The night before I left Kansas City, I managed to get locked out of my computer when attempting to switch from my corporate domain name to a local workgroup, in order to upload photos to my brother-in-law’s computer.  This made for a little bit of a tense evening, hoping that I’d be able to get reconnected by my company’s IT department before I left the United States.

My morning flight to Los Angeles was smooth, although the agent at Midwest Airlines said she couldn’t check my bags all the way through to Bangkok because there were two different reservations and the EVA flights didn’t leave until the next day (1:20 am).  This was a minor inconvenience but proved to be no major problem as Curry picked me up in his big SUV and there was plenty of room to schlep around some suitcases.

Before boarding in Kansas City, I received a call from the director of IT support services and the west regional IT manager – a sure sign that my boss’ boss had made some calls and pushed around his influence a bit.  The director and manager confirmed the nature of my problem and assured me that there would be an IT tech waiting for me in the Los Angeles office when I arrived.

Curry, in all his generosity, was more than happy to drive us into downtown LA.  Thankfully, lunch hour was over so traffic was pretty light by Angelino standards.  Below: The drive into Los Angeles.  My company’s office is on the 21st floor of the second building from the left of the picture, the shorter red building.

Sure enough, IT was waiting and in twenty minutes Curry and I were back out of the car park and on our way to Venice Beach for a late, light lunch at Jin Patisserie on Abbot Kinney Street.

Singaporean Kristy Choo left behind her career as a flight attendant to attend the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.  Jin Patisserie is the result of her considerable talent in creating not only exciting pastries but also tasty savories and a charming ambience.

Below: Zucchini and tomato quiche with green salad; assorted macaroons; chocolate mousse; scones with clotted cream and homemade marmalade.

Curry proved to be the perfect host, waiting patiently as I took too many pictures.

With some time to kill before dinner, Curry took me to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit to his Hollywoodland home high in the hills beneath the iconic Hollywood sign.  Here is the link to an interesting NPR story that provides some history into the original California property development.

The view from the roof top deck is fantastic, encompassing the western half of the Los Angeles basin.  Looking up the hill from the deck is the larger than life sign, ensuring you have no doubt where you are.

And now, dear readers, I offer you something that has never been seen before on the internet: a brazen look into the very heart of Curry’s luxurious abode:

Unfortunately, that’s all he’ll let me post!  Maybe if you are as lucky as I, you’ll have the opportunity to see it for yourself!

After being joined by Curry’s friend and budding young doctor, William, we drove down the freeway to Torrance to meet my newly wedded cousins Alex and Bill at their favorite restaurant, Lucille’s BBQ.  While I might be questioned for wanting barbeque as my final meal in the US – and in Los Angeles of all places – it seemed a good opportunity to try some beef tri tip in the correct, California setting.

Portions were too generous, as in so many American restaurants, but the food was tasty.  The tri tip was very tasty and tender although a bit more well-done than I like it, but that was the result of it having been smoked rather than grilled.

Below: The smoked tri tip with the tell-tale pink ring; braised beef spare ribs; and pulled beef brisket.

Above from left: Curry, William, Chris, Bill and Alex at a busy Lucille’s on Friday evening.

Curry handed me off to Bill and Alex and I stopped by to see their Long Beach home and freshen up before being driven in light rain to Los Angeles International for my evening flight.  The trip back to Khrungthep was smooth, with EVA continuing to win my praises for good service and comfort for the money.

Above: The dreary lobby of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.  Below: Sunrise two hours east of Taipei.

Above: Elite Class (premium economy) on the Boeing 777-300ER.  Below: The Mekong River forms the border between Laos (to the left) and Thailand (to the right).

Above: Approaching Khrungthep during rainy season, you get a clear picture of how much of the central plain of Thailand is composed of rice paddies.  Below: Less than twenty kilometers north of the airport, the metropolitan area’s expansion is impinging on the traditional agrarian way of life.

My flight arrived just after 11:00 am and I was back at the airport Sunday evening to pick up Tawn when his flight landed just after 7:00.  It is good to be home.