I've come to the definite conclusion that I am hopeless at shopping. ( lisa I need to take lessons when I get back)
All trip i've been trying to limit my spending, partially because I didn't want to run out of money and partially so I didn't have to lug everything around. Now I'm back in LA though I'd planned a massive blowot, trouble is I can't find much to buy. Figures!!
But before I get into that I'll update you on the rest of San Fran. After our first day there on Saturday our tour split up a bit, I had another 2 days there though so I made the most of it. Sunday we went to the arts and crafts markets down at fishermans wharf and strolled through the embarcardero shops, with all the fresh breads and cheeses and chocolates. Then onto SF museum of modern art ( moma) where it was family day sponsored by target so it was free. We still paid for entry to the richard avedon exhibit though which was awesome. Then a quick tour through Matisse and Duchamp before heading to union square and all the shops. I got a little too excited about seeing macys, bloomingdales, Neman marcus and agent provacateur.
Then we headed back to haight ashbury to do a proper exploration of the stores. I'm officially in love with upper haight between the music stores and the people. *sigh* anyway, next day was my last day and my first on my own again since the tour started which was a nice change. I checked out china town which has the largest population of Chinese people outside of china and had dim sum for lunch and tea from a little tea shop along the way (peach oolong, yummy!) then of course my streak of brilliant weather finally ran out and I got stuck in the river that became grant ave. I did manage to hail my first US city taxi which was lucky seeing as though drowning in the street is a serious possibility with San fran's hills. At this point my trusty chucks finally gave out ( they're still too waterlogged to wear) so I'll be investing in a new pair tomorrow. This morning was an early flight back to LA followed by not so sucessful shopping.
I'm sure tomorrow will be better. Two more days!!
Xx
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
I escaped Alcatraz!!
Good evening from San francisco my lovelies,
So we arrived in San fran yesterday afternoon after another long day of travel.
We left Bakersfield in the morning and headed towards the coast, where we went south to Monterey and Carmel.
Monterey is a beautiful seaside town, we walked down the wharf and looked at all the yachts and fishing boats then headed to cannery row which is now mostly a bunch of boutiques and a hotel but was made famous by author john Steinbeck in his novel of the same name. Basically the street used to be lined with sardine canning factories, it's mostly tourist stuff now but it's a very pretty street.
Next we went to Carmel-by-the-sea or just Carmel who h is another sea side town once having clint Eastwood as mayor. It has a big old mission there which we visited and drove down to the pristine beach, one to rival even ours :)
The streets in Carmel mostly don't have names so the houses do instead so you apparently send mail to the house name, or if it doesn't have one you just write a description. Not volunteering to be the postie in Carmel anytime soon.
Finally we headed north for San fran. We arrived in the afternoon just in time to see the golden gate bridge at sunset before heading to fishermans wharf for dinner. They're famous for clam chowder here, I didn't have any though (coz clams have feelings too :)) I did take a photo of someone elses though.
The hostel here is lovely, it's an old boutique hotel that's ben newly refurbished so it's very pretty, it even has an old school elevator the type you have the slide across grate on and you can see the floors slide by.
It's in a neighbourhood called tenderloin which has alot of homeless people in it so it's not a great area at night but there are some great restaurants within the neighbouring streets. As for activities today we went to Alcatraz which is being slowly overhauled as it's been taken over by the national parks service now, still fascinating for so many reasons though.
The we took the old street cars all the way across town to haight-ashbury, home of the hippy movement here in the late 60's and now is somewhat eclectic. There's even an interesting punk bar there called Molotov but I'm not sure I'll have time to check it out. Oh I almost forgot, this morning we also went to lombard st which is the steep windy street used in movies, the painted ladies (think full house opening credits) town hall, which looks like the roman basillica and Castro which is like oxford st made into a whole suburb.
Very busy :) so now I am going to crash but more crammed adventures to come before I head home next week. Not long now, miss you all!
Xxx
So we arrived in San fran yesterday afternoon after another long day of travel.
We left Bakersfield in the morning and headed towards the coast, where we went south to Monterey and Carmel.
Monterey is a beautiful seaside town, we walked down the wharf and looked at all the yachts and fishing boats then headed to cannery row which is now mostly a bunch of boutiques and a hotel but was made famous by author john Steinbeck in his novel of the same name. Basically the street used to be lined with sardine canning factories, it's mostly tourist stuff now but it's a very pretty street.
