Arrived in LAX at about 2pm...flight had been good but we were both pretty tired. i had been searched when we left Auckland and got pulled over again as we were leaving LAX...then halfway through searching my bag the security guard asked me out for dinner (only in America) I just smiled politely and hurried off...got a shuttle to venice beach which only cost $17 and then when we got to the hostel Carrie who owned the hostel realised we were from near Manchester and upgraded our room for free!!

We had a quick look round Venice boardwalk and Muscle Beach, and went for some tea. I had the nicest lasagna and Gem had a philly cheese steak sandwich.

Slept for 12 hours and woke up to another cloudy cold day (i think the bad weather must be following us!) We walked into Santa Monica and went to the promenade and did a bit of shopping and sorted out our mobile phones etc. Then we went to a sports bar for happy hour and then wandered back to venice beach had enchiladas and went to bed!

The next day at 12 a guy called Jay who we met tubing in Laos drove to Venice beach to pick us up and take us to his apartment in Newport Harbour (OC), which was lovely of him. We went for $1 tacos and huge $4 margharitas (you would have loved them Dad) and then we went to his apartment where his flat mate Brian was havig his birthday party. It also turns out Brian's girlfriend Bianca lives in St Luis where we are staying before we arrive in san Fransico, so she said she will take us out wine tasting and show us around which is nice.

Today we are travelling to San Deigo with Jay to his parents house where he grew. Another one of his freinds is having a pub crawl along the beach for his birthday so we are going to that and then me and Gem are getting the train to capistarno tomorrow.

My first impressions of America have been Fantastic. I think its definitely good that we have Jay as a guide as he can take us to all the cheap places and show us all the coolest things! and so far not met any idiot american. well there has been a few but just guys in bars really that are quite easy to get rid of!