Universal Studios, Hollywood! Part 1

So, today we took part in our V.I.P Universal Studios experience. It was truly amazing. We arrived at the park nice and early and took some photos by the awesome Universal Studios globe/fountain. After we'd entertained ourselves with that for a little while, we asked where to head for our V.I.P Experience.

The lovely attendants directed us to a beautifully decorated building where we received our V.I.P passes. After a few bits of free food and drinks from the buffet, we met our tour guide Cat. She was a really lovely person and greeted us warmly. We were given a little history about the park and the foundation of the studios as we walked over to the first rides.

We headed to the lower lot (which involved going down about 4 escalators) where 3 of the big rides are. Our first stop was Jurassic Park. Julie, being the none ride person, didn't come on. Luckily, thanks to our free ponchos, the three of us didn't get very wet, and really enjoyed this ride. Next up was Transformers 3D, Cat escorted us through the dark to grab our 3D 'Battle Glasses' and we were then yelled into our seats by the role-playing ride staff. Even Julie came on this one! We all really enjoyed this ride as well.

The final stop on the lower lot was The Mummy. This white-knuckle 45mph thrill ride was not to everyone's tastes. Peter and I didn't enjoy because of the backwards bit, not the best ride. Juliet however, did really like it. After our trip to the lower lot, we went back up and enter the final ride. The Simpsons ride was also 3D. It was only Juliet and I who went on this one and we thought that it was pretty awesome.

After the rides we moved on to some of Universal's shows. The first one was Animal Actors, where we saw some of the more furry actors from films. All of the animal performers were really talented and obedient. Then we moved on to Water World, a show which sprang from a film which didn't do very well at the box-office. This one had jet skis, power boats and explosions - awesome.

After all this crazy stuff we stopped for a gourmet buffet lunch. The spread of food was amazing, and their were chefs cooking some of it in front of our eyes. Even better, this was all a part of the V.I.P Experience!

Watch the next one for Part 2 of our Universal V.I.P Experience! :)
Caroline :)

The city of L.A

So, today we went on a city tour of Los Angeles. It was great, we cruised around the city in our air-conditioned bus and enjoyed sites such as Downtown L.A, the HOLLYWOOD sign, and Beverly Hills.

Our lovely tour guide was named Hal gave us a brilliant and insightful tour mentioning not only the history but the celebritiosity of the place. (officially coined that word)

On the walk of fame, we saw plenty of entrepreneurs who hung out taking tips for photos in their costumes. Some including Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper hanging out in front of the Chinese Theatre and a kind of creepy Willy Wonka outside a sweet shop whose costumes was amazing though.

 We also got a great look at the HOLLYWOOD sign. Unfortunately I somehow managed to close my eyes on this one... Luckily the smog had lifted by the time we arrived, however some of the earlier tours couldn't see it or the massive panorama of the city!

 Around Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive we saw plenty of fast cars and celebrity houses. All pointed out kindly by our guide Hal. There were $50 million houses owned by the likes of Tom Cruise and Madonna as well as restaurants regularly visited by Jennifer Aniston and Britney Spears.

For lunch we visited the Loteria grill in the farmers market. It was an amazing little Mexican place, which gave us some awesome burritos, enchiladas and absolutely legendary nachos! They cooked everything perfectly and gave us a really authentic experience.

Down-town L.A housed the amazing architectural work of Frank Gehry, completed in 2003 at the cost of a minor $130 million the Disney concert hall is now proudly the home of Los Angeles' Philharmonic. the magnificent building is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House or even one of LA's popular skate parks. The The entire construction lines, angles and sweeping elevations/faces which catch the sunlight leave a lasting impression on your retina. Taking 4 years to create the original exterior panels had to be replaced from shiny,  'platinum' to a toned down matt finish to avoid the beaming midday LA sun causing heat and light issues with the surrounding buildings. In my opinion definately one of the most fascinating buildings of  LA which truly requires you to get up close and feel the interior lines and angles to get a true feeling of the engineering and ideas put into this construction. A modern architectural highlight with fresh ideas, not a glass walled white box void of character or humbling aesthetic design. (from Juliet x)

We also spent a little time in a Mexican market, giving us a chance to catch some rays and enjoy the Californian weather. We browsed the awesome wrestling masks and ponchos that are of course very stereotypical Mexican objects.

So, we really enjoyed our tour of L.A. Hal was awesome, and as you can see is right here in front of the tour bus with us! What an awesome guy :) After our tour, we freshened up and met the family downstairs. It was great to see them after around 8 years apart. We had a lovely meal and appreciated each others company during the evening. We ate at Tula's, the restaurant attached to the hotel and all really enjoyed ourselves!

 Watch the next post for our visit to Universal Studios!


