Santa Monica and Venice is still a wonderful mix of beach, freak, plactic people and great places to hang out.

Heading to Las Vegas and our hire car was upgraded from a 1 door (ha, ha) buzz box to a respectable toyota carolla. It's nice and black and goes fast. We successfully negotiated the LA traffic, although the STEP LADDER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, doesn't infect us with confidence. Yes, a step ladder in the middle of the road and two Aussies are doing 65 Miles p/hour (110 klms)....dangerous stuff.