Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth America

[Hvr]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

I'm due in LAX in May, your TR is giving me some great ideas because it's so well written with great photos.

Thanks.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Dinner tonight is at Matsuhisa Nobu Matsuhisa This is that Nobu fellow that created those restaurants with Robert De Niro.

This is the original restaurant in Beverly Hills that he opened back in 1987.....he still works the kitchen in between counting his billions and screaming "are you talking to me" with De Niro



We ordered the tasting menu - pretty yummy!

 

[craven morehead]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

: Excellent crew - very friendly, efficient and on their game. The kids were very impressed and thought the flight was 1000% better than their last F experience on BA......I'd have to agree.

Was that the old BA F or the newly fitted out F ?? :mrgreen:

 

[craven morehead]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Fantastic TR thanking you !!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Our last full day in LA was busy. The morning was allocated to the J. Paul Getty Museum/Centre and for the afternoon we got the concierge to arrange a car/driver/guide to take us around to see all the tosser tourist sites of LA

The Getty Museum is AWESOME Getty Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia opened in 1997 and cost $1.3B (building only - not the art) :shock: You can see the money everywhere......even if you hate art/museums - this is a must visit!

Oh, it's totally FREE as is the Getty Villa.



They have their own monorail that takes you to the top....all free! The building/s are huge, amazing and expensive.......

This Getty fellow has definitely left a tremendous legacy!!

PS - sorry there are sooo many post......I can only post 5 photos at a time Photos make TR's IMHO.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

The guide picked us up at the Getty and we started our tour around the tourist hot spots of LA.

Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Chinese and Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Film Studios, the mansions of the Rich & Famous. If you're short on time and want to do the tosser tourist sites - it's not a bad way of doing it.




He got us pretty close to the sign and to an area free from tour buses.



Oh, Mr Wayne - what small feet you had


Our last meal in LA was at Red O Home | Red O Restaurant this was a concierge recommendation based on our request for Mexican.....the OH really liked it! The place was pumping and had a funky vibe going on.... The fish was very nice!





That's it for LA - much better than I expected and will visit again.

Vegas - here we come!

 

[Major]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

May I ask why you chose the Hotel Bel Air as I assume you have status with HH or IHG etc. ?

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Like the Guggenheim at Bilboa, I thought the buildings at the Getty were much better than the contents

The kids didn't want to do Universal Studios (my favourite) or similar?

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Great report. Please keep it up.

Thanks QF029 plenty more to come.

Great photos...keep them coming

Thanks Major glad you're enjoying the TR

Great to see those food pics after reading the thread about the carp and tiny J class meals. keep 'em coming!

RooFlyer the food was excellent.....only dud was J over to JFK. More on that later!

I'm due in LAX in May, your TR is giving me some great ideas because it's so well written with great photos.

Thanks.

Thank you Hvr for the nice comments

that the old BA F or the newly fitted out F ?? :mrgreen:

The last one was Old F. However, have experienced New F and it's a little better.

BA wins hands down with their bacon roll with brown sauce

Fantastic TR thanking you !!

Thanks for taking the time to post!

May I ask why you chose the Hotel Bel Air as I assume you have status with HH or IHG etc. ?

I've never chased hotel status I've joined a few programmes over the years however, I've never stuck with one. Due to a stay at PH Tokyo in 2011 I got a decent stash of points with Hyatt Passport....actually booked to stay at Andaz in LA and NYC however, was overruled by SWMBO who wanted to stay at the Bel Air and Surrey in NYC.

It's a pity the FS and MO don't have a scheme....have stayed plenty at these brands over the past 10 years

Like the Guggenheim at Bilboa, I thought the buildings at the Getty were much better than the contents

The kids didn't want to do Universal Studios (my favourite) or similar?

Agree on the Getty. The property is outstanding!

After Vegas we head back to LAX for a couple of days at Disneyland. Worked out this way due to me wanting to celebrate my birthday in Vegas and having a ticket on QF107 over to JFK a few days later.

 

[suze2000]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Great trip report. Made me think I might actually want to visit LA in the distant future. (have a US trip planned in 2016, but that's going to be Vegas, the Grand Canyon and probably just NYC)

Can't wait to see the rest. And I agree that photos make a trip report.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

LAX-LAS AA1014 - Y

Exciting times at check-in. Watched Gwyneth Paltrow and her kids (and the whole BS paparazzi rubbish) enter the terminal as we were checking in. Eventually caught up with them in the TSA queue where she was pulled up for extra treatment

Processed, we were on our way to the AA lounge. For some strange and unknown reason the AA system saw my wife as an OWE (she is QF Gold) - we were given the white key to the AA Flagship lounge. It was absolutely empty.....the airport was busy but no one was in the lounge

Very strange - we were there around midday on a Friday......good opportunity to take some photos!






The lounge has a nice view

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

AA1014 LAX-LAS whY

In the main cabin (down the back) AA offer MCE (Main Cabin Extras) Main Cabin Extra | More Options In Main Cabin | American Airlines

Being OWE we could select these extra perk seats for free After doing some homework over on AA Flyertalk board - I settled on row 16. On 737-800, rows 16 and 17 have the middle seats permanently blocked.....essentially, this means that four seats are taken out of action allowing AA to reduce the number of FA's required to service the flight



The legroom is bog standard however, the permanent fix of the middle seat makes it a great choice for a family of 4



Recliners are everywhere

No recognition of OWE status just polite FA's going about their business.



