Stepped off the Plane at LAX

Sometimes when I haven’t blogged in ages, I forget what it feels like to blog. Then when I actually do get round to writing a post or checking out blogs or replying to comments, I feel a rush and I’m like, “Damn, Chynna. You should really get your sh*t together and keep up with the blogosphere more because this feeling is amazing.”

Moving on.

Oh, LA. Where do I even begin with LA? Of course, the ultimate highlight of my trip to LA was meeting Nancy for the first time ever in our 5/6 year blogger friendship. I specifically remember my airbnb hostess asking us when was the last time we saw each other and her reaction when we said this was the first time we’ve actually met. Hilarious.

Nancy – you are awesome and sweet and just as amazing as you are online. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I’m so grateful that you were there to show me around some of LA. I’m also so touched that you were willing to spend your birthday with me at Disney! Love you, girl ❤️ – and as Terminator would say, “I’ll be back.”

WEEK 2

DAY 8

Tonette had booked me a super early flight to LA at 7AM, so a pit stop to Starbucks as soon as I got to the airport was definitely needed. Also, can we just talk about the USA’s damn TSA lines? SO FREAKING LONG. Tip: always get there way early (perhaps 5 hours before your flight, even for short haul flights) because I thought I had got there early enough and yet I was still waiting in that line for what seemed like forever. Nevertheless, check in was smooth (for some reason I couldn’t check in online and had to actually do it at the airport – probably because I’m a foreigner ?) and as I only had hand luggage, I glided through security as well.

Virgin America is a decent airline, and even on short haul flights they have a TV, however what I don’t appreciate is them rebooking my flight for my return to the next day, leaving me to have to phone them to rearrange it back to the original day I was meant to fly to Seattle. Unfortunately, this meant that my 2 hour flight turned into a 1 hour flight, a stopover in San Francisco, and then 2 hours back to Seattle. Inconvenient, much?

I landed in LAX around 10AM. I booked an airbnb based in Glendale, on Nancy’s recommendation because that area is one of the nicer ones in LA (definitely do not want to go to Inglewood unless you’re hood, af). It’s a nice neighbourhood, and where I was situated was surrounded by tons of car dealerships – it got a little noisy at night, but according to reviews and Nancy, it is safer to be around there because security is top notch.

I had prebooked a seat on the FlyAway bus service to get me to Hollywood and then I took a bus to Glendale. It took me AGES, but I was on a budget, so I didn’t really want to take a taxi or Uber, as I knew it might come out a bit pricey. Compared to the $8 I spent on the FlyAway and $1.75 on the bus, I saved a fortune. The FlyAway is one of the best bus services I’ve used, as well. The seats are comfortable and there’s wifi on the bus, and you can book your tickets easily online, too. 10/10 would recommend.

My airbnb was really nice, situated in a quiet area. I was sharing it with a really nice girl, Yvonne, but I had the whole front part of the apartment to myself. My hostess was even kind enough to provide tea and coffee! I literally didn’t spend to much time in the airbnb, except to sleep really. Nevertheless, the bed was comfortable and whilst a little bigger than what I’m used too (I have a single bed at home), I can’t complain because it meant I could starfish all I wanted. Also, there was a fan which provided sweet relief when it got way too hot during the night.

Nancy picked me up from my airbnb and we went on a little cruise around Glendale. This included eating a lot of food, which I am happy report made my freaking day:

