USA - Hollywood

Welcome to Hollywood!!! - We moved over to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa on the Friday and made the most of this beautiful hotel and it's perfect location. We had a fantastic buffet breakfast each morning before our hetic days, and we had the same lovely waitress each morning. She took a fancy to the kids and kept bringing them bowls of M&Ms for brekkie for their pancakes, which apparently is the norm for US kids. Unfortunately for our kids, it was a treat for one day, then back to a proper healthy brekkie Aussie style ie made to order gourmet omlettes and plenty of beautiful fresh fruit (something we do not get alot of in Tonga.) The biggest hit of all were the strawberries on steroids, with the kids eating about 6 of these beauties each, everyday.

With the hotel was right above the Kodak Theatre (where the Ocsars are held), we were in the centre of all the action. Our room overlooked the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Hills where all the mansions are. We couldn't do the tour of the Kodak theatre because it was closed for renovations, but we did check out all of the great shops in the forecourt and mall under our hotel. After dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, we stopped to watch the filming of a TV show in the courtyard and get our photo taken infront of Jack Sparrows ship from Pirates of the Caribbean. As this was the weekend the film was launched in the US, promos were everywhere.

The view from our room and Jodie and Emily in the pool, with the Hollywood sign in the background.

The rooftop pool and cabanas. You could walk out the back of the pool area down to the shopping courtyard and eatery. This is where we watched a TV show being filmed.

We had a great dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, but found the large number of "impersonators" off putting as they constantly man handled you to get a photo with them and pay $10 for the prilvidge. Although, this one of Johnny Depp looked pretty close to the real one. Hollywood was Pirates mad the whole time we were there.

MADAME TUSSAUDS WAX MUSEUM

The kids absolutely loved this place and we spent about 2 hours running around checking out all of their favourite stars and explaining who people were that they didn't know. They really got into it all and pretty much had their photos taken with most exhibits - especially the interactive ones where you could also dress up and use the props.

1. Dylan with David Beckhams trophy, 2. Emily doing her best block shot, 3. Lydnon giving Lance Armstrong a run for his money.

. Lyndon with Beyonce and her famous booty, 2. Lyndon and Jodie hanging out with Jack, 3. Jodie having tea with Audrey.

1. Hanging out with Forrest Gump 2. and Iron Man, at the front of Stark Industries.

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

It was great to finally walk along this famous stretch of turf, home to the nameplate stars, feet and handprints of all sorts of famous people from the film, TV, recording, directing and theatre industries. It was stop/start the entire two sides of the street with heaps of people stopping to take photos of their favourite stars. The kids were happy tracking down Sherk, Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, Jodie was happy to find Elvis and the Bee Gees and Lyndon didn't really care who he was walking all over. The stars with the most photo action by tourists happened to be Michael Jackson and Johhny Depp.

1. Grauman's Chinese Theatre where the foot and hand prints are located, we were told by the guide that they constantly get moved around depending on who is popular at the time. 2. The Harry Potter cast had just been moved up to the front when we were there. 3. Jodie and Dylan infront of the Kodak Theatre enterance.

This stretch of stars led Jodie to shoe heaven - 30 000 pairs of shoes inside and boy was she happy. Lyndon took the kids for a wonder up the street so she could shop in peace. 1 hr later out she comes with only 3 pairs.
Now that is what is called restraint!

1. The most famous star of them all - dedicated to the 5 major professions of the entertainment industy. 2. At the far end of the Walk of Fame is the Golden Girls of the Silver Screen statue, notice the pink stretch hummer limo in the background - they were everywhere. 3. Lyndon and Emily with Michael Jackson.

L.A. CITY SIGHTS DAY TOUR

This was a fabulous way to see all of the famous sights in air conditioned luxury. Our coach tour took us past many sights used in films such as the causeway in the "Greece" movie where they had the car race, the big, round, white building that collapsed in "Independence Day", the Police, Fire and Rescue Building used as headquarters in "Beverley Hills Cop" and many, many more. We also swung past Chateau Marmont (Lindsey Lohans hangout), House of Blues, CBS Headquarters and Capitol Records and heaps more. The tour also went to the Farmers market which was full of little food stalls and shops where locals go to pick up bargins.

1. Straight to the rich side of town 2. The House of Blues 3. Emily at the Farmers market eating one slice of pizza, which was almost as big as the plate.

Then off to Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd for a walk around and a spot of window shopping. 1. The store where Julia Roberts was refused service in the movie "Pretty Woman", it is now Brooks Brothers. 2. Jodie and Lyndon wondering where to head to next. 3. Dylan with the flashest car on the street, belonging to the owner of the Bijan - designer for men store.

1. Harry Winston jewels anyone? 2. Chanel of course 3. Jimmy Choo shoes

SANTA MONICA PIER AND BEACH

Next stop was the Pier at Santa Monica for a quick walk on the beach and to check out the famous pier attractions. Unfortunately for the kids the carousel was closed this day but they did squeeze in a ride on the rollercoaster. We enjoyed it here although wished we had more than the 1hr allowed.

1. Coaster time, Em and Dyl up the top car, 2. Dylan in front of the pier attractions 3. Jodie and Lyndon checking out the history of the place.

1. Hat anyone? 2. Baywatch territory 3. at the end of the famous route 66 on the Pier.

VENICE BEACH

On the road again, this time off to Venice Beach which was a tad different to what we were expecting, the locals either love it or hate it according to our guide. Lots of cheap knock off stalls and little food markets, but plenty of wide open parks and bike/roller skating tracks. It was very dirty and had lots of beggers, but had a nice beach. No movie stars wondering around with their dogs like you see in the movies but we did watch some action at the gym.

1. Looking back from the beach to the markets 2. Muscle central on the beach 3. Emily and Jodie testing the waters.

SPAGO DINNER ON MOTHERS DAY

Our final outing in Hollywood was a trip to Spago in Beverly Hills. This restaurant is one of many owned by the world famous celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who creates the menus for the after Oscars dinner party. We hired a babysitter for the night so we could go out and live it up just a bit, although we didn't stay long enough to see any famous people as it is a hangout for the stars in the wee early hours of the morning. The wine list had over 3000 wines from all over the world to choose from which was far to much to handle for Jodie, so she just chose a good ole faithful Pinot Noir from Tasmania (can't go wrong with a Aussie wine). We had wonderful silver service and beautiful food although Lyndon is still wondering what all the fuss was about and why it was so pricey??!!??

1. Nothing like a bit of romance 2. Ah the life of the rich and famous (no not us we were just pretending for one night) 3. A window display at a bakery in Beverly Hills, the hat, bag, purse and shoes all made out of chocolate.