Seaside Motel Redondo Beach

... on me. I asked him if at least he could retrieve it for me so I could cancel my ATM card, and he told me no. I’d have to wait hours until the bus returned to the hotel to drive guests to the optional dinner. He went on to inform me that “You know, I’m not paid for all these extras. I do a lot for this company on my own time. I don’t need this.” I was chocked to tears at this point, and ran into the elevator and up to ...

... to the service desk confirmed that there are no mini-bars in any of the rooms and I was misinformed by the newbie Platinum agent. Not too worry, I was off to the Executive Lounge for some finger food whilst watching jets glide and touch down into LAX. The ...

So this will be my last blog (for this trip anyway!). I just thought that I would fill you all in on the last little drama's of my trip before I jumped back into the world of deadlines, assignments and grocery shopping in stores where you recognise all the labels (and the meats!). After getting minimum amounts of sleep (my hotel room has MTV.... a slight weakness of mine!) I got up early, packed my bags (well... the last little bits. I had repacked my entire bag the night prior - it was ...

... finding some real gems. On our way to dinner now. Thai and Chinese are well represented in our part of the blvd so it will be something Asian tonight. Tomorrow is our last day in LA and we decided that we are going to do Disney Land. So up at the crack of dawn. We will report about that when we get back to NZ because the day after tomorrow we fly home. Our 6 weeks have just flown by, looking forward to catch up with you all. Chill the wine and beer we are almost home xoxox

... Warners Bros Backlot Tour Groups of 12 load onto electric carts that take you into the studio lot for an exclusive tour through Warners Bros backlot streets, sound stages, sets and craft shops. Warners Bros back lot tour: The movie "Matrix" set; TV series "Friends" set; Batman set; ER set; Spiderman set; Gilmore Girls set; plus various other WB sets (which I can't remember). Interesting to see that the sets are small!

So how did this trip all come about? Well, Grandma's health hasn't been too good the last few years, especially her heart. In early May, her health report from the doctor came back with flying colours so Mel and her Mom decided to seize the opportunity while Grandma was still well enough to travel. We asked her the rhetorical question on the Friday night what she would like to experience of all the things she has not yet done or seen ...

... egg in the middle and covered in cream and strawberry jam or syrup. We needed to walk that off so went up the street to the Hollywood Bowl and had a walk through there. There was no-one there so we walked right in and even got up on stage. Then we walked back past the hotel and down toward Hollywood/Highland which is a big shopping centre designed to give views of the Hollywood sign. We stopped before we got there and took some pics of the church used in the ...

... along the shore. There is a long pier there that I was walking beside, and then later went up to and walked to the end of where there were many spanish-speaking people fishing off the edge of the pier. . But below on the beach, I just stood there for quite awhile, enjoying the tranquility and peacefulness of the scenery, and snapping photos. Lots of large expensive-looking beach homes lining the beach behind me, and lots of fresh Pacific ...

Flew out of Heathrow at 11.30 on a beautiful morning on the 3rd June and landed at LAX on an even better afternoon at just after 2 o'clock local time (10PM in the UK) after an excellent flight with Virgin Atlantic. We picked up a very nice Chrysler 300 car with leather seats and an engine which must be there somewhere but we've never heard it yet, and headed for ...

... at the museum. Long story short, Ed bought a small gold tumé, a ceremonial knife used to slit the throat. Maybe that's a joke as the guide book says it was used in surgery. Then thru Lima to the plaza mayor. We joined 2 Americans with their private guide for an English tour of the Convento de San Francisco with the catacombs below. The highlight? The library containing the largest collection of books dating to he 16th century. Dusty ...