First stop on my American adventure was Los Angeles. A place I never really had ambition to visit but one that surprised me for its vibrancy and it’s strong likeness to Australia.
LAX Sign
Landing at LAX is probably the worst place to land when you have had a 13 hour flight, you’re hungry, tired and in a country you have never been before. I liken it also to landing in London after a similar trip. Both have amazing similarities as soon as you step off by the fact you have to wait in the largest line ever to go through customs. I mean wow. It took 90 mins to clear and seriously it must have been that time when all planes arrived but it should not have taken that long.
But hey what can you say. You’re in a strange country and you have to abide by their rules and the way they do things. Just not the welcome that the Southern California tourist bureau would like us to have I’m sure.
The cab to the hotel was the highlight of the first day. Dirty disgusting hard to speak English crazy driver but what a ride. Felt like he took me through the backlots of LA to get to my Hotel in West Hollywood and he told everyone off and almost ran everyone off the road “Welcome to LA”.
Contemporary buildings in West Hollywood
The first day I got used to the surrounds, the hotel was lovely Ramada West Hollywood. Would certainly recommend it. 4star budget it would be classed but rooms very nice and spacious, amenities great, pool on site and free wifi, What more do you want. It’s also nestled in a neat leafy area of town just a short walk to heaps of restaurants, bars and niteclubs and just down the hill from all the tourist spots.
As I said before, LA or West Hollywood part of LA is very familiar. Not only have we seen it all on a million tv shows but it’s all in English, brands are the same and the weather is great. In fact it was actually cold and a bit wet when I got int LA and the locals were complaining a lot. But it warmed up to be very nice.
Highlights.
The friendly people – had so many awesome people take me out, show me around, meet me for coffee. Can see why so many australians work here and live here.
Santa Monica Beach
Cleanliness – The streets and the paths and the roads and just everything is clean and neat and well kept. Again I was in the Hollywood area but even down Santa Monica it was so lovely.
Hollywood sign – don’t just look at it. Go and see it. It’s a hike and in the end after walking up a relatively steep hill you find yourself behind it rather than in front of it. BUT you get to see it all he way and the views of the whole LA county and the mountains surrounding LA are priceless. Probably the best view I saw on the trip.
First Look at the Hollywood Sign
Behind the sign
Hotels & nightlife – Some of the hotels are stunning and it’s worth going into the and booking for dinner or drinks to appreciate them. One night a friend took me to the bar and restaurant above The London Hotel which is Gordan Ramsay’s restaurant and the view above LA at night was breathtaking. It was also set around a pool with fire pits and the like truly amazing. The other exciting thing was being able to eat apple pie and ice cream at a night club at 1am in the morning. A true American tale.
