LA

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Fri 2nd July
After walking with a massive handover this morning and being sick we had to get up to find our way to the airport and start travelling to get to our next destination - LA.
All day travelling, we finally get to H.I Los Angeles- it's AMAZING! It's almost like a hotel - free hair dryers, free iron, free towels, movie room, free tea and coffee 24/7 laundry room and the list goes on!! We decided to take a shower to freshen up after having our $4 BBQ as at this point it was 8.30pm. LA is 8 hours behind the UK and we had only just got used to the 5 hour time difference from NY.
We met a great guy called Jeff at LA Gardia airport who lives in LA. He gaves us so much advise and then gave us his card- just in case we needed to ask any questions or if we get lost. He had been to Chicago to give lessons on Japanese cooking.

Sat 3rd July
I didn't have a good night sleep so we were up at 5am and decided to take a walk to Santa Monica pier to watch the sun rise as it's only five minutes away but unfortunately it was too cloudy. The Americans call June 'June Gloom' because the sea mist comes in every June and it doesn't clear until the afternoon.
After breakfast and showers we decided to catch a bus to 'Best Buy' to buy a Netbook as it was becoming so difficult to speak to our parents, try to complete the blog, upload photos and check our online banking.
We paid an extra $50 for them to uplaod the anti virus soft ware which abled us to come straight back to use the computer. Spoke to mum and dad on Skype. Grabbed some lunch then got our surf stuff and rode some waves at Muscle beach. I was a little scarred to go out back as it was so big, only if i could have got my confidence together and go out back.

Sun 4th
Waking again at 6am we got breakfast and spoke to parents, grandparents and Lydia on skype which was brils as it makes you feel like your just next door and not so far away. We had to be at the front desk for 9.30 as we were going on a 'hike' to Temescal Canyon. This is a 4 miles walk up and down the mountains. Views were great!! Thought we would go to the beach for a surf but there wasn't any and even after a while the sun went in and it felt pretty cold. Thought the best thing to do next was go for a beer. As it was Independence day the hostel supplied a free BBQ. As we had to que for an hour we met a guy called Elliott who is from the SW - Bovey Tracey and two other girls, Paula and V. V invited us to watch the fire works with their friends at Venice beach. It was so cold, so after the fireworks we came home to bed.
Nath had a fright when we got in as we were sharing the room with 8 other Spanish girls - he thought xmas came early. ha ha

Mon 5th
Today we went to Hollywood and saw, Belair, walk of fame, the Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills. This was good to see but wan't much to see- if this makes sense? Although the housese were massive!!! It took us an hour and a half to get there on the bus.

Tues 6th
Hired a couple of bikes fir the day and went to Venice and muscle beach. Americans love Mexican food which is good coz we love it as much too. We had a super deluxe chicken Burritowith chips(dorritos). This was only $5.25 and really we coul dhave shared one but hey ho we were STARVING! We were so full we took a seat on the grass and I fell asleep for half an hour whilst Nathan people watched- now along Venice beach is an eye opener and some characters. Most of them are high. and also alot of homeless. We even saw a big guy with tattoos chase a guy into the alley way and they stated fighting but what amazed me is that the general public chased after them and started to film it. There's nothing like helping a brother her he he.
Our bums were hurting so much by the time 5pm came we decided to call it a day. Just by chance there was a bar next to the hire stall, so we decided to pop in for a drink as it was happy hour. Bonus. As Nathana was buying the beers a guy started talking to me that was sat next to me, his name is Jonathan. He asked us if we wanted to sit with him and his friends for a game of 'smoke or fire', we didn't have a clue how to play it but they taught us and it was a great laugh! After this Jonathan asked us if we wanted to go and have a few beers on the beach and watch the sun set. So off we trotted to his mum and dads beach club. This was called Belair Bay club- well it was out of this world. The location did it for me as it was directly on the beach, by the water with seating area with fire pitts with an area to play 'Bache' (dont know if this is houw you spell it). NNathan played a game with the boys and I say with Jayne whilst having drinks and pickes. There were 4 friends altogether - they were Jonathan - the host, Josh, Bryan and Jayne. Such lovely people!!
They carried on afterwards clubing but we were sensible and went back to the hostel.
We exchanged e mail address and hopefully keep in touch and meet with them again as Jonathan, Bryan and Josh live in LA. Jayne is ona working visa in NY but originally is from OZ, Melbourne.
What a fab end to a fab day!!

Wed 7th
We thought we would have a chilled day so we went surfing and I realised that I needed to get a surfboard strap because it was killing me to carry the board.We were both starving (what's new) so we had lunch and again we both eat too much - well I had salad because I was craving something healthy! We fell asleep on the sofa area outside for two hours, who knows if we were both dribbling or snooring - what a sight. Nathan felt groggy and grumpy after his sleep so we decided it was time to look for my strap. Oh and he did a bit of retail therapy and bought himself a new hat.
Yes you know what's coming next - we went to the same bar as last night ' Big Dean's'. A 32oz beer for $6.35 - that's ab out a pint and a half.

Thurs 8th
As we hadn't done alot, well because we were not packed out and walking around from 8am until 6pm, as we were in NY we thought there wasn't much to do but actually we were doing alot of things everyday. Anyway we hired a car, a brand new Volvo estate- this was only because they didn't have any cheaper cars for hire that day. They let us have it $30 cheaper. We went to Magic Mountain Teme Park. OMG it was fab!! I have never been so scared in all of my life and had such a buzz all day. We were there for 10 hours non stop and still get to go on all of the rides. We left at 8.30 as we had to drive home and this was an hour away, we were knackered when we got in. EVen though I was so tired I had a rubbish sleep as I was still buzzing when I went to sleep. he he brils!!!

Fri 9th
As we had the car again for the day we thought about going to Magic Mountain water park but as we were so tired from the other day we decided to take a drive to Huntington beach. This is where the surf is.
It took an hour and a half to get there as the sat nav lady kept telling us to go the wrong way as she kept loosing signal. Anyway I had such an amazing surf, it was the best I had ever surfed. Again I was buzzing from this.
We didn't do alot after we got back to the hostel that night aprat from the washing. I cannot wait to buy some vanish as my whites are not white, even after being washed in the machine. looking forward to getting to Rob and Clare's so we can have the home comfort of a washing machine and good washing powder ha ha I am so sad!!

Sat 10th
We are going to Jonathans house today as it's his b'day and his friend is leaving to go back to OZ to live. Someone left a bottle of ale and a bottle of wine in our room so I am taking this to the party and drinking the ale on behalf of Neil (Nathan's dad) as he likes his ale and now now got me liking them. This one is called Sierra Nevada - pale ale. We shall see what it's like?!

Sun 11th
Well it was dam horrible and Igave it away!
Had a hangover this morning after getting in " 2am.
Been at the airport since 11.30 this morning as we couldnt leave our luggage in the hostel. It's not been too bad although we have been here now for 10 hours and we are now very bored. Our flight is 10 hours so hopefully we shall sleep most of it!??

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Comments

[Gail Clark]

Hello Campers
Well you two are having a ball lots of food, booze and surfing sheer heaven!. Life in Plymouth is dull compared with your adventure. Keep enjoying yourself and try everything!! Love Gailxx