Day 4- Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES

Wiki:" Los Angeles (ⁱ/lɒs ˈændʒəlɨs/ loss an-jə-ləs),^[14] officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the second-largest city in the United States, the most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the county seat of Los Angeles County. Situated in Southern California, Los Angeles is known for itsmediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, sprawling metropolis, and as a major center of the American entertainment industry. Los Angeles lies in a large coastal basin surrounded on three sides by mountains reaching up to and over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

Nicknamed the City of Angels, Los Angeles is a global city with a diverse economy in entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine and research. It has been ranked sixth in theGlobal Cities Index and 9th Global Economic Power Index. The city is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields and is one of the most substantial economic engines within the United States. The Los Angeles combined statistical area (CSA) has a gross metropolitan product (GMP) of $831 billion (as of 2008), making it the third-largest in the world, after the Greater Tokyo and New Yorkmetropolitan areas. Los Angeles includes Hollywood and leads the world in the creation of television productions, video games, and recorded music; it is also one of the leaders in motion picture production. Additionally, Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1932, 1984, and is currently bidding for the2024 Summer Olympics."

The Air-bnb house that we were staying.

It was good - 3 bedrooms for 9 of us, enough space for the kids to run and play around, kitchen for us to prepare the food for the kids, washing machine & dryer for laundry.

Instead of staying in a hotel, I felt that it would be nice to live in a typical American neighbour. 

At least, my family would have a slight taste of what it feels like living like an American.

=)

Cheap Ice-cream (50% cheaper than Singapore Price).

Always love to go to American Supermarket - a heaven of consumerism.

Helpful Cashier. =)

"Really enjoy shopping in LA. The cashier was really helpful. She helped me to find the items I needed, and also, helped me to save some money by scanning the coupons (that I don't have). 

It's Californian way of doing things. Something that it's hard to come by in Singapore. "

Good Jap Food - thanks to the huge Asian diaspora in LA.

It's reasonably priced as well. Around US$8-10.

One reason to be living in California. =)

Traveling with kids is always challenging - changing diapers, showering, feeding etc...

So we decided to have our lunch before we set off to explore the city.

Clear blue sky and the rows of Palm Trees!!!

Very California!!! =)

TCL CHINESE THEATRE

Wiki:" TCL Chinese Theatre is a cinema palace on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard inHollywood, California, United States. Originally known (and still commonly referred to) as Grauman's Chinese Theatre and renamed Mann's Chinese Theatre in 1973; the current name of the theatre became official January 11, 2013, after TCL Corporation purchased the naming rights.^[2] This resulted in the first affiliation of the Chinese Theatre with an actual Chinese corporation.

The original Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, which opened in 1922. Built by a partnership headed by Sid Grauman over 18 months starting in January 1926, the theatre opened May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's film The King of Kings.^[3] It has since been home to many premieres, including the 1977 launch of George Lucas' Star Wars,^[4] as well as birthday parties, corporate junkets, and three Academy Awards ceremonies. Among the theatre's most distinctive features are the concrete blocks set in the forecourt, which bear the signatures, footprints, and handprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to the present day.

The TCL Chinese Theatre has partnered with IMAX Corporation to create the single largest IMAX auditorium in the world. The new theatre seats 932 people, and hosts the third largest commercial movie screen in North America."

Iconic Chinese Theatre

Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood walk of fame.

Kids with Mickey mouse 

(Keena brought along her Minnie mouse)

Hey Bruce!

Simple fun of life. =)

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

Wiki:" Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast,Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with a great view of the Hollywood sign, and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Since the observatory opened in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with Griffith's will. However, some planetary shows inside have a small added charge."

Griffith Observatory perched at the hilltop.

Enjoyed explaining to the girls about the planetary movements that create day & night, and the four seasons.

The famous HOLLYWOOD signboard.

Good view of LA downtown

LA City

The kids are having fun. =)

Happy Keena!

Happy Felice!

VENICE BEACH

Wiki:" Venice Beach, which receives millions of visitors a year, has been labeled as "a cultural hub known for its eccentricities" as well as a "global tourist destination."^[29][30] It includes the promenade that runs parallel to the beach (also the "Ocean Front Walk" or just "the boardwalk"),Muscle Beach, the handball courts, the paddle tennis courts, Skate Dancing plaza, the numerous beach volleyball courts, the bike trail and the businesses on Ocean Front Walk."

