Los Angeles

[Bilirubin]

Oh, and fucking La Brea Tar Pits. Dude! GO!

[Bilirubin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo74OnQbhr4

[plained]

maybe u could go to a game show tapeing or something

or a b-grade regular show like a talk show of something

[MKJ]

LA, lol

[Foo]

Did Getty today. Honestly, the building itself kicks so much ass, way more interest for me than the exhibits.

Wish I had a better camera and a set of good lenses for the view from some of the walkways around the museum... though the haze/smog means you can't see all that far.

[Dark Metal]

I've been to LA so many times and have never been there. I should really make an effort...

[xer0s]

Foo, so what do you think of us Americans? Aren't we a bunch of assholes?

[Foo]

So far I'm getting along ok with people. Not too taken on the way tipping/service and tax is done and the false service smiles/conversation that becomes somehow obligatory, there's a kind of insincerity/greed undercurrent that is sort of grating. Outside of that the people I've met so far have all been interesting to talk to and really helpful.

I'm staying near LAX and running into a lot of brits, too, and plenty of people who are also heading towards Aus/NZ. Which is good because the NZ thing I haven't even begun to plan yet. I'm renting a car in Auckland and dropping it off 7 days later in Wellington. That's my 'plan'. Prolly gonna die in a ditch somewhere.

[Bilirubin]

Did Getty today. Honestly, the building itself kicks so much ass, way more interest for me than the exhibits.

Wish I had a better camera and a set of good lenses for the view from some of the walkways around the museum... though the haze/smog means you can't see all that far.

One time I was up there on a lucky crystal clear day. Stunning view.

[Bilirubin]

You a brit Foo? Take a trip to Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena. Its run by a fellow from Newcastle, and has one of the best tap lists I've ever seen. If you are really lucky you might catch one of his Belgian beer fests, when he turns over all 65 taps to Belgian offerings. A seat on the terrace, good beer, decent food. Heaven.

[Chupacabra]

heaven.

[Foo]

LA is so 2 days ago. I got into Auckland at 4am this morning. Travel agent screwed up the booking and put me in a hotel that doesn't have a 24h front desk. Brilliant! Been wandering round for a few hours and finally found the bus station/lockers to stow my ton of stuff I probably didn't need to even bring.

Anyways, I don't think I'll struggle to find good stuff to do here like I did in LA. Picking up a rental tomorrow and then I'm just going to drive about a bit and head for Wellington in about a weeks time.

I'm sure you're all thrilled that I told you about all of this.

[Dark Metal]

shaft probably is. He doesn't get out much, and stories like yours make his day.

[HM-PuFFNSTuFF]

LA is so 2 days ago. I got into Auckland at 4am this morning. Travel agent screwed up the booking and put me in a hotel that doesn't have a 24h front desk. Brilliant! Been wandering round for a few hours and finally found the bus station/lockers to stow my ton of stuff I probably didn't need to even bring.

Anyways, I don't think I'll struggle to find good stuff to do here like I did in LA. Picking up a rental tomorrow and then I'm just going to drive about a bit and head for Wellington in about a weeks time.

I'm sure you're all thrilled that I told you about all of this.

I've heard (and have seen photos to back it up) that the area you are about to traverse is some of the most beautiful and diverse geography in the world. Have fun and take photos or it didn't happen.

[shaft]

great thread ++++

[Foo]

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&sourc ... 075195&z=7

Journey so far. Auckland CBD is tiny, with an odd identity crisis going on. Northland is hottttttt. Currently on the beach in papamoa where there's a wifi hotspot. On the beach. Wat.

(ps in my defence I only turned the laptop on to transfer some photos from my camera).