A Family Visit Trip to Los Angeles – Zhang Qiaofei Takes You on a Grand Journey to the West (Part 2)

Text and photos byZhang Qiaofei

After queuing for about two hours, I finally got my entry sticker. That restaurant required an entry sticker in order to be seated and order food.

The dishes were so popular they were all gone before I could even take photos, and everyone quickly devoured them. Here’s the menu for your reference (pictured above).

After eating, we went to the famous OLE TOWN (Old Town) in San Diego. The buildings there are mostly no more than three stories high due to their historical significance. Even after renovation, they remain incredibly beautiful. The area still sells a variety of goods, all while maintaining local character. There’s also a dedicated section for pottery crafts.

After exploring the Old Town, we returned to our comfortable hotel to prepare for the new day. Also, the temperature difference between day and night is quite large here, so if you’re planning to visit, be sure to pack some extra jackets.

Day 4
Qiaofei has another reminder for everyone: when you come to SeaWorld, remember to bring an extra change of clothes. The rides here are not only thrilling and fun but will also get you completely soaked. Originally, Qiaofei wanted to buy new clothes to change into, but she cleverly wore a BRA-T that day. Buying a new T-shirt would’ve meant going without a bra, right? So she just let her shirt dry slowly.

SeaWorld in the U.S. isn’t just about sea animals – there are also plenty of fun rides. I especially loved the Ferris wheel, which offers breathtaking views of the endless ocean and really lifts your spirits.

▲ Lunch was a buffet at SeaWorld. The small-pellet ice cream in the park doesn’t feel as cold as regular ice cream, making it suitable for people with sensitive teeth who still love ice cream.

Also, one of the attractions at SeaWorld is a haunted house. Friends with heart conditions should definitely avoid it. When I saw the haunted house, I thought, “What haunted house could possibly be scarier than the ones in Thailand?” But after going in, I almost passed out. The ghosts weren’t just frightening—they chased and even grabbed at you. Qiaofei’s mom was so scared she broke her sunglasses. But if you’re brave enough, it’s definitely worth checking out to admire their professional special effects makeup.

Day 5
When visiting the U.S., one thing you absolutely can’t miss is the outlets. This one is called Ontario, and the Coach outlet there is, in Qiaofei’s opinion, one of the most affordable she’s seen. It takes almost a whole day to explore the entire outlet, and it’s super easy to end up buying a carload of stuff (pictured below).

Days 6, 7, and 8
I’ve been to L.A. many times, but I’d never visited nearby LAS VEGAS. This time, my aunt arranged a three-day, two-night trip to VEGAS. The drive took about six hours. On the first night, we just strolled around and prepared for our trip to the West Canyon the next day.

The entrance fee to the West Canyon is $80 per person, and the Skywalk costs an additional $20. There are several attractions inside, but my favorite was Cowboy Village (bottom left photo)! There, you can see locals dressed up as cowboys, and they raise many horses for visitors to ride (bottom right photo).
 

▲ The scenery of the West Canyon is absolutely stunning.

▲ On the way back, the tour guide took us to visit a chocolate factory in Vegas, which showcases and sells a wide range of M&M’s merchandise, attracting many visitors.

Day 9
On the relaxing and enjoyable final day, my mom and aunt went to the supermarket and bought lots of groceries. In the evening, they cooked a full table of Taiwanese dishes for my younger aunt who had just gotten off work, so she could still enjoy the taste of home from Taiwan after we left. Then, in the evening, we took a flight departing after 1 a.m. from L.A. back to Taiwan. Up—our enriching journey came to an end as we returned to our lovely home.