Happy New Year and Oh LA 2

Hi Peeps,

What a GLORIOUS GOD, more than anyone or anything GOD IS GOOD. No matter where we have been, where we are and where we are going GOD IS FAITHFUL and HE NEVER FORGETS!!!

Christmas and New Year was Great for me, it was totally stress free, no cooking/cleaning, no getting into arguments with the family, no overeating. Christmas Day was spent lazying in the Hotel and eventually going for the tour of Movie star homes then heading to Long Beach to have dinner at the Queen Mary's, the food was sumptous.
31st of December - Spent in London, went to church for the watchnight seervice and we sent words to the New Year, this is our year indeed. I see order and new creations unfolding in my life and in your life. New year day itself was spend lazying in bed at my brother's place, later went to see my mum.
Stayed a couple of more days in London before flying back to my village base.

New year resolutions - none. The last time I had resolution was probably 10-12 years ago. I make resolutions on as needed basis why wait till Jan, as they say 'Carpe Diem'.

LA - What can I say I enjoyed myself. I later found the internet access was just $10.

Armed with the Los Angeles Go Card, the places we visited include- Getty Museum, Santa Monica Pier, Sunset Strip / Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills, Camarillo Outlets, Queen Mary on Long Beach, Kodak Theatre, Universal Studios, Movie Star homes tour, Trolley Tour, Hollywood wax museum, Gauman's chinese theatre.
Summary gist for each place visited is below in no particular order (I will conclude the rest in next post).

  • Driving in LA - LA Drivers have no patience sha. Maybe it was because we mainly took the freeway ni o I don't know but just after 4 hours on the road come and see stress for my body. Picture this, Ikorodu Road having 6-7 lanes of smooth motorway, and instead of molues, tokunbos and some choice rides we have 70-80% SUVs / Trucks. Then imagine that the SUVs / Trucks are being driven with an added attitude of 'notin dey happen, insurance dey'. Now imagine my humble self who drives in a country where you sweat blood and money before you get your licence, any small mistake gets you points (not trophy point); She has not driven on the wrong side of the road (i.e. left hand) for over a decade, has not seen so many lanes on one road in her life, has forgotten that you can overtake from left, right, centre, front. You get the picture?! Even with the strong winds those folks were just going for it like mad. I was swerving ever so often because my brain kept panicking that I was on the wrong side, the wind was blowing heavily and those trucks were coming at me from every where, mehn I tire. I was so glad to return the car back and get on the metro phew. See video below, my speed was between 50-60mph on a windy night!!! yet even trucks were overtaking. The other language you hear me speak is yoruba, summarily I was just venting and saying I will stick to one lane no matter what (last) at the same time comparing the driving to Naija and UK.

  • Getty Museum - The maze garden and the views from this museum was the main deal for me. I must confess we only did a brief tour of the current exhibition which had a lot of displays about early christianity and war items (forgot the name of it now). Spent some time taking in the views from the terrace cafe and walking around the garden.
  • Jamba Juice Joint (As per Kimpossible) - There was one outside universal Studio and I visited. I had a smoothie but that was 2 days earlier, so it was not quite the Jamba smoothie. Gist was I had just finished Capuccino or somefink when I came upon the jamba joint so just could not down any other drink. Found another around Griffith park but it was closed :(
  • Santa Monica / Venice Beach (As per Allied & Mochafella) - Imagine 30+ with her eyes kongba and the buffet of people available for my watching consumption with a backdrop of the sea lapping on the shores of the beach. I could ride up and down all day just enjoying the scenery, wait...that is what we did. We rented bikes and spent the whole day riding the stretch of the path from Santa Monica to Venice, stopping only for lunch. As if that was not enough I got a free gift of watching the Sunset (see earlier video).

Lunch


  • Griffith Park / Observatory (As per Jinta) - Here it was a touch and go deal. We only went there on the day of our departure and was advised not to bother going to the observatory as it was packed.

Till later when I conclude my LA gist, "I wish you a joyful and fulfilling New year. A New Dawn has come"

Shalom

38 comments:

Jinta said...

Don’t know if it was the car swerving or an unsteady camera, but I became nervous watching the video, esp. with the non-stop commentary. You even had Winnebagos and articulated trucks overtaking you? Haba. Welcome back and glad you enjoyed yourself.

Jayn Sean said...

Wow! You really did enjoyed yourself hey? Glad to see back all safe. Welcome ooo!

More gist, abeg...!

A Kel called Wonder ...... said...

Happy New Year 30+ i guess its always best to travel wiv people or to see people u know. That way u can have fun. Glad u enjoyed L.A

Anu boy said...

happy new year madam, na you de enjoy oh...
have a wonderful 2008...

Anu boy said...

happy new year madam, na you de enjoy oh...
have a wonderful 2008...

Mommy said...

I am more interested in that lunch you had. Sure looks scrumptious. Yummy!! Welcome back girl and a Happy New Year to you too.

princesa said...

Yee pa!!!
See over enjoyment!
Next time remember to put me for ur handbag o!

Happy new year darling.

Thirty + said...

@Jinta, you were nervous just reading, I was more than nervous.

@Jaybabe, thanks more gist dey come.

@Akel wonder, it is def more enjoyable. Every Bonny should have a clyde.

@Anuboy, I just say make I try small, happy new year to you too.

