DAY 6: Santa Monica and Venice Beach

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Guess where I spent the morning?


That’s right, at the famous Santa Monica Pier, which is just 2 blocks from the Hostel I am staying at. Btw, this hostel is purpose-built, quite new and very nice. AND only a block from the beach. But back to Santa Monica Pier! Early morning there weren’t so many people, the fishermen were setting up, some rides were not going yet and a group of Falun Dafa were gathering on the grass by the pier. It was a bit chilly and overcast but not bad. I listened to a guy playing the saxophone beautifully and a drummer who was really giving it a go.







 Even saw another Bubba Gump Shrimp Co!! Gotta watch Forrest Gump again....

There were a bunch of flags up on the beach, don't know why? Maybe Sheldon is at it again with his "Fun with Flags"...

And some group was making a point about war.


Around lunch time I took a bus to Venice Beach a bit further south. Now Venice Beach is very different from Santa Monica Beach…. Very bohemian, artsy, vibrant…. What other words are there to describe an area that is more shabby than chic?





Wall-art, bunged up cars, small eateries that smell amazing… that sort of place. By now the sun was out and it had turned into a beautiful day.






I was looking for something to get for lunch and checked out a place with a not so nice name and people queueing out front. They had only 6 dishes, all involving eggs in some way, shape or form and when I asked one of the queue’ees why the queue, what’s their claim to fame, he said they made a mean breakfast! Maybe the “mean name” had more to do with it!! I believe it is a chain of eateries and I read some reviews… nah, don’t think I will try this one.



Instead I went to Cairo Cowboy’s Mediterranean Café and got me some Crispy Coconut-crumbed Shrimp and Baklava for dessert (it is Mother’s day after all). Another nice beach picnic with beautiful food and stunning views.




After such a lunch, ya gotta walk it off! So I walked the 2.22km back to Santa Monica Pier for some more music and my first ever Churro. 




And this is a Churro! It was around 35cm long and lightly toasted. I would say it has the consistency of a donut, is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and covered in sugar and cinnamon. Reminded me of the taste of a pannekoek (South African pancakes), but not as sweet. I liked it.

"Hello my name is Lana!" you can Google her.


A group made up of brothers and sisters playing some really heavy metal stuff.

I couldn’t believe it, the Falun Dafa people were still going at it as I left to go put my feet up.

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