California Dream : Los Angeles to Santa Catalina Island (part 1)

With my 29 years of being an Expatriate in Saudi Arabia, I have never experienced a month-long holiday without a conference or dental meeting to attend to. I haven’t seen my eldest son for two years since he moved to Santa Monica, CA. I was so excited that I packed my luggage a week before my departure, only to unpacked it a day before 🙂 Why? Because he said, the weather is hot , just bring summer clothes (shirt and short), huh! What about my pictorial? I have a very talented photographer (that’s my eldest :-)) in hand, I need a nicer clothes for every place I am going to.. click! click! why not? hahaha I know, you’re smiling and smiling.. I am not a model.. of anything..I am 56 years old, a mother of two , my goodness!

but who cares? I managed to posed, hahaha that’s one thing my son can’t refused:-)

And so, touchdown Los Angeles at 7pm and went to Catalina Express at Avalon port, Long Beach early morning of Sept.18, 2015. that was an awesome one hour Ferry boat trip .. smooth sailing, quiet and peaceful.

My youngest son, Chef Kevin who spent 3 years in Switzerland to finish his Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts had signed a year contract with Catalina Island Company, as a management trainee.I can’t expressed in words, how happy I was ..just looked at my smile and enjoy the scenery. If you need more information : http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/where-is-catalina please visit the site.http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/island-company or visit the Island itself and have a great holiday!

As the sun rises up, we saw Princess cruise ship, sailing near Catalina Island.

and a lot more 🙂

Chef Kevin was in the meeting when we arrived,while waiting we took our breakfast at the Pancake Cottage Restaurant.The place is clean, no traffic , I didn’t see a lot of cars, mostly golf car or bicycles. There are a lot of hotel accommodation to choose from but we simply opted for Atwater Hotel. A lot of restaurant around the areas too, not to mention an arcade of shopping stalls ( no shopping pls!). We dine at Avalon Grille, of course where Chef Kevin works! We also tried Bluewater Avalon Seafood Restaurant, Restorante Villa Portofino, Big Olafs,Mr. Nings Chinese Garden,Mexican Restaurant..Oh yeah it’s a food trip for us!

While our main reason of being in the Island was to see Chef Kevin, we also enjoyed our food trip and had an East End Adventure tour of the Island. Traveling to 1500 feet above sea level in H1 Hummer, wow! the scenery was superb and breathtaking !

We also saw Bisons/Buffalo,ground squirrel ,a fox and even a bald eagle which I was not able to take a picture. If I was going to take this trip again, I will not bring a camera to enjoy the trip and the scenery. It was an overwhelming experience of taking the photos and enjoying the natural beauty of the scenery. My photos did not do justice , this is a well worth the trip.

And of course, I will not leave the Island without trying one of their spa treatment. Another experience I would recommend after a long day of touring the island.

and a day trip to Avalon Theatre 🙂

a glimpse of Catalina ballroom 🙂

and the famous Descanso beach club which we were not able to visit but definitely will be on my top priority next visit 🙂

Thank you Lord for this wonderful family trip.

Cheers,

Jamilamimi