Day Twenty Six

Woke up at 4am in complete pain. Neck was agony. Couldn't move. Had pain killers, Ann turned me over. Managed to sleep again, twice, before getting up at about 9am.

Had breakfast in the hotel before packing up and leaving. Decided to do some drive-by tourism before we left LA. First headed north. Saw a sign. Took a picture.

On a hill, far far away!

Drove down Hollywood Boulevard and saw the Walk of Fame, all the stars and names in the sidewalk. Saw the Kodak Theatre (Where the OSCARS are held), and the Grauman's Chinese Theatre (Where they were once held). And this round thing.

Capitol Records

We then drove down Sunset strip, seeing lots of famous musical places like the Whisky a Go Go nightclub. Drove through Beverly Hills, seeing lots of big mansions. Ended up at Santa Monica. Parked up and went and sat on the beach for half an hour. Watched as a group of seagulls hunted around belongings that had been left whilst their owners were swimming. Tried to do some filming, but found it hard as it just made you look like a weirdo, before deciding to hit the road.

Plan was to breeze up the California Coastal highway, taking in the views before reaching our destination of San Luis Obispo, just under half way to San Francisco. Unfortunately traffic was very bad and it took as an hour and a half to reach Malibu, 19 miles away. Finally got going out of the traffic and made headway before stopping in at an IHOP in Oxnard for a very late lunch. Carried on north reaching the Peach Tree Inn just after 8pm. Saw a a strange sea mist just around sunset as we drove. It looked like clouds but was just sitting on top of the Pacific in the murky light. You can just about make it out on this film.

Neck eased up as the day went on, although Ann did most of the driving. Tomorrow is the final day of driving as we drop off the car in the afternoon in San Francisco. I'll be sure to wear a flower in my hair.

Day Twenty Five

Wow.

Double Wow.

The best day of the lot by far. We both agree. Having had a few days of becoming a bit travel weary, today was the day we desperately needed. And boy did we get it. This will be a long blog. If you can't be bothered to read it all, at least catch the last bit. Incredible really.

Day didn't start too well when woke up with a really sore neck, it has been getting progressively worse over the last week. Bit annoyed as today was going to be an action day and didn't want to be in pain. Took painkillers, got on with it. Went to breakfast, which was ok. At the end we had to pay, but as part of the hotel deal we had two for one on breakfast. Woman said we should have been given a card saying it. Ann had to go to reception to get one. It was busy. Took ages. Made us later than we wanted to be.

Showed man card, he fetched car. Programmed the sat nav for Universal Studios and off we went. Didn't take long to get there as it is only 7.2 miles away. Got to gate. Chose preferential parking which cost an extra five dollars, but meant we were right next to the entrance, so what the hell. Had already booked and printed our tickets so went straight to the turnstile. Got in, man told us where to pick up our special passes. We had paid extra to get a Front of Line Pass which meant we didn't have to queue for any ride or show. Just show it and go down the special lane to the front.

First up we went on the Studio Tour. Showed our passes, missed out the big queue. Felt like the bit of Wayne's World 2, when Wayne and Garth have backstage passes to an Alice Cooper concert and just keep showing them off. Special Pass, let us through. Got on the first tour tram thing and off we went. The tour takes you around the actual normal studio, showing you all manner of sets and sound stages. Had to be quiet to start with as we went past a studio where CSI was being filmed. It then takes you around some streets that are there. A London one, New York, a multipurpose European one, all the time telling you what films and programmes have been filmed there. Makes you go, 'Oh yeah, I recognise that'. We saw lots of different original vehicles from things like Back to the Future and Jurassic Park. Then it went inside and became a 360 degree 3D King Kong ride. Got wet. Carried on.

Can't remember the exact order of things as we saw so many. Next some cars from Tokyo Drift on big mechanical arms showing how they move and roll over. We saw a deer which walked across the road and the guide said it was a new $1.5million anamatronic deer. Hilariously people believed her. Went through a simulated earthquake in a subway station, from the original film Earthquake, but which recently was used in an episode of Bones. A large tanker falls in and a big wave washes down through. Also a Mummy Returns piece indoors using big screens which made you think you were spinning around and around. Then we passed by this sleepy motel.

Then onwards to a Mexican town which has been used in lots of films, especially the bit where a storm surge wave comes flying down the street. In the tram thing, there were screens showing you the clips of films from each point. Stopped by the real Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives. It had cars parked outside the houses and everything. Went through a western town called Six Point Texas, as it has six streets all with similar buildings, in the days of silent movies they would shoot six films at the same time each on a different street. We went past Amity Island and were attacked by Jaws. Then we went into a set from War of the Worlds. It is the real thing where Spielberg shot the movie.

We finally we passed what is usually a big lake with a giant green screen behind it. Currently it has been drained while the area is being used for something else. When it has water in it, it is used for nearly all big water scenes, like the bit in the Truman Show where he sails to the edge of the set and the flooding of the valley in 'O brother, where art thou?'. And that was just the first 45 minutes. Realised we had not brought the sun cream so had to buy some due to intense heat.

