My long awaited retreat in U.S.A is finally realized. Chancing on the blue economy but was pink sheet in my account - the exchange rate was fluctuating from 1.36 to 1.39, without this, I don’t think I can make it there so speedy!
Day 1 – 16 May 2008
The exciting holiday begins on United Airlines to Tokyo Narita Airport for transit. And to final destination, Los Angeles . I landed in LAX airport after 10 hours. We checked in at Lincoln Park Hotel, located between Garfield and Garvey Avenue, it is known to be a little Taiwan where all the Taiwanese gathered.
We wasted no time and zoomed to the nearest factory outlet to start our spree…I walked away with 4 pairs of Nine West shoes and 1 Roxy Tee.
Day 2 – 17 May 2008 in SG, 16 May 2008 in USA .
We joined our tour group C&J Express at Los Angeles, El Monte and headed along Pacific Coast Highway and arrived in Solvang. It is a beautiful town, which is more Danish in character than Denmark , charmed by the gorgeous landscape, we were busy snapping away, captivating these scenic vision.
Heading along side with Pacific Ocean, the coach headed north to San Simon to bring us to Hearst Castle , the castle to be found in American Soil. The history of Heart Castle narrated by our tour guide unfolds anticipation. We took the guided tour and marveled at the priceless collections of art and antique pieces and the flit-edge swimming pool.
The day ends at San Francisco checking into Crowne Plaza Oakland South Union City.
Day 3 – 18 May 2008 in SG, 17 May 2008 in USA
Beautiful morning! We proceeded for a city tour passing through San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. As we reached downtown, we chanced upon a marathon event ongoing. The Americans were gamed enough, wearing colourful costumes, wigs, extremely catchy as they participate in the run. The route was extremely long and the atmosphere was jubilant, full of fun and cheer.
Much hungrying for Chinese food, we went Chinatown for Dim Sum…who says you cannot find good Chinese food in USA, you are wrong!
Our next stop – Lombard Street. Located in the Russian Hill district, Lombard Street is known as the crookedest street in the world. And the first postcard were taken here! The street zigzags around beautiful flowers and shrubs and offers a nice view of the bay.
We proceeded next to Pier 39. There, we tooked an Escape from the rock cruise. The 90 minutes journey under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz .
As the ride ended, we adjourned to the Fisherman Wharf for lunch. Fisherman Wharf is famous for its Italian seafood restaurants selling dungeness crabs and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl. And yes, we are not giving it a miss!
Heading next to the Marina district, we went to the Palace of Fine Arts , designed by Berkeley architect Benard Maybeck.
Not to be missed - the golden gate bridge. At the cost of $35 million, the 1.2 mile bridge took more than 4 years to build. Shrouded in thick fog, we were unable to capture the bridge in its best.
Given 2 hours free and easy in Chinatown , we rapidly grasped on the map and walked to downtown for the iphone. Unfortunately having crossed many streets and walked so many miles, I am sadden by the sold out of iphone in San Francisco . Nevertheless, the bargain at H&M was able to cure the depression. Followed by was the Nordstorm mall where Kate Spade, Kiehl, Coach were grabbed within stipulated timeframe.
Our day ends at Ramada Inn! Our stomachs were groaning and we ventured nearby to the 24hrs available Denny across the road. We skipped our dinner for shopping and was making it back with the house popular yummy yummy Grand Slam at USD$5.99.
Day 4 – 19 May 2008 in SG, 18 May 2008 in USA
It was an early morning we assembled at 5am. We went north from Fresno to Yosemite . Yosemite is a 4 hours drive from San Francisco and awarded as one of the most beautiful spots on earth. We walked along trails of towering pinetrees to the 2,425 foot waterfall, the highest fall in North America .
The granite building blocks of Sierra Nevada , El Captain, Cathedral Rocks, Three Brothers, Royal Arches, Half Dome and Cloud Rest are among the state’s most spectacular treasures.
We departed the city to our hotel – Wyndham Anaheim Park .
We loved this place, to be exact, Target made us high! The wide selection of chocolates and the array of comestics made our knees weak.
Day 5 – 20 May 2008 in SG, 19 May 2008 in USA
This morning, we took the hotel shuttle service to Disneyland, Anaheim . The one day passport at Disney was rather disappointing…we combed Disneyland within half a day and adjourned back to hotel arena for more shopping before returning in the evening to see the Disney Parade!
