"Big Island" Hawaii - Day 8: Our journey home

Our flight to and from Hawaii was exceptionally long as we had booked quite literally at the last minute on points.

And so, we left Kona at 10:00 PM, arriving in Los Angles at 5:00 AM.  It was pretty early, and yes, we could have taken a morning flight to Vancouver on points. However, Hilary wisely thought it would be best to find a hotel to get some sleep before starting our final journey to Vancouver.

 And so, we took a shuttle to the Marriott Courtyard, only minutes from the airport.  We experienced a bit of frustration when the night clerk said, "Oh yes, we have your reservation you booked yesterday for checkout at noon today. You didn't show up last night, so we charged the room. However, our computers won't let us give you the room since you have come in the following day!


It took a half hour of 'reasoning' with him, but finally another receptionist arrived with a bit more common sense. We got the two rooms we needed, and managed to get some rest

In the end, Hilary's idea to stay overnight in Los Angles worked out really well.  When we woke, we were refreshed and found a brilliant morning waiting for us.We had breakfast at the nearby Shereton, and then Hilary and I set off for a short adventure, taking a quaintly fitted tourist trolley bus out to Manhattan Beach.






Hilary and I had never  been to this part of Los Angles before.  What a nice surprise


<--entering the Manhattan Beach area

 Manhattan Beach is located here (click here to enlarge)-->

<--Walking down Highland Blvd towards the beach

Manhattan Beach is huge, with white sand stretching in both directions from where we were, as far as the eye could see.

The pier is a favorite destination and viewpoint to watch surfers, cast a line to catch fish, or just to go for a stroll.

Stan and Hilary on Manhattan Beach Pier-->

<--Lifeguard house on the pier

 

 Looking down from the pier to view surfers getting ready to catch the next wave-->

<--Surfing at Manhattan Beach.  Click on the photo to enlarge

  

The surfers out there were pretty good!-->

 

 

Fishing at the end of the pier-->

 

<--Cyclist riding past the Rock'n Fish restaraunt on Manhattan Blvd, not far from the beach

We were told that the Rockfish restaurant is famous for its seafood.  We were not disappointed - the prawns and Ahi tuna, served on a bed of ice, was amazing-->

After lunch, Hilary and I wandered among some of the interesting shops along Highland Blvd, then took the trolley back to our hotel.

<--On the shuttle to the airport, for our last journey home.















At last we were back on the plane to San Francisco, connecting, eventually to Vancouver. We arrived home near midnight, tired, but happy with some wonderful memories.