We arrived in Rarotonga at 6am the flight was with air New Zealand which was okay – cabin crew were friendly and safety video made us chuckle. As we had our Virgin frequent flyer details on the flight (all being part of Star Alliance) we thought we would automatically get the special meals, this was not the case. The options were beef or chicken!! Luckily they had some vegetarian options which were edible’ish!!. You have to ask the cabin crew for these.
We arrived in Rarotonga at 6am and the connecting flight to Aitutaki was at 8am. The check in desk opened at 7:30 so we just hung around the airport. At Rarotonga airport Papa Jack welcomed us all with a song which was pretty cool. It was around 20 celcius which for me felt cold but suppose at 7:30am it is warm. Lets hope it gets HOT!
Papa Jack
Sweets given on the flight, Pranks!?!?
Once we arrived at Aitutaki it was 9am and we were greeted with fresh flower garlands by the resort staff! The transfer to the resort was complimentary. It took ten minutes to get there:
As soon as we got to the resort the staff gave us a delicious fresh cocunut drink served in the cocunut. The resort is stunning very relaxed and friendly staff, from our villa we have great views of the lagoon. There are only ten villas at the resort so it feels very cosy.
After checking into the hotel, we were offered a fruit breakfast beside the pool and honesty bar. Breakfast was delicious, all the fruit is grown locally. There is passion fruit, breadfruit, bananas, coconut, yogurt, bread and jams The fruit tasted amazing, as if it had just been picked. During breakfast we met another couple from Switzerland who had just checked in aswell – they are in Aitutaki for three weeks, lucky them. They have already been here two weeks so gave us some tips on what to do and see. They warned us that food is very expensive here especially groceries.
The room
Afterwards we had a wander around the amazing gardens where there are lots of cockerels, chickens and cats! We then went to the beach just a few meters away and had a paddle in the ocean. Then we went to our villa to freshen up.
We wanted to buy a thank you present for Harkirat Singh and Simran Sat Sangeet therefore we popped over to Larchmont where we bought a picture frame and some very nice soap. Afterwards we had a final trip to BabyCakes!
We also needed to pop to the laundromat and final trip of this holiday to the Guru Ram Das Gurdwara on Preuss.
Afterwards we headed back to the house, packed and gave the presents, hope they liked them!
We also got to meet Manjeet their daughter which was very nice.
Headed to LAX around 9pm the journey took 30 minutes and actually got to the airport in plenty of time! On a previous trip to LA we checked in 55 minutes before departure.
This morning we visited Sri Singh Sabha Walnut, this Gurdwara Sahib was established in 2008 to address the growing Sangat’s needs in the Los Angeles and Orange County of Southern California. The constitution and guiding principles of the Gurdwara align with the Akal Takht, and to a strong commitment to developing the youth into Sikhi and the future. It is registered as a non-profit religious corporation in California.
Today was a packed day with hiking, shopping and food (of course.)
In the morning we went to the Gurdwara to witness the bhog of the Akhand Paath, bhog may refer to any number of situations having to do with completion, pleasurable gratification or sensual enjoyment. In Sikhism bhog may refer to the blessing or offering of food. Bhog also refers to the sublime pleasure enjoyed upon the ceremonial completion of an Akhand Paath, the continuous unbroken reading of Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture and everlasting Guru.
Afterwards we came home, I had an annoying email issue, which I resolved. Turns out a application I had installed was blocking all outgoing emails!!
At 11am we have a Hollywood Hike booked with LA active adventures:
Hollywood Sign Adventure-
Tour Length: 1 hour
Pick-Up: 1700 N McCadden Pl Hollywood, CA 90028 Living Social voucher holders please follow directions sent via email.
Season: Year round
Activities: Hiking, architecture, nature viewing, city views.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous! Difficulty 4 out of 5.
Tour Cost: $50 per Adventurer
Number of Adventurers: 2-6
Without going into too much detail and spoiling it for you! This walk is off the beaten track and worth doing. Hargobind knows his history and you may even see somebody famous, we saw Moby.
Also found out that LA is made in India!!
Moby’s house
This house has just recently completed build.
Party town!
Classic car
Afterwards, Hargobind, Sangeet and I went to a vegetarian Thai Restaurant:
Bulan
Thai Vegetarian Kitchen
7168 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles
California
CA 90046
USA
+1 323 857 1882
Www.bulanthai.com
Some dishes have egg and some dishes can be made gluten free.
I would definitely recommend the hot wings, absolutely awesome!!
Afterwards we had to try some ice cream so went to Scoops:
Scoops
712 North Heliotrope Drive,
Los Angeles,
California
USA
+ 1 (323) 906-2649
Mon-Sat 12-10pm
Sun Closed
Afterwards we went shopping on Larchmont and then the customary trip to Babycakes!
After all this food we needed a walk to burn it off! So we went shopping at The Grove!
The Grove is a retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, California, built, owned, and operated by Rick J. Caruso and his company Caruso Affiliated on parts of the historical Farmers Market.
The host we are staying with Harkirat Singh, manufactures and sells clothes, as he has already made his money this is more of a pastime then having to earn more, to survive.
We went to the shop which he runs with his son, Hargobind Singh.
The shop is pretty big and had some modern looking clothes, the clothes would sell very well to the yoga market.
