She waited anxiously at the arrival gate, absorbed in the environment around her; emotional re-encounters with loved one’s, excited tourists embarking on an American adventure, business types walking through with a “I do this every week arrogance’ whilst giving a nod of recognition to the chauffeur driver holding his name on the white card.
She found the sound of so many Australian accents comforting. Her anticipation level raised another notch, for any moment now she would see them walking along the exit corridor, bringing a conclusion to their 14 hour QF11 flight from Sydney to LA, and the three of them would embark on their belated honeymoon.You may remember when I flew home for Sam and Jon’s wedding in April this year, well I have been excited about the honeymoon ever since.
For Sam and Jon were commencing their month long - around the world honeymoon, and the first stop on the itinerary was Los Angeles.
Sam and I had long been excited about reuniting amongst the glitz and glam of Hollywood and Jon was kindly obliging to his wife’s wishes that we could all embrace this special occasion together – who ever said ‘Three’s a Crowd”
It’s no secret that I have had a long time addiction to trashy weekly gossip mags, to get my weekly dosage of paparazzi pictures and celebrity gossip – but thanks to Perez Hilton, I now get to save at least $4.00 a week.
I was keeping a constant eye out for flashing camera’s chasing a Bentley, as it drove crazily away from the Designer boutiques on Rodeo Drive.
We were in luck – We had arrived in Celebrity Heaven - A List all the way.
The first celebrities we encountered I could confidently class as being of the highest calibre - Super Stardom, Icons, Cream of the Crop and there was no way we were missing out on a photo opportunity.
Yes! Mickey and Minnie Mouse were very down to earth and welcoming on our arrival to Disneyland.
I was so excited to be at Disneyland, like a scene out of BIG I closed my eyes and became a thirteen year old – or was is it 8 ??
Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Buzz Light Year were some of our favourites.
However, there was a special place in my heart reserved for ‘It’s a Small World.’ It took me back to my childhood dream to visit ‘Disneyland’ – The Happiest Place on the Earth.
Day Two of our Anaheim Adventure took us to the Adjacent Park – California Adventureland.
Encore performances of the Hollywood Hotel - Tower of Terror Ride and repeat performances on The Speedster.
We named our friend Mini Daz – the 3 of us had our poses pre choreographed, so were most impressed with Mini Daz’s impromptu contribution.
We all had an exhilarating time (Go on Jon, admit you had fun) but on our departure from Disneyland, little did we know a whole new ride was beginning.
The brochure’s description:
The ride commences with 3 occupants deciding to take a train back to their Hollywood Hotel from Disneyland.
Completely ignore the fact that no tourist information suggested this form of transport as a feasible option - and do not be deterred by the fact that no Anaheim Tourist Operator appeared to even know where the Anaheim Train Station was located.
Upon boarding the train enjoy the casual scenic ride for 30 minutes before the gut- wrenching dips and turns will nauseate you. The ride will peak at the point when you realize that you are no longer on track to your destination - in fact you are completely off the track and there are no more trains for the evening, you must make a split second decision.After deciding on Option 1 - Your Knight in Shining Armour arrives, care of the local cab company, along for the ride will be his girlfriend – excited for her first ever trip to Hollywood.
- Do you get off at the next stop - desolated, with no option but the hope that taxi's operate in 'these parts'?
- Get off at a larger station along the line - that you are warned by fellow passengers, "I wouldn't drive my car through that area"
So after a lengthy and expensive taxi trip the ride is about to come to an end – with one quite incredible BANG!!!!!
Quite literally - Your country bumpkin taxi driver, will forget the need to check lanes in the big city and on the prime location of Hollywood Boulevard the ride comes to an end, Crash, Boom, Bang into the side of a BMW SVU.
REVIEW: √√ At the time of the ride, I thought it was a over-rated; expensive & long but after time to reflect - it was entertaining. Would I do it again? Nah!!!!
Not all the Thrills & Spills in Hollywood have to cost a lot of money – and there is one cheap and easy way to see celebrities.
Emphasis on C – elebrities.
Go to a taping of a show, there are a lot to choose from:
- Late Night talk shows that are actually filmed at 3pm in the afternoon
- Wheel of Fortune
- Deal or No Deal
- Ellen.
We took our prime front row positions next to the rap mentors – including; D12’s Bizarre, Tone Loc and D.M.C
Yo!! Hugh Hefner joined us in da house!!
We anticipated that the stage manager would move us “white oldies” from the front of the stage – but we stayed there for the whole show and just got into character, pretending that our Calvin’s were showing, whilst our jeans hanged below our bum cheeks.
The footage below of Shar Jackson's performance was the best I could find to see us Hanging with the Homies. When the camera zooms to the Rap mentor sitting on the side of the stage - is the best chance to see a glimpse of the Australian Gangsters in the crowd.
Who knew that by watching all these celebrities on stage would inspire me to want to be the center of attention myself – of course we all knew!!!!
But there are too many stars as it is in Hollywood – I would choose our next destination to take the stage – Las Vegas.
Darren joined us for all the fun and excitement of Vegas.
And as I say....
"What Happens in Vegas - Stays in Vegas
Will make a great blog story!"
XX
Mel