Next we went to Carmel-by-the-sea or just Carmel who h is another sea side town once having clint Eastwood as mayor. It has a big old mission there which we visited and drove down to the pristine beach, one to rival even ours :)
The streets in Carmel mostly don't have names so the houses do instead so you apparently send mail to the house name, or if it doesn't have one you just write a description. Not volunteering to be the postie in Carmel anytime soon.
Finally we headed north for San fran. We arrived in the afternoon just in time to see the golden gate bridge at sunset before heading to fishermans wharf for dinner. They're famous for clam chowder here, I didn't have any though (coz clams have feelings too :)) I did take a photo of someone elses though.
The hostel here is lovely, it's an old boutique hotel that's ben newly refurbished so it's very pretty, it even has an old school elevator the type you have the slide across grate on and you can see the floors slide by.
It's in a neighbourhood called tenderloin which has alot of homeless people in it so it's not a great area at night but there are some great restaurants within the neighbouring streets. As for activities today we went to Alcatraz which is being slowly overhauled as it's been taken over by the national parks service now, still fascinating for so many reasons though.
The we took the old street cars all the way across town to haight-ashbury, home of the hippy movement here in the late 60's and now is somewhat eclectic. There's even an interesting punk bar there called Molotov but I'm not sure I'll have time to check it out. Oh I almost forgot, this morning we also went to lombard st which is the steep windy street used in movies, the painted ladies (think full house opening credits) town hall, which looks like the roman basillica and Castro which is like oxford st made into a whole suburb.
Very busy :) so now I am going to crash but more crammed adventures to come before I head home next week. Not long now, miss you all!
Xxx
Friday, 16 October 2009
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas!!
After my last update we spent the evening doing a pumpkin carving contest and huddling around the campfire.
The next day we started with pancakes for breakfast then drove to Las Vegas. We started with some shopping at the outlet store. I didn't do alot because I didn't want to have to lug it around. I'll make up fir it in LA before I head back home. :)
After shopping we went to the hotel and got ready to go out. We had a party bus that took is to some sites. We saw the drive in wedding chapel that britney spears got married at, then we watched the light show at freemont st which is old school vegas, and has been in csi.
We finished up at the bellagio for their fountain show.
We went to margaritaville at the the flamingo and finished up at studio 54 at MGM grand.
After not much sleep we headed out this morning to death valley. It's an amazing landscape, obviously very hot but also spectacular. We drove past the sierra Nevada range too on the way back to California, snow capped mountains in the middle of the desert is something to see.
Tonight we're in bakersfield (cue "instant crassic" by Nofx playing in my head), then tomorrow we head to San francisco via Carmel and Monterrey. I'm told San fran is lovely so I'm looking forward to it.
Until next time, I hope you're all well.
Xxx
The next day we started with pancakes for breakfast then drove to Las Vegas. We started with some shopping at the outlet store. I didn't do alot because I didn't want to have to lug it around. I'll make up fir it in LA before I head back home. :)
After shopping we went to the hotel and got ready to go out. We had a party bus that took is to some sites. We saw the drive in wedding chapel that britney spears got married at, then we watched the light show at freemont st which is old school vegas, and has been in csi.
We finished up at the bellagio for their fountain show.
We went to margaritaville at the the flamingo and finished up at studio 54 at MGM grand.
After not much sleep we headed out this morning to death valley. It's an amazing landscape, obviously very hot but also spectacular. We drove past the sierra Nevada range too on the way back to California, snow capped mountains in the middle of the desert is something to see.
Tonight we're in bakersfield (cue "instant crassic" by Nofx playing in my head), then tomorrow we head to San francisco via Carmel and Monterrey. I'm told San fran is lovely so I'm looking forward to it.
Until next time, I hope you're all well.
Xxx
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The tour so far...
Right now I'm sitting in our cabin in Arizona after spending the day at the grand canyon.
The tour started on Sunday in LA before heading to San diego. We checked out old town and watched the sunset before going to our cabins. Then Monday we spent mostly driving, with a bit of getting bogged thrown in (see previous post).
