Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

Manhattan Beach also has a huge number of people in the Entertainment industry who have links with the area, including Erin Andrews, the co-host of Dancing with the Stars, Director Bard Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille), Amanda Wyss (Nightmare on Elm St), who was born here, and Ben Sharples who grew up here.

 

 

Many well known athletes have also been born here or grew up here, including those who play basketball, football, hockey, soccer, baseball, tennis and golf. Maria Sharapova, the professional tennis player and Olympic silver medalist was given the key to the city, as was Rebecca Soni, the five-time Olympic gold medalists swimmer.

 

We make our way onto the pier and walk to the end in the sunshine. It's windy but warming up.

 

At the end of the pier there is the Roundhouse Aquarium, which is free. It is home to over 100 marine animals, including moray eels, lobster, octopus, and sharks. There is a touch tank with sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sea snails.

 

 

Outside there is a life size model of a Great White Shark.

 

Would you really want to??

Apparently there are quite a few sightings of sharks each year off Manhattan Beach.

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by ellie1145

[tutuwahineLV]

On 11/5/2020 at 1:38 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

🎶  Just look at the world around you

       Right here on the ocean floor

       Such wonderful things surround you

       What more is you lookin’ for?  🎶

 

I am fascinated by the live sea urchins, with their dangerous looking spines. While I stand there a lady picks one up so I quickly photograph it. They are beautifully coloured, some a deep black, others a pinky colour. They have a hard shell which protects their internal organs, and can move using tiny tube feet.

 

 

 

Now I have to admit that I had no idea that people actually ate sea urchins but apparently, the coast of Southern California is a source of high quality sea urchins, many of which are exported to Japan. Divers  search for them at depths of up to 80ft.  I can’t say I fancy trying this ‘delicacy’ but we do see some people outside eating them.

 

 

Aren’t they just incredible?

Love tagging along on your adventures, and thank you for sharing. 

Fun fact::  the Japanese word for sea urchin is Uni, and what is eaten is actually the gonads of the creature.   I haven't tried any myself, but they say it's delicious.  

Edited November 7, 2020 by tutuwahineLV

[ellie1145]

5 minutes ago, tutuwahineLV said:

ove tagging along on your adventures, and thank you for sharing. 

Fun fact::  the Japanese word for sea urchin is Uni, and what is eaten is actually the gonads of the creature.   I haven't tried any myself, but they say it's delicious.  

 

Love having you along! 

 

I had to look up ‘gonads.’ Wish I hadn’t.....🤢 🤮🤣

[ellie1145]

🎶  Come on baby, wait and see

      Yes, I’m gonna take you surfin‘ with me 🎶

 

DH decides he wants to go Surfin’ so he gets out his board, puts on his wet suit, and jumps into the waves. Of course I am on hand to film his exploits. You wouldn’t believe the trouble we had cramming his surfboard into the overhead bins on our flight.

 

 

 

 

I decide I might as well join him......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

I'm not sure if the video downloaded - not had a problem before. 

[ellie1145]

 

 

We walk back along the pier and back to our car before driving back along the coastal road towards Redondo Beach. It’s much warmer than yesterday thank goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some beautiful houses on the way to Redondo Beach.  

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by ellie1145

[chipz]

Very impressed with  your DH surf style, and you are quite the Beach Bunny! 😉 

Being born and raised in Southern California, I love our coastal cities.

Some day, you will have to drive the coast to Big Sur, it's fantastic!!!

Princess does a Coastal Cruise which visits San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Monterey. 

We've done that twice and would do it again once things get back to normal. 

Enjoying your trip and looking forward to visiting the islands. 🌴

[CrazyIrving]

Video is great 👍.  Impressed with his style also.  I’m only able to use a boogie board.  
 

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, chipz said:

Very impressed with  your DH surf style, and you are quite the Beach Bunny! 😉 

Being born and raised in Southern California, I love our coastal cities.

Some day, you will have to drive the coast to Big Sur, it's fantastic!!!

Princess does a Coastal Cruise which visits San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Monterey. 

