After Getty Villa we caught the 534 along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH to the locals) to Santa Monica. Someone in a BMW offered us a ride. It appears white people do not travel by bus in Malibu. It was a pity it was overcast s the beach didn't look particularly inviting. Anyway, after a 15 to 20 minute trip we passed through the Palisades into Santa Monica. A pod of dolphins swam beside us for a portion of the trip. Getting off the bus at the jetty we crossed over the highway on a bridge before descending down onto the famous pier. There weren't too many people about but the stalls and buildings were open. We didn't go all the way to the end as Kylie needed to get some shopping done and we needed to find the mall the bus driver suggested. This wasn't too difficult, however the malls in the US are more a collection of department stores than the speciality or even general shops found in Australia. We decided to explore the surrounding shops for the winter clothes and basics that did not make it with us to LA. Still no word on the lost luggage.
Sara and I strolled 7 blocks of undulating geography to find a store that sold Nikon lenses. Finally found the store, but they only did Canon cameras. The guy suggested a professional camera outlet, but that was 10 US miles away.
Met back up with family and decided to head back home after 4 hours of shopping. Did manage to find some decent power socket adapters. Had dinner at McDonald's. It seems they do not 'super size' anymore, however we ordered a small which came back as an Australian large. In addition the drinks are bottomless cups.
On returning home Kylie thought she would ask a Taxi driver how much to take us to Sunset Blvd where we catch the 302 back to Hollywood, and how much back to Hollywood. Big mistake, although discounted by the time we added taxes and tips it was far greater than we wanted to spend at $45 USD. We were practically chased down the street by a couple of drivers offering various discounts which forced us to walk a loop and go well away from the bus stop we needed. Not an issue as we found the bus we wanted and the driver kindly stopped for us. I must say the American bus drivers are by far the most helpful and friendly I have ever met anywhere.
We got the bus to the corner of Sunset blvd and PCH where we met the 302 to return us to Hollywood. The trip of 1 hour was relaxing as the route takes us through Beverley hills where the christmas lights on the houses were fully illuminated. The Americans seem to be very much understated in house lights in LA. The majority are simply white, however on occasion mix it with the second most popular colour – red. Rarely were there multicoloured lights. All in all though the lights are well positioned highlighting tree trunks and branches, outlining the foliage on evergreens, snaking through hedges and shrubs, and flowing over rooves, eaves and fences. Some lights flicker, but few shine in patterns. Walked home from bus drop off at the corner of Sunset blvd and Nth Highland.
A bit about the hotel room at Hollywood Heights Hotel. Not bad, but not spacious. Just enough room for the two double beds, TV and a desk. The noise from the main road outside isn't too bad. The lights flicker periodically and the desk lamp is particularly annoying. The bathroom is simple but functional. The shower/bath tap is interesting. Imaging Captain Hook's... err... hook. You need to turn this anti-clockwise for water. Not altogether interesting, however this needs to be turned a good 110 degrees to get warm water. There is no flow adjustment. It is either off or on.
The restaurant downstairs is great. The food was magnificent. Typically American style foods.
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