Days 193 through 197 Anaheim
Trip Start
May 07, 2008
1
205
Trip End
Nov 22, 2008
Anaheim, California
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Again today is a "Free Breakfast" but we take back to the Room for a little space. Mind you the space, even though most likely 5 times the size of the Castle, has piles of "Stuff" building on the spare beds, as well as on top of the already packed suitcases.
Oh boy hopefully Qantus have been notified of our impending departure, and schedule a huge plane to carry us home!
We had arranged to meet with Owen & Bev at 3pm, so any plans of "Stumping around shopping centres" had to be structured around a return home at about this time.
Karon decided it was time to check out a close place for a haircut, this left the boys to relax and take time out.
Obviously it was time to catch up on the blog and a little photo posting, coupled with rest the feet, knowing a further onslaught was inevitable.
Well Karon's parting words when she left at around 9:30am were, "if I am not back in an hour you know I have an appointment"
Well 2.5 hours passes and morning tea as well before a knock on the door and our third party member returns, feeling a lot better after her "girlie things" having been sorted!
Time to eat a quick lunch before hitting the shopping centres again! (Just as well The boys took advantage of the morning rest period.) Time was not wasted because of the 3pm deadline.
We managed to find the closest Wal Mart, to obtain a few items we had been researching, and lo and behold! Next door is a Mervyns! "who the heck or what the heck is a Mervyns? One could ask.
Well it appears to sell shoes and clothes, Earnie required shoes, so lets look!
Oh boy! There goes the last of the time used up before the deadline. The shop had "Bargain basement Going out of Business" prices. With up to 70% off! We cannot walk past that, now can we?
Earnie managed to find his shoes, GREAT! But that doesn't mean we escape, we have to wander around with the other 80% of Anaheim, (Escaping the smoke and ash falling from the sky because Southern California is burning), according to the news and we are in fierce smoke laden ash filled winds!
A few "bargains" under our arms we head back a little late for our 3pm meet up time, but no problem really because our friends are late in arriving.
We settle in and unload our bargains, and wait for them to turn up.
Arriving a little later and won out and tired because of "last minute packing and shopping" they relaxed and had a cuppa and a shower and change before embarking to the airport for their midnight flight.
Out travellers walked down the road a little to an $8 per head buffet, (the food reflected the price, certainly not a return visit place).
Home to our stationary residence (how weird is this?) and watch a Julia Roberts Movie before retiring.
The plan tomorrow is to visit Venice Beach, (if the roads and fires allow us through) to take more time to absorb the culture of the area.
Yes we are still enjoying ourselves with lots yet planned (according to the navigator) so if you are not bored out of your brains, stay with us for the updates.
Mind you we are a little humbled by noticing that the numbers of viewers is still high, and we thank you sincerely for giving your time to staying with us all the way.
Certainly over the next few days we hope to reflect and attempt to summarize our highs and lows, and keep watching this space, yet to come is the report on; "the Taps and Toilets" of the USA!
Day 194 Anaheim - Venice Beach
The day we woke to, was clear blue skies as opposed to the ash and smoke filled sky the previous night. Not because the fires had gone away, simply the fact a wind change had cleared our particular sky space.
It looked like a good day for the beach day we had planned, after breakfast we loaded into the car to head out.
Mandy took her time to play the game for some reason and took us a little longer before we could leave to enable us to ensure we didn't get lost on the freeways that snake throughout the greater LA city and surrounds.
It was not long before we heading in a northerly direction and up on the freeway could observe the dense smoke filled sky ahead of us.
The traffic flow was light being a Sunday morning, yet they still travel fast and change lanes without a lot of warning if any!
Never mind, Mandy directed us safely through the various route changes and lane shifts to land us at Venice Beach. The trip was about 45 mins, the arrival time coincided with coffee time. We had also arrived a little early for the street vendors, with some still setting up or waking up.
We wandered along checking out a few stalls as well as some of the shops.
There was a purpose to the wanderings; a couple more suitcases were required. Keeping an eye open for a coffee shop for the much required kick start beverage, we also were checking prices for the bags.
We did find a restaurant that would serve us coffee and tea as well as some pancakes. (mmm yummo BUT!) As we were eating, some performers began a dual juggling act on the footpath just alongside the restaurant, which kept us entertained as we enjoyed the sit down and break.
We left the food place and began a slow walk along the footpath to again absorb the ambience of Venice Beach. No real change, the same stalls with some great handmade craft as well as the usual people with signs "I will work for Marijuana" and the odd Psychic stall offer to read palms or read the cards.
Every now and then a stall with some well crafted stuff or paintings would come into view, but none of the travellers were tempted to part with any cash.