We went to Joshua tree national park where we had a picnic with the squirrels. On our drive to lake havasu in Arizona we got bogged when our tour guide pulled over to show us the map. Then we got to have dinner by the lake ( where I typed this blog 3 times but lost it because of bad wifi). Today we drove down route 66 on our way to the grand canyon. I did a helicopter tour which was amazing, 6000 feet above the canyon floor. The Colorado river was stunning if elusive from the rim. We hiked up the rim to the observatory for sunset then back to town for a pizza dinner. Tomorrow it's vegas so I look forward to more stories to tell.
Xx
The tour started on Sunday in LA before heading to San diego. We checked out old town and watched the sunset before going to our cabins. Then Monday we spent mostly driving, with a bit of getting bogged thrown in (see previous post).
We went to Joshua tree national park where we had a picnic with the squirrels. On our drive to lake havasu in Arizona we got bogged when our tour guide pulled over to show us the map. Then we got to have dinner by the lake ( where I typed this blog 3 times but lost it because of bad wifi). Today we drove down route 66 on our way to the grand canyon. I did a helicopter tour which was amazing, 6000 feet above the canyon floor. The Colorado river was stunning if elusive from the rim. We hiked up the rim to the observatory for sunset then back to town for a pizza dinner. Tomorrow it's vegas so I look forward to more stories to tell.
Xx
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Disneyland...The Happiest Place on Earth!
Greeting from Anaheim!!
I've just come from watching the Disneyland fireworks and can finally do the update I've been meaning to do for days. So lets recap...
Saturday I took a walk down to Venice Beach. It's so beautiful and yet strangely decrepit. To give you an idea they have t-shirts with the slogan "Venice - where art meets crime". I don't know if you guys know this but they've made 'medical marijuana' legal here now, so everywhere you look are "green" pharmacies. It's crazy. Apparently all you need is a headache and a credit card and you can buy pot pretty much anywhere. Venice was especially prolific with such shops strangely enough :P
They just opened an awesome new skate park on Venice beach too(Sutherland shire council take note!!) and the official opening party was on Saturday so I got to watch all the kids doing tricks. Every local and their dog was there which was a nice change to the touristy stuff I'd been doing for the rest of the week. There were even grommets there where the bowl was 3 times their height, I'm guessing maybe 4 or 5 years old and they could skate better than they could talk. Saturday night was one of my roommates last nights so we went out to dinner for her and made ourselves sick on New York cheesecake. (We wanted something American and they don't make Los Angeles cheesecake as far as I know!)
Then Sunday it was Universal studios with a guy from England that I met at the hostel. Lots of awesome rides and a very cheesy but amusing back lot tour. Lots of photos to show also.
Then Monday I took the Amtrak to Anaheim and checked into my hotel. From one extreme to another, my hostel was a 6 ppl dorm with one big bathroom for the floor (go communal showers) and now I'm at the Sheraton Anaheim where I was one of 3 whole tables in the restaurant last night and I have 2 queen beds to myself. Alas it's only for 2 more nights before I head back to L.A to join up with my tour where its back to sharing pretty much everything.
But after I checked in I explored Downtown Disney which is basically a Disney owned shopping strip that connects the main parks to the Disney hotels. They have a Disney store which stretches most of the way down and they literally have everything. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything you can't find in this store, Disney baking dishes and cutlery, clothing, toys, food (including tea), jewellery, collectibles...it's insane! Then I went to Target to get a few supplies (shhh.. oreos count as supplies)
Target here is much funnier than home, they have a pharmacy and groceries section as well as everything we have.
Today was my first day in Disneyland and I have to say I had the most awesome time. You just can't help getting into the spirit of it even if a part of your mind is going "Oh my god, the chair legs are shaped like mickey mouse" (truly, I have photos)
There are 2 theme parks here, the original Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park which is newer and has more modern rides. But today I started with the original. There are 7 worlds and I slowly made my way around all of them without too mush trouble. The lines aren't too bad though you learn that a 10 minute wait means basically walking through all the elaborate waiting area. It's only when it gets to 30min that it actually requires waiting. But these rides are built for huge turnover and I'm told (and you can tell) that it's a relatively quiet time at the moment because at least half the designated queuing system is roped off and not needed. So I got to do the mad hatters tea party (the tea cup ride) as well as sleeping beauty's castle and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (amongst many others).
There are many many photos to share but as I still haven't figured out why the mms part of this blog won't work it looks like they'll have to wait till I get home.
