Some photos taken on our first walks around LA...

These were all taken yesterday after we had arrived and had to wander around a bit until our room was ready...

For those who know LA, our hotel is in Sth Flower St near 7th. 

Some scenes not far from our hotel...

The next collage is of the Visual Arts Building...the detailed sculptures could grace a cathedral, they are so beautiful...there was an exhibition of neon images in the lobby. I got DH to take a photo of the dog as a few friends love dachshunds!! 

The small area of city that we walked around contained a number of pieces of public art...such as in this shopping complex...

And these...

I asked this poor man if there was anything I could do to help...but he had completely lost his head! Lol. The bell is a Peace Bell donated to the city from Japan and the third picture shows some gold sculptures on this refurbished building. 

DH taking photos again...I loved all the areas planted with succulents...they are everywhere and yes...I did wish I could have a cutting of some of them! :-). The doll in Target reminded me of the dolls my girls had 30 years ago! 

Police cars parked, with police officers seated in the vehicles...waiting for trouble?

Love the angles and shadows of those fire escapes. 

When our room was ready, we showered and then napped for a few hours. Then we went for a walk in the opposite direction to our first walk...a huge redevelopment worth 2 billion apparently and is still a work in progress...Staples Center, Convention Centre and heaps of other places in the one area. 

And more public art! 

It was quite dark by the time we were walking back...

Our hotel...

We used local knowledge to find a hotel...DH's cousin in Huntington Beach gave us suggestions based on safety, proximity to attractions and subway and bus stops. And also she advised us of the side of the 110 Freeway (which goes through the middle of the city) was better in terms of access ability. 

Today we used the 'hop on hop off buses'...heaps of photos to sort through as we travelled an incredible number of miles!!! 

Travels...

Since last October, DH and I had the idea that this year we would visit DsD3 in Canada, but our planned March/April departure just didn't happen due to health issues for both of us. Eventually though, plane tickets were purchased for a July 22 departure. 

Then a month ago, another health 'drama' for DH; some routine tests showed there could be a problem with the prostate. So everything to do with travelling was put on hold...

Visits to a specialist...

Some scans, examinations and more blood tests were done but the specialist needed more information...and so it was that DH had a MRI  done as well...the specialist said don't cancel your holiday...time for that if the MRI results were not encouraging. But keeping the appointment to see the doctor after the MRI, became difficult...

The specialist couldn't make the appointment as he was 'stuck' in Bali because of the volcanic ash clouds!!! DH's appointment was moved twice with the final date being Mon July 20! 

 But luckily, due to the circumstances, when the doctor finally arrived home late last Friday afternoon, he rang DH to say that there were no signs of cancer...have the holiday and then go back to him afterwards for some surgery. So it was quite a rush then to finish organising things for the trip!

So this is the scene, July 22...the International Airport Brisbane...

We had booked 'Premium Economy' instead of our usual Economy or 'Cattle Class' as it's often referred to. Because of his ill health this year, DH had decided to book the more expensive class; mind you, I didn't argue!!! Lol

It was worth the money...no queuing, more room, nicer food, attentive staff, white cloths and napkins, cloth towels in the toilets and just very comfortable all round. No plastic either...even the water was served in glass. 

One of our fellow passengers kindly took this photo...

Our plane was delayed by poor visibility at Brisbane Airport so we took off an hour late. And 12 1/2 hours later we landed at LA...at 7am, Wednesday July 22...yep! We get 2 July 22s lol. 

Even though we had booked for an early check in at our hotel, the room wouldn't be ready until 12.30...so we put our belongings in the office and then headed out to walk around the streets...despite having had little or no sleep for nearly 24 hours...as you do though when you travel into different time zones. 

DH bought a phone and we walked and walked...stopping eventually for a cuppa and some free WiFi. 

So for the next 5 weeks my posts will share our adventures with you....

( after a shower and a 4 hour nap, we felt quite 'human' again and we went walking around again this evening)