Back from my holidays with a few photo's

Palmnuts · 09-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Despite being back home for about a week, I'm only just getting over my jet lag - how hard is it to adjust when returning from the USA's west coast!!

I've just had a couple of weeks in South California (LA, desert regions etc) and Las Vegas - this is truly one of my favourite destinations. I have attached one or two

photo's below - sorry to those who have been before as these are probably the typical tourist photo's that everyone takes!! The weather was incredible...a minimum of 34 degrees in LA and as hot as 48

in Las Vegas without a drop of rain to be seen!

We started off in LA and I just loved driving round some of the Hollywood Hills and seeing some fantastic properties in Beverly Hills....

Imagine living on a street like this

....

Hiring a couple of Segway's to tour Santa Monica and Venice beach was very good fun. I want one....but unbelievably they cost of £3k

Unfortunately, my first few days in LA was driving around in this heap of sh!t...I really thought they would have made a decent car out of the latest one but it's still utter rubbish....

Luckily, it didn't last long as I splashed out on one of these for the interesting drive across Death Valley to Las Vegas. It was very expensive and probably NOT worth the money it cost to hire but it was an experience and the best American car I have driven to date (although that's not saying much).....

t was very HOT here (although that didn't stop some random guy loitering in the desert!)....

Indeed, just before we got to Vegas, that Corvette nearly got me into a whole load of trouble in the middle of the desert.

It's the roads you see...long, wide and very empty. In a Corvette. So what was I to do....other than drive quite quickly??

The problem....I was caught by the fuzz doing 117mph! I very nearly got arrested as it's apparently what they do in the USA when stopping someone at over 100mph but luckily I had a reasonable state trooper who actually saw the funny side

that I was going the fastest that he'd ever caught anyone in a car!

He gave me a ticket for....wait for it....wreckless driving

Apparently it was the lightest charge he could give me without arresting me (I even have a court date in November in Las Vegas!). I won't actually have to go to court but it is going to cost me a fairly big fine - in excess of $1000

All my own fault...and I'd say definitely not worth it.

All was better when I arrived here though....

I stayed in the Bellagio which extremely pleasant

and far far too expensive!! Some of the other hotels were also very impressive...

The trip to the Grand Canyon and going into the Canyon by helicopter was one of the best experiences I've had....

Despite nearly getting arrested (admittedly through my own fault) it was a fantastic trip and a great way to spend a couple of weeks. Highly recommended.

E902717 · 09-10-2009, 12:37 AM

looks like you had a great time, apart from almost getting arrested! The pics are great and you will agree the pictures of the grand canyon do not do it justice its probably the most spectacular place on earth.

Me and my girlfriend are going to Vegas next July as part of our Honeymoon, I've never been before and i'm really looking forward to going

Might hire a Corvette and see if i can break your record

Oil Burner · 09-10-2009, 01:19 AM

i do seem to be remeber telling you that the Mustang was a POS, however glad it was not just me that thought so. Pics look fantatstic and remind me of when i was there last christmas. Grand Cayon was spectacular then, as it had snowed, and on the drive up from Phoenix towards the south rim, we went through deep snow (and you thing the Mustang was rubbish, try it in the snow) Then when you get to the canyon looking out is just awe inspiring

wish i was there now, rather than where I am

JLR1969 · 09-10-2009, 02:54 AM

Hi Andrew

Looks like a great holiday, I am under pressure to take Heather on a holiday that does not involve lying on a beach. May get a few ideas from you.

Stopped in the Luxor when I last went and saw a few shows and went to the canyon in a helecopter. I dont think what I had experienced really sank in until I got home.

Great photos.

rogerxp · 09-10-2009, 04:00 AM

I did a couple of nights in Vegas (Ceasars Palace) on my honeymoon. Fantastic place. Didn't really wander around to see the other hotels & sites though as it was too frickin hot (112 day one and 113 day two). You literally felt the hairs on your legs crisp up instantly when you stepped outside!!! Would love to go back and see other places & sites. Did the helicopter landing on the GC - amazing.

I hired a Mustang Convertable in Hawaii, also on honeymoon, and think that's even worse than the tin-top!!!

trixman · 09-10-2009, 05:16 AM

Damn, feel bad for recommending that corvette now! lol

It is an amazing place though, I love it there although must do the helicopter thing next time as I've never tried it.

- Paul - · 09-10-2009, 05:43 AM

Been to LA a few times - nicer than what people generally think of it but its limited to certain small areas. Still need to go to Las Vegas.

Bugger on the speeding fine tho!!

Geoffo · 09-10-2009, 06:05 AM

I also did a similar trip last year..Loved it.

Great pics..

