Anaheim, Los Angeles (1-2 November 2010)

We departed Darwin on the morning of the 1^st of November and arrived in Los Angeles on the morning of the 1^st of November... it felt like we had gained (or rather stepped back in) time ;O)  If you’re from the southern hemisphere of the world, take note that the plane ride to the other side of the world is LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!!!   

First stop for us was Disneyland (Anaheim), but not before a crazy and very dizzy round-a-bout ride around LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) 10 thousand million times with a strange LA taxi driver :O/...  Thankfully we made it to Anaheim without throwing up!   

We had arrived... leaving the world of today and entering the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy... it definitely felt like that!  Barely awake, we weren’t totally convinced we were in the United States of America, let alone Disneyland.

When entering Disneyland there are three main areas to see:  Disneyland Park (DP), Disney California Adventure Park (DCAP) and Downtown Disney District (DDD). 

We spent Day 1 at DCAP.  We got to cuddle Mickey Mouse... haha... that was sooooooooo cool!  Mickey looked adorable! ;O)  Des even got to hug Duffy the Disney Bear. 

We checked out Disney’s Aladdin Musical (two thumbs up) and the Disney Dance Crew started singing songs from High School Musical on the street.  It was all very DISNEY! 

For food we munched on Churros (like a cinnamon donut only it looks like a stick) and took happy snaps of everything from Disney toys to food!!! OMG they have a Star Wars version of Mr Potato Head!!!  VERY COOL!

  

Besides meeting Mickey Mouse, another highlight of the day was the World of Colour light show!  It’s definitely a must see and it was a great way to finish our first day in Disneyland.

Day 2 (our final day) included visits to all 3 Disney areas... DP, DCAP and DDD... 

 

We had to catch up on the rides we missed on Day 1.  For DCAP we highly recommend going on the Toy Story Midway Game ride.  WHY??? Because you get to point and shoot at targets!!! It was AWESOME & SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!

For fast rides, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain at DP are the way to go.  There’s also this super fun and easy going cruise called “It’s a small world” over at DP, however it wasn’t open :O(  Notwithstanding, this ride is a must ride in any Disneyland you visit in the world!  It’s totally FUN and you’ll come out with a smile on your face :O)

Highlight of the day was hanging out at Main Street USA for the parade and seeing all the Disney characters come out :O)

Last stop for us was DDD, which is really a place people go to if they want to shop and eat, minus all the fun, rides, characters etc of DP and DCAP.

If you’ve never been to a Disneyland – check one out!  We highly recommend going with mates – it’s more FUN that way! ;O) 

Los Angeles (November 2010)

The introduction (3 November 2010)

Lights, camera, action... so cliché, but so LA.  That was pretty much how LA welcomed us!  Blood on the street, police cars, broken glass and bullet holes!!!  OMG!  Someone was filming an episode of the show Southland... haha...  We’d never even heard of the show!  We saw several actors, one of which was Ben McKenzie (i.e. the blonde guy from The O.C. opposite Mischa Barton).  Best part was seeing the street closed down, the props and film crew at work, all for a scene that may only take up two seconds of television time!  CRAZY but COOL! 

After all that drama, we walked the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard and oh boy – Hollywood Boulevard is LONG!!!  The streets in LA just keep on going and going and going!!!  Really they do.  Everyone from Elton John to Russell Crowe’s star is along that street. 

Along the walk we eventually reached the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (previously known as Mann’s Chinese Theatre “GCT”).  Outside the theatre are footprints of celebrities such as the Harry Potter crew and Australia’s very own Hugh Jackman just to name a few ;O)

We even came across a very shy Cat Woman impersonator who was only willing to show her face if we paid her (we didn’t).  Close to the GCT is also the Kodak Theatre (home of the Academy Awards).    

You’re unlikely to go hungry along Hollywood Boulevard as restaurants are everywhere (including Maccas), as well as tattoo parlours, clothing stores and the like.       

We made a brief stop to Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.  If you’re into high-end designer label gear then you’d probably like shopping in this area.  Given our travelling party includes a backpacker and the other a tourist carrying the backpacker’s stuff (thanks Desiree!) there was really no room or budget for high-end shopping...

Last stop was Santa Monica Beach.  It took a while to get to the water because there’s just so much sand you have to walk through to get there :O/  We came at an off season so we had the beach to ourselves.

The beach itself is massive so if it was a warm and sunny day you’d mostly likely be sharing the beach with thousands (yes thousands) of people (there’s just that much sand!).  If beach activities and water doesn’t take your fancy, the food and roller coaster rides at the pier might!?

 

 

Our day was complete when we watched the sunset at Santa Monica Beach.  It was undoubtedly nice seeing the sunset on the other side of the world...

Thank you so much to our out-of-town driver and tour guide Thai SBN for introducing us to LA :O) 

         

***

Return to LA (22 – 24 November 2010)

We hung out with Heather’s relatives who gave us a locals view of LA.  They took us to see the following:

• Hollywood sign

• Griffith Observatory – If you’re into astronomy this place is perfect!  Although we didn’t actually go inside the building (because it was closed), there are telescopes inside excellent for star gazing!  The location of the Observatory also gives you a great view of LA, so it’s worth a trip there.  Actor James Dean left his mark at the Observatory and you’ll see his monument outside.  Scenes from his movie "Rebel Without a Cause," were filmed there.

• Chinatown – This was actually our second visit, the first time was back in early November.  It was surprisingly empty!?  Which was a good thing for us as we didn’t have to linger with any crowds.  Best bit was seeing the restaurant where scenes from the movie Rush Hour were filmed ;O)  We also noticed that LA is full of “Asian” towns other than Chinatown. There’s a Thai Town, Filipino Town and Korea Town etc...  a shop called “Ethical Drugs” can be found at one of these “Asian” towns ...LOL ...very amusing and thank goodness there are places selling “Ethical Drugs”! 

• Farmers Market – OMG!!!  A MUST VISIT!  This place had the cheapest fruit and vegetables ever!!!  We went a little gaga over the prices – it was crazy!  There’s quirky food shops everywhere too... SERIOUSLY WANT TO GO BACK THERE!

 

• The Grove – Is right next door to the Farmers Market – a place for retail therapy – highlights were seeing the Abercrombie & Fitch topless male models (we felt a little sorry for them given it was a cold day in LA) and Mario Lopez (I had no idea who he was, but thankfully Desiree knew so one of us at least felt star struck).  Mr Lopez had very cute dimples that’s for sure ;O)

• American Girl – This is a serious doll for any Princess!!!  FAR OUT!!!  It’s worth a mention just because it’s totally mad!  The doll comes in different colours/looks so basically you pick one to suit yourself... and then you dress her up just like you... LOL ... if your doll needs a new hair cut or a repair you can bring her to the American Girl “Hair Salon” and “Hospital” respectively... OMG!!!  Totally mad!  There’s hundreds of outfits to choose from for your American Girl doll.  Sadly, there was none with a karate dobok!  Lucky for us otherwise we may have been swayed into buying one...  haha! (kidding)... 

Heather’s relatives also took us to great food places including Porto’s Bakery, Thai Patio and more.  Moral of the story – make sure you know a local – you get better food! 

Thank you so much to family and friends for showing us LA, feeding us some of the yummiest food your city has to offer and for making our stay a colourful one! ;O)

NOTE:  When we visited LA in November it was pretty much deserted... there was hardly anyone out given the millions of people who are said to live in the city.  No complaints from us though, meant more room to move around ;O)  Notwithstanding, people all seem to come out and flock to the roads at peak hour traffic! :O/