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.

Day 29 (13 September 2015)

This is great stuff - Neil alongside John Wayne's grave in Newport, California.

John Wayne's favourite place  - buried with Newport in the background.

Not many people know John Wayne's resting place - even now. It was only a few years ago his family placed a memorial plague over his grave. Prior to this no headstone was evident.  

We had lunch alongside this Newport marina with expensive luxury boats. South of Los Angeles, California.

Along Hollywood Boulevard and at the Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

Along Hollywood Boulevard and at the Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

This is where the film stars enter the Dolby Theatre when the Academy Awards are on along Hollywood Boulevard, California.

The famous Hollywood sign from Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

Inside the Egyptian Theatre along Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Walking down the red carpet after receiving their academy awards in the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

George Reeves - who's he? The original Superman along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

Along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

 The Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are conducted - along the Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

The famous Chinese Theatre along the Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

Pretty Woman territory along Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

We left San Diego at 0830 am expecting the intestate road to be congested - well no, it was an easy drive to Newport north of SD where John Wayne lived and is buried in the Pacific View Memorial Gardens. Neil was over the moon being next to his favourite film star. We had lunch at a Newport Marina amongst expensive luxury boats. After it was a short journey to collect our key to our Hollywood Apartment and wow we are only a ten minute walk to the centre of Hollywood where the Walk of Fame is located. The apartment has all the amenities to cook.... and... we had lobster tails, salmon and  great food that would have cost ten times the cost if we had it in a local restaurant. Tomorrow we are on a tour to Warner Bros film lot and a drive around Beverley Hill. Cheers.