Day 20 LA

Woke up early and packed our bags then checked out of our hotel. Then walked in town to a cafe for breaky where I had my first skillet and Chris got an omelette. Both delicious. Both with terrible coffee. Then ubered to Universal Studios which was amazing! Highlights were the mummy roller coaster and Jurassic Park ride. Could not get over how amazingly everything was done and the money that must of gone in to everything. We were able to see some studio sets and cars and all sorts of different movie memorabilia. Was such a big day walking around and going on rides that once we got to the airport and got on our flight. I slept throughout nearly all of the flight. We left Friday night and arrived in Sydney Sunday morning. Was a bit sad that we missed out on Saturday. Oh well! Feeling very tired and not too sure how I'll go back at work tomorrow but it was worth it! 

In front of the Universal sign x1

In front of the Universal sign x2

 I was very sad that Harry Potter world doesn't open until next year :( 

Had Krusty Burger for lunch

Jurassic Park! 

All ready for our Studio Tour

Jurassic Park car and set

The set of Jaws

Winter Wonderland 

Set from War of the Worlds

Got to see the raptor robots from the movie. Was very cool

Chief Wiggum and I

Entering Springfield 

The entrance to the food court

Day 19 LA

Woke up reasonably early this morning and walked to The Original Pantry which is an old diner that's been around forever. Chris and I realised that we could never live in America and be under 300kg because for $18 we got 5 of the biggest pancakes I've ever seen, 2 eggs, about 3 crushed potatoes and 2 coffees. So much food. Then we walked all around down town LA which was fun to explore and once our feet got tired we got a lift out to Santa Monica and walked around a lot along the beach, on the pier and obviously lots of looking in shops. We also went on the Ferris wheel on the pier which was good. After all that walking we went and had chipotle for a late lunch which was delicious but we did hate ourselves afterwards for once again overeating. We then headed back to our hotel and showered then walked to the Clippers and Golden State game. Such an amazing game. Since I go for Clippers, I was pretty happy when they were 23 points ahead right at the start then were winning right until the last quarter and Golden State ended up wining in the last 30 seconds of the game. Was amazing. Then went home and straight to sleep due to having a big day tomorrow. 

 Santa Monica Beach

 Santa Monica Beach Selfie

On the Ferris Wheel

 It's the Po Po 

 Biggest burrito 

From our seats at NBA LA Clippers vs San Fran Golden State Warriors

Freakishly tall players doing their thing

Staples Centre

Day 18 Cartegena to Bogota to LA

Woke up early had a quick breaky and was all checked out and in the cab by 8am. Got our flight to bogota, hung out at the airport for about 2 hours then on our 7 hour flight to LA. Arrived at LA about 7:30pm straight to our hotel in downtown LA and we are asleep immediately. 

Downtown LA

Day 17 Cartagena

Our last day in Colombia today which were all quite sad about as it has exceeded our expectations and just been one of the most amazing places I've ever been too. We noticed immediately that it wasn't raining so we ran out to get some street food for breaky then booked our Chiva bus and bought some Nic nacs and souvenirs before catching our bus. On our tour we went to different fortes and castles around town as well as the highest point in Cartegena which had a chapel built on it with a back story about a priest throwing a goat of the top of it or something? It was strange. Such a good tour with lots of piccies. Don't think the tour guide loved us as there were 60 people on the tour and the 3 of us were the only ones who didn't speak Spanish so he had to repeat everything twice just for us. Poor guy. Got off our tour quite late at the emerald shop where I obviously bought an emerald due to them being so significant in Colombia. Although I did ask her to show me the cheapest ones in the store but it is right at the end of the trip and mula is getting tight! Went down the road for an amazing dinner but left room to go to this amazing looking gelato shop which I'd been fantasising about since day 1 and it was the best I've ever had. I think that today we basically did everything that we planned to do when coming to Colombia so it was good that we could squeeze it in. Colombia would have to be one of my favourite countries I've ever been to and I'm quite sad to be leaving tomorrow morning but I think we'll be back. 

My favourite coffee, tinto! 

 Boom!

 The square when its not flooded

 Ready for our bus tour

 The highest point in Cartegena

 On the water

 At the highest point again

 In the chapel. Super fancy.

 Raising the roof

 Our Chiva bus

Views from the castle  

Right before I got yelled at in Spanish for standing on the edge 

More castle views 

 No safety regulations

 The castle

 Going in the tunnel which was straight down

 And coming out the other end

 Cartegena from the castle

The main piece of art in the city

Day 16 Cartegena

Woke up to the sound of rain and had a bit of a sleep in then went to leave to go book tours but our street was completely flooded and we were stuck. Went to the cafe next door and had coffee. Stayed there reading then it was lunch time and we were stuck there. Pretty miserable. Looked in to changing our flights as Google predicted the rain to not stop but no luck. Only cheap for Shane so he decided to see a girl back in Bogota while we waited for the rain to stop. Went for dinner in the square and had another early night as we were a bit stuck. 

 Flooded square

 Cleared up slightly that night

The clock tower as the entrance to the insides of the wall

Day 15 Cartegena

Arrived in Cartegena early and as soon as we got off the plane, we instantly felt the heat. Only a 15 minute drive to our hotel and we were able to see the wall the surrounds the main tourist part of Cartegena which was constructed to keep the Pirates out way back when. Decided to go for a bit of a walk and Shane wanted to try this famous ceviche place so we did that. Think it was the first ever seafood restaurant that didn't do anything except for seafood. I had to ask for a piece of French bread with cheese melted on top. We then decided to go for a walk along the wall which was a big mistake. I don't think I have ever felt heat like this before. My shirt was literally wet with sweat and within our 15 minute walk we each had 3 bottles of water each. We kept laughing at how terrible we all looked it was pretty bad. Decided to go back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool and wring out our clothes. Then we had our showers and went out to dinner at this Argentina restaurant which was decorated amazingly on the outside and had the best steak I've ever had. And was such a great atmosphere. Off to bed and will hopefully be able to do something other then sit in air con tomorrow.

 Chris and his home boy

 All the buildings have trees growing on them

 Hole in the wall

The outside of an Argentinian restaurant 

Day 14 Medellin

Woke up early this morning to go on a Pablo Escobar tour which picked us up from the hotel and took us to the old building where he used to live then to his gravestone then met his brother Roberto at his old mansion which had a lot of memorabilia there and a few different family members which was very bizarre. Learnt a lot about Medellin from 10-15 years ago and the war that happened within Columbia due to Escobar and was a very interesting tour. Afterwards we got the metro in to the centre of town where we got some lunch and wondered around then spent the afternoon relaxing at the bar having a few beverages which ended with us getting home at 2:30am and not looking forward to our early flight to Cartagena. 

 Pablo and his families grave

 Pablo Escobar

Pablo's brother Roberto standing next to his wanted poster