Afterwards we went with Harkirat to where the clothes are dyed and tested:
The dye factory is based in the area called Coldwater canyon. There is a Wholefoods there so we stopped there for lunch, Wholefoods generally sell a lot of organic produce but is very expensive!
When we arrived home, Sangeet and I took a walk around the area and saw some amazing houses, Beverlywood is a fantastic area.
Beverlywood is bordered by Century City on the northwest, Cheviot Hills on the west, Palms on the southwest, Culver City on the south, Crestview on the east; South Robertson on the north. The district’s boundaries are roughly Robertson Boulevard on the east; the Culver City limits on the south; Beverwil Drive and the Hillcrest Country Club on the west; and Monte Mar on the north. Beverlywood’s principal thoroughfares are Venice, La Cienega, and Robertson Boulevards; Beverwil Drive; and Cadillac and Cattaraugus Avenues; as well as Pico Boulevard.
Neighborhood
Largely residential, Beverlywood is one of the centers of Jewish life in Los Angeles. Renowned Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal’s Museum of Tolerance is adjacent to Beverlywood, in Los Angeles (and not, as is commonly thought, in Beverly Hills). The neighborhood is also home to a modest Persian population (many of whom also adhere to Judaism) as well as a notable Israeli American population.
Almost all of Beverlywood’s inhabitants live in single-family homes built between the 1920s and the 1950s, with the oldest homes in the areas near Beverly Hills. Beverlywood contains very few apartment buildings. Contained within the district’s area is the Beverlywood Homes Association. The association is considered one of the most powerful in Los Angeles, having successfully fought off the 1960s up-zoning that occurred in areas such as Palms and West Los Angeles. Homes located within the boundaries of the association generally sell for higher prices than those outside of it, perhaps due to the strict enforcement of restrictive covenants by the association. The boundaries of the association area are roughly Robertson Blvd. on the east, Airdrome St. on the north, Rancho Park on the west, and Cattaraugus Avenue on the south.
Sangeet was reading from the Guru Granth Sahib at 6pm, so we went to the Guru Ram Das Gurdwara, whilst Sangeet read, I tried to fix the blog email issue, still not fixed!!
Today we had another great relaxing day. Sadhana was attended by us both……sorry about being vague, as I was asleep during the whole thing!! Well they say attending even if you are asleep still gives you 80% percent of the benefit!! Please note it does not mean that when I teach a class I expect you all to be asleep!!
Afterwards we came home and I went for a walk around the neighbourhood with Harkirat Singh, he told me about how he came from India overland via Pakistan, Afghanistan….travelling overland then to England and setup a business with very little money, he is a fantastic guy and so devoted to Sikhi, Harkirat Singh and Simran Sat Sangeet Kaur do a lot of seva for the community and the Gurdwara. It was great to walk and talk.
Once we got home Sangeet and I went to the Gurdwara and then to Cafe Gratitude, a fantastic vegan restaurant on Larchmont.
Cafe Gratitude
639 Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004
I AM OPEN Juice bar and breakfast 8am – 11am
Lunch and Dinner 10am – 10pm
Tel: + 1 323 580 6383
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaygoat/8080343246/
Afterwards we did the usual laundry run, we dropped it off and then went back to the Gurdwara. The peace and tranquility you experience in Gurdwara is amazing!
In the evening, Hatkirat Singh, Simran Sat Sangeet Kaur, Hargobind Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Sangeet and I went to Vegan Glory, it was great to have good food and great conversation.
Hargobind mentioned that the Space Shuttle Endeavour will be escorted from Los Angeles Airport to the science museum, this will be sometime during the night.
After the meal we came home chatted and then Hargobind and I headed towards LAX. We waited until 3am!! Then we saw the shuttle in the distance, as we had got there early we had very good viewing spots.
Hargobind runs LA Active Adventures his site is www.laactiveadventures.com:
“Los Angeles Tours and Sightseeing by LA Active Adventures
Welcome to LA Active Adventures, a unique Los Angeles tour company that organizes unique sightseeing experiences! Our Los Angeles sightseeing tours are not your typical “sit and see the sights from a bus window” tour. At LA Active Adventures we get you out exploring and interacting with the sights … you might even get your feet wet!
When visiting a city as large as Los Angeles it is impossible to see everything in a limited time span and as a tourist you may be missing out on many of the unique sights and features which define the LA personality. So, after you have seen the amusement parks and Hollywood Studio Tours, come on an Active Adventure with LA Active Adventures and let us show you some of our city’s rarely seen natural beauty and a few of it’s hidden treasures.
We provide transportation in our comfortable and safe crossover, the Taurus X, and most tours include snacks and beverages as well. You’ll feel like you’re getting a tour of Los Angeles from a close friend. Whether you choose the Hidden Treasures, Beach Adventure, or create your own adventure LA Active Adventures guarantees you a Los Angeles sightseeing tour like no other.
Our tours are great for first time visitors, frequent visitors, as well as locals! Read on to see what makes us so different! “
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog, feel free and have a look around.Here is a bit about me, as you may or may not have guessed my name is Mandeep,I work to travel as opposed to work to pay bills and die!Every trip for me is an adventure, I have been very fortunate to stumble across amazing places and meet awesome people along the way.
Why gaygoat? When I first started this blog I was a vegetarian, so gaygoat – happy goat! Also you have to admit it is catchy and a URL you will not forget!
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