We are just chilling out on the third afternoon in Antigua. Really pretty place and info and pictures will come over the next few days but before the sounds and smells of Guatemala completely swallow us up we have to tell you about our 16 days in LA while its still fresh in our memory.

The LA leg was different things to both Matt and I. For me it was a chance to reconnect with my LA family and show Matt a little of my life before we met. For Matt it was a two week chill out period before seriously starting out on our travels, however, no one can be prepared for the generous welcome the Gervais´ extend to everyone who stops by. With their help and that of Donal, the Torrez and Fox families we managed to cram in more that we thought possible. The time flew by but when we look back it feels like we were there for more like a month instead of 16 short days.

We got to experience a good cross over of what California can offer. We had some great days on bikes exploring the beach neighbourhoods of Venice, Manhattan Beach and Huntington Beach. Larry also showed us around Malibu where we spotted more kite surfers than surfers! We had a great time around Downtown LA practicing our limited Spanish ordering Tacos in Grand Central Market. Big thanks to Donal for taking us to see Home Boy Industries, a bakery which gives men and women recently released from prison a chance to get a job and re-establish themselves within the community. Their slogan ´Nothing stops a bullet like a job´ is pretty powerful. We joined the Home Boys choir for an afternoon went Christmas caroling with some really nice people we would never have the opportunity to meet in our every days lives.

We saw the Hollywood sign, walked Hollywood Blvd and were in the audience of Kimmel Live, a late night talk show. Mike Dorn showed us how magical Disneyland really is and got us out of our beds at 6am to ensure we were first in the line for all the big rides. We were also made Guests of the Day and had free parking and exclusive access to the ‘World of Colour’ show at the end of the day (I guess someone recognised me from Campbell live!!). Disneyland is a strange place which sucks the scepticism out of even the most cynical. By the end of the day you find yourself humming ‘its a small world after all’ and happily queuing for the Winnie the Pooh ride. In tragic contrast on the same day we visited Disneyland, 20 children were gunned down and killed in their kindergarten school in Newtown, Connecticut. America is a country of extremes, but hopefully this terrible atrocity forces politicians to at last tackle the gun control issue in America.

The best part of our trip was getting to meet all of my cousins again, particularly the younger members of the family who three years after my last visit now have personalities all of their own. We had a great time being part of the Gervais, Hoffman and Fox clans and enjoying all the pre-Christmas and Christmas rituals with them. Andrew, Abby and Katie are so full of energy it was difficult to keep up at times. Apart from Abby’s obsession with Matt (which I was very jealous of), Andrew’s declaration every time he farted (which was my fault for laughing the first few times) and Katie’s giant melt down during the Balboa Boat Parade we had great time. It was also great to have a Santa Christmas once again and share that excitement with Lilli and Eoin.

Big thanks to Marguerite for taking us to Knott’s Berry Farm where we went on some of the most ridiculous roller coasters. We have to mention xcelerator in particular – we went from still to 132 km/h in 23 seconds, before rocketing up a near vertical loop of 62m. Near the top we switched to the outside of the loop where we slowed for long enough to realise just how high were were before rocketing down the loop again. The whole thing was over in 22 seconds, but totally worth the long wait. It was great hitting Long Beach with Adria, Mando and little Maddie and experiencing what an authentic American hot dog place has to offer. Maddie is such a sweetie despite her early obsession with make up! Also had a great night on the town with Marguerite and Steve, hitting the bars of Huntington.

Lastly, big thanks to Ed and Molly for their generosity, taking us out on their boat and pointing out of of the amazing houses of Newport Beach. Some of the houses were so unbelievably lavish, in stark contract to the poverty we have already seen in Guatemala and also in so many areas of LA.

We had a lovely Christmas Eve with the Norths, Christmas brunch with the Fox´s and their friends and Christmas dinner with the crazy Gervais crew. We both left LA feeling very lucky to have such great family and friends.