Three movies, few high-flying turbulent naps and 9 hours up in the air separated us from Rarotonga to LA.

As landed, we were knackered and disoriented. Nevertheless, we had to sit in the plane for 20 mins waiting for the USA customs to give us the ahead, go through the caos of LAX international airport, the frustrating immigration (they surely didn’t appreciate my sense of humour, I wouldn’t do it again), before we could paid a visit to the almost inexistent tourist welcome desk trying to figure it out how to reach Laguna Beach, there were no choice than by taxi only.

But a couple of hours away from the merging, chaotic freeways of Los Angeles, Laguna Beach was a complete different story, a nice surprise. First of all, because we got the pleasure to stay with a cousin of mine which was so nice to kindly host us until we planned our next moves. After months where our home was on wheels, it was great to have a proper bed to slip into at night and no worry to rush away. I think I had my best sleep ever! Then, Laguna Beach is just such a charming, little city with a great thriving artistic community, fantastic little cafe’ and eateries, funky shops and pretty (big) houses nestled in a beautiful natural setting with pristine coves and the blue ocean plus the people are so laid-back.. not exactly what we would expected at first from a place like this.


Maybe that’s why Los Angeles didn’t have a chance to blow us away or perhaps we only didn’t understand it. Wandering around LA Downtown we felt like being trap in a concrete jungle, most of it filled with businesses, although there are few sightseeing worth to mention, like the huge stainless steel work-of-art of Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry, which really stand out, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
China Town, Little Tokyo and Olvera Street, the touristy Mexican street, felt ... kinda boring. Plus we were highly recommended not to venture in certain neighbourhoods, should you worry?


With no much to do Downtown, the next days we swung back to the airport and picked up a rental car to explore the other LA, the glamorous and cool neighbourhoods. We snaked across Beverly Hills, the super stylish - super expensive branded stores at Rodeo Drive, vintage Melrose Place, through the flashing lights of Hollywood Boulevard where we sought for the famous stars beneath our feet, up the hill to the infamous Hollywood’s sign. We went people-watching in Venice Beach, home to quirky people like the resides at Muscle Beach, oiled up men strolling along in small speedos, few bohemians around the 3th Promenade and, when we had enough, unwound around Santa Monica Beach, Long Beach and windy Malibu’ Beach.


What’s your view over this car-dependent city and its districts?