Drew the curtains to survey the activity in the Budget lot, treated ourselves to the Sheraton buffet breakfast (ironically the most wholesome so far) and checked out. We were looking to forward to 12 hours of movies and snoozing, but got let down: another night in LA, compliments of Air NZ. Upgraded to the Hilton, which was a major improvement and good result seeing as it was our fault we missed the flight in the first place.

Making the best of the unscheduled stop, we opted for a guided tour of the city with Cyril, who had chat and a laugh like the barbers in Coming to America. Started off with Venice Beach: firstly the canals and then on to the beach front. It was kind of Camden Market meets Baywatch. Lots of tattoo parlours, shops selling bongs and street artists. An eclectic bunch of people with a fair amount of ageing freaks. Cyril explained that in the olden days, this was where all the pirates, thieves, hookers and general low life were contained, with the richer folks up in the hills. Annelise commented later that the portrayal of the colony on Mars in the late 80's Schwarzenegger classic "Total Recall" was probably a futuristic portrayal of this class segregation in a new colony. Hmmmmm……Highlight was passing the Hotel California.

Took a stroll down to Muscle beach but sadly no posers pumping Iron. Strolled to the beach and saw where Pammy and the Hoff used to "work". Legendary - it was just how it looked on TV.

The tour then took us Downtown to the movie district then up to Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive and Hollywood. Passed all the famous landmarks from films such as Pretty Woman, the Viper Rooms and the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was Grammies night: many venues were gearing up for the parties and the Paps were out in force. (Despite keeping our eyes peeled the only celeb we spotted was Gordon Ramsey in the airport the following morning.)Stopped at the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre. Saw the HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance - it always appears bigger in the media. Cyril was a long term LA resident and driver of the stars, so was full of lots of inside information that he wouldn't share with us. Final stop was the Farmers Market for a drink.

Turned in early…….Departed LA promptly next morning, but arrived too late for connecting flight. Yet another night stranded at an airport hotel…(compliments of Air NZ). Anyway, finally made it to New Zealand and the start of travels in the Southern Hemisphere.