USA South Coast Trip Part 2: LAS VEGAS

USA South Coast Trip Part 2: LAS VEGAS

My next stop in the US is the beautiful city of Las Vegas. After watching The Hangover, I told myself that I have to go there at least once. I expected a city of neon lights, people and fun...and Las Vegas did not disappoint.
It was absolutely stunning.

 
 We visited three different buildings...The Venetian, Luxor and Bellagio. All of these buildings were BEAUTIFUL...I was awed. Bellagio in particular had lots of flower decorations that change every season. There's a lot more displays but if I wanted to fit them all in this post, it would take me forever.

 

While we were at Las Vegas, we headed for the Grand Canyon...or so I thought. It turned out that it wasn't even actually the official Grand Canyon. It was called Grand Canyon West...
It was scary for me to be around the edge because I feel like the rocks will break any moment. I'm slightly acrophobic so I don't really do well with heights.
 But besides that, I enjoyed Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. It was a really good experience.
Next up...back to Los Angeles for the Universal Studio! 

USA South Coast Trip Part 1: LOS ANGELES

USA South Coast Trip Part 1: LOS ANGELES

So what did I do this Christmas? I went overseas from Shanghai, China to the south cost of USA. Which better city to start off with than Los Angeles?
Landing in LA was a relief after more than 10hrs of intense plane ride.Warming up with a cup of coffee.

Our first stop was El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and we visited Olvera Street. Our tour guide told us that it was the oldest part of Los Angeles. It was really peaceful there and there was even a rotunda with statues depicting the birth of Christ. I think it was a part of the Christmas concert that was suppose to take place on Christmas Eve.
I swear the views there were amazing. It was sunny the day we landed and you won't believe the amount of palm trees they have in LA. Not just at tourist sites, but EVERYWHERE. They must really love palm trees up there.

Our next stop was the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by FRANK GEHRY. Seriously though, the moment I saw it I was like..."ahahaha that's totally Frank Gehry" before they even told me it was a Frank Gehry. Why? Because it looks so much like the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

And only in the US will you have ads like this!

I wonder if they actually get good business...

After the Disney Concert Hall was the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I spent about an hour looking for Johnny Depp's star but couldn't find it. 
But hey! I met Captain Jack Sparrow instead =D so that really made up for it.

But that's not even the most exciting thing. What really excited me was the handprints of...

Spielberg is absolutely amazing. I seriously loved all of his work. From Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Jaws and then the Jurassic Park series. And of course...footprints from the Harry Potter and Twilight gang! Not to mention a picture with my favourite SHREK character!!!

Did I mention that Americans love their palm trees?

Later that afternoon we headed for Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any celebrities which was a really big disappointment. 

LA was strangely quiet...but maybe because everyone was at work. It seemed like a nice place to live though.

The next day we left LA to head for Las Vegas which will be continued in my next post.

Happy 2012!

Happy 2012!

I'm back in Sydney! And it's the end of 2011...and the beginning of 2012.
A time for new beginnings and a time to say goodbye to other things. There's no time for regrets.
I'm excited.

And I wish you all a year of new opportunities.