We've done that twice and would do it again once things get back to normal. 

Enjoying your trip and looking forward to visiting the islands. 🌴

 

Thank you so much, chipz for your kind comments about DH, which I have passed on to him.  He is a very modest man, and doesn’t usually mention that he was the 1968 Vans US Open of Surfing Champion, Huntington Beach. Of course I was WAY too young to compete.... 🤣🏄‍♂️🏄‍♀️

 

(P.S. CC cannot be held responsible for any fake news)

 

I love being described as a Beach Bunny, too! I certainly prefer that description to Bunny Boiler......

 

Wow! I have just looked up Big Sur and it sure does look fantastic. Definitely on my bucket list for the next time we visit. What amazing scenery. Thank you for the suggestions. 👍

[ellie1145]

18 hours ago, CrazyIrving said:

Video is great 👍.  Impressed with his style also.  I’m only able to use a boogie board.  
 

 

Yes, it’s pretty impressive isn’t it? Please don’t hesitate to ask for any surfing tips....always happy to help...😉

[cr8tiv1]

I am also impressed with DH's water abilities.  I grew up on Oahu, with a famous surfing beach around the corner on the weekends....and I still don't know how to swim.

[ellie1145]

1 minute ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I am also impressed with DH's water abilities.  I grew up on Oahu, with a famous surfing beach around the corner on the weekends....and I still don't know how to swim.

 

Believe me, you couldn’t be any more impressed than I am.... especially as he can’t swim either! 🤣

[ellie1145]

Back to Redondo Beach 🏄‍♂️

 

 

 

 

We arrive back at Redondo Beach where we park up again and walk back towards the Marina. The sun is shining and the sky is an deep azure blue. How lucky we are to be here today. 

 

 

We stop to talk to Tinkerbell who is taking time out to sunbathe in the sun in her fancy pink dog collar. She is somewhat reticent at chatting to us Brits, perhaps it's our accent that is putting her off.

 

This nubile young lady is enticing visitors to join her for a ride on a pirate ship.. but look closely and you will see she is made of wood! 

 

The whale watching boat is filling up with people. It should be a great trip today.

 

The glass bottomed Looking Glass Boat is standing by ready to take visitors on an underwater viewing of the local sea life.

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Redondo Pier

 

 

 

We walk further along the beach, and along the pier, where there are lots of restaurants and souvenir shops. It's a really interesting little place.

 

The pier itself was rebuilt in 1995, following its destruction by fire in 1988. There are wonderful panoramic views from the pier, and we amble along at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery, and the beautiful weather.

 

 

 

 

 

We walk through to the beach area and down to the water, but unfortunately, I step in some thick tar, probably dumped from a ship passing by, which clings to my sandals like glue. Oh no! Now I notice that there is quite a lot of tar on the beach but I wasn’t looking where I was going.

 

I hop about on one foot, trying to remove the tar with a tissue, but several tissues later I haven't made much progress. It must be an interesting interlude for those on the beach. Maybe they think it's some traditional British rain dance...

 

If I can’t remove the tar I’m going to need to buy another pair of sandals, so we reluctantly make our way back along the pier to the car. We’re also feeling a little peckish so it’s time to leave this lovely place. 

 

Edited November 8, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 8, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

AF-1 is waiting for us!

 

 

 

 

 

We begin to feel a bit peckish, so find a nearby McDonald’s for a quick snack. It is amazing inside, with a huge mural of the pier at Redondo Beach on the walls.

 

 

We are delighted to see that AF-1 has beaten us to it and is already sitting at ‘our’ table, with a coffee in hand.

 

Next, it’s time for a bit of retail therapy, so get your walking shoes on!

 

We drive along towards Torrance, where we find a fantastic mall, which we wander round. One of the joys of shopping in American Malls is that there is plenty of parking - and it’s all free! I can’t resist buying several pairs of flip flops for the family from Aeropostale!

 

[ellie1145]

Panera Bread - a great favourite of ours.

