LA (Loud America)
Trip Start
Nov 12, 2007
1
29
40
Trip End
Aug 01, 2008
Los Angeles,
United States
Monday, March 17, 2008
We had decided to spend a couple of nights in LA before facing another 10 hour hop back to the UK. We had been advised to stay away from the centre of the city and so a half hour taxi ride saw us arrive in the coastal suburb city of Santa Monica. The weather was glorious warm and sunny no humidity and not a cloud in the sky.
Santa Monica
We booked a tacky tourist tour of Hollywood (you have to) and set off on a minibus to the see the sights. We stopped at Rodeo Drive and the Pretty Woman hotel. (We are not film buffs but ever since Australia seem to have been on one film set after another) Further "high"lights were the sites of George Michael's indiscretion and River Phoenix's demise. You are meant to see the homes of some of the stars but of course all the famous people live in highly secure private areas so all you get is things like "Kojak used to live here" or "a Charley's Angel stayed here" Not that we were too worried anyway.
We did stop at Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars on the pavement as well as the Chinese theatre with the handprints in concrete and the Kodak Theatre home of the Oscars. Finally we were taking into the hills for views of the Hollywood sign and the LA skyline. Photo opportunities all but loud manic and not really our thing.
We were glad to return to the relative calm of Santa Monica which has a pleasant pedestrianised centre and a large beach. There is a famous pier and it is also the home of "Muscle Beach" the outdoor gym on the beach sometimes seen on the T.V. I had to do a "chin up" for photographic purposes and it is a good job Emma got the shot first time as I'm not sure I could have done two.
The food was cheap and the portions huge. I had an omelette for breakfast (no sign of Corn Flakes) and it was massive. We estimated at least ten eggs. Order a steak and get free soup and garlic bread. Tipping was a nightmare. Everything and everybody. Our $20 dollar breakfast bill had a handwritten $3 service charge added. She only brought out an omelette a heavy omelette I know but! I know the amounts are small but it is just a pain. Our tour was $130 dollars (£65) not too bad but then a sign on the bus says "A 15% tip is (not would be) appreciated" A free courtesy bus to the beach oh yes but you still tip the driver ("but I've got no change it does say free you know") It is not the money. I would just rather pay a known price. After the friendly Australians wry New Zealanders and wonderful Fijians the whole American way grated on us but perhaps we were just tired and looking forward to getting home.
And that was pretty much that another long flight several more time zones and the plane was touching down at a very cold Heathrow..........
