Thelma and Louise did it in a convertible, Easy Rider on a bike, and National Lampoon in a beat up old car, so of course, it was only fitting for the "4P Posse" to do it in the US staple, the Jeep. "Doing it" clearly refers to an all-American right of passage, the ultimate Road Trip, and there's no better place to experience (and experiment) the joys of road tripping than in California. Boasting vast open highways, scenic routes and countless must-see pit-stops, it's an all-in-one experience ranging from mountains and deserts to sandy palm tree lined beaches. The all-girl 4P Posse could be taken right out of the latest Western simply based on our names, yours truly, Daisy Duke, KK, Cowgirl Jules and our hostess with the mostess, Cali Ali. Setting off from the gorgeous Georgian Hotel in the heart of Santa Monica, we drive about an hour south to Huntington Beach, a prime vacation spot for young Hollywood starlets and in surf season, the sport's most elite stars. Huntington is a great mid-range for people wanting to experience a different LA. Situated close enough to the city for day trips and only 20 minutes to Anaheim but with a lot more attractions to offer than just Mickey and Minnie, its beautiful beachside township and amazing surf conditions boasts a picture-perfect postcard charm. Not wasting a minute, the 4P Posse get right into it - we want to see celebs. Isn't that why God created LA - a chiselled town full of beautiful people? Unabashed, we decide we'll just "call 'em like we see 'em", and before long we've seen the likes of Larry David, the hottie from Fast and the Furious (1 through 7) and the old version of the bad guy Buzz from Back to the Future. We're still waiting, and hoping for Jake Gyllenhaal but it may take a few more days. Before long, or perhaps just in time, we pull up to lunch at 25 Degrees, the hippest burger joint in Huntington Beach. This new establishment offers a bit of everything, but it's burgers really are "da bomb". Customers can choose from a range of meats or veggie patties and a list of locally produced cheeses and home-made toppings. It's a general rule of thumb that every burger requires some sort of athletic retribution, and being in one of California's most sporty areas, the 4P Posse decides to try their hand, or in this case, our feet, in a Seg on the Beach session. The Segway, 2011's answer to the hovercraft, is half skateboard, half electric scooter and is one of the most simplest machines one can operate - even a chimp can do it we learn at GW Segway Tours. The hardest, and most telling part, usually involves putting on the helmet. Based on balance and the ability to move forwards and backwards, "get out of the way" is said screaming only from crazy Daisy's with no co-ordination and a lack of steering, but most of the apprehension is subsided as soon as you are led, ducks in a row, from the parking lot. The cool graffiti designed X2 machines draw plenty of attention from locals, to the amusement of owner, Jack O'Brien who operates tours for up to 6 people every week. Quickly the 4P Posse learn speeding down the Huntington Beach coastline on a Segway is both a fantastic opportunity to see local sights, but also a rare and unique experience as GW Segway Tours is the only operator to be given rights to do so between Pismo beach and the Mexican border. Being the modest type, we choose not to pose for photographs "Tyra Style" according to Jack, who also includes full photography during his hour and a half tour. Deciding to sit back and let someone else do all the hard work, the 4P's decide it's time to partake in Huntington's rich-and-famous-side, in style, Jumping in one of USA's rare Venetian-made Gondola's, the exclusive experience could only be topped with Sunset Gondola owner-operator's Tim Reinard's romantic serenade. Steering along Huntington harbour's most elaborate waterside homes, Tim, at our encouragement, starts serenading us Italian style and while telling us tales about customers' most imaginative proposals. Docking back at the wharf at sunset, the 4P Posse, under a romantic spell, venture back to the main drag to dine at Duke's, a local award winning restaurant on the pier before ending the night with a beach bonfire toasting marshmallows to make s'mores galore at Hilton's Waterfront Beach Resort. |
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Daisy Duke Does Cali
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: D.M




























































