Heading south, we stopped at Zuma Beach to watch the surfers and immediately got tar all over our feet, which then stuck with us for days. We proceeded to the Santa Monica pier to visit the wonderful Carousel, but it was unfortunately closed, so we could only peek through the window. Dolphins leapt out in the ocean. It is difficult and expensive to park in Los Angeles, especially at the beach, often $6/day, but it is possible.

We strolled along the boardwalk at Venice Beach, enjoying the colourful vendors, weirdos, and loud music.

We sat and watched some men playing pick-up basketball. One fellow was so extremely muscular that it was painful to watch him move. We napped on the beach with sand blowing in our faces. As usual I made the girls walk more than they wanted to.

That evening we went to the Van Gogh Exhibit at the LA County Art Museum! On tour from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Very good! Worthwhile to pay the extra for the audio tour. Big bucks, high security, crowds, still, glad we were able to get tickets. (Changed, made sandwiches and waited in the parking lot, hot sweaty and cranky.) It was stunning and we learned more about Van Gogh and his life. There was also an exhibit from an African coffin maker – big carved wooden coffins – a carrot, a lion, a boar – and we watched a video of the artist’s funeral procession, he made his own coffin which was a paint brush. Peered into the La Brea Tar Pits next door, through the chain-link fence, while Flora dozed in the car. Went to Cantor’s Kosher Deli on Fairfax for tea and dessert, excellent, recommend it! Cruised Rodeo Drive. Stayed at the youth hostel in Santa Monica which is like the Beverly Hills Hotel or the Taj Mahal of world youth hostels.