Only In America

So we get to the airport TWO hours before our domestic flight to Seattle.

The check in was pretty lengthy, but then we had to wait in the Security line.

Not only did it wind several times around an internal staircase, but it then went out to the carpark as well! Here's a shot.

Once we finally made it to the front we had to take off our shoes and jackets too.

Damn 911. Mum and I then ordered Burger King for brekkie, but had to leave it behind cause our plane was boarding.

Mmm, Burger King.....

Damn Terriers

My mum got bitten by a neighbourhood dog, on her final night in San Jose.

I came home from San Fran, and was taken to see her in the Emergency Room.

$1300 later, she came out with hobbling. Luckily the owner paid for it all. Stupid Fox Terrier! My poor Mummy :(

Last Day In San Fran

I was going to head to the Manga exhibition at the
Asian Art Museum - but I rocked up too late.
So how was I to fill the time? Shopping of course.
Here's some pix of my final day.
The guys to the right reminded me of The White Stripes - excpet the drummer is a guy, and not as hot as Meg.
To the left - a sample of street art.

This Ain't Right

First of all, this photo was taken at the local swapmeet.

So the two main beverages that seem to be served there are Pepsi and Beer.

But - c'mon, THIRTY-FIVE?!?!

No-one's safe!

Its Hard Being Fat

Aren't these seals cute?!?!?

Its pretty funny watching them try to get themselves onto a rock, or back into the water.

They make lying in the sun and being fat, look like hard work.

The picture on the left was taken on the 17 Mile beach drive.

The seals on the right were at Pier 39.

Oh, And By The Way

So, the whole reason why I'm here - is to visit my rellies. Thought it might be nice to add some pix - just to prove that I am getting quality family time in too...!

Arnold, Amy, Alex - me, my Mum, Quyen and my uncle. These guys live in Anaheim (right near Disneyland). Anaheim is a city inside the Orange County (aka The OC). They all drive fast and like, eat fish tacos, right?

This is my uncle Jimmy, who I call Chu Bon - which means Uncle Four, in Vietnamese. And that's cause he's the third oldest in my Dad's side of the family. Yeh, the third oldest, but called Uncle Four - its a confusing culture. Anyway, he lives the life in Vegas.

And yes, I'm wearing the same clothes in both shots - but these were taken on the same day. However, if you've noticed that I'm wearing the same clothes in a lot of the pix, its unlikely I actually went to all the places on the same day - its just that I only packed 3 outfits and repitition is a fact of life, when you pack minimally !

The "Beach"

Today, my uncle drove us out to 17 Mile Beach.

Aren't these chipmunk/squirrels SO cute?!?!?! But can you believe, I found them at the BEACH?!?!?

I won't be too harsh. I understand that nothing will ever come close to

beating Perth beaches - but this was seriously depressing.

Just look at all those rocks!

Um, and this is Summer?!?

THE HOUSES

And another reason to love this place - the brightly painted houses, just like I remember seeing at the beginning of every Full House episode I watched. Good ol' Full House - remember DJ? Wonder if they Olsen twins stay in touch with her. ...

My New Home

Yesterday, we caught the bus to the Haight district.

And I immediately fell in love.

The place is full of rare shoes, vintage clothes, organic food, skaters, record shops and artwork.

Heaps of street posters were up for past and upcoming gigs. I'll only be missing out on DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Z-Trip and Modest Mouse. Sigh...

Haight, when will I see you again?

NOTE: The chess players featured to the right, are actually in San Fran city - but I like to pretend that this cool bit of culture is part of my favourite place, Haight :)

These Cups Remind Me of Friends (The TV Show, Not You Guys Reading My Blog)

Everything here is HUGE. Check out the size of this cup of coffee.

Greg held up a dollar bill for some perspective - cheers for that Greg.

Nice Building

San Fran is full of beautiful architecture - like this museum - not sure which museum it is... (I wasn't paying much attention)

The Curvy Street

Lombard Street, apparently the world's windiest street?

I guess it was pretty curvy.

Here's a pic of us driving down it.

And a pic of the view from the top.

Aaah, San Francisco - aint it so pretty!

Being A Tourist

Went to the Golden Gate bridge with my mum and rellies.

