A truly jolly holly-day in Los Angeles, California left us so refreshed and sprightly in the three wonderful days that we spent there. After a long spell of five chilly months in Minneapolis, it was an absolutely welcome and wonderful break to the bright sunny beaches and parks; the transition from temperatures of `10 degrees to 70 was nothing short of heaven. We were so pleased to be strolling outside in the awesome weather, minus all those layers of sweaters and jackets. The kids were literally surprised the first day that the sky can be blue and not just gray all the time, the ground can be snow-less as well and it is possible to feel so light even when outside :)
We spent the first day in the posh Beverley Hills neighbourhood, gazing in awe at the luxurious stars' bungalows, the plush streets and bylanes and the swanky ultra-expensive designer shops. Unfortunately and for obvious reasons, there were no name plates to distinguish which bungalow belonged to whom. We drove for the best views of the Hollywood sign and continuing in the same mood, spent our evening at Hollywood Blvd famous for the stars' Walk of Fame; their foot and hand prints at the forecourt of the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater, the venue for the Oscars.
The second day, we headed for Venice Beach to revel in the sun and sand of the lovely California. It was fascinating to just sit there and bask in the glorious sun and listen to the splashing waves. We couldn't go much in the water though because it was just too chilly. After enjoying pineapple and lime flavored shaved ice; adding some salt and pepper in an attempt to re-create apna 'Juhu beach' effect and some roasted corn with lemon and masala at the Venice beach oceanwalk; we headed for some more snacks at a local Mediterranean restaurant and relished the falafal and chicken kafta kabobs with hummus and complete with wine. Refreshed by the invigorating day at the beach, we realised that we actually had time and energy to promenade at the famous Universal City Walk as well. It was fun with all the flashing lights and the jovial atmosphere and left us tired and ready for a great nights sleep.
We just had a couple of hours at hand on the last day before catching our flight which we decided to spend leisurely at a neighbourhood park where the kids could have some fun at the swings and we could just laze around and prepare ourselves for another two months of indoor solitude in MN.
Pictures from the trip
We spent the first day in the posh Beverley Hills neighbourhood, gazing in awe at the luxurious stars' bungalows, the plush streets and bylanes and the swanky ultra-expensive designer shops. Unfortunately and for obvious reasons, there were no name plates to distinguish which bungalow belonged to whom. We drove for the best views of the Hollywood sign and continuing in the same mood, spent our evening at Hollywood Blvd famous for the stars' Walk of Fame; their foot and hand prints at the forecourt of the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater, the venue for the Oscars.
The second day, we headed for Venice Beach to revel in the sun and sand of the lovely California. It was fascinating to just sit there and bask in the glorious sun and listen to the splashing waves. We couldn't go much in the water though because it was just too chilly. After enjoying pineapple and lime flavored shaved ice; adding some salt and pepper in an attempt to re-create apna 'Juhu beach' effect and some roasted corn with lemon and masala at the Venice beach oceanwalk; we headed for some more snacks at a local Mediterranean restaurant and relished the falafal and chicken kafta kabobs with hummus and complete with wine. Refreshed by the invigorating day at the beach, we realised that we actually had time and energy to promenade at the famous Universal City Walk as well. It was fun with all the flashing lights and the jovial atmosphere and left us tired and ready for a great nights sleep.
We just had a couple of hours at hand on the last day before catching our flight which we decided to spend leisurely at a neighbourhood park where the kids could have some fun at the swings and we could just laze around and prepare ourselves for another two months of indoor solitude in MN.
Pictures from the trip
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| best of LA trip ( Mar 3 - Mar 5, 2007) |
