The Beach | Anotherdayinparadise2's Blog

When I first saw Jake’s theme for the Sunday Post challenge, I thought “Oh dear I don’t think I have anything to contribute this week.” I then put on my thinking cap and started to think of all the places I’ve visited which are linked to various movies. Apart from “The Devil’s Tower” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” which I blogged about yesterday for the Daily Post challenge, “Close,” I came up with seven more photos of places I’ve visited which have connections to famous movies.

The majestic ‘Millenium Biltmore Hotel’ in Los Angeles where we stayed in 2006, was the place where young actress, Elizabeth Short was last seen before her disappearance in 1947.

The 2006 movie, “The Black Dahlia” was based on the novel by James Ellroy, about the mystery of her disappearance and her unsolved murder.

This hotel was also used in the 1984 film, “Ghostbusters”

and is reputed to have quite a few ghosts of its own.

Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, “North by Northwest” has Cary Grant swept up in a game of cat and mouse that takes him across the US, and eventually to the top of Mt. Rushmore for that classic chase scene across the presidents’ faces.

Here is a pic of the crew gathered at the bottom of Mt Rushmore before filming started.

Word was leaked that there would be a fight scene and a couple of deaths on the monument, which resulted in government officials barring them from filming it there, so the crew flew back to Hollywood, where Mt. Rushmore had to be recreated at MGM.

Another interesting place we visited is Tombstone in Arizona. The OK Corral here, is where the most famous gunfight in the history of the American Old West was fought in 1881. Can you see me bravely standing amongst all those cowboys with their guns? 😉

The 1957 movie, “Gunfight at the OK Corral” starring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster is loosely based on this true story.

I’m sure that many of you remember “Rick’s Cafe” in the 1942 movie Casablanca.

This restaurant, bar and cafe was designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Set in an old courtyard-style mansion built against the walls of the Old Medina of Casablanca, the restaurant/ piano bar is filled with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film, and of course one of the most requested tunes for the pianist, is that wonderful song from the film, “As time goes by.”

In 2006, we were privileged to visit the beautiful Phi Phi Island in Maya Bay, where the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed. We spent an idyllic few hours on that sunny day, relaxing on the soft white sand and splashing around in the surf.

Last but not least, is this park in Savannah, outside which Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) sat on a bench, telling his life’s tale to people waiting at a small town bus stop.

We just managed to snap this photo as our coach sailed past. Our guide said that the bench was just under the ‘one way’ sign, and is now inside the wall, in the park, probably where those people are sitting.

So you see, even though I’ve never actually been in a famous movie, I’ve seen lots of places featured in them. I find that quite thrilling really. 😉

Yesterday, I went for my check-up at the eye specialist. He said that my eyes are now perfect, and I thanked him so much, for changing my life in every way. I can’t tell you how many times a day I marvel at being able to see everything clearly. On Wednesday, I played the piano at the mall, and it was such a pleasure to be able to see my friend approaching from quite a distance away, and also to be able to read my music clearly. When I wake up in the night, I can read the time on the clock radio, instead of trying to guess whether it’s one-o-clock, or whatever-o-clock. When out shopping, I can read ingredient labels, and price tags, which of course, is most helpful.

I’m also looking forward to being able to go on a plane without fiddling with contact lenses in those tiny loos, or having to find my reading glasses to read the menu etc., and whilst I’m on the subject of air travel, I don’t think I’ve mentioned that we’re off on our travels again tomorrow morning. We’ve booked a nine day holiday at Club Med in Phuket, and I’m really excited to visit there again. We were there six years ago, and had a marvelous time. Hubby tells me that this time around, he will NOT be doing the trapeze, unless I do it too. 😉 I think he’s quite safe on that one, but you never know. Stranger things have happened, but not much stranger.

I tentatively asked if there was any other way of getting down again, other than falling like a very scared stone into the safety net. He said that he didn’t think so. I don’t think I could ever bring myself to just let go and fall into space, but maybe you’re all much braver than I?

Last time we were there, we sent this pic to our son, and he asked, “Where is everybody?” It was out of season, and there weren’t many other guests. I suppose it could be much the same this time.

One day trip that we’ll definitely be doing again, is to take a boat out to Ko Phi Phi Island, made famous by the classic film ‘The Beach’, in which Leonardo DiCaprio was the main attraction. The extraordinary Maya Bay, is world famous for its exquisite beaches and truly picture postcard perfect scenery of jungle covered cliffs.

Now I’d better get packing once again. I think that only light summer clothes and sandals will be needed, so it shouldn’t take too long. I’ll try and do some posts from there if I can get my hands on some reasonably priced internet access. If I don’t manage to stay in touch with you all, you’ll know exactly where I am.