@Mommy, Happy New Year o, the meal was scrumptous indeed.

@Princessa, over enjoyment ke, when I missed the bloggers party. No worries next time we will arrange something.

UnNaked Soul said...

am saying HO to affirm... LoL

Happy New Year!!!
you missed the blogger party babes...
well, seen that you had mad groove in LA... :-)

Allied said...

Lol.. that driving was SLLLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWWWW.. However would you drive in NYC? Men, i would have brush you off the road oh.

Lol.. you even called then Aje.

Obinwanne said...

you have really enjoyed...welcome back....we miss you....

Afrobabe said...

Dang...you were in london and not a holla??? Not fair...sulk sulk!!

Anonymous said...

watched the video, that's how it is high. and even worse on the highways, also noticed that you did not stop @ the stop sign! they do not play here with fines and tickets. hope u enjoyed ur stay though.

EDNUTEY said...

Happy New Year..really nice pictures
and I love ur new template

darkelcee said...

i can see you had a blast!

but that driving na waa, Even ikorodu road driving is much more berra.lol!

Enjoy your new year too

Thirty + said...

@Unnaked, knew it, me likes...My dad used to keep one. Yes o LA was groovy.

@Allied - Slow ke on a very windy night like that, in fact there was a red flag alert caution in the news due to the wind. I called them aje because they wanted to winch me off the highway mehn, lol.

@Obiwanne - My brother from another mother, oya say the truth you were too busy grooving at the bloggers parry and missing you know who to even remember me. Missed you too jare, I am sending two hugs your way, so share equally.

@Afrobabe - London was more of stop over jo. I was jetlagged on the two occasions..kpele, ndo, sorry.

@Anon - Chai, I was going to ask what the deal is with getting points and stuff 'cos I broke a few red lights o. I just pray that the cameras did not catch me sha.

@Sparkle - Thanks. Hope you are still sparkling. Happy New Year.

@Darkelcee - Happy New Year aburo, I see you have shown your face. How far na you don update. Take kia

Joy Isi Bewaji said...

someone had a blast this holiday!
30+ na u biko!
happy new year dear!

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

You had tooooooooo much fun I tell you! Nicey! Nice to have you back dear...Have a blessed new year dear...Stay blessed!

Bukenzo said...

Gud know you've been having so much fun. 2008 is our year of goodies and other repete jo.

Afrobabe said...

hmmm...ok you are forgiven...next time though....

Joy Akut said...

happy new year...God really has been wonderful.

was almost swerving on my seat like i was really driving with the description you gave...
sounds like u had loads of fun tho...so jealous, dang, its a new year..no more jealousy jare.

Kawana Aminata Oliver said...

Happy New Year Gurl ;-)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year 30+

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thirty + said...

@si - How for do. Gurl how na, happy new year o

@Nyemoni- Biko, I wan follow una now today Dubai tomorrow Los Angeles innit

@Bukenzo - Amin repete, see o that is why I wrote long post so y'all can share the enjoyment.

@Afrobabe - you are supposed to be reading, go back sharpish

@Fantasy - yes o repent of jealousy o (lol), thanks

@Kawana - Happy new year, trust you are feeling great

@Cal - Happy New year to you, more updates needed p

flawsandall said...

nice photos

hmm wat camera did you use to take those pictures..

Anonymous said...

somebody had fun!

princesa said...

You have got some good photography skills 30+.

Have a fun weekend.

darkelcee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
darkelcee said...

I dey show my face small small,that na part 1...............lawl!

Lighty 'neferet' Kopearl said...

ah 30+ it looks as if u had fun ohh. gbogbo aye! well u need the break. happy new year to u too.

and are u sure u werent driving @ 10-20kmp. confess oh. maybe it the other drivers, but didnt seem like u was moving past that. lol.

and yeah how cool is that, i can put a voice to ur writeups. fantastic stuff. and yeah u might want to visit my blog.

UndaCovaSista said...

Lol! Did i really hear you say 'kilo nfe sara moto?'. That was too funny!!!
You're lucky you didnt get arrested for kerb crawling.. you were driving so slowly at the beginning!
Love the picture of the maze. You guys clearly had fun...

Arewa said...

NAH U DEY ENJOY OOH...please send me a bit of that sunshine... x x

Thirty + said...

@Zephi, Thanks it was fujitsu, 6mpx

@Geisha, they sure did

@Princessa, just trying to develop the skill o

@Darkelcee, bring on part 2

@Lighty, that one is just part 1 now. Because the window was wound down you did not get the gist of just how fast we were going. Hope you are not tryna say I was driving like an old woman (squeezing my eyes).

@Undacova, you heard right o, it'was my sis wondering at some particles blowing against the car and I was explaning it was the wind effect.

@Arewa, the sunshine is contraband so had to leave it behind :)

laspapi said...

Looks like you had great fun, 30+. Here's wishing you an unforgettable 2008 for all the right reasons.

Rinsola said...

Thank you for them pictures and HAPPY new year, i know i'm late but better late than never, abi? We shall have many reasons to be grateful to God this year in Jesus name (Amen)

Jayn Sean said...

Passed by...checking for the promised gist...

Nneka's World said...

Haha!!!
I feel you with the driving.
I felt that way when i moved here and Texans are worse drivers than LA people..
These people dont care!!!!!!
Lol