Wingco · 09-10-2009, 05:16 PM

We went Jan `07 and it was bizarre - minus 4 deg C (anyone remember the ice-storms that hit south-west US and decimated the citrus crops???).
Beautiful, bright cloudless skies, and yet you would freeze your face off!
Sadly, didn't end up getting to the Stratosphere due to the cold weather. The fountain outside Ceasar's Palace/Roman Forum shops was frozen solid - made for a cracking picture!, and heli-trip out to and down into the Grand Canyon was also a little weird - so used to seeing that familiar red/brown colour on TV & movies, that actually being there in person for the first time and it being light dusting of white with frost/snow & ice was strange!

Stayed in NYNY, but all of the big hotels are something-else!

Oil Burner · 09-11-2009, 01:26 AM

we stayed in the NYNY 5 years ago when we got married in vegas, remember the night before my wedding being the last perosn fronm our group still up in the nive fine irish men pub
happy memories, oh and the wedding was good as well

SoYank · 09-11-2009, 01:24 PM

How's the five years been?

RichardM · 09-12-2009, 04:19 PM

I did a similar trip 2 years ago too, went to Vegas, stayed in the Bellagio, did the Helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon, road trip to Death Valley, stayed in Furnace Creek, stood on the salt flats! Great holiday and planning to go back next July.

The first time I ever got booked for speeding was in the US in Arizona years ago. As I had a foreign license he gave me a ticket for 'Waste of a Finite Resource' so it wouldn't have to go to court, still had to pay the fine though.

zltm089 · 09-12-2009, 04:31 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!.....livin the dream!!!....I want and need a holiday!!!....always wanted to go to the states!....

peterg1965 · 09-12-2009, 04:43 PM

Great pics Palmball.... I love California.

M3-FAST · 09-12-2009, 04:56 PM

Awesome pics, not jealous at all!!

Looks like you had a fantastic time, I so love the look of those Mustangs as well, shame they drive so crap.

Oil Burner · 09-13-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

How's the five years been?

