned around and came home. A wierd place in daylight, not somewhere you want to be of a nighttime.
Found a nice hotel on the beach with a terrace bar, so had a couple of drinks there before going back to the hotel and our cupboard.
When we got back we asked if the rate could be reduced as it was a really terrible room, far too small, even though it was classed as a sea view room.
Guy said he would leave a note for the manager, not hopeful.
Sunday 31st May "Shop till we drop........."
Lel had a bad night last night, being sick, not sleeping. Not good really. Not sure if it was something she ate or too much sun. I would suspect the latter.
We had planned for all of us to visit the outlets today, but Lel and Pat decided against that obviously, so Sandra and I jumped in the van and eventually found the outlets.
It was soooooooooo hot! The temp was forecast at 109 degrees, it felt it as well. It was a relief to go into shops for a cool down as they all have aircon!
Sarnie stocked up on some gym gear, flip flops etc, me?, I carried the bags!
We grabbed some lunch, Chinese, it is really tasty in these food courts and very reasonable.
We carried on shopping, one guy asked if we were either Australian (usual) or Canadian (never had that one before). When we said English he said " give my regards to the Queen". Only problem was that each time we walked past him he kept saying it. Eventually to shut him up as we walked past him for about the 4th time I said " the Queen sends her love!" He looked at me opened mouthed and on we went.
Got back to the hotel about 4ish, checked in on Lel, she still wasn't great but said she would be out later even if she didn't eat.
We met about 7.30' attempted to go to the buffet in the hotel, mobbed, and you can't book! Other restaurants weren't suitable, so we decided to go and get the van and eat out. AsI was going back to the room I looked into a restaurant in the corner and the line was really short, so that's where we went.
After a 15 min wait to be seated, in we went. It was really nice, food looked good, service was good, so we ordered. Sarnie had lamb chops, I had steak and eggs, Pat had meatloaf and Lel tried the omelette.
It was delicious! Whilst we were eating Elvis and a showgirl came in to eat. It was a couple that had just got married, he was in full Elvis jump suit, complete with wig, she was wearing a feathered headdress and costume a la Moulin Rouge! Great fun.
As it was still really hot, temp in the high 90's at 10.30 pm we decided to stay and have a little flutter on the slots.
Some 3 hours later and some $20 lighter off we went to bed. Lel had gone up earlier, hope she'll be ok for the trip tomorrow.
We had planned for all of us to visit the outlets today, but Lel and Pat decided against that obviously, so Sandra and I jumped in the van and eventually found the outlets.
It was soooooooooo hot! The temp was forecast at 109 degrees, it felt it as well. It was a relief to go into shops for a cool down as they all have aircon!
Sarnie stocked up on some gym gear, flip flops etc, me?, I carried the bags!
We grabbed some lunch, Chinese, it is really tasty in these food courts and very reasonable.
We carried on shopping, one guy asked if we were either Australian (usual) or Canadian (never had that one before). When we said English he said " give my regards to the Queen". Only problem was that each time we walked past him he kept saying it. Eventually to shut him up as we walked past him for about the 4th time I said " the Queen sends her love!" He looked at me opened mouthed and on we went.
Got back to the hotel about 4ish, checked in on Lel, she still wasn't great but said she would be out later even if she didn't eat.
We met about 7.30' attempted to go to the buffet in the hotel, mobbed, and you can't book! Other restaurants weren't suitable, so we decided to go and get the van and eat out. AsI was going back to the room I looked into a restaurant in the corner and the line was really short, so that's where we went.
After a 15 min wait to be seated, in we went. It was really nice, food looked good, service was good, so we ordered. Sarnie had lamb chops, I had steak and eggs, Pat had meatloaf and Lel tried the omelette.
It was delicious! Whilst we were eating Elvis and a showgirl came in to eat. It was a couple that had just got married, he was in full Elvis jump suit, complete with wig, she was wearing a feathered headdress and costume a la Moulin Rouge! Great fun.
As it was still really hot, temp in the high 90's at 10.30 pm we decided to stay and have a little flutter on the slots.
Some 3 hours later and some $20 lighter off we went to bed. Lel had gone up earlier, hope she'll be ok for the trip tomorrow.
Saturday 30th May " Feeling hot, hot, hot............."
Awoke to temperatures in the 100's! It is planned to be 105 degrees today. Tried to get a coffee and also book a show for that evening. Over a 30 min wait to get a coffee, and nearly an hour's wait to get a show booked at consierge services. Even then she booked it online! We could have done that from the room.
We were advised by the girl on the desk to walk to the next hotel and go to the Starbucks for our coffee. Crazy! The Bellagio may be a fabulous hotel but it certainly can't deliver on the basics.
Sandra and I then decided to go to the pool and get some beds for us all to sit on.
Well, that was harder than it seemed. Every bed looked taken, loads of people walking about with towels in their hands. So we did what it seems you have to do all the time in this hotel, we paid someone to find up 4 beds. That took another 30-40 mins!