Random shot taken by the 10 year old - pretty good!

Have been to LAS a few times and have worked out there is no need to pre-book car transfers or line up to catch a stinky cab. Just head out the back at the luggage carousel and snag a stretch Limo for $60

View attachment 23150

It is Vegas!!!!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Over the years I've stayed at 6 hotels on the strip.....they're all pretty good! IMO, the worst has been Planet Hollywood and the best is Mandarin Oriental.

Our last stay at the Vegas MO was 2011. We really enjoyed our stay - so we booked again for this trip. The MO is a non-casino hotel located on the strip....it has a spectacular bar that is well worth downing a few bevvies while you take in the view!

Check-in, is on the 23rd floor....well away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas strip.

We stayed in a Mandarin Premier King connecting to Stripview Double.











The view.

The hotel is first class and well worth checking out when next you're in Vegas.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We walked over to the Bellagio to show the kids the fountain show.







Then it was time to eat! I have a few favourites in Vegas but No1 on my list is MESA Grill Mesa Grill Las Vegas - Las Vegas fine dining - Las Vegas restaurant - celebrity chef restaurant las vegas - casino dining Highly recommend this restaurant:!:

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Really enjoying your report, great photos
I nearly always forget to take room photos until the kids stuff is sprawled everywhere and it ruins the look

 

[Grooba]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Ohh QF F, I never tire of reading about this wonderful land! As you say, 180,000 for the four would have to be one of the best way to use points, nice one!

YUL-MIA AA Y OPUP at gate to F

Are AA now offering F from Canada down to US?

On 737-800, rows 16 and 17 have the middle seats permanently blocked.....essentially, this means that four seats are taken out of action allowing AA to reduce the number of FA's required to service the flight

That's a nice piece of info I'll store away in the memory bank, cheers

Keep up the great report, lovin' it!

 

[suze2000]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Have been to LAS a few times and have worked out there is no need to pre-book car transfers or line up to catch a stinky cab. Just head out the back at the luggage carousel and snag a stretch Limo for $60

It is Vegas!!!!

$60 for a limo! I know it's not far to the airport, but that seems to be better value than paying for transfers, if there's a group of you. Does that include tips?

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Big day today!

Our first visit to Vegas was 1998 - it wasn't a place we wanted to be. We wanted to go to Aspen however, it was Christmas, the minimum stay was 7 nights and we simply didn't have the coin. Instead the travel agent talked us into going to Vegas for three nights. One of the things we did was a tour to the Grand Canyon.......by plane It was a bad call, I've always regretted not doing the chopper and it's taken me 16 years to correct it!

Since 1998 I've been to Vegas a couple of times for work.....never had an opportunity or brains to plan ahead and book a helicopter tour however, this trip - I will right that wrong.

I know the best of the GC is the South Rim but we didn't want to spend all day on a taxing tour.....so we settled for the ease of accessing the West rim.

We booked Maverick Helicopters. They seem to have a good reputation and the best choppers for this sort of caper! The tour was their "Dream Catcher Sunset Tour" (who thinks of these names?) it took around 5 hrs door to door.

We had the best time and even though Vegas is practically dead this time of year - they still filled three choppers with 21 paying customers.

The Tip - if you're a AAA (RACQ, etc) member you get a decent discount.









We landed in the Canyon and they popped Champagne and provided nibbles.....really lovely!

The Chopper seats three in the front and four in the rear......swap over for the return journey. I took one for the family and spent the whole time in the back. The view is good in the back so no-one misses out. We stopped in the middle of nowhere on the return journey to re-fuel.....thirsty buggers!

Dinner was at a another favourite - Texas De Brazil Las Vegas | Texas de Brazil I don't like buffet/smorgasbord set ups and avoid them like the plague.......but I make an exception for this one.

This is a meat lovers paradise.....don't come here if a) you don't eat meat b) you're not hungry

Unique service style - they serve the 16 or so different types/cuts of meat by walking around with large skewers and very large knives.....they carve the meat at your table straight onto your plate.

Each person gets a round coaster...one side is red and the other is green. When you want meat have the green side face up....when you want a rest flip it over and have the red face up. When the servers see green - you will not be disappointed.



The salad bar offers 50+ items including a whole wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano that you shave yourself.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth...

Would love to know what you did about the laundry?
After a bit of trial and error we worked out a system using Yelp recommendations for wash and fold laundromats. Around 75c-$1 per lb plus tip

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

<snip>

Dinner was at a another favourite - Texas De Brazil Las Vegas | Texas de Brazil I don't like buffet/smorgasbord set ups and avoid them like the plague.......but I make an exception for this one.

This is a meat lovers paradise.....don't come here if a) you don't eat meat b) you're not hungry

Unique service style - they serve the 16 or so different types/cuts of meat by walking around with large skewers and very large knives.....they carve the meat at your table straight onto your plate.

Each person gets a round coaster...one side is red and the other is green. When you want meat have the green side face up....when you want a rest flip it over and have the red face up. When the servers see green - you will not be disappointed.


The salad bar offers 50+ items including a whole wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano that you shave yourself.

When I read that I thought - gee, that's just what they do in Brazil. Then I looked at the link. D'oh! I still have my coaster from the place in Rio, 15 years later ('yes/no' has a myriad of uses at home).

Did you go the whole Brazilian experience thing and have caipirinhas?