Day 4: Six flags

This update is a day late as I was way too tired last night!

The weather on Sunday had improved compared to the past few days. Was partly cloudy and pretty warm when the sun came out.

Mum was completely not interested in coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain (Roller coaster theme park) so instead we dropped her off at a shopping centre before we headed off. We arrived at the park just after opening which proved to be a mistake because as Dad and I lined up for the first ride there was already a fair queue. Daniel opted out of this one his reasoning as "its spinny"which he dislikes, but really he probably chickened out. After conquering my favourite ride from the last trip X2 we described as insane! It really was! The first drop was 90 degrees face down and you get flipped around to go with the direction of the coaster, facing backwards and upside down.

X2 The black and red one

We followed the park around going on all the coasters, 12 total. Another favourite was one called Tatsu. You sit in a harness restraint thingy that goes over your head and locks into place, then your legs are also locked in and then the seats get tilted forward so that you are then face down in a Superman like position. The ride was loved by all and was one of the best of the day, despite the half an hour wait.

Fountain with Tatsu in the background

Tatsu from up the Skytower

 Just before lunch and feeling a little knocked around after 5 coasters it was time for the most feared coaster of the day... Goliath. Last time we were there it was being repainted so was closed and this time we were determined to go on. The height of the first drop of the coaster is extreme and goes so fast! People have been known to black out on the coaster and at one very tight corner I felt myself feel a little grey for a second. It was overrated compared to other rides, but was still great fun!

Goliath coaster

Met some characters

 Exhausted and hunger taking over we left the park about 5.45pm. Over here it gets dark about 4.30-5.00pm so the last ride we went on was actually in the dark and it just so happened to be a standing up coaster and yes, it had a loop to loop. It had a much longer wait than we thought, but turned out to be another favourite of mine. Once we left we went to pick Mum up from another set of shops. She'd had a solid 7 or so hours shopping and even had to make a pitstop back to the room at one stage to drop the bags. She managed to buy some things for herself for a change and she had a really great day!!

Picking her up we were meant to go for a drive to find a place for dinner. Starving we ended up stopping at the first place we saw... Coco's Bakery Cafe. It was a lovely little restaurant and we all found something lovely to eat before it was time to settle down for the night. I was out like a light and went to bed very early, or should I say early compared to every other night.

Day 3: Shopping time

Today was the day I've been waiting for shopping at a HUGE outlet centre!!

We started off by packing up our Hermosa unit before we headed off. The weather today is again very cloudy but we also got rain, especially while driving later in the day! Made it very humid!! Dad's driving has been amazing.. the rain was very misty and it was foggy which made it even more difficult.

View from Hermosa unit (3rd floor)

Abbot Kinney road in Venice beach was the first spot of shopping for today.  Saw a WELL overloaded car on the way which amused us all. We got to visit the recommended shops by Amy Tangerine. Mum and I had been very much looking forward to going to Urbanic. The items did not disappoint, however it was pricey and I only bought a Paris journal *Of course* and Mum some little crafty notes. A shop called Firefly was also visited at the time. Dad was very intrigued and again amused by a skateboarding man, who we think wasn't fully there. He needed something to keep him amused while we had a look in the shops, however, we were quick in our opinion!

Crazy overloaded car

Shop front of Urbanic

Following the shopping we drove along the end of Venice beach. We didn't get out as the weather was ordinary, however I'm sure it would be very nice on a hot sunny day. Volleyball nets are all the craze over here!

Venice beach from the road

In shocking weather we next drove through Malibu. There was lots of surfers out in the what appeared to big rough waves. Was quite a sight to drive through rock faces. It was literally the ocean, sand, some houses right on the sand, a mountain, a cliff, the road and another mountain for much of the way. Mum was in desperate need of a nap, so nodded off and missed most of Malibu and I managed to miss some action when I had a quick nap too. There was what the boys said was a rockfall and sweeper trucks driving along the side of the road clearing it up. Dad just missed it, but the car in front got hit.

