Kiwi's and Aussies

Flyertalkers at Mudbrick Vineyards Restaurant On Wiaheke Island, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia

Auckland, New Zealand (I took this photo...really)

Left last Saturday for Auckland with some Flyertalk friends of ours from DC, Chicago and Kansas City. In New Zealand we did a lot of sightseeing including taking a day trip and tour to Waikeke Island. On the island we did a wine tasting tour including a special trip to Goldwater Estate Winery the first winery on Waikeke where we had a private tasting and met the owner Kim Goldwater.

After 3 short days we hopped on a plane to Sydney for 2 night. Many things were going on with a lot of publicity such as the finals of Australian Idol (the Australian version of American Idol) where they were setting up at the Opera House. The LA Galaxy was in town with Beckham and this was going to be the largest exhibition game in Australia's history. Also, the election of the Prime Minister was the day we left and from what I read this was a huge deal because the current PM had served several terms so the city was buzzing the entire time we were there. Met up with another Flyertalker friend and his girlfriend for dinner.

I think I walked about 7 miles a day in Auckland and Sydney both. I need to go back and actually spend some time there.

[note] Upon arrival we heard that the current PM lost the election.

STEPS TO THE SAND IN MANHATTAN BEACH

209 38th Place Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Upstairs 2 Bd, 1 Bath, 940 sq. ft. $800,000

Down stairs 1 bd, 1 ba, 460 sq ft $600,000

Living in the South Bay is great but the cost can be a bit higher. These units are less than a block from the beach, restaurants, and shops and less than 5 miles from LAX. (not on MLS) www.SouthBayinLA.com
http://shorewood.com/ListingDetail.cfm?ID=116966
http://shorewood.com/ListingDetail.cfm?ID=116976


Ok....enough about real estate. I am headed to New Zealand tomorrow so I should have something interesting to blog about soon.

I LOVE LA

Last night we went to a special invite only cocktail reception, dinner and Rod Stewart concert at Staples Center. We had two extra tickets so we brought a couple friends. The tickets were given to Staples Center suite holders, Grand Reserve Club Members and those with floor seats for the Clippers, Lakers and King's glass seat holders.

I don't care to go to too many concerts but Rod Stewart did a fantastic job. Right before the Hot Legs song Rod shared a photo of himself on the megascreen. He was dressed in a nurses dress with a biker hat and stilletos.

It was quite an evening.

Beyond The South Bay In LA: The Big Island of Hawaii's Fires

When I left for Hawaii I was looking forward to being in the islands but I was mostly looking forward to being able to breathe again. In Los Angeles and throughout Southern California we have been having awful fires and the air had been still, hot and there was ash floating. I could no longer stand being outside and I kept all the doors and windows closed to keep out the bad air.

When we arrived in Hawaii the air was clean, clear and beautiful. I could breathe!!!!

Then the day after the wedding on Sunday October 28th, 2007 arsonist did what they do best and started several fires on the island.

We were having a nice champagne brunch with the wedding party when the alarms sounded off and we were asked by the hotel intercom to get our belongings and return to our cars and head South.

We continued to eat and the servers continued to work until the hotel called a mandatory evacuation.

We headed to a friends villa nearby but the smoke got so bad so we headed to Waimea for the day.

We ended up going to the Waipi'o Valley lookout which was beautiful and head back to Waimea for lunch by that time the fires near Mauna Lani were under control and people were allowed to return to the hotel

Beyond The South Bay In LA: The Big Island Of Hawaii

If you have ever landed at KOA airport you will know that it is like landing on Mars. From the view from the plane [above] the ocean is blue and beautiful but when the plane lands all one can see for miles is black lava rock all around you.

We to the Mauna Lani Resort for a few days to come to a friends wedding at the hotel. It was a beautiful ceremony and every thing was just perfect including the reception at the Beach Club nearby.