L.A and Las Vegas

Los Angeles, California



Day 6:


We left our hotel on Geary Street for San Francisco airport at the crack of dawn. To the shock of us both, turns out you have to pay for baggage on domestic flights in the US. Lame! Also be prepared to take your shoes off when you go to board your flight. WTF. Headache.


Once on the plane everything was ok – the flight was a lot nicer than our initial one. Hardly any turbulence. There was a little turd of a child who took a liking to Ela’s leg, and proceeded to scratch the crap out of it the entire flight. He thought he was funny. Ela had developed a twitch by the end of the flight, and had assumed the foetal position in a feeble attempt to get away from him.


And so we landed in L.A and had to wait about an hour on the run way – we were stuck in a traffic jam of planes. Fail. The bus ride to Hermosa beach was long – but worth it. Our hostel is right on the Pier – pretty much the hub of the city; bars, restaurants, shops – everything. Beach volleyball courts, surfboard hire – good fun. So on our first day here we just walked around and familiarised ourselves with the local area. A far cry from period stained sheets and receptionists with angry haircuts. The people here were so friendly and welcoming – the facilities and accommodation was really great, we’d recommend this hostel if you wanted to stay in L.A, somewhere a little quieter than the central city area. Local transport was really easy to use, and inexpensive ($1.25 bus ride – Bus 232).


Day 7:


DISNEYLAND!!!!! Definitely worth the 6am wakeup – it fulfilled all expectations and did not disappoint. The Indiana Jones ride was amazing, followed by the pirates of the Caribbean ride – spectacular. Totti got her thrills and some whip lash on the turbo charged train. The haunted house, sleeping beauty’s castle, peter pan’s flight, finding nemo (yes, we went in a submarine)- while waiting in line for that ride, a 30 minute line we might add, the wait was made worth it when out of the corner of Ela’s eye, she caught an 80 year old granny stealing a swift scratch of her vag. Needless to say we were in stitches. She was a sly dog. A highlight for us was the Buzz Lightyear ride and the captain E.O short film featuring Michael Jackson.


Day 8:


Hollywood tour – led by our hilarious bus driver Eddy, a 65 year old African American man who had us in stitches the entire time. We saw the set of Baywatch (Marina Del Rey), Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Blvd, Downtown L.A (Churros are A-Mazing), China Town and Little Mexico, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It was an absolutely massive day but for anyone looking to experience these places properly, you really would need 3 days in each place – there is so much to see and do. When we got back we met our Dutch roomie – who taught us how to say “you have a nuce bum” “f**k” and many other delightful, important and necessary terminologies :p


Las Vegas


Day 9:


FML. Another early start . Our backs were pretty much broken – the hike to the bus stop with our packs and bags was intense. We literally felt the burn, had to take strategic rest stops along the way. Fail. Caught our flight to Vegas – we met two delightful characters, sisters in fact, were like chalk and cheese. One decked out in pyjama pants with a floral design (vomit), a bum bag, old retro sneakers and those big old square sunnies. So she was like a bumble bee on crack. The funniest thing about them was that they were drunk as skunks bickering like no one else was on the plane. Totti and I were in hysterics the entire time. Highlight of the flight, Ethel “I’m uncomfortable” her sister turns around “well sit the f**k down then” You had to be there, but we lost it and in the end made friends with these two ladies.


We caught the shuttle to Caesars palace – for anyone wondering, no, the real Caesar does not work or live here. It was so overwhelming – speechless! When we got to our rooms – what a room!! Tv in you bathroom mirror anyone? The beds are HUGE – most comfortable beds in history. We also have robes. That is all. Money very well spent.


Day 10:


Finally a sleep in!!! The Price is Right, live stage show – complete with the token afro American woman sitting next to Ela who yelled out comments such as “HE ON CRACK!!” or “ HE GOTTA PUT DOWN THE PIPE” when contestants made apparently bad choices :p Went to the pool, wondered up and down the strip, found $1 cocktails, went on the rollercoaster in the New York New York hotel, went to M&M world, got lost in the Mirage Mile mall, got ripped off by a promo guy – guest list my ass. Ate dinner, got drunk, rocked Cleopatra’s barge, got hammered, danced some more, $2 Tequila shots, $1 margaritas, vomit. That is all.


Day 11:


We slept in till 10:30 – a rest well earned. Totti “ela, you dead man?” Ela “yam un”. Totti informed me that she caught her reflection in the mirror above her bed and crapped herself because she thought there was someone else in the room. Fail. And so we finally made it to these premium shopping outlets. There were over 150 stores to look through, with a huge variety of stores, anything from Jay Jays type places to Armani and D&G. We really wanted to buy new sneakers but failed, and so now we are being sloths on our amazingly comfortable beds, going to head to the Cheesecake factory for dinner and then to Cirque de Soleil. The circus was amazing – there was a giant pool for a stage, which turned into a floor, which turned into a pool, which turned into a floor....you get it. But the acrobatics were spectacular – the cast was made up of former Olympian synchronised swimmers and divers and gymnasts – definitely worth the money.


Day 12:


A pretty lazy day – got our stuff packed and checked out of Caesars, ready to make our way to Monterrey, Mexico to meet Kate’s brother Michael and his finance Paulina. Ole.


So until next time, hombres and senoritas,
Say hi to your dad for us,
Love Kate & Ela
xx