My Japanese passport‘s expire date was in February , so we had a road trip to LA on January 30, 31 because the General of Japan Consulate where I can renew my passport is located in only Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, New York etc..
and the closest place from my place is Los Angeles.
We wanted to have sightseeing if we had one or two extra days but Ray’s work was very busy this season and he could only get two days off.
So, there was no time for sightseeing in our LA trip, such as seeing all the Theme parks, and we went there just go get my new passport in a very limited time.
Normally, it takes a week to get the new passport but for people who are from other states, they can specially make it faster within 1 to 2 days.
Our plan was arriving at General of Japan Consulate around 3:00pm,
And apply for the passport renewal. Then pick up the new passport in the next day’s afternoon, after 3:00pm.
The estimated driving time from our place to LA downtown is about 7 to 8 hours.
We left early in the morning, around 6:30am on January 30.
Preparing some water and snacks, and also music like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Chopin, Liszt, Saint Saens, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, best variety of Classical music, Rainbow, Kansas, in the car.
Break places - Phoenix, Blythe, Palm springs,
The driving direction looked very simple, just take Highway 10 west until LA.
But it connects to San Bernadino Frwy to Highway 101 in downtown LA area.
That area looks very confusing, and if you just simply straight to drive Highway 10 west, there is a merge which connects to Highway 5, and we read many people got lost around there.
On the way to LA, we were specially careful around the area and fortunately could get there no problem without mistake.
However, there are many one way roads in downtown LA, and we had to turn around several times to get to the building where there is General of Japan Consulate.
I knew there are no free Parking places in LA downtown area.
But for safety, it’s good to park in the safe area.
The location of the General of Japan Consulate is on the South Grand Ave according to the address, but actually it’s located along with Hope street.
We were not planning to walk around in downtown for security reason, but had to walk to look for it.
Everything went well for Jan 30’s work we were planning for my passport renewal.
And arrived at Biltmore hotel around 3:30 pm and checked in.
We chose that hotel because it’s really close to General of Japan Consulate, also, love the design of the building.
Also it was our 10th Anniversary time, so we wanted to stay at a good hotel where there is a nice restaurant for dinner.
Biltmore hotel was gorgeous !
It was designed by Italian designer and this place was used in some Hollywood movies.
I like this kind of classical style design’s place rather than modern style.
We saw some Japanese people in the hotel, both workers and customers.
Among the hotel customers, we were impressed there was a young lady who looked like a classical musician, wearing elegant punk style fashion and carrying a gigantic Cello, which almost looked bigger than herself.
Unique.
For dinner,
We went to an Italian restaurant called “ Smeraldi “ in the hotel. (http://www.opentable.com/smeraldis-restaurant )
There are two restaurants in the hotel, one for that Italian restaurant, and another for Japanese restaurant.
Also there is a nice bar.
We made a reservation for dinner at 7 pm.
Before dinner, I wanted to go to the swimming poor in the hotel, but when we went there, there was no water in the pool.
So we were just hanging around the hotel, taking some pictures until 7:00pm.
The hotel had many old time pictures on the walls from the hotel’s Hollywood glamour time period.
One of the pictures reminded us of the movie “ The Shining “ with Jack Nicholson.
Very scary movie and the picture in the hotel reminded us of the old photo they showed at the end of the movie.
It’s an old hotel, Ray was reading some reviews which said they saw ghosts in the hotel.
No wonder there may be some… but try not to think about it while staying there.
7:00pm, in the restaurant “Smeraldi”, we both ordered Lasagna , minestrone soup , and for salad, Ray for Ceasar Salad, and I for organic green salad.
We celebrated our 10th anniversary in the restaurant.
I can’t believe it already past 10 years !
The Lasagna tasted different from usual Lasagna I’ve ever eaten , there was thin beef inside of Lasagna…
honestly, I had to remove the beef because it’s just didn’t make me feel good.
So did Ray.
I don’t feel beef is fit with Lasagna.
Everything else was great.
After having the Lasagna, we were already full and didn’t have enough space for desert .
I’m always like that. Still can not eat desert during dinner.