Tomorrow its off to the California Adventure Park and then on Wednesday I have one more day to do anything I missed or anything I liked.
*sigh* well I think that's all for now. Words don't really describe it but they'll have to do for now.
I can't wait to see pics of the wedding when I get back. I was thinking of you guys and your belly dancing escapades on Sunday.
After Disneyland I'm heading back to LA for 3 days before my tour and then it's pretty much non-stop till San Fransisco on the 17th, where I am for 3 days before heading back to LA once more for 2 days of non stop shopping :) before heading home. As such I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update this between now and home so possibly I'll have to resort to sms posts but either way stay tuned.
For the first time ever I really get the phrase 'wish you were here'
Miss you all, love you.
XX Ellie
I've just come from watching the Disneyland fireworks and can finally do the update I've been meaning to do for days. So lets recap...
Saturday I took a walk down to Venice Beach. It's so beautiful and yet strangely decrepit. To give you an idea they have t-shirts with the slogan "Venice - where art meets crime". I don't know if you guys know this but they've made 'medical marijuana' legal here now, so everywhere you look are "green" pharmacies. It's crazy. Apparently all you need is a headache and a credit card and you can buy pot pretty much anywhere. Venice was especially prolific with such shops strangely enough :P
They just opened an awesome new skate park on Venice beach too(Sutherland shire council take note!!) and the official opening party was on Saturday so I got to watch all the kids doing tricks. Every local and their dog was there which was a nice change to the touristy stuff I'd been doing for the rest of the week. There were even grommets there where the bowl was 3 times their height, I'm guessing maybe 4 or 5 years old and they could skate better than they could talk. Saturday night was one of my roommates last nights so we went out to dinner for her and made ourselves sick on New York cheesecake. (We wanted something American and they don't make Los Angeles cheesecake as far as I know!)
Then Sunday it was Universal studios with a guy from England that I met at the hostel. Lots of awesome rides and a very cheesy but amusing back lot tour. Lots of photos to show also.
Then Monday I took the Amtrak to Anaheim and checked into my hotel. From one extreme to another, my hostel was a 6 ppl dorm with one big bathroom for the floor (go communal showers) and now I'm at the Sheraton Anaheim where I was one of 3 whole tables in the restaurant last night and I have 2 queen beds to myself. Alas it's only for 2 more nights before I head back to L.A to join up with my tour where its back to sharing pretty much everything.
But after I checked in I explored Downtown Disney which is basically a Disney owned shopping strip that connects the main parks to the Disney hotels. They have a Disney store which stretches most of the way down and they literally have everything. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything you can't find in this store, Disney baking dishes and cutlery, clothing, toys, food (including tea), jewellery, collectibles...it's insane! Then I went to Target to get a few supplies (shhh.. oreos count as supplies)
Target here is much funnier than home, they have a pharmacy and groceries section as well as everything we have.
Today was my first day in Disneyland and I have to say I had the most awesome time. You just can't help getting into the spirit of it even if a part of your mind is going "Oh my god, the chair legs are shaped like mickey mouse" (truly, I have photos)
There are 2 theme parks here, the original Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park which is newer and has more modern rides. But today I started with the original. There are 7 worlds and I slowly made my way around all of them without too mush trouble. The lines aren't too bad though you learn that a 10 minute wait means basically walking through all the elaborate waiting area. It's only when it gets to 30min that it actually requires waiting. But these rides are built for huge turnover and I'm told (and you can tell) that it's a relatively quiet time at the moment because at least half the designated queuing system is roped off and not needed. So I got to do the mad hatters tea party (the tea cup ride) as well as sleeping beauty's castle and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (amongst many others).
There are many many photos to share but as I still haven't figured out why the mms part of this blog won't work it looks like they'll have to wait till I get home.
Tomorrow its off to the California Adventure Park and then on Wednesday I have one more day to do anything I missed or anything I liked.
*sigh* well I think that's all for now. Words don't really describe it but they'll have to do for now.
I can't wait to see pics of the wedding when I get back. I was thinking of you guys and your belly dancing escapades on Sunday.
After Disneyland I'm heading back to LA for 3 days before my tour and then it's pretty much non-stop till San Fransisco on the 17th, where I am for 3 days before heading back to LA once more for 2 days of non stop shopping :) before heading home. As such I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update this between now and home so possibly I'll have to resort to sms posts but either way stay tuned.