 

One of our favourite eateries in the USA is Panera Bread, and as there is one nearby at South Bay Galleria we decide that it would be perfect for our evening meal. The sun is beginning to set as we make our way inside and order.

 

 We absolutely love Panera Bread, though we do think it’s getting a little expensive. But it’s worth it as the sandwiches are freshly made from wholesome ingredients, and their soups are to die for - not to mention our favourite naughtiness, Bear Claws. Soft and drizzled with icing and sliced almonds, it’s the perfect end to our meal.

 

When ordering a bear claw nobody seemed to understand me, until I realised that I was saying ‘claw’ rhyming with ‘more’ instead of ‘claw’ rhyming with ‘are.’

 

They say we are two nations separated by a common language, and that is so true. I have to say we have got better over the years and happily talk about elevators not lifts, trunks not boots, sidewalks not pavements and even manage to say ‘Tom-Ay-doh’ instead of ‘Tom-are-toe.’

 

So what are our favourite soups? Well I love the tomato soup, it’s creamy and absolutely delicious, and nothing like some tomato soups which can be rather watery.

 

 

We both enjoy the baked potato soup, which is thick and dotted with little bits of bacon, and vegetables, and DH likes the creamy chicken and wild rice.

 

Of course, there is a crispy chunk of baguette to accompany it, and we normally choose the ‘You Pick 2’ option so that we get a half sandwich, too.  Believe me, half a Panera sandwich is plenty as it is usually filled to the brim!

 

They also do a good cup of hot tea, English Breakfast of course!  We always have to remember to ask for ‘hot’ tea as, back in the UK, tea is tea and it’s always hot.

 

It was a shock the first time we visited Florida and ordered tea as it was cold and very sweet. Definitely not our cup of tea! But Panera tea bags are good and strong, and you can put two in if you like.

 

We also ask them to fill our mugs with water directly from the boiler as you really need it to be piping hot for it to brew properly. They usually point us to the flasks of hot water sitting on the side, but they don’t do the job as they are not hot enough.

 

The lovely server accedes to our request, albeit with a puzzled look on her face, and takes our mugs through to the kitchen area, but I bet she rolls her eyes as she fills them with steaming water, ‘crazy Brits’ I bet she says to herself (and she’s probably right). Tea is a bit of a passion for us Brits. We just can’t do without it. Now matter what the circumstances, a cup of tea (or a cuppa) is just what the doctor ordered.

 

We drive back to the hotel, where we watch TV for a bit, but tiredness overtakes us, and after a relaxing bath we both to to bed.

 

We have one last day here in Los Angeles, and we have promised ourselves we will explore Santa Monica. 

 

 

Edited November 8, 2020 by ellie1145

[TeaBag]

21 hours ago, chipz said:

 

Some day, you will have to drive the coast to Big Sur, it's fantastic!!!

Princess does a Coastal Cruise which visits San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Monterey. 

We've done that twice and would do it again once things get back to normal. 

Enjoying your trip and looking forward to visiting the islands. 🌴

We drove the coast on our honeymoon and then on up to Vancouver.  Yes, I recommend that drive too.  California is beautiful and it breaks my heart to read about all the fires there lately.

[ellie1145]

Just now, TeaBag said:

We drove the coast on our honeymoon and then on up to Vancouver.  Yes, I recommend that drive too.  California is beautiful and it breaks my heart to read about all the fires there lately.

 

That must have been an amazing experience. It is certainly very beautiful. 

 

The fires are certainly tragic, and we feel for the people there who have lost their homes, and for the flora and fauna destroyed by these dreadful wildfires A tragedy too for the people of New South Wales in Australia who have suffered a similar fate.

[TeaBag]

Ah, Ellie, this is kind of neat to think we are on here right at this same moment.

Panera Bread, you say.  This makes me want to cry.  There is one about an hour from here and we used to love going there and taking home some of their stuff.  There's PF Changs, Panda Express for quick cheap take-out Chinese, Macy's, Target and we can't get to any of them with this closed border.

