We woke up to many phone messages and the exciting news that my beautiful God daughter, Chrissie and her wonderful man, Huw, had just got engaged. The girls are already planning our trip to Wales for the wedding.
We arrived early at the airport for our 1pm flight and typically, they had valet baggage service, we had tsa security approval and so a 3 hour airport wait. Thanks for your efficiency Panda.
An hour later we were back in LA, we booked into the Renaissance Airport Hotel, same as before. At 5pm we were picked up for our 120km, 5 hour trip around LA. The traffic was insane.
Los Angeles is a large spread out city, apparently the reason being is that they don’t build high due to earthquake threats. However, traveling through downtown LA the skyline exhibited some pretty tall buildings. We passed the Lakers Stadium and the beautiful Opera House.
We stopped at Olvera Street, a little Tijuana, full of Mexican stalls, all selling the same things, bright clothes, shoes and general Chinese crap. We came across Avila House, the oldest house in LA, built in 1818. We wondered around the historical area with beautiful old trees.
Back on the road we passed residential areas: Chinatown, Little Armenia, Little Bangaladesh, Thai Town and so on.
We then headed to Hollywood Boulevard and strip. We walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame with names of Hollywood stars immortalized in stone and passed the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars take place.
We wandered around La La Land, the biggest souvenir shop ever. Then off down Sunset Boulevard. We found these areas seedy and disappointing, especially after the glitz of Las Vegas.
It was dark as we headed off to the more up market areas of Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Century City and Fox Studios (sorry no pics).
Our last stop was Farmers Market, where there are loads of food stalls and a nice vibe. Our last dinner in America, these giant, delicious chicken burgers.
Pandas in Africa 