One of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne has to be The Italian Waiters. Located down Meyers Place (Off Bourke St), this institution has been serving lovingly prepared food (such as Tortellini Bologna that i've been eating for approx 15 years) for decades. This is the sort of place where 'modern infused Australian cuisine' doesn't exist. It's old fashioned, it's straight from your mum's kitchen. Go forth and eat.

....while 15 hours on a plane without stopping doesn't sound like anybody's cup of tea, when you're going home it can be the best ride of your life. So, as you've guessed it, we've finally made it back to Australia and our beloved Melbourne. The summer heat is upon us, the smell of BBQ's have penetrated our collective noses and the cricket is in full swing. It's good to be home.

Well, all good (nah, read: GREAT) things come to a end. This trip has taken us around this astounding globe. We've included 3 days of flying, countless restaurants, gallons of microbrewed beers through temperatures of -5 to 23 degrees. Along the way we've met some amazing people, crossed paths with some total freaks and reacquainted ourselves with family that will make our hearts beat a little faster forever. Often the world is (& justifiably so) portrayed in a bad light.....however, for these weary Aussies the world is truly an incredible and amazing place. The only thing left for us is to say, thank you for reading, grab yourself a beer, get a map and plan that adventure you've always wanted. You'll never, ever regret it. It's time to go home...Australia, here we come mate.

This has to be one of the best freak shows in the world. The 1.5 mile stretch of beach known simply as Venice Beach, is home to more alternative types, freaks and general vagrants than in most places. We highly recommend sitting at the Sidewalk Cafe and enjoying in a beer or three, while taking in the free side show. Superb.

With the sun beating down upon us and the smiles continuing from ear to ear, we set off to Beverley today in search of wealth. We found it in the shape of Rodeo Drive. A 3 block strip dripping in money and ego's. With our credit card 'maxxed' we decided to decline the $40,000 pair of ear rings and confirm our stature as Australian yobs but 'doning' the shorts. Ahhhhh, yes!

Following that, we took the Metro Bus 217 to Hollywood Blvd. The home of the Walk Of Fame, scam artists and supposed movie moguls. The problem with Hollywood is that the fake tans are too bright for these Aussies. The Orange Glow of wafer thin actors/actresses supresses our love of all things celluloid.

Alas, all is not lost. We ate dinner at the Swingers Diner on Broadyway (& 8th St) in Santa Monica). The burgers were juicy, the red plastic booths comfy and the 'Fonzie' like waiter a treat. Try it.

....5 hours and 46mins later (to be exact)...with various heights of security checks, we have arrived in Los Angeles. Well, Santa Monica to be exact. This place is magic, so warm compared to the last 6 weeks of sub zero tempretures (or there abouts). We're even on the beach with shorts on, instead of the magic 4 layers of clothes and beanies.

......CBGB's is one of the most recognisable live band venues in the world. Blondie, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Talking Heads, the Ramones, Screaming 'Jay' Hawkins...even our own You Am I have played here. This is where many bands got a start. The beauty of this place was that, as Dee Dee Ramone said.."you could come to CB's and play whatever the f*ck you wanted". Unfortunately, money hungry landlords have put a very dark cloud over the future of this amazing venue. Let's hope it gets a permanent reprieve. If not, it would be a sad death. We visited on Jan 6th.

.....in the city that was home to one of the great artists, Andy Warhol....we've found ourselves at the centre of a photo shoot. We are Pop Art.....

.....a belated Happy New Year to family and friends who are sweating it out in Australia, or maybe shivering like we are in Nthn Ireland.......love to you all. Hope the heavy head has cleared......

......i wouldn't normally do tours, but Airo twisted my arms with some force. Needless to say, i went along for the Sex and The City tour. This was a lot of fun (and gents, great viewing too!). It showed a glimpse of some locations made famous by the TV show filming. During the tour, we topped up our sugar fix (how can't you in America) with some Cup Cakes (from The Magnolia Bakery) and a Cosmopolitan (see photo). Yum!

We've had such a great time in this city. It's truly amazing. Whether it's your 7th visit or your 1st, this place never ceases to amaze. We both have a unquenchable thirst for New York City.

Well, we spent some of New Year's Day recovering from our hangover (which, really wasn't that bad) by doing the tourist thing. We braved the crowds at the Empire State Building, and it was well worth it. A superb view over all of New York (& beyond). The Empire State BUilding is over 1,210 meters tall. What a view!!!!!

....happened to see a couple of celeb's so far. Michael Richards (Kramer in 'Seinfeld') and the beautiful J-LO (Jennifer Lopez) in Central Park, filming her new movie. I'm sure that gets the lads hearts fluttering back home. Also, thought you might like a picture of the cleanest toilet in all of New York City. It's a bar in the East Village called Max Fish.