Going to places like this, really makes me feel like a tourist.

It was a really windy and cold morning - and the bridge was packed.

Here's some photos I took - they probably looks heaps like every other tourists'.

Spot The Difference?

So, the following day, we set off for San Francisco. It was looking like a 12 hour drive, as my sis and her b/f wanted to go through some parks along the way and take in the scenery. Which was cool.

To the left is Death Valley National Park - only slightly dry. Could have been hotter than Vegas.

To the right is the picturesque vegetation of Yosemite National Park. We also saw cute squirrels here....aww!

Mental Maths Anyone?

What's the deal with fractions? Petrol prices are all quoted with 9/10's at the end.


Here's a photo to prove it. .... I just don't get it.

Turn Up The Heat

Monday, we ventured to the Grand Canyon.

VERY hot day.

The skywalk was pretty overated. I can't show any pics, cause none were taken.

None were taken, cause you're not allowed to bring a camera onto the skywalk.

So pretty much, its a glass path that juts out over the Canyon - but its really small, and you don't exactly get a great view looking down through it.

However, after the skywalk, we were taken to Guano Point, and here pix were allowed.
Check it out....

On our way out, we encountered a traffic jam.

Despite thinking we'd left this in LA - here we were, not far from the Canyon and in yet another painful jam.

Although - it all worked out.

Because, due to the extra delay, we decided to stay another night in Vegas - and I organised tix to see Cirque du Soleil - Zumanity. Its the adults only one - so lots of topless girls (on stage) and horny guys (in the audience).

It turned out to be quite amusing and had a lot of crowd interaction, as well as the mind blowing dance routines.

Here's a pic of me with one of the performers - we weren't allowed to take photos of the actual show. So here, I am, doing my daggy tourist routine, by getting a pix in the lobby. And, yes, I'm drinking coffee - it had been a long day and I needed a pick me up, otherwise I'd be sleeping through a show in VEGAS!

Bright Lights

3 nights in Vegas, its enough to kill ya.

The first was spent with my cousin, Alex - and his 2 friends.

We stayed at the Paris - which is in the heart of Vegas, on The Strip.

I was introduced to a shot called Liquid Cocaine. Still not sure what its actual composition is, but it went up my nose and out my eyes - and I was gone.

Pictured to the right is Alex - after a few of these shots. Note: He did not pose for this shot - this is actually how he looked, when he passed out.

After losing about $100 on roulette (black was NOT working for me), we ventured back to the hotel room.

Don't ask why, but for some reason wearing a helmet and answering the door with it on, seemed like a good thing to do.

The helmet actually belongs to a Lotus driver. Was I driving a Lotus that night? Sadly, no. Just wearing the helmet.

The next day, I was introduced to my first buffet.

Was probably too tired from the night before to really appreciate it - but it was pretty amazing - I managed to polish off about 3 courses.

Beverly Hills, Thats Where I Want To Be

Our cousin, Alex - took us for a scenic tour along Mulholland Drive.

This is where you can get a birds eye view of Los Angeles - and check out the luxury houses.

That night we went to see Gomez and The Fray. Gomez played songs from their new album only, How We Operate. The crowd didn't seem to really know their music, but we were getting into it. I was impressed with their performance, the second I've seen.

Laguna Beach....

Despite the morning being quite overcast, the day turned out to be pretty hot.

Laguna lived up to my expectations...
There were crowds of young surfers, girls in bikinis and luxury cars (lots of Hummers) filled the streets.



I overheard a conversation between two girls that went something like this:

"OH, you straightened your hair!"
"Yeh - I dyed it too"
"I thought you weren't coming, I was going to CRY!"
"Of COURSE, I was coming"
Finished up with hugs and kisses. Oh, it was just like on the tv show.

I What?

My younger cousin, Amy - got herself an IPhone.

They're pretty amazing. I want one too....

Its an ipod, camera and phone all in one.

Its also got full internet access.

Sweet

Where In The World Is Phuong?

So, its Day 10 in the US.

Here's some photos to prove it.......

First day, we went to Santa Monica.
This is a photo of me and my sis, Quyen, at the beach.

The day was spent mainly shopping. Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters is definitely up there, as my favourite shops found that day.