Wednesday, 14th. January, '98.
Los Angeles, California, United States.

Los Angeles airport is bigger, cleaner, and busier than I remember. It takes twice as long from the airport to the hotel as I've been told, and I have the sinking feeling Long Beach is not really a beach, simply a long way away from everyone I know.

Hyatt Regency Long Beach,
Long Beach, California.

The hotel is beautiful, like all Hyatts, and I really appreciate my luggage being whisked away, being addressed by name, the spacious foyer and layout of my room #719. Lovely leather-finish seamless wallpaper, individual signed prints on the walls, luxurious fabrics, beautiful wood and a wonderful view from my window. Spoil myself with a bubble bath, and soft fluffy towels.

Make a few phone calls and chat with 'DJ2THEC' on the phone, who passes on messages from 'Nadir' and 'Neve' in Paddynet.

Thursday, 15th. January, '98.

Waking thismorning and glancing across to the window I see a flat, grey sky and leap out of bed thinking "Snow !" Wrong. I'm in Sunny California, where it never rains, and it's raining. Or looks like it - with grey mist covering everything and no sign of the sun.

Wonderful coffee - the best ever, and undoubtably the coffee I could smell at the airport last night. Served in a large cup, with real milk, and a neat clip-on "traveller" lid enabling me to drink from it. So nice I return and ask Brian for another cup - "Starbucks coffee" with an insulating sleeve that's even recycled. Turkey and cheese croissant with that wonderful coffee for breakfast, eaten outside in the fresh air watching the never-ending parade of people arriving at the hotel and convention centre. This entire state even went non-smoking at the start of the year, and no smoking in any public places - even bars.

A visit to the business centre, and off up the street to Kinko's - such a neat place ! Full internet access, and everything you need for printing, stationery, artwork and scanning - all in the one location. I was told there is a branch in Sydney, and I wondered about Melbourne. The furniture was well-designed, staff were pleasant and extremely helpful, and my suprise at it being uncrowded was put down to the overcast weather, like a 'real' winter's day. Even the 'rest-room' was nice - attractively tiled and wallpapered, wheelchair access, and a sensor for the light !

Taking a break for something to eat, I ventured next door to Subway, for a sub, packet of chips and a Pepsi. (Living it up, here) It was great ! A meal and a half, and back to collect messages, chat, and deal with mail while unsuccessfully trying to load the backlog of notes to my GeoCities page.

Returning to the hotel late afternoon, I soak in the bath, read and dress for dinner. 'Tides', the signature restaurant here, is on the lower level, with primary colours, canopies and metal-ware. I choose the Californian Sushi roll in nori with crabmeat, avacado, pickled ginger and wasabi, and a salad as the main course. The waiter talked me into a Californian white wine - Kendall Jackson chardonney, and I had to admit it was the nicest Californian wine I've tasted. So far. I thought of Greg, with his "patented wine-fax" and wondered about doing a virtual swap with a Yarra Valley wine.

Friday, 16th. January, '98.

Booked the shuttle bus back to the airport for 7.30pm, and it's strange to think I will lose Saturday. Spend time chatting with Alicia and Robin in administration, with the staff, and looking through the lobby shop.

Spend time chatting with BillD on the phone - taking his valuable time, with so much to talk about - even our Austins ! Due to the time difference in Miami, I keep missing Claudio, too. Catch up with Tracy and Randle, yet miss quite a few. This has been a nice stay, yet I'm glad to be heading home.

Afternoon, a wonderful sunset, a walk along the boardwalk over to the Shoreline shopping centre. Counting around seventy new palms already planted around the new aquarium area, spying a mini Sydney harbour bridge, skaters, sailing boats, shoppers and other tourists. "A holiday for eyes" says the lady sitting on one of the benches, taking a break from the Inprinted Sportswear convention. The imposing three red funnels of the Queen Mary behind the quaint Shoreline buildings of colourful red, turquoise and cream.

Sitting in my room, gazing out the window across to the marina and beach as pippens, seagulls white, brown, and everything inbetween circle the Convention Centre rainbow lagoon endlessly. The whales painted on the Long Beach Ice Dogs arena. Constant traffic of sleek, modern cars. No wonder this is a sought after place to live - public spaces are wide, clean, and soothing. Buildings are majestic, and understated. Plenty of greenery - potted plants, flowers, clipped trees and hedges. All very pleasing to the eye.

Next stop - Auckland.

How far is it ? - 6508 miles (10474 km)