Monterey/Los Angeles mini-getaway

Had couple of days off last week. Mike and I went to Monterey and Los Angeles for a mini-trip.

We've been to the Monterey Aquarium last year so we decided not to go there this year.
But before going around the area, we headed to the pool/spa first. Haaay so relaxing!







Then got ready to go around the area..




the shops by the pier


by the fisherman's wharf


by the Cannery Row


and look at this one, very obvious wrong spelling! AQURIAUM!!! Goodness ah!




dinner at the Sandbar and Grill..really good seafood!




their shrimp & crab cocktail is the best!


Cioppino is what I got. Really good, except I didn't want to crack the crab shells. Too much work, hehe..


and I had to wear a bib to cover my top ha..

The next day, we went to eat lunch at Bubba Gumps. This is one of my most favorite restaurants ever!








really good appetizer, chips with shrimp cocktail salsa




I forgot the name of this one, some kind of shrimp broth...


New Orleans shrimp...yum! I really really love this one!

Then we went to have a hot chocolate at Ghirardelli. This is the best hot chocolate ever! Especially it was colder that day. You know it's the best to sip a hot drink in the cold weather.





Then the next day, went to go down south to head to LA for some business matter I had to deal with. I'd rather not write here..Anyway, since we're there we decided to do the tours around the area. I've never been to Hollywood Boulevard before and might as well go there. Why not!






The Kodak Theater! This is where they have MTV awards, American Idol Finale shows. So cool!


Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum


We rode the tour bus to go around Hollywood Blvd, Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd, and Rodeo Drive.

Hollywood Boulevard







the Hollywood sign...you can see the smog in the air from the wildfires..


view from the hills










there are mascots, characters in costumes in the boulevard. So cool! This is Chucky!






the Chinese Theater - this is where the Hollywood stars watch movies in their premiere nights

And some of the celebrities have their hands/feet engraved like this...









Sunset Blvd









Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame

This is where the stars of the stars are engraved in hollywood blvd. I did take some pictures of the stars..I didn't see the stars of Brangelina, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, etc..but I'm sure they're somewhere..






























and this is Michael Jackson's star! People still offer flowers and some candles as you can see here.

Beverly Hills

We got to tour around Beverly Hills and see some of the Hollywood celebrity houses. They are huuuuge!!! Overwhelming, ridiculously expensive!!!



And here's what I remember from the tour...


Here's Christina Aguilera's house




entrance to the Playboy mansion!


the Spelling house, you know Tori Spelling? They said this house is bigger than the White House! Crazy huh?! They have their own room for gift-wrapping! I think also bowling alley inside. Kaloka ah!


I believe this is Richard Gere's house


Gate to Jennifer Lopez' & Mark Anthony's house (if I remember correctly)

And I don't remember whose houses are these..These are just common houses in Beverly Hills but they're so fabulous! Imagine these houses, I mean mansions..No one can afford but those people in hollywood. Whew!





















And this was Michael Jackson's former home..People still leave flowers, candles, and balloons in front of his house. Totally can still feel the MJ spirit in LA until now.


gate to MJ's former house

It was a fun trip! :)

And on the way home, Mike and I stopped by at the Pea Soup Andersen's. This is my first time to try this kind of soup. It's different but still good! Creamy soup with bunch of toppings to put in..




serving on the bread bowl though absorb the soup quickly. Next time I'm gonna order this with the regular bowl.

------------------------//
I'm feeling a little under the weather (again) lately. I don't know why I just can't completely recover from this cold/cough. You know back in LA, you can really see the smog and probably what's causing it more nowadays is the wildfire that's been going on. A lot of my coworkers are also sick, maybe it's also caused by the polluted air from the fire. Maybe? I don't know..
I just wanna get over this sickness already! This is a reminder to appreciate when I'm healthy and not sick. Let's not take our health for granted.

And it just melts my heart when I get a pic message like this from my sis..


Aww..


love this little boy
-----------------//

Time to relax today cuz I'm off this weekend. I went to this Boba House my co-worker recommended. I miss Tapioca Express so much and now that I discovered this place, makes my craving possible! Yay!
And this milk tea is so good!! Yummy!



Well get well soon to us, who's also not in their good health at this time. Let's get some good rest, hydrate, lots of Vitamin C, and drink tea.

Have a good day/night everyone!