|
Originally Posted by guv1976
(Post 37053057)
WiSK , if you're big on chocolate and have time before you have to turn the car in, try to make a stop at See's Candies.
Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 37054269)
For future reference or for anyone fascinated by the Hearst Castle, it's worth knowing that just a couple of miles north of the Castle visitor center and parking lot, there's a very large elephant seal colony right off the highway. It can be a bit aromatic, but it's always an educational and entertaining experience.
|
Our last day in California was mostly driving through the horrendous traffic. After a nice breakfast and a late checkout, we made our way to Rodeo Drive, just to see where Beverly Hills people do their shopping.
Next we drove up to Griffiths Observatory. It's closed on Monday which means you can actually park if you are just there for the view. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fe98e05659.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0c89628720.jpg Hollywood sign is very far away. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2b1539efb9.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2b311a1730.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...677e95feaf.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...32af4a1aa2.jpg Next we looked for somewhere gluten free for lunch. We found what looked to be a nice place, can't remember the name now, but like the Observatory it was closed. Luckily next door was a Chipotle which is largely gluten free. Then we got on the highway again and headed all the way back across town to Manhattan Beach. The reason is that for years my boss had a painting on his wall in his office of the aquarium there. I wanted to send him a photo to see if he remembers. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9718a80e7.jpg This is approx the angle of my boss's painting. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...09559d637f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...59c6a13db6.jpg Looking north. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6ca52e8d8b.jpg Aquarium. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c9cd9a343.jpg Looking south. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...401f6eef9f.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1609e02dfb.jpg It's quite a nice area there. But we didn't have long to do much. Got back in the Mustang to find the closest gas station to the Avis drop off. Security was easy and straight through to the lounge. I'm not sure it's right but we were invited as OWS to flagship. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...43c8e0782f.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4525466aae.jpg Candy. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...616d5ee969.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fa8ac88dc6.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f01b6fc775.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...582d7478a9.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...29a799d4b5.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...221b455ef6.jpg Made on demand. Beautifully constructed but the 'pita' was damp untoasted and the meat was cold. Think the chef has never been to been to an actual kebab shop at 2am after a heavy sesh. No photos of transcon. We declined all service and slept until just before landing. |
With very little sleep we were out into the New York sun by 7am. Of course the airtrain was broken so we had a shuttle bus to Federal Circle. What we should have done was find a hotel for an additional nap. But we fools took another bus to Jamaica and the LIRR to Grand Central. Off for a walk then, up 7th towards Central Park.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c0acaf1ef2.jpg Lot of churches on 7th Ave. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d517ae353b.jpg Gaudy not Gaudí. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...de5dd36bd8.jpg Left luggage. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...40f0148f2f.jpg Southeast corner of CP. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...09ecb5fe92.jpg Gapstow bridge. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...99d0b043ec.jpg Looking downtown. We stopped on a bench for a healthy breakfast out of the bag of chocolate, crisps and other naughty food we have been collecting all week. We sat for quite a while, dazed and tired still from the flight. Eventually we ran out of water and went to buy more from one of the many kiosks on 5th. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b606f8a1e4.jpg Not a gun zone. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1e80616701.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9ddd04dcb2.jpg Sign of the times. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c655f8fff.jpg Macy's. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8046742940.jpg Famous building. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...92461e44a0.jpg Llama! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b65d002f1c.jpg Flatiron covered in scaffolding. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...01c4787b83.jpg Legs tired, let's take the R train. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ad665227d1.jpg Lady. I had planned to take a ferry maybe to Ellis Island but we were so shattered we decided to call it a day. Even though we still had seven and a half hours to our flight. Again, at this point should have found a day hotel or something that would allow that would allow us to get our heads down for a couple of hours. Fools, we decided to chance the Greenwich lounge. By 2pm we were back at JFK into the lounge. Started off well with showers available. But after that there's actually no seats that allow sleep. We sat in the quiet room but someone started a loud phone call. I managed a few plates of nibbles and a couple of glasses of champagne. Set my alarm in case I did nod off but no such luck. At six thirty we went to the gate. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...02c32db11b.jpg Ready and waiting. Good call for preboards and group zero. Once our group two was called a random pushed past us claiming priority - saw his boarding card in his hand later on the jet bridge and it looked like group five. Why... We taxiied for ages and after take off my daughter went straight to bed mode. I managed to enjoy the service but asked not to be woken for breakfast. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f572982af3.jpg Here are this evening's choices. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d5ed06eb02.jpg And the selection of wines. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...06ec866523.jpg Croutons delicious. The salad thing I recognise from CE. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f5da671172.jpg Fish was great. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8947ad9638.jpg Not enough chutney as usual but good variation of cheeses. Finished off my wine and port and then went bed mode myself. |
After we landed at LHR, my daughter started feeling dizzy and didn't want to to take the next flight to Dublin. She just wanted to sleep. Could we please get a hotel.