We managed to run out of shops and sidewalk vendors, so headed across the expanse of sand to the waters edge.
Certainly deep sand and a long walk to the waters edge. The water was low waves with some hopeful souls sitting on boards hoping for a wave, certainly not what we understand as good surf waves.
The water was NOT warm enough for us to consider taking a dip, and even though it was nice enough to paddle in we certainly kept far enough away to prevent being wet.
We came across a funeral service happening on the beach near the water. We previously overheard some of the stall holders talking about "permission to have Hindu Ceremony on the beach"
As we walked past it broke up, and all the people attending (majority dressed in white) walked to the waters edge and threw a flower into the waves.
The walk was continued and then headed back across the sand to the shop that had suitcases. Yes we require more. At this stage we have 6 bags between us and this would not fit all the amount of "stuff" sprawled around the hotel rooms.
We bought two "Good sized bags" and trundled our way back to the car.
Piling in and heading back to our home, with no problem retracing our steps.
We arrived back and took a bit of time out for a swim and relax in the pool and hot tub, before attempting to attack the huge task of reducing a 6 month trip and Castle room size purchases, into 8 suitcases and bags.
The boys sat back and offered a limited assistance as Karon with apparent practiced ease proceeded to reduce the circle and pile into various bags.
Eventually the circle closed and most of the "stuff" had been Stuffed or persuaded to become up close and personal with the other purchase it was chosen to be squished in beside in the bag.
Amazingly enough the job was finished and the beds were uncovered or discovered and oh gee oh damn, there is still more room! We cannot have that, now can we?
So we head out for dinner and plan a trip to "the outlet shops" Gee why wouldn't we?
So until then bye for now!
Day 195 Anaheim
Today was "Outlet Day" and it is Monday here, so we head off in time to hit the outlets at around 10am.
The freeway Interstate 5, is a great link road as we take it north towards Los Angeles and then turn off for the outlet shops.
One of the party had a plan and a map of the shops as well as a list. Gee organised! How scary is that.
The first stop was at Starbucks to ensure the caffeine levels are at the correct height before embarking on "the Plan".
Firstly we have to do a complete round of all the shops to ascertain the map is correct, and the selection and prices are compared on the first loop.
Then the serious stuff begins, into the lucky chosen stores to donate part of the Castle returns to the various name brands that "happened to be in the right place at the right time" to ensure we don't return with any "spare" funds!
The boys acted as walking clothes horses as the rounds were completed again and a lot of head shaking was happening, but no words could be spoken. The previous days experience had shown that the female section of the travellers was a magician in a previous life, and could make a large pile disappear into a small space.
Eventually the bags hanging off the arms was getting a little too much and Earnie volunteered to take them back to the car and guard them while Karon continued the crusade to donate funds to the brands we had yet to visit.
Well unsure if the shops won or the fact we had traversed the same spot at least three times, we found ourselves loaded in the car and heading home.
Gee what a day! Now comes the fun part, reducing the piles into the already full bags.
Again the magic happens and the bags are full(surely) and the beds and rooms take on a clearer appearance. We trotted out for dinner and a place called Denny's, this place was a pleasant surprise and the food was not to bad as well as reasonably priced.
Home then and into bed. Surely this shopping must end soon!
Day 196 Anaheim
With the outlet shopping done it was time to head into town to Rodeo drive and the farmers markets. Well at least that was the plan.
As we all know about the best laid plans!
We headed to Wal mart for a few little things to fill in some gaps in the bags! Then as we came back past our bank decided to call in to make arrangements to leave the account open but have access to wire the funds back home if required. This is simple as far as we are concerned, we did it in Australia through our banking system so we should be able to reverse the option.
Well never "assume anything"
Firstly gaining understanding of our requirements by the greeting person, was difficult, but we were directed to the tellers counter. Attempting to explain our requirements meet with a discussion in view behind the tellers with a supervisor. The teller, (customer service person) said we had to call the customer service number on the card to be put through to the International Wire Transfer Service, it can be handled over the phone. Gee sounds great and easy, we head home to have a quick lunch and make the phone call before heading into our "planned Rodeo Drive" journey.
While having lunch, the phone call is made, and yes, we can report the banks here use the same wonderful telephone system as we do in Australia, follow the prompts!
Eventually the connection is obtained with the correct service, our requirements are explained.
Veronica (our contact at this stage) explained how it all worked and suggested that some documents would have to be filled in and they were available at our local branch office. Oh dear, is this the first of the run around or surely it is simply filling in the forms.
We decided to shift our priorities, and ensure we could retrieve our funds before we left in a couple of days. Back to the bank we head.
