West Coast USA – Day 22 and Au Revoir!

Apparently I snored like a trooper last night. No-one has said so much but the thunderous looks I’ve got off a tired-looking Jane lead me to feel that is most definitely the case.

I woke around 6:30am, showered under the 12” “Rainfall” shower-head, packed up my gear and had a coffee on our balcony, savouring the last of the Santa Monica beachfront sun until the others stirred.

We got rid of all of the crap that had accumulated over the three weeks: emergency water supplies from before Death Valley, now-stale cookies, Oreos, 10 bags of crisps (“chips”) that no one likes (they were in a selection box), and other such rubbish. I pity housekeeping, having to clear all that lot up! Actually, I don’t. Not at $450/night by the time state tax, tourist tax, Trump tax, and just shy of $40/night parking had all been added on! It was a lovely, modern hotel though and in the best spot, hence the premium.

At Check-Out, we had a “discussion” about the additional $200+ that had been charged as a holding deposit, and confirmation that this would be credited back.

We’ve been using a “Revolut” debit card whilst here. A card that Jane had pre-loaded with dollars at a far more favourable rate than using a GBP card and an app that shows you instantly when any charges or credits are levied against it.

But it’s a right old setup here, and one I don’t fully trust, tbh. You (or they) swipe or insert your card, they then print a receipt, which you then write on, adding any tip and reconfirming a total, and then manually sign. At some indeterminate point in the future they will then punch in the total number and charge your card. Open to abuse for sure, so some careful reconciliations to be done when we got home.

The car was delivered to us in good time today, so a final sweep for anything ours, and we set off for LAX, and Alamo Car Hire Return.

Only a half hour drive, with surprisingly little traffic, so we found the return place without issue, and we’re guided to our drop-off spot. The guy did a quick walk inspection, signed the docket, and asked about any issues. I explained the manual override key doesn’t work, and that because of this, we had ended up paying for a jump start. He signed this off and told us to go see customer service to sort out.

So we did. The guy serving us was having none of it, and was insistent that we paid the $70. So we became very American and kicked up a fuss. And got the $70 credited back!

A shuttle bus from there to Terminal

B, the bags dropped off without issue, and even strolled through security. Totally different experience from the last time at LAX which was being refurbed at the time and was hell on earth!

The plan was to look for brunch at the airport, but having checked the food court and seen the queues, we bailed and headed off the to exec lounge instead.

The KAL Lounge on Level 5 had only just opened (12pm-8pm) so we did have a short queue to get in., but it was worth it! Must confess, it’s easy to get used to comfy seats, decent free WiFi, a relaxed atmosphere and the complimentary food and drinks.

Fair play to the fella that was making the most of the “pour your own spirits” section, as I counted 4 “large” Absolut Vodka Bloody Mary’s in about 10 minutes! And I t was only 12:20pm!

Our flight was a 3:30pm depart, so we had plenty of time to kill, and so got good value out of the lounge entry.

At around 2:40, we left the lounge, had a quick mooch in the shops, and then started the long walk to Gate 159, the farthest one away.

We were one of the last to board our 747-400, without making anyone wait, and got reasonable seats three in a row, on the starboard side, with seemingly pleasant folk around us (and no p#ssed-up lass from Leeds, this time).

Pushback was bang on 3:30pm and we taxied out, getting airborne around 20 minutes later. It is a big, big airport, after all!

This 747 must have had a more recent overhaul than our outbound aircraft, as the entertainment system was miles better – a better screen & movie selection.

It was going so well, until food was served and we ended up being last. Which meant the chicken curry had run out, and we ended up with a veggy pasta. Given Charlie doesn’t like cheese, that meant he had a buttered bread roll!

I watched “Ready Player One”, which I thought was really good, and then a really ridiculous “Liam Neeson as an ex-cop, with his family in danger”, called the Commuter. It passed time. That’s my movie review for that one!

I then watched Detroit (John Boyega and Will Poulter) about the 1967 civil unrest and in particular the alleged murder of three black men by police officers in a motel. Frightening that this was a very real storyline.

Like Charlie, I didn’t get any sleep, although Jane seems to have done well!

Back into UK time now, so 9:37am and we were in a holding pattern 8,000ft over London, touchdown at 9:46am and at the Gate at 9:51am! All nice and quick!

A potter around T5, after a bit of a queue through security. And then after just short of 2 hours, we went to gate A22 to board the little Airbus A319 that was going to get us back up to Manchester.

There’s always a lot less enthusiasm for air travel when it’s just to get you home rather than away for your hols, and especially so when you know that 18 hours from now, you’ll be setting off to work!

Just the little matter of baggage reclaim at Manchester and the taxi ride home, both of which went without a hitch.

Now back home and waiting for our dog to be repatriated from his Auntie Shiela’s, and able to reflect on the hols, before the Arsenal v Man City game starts in half an hour.

I’ve already cracked open a bottle of my super-matured homebrew Amber Ale, and raised a glass to our holiday, and our new build out the back! Cheers, Andy, it’s looking brilliant!

We’ve all thoroughly enjoyed what has been a holiday of a lifetime! We may not have made Yosemite, but it didn’t end up detracting and we’ve had a right old adventure! Jane and I still find Death Valley a magical place, but Zion is right up there as one of our most favourite places on the trip. But then there’s Bryce, and Gand Canyon, and Sedona, and Meteor Crater, and Venice Beach, and…well, you get the idea!

So that’s me done for blogging for a while now! Been really surprised at the number of folk that have been reading them, and especially those that have confessed to even enjoying reading them!

I’ve really just been writing them for my own pleasure, so it’s great to hear that it’s entertained a few others as well. Thanks for the messages, we had a bloody fabulous time!

Tara for now!

Chris, Jane & Charlie!