The arts district

As an outsider, I find LA an unusual city insofar as the number of districts in the city centre, it's hard to work out where one district ends and the other starts. Wandering around the fashion district, I strolled up and found skid row after on route to arts district - that was a learning experience for me. I didn't really know where the art galleries were, I just wandered around a little lost and viewed a number of painted buildings - quite strange really.

Staying in East LA

Trying to save a few dollars, some accommodation in East LA was sourced, I can't complain as the Greyhound Station required some walking (no buses came by), we then got onto the second bus route and that took us all the way to the hotel. Our hotel looked more like a hotel from a porn movie, a large mirror in front of the bed and the place was just dirty. I was regretting staying here, we should have looked for something a little more expensive downtown. I think the trick is to get out of the place first thing in the morning and not come back until late, there isn't much to interest me in East LA, that will be the last time I ever come to this part of town.

The Las Vegas Flamingo

Another of the famous Las Vegas casinos, the oldest casino still operating on the strip, opened late in 1946, this casino has a fairly colourful history with Bugsy Siegel and associates kicking it off.

There was plenty going on at the Las Vegas Flamingo, even though I was wandering around the gaming floor, I couldn't gamble even if I wanted to, I have no idea how to play. Still, it was pretty good to walk around the strip.

Caesars Palace

Hanging out at Caesars Palace during the day. Strange place to be as neither of us gamble and there is no chance of catching a Celine Dion concert in the evening. Still, is was a pretty good way to spend the day and i might even consider going back some time in the future.

Heading to Las Vegas

This was one of these bus trips you are not looking forward to, start in San Diego and up to the outskirts of LA before off to Las Vegas. Even though you are starting nice and early, it is going to be a long day cramped in a bus.

Time to say goodbye to San Diego and another small adventure awaits in Las Vegas, to be honest, never been a fan of Vegas despite never been there so kind of half excited. Not a gambler, not interested in drinking much and not much money for the famous Vegas shows, is this a mistake?

USS Midway

Absolutely loved stepping aboard the USS Midway museum, spent about 6 hours looking over this floating museum and walked away thinking not a minute was wasted.

On hand, easily identified were plenty of former sailors ready to answer questions and show you around, great stories were told. 

We climbed all over the ship starting at the flight deck laden with aircraft before moving to the main hangar to below decks including multiple galleys, engineering, metal working shops, welding shops, a post office and the anchor retrieval mechanism amongst some of the rooms on display. Worth every dollar after the initial shock of the ticket price of $20 per person.

Hitting the waterfront

Headed out to the waterfront to take a walk around, certainly wasn't disappointed, there is plenty of shipping moored on the wharf within easy walking distance. People were getting ready to go out, it seemed a great vibe, there was all ages out and about, just wish the budget was not so tight.