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Oct 1
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Sunday, October 1
We got up about 6 am and packed the remaining stuff into our carry-off bags. Those bags were moved to the hall while we did the final "dummy check" of the room and said our good-byes to it.
We joined a bunch of other people for breakfast in the main dining room. Our carry-off bags were left in the entrance hall to the dining room as there just wasn't room to wrangle them through all the people. I wasn't hungry, but ate a little anyway.
Once we finished eating, we reclaimed our carry-off stuff and moved up one level to a section that was supposed to be a waiting area for concierge class only. Coffee, tea, and juice were all that was available here.
Our disembarkation group was called a little after 8 am. This was the most disorganized disembarkation I've ever seen! Despite admonishing everyone to wait for their group, it felt like everyone was trying to get off the ship at once. There were three separate lines leading up to the check-out point - one from each of three approaches to that one point. Some people were attempting to find the end point of the "official" line, but that quickly fell apart.
So, one final security check to verify we were leaving, then the lines got worse. The crew did have someone at this point attempting to play traffic cop, stopping our line occasionally to allow a group of wheelchairs through, then switching to allow our access. People pushed by anyway.
The wharf was another madhouse. We finally got off the ship and found our bags and an Uber. Fortunately, the Uber driver was experienced with these pickups - he parked and looked for us on foot. He and Kelly were texting continuously until we finally connected. We drove across town to the Hotel Roosevelt. The driver was an amusing guy. He tried for tour guide and talked almost continuously for the nearly hour it took to get there.
Our rooms weren't ready yet, so we left bags with the bell captain and grabbed another Uber to the Getty Museum. This driver didn't speak a word the entire trip!
The photo on the left shows the art exhibit in the entrance hall of the Getty Museum. The things hanging resembled large seashells - similar to abalone shells.
We got some welcoming information and information on how to use the free app guide. Then we went in search of lunch. My lunch was terrible. Some sort of yucky wrap. I only ate half of it.
We wandered around the gardens first. They are really lovely.
These three photos show three different views of the bougainvillea "trees" that are very prominent in the gardens. The "tree" structure is made of rebar and the vines are trained to grow up this structure, bursting out the top and hanging over the edges. The photo on the left shows these trees from the overlooking patio. The center photo shows them from the garden level. The photo on the right is looking straight up from below one of them.
There's a winding path leading from one level of the garden area to the next. These three photos were taken along that path. The photo on the left shows one of the many succulents growing in this area. The center photo shows part of the waterway that runs through this area. The path kept crossing and recrossing it. One of the bridges can be seen in the background. The photo on the right is another of the succulents in this area.
At the end of the winding path is a sunken garden with a labyrinth in a pond and flowers surrounding it. Most of the flowers are dahlias, mixed with zinnias, morning glories, and others. The photo on the left shows one of these dahlia beds. The center photo shows the labyrinth and the waterfall that feeds it. The photo on the right is a closer shot of one of the dahlias.
After leaving the garden area, we went to one of the overlooks next to one of the galleries. The photo on the left shows part of the Los Angeles skyline from this overlook.
The photo on the right shows the cactus garden that overs the brow of the hill that the Getty is perched on. While it looks like there are paths through this area, there is no public access at all.
Then we popped into a couple of galleries. Between the yucky wrap, yucky air freshener in the restrooms, and too many perfumes on the guests, I started feeling really bad. I finally put on my mask to shut out some of the fragrances. That helped. Then I felt hot and chilled alternately. Definitely coming down with something.
The photo on the left shows a stairway in one of the galleries that make up the Getty complex. I was waiting in the lobby (which was cooler than the art area) while Carl and Kelly looked at some of the things there. I really needed to sit down.
The photo on the right shows a pond that dominates the central plaza of the museum. The main entrance, information center, and gift shop are in the buildings in the background.
After seeing everything we wanted to, we got another Uber back to the hotel (chatty driver on this one), where we checked in and settled in. I went to bed almost immediately. I just not hungry and couldn't face food. I fell asleep about 7 pm with a very drippy nose, upset stomach, and a fever.
I slept fairly well until 2 am, then fitfully for the next couple of hours. Carl and Kelly had picked up something to eat at a coffee shop across the street and brought back some pretzels for me.