Universal Studio's

We attempted to wake up bright and early on Friday morning, to get an early start ... but waking up at 9 seems to be all we can manage.

We went and had breakfast ...'what pancakes again!' cried Morghan and Ella with delight! And Chris' mexican breakfast was great but the American's have no idea how to poach eggs!

We caught the subway ( a whole one station ) to Universal Studio's and made our way though the gate with much excitiment. We were told at the gates that it was a quiet day so not to bother with a front of the line pass. There defintion of quiet is totally different to mine!

Morghan was desperate to get to the Simpson's ride! Thanks to all those people who had told him it was great. So after a quick meet and greet with Sponge Bob and Bart he was ready to have a go. Ella on the other hand said 'No Way' and her and Chris stayed outside and discovered other things. The Simpson's ride lived up to Morghan's expectations and mine too .....great fun.

Chris and I were then keen to do the studio tour and after a 45 minute wait (very short appartently) we were on our tour. Now I won't give anything away but King Kong 360 degrees and 3D was amamazing. So amazing that Ella was quivering under the seat! But she survived. I apparently did something simular with Jaws when I was little and went to Universal. Ella laughed a Jaws, so really I am the family whimp!

After the tour we saw Waterworld. Once again amazing with so many special effects. Ella's was once again scared out her witts. Note, Universal is not for over imagantive six year olds but eleven year olds love it.

Ella and Morghan spent a while playing in George's water park and we got to go on all the other rides ...wasn't that busy after all.

We left tired and exhusted at closing time and enjoyed a Chinese meal at the Universal Mall. A child's meal, a small main and a starter fed the four of us just fine! And we made it back fine on the Subway!

On Saturday morning we once again woke up at nine! But this time I couldn't handle another large cooked breakfast so we walked down to Starbucks for coffee, fruit, yogurt and a bagel. It was then time to try and break the $50 to buy some bus tickets ...near impossible but done. We then made our way to Santa Monica, the plan was to do Santa Monica and Venice beach but one look at Santa Monica and we knew we had found our beach.

Ella has been whinging that it has been getting cool in the evenings, so we found GAP and found her the cutest little purple lightweight jumper. But Ella and I could have spent a fortune there! After browsing some of the shops, we made our way to the beach. The beach is nothing much and has no surf but is very cool! The kids and Chris insisted on swiming the other side of the Pacific. There claim to fame is now that they have swam both sides of the Pacific and a couple of points in between! Our favorite overheard at the beach was 'Can you belive we have made it, can you believe we are swimming in the ocean'! Makes me think how lucky we are to live in Brisbane with beaches 45 minutes away and the most beautiful beaches too!

We then went on the pier, Morghan was amazed that their were rollercoaster there! It was cool!

But our favorite place was muscle beach Santa Monica with acrobats and gymnasts just being cool. There was so much to look at and take in. We ordered a Pizza .... giant size once again and a cherry drink from the Soda Fountain, sat on the beach and enoyed.

It was about 5.30pm when we left but the shops were still buzzing. I even got a peak in Bloomingdales ...thats where the brown bag bags come from!

And made our way to a supermarket. And once again we were reminded we were in the land of consumer choice. They have a whole eisle for 'Cookie's'!

We caght the bus home way to late and held our breath as we went though Downtown LA ...we survived!

Once again exhusted. And now we must pack for San Dieago!

In words of Dora (which I wish we had of taken more notice of because everything here is in Spanish) Addios Los Angles!