Hey y'all from Californ-i-a! We had a dodgy start to our time in Los Angeles. A very dodgy start. Basically we arrived at LAX late at night and had nowhere booked to stay, so this very kind old guy (very old too, come to that) from Travellers Aid helped us... well... he tried to help us. He got us a hotel room for the night. The problem is the aforementioned hotel turned out to be in an INCREDIBLY dodgy area. We thought we were quite seasoned travellers but we would have been safer on a rifle shooting range (oh... actually... that may have been where we were???) We were starving hungry having not eaten all day and we ended up making a run for it to the vending machine, getting harrassed and returning with not very much to munch. Very annoying and pretty scary. So the next morning after a sleepless night thanks to noises outside our room and in the car park outside, we headed back to LAX.... this is where the story gets better... We went b ack to Travelaid (yes, we trusted them again... their intentions were good!) and they booked us into the Cadillac Hotel on Venice Beach. Karen's stayed there before so we knew it was good and in a nicer area than the rifle range. We got there and the woman on reception gave us a cheap deal on a twin room with ocean view (very nice!) so we were really happy. it just felt so much nicer being somewhere with friendly staff, a nice room and our own lovely bathroom with the ultimate power shower (nearly blasted us back to Hawaii!) From the Cadillac we were able to explore Venice (so named due to its canals... photos coming), the beach (including a bit of sunbathing) and its only a short walk to Santa Monica's shops and pier. We also went on a tour of the Movie Star's homes in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. AND Lady Luck was shining on us... we were the only ones booked onto the tour so instead of the logo-emblazoned mini van we got our own private chauffeur-driven black Cheverolet (SP?) with leather seats, extra legroom etc! Very nice! Saw the houses of loads of stars including Matt Damon (including possible sighting of him in upstairs bedroom!), Julia Roberts, The Osbournes, Halle Berry, Leo DiCaprio, Eminem, Colin Farrell (his looked like a toilet block!) and Joan Collins, Jack Nicholson and Sean Connery (a few names for you oldies out there!!) Obviously a trip to LA wouldn't be complete with the obligatory shopping! So... we shopped... Let's just hope customs don't realise just how much... Our last night in LA was marked by a trip to Hooters restaurant. For all those not familiar with this American institution it's a sports themed restaurant where the waitresses, well, they wear... er... not very much! We went for the good cheap food and part atmosphere (and to buy T-shirts!... oops... more shopping!) Taking an internal flight to San Francisco today to stay with Jim (K's Dad's friend) and check out Alcatraz and The Golden Gate bridge etc... looking forward to it :-) See you soon Karen xxx and Fleur xxx PS The message board's still there y'all!