Last few days; Homeward bound

Our intention was to drive up into the San Bernadino mountains to Big Bear Lake but when I woke up and remembered that I've been having trouble with my ears equalizing on even the mildest of hills, climbing 9000 feet before flying home seemed like a big risk.  

So, that went on the list for 'next time' and we drove out along the great concrete highways of California to Ontario Mills, a huge indoor outlet mall. We spent some time there checking out the bargains and then returned to our local Macy's for their super Saturday sale, where there were some great buys in amongst the melee of people and clothes. 

We had dinner at Capital Grille, a restaurant attached to the shopping centre at South Coast Plaza. There was either a long wait for a table, or we could be served in the bar area straight away. Opting for the bar, we were surprised to be given a quiet booth with candles and full service. We couldn't have hoped for better. The service was effervescent and the food excellent! The steaks were amazing. 

Sunday was our last day in LA. Neither of us are ready to go home this time. 

We woke early to the alert system using our mobile phones - this time for a lost child. They're very loud and insistent alerts. 

After coffee we set off to Newport Beach to hire some bikes. $8 an hour each and we were off along the shared pathway, north towards Huntington Beach. Most of the track was on the land side of the first row of houses next to the beach, but it was a beautiful, hot morning and we enjoyed checking out the architecture and people. 

I'm really enjoying taking bike trips on our holidays. The only one I haven't really felt comfortable on was New Orleans when we had to cycle on the road. It's a great way to see somewhere - easy to stop for photos or a closer look, the aromas of the flowers (and everything else!) add to the experience, and you get some exercise! 

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the hotel pool, getting some Californian sun on. 

Packed up and ready to leave at 5pm, I was grateful it was a Sunday afternoon and the traffic (should be) easy to negotiate. The Westin sits right on the I405 which takes us straight to LAX. 

Dom dropped me off with the bags, and then headed back to Alamo to return the car. The car rental places are not far and he was on the bus and back within 30 minutes. It's much easier than lugging the bags all on the bus and off again when you're dressed for cool weather but actually in 35 degrees. 

Check in at Qantas was swift, apart from re packing the bags. This is the first time that we have had to comply with 23kg per bag weight restriction on a mainline carrier. Luckily we had space available in other bags and it was swift reconfigure. I watched a lady in business class, wondering if she'd have to do the same. They made her take out 7 kg - I think she had to buy another bag. Funnily enough I'd seen a luggage store on the way into the terminal, thinking it was an odd place for one. But no. Obviously something has changed here, and good on them, because it can only be protecting the staff who have to lift them all day long. 

We were through security very swiftly in the newly built section of Tom Bradley. Security in the USA is usually not a hassle free event, but it was this evening. 

Making straight for the recently refurbished Qantas Club (closed for renovation on our last flight through here) we toasted the end of another safe and happy holiday, and enjoyed an amazing dinner of butter chicken and slow cooked, melt-in-your-mouth cumin beef. 

So it was farewell to our Ford Expedition, which served us well (12 liters per 100km). It could seat 8 but with the last row of seats folded down, there was more than enough space for all of our bags. We'd added two extra days to the rental as we'd extended the holiday, and that added more than half again to the total cost. Booking in advance through Vroom Vroom Vroom is stil the best and cheapest avenue for hiring cars in the States that we've come across. 

It's farewell to burgers! We ate our final Five Guys cheeseburgers for breakfast (well, if you only have one meal left...) this morning, and it was excellent. 

I'm really pleased with the changes to the terminal at Tom Bradley during the years that we've been flying here regularly. Everything is now seamless, comfortable and attractively finished.

We're the first of the Qantas jets out of here tonight, so we'll be on our way shortly. We're transiting via Sydney, which I normally avoid doing, but it gave us two extra days in LA and cost us a lot less than direct to Melbourne. 

Thanks for reading. See you next trip!