Day 32 (16 September 2015)

Our apartment include a swimming pool – use by tenants and hirers alike. Located at Fuller Road, West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The inside pool area inside our West Hollywood Apartment, Los Angeles, California.

Information Board regarding Bradbury Dam - near Santa Maria, California.

 Bradbury Dam - near Santa Maria, California.

Another view of Bradbury Dam - near Santa Maria, California.

And another view of Bradbury Dam - near Santa Maria, California.

And yet another view of Bradbury Dam - near Santa Maria, California.

Countryside view near Santa Maria, California.

Morro Bay Beach near the southern entrance to the Big Sur, California.

The Morro Bay Rock itself, home of peregrine birds, California.

Sea otters at fun – sunbaking along the shores, Morro Bay, California.

Hearts Castle, near San Simeon, California.

Elephant seals just relaxing on a beach along the Big Sur, California.

A huge elephant seal looking for a quiet spot to sunbake along the Big Sur, California.

A fat ground squirrel near the location of the elephant seals, Big Sur, California. These critters may contain a virus harmful to humans.

A typical beach scene along the Big Sur, California.

Gorda the most expensive fuel price in the US - $6.50 per gallon. Located along the Big Sur, California. No we didn’t fill up here!

A Big Sur scene closer to our overnight destination at Big Sur, California.

The Big Sur Highway Number One hugs so close to the shoreline that tunnels are required.

A humpback whale frolicking along the Big Sur coastline. Near Big Sur village, California.

One of many bridges along the Big Sur, California.

Our accommodation Deetjen Inn at Big Sur, California. Tucked away in the forest.

Walking up a redwood trail at our Big Sur accommodation.

Another humpback whale near our accommodation, Big Sur, California.

Goodbye Los Angeles, the city we started from one month ago. Now we head north leaving congested highways towards Ventura in California. We stopped for some supplies at Oxnard - yes Walmart again. Also our Bertha has a slow leak in the rear left tyre and we have to pump up this annoying piece of rubber every three or four days. After Oxnard we entered Pacific Highway 1 to start the Big Sur at Morro Bay. A huge rock formation is the main scenic feature in this place and we saw some peregrine birds high up in the cliffs – also playful sea otters were easily seen in the harbour. It was lunch here and continued north along the Big Sur. It was a beautiful day, clear, no rolling mist that usually occurs along this coast line and many snaps were taken at various viewpoints. We stopped and watched sea lions and hump back whales swimming along the rugged shoreline. We stopped at Randolph Hearst castle at San Simeon and later watch elephant seals on the beach nearby. Basically is was a nature day with all this wildlife. Our overnight stay is the small village of Big Sur and stayed in cottages that were build 90 years ago. The walls are made of redwood and very rustic in design. The Deetjen Inn is a heritage listed establishment amongst redwood trees and manicured gardens. A great place to stay. Tomorrow we drive the 155 miles to San Francisco and have tickets to ride the narrow gauge tourist train at Roaring Camp near Santa Cruz. We will be handing back Bertha to the rental company after 29 days tomorrow afternoon. For Meng and Choon they are feeling the blues because they will have to return to Oz next week and admit the holiday has gone so fast. So….our next post will be in San Francisco without any road vehicle – cheers.

Day 31 (15 September 2015)

Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, Los Angeles. The world first work-out beach!

Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, California.

The four - ready to segway roll - at Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles.

I've done this before - Anne on her second segway experience, Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles.

World best skate boarder designed this on Venice beach, Los Angeles.

Anne....again....at Venice Beach, Los Angeles.

It's Choon....at Venice Beach, Los Angeles.

Our guide telling about how Arnold Schwarzenegger work-out here to became Mr Universe, Venice Beach, Los Angeles.

The four segway rollers at the Muscle Beach, Venice Beach work-out plaza where big Arnie had work-out.

Lifesaver's observation tower on Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Also the scene of many films and television shows like Bay Watch.

Rolling down the board walk at Venice Beach. Legalised pot place and abode of many homeless people.

The official end of the road for Route 66, Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles.

On Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles.

View of the entrance to Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles. Always a police presence!

The tram from The Getty Museum from car park to museum, Los Angeles, California.

View of Los Angeles from the Getty Museum.

Painting of Princess Leonilla by Winterhalter inside the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Painting "Spring" by Manet inside the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Painting "Still Life With Apples" by Cezanne inside the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Painting "Irises" by Van Gogh inside the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

What a day! It poured down this morning - our first day in our holiday that rain could have spoiled our itinerary. However, by 10 am it became clear and we had a good hot, humid day. So much for "It doesn't rain in California" according to the popular song of yesteryear. We had our two hour segway ride between 11 am to 1 pm and rode about seven klms or more on the pathway from Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach and back. Venice Beach is an eye-opener, plenty of homeless people, pot smokers and muscle benders. Santa Monica Pier is a huge construction and to walk its length is an experience. It was Meng and Choon's first go on a segway machine and within five minutes they had mastered the controls and away we all went. After Santa Monica we drove north to The Getty Museum where the rich old tycoon had constructed a huge complex and many of his valuable collections are on display. It's a free entry....but....a $15 USD car parking fee is required. Meng and Choon remained until closing time at the museum with Neil and Anne returning Bertha to the accommodation in preparation for the final push to San Francisco. There is an overnight stop at the Big Sur tomorrow night, therefore definitely no wifi is available until two more nights. It's only three days before Neil and Anne board the Golden Princess for the slow 28 day return to OZ...so until 48 hours cheers.

Day 30 (14 September 2015)

Methodist Church in Hollywood - the scene of many films including Sister Act.

At the entrance to Warner Brothers Studios - good ol' Daffy Duck, Hollywood, California.

Inside the Warner Bros Studio - actual Batmobile. It actually drives!!

Warner Bros open lot - the New York 1930's buildings.

Warner Bros open lot - the Chicago 1930's buildings.

The Warner Bros water tower in Hollywood, California.

Mars Attack actual costume inside the Warner Bros Studio, Hollywood.

Sitting inside the "Friends" Central Perk Coffee shop inside Warner Bros Studio, Hollywood.

Neil trying out a spacesuit that was used in "Gravity". Warner Bros Studio, Hollywood.

Christopher Reeves' superman outfit. Warner Bros Studio, Hollywood.

A film stars house in Beverley Hills, worth 10 million dollars US.

This was once Fred Astaire's house in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Building used in "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts was refused to buy expensive clothes until Richard Gere intervened. Located along Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood.

Rodeo Drive Hollywood - the second most expensive road in the world. The statue represents the way it will cost you an arm and almost a leg to buy items here.

Denzil Washington's house in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles.

The famous sign in Los Angeles, California.

View from Beverley Hills - downtown Los Angeles, California.

Used in the final scene in Pretty Woman - starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, Hollywood.

Apparently Janis Joplin overdosed in this hotel - located around the corner from our accommodation, Hollywood, California.

We had two tours today - a Warner Bros VIP Studio tour in the morning and a Beverley Hills Celebrity homes tour pm hours. The company that we chose was Star Lines. They are the most used tour company in Los Angeles and have the monopoly on all things Hollywood. In view of this we had to wait to receive tickets and the later tour in Beverley Hills was rushed and was hard to hear the driver/guide telling all the important aspects of the tour. Nevertheless it was a tiring day and after returning to our apartment rested and had dinner there. Tomorrow we go to Santa Monica for our segway ride and with an afternoon free will go the the Getty Museum nearby. cheers.