LOS ANGELES

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LA - another lovely experience with US Customs - said they would try and make it lot smoother than New York - we had to do four different queues from 5.30a.m. - ended up getting off at 8.00a.m. (a lot of grumpy grannies!!!) Seeing we had been to LA before didn't do many tourist sites. With Jim and Rae we hightailed it to the car rental place and picked up our car and off we went, negotiating those freeways was very interesting, speed limit 65 miles/hr but we were passed like we were standing still. First to car wrecker (very dodgy part of LA, you wouldn't look sideways at some of the people) to get parts for Jim then onto Citadel Outlet Shops, bit of retail therapy, lunch at Ruby's Diner,( very interesting , were seated right next to a screaming kid, John being John had to shove serviettes in his ears, then onto Hollywood and Beverley Hills and back onto the freeway back to San Pedro - we did leave plenty of time to get back to ship as LA freeways are not the best even on a Saturday - a 30 minute journey took us an hour and a quarter - some of the way bumper to bumper, the ship doesn't wait for anyone! John did a great job but was absolutely brain drained by the time we got back, with Jim giving a running commentary on every car and shop, John gave him 10 minutes "time out "which was pretty blissful!! We all had a few laughs. The day just flew getting back to the ship 5.45p.m.

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Photos

CITADEL SHOPPING
Fantastic Chilean Band

STEAK DINNER
With Jim and Rae

OUR DINNER BUDDY ALEX
Love those glasses!! He has 3 pairs!!

Comments

[kaz]

morning
well well not long to go now im still laughing at john with servettes in his ears !!! reg i often laugh in bali we went out for tea and mosqitos dived only on john he was slapping himself all night was so funny (sorry big john ) xxx

[lee Eighteen]

morning
Up early (ish) and thinking of you....not sure why, but did a risotto in the thermomix last night, maybe thats it ?? All good in Melbourne, couple of crap days, but blue sky and a high of 17 forecast today, of course, am off to work ! Had a couple of fierce storms, short but packed a wallop, few trees down , power out etc. Missed my back yard, so dont really notice. We have my neice (aimee) and her friend (monique) in residence. They did the big move from NZ and are busily applying for jobs, looking for places to live (jobs first ) so that is keeping Simon and I distracted. Good girls and no bother at all. Wasnt really expecting to get two of them, just aimee really, but I think two is easier than one, they keep each other entertained, and we dont worry about them training, tramming, bussing... we go to Hawaii, hopefully on the 27th for 7 nights, then home and maybe to singapore for a couple of days...himself would like some chilli crab ? WHATEVER...not back to work till about september 17.. Missing you ...cant wait to catch up. PS. Aimee has graduated with honours in Industrial Design, monique has a degree in marketing/tourism....just in case..... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx