We woke this morning to a bright sunny Santa Monica sort of morning. There was 5km fun run going on along the foreshore road in front of our hotel. Looking at some of the people participating, it didn’t look like too much fun for them! LOL Says he lounging around all morning!
We spent a quiet morning in our room, we couldn’t get a late, late check-out so we decided to take things easy and pack before checking out and having lunch at our hotel. After lunch we went for a walk around the 3rd St Promenade. There were lots of buskers as usual and we stopped to watch one black dude strut his stuff and do his thang! He was very entertaining and raked in the $. 
We were picked up at around 3:30pm to go to the airport for our 11:45pm flight.
The Qantas Lounge at LAX has recently been upgraded. We have scored some pretty comfortable lounge type seats with footrests. There weren’t many in it when we arrived so it was pretty quiet, which was nice. The bar is a fair way away so I had to get 2 x JD & cokes to save a bit of shoe leather.
I spent a while trying to get the email notification for the blog working, but I think I need a bit more time to work it through, maybe even try a different widget.
We had a quick Facetime with Ethan for his birthday (Deb and Ethan share the same birthday), he is home sick which isn’t all that good on your birthday!! But I am sure Carly is keeping him amused. Happy Birthday Eth, we will celebrate with you and Nanny when we see you.
Deb has grateful to Eileen, Carly, Ethan, Von & Ben for helping her pass the time chatting to her on messenger while we wait to board the plane.
There isn’t a lot going on here so I might as well post this blog.
I have been playing Ingress (Thanks Carly, lol) during quiet times on our holiday (and when I had wifi – I made it to Level 4 and covered 8km, all on wifi ). I have captured 3 new portals here in the lounge, but one has already been attacked and taken off me. I joined the Enlightened faction and am being attacked by the Resistance. Google it if that’s all a bit Geeky for you.
A few little amusing/different things we have seen while we are here, I love the differences when we travel:
• Throughout the beach area in Santa Monica were signs labelled, “Tsunami Escape Route”, you can never be too prepared
• When we have dined out, which is pretty well at least twice a day since we got here, the table is progressively cleared as people finish their meals, not when everyone has finished as happens at home.
• To view the Heavy Weight Title Fight yesterday on your TV at home was a Pay-per-view screening at $100 for the pleasure.
• The price you see in a shop/store is NEVER the price you pay, there is always tax to add 10%!
• The bill at a Restaurant is “The Cheque” and in a lot of cases the tip is already added for your convenience, or they include a list of “suggested” tips on the printout ranging from 15% to 20%.
• If you get BAD service it is better to leave a few cents tip rather than no tip at all, that way they get the message and just don’t think you forgot to tip!
• When working out how much you might need to spend here you should add around about 20 to 25% to what you estimate. This will take into account your tipping in restaurants, tipping porters, maids, etc
• As a broad generalisation, I have found the drivers here to be so much more polite and courteous than at home, but then, again in general, Americans are a very polite bunch.
• Most Buskers have attitude and are not shy to ask, no demand, money from their audience. We saw one guy this morning go around with a bucket and milking the crowd so professionally, we think he collected around $300 to $400 before he did his finale! That’s him in the picture above.
This is our last Blog entry on this trip from the USA, Days 49 and 50 will be travel days. I will try to do a final blog entry not too long after we get home, just to tie everything together, and maybe do a bit of reflection on what has been an epic adventure. I have a feeling Deb may do the same. Subscribe to our blog (once I get that all sorted out and working) so you don’t miss the update.
Happy birthday to my beautiful wife and travel buddy. Deb sort of misses her birthday this year, we are in the air for it, and crossing the International Dateline, so we leave on the 3rd and land on the 5th. But I know the celebrations will go on for some time once we get back home.
Thanks for following along on our adventures, we have enjoyed your company. Till next time!
Gee, i can’t help but feel a tad sad that the holiday is over.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every part of your adventures, Deb & Greg, and thank you for sharing it with us all.
It was my “Claytons” holiday (the holiday i’m having when i don’t have a holiday).
Bring on the next one, I say!!!
Yes, bring it on! Was nice to have you along for the ride Mandy xo