La La Land again

Our flight departed on time, with about 40 spare seats. We were seated at the exit door, next to a lovely older gentleman who fixed scales for a living.

A tad disappointingly, our exit row had no lights and no audio for the video. What to do for twelve hours?? We moved to a row right down the back where everything worked and it was warmer, but no luxurious extra leg room.

Being at the back of the plane, of course meant that we were last though the veeeery long immigration line at LAX, but our bags were ready and transit to the car hire site was easy via the courtesy buses that come along frequently. We hired with Alamo, through www.vroomvroomvroom.com

The navman we'd borrowed only wanted to go to Virginia, so we navigated to Long Beach in the old fashioned way - asking directions, using maps, and reading signs!

We'd booked into the same hotel as on our last visit, the Hyatt The Pike at Long Beach. It is in an unhurried part of town, with $7 parking and restaurants just a short stroll away. As they did last visit, they allowed us access to the room at 10am, and so we napped. When the alarm went off at 1pm, we headed off to South Coast Plaza, a shopping centre with all of our favourite US stores just a 20 minute drive south along the freeway.

After a tasty lunch of tacos and tostadas, we set off to shop. Zara, Macy's, Banana Republic, H&M, JCrew, Gap - all the shops I don't have access to at home. And the beauty is that the US is in sale for the season we're entering. Perfect.

A late dinner at the Yard House, Long Beach, was in order. The Yard House is a chain in the US and has many, many great beers on tap, friendly staff and tasty food.

The weather was gorgeous today, as it had been every time I have been here. Big, blue sky. Heavily scented flowers everywhere. I do like LA.

The hotel is fabulous, by the way. Very chic and comfortable.

Off to Las Vegas in the morning.