Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 76 – San Francisco, USA

    Monday 24 January 2000
    Highlights:      Girhardilli House, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Cars

    We woke to very heavy rain but that is no excuse no to explore.  We walked down to Fisherman’s Wharf and split up.  Jon visited Alcartz which I skipped having been there only 14 months ago.  Instead I explored the local area in particular the tourist designated Pier 39.

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  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 75 – Los Angeles to San Francisco, USA

    Sunday 23 January 2000
    Highlights:      Nothing today.

    Leaving Los Angeles on the 3 am bus, I’m not sure what we were thinking here, we didn’t get into San Francisco until after 11 am and it was raining heavily. Possibly the worst trip on a Greyhound Bus so far and that is saying something!

    After arriving at the hostel we discovered they mucked up our booking so upgraded us to a double (private) room which was great.  Today was a necessary laundry day which meant a public laundry which exposes you to some very interesting characters.

    We walked to Chinatown for dinner and I am tell you the hills are enormous and really test your fitness.  I ended up talking toJon for a few hours before going to sleep.  Despite travelling together we don’t get that many hands when in a shared dorm room.

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 74 – Los Angeles, USA

    Saturday 22 January 2000
    Highlights:     Six Flags Magic Mountain.

    After confusion at the hostel over our booking to Magic Mountain we paid an additional $11 (total $71) for transport and entrance.

    Magic Mountain is purely a roller coaster attraction with a DC Super Hero theme.  The best ride was the Riddler’s Revenge.  You stand up, get strapped in, and twist and turn while going upside down.  Never seen anything like it, try before eating lunch!

    The Batman Ride was also brilliant as they had an e collect free fall part of the ride.  The Superman Express however was a little disappointing.  Basically this was the best theme park I’ve experienced yet including Disney World in Orlando.

    The shuttle back to LA broke down meaning we were stuck for a while and when we got back the Greyhound driver forgot our stop meaning we caught the 3 am bus to San Francisco.

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 73 – Los Angeles, USA

    Friday 21 January 2000
    Highlights:      Universal Studios, live taping of ‘Suddenly Susan’

    Like the backpackers we are we caught the public bus to Universal Studios saving about $8, every bit counts.

    The highlight at the park was the Terminator 2 3D show.  The show includes live actors plus footage of all the movie stars including Arnie.  Unlike my visit in 1998 the Backdraft demonstration was open and very enjoyable.

    However the day become unexpectedly better when we scored free tickets to the taping of ‘Suddenly Susan’ staring Brooke Shields who is stunning in person.  The episode itself was fun hand watching how they makes live TV show was very educational.

    As it takes about 4 hours to tape the show they have a comedian who entertains the audience.  His best act was hypnotising several members of the audience into believing they were drunk which bought me to tears.  The best live show and it cost nothing!

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 72 – Los Angeles, USA

    Thursday 20 January 2000
    Highlights:      Mann’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame

    We caught the Metro Train system into Los Angeles with a mission to find out how to get to Universal Studios and Magic Mountain.

    We visited Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame checking out all the famous movie stars’ handprints.  Mann’s Chinese Theatre still shows movies, today it was ‘Any Given Sunday’.

    The hostel is located on Hollywood Blvd which has stars dedicated to various entertainment stars including radio, television, movie and music entertainers.

    We finished the day watching ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ which seemed like the Hollywood thing to do.