A nice young lady understands the request after it was explained the "wire Service" had told us to obtain the forms here. She heads away and returns with some forms to be filled out. She said to read the terms and conditions, fill in the forms and return them to the counter.
No big deal, speed read and proceed to fill in the forms. Whoops, which address do we put in? The challenge being, we had used the banks address previously for the opening of the account, BUT! (There is always a but!) This time, they were going to post out our PIN number to the address to enable us to activate the phone wire system. Here comes the rub! It could take up to a week for the pin to arrive! Whoops we are leaving in 2 days.
Leaving this area blank to ascertain from the bank staff the best option, the form was filled as best as we were able, headed back to the counter. The young lady that understood the process was out for lunch, so another person came to serve.
With the question being asked about the blank address space, we were told to "put in your address you live here" Upon explaining the address for our account was here at the bank, we were immediately told; "you don't live in a bank, in this building" Certainly an attitude came through.
A small exchange and time out to consider (or take a few breaths) and then approach the counter again, Giving the card to the woman to check the address on the card to verify our address, she left the counter not to return!
Another woman returned with the card and attempted to go through our request. A lot of to and fro and communication challenges (one of the communicators had limited English ability) It all became too hard, so a decision to wire some funds immediately back to our Australian bank was suggested by ourselves. This we were told was difficult and might take a couple of days. MIGHT! Go tomorrow or MIGHT take a couple of days.
Not wanting to upset authorities by taking too much cash through the borders of both countries, we appeared to be at a stalemate. The woman was asked to get the manager. Gee off she goes and the manager was at lunch. With insistence of a request for the manager she went back 4 times and no manager was available. The woman with attitude returned to the counter to attempt to sort the problem. (By this stage the whole bank was aware there was a conflict or problem in the service area!) Further discussion with the two women at the counter we established that the wire funds would go through the next day! It was no longer a "might go through"
So we proceeded to fill out further forms to ensure a substantial amount of our funds would return home.
We finished the form and asked the "attitude woman, supervisor" to check the correctness and "gee back to the beginning" Which address do we put down on the form ? she conceded that we could put our home Sydney address in the space. WHY couldn't we have done that on the first form no one was game to ask in case another explosion may occur! Form checked and all ok we leave the bank exhausted! Oh by the way from the time we requested to see the manager, who happened to be at lunch, and the time we left the bank was 1.5 hours, certainly it appears bank managers get a good lunch hour in America!
And no time left to head into town, we had spent about 4 hours dealing with the bank to retrieve our funds.
Home for a drink and relax and out to Knott's Berry Farm for dinner. An extremely nice meal and certainly good value for money.
Exhausted to bed!
Day 197 Anaheim
After our fun games with the bank yesterday, it was time to head into the City and check out and walk Rodeo Drive, Certainly if the bank had attitude about our funds, we figured it will not take long to spend it down in Beverly Hills.
The run into the city was a little stop start and heavy traffic, certainly wouldn't enjoy doing that trip everyday. The smog cloud of brown yuck hanging over the city, is evident from a long way out. Just to excite us along the way we received a phone call from the bank to say the form was not correctly filled in, this particular person was the young lady that originally spoke to us and was happy enough to fix the form and allow us to initial the changes in the afternoon when we returned to Anaheim. (so much for the Supervisor that checked the form when we handed it in.)
We eventually turned into the beginning of Rodeo drive, the drive begins in nice suburbia houses neatly trimmed lawns and well maintained houses. A lot of speed bumps and stop signs, so not good for high speed chases along this road.
Eventually we came to the business end of the drive and turned into Wiltshire Avenue, driving past Julie Roberts Penthouse hotel from Pretty Woman. We drove around the block and found a parking meter on Rodeo Drive just back from the Famous corner.
With no quarters to feed the meter, Karon went down the street looking for a place to obtain change. Upon her return with quarters to feed the meter, she realized she had obtained the change from inside the hotel that featured in the film!
We set off on foot to walk the walk and check out the bargains along the famous Drive.
With the Xmas decorations and wonderful special lights creating a wonderland, would obviously be like a magical kingdom at night.
We walked up and down with a few photo opportunities and some serious window gazing, with some serious looking dudes inside the doors checking out any potential clients that may walk through the doors.
Deciding that Rodeo drive didn't have a Starbucks for our coffee break we headed back to the car to negotiate our way to the Farmers Markets.
This was easy and we are old hands at negotiating our way around big cities and in a car it is a lot easier than the Castle.
We parked over the road from the Markets to head to the Starbucks and recharge our inner selves.