After a lot of coming and going we eventually met up with Lel and Pat, went to our beds and got the girls settled. By this time the temperature was 106 degrees, and it was only noon.
Pat and I needed a haircut, so we jumped in the van, thank god for aircon, and off we went.
We drove up "The Strip" and decided to visit the pawn shop featured in the TV show Pawn Stars. It always amazes me on TV how busy the place is and what items get brought in.
As usual in the USA, the shop has it's own parking lot, we parked up, about 4 guys directing parking in a lot that only held about 30 cars. Shows how much of a tourist attraction this has become.
There was security checking people into the shop and it was heaving inside.
It is basically a counter either side, with a pawn area to the left as you enter. At the back there is a range of merchandise and you can take your picture with a backdrop of the stars of the show!
Only in Vegas.
Pat and I went to the mall to get a haircut, eventually found the hairdressers, booked ourselves in for a haircut, as always just having our heads clippered, or a "buzz" as the Americans call it.
A girl came out to do mine, Pat got a guy. Pat's guy had more make up on the Sandra and Lel would use together, his hair had a huge quiff, was peroxide blonde and shaved at the sides to a point at the back of his neck, Ashley Cole style. He was also camper than a row of tents. When he asked Pat what we were doing in Vegas , he was very quick to tell him that our wives were back at the hotel sunbthing by the pool!
After 20 mins, we both left $35 lighter, including a tip, and went back to the hotel.
By now it was about 108 degrees, so we grabbed a beer each, and had a dip in the pool to cool off. The pool area is very nice, quite large, in fact there are about 5 or 6 pools of one kind or another. Lots of shrubbery and conifers, all set out in an Italian garden style as you would expect.
The heat was really oppressive, so father about an hour we all decided to go back inside. We grabbed a salad from the little cafe on the way back to our lifts, only a 20 min wait, the shortest yet and sat down to eat it.
As we were eating we noticed a couple of sparrows flying around inside the building, as we looked up they were making a nest in the domed area above our heads. Can't believe that a 5 star hotel allows that to happen!
We went up to our rooms to get ready for the show. We chose to go and see a show called "Raiding the Rock Vault", it has been voted best Las Vegas show for the last 2 years, replacing Jersey Boys.
We headed down to The Tropicana hotel, collected our tickets from the box office and went and had a drink before we went in. The show offers VIP packages where you get to met the band before the show, pics, autographs etc. we saw these all go in and then looked at the line waiting to enter. It was massive, so we had another drink and waited till it got shorter before we joined it. Sandra needed the toilet and was told there were some inside the theatre. As we entered she asked where the toilets were, only to be told there were none in the auditorium and she had to go back outside. Well, you can imagine Sandra's reaction! She saw a tall guy, suited and booted, and went up to him. He was English, spoke with a very posh accent and she ranted to him about the lack of toilets, he agreed, said it was ridiculous and as she carried on ranting he suggested that she write to her MP. She wasn't very happy!
Off she went to the toilet, there was plenty of time before the show started, and we all took our seats. We had a great view, near centre stage. In the front rows there were booths and tables, so for those shows with dinner this is where you would sit.
The show was fabulous, it featured rock songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Some great musicians, ex Whitesnake, Bad Company, Asia, Bon Jovi etc. It was a bit tongue in cheek, but very accomplished, and a great 2 hours of rock music. All the classic rock songs were played, the lead singer often changing for different songs.
It also happened to be the 500th show in Vegas, so at the end on came a cake and champagne to celebrate. The band introduced everyone thanked a few people including the show's producer, a guy called Sir Henry Cowell. He was a tall English guy, suited and booted. Yep, you guessed it, the same guy that Sandra was ranting to earlier about the lack of toilets in the theatre!
We went back outside to have a drink, we were all laughing about what had happened previously with Sandra. As we sat at the table, there were some raffle tickets left there, a couple of guys were singing songs playing pianos. During a break, they announced there was a raffle, they pulled out a ticket, read the number no it was one of the ones left on our table. Sandra collected the prize and of course it was a voucher for 2 tickets to see a show, "Raiding the Rock Vault"!
We told the guy we were leaving Vegas in a few days so he swapped it for a tshirts of the show. The band were doing signing sessions of merchandise right net to where we were sitting, so we persuaded Sarnie to do her "groupie" act and get the band to sign it. Whilst waiting she was chatting to people in the line, one guy had seen them 22 times before, another girl was part of the PR team. When she got to the front of the line, she really milked the moment, chatting to ech member, photos with them, getting the tshirt signed, the "whole 9 yards" as they say out here.
We went back to the hotel, had a bit of a gamble, a few drinks and grabbed a snack. Well a burger really, we're so hungry! It was delicious, it was the nearest equivalent to a kebab after a night on the booze!
We finally got to bed about 3.30 after a great night out.
We were advised by the girl on the desk to walk to the next hotel and go to the Starbucks for our coffee. Crazy! The Bellagio may be a fabulous hotel but it certainly can't deliver on the basics.
Sandra and I then decided to go to the pool and get some beds for us all to sit on.