Day 6 – 21 May 2008 in SG, 20 May 2008 in USA
To Las Vegas we are heading and coincidentally, we are grouped backed with our earlier tour guide.
On our way, we stopped at Barstow Factory Outlet for an hour shopping! An hour is simply not enough, the Coach outlet was filled with many many good buys, must buys and we ended up late! We failed to report back at assigned hours and for the rest of the day, all of the tour members took turns to report late at each stop.
Upon arrival at Las Vegas , we stopped at Tropicana hotel and strolled nearby to capture the beautiful city. There are approximately 700 over hotels in Las Vegas . And the biggest hotels are found here, i.e. Wynn with thousands of rooms. It was interesting to find the history how these hotels were built, i.e. the Encore was named as it was the 2nd hotel urged to be built after Wynn, the fengshui about New York New York where the twin peaks were advised to be removed.
We tooked the night tour to Las Vegas, Chinatown and The Strip – town where the big names are. We toured the city, the Venetian, Paris Paris, the wind was too strong that the music fountain at Bellagio could not be held.
The night was spent at the Plaza.
Day 7 – 22 May 2008 in SG, 21 May 2008 in USA
This morning, we head to one of the 7 wonders of the world – The Grand Canyon National Park. Upon reaching the guest house, we will need to take a 45 minutes ride on the Grand Canyon operated bus to see the world reowned illustration of erosion. The first stop was the helicopter station. For those who was paying USD$179, they will be able to take the helicopter ride to get upclose and personal with the Canyon.
I moved on to Terminal 2 and was greeted at the rim of lookout points of Canyon, the erosion plunging gorge over mile deep.
At Terminal 3, there were more views of Canyon from another angle.
Returning route, we stopped by Hoover Dam. Constructed in 1931 and completed in 1935, it raised 736 foot above the Colorado River, it was one of the highest dam ever built and impound Lake Mead which was one of the largest man made lake in the western hemisphere.
And lastly we spent our night shopping along The Strip. We bagged home more comestics from Sephora. The Forum was enough to occupy us with Victoria Secrets. We ended our night at the gambling mecca and entertainment capital with glittering lights and casinos across our hotel.
Day 8 – 23 May 2008 in SG, 22 May 2008 in USA
Remorsefully leaving the phenomenon city, we stopped again at Barstow Outlet for another 2 hours of shopping! Another bag of Coach I went away with! We are backed in Los Angeles checking into Lincoln Park Hotel again! To kill time, we strolled along the miserable Garfield Avenue along Monsterary Park and ate again at Xiao Mei restaurant.
Day 9 – 24 May 2008 in SG, 23 May 2008 in USA
This marked our last day spent in USA . We passed Los Angeles Chinatown, Music Centre where Oscar Award Ceremony was held. Walking down the Stars Avenue, we visited the famous Hollywood Area and visited Mann’s Chinese Threatre.
We left for Universal Studio after the short city tour. Universal Studio was amazing fantastic, I enjoyed myself through the world famous studio tour. In this studio tour, I walked behind the scenes of TV shows, witnessed the eerie smoldering plane crash, saw the sets from Desperate Housewife, the high octane car chases and raging explosions from fast and furious and the Universal King Kong!!!
Also, the awesome explosions and ocean of thrills from the best rated water world show was entertaining. Gamely, I entered the house of horror, which was indeed horrifying enough that I cannot stop screaming at the sight of those vampires, mummies, ghosts figures, skeletons,……
And this marked the end of the wonderful retreat in Los Angeles, Hollywood .
Day 10 – 25 May 2008 in SG, 24 May 2008 in USA
I trolled my heavy luggages reluctantly to put an end of my 9 beautiful days spent in Los Angeles - California, Los Angeles - San Francisco, Nevada – Las Vegas, Los Angeles – Hollywood .
Day 11 – 26 May 2008 in SG, 25 May 2008 in USA
Arriving in Singapore . I will be going back again real soon with the 400 credits given by United Airlines, compensating for the change of flights. And guess what, I took the business class flight from LA to Tokyo …it really a good experience at business class where better seats, better food, better services can be found!