Caroline & Juliet :)

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Phewey! So, after Atlanta, we rushed to made the connecting flight to LA. To our amazement, the sheer size of Atlanta's airport (the busiest in the world) meant that we had to get a train from one side of it to another. A TRAIN! Unfortunately our incredibly rushed antics meant we didn't take any photos. This is Atlanta airport from above.

picci from here

9.45pm (GMT), 4.45pm (EST), 1.45pm (PST) We set off from Atlanta in a plane and sat sleepily for about 4 hours as we crossed over the USA to Los Angeles. There was TV in the plane so no one got super bored :) Plus, as we came down, there was an awesome view of the mountains & desert of Nevada/California

1.45am (GMT), 5.45pm (PST) We land in LA! A smooth move through to baggage claim and we were finally in the country. Next, picking up the car...

We found the shuttle to the car depot easily and sat, eagerly awaiting what vehicle we would get. After a few minutes we were sent to the 'parking lot' to choose our car. Check it out:

This is our Chrysler 300. Its pretty awesome.

Watch the next post for our L.A City Tour and meeting up with relatives

Caroline :)

Come fly with me!

We're here! Greetings from here in the USA. After more than 24 hours awake, I hope you can understand why we didn't write a post yesterday! So, travel with us out of Manchester, to Atlanta then on to LA!

(GMT) 4.30am Wake up! With bleary eyes we got dressed and pumped ourselves with caffeine!

(GMT) 5.45am We left the house and drive away with our lovely taxi driver Jim.What a legend! The trip to Manchester airport was smooth and easy. We arrived at the airport at 6.50 after a stream of superb conversation ranging from trucking to timing!

(GMT) 7.00am We checked in very smoothly and got through security without any kerfuffles. Phew... After a short stay in duty-free, where we didn't buy anything, we strolled over to the 'executive lounge'! (Mum got it with her credit card)

 (GMT) 8.30am We had a great selection of tiny pastries, and a little confusion with the coffee machine. It was all free with the credit card so that was pretty awesome

(GMT) 10.20am After a smooth boarding onto our Delta flight we were on our way!

(GMT) 7.00pm & (EST) 2.00pm ish..We arrived in Atlanta before getting through border control and homeland security then rushing through for the connecting flight, luckily making it in good time :)

Watch the next post for our arrival in LA!

Caroline :)

Bye, bye baby!

Earlier today, we left our dog Oscar to stay with a relative. This was essentially the final step in getting ready to go to the USA! He was, however, a little reluctant to leave, and seemed to realise that something was up. Of course, under the chair was not the best hiding place ever...

Despite his protestations, he did enjoy the ride. Once we'd got in the car, that is! The journey wasn't long and this eased the process of (in Juliet's terms) 'abandoning' him for 3 weeks.

Once we left, he really seemed to be settled in. So leaving him wasn't too much of a trauma for everyone involved.

The excitement in the house has reached fever pitch, and everyone is incredibly buzzed about the beginning of the trip to the USA. It is now only...

Until the plane sets off! All I can say is a certain person is not so pleased about us leaving...

RAWR!

(It honestly wasn't as bad as Oscar makes out)

We'll try and get a post out when we're in the airport tomorrow, or at the hotel, depending upon the wifi! Goodbye for now chums, next time you see us we'll (possibly) be on the way!

Caroline & Juliet :)

Oh the joy of packing...

Packing... For many people, including me, it is certainly not the most appealing aspect of the holiday. However this year, it has gone rather well! In record time, we packed, squished and even ziplocked our suitcases 3 days before take off! Organised or what? Organisation, however, is not my forte... 

Knowing me, I'll arrive at the airport missing something vital and ruin my holiday. We've all seen it, just got to hope we don't leave a rogue passport or 'ESTA' lying around the house! Somehow I don't think I'd hold up very well in US airport security. This fear of lacking vital documents probably stems from the sheer untidiness of my suitcase, and therefore the inability for about anyone to search anything out from in there...

Some people however, seem to have an inbuilt ability to organise things just right. Take, for example, my sister Juliet's suitcase. Clean. Tidy. Checkable. Much less than I can say for mine... My wonderful sibling seems to be the most uber-systematic suitcase packer, and it pays. Everything has a place! This is why I'm entrusting my vital documents to a member of the family other than myself! :)

However some people were altogether bored by the frenzy of shoes, shorts and shades flying around the house. A certain little someone was very nonplussed about the whole affair, all he seemed to want was a nap...

OK, we may have put Eeyore there!

 And on that cutsie note, I will bid you good-day. Don't forget to stay tuned for the last few holiday prepping moments and the big day on Wednesday!

Caroline :)

Trip of a Lifetime

Hello, and welcome to our blog. On Wednesday,  the Taylor family set off to California on the trip of a lifetime, and we want YOU to come with us. You may be wondering what to expect from this bundle of awesomeness? Well, you'd better prepare yourself... You'll follow us every step of the way with pictures, videos (hopefully) and round ups of each amazing day we spend in the USA! 
As this wonderful little gadget makes clear we are only...

away from stepping aboard the magical flight that will take us to the far away land of candy, baseball & overly sized fast food!

picci from here

picci from here

picci from here

So stay, join us and be excited, as you join us for 'The Trip Of A Lifetime'

Caroline :)