Montego Bay

This is the beach were we've been swimming and snorkeling for the past few days. Has been hard to get Fynn out of the water (which is good) and he has really enjoyed exploring the reef and kayaking. The place were staying is an all inclusive resort and many guests are spending most of their days at the bar making sure they get their moneys worth. We've managed to exercise some control when it comes to the unlimited beer and cheeseburgers preferring the outdoors.

Bob Marley Museum - Jamaica

We've been in Jamaica for about a week staying in Kingston and Montego Bay. Kingston was great to visit and despite the obvious poverty and the hard edge to the place people were friendly and open. The guide book said the two things you don't do is get in a taxi that has no official taxi emblem or go to the downtown area near the market as its too dangerous - we did both on the first day and it was all OK. Our cab driver Horace was a government driver making a bit extra on the side and he had lots of good tips for us. We visited the Bob Marley Museum which was a must see for Fynn and the Jamaican national gallery - a must see for me. Caught the local bus from downtown that day which was an adventure but it was good to get amongst the locals. There were lots of school kids heading to the bus so I figured it couldn't be too much of a problem. Kids on the bus had good tips and advice for us as well.

Mystery Machine

This photo is for you Louka knowing how much you like Scooby Doo - couldn't actually find him or shaggy but universal studios does have an all you can eat deal so I guess they were busy.

Hollywood Boulevard

Today we went out to Hollywood and had squiz at all those stars set into the pavement and took a short tour. We were there when Cameron Diaz had her star dedication ceremony. I also ducked into the L Ron Hubbard (I kid you not) museum thinking I might get to meet Tom Cruise and John Travolta - no luck on that front and we managed to get out without doing the tour. You can see Fynn (before his haircut) touching the Jimi Hendrix star !! The whole place really is a facade and it's surprising how intermingled the poverty and crappy housing is with the glitz and the rich. It's a lot like the Gold Coast without the beach - lots of tourists, gimmicks, souvenir shops and no-one quite remembers when the place had genuine character but they're sure it did at some point. Rest of today we spent in town - Fynn got a haircut at a very cool barber whilst I had a beer in a very cool bar. We've had a great time in LA, beautiful weather, easy to get around and people are friendly . Food ain't great unless you like burgers and chips but there's been no complaints from Fynn. Early night tonight and Jamaica tomorrow !

Meeting a hero - Marg Simpson

I reckon I know how Paul Keating felt when he met the queen. I met marg Simpson and had a photo taken with her - I too couldn't resist putting my hand in the small of her back and pulling her in just a little closer. Fynn and I visited Univeral Studios and had a fab time. The Mummy Returns ride - a roller coaster that goes from 0 to 45 mph in 3 secs - in the dark - and backwards - was my highlight of the day. You start off going forwards then come to a screaching halt in front of a brick wall and then do it again backwards in case you didn't throw up the first time. Actually I liked the backwards bit as it put all my intestines back where they'd been at the start. The studio tours were fun and we cacked ourselves in the house of horrors - no train ride you just wander through the house and get attacked by various gouls. You're not allowed to touch them (or them you) but when Frankenstein came at with a knife I had a go back. Staff were quickly on the scene and asked me to move on despite my protest - " He's the one with the knife and the bolts in his head - why don't you ask him to leave"

Landed safely

As you can see we landed safely in LA on Saturday morning LA time and after clearing customs got a shuttle into downtown and our hotel. Took Fynn on a torturous walk into town through the Korean and Spanish parts of LA which was fun. Really noticeable how grey this place is and the distinct lack of parks or good recreation space - apart from the freeways and wide streets of course. Locals have been very friendly and we've been on buses and subway trains gettn around. Fynn is lovn stayn in the flash hotel and wants to move to LA asap - I think he presumes that the TV with 15 channels at the end of the bed and room service would be part of the lifelong package.

Drinks on the house

Have booked into a resort in Montego Bay for a few nights after finding a good deal on the net and sending the credit card details off to a dodgy website - hope the hotel actually exists when we turn up - still they have to hope my credit card exists. As you can see this twin tower monster, (fynn is booked into the one on the left and I'm in the one on the right), is close to the beach and the package includes all meals and drinks !! for the four days. I imagine the place will be filled with people with the same priorities in life as Homer Simpson. Still if we get stuck for entertainment we can start up a game of scrabble and we'd be sure to win.