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Published: November 11th 2006
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After dropping the car off at the rental place we used the free airport shuttle bus to get back to Hermosa Beach. Being curious folk we thought it would be a good idea to jump off at the airport for a bit of plane spotting : ). Don't ask us why, I think we thought it a good idea at the time! Don't laugh, its not like we had anything better to do! Anyway, we enjoyed it! We had a good look around to familarise ourselves with the layout for our pending departure to Fiji.....Argh, not laughing now!! : P
Days over the next two weeks would have much the same make up. They largely involved laying on the beach sunbathing or in my case getting pummelled into the sand by big waves. We started most mornings with a free breakfast of toast and cereals at the hostel, followed by a walk up the road to Vons supermarket to buy some food for the day. We then sat on the beach all day or went for walks, ooh I nearly forgot they let me join the local library, so we loaded up with New Zealand travel books, DVD's and a
couple of good books. One day we rented some bikes with Nicola and Martin, who we met at the hostel and did a bike trip to Santa Monica Pier, but I'll do a separate blog for that one. Then in the evenings either read, watch Films or chat to people in the hostel lounge.
Our first few days in the hostel were spent a bit wharily as we had met a couple of right nutters (not scary just a bit different if you know what I mean!) within the first few minutes of being there. Luckly enough one of them was soon chucked out, due to the number of complaints!! The other one we didn't really see much of, so things were fine after that. Although, the flasher on our last night there was quite funny, especially watching the police trying to coax him down from the roof!! The hostel itself was run really well and besides its interiors being very tired and in need of redecoration, the place was always well kept. The staff were always helpful and friendly and over the next few days we would meet some really cool people.
The Hostel was right above
the "Dragon' bar on the precinct area next to the pier. We had everything we needed right on our doorstep. This was also the biggest pain about the place, as every night there would be live bands or DJs playing until 2am. And when you closed the window to shut out the band from the 'lighthouse' next door the bass from the 'Dragon' downstairs would rumble our room : S This reminded me of living in Stepney Green where we rented a house above the central line tube!! (We wondered what the 10m ft brick wall in the back garden was - tunnel vent!!). Anyway its funny because the rumble you soon get used to, even learn to find comforting. SO apart from the noise our stay was great.
Halloween arrived and being English we didn't really know what all the fuss was about. Luckily there were a few others that had a similar way of thinking and we joined them for a quick look around outside at the costumes on show and then settled for sharing a bottle of vodka back at the hostel. This turned out to be our...well MY best night there, as Jimmy, dressed up
as Elvis, treated us to a formidable musical extravaganza with great renditions of 'love me Tender' and 'suspicious Minds'. Being Japanese he really nailed them.......................................................into the floor!! But no thats not true he was brilliant, I think everyone really enjoyed the night as we didn't see anyone that was there till the day after the day after!
On our second week at the hostel a lot of people moved on and besides meeting a lovely Australian couple Paul & Mia it was time for us to move on too. We decided to spend the last five days in Hermosa at a hotel down the road towards Manhattan Beach. This proved a good decision as not only did we get a peaceful nights sleep, but we met a fine fellow Englishman by the name of Dave. Apart from being a Gunner fan he was a good bloke! And although we didn't know each other you wouldn't have known as over the next couple of days Jo & I enjoyed his lengthy conversations. Dave hasn't been back to England since the 90's and talked fondly of the places he used to know so well. He had spent time in London but
he also knew parts of Devon and Brighton where my Grand parents lived in Patcham.
So that was Hermosa Beach not much to write, but it was a lovely place and ideal for relaxing and recuperating after our past two months of none stop traveling. The bike ride was also great fun and as I've said, that'll be the next blog. The best part of these two weeks would have to be sitting on the beach all day watching the seals and dolphins swimming by and playing so close to the shore, the pelicans dive bombing for fish and the sunsets, what sunsets, just fantastic.
Nearly forgot, we also discovered Coldstone Creamery (good tip Chris). For those of you who have yet to discover the delights which can be found within these stores, you'll have to keep an eye out, for they are truly delicious. Ice cream of all imaginable flavours hand mixed with any ingredients, sauces and topping you can think of.........uuuuuummmmmmm! Cheesecake, cherry and chocolate chip, or the chocolate brownie, pecan nut and fudge were both VERY Special!!
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