CA - Possibly, Maybe, Now Definitely! Day 3

[tonymc]

Day 3: A Lazy Day

Trip Index here.

Following two days travelling, today was definitely a lazy day... if we could lie in that is! I managed to wake up around 04:00 but then dropped off again until around 08:30 whereas the ladies had been awake since 06:30-ish.

A leisurely breakfast in the room, then down to the pool by 09:00 when we thought we may have transgressed one of the complex rules as no-one else was around. However, half an hour later we were joined by another couple, then more arrivals through the course of the morning.

A couple of views of the complex and pool

We also had access to the club house with complimentary tea and coffee, so a pleasant morning was had.

After dragging ourselves away from the pool, we also had lunch in the room, this being the remaining fried chicken, mac & cheese and sweetcorn from last night's dinner.

Jo and myself then took off for a walk along the front, with Alex preferring to top up her tan lines on the balcony. We ended up heading towards Venice, but after a short distance and being hassled by a number of people wanting money, Jo was feeling distinctly uncomfortable so we headed back along one of the parallel back streets and then wandered back along the Marina to our accommodation - Alex was still working on those tan lines when we got back.

The Beach looking towards Santa Monica

With it being Labor Day weekend, the area was very busy, so we took the opportunity of our early return to have an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, conveniently situated just across the road from our accommodation. Arriving at 18:15, we were surprised but not disappointed to be offered a table straight away.

From past experience at the CF, we showed some restraint by ordering two small plates as starters (cheese sticks and the Cuban wraps) to share, then Alex and Jo both ordered shrimp with pasta and myself a steak dish from the specials. The pasta dishes managed to defeat the ladies, but the steak dish I had was perfectly sized, with sides of sweetcorn and rice. As usual at CF, we had a great server, and ordered two slices of cheesecake (a vanilla and salted caramel) to take back with us.

At this point, the joys of the DDP at Disney were felt profoundly with the bill coming in at a shade under $100, plus tip. That said, we appreciated that the area is generally more expensive than Florida, and it's also the exchange rate that makes everything from fuel to food more expensive for us.

With dinner over, we headed back to the accommodation as it looked as if Jo had suffered blistering on her feet following our walk. She did have an emergency kit of plasters and the like, so after tending to the feet, we found that one of the channels on TV was running a Harry Potter weekend, so we settled in to watch one of the movies whilst trying extremely hard not to fall asleep - it's a hard life this travelling.

[Melbatb]

Nice to read that you have managed to relax!

What a shame about the walk and subsequent blisters

Can't beat a good cheesecake!

[jocat]

Love the look of the pool area. We didn't make it to Venice Beach, but I wouldn't have stayed there long if you get hassled by people either.

Got to love a visit to the Cheesecake Factory.

[Pussycat Doll]

We didn't like Venice either! I think it's an acquired taste! Lovely say and tgexCheesecake Factory is always good!

[tonymc]

The pool area was very good, as most of the people there were residents so probably don't bother using it. Even on Labor Day (Monday), it wasn't full, but there were large groups of people grilling and drinking to mark the day!

[Glee Fan]

I wouldn't have liked getting hassled either, but a lovely relaxing day!

[Animagus]

The complex looks really nice. I completely empathise with Jo not wanting to hang around long if you were getting hassled.
Still trying to work out which areas in the West we should visit and which to avoid - perhaps Venice Beach is to be avoided?

[tonymc]

TBH, I was a bit worried about the complex as there weren't any reviews to refer to. However, aside from the problem finding the "lock box" and the parking spot, everything else was very good.

[summersun]

a great lazy day x