So here we go. With the whole mishpocheh to Los Angeles. And no, I have never been there and yes, it has been on my list for years. In the category of anticipation, Anouk and I have been busy for weeks figuring out how we can strategically tackle getting an upgrade to business class.

Anouk knows everyone everywhere, so through her sister (who has been a flight attendant) she got in touch with a friendly former colleague who was scheduled for this flight. That's already a step in the right direction. To know; at the front or up top in that plane.

I decide to throw some of my Flying Blue points at a nice dish during this nine-hour flight. “Wow, champagne dinner?” says executive producer Femke as she works on my Flying Blue account to book an extra suitcase for me. “It's a good thing you weren't a jury member when the theme was Back to Basic...” By the way, she immediately reserves a similar snack for Fred too, because my Rotterdam friend isn't averse to a bit of luxury either.

Anyway, L.A. then. Sometimes I can also be a bit scared of destinations that you've longed for for a long time. I can tell you by now that Sunset Boulevard (you know; that street where the stars of celebs are) is actually even uglier than Kalverstraat. In your mind, everything has magical proportions and it's a shame when that comes crashing down in reality.

At the airport, producer Mirjam is already waiting for us. In such a cool American SUV. That's already a checkmark on the good list. And hey, do I see a slender palm tree over there? Routes away from the airport are rarely Instagrammable, so I forgive L.A. for those ugly, shabby houses.

Close to a huge shopping center with Disneyland-like elements (think of fountains that light up, useless bridges, and oh yes, even a little train that takes you from the Gap to the Michael Kors store) is our hotel. A polished two-story motel with a courtyard and a small pool with yellow rubber ducks in it.

A totally different feeling than our hotel last year in New York where we were spread out over 28 floors with our group. Here I just sleep next to Anouk and I will often be knocking on the door in my bathrobe for a dab of hair mask during this trip.

We drink a juice in the courtyard and do I see a familiar face there? Yes indeed, it's Ian Ziering, you know, Steve from Beverly Hills 90210. Exactly in the slightly faded state that you like to see old TV stars in. That was another bingo moment.

And yes... there they are. The nine magical letters. Hollywood.

Then the rooms are assigned and Dirk and Anouk walk into my accommodation with me. I try to see if I can do a little dance in my room (very important) and ask Dirk (he lives in L.A. but is often in the Netherlands for work) if our hotel is far from the Hollywood Sign. “I think you might be able to see it from here,” he says.

I climb onto the bench that is nailed against the wall of my room, press my nose against the window, stretch a bit so I can peek around the corner and yes... there they are. The nine magical letters. Hollywood.

L.A., you are just perfect and something tells me that we are going to have a great time in the coming weeks.