Blogs from Newport Beach, California, United States, North America

Today was the last day of our adventure. We had decided to go whale watching, so our first job of the day was to book the 1 pm sailing online. Then we had to start the dreaded packing, although at least it isn't as bad this way, whatever is there has to go in somewhere and it doesn't matter if it gets creased. We also had to pack away all the crockery etc. into the large box in which they had arrived and either pack or dispose of all the remaining household items. We then set off to walk the 1.6 miles to the harbour. After crossing our old friend PCH, we crossed over a bridge onto the Balboa Peninsula. This was a very attractive area and we soon found ourselves walking along the water front ... read more

After being stuck for a long time in crazy LA traffic, we decided to chill with the still yesterday morning and head out at around noon to a few key locations that we wanted to see. Avoiding rush hour made the roads quieter but it was still quite hectic and it was really revealing how my expectations of this part was so different to its true appearance. I always imagined all around LA and Hollywood in particular, to be glitzy and glamorous with just a small selection of hidden run down locations that aren't quite so aesthetically pleasing. Obviously we have only seen a small percentage of areas mostly off of the highway but it almost seems quite the opposite, I guess with every largely populated area in the world there is always the sharp contrast ... read more

Today was AJ's school graduation. Left home at 9.30. Vasanthi and family joined later. Michael's mother also came. We were seeing her for the first time. Sachin could not come because he had a water polo game. The ceremony was brief 10.00 to 11.30. Left at 12.10. One batch went to Vasanthi's house and waited there for half hour. Shanthi had to pick up some cake, baloons etc. All of us, except Vasanthi left at 12.50 and went to a restaurant Le Sol at Newport, near the beach. Vasanthi joined us much later, but Sachin could not come. Lunch 1.15-2.30. After lunch Sri, AJ, R and myself went in one car and did a bit of tour of adjacent Balboa Island. Then went by ferry to the mainland through Balboa peninsula. Night 56. After cards R, ... read more

My last day in San Fran was sunny & I was lucky that a friend had a car so that we could go to the regional redwood park to see the amazing old trees. After that we had lunch at Berkley & had a wander around the campus & occaisonally mistaken for students. In terms of flights, I caught my flight to LA without incident but as we were about to take off for Auckland, it was announced that Quantas had grounded all flights. Therefore the whole plane seems to have ended up at a smart hotel near Newport beach to begin the waiting game. Luckily I have got a flight Monday evening & the hotel is a nice place to stay but it has been an uncertain couple of days about what is happening & ... read more

We are now back home, so this will be our last travel blog entry. We arrived at Adam's parents' lovely home in Newport Beach--which made the re-entry rather cushy. The first thing we did when we entered the house was raid the kitchen. We ate cheese, almonds, and I had a lovely Pinot with Adam's mom while Adam had a good IPA and his dad a scotch. It felt so decadent. We spent the days shopping with Beverly and loafing about the house. Of course jet leg was a problem, causing us to give up and get up one morning at four and watch the sunrise. I ran along the beach a couple of times. And one morning we went out for a grand fishing trip (my first) and caught squat. Well, Adam caught a bat ... read more