Vancouver has been not too bad with COVID till just lately when it has exploded, so we got our heads chopped off yesterday with new rules.  Nobody allowed to visit in our homes, only essential travel, no inside gatherings etc.  Hopefully in 2 weeks we will see less new cases and this thing will some day die out.  I can't believe there are people who still think it is a hoax and who refuse to wear masks.  Take care and stay safe.

What wouldn't I give right now to be strolling down Redondo Beach.  I love places like that too.

[ellie1145]

1 minute ago, TeaBag said:

Ah, Ellie, this is kind of neat to think we are on here right at this same moment.

Panera Bread, you say.  This makes me want to cry.  There is one about an hour from here and we used to love going there and taking home some of their stuff.  There's PF Changs, Panda Express for quick cheap take-out Chinese, Macy's, Target and we can't get to any of them with this closed border.

Vancouver has been not too bad with COVID till just lately when it has exploded, so we got our heads chopped off yesterday with new rules.  Nobody allowed to visit in our homes, only essential travel, no inside gatherings etc.  Hopefully in 2 weeks we will see less new cases and this thing will some day die out.  I can't believe there are people who still think it is a hoax and who refuse to wear masks.  Take care and stay safe.

What wouldn't I give right now to be strolling down Redondo Beach.  I love places like that too.

 

 

Isn’t it just! There’s you in Vancouver, Canada, and me in Hampshire, UK. It’s extraordinary isn’t it? Not just that but there are people all over the USA and Australia and the UK reading this at the same time. 

 

We really miss Panera Bread. We always look for one on our USA travels. It’s so sad to think we still can’t visit. We have lockdown for a month, although some people are just carrying on as normal. I agree that I just cannot believe anyone can deny the evidence. My bridesmaid now lives in Italy, which has been very badly hit and it going through a very bad second wave, and she updates me on their situation, which is critical. 

 

We just need to all come together to defeat this dreadful virus, no matter what our race, colour, creed or political beliefs. Just like we did during the war.

 

Our middle daughter, who has been longing for a baby for some time, is unexpectedly pregnant with our second grandchild, but we all fear for his safety as she works for the NHS and is very vulnerable. Nobody knows the consequences of Covid 19 on a developing foetus. We are overjoyed but very fearful. 

 

We hope that you all keep safe. 

 

 

[ringers0815]

1 hour ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Our middle daughter, who has been longing for a baby for some time, is unexpectedly pregnant with our second grandchild, but we all fear for his safety as she works for the NHS and is very vulnerable. Nobody knows the consequences of Covid 19 on a developing foetus. We are overjoyed but very fearful. 

 

We also are worried about one of our daugthers who is expecting her first child (our second grandchild). We live in Canada but she lives in Prague, Czech Republic, where covid cases are growing very fast in this second wave. 

[USCcruisecrazy]

On 11/7/2020 at 4:17 PM, ellie1145 said:

🎶  Come on baby, wait and see

      Yes, I’m gonna take you surfin‘ with me 🎶

 

DH decides he wants to go Surfin’ so he gets out his board, puts on his wet suit, and jumps into the waves. Of course I am on hand to film his exploits. You wouldn’t believe the trouble we had cramming his surfboard into the overhead bins on our flight.

 

 

12484886-76A8-4DF9-93C3-EEE6E5AE5D18.MOV 27.99 MB · 19 downloads

 

 

 

I decide I might as well join him......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post reminds me of many moons ago when surfing was the most important part of the day each and every day!!  Then life happened and 4 decades later I only surf in my memories!  LOL!  Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[CruzinNoony]

I am really enjoying your visit to the LA area.  When we leave out of San Pedro, we drive directly to the hotel by the pier because of the awful traffic in LA.  

 

I have a question about the new CC format.  I can't seem to find where they have a post number.  I like to make a note of where I leave off so I can go right to the next post when I return, but I think they have eliminated it.

[cr8tiv1]

Good day Ellie,

 

You have shown me places that I have not been to, although I live right here in So Cal.  Thanks for the tour.  Beautiful  photos.