Nice Mustang!

Very American!!

Venice Beach is one of my favourite beaches in the world.

Unfortunately, the weather was quite gloomy that day.

Skate-boarding facility

Happy Gwen!

Dinner at Venice Beach.

It's really thoughtful to have some activities for the kids. (very typical American restaurant too!)

They should do that in Singapore, so that the kids won't be stuck to ipad.

Met my ex-colleague Ross (originally from Ohio, relocated to LA)

It was a good idea to feel the pacific ocean at night!

Cold water reminds me that I am alive.

Pretty crowded for a weekday night.

We called our ex-colleague in Singapore to give her a surprise. 

Always nice to catch up with friend in foreign land, and got to understand the situation in US better too. =)

Day 5 - Disneyland (LA)

DISNEYLAND

Wiki: "Disneyland Park, originally Disneyland, is the first of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opened on July 17, 1955. It is the only theme park designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. It was originally the only attraction on the property; its name was changed to Disneyland Park to distinguish it from the expanding complex in the 1990s.

Walt Disney came up with the concept of Disneyland after visiting various amusement parks with his daughters in the 1930s and 1940s. He initially envisioned building a tourist attraction adjacent to his studios in Burbank to entertain fans who wished to visit; however, he soon realized that the proposed site was too small. After hiring a consultant to help him determine an appropriate site for his project, Walt bought a 160-acre (65 ha) site near Anaheim in 1953. Construction began in 1954 and the park was unveiled during a special televised press event on the ABC Television Network on July 17, 1955."

The original Disneyland in Anaheim, LA.

Walt Disney is quite a genius to create dreams for people around the world. =)

Below are some of his quotes:

"If you dream it, you can do it."

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

"All adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best  thing in the world for you."

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."

Disneyland.

This was my second time visiting Disneyland, and the previous time, I went in the morning and left at 2pm. It was too boring for me as a grown up. But this time, it was more enjoyable as my nieces were having fun. =)

One of the reasons I hate visiting Disneyland is the crowd.

Too many people!!!

Kids are always kids. =)

The kids are easily satisfied and happy with simple things like a soft toy.

Sometimes, I hope I could be like them.

Happiness is visiting Disneyland.

=)

Parade in the afternoon

Mermaid!

The princesses

Peter Pan

Tinker Bell

Mickey Mouse

"Keena was a bit disappointed after meeting Mickey Mouse. 

She said "I don't that is the real Mickey Mouse. I think there is someone inside." 

=)

Papa and the girls.

My favourite part of Disneyland - Mickey's Toontown

It's quite magical.

Mermaid - Night Parade

Belle

The night parade in Disneyland is really the highlight for the day.

It's world class parade!

Look at the crowd. It's a painful journey to go home - really crowded, long queues at the tram (that will bring us to the car park), the girls were exhausted, traffic jam....

Well, at least, the girls enjoyed themselves. =)

Day 6 - LA to Vegas

The Airbnb neighborhood in LA.

Love the ample space (unlike the crowded Singapore).

On the road from LA to Las Vegas

Love the big space...

It was one of the worst droughts in the recent history of California.

LAS VEGAS STRIP

Wiki:"The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South in Clark County, Nevada, internationally known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos along its route. The Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) in length, located immediately south of the Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester(however, the Strip is often referred to as being "in Las Vegas"). Most of the Strip has been designated an All-American Road,^[2][3] and is considered a scenic route at night.^[4] Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resortproperties in the world are located on the Las Vegas Strip. Fifteen of the world's 25 largest hotels by room count are on the Strip, with a total of over 62,000 rooms.

One of the most visible aspects of Las Vegas' cityscape is its use of dramatic architecture. The rapidly evolving skyline and constant modernization of hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, and entertainment offerings on the Strip, have established it as one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the United States, and the world.^[5]"

After 45mins in Tommy Hilfiger - this was only the first round.

Almost immediately after we check-in the hotel, they indulged in their favorite past-time - shopping in factory outlets. At least 50% cheaper than the retail price in Singapore. 

Dinner in Chili's

It was a typical American Meal => big portion and quite nice (Cheese/Fried etc...)

I got an Asian palette, as I got sick of the food quite easy.

Too much and too heavy.