Day 378 (Wednesday 17th December 08)

Up early to get everything sorted out before we left the campsite. Took the car through the car wash and Em went for a haircut. Just before Mark dropped Em off a taxi driver was pointing at the front of the car and telling us to stop. Not quite sure what he was trying to say we pulled over and saw the numberplate was hanging on by only one screw. Running out of time so once Mark had dropped off Em he went in search of a hardware store to try and fix it. Luckily he managed to find a very kind man who fixed it for free. Back to the campsite to have a quick lunch before going up to the house to meet Willy at 2pm to follow him to where we had to drop Hump Puppy off and then to drop us at the airport very kindly. Gave both Willy and Annie some beers and a christmas card to say thank you. They then got Em a sarong and were taking one of their massive pictures, like one from on the wall, to give to us. We couldn't believe how generous they were being but as we already had 5 bags had to explain that we couldn't accept it. Felt pretty bad. Followed Willy to where we had to drop Hump Puppy and then he dropped us to the airport. Arrived at about 4pm and had a 7 hour wait until our flight. Waited around for a while and then checked in. Then went through immigration and security to wait. Not a bad flight, nice to have some good food and lots of good films to watch. After about a 12 hour flight we arrived at 2pm the same day, before we actually left! Weird to have the same day again! Got our bags and through to get a shuttle bus to our hostel. Checked in and left our bags and went out to get some food from the nearby shop in the rain. Quite a few homeless people around with one complaining to Mark about how he didn't like women. Had some toast back at the hostel and chilled out for a while. Easily fell asleep as so tired!

Day 379 (Thursday 18th December 08)

Woke up late as so tired! Chilled out for most of the day catching up on Prison Break. Popped out to go to the big supermarket. Had to wait ages for the right bus to come along but quite interesting watching everything going on around us. Once back at the hostel booked on a tour for Saturday.

Day 380 (Friday 19th December 08)

Walked along to Santa Monica Pier and had a look around there. Saw where they filmed Baywatch as we walked there. Then saw the Zoltar fortune telling machine used in the film "Big" and the Forrest Gump shop. Realised it was a lot nicer around this area than where we are staying! Headed back towards Venice Beach to our hostel. Used Skype and chilled out for the rest of the afternoon watching more Prison Break!

Day 381 (Saturday 20th December 08)

Got picked up for our Grand City Tour of LA and taken to the company's office where we were all changed onto the right bus depending on what tour we were doing. First stop was past Marina Del Rey and back to Venice Beach. Walked down to Muscle Beach and to see the basketball courts where they filmed "White Men Can't Jump". Back on the bus and through Beverly Hills seeing some nice cars and expensive shops! Drove on past some of the famous people's houses to Sunset Boulevard. We were then onto the Farmers Market and had a wander around. Got something to eat before being taken to Hollywood. Cool to see but lots of people all around trying to sell things and wanting tips for everything! Saw the Chinese Theatre with the hand and foot prints of the stars then the Hollywood Sign. Walked up the street seeing the different stars on the pavement. Back to the bus and to Downtown. Our guide showed us all around Downtown and then dropped us at the Mexican Market for a look around which was fun. We were then back to the hostel after a long day.

Day 382 (Sunday 21st December 08)

A day of chilling out as no funds left! Watched lots of Heroes and went for a walk along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Day 383 (Monday 22nd December 08)

Another day of chilling out and yet more Heroes. Walked to find a laundrette and did our washing!

Day 384 (Tuesday 23rd December 08)

Made ourselves something to eat and got our bags packed. Checked out and walked to the bus stop, had to wait quite a while until the right bus came along. A couple of changes to other buses and we were at LAX airport. A bit of a wait until we could check in. On to our flight for the last long leg.