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Tuesday, 16 April 2013
HOLLYWOOD, USA
Hollywood is the most famous district in Los Angeles, largely due to its fame as the entertainment capital of the world. It is every actor’s dream in the world to make their mark in Hollywood.
You know you’ve arrived in Hollywood when you spot the Hollywood Sign, situated high up on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can't hike all the way to the sign.
The Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest running wax museum in the United States, running for more than 45 years since 1965. Aside from featuring over 180 figures of celebrities, the museum is also a great place to discover the inside scoop on film facts, movie awards, star quotables, dollar details and more.
And the best part is visitors can take photograph with the Hollywood Sign as their background at the entrance of Hollywood Wax Museum.
King Kong.
Tom Cruise from Mission Impossible doing his stunt at Hollywood Wax Museum.
If Hollywood Wax Museum isn’t enough for you, Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum is located just across the street.
The tallest man in history, Robert Pershing Wadlow measuring 2.72m height at his death at age 22 is almost twice my height! He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death in 1940.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium is also located along the Hollywood Boulevard.
Street performance can be seen along Hollywood Boulevard.
The most convenient public transport to get to Hollywood is through Metro Rail. Its Hollywood/Highland Station is located right at the heart of Hollywood Boulevard.
Hollywood visitors guide and map.
Hollywood & Highland Center is home of the Dolby Theatre and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It is also a major shopping destination.
Movie stars walk this glittering stair up to the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held every year. It used to be called the Kodak Theatre.
Wanna feel like a million-dollar Hollywood star for free? Just walk the stairs yourself.
Colourfully lit fountains at Hollywood & Highland Centre.
The famous Victoria Secret outlet at Hollywood & Highland Centre.
It is fun trying to spot stars with familiar names at Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre which opened in 1927 is the most famous movie theatre in the world. The most distinctive attraction are the concrete blocks set in the forecourt, which bear the signatures, footprints, and handprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to the present day. The theatre is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres.
Donald Duck’s imprint at the Chinese Theatre.
That’s Michael Jackson’s shoes and palms imprint.
Starline Tours ticket booth is located just in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, opened in 1922, was the venue for the first-ever Hollywood premiere. The theatre is eventually surpassed by the second movie theatre that Grauman opened on Hollywood Boulevard - Grauman's Chinese Theatre. There are also two famous restaurant beside it. The Pig ‘N Whistle and Maui and Sons Bar and Grill.
The Hollywood visitor information booth.
Feeling hungry? You’ll be spoilt for choice as you can find food everywhere along Hollywood Boulevard from hotdog stall to chic cafes, bars and restaurants.
Fancy some sushi?
Musso and Frank Grill, established since 1919, is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. This restaurant plays host to many Hollywood celebrities and serves world-class food and martinis.
This is where I decided to dine for my dinner.
Hooters is famous for having young and attractive waitresses. The Hooter Girls with revealing outfits and sex appeal is the primary part of the company’s image.
Its not a sleazy place for guys. Everybody is welcomed here.
Waiting for my food.
There was a game earlier and one of the Hooter Girl announcing the winner.
Welcome to Hooters Hollywood.
The upper level of the restaurant which was closed for the night.
Taking a photo with the Hooter Girl that served my table. Really friendly gal.
Walt Disney, the man who was co-founder of Walt Disney Productions.
Every kid who have watched a Disney cartoon would know whom Mickey Mouse is.
Mickey Mouse’s pal, Donald Duck is one of my favourite cartoon characters.
Walking down the Walk of Fame.
Spotted more stars along the Walk of Fame.
Bruce Lee’s Star.
Didn’t think that I would find Thomas A Edison’s star here too.
Marilyn Monroe’s Star and…
…her impersonator on the street!
Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper.
People are queuing up in front of Vogue Supperclub. Seems like the ‘it’ place in town.
Geisha House. A Japanese restaurant with models dressed like geisha girls.
Despite the glamour of Hollywood, it is not uncommon to see homeless people sleeping on the street as I was walking to my motel in one of the quieter streets.
Motel 6 is where I stayed during my visit to Los Angeles. It is conveniently located along Hollywood Boulevard and it is cheap.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, ABC-TV’s signature late night talk show.
A second visit to Grauman's Chinese Theatre during the day.
The pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs and temple bells were imported from China.
Marilyn Monroe’s fountain of hope.
All money tossed into this fountain, shall be donated to Hollygrove, an orphanage where Marilyn stayed there in her youth. As you toss in your coin and make a wish, know that you are helping to make a child’s dream come true.
My beau was ecstatic having found John Travolta’s imprint.
“I’ll be back” is the most famous phrase of the Terminator famed actor.
One word of advice, come early! This place is swarming with tourist from day till night.
You can spot the Hollywood Sign in the distance from Hollywood & Highland Centre.
The big sign just about says it all. Hollywood is glitz, glamour and unavoidable.