• First stop was In-N-Out because you can’t visit Cali without going here. If you went and didn’t go, then you failed in life. Best burgers and animal fries evvaaaahhhhhh. They also have a secret menu, which I will definitely be trying out next time I’m there.
• We then went to Griffith Observatory, which sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood. Honestly, some amazing views from up there. 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 closed on Mondays, so I didn’t get to go in.
• Next stop was more food at Seoul BBQ after flicking through Yelp reviews for AGES. It was an okay place for KBBQ, definitely not the best I’ve had but it filled me up nicely. Bonus was that because we went quite late in the day, the restaurant was pretty much empty.
• We then went to Whole Foods, Nancy’s favourite place on this Earth I swear. I can see why, though! I bought several green juices (because healthy lifestyle~) and there were the bomb.com, omg. I still have yet to check out the ones in London!
• Then it was a zoom over to Porto’s Bakery, where I picked up an iced latte. I also got a New York cheesecake, which was honestly out of this world <3
• Our last stop was Americana, a really nice mall in Glendale. I picked up some things in Bath and Body Works, and we wondered around the mall for a bit before we parted ways. We also went to Sprinkles’ Cupcakes, where I got a red velvet cupcake. That was devoured when I got back to my airbnb because by the time I bought it I was already pretty full, ha.
• I ate so much that day… #noragrets… And now for a photo dump!

Nancy dropped me off at my airbnb and I relaxed for a little bit before heading out to Hollywood. Be careful when you’re in Hollywood, because you may be approached asking if you want some of the green. I was asked at least 3 times, and I was literally just minding my own business. I was by myself for the evening, so I wondered everywhere on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and literally grinned like a lunatic when I’d find some of my favourite celebrities’ stars.

The Walk of Fame is sooooo long, I don’t even think I covered half but I ended up at TCL Chinese Theatre, which was really my main goal. I was happy looking at everyone’s handprints and signatures, so much so that when I finished walking around the first time, I went back AGAIN when I was walking back to the bus stop.

I love the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. I especially like all the street performers, who were especially entertaining. Despite all the tourists, it was a pretty decent walk around and even though I didn’t get to see more of Hollywood, I’m glad I got to see this part at least. Also, even though there were so many souvenir shops on the strip, I enjoyed every single one of them, haha.

I took so many photos of the stars and at the theatre. I won’t put all of them but here some of the few I did see, and a special guest appearance from Venom.

I was extremely exhausted by the time I got back because I walked so much (checked my Health app on my iPhone, and it said 9,789 steps. Although nothing compared to how much I walked the next day at Disney!) and literally went to sleep straight away, knowing that Disney was around the corner…

DAY 9

A thoroughly pleasant, exhausting, mildly tipsy, absolutely amazing day!

Nancy came to pick up me up early in the morning to make our way to Disneyland located in Anaheim. We spent about 13 hours~ at Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure Park, and of course it was a day filled with delicious food again. We literally went on every single ride, and despite having to wait ages for some of them, it was definitely worth it.

I also got to meet Amanda and her boyfriend, who were kind enough to treat us on our second trip to the Cove Bar. Thank you so much, guys <3

The Cove Bar is indeed the most magical place in Disney, I swear to the gods. They have a secret menu, and I am urging you right now to try the Earthquake. I won’t say anything more on what it is except that it is potent, af. Please believe that we went on Mickey’s Fun Wheel straight after eating/drinking, and I was feeling some type of way. As usual

My plan is to visit all of the Disney parks around the world. I’ve been to the one in Florida, Paris and now Cali!

We ended the night eating a fat off turkey leg, which was I can’t even describe.

I fell asleep in car on the way back, because I was that exhausted (according to Health app: 27,377 steps!) but woke up to obviously say goodbye to Nancy and with the promise of definitely coming back for longer, that ended my last full day in LA.

DAY 10

Literally spent most of the day in airports trying to get back to Seattle, ha. I again took the FlyAway bus service, this time Union Station to LAX. Again check in was smooth and I landed in San Francisco safely. I wish my stopover was longer because I would have LOVED to explore San Fran, but alas, I can always come back.

I eventually made it back to Seattle, where my Tito picked me up and we met up with my cousins at the mall. As if I hadn’t eaten enough in the past two days, we went to Johnny Rockets where I indulged on burger, fries and an Oreo milkshake. I am the definition of fat life.

Pretty decent, m8.

Thoughts: LA is an amazing place, full of so many things to do. When I go back I will definitely need to visit the beaches, and other touristy attractions but I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to go out there and at least see some of it when I was in the US!