Driving through Malibu

Along the side of the road just after Malibu there was also veggies growing. Total change of scenery, but was very beautiful. The food was growing right to the edge of the road and continued as far as the eye could see with no fences separating them with the road.

Veggie growing

We arrived at the Camarillo Outlets just before 1pm. Before shopping we went and ate lunch in a packed food hall. Saturday is clearly very busy! I made a dent early on, in 2 of the first 6 or so shops. My excuse (not that I need one): I only brought virtually only the clothes I was wearing I need to wear something!

Some of my purchases

Everyone found multiple things to buy at various shops. Daniel let the moths fly buying jumpers, Dad also got some jumpers, Mum, some vests, jumpers and a bag and Me.... Well I got a bit of everything! Jumpers, trackies, tshirts etc and also a bag. It is safe to say I took the shopping record award today!! After a mammoth effort of about 5 hours with aching feet and legs we headed off in search of dinner, with Del Taco (Mexican fast food) the voted choice. Food here is so much cheaper, it really is ridiculous. Dinner only cost $20!!

Next we finally drove to our next accommodation in Valencia. Was freeway all the way, rising up and down through the mountains. It felt like it took forever but was only about 40 minutes. We arrived about 7.30pm. Mum really does want that eye mask now.... The accommodation is nice, but on the smaller side, with the rapidly expanding suit cases not helping!!

The bed of purchases

After dropping off our luggage and purchases in our room, Mum, Dad and I headed off to Michaels (Craft store). We had a wonderful time exploring the different variety of items. Some damage was done, with some items being very cheap due to sales. We bought our books that we are both going to do our america trip books in. My fingers are itching to start and brain bulging with ideas!

Tomorrow is another day I have been very much looking forward to. We are going to Six Flags Magic Mountain, which is a rollercoaster theme park. Daniel, Dad and I are heading off there while Mum is going off on her much awaited shopping trip ALL ALONE! She's been looking forward to this, so hopefully the Westfield will have lots of shops and wifi for her to explore before she goes for another look at Michaels and other shops in that strip.

Sleep is calling for my very weary legs! Not sure that tomorrow will assist this matter, but no doubt the three of us will have a blast being thrown in all directions!

A couple of things we have noticed so far:

• The locals have trouble understanding us, often asking us to repeat things
• The drivers are very courteous on local roads letting you cross if you are standing on the side of the road, but on freeways they just stick their blinkers on and go
• My american accent is improving by the day
• Whenever you say thankyou they respond with "mmmmhhhmmm"
• They nearly always ask "are you finding everything okay?" or when you pay "did you find everything okay?"
• Mum's navigation skills are improving! Or should I say her ability to read the direction given on the rear vision mirror. (Letters were being light up on it and it wasn't until she figured out that they were the direction we were going that it made sense!). It is a constant joke about which direction we are going and the ability of her to know it.

The mirror

Day 2: The beaches

Today was the day for exploring the local beach areas. After a little sleepin we headed off to explore Hermosa Beach, the suburb we are staying in. It really is quite cute, with a gorgeous main street. We continued onto our first Fry's store (electronics). The boys were happy to look at something other than Mum's and my shops I'm sure.

After Fry's next stop was Santa Monica. The weather today started off cloudy then the sun broke through late morning, which was quite warm then clouded right over again after that. I'm hoping we start getting a bit of sun, although you wouldn't say its cold! It's about 20 degrees and its obvious we are tourists with the boys wearing shorts and tshirts and the locals rugged up wearing coats and jackets.

I'd been looking forward to going to Third Street Promenade. Its got lots of shops to look at, although a lot are on the more exclusive side. We found a spot for lunch which had free wifi *It's everywhere over here!*. The street is lined with palm trees with decorations down the middle and lights hanging from the palm trees, which I'm sure would look beautiful at night!

Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade

Delightful character we met today

Group selfie at Santa Monica beach

After exploring there it was time to walk to the Santa Monica pier. We didn't get a chance to do this last time, but I'm really glad we did this time. The water was very hazy or foggy, however it still made a very pretty photo. We didn't go into the little amusement park near the end of the pier, but instead walked along looking at the shops (mostly souvenirs) and admiring the view and the birds, especially a group of pelican like birds that were dive bombing into the water.

Santa Monica beach

From end of Santa Monica pier

Santa Monica beach from pier

There are a lot of homeless people around these areas and it's common to see people walking along the footpath waving signs passing drivers that they have a family and can't pay the rent for example.

We also went for a drive through Venice beach. Mum and I have shops we want to look at, but didn't know the address so we are going back to visit there in the morning. After a quick pit stop at the unit we headed back to Del Amo shopping centre. We each found something for dinner, different cusines by all *Mexican is in abundance* but then only had 30 minutes left to look at the shops. I went and looked at a few and Mum headed off to JoAnn's again, but we were both under time constraint with them wanting to close and again we couldn't have a good look. On the way there Mum experienced night freeway driving all over again. It is certainly far from her favourite thing with the offering of new underwear and a new brake peddle. She would very much love to wear her eye mask from the plane on these journeys!! We have come to the conclusion that American drivers are very courteous, however most speed well above the speed limit. Dad is doing extremely well with the driving, but driving on the wrong side of the road is still very weird.

Tomorrow we are off to our first outlet centre and its a HUGE one!! It will take many hours to explore. I'm in desperate need of some clothes considering I brought very few with me so I'm sure I'll find plenty to buy there to buy. I have been somewhat reluctant to get any clothes and have only got a few things so far as the outlets are so much cheaper and will probably have more variety. Tomorrow will test Daniel's patience greatly! He is already over shopping yet we have hardly touched the surface and outlets are a whole new world!

Mum and I still feel like we are dreaming but no doubt all the shopping tomorrow will give us a shake up! That's all for today..

Day 1

And we're here!! 
After a rough VERY rough 13 and a bit hour flight we have made it safely back to land. The turbulance was shocking throughout the flight and I spent 2/3 of it sleeping trying to wear off the motion sickness. Daniel managed very little sleep along with Mum and Dad got the odd hour.
V Australia was great and Mum and I loved watched a couple of movies. Mum even cleared immigration this time with NO hassles!!
We went to pick up our rental car and after much deliberation amongst the boys (about and hour) they ended choosing a Nissan Pathfinder. We ended up choosing luggage room over comfort as no doubt we'll have all these cases full and another 4 to fit in!

The weather here today is very overcast and foggy with a tiny bit of sun poking through every now and then with the odd spot or two of rain. Not cold for us, but the locals are wearing jackets!

First stop was Westfield Fox Hills. We planted ourselves in the foodcourt and turned on wifi and away we went, catching up with what we had missed and emailing. We only had a quick look around before we headed off to The Grove Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market has mostly exclusive shops but has great character and looks just gorgeous dressed up for christmas! We each found something for lunch in the little market foodcourt area.

Feeling totally exhausted it was time to check into our accommodation. It's on the old side, but it's clean and if it wasn't cloudy we would have a great view from up on the third level, looking out over the ocean in the distance.

More shopping was next on the agenda. This time at a Target, Walmart, Staples (office supply store) *Quite disappointing* and then the Delamo Shopping Centre. We had Johnny Rockets for dinner for the first time and Mum left raving about her burger and Daniel about the cute ice in the HUGE glasses. We are all pretty spaced out, but have found shops that need to be further explored so we will have to venture back at some stage. 

Not wanting to miss an opportunity despite our tiredness Mum and I very quickly ventured into JoAnn's under time constraint. What a shame there just happened to be a sale on a some craft items and we had to make the visit count!! When we go back, I have no doubt that every inch of the store will be explored and more damage will be done.

So far everything has felt completely surreal, like I am yet to wake up from my dream.
I'm sure tomorrow we will all be wide awake and ready for our next day of exploring!