For the first time ever I really get the phrase 'wish you were here'
Miss you all, love you.
XX Ellie
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Santa monica and Hollywood
Greetings all,
It's Saturday here and it's another beautiful Cali day.
So I'll run you through the last few days as it's been crazy hectic.
Wednesday was my first full day here so I explored Santa monica as my starting point. The hostel is in a great position, 2 blocks from ocean ave (cue me humming yellowcard everytime I see the sign) and 1 block back from 3rd st promenade which is full of shops and bars and restaurants. So in the morning after breakfast of bagels :) at the hostel I went for a walk to Vons which is a supermarket and spent ages wandering the isles looking at all the random groceries, they even had a starbucks in the supermarket. Then after my purchase of Oreos and sunscreen I walked down to Santa monica beach which looks just like Malibu does in baywatch and then walked all around the Santa monica pier before ending up at muscle beach with all the bodybuilders. It's not as cliché as you'd think and they have all this cool adult play eqiupment like monkey bars and rope climbs and swings, which I went on till I got bored and decided to shop instead :)
So I had lunch at 3rd st promenade and spent the afternoon shopping, or more precisely sourcing as I don't want to lug a whole lot of stuff on my intrepid tour so i'm making notes of the stores to come back to when I get back to LA before I fly home.
Labels here are like half the price which is awesome, levi's for $60 anyone?? :)
Anyway that night I went on a pub crawl with the hostel, which was good (see previous post)
So that was Wednesday.
Then Thursday I did a tour of the Getty center which is absolutely amazing, more for the actual centre than the art as I'm not much into classical religious paintings but the photo centre was awesome and the gardens are amazing. Awesome views of LA to as it's up in the hills behind the city. ( stay tuned for pictures if I can get it to work)
Then yesterday we took a tour of Hollywood and surrounds. We did bel air and michael jacksons house where he died, then Beverly hills and greystone mansion (harry's house in spiderman) and then we drove through west Hollywood past the standard, the viper room and the whisky and into hollywood for walk of fame, kodak theatre and graumans. Many cheesy photos were gained.
Ok so that's the gist of this week so far ive left out some good stories which are better told inperson but stay tuned folks more crazy Lalaland stories to come.
Miss you guys!
Xx
It's Saturday here and it's another beautiful Cali day.
So I'll run you through the last few days as it's been crazy hectic.
Wednesday was my first full day here so I explored Santa monica as my starting point. The hostel is in a great position, 2 blocks from ocean ave (cue me humming yellowcard everytime I see the sign) and 1 block back from 3rd st promenade which is full of shops and bars and restaurants. So in the morning after breakfast of bagels :) at the hostel I went for a walk to Vons which is a supermarket and spent ages wandering the isles looking at all the random groceries, they even had a starbucks in the supermarket. Then after my purchase of Oreos and sunscreen I walked down to Santa monica beach which looks just like Malibu does in baywatch and then walked all around the Santa monica pier before ending up at muscle beach with all the bodybuilders. It's not as cliché as you'd think and they have all this cool adult play eqiupment like monkey bars and rope climbs and swings, which I went on till I got bored and decided to shop instead :)
So I had lunch at 3rd st promenade and spent the afternoon shopping, or more precisely sourcing as I don't want to lug a whole lot of stuff on my intrepid tour so i'm making notes of the stores to come back to when I get back to LA before I fly home.
Labels here are like half the price which is awesome, levi's for $60 anyone?? :)
Anyway that night I went on a pub crawl with the hostel, which was good (see previous post)
So that was Wednesday.
Then Thursday I did a tour of the Getty center which is absolutely amazing, more for the actual centre than the art as I'm not much into classical religious paintings but the photo centre was awesome and the gardens are amazing. Awesome views of LA to as it's up in the hills behind the city. ( stay tuned for pictures if I can get it to work)
Then yesterday we took a tour of Hollywood and surrounds. We did bel air and michael jacksons house where he died, then Beverly hills and greystone mansion (harry's house in spiderman) and then we drove through west Hollywood past the standard, the viper room and the whisky and into hollywood for walk of fame, kodak theatre and graumans. Many cheesy photos were gained.
Ok so that's the gist of this week so far ive left out some good stories which are better told inperson but stay tuned folks more crazy Lalaland stories to come.
Miss you guys!
Xx
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