Washington DC

Lafayette Park on the way to the White House

Arrived in the afternoon and spent the evening getting used to the area. We are staying near Dupont Circle which is only a few blocks from the White House. What an amazing looking city. So many monuments all beautifully laid out. John got some gorgeous night shots of and near the White House.

Washington Monument

The next day, Sunday, was absolutely glorious in the weather department. There were so many families out and about enjoying their nation’s capital. We took the opportunity to walk around/through the National Mall focusing on Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Pool of Reflection, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Vets Memorial, and the US Capitol.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is simply magnificent, the moment made all the more poignant when reading his speeches engraved in marble on the walls. Lincoln himself, perched on his chair like a king, is massive, and the stone, so white.

The Vietnams Vet Memorial is stark; simple black marble with far too many names engraved. Such loss. A long, shiny, sad wall of names.
Vietnam Vet Memorial






We grabbed lunch at Union Station – another beautiful train station in the tradition of Grand Central in NY, only this one had a cinema complex as well as the usual restaurants, shops and food hall, but most importantly, had a shop that sold Godiva chocolates (we had double chocolate raspberry truffles).

Union Station

Chocolate...

We caught the metro to ‘Waterfront’ where we hung out for three hours waiting for our show to start. Spent the time enjoying coronas in a pier café and writing in our journals. Also managed some snooze time on a park bench (sitting up wearing sunglasses, of course, so not to be mistaken for homeless!)

Waterfront

The next day went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Very essential, but quite harrowing. There was one photo among the hundreds that was…so heartbreaking – a little 8 year old mentally handicapped boy, naked, terrified, about to be killed.

Change of topic, can’t bare thinking of it. The Hope Diamond is a much prettier (and shallower) subject. Bloody huge rock, very sparkly, nicest bit of bling I think I’ve ever seen. But to be honest, you can’t tell me that any of those stones in the Museum of Natural History are actually real – why would they have gazillions of dollars worth of gems on display with only one security guard?

Hope Diamond

Museum of Natural History

Washington metro

The next day we went to Arlington cemetery. As with every other place we have been to in DC it was crawling with people – everyone out with the first signs of spring doing the tourist thing, including us!

But now it looks empty (you're only allowed on the roads, no grass or graves)

View of DC from Arlington House

Bobby Kennedy’s grave was impressive in its modesty and simplicity – a plain, white wooden cross. The eternal flame for JFK was ….well, eternal.

Masses of people looking at JFK's grave

Rosa Parkes' portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

Checked out the National Portrait Gallery before heading back to the Tabard Inn for some phenomenal dessert before having a VERY early night in preparation for our 4:46am shuttle to the airport!! (For the food-aholics like myself, the dessert was a milk chocolate toffee bread pudding, bloody brill!)

Nic doing the blog

San Francisco

John in front of Golden Gate Bridge - tres touristy

San Francisco is a lively, colourful and friendly place. That was one of the things that struck me about our time there. Someone bumps you on the bus, they apologise, someone needs help with directions, or if they have a disability, strangers are there to help.

Our first night was spent with a ride on a cable car across the city to get an overview of the place. We ended up near Fisherman’s Wharf (SUCH a tourist spot!), but were pleased with the result of hot fudge sundaes in Ghiradelli’s – absolutely divine chocolate.

The Rock

Next day tried our luck with an Alcatraz tour, but they were booked out for the whole morning, so we bought tix for the next day. Instead did some things not in the centre of town – went to Golden Gate Park to check out the Conservatory, Japanese tea gardens and the De Young Museum. Managed to do the first thing, and was put off the others by our brief time in the museum cafeteria trying to get some soup. Spent a lot of the day trying to come to terms with the public transport system (main delay with that was not having a thorough transit map/timetable).

John's arty shot of the bridge

Ended up pulling the plug on that and catching the MUNI bus (which took FOREVER to come) to the Golden Gate Bridge. Walked nearly half way across, got some photos and decided to go back. The evening was spent at the restaurant ‘Asia sf’ where the waitresses and the act were drag queens. Very pretty trannies, but not the best drag acts, still, a lot of fun.

Cell block section known as'Broadway'

Got the Alcatraz tour done the next day which was fascinating – audio tour was very interesting with narration by ex-guards and inmates. Popped over to the Mission district for some great Mexican and some photos of an alley of murals. Also checked out the section of Victorian houses known as ‘the painted ladies’ famous from many films and TV shows.

Frida Kahlo mural in Balmy Alley

One of the 'painted ladies' - not at all a floozy!

Walked the very steep climb up to Coit Tower - buses are for wimps! Wandered around Russian Hill – actually, one CAN’T wander around Russian Hill, one TREKS! – and found the staircase used in the TV series Tales of the City. Staggered into a jazz bar for gumbo and ‘Long Island iced teas’ before crawling home for an early night and early flight the next morning.

The walk up to Coit Tower

Shell Beach

Picked up the car and headed north to stay with friends at Shell Beach (hi Teri and Mac!). We had time to check out a local fisherman's wharf for some appetisers and met some friendly (and hungry seals). Our friends took us to a great place for dinner at the end of their street called “Alex’s” – fantastic smoky BBQ ribs.

Cheeky seal at the local wharf

The view at the end of Teri and Mac's street

The next day, even though it was overcast and rainy, we headed to Hearst Castle. What a truly magnificent place that was. The photos only give you a glimpse of this visionary masterpiece that took 15 years to build. We then saw some baby elephant seals on the coast before heading off for the most amazing pie – ollolaberry pie, delish! Also checked out the tasting room of a winery in Harmony – a tiny town with the population of 17!

Dining room at Hearst Castle

Baby elephant seal snoozing

The next morning we went to Zorro’s for breakfast (also at the end of the street) and had a Mexican breakfast omelette – had a hint of spice, but not too much, very popular with the locals. Drove up the magnificent west coast and stopped at Nepenthe’s for a lovely glass of champagne with smoked salmon, crab cakes and blue swimmer crab quiche….Oh…my…God! (for both the food and view!)

Me and champagne at Nepenthe's

Amazing coastline of California

Los Angeles

Arrived after a long 13 and a half hour flight a tad tired and disoriented. LA is so huge and spread out - not at all like other big cities with easy to navigate public transport. Will definitely get a rental car immediately upon arrival next time so as not to waste money on cabs. Stayed at the Elan Hotel Modern - lovely small hotel, friendly staff, very comfortable beds. Started to feel tired but soldiered on to see Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - both absolutely fantastic in their roles. SO cold that night - so much for sunny LA!

Decided to rent a car for our next day and went to Universal studios for the VIP tour. Outstanding things were the 4-D Shrek show, the Back to the Future ride and the Waterworld show. The backlot tour of sets and props store was of particular interest to us. Food was a major disappointment, but hardly a surprise - I don't think it was possible to purchase any food at that place not dripping with fat.

Universal Studios Entrance

Waterworld Show



That evening had the complementary drinks in the lobby of our hotel and then went for a drive down Santa Monica Boulevard to the coast. Was quite excited by the sight of the Beverly Hills police station (you know, Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy). I stayed in the car and out of the cold while John ran around taking photos.

Beverly Hills Police Station

One more night....

Only one more night before we fly out. Thank you to all the family and friends who turned up at the 'Lappo' tonight to see us off, or who rang or sent emails or text messages wishing us safe and happy travels. Our first stop is LA. For those other theatre/film fans out there, our first night will be spent seeing Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Should be mighty fine!