A cultural start ... not!

Spot the ogre
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It was inevitable that a couple of intellectuals like us would begin our trip sampling the cultural high ground. So we’ve had a challenging time at Disneyland California (great, but not a patch on Florida actually – and full of American kids. Shouldn’t they be at school?) and Universal Studios (which was fantastic!! Check out Shrek 4D!).

We have a big car that seems to drive itself – a Pontiac - and struck lucky with our first choice of hotel – the Hilton Anaheim – so all’s ‘neat’. Perhaps the highlight so far, though, has been our drive to a couple of local LA beaches, Newport Beach and Balboa Island. Mike especially enjoyed the former, where a Beverley Hills crew were filming a movie all about a women’s beach volleyball team …

Jurassic Park ride
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Balboa Island is an amazing place, a little ‘New England’ style resort that time forgot. Except for the house prices. Even the smallest place starts at over $3 million!!! The ferry across from the mainland takes three cars at a time, nose to tail, and they put blocks under the wheel to stop you rolling off! Needless to say, we went as foot passengers and left the car behind!!

Sadly we didn’t manage to do the Hollywood/Beverley Hills thing as we tried to drive back via Sunset Boulevard after our visit to Universal, and got completely lost and gave up. At least that saved a few ££ in the shops.

Diet starts tomorrow
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The one thing that’s really struck us this time is the size of the meals (huge) and the size of the cars (even bigger). The Toyota Landcruiser looks minute compared to these beasts! Conversely the cost - with the current exchange rate, everything’s the same in $ as it is in £ at home, so a brand new Jeep costs from $23,000 here!! Might have to ship one home.

Mike here. My highlight so far: Being asked to prove I was over 25 when buying a bottle of wine at the supermarket. Yesss! It was ok though – I just said it was for my Mum…

Ditto
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We left Los Angeles today and drove down Highway 1 to San Diego. The views were amazing, as were the various beaches. Checked in to our hotel tonight where we’ll be for the next few nights (changed rooms once already as ‘someone’ didn’t care too much for the first one!). More of this hotel and San Diego later.