Since our last blog our first mission was to sleep in... With no alarms set we had a peaceful sleep and felt rested when we awoke at 9am the next day The first mission for the day was to find a laundromat. Fortunately there was one just a short walk away. We felt at home in the laundromat with an Australian flag on the wall, not sure why it was there. Once the washing was complete it was time to start to explore the city.
After a quick check in direction we headed to fisherman's wharf, based on the amount of walking we have been doing while we have been away, it seemed a reasonable distance - however there was a massive hill that needed to be conquered! Sydney now seems flat compared to some parts of San Fran!!! We had a look at the submarine and navy ship before looking at many of the other shops along the way. We didn't brave the clam chowder though. We were booked into the night time Alcatraz so we headed to Pier 33 to collect tickets and again wait in line. We are vey good at waiting in lines after this holiday. After a short ferry trip we arrived at Alcatraz just as the sun was setting. We were led on a tour which started with a steep climb (about 13 storeys) up the hill to the cell block. We did an audio tour which led us through the cell block explaining the different cells, rooms, about famous prisoners and outbreaks that occurred. It is an amazing place and surprisingly wasn't as eerie and creepy as we thought it might be. It was time for the ferry trip again to return to the mainland. We decided that we wouldn't climb the hills again and used the opportunity to have a ride on the famous cable cars. Tickets were $6 each for the short ride but it had to be done. It is an interesting system they use to run the cars.
The next day we again had a relaxing start to the day, but decided it was time to try and help the US economy with a spot of shopping. We visited many of the shops in the Union Square and Westfield shopping centre including the compulsory Apple Store, Disney Store, Fossil and Crumpler. It still amazes us how some things are half they price they are in Australia... Nike's for $30 and the one that upset Darren the most Kitchen Aid Mixer for $199 (normally $700 in Oz). After a short afternoon nap it was time to visit the Castro district where we visited the shops which were opened and stopped for a bite to eat at the Squat and Gobble. Unfortunately they shut before we could have some dessert crepes so we had to return the next morning to have them. (and visit some more shops which weren't open the night before). After taking some photos and enjoying our Dessert crepes for brunch we headed off on public transport to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. After getting off a few stops earlier than planned we enjoyed a nice (flat) walk along the way.
The journey back was much quicker than the journey there. We ventured for Japanese for tea, there was a line up to get in so we were hoping it was going to be a great experience, it was a new and interesting experience. We tried Saki for the first time, not so much a fan of this but at least we tried it! I think that it says something about the three of us that we are prepared to line up to get in to a restaurant - but if there was a line for a nightclub we would go and find somewhere else to drink!
The next morning we had a 0530 am start to insure ( at home we would ensure this... not insure it!) we were all showered and ready for the Napa Valley wine tour. It was a bus tour which started with a visit to the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Then we were off to visit four wineries, it also included a tour of one of the production process and of the vineyard. Most of the wine was actually really good. We managed to buy a couple of bottles and pick up a couple of other odds and ends along the way. The first winery we went to also had a selection of cheeses to try and buy... needless to say we ended up having wine and cheese for dinner that night. After a ferry trip we walked home.
It was time to sort out car hire... nothing like leaving things to the last minute. Well after ringing nearly every car company in the state we finally found one that had a car. We were beginning to think we were going to have to suddenly make other plans to get home... or maybe just stay in the US for a while longer.
Our last day in San Fran started with breakfast at McDonalds, the first time we have done that since coming to the US. Bacon and Egg McGriddles... Like pikelets but with maple syrup, savoury and sweet at the same time... should we have some soft serve at the same time...?? it was OK - but we are pleased that we wont have to do it ever again!
It was off to the airport to collect the car, Tammy waited outside being bag lady while the boys went in and did the important paperwork. They left Tammy waiting outside for almost an hour, they said it was because there was a long queue... We had finally secured our car a Ford Explorer and it was time for Darren to start driving the freeways again. First stop was the Valley Faire shopping centre to find Shane his watch, the watch is a long story best left for another day. The next two compulsory stops were for us to visit a Walmart and Target... They are both huge and essentially combine what we know as a supermarket, department store, pharmacy, liquor store, restaurant (McDonalds at Walmart) all in one!! It is huge and amazing.
We continued our journey till we made it to Morro Bay. We would not have been able to make it without the GPS - the roads and freeways are incredibly different to what we have at home. However, in true GPS fashion - we were directed along a road that was more like a goat track than a road - we have seen roller coaster tracks that are less undulating... so the speed was set at around 15mph... the beautiful clear afternoon at 80f suddenly turned in to 59f with thick pea soup fog! along the roller-coaster like goat track...
Today we continue the drive to LA and fly home tonight :(
See you all soon!
Thanks for the update, look forward to seeing you at home
ReplyDelete