Day 4, 5 - San Diego + Day 6 - Back to LA

I like San Diego - it's a small city with a growing vibrancy that I could feel when I entered it, and the feeling I got was that the city was just about ready to make its jump. It has nice tropical weather, it's got a great view of the bay, it has many museums concentrated in the same area, and it wasn't dark and dangerous like LA at night felt.

That all said, I do not like the San Diego Zoo. For all its fame and... er, fame, it really wasn't a great experience. Too much walking, too little interesting exhibits and too much conservation to be tourist-friendly. The Singapore Zoo does a great job of encouraging kids and adults alike to be interested in animals, both through shows and by easily-accessible exhibits and showcases. The San Diego Zoo, I think, strives to create a natural habitat, but this disregards human limitation and seems to forget that human interest needs to be kept. Way disappointing - the only nice thing was a cable car ride over the Zoo, which was pretty sweet. So my recommendation - go to the Singapore Zoo, it's a hell lot more fun.

I much preferred SeaWorld - that was a fun experience, and the whole park creates a familial and fun atmosphere which encourages people to go out and have fun, while learning more about marine animals, as well as spending time with them. It was much more enjoyable, and I didn't mind the long trek out (it's much further from downtown San Diego than Balboa Park). That's how a theme park ought to be. :)

Wendy and I also had a great last day in LA - thank you both for a wonderful trip to Venice Beach and sharing a sunset with us. Friendships and enmities are made over such small graces - and I dare say Wendy and I are forever thankful for this small kindness that sparked some of the best moments of our West Coast tour. Thank you both. :)

And as always, photos from the abovementioned leg:

SAN DIEGO ZOO


That's me on the PSP - a very common theme that recurred throughout the trip. :p


A panda named Sulin!


And the said bear, sleeping. Much like my real life Sue Lyn. :p


The wonderful English of the San Diego Zoo. WTF?


The skinniest polar bear ever. Ever ever ever.


Me on the SkyRide - the sole highlight of the Zoo trip. The view was really amazing.


My beautiful girlfriend. :)


Camels rushing to eat. I'd never seen a camel run till I saw this exhibit - where the camel literally flomped over to eat from a bucket. Some PRCs stalked us from this point, and we had a tough time shaking off the scent. :p


Koala Bear! Affinity for bears, don't ask me why.


Elephant! -makes elephantine noise-


My girlfriend with the elephant, who walked away just as we took this shot. :p


Feeding Time! -growl-


Outside SD Zoo with the grass elephant.


I look maniacal because we couldn't get this shot right. :p

SAN DIEGO SEAWORLD


Us at the Shamu show "Believe". Just when we arrived too! :)


Yup, that's a killer whale flying / jumping. I'm amazed too.


Yes, I didn't know a human could do that with a killer whale either. Impressive.


Dolphin Feeding Pool - you actually get to rub the dolphin's nose, which was cool. I'd put the Devil Ray shots too, but we couldn't get a good view, though we did get a good feel of the rays. :)

And at that point, both Wendy and I wanted to eat stingray. :(


Sealion! -makes sealion sound-


A cute shot with me and the sealion.


Ditto, but with a prettier face in lieu. :)


Wendy. No, whoops, sorry, sleeping fur seal. Sometimes hard to tell the difference. :p


The cute Sealion / Seal / Otter show. :)


Walruses and seals dancing. Amazing huh.


The Dolphin show - Nice set, nice presentation, generally well done, and a nice cap to the experience. I liked it. :)


Penguin Enclosure. -waddle-


This reminded me of a BBC conference, if you can see the 4 penguins standing about gossiping. :P


Wendy's! Right outside the bus station. And the burgers are simply the best, no question about it. :)

Rodeo Drive / Beach


The chao atas Rodeo Drive - I have officially been inducted into the too-expensive lifestyle and am in love with Roberto Cavalli's stuff. :)


You have no idea how long this took to get right. :p But turned out pretty nicely no? :)


Beautiful beach, beautiful times. :)


My girlfriend being as glam as we all know she can be. :p


Beautiful view of the moon as the sun began to set.


My attempted emo nemo picture. :p


The view of Santa Monica as the sun went down.


I like this shot the best. :) Beautiful and expressive and just very very pretty. :D
Our hopes and our dreams, as the tears and fears of yesterday get washed away in a glow of pure light.