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California: Day of rest? |
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Written by Stephen Baines
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Sunday, 13 June 1999 |
Last night, before retiring, I thought I'd better get something to eat - it had been nearly 12 hours since breakfast, and I still wasn't especially hungry. But I knew if I didn't eat something I'd be feeling hungry over night. I went to The Promenade and made a reservation... I had twenty minutes to wait for a table, so I went to the little cocktail bar near by and had a gin & tonic whilst I was waiting.
My table was soon ready, and I was shown through. I sat and looked at the menu, and decided that a tuna salad sounded like it was a light option, and I'd have that. It sounded very nice from the menu - "grilled albacore on a nest of field greens, blue lake green beans, red skin potatoes, roasted peppers, artichokes, and feta cheese in a herb mustard balsamic vinaigrette". All for $7, so must be pretty small... Whilst I was waiting for my meal, the table adjacent to me filled up with a party of 7 Americans, who were in Long Beach for a model railway show. When the waiter came back and asked if I'd like a drink, they noticed the English accent, and away they went. "Where in England are you from?" I told them, "Do you know a town called" something I'd never heard of, and more chatting. They were from just up the road in Orange County, but were staying on rather than travelling back. I can't say I blame them! One of the party told me about how Long Beach had changed a lot in the last 20 years, and a lot could be put down to Chris Pook (he of Long Beach Grand Prix fame), and that one of his business clients was Dick Simon (of Indycar team fame)... An interesting chat followed, where it became clear that he was an avid Champ Car fan, liked F1 (but had trouble seeing it), but couldn't stomach the IRL.
Then the salad arrived. A small salad, on a plate the size of a large dinner plate, and piled up like there was no tomorrow! Loads of tasty, crunchy greens, loads of roast peppers, tuna, cheese... It was beautiful but not the small salad I had in mind. I couldn't eat it all, and had to admit defeat. I didn't need breakfast this morning!
I woke up at a time not very different to the time I would have in England. I looked out from the cabin to a wonderful sight! Long Beach in the early morning. I decided to have a little drive into downtown Long Beach and see what there was, and see if it was worth an explore later. Long Beach is truly a beautiful city - I can't believe it is a city, it is so attractive with palm trees, colour, wonderful architecture, space... I made my way back (thanks to my new friend the Neverlost!) and started to explore The Queen Mary in the daylight.
This is the life! Wandering along the decks, admiring the view. Taking in all the sights there were to see. I spent a good couple of hours stopping here and there, just looking, admiring, soaking it all in. Trying my best not to stand up on the boat and shout "Top of the world!"....
Late morning, I wandered off from the boat, and took a mosey over to the Ye Olde English Bakery (selling muffins, cookies...), and then on to the bus stop. I decided it probably would be best to get a bus into downtown Long Beach, the bus was there, but was waiting till its time to leave. I chatted to the driver, who told me that if I was wanting some real bargains, to avoid the main mall this weekend, but go down to The Plaza which was going to be shutting down, and all the stores were having clearance sales. So US prices, plus sales... What fun could I have?
The bus set off for downtown - and get this, the bus between The Queen Mary and the town is totally and utterley free! I wandered around, looking at some amazing buildings, before I found The Plaza. The driver had told me it was only a small mall, this was about the size of The Victoria Centre in Nottingham, so not excesively small! The first of the stores I hit, I couldn't believe the prices - then I saw the sign up that said there was a further 50% off that Sunday! Hit that card till it hurts... I then went to another store nearby, and picked up a few more bargains. Now loaded up, I made my way back to the bus stop to take my bargains back with me...
Now I was back at the Mary, and settled down for early afternoon. I went back up to The Sun Deck, had a coke and took a few piccies, and explored more parts of the boat. It's now late afternoon, and I still am not feeling especially hungry. Tonight, I think I may just be tempted to The Chelsea, and the sea food menu...
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