To those that encouraged us to visit the Getty, we thank you. The buildings and gardens were gorgeous and it was a real pleasure to check out the art.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Getting ready following the Getty - 3 Dec
We fly back to Australia tonight but not until 11.50pm. That gave us a full day to spend in LA and we chose to go to the Getty Museum. It was lovely and relaxing end to our stay in the USA.
To those that encouraged us to visit the Getty, we thank you. The buildings and gardens were gorgeous and it was a real pleasure to check out the art.
To those that encouraged us to visit the Getty, we thank you. The buildings and gardens were gorgeous and it was a real pleasure to check out the art.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Los Angeles - 1 & 2 Jan
1 Jan 2014 - Happy New Year
Flew from DC to LA and with a great tail wind the flight arrived 1 hour early. On our way we flew over the Rockies which were covered in snow. Also sat next to a music artist who told us all about his work and the industry.
Once we settled into our hotel room we took a bus to Manhatten Beach to check out the beach culture and have a bite to eat. While dinning we got chatting to a fellow who told us all about America from his perspective as a business man. We have met nothing but lovely people on our journey and he joined the ranks.
We wondered onto the beach peer and watched the surfing for a time. It was glorious feeling warm again.
2 Jan
Took an all day tour of the famous sites including Venice Beach, Bel Air, Hollywood and Rodeo Drive. Our story is told in pictures.
Flew from DC to LA and with a great tail wind the flight arrived 1 hour early. On our way we flew over the Rockies which were covered in snow. Also sat next to a music artist who told us all about his work and the industry.
Once we settled into our hotel room we took a bus to Manhatten Beach to check out the beach culture and have a bite to eat. While dinning we got chatting to a fellow who told us all about America from his perspective as a business man. We have met nothing but lovely people on our journey and he joined the ranks.
We wondered onto the beach peer and watched the surfing for a time. It was glorious feeling warm again.
2 Jan
Took an all day tour of the famous sites including Venice Beach, Bel Air, Hollywood and Rodeo Drive. Our story is told in pictures.
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| Arnie at Venice Beach near muscle park. |
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| Sunset at Venice Beach |
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| Jack Sparrow getting a Pepsi |
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| A Walk of Fame star for Elton |
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| Rodeo Drive Shopping Precinct |
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| Iconic LA image |
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| Michael Jackson died in the house behind these gates |
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| Marilyn Monroe's grave |
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| Eclectic Venice Beach |
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Newseum, Washington - 31 Dec
This is my last blog entry for 2013. Tonight we finish the year in Washington DC and though the city's great buildings will be bathed in the light of fireworks at midnight, we have decided to take in the 'turn of the year' sleeping in our comfortable bed.
We spent today first walking briefly in the suburb of Georgetown with its quaint old houses built in the 19th Century and taking a quick look at the one remaining canal with its locks in DC. It was a little cold walking the streets so our second destination for the day was the Newseum, a museum dedicated to journalism and the news.
The Newseum was extremely interesting with exhibitions on the Kennedys including JFK's assassination, award winning Pulitzer photojournalism images, 50 years of Civil Rights and the Anchorman Movie to name a few.
We spent today first walking briefly in the suburb of Georgetown with its quaint old houses built in the 19th Century and taking a quick look at the one remaining canal with its locks in DC. It was a little cold walking the streets so our second destination for the day was the Newseum, a museum dedicated to journalism and the news.
The Newseum was extremely interesting with exhibitions on the Kennedys including JFK's assassination, award winning Pulitzer photojournalism images, 50 years of Civil Rights and the Anchorman Movie to name a few.
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| This is the remains of an aerial on top of one of the Twin Towers |
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| Ron taking in the view |
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| Part of the Berlin Wall |
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| Inspired by the chemistry of Anchorman |
Monday, December 30, 2013
The homeless
Immediately that we arrived in Washington we noticed the large numbers of homeless people living on the streets and in the parks of the city. Curious, on the way home this evening we asked our taxi driver (born and raised in DC) why there were so many homeless. He told us there are great numbers here as it is the only place in America that does not impose State restrictions requiring you to have been a citizen of your State before giving you a place in a homeless refuge. He went on to tell us that the homeless are drawn to the city as it is the Capital of the country and represents freedom. There are so many that the charities turn some away at the soup kitchens as they can't feed them all.
We walked until we could walk no more - 30 Dec
It was all about getting out of the bus and walking today. No warmth and comfort, this was sore feet, frozen limbs and getting up close and personal with the monuments.
Our walking odyssey started at the Arlington Cemetery with a visit with the Kennedys (America's Royal family); JFK, Jackie, two of their children and plenty of like minded tourists. There was a terrific view of the city from a position on top of the hill in front of Arlington House. We have noted that there are plenty of Australian tourists in the city and at Arlington we spotted a group of Aussie basketball teens doing the sights.
From Arlington Cem we walked a long way across a couple of bridges to the Lincoln Monument, Reflection Pool and Korean War Memorial. We stopped for hotdogs, pretzel and a hot choc (for me). The cold wind had turned my hot choc to iced choc by the time we had crossed the road.
