Day 82, Los Angeles, USA

Day 82 Los Angeles, USA

During the night the ship's clocks were set back another hour which made our 5.30 wakeup call less intrusive. US customs and immigration officers had set up in the Vista Lounge to process everyone on the ship. Fortunately for Paul and I, we were on a Princess Tour and the third group to be processed. The first group were scheduled to go through at 6.30am and 7.10am was our allotted time. By the time the queue had progressed from the outside foyer into the lounge, an hour had passed. We eventually saw the officials, had our passports stamped and were back in our cabin to collect our day pack, then proceeded to the Wheelhouse Lounge to wait for our bus allocation, then joined our tour group in the Princess Theatre before walking off the ship to meet our tour bus at 9.30am. Apparently, the later groups processed through the Customs and Immigration was asked to wait ¾ hour before lining up. Some passengers travelling ashore independently didn't get off the ship till 11am. 

Our Princess Tour took us through the city to Olvera Street where we wandered down the market stalls. We then drove through Hollywood and Beverley Hills, travelling along Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Hollywood Blvd. to see the Mann's Chinese Theatre.

I think every tourist in Los Angeles saw the iconic movie theatre the same time as us! Talk about crowded. Our tour guide stopped us at the base of the famous stairway where Nominated Academy Award Artists climb on Oscar Nights, and gave us the points of interest for this Hollywood must-see. Paul called out to me to hurry up as this other group was heading off up the stairs. Huh. I then realised he had joined that group thinking it was ours, and had been annoyed with me for not moving off with 'his' group. *~&%`@#!&~?%#*!

I managed to get a couple of pavement star photos without someone's foot in it before heading off to our bus pickup area. We were all on time, waiting for the bus to collect us. 30 minutes after the due time, the bus arrived. Our tour guide then announced to a few nearby passengers, that she left her mobile (cell) phone on the bus when instead she needed it to ring the driver to let him know we were all there ready to collect. As if we have a spare 30 minutes to waste. Not happy, Jan. Grumble, Grumble.

Our last stop ended at the Farmers Market where we had an hour free time to look around, shop or luncheon. Not long enough, too long when a husband is with you. Guy Sebastian held a promotional appearance whilst we were there but unfortunately we missed his appearance. Joanne and Garry managed to see and hear him perform and got a few photos.

We drove back to the ship along the 6 lane freeway, under a sky of smog.

The ship sailed about an hour late due to 'paperwork'?? The sail away from Los Angeles in ideal weather conditions, found most passengers enjoying the entertainment provided or the impromptu deck parties on various decks. Paul and I ended up on deck eleven, aft, for the sail away. Later, back on our balcony, just before leaving for dinner, we saw a magnificent sunset over an almost mirror-like sea.  As the sun set, its rays reflected on the water, creating an orange trail to our balcony.