The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
The Hotel Roosevelt has long sat on Hollywood Boulevard near Grauman's Chinese Theater. One of its famous resident was Marilyn Monroe who stayed there for two years when her modeling career took off. There is also a Marilyn Monroe Suite at the hotel.
Hollywood United Methodist Church.
Darth Vader. "You don’t know the power of the dark side."
That’s my ride. The hop-on-hop-off buses of Starline Tour parked in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Booked the StarLine City Sight Seeing Hop On, Hop Off through the internet at www.starlinetours.com. It’s offers flexibility for my travel around Los Angeles at only $59 for two days and I get a free ticket to Madame Tussauds. What a deal. You can also opt to buy tickets at their ticket booths or in the bus.
Sitting at the lower level of the bus?
Naw….the upper level is where tourist like me would go.
Got a nice place at the back where I can move either to the right or to the left. Haha!
My beau posing for the camera.
There are actually speakers on the bus narrating the places of interest as we travel.
Dolby Theatre.
Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building. There are 10,000 real showbiz treasures inside, boasting the largest collection of costumes, props, poster and photographs that Hollywood has to offer. Discover your favourite stars including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, I Love Lucy and etc.
The Portrait of Hollywood.
Remember to apply sunblock or be prepared to get sunburn if you choose to sit on the top deck of the bus.
That’s me and my beau busy taking photos on top of the bus.
The CNN tower in Hollywood.
The Scientology’s largest church that are designated Celebrity Centers is the one in Hollywood. Celebrities such as John Travolta, Lisa Marie Presley, Jason Lee and Tom Cruise have generated considerable publicity for Scientology.
You often can see the Hollywood Sign on top of Hollywood Hills while travelling.
A guy posing for the camera.
Paramount is the only major studio still headquartered in Hollywood.
The entrance to Paramount Studio.
The Pickford Center of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"Guitar Center" is a large music store, situated on Sunset Boulevard. What makes this particular store special is The Hollywood RockWalk. It contains the handprints of numerous celebrities that are rock musicians and guitar greats.
Slash of Guns N Roses picture at the Guitar Center.
Laugh Factory is a Los Angeles stand up comedy club. It is one of the most famous comedy clubs in the world.
More restaurants.
The Comedy Store was opened in April 1972 by comedians Sammy Shore and Rudy DeLuca. Famous celebrity such as Jim Carrey, Robin Williams and Ben Stiller used to perform here. If you want to have some laughs, here is the place to be.
Whisky a go go nightclub.
Jackie Chan’s Star.
Don't worry, police can be seen patroling the streets frequently.
Interested in fetish lingerie?
Made a special stop for a Pink's Hot Dogs.
Waiting in line for the oldest Hollywood tradition, a hotdog from Pink’s.
It serves the most famous hot dogs in Los Angeles since 1939.
Pink’s Hot Dog’s menu. Hmmm….what should I have for lunch?
Famous faces like the former American Idol judge, Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest also visited this hotdog shop.
There is a hotdog named after her - “Martha Stewart Dog” here.
Seen here is Ellen DeGeneres, Celine Dion and Steve Martin (Inspector Jacques Clouseau).
Hollywood’s bad boy, Charlie Sheen.
Paid for the food and I’m ready to eat.
“Walk of Fame” Dog (left) and “America The Beautiful Dog” (right). Both were delicious although the bacon lover in me appreciated the “America The Beautiful Dog” more.
Celebrities just loves to come here for a bite.
Just delicious.
This is one gastronomic pleasure that should not be missed.
Celebrity car wash. Wonder what it means. Car wash for celebrity or by celebrity.
The trademark upside down sign of Standard Hotel.
The House of Blues. If you are a fan of the blues, this is the place to go.
The Viper Room is a nightclub that was opened in 1993 and partly owned by actor Johnny Depp until 2004. It is located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. There are no windows here as this bar used to be the hangout place for Mafias.
A bit of irony here. We never close, but we are close today. Well there is of course a good reason. They are filming at this restaurant.
More filming.
But who’s that guy?
Too bad that’s not Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
The Ghostface from Scream.
Cookie Monster. “Me want cookie!, Me eat cookie!”
Want a picture with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime or……….
….. Marilyn Monroe? Well it doesn’t come free. A tip from 2 to 5 dollar is much appreciated.
Wow! Even Absolut Vodka is at the Walk of Fame.
My beau’s favourite actress, Nicole Kidman.
Can’t figure out who this character is.
If you don’t know who these character are, you must be living somewhere in Timbuktu.
That’s Jack Sparrow and Angelica from the Pirates of the Caribbean.
R2-D2 of Star Wars.
I had a wonderful time in Hollywood. I even had a chance to meet some celebrities of Hollywood, in Madame Tussauds of course. Well, too many pictures here, I shall post it separately.
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