nearly as much fun as the wedding

09-09-2009, 06:59 PM	#1
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,958 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	Back from my holidays with a few photo's Despite being back home for about a week, I'm only just getting over my jet lag - how hard is it to adjust when returning from the USA's west coast!! I've just had a couple of weeks in South California (LA, desert regions etc) and Las Vegas - this is truly one of my favourite destinations. I have attached one or two photo's below - sorry to those who have been before as these are probably the typical tourist photo's that everyone takes!! The weather was incredible...a minimum of 34 degrees in LA and as hot as 48 in Las Vegas without a drop of rain to be seen! We started off in LA and I just loved driving round some of the Hollywood Hills and seeing some fantastic properties in Beverly Hills.... Imagine living on a street like this .... Hiring a couple of Segway's to tour Santa Monica and Venice beach was very good fun. I want one....but unbelievably they cost of £3k Unfortunately, my first few days in LA was driving around in this heap of sh!t...I really thought they would have made a decent car out of the latest one but it's still utter rubbish.... Luckily, it didn't last long as I splashed out on one of these for the interesting drive across Death Valley to Las Vegas. It was very expensive and probably NOT worth the money it cost to hire but it was an experience and the best American car I have driven to date (although that's not saying much)..... t was very HOT here (although that didn't stop some random guy loitering in the desert!).... Indeed, just before we got to Vegas, that Corvette nearly got me into a whole load of trouble in the middle of the desert. It's the roads you see...long, wide and very empty. In a Corvette. So what was I to do....other than drive quite quickly?? The problem....I was caught by the fuzz doing 117mph! I very nearly got arrested as it's apparently what they do in the USA when stopping someone at over 100mph but luckily I had a reasonable state trooper who actually saw the funny side that I was going the fastest that he'd ever caught anyone in a car! He gave me a ticket for....wait for it....wreckless driving Apparently it was the lightest charge he could give me without arresting me (I even have a court date in November in Las Vegas!). I won't actually have to go to court but it is going to cost me a fairly big fine - in excess of $1000 All my own fault...and I'd say definitely not worth it. All was better when I arrived here though.... I stayed in the Bellagio which extremely pleasant and far far too expensive!! Some of the other hotels were also very impressive... The trip to the Grand Canyon and going into the Canyon by helicopter was one of the best experiences I've had.... Despite nearly getting arrested (admittedly through my own fault) it was a fantastic trip and a great way to spend a couple of weeks. Highly recommended.
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09-10-2009, 12:37 AM	#2
E902717 Colonel 57 Rep 2,402 Posts Drives: E91 335d M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	looks like you had a great time, apart from almost getting arrested! The pics are great and you will agree the pictures of the grand canyon do not do it justice its probably the most spectacular place on earth. Me and my girlfriend are going to Vegas next July as part of our Honeymoon, I've never been before and i'm really looking forward to going Might hire a Corvette and see if i can break your record __________________ Car: 2011 BMW E91 335D M-Sport Previous: 2010 BMW E70 X5 3.0D M-Sport - last seen going backwards in a hedge
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09-10-2009, 01:19 AM	#3
Oil Burner Captain 9 Rep 615 Posts Drives: E93 330d SE Auto Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wilts iTrader: (0)	i do seem to be remeber telling you that the Mustang was a POS, however glad it was not just me that thought so. Pics look fantatstic and remind me of when i was there last christmas. Grand Cayon was spectacular then, as it had snowed, and on the drive up from Phoenix towards the south rim, we went through deep snow (and you thing the Mustang was rubbish, try it in the snow) Then when you get to the canyon looking out is just awe inspiring wish i was there now, rather than where I am
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09-10-2009, 02:54 AM	#4
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	Hi Andrew Looks like a great holiday, I am under pressure to take Heather on a holiday that does not involve lying on a beach. May get a few ideas from you. Stopped in the Luxor when I last went and saw a few shows and went to the canyon in a helecopter. I dont think what I had experienced really sank in until I got home. Great photos.
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09-10-2009, 04:00 AM	#5
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	I did a couple of nights in Vegas (Ceasars Palace) on my honeymoon. Fantastic place. Didn't really wander around to see the other hotels & sites though as it was too frickin hot (112 day one and 113 day two). You literally felt the hairs on your legs crisp up instantly when you stepped outside!!! Would love to go back and see other places & sites. Did the helicopter landing on the GC - amazing. I hired a Mustang Convertable in Hawaii, also on honeymoon, and think that's even worse than the tin-top!!! __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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09-10-2009, 05:16 AM	#6
trixman Major 33 Rep 1,269 Posts Drives: A Rental Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Creepy Crawley iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335d [0.00] 2003 M3 CSL [0.00] 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Damn, feel bad for recommending that corvette now! lol It is an amazing place though, I love it there although must do the helicopter thing next time as I've never tried it.
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09-10-2009, 05:43 AM	#7
- Paul - Major General 712 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Been to LA a few times - nicer than what people generally think of it but its limited to certain small areas. Still need to go to Las Vegas. Bugger on the speeding fine tho!! __________________ My Photos
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09-10-2009, 05:16 PM	#9
Wingco Private 2 Rep 91 Posts Drives: VW CC GT (2013MY) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	We went Jan `07 and it was bizarre - minus 4 deg C (anyone remember the ice-storms that hit south-west US and decimated the citrus crops???). Beautiful, bright cloudless skies, and yet you would freeze your face off! Sadly, didn't end up getting to the Stratosphere due to the cold weather. The fountain outside Ceasar's Palace/Roman Forum shops was frozen solid - made for a cracking picture!, and heli-trip out to and down into the Grand Canyon was also a little weird - so used to seeing that familiar red/brown colour on TV & movies, that actually being there in person for the first time and it being light dusting of white with frost/snow & ice was strange! Stayed in NYNY, but all of the big hotels are something-else! __________________ GONE: 320d Editions SE - SG; Lemon Dakota; V-spokes style188, Hifi Loudspeaker, 6FL, Auto Lights/wipers. HELLO: VW CC GT Deep Pearl Black; Desert-Beige/black leather.
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09-11-2009, 01:26 AM	#10
Oil Burner Captain 9 Rep 615 Posts Drives: E93 330d SE Auto Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wilts iTrader: (0)	we stayed in the NYNY 5 years ago when we got married in vegas, remember the night before my wedding being the last perosn fronm our group still up in the nive fine irish men pub happy memories, oh and the wedding was good as well
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09-11-2009, 01:24 PM	#11
SoYank Major General 573 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	How's the five years been? __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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09-12-2009, 04:19 PM	#12
RichardM Colonel 133 Rep 2,047 Posts Drives: G21 M340i LCI Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Essex UK iTrader: (2)	I did a similar trip 2 years ago too, went to Vegas, stayed in the Bellagio, did the Helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon, road trip to Death Valley, stayed in Furnace Creek, stood on the salt flats! Great holiday and planning to go back next July. The first time I ever got booked for speeding was in the US in Arizona years ago. As I had a foreign license he gave me a ticket for 'Waste of a Finite Resource' so it wouldn't have to go to court, still had to pay the fine though. __________________ 2023 G21 M340i LCI Previous - 2020 G21 330d M-Sport, F31 335d M-Sport, F31 330d M-Sport
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09-12-2009, 04:31 PM	#13
zltm089 Banned 247 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	WOW!!!!!!!!!.....livin the dream!!!....I want and need a holiday!!!....always wanted to go to the states!....
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09-12-2009, 04:43 PM	#14
peterg1965 Brigadier General 164 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: F30 335d M Sport, F15 X5 40d Join Date: May 2007 Location: The place of dark satanic mills, UK iTrader: (0)	Great pics Palmball.... I love California.
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09-12-2009, 04:56 PM	#15
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 211 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	Awesome pics, not jealous at all!! Looks like you had a fantastic time, I so love the look of those Mustangs as well, shame they drive so crap.
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