Next we went on a proper ride.

Almost like the Niagara golf logo!

Showed special pass, got straight on. The next two clips show it. On the first one, my hand appears as I try to keep my phone dry during the ride!

The second is after we have been, showing the ending and result.

All that done and it was only 11.45am. Got a drink and decided on next activity. Popped in to look at an exhibit of old props and costumes, before heading to the Simpson ride. Showed pass, went straight in. It was a non moving ride, in terms that you car didn't go anywhere, but it did shake, go up and down, side to side quite violently. Made neck hurt.

Next went through the House of Horrors, which was the most disappointing part of the day. It wasn't that bad, but you walked through and there were people going so slow that everybody just caught each other up and then you saw all the different things happen before you got there.

Then to the Special Effect Stage to watch an interesting and entertaining show about how effects have changed over the years. Pass meant we got reserved seats that were the best. Tried to make Ann volunteer to take part, but she got angry with me. Won't tell you about the show as this is taking ages to write. On our way to lunch, we had to stop as water was rushing out over the tarmac across the path. Turned out to be a flood from the Animal Actor show, which looked suspiciously like crap water. They immediately stopped people going through it and cordoned the whole area off for most of they day. Had pizza for lunch before heading over to Waterworld.

Now, having seen the worst live action show in Vegas, I was intrigued as to how well it would be done. Pass meant we got in before everyone else and has pick of the seats. Sat in the middle, one row behind the last wet row. Entertainment started as people were entering before the main show. Some of the bit part cast members soaked the crowd in an amusing way making everyone laugh. Then the show started. It was outstanding. Filmed a bit of it which hopefully gives an impression.

It was everything the pirate show in Vegas was not. Even had a plane come crashing down into the water. Unbelievably good. Then afterwards we sat admiring the set before making our way out. Bumped into the cast as we left.

Two Evil Bastards!

The Cool Gang

Even managed to get in other peoples pictures as they started taking them whilst I was still stood in the middle. The cast thought it was hilarious.

Next Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a sit down in the shade. We sat in a replica of a French town square where it was quite quiet. Amazingly even in just a random piece of set which bears no resemblance to anything, people were taking pictures of themselves against the backdrop. I would understand had we been in an actual French town square, but it was just a facade of nothing in particular.

Onward to the Shrek 4D. It was like being in a cinema and you had to wear 3D glasses. The 4D bit was due to the fact the chairs moved and spat water and air at you, so you felt the short film too. Was quite good. Jolted neck though.

As time creeped on, Ann decided that we needed to go on the Jurassic Park ride again. We had only just dried out from 5 hours earlier. Made our way down to it, used passes to get straight on, remarkably in exactly the same seats as the morning. Got soaked again. Got off, got some stuff from the ride shop and then stood and watched other boats come down. It was really funny to watch people's reactions. They don't seem to expect so much water and then laugh uncontrollably. We did this for some time. 

Then our day took an unexpected twist. As we watched the boats come down, they were all filled right up as so many people were queuing. Then all of a sudden a boat came down with hardly anybody in it. Due to the fact it was much lighter the final bit of its journey was much slower as it had less momentum. As it came towards us we wondered why it was so empty. Couldn't imagine that there was no one left to fill the boat as there had been a 25 min queue that we had jumped. Then said to Ann it must have someone special on it. We then scanned the faces on the boat as it approached. I suddenly realised who it was, turned to Ann and said 'It's David Beckham'. Boat went by a couple of feet away. And there he was with his kids, plus family and friends. Thought wow that's not a thing you see everyday. Now I don't mean to grass him up, but it said on the ride to take your hat off, and he was clearly wearing a baseball cap. I felt I should say something to someone. I didn't. He went around again too. Bet he didn't even have to get out of the boat. Posh was there as well. She didn't go in the boat though. She walked past us into the shop and seemed to buy everything. After he had disappeared around the corner for another ride and before we had seen her, we were discussing the chances of seeing him here and Ann said 'I'd rather see him. Don't care about her. She's a miserable cow' or words to that effect. Turns out the woman next to us was David's mum.

Anyway, next time his boat appeared from the darkness I was ready. I thought I'll film this for the blog, that will be good. Unfortunately technical difficulties again meant it didn't happen even though I was aiming my phone at Mr Beckham. As he glided by he noticed me serrupticiously filming him, and I thought he might get the security guard with him to break my phone. He didn't. He didn't have to. I was too incompetent to manage to record it. Bugger. Was gutted for the blog.

Anyway they all moved on and so did Ann and I. Ann has wanted to have a hot dog for the last three and a bit weeks, so finally got her wish. She also made me have a Churro, which in theory sounded good, but in reality wasn't, although according to her it wasn't in the best condition.

We ended up at the Universal City Walk, which is basically lots of shops and food outlets. Bought some new flip flops as mine are absolutely knackered. Also got a Bubba Gump 'wife beater' shirt. Then we made our way home, delighted at a great day. Ann is now alseep as ever and I will be too soon. Hopefully.