Always wonder why everyone can eat desert right after the meal.
Afternoon tea lounge .
Seems like this beautiful lounge was used in some Hollywood movies.
Designed by Spanish architect.
After that, we came back to our room and had a bottle of champagne with some chat.
Next day, we had some free time until 3pm so hanging around downtown.
It was really beautiful day.
I love California’s weather, because it’s not so hot or sunny or not too humid or dry, very comfortable.
So my skin condition was great.
I haven’t seen skyscrapers for a long time.
Want to visit New York City next time.
Only thing, I like to walk around places where I can feel more safe and relax, so in a big city, Toronto in Canada ( besides Tokyo ) maybe fit me.
In the USA, probably I won't be able to feel relax like Japan or Canada.
Felt thirsty while hanging around, so we went to star bucks .
Ordered my favorite one, coffee frapucinno with whip cream on top.
Taste of it was more delicious than Tucson, don’t know why. I also felt same when I drank it in San Francisco.
California’s weather influence the taste ? Or depending on the store, it’s different ?
After that, we had a lunch at a Mexican grill restaurant.
It was lunch time and most of restaurants were full with office workers so we felt like anywhere is fine if there are seat for us to relax.
If there are many vegetables, I’m always happy for it.
Interesting thing is that the Mexican food kept both of our stomachs full for about more than 12 hours.
I rarely eat Mexican foods except for Tortilla Chips, so I was impressed for it.
We both didn’t get hungry until the next day.
After that lunch, we stayed around downtown including a library and picked up my new passport at the General of Japan Consulate around 3PM.
Ray had to work next day so we just directly to back home.
One the way to Arizona, we had sort of an adventure.
We thought we were heading back the same way we came, in highway 101.
The sign said this way to highway 101 and 5 South. So we followed the signs for 101.
After a while I noticed there were no more signs for 101, only 5 south. Continuing, and nothing. Only 5 south, 101 had disappeared.
So we turned around. Funny thing is, we were listening to a Kansas song which repeated lyrics “ Turn around, turn around “. lol
Finally we found San Bernardino freeway, which is 101 according to the map, just they don’t call it 101 at Los Angeles area.
Highway was busy and everyone drove speedy, plus we might miss a sign for 10 East.
And while we were turning around on the 5 North, I thought it’s faster to take 605 South to go to 10 East.
So we took 605 South and at the merge where there are 605 South and 10 East and West according to the map , there was no sign for 10 East, but only 10 West where to go to Los Angeles.
We also tried to find a way to get to 10East in another exit on the Highway 10, but it was like a puzzle, we didn’t see any sign or entrance for 10 East.
Finally we gave up and just back to 10 West to LA, arrived around 8pm, then took San Bernardino freeway, which is connect to 10 East.
And we planned to have break time for gas and etc.. at West Covina, Indio and Blythe.
But in Indio, there was nothing there. When we tried to get out of Indio, there was no highway entrance.
The road kept going back to center of Indio, where there was nothing. Then we were sitting at red light which never turned green.
Finally, Ray just went when there was no cars, because that red light was broken.
We got on to the highway at a different exit.
We arrived at Blythe around midnight. There was almost no one in the gas station and also in Mac Donald.
Ray needed a strong coffee to wake up so we went to Denny’s where we found several cars in the parking place.
Having late dinner there, and it took about 3 hours to get home from Blythe.
We arrived home about 4am…
Loud music, coffee, and Siberian Eleuthero really helped us to stay awake while driving.
When we got back home, the next day Ray said that an elderly co-worker told him that she and her family had got lost at the same highway, only thing is they hadn’t noticed that the 101 signs had disappeared, and they kept going, thinking they were on 101.
Next thing they knew, there were signs telling them to get in the right lane for immigration control. They were at the border with Mexico !!
So they had to turn around , go all the way back.
If you have a plan to have road trip to LA from AZ, watch out the circle merge area of San Bernardino freeway, highway 101 and 10.
It’s easy to get lost.
It was a little adventure , but at the end, I’m happy I got my new passport and got home safely.
Felt like home is the best place.