After that we walked further and further to the WWII Memorial.
If that wasn't enough we then walked to the White House which was a long way.
Ron said that his knee was starting to click and I was feeling very chilled. My backside with all its padding was feeling frozen so it must have been cold. But we soldiered on.
Lucky for our feet and frozen limbs there was a White House information centre that had an information movie looping and we sat for as long as was permissible before braving the outdoors again. While we watched the movie we learned lots of interesting facts about the interior rooms of the White House.
We ended our tourist day at the National Museum of Modern America where we enjoyed a great exhibition on Transport with real train engines, cars, carriages and boats.
By 4.30pm having had enough of tourism we headed home (hotel) for a relaxed evening in the warmth.
Our walking odyssey started at the Arlington Cemetery with a visit with the Kennedys (America's Royal family); JFK, Jackie, two of their children and plenty of like minded tourists. There was a terrific view of the city from a position on top of the hill in front of Arlington House. We have noted that there are plenty of Australian tourists in the city and at Arlington we spotted a group of Aussie basketball teens doing the sights.
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| View of DC from Arlington House overlooking JFK's grave. |
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| Kennedy Graves |
From Arlington Cem we walked a long way across a couple of bridges to the Lincoln Monument, Reflection Pool and Korean War Memorial. We stopped for hotdogs, pretzel and a hot choc (for me). The cold wind had turned my hot choc to iced choc by the time we had crossed the road.
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| Lincoln Monument |
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| Reflection Pool |
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| Korean War Memorial |
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| WWII Memorial |
After that we walked further and further to the WWII Memorial.
If that wasn't enough we then walked to the White House which was a long way.
Ron said that his knee was starting to click and I was feeling very chilled. My backside with all its padding was feeling frozen so it must have been cold. But we soldiered on.
Lucky for our feet and frozen limbs there was a White House information centre that had an information movie looping and we sat for as long as was permissible before braving the outdoors again. While we watched the movie we learned lots of interesting facts about the interior rooms of the White House.
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| Presidents helicopter |
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| White House |
We ended our tourist day at the National Museum of Modern America where we enjoyed a great exhibition on Transport with real train engines, cars, carriages and boats.
By 4.30pm having had enough of tourism we headed home (hotel) for a relaxed evening in the warmth.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Monuments to deceased heroes - 29 Dec
The morning dawned wet which dictated what we were going to do but not before we walked in the cold rain experiencing soaking shoes and jean hems. It was near impossible to see out of the tourist bus windows and rain water was leaking through some of the bus's internal light sockets. However we did get a glimpse of Georgetown which is the older part of the city and well worth a return visit in good weather (perhaps tomorrow).
With 19 free national museums to choose from the decision was always going to be difficult. The thing that persuaded us was the mention by the tourist bus narrator that the National Museum of American Indians had a unique restaurant which specialised in native American Indian food. We were sold and having stepped from the bus, gone through the usual security check at the entrance to the museum, headed straight to the restaurant. Ron had Bison and I chose cranberry marinated turkey (delicious on both counts). We also tried black cornbread and a couple of unusual sides.
The National Museum of Native American Indians was pretty impressive displays of traditional clothing, art and everyday tools.
We then went on to the National Space and Air Museum and I sat in the cafe while Ron checked it out (its his thing not mine). Ron said that it did not compare to Kennedy Space Centre and was really designed with children in mind.
Tonight we took the Monuments at Night bus tour as the rain had cleared. Very pretty and gave us a few more options for tomorrow.
Day 2 in Washington and I really like this place. It is polar opposite to New York. I feel more relaxed and at home. I suspect it has something to do with my comfort with bureaucracy (goddam you governance).
With 19 free national museums to choose from the decision was always going to be difficult. The thing that persuaded us was the mention by the tourist bus narrator that the National Museum of American Indians had a unique restaurant which specialised in native American Indian food. We were sold and having stepped from the bus, gone through the usual security check at the entrance to the museum, headed straight to the restaurant. Ron had Bison and I chose cranberry marinated turkey (delicious on both counts). We also tried black cornbread and a couple of unusual sides.
The National Museum of Native American Indians was pretty impressive displays of traditional clothing, art and everyday tools.
We then went on to the National Space and Air Museum and I sat in the cafe while Ron checked it out (its his thing not mine). Ron said that it did not compare to Kennedy Space Centre and was really designed with children in mind.
Tonight we took the Monuments at Night bus tour as the rain had cleared. Very pretty and gave us a few more options for tomorrow.
Day 2 in Washington and I really like this place. It is polar opposite to New York. I feel more relaxed and at home. I suspect it has something to do with my comfort with bureaucracy (goddam you governance).
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| Museum of Native American Indians |
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| Museum in foreground and Capitol Hill in background |
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| Licoln Memorial |
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| Jefferson Memorial |
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| White House |
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| Capitol Hill |
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| Ron taking in the warmth in the tourist bus |
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