Well, that was harder than it seemed. Every bed looked taken, loads of people walking about with towels in their hands. So we did what it seems you have to do all the time in this hotel, we paid someone to find up 4 beds. That took another 30-40 mins!
After a lot of coming and going we eventually met up with Lel and Pat, went to our beds and got the girls settled. By this time the temperature was 106 degrees, and it was only noon.
Pat and I needed a haircut, so we jumped in the van, thank god for aircon, and off we went.
We drove up "The Strip" and decided to visit the pawn shop featured in the TV show Pawn Stars. It always amazes me on TV how busy the place is and what items get brought in.
As usual in the USA, the shop has it's own parking lot, we parked up, about 4 guys directing parking in a lot that only held about 30 cars. Shows how much of a tourist attraction this has become.
There was security checking people into the shop and it was heaving inside.
It is basically a counter either side, with a pawn area to the left as you enter. At the back there is a range of merchandise and you can take your picture with a backdrop of the stars of the show!
Only in Vegas.
Pat and I went to the mall to get a haircut, eventually found the hairdressers, booked ourselves in for a haircut, as always just having our heads clippered, or a "buzz" as the Americans call it.
A girl came out to do mine, Pat got a guy. Pat's guy had more make up on the Sandra and Lel would use together, his hair had a huge quiff, was peroxide blonde and shaved at the sides to a point at the back of his neck, Ashley Cole style. He was also camper than a row of tents. When he asked Pat what we were doing in Vegas , he was very quick to tell him that our wives were back at the hotel sunbthing by the pool!
After 20 mins, we both left $35 lighter, including a tip, and went back to the hotel.
By now it was about 108 degrees, so we grabbed a beer each, and had a dip in the pool to cool off. The pool area is very nice, quite large, in fact there are about 5 or 6 pools of one kind or another. Lots of shrubbery and conifers, all set out in an Italian garden style as you would expect.
The heat was really oppressive, so father about an hour we all decided to go back inside. We grabbed a salad from the little cafe on the way back to our lifts, only a 20 min wait, the shortest yet and sat down to eat it.
As we were eating we noticed a couple of sparrows flying around inside the building, as we looked up they were making a nest in the domed area above our heads. Can't believe that a 5 star hotel allows that to happen!
We went up to our rooms to get ready for the show. We chose to go and see a show called "Raiding the Rock Vault", it has been voted best Las Vegas show for the last 2 years, replacing Jersey Boys.
We headed down to The Tropicana hotel, collected our tickets from the box office and went and had a drink before we went in. The show offers VIP packages where you get to met the band before the show, pics, autographs etc. we saw these all go in and then looked at the line waiting to enter. It was massive, so we had another drink and waited till it got shorter before we joined it. Sandra needed the toilet and was told there were some inside the theatre. As we entered she asked where the toilets were, only to be told there were none in the auditorium and she had to go back outside. Well, you can imagine Sandra's reaction! She saw a tall guy, suited and booted, and went up to him. He was English, spoke with a very posh accent and she ranted to him about the lack of toilets, he agreed, said it was ridiculous and as she carried on ranting he suggested that she write to her MP. She wasn't very happy!
Off she went to the toilet, there was plenty of time before the show started, and we all took our seats. We had a great view, near centre stage. In the front rows there were booths and tables, so for those shows with dinner this is where you would sit.
The show was fabulous, it featured rock songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Some great musicians, ex Whitesnake, Bad Company, Asia, Bon Jovi etc. It was a bit tongue in cheek, but very accomplished, and a great 2 hours of rock music. All the classic rock songs were played, the lead singer often changing for different songs.
It also happened to be the 500th show in Vegas, so at the end on came a cake and champagne to celebrate. The band introduced everyone thanked a few people including the show's producer, a guy called Sir Henry Cowell. He was a tall English guy, suited and booted. Yep, you guessed it, the same guy that Sandra was ranting to earlier about the lack of toilets in the theatre!
We went back outside to have a drink, we were all laughing about what had happened previously with Sandra. As we sat at the table, there were some raffle tickets left there, a couple of guys were singing songs playing pianos. During a break, they announced there was a raffle, they pulled out a ticket, read the number no it was one of the ones left on our table. Sandra collected the prize and of course it was a voucher for 2 tickets to see a show, "Raiding the Rock Vault"!
We told the guy we were leaving Vegas in a few days so he swapped it for a tshirts of the show. The band were doing signing sessions of merchandise right net to where we were sitting, so we persuaded Sarnie to do her "groupie" act and get the band to sign it. Whilst waiting she was chatting to people in the line, one guy had seen them 22 times before, another girl was part of the PR team. When she got to the front of the line, she really milked the moment, chatting to ech member, photos with them, getting the tshirt signed, the "whole 9 yards" as they say out here.
We went back to the hotel, had a bit of a gamble, a few drinks and grabbed a snack. Well a burger really, we're so hungry! It was delicious, it was the nearest equivalent to a kebab after a night on the booze!
We finally got to bed about 3.30 after a great night out.
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