Paramount Tour, Hollywood Boulevard and back to Australia 9th December

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Touring Star Trek related areas at Paramount Studios
Packed. Rushed down to ring Paramount. Yes, tours for $10. Rang bus, got details on number 42 - connect at Crenshaw & King, change to 210, get off at Vine and Willoughby. Short distance to Paramount - bought ticket.

The tour started at 12pm and the guy is a producer on the lot. He showed us Entertainment Tonight show's set (John & Leeza) and a few others. My highlight was being able to touch the Enterprise shuttles and seeing Terry Farrell as Dax lightly jumping onto the bumper bar of a van heading her way (She was ready with Dax make up and in costume)

Lots of things were pointed out in the tour like the car park that doubles as a mini ocean set. They fill it in and use a blue backdrop. Cool! Apparently it was used for a scene in Cheers.

Bought a Star Trek communicator pin 'Can I get a discount if I buy the display model? ($40) 'Not usually. Are you a paramount employee? 'No' - oh, there's a scrape on it. I can sell it for 35% off. 'Ok'
(Also got a Star Trek T-Shirt and later a Cheers 'Last Call' glass)

Afterwards went to Hollywood Boulevard. Saw Walter Koenig's star. Took photos of the Star Trek cast stars as well as Quantum Leap and ST:TNG stars. Unfortunately I was running out of film so I missed taking a photo of John Lennon's star which was surrounded by cups with flower and wax from candles. Looks like a special celebration was held there the night before.

After grabbing some Mexican food and drink I headed back via the 210 and 42 to LAX transit.

Got back to the Viscount Hotel and then got my stuff and the shuttle to the airport. The last leg of the journey.

Met some nice girls on the plane and chatted for awhile. The trip back to Australia was slow - something about the plane being against the wind adding an extra hour to the journey. Got to customs and because of my dishevelled appearance, was asked questions repeatedly by guards, as well as had my back searched thoroughly. But, of course, I had nothing to hide! I was really happy to get back to Australia again. Hard to believe it only took about 3 weeks.

I had a Doctor Who convention to go to the next day in Parramatta and I spent several hours editing my video of Visions. Getting it done just in time. Everyone was happy with the footage so definitely a worthwhile trip. Hmm, perhaps I'll put that video online sometime. ;)

Thanks for reading this travel diary. It was written in November 1993 and made it onto the net for the first time in 1998, with pictures. It's been updated since then and, finally, in 2006, the Las Vegas and Disneyland sections were added. More pictures will be added soon, as soon as a new scanner is acquired. In the meantime, please check out more recent travelogues. Thanks again. Cheers. - Neil

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