All the way to the USA.......
We left Melbourne on time at 11.20am after a lengthy check in. It was a long wait both for checking in our luggage and going through Customs.
The 15 hour flight to Los Angeles was better than expected. Whilst we did not manage to get any sleep, we did enjoy watching a few movies and having a few Jim Beams .We have arrived slightly early and now have to wait 10 minutes on the plane whilst we wait for Customs to open.
It was an interesting experience going through Customs - you have to scan your fingers and thumbs as well as have your photo taken.... Still we got through without much delay and our luggage was there waiting for us.
Managed to get a taxi straight away to Santa Monica and arrived at our accommodation at 8am local time. Luckily for us they were happy to store our luggage and we hit the streets of Santa Monica.
It is very similar to St Kilda - although on a much bigger scale. Big wide, clean beachfront and the famous Santa Monica Pier. A walk around the beachfront and down to the pier followed by a quick bite for breakfast, a look around some shops and we are now back at our hotel ready to officially check in.
Nadeen has bought herself a SIM card for over here, so she is all set.
It is now 6.30am Sunday in Melbourne and we are starting to feel a bit tired, but we will keep going for as long as we can.
We are staying at the Embassy Apartment Hotel in Santa Monica which is located about 2 blocks from the water so it is very accessible.
Set a record I actually bought some clothes before Nadeen!!! The weather was turning nasty so I needed a jacket to wear so I have hit the shops before Nadeen.... But I am sure she will more than make up for her tardy start!!!!
Went for lunch down at the Santa Monica Pier and had a "typical" American meal - hot dog with cheese and bacon- man do they like their fried food over here....
Having trouble walking the streets we still cannot get use to the traffic coming from the opposite direction and them driving on the opposite side of the road - very confusing, especially when you are jet lagged...
Found a sports bar this afternoon called the Yankee Doodles - they have 15 screens here on sport and not one racing channel in sight - might be a good thing....
Drinking 32 oz beers though - could be an early night!!!
Ended up having dinner at a local Italian restaurant where the pasta was one of the best I have had... it was in 3rd St and I think it was called George's - well worth a visit!
It was washed down with a nice local bottle of Shiraz - a nice finish to our first day here.
We plan to do the hop on hop off bus tour, do the Universal Studios tour and a quick tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.