We walked around and through the markets after the coffee break and discovered another section of shops along a street attached. The Santa house in the middle of the road and the huge Xmas tree with huge parcels around the base and lights overhead with Santa sleigh and reindeer suspended above, were a sight to enjoy. Certainly creates an atmosphere of celebration. Nice shops and quaint sidewalk cafes. Certainly a revisit place for next time. We had used up the free parking allocation so headed back to the car.
Time to return to the bank to finalise the wire transfer and signatures.
We arrived back at the bank, gee recognised immediately by the new greeter service person, Any wonder?
The young lady came to the counter and explained the shortfalls and changes made to the document, duly signed and assured the funds had been wired through, we asked to close the account and withdraw the remaining funds. Politely we were asked to leave it until Friday to ensure all funds had been transferred correctly, that was not going to happen because we fly out on Thursday, so a compromise was reached, we would return tomorrow to close the account.
Another short trip to some shops, (Target) and a few more squishy things for the spaces, home to finish the packing and head out for dinner.
Another day and our last sleep in Anaheim before we head out tomorrow.
Day 198 Anaheim.
Well the last day in USA after our trip around.
Gee the 198 days of holiday have simply passed as have so many sights and experiences we absorbed on the way.
Today being the final day, began with breakfast, followed by washing. Certainly not a big job, without having to deal with sheets and towels, as we did when in the Castle. Mind you the machines were very slow.
A juggle around of the bags and some final closing and squishing, (just as well we all may have gained a little weight, to allow us to compress the bags to ensure the zips worked!) addition of safety locks and most bags are ready to go.
With the washing done and clothes sorted, we headed to the bank for the final discussion about closing the account. This went reasonably smoothly with only a small roundabout ride, but with our funds safely in hand and a notice received from our Australian bank to let us know the funds we had sent yesterday had arrived, we headed back to the hotel to finalise the check out.
We reduced ourselves into one room and obtained a late checkout for the other. Paid the account and had time to spare, so set off for a ride to Balboa Peninsula, and visited Newport Beach. Walked around the piers in Newport in amongst a cold sea fog. We had left Anaheim in sun and ran into a thick fog at the beach just down the south side along Harbor Boulevard.
We had a later lunch in a restaurant, and headed back home, with one last stop off at a Wal Mart for a couple of things and sit down for a cuppa and a clean up before we head to the airport.
As well, you will notice a catch up with the blog.
After travelling for 198 days through or into 40 States, 5 Canadian Provinces, a total of 26,500 miles (approx: 44785 Km) in The Castle, run up maybe another 1500 miles(2535km) in hire cars, we are heading home.
We have travelled by way of The Castle, hire car, Ferry, helicopter, through tunnels, over 17 miles of bridge/tunnel that went underwater halfway along, onto Islands, into back roads, up and over the top of The World highway, to North Pole to see Santa Claus, had close encounters with bears, bison, deer, elk, and other animals.
Meet wonderful people, (we will not mention names in fear of leaving someone out) made friends along the way, seen so many sights and stayed in many and varied RV parks. Encountered an unusal number of different taps and toilets (Yet to be added hopefully), visited post card sights, and missed the hurricanes and rain and winds as we travelled around.
How do we sum up the trip? Well basically it is impossible to do any sort of abbreviation or summation, but we guess the Blog has covered it all on a daily basis. Yet has it? Each day's entry was as best we could do, but we are sure when we read each entry it will remind us of some little thing that may have happened along the way and will keep us amused for a long time to come.
Are we looking forward to heading home? Yes we do miss our home and families and we do at times weary of interpreting the slight cultural differences.
Would we do it again? No doubt and certainly recommend any sort of adventure or trip along the same lines.
We have all taken our own perspectives of the different cities and sights, each of us will have similar stories but slightly different maybe of some events.
Are we still all talking and getting along? Yes we still discuss our options and concur on our choices.
At this point you all have now arrived at the end of our trip (there will be a few more photos to be posted and the "arrived home" and the long awaited taps & toilets entry, we would like to thank you all for being so loyal to us as we trekked around the North American Continent and shared with us our journey.
It amazes us that there was an average of 46.4 hits per day on our humble site, as we travelled around. We guess that some productivity gains will happen in the workplaces as we draw this to a close. The bosses and supervisors will wonder what has happened with the increased output, as those that (sshhh) check in on the work computer's have more time on their hands.
Seriously folks we are amazed that so many chose to "check in" on The Three Travellers in their wonderful Castle as we discovered new fun things to visit on our way. A Big Thank you all.
Tonight we run into some more Australians on the Qantus flight home and maybe they will have vegemite for the toast in the morning!
Next report and photos to be posted in Australia.
