The Arrival

I am starting this blog as a diary for our two boys back home to read and follow our life over here. Other readers are most welcome to join in and also to post their comments. I will be posting pictures whenever they are available.
Our journey started on 20th July 2009, when we took the flight out of Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles, via Taipei. The mission was for me to attend the Senior International Defense Management Course (SIDMC) in Monterey, California. We landed in Los Angeles International (LAX) after an almost 16 hour flight and after a transit time of about 4 hours, we boarded a commuter aircraft (Emb 120) to Monterey; a journey of only about one hour. When we arrived in Monterey, it was already in the evening. We were brought to our residence and after getting our room, a much needed rest was in order. Alas, I only dozed off at almost 4 in the morning. The next day, I slept the whole morning and only got up at almost midday.
The next day, being Sunday was a day of rest. But we went out to town for some groceries and other stuff. The store was called “Safeway” and it has plenty of stuff for our needs. We headed for home in a hurry as I need to be back for my “ice breaker” at 5.30 pm. I absent mindedly left behind half of what we bought and only realize it later that evening. I went back later that night and the store keeper was kind enough to assist me to pick up what was left behind.
Before I went to the store for the second time, I went to the famous 17 mile drive; courtesy of a wonderful lady (will post her name later). I got a chance to pass through several famous golf link courses, including Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Del Monte and off course, the famous of all, Pebble Beach (view here). We also got to view the iconic “lone cypress” tree beside the beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The lone tree clings to what is nearly bare rock and considered to be the world’s most photographed tree. It also became the sole trade-mark of Pebble Beach golf link. The Naval Post Graduate School where I am doing the course also had the same tree, but is not allowed to call it as the name implies. It belongs solely to Pebble Beach golf links!! Through the drive, we got to see the palace of what was believed to be Prince Reza Pahlavi of Iran and also Mission Ranch Restaurant that belongs to Clint Eastwood. We stopped by but Mr. Eastwood was not there. We were told that his favorite pass time is to play the piano over there. More posting later.