In retrospect we should have done the afternoon flight from LA instead of the red eye. Stayed at the Marriott JFK again and been fresh for a day in New York. But can't go back. Anyway, she had a point. She'd had barely 9 hours of broken sleep over two days where she normally needs 9-10 hours a night. I was tired too but at my age can easily cope with less than 6. I asked in galleries north for them to unload our baggage. I have never done something like this before, but I have read about people skipping the last leg and there being issues with tier points awarded. In the app the JFK to LHR is not showing as flown, which is concerning. We're in the Sofitel now. Booked on LHR-AMS tomorrow. I mean today. I'd best get some shut eye. |
Great reads. Hope the slumber helps and that you have zero issues for your final leg to return home.
the San Francisco photos and report were fun. We definitely have too many great restaurants. |
Originally Posted by WiSK
(Post 37059189)
In retrospect we should have done the afternoon flight from LA instead of the red eye. Stayed at the Marriott JFK again and been fresh for a day in New York. But can't go back.
Anyway, she had a point. She'd had barely 9 hours of broken sleep over two days where she normally needs 9-10 hours a night. I was tired too but at my age can easily cope with less than 6. |
Originally Posted by WiSK
(Post 37059066)
No photos of transcon. We declined all service and slept until just before landing.
When boarding AA10 saw a guy in a Villa shirt and tattooed forearms. Something clicked in my memory from these forums and wondered if this could be abraxias. Hello mate nice to have briefly met you! |
Re: the lounge at LAX, as a non-AA/AS ows, yes you get access to AA's Flagship lounges even on domestic itineraries, you just wouldn't get access to Flagship First Dining where there's one available. You also get access to the Flagship Lounge based on being in business class on the LAX-JFK premium transcon. Basically you were in the right lounges. Hope you got some good rest and are feeling better.
|
Little gripe coming up. I can recommend the Sofitel at T5 for comfort and convenience. However, in our room there were no usable electrical sockets next to the bed. Nor any USB ports. At the desk on the other side of the room there were sockets. I want to be able charge my phone at night but still be able to answer calls or texts without having to get up.
We ended our adventure with a quick flight home. First we met up with BMarkus and had a lovely chat. He was also on the returning legs of his own adventure, that you can read at https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip...est-coast.html https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...12fde4bec4.jpg Markus is modelling a casual denim number for us today :D There was no self pour of the champagne in GS, had to ask two different members of staff before they found someone who would bring me two glasses out from the kitchen. Then we were off to board BA434. Doors closed pretty much on time but we had to wait ten minutes for a slot. The captain announced that he would easily make up the delay and so with 9 rows of club the service had to work hard. No menus, just a choice between feta or prawn salad. Having booked late we were in the last row but still got the choice. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...698c8fff7c.jpg A champagne and a gin-ginger to help it go down As I was served, the captain announced 10 minutes to landing! So my drinks were immediately repoured into plastic cups. We touched down after 41 minutes in the air. I don't recall any faster flight between my home countries. Also, no Polderbaan thankfully. In fact the baggage took longer to get from our arrival gate D10 than we had from London. Now glad to be home, unpacked, did some washing. When my wife came home she received her gifts and she was very pleased to see us both, as we were to see her. Then, exhausted, we turned in early for the night. Now I'm awake again at 2am. Jetlag makes no sense. Questions welcome on any details of the journey, if anyone is planning a similar thing. DM or post in here. Next one is in six weeks where I will be visiting Madeira with my brother via three UK airports. |
Originally Posted by WiSK
(Post 37041173)
Monitors and announcements told us to remove liquids and electronics, while the lady handing out the trays was shouting to leave everything in bags. Line was slow but once through we didn't get pulled for secondary. My bag had a pretty complex selection of stuff, so either they have much better machines than LHR and AMS or they are just having a quick glance and saying meh.
|
Originally Posted by WiSK
(Post 37059675)
Oh forgot to mention:
When boarding AA10 saw a guy in a Villa shirt and tattooed forearms. Something clicked in my memory from these forums and wondered if this could be abraxias. Hello mate nice to have briefly met you! Great trip report, it is a shame that TP runs are now, mostly, a thing of the past. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 7:27 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.