This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Drove from LA to Phoenix stayed at the Biltmore for 4 days and although it was hot we really chilled out - great hotel.
Drove up to the Grand Canyon - 2nd visit but still very impressive. Stopped at Sunset Crater which is worth a trip if you're passing to see the lava flow. Stayed at the Holiday Inn which was basic but functional. Best bit was going out at about 10.00 to a remote part of the park and star gazing. You'll never know just how much is out there until you get rid of all the ambient light. Truly amazing.
Then we drove up to Page. Stayed at the Courtyard which was OK. We did a day to Monument Valley which was great for me being a John Ford fan and then we finished off by going to the Four Corners. Next we did a day renting a speedboat on Lake Powell, which really was an experiance. Got stopped by the police for speeding and although it was great fun the day dispelled any dreams about getting my own boat (very tiring and expensive).
Then we drove to Vegas. We chose to go through Zion as we'd been told how spectacular it was and they were right. We stayed in the Luxor in Vegas which is comparitively cheap but we still rate it as one of the best all round hotels on the Strip.
Part of this trip was to celebrate my wife's birthday and for this meet some family over for the week. As it was their first time in LV we did some of the usual tourist stuff touring the Strip hotels etc. Other highlights were Death Valley (117F), did the Big Shot at the Strat (I think they should call it the Big Sh*t cause that's what I neally did when it went up), Manhatten Express at NYNY, saw Tom Jones at MGM (We're not fans but he did put on a good show) and saw Love at the Mirage which was amazing. The wife had a great birthday dinner in the Top of the World also at the Strat watching the world go around. All in all it was a fantastic week which we all enjoyed.
Then we drove back to LA. Well Anahiem to be more precise (I know you OCers like to maintain your seperate identity) to stay ay Knotts Berry Farm. This was a treat for my son as he was wanted to try their coaters after doing Disneyland in Feb and Orlando last year. He concluded that it was good but not as good as the other parks he'd been to.
Our final stop was San Diego. Stayed at the Marriott Marina which was really nice. The downside to staying in this area of San Diego though was the bloody trains that go through the city at all hours. 3.00 am the first night the horns went off from a goods train and we flew out of bed thinking the Martians were invading. This happens every night and is normal so if you're going there, be warned.
Went to Sea World, the Zoo and had some great meals in the Gaslamp Quarter.
The last day eventually came and after checking in on line the night before we left San Diego and drove back up to LA. Stopped in Manhatten Beach for a bite to eat and then dropped the car off before going to T2 at LAX.
Check in was a breeze, effeciant and friendly. We made our way up to Secuity and settled down for to wait for that day's VS07 to arrive (it was apparently about an hor late leaving but had made some time up on the way.
After a while it arrived and I felt very envious of the people that had just arrived and were walking past us as from the plane. We were eventually invited to board and we made our way up to the bubble. I really like it up here, the atmosphere is so much nicer. We were offered the usual Champagne and it wasn't too long before we were taking off at 6.00 pm local time. The Captain informed us that we would be about 9 1/2 hours to LHR and that the rout was expected to be quite smooth.
Shortley afterwards dinner was served and I had the beef. I actualy thought it was quite good especially the key lime pie. The only film I watched was Poseidon which was OK but I prefer the original. I grabed a few catnaps through the flight and tried to watch RV but could so I turned on my Archos an listened to my own music.
Strangley I've found the more you do transatlantic the shorter the flights seem to get. I don't know if others agree but time seems to go more quickly now than the first time I did it when after 4 hours into a 10 hour flight I couldn't wait to get off. Just a thought.
Anyway the lights went on and breakfast was served. An egg and cheese thing which was OK. Then the captain anounced that we were going to land a little later than anticipated due to heavy traffic in front of us. Then we circled a bit and eventually landed I think about 12.30.
The crew were great, again efficiant and cheerful and once again we felt that combined with experiance on our trip out we had made the right choice choosing VS.
Once through immigration we went to collect our bags which were there about 5 minutes after we were, went through customs, got the bus to the car and made our way home.
A brilliant trip which started badly but just got better and better. We can't wait till Miami in February. Hang on a minute though...... these current VS offers look good. Maybe we could fit something in before Xmas[:?]
Thanks
Miopyk
