Trip Away: Touching down in LA

[El Presidente]

I generally hate late night flights but on this occasion there were few options as we took off near midnight. Too late to eat but never too late to have a few Negronis before taking a 5 hour nap. We will push back the "supper service" for breakfast which will end up being 6PM LA time.  That will save us having to find a place for dinner. Total flight time 13 hours. Short haul for us 

To kick off the 40 day tour, I thought it a good idea to relax in LA for a few days to acclimatise and to catch up with friends. 

Step one is negotiating LAX immigration which without doubt are the single greatest collection of dickheads in the world today. It is as if someone has intentially recruited from Cali's sociopaths. LAX takes pride in making all international visitors wait in a line for 45 minutes while they are yelled at. Lines/channel/maze are changed at a moments notice by the queue gestapo with the apparent sole aim to confuse and humiliate. Deep breaths. Di and I get through unscathed in just over an hour. 

Neither Di nor I get knocked about too much by jetlag but past experience has shown me that a slow start is bloody enjoyable and pays off in spades. 

Whenever in LA,  I stay in the Hermosa, Manhattan Beach, Redondo area.  I love that area and normally find a place on the esplanade close to one of the piers where there are plenty of restauraunt/bar options.  This trip I booked "The Vurpillat" on Hermosa. 10/10 locale, 7/10 apartment. Actually that is probably a touch rough as beside the toilet being on a lean.....really.....the place was pretty good and bloody cheap for the area. 

Unless I have no option or it is simply an overnight stay, I will always pick an apartment over a hotel room. 

 

Now Hermosa is a 100% no smoking....anywhere.....juristiction. That is unless you are smoking weed. I will never understand  

The no smoking doesn't concern me as we are catching up with Larry, Rob, Jose and Donald at larry's place for cigars and some taco's/enchiladas. The lads are legends and both Larry and his beautiful wife Rose are fantastic hosts. Rob Duron brought the dinner which he spent hours making .....or purchased from the 7/11 .....but regardless we are most appreciative  It was a great night as it always is at Larry's.  We looked forward to catching up with them again in a few weeks in Nashville for Amicigar. 

Next day Di wanted to see Hollywood Boulevard.  I think everyone needs to see it once .....if only to see first hand how shitty it really is. Unfortunately I have seen it before but I will do anything for Di . The highlight of the day was lunch at the dodgy chinese restaurant that served warm beer with Ice and heated up the chinese in the microwave. You couldn't make this up. 

Back to Hermosa and it was all ok as we were having dinner at Parkers Lighthouse with Bill (CigSid)and Anna. What a magnificent dinner it was! 

Things can sometimes surprise you. It was a quiet night on the outside deck at the restaurant and so Bill  asked if it was OK for us to light up a cigar. I mean what are the chances in California? ........By God they agreed!  Vintage Montes brought by Bill were fired up and the conversation and laughter flowed.  What a great evening and we can't thank Bill and Ana enough for their hospitality, generosity and friendship. 

Next day we had a late morning start to Beverly Hills.  I tend to get up early, put a few hours work in, touch of exercise and good to go around 11am. Beverly Hills was a hoot and right up Di's alley. 

I was most looking forward to catching up with Mike (BigGuns) and his wife Jen for lunch at Avra....and what a lunch that was !

 What a beautiful time and what beautiful people. We all found a cigar bar a few streets away and kicked on for a few hours. One of those days that you didn't want to end. 

Off to Fort Myers in the am so time to pull stumps.  Things should slow down a little as we will be staying at Hamlets place 

 

 

 

[ImTripN2]

Nice, my old stomping grounds. Back in the 80s I used to live about 4 houses east on 9th.

Assuming you've had an afternoon nap and are up for a short walk, (<2km) head south on the strand to the RB pier and go upstair at old Tony's for a great So Bay vibe... good food and drinks. 

Out of all the places in HellA, MB, HB and RB are the best!!

[Redgoldband]

Welcome to the South Bay of LA! I live not too far from Hermosa in Inglewood. In fact, I was just there yesterday enjoying a beach day with the fam. Let me know if you need any cigar lounge recs while you’re here. Enjoy your time in LA.


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