The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA, 23 Jan 1987
23 Jan 1986, Thu (Los Angeles, CA)
Low 40 High 61
Well our last full day. I cannot believe that it is nearly over. Detroit seems like months ago but then so does Disneyland. Our days have just been so full. Heading out under grey skies, we drove down (on the freeway, where else) to Long Beach. Paid $3 to park to see the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose. After waking into the huge dome and a short slide/sound show (which by the way they are big on over here, they are usually very well produced, I wonder why they don’t make films, probably the expense) the curtains rose and we gazed our eyes upon the largest plane evert built. It was quite a sight, quite a mammoth piece of construction. Walked around it and had a ‘ride’ in the “Time Voyager” an amusing attraction where we sit in an environment similar to that of a picture theatre but supposedly a space ship and go on a test flight into space. It was mainly a light show, oh and our seats moved but ours particularly, only sideways because we were in the back. Also, a little space creature thought he’d be funny, but he wasn’t. We were basically unimpressed. Ventured next door to the Queen Mary, the largest passenger liner in the world and did a basic self-guided tour although we missed a fair bit., Saw the engine room and propeller section, The Bridge (Captain’s position) and display examples of areas as they were, e.g. maid quarters, First Class, the sleeping areas for the troops when it was used as a carrier during WW2. The ship has quite a history. Part of it now operates as a hotel but we did not get to see that part. It poured with rain while we were on the ship and was quite grey and foggy, but it cleared by the time we left around 2.00. It is a nuisance and shame that we cannot give as much time as we would like to certain things. Got back on the freeway and made our way to Beverley Hills. Main drag of Santa Monica Boulevard pretty busy, then to Sunset Boulevard. Got ripped off totally by paying $6.30 for a map of the stars’ homes so drove up and around the hills of those on the map we saw Dean Martins and Walter Pidgeon (I wonder why?). I felt like we were trespassing. All beautiful homes. I felt almost uncomfortable, they must hate tourists. The roads are narrow and windy, and they are is quite maze like. A campus of UCLA sits in the middle (almost) of it all. Got a little lost at times. Peter really has been great. I could never drive in this city, but he handles it really well. Actually, you have to drive like them to get anywhere but at least we use our indicator. I get quite tired and headachy being a passenger all the time especially in the midst of traffic, stopping and starting. I feel almost guilty about it because it’s Peter who has what I think is the pressure of driving, but he prefers it that way and thinks being a passenger is worse! He has really been so great. We drove over to Hollywood Boulevard after deciding to come back tomorrow possibly and film. Soon found Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and checked out all the cement stars foot/handprints and signatures and took a walk along the stars on the footpath. There are heaps, a lot surprisingly I have never heard of. There are little emblems which shows what category of the entertainment industry they are from, Music, Film, TV, Radio. The area becomes a little sleazy after a while which is unfortunate so while heading back to the car we jaywalked and at once got called over by a motorcycle cop but were let off on a warning (how generous). Went back to Sizzlin’ Steaks for tea, got a little wayward on the way but made it back. Place was packed but enjoyed a nice meal. The people have really got me over here, there are so many, and they only seem to care about themselves and of course the money they can make. We saw star maps later for $2.,50. Talk about getting taken for a ride for a song. I suppose it is the service industry which with whom we are constantly dealing. Bought an apple pastry at lunch for $1.25 and got zip apple. Promptly returned it and got our $1.25 back. Spent the evening packing (what a mess) and watching TV “Miami” Nice “Vice” Mice.
AMFAC Hotel, 8601 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA, 23 Jan 1987
23 Jan 1986, Thu (Los Angeles, CA)
Low 40 High 61
Well our last full day. I cannot believe that it is nearly over. Detroit seems like months ago but then so does Disneyland. Our days have just been so full. Heading out under grey skies, we drove down (on the freeway, where else) to Long Beach. Paid $3 to park to see the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose. After waking into the huge dome and a short slide/sound show (which by the way they are big on over here, they are usually very well produced, I wonder why they don’t make films, probably the expense) the curtains rose and we gazed our eyes upon the largest plane evert built. It was quite a sight, quite a mammoth piece of construction. Walked around it and had a ‘ride’ in the “Time Voyager” an amusing attraction where we sit in an environment similar to that of a picture theatre but supposedly a space ship and go on a test flight into space. It was mainly a light show, oh and our seats moved but ours particularly, only sideways because we were in the back. Also, a little space creature thought he’d be funny, but he wasn’t. We were basically unimpressed. Ventured next door to the Queen Mary, the largest passenger liner in the world and did a basic self-guided tour although we missed a fair bit., Saw the engine room and propeller section, The Bridge (Captain’s position) and display examples of areas as they were, e.g. maid quarters, First Class, the sleeping areas for the troops when it was used as a carrier during WW2. The ship has quite a history. Part of it now operates as a hotel but we did not get to see that part. It poured with rain while we were on the ship and was quite grey and foggy, but it cleared by the time we left around 2.00. It is a nuisance and shame that we cannot give as much time as we would like to certain things. Got back on the freeway and made our way to Beverley Hills. Main drag of Santa Monica Boulevard pretty busy, then to Sunset Boulevard. Got ripped off totally by paying $6.30 for a map of the stars’ homes so drove up and around the hills of those on the map we saw Dean Martins and Walter Pidgeon (I wonder why?). I felt like we were trespassing. All beautiful homes. I felt almost uncomfortable, they must hate tourists. The roads are narrow and windy, and they are is quite maze like. A campus of UCLA sits in the middle (almost) of it all. Got a little lost at times. Peter really has been great. I could never drive in this city, but he handles it really well. Actually, you have to drive like them to get anywhere but at least we use our indicator. I get quite tired and headachy being a passenger all the time especially in the midst of traffic, stopping and starting. I feel almost guilty about it because it’s Peter who has what I think is the pressure of driving, but he prefers it that way and thinks being a passenger is worse! He has really been so great. We drove over to Hollywood Boulevard after deciding to come back tomorrow possibly and film. Soon found Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and checked out all the cement stars foot/handprints and signatures and took a walk along the stars on the footpath. There are heaps, a lot surprisingly I have never heard of. There are little emblems which shows what category of the entertainment industry they are from, Music, Film, TV, Radio. The area becomes a little sleazy after a while which is unfortunate so while heading back to the car we jaywalked and at once got called over by a motorcycle cop but were let off on a warning (how generous). Went back to Sizzlin’ Steaks for tea, got a little wayward on the way but made it back. Place was packed but enjoyed a nice meal. The people have really got me over here, there are so many, and they only seem to care about themselves and of course the money they can make. We saw star maps later for $2.,50. Talk about getting taken for a ride for a song. I suppose it is the service industry which with whom we are constantly dealing. Bought an apple pastry at lunch for $1.25 and got zip apple. Promptly returned it and got our $1.25 back. Spent the evening packing (what a mess) and watching TV “Miami” Nice “Vice” Mice.
AMFAC Hotel, 8601 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA