tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74865638013499850982024-02-20T02:30:46.910+11:00USA: San Francisco and surroundings (Oct 2014)Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-45559889955606901762014-10-29T20:39:00.002+11:002014-11-08T17:31:11.142+11:00Wed 29 Oct-Fri 31 Oct - In the air between US and AUS<p>Time for Hans to go home... Both physically and mentally. He had sufficiently "done" San Francisco.</p><p>Breakfast, packing up and then using the hostel's bag storage facility as Hans plane wouldn't leave San Francisco International Airport until after 5pm.</p><p>So what to do to kill time? A lazy stroll down to Mission Bay that's what, as per the below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tvlwmDiuPFg/VFFAiKww8iI/AAAAAAAAeu4/-lP4NeF7rdw/s1654/Photo%25252020141029123008.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tvlwmDiuPFg/VFFAiKww8iI/AAAAAAAAeu4/-lP4NeF7rdw/s500/Photo%25252020141029123008.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270826.8267" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="377"></a></div><p> Hans walked 7th Street southeast from Market Street with not so much interesting to look at, but he liked this message on the side of a building.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x4chPErESE0/VFE-EDPaUwI/AAAAAAAAetw/gy4NsKNs4Vo/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122001.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x4chPErESE0/VFE-EDPaUwI/AAAAAAAAetw/gy4NsKNs4Vo/s500/Photo%25252020141029122001.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270860.1003" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Adobe has their headquarters on 7th Street.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IsXkc1nbnCc/VFE-LdciMjI/AAAAAAAAet4/A_tKyUtFENQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IsXkc1nbnCc/VFE-LdciMjI/AAAAAAAAet4/A_tKyUtFENQ/s500/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270880.0156" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> UCSF Mission Bay campus is down there at Mission Bay... Obviously. They had their own very funky light rail Muni station on 3rd Street.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a7NH8do2D04/VFE-QPMf5FI/AAAAAAAAeuA/iKh7ScXc1_Q/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a7NH8do2D04/VFE-QPMf5FI/AAAAAAAAeuA/iKh7ScXc1_Q/s500/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270838.0222" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The campus also looked very pleasant. Hans particularly liked this unique park furniture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UkEIHIzHSMc/VFE-V1gFtCI/AAAAAAAAeuI/MZnlLa8hgAw/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UkEIHIzHSMc/VFE-V1gFtCI/AAAAAAAAeuI/MZnlLa8hgAw/s500/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270823.6667" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> There were plenty of vessels further south in San Francisco Bay. An emerald glittering kind of day...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AH-g0NEfzzg/VFE-ZXS5FRI/AAAAAAAAeuQ/x_1udUztPe0/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AH-g0NEfzzg/VFE-ZXS5FRI/AAAAAAAAeuQ/x_1udUztPe0/s500/Photo%25252020141029122002.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270891.6692" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The China Basin Park opposite AT&T Park, the famous baseball ground, is unsurprisingly dedicated to... baseball.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rrTeo4di244/VFE-dL8OqgI/AAAAAAAAeuY/SDuoxQdg-O0/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rrTeo4di244/VFE-dL8OqgI/AAAAAAAAeuY/SDuoxQdg-O0/s500/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270908.6506" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And this is how that China Basin Park looks from a distance. Plenty of plaques and memorials and commemorations. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h7_0GPCcXO8/VFE-h4StLoI/AAAAAAAAeug/RyXTNCrFzkY/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h7_0GPCcXO8/VFE-h4StLoI/AAAAAAAAeug/RyXTNCrFzkY/s500/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270863.2808" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans needed a selfie in front of AT&T Park, just to show that he was actually there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WkG7t_x9o80/VFE-mgwnSoI/AAAAAAAAeuo/67rlra-Hf0Y/s2048/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WkG7t_x9o80/VFE-mgwnSoI/AAAAAAAAeuo/67rlra-Hf0Y/s500/Photo%25252020141029122003.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270879.4995" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> As Hans arrived back at Market x 3rd Street, he switched off Runkeeper as it was time for a break. A visit to Starbucks and a cuppa while blogging followed.</p><p>Then it was back to the hostel for Hans to pick up his bag, BART to the airport, AirTrain to terminal 3 and comprehensive security including no shoes, no belt, spinning x-Ray, patting down and swiping of the hands. However, it all went surprisingly fast and Hans had an hour to kill and wait before boarding for part one to Los Angeles.</p><p>A totally uneventful flight to Los Angeles arriving ahead of time which just meant more waiting... Well, that's the end of this particular blog. We leave you with a few pics from the trip home...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ikuoZQAqsJU/VF24PerEQeI/AAAAAAAAeyQ/-4DFSrv0ByI/s2048/Photo%25252020141108172835.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ikuoZQAqsJU/VF24PerEQeI/AAAAAAAAeyQ/-4DFSrv0ByI/s500/Photo%25252020141108172835.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270918.5254" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M2rjflw6-Vs/VF24c-rP_kI/AAAAAAAAeyY/F1jHxpj_F1s/s2048/Photo%25252020141108172836.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M2rjflw6-Vs/VF24c-rP_kI/AAAAAAAAeyY/F1jHxpj_F1s/s500/Photo%25252020141108172836.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270832.6914" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J5uKW-4nCoA/VF24qvgALqI/AAAAAAAAeyg/sfxiNogqET0/s2048/Photo%25252020141108172836.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J5uKW-4nCoA/VF24qvgALqI/AAAAAAAAeyg/sfxiNogqET0/s500/Photo%25252020141108172836.jpg" id="blogsy-1415428270898.4683" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Now, where should we go next...?</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-9451493371878020122014-10-28T20:39:00.001+11:002014-10-29T14:33:24.228+11:00Tue 28 Oct - San Francisco, CA<p> Hans last full day for this trip. Hiring a bike and do some cycling was on the agenda. Perfect weather, very little wind. </p><p>And as the aptly named Blazing Saddles opens at 8am, Hans was there a few minutes later. After all, they had an outlet on Mason Street, diagonally across the street from our hostel.</p><p> And, as usual, Runkeeper didn't play ball. Crashed suddenly. Hopeless app. So, the GPS mapping is in two parts, with a part missing in the middle. All in all cycled perhaps 45km.</p><p>Part 1 was mapped to little more than 30km.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVL6dQUhmcw/VFAMUyW4jcI/AAAAAAAAeoI/VQtj4ZfClF8/s1387/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVL6dQUhmcw/VFAMUyW4jcI/AAAAAAAAeoI/VQtj4ZfClF8/s500/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261511.8354" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And part 2 was just under 10km.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZkJ_KUkxSapvLYgIoVD3eAvYCuoa0wx4m5jzOdpWdA2B9nJBhMz9nzx9EKVBtNGOwn2hbsgsVfEowibotws-ymL6p5CMMmVIdVixKpKqDh6hKOeTZvlC2viUXsTlkFHmDBbtbZ0BNxU/s1521/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZkJ_KUkxSapvLYgIoVD3eAvYCuoa0wx4m5jzOdpWdA2B9nJBhMz9nzx9EKVBtNGOwn2hbsgsVfEowibotws-ymL6p5CMMmVIdVixKpKqDh6hKOeTZvlC2viUXsTlkFHmDBbtbZ0BNxU/s500/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261544.0117" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="337"></a></div><p> The distance of the missing part in the middle along the water? Who knows? 5km, more perhaps.</p><p>Let's start with a selfie in front of the Painted Ladies off Alamo Square Park (not off the nearby Buena Vista Park that we thought earlier)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B603qrNJTCc/VFAMaQ0OR6I/AAAAAAAAeoY/abFvIACCu0s/s2048/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B603qrNJTCc/VFAMaQ0OR6I/AAAAAAAAeoY/abFvIACCu0s/s500/Photo%25252020141028143613.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261537.4004" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>You, dear reader, may have seen a similar photo to this. A very familiar San Francisco image.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mOkVVaGa8m4/VFAMc7ATGnI/AAAAAAAAeog/UNkmk8Tnrr4/s2048/Photo%25252020141028143614.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mOkVVaGa8m4/VFAMc7ATGnI/AAAAAAAAeog/UNkmk8Tnrr4/s500/Photo%25252020141028143614.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261530.234" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The park itself looked nice enough. Very open and not that many trees, but quite a few punters around, mostly with dogs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UHuSY_Za0U/VFAMfdGimaI/AAAAAAAAeoo/dCyMV8M1u6c/s2048/Photo%25252020141028143614.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UHuSY_Za0U/VFAMfdGimaI/AAAAAAAAeoo/dCyMV8M1u6c/s500/Photo%25252020141028143614.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261529.5452" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The Panhandle was just a long and narrow strip of a park, but it seemed very popular with cyclists and joggers. The bikelanes probably helped.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c-zucGid14Y/VFAOuxGONuI/AAAAAAAAeo0/NpQYWmwgVVw/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c-zucGid14Y/VFAOuxGONuI/AAAAAAAAeo0/NpQYWmwgVVw/s500/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261594.692" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Crossing Stanyan Street and Hans was inside the Golden Gate Park. It is apparently the largest urban park in the U.S.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sg9_EzsQx1w/VFAOx9rkckI/AAAAAAAAeo8/O8sMrxAzNxg/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sg9_EzsQx1w/VFAOx9rkckI/AAAAAAAAeo8/O8sMrxAzNxg/s500/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261563.0642" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> This building is the Conservatory of Flowers. Hans was not sure exactly what that meant as he didn't get any closer to it than this photo. Nice building though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gzJxMOPIiKk/VFAO0sBHSPI/AAAAAAAAepE/YClP0Y9Cpfw/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gzJxMOPIiKk/VFAO0sBHSPI/AAAAAAAAepE/YClP0Y9Cpfw/s500/Photo%25252020141028144619.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261539.323" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Kezar Stadium would be familiar to all Dirty Harry fans. That was where Scorpio lived and worked as a caretaker and where Harry shot him in the leg and then followed up by standing on that leg.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-80SE_fBrgps/VFAO2zsfLxI/AAAAAAAAepM/itiWOZqJCZI/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-80SE_fBrgps/VFAO2zsfLxI/AAAAAAAAepM/itiWOZqJCZI/s500/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261507.2615" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> No, Kezar Stadium from Dirty Harry's time is no more. In fact, they were working on the stadium as Hans was there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kH8HEMLKIkU/VFAO5UObi5I/AAAAAAAAepU/9y3C0-xH-aw/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kH8HEMLKIkU/VFAO5UObi5I/AAAAAAAAepU/9y3C0-xH-aw/s500/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261581.64" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This place is called Spreckel's Temple of Music, but the only music that Hans could hear there today was the Chinese(?) music accompanying Asian ladies doing tai chi there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QkHJ5gzC3Jo/VFAO8KS5U7I/AAAAAAAAepc/Jm9dTJ0GDZM/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QkHJ5gzC3Jo/VFAO8KS5U7I/AAAAAAAAepc/Jm9dTJ0GDZM/s500/Photo%25252020141028144620.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261595.1968" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Just a picture to show how it mostly looks like inside Golden Gate Park. It is quite similar to Centennial Park in Sydney in that it seperates bikes and joggers/pedestrians from cars and car parking. </p><p>Yes, they did even have what looked like horse riding tracks in places.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U9rW6HTYPY4/VFAO-rk2xDI/AAAAAAAAepk/0jFGME0-Txs/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144621.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U9rW6HTYPY4/VFAO-rk2xDI/AAAAAAAAepk/0jFGME0-Txs/s500/Photo%25252020141028144621.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261563.6655" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Who would have thought that Golden Gate Park would have a waterfall inside its boundaries? But it had.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FH5vsTcrU8E/VFAPBtyX3MI/AAAAAAAAeps/sQASI-8JWDI/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144621.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FH5vsTcrU8E/VFAPBtyX3MI/AAAAAAAAeps/sQASI-8JWDI/s500/Photo%25252020141028144621.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261516.0503" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Almost out at the western ocean side of Golden Gate Park and there is a windmill there. In fact, there are two in the area as we will see later. This one is called Murphy Windmill. An Irish windmill...? </p><p>The second windmill is much more appropriately named the Dutch Windmill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p_ZNh2GWvMs/VFAPECDRm4I/AAAAAAAAep0/gG3cF5XeDtc/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p_ZNh2GWvMs/VFAPECDRm4I/AAAAAAAAep0/gG3cF5XeDtc/s500/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261573.4526" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Then Hans was out of Golden Gate Park and onto the promenade along Ocean Beach. Looking north.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ROk_iYTW4w/VFAPHrpzxwI/AAAAAAAAep8/OAgcd_I4buE/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ROk_iYTW4w/VFAPHrpzxwI/AAAAAAAAep8/OAgcd_I4buE/s500/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261525.5288" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This shifting of sand reminded Hans of a steroid version of what they do at Queenscliff Beach in Manly on a regular basis. This was sand shifting on overdrive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0AVrImvYWiw/VFAPKf59sGI/AAAAAAAAeqE/MX3o1pNGGfs/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0AVrImvYWiw/VFAPKf59sGI/AAAAAAAAeqE/MX3o1pNGGfs/s500/Photo%25252020141028144622.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261521.3188" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> No, the Ocean Beach promenade was not very attractive. Lots of cracked and uneven concrete walkways, rubbish around and generally run down. They could well spend some money here and make it just a little bit nicer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ilsCtfNiGPE/VFAPMzYfUXI/AAAAAAAAeqM/WDWrRldUMSE/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ilsCtfNiGPE/VFAPMzYfUXI/AAAAAAAAeqM/WDWrRldUMSE/s500/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261590.8354" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> A couple of interesting signs... Note the languages. Russian? So common here that they need to include it on the signs? Or are there a disproportionate number of Russians getting into trouble here? It reminded Hans of Brighton Beach next to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E1LoC-mOCDc/VFAPPf_YwDI/AAAAAAAAeqU/xt0-WWNWCBs/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E1LoC-mOCDc/VFAPPf_YwDI/AAAAAAAAeqU/xt0-WWNWCBs/s500/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261534.7805" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And how to and not to light fires on Ocean Beach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XD_mtV7zja0/VFAPR11r6bI/AAAAAAAAeqc/gYcChZEUVmQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XD_mtV7zja0/VFAPR11r6bI/AAAAAAAAeqc/gYcChZEUVmQ/s500/Photo%25252020141028144623.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261561.5051" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> These rocks sticking out of the water on the northern end of Ocean Beach are called Seal Rocks. The cliff house is very aptly called the... Cliff House. We saw that building from a distance last Saturday as we walked around Lands End and Sutro Baths.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ni_XabCoyQc/VFAPT7Ht1BI/AAAAAAAAeqk/lN5OWOGVjWE/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ni_XabCoyQc/VFAPT7Ht1BI/AAAAAAAAeqk/lN5OWOGVjWE/s500/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261599.3289" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Here it started to climb, which was a bit tougher, but the views then got a lot better. Ocean Beach looking south from next to the a Cliff House. </p><p>And if you didn't believe Hans stating that there were two windmills around here, look for yourself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YSPAlRILztg/VFAPWGdDPdI/AAAAAAAAeqs/vedGclpL-Fw/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YSPAlRILztg/VFAPWGdDPdI/AAAAAAAAeqs/vedGclpL-Fw/s500/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261556.0745" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Same spot, but looking south out towards the water a bit more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ui4Ob5lb9DY/VFAPY221AwI/AAAAAAAAeq0/UKGt9-nyfQA/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ui4Ob5lb9DY/VFAPY221AwI/AAAAAAAAeq0/UKGt9-nyfQA/s500/Photo%25252020141028144624.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261553.0793" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Then Hans cycled El Camino Der Mar as per the bicycle rental guys' map. </p><p>However, that old road stopped suddenly and became a hiking and perhaps a mountain bike track. One problem though, suddenly there were then loads of steps so Hans had to carry the bike up for quite a distance. False advertising.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nq7OUMM9eAw/VFAPbiOATvI/AAAAAAAAeq8/40tydj5yL6Y/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nq7OUMM9eAw/VFAPbiOATvI/AAAAAAAAeq8/40tydj5yL6Y/s500/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261625.9417" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Once you get into the Presidio district, housing and environment becomes very classy. Hans likes the look of this area a lot. Probably very very expensive to live here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-trj2LzYRKE0/VFAPeHjSTEI/AAAAAAAAerE/s2l5Wmrq1HM/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-trj2LzYRKE0/VFAPeHjSTEI/AAAAAAAAerE/s2l5Wmrq1HM/s500/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261554.7117" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans was cycling closer and closer to Golden Gate Bridge but first a selfie along the way, back towards the Presidio.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YLzenNI6aiY/VFAPghYTqmI/AAAAAAAAerM/21n2G-QiUbQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YLzenNI6aiY/VFAPghYTqmI/AAAAAAAAerM/21n2G-QiUbQ/s500/Photo%25252020141028144625.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261618.9329" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Warning! Excessive number of pictures featuring Golden Gate Bridge next. Heck, it had to be done.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mJWqifwMe6c/VFAPjZ1mQGI/AAAAAAAAerU/q7hs874b-O4/s2048/Photo%25252020141028144626.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mJWqifwMe6c/VFAPjZ1mQGI/AAAAAAAAerU/q7hs874b-O4/s500/Photo%25252020141028144626.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261538.7974" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Another image that looked very familiar...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-arsDgwR5PNo/VFAQWg5DNII/AAAAAAAAerg/fUH9d8l0eIk/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145318.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-arsDgwR5PNo/VFAQWg5DNII/AAAAAAAAerg/fUH9d8l0eIk/s500/Photo%25252020141028145318.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261543.9043" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> The tollgates for travelling across Golden Gate Bridge are on the south side only. No toll going north, only going south. Just like Sydney Harbour Bridge.</p><p>It was also just here that the chain jumped from Hans bike. He had not been given the most modern and well maintained bike, with very squeaky brakes, top gear not working at all and now this. However, Hans soon continued with greasy hands...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zNvpXv5Yar4/VFAQYzMV7fI/AAAAAAAAero/r8rRt-xb05s/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zNvpXv5Yar4/VFAQYzMV7fI/AAAAAAAAero/r8rRt-xb05s/s500/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261609.074" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> A couple of detailed studies...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hWI93ynWd_8/VFAQbnpNyRI/AAAAAAAAerw/h62p62fPQLA/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hWI93ynWd_8/VFAQbnpNyRI/AAAAAAAAerw/h62p62fPQLA/s500/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261576.9214" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> ...and up...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nF9npwMu2N4/VFAQd_ZkfwI/AAAAAAAAer4/bpaPvDMpB7c/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nF9npwMu2N4/VFAQd_ZkfwI/AAAAAAAAer4/bpaPvDMpB7c/s500/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261559.4512" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> ...and back towards the south. Hans turned around here on his bike. It didn't seem to be any point in crossing it all just to say that you have done it. It was noisy and the joint bike/pedestrian path was very narrow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uD2L8lGgc8/VFAQgBJeATI/AAAAAAAAesA/bOqg54lCLPU/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uD2L8lGgc8/VFAQgBJeATI/AAAAAAAAesA/bOqg54lCLPU/s500/Photo%25252020141028145319.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261566.7976" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> But hey, Golden Gate Bridge is quite stunning up close and personal too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sC5gUppxnzY/VFAQinJ_lWI/AAAAAAAAesI/apjYwiIjrQQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sC5gUppxnzY/VFAQinJ_lWI/AAAAAAAAesI/apjYwiIjrQQ/s500/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261581.068" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Let's finish with a few selfies...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zIPHmNRd4fw/VFAQk7J_W_I/AAAAAAAAesQ/09VK0GEfd4w/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zIPHmNRd4fw/VFAQk7J_W_I/AAAAAAAAesQ/09VK0GEfd4w/s500/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261623.898" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> ...and one more before Hans started his descent towards the water's line. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XYcLG4YN6ePhfnIrZsA0LobR8lkfHrqoVGzbosooKJbNOEcd8LHXf2mh3-W99ym9I-yJFH7BcwBmPeskS2sX3qXePzlgypNVFVW7KNcRGbzGFrmLA_iuWIDDu9PKTW1M2zxY563tLH8/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XYcLG4YN6ePhfnIrZsA0LobR8lkfHrqoVGzbosooKJbNOEcd8LHXf2mh3-W99ym9I-yJFH7BcwBmPeskS2sX3qXePzlgypNVFVW7KNcRGbzGFrmLA_iuWIDDu9PKTW1M2zxY563tLH8/s500/Photo%25252020141028145320.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261619.246" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Long tracts of the path between downtown and Golden Gate Bridge looked like this. Sanddunes and sandpath. Not an awful lot to look at, but it was a stunning day and Hans took his time cycling slowly and enjoyed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WyJ-uSX8hbo/VFAQp33I_II/AAAAAAAAesg/_Ic9s2VBpzA/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WyJ-uSX8hbo/VFAQp33I_II/AAAAAAAAesg/_Ic9s2VBpzA/s500/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261551.9482" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We had driven past the very imposing set of buildings housing the Palace of Fine Art several times, but as it was now very close to where Hans cycled and hey, it was time for a bit of lunch anyway, he decided to have a look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gucY4LikDO0/VFAQsO294-I/AAAAAAAAeso/dr7w83S96IA/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gucY4LikDO0/VFAQsO294-I/AAAAAAAAeso/dr7w83S96IA/s500/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261624.326" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Apparently, this was all swamp land and now a beautiful oasis and park set next to the Art museum. Nice!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aQAAyr7KriI/VFAQuitHgjI/AAAAAAAAesw/-9WtPeS7dqI/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aQAAyr7KriI/VFAQuitHgjI/AAAAAAAAesw/-9WtPeS7dqI/s500/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261572.8696" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans found a spot in the shade among all these lovely buildings and had tuna and crackers...</p><p>Only to soon be interrupted by yet another slurring brainfried individual. He started to give Hans a "tour guide's" overview (Hans thinks) of the buildings and pond making up the Palace of Fine Art and you could just see that a request for money was moments away. </p><p>Another old Hans trick, pretend not to understand English. It worked well this time and the individual left after a while, but not until yelling things like "you are in my city now" and some other nonsense towards Hans. </p><p>A fine human specimen that the City of San Francisco must be very proud of... Not!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ERFZh3PvQhQ/VFAQxGZTPrI/AAAAAAAAes4/Xviq4rtAo0w/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ERFZh3PvQhQ/VFAQxGZTPrI/AAAAAAAAes4/Xviq4rtAo0w/s500/Photo%25252020141028145321.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261582.8474" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Homestretch passing the beach at Aquatic Cove close to Fishermans Wharf and the really awful touristy Embarcadero.</p><p>A bunch of oldies were preparing for a swim while there were already several more of them in the water already. The water must be reasonably nippy now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blIGQh3S148/VFAQzjrYqPI/AAAAAAAAetA/VpCr32IROAE/s2048/Photo%25252020141028145322.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blIGQh3S148/VFAQzjrYqPI/AAAAAAAAetA/VpCr32IROAE/s500/Photo%25252020141028145322.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261571.0781" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Not far from 2pm and Hans had returned his bike at Blazing Saddles on Mason Street. This followed by a shower back at the hostel, a cup of tea and blogging. Hans had plenty of sun today and was happy to stay out away from more for a while.</p><p>Hunger set in around 4pm, and with one hour to go until tomorrow's flights check in opens, why not have something to eat? Boudin' clam chowder in a sourdough bread was delicious last time so why not go back. So Hans did. As delicious as last time...</p><p>After his meal, there was housekeeping. Hans wandered down to Powell BART station to buy tomorrow's train tickets to the airport, then back to hostel for check in. </p><p>We have to give it to United Airlines. Both our previous experiences were very poor although that was for both of us a long time ago. </p><p>No issues getting to the U.S. and this check in back to Australia was an absolute breeze. United Airlines had Hans details on file already, including the passport number, so just confirm it all, change your seat if you want to and then you are given 3 options of how to present your boarding pass. You can show it on your mobile phone, you can print it at home or you can print it from a kiosk at the airport. </p><p>Hopefully it goes as smooth tomorrow and beyond.</p><p>Then it was really time for a cold one or two. Two as that was what Hans had left and who wants to give up a good brew? </p><p>A little later it was time for Hans dinner. And where to have it, if not Chipotle Mexican Grill. This was the first time any of us visited this formidable establishment during this visit. Hans had a bowl of chicken with all the offered trappings. Delicious.</p><p>You may not see it but immediately to the right off the picture are two of San Franciscos finest. If it's good enough for a cop, it's good enough for Hans. </p><p>Hold on, are coppers not supposed to eat a lot of donots?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pGUayOlsS3U/VFBatVnMv5I/AAAAAAAAetY/lcFVLWDm4HM/s2048/Photo%25252020141028201034.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pGUayOlsS3U/VFBatVnMv5I/AAAAAAAAetY/lcFVLWDm4HM/s500/Photo%25252020141028201034.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261564.3552" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> After his Mexican fast food meal. Hans just crossed O'Farrell Street for a refresher at another San Francisco institution, Foley's Irish House (right?), where game 4 of World Series baseball was in full swing.</p><p>Hans ordered that fantastic Californian IPA, Lagunitas, possibly for the last time on this trip. It was again superb.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G177jahBeJs/VFBawpkSxeI/AAAAAAAAetg/vSy-bAczUPI/s2048/Photo%25252020141028201035.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G177jahBeJs/VFBawpkSxeI/AAAAAAAAetg/vSy-bAczUPI/s500/Photo%25252020141028201035.jpg" id="blogsy-1414552261604.3628" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Enough for one day for the old man as some time after 8pm, Hans returned to the hostel and had a quiet evening for what was left of it.</p><p>Good night to everybody. Tomorrow he will fly out of here... End of this trip. Let's plan the next one...</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-53876279232613968952014-10-27T20:46:00.000+11:002014-10-28T15:15:41.451+11:00Mon 27 Oct - San Francisco, CA
<p>Hans is... All by himself... In San Francisco. So he better make the most of it...</p>
<p>No luck with the hostel's vending machine this morning. Hans tried to replace his tired water bottle with a fresh one. So in went a $1 bill but when he chose the only option for water, quickly flashed a "choose something else" light. Couldn't they tell you that upfront?</p>
<p>Fine, a bag of crisps will do instead, for later tonight. Now the problem was that the crisps moved but not enough and so the bag got stuck by the metal spiral. </p>
<p>A tiny bit of violence of the vending machine made no difference and than Hans recalled that a not insignificant number of Americans get killed each year from falling vending machines.</p>
<p>Hans just left in disgust... </p>
<p>A few more pics from the hostel first though... The kitchen...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87sRIzeLB-0EphkRmwKWnfGIgsxWdoD3UhEY60g36fT8Ia8l4_Lc9hIK664qyiCMuIFq2gGbvrb0Wl7kUbP3Bll81KWMYWr5RoxT_4V76MzS-eqhZ78afRTNOy3atG06ShU_WtOn_UMU/s2048/Photo%25252020141027163525.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87sRIzeLB-0EphkRmwKWnfGIgsxWdoD3UhEY60g36fT8Ia8l4_Lc9hIK664qyiCMuIFq2gGbvrb0Wl7kUbP3Bll81KWMYWr5RoxT_4V76MzS-eqhZ78afRTNOy3atG06ShU_WtOn_UMU/s500/Photo%25252020141027163525.jpg" id="blogsy-1414469107117.9905" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p> ...and the water saving toilet. </p>
<p>Apparently, some people don't get it and think that the water from the tap is wasted as it can continue after you finished washing your hands... Duh...</p>
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<p>Out of the hostel by 8am, Hans tried to find the 2 different hotels where he stayed back in 1997 (3 days in one hotel, 4 days in another hotel later on that trip). </p>
<p>He couldn't even recall the street, could be Sutter Street, so he walked there for a few blocks but nothing looked even slightly familiar. Oh well, it was a long time ago.</p>
<p>Hans did find some liquor bottles on offer for the gun enthusiast... No, he didn't buy any of these.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ui3X1tIXNiU/VE7W7EyJ-UI/AAAAAAAAeiA/Q6MkOCuXS0U/s2048/Photo%25252020141027163526.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ui3X1tIXNiU/VE7W7EyJ-UI/AAAAAAAAeiA/Q6MkOCuXS0U/s500/Photo%25252020141027163526.jpg" id="blogsy-1414469107121.8132" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p>The Chinatown / North Beach walking tour didn't start until 10am, meeting at Union Square literally around the corner from the hostel, so Hans made a visit to that other Traveller's Friend called Starbucks. Cheap and drinkable filter coffee, free wifi, seating and good piped music. Good enough.<br></p>
<p>This was a sign outside a cupcake shop nearby and yes, only women seemed to work there...</p>
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<p> The Wild SF walking tour kicked off at Union Square at 10am and finished at Jackson Square around 1.30pm. The guide today was "Wild Wes" who brought his ukulele as opposed to J.Jo last Thursday bringing a guitar. The wild one will appear in pictures later on.</p>
<p>This is how the walk panned out, including some wild GPS coordinates as Hans was deep underground at that time. It will all be revealed later. Union Square at the bottom.</p>
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<p> After a walk through of Westin St Francis hotel, including being told of and shown the site of an attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford in 1975 there, we wandered down through Maiden Lane.</p>
<p>The lane seemed to be named a bit tongue in cheek as we learnt that it used to be the red light district of San Francisco prior to that great earthquake of 1906, after which the lane was rebuilt but now with shops and restaurants... It was also renamed to Maiden Lane at that time... The ladies of the night had just moved around the corner...</p>
<p>Back in the gold rush days, those ladies would stand on a balcony overlooking the lane and let you have a look at one boob for 5 cents and both boobs for 10 cents. A whole dollar would gain you inside entry...</p>
<p>This current building on Maiden Lane, Xanadu Gallery, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright...</p>
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<p> ...and his signature can be found in a plaque to the left of the entrance.</p>
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<p> We quickly moved into Chinatown, up the little hill on Grant Avenue with all its cheesy tourist souvenir shops.</p>
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<p>Wild Wes told us that Chinatown of today, built up after the great earthquake, was actually sold to the city as a tourist attraction so it would be built at all. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the early 1900s, anti Chinese sentiment was high and that was the only way a Chinatown could be accepted at that time. The wild one </span>called it a "Chinese Disneyland".</p>
<p>Grant Avenue looking north...</p>
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<p>Wild Wes and some of the punters waiting to cross a street.</p>
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<p> This is the oldest building in Chinatown, built in the 1910s. Not very authentic Chinese, is it?</p>
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<p> We spent most of the tour in Chinatown off Grant Avenue and in the little lanes where the real Chinese life is taking place. </p>
<p>Fortune cookies, that quintessential Chinese food item, was apparently invented here in San Francisco's Chinatown, by a Japanese man...</p>
<p>This shop still produces fortune cookies by hand...</p>
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<p> Two ladies churn out fortune cookies all day... Lots and lots of them...</p>
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<p> ...and when they are working, they are fast.</p>
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<p> These are fortune cookies that didn't pass the quality control, not visually good enough or the ladies didn't get to complete them before they turned solid. So, us punters could get a free sample and yes, they were still warm.</p>
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<p> Outside the fortune cookie store, Wild Wes got into a jam with the barber next door to the fortune cookie bakery. The barber "strangles cats" when there are no customers for him to cut their hair. </p>
<p>The two of them churned out classical Chinese songs like "My darling Clementine" and some German children's song, that sounded German to Hans but a song he was not familiar with. </p>
<p>The Chinese barber apparently had cut Clint Eastwood's and Paul McCartney's hair among others.</p>
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<p>And this is his workplace. A little whole in the wall barber shop behind where he was sitting above. Let's safely assume that the Chinese barber knows what he is doing.</p>
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<p> Then it was goodbye to Chinatown and hello to North Beach. Of course, there was a long time since there was a beach here with all that land filling that had been going on.</p>
<p>Parts of North Beach is Little Italy and it is also where the Beatnix generation started, Jack Kerouac "On the road" etc, an artistic and still somewhat bohemian part of San Francisco. </p>
<p>These are "streetlights" in form of books...</p>
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<p> Also here in the corner of Broadway Street and Columbus Avenue, a couple of storeys up and on the side of an adjacent building is the only known art piece by Banksy in San Francisco.</p>
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<p> This flatiron building in the corner of Kearny Street and Broadway Avenue is owned by Francis Ford Coppola. </p>
<p>It did withstand the fire that followed the great earthquake and was for a while the tallest building in San Francisco... By the very fact that it was one of not very many buildings still standing.</p>
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<p> Of course, there is a great urban myth that Chinatown is criss crossed by tunnels underneath... Except that it didn't appear to be a myth.</p>
<p>Inside a shop selling art supplies, down in its basement is the opening to a small part of an underground tunnel...</p>
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<p> ...and if you walk in there, this is what you see. </p>
<p>Of course, the other urban myth not just here in San Francisco but in other port cities around the world is that people got drugged In bars only to wake up at sea and forced to work as more or less slave labour on a boat. </p>
<p>Shanghaied! Hence, the pirate at the wall.</p>
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<p> Hotaling Street is just a short stump of a street, but it was significant because...</p>
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<p> ...it also survived the fires after the great earthquake. And it contained the town's whisky supply at the time. As the churches fell and burnt up. As the plaque says, there is a message there somewhere...</p>
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<p> Transamerica Pyramid. Built in the 70s on reclaimed land using redwood trees to solidify the ground. As you do. The building has survived that dismal architectural era quite well enough though.</p>
<p>The "wings" apparently had to be built to support the lifts as they couldn't travel in too much of an angle.</p>
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<p> The walking tour finished here, at the building that housed the humble beginnings of Bank of America, or Bank of Italy and started as a loan facility for low income earners, as it once was named before it was renamed. </p>
<p>Today, this building houses Church of Scientology. Free personality test anyone?</p>
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<p>After the tour, Hans went back into Chinatown to grab some lunch and yet again to Dim Sum House for a plate of 8 dumplings for $6. As tasty as ever.</p>
<p>There appears to be no Columbus Park a la New York City in San Francisco where the Chinese people go, but this was close. </p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Portsmouth Square looked reasonably busy with Chinese faces chatting, smoking and playing board games.</span></p>
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<p> Hans then took the BART to Mission yet again, to follow the mural walk on a map provided by J.Jo after our Castro and Mission walking tour last Thursday. This is how Hans wandered through the Mission district.</p>
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<p> Some of the mural were very impressive, like this whole laneway.</p>
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<p> And this wall outside Mission pool and playground on 19th Street. We did pass here on our organised walk last Thursday as well.</p>
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<p> Hans liked this mural a lot. It is in an alleyway between 21st and 22nd Street. Very well done.</p>
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<p> But unfortunately, quite a few of the murals were actually very ordinary. Perhaps Hans needs to see the really good stuff to be impressed. After all, we saw a lot of really excellent murals and street art last year while traveling, particularly in Berlin, Germany.</p>
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<p> And this is just weird. They painted over the mural, but only about three quarters of it. Why?</p>
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<p> Of course, Mission has some great buildings and this old dericlict theatre is one of them. It just looked fantastic in its sorry state. </p>
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<p> Now, Hans just had to do it. Track down and see the house being built for Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame. We had heard that he had bought 2 adjacent blocks in Mission for a total of $14M and is now building something enormous there.</p>
<p>This is the amalgamated site on 3452 21st Street. A minor army of workers drilling and sledgehammering and building and looking very busy indeed. The house was well covered up as he / they probably don't want nosy punters like Hans around to ogle.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PH-AptV344Y/VE7gcHXcGOI/AAAAAAAAemo/v2ZGZhAjbxA/s2048/Photo%25252020141027171527.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PH-AptV344Y/VE7gcHXcGOI/AAAAAAAAemo/v2ZGZhAjbxA/s500/Photo%25252020141027171527.jpg" id="blogsy-1414469107218.1619" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p>The construction site from another angle...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-knZl7wKhcKU/VE7gfet2oII/AAAAAAAAemw/6HIE_dS-20g/s2048/Photo%25252020141027171527.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-knZl7wKhcKU/VE7gfet2oII/AAAAAAAAemw/6HIE_dS-20g/s500/Photo%25252020141027171527.jpg" id="blogsy-1414469107269.1902" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p> And with the next door neighbours house in the foreground. </p>
<p>Now, is the sign with "psychopath" and arrow pointing to the right, towards Mr Zuckerberg's house, a bit of Halloween fun or is there another message there?</p>
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<p> Back in the real world down on 22nd And Guerrero Street, this lovely building caught Hans' eye for what is offered there. This guy is a "Cut Rate Druggist" according to the signage. Really?</p>
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<p> The mural map also listed this adjacent place as a place for food and drink and fun, Radio Habana Social Club. It also looked brilliantly rundown and interesting, but it was closed when Hans was there. Too early?</p>
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<p>Underneath the dark awning is Revolution Cafe...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h3us8lXr--Q/VE7grm1R6KI/AAAAAAAAenQ/KM3_qt_6VOw/s2048/Photo%25252020141027171529.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h3us8lXr--Q/VE7grm1R6KI/AAAAAAAAenQ/KM3_qt_6VOw/s500/Photo%25252020141027171529.jpg" id="blogsy-1414469107250.9917" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div>
<p> ...where Hans just had to stop for a coffee as he passed by it.</p>
<p>Great karma, a black dude playing piano very well, the guy with the white hat making sketches and just a very bohemian atmosphere. </p>
<p>Hans ordered a strong caffe latte as the lady behind the counter was a kiwi and the coffee wasn't too bad. Great spot.</p>
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<p> Time approached 4pm and Hans started to feel all that pounding of the pavement so he wandered off to the BART station at Mission and 24th Street and took the train back to the hostel for a break and blogging. And a couple more of the Ballast Point IPA. Nice...</p>
<p>Hans then had a lazy night and didn't venture out again. Too comfortable.</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-38274781023407577512014-10-26T19:19:00.000+11:002014-10-28T11:09:25.398+11:00Sun 26 Oct - San Francisco, CA<p> Di's last day before she returns to Australia leaving Hans in San Francisco for another couple of days.</p><p>So, this last morning and midday before she had to go to the airport, we decided to have a look at the Civic Centre. It is not far, just the next stop on the BART train line towards Mission where we went last night.</p><p>However, the area between where we stay at the corner of Mason and O'Farrell Street and the most imposing San Francisco City Hall is filled with down and outers, homeless people, crazy people. We even encountered somebody on the ground (drug overdose comes to mind) with plenty of likeminded people around the person yapping and going on. The ambulance soon arrived. </p><p>Of course, rubbish everywhere and being a Sunday (or is that every day?), there were long queues to the churches and soup kitchens etc. </p><p>We think that the area is the southern part of Tenderloin which has a bit of a rough reputation.</p><p> Anyway, enough of the rough... When we arrived at U.N. Plaza, there was a Sunday local growers market on. The everyday feel to the market and the imposing City Hall in the distance made it a bit surreal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IPbHovzjLMQ/VE1XhIf6GmI/AAAAAAAAed4/hPztxaOsAQw/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132004.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IPbHovzjLMQ/VE1XhIf6GmI/AAAAAAAAed4/hPztxaOsAQw/s500/Photo%25252020141026132004.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965868.8748" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>This lady was selling nuts in all weird and wonderful combinations. Pistachios in garlic and jalapeño and the like. Fantastic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jC_MV5xtML8/VE1XjqDLlhI/AAAAAAAAeeA/fJRUhKxWDCU/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132004.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jC_MV5xtML8/VE1XjqDLlhI/AAAAAAAAeeA/fJRUhKxWDCU/s500/Photo%25252020141026132004.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965893.2021" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The produce looked and smelt incredibly fresh.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gU1hBfVxFZU/VE1XmpzxF6I/AAAAAAAAeeI/dukX0gKNDlA/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gU1hBfVxFZU/VE1XmpzxF6I/AAAAAAAAeeI/dukX0gKNDlA/s500/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965824.4727" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Here is Di looking sooo happy among all the beautiful fresh food.</p><p>Did we mention that this Growers Market was a little bit different from the normal ones? </p><p>It started off as a bit of a social experiment, to be able to provide affordable fresh food for the not so well to do. The poor people could even use food coupons to pay for what they wanted and profits are then partly recycled back into its operations. </p><p>The market has since become quite an institution and the whole spectrum of social demographics looked like being there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sopdO6ULsG0/VE1XpKKuK3I/AAAAAAAAeeQ/AwcEo4AzWCw/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sopdO6ULsG0/VE1XpKKuK3I/AAAAAAAAeeQ/AwcEo4AzWCw/s500/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965827.2505" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> City Hall, where Harvey Milk and the then mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by Dan White in 1978. Harvey Milk was of course the openly gay politician of the Castro district whose legacy we touched upon as we did the walking tour there a few days ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ouFy64vyKRY/VE1XrnlIPbI/AAAAAAAAeeY/duHb23CXxQw/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ouFy64vyKRY/VE1XrnlIPbI/AAAAAAAAeeY/duHb23CXxQw/s500/Photo%25252020141026132005.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965817.0571" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The seal for the state of California, as we photographed it in the corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street. The building houses the California Public Utilities Commission.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YqQ1DM94Dpk/VE1XuOgAb-I/AAAAAAAAeeg/cAepWcuyOCk/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YqQ1DM94Dpk/VE1XuOgAb-I/AAAAAAAAeeg/cAepWcuyOCk/s500/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965832.7341" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We continued our wandering towards the north eastern side of the San Francisco peninsula and stumbled onto San Francisco Hall of Justice on Bryant Street.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ta4Td0g1DlU/VE1XwTgZr8I/AAAAAAAAeeo/oWGg34uB7HU/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ta4Td0g1DlU/VE1XwTgZr8I/AAAAAAAAeeo/oWGg34uB7HU/s500/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965849.7366" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We have never ever seen so many police cars parked on the street in one spot. And not only that, double parked too. Should be safe to park your own car around here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kuCM9Stniz4/VE1Xy5-bIRI/AAAAAAAAeew/49qAy7OQ0zI/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kuCM9Stniz4/VE1Xy5-bIRI/AAAAAAAAeew/49qAy7OQ0zI/s500/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965898.879" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Opposite San Francisco Caltrain Station On Townsend Street, we stumbled onto a restaurant which had some really wonderful food related quotes on their windows. Zoom in this picture and you are in for a treat. Di could very much relate... Very clever indeed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tcsu9x1QUBg/VE1X1h8p96I/AAAAAAAAee4/3tMsKiMGt_w/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tcsu9x1QUBg/VE1X1h8p96I/AAAAAAAAee4/3tMsKiMGt_w/s500/Photo%25252020141026132006.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965906.8982" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Then we saw it... AT&T Park. </p><p>The home of San Francisco Giants (baseball for the uninitiated). </p><p>They are currently in the finals and playing Kansas City Royals in best of 7 games (at time of writing, the score was 2 vs 2 with another game later today right here)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0jF79gVoSf8/VE1X4JEaMaI/AAAAAAAAefA/HqPKh9p7A-E/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0jF79gVoSf8/VE1X4JEaMaI/AAAAAAAAefA/HqPKh9p7A-E/s500/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965874.2136" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> A few pics around the AT&T Park...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DerGrUE34jc/VE1X6Z75NuI/AAAAAAAAefI/d0x_Dv5LrOw/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DerGrUE34jc/VE1X6Z75NuI/AAAAAAAAefI/d0x_Dv5LrOw/s500/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965840.1384" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans is not really a baseball fan but you know, you get caught up in it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZcP29yPJYBc/VE1X87LgDwI/AAAAAAAAefQ/jY6HPzYOQok/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZcP29yPJYBc/VE1X87LgDwI/AAAAAAAAefQ/jY6HPzYOQok/s500/Photo%25252020141026132007.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965835.9954" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> A small piece of the spectator stand.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P1qFiDACnsY/VE1X_FVRzRI/AAAAAAAAefY/UNauRSWeTHg/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P1qFiDACnsY/VE1X_FVRzRI/AAAAAAAAefY/UNauRSWeTHg/s500/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965901.0374" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> A funny sign outside the stadium that we liked a lot...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iSY6qz6d6S0/VE1YBdRZcMI/AAAAAAAAefg/jsD8s0byVfI/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iSY6qz6d6S0/VE1YBdRZcMI/AAAAAAAAefg/jsD8s0byVfI/s500/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965907.1038" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The drawbridge on 3rd Street behind the AT&T Park. We liked the huge concrete counterweight to the right.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eqcdK3QApNk/VE1YD_A9MTI/AAAAAAAAefo/O8bD9Vb8PC8/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eqcdK3QApNk/VE1YD_A9MTI/AAAAAAAAefo/O8bD9Vb8PC8/s500/Photo%25252020141026132008.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965914.447" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We then strolled along the Embarcadero and the Oakland Bay Bridge came into view. A selfie was required.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5G_kpTzbT3I/VE1YGHFvn2I/AAAAAAAAefw/F50Uv0rpdwU/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5G_kpTzbT3I/VE1YGHFvn2I/AAAAAAAAefw/F50Uv0rpdwU/s500/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965890.398" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The bridge looked even more spectacular from the western side. The island in the middle is calle Verba Buena Island. Same as an urban park we got to later on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AQ1d5C9qVlg/VE1YIYkwYMI/AAAAAAAAef4/MQhVxJ1LYlU/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AQ1d5C9qVlg/VE1YIYkwYMI/AAAAAAAAef4/MQhVxJ1LYlU/s500/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965828.0803" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Interesting art along the Embarcadero.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nNcb5CzQcpk/VE1YKyj5kKI/AAAAAAAAegA/0Geky1VVdu0/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nNcb5CzQcpk/VE1YKyj5kKI/AAAAAAAAegA/0Geky1VVdu0/s500/Photo%25252020141026132009.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965846.337" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This is San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or MOMA as it popularly refered to as. Closed for renovations and extensions and will not open until 2016. Hans was inside back in 1997 and remember it being good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F0ZlkC86yqY/VE1YfjmycZI/AAAAAAAAegI/LVJWR9Vc5ws/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132421.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F0ZlkC86yqY/VE1YfjmycZI/AAAAAAAAegI/LVJWR9Vc5ws/s500/Photo%25252020141026132421.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965857.7595" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> And this is Verba Buena Gardens towards Mission Street, a very lovely oasis in the middle of the city.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vi3cQvJX1cU/VE1YiL25h5I/AAAAAAAAegQ/l0Xvm8uPbOc/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vi3cQvJX1cU/VE1YiL25h5I/AAAAAAAAegQ/l0Xvm8uPbOc/s500/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965854.2654" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Give me your hand, give me your hand...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O6tmkV7kC2A/VE1YlIXrmuI/AAAAAAAAegY/GiqreY2O-TI/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O6tmkV7kC2A/VE1YlIXrmuI/AAAAAAAAegY/GiqreY2O-TI/s500/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965906.1892" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Lunch and yes, we had to go there before Di is leaving town. Boudin Bakery can now be found not just at the Embarcadero close to Fisherman's Wharf but all over town. This one on O'Farrell Street is very close to our hostel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3LILtiG2hdo/VE1YnZI1j8I/AAAAAAAAegg/-A74Hy8Uo3M/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3LILtiG2hdo/VE1YnZI1j8I/AAAAAAAAegg/-A74Hy8Uo3M/s500/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965923.7783" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Of course, it had to be done. Hans was having the "world famous" San Francisco sourdough clam chowder, served inside the cut out sourdough bread. Fantastic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-40wSQm80PAE/VE1Ypmf1Y6I/AAAAAAAAego/58cX0uiMpEg/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-40wSQm80PAE/VE1Ypmf1Y6I/AAAAAAAAego/58cX0uiMpEg/s500/Photo%25252020141026132422.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965855.7727" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Di went with squash soup also served inside the sourdough bread and she liked it a lot too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zk9Sgeiv48Q/VE1YsMxN7bI/AAAAAAAAegw/E22kuNhp_UU/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zk9Sgeiv48Q/VE1YsMxN7bI/AAAAAAAAegw/E22kuNhp_UU/s500/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965927.643" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> After lunch, we were on an outlook for a Citibank ATM when we encountered this. What's going on? Who is the dignitary visiting Westin St Francis hotel off Union Square?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0HridtmGGRU/VE1Yuot7B0I/AAAAAAAAeg4/rvl4AzOAB6I/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0HridtmGGRU/VE1Yuot7B0I/AAAAAAAAeg4/rvl4AzOAB6I/s500/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965935.888" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Ahhhhhhhh... We found out that inside this bus is the Kansas City Royals baseball team, on their way to AT&T Park for game number 5 in the play offs. Good luck to both teams... Or should we go for the Giants now that we are in San Fran...? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lz_0YNnf6lI/VE1Yxa4_jOI/AAAAAAAAehA/5K26d8jWrEE/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lz_0YNnf6lI/VE1Yxa4_jOI/AAAAAAAAehA/5K26d8jWrEE/s500/Photo%25252020141026132423.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965905.856" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>After withdrawing some $ for Hans to live on while Di is going back to Melbourne to bring home some more bacon, we took the back lanes back to our hostel. On Maiden Lane, we saw this guy. </p><p>The bloke looked like a mess, he could hardly walk, but boy, he could sing. Italian opera. A certain Italian bigger than Ben Hur character named Pavarotti came to mind...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UM48LzDH0gI/VE1Y0JzhYGI/AAAAAAAAehI/dcezN_6A2LE/s2048/Photo%25252020141026132424.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UM48LzDH0gI/VE1Y0JzhYGI/AAAAAAAAehI/dcezN_6A2LE/s500/Photo%25252020141026132424.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965855.2437" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">And this, Go Car. Tiny little vehicles that you presumably can hire and go for a spin in the hood. Looks a bit exposed. Photo from the kitchen of our hostel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MYA34URRKjk/VE2R19ZQYZI/AAAAAAAAehg/6p72b4E76Kk/s2048/Photo%25252020141026172853.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MYA34URRKjk/VE2R19ZQYZI/AAAAAAAAehg/6p72b4E76Kk/s500/Photo%25252020141026172853.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965901.275" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> Back at the hostel, Di took a shower and packed up and after a bit of downtime, we were on our way to Powell Street BART station where Hans said goodbye to Di as she took the escalator down to the platform. See you in 3 days time. Bye Di, bye... The bacon bringer...</div><p> Hans then wandered around the neighborhood for a little while, but then decided to pop into Walgreens for some treats. And what did he find there? If not Ballast Point IPA, the lovely beer he had at the Base Camp restaurant in South Lake Tahoe.</p><p>An investment in a six pack was a given. And at $10.99+ tax vs single bottles for $3.55 in the convienience store next to our hostel, it is a steal. Well, it is all relative, isn't it?</p><p>Back to the hostel for Hans enjoying a few late afternoon beers while blogging this, followed by a mellow evening. Not much to report...</p><p>Well, what can you do when your lovely wife just disappears like that...? What was Di doing anyway? Funny you ask...</p><p>An update and some photos from Di's long haul home...all went well on the BART to SFO international terminal and quite easy to find the correct United section as they have a whole terminal to themselves. Despite online check in and having boarding passes, Di could not do a simple "bag drop" and instead queued to be assisted by an airline staff member. Did not take long. </p><p>Then into security - where everyone over 75 years of age must remove shoes and walk into a full body scanner. Di felt safe. </p><p>All good to LAX, a busy flight, and once Di got there she found a great "ado" at her departure gate for the United flight to Melbourne. Turns out that this flight is the inaugural non stop flight to Melbourne for United Airlines, using a brand new Dreamliner-900 plane. </p><p>United Airlinesand Boeing big wigs were there, lots of suits and local United Airlines staff with planned speeches and ribbon cutting planned an hour before boarding. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XJhVycDerPo/VE7erZkCDyI/AAAAAAAAelY/9lHj-eo9cNM/s640/Photo%25252020141027170916.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XJhVycDerPo/VE7erZkCDyI/AAAAAAAAelY/9lHj-eo9cNM/s500/Photo%25252020141027170916.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965902.5469" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>To promote Melbourne they also had a Melbourne State Government official and a Tourism Australia official plus lots of Melbourne and Victoria posters, John Williamson music, didgeridoo playing, meat pies and laminations.</p><p>The launch banner showed Melbourne and you can almost see where we live on the far right and you can definitely see where Di works in the middle. Di felt at home already.</p><p>Di wanted to watch the launch so went for a wander for an hour then returned to here the speeches etc. it was a big deal and clearly they had chosen their most senior crew to also fly first time on the aircraft. The staff were thrilled (Di asked them) and continued their good mood all through the flight</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ACFyLxGlT7k/VE7esTaHnAI/AAAAAAAAelg/1BoUPxhEZQc/s640/Photo%25252020141027170916.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ACFyLxGlT7k/VE7esTaHnAI/AAAAAAAAelg/1BoUPxhEZQc/s500/Photo%25252020141027170916.jpg" id="blogsy-1414454965941.7312" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>No, the koala did not accompany the flight!</p><p>Americans can really do rah-rah launch speeches like no one else and made Di grin as it was so over the top. After speeches the free food and drinks we offered together with leather passport holders for all passengers. Cool and it felt like a privilege ( even though we paid for it!)</p><p>The brand new Dreamliner plane does look different and has heaps of leg room and all went well for Di's 15 hour and 22 minute return journey. So much better than going via Sydney. BTW, it is now Tue 28 Oct for Di. That's OK...</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-66267303540934813992014-10-25T20:16:00.000+11:002014-10-26T15:44:36.047+11:00Sat 25 Oct - San Francisco, CA
<p>Go west...</p>
<p>Well, we didn't go west for very far, just across the San Francisco peninsula to its western shore on the Pacific Coast. </p>
<p>First though, we had a quieter, slower morning after our long day yesterday. We didn't get into the hostel kitchen for our breakfast until 8am. Then it wasn't so quiet anymore as that seemed to be the time when the younger crowd (of we think Quebec College students) also got there. Nowhere to sit inside the kitchen area so we had our brekkie on a bench in the hallway.</p>
<p>Still on "go slow" mode we left the hostel just after 9.15am. </p>
<p>Bus 38 on Geary Street took us all the way across town and to the Veteran Administration Hospital. Crossing San Francisco is truly a rollercoaster as the hills took the bus up and down and up and down...</p>
<p>From VA Hospital we wandered around to explore the Lands End as the area is called. This is how we walked. </p>
<p>We got onto another bus as soon as we reached Geary Road again so ignore the rest. Hans forgot to switch off Runkeeper.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UIxeDYbBNU4/VEwX0n8OZXI/AAAAAAAAeao/PZjoNppmEeM/s2048/Photo%25252020141025143612.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UIxeDYbBNU4/VEwX0n8OZXI/AAAAAAAAeao/PZjoNppmEeM/s500/Photo%25252020141025143612.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406682.074" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="303"></a></div>
<p> And to put our wander into a broader perspective in relation to the Golden Gate Bridge.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzzjuwit4Xc/VEwX2L_ar7I/AAAAAAAAeaw/fhYcYG67-lM/s1654/Photo%25252020141025143613.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dzzjuwit4Xc/VEwX2L_ar7I/AAAAAAAAeaw/fhYcYG67-lM/s500/Photo%25252020141025143613.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406754.3596" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="390"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Looking south along the Pacific from the former Fort Miley site - lots of wind and sea spray made the beach look a bit daunting. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qtLpSRNd9fE/VEwTSQz8opI/AAAAAAAAeXo/lC9VVzOGc8U/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141625.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qtLpSRNd9fE/VEwTSQz8opI/AAAAAAAAeXo/lC9VVzOGc8U/s500/Photo%25252020141025141625.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406698.6382" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Yes, Fort Miley was a former defense post and you can see the remnants of what once was here. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zESbE7Vpt-E/VEwTUnC04jI/AAAAAAAAeXw/NIWV3e1Z6rw/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zESbE7Vpt-E/VEwTUnC04jI/AAAAAAAAeXw/NIWV3e1Z6rw/s500/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406706.6787" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Hans was climbing down the ladder to explore further... On Di's request. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWCR_xo7iP5G9bh9EDBPoo51q2At988zPGb-BxwmBZVR_Ho_xQLxOnmEhkXP-L5KffBDrSU6PAed8q1FukETHwgVeCbavOVLJo2FYq82y2LCUsJoMKWAviyRssnxlvegr7EBdKd5C9Ak/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWCR_xo7iP5G9bh9EDBPoo51q2At988zPGb-BxwmBZVR_Ho_xQLxOnmEhkXP-L5KffBDrSU6PAed8q1FukETHwgVeCbavOVLJo2FYq82y2LCUsJoMKWAviyRssnxlvegr7EBdKd5C9Ak/s500/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406661.1577" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> A sign board explaining the history of Fort Miley...Which never fired a shot. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w4aUsRcE_7A/VEwaBTNryuI/AAAAAAAAebE/tGTlQpe4AQc/s2048/Photo%25252020141025144534.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w4aUsRcE_7A/VEwaBTNryuI/AAAAAAAAebE/tGTlQpe4AQc/s500/Photo%25252020141025144534.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406737.677" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> ...and a close up of the map showing Fort Miley and its surroundings.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_T8V7Oy_eT4/VEwaDmeedcI/AAAAAAAAebM/7kMdG9egvfI/s2048/Photo%25252020141025144534.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_T8V7Oy_eT4/VEwaDmeedcI/AAAAAAAAebM/7kMdG9egvfI/s500/Photo%25252020141025144534.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406708.5188" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> We continued down the hill to the USS San Francisco Memorial and the parking lot with great views towards Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B71PHhKeR0I/VEwTZmyg5VI/AAAAAAAAeYA/YjrLOiKVlfM/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B71PHhKeR0I/VEwTZmyg5VI/AAAAAAAAeYA/YjrLOiKVlfM/s500/Photo%25252020141025141626.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406764.4038" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> These steps link the parking lot and the Coastal Trail which is where we were heading.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Up15f2dWyXc/VEwTcZoN8QI/AAAAAAAAeYI/J8f1W3POxMc/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Up15f2dWyXc/VEwTcZoN8QI/AAAAAAAAeYI/J8f1W3POxMc/s500/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406678.8645" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> We followed the Coastal Trail south to check out what was left of Sutro Baths.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M2K9RKVXt3c/VEwTe0XzFMI/AAAAAAAAeYQ/RWxlQ8po4_Q/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M2K9RKVXt3c/VEwTe0XzFMI/AAAAAAAAeYQ/RWxlQ8po4_Q/s500/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406705.8826" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> The answer was, not much, but it was certainly a very dramatic place. Windy, with plenty of sea mist.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hhZPXLD47mI/VEwThQV-TGI/AAAAAAAAeYY/JilixmYu8wY/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hhZPXLD47mI/VEwThQV-TGI/AAAAAAAAeYY/JilixmYu8wY/s500/Photo%25252020141025141627.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406731.6511" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> A few more pics from around Sutro Baths, which as you can tell are now in ruins. They were built in the late 1800's by an entrepreneur, Adolph Sutro, along with a Cliff House and some other local attractions. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yKT7OBuM_vk/VEwTkMGMq8I/AAAAAAAAeYg/9G09uhwVlok/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yKT7OBuM_vk/VEwTkMGMq8I/AAAAAAAAeYg/9G09uhwVlok/s500/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406682.6313" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Interesting place to create a public bath as the weather here must be absolutely ferocious at times which we figured is why the place is now in ruins. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6MtZqdbP5YA/VEwTm3YSvdI/AAAAAAAAeYo/fp32m2vng6E/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6MtZqdbP5YA/VEwTm3YSvdI/AAAAAAAAeYo/fp32m2vng6E/s500/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406770.6704" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> We then backtracked along the Coastal Trail which was essentially a rail trail. Adolph Sutro once built a railway here to take people to his baths by train. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_MXkGU3UNdE/VEwTpuBYpZI/AAAAAAAAeYw/Fn3Im7tPchk/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_MXkGU3UNdE/VEwTpuBYpZI/AAAAAAAAeYw/Fn3Im7tPchk/s500/Photo%25252020141025141628.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406751.3708" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The trail was more bush hike than we expected as somewhere along the way it changes name from the Coastal Trail to Lands End Trail. Great views along the way and we really enjoyed it. </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1DkbI6pTrqI/VEwTsBmVlXI/AAAAAAAAeY4/JhBfKxDQKgk/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1DkbI6pTrqI/VEwTsBmVlXI/AAAAAAAAeY4/JhBfKxDQKgk/s500/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406732.857" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Plenty of Australian gum trees yet again.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C0xyGuvp-js/VEwTvXDKv8I/AAAAAAAAeZA/dOF4ZZ01NUY/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C0xyGuvp-js/VEwTvXDKv8I/AAAAAAAAeZA/dOF4ZZ01NUY/s500/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406690.606" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> It was surely rugged along the coast here. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oAb3NX-5Gmg/VEwTx7tjAxI/AAAAAAAAeZI/1ik3OpnmijY/s2048/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oAb3NX-5Gmg/VEwTx7tjAxI/AAAAAAAAeZI/1ik3OpnmijY/s500/Photo%25252020141025141629.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406710.7822" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Plenty of warning signs, including a very explicit one...</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hmm surely you could have a sign similar to this at any high bridge, dangerous road crossing, beach etc. Good to know the trail was dangerous and closed but perhaps a bit over the top as a warning. </span></p>
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<p> The view towards Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island from Eagles Point.</p>
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<p> And we pop out at the other end, at what was called Lincoln Highway but wasn't really a highway. Maybe once.</p>
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<p> We then followed Camino del Mar up the hill to the Legion of Honour, an art museum rated by Tripadvisor as the best museum to visit in San Francisco. </p>
<p>No, we didn't go in, just took this photo outside and then continued. We've seen a lot of great museums during our travels and we had other plans for today. </p>
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<p> Down the hill and we are back at Geary Road.</p>
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<p>We did aim to take the same bus, number 38, back downtown, but across the street was an electric bus which showed California. </p>
<p>That suited us perfectly as we now had plans for a light dim sum lunch in Chinatown and California Street intersects Chinatown.</p>
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<p>Yes, the bus took us all the way into Chinatown as we got off at the corner of Clay and Stockton Streets. </p>
<p>Transamerica Pyramid is a good landmark as it is only a block or so away from Chinatown but all the signs in Chinese were another good indication. </p>
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<p> A few pics as we search for our House of Dim Sum, the same place were we had chinese dumplings a week ago on our way to pick up the car to go to South Lake Tahoe. </p>
<p>We found some small laneways which also take our memories back to travels in Malaysia and other locations. We can't help it - we like Chinatowns more than art museums. </p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We arrived and quickly settled in with 8 dim sums each i.e. 16 in total, for all up $12. Fantastic value and as good as last time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We didn't get all the choices we wanted and ended up with one set of spinach dumplings which were nice but put on our plates without asking. Maybe communication breakdown but we didn't mind - they were good too. You get what's on offer, not what you want...</div>
<p> </p>
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<p>After our light lunch we found some more small laneways and a map in one which showed we could connect a series of them to head 3 to 4 blocks towards our hostel. </p>
<p>This particular Dim Sum restaurant claims to the oldest, running for 94 years. We liked their sign about saving water. Solution? Drink more Chinese beer!</p>
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<p> On Stockton Street, we faced a tunnel and decided it was a good way to continue through it. The tunnel turned out to be an efficient shortcut back towards Union Square. </p>
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<p>Back at our hostel around 2pm we opted for a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea and a rest before heading out later for dinner. A nice treat to sit still and rest for a while. It has been a bit go go go. </p>
<p>So, just before 6pm, we are dressed up (Di) and "dressed up...." hmmm (Hans) and on the BART for the 3 stations trip from Powell Street...</p>
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<p> ...to 24th Street and Mission. Tonight is Di's last night in San Francisco before heading back to Australia tomorrow. So, we are going out for dinner...</p>
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<p> ...to a restaurant on Mission between 21st and 22nd Street, where we pass this interestingly named place, before we arrived at...</p>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9KaZRMhyDdE/VExy3OUVMzI/AAAAAAAAecA/XHlOmL-uB5g/s2048/Photo%25252020141025210410.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9KaZRMhyDdE/VExy3OUVMzI/AAAAAAAAecA/XHlOmL-uB5g/s500/Photo%25252020141025210410.jpg" id="blogsy-1414296406756.5305" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a>M</div>
<p> ...this place...</p>
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<p> ...called Foreign Cinema.</p>
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<p>The restaurant had been recommended to Di by a work mate, Stuart, and so we booked it before leaving Australia. On TripAdvisor, Foreign Cinema was also highly rated and we liked the sound of dining in an old movie theatre. </p>
<p>The entry hall does feel like it should have a box office instead of a desk for checking reservations. </p>
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<p>The projection room equipment is still in use showing an old black and white movie on the back wall of the "outside" area during dinner.</p>
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<p>We were given a nice table in the mezzanine level, which feels like the old balcony of the cinema. The poster on the wall behind Di promoted what appeared to be an old Polish movie.</p>
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<p> You can see the balcony rail behind Hans and into the main dining area below. </p>
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<p>Sorry, no food porn photos of our shared entree or bread as they were both stunningly good and disappeared before we thought about photos. The entree in particular was unique being a Spanish style baby calamari stew with a Mexican mole sauce, coriander, aioli and potatoes. </p>
<p>That may sound weird but the dish was so good Hans wants Di to recreate it when we get home. Challenge...</p>
<p>For our main meals, we did remember the food photos - Di chose a lovely dish of 5 spiced duck breat below...</p>
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<p>...and Hans had "true cod", their words, with clams in a stew like mix with saffron, garlic, aioli and some sort of noodle. Both were delicious. </p>
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<p> The images below (borrowed) show the outdoor section and how the movies are shown. It looked just like this but our photos did not work. </p>
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<p>We caught a glimmer of the moving images from our table and enjoyed the ambience. Did we mention that earlier they played early Brian Eno through their loudspeakers. Respect!</p>
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<p>After a leisurely lovely dinner which we both rated highly, we opted to enjoy the atmosphere of the streets and walk back to the BART station on Mission and 24th Street instead of catching a taxi home. After all, the time was only just after 8pm although it was a Saturday.</p>
<p>We felt safe but we did pass plenty of dodgy small groups with a strong whiff of pot prevailing several times. The gentrification has not fully reached everywhere in the Mission district even though Mark Zuckerberg call it his home these days.</p>
<p>Along the way the other aroma we got was of fried onions and BBQ. These small carts dotted the street and all sold the same thing - of bacon wrapped hotdogs and fried onions. </p>
<p>Smelled great, looked unhealthy, and we assumed this guy had been enjoying a few too many fruits of his labours...but he was kind enough to allow a photo when we asked permission. </p>
<p>Hans could be back for a wander and cheap lunch after Di has left...</p>
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<p> Back to BART Mission and 24th Street station for the trip home. </p>
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<p>Not terribly busy and maybe something Di would not do dressed up and on her own. Now it was very quiet though. Note all the bikes parked there to the right. This is inside the area where a ticket is required.</p>
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<p>We had a smooth journey back the 3 stations to Powell St and returned to the hostel around 9pm feeling very satisfied with our night out. All good, but for now it is good night.</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-36253102557638945922014-10-24T21:41:00.000+11:002014-10-26T03:03:26.821+11:00Fri 24 Oct - San Francisco, CA
<p> An organised tour? Yes, that's what we were doing today. </p>
<p>When we bought the airline tickets to the U.S., they threw in $150 worth of land credits for free, which we used for a full day bus tour to Monterey / Carmel after adding $14 for both of us.</p>
<p>Early start for us as the bus was picking us up at 8.15am at the Westin St. Francis which is just around the corner from our hostel. By the way, let's start with a few pictures from our hostel.</p>
<p>This is the corridor outside our room.</p>
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<p>We had reserved a private double room which shared facilities, but we didn't expect this bed arrangement. </p>
<p>It is a bunk bed, a "double" at the bottom and a single at the top. Both beds are very short and the bottom "double" would struggle to contain two people side by side.</p>
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<p> Yes, something more suitable for kids sharing a bedroom and we couldn't change as the hostel is fully booked. Di ended up sleeping upstairs so Hans could sleep diagonally downstairs. Not very romantic...</p>
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<p> The bus tour company needs to get its technology and processes up to scratch. This is how it worked here...</p>
<ol>
<li>
One bus was picking up punters from their hotels who were doing the bus company's various tours<br>
</li>
<li>
The bus took us to a central point at Fishermans Wharf <br>
</li>
<li>
There we had to get off the bus and queue to get a boarding pass as the "voucher" they emailed us was no good and by the way, we should have printed it and given it to them<br>
</li>
<li>The boarding pass that Di holds up was then quickly taken by the bus driver as we boarded so we held it for maybe a total of 5 minutes then it was gone. </li>
</ol>Perhaps they could replicate airlines and bus companies like Skybus in Melbourne, the bus driver using a simple scanner which works for both online and for paper. Fast, efficient, transparent... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4qWDahLii6U/VEsqQX-79vI/AAAAAAAAeQg/suMXJOCFyfo/s2048/Photo%25252020141024214155.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4qWDahLii6U/VEsqQX-79vI/AAAAAAAAeQg/suMXJOCFyfo/s500/Photo%25252020141024214155.jpg" id="blogsy-1414243266901.7017" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<p>At 9.15 we were finally on... It took some time for the bus to get out of downtown San Francisco but we were soon on our way south along the coast. </p>
<p>A few coastal pics after some 1 1/2 hours on the bus. Where? No idea, but it was beautiful and the weather was cool and pleasant.</p>
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<p> Di was checking out the signboards.</p>
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<p> Our tour bus, with our driver in the red shirt - Ken (what Hans heard) or Kent (what Di heard).</p>
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<p>Ken / Kent was quite a character wearing an Aussie cap as you can see. He couldn't recall where he picked it up from. He certainly knew his facts and was very entertaining with anecdotes and stories throughout the drive. </p>
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<p> First pit stop was at a small settlement called Davenport where we quickly found a spot along the Pacific for a morning cuppa.</p>
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<p> And could you believe it? This very well taken care of Volvo Amazon was parked outside a hotel there. Hans got a flashback to 1976 and his very first road trip from Stockholm across the water to Warsaw, Poland in an orange Volvo Amazon. Enough to bring a tear to his eye...</p>
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<p>The bus took off as Di was looking for her prescription sunglasses. They were nowhere to be found. She yelled out and asked Ken / Kent to turn around the bus as she must have forgotten them inside the roadhouse where we used its facilities. We had only gone a mile down the road so he kindly obliged. </p>
<p>And yes, she had indeed forgotten them inside the ladies... Doesn't she look both relieved and a bit embarrassed here...?</p>
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<p> Fast forward down the California coast to Monterey where we had a 2 hour stop for lunch and sightseeing. This is Cannery Row.</p>
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<p> Most of the famous Cannery Row is now a wall of buildings including the aquarium against the water, but you could walk through in places. Like here.</p>
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<p> A fish / seafood lunch seemed very appropriate and where else to have it than at Bubba Gump. Is that really Forrest Gump?</p>
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<p> Bubba Gump's outdoor deck was most pleasant and popular.</p>
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<p> We ordered their "most popular" dish, various deep fried fish and seafood served in cones with dipping sauces and a coleslaw. We threw in an extra salad for balance,</p>
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<p>The "man of the town" is not the guy to the right in this picture below but the man depicted by the bust. John Steinbeck wrote a lot about Monterey of yesteryear including the book "Cannery Row." </p>
<p>Ken/Kent had explained that at the time the book was not well received here, same with "Grapes of Wrath" as the locals thought it portrayed them badly. </p>
<p>Perhaps a bit too close to the truth? But now of course Steinbeck is the local hero. </p>
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<p> Most of the old buildings from the cannery era are gone, but parts of the strip still looked good.</p>
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<p>Other buildings had been abandoned in a dericlict state, but still looked interesting.</p>
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<p>We wandered along Cannery Row and its extension away from Monterey Aquarium and the tourist shops until we found a marina with a breakwater we could walk out on. It did smell very fishy there and the "fences" along the edge of the jetties may provide a clue.</p>
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<p>Yes, we were in seal and sea lion territory. This single guy we saw first...</p>
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<p> ...before we got to the end of the breakwater / pier surrounded by barking and a very bad fish smell. There must have been almost a thousand seals and sea lions there...</p>
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<p> ...resting and sun tanning like a Northern European in spring.</p>
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<p> You get the drift...?</p>
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<p> And this is why the seals and sea lions looked so comfortable. As a human, you could get here but no further.</p>
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<p> We took lots of seal photos because they are just sooo cute (according to Di) and watched their antics and laughed. Plenty of push and shove and sun baking. Sort of like a crowded Italian beach.</p>
<p>We have seen this sign in several places and we love its "stating the bleeding obvious" message. How fast can we run is the question?</p>
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<p>On the way back to where the tour bus dropped us off, we wandered along a rail trail parallel to Cannery Row and the shoreline. A little piece of rail history was still there to be seen.</p>
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<p> Some beautiful artwork along the rail trail, with an excerpt from John Steinbeck's book Cannery Row to the left.</p>
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<p> Back on the bus we were taken along the famous 17 Mile Drive and to the very famous Pebble Beach. Yes, there was a fee involved as this large tract of land is owned by a private corporation.</p>
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<p> We stopped for some beautiful coastal scenery along the way. Look behind us, please.</p>
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<p>This rock was full of more seals and sea lions but since had seen them so up close and personal already, it didn't interest us that much.</p>
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<p> An adjacent signboard however provided a good overview of the local wildlife.</p>
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<p> The coast along the 17 Mile Drive though is very beautiful.</p>
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<p>We heard that there were 5 different golf courses in this area. You can see parts from one of them, Spyglass Hill, in the distance here.</p>
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<p> The lone cypress on that windswept and exposed rock has been there for 250 years according to the signboard. It is no longer possible to walk across there, but you could admire it from a distance. </p>
<p>The lone cypress is also the logo for the Pebble Beach community. </p>
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<p> A selfie with the lone cypress.</p>
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<p>We drove past many large and famous houses ranging in price from $3m to $32m with lots of famous owners, like Kim Novak and the cartoonist of Dennis the Menace, Hank Ketcham. Of course others like Jack Nicholson and the our main man Clint have also lived here at times. </p>
<p>Then we did a stop at the most famous place along the 17 Mile Drive, THE Pebble Beach golf course and its clubhouse. </p>
<p>Doesn't Hans just look like he belongs here... Not?</p>
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<p> And this is how it looks at the back of the clubhouse.</p>
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<p> Inside where you can relax after another competitive round of golf.</p>
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<p> Sunday brunch is an absolute steal at $66 + tax and service charge....again, not.</p>
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<p> And finally for the golf tragics...the very very famous 18th hole of Pebble Beach, just in front of the clubhouse.</p>
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<p> Of course, a very snazzy practice putting green goes without saying.</p>
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<p> And if you'd like to do some light shopping, this ring (lower centre) of yellow emerald and diamonds is on special for an absolute rock bottom price of US$88,500. </p>
<p>RRP, if that's the description they use in these circles, is $122,500. </p>
<p>Don't forget the added sales tax...</p>
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<p> Next stop was Carmel-by-the-Sea for an hour. </p>
<p>We had a coffee and pastry there before we went for a stroll around town. Very pretty, the place oozes money.</p>
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<p> And very green Carmel was too. Taking any interesting photos though was difficult as it all looked the same...</p>
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<p> ...until we got to this building. What does that mean, Eastwood Building?</p>
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<p> Oh yes, it is Clint Eastwood's old restaurant Hogs Breath Inn. </p>
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<p> Clint hasn't owned the restaurant for a long time, but his legacy features strongly among the menu items. A few Dirty Harry items there.</p>
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<p> Clint, of course, was the Mayor of Carmel for a while and there are many peculiarities there. Like how street names are depicted and the fact that houses are not numbered. </p>
<p>Sealed sidewalks was also a no-no, but most parts of central Carmel now have them.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--pxfyR3xAeo/VEsxqW90ysI/AAAAAAAAeWc/Ex-tiYbiwYk/s2048/Photo%25252020141024220939.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--pxfyR3xAeo/VEsxqW90ysI/AAAAAAAAeWc/Ex-tiYbiwYk/s500/Photo%25252020141024220939.jpg" id="blogsy-1414243267097.792" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<p>We then returned to the cute plaza were we had our coffee break as we waited for the bus to depart.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Dark settled as we drove north through Silicon Valley where famous technology names appeared on the signboards. Palo Alto, Mountain View, Silicon Valley Boulevard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">It was a long drive back and we did not return to our hostel until 9.15pm, not 7.15pm as advised. That of course didn't matter except that we had planned to make our own dinner in our hostel kitchen, which closes at 10pm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Not to worry. Di can whip up a meal in no time. And nobody else around in the kitchen.</div>
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<p> Yes, at Hans' request we were having Di's world famous sludge. Today's sludge was spicy red rice and beans with okra, corn and tomato and sausage. Didn't it just taste absolutely wonderful...</p>
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<p> After such a long day on the road, we decided on a lazy morning to follow. For now though, good night. </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-65736190194950723652014-10-23T21:39:00.000+11:002014-10-24T16:23:55.119+11:00Thu 23 Oct - San Francisco, CA
<p>Big walking day today. We had booked ourselves into a "free" walking tour of the Castro and Mission districts of San Francisco from 11am so we decided to walk to the start of that tour, as we were ready for the day by 8am. </p>
<p>Walking phase 1 panned out as follows; we started in the upper right corner, our hostel, and finished at the bottom left, next to the walking tour's meeting place.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">It doesn't take long walking southwest on Market Street before the dodgy characters and homeless people appear, so we turned into Mission Street and followed that for a while. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">This is from Mission Street looking back towards town. Mission and surrounding streets also got a bit dodgy for a while but then gentrification starts. </div>
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<p> One more of those weird and wonderful American business names, Belly Burger. Love it!</p>
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<p> Last night at the hostel, we overheard a younger guest talking about San Francisco Chocolate Factory. Then we stumbled onto it on 12th Street off Howard Street. May be more than one of course, but this one did look like a factory.</p>
<p>Pretty amazing mural, first of many amazing murals we got to see today.</p>
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<p> We saw the guy in the Smart Car below parking his vehicle in front of the black yank tank. </p>
<p>San Francisco, the new and the old, is very evident here. </p>
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<p> Also on 12th Street is this amazing overhang as part of a large old tin warehouse. What on earth would that have been used for?</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Looking south on South Van Ness Avenue from underneath the Central Freeway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">The hilltop is called Bernal Heights Park. This street scene is pretty typical of San Francisco. </div>
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<p>We then headed uphill looking for Haight street. </p>
<p>Next to San Francisco Mint, there was a dedicated cycleway which made Hans happy. Maybe he can try it out after Di goes back to Australia, when Hans is on his own In San Francisco for a few more days.</p>
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<p> This is dedication. This bloke was painting a "keep the sand in the sandbox" message lying face down in Duboce Park.</p>
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<p>After heading up the hill to Buena Vista Park, and doing a loop there, we headed down the hill again to Castro Street, around the corner from where the walking tour departs at 11am. Coffee and a sit down was on our mind as the time now was just after 10am.</p>
<p>We stopped at this very gay cafe on Castro Street, called the Cove, and we understood later on from our walking tour that this stretch of Castro Street is where the open gay movement in the U.S. really got started.</p>
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<p> Here is Hans inside the cafe, enjoying a coffee and a very delicious home made donut, which was one of their Thursday specials. $1 a bargain. </p>
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<p>The place to meet for the walking tour could not be missed. The tour met at the corner of Castro St and Market St, right underneath the huge rainbow flag in Harvey Milk Plaza. </p>
<p>Let's see, where could that be?</p>
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<p> It took a while to get going as our group was quite large and our tour leader from SF Wild Tours wanted to meet and greet everyone first and it was a large group. </p>
<p>The 3 hours of walking and hearing of / looking at things turned out as follows:</p>
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<p> J.Jo. was the tour leader. A real character who also liked to perform songs thoughout the walking tour. </p>
<p>The one he was singing here was to remind us that the Rainbiw Flag is not just a Gay Pride flag but actually the symbol for all sexual preferences - summed up as LGBTQQIAAP which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Allies and Pansexual.</p>
<p>Or queer for short...</p>
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<p>The Twin Peaks bar in the centre background was the first openly gay bar in the U.S. run by 2 lesbians.</p>
<p>Unlike previous gay bars the lesbians replaced the front walls with big pained windows so that it was obvious that gay people went there. It was also in a highly visible location being the corner of Market and Castro Streets.</p>
<p>Why did the San Francsico attract so many gay people? </p>
<p>Because from the start of its historic in gold rush times, the city grew to 25,000 people of which 300 were women. As a result the city took a fairly lenient view on alternative sexual releases and that attitude prevailed through the years. </p>
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<p>The Castro has quite a history and largely dominated by the fight for Gay and Minority Rights led by Harvey Milk. </p>
<p>This old theatre is a famous landmark and still in use - we love that Halloween features 2 movies - 1 with Boris Karloff and 1 with Bella Lugosi. You choose which would be scarier. </p>
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<p> A mural picturing Harvey Milk can be seen upstairs where he lived after he moved to San Franciso. </p>
<p>If you don't know who Harvey Milk is, his life was depicted in the film "Milk" featuring Sean Penn. A good movie about an interesting guy. </p>
<p>The camera shop Harvey owned is below the apartment and now a human rights movement office. </p>
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<p>Also in the Castro, one guy has taken upon himself to have a doll representing all the different movements and characters, many of them make with big penises and interesting outfits and banners or flags. Just a private collection on public display. </p>
<p>One banner proclaims "nudity is not against the law" but it is. A change just last year limited public nudity when previously it had been ok. </p>
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<p> More dolls including Rue Paul and a bearded nun. As you would expect...</p>
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<p> We then moved from Castro into the Mission District to Delores Park, a local hang out. </p>
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<p> Great view looking back from Delores Park towards downtown San Francisco.</p>
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<p> We learned about the huge earthquake of 1906 which rocked San Francisco. A subsequent fire followed burning 80% of the town because all the water mains broke and the fire could not be stopped. Literally all you can see from here is from post 1906.</p>
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<p>However that with the water hydrants was not totally true.</p>
<p>The Mission district behind us have much older houses predating 1906. If you look closely there is a gold painted fire hydrant in the bottom left corner. </p>
<p>J.Jo told us that this hydrant was commemorated as it was the only fire hydrant that remained working after the earthquake as the community gathered here and fought back the fire saving everything beyond Delores Park. </p>
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<p> Moving down the hill we got into more artistic area of the Mission District with some great murals. </p>
<p>This painting of Delores Park on a Sunday is actually dot-impressionist. Aboriginal? Nah...</p>
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<p> This very large mural on the 4 story Women's Centre Building was painted by women for women about 20 years ago. It looks absolutely fantastic up close - the details and colours are impressive.</p>
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<p> The front of the same building where the mural continues. </p>
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<p>Our walking tour finished up nearby at 2.30pm and we farewelled J.Jo and headed off home. </p>
<p>We realised that 11am is a strange time to start a 3+ hour tour right over lunch. Good thing we had a few bananas, water and peanuts with us. </p>
<p>We took the BART back to Powell St and went for a snack at the same Thai restaurant from yesterday. One serve of chicken satay and one serve of fish cakes were enough to fill a hole before we rested for an hour. </p>
<p>Back out again at 5pm to meet Ben McDonald, Hans' old work buddy for dinner. We had arranged to meet at his office at 5.30pm in the financial district, corner Market and California Streets.</p>
<p>A nice treat as we got to see the view from level 31 in the One California building where he works. Here we are looking out over Oakland Bay Bridge and Embarcadero.</p>
<p>The white roofed building in the foreground used to be, and may very well be, Hyatt Regency Hotel with its revolving restaurant Equinox at the top. That was back in 1997 when Hans was in San Francisco last time and had a birthday dinner there.</p>
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<p> After 3 years of "retirement" Hans tried a stand up work desk out for size - good but not good enough to entice him back to work. </p>
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<p> Ben then took us to an upmarket Peruvian restaurant in Embarcadero called La Mar for dinner. </p>
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<p> Very nice space and a cool trendy feel to it. </p>
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<p> We liked the decor and buzz. </p>
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<p>The menu encourages sharing dishes so that's what we did. A mix of Cebiche (marinated raw fish), mixed grill, empanadas and a salmon in a fragrant slightly coconut sauce. </p>
<p> All delicious and washed down well with a nice Temperenillo wine. Plenty of chatting (much by Di... No surprises there...), good food and good company the time passed quickly. </p>
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<p> After dinner we walked back along Market Street with Ben on the lookout for coffee. </p>
<p> We finally settled for a quick cuppa and more chatting at "The Coffee Bean" before we said goodbye to Ben at the Powell Street BART station as he was heading home to Walnut Creek and we walked back to our hostel.</p>
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<p>San Francisco is an interesting town but not terribly photogenic downtown. Still these streetcars looked good in the evening light. </p>
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<p>We are not late night party animals...by 9pm we were back in our room. It felt like a big day today. Good night.</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-44494006823767033682014-10-22T21:50:00.000+11:002014-10-23T14:42:14.533+11:00Wed 22 Oct - San Francisco, CA
<p>After too short a stay in South Lake Tahoe, we headed back to San Francisco, ignoring the hotel breakfast and making our own breakfast in the room. </p>
<p>All packed and ready to leave by 8am. Bye South Lake Tahoe. We think we will have to come back for a longer visit in 2017. Far too many hikes yet to be discovered.</p>
<p>We opted for a slower but more scenic way back to the Bay Area, driving on the 88 through Carson Pass and El Dorado State Forest before heading down the mountains. Di drove otherwise she gets a bit green on the windy mountain roads. </p>
<p>The scenery was fantastic and the fall colours in the trees looked at their best in the morning light. </p>
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<p> We were heading up through the pass on the right - a mere 3,000 metres above sea level. </p>
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<p>This area was called Big Meadows and to the right was a lovely large pasture area. </p>
<p>We figure when the Pony Express came through here they would have swapped horses here and left them to be fed and watered. </p>
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<p> As we headed up through the pass we had to stop to look at the views and also what appeared to be solar panels on the very cliff tops, see below. No explanation or obvious nearby settlement for this power use had us a bit puzzled. </p>
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<p> The view to the other side of the glacier carved valley was beautiful - no comment about Di here...</p>
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<p> We did note that small pieces of ice and snow were up this high, presumably largely from light rain showers. California is in drought and their snow season has not really started because the weather has been described in San Francisco as 6 months of summer. </p>
<p>We figure this is as close to snow as Hans will get in this trip. He is absolutely fine by that.</p>
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<p>The drive winds up and down across the Sierra Nevada ranges and past many small lakes and dams. All very pretty, set up for fishing and recreation, presumably hunting too.</p>
<p>By 9.45am we felt like a break and stopped for coffee and a snack at this popular place, Cooks Station. </p>
<p>A station house has been here since 1863 and was a Pony Express stop for a few years. No Di, that monster truck is not our rental car.</p>
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<p>The menus gave the story about this old place and its history but it's obvious this structure used to hold a water tank. By the way the menu had 8 pages dedicated to breakfast options!</p>
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<p> For $13 we had a great "2nd breakfast" and coffee and were served by a waitress who was a real character. She looked rough and skinny but was cracking jokes with everyone. A great break in our journey. </p>
<p>Back on the road we finally got down the mountains to an area known as Ione (elevation 70m) which was basically farming land and small towns. </p>
<p>This landscape looked very familiar...</p>
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<p> We have definitely seen this vista before... could be Australia...</p>
<p>But wait the next car was coming on the wrong side of the road... What the...?</p>
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<p> We then hit the Lodi Wine Trail. Vineyards everywhere. </p>
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<p> Evidence of just a few vineyards in the area.</p>
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<p>One funny thing was we finally found a great Rock radio station, out of Sacramento, with a DJ called Bob Keller.</p>
<p>Bob was very knowledgeable about rock and was also a funny guy. Today was apparently... "National Nut Day" and didn't that just start the jokes about never having enough nuts... We were laughing and loving the music theme of rock featuring Harmonicas. We were sad when we finally lost the signal as we got closer to the Bay Area.</p>
<p>The road continued into the California Delta - wait Delta? </p>
<p>This is a predominantly dry state but nope the way we went (route 12) took us along levee banks and drawbridges over large canals and waterways. Unfortunately no photos because the roads and bridges were narrow and no real places to pull over. </p>
<p>We eventually reached the suburban outskirts of San Francisco - and hit a traffic jam several miles long on the 4 lane highway. It was eventually explained by a 2 car smash but left us a little short of time so we stopped at a place called Pleasant Hill (nope we did not agree) for a Togo Sub Sandwich instead of our intended lunch at Red Lobster. Next time...</p>
<p>Back on the road with Hans behind the wheel heading into downtown and we got excited about going over Oakland Bay Bridge. A $4 toll seemed reasonable to us. </p>
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<p> The nice man to collect the cash even smiled for the camera. </p>
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<p>The bridge on ramps and the bridge itself are about 5 miles long in total. We were warned by the sign board "not to text or call and wreck it all". Clever slogan. </p>
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<p>Oakland Bay Bridge today is largely a new bridge after the tragic collapse of part of the old bridge in an earthquake in 1989. The old bridge is still there in places, but did not appear to be in use.</p>
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<p> Looks good with the San Francisco skyline appearing to the right. </p>
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<p> We are getting closer and closer to downtown San Francisco.</p>
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<p>Getting to the car park to return the car turned out to be very easy. Take the off ramp on 5th Street and follow it through almost to the end a small block left and right and we are there. </p>
<p>Our rental car was due back at 3pm and we dropped it in at 2.35pm. We cleared out all our gear, took the lift up to street level and found our hostel - directly opposite where we exited on the other side of the road. 321 Mason Street.</p>
<p>In all our travels we have never had a shorter distance to wheel our luggage!</p>
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<p>HI downtown was very well rated for location and we understand why. It's just 2 blocks from Union Square to probably a fraction of the nightly rate for many of the neighboring posh hotels.</p>
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<p>We were able to check in despite a 3pm check in time and were given a small room with a shared bathroom and a "double bed" that was actually one of those tri bed bunks. </p>
<p> Di thought that Hans would not fit lengthwise and went downstairs to check on alternatives. None available - the place is fully booked and she was told that at $99+tax per night we had got a really good deal! </p>
<p> OK we will make it work with Di sleeping "upstairs".</p>
<p>The rest of the hostel's facilities looked good as we put on a load of washing, made a cup of tea and checked emails etc in the kitchen area and then put our clothes in for an hour to dry. With an hour to wait we decided to check out the local "hood". </p>
<p>Yep, we are close to Union Square. This is Powell Street with the street car (trolley) and the iconic Westin St. Francis hotel. Union Square is to the right.</p>
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<p>An obligatory selfie in Union Square. It is very different from what Hans remembers from more than 17 years ago. All cleaned up with people even having coffees and wines at tables in bistros. Although lots of homeless people, often mentally disturbed, still wander nearby. </p>
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<p>There is something you instantly notice about San Francisco, the gap between the have and have nots is huge and more evident than elsewhere (even LA or NYC). Lots of beggars standing outside Apple stores, Armani exchange and posh hotels. There was even one outside our hostel.</p>
<p>We stopped into this Art Gallery and admired photos by Jim Marshall and Brian Duffy of iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, David Bowie, Greatful Dead and more. </p>
<p>Fantastic images which you could buy for somewhere between $2k and $8k. We took a business card and dreamed on.</p>
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<p>By 5pm we were back to collect our dried clean clothes and have quick showers before heading out for a light dinner at a cheap, local Thai place that looked good. </p>
<p>The Old Siam was excellent and in fact the dish Di chose of Basil Chilli Duck was perhaps one of the best Thai stir fries Di has ordered in many years. Yummy and cheap at $12 with rice. All up, our bill was $22. Surprising bargain for quality and quantity.</p>
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<p> Back to our hostel for some blogging and relaxing in the lounge area. </p>
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<p>A lazy evening followed as we overheard the young travellers giving each other travel and accomodation tips. And also preparing for pub crawls. Ahhhh... Youth. Good night.</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-45557269234504899762014-10-21T21:06:00.000+11:002014-10-23T01:03:15.785+11:00Tue 21 Oct - South Lake Tahoe, CA
<p> This morning, we made a futile attempt to enjoy the breakfast at our motel, but we just couldn't. Just to illustrate how bad it was, when we drove off for today's hike, we stopped at... McDonalds. </p>
<p>The Egg McMuffins we ordered were heaven compared to the hotel's sugar breakfast of chocolate iced danishes. Here is Di queuing up...</p>
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<p> On the way to our hike today, we suddenly saw a bunch of people on the road, looking up into the woods. What was going on? We stopped the car.</p>
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<p> Oh yes, it was Mama Bear with her not so young anymore cub having an "all you can eat" termite feast. Just next to the road. Totally ignoring all the punters nearby (less than 10 metres away).</p>
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<p>As Mama Bear was ripping through the termite infested tree, the sawdust (for want of a better word) kept flying.</p>
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<p> Amazing. Hans has twice seen bears in the wild before, but never as close as this. And not more than one. It was Di's first time, but we were both excited and very pleased to have experienced this.</p>
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<p> We continued the drive around Emerald Bay where there is a vista point with the most amazing views. </p>
<p>Fannette Island in the picture is apparently the only island in Lake Tahoe. It is a granite outcrop that survived the glaciers being pushed down the valley. </p>
<p>From the sign boards we learned more about Lake Tahoe, including that it is about 500 metres deep, making it the 3rd deepest lake in North America. </p>
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<p> Some of the mountains on the northern side of Lake Tahoe had some early snow on their tops.</p>
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<p> And this house down on the foreshore of Emerald Bay is Vikingsholm, our destination for today's hike. More on Vikingsholm later.</p>
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<p> Today's hike was part of the Rubicon Trail in the D.L.Bliss State Park. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the camping ground where the trailhead was had closed for the season and we had to park outside the gates which made our hike 2 miles longer as we came back the same way.</p>
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<p> The hike turned out as per below, 16.8km in total, along the western edge of Emerald Bay</p>
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<p>Plenty of post termite eating damage around from those "cuddly" animals we saw earlier...</p>
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<p> We soon arrived at the trailhead and as noted we were hiking to Vikingsholm and back the same way.</p>
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<p> The trail started off very wide with very soft underlay for our feet. Such a difference from yesterday's very rocky path.</p>
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<p> Fantastic views almost all the way and we are not referring to Hans here.</p>
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<p> Looking south along the western shore of Lake Tahoe before heading along Emerald Bay. </p>
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<p> The day started off overcast, but the clouds soon burnt off and we had a sunny hike for most of the time. Also very different from yesterday was that there was hardly any wind today, very calm.</p>
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<p> The rocks were closing in on Di... Can she get out of there alive...?</p>
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<p>Yes, she did. </p>
<p>Along the way we passed Boat Camp, which was also closed for the season. Below is one of those lock boxes to keep food away from bears. As you may see on the sticker, they take this seriously as you can get fined up to $1,000 if you leave food around and it attracts the bears. </p>
<p>The reason is that bears then very quickly associate humans with food and keep coming back for more, creating a nuisance for subsequent visitors. </p>
<p>Unfortunately that means the poor bears suffer as they get moved to another location or destroyed. </p>
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<p> The southern side of Emerald Bay had a landslide at some point, partly across the road we just travelled on. Hardly any risk of that today in drought stricken California.</p>
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<p> After 8+km of hiking, we arrived at Vikingsholm. </p>
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<p> A selfie seemed almost mandatory...</p>
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<p> The story of Vikingsholm can be found on this board (as can the reflection of Hans taking the photo).</p>
<p>Vikingsholm was commissioned by a lady named Laura Josephine Knight who thought that Emerald Bay reminded her of Norweigian fjords. Mrs Knight had a Swedish nephew by marriage who was an architect and she asked him to create an old Scandinavian homestead for her.</p>
<p>Hence the Swedish name of the place and use of old building techniques and features. Vikingsholm was completed in 1929. </p>
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<p>You find this quite often in the U.S. - wealthy eccentrics build amazing homes which eventually are left to the State. Hearst Castle is a classic example but this one is very nice. </p>
<p> A few external pictures around Vikingsholm which of course was closed for the season so we couldn't go inside.</p>
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<p> This would have been the main entrance from the road and away from the water.</p>
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<p> Timber everywhere just as in old Scandinavian houses. Hans thought it was pretty authentic from what he saw. </p>
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<p> Yes, we did check out what we could.</p>
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<p> Vikingsholm of course had a jetty and since it is today owned by California State Parks, events like weddings and so forth are held here. Pity the poor bride who is trying to keep her balance on this twisted Boardwalk. </p>
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<p> The sign is self explanatory... Mrs Knight had a tea house out on the island and you could still make out its structure from the shore. </p>
<p>Clearly people thought it as an attraction worth attempting the swim. The surface layer of the water never gets warmer than about 19 degrees but below...brrr...</p>
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<p> Suddenly we see a paddle steamer approaching the shore. It didn't anchor, but we could clearly hear commentary from its loudspeakers.</p>
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<p>After eating our tuna and crackers lunch that we brought with us at a picnic table on the beach, we started our return hike. This made us laugh. We hadn't seen it on the way there, but now it was very visible...</p>
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<p> And in profile... Somebody had a bit of fun there.</p>
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<p> The one and only place with a sort of waterfall along the trail. It is dry in the California nature otherwise.</p>
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<p> When we returned to where we had parked our car, we had an imposing visitor parked right next to us. Di had room to get in to drive (on the left) but no chance for Hans. After a bit of maneuvering, we got out of there, but the RV punter kept it close.</p>
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<p> On the way back, we drove into Nevada a little bit, with the expectation that gasoline would be less expensive there as California is known to be a high taxing state. It wasn't so and after a bit of interstate touring, we filled up the tank just around the corner from where we are staying. </p>
<p>A quick visit to Raleys for some provisons for breakfast followed (we can't do Maccas or donuts again!) then we went back to base to chill.</p>
<p>Just before 7pm we opted for dinner out again, this time at Base Camp Pizza which was highly rated by TripAdvisor. </p>
<p>Good choice - Base Camp Pizza was full and we had to wait 15 minutes for a table. </p>
<p>This was not a chore because we were able to try the Base Camp Golden Ale and Base Camp Alcoholic lemonade - both pretty good. Drunk through glass jars.</p>
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<p>Our server showed us to a booth (excellent as we love booths) and we already knew what we wanted - Base Camp all the way with Base Camp house salad and Base Camp house pizza (with extra garlic of course). </p>
<p>Cheers while we waited.</p>
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<p> The house salad and pizza were both excellent and really good value. Thankfully we only ordered a medium pizza - see photo below - it was loaded and still a struggle to finish. </p>
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<p>We took our time as the atmosphere was great and Hans tried a new beer - Ballast Point Sculpin IPA - which was one of the best IPAs he has tried in USA (and last year he tried quite a few!). </p>
<p>Di asked for a shot of Grand Marnier (a nice dessert treat) and instead for 2 shots in a tumbler. Plenty to keep us going.</p>
<p>Feeling mellow we got back back to our motel just before 9pm, happy after a great meal and great day at Lake Tahoe. We could easily spend another week here.</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-40181940481578079132014-10-20T21:22:00.000+11:002014-10-21T14:34:10.424+11:00Mon 20 Oct - South Lake Tahoe, CA
<p> Dawn. Moon is up, we are up, but not too many others are up at Blue Jays Motel in South Lake Tahoe.</p>
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<p> After enjoying a sugar loaded continental breakfast (we actually went back to our room and got our own cereal) we were on our way to the trailhead for the Mount Tallac hike. </p>
<p>We arrived in the car park first and met the Ranger and chatted for a while about bears and the trail as we had seen a few road signs nearby that were not reassuring. </p>
<p>The <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ranger had said we would be unlikely to see any bears on the way but even if we did they are small Californian Black Bears and will move away from us but he did advise us about a strong wind warning from 11am today. </span></p>
<p><font color="#000000" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2WRdLv8tbqY/VEWaaU9IzzI/AAAAAAAAd-Y/CaMtpYh28uM/s2048/Photo%25252020141020162302.jpg" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2WRdLv8tbqY/VEWaaU9IzzI/AAAAAAAAd-Y/CaMtpYh28uM/s500/Photo%25252020141020162302.jpg" id="blogsy-1413860699041.6394" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></font></p>
<p>Mount Tallac is 9,735 feet high (or just under 3,000 metres) in an area known as Desolation Wilderness. Therefore, you need a day permit, free of charge, and to register that you are going into the area. Di got out the pen...<br></p>
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<p>We headed out at 8.15am. The trail starts just south of Lake Tahoe and promises great views of that lake and passing several other lakes on the way. </p>
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<p> It might not be clear from this map but the trail is about 8km each way but climbs constantly and steeply - a total of 1,000 metres. The Mount Tallac hike is described as "strenuous". </p>
<p>There may be a message here...</p>
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<p> But the hike was not strenuous to start with - it did climb constantly but was not too steep for the first 4km as it followed the top of a ridge. </p>
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<p> The new hiking poles we bought yesterday in Vacaville got a serious workout as the trail surface was a lot of loose rock. Di got going well on the flatter stretches but slowed down on the steeper steps. </p>
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<p> Now about bears... We didn't see any but we know they are out there with this sort of deposit on the trail a few times. That looked like berries and one animal that really likes berries would be...</p>
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<p> After an hour of hiking, we reached a first break area on a little lake called Floating Island Lake. Very picturesque with the big Mount Tallac in the background and Di nibbling an apple in the shadows. </p>
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<p> Funny things happens whenever Di decides it is time for a bush "bathroom break". </p>
<p>Despite being all alone on the trail she hides behind a tree because someone always comes along. Yes it happened here too. Every time it makes us laugh and we can't understand the coincidence of timing (Hans suggests people rush to see Di's bare backside!)</p>
<p>Up up up we continued to Cathedral Lake which was also very pretty. </p>
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<p>Beyond Cathedral Lake the trail got steeper and traversed back and forth. The views were stunning and after 2 hours of walking we took our second break (we aim for one break per hour while hiking).</p>
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<p> The altitude and recent sinus infection started to impact Di's breathing and she opted not to do the last push up mountain. Happy with the views from here and after a short discussion, she headed on her own back down hill (not worried about bears at all!)</p>
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<p> Hans kept going up up up ...Bye Di. Let's get cracking.</p>
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<p> Rocks, rocks and more rocks were the name of the game.</p>
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<p> The stretch from Cathedral Lake up to the saddle was actually the hardest bit. Almost all of this part of the trail was steep and on loose rocks. However, the views just got better and better the higher up Hans got.</p>
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<p> And as Hans arrived at the saddle, the wind kicked in with a ferocious speed at the same time as the temperature dropped. It may look nice here in the picture but it was seriously cold and windy.</p>
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<p> There were only one trail up on the saddle so Hans was not quite sure why the put this marker there.</p>
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<p> Look at the trees. Do you believe that it can be windy up here?</p>
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<p> As Hans hiked more up and up but in a more gentle way, suddenly this encouragement appeared. Hey, there was still another kilometer to go and Hans was getting quite tired at this point.</p>
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<p> Anyway, here is Hans at the summit of Mount Tallac. The wind is obvious again.</p>
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<p> Mount Tallac summit, clearly the highest point for some distance, but surprisingly there were no marker there.</p>
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<p> Of course, the views from the top of Mount Tallac were spectacular. Looking back to where we stay and into Nevada.</p>
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<p> Small patches of snow could still be found in the shade, and in a few places.</p>
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<p> Looking north / northwest of Mount Tallac.</p>
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<p> Just to give the viewer an idea of how it looked up there at Mount Tallac. It could only be summarized as rock scrambling. There were no path or trail at all for the last section, just rocks and rocks and rocks. You had to make your own way. Not very Di-friendly (she's a bit of a scaredy cat on loose big rocks). </p>
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<p> More snow here just off the summit. And looking down there was positively scary even for Hans. It went almost straight down for a very long time. Hans kept his distance.</p>
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<p> The return back from the summit to the trailhead went a lot quicker than getting up there (no surprises). Hans didn't stop for lunch, only water and snacks, and just motored on. He arrived back at the Mount Tallac trailhead around 2.30pm as Di was waiting for him there.</p>
<p>On the way back to our motel, we stopped at Taylor Creek, where life of the Kokanee salmon begins and ends according to this sign. It was a popular spot for fish viewing...</p>
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<p> ...and the Ducks had found their way there too. Funny fish. Alive and ready for spawning, they are predominantly red in appearance, but after spawning they die and become white and float on top or sink to the bottom.</p>
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<p> Back at the motel, we both had showers, a cup of tea and a rest before going interstate for dinner. Going as in walking. To the end of our street and then right and crossing another street to Harrah's Casino.</p>
<p>Yes, we were "splurging" today. We were going for the casino buffet. And we managed to get a nice window table too there on level 18.</p>
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<p> Lots of surprisingly good food stuff on offer. Rib eye carvings and salmon were our favourites. </p>
<p>Di also liked the crepes, cooked to order by a nice Thai intern. </p>
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<p> The weather forecast had been for rain from 6pm, but while the weather front looked threatening, it didn't reach our domain. The front made for some good viewing from our table though.</p>
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<p> At 7pm, after spending $20 on the roulette with the other "low end rollers" and leaving again with $20 some 20 minutes of gambling later, we went back to our room for a quiet evening and early bed time.</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-83888351768920479832014-10-19T19:28:00.000+11:002014-10-20T14:18:45.975+11:00Sun 19 Oct - South Lake Tahoe, CA
<p> It was time for us to say goodbye to Vineet and goodbye to Hunter and move on. So, to finish off, we start this post with a photo from each of them, sort of how we remember Vineet and Hunter from our visit.</p>
<p>Vineet working from home, doing yet another conference call from his laptop.</p>
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<p>And Hunter, if not running around like a mad dog, he was curled up in a heap.</p>
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<p> Around 9am we were packed and ready in our SUV and driving north along road 101 through San Rafael towards Vallejo and Vacaville, our first stop of the day for... shopping. </p>
<p>Hans took the first driving shift through fog (of course as San Francisco is known as "Fog-town") and drove to Vacaville. Ben MacDonald, Hans buddy who he visited last Monday, had recommended Vacaville Premium Outlets as a discount shopping destination for the people of San Francisco.</p>
<p>Once we got there, we were working our way through the various outlet mall parking entrances when Hans accidentally ran a red light. Whew - we got lucky, nothing was coming as it was still quiet at 10am but it gave us a small fright. </p>
<p>We then saw another car do exactly the same thing, driving against the red light. The road markings and lights at that spot were quite difficult to follow so Hans didnt feel as bad.</p>
<p>Now shopping is not our usual style but we do love U.S. Nike outlet stores for buying our favourite sneakers at much better prices than back home. So we bought 2 pairs each. </p>
<p>Hans got a pair of Nike Pegasus, same as what he already had, but instead of paying $160 as he did in Australia, he paid U$48 here. For exactly the same shoes but in a different colour.</p>
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<p> The highlight though was finding official Australian soccer team supporter jackets for $29.99 each. In Vacaville, California? We had to buy one each. </p>
<p>And as we queued up to pay for it all, they played "Send me an angel" by the Australian 80s group Real Life. What's the connection?</p>
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<p>We followed our success at Nike with a visit to a nearby sports store for hiking poles, which looked fine and again were much cheaper than we saw in hiking stores back in Oz. </p>
<p>This was followed by a quick snack of some fruit and water before we hit Walmart for hiking food supplies, and wine! </p>
<p>We had missed Walmart and even though it gets bagged by Americans and others, it serves a purpose and is a Traveller's Friend. </p>
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<p>On the road again we headed further east, driving through Sacramento, which from what we could see was not worth a visit as it sits on a dry plain where two rivers meet. Maybe it has nice parks by the rivers but we did not bother stopping. </p>
<p>The freeway I80 continued about 30 minutes drive past Sacramento and started climbing to a little town called Placerville, where the mountain road starts. </p>
<p>Time for lunch and we were delighted to find some diner joints in Placerville including a Mel's Diner. We were particularly looking for a diner to stop, and had to stop there as Carrie had recommended it to us. </p>
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<p> The original Mel's Diner in San Francisco featured in the movie American Graffiti, so there were lots of old photos and memorabilia of the movie on the walls to keep us amused while we waited for our food. The server and staff were all busy for Sunday lunch.</p>
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<p>A very young Ron Howard was looking at us from the old American Graffiti posters.</p>
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<p>Mel's Diner's menu features about 30 different types of burgers and sandwiches and servings as usual were generous. Quite yummy but seriously filling together with bottomless coffee too we left a bit stuffed.</p>
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<p> The decor is exactly what it should be in a diner with plenty of booths and stools at the counter. </p>
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<p> Di took over the driving as she is not a good passenger on windy mountain roads. Up up up into the mountains with a 55mph speed limit when most of the time 40mph was your average speed so we had time to notice the scenery (and the signs warning for deer - oh dear not again!)</p>
<p>This little hamlet called Strawberry was so cute that we had to pull over for a quick photo break. It reminded us of the drive from Mariposa into Yosemite National Park.</p>
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<p> More climbing before you finally push through to the other side and are met with this view of Lake Tahoe and surrounds. Another photo break because it was truly stunning. </p>
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<p> South Lake Tahoe where our motel, Blue Jay Lodge, is located just inside the California state border - this is our motel.</p>
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<p> And when you spin around from the very same spot, this is the view the other way - the tall buildings are casinos and are located in Nevada (ie: the end of our street). Harrah's Casino is to the far right.</p>
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<p> We just had to walk to the stateline, marked with this silver post symbolizing a hitching post for the old Pony Express, which came through here from St Joseph to Sacramento. </p>
<p>Behind Di is the entrance to Harrah's casino which inside was like all other casinos. We checked out their eating facilities, but did not hang around.</p>
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<p>Instead we headed down to the beach at Lake Tahoe. Lovely space but all fenced in. Yes, the public are welcome but when an attendant is on duty you have to pay to get in. </p>
<p>We are so glad this does not happen in Australia. No attendant at 5.30pm when we were there so we wandered in and enjoyed the views. </p>
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<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We did feel the water and we did not think it was very cold. In a month's time we expect it will be quite a different story as this is definitely an alpine town. </span></p>
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<p>Di tried the water a second way - tasted fine. </p>
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<p> A slow wander back to our hotel and we knew we didn't need much for dinner so opted for a family run outdoor taco stand that is next to our hotel. </p>
<p>2 soft tacos each at $2 a taco was a bargain and delicious. And all we needed after our big lunch. </p>
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<p> Back to Blue Jays Motel after a pretty big day. </p>
<p>A side note about our motel - it's cheap and cheerful and cost less than US$90 in total for 3 nights (with continental breakfast) but...it has some quirks. </p>
<p>The usual shortage of power points and some signs of DIY electrical work but also a wet carpet from steam cleaning. When Di went back to the office and mentioned it and asked for a dry carpet room she was told there were none. </p>
<p>Hans was given a different story. We could have another room with dry carpet which had 2 beds but had to promise we would share just 1 bed. </p>
<p>We laughed and stuck with the wet carpet and kept a fan going for a while. It will probably be OK tomorrow when we return from our hike. Not a big deal, and for the price, we suppose that you have to accept some compromises.</p>
<p>Quiet evening in our motel room followed, planning for a strenuous hike tomorrow and for the following day. A glass of wine supplemented the planning. Good night.</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-34190355250360301252014-10-18T21:02:00.000+11:002014-10-19T14:11:43.170+11:00Sat 18 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p>Today we picked up our car. But not until 3pm. And it is a Saturday. So, to break up the morning and fill the day we started off by walking along Tiburon Historic Trail from Vineet's place to Tiburon Wharf. It's about 5km and pretty flat so really just a stroll.</p><p>The plan was to have brunch at Sam's Cafe, then take the ferry to town and then walk to O'Farrell Street just off Union Square to get the car and drive it back to Vineet's place in Tiburon, ready for tomorrow's drive to South Lake Tahoe.</p><p>As usual, we arrived at Tiburon Wharf too early for eating brunch, around 10am, so we started off with a less than satisfactory coffee each at another place there called Cafe Acri, followed by a wander along Tiburon's shoreline.</p><p>The building behind Di used to be a railroad depot and is now a railroad and ferry museum. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zpJoW1yPUxE/VEL_uEzFsDI/AAAAAAAAd3g/44FMCTSpLXM/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zpJoW1yPUxE/VEL_uEzFsDI/AAAAAAAAd3g/44FMCTSpLXM/s500/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195304.2996" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> This is how Sam's Cafe looked from Main Street...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8iJfDiJspwI/VEL_vwm5MvI/AAAAAAAAd3o/lbY4psyaukQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8iJfDiJspwI/VEL_vwm5MvI/AAAAAAAAd3o/lbY4psyaukQ/s500/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195267.0354" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> ...but it is a whole other world on the outer wooden deck - and that is its attraction. You can see the deck over the water in the middle of the photo below. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z9xAXnugSlU/VEL_x6JzNnI/AAAAAAAAd3w/VagGzFQ7a7M/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z9xAXnugSlU/VEL_x6JzNnI/AAAAAAAAd3w/VagGzFQ7a7M/s500/Photo%25252020141018170252.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195259.8916" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Busy, busy around 11am when we arrived. It is so different to Australia in terms of skin cancer awareness as there was no shade whatsoever anywhere out on that deck. Apparently there never is, even in the height of summer. That would never happen in Oz. </p><p>We smeared on SPF50 sun screen, Hans borrowed Di's New York Yankees baseball cap and then we hoped for the best as we soaked in the atmosphere.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5myqKExG6x0/VEL_z0XO6aI/AAAAAAAAd34/XQxSyEXpofY/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5myqKExG6x0/VEL_z0XO6aI/AAAAAAAAd34/XQxSyEXpofY/s500/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195321.7983" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> We ordered two classical brunch dishes, eggs Benedict with ham and salmon, hash and poached eggs and shared both portions between us. Di got into the spirit with a a Mimosa too. </p><p>The dishes were all quite good and tasty, but perhaps not fantastic. Service was excellent as usual in the U.S.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bE6wn32wJXI/VEL_1xm7LbI/AAAAAAAAd4A/P6-HXAvcXXE/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bE6wn32wJXI/VEL_1xm7LbI/AAAAAAAAd4A/P6-HXAvcXXE/s500/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195332.75" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Full and happy, next we queued up for the 12.45pm ferry from Tiburon Wharf to Pier 41 in San Francisco. </p><p>So were a lot of other people. As well as many people exiting the ferry from town. Must be a weekend.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xPm2KIDGNeI/VEL_31jqZdI/AAAAAAAAd4I/Fo6ht6zbBJc/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xPm2KIDGNeI/VEL_31jqZdI/AAAAAAAAd4I/Fo6ht6zbBJc/s500/Photo%25252020141018170253.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195263.8538" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> A sparkling sunny glittering day on the Bay and Di is happy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvP4o-b8Gjk4HMGXsrM-Gdzh_GNFvk7-20TIwDmoGR_2u1ptZ6J8O8np-uyIyXyFltxOSa6VKIiY-8uUri2tC4u1Z1tJw81SGNcM3yJGO8c3C3PqD8rPjJJm4QbQNWzwAgrKdlNVEByk/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvP4o-b8Gjk4HMGXsrM-Gdzh_GNFvk7-20TIwDmoGR_2u1ptZ6J8O8np-uyIyXyFltxOSa6VKIiY-8uUri2tC4u1Z1tJw81SGNcM3yJGO8c3C3PqD8rPjJJm4QbQNWzwAgrKdlNVEByk/s500/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195326.4607" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> From Pier 41, we wandered roughly towards O'Farrell Street, with 2 hours before we were due to pick up our car. </p><p>Along the way we managed to find another piece of Lombard Street which culminated in Pioneer Park. The main feature of that park is Coit Tower, a name that triggered a few Australian jokes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yno7GfLBfaM/VEL_6z2RAbI/AAAAAAAAd4Y/qE1F2ag6A1A/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yno7GfLBfaM/VEL_6z2RAbI/AAAAAAAAd4Y/qE1F2ag6A1A/s500/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195325.5828" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Yes, we speculated whether Lillie Hitchcock Coit could have been Russell's wife (non-Australian probably should not even attempt to understand the joke). Di got it though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V2p7DzzcOzg/VEL_88w6-OI/AAAAAAAAd4g/PHUjkjTqEuc/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V2p7DzzcOzg/VEL_88w6-OI/AAAAAAAAd4g/PHUjkjTqEuc/s500/Photo%25252020141018170254.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195284.9883" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Ha, who would have thought that coyotes would have found themselves to a hilltop park in the middle of San Francisco, but clearly some had given this warning sign in Pioneer Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GAcB-U9Js9I/VEMAActCDhI/AAAAAAAAd4o/30fmp1NOs5E/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GAcB-U9Js9I/VEMAActCDhI/AAAAAAAAd4o/30fmp1NOs5E/s500/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195334.1372" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> This is NOT Lombard Street but in San Francisco there are many steep streets to keep you fit and we liked this one, as did others. Filbert Street looking west.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_FFlBYSvTNw/VEMAC2PaN0I/AAAAAAAAd4w/iDm44E9wFVQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_FFlBYSvTNw/VEMAC2PaN0I/AAAAAAAAd4w/iDm44E9wFVQ/s500/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195313.8804" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p>Down towards what we thought would be Chinatown but first we seemed to have hit the entertainment district (more for adults...). Broadway Street but it would soon cross Grant Avenue which is...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3tLpzsBVYGY/VEMAEpDzZCI/AAAAAAAAd44/nEeB47wUi64/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3tLpzsBVYGY/VEMAEpDzZCI/AAAAAAAAd44/nEeB47wUi64/s500/Photo%25252020141018170255.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195274.7146" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Chinatown looked all fun and we will probably explore a bit more maybe in the dark to see the neon signs (although there are definitely areas around there that looked like they would be downright dodgy after dark). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nl5KuQ224YI/VEMAzx9harI/AAAAAAAAd5E/_eDj0S0lulQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nl5KuQ224YI/VEMAzx9harI/AAAAAAAAd5E/_eDj0S0lulQ/s500/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195340.9312" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Finally into Chinatown and we felt at home...again.</p><p>Di spotted the "House of Dim Sum" so we had to investigate. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eQyNYjJWb6s/VEMA1ta8arI/AAAAAAAAd5M/MPpnu_DjWe0/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eQyNYjJWb6s/VEMA1ta8arI/AAAAAAAAd5M/MPpnu_DjWe0/s500/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195311.9607" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>And try...what a bargain. 4 mixed pieces of your choice, including prawn and chive dumplings, for $3. Delicious. </p><p>So we went back for a second helping and the Chinese woman behind the counter was laughing at us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H1XJ_ltxdTE/VEMA3RL72GI/AAAAAAAAd5U/lVnbFFlnLw8/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H1XJ_ltxdTE/VEMA3RL72GI/AAAAAAAAd5U/lVnbFFlnLw8/s500/Photo%25252020141018170735.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195358.4968" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> And as usual we were the only Caucasians among the Chinese. Why does that happen so often?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXqZQLpQvaE/VEMA5LL3vaI/AAAAAAAAd5c/AUXdSf58X0w/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXqZQLpQvaE/VEMA5LL3vaI/AAAAAAAAd5c/AUXdSf58X0w/s500/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195360.9587" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>More wandering in the general direction of O'Farrell Street until we stumbled onto Union Square and knew we were close to Thrifty Car Rental (and only a block from our Mason Street accommodation when we return to San Francisco on Wednesday).</p><p>Hans booked a Wild Card deal which means Thrifty could give us almost any spare car, economy or better. So we got a huge SUV. Nice. </p><p>The Thrifty staff were charming, and yes we took damage insurance for the car this time in case of deer encounters (really, could we be that unlucky again?) </p><p>One thing that confuses us, and the Thrifty staff can't explain it either, is why the 2 car keys are permanently cabled together? If you lose one you lose both! The staff can't undo them either. We asked.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k3J5Fd3GdxA/VEMA64nRM-I/AAAAAAAAd5k/vGO3XQfBV1g/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k3J5Fd3GdxA/VEMA64nRM-I/AAAAAAAAd5k/vGO3XQfBV1g/s500/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195361.3533" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> So we set out and Hans drove well without needing directions to the Golden Gate Bridge (too easy).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XpmInBIncu8/VEMA8n3FgII/AAAAAAAAd5s/t-1ROuIDiRI/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XpmInBIncu8/VEMA8n3FgII/AAAAAAAAd5s/t-1ROuIDiRI/s500/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195332.5042" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Hans was confident behind the wheel and liked driving across the bridge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8f5KhV6qdyM93M8wRIg1kYsScuUSX6hCBZnv6TNFsJ86vFkB8YjgBreKRuRXBqCmAaxcS_n5BUYVT-0YmyL48dG1ahEvDKS-HKW93QwyY-cKnMuXSkhNsBorA1HNsdL2ZuXYBu2DiHc/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8f5KhV6qdyM93M8wRIg1kYsScuUSX6hCBZnv6TNFsJ86vFkB8YjgBreKRuRXBqCmAaxcS_n5BUYVT-0YmyL48dG1ahEvDKS-HKW93QwyY-cKnMuXSkhNsBorA1HNsdL2ZuXYBu2DiHc/s500/Photo%25252020141018170736.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195357.5361" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> We laughed about the guys in the car ahead of us, who did the whole bridge with a hand stuck out of the window videoing the whole trip across the bridge. </p><p>Look closely on the front right side. Would they really go home to Nevada and watch all that footage again?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PLWneBsLNw4/VEMA_4O0A1I/AAAAAAAAd58/-2vDpeipT50/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PLWneBsLNw4/VEMA_4O0A1I/AAAAAAAAd58/-2vDpeipT50/s500/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195348.8853" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>But then we made a mistake. We, like hundreds of others thought we should stop at Vista Point. Bad idea. </p><p>A traffic jam and way too touristy. Once we got through it we did not stop. Why fighting for a parking space with all these punters? Yuck. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q0_Y8zgxM38/VEMBBb-VyCI/AAAAAAAAd6E/AJvVHNvD8OU/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q0_Y8zgxM38/VEMBBb-VyCI/AAAAAAAAd6E/AJvVHNvD8OU/s500/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195300.2761" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> So instead we headed through a tunnel up to the Marin Headland through a tunnel. Far more interesting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bc-BZOuJAro/VEMBDFCw3BI/AAAAAAAAd6M/iMoWfvm7XFY/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bc-BZOuJAro/VEMBDFCw3BI/AAAAAAAAd6M/iMoWfvm7XFY/s500/Photo%25252020141018170737.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195349.8804" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> And better views too! Background people, background.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kLVK7ZoDZiM/VEMBErlhTzI/AAAAAAAAd6U/MC1K7QhKLo8/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kLVK7ZoDZiM/VEMBErlhTzI/AAAAAAAAd6U/MC1K7QhKLo8/s500/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195345.4604" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> What a day! San Francisco at its best. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w6TPsRSa5zw/VEMBGtk2maI/AAAAAAAAd6c/Tiy_wYsO8jY/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w6TPsRSa5zw/VEMBGtk2maI/AAAAAAAAd6c/Tiy_wYsO8jY/s500/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195368.5342" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Lots of shipping still comes under the Golden Gate and heads in and out between the headlands to the Pacific. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8acLiuvUXf8/VEMBIHw3AQI/AAAAAAAAd6k/OkULcrwFV5s/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8acLiuvUXf8/VEMBIHw3AQI/AAAAAAAAd6k/OkULcrwFV5s/s500/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195325.2688" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Our hire car posed too. It is a Chevrolet Equinox by the way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZBCkrZg2EQ/VEMBKBCzaII/AAAAAAAAd6s/RHBSu6crFsA/s2048/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kZBCkrZg2EQ/VEMBKBCzaII/AAAAAAAAd6s/RHBSu6crFsA/s500/Photo%25252020141018170738.jpg" id="blogsy-1413688195344.432" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>We were back at Vineet's place before 5pm, parked our rental car outside and had a cup of tea followed by a shower followed by a cold beer. For Hans. And a couple more beers later. </p><p>Of course, Di cooked up a storm again and we had a lovely dinner together yet again. </p><p>Tomorrow, we will hit the road.</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-46677278771797727632014-10-17T21:43:00.000+11:002014-10-19T01:08:30.957+11:00Fri 17 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p> Today, we were going to Isla de los Los Angeles, or Angel Island as it is called these days. </p><p>Angel Island used to be the "Ellis Island of the West" where immigrants from the Pacific were housed and processed. The island also had other uses like housing several garrisons of soldiers, a prisoner of war camp during WWII and a setting for an anti missile battery during the Cold War. These days, Angel Island is a California State Park.</p><p>Angel Island is also a less than 20 minutes ferry ride from Tiburon Wharf.</p><p>First ferry departure for the day was 10am meaning a relaxing start for the day. We dressed up in hiking gear and packed sandwiches for lunch, snacks and water to grab bus 219 down to the wharf.</p><p>Yes, the "rust bucket" behind Di is the Angel Island ferry for the day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qKEgKYB-VK0/VEG31Tbhm-I/AAAAAAAAdyo/43cqNLLFs8I/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174356.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qKEgKYB-VK0/VEG31Tbhm-I/AAAAAAAAdyo/43cqNLLFs8I/s500/Photo%25252020141017174356.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857462.2166" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> All onboard, let's get cracking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0886vDTA1HE/VEG33GWwQZI/AAAAAAAAdyw/n8oaORgCkH4/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174356.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0886vDTA1HE/VEG33GWwQZI/AAAAAAAAdyw/n8oaORgCkH4/s500/Photo%25252020141017174356.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857487.9368" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> These signs were all over Angel Island, one for hikers and one for bikers. Yes, we would agree with the natural history / cultural history split. Angel Island had both.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6GY3MlxAKcc/VEG35QWHoAI/AAAAAAAAdy4/pcDelzJG960/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6GY3MlxAKcc/VEG35QWHoAI/AAAAAAAAdy4/pcDelzJG960/s500/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857525.7627" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The ferry docked at Ayala Cove on Angel Island, which looked like a little settlement. As we got off the ferry we saw a group of kids dressed in civil war outfits and we worked out later that there are quite a few camps on the island but the groups were not headed our way. </p><p>Our way was an initial set of stairs and we let a group of kids go past huffing and puffing (they all looked fit enough but they still panted...)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-48u-5ame6so/VEG37ar7duI/AAAAAAAAdzA/HXT39LSlhYQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-48u-5ame6so/VEG37ar7duI/AAAAAAAAdzA/HXT39LSlhYQ/s500/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857501.69" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> So, up the hill we hiked, onto something called North Ridge Trail. Basically, there are two destinations or routes on the island, to the top and around the perimeter. We did both, starting with a hike to the top and finishing with an anti clockwise loop. This was how it panned out - 17 kms in total. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AmgQV7-dSrs/VEG_7y5_eAI/AAAAAAAAd2o/XXbrXJLD3u0/s1402/Photo%25252020141017181837.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AmgQV7-dSrs/VEG_7y5_eAI/AAAAAAAAd2o/XXbrXJLD3u0/s500/Photo%25252020141017181837.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857457.8135" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="437"></a></div><p> And to put Angel Island into perspective in relation to Tiburon and Sausalito. San Francisco is south / southeast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yVjhv9cBlV0/VEG_9NWG9GI/AAAAAAAAd2w/JEpofTJKjvc/s1531/Photo%25252020141017181837.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yVjhv9cBlV0/VEG_9NWG9GI/AAAAAAAAd2w/JEpofTJKjvc/s500/Photo%25252020141017181837.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857505.5952" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="353"></a></div><p> A couple of trail shots...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZlbFz7eIXKw/VEG39W2cfOI/AAAAAAAAdzI/4RwlF1cQvvU/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZlbFz7eIXKw/VEG39W2cfOI/AAAAAAAAdzI/4RwlF1cQvvU/s500/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857516.3264" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> There were a lot of switch backs up which extended the length of walking but made it a lot easier to climb the 250 metre altitude than if it would have gone straighter up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xlvpvlE3sTM/VEG4ATYWTaI/AAAAAAAAdzQ/hVd4qsJnxr8/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xlvpvlE3sTM/VEG4ATYWTaI/AAAAAAAAdzQ/hVd4qsJnxr8/s500/Photo%25252020141017174357.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857482.5796" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The views only got better and better as we came closer to the top. This is looking north with Richmond San Rafael Bridge in the distance and the southeast corner of the Tiburon peninsula.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tz_ioZXYCyw/VEG4DNeLcfI/AAAAAAAAdzY/GukffHIm8OE/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tz_ioZXYCyw/VEG4DNeLcfI/AAAAAAAAdzY/GukffHIm8OE/s500/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857473.9622" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Top of the world...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DOSqp74RVlM/VEG4FjuUEDI/AAAAAAAAdzg/_2tgqKenGm0/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DOSqp74RVlM/VEG4FjuUEDI/AAAAAAAAdzg/_2tgqKenGm0/s500/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857472.0542" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Show off...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-svcVZRLfdnU/VEG4H6f6NoI/AAAAAAAAdzo/KMPon7I6fCM/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-svcVZRLfdnU/VEG4H6f6NoI/AAAAAAAAdzo/KMPon7I6fCM/s500/Photo%25252020141017174358.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857473.4958" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>We reached the top of Mount Livermore (781 feet) and rewarded ourselves with a cup of tea and our favourite chocolate chip biscuits (Chip Ahoy) in its little picnic area. On a side note...it's funny how returning to the U.S. after 1 year some food items just leapt back into the grocery shopping basket...</p><p>Our picnic table was shared with a couple from Cape Cod who very civilized had brought a bottle of red wine with them to the top from which they poured themselves a glass each. Respect. </p><p>We chatted a while and they gave us a tip of a walk for another day. They come to San Fran every year, and have done so for the last 25 years, but they still didn't know the name of the big black raptors we saw regularly in the skies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6PhhXUIN3EQ/VEG5WA_7J_I/AAAAAAAAd0M/Iqos1wpUxMM/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175019.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6PhhXUIN3EQ/VEG5WA_7J_I/AAAAAAAAd0M/Iqos1wpUxMM/s500/Photo%25252020141017175019.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857465.478" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Downtown San Francisco and Alcatraz from a higher viewpoint. You can see everything from the top of Angel Island. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EgHM3v5f46A/VEG4J4CIshI/AAAAAAAAdzw/n5RZb1cgBTw/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EgHM3v5f46A/VEG4J4CIshI/AAAAAAAAdzw/n5RZb1cgBTw/s500/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857529.2778" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Daggy but we just had to do a selfie with Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Sorry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jz74i3SebfI/VEG4L267eoI/AAAAAAAAdz4/z3F4RJ2N8aQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jz74i3SebfI/VEG4L267eoI/AAAAAAAAdz4/z3F4RJ2N8aQ/s500/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857507.7412" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Belvedere Island and Tiburon from the top of Mount Livermore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_nzJZMomjxU/VEG4NwhrQII/AAAAAAAAd0A/Ok8TrgYi0U8/s2048/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_nzJZMomjxU/VEG4NwhrQII/AAAAAAAAd0A/Ok8TrgYi0U8/s500/Photo%25252020141017174359.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857551.668" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Next, we partly backtracked down and then took a different route down, on the Sunset Trail, to Perimeter Road which unsurprisingly circles Angel Island. </p><p>Well, there were some vehicles on the island other than bikes and the open air shuttle buses. A crowd of punters on Segways. Well, why not?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRdFTUWYFhAxAQ9UoEQ9hb6B2K36K3cCcS3B5yi0moUwkMVxOeVQeTK6XwspmsBnsX1jBrs33bAe9CCDboWjEvDOfnwDs8wg1zFt7PVUkf-29Xh4hrgXwkZ4ttWeMVQrvOcT7GOu9U0/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175019.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRdFTUWYFhAxAQ9UoEQ9hb6B2K36K3cCcS3B5yi0moUwkMVxOeVQeTK6XwspmsBnsX1jBrs33bAe9CCDboWjEvDOfnwDs8wg1zFt7PVUkf-29Xh4hrgXwkZ4ttWeMVQrvOcT7GOu9U0/s500/Photo%25252020141017175019.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857546.3728" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This piece of tree stump reminded Hans of the artwork "The Scream" by Edvard Munch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pBm6tKiMln8/VEG5dGA2seI/AAAAAAAAd0c/MIhBR5H3Zgc/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pBm6tKiMln8/VEG5dGA2seI/AAAAAAAAd0c/MIhBR5H3Zgc/s500/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857511.2808" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> These trees brought tears to our eyes. Gum trees. Eucalyptus trees. Lots of them. Di became a temporary tree hugger.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LGs4p-458x4/VEG5hG_ageI/AAAAAAAAd0k/SDlDqULJ640/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LGs4p-458x4/VEG5hG_ageI/AAAAAAAAd0k/SDlDqULJ640/s500/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857485.4097" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We had our sandwich picnic lunch at Camp Reynolds next to this lovely old building. It was built back in 1904 and used to be a hospital to treat ill or injured soldiers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WgCuplgWwCo/VEG5jUUbH2I/AAAAAAAAd0s/Wt06mMmO7mc/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WgCuplgWwCo/VEG5jUUbH2I/AAAAAAAAd0s/Wt06mMmO7mc/s500/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857540.7195" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mJBM1snCSGs/VEJyk4BRwTI/AAAAAAAAd3Q/jhsTM7t9qEE/s2048/Photo%25252020141018070042.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mJBM1snCSGs/VEJyk4BRwTI/AAAAAAAAd3Q/jhsTM7t9qEE/s500/Photo%25252020141018070042.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857506.463" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">We had heard from some other visitors that there was deer on Angel Island, but we hadn't seen any until this guy appeared. It seems a bit surreal to see Bambi so close to San Francisco civilisation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q5FbkNQVa-E/VEG5lSFziXI/AAAAAAAAd00/ygSUoUJjft0/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q5FbkNQVa-E/VEG5lSFziXI/AAAAAAAAd00/ygSUoUJjft0/s500/Photo%25252020141017175020.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857522.1514" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And these big black birds that we had seen regularly ...Very graceful fliers and clearly a raptor of some sort. Back home we googled them and found out that they are turkey vultures and are quite common in the Americas. Apparently they are unusual in that they not only hunt via sight but also via smell.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-niuFFn6CqFA/VEG5oCA_7kI/AAAAAAAAd08/eoD1hoXSJYM/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-niuFFn6CqFA/VEG5oCA_7kI/AAAAAAAAd08/eoD1hoXSJYM/s500/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857554.1895" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Suddenly there was a sign with distances in kilometer that came before distance in miles. Up until this point it had been miles only but now we were at the furthest point from Ayala Cove and maybe only Europeans and Australians walk this far...Di seemed to like that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-49eNbWBCRXM/VEG5qw0kPCI/AAAAAAAAd1E/6wYjqqxNATY/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-49eNbWBCRXM/VEG5qw0kPCI/AAAAAAAAd1E/6wYjqqxNATY/s500/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857558.0972" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> A lot of Angel Island along the Perimeter Road looked like this. Pretty barren and dry - not helped by the fact that California is officially in drought. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-yTbMPZ8-Q/VEG5tZUw83I/AAAAAAAAd1M/2Kizt6Pkv1Q/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-yTbMPZ8-Q/VEG5tZUw83I/AAAAAAAAd1M/2Kizt6Pkv1Q/s500/Photo%25252020141017175021.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857513.9788" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Then we came to a cleared area with a dilapidated fence around it. This sign explained what was once there - missiles! Nothing remained of that today though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6XvJBypB1OG1O6V_w0qWrfyWydk6PkjretrftUfd1fTLXhfE7KJB65qfNHGTCBofjSMyMesdpW26BhY2hbUJjlUmVXWbdAOrTotph8yFM5UQ4HY3h6YSMUHmVZUBR5qfzvV58ph-dco/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6XvJBypB1OG1O6V_w0qWrfyWydk6PkjretrftUfd1fTLXhfE7KJB65qfNHGTCBofjSMyMesdpW26BhY2hbUJjlUmVXWbdAOrTotph8yFM5UQ4HY3h6YSMUHmVZUBR5qfzvV58ph-dco/s500/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857580.396" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The area that once housed the East Garrison on Angel Island had plenty of old buildings. While a few buildings had been restored and seemed to house island employees, most of them were unfortunately in various degree of disrepair. You could see that many of these buildings could be absolutely stunningly brought back to their former glory.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QkXS4IMGS68/VEG5xPQUmBI/AAAAAAAAd1c/rAIeIi8oO0I/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QkXS4IMGS68/VEG5xPQUmBI/AAAAAAAAd1c/rAIeIi8oO0I/s500/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857508.644" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> In particular we loved this building, an old hospital. All doors and windows were gone but you could enter and have a look inside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NyS8Qi_0qRw/VEG5zdCQpzI/AAAAAAAAd1k/k1VbsQ76e1c/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NyS8Qi_0qRw/VEG5zdCQpzI/AAAAAAAAd1k/k1VbsQ76e1c/s500/Photo%25252020141017175022.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857518.5266" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> All stairs to the upper levels had been taken out, presumably to prevent accidents.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fp7Y7JkCHHM/VEG51aNLF7I/AAAAAAAAd1s/SO5L7H0fCsc/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fp7Y7JkCHHM/VEG51aNLF7I/AAAAAAAAd1s/SO5L7H0fCsc/s500/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857593.3628" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The many narrow doorways worked to good photographic effect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_kFXAN0uqEU/VEG53xuIXPI/AAAAAAAAd10/7veBDPI-sA4/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_kFXAN0uqEU/VEG53xuIXPI/AAAAAAAAd10/7veBDPI-sA4/s500/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857578.9792" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> Did we mention deer? Yes, after seeing that first one, we saw plenty more of them on the island.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWPkfs9kz1k/VEG56YLgytI/AAAAAAAAd18/7ypDVBfhAlo/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWPkfs9kz1k/VEG56YLgytI/AAAAAAAAd18/7ypDVBfhAlo/s500/Photo%25252020141017175023.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857606.418" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> As we had almost completed our perimeter walk, we came up on the Angel Island Immigration Museum, close to Ayala Cove. Time didn't allow us to explore the area as the last daily ferry departs Angel Island at 3.30pm and time was now close to 3pm. We read the sign - this place was used for 30 years up until 1940 and processed more than 1 million immigrants. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O7nPUnG6xx0/VEG58VecWHI/AAAAAAAAd2E/3QHOhsbjhpQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O7nPUnG6xx0/VEG58VecWHI/AAAAAAAAd2E/3QHOhsbjhpQ/s500/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857519.5366" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The Immigration Museum site was partly surrounded by this fence, presumably to keep deers out of there as what other unwanted guests could there possibly be. However, the fence only covered parts of Perimeter Road to a point. And where the fence finished below, there was clearly a track immediately to its side. Deer?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bqCSo5oyQMg/VEG5_DdPzqI/AAAAAAAAd2M/Pgam-AXsu4o/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bqCSo5oyQMg/VEG5_DdPzqI/AAAAAAAAd2M/Pgam-AXsu4o/s500/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857600.2937" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p>A short banana break at a lovely spot before we completed our hiking back to Ayala Cove. When we arrived we still had a half hour to spare before the 3.30pm ferry would depart so we attempted to get an overpriced coffee at the cafe. No, it had closed. At 3pm. </p><p>We were able to get an ice cream (that we shared) and an awful soda (that we threw away) but why would they not keep it open for another 30 minutes? As other punters proved by arriving after us and trying to open the cafe's closed front door, we were clearly not the only one looking for refreshment before leaving. There is obviously a demand. It couldn't possibly be because the State Park staff are working in a public service...?</p><p>Despite the small disappointment at the end we loved Angel Island. Great mix of nature and culture and we recommend a visit to anyone who comes to San Francisco.</p><p>Back in Tiburon, we ventured to Woodlands Markets to get some provisions (water and wine) before catching bus 219 back to Vineet's place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CUtmgHeEc5c/VEG6A-XJPWI/AAAAAAAAd2U/DK5DvhHR8Q0/s2048/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CUtmgHeEc5c/VEG6A-XJPWI/AAAAAAAAd2U/DK5DvhHR8Q0/s500/Photo%25252020141017175024.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857518.7131" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>Carrie arrived later and Di cooked up another storm for us, poached salmon with leek. Yum. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cIGEagpZajY/VEJr3zKz9pI/AAAAAAAAd3A/nT2m_Hl8ZCc/s2048/Photo%25252020141018063209.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cIGEagpZajY/VEJr3zKz9pI/AAAAAAAAd3A/nT2m_Hl8ZCc/s500/Photo%25252020141018063209.jpg" id="blogsy-1413640857548.3115" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>Good company, some wine and ice cream for dessert and it was not a long before we all called it a day.</p><p>Good night.</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-12532371631809783662014-10-16T20:46:00.000+11:002014-10-18T00:35:42.403+11:00Thu 16 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA
<p>Di is arriving. ETA 11.30am. </p>
<p>Carrie will come and pick up Hans in the morning and they will then drive to SFO, San Francisco International Airport to get Di.</p>
<p>First though, Hans did a load of washing and hang around home. Here is looking down at Vineets living room from the mezzanine level where he keeps his office. Yes, there is Hunter too.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AMlWQIHVo9o/VECVdYRsNRI/AAAAAAAAdxQ/ktpZYpf-y-c/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AMlWQIHVo9o/VECVdYRsNRI/AAAAAAAAdxQ/ktpZYpf-y-c/s500/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552934041.4636" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Di's plane landed 11.11am, almost 20 minutes before scheduled time, but then of course immigration can take a bit of time in the US. </p>
<p>SFO has an interesting concept for friends and family waiting to pick up their loved ones. 5 minutes away by car is a "Cell phone waiting lot". The are even signs for how to drive there from the airport's arrival bay and it is nothing more than an open lot where you can park the car for free while waiting for that "come and get me" phone call. Somehow, we can not see the outrageously expensive Australian airports provide that...</p>
<p>Hans and Carrie did hang there at the "Cell phone parking lot" and suddenly a SMS arrived on Hans' phone. Di was outside just after noon. Yes, she was very happy to see Hans and Hans was very happy to see her. Ahhhhh....</p>
<p>Back in Strawberry on the way to Vineet's place, Di was hungry for lunch and we stopped at In-N-Out for an In-N-Out burger. Welcome to healthy America. Although, the burgers were quite tasty...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9U3wfektv88/VECVfNfdndI/AAAAAAAAdxY/aXkAXCGQGxM/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9U3wfektv88/VECVfNfdndI/AAAAAAAAdxY/aXkAXCGQGxM/s500/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552933989.3052" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Then it was grocery shopping. Safeway is nearby so we stopped there to get ingredients for the next 3 home cooked Di dinners. And a bit more like wine and treats of course.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4tV85OPhvM/VECVg-zXIhI/AAAAAAAAdxg/0HdZC_w7y3A/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M4tV85OPhvM/VECVg-zXIhI/AAAAAAAAdxg/0HdZC_w7y3A/s500/Photo%25252020141016210500.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552933992.5173" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> All cheers and happy faces when we arrived at Vineet's place. A cup of tea and "how have you been" and a shower for Di after the long trip.</p>
<p>A photo of Raylan on the floor while chilling...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLEAMBZcH3_d81t30QTGIYha6j2ZRmBC7E_sDnpHMBlH02lcXKVg-fsY1ptQv2BMCgjxHZiEpiWKjLkDPZSrgQvcWtC4Is_hrrew4Ti4n7SvopY4DP_CIud4FVDZyZiimdcXnFS6G924/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLEAMBZcH3_d81t30QTGIYha6j2ZRmBC7E_sDnpHMBlH02lcXKVg-fsY1ptQv2BMCgjxHZiEpiWKjLkDPZSrgQvcWtC4Is_hrrew4Ti4n7SvopY4DP_CIud4FVDZyZiimdcXnFS6G924/s500/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552934049.1426" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> A bit later it was time for the boys' daily exercise and yesterday repeated itself with Di as an addition. It was back to Blackie's Pasture.</p>
<p>This is outside Vineet's place away from the water.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o0sU9UvDSDw/VECVkSaMRFI/AAAAAAAAdxw/vMJVESSUs2g/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o0sU9UvDSDw/VECVkSaMRFI/AAAAAAAAdxw/vMJVESSUs2g/s500/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552934067.8718" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> We named this "Hunter's Hill" as Vineet gets Hunter to run up and down it many times for exercise. Hunter seems to love it as there are many small birds in the bushes that he can chase.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gpieHz-zqJU/VECVl6xv2xI/AAAAAAAAdx4/NuGJfU86CCw/s2048/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gpieHz-zqJU/VECVl6xv2xI/AAAAAAAAdx4/NuGJfU86CCw/s500/Photo%25252020141016210501.jpg" id="blogsy-1413552934014.3298" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> Another look at the dogs' exercise area. Plenty of space to run around and for Reylan to "catch the ball". Over and over and over again.</p>
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<p> Back at the farm some time later... Rest!</p>
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<p> And a well earned drink. Time is now around 6pm.</p>
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<p> Di is back in her elements, cooking up a storm for us, even after the long flight. Tonight's meal was Chorizo Pasta. </p>
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<p> Yum! Hans really missed Di's home cooked meals. Frozen pizzas, microwave TV meals and sandwiches for dinner are not quite cutting it.</p>
<p>Early night, no surprises. Good night Di and welcome to the U.S.</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-65400287648591403642014-10-15T22:04:00.000+11:002014-10-16T14:41:48.094+11:00Wed 15 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p>A biking day for Hans... And Di will be on her way to California although it is Thursday in Australia.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QyG9OKrP0Qg/VD79DfJ6cgI/AAAAAAAAdvQ/ny419pvxL58/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QyG9OKrP0Qg/VD79DfJ6cgI/AAAAAAAAdvQ/ny419pvxL58/s500/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651738.3516" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Vineet had submitted his mountain bike for service at Mike's Bikes in Marin City, just north of Sausolito and we were picking it up this morning. Hans will then cycle on from there and eventually find his way home to Vineet's place.</p><p>A small problem. Mike's Bikes doesn't open until 11am. We guessed 10am but that was wrong. So, after arriving there around 10.20am, we had to hang for a while. A double espresso each from an adjacent diner helped, but it was still a wait.</p><p>Eventually, Hans was on his way, and below is how Runkeeper recorded it.</p><p>Yes, yet again Runkeeper let Hans down. You may notice that there is a break after 28+ km, and Hans didn't realize the failure until he arrived at Tiburon Wharf. </p><p>The section not recorded was along Paradise Drive along the eastern side of the peninsula, perhaps another 12-15km on top of the 34km that Runkeeper tracked. </p><p>Sigh! Don't ever rely on Runkeeper to be complete and accurate!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pffOChCn6EM/VD79npvX00I/AAAAAAAAdw4/lBfRfcUDDjo/s1660/Photo%25252020141015160500.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pffOChCn6EM/VD79npvX00I/AAAAAAAAdw4/lBfRfcUDDjo/s500/Photo%25252020141015160500.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651738.43" class="alignnone" width="500" height="370" alt=""></a></div><p>Hans took off north along the Mill Valley Sausolito trail, the same trail Hans walked in the opposite direction last Friday. </p><p>The space where the old rail tracks were had only partly been converted to a rail trail and suddenly across this street there is no more. Perhaps they will complete the missing parts one day to make the trail continuous.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tdG8Uib8ahk/VD79FAPrKkI/AAAAAAAAdvY/9S21FIvAaMI/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tdG8Uib8ahk/VD79FAPrKkI/AAAAAAAAdvY/9S21FIvAaMI/s500/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651769.578" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p>Further north is Corte Madera and this bridge for California road 101 crosses Corte Madera Creek. </p><p>There is a very small allocation for pedestrians and bikes too as you can see and Hans went across there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LVia3Um3XYw/VD79GmofKWI/AAAAAAAAdvg/JMVQgKsFbnQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LVia3Um3XYw/VD79GmofKWI/AAAAAAAAdvg/JMVQgKsFbnQ/s500/Photo%25252020141015160229.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651784.9915" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> The view is from that bridge shows the old railway bridge, which in its southern extension is the Tiburon Historic Trail that finishes at Tiburon Wharf. In the distance is San Quentin State Prison.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MY3GYKYxM8I/VD79IaAr4gI/AAAAAAAAdvo/cmJ0D6NAy7s/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MY3GYKYxM8I/VD79IaAr4gI/AAAAAAAAdvo/cmJ0D6NAy7s/s500/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651790.7224" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> The ferries here at Larkspur Wharf are run by the same company providing services from Tiburon, Green and Gold. Both ferry routes take punters all the way to downtown San Francisco. There is a massive parking lot to the right so the city ferry service must be very popular, presumably by city workers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E2zWlfHUpsY/VD79JzFipII/AAAAAAAAdvw/Q3fo8_tIvtk/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E2zWlfHUpsY/VD79JzFipII/AAAAAAAAdvw/Q3fo8_tIvtk/s500/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651696.1892" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>"San Quentin, I hate every one of you..." With apologies to Johnny Cash. </p><p>Hans obviously recalled that old song as he cycled his way to one of the entrances for San Quentin State Prison. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cwKVWtML64E/VD79LZQZf3I/AAAAAAAAdv4/qE_3_9W1S34/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cwKVWtML64E/VD79LZQZf3I/AAAAAAAAdv4/qE_3_9W1S34/s500/Photo%25252020141015160230.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651701.183" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> This bus stop was next to the entrance above. What a depressing sight. Hans visualized prisoners being released, then waiting here for the bus to take them to Oakland or beyond, carrying only a few bags containing all their worldly belongings. Or has Hans seen too many movies...?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IUvFkOr_ekY/VD79NCct1YI/AAAAAAAAdwA/kRmyaalZGR4/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IUvFkOr_ekY/VD79NCct1YI/AAAAAAAAdwA/kRmyaalZGR4/s500/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651711.716" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> And looking back from that bus stop, there was a "baddie bus" parked outside the prison's front gate. You know, with bars covering all the darkened windows.</p><p>The "baddie bus" reminded Hans of the movie "The Fugitive" where Harrison Ford's character Dr Richard Kimble gets transported in a similar bus. Yes, Hans must have seen too many movies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b9Uq_NiLzps/VD79O9TIfrI/AAAAAAAAdwI/VHqCl9dsdfQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b9Uq_NiLzps/VD79O9TIfrI/AAAAAAAAdwI/VHqCl9dsdfQ/s500/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651738.657" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Hans continued his cycling all the way to the last exit before getting onto the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. Last exit before getting onto the bridge takes you to another entrance for San Quentin State Prison. Like here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zm2UyL4ZSfY/VD79RCGN1fI/AAAAAAAAdwQ/ZRczCJxKuvo/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zm2UyL4ZSfY/VD79RCGN1fI/AAAAAAAAdwQ/ZRczCJxKuvo/s500/Photo%25252020141015160231.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651801.303" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> There were some good views to be had looking east and onto the Richmond San Rafael Bridge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oU1wBbfUcPI/VD79S27-__I/AAAAAAAAdwY/KacLy-vRI9Y/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oU1wBbfUcPI/VD79S27-__I/AAAAAAAAdwY/KacLy-vRI9Y/s500/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651763.9924" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Close up of <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Richmond San Rafael Bridge. It looked good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-N7wRYUUE_tL2fK5Ueo5Ur8XgUQdDDXnX0yHwr8U2p3fSnP1WkD9b62MUKyWLipLD6C1eJPMzxnqejPvdilUOViUZ_hNw8WgApI4JVhQhQIzpnLXDV0baKIR8jVgS28coSZnkNwmmTY/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-N7wRYUUE_tL2fK5Ueo5Ur8XgUQdDDXnX0yHwr8U2p3fSnP1WkD9b62MUKyWLipLD6C1eJPMzxnqejPvdilUOViUZ_hNw8WgApI4JVhQhQIzpnLXDV0baKIR8jVgS28coSZnkNwmmTY/s500/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651788.4612" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> At this point, Hans turned around and went back the same way up to a point, where he cycled east to then follow the eastern shore of the Tiburon peninsula south. </p><p>Along the way is Paradise Cay, with an impressive marina.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzRkS0SAEHY/VD79WDDcvUI/AAAAAAAAdwo/aG_pZR9UW3w/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzRkS0SAEHY/VD79WDDcvUI/AAAAAAAAdwo/aG_pZR9UW3w/s500/Photo%25252020141015160232.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651797.918" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>In this part of Paradise Cay you can find the house where Robin Williams lived. Hans didn't cycle down there to investigate further and to find the actual house. It just didn't seem right.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qi4x96hpRhw/VD79X8Cj2wI/AAAAAAAAdww/5wFqcXKR8lU/s2048/Photo%25252020141015160233.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qi4x96hpRhw/VD79X8Cj2wI/AAAAAAAAdww/5wFqcXKR8lU/s500/Photo%25252020141015160233.jpg" id="blogsy-1413425651815.6086" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Hans returned to Vineet's place around 3pm after a little less than 4 hour cycling. The total distance of cycling would have been perhaps 40-45km or so. </p><p>After a shower and a break, it was time for the dogs' daily exercise routine so off we went in the car to Blackie's Pasture. </p><p>Unfortunately, Rayland the Kelpie is a lot less fit than he was when we saw him last year in Arizona. He had also gained some weight and is panting after not very much exercise. A bit sad to see. No such issues with Hunter...</p><p>Dinner was Vineet yet again cooking up a protein rich curry / stew. He claims that it is great for him as he is doing so much exercise. He is probably right. He also cooks enough to last up to a week, I.e. a massive amount.</p><p>Di is on her way to Sunny California as Hans writes this... Tomorrow you, dear reader, would be able to read about her too. Can't wait, hey?</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-73726650489155927212014-10-14T20:31:00.000+11:002014-10-15T15:30:16.310+11:00Tue 14 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA
<p>The next morning at the MacDonald's Walnut Creek household was a bit full on and Hans kept a low profile with a closed door for as long as he could. The 3 kids were all going places and needed to be fed and get ready. </p>
<p>The house from the street, complete with spiderweb preparations for Halloween in a few weeks time.</p>
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<p> Hans had breakfast once all were gone except for Ben and can you believe it? </p>
<p>Ben, as a good Australian ex-pat had Weetabix in the cupboard (the British variation). Hans was very happy as Weetabix in all its reincarnations is quite difficult to get hold off in the U.S.</p>
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<p> Jen returned after her kids taxi shuttle and we all chatted for a while before Ben gave Hans a lift to Walnut Creek BART station for his long return to Marin County via train, walking, ferry and bus.</p>
<p>This is from the Embarcedero BART station.</p>
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<p>The BART ticket machine. </p>
<p>There is a small peculiarity in that you first look at a table to determine the fare, one way or return, one or two tickets. You then enter that amount of money that would take you where you want to go. You are simply loading a value to a flimsy paper ticket with a magnetic strip.</p>
<p>In other words, there is nowhere printed on the ticket where you came from and where you are heading. The turnstiles take care of the rest and make sure that you have paid the right amount for your trip. Well, it worked for Hans as the turnstile kept his ticket at his last exit.</p>
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<p> From Embarcadero BART station, there is a 30 odd minutes walk to Pier 41 from where the Tiburon ferry departs. Hans timed it pretty well as he arrived there with a spare 20 minutes, enough to buy a ticket and have an apple while waiting.</p>
<p>Along the way, Hans passed the departure point for the various Alcatraz cruises and tours. </p>
<p>Hans had earlier thought about going to Alcatraz as he hasn't been there before, but this just turned him off. Way too touristy.</p>
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<p> The 12.10pm ferry departed. Today the weather was a fair bit cooler but still mild enough to be outside on the top deck.</p>
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<p> Alcatraz to the left and downtown San Francisco to the right.</p>
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<p> Look at the setting of this watchtower(?) on Angel Island. A very peculiar position indeed. Somebody else can have that job. Hans will pass.</p>
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<p> Hans did find out that Angel Island was once the Ellis Island of the Pacific. Where European immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in New York City, immigrants from the Pacific took their first steps on American soil at Angel Island off San Francisco.</p>
<p>Back on shore in Tiburon, Hans picked up a tub of "hot" food from Woodlands Market for lunch. "Hot" because it was advertised as such but luke warm would be more accurate. Pieces of chook, some meatballs and some marinated capsicum (the latter was the most tasty).</p>
<p>Bus 219 for the final few miles home departed from across the street of Woodlands Market where Hans chatted to a local lad while waiting for the bus. The lad had heard that you were not allowed guns in Australia and he was "amazed" by that (his word). U.S. public's approach to gun ownership sure is different to Oz.</p>
<p>Back at base for Hans around 2pm and chilling was on the agenda. <span style="line-height: 1.3em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hans had a lazy rest of the day home at Vineet's place so nothing more to report for today.</span></p>
<p><u>Footnote:</u></p>
<p>Robin Williams, the actor who so tragically committed suicide not long ago, was only 8 minutes, 3.3 miles away according to Google Maps from where Vineet lives (A) and where Hans is staying. </p>
<p>Robin Williams' apparently lived at 95 St Thomas Way (B) in Belvedere Tiburon.</p>
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<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-86765046667538137042014-10-13T21:11:00.000+11:002014-10-15T10:09:03.440+11:00Mon 13 Oct - Walnut Creek, CA
<p>Where is Walnut Creek you may ask and why is Hans suddenly going there?</p>
<p>Well, today Hans is catching up with another old buddy of his, Ben MacDonald. Ben is an Aussie that Hans worked with at Westpac almost 20 years ago. He then moved to the U.S., is now married to Jen and they have 3 kids together. </p>
<p>They live in Walnut Creek which is 35 minutes by train eastwards from downtown San Francisco, on the other side of Oakland. </p>
<p>Hans was staying the night at the MacDonalds' house.</p>
<p>Before breakfast today, Hans went to the little gym and indoor pool across Vineet's place. It was one of those typical gyms that you find in newish apartment blocks all around. The pool was perhaps 10 meters long, but Hans persisted and did some 30 laps there after working out with the limited equipment. Felt good afterwards.</p>
<p>After breakfast, Hans packed an overnight bag and left for the local bus stop. Bus 219 takes you to Tiburon Wharf.</p>
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<p> Public transport is not big in California. A cute little bus, with seating for a total of 20 people (Hans counted). But cheap and this one was very comfortable.</p>
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<p> This is the Blue and Gold ferry which does the run between downtown San Francisco and Tiburon (and a few other wharfs on the north side of the bay as well).</p>
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<p> All on board and Tiburon Wharf fades into the distance.</p>
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<p> It was another sunny and very warm day so Hans dressed up in his "best" hiking gear, complete with his fisherman hat. Don't want to get sun burnt again.</p>
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<p> The ferry looked nice from the outside, but the inside cabin looked old and tired. Not many passengers as you can see, but there were 3 decks, with both inside and outside seating.</p>
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<p> The ferry ride was lovely and many of the San Francisco landmarks came into closer view. </p>
<p>Look at that, Golden Gate Bridge <u>not</u> being shrouded in clouds for once...</p>
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<p> Pretty close to Alcatraz Island.</p>
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<p> The financial district of downtown San Francisco came into view.</p>
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<p> The ferry did a stop along the way at what is referred to as the Ferry Building, at the northern end of Market Street. </p>
<p>After a short stop there, the ferry continued to Pier 41 and you then get this view of Oakland Bay Bridge.</p>
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<p> Yes, all the seals are still there at Pier 41.</p>
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<p> Fishermans Wharf and the Embarcedero were unbelievably touristy, definitely not for Hans. </p>
<p>Only one highlight, the building to the right below.</p>
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<p> That building contained Boudin Cafe and Bakery, supposedly the origins of San Francisco sourdough bread and we have been recommended to try their San Francisco sourdough chowder.</p>
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<p> No, not today. Hans didn't dare to sample the chowder without Di present. </p>
<p>Hans bought himself a cob of sourdough bread, was given free butter and that was his lunch later on.</p>
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<p> Even a "cat strangler" was there on the Embarcedero...</p>
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<p>Warning. Touristy pictures of San Francisco coming up...</p>
<p>Hyde Street, looking south, up the hill... San Francisco style.</p>
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<p> Lombard Street, very very steep, up the hill, leading onto...</p>
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<p> ..."that" corkscrew down the other side. Plenty of tourists here and even 2 security guys trying to keep order.</p>
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<p> San Francisco cable car. The cables running in the ground are very noisy by the way.</p>
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<p>Nob Hill. Not so much a touristy place as it made Hans recall 1997 when he was in San Francisco the last time. </p>
<p>Hans was at Nob Hill on the very same day that Jeremy turned 3 years so he spent time in its playground. Jeremy was occupying himself "stealing" and playing with some Chinese kids' toys, much to their disapproval.</p>
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<p>Chinatown. </p>
<p>No, Hans did not investigate further as he will wait to do so until Di arrives and can do it with him. So he continued down California Street and just crossed Stockton after taking this photo.</p>
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<p> Hans was due to meet Ben in the lobby where he works in the corner of Market and California at 4pm. </p>
<p>It was very early still at 2pm so Hans first found a Citibank branch and withdraw money from the ATM. Worked fine. </p>
<p>Given that Hans no longer had a 28 Degrees Master Card due to the earlier fraud attempts, he wanted to make sure that he could withdraw Citibank cash and this was the first time he tried since he arrived. All his earlier use of the card had been swiping it at retailers and then sign on a pad, ie no pin code involvement.</p>
<p>Hans then found that there was a Peet Coffee and Tea (a California based Starbucks style coffee shop) at the ground floor of Ben's building. With free wifi. </p>
<p>Perfect. So for the next hour and a bit, Hans slowly drank his dark house special (pretty OK), read and blogged online. And just relaxed.</p>
<p>Ben surfaced exactly at 4pm and Hans and him then took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) train from the adjacent Embarcedero station to Walnut Creek, an around 35 minutes trip.</p>
<p>After meet and greet Jen and their 3 kids, Liam (oldest), Emily and Madison (youngest), we all got into the family wagon and drove to a burger bar in the centre of Walnut Creek.</p>
<p>A warm evening and with kids, seating was outside.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">After the meal, it was back to base for getting the kids to bed. With 3 young ones, that was not a small feat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Ben, shouldn't you help out?</div>
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<p> Hans and Ben then wandered back to the town centre, to a micro brewery called Pyramid for a few cold ones and chat. </p>
<p>Pyramid had a nice beer garden at the back, which was were we sat. This was in preference to sitting inside as Monday Night Football was on and there were TV screens blasting and loud fans everywhere.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
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<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We sampled 2 different house brews, of various taste and quality. One "midrange" IPA was really nice, but the house Weissbier was watery and pretty tasteless. </span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some time after 10pm, we made ourselves back through dark and quiet backstreets of Walnut Creek.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jen was up and the 3 of us continued to chat to after 1am.</span></p>
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<p> Hans finally went to bed in the MacDonalds family's spare room / office around 1.30am. </p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-23339214516580642822014-10-12T23:12:00.000+11:002014-10-13T22:12:07.118+11:00Sun 12 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p> Hiking day for Hans. Through Marin Headlands.</p><p>But first breakfast. For the first time since Hans arrived in San Francisco, it was not overcast, there were no clouds to the south towards the bridge. It was clear, but it was also warm.</p><p> Al Fresco breakfast for Hans as Vineet was doing another exercise class this morning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NeFRsfo2RMw/VDtRkaSrMAI/AAAAAAAAdmA/mPwEgT_39lU/s2048/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NeFRsfo2RMw/VDtRkaSrMAI/AAAAAAAAdmA/mPwEgT_39lU/s500/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728254.508" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This was where Hans would be heading today. Up onto that mountain Mount Tamaipais (or Mount Tam as the locals apparently call it) that you can see from Vineet's balcony.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--lGVQwX2M-c/VDtRmpiAEhI/AAAAAAAAdmI/-qi8zc3kc1c/s2048/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--lGVQwX2M-c/VDtRmpiAEhI/AAAAAAAAdmI/-qi8zc3kc1c/s500/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728243.2754" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans hiking map, proudly created by Google Maps with Hans added scribbles. Looked like a treasure map in the yellow light.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YaJal42BCmw/VDtRocJMgeI/AAAAAAAAdmQ/E0aykYA1hCw/s2048/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YaJal42BCmw/VDtRocJMgeI/AAAAAAAAdmQ/E0aykYA1hCw/s500/Photo%25252020141012211404.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728240.9238" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>This is how Hans hike was presented by a Runkeeper after completion. Reasonably accurate with the "treasure map" above... 22km and a bit of hiking in the end...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iBQb2PKgclU/VDtU70Ai1UI/AAAAAAAAdpg/eRe2teGsQk8/s1893/Photo%25252020141012212828.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iBQb2PKgclU/VDtU70Ai1UI/AAAAAAAAdpg/eRe2teGsQk8/s500/Photo%25252020141012212828.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728326.956" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="312"></a></div><p> Vineet and Hunter gave Hans a lift to today's trail head, at the end of a suburbian street called County View Drive. The 2 boys joined Hans for the start of the hike before Vineet took the photo below and then they turned around. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5HrRJNb04hk/VDtRqI2SlWI/AAAAAAAAdmY/WUyeRuuI5NI/s2048/Photo%25252020141012211405.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5HrRJNb04hk/VDtRqI2SlWI/AAAAAAAAdmY/WUyeRuuI5NI/s500/Photo%25252020141012211405.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728291.0132" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">See you in 5 hours time...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sgnkf59ZWEU/VDtRsPQ-D1I/AAAAAAAAdmg/3ZmhjIw3K64/s2048/Photo%25252020141012211405.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sgnkf59ZWEU/VDtRsPQ-D1I/AAAAAAAAdmg/3ZmhjIw3K64/s500/Photo%25252020141012211405.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728279.6091" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Hans was on his way. The hike consisted of 3 main trails whereof the first trail was called Miwok Trail. And it started very exposed and hot along cuts out of hillsides. It felt very Australian to Hans.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vkUpNDRimP0/VDtTGdA3uII/AAAAAAAAdms/J1nDm_PMnXQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vkUpNDRimP0/VDtTGdA3uII/AAAAAAAAdms/J1nDm_PMnXQ/s500/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728268.4087" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Some great views along the way. You can see the Tiburon peninsula below as we are looking southeast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8ZEyDSN7Jiw/VDtTIx1XHLI/AAAAAAAAdm0/xJceeMbpto4/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8ZEyDSN7Jiw/VDtTIx1XHLI/AAAAAAAAdm0/xJceeMbpto4/s500/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728324.7385" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> This is supposedly Muir Woods. Hans took this photo next to a guy who said he had been trying a good photo of it from that spot for a while. So Hans shot one too. Hmm...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_cvaBKnrghA/VDtTKp0QQFI/AAAAAAAAdm8/1-dUtNbuIXc/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_cvaBKnrghA/VDtTKp0QQFI/AAAAAAAAdm8/1-dUtNbuIXc/s500/Photo%25252020141012212031.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728268.5232" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The hike was very varied as there were many green and relatively lush and cool patches too. Hans first break was around here and he had a need to escape the heat for a while.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevES0W-m9y8iwnzRqs9QIh7A6hjHeqeXwzr4rT-6dOjMHm_U-7aMl6pIZD7XzEm6WqrsUO5SzWmHCsljSjPoAn4JbfNLCRNgdMCTXYqxXBzC1w_PRpTh9edIyX3tq6bE8XJtS51sjGDc/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevES0W-m9y8iwnzRqs9QIh7A6hjHeqeXwzr4rT-6dOjMHm_U-7aMl6pIZD7XzEm6WqrsUO5SzWmHCsljSjPoAn4JbfNLCRNgdMCTXYqxXBzC1w_PRpTh9edIyX3tq6bE8XJtS51sjGDc/s500/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728285.6672" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The next trail is named, you got it, Dipsea Trail...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x2BCY6ynJBU/VDtTQ_VKnqI/AAAAAAAAdnM/N6zia316drk/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x2BCY6ynJBU/VDtTQ_VKnqI/AAAAAAAAdnM/N6zia316drk/s500/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728301.0325" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> ...and here some 2 hours plus Hans had his second break. A cup of tea and a selfie.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0XvD9nX1B_w/VDtTTtWp0nI/AAAAAAAAdnU/UW7uQznmS5o/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0XvD9nX1B_w/VDtTTtWp0nI/AAAAAAAAdnU/UW7uQznmS5o/s500/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728285.82" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The Dipsea Trail dipped in and out of an adjacent fire trail as it followed a line of telegraph poles for a while. Supposedly the maintenance trail can easily double as a hiking trail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tOewn7Titrw/VDtTWE1ejoI/AAAAAAAAdnc/ZEMlL19tusw/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tOewn7Titrw/VDtTWE1ejoI/AAAAAAAAdnc/ZEMlL19tusw/s500/Photo%25252020141012212032.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728286.37" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> What looked like a Mount Tamalpais hill top on the map was nothing of the like. It was basically a clearing along a road with an information centre, a few camping spots, picnic tables and toilets. And opportunity to refill the water bottles which was a welcome relief. </p><p>Hans had his lunch here but there was really nothing photo worthy. A shot of the sign at the Pantoll Camp would have to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qKOSvXCgFU8/VDtTYN1GVgI/AAAAAAAAdnk/JoB70UeSXBU/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qKOSvXCgFU8/VDtTYN1GVgI/AAAAAAAAdnk/JoB70UeSXBU/s500/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728324.6238" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> You see, from here there was another 4 miles to top of the Mount Tamalpais, meaning 8 miles return or 14 or so kilometers. Hans did not have that time today as Vineet was going to pick him up around 3pm at Stinson Beach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rPfJR47tvJY/VDtTaDHz8II/AAAAAAAAdns/b0gpK25tvow/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rPfJR47tvJY/VDtTaDHz8II/AAAAAAAAdns/b0gpK25tvow/s500/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728320.7776" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> However, the most scenic part of Hans hike was the Matt Davis trail down to Stinson Beach. The trail has received quite a few recommendations online and it was not hard to understand why. </p><p>The Matt Davis trail started off very much like the below. In the bush making it cool cut into the hillsides.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZKHk0FM_nTM/VDtTcG94vRI/AAAAAAAAdn0/R0Jz4P6KN2c/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZKHk0FM_nTM/VDtTcG94vRI/AAAAAAAAdn0/R0Jz4P6KN2c/s500/Photo%25252020141012212033.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728278.3171" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And then it opened up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0LRvDhmuwjE/VDtTgGclCyI/AAAAAAAAdn8/l-5BCtnFfek/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0LRvDhmuwjE/VDtTgGclCyI/AAAAAAAAdn8/l-5BCtnFfek/s500/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728345.0586" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>Some faboulous views presented themselves. Down there somewhere is Stinson Beach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JlGnSOkIXCM/VDtTkJnKRwI/AAAAAAAAdoE/CMuRdYlykKg/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JlGnSOkIXCM/VDtTkJnKRwI/AAAAAAAAdoE/CMuRdYlykKg/s500/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728281.3528" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> There were some amazing panoramas in the now dry and barren hillsides facing the Pacific Ocean.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nFTTLXbHmUY/VDtTmU6Pk6I/AAAAAAAAdoM/L5O4Opp0cFg/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nFTTLXbHmUY/VDtTmU6Pk6I/AAAAAAAAdoM/L5O4Opp0cFg/s500/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728313.3777" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>The drawback with the Matt Davis Trail of course is that on a beautiful Sunday like today, it is very popular and it was quite busy at times. But who can blame them?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT9DimAcved0GXNliSlJZ6UehxVwQLeIkRRd6y6oRDgpt1AvLxyU-74_OsKsDKfQbHWUoBT-HWg5zP4k1oefLMlHPP0E83HSFYQjl76-f0_juyk8_SM-YgKIVE3i4y-tO8dYCzDa29HY/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT9DimAcved0GXNliSlJZ6UehxVwQLeIkRRd6y6oRDgpt1AvLxyU-74_OsKsDKfQbHWUoBT-HWg5zP4k1oefLMlHPP0E83HSFYQjl76-f0_juyk8_SM-YgKIVE3i4y-tO8dYCzDa29HY/s500/Photo%25252020141012212034.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728360.6533" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The Pacific coast settlement of Stinson Beach suddenly appears.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wjU3CFvaISU/VDtTrAwMZeI/AAAAAAAAdoc/IVmS2LzOXEI/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wjU3CFvaISU/VDtTrAwMZeI/AAAAAAAAdoc/IVmS2LzOXEI/s500/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728348.8335" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> And would you believe it? As Hans finished the trail and today's hike, the very first person he saw was Vineet. As we had a before photo taken, here is the after photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kv2kFuL-88M/VDtTtTv7S1I/AAAAAAAAdok/xBVW-l9UR5M/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kv2kFuL-88M/VDtTtTv7S1I/AAAAAAAAdok/xBVW-l9UR5M/s500/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728333.9705" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> In fact, Hans had a small welcoming committee consisting of 2 people and 2 dogs. Carrie was there too and Hunter and Reyland as well. The dogs had followed suit so that they would get their daily exercise. And at a part of Stinson Beach, that was possible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ab9hHRy-N7w/VDtTv6jAiQI/AAAAAAAAdos/k85xdereOuQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ab9hHRy-N7w/VDtTv6jAiQI/AAAAAAAAdos/k85xdereOuQ/s500/Photo%25252020141012212035.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728348.4517" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Carrie, with Vineet in the background, enjoying the beach scene.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ex9VqeReGEw/VDtTyFzjz5I/AAAAAAAAdo0/vnlGxQQ6Z2s/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ex9VqeReGEw/VDtTyFzjz5I/AAAAAAAAdo0/vnlGxQQ6Z2s/s500/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728327.8828" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> ...<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and the two dogs having a ball running in and out of the water.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2pJDg6W1NIA/VDtT0hcWbdI/AAAAAAAAdo8/fEbjTT6cibE/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2pJDg6W1NIA/VDtT0hcWbdI/AAAAAAAAdo8/fEbjTT6cibE/s500/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728318.068" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">Carrie took this photo of Hans. Di thought that he looked "too happy" without her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QsrdMQui0oQ/VDuzggVXspI/AAAAAAAAdp4/ltXiMcA96yI/s1136/Photo%25252020141013041200.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QsrdMQui0oQ/VDuzggVXspI/AAAAAAAAdp4/ltXiMcA96yI/s500/Photo%25252020141013041200.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728300.691" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> This is Reyland, Hunter's best buddy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiqG_fKUjLE/VDtT3FXYTjI/AAAAAAAAdpE/DbCCyArZ76k/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KiqG_fKUjLE/VDtT3FXYTjI/AAAAAAAAdpE/DbCCyArZ76k/s500/Photo%25252020141012212036.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728315.2463" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Of course, after getting himself muddy and sandy and sticky from saltwater, Hunter needed a wash up afterwards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt14-qfR0bcfQ-6v6_o66fW3-A_xFkO2wA0sWRNicY41qZqNygtZ1mLPoYOWKV_yQxhqqzbF01X4c6nt5gr6Y2Whs_IsnkB6ohtmdhJFQvp3DvAbH4QCQ3xbrXLhgveT-lwEOLsXAbrRA/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212037.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt14-qfR0bcfQ-6v6_o66fW3-A_xFkO2wA0sWRNicY41qZqNygtZ1mLPoYOWKV_yQxhqqzbF01X4c6nt5gr6Y2Whs_IsnkB6ohtmdhJFQvp3DvAbH4QCQ3xbrXLhgveT-lwEOLsXAbrRA/s500/Photo%25252020141012212037.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728328.6582" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> After a lazy late Sunday afternoon icecream, we drove off in Vineet's Mercedes. </p><p>This actually forms part of the famous highway number 1 so the road out through Marin Headlands winded back and forth and some great photo opportunities presented themselves. Here we are looking back north onto Stinson Beach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CyuhKpkhLh8/VDtUDRfuM9I/AAAAAAAAdpU/M2Oi67Ui-Gk/s2048/Photo%25252020141012212037.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CyuhKpkhLh8/VDtUDRfuM9I/AAAAAAAAdpU/M2Oi67Ui-Gk/s500/Photo%25252020141012212037.jpg" id="blogsy-1413198728362.5818" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Carrie had a dinner date so she took off not long after back at Vineet's place. Vineet and Hans again had frozen pizza for dinner (Di, come here and cook something healthier and tastier). </p><p>Hans, of course, had a few Laginitas IPA as well and after watching a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory, an early night followed.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-17267780552299555112014-10-11T23:42:00.000+11:002014-10-12T15:40:57.778+11:00Sat 11 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA
<p>A chill out day for Hans today given the activities of the last 3+ days. And wasn't it just soooooo nice...</p>
<p>Carrie stayed over night and Vineet went exercise biking for 3 hours in the early morning. One hour warm up before 2 back to back spin classes. Nuts!</p>
<p>Below shows Vineet back in house, making a protein rich egg breakfast while cooling himself down using the open fridge...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E3qHeHJ6mKo/VDnTS95OINI/AAAAAAAAdkg/cMUfRav6R1Q/s2048/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E3qHeHJ6mKo/VDnTS95OINI/AAAAAAAAdkg/cMUfRav6R1Q/s500/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" id="blogsy-1413088832366.3208" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p>Hans woke up pretty early but went back to sleep and didn't have breakfast until around 8am. Nice.</p>
<p>Vineet has been talking about a baby seal swimming up and down just outside his balcony. And while Hans and Vineet were discussing hikes for the following day Sunday, the seal was suddenly visible just outside.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dp4QgEq9Hgw/VDnTZGJFFvI/AAAAAAAAdko/KZBqa6SsgH8/s2048/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dp4QgEq9Hgw/VDnTZGJFFvI/AAAAAAAAdko/KZBqa6SsgH8/s500/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" id="blogsy-1413088832378.8018" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p> A closer look at the local seal, quickly labeled Sammy the Seal as previously seals had within the Carlen a Family.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H8tPZkK8iME/VDnTfFuuYaI/AAAAAAAAdkw/HXVh4mTP9f0/s2048/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H8tPZkK8iME/VDnTfFuuYaI/AAAAAAAAdkw/HXVh4mTP9f0/s500/Photo%25252020141011180215.jpg" id="blogsy-1413088832464.9314" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p>Fleet Week was under way in San Francisco and a Blue Angels flight show was scheduled from 3pm. So just after 3pm, Vineet, Hans and Hunter were going back to the hilltops of Tiburon Uplands Nature Reserve to watch that spectacle from up there.</p>
<p>Hunter of course was excited beyond belief as he knew what was coming to him. There would be lots of outside running.</p>
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<p> No wonder San Francisco is refered to as Fogtown. The picture speaks for itself and it had been like this more or less every day since Hans arrived.</p>
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<p> There were up to 6 different jets doing all kinds of acrobatic maneuvers, but they were mostly some distance away from where we were at <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tiburon Uplands Nature Reserve. </span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hence, taking any worthwhile pictures were somewhat difficult, but here is at least one.</span></p>
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<p> The natural feature of the Golden Gate Bridge. Always shrouded of clouds.</p>
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<p> And who is that guy coming up the hill?</p>
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<p> Yes, that was Vineet. It was a pretty hot day and Hunter got very thirsty from all that running around. So, he regularly refueled with water from the bladder inside Vineet's backpack.</p>
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<p>After watching the Blue Angels air show for 45 minutes or so, we drove away and went by the local Safeway in Strawberry to get some more food and drink for home.</p>
<p>Safeway had a special on Lagunitas IPA, a dozen bottles for $15 if you were a member which Vineet was. Naturally, Hans just had to invest a few dollars more...</p>
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<p> While refreshing himself with cool beer, Hans suddenly got a text from Di in Australia. </p>
<p>Hans 28 Degrees Master Card had been declined during every purchase attempt Hans had made since arriving in the US.</p>
<p>Reason as Di found out after calling them was that there had been multiple fraudulent attempts to buy goods with it within the last 5 days. Attempted purchases up to a total of $4k.</p>
<p>Fortunately, 28 Degrees had detected this unfamiliar spending pattern and had therefore not honored any of those attempts. Looking back to what Hans had used the card for recently, the hack could only come from one single transaction, from when Hans paid for the shuttle ride from San Francisco Airport to Vineet's place. </p>
<p>The reader may recall that Hans did not manage to get hold of Marin Door to Door shuttle bus company when he arrived so he didn't even get to use the $50 he had already spent before leaving Australia.</p>
<p>Given that Hans credit card details had now been compromised, 28 Degrees had cancelled Hans card and it was now worthless. </p>
<p>So this is how Hans Master Card finished its life... He has to get a new card once he is back in Australia.</p>
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<p>Hans and Vineet among other things purchased frozen pizza from Safeway and that's what was for dinner. Together with, you guessed it, a couple of Lagunitas IPA. Accompanied by CNN television.</p>
<p>Early night as Vineet wanted an early start the next morning with work and then another early morning exercise class. </p>
<p>Hans had a big hike planned for tomorrow...</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-53107253456121557992014-10-10T21:30:00.000+11:002014-10-12T15:40:26.032+11:00Fri 10 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA
<p> Hans woke up to a cloudy and overcast day. </p>
<p>Not to worry. Cloudy mornings appear to be a common weather system around San Francisco and they usually seem to burn off later in the day.</p>
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<p> A bit of breakfast to start the day and being amazed of how Hunter can twist and turn his body. Is this really comfortable?</p>
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<p> Today's agenda for Hans was yet another local walk, from Vineet's place to Sausolito, about 13km.</p>
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<p> A large section of the walk comprises of another rail trail, the Mill Valley Sausalito Trail. Hans joined the trail at the 4km mark above and then followed it south all the way into Sausalito.</p>
<p>This trail was not as interesting and scenic as yesterday's trail, Tiberun Peninsula Historic Trail. </p>
<p>Hans can't say he wasn't aware. Vineet had hinted as much and he also said that Sausalito is quite touristy. Vineet was right there too. </p>
<p>Here is a stretch of the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mill Valley Sausalito Trail.</span></p>
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<p> At one stage, the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mill Valley Sausalito Trail passes under US Road 101. Lots of concrete above you here.</span></p>
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<p> The northern parts of Sausalito is yachting, boating etc etc. Marina after marina it seemed. And if not yet another marina, there were maritime businesses supporting the marinas.</p>
<p>Still, there were some beautiful spots and facilities for Hans to drink his thermos tea.</p>
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<p>The area around the Sausalito ferry wharf and the water is beautiful albeit touristy with the usual overpriced retail outlets, restaurants and galleries. </p>
<p>Below is the ferry that goes between Sausalito and downtown San Francisco.</p>
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<p>One could clearly make out that former penal island Alcatraz from the shore. </p>
<p>There seemed to be something airborne over some part of the bay almost all the time.</p>
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<p> Downtown San Francisco from the shore of Sausalito.</p>
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<p> A selfie to prove that Hans was actually there in Sausalito.</p>
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<p>Hans thought that it would be nice with a coffee and icecream break in Sausalito while the ice cream truck was delivering more supply. </p>
<p>No other punters are purposely included in this photo. That may have been too scary as there seemed to be a tendency for people to eat ice cream who <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">really shouldn't </span>be eating ice cream...</p>
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<p> As Hans was fiddling with the camera here, the clown on the bike to the right was cycling past "hands free". Only half of him got caught on camera, but why not include him in the blog anyway?</p>
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<p> Close to above was also a very useful and informative sign. It said that the area is earthquake prone, with possible tsunamis as a result, and it that happened, you the punter should seek higher ground... Really?</p>
<p>A few more photos from the Sausalito shoreline.</p>
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<p> The sea protection didn't work all that well here.</p>
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<p> This was cute. On one of the Sausalito boardwalks were all these white painted small huts, presumably filled with sea accessories.</p>
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<p> Hans' return towards home was via Marin County bus number 17. The bus would drop Hans off some 2km from home, but for $2 it was a steal. </p>
<p>The photo below is taken from inside the bus, showing flooding under one of the freeway overpasses. There was a lot more water immediately to the left as well.</p>
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<p> At home, Hans had a shower and he just had to include this scary photo of his sunburnt body. OK, that's enough...</p>
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<p> It was then time for Hunter's regular late afternoon run and Vineet drove us to an area just north east of Golden Gate Bridge. The water behind Hunter is called Horseshoe Bay.</p>
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<p> Sorry, it had to be done...</p>
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<p> There were remnants of old defenses on the eastern side of Horseshoe Bay, a very windswept and exposed cliff given water on 3 sides.</p>
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<p> When Vineet and Hans returned home, Vineet's friend Carrie had arrived, and after a beer (Lagunitas IPA since you are asking..., very nice) and chat, it was time for a Mexican feast at a local place very appropriately called The Cantina.</p>
<p>There was a short wait for a table, and the way to locate us in the bar when a table became available was via a very tattered individually coloured sombrero. Carrie is demonstrating.</p>
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<p> Waiting to tuck in... </p>
<p>As usual, American main meals are massive. As you may be able to see here, Hans had an old favorite, sizzling fajitas.</p>
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<p> Back home, Vineet streamed a couple of episodes of a new TV series called "Welcome to Sweden". It is about a New Yorker who moves to Sweden to be with his Swedish girlfriend and the inevitable cultural differences. </p>
<p>Of course, for Hans many of the situations and incidents were totally predictable, like depicting a crayfish party and drinking beers while nude inside a sauna.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, there were a few giggles and a nice round up for a very pleasant day.</p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-7644772718360766852014-10-09T21:37:00.000+11:002014-10-12T01:10:00.164+11:00Thu 9 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p>Hans slept like a baby overnight. He woke up for perhaps 30 minutes around 2am, but then slept to 7.30am. Perfect, that should take care of any jet lag.</p><p>To get the mind and legs moving, Hans went to the local food market for some breakfast groceries before breakfast. One problem though. His 28 Degrees Master Card, pretty much the only credit card we used during our 6 months in the US last year, was declined. Several attempts and no success. Thankfully, Hans carried a second Citibank card which was accepted. Hmm...</p><p>Today's plan was to wander locally. So after breakfast, Hans packed up his backpack with water and fruit and was on his way. After all, Vineet was working and Hans shouldn't hang around and disturb him.</p><p>Apologies now for lots of photos today, but it was a glorious day and Marin County, or North Bay, is really beautiful. First though, a pic of where Vineet lives, from the street. It is a 2 storey terrace where ground floor is used for other purposes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNIdjOF8zvU/VDc7U5TQF1I/AAAAAAAAdcc/Vyj5W0fXqSo/s2048/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNIdjOF8zvU/VDc7U5TQF1I/AAAAAAAAdcc/Vyj5W0fXqSo/s500/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580635.0022" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> OK, Let's throw in a pic of the 2 boys doing a stare down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YW9DF0TQdUk/VDc7Wo-4bBI/AAAAAAAAdck/PM3QKhdL72g/s2048/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YW9DF0TQdUk/VDc7Wo-4bBI/AAAAAAAAdck/PM3QKhdL72g/s500/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580667.6375" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>This is how Hans walked, over 18km.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QDVfDVuT5qw/VDc7X5WzAwI/AAAAAAAAdcs/OQej2siQHfY/s1657/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QDVfDVuT5qw/VDc7X5WzAwI/AAAAAAAAdcs/OQej2siQHfY/s500/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580699.385" class="alignnone" width="500" height="370" alt=""></a></div><p> A selfie along the way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N5S-XL0RNpc/VDdCq-6p0tI/AAAAAAAAdd4/FVMjrX1-azs/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192122.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N5S-XL0RNpc/VDdCq-6p0tI/AAAAAAAAdd4/FVMjrX1-azs/s500/Photo%25252020141009192122.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580710.4106" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> From Vineet's place, there is a short walk along a backroad doubling as a bicycle path before you get to the beginning of a railtrail. It is called Tiberun Peninsula Historical Trail and starts here at Blackie's Pasture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a9FJSNd_EVo/VDdCsvjdWCI/AAAAAAAAdeA/Xmm7mW8OG-8/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a9FJSNd_EVo/VDdCsvjdWCI/AAAAAAAAdeA/Xmm7mW8OG-8/s500/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580662.213" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Blackie's Pasture? Yes, it was exactly was it seemed. Once upon a time, a very popular horse, surprisingly named Blackie's, had his pasture here. A life sized monument was raised in Blackie's memory...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DKUvBlGrs-s/VDdCupJLbOI/AAAAAAAAdeI/EYOX81SGy5I/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DKUvBlGrs-s/VDdCupJLbOI/AAAAAAAAdeI/EYOX81SGy5I/s500/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580705.4873" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> ...and of course, Blackie is buried in one corner of his former pasture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-HJGxx2nFM/VDdCwuPRWpI/AAAAAAAAdeQ/gqMChcJJZG4/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-HJGxx2nFM/VDdCwuPRWpI/AAAAAAAAdeQ/gqMChcJJZG4/s500/Photo%25252020141009192123.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580640.8757" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Well, what about the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tiberun Peninsula Historical Trail itself?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hejlkyNleDU/VDdAIUMzxOI/AAAAAAAAddE/m-hyzgmZyUY/s2048/Photo%25252020141009191036.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hejlkyNleDU/VDdAIUMzxOI/AAAAAAAAddE/m-hyzgmZyUY/s500/Photo%25252020141009191036.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580659.023" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>The trail was brilliant and looked mostly like the below as suburbian rail trail tend to do. Although at times, space permitted, the trail spawned off with additional running trails and the like as per above.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PcQ8Nm2H8Ms/VDdCyNLID8I/AAAAAAAAdeY/7heYw701zvc/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PcQ8Nm2H8Ms/VDdCyNLID8I/AAAAAAAAdeY/7heYw701zvc/s500/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580694.7053" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Fast forward to Main Street down by the ferry terminal and the original Tiberun settlement. Yes, as the sign says, this must be one of the shortest Main Streets anywhere.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EMIuDJ38VCQ/VDdCzzZuFLI/AAAAAAAAdeg/DpruE6AbQwA/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EMIuDJ38VCQ/VDdCzzZuFLI/AAAAAAAAdeg/DpruE6AbQwA/s500/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580660.488" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> This is where the commuter ferries to downtown San Francisco depart from and arrive to, the Tiberun Ferry Terminal. There is also an additional ferry route to Angel Island which is very close to here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoUxKQsBwHCOgc8hUbdakRitaYUsnUEw95l9C2k1s8yATevdnlRrQYTeqwgYPKn-K948nol8cCaebDzvUD0I2Bka7IIXQYIxTE11f-ZBWEh6G55eSDJi1WjLvO0ugc9H3gGwMGkYkgps/s2048/Photo%25252020141009191037.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoUxKQsBwHCOgc8hUbdakRitaYUsnUEw95l9C2k1s8yATevdnlRrQYTeqwgYPKn-K948nol8cCaebDzvUD0I2Bka7IIXQYIxTE11f-ZBWEh6G55eSDJi1WjLvO0ugc9H3gGwMGkYkgps/s500/Photo%25252020141009191037.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580713.6648" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Tiberun Ferry Terminal with adjacent buildings and restaurants from Shoreline Park. Hans stopped for a tea break next to those German ladies on the bench to the right. Yes, they were all speaking German.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NG9zJFCqOC8/VDdANirGrrI/AAAAAAAAddc/zeXcT77VTps/s2048/Photo%25252020141009191037.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NG9zJFCqOC8/VDdANirGrrI/AAAAAAAAddc/zeXcT77VTps/s500/Photo%25252020141009191037.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580676.811" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> And there was a Sheriff's speedboat to oversee happenings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0-M5zu1guE8/VDdArb8PQjI/AAAAAAAAddk/Vpt6CeX7jdQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141009191248.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0-M5zu1guE8/VDdArb8PQjI/AAAAAAAAddk/Vpt6CeX7jdQ/s500/Photo%25252020141009191248.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580681.9756" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Hans continued his walking east along the Shoreline Park and a bit further. There were some very expensive looking dwellings sticking out over and above the water. Angel Island is here to the right and downtown San Francisco beyond that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yqsFAVrN6lw/VDdC1rBrYzI/AAAAAAAAdeo/kUEhqchrlh4/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yqsFAVrN6lw/VDdC1rBrYzI/AAAAAAAAdeo/kUEhqchrlh4/s500/Photo%25252020141009192124.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580673.6274" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> How to make a feature of a rock sticking out of the water and posing a risk to maritime traffic? You make a feature of it, with a wooden bridge to it from shore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ohYSTiZxdY8/VDdC3TlUZxI/AAAAAAAAdew/e_kmzwlJ2dE/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ohYSTiZxdY8/VDdC3TlUZxI/AAAAAAAAdew/e_kmzwlJ2dE/s500/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580747.6274" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> After hanging around Tiberun Ferry Terminal for a while, Hans returned to the Tiberun Peninsula Historical Trail for the walk back. </p><p>Hans stopped at this Audubon bird sanctuary at Richardson Bay, a very fine estuary. It is open to the public when the gates are open and you can just wander in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-61xhJk0STDU/VDdC5JRUiWI/AAAAAAAAde4/g6xYXVtOYkM/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-61xhJk0STDU/VDdC5JRUiWI/AAAAAAAAde4/g6xYXVtOYkM/s500/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580731.4888" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> This building on the grounds of the bird sanctuary was the home of a former local dignitary and is now heritage listed and used for weddings and the like.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CNY4ZH6MCxU/VDdC603pMOI/AAAAAAAAdfA/WWXYZoavZTU/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CNY4ZH6MCxU/VDdC603pMOI/AAAAAAAAdfA/WWXYZoavZTU/s500/Photo%25252020141009192125.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580672.7888" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> On the grounds, there was also a bush trail that took you up to the top of a hill. Here is looking back towards Blackie's Pasture and where Hans walked earlier.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlCnMkH_6MCqR2l7N4OJ7ENfYCiIiTNUpVFQDPRWSyDsZtei1g8NNPyB76AdvFl3DDOKgLHQ_JILsG09Hu9RqVxlFvhuvMKVaFQaT7PZ51hEGO7gXzkAy9pfVi-ljqOdBCT0EPpcOpjk/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlCnMkH_6MCqR2l7N4OJ7ENfYCiIiTNUpVFQDPRWSyDsZtei1g8NNPyB76AdvFl3DDOKgLHQ_JILsG09Hu9RqVxlFvhuvMKVaFQaT7PZ51hEGO7gXzkAy9pfVi-ljqOdBCT0EPpcOpjk/s500/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580726.0635" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> This is from across the bay on the other eastern side of where Vineer lives. Wait, who is that waving in the middle of the picture below?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n_gJ37NtdxI/VDdC-NqpjeI/AAAAAAAAdfQ/NdSExXRQ_t4/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n_gJ37NtdxI/VDdC-NqpjeI/AAAAAAAAdfQ/NdSExXRQ_t4/s500/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580727.539" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Yes, it is Vineet. Hans called him to see whether he was home and could come out on the balcony so Hans could see which terrace was his.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Aw-Ml6SNqqo/VDdC_iDLmmI/AAAAAAAAdfY/8Lt8yqRKAoE/s2048/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Aw-Ml6SNqqo/VDdC_iDLmmI/AAAAAAAAdfY/8Lt8yqRKAoE/s500/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580674.876" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Ha, Vineet took a picture of Hans in return.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tTurAjkymSA/VDdDAad-lWI/AAAAAAAAdfg/EJR5PQdkOjc/s640/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tTurAjkymSA/VDdDAad-lWI/AAAAAAAAdfg/EJR5PQdkOjc/s500/Photo%25252020141009192126.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580699.5479" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>After that, Hans went back home, but it was now time for Hunter's afternoon outing. So it was out for Hans again. In the car first to up the hill of something called Old St Hilary's Open Space Reserve.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A-rno-prQCA/VDc7ZO0e-WI/AAAAAAAAdc0/2DXjHvSZfig/s1649/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A-rno-prQCA/VDc7ZO0e-WI/AAAAAAAAdc0/2DXjHvSZfig/s500/Photo%25252020141009185006.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580707.55" class="alignnone" width="500" height="358" alt=""></a></div><p> A couple of pics of Hunter with first Vineet...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-csb54twe09M/VDdFawwjRaI/AAAAAAAAdfw/5GH2Cr_iZqo/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193309.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-csb54twe09M/VDdFawwjRaI/AAAAAAAAdfw/5GH2Cr_iZqo/s500/Photo%25252020141009193309.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580772.3438" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> ...and then Hans...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qXYt6170lCk/VDdFc5-r4-I/AAAAAAAAdf4/1yf0-URwEvo/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193309.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qXYt6170lCk/VDdFc5-r4-I/AAAAAAAAdf4/1yf0-URwEvo/s500/Photo%25252020141009193309.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580713.5051" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> ...and then Hunter was gone. Can you find him in the picture below?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_u3Nn818K7U/VDdFezyvfbI/AAAAAAAAdgA/ZZtMnYy67VU/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_u3Nn818K7U/VDdFezyvfbI/AAAAAAAAdgA/ZZtMnYy67VU/s500/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580692.4336" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Old St Hilary's Open Space Reserve was barren and dry. Not much rain had fallen there lately.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NrfTgnLMvlo/VDdFhBVLFAI/AAAAAAAAdgI/hU45UGEPRUg/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NrfTgnLMvlo/VDdFhBVLFAI/AAAAAAAAdgI/hU45UGEPRUg/s500/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580763.0852" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> But the views on the other hand were spectacular. Yes, this is Golden Gate Bridge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2E6vOngNyoY/VDdFkEe1T_I/AAAAAAAAdgQ/Mf21Vvmd6Js/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2E6vOngNyoY/VDdFkEe1T_I/AAAAAAAAdgQ/Mf21Vvmd6Js/s500/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580699.3738" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Angel Island.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xRCBztOgUwk/VDdFl6S_wSI/AAAAAAAAdgY/HMYcgao4VAM/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xRCBztOgUwk/VDdFl6S_wSI/AAAAAAAAdgY/HMYcgao4VAM/s500/Photo%25252020141009193310.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580715.876" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>Four jet planes did multiple flyovers over San Francisco Bay, sometimes all 4 in formation and sometimes two and two as per below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1xouYwEW770/VDdFnS-lVCI/AAAAAAAAdgg/ZAWHO1v82fs/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193311.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1xouYwEW770/VDdFnS-lVCI/AAAAAAAAdgg/ZAWHO1v82fs/s500/Photo%25252020141009193311.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580711.6465" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> After close to an hour and 3 kilometers walk for Hans and Vineet and a much much longer distance for Hunter, it was time to go home for a well earned rest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3OcftEmUpGY/VDdFpCF1AyI/AAAAAAAAdgo/L5nyT-cRfUY/s2048/Photo%25252020141009193311.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3OcftEmUpGY/VDdFpCF1AyI/AAAAAAAAdgo/L5nyT-cRfUY/s500/Photo%25252020141009193311.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580748.296" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> Vineet had a former appointment with his former boss that night so Hans hung at home, ate more of last night's Vineet home made Indian curry and drank Penfold 8. No complaints.</p><p>Let's finish off with a sunset picture from Vineet's balcony. Not a bad view...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mYW5fochIyU/VDdUq_QWazI/AAAAAAAAdhA/Bc1UxOyltsU/s2048/Photo%25252020141009203813.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mYW5fochIyU/VDdUq_QWazI/AAAAAAAAdhA/Bc1UxOyltsU/s500/Photo%25252020141009203813.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036580709.866" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-80950707445980115182014-10-08T19:39:00.000+11:002014-10-12T01:10:18.585+11:00Wed 8 Oct - Belvedere Tiburon, CA<p>And Hans was on his way going to America...</p><p>The first plane of today's 3 flights didn't leave Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne until 12.20pm so he had a bit of time there in the morning. Di cooked him a last bacon and eggs breakfast as a sort of Bon Voyage. Thanks Di... Then Hans walked to Southern Cross Station. There will be a lot of sitting today anyway.</p><p>A last cuppa at the airport while waiting...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5ubWdkNiHlQ/VDWgbmFuxmI/AAAAAAAAdbM/F9QK32_NB80/s2048/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5ubWdkNiHlQ/VDWgbmFuxmI/AAAAAAAAdbM/F9QK32_NB80/s500/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607517.158" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>The flight to Sydney was uneventful, as was the flight to Los Angeles after that.</p><p>That is, until the plane arrived at LAX and all passengers (or "customers" as they called them these days) were not allowed to "deplane", another new fine airline word, until after officials had come onboard.</p><p>The officials were 4 very serious looking policemen, who stopped at the guy just in front of Hans. </p><p>The guy was asked to bring his bag and come off the plane with the officials. His wife and child sat a bit further behind and they were asked to come along as well. Hans would not even speculate on what was going on there...</p><p>Immigration and customs were a breeze and even though Hans told them that he would go home in 3 weeks time, he was given a 6 months visa. Hans is clearly not customer profiled as a "usual suspect"...</p><p>Los Angeles was hot and humid and not very nice outside. Hans just had to take that mandatory LAX photo...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ft9cP60pf48/VDWgdobjrbI/AAAAAAAAdbU/3S2KRBc7RpI/s2048/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ft9cP60pf48/VDWgdobjrbI/AAAAAAAAdbU/3S2KRBc7RpI/s500/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607529.09" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>So after loitering around outside the airport for a while, Hans went back in and through X-ray. Hans was flagged as a "TSA Pre" on his boarding pass, whatever that means, but with the result that he could go through a lesser severe X-ray, no shoes off, no laptops out, no belts off etc. Too easy. Quicker than Sydney Airport, that's for sure.</p><p>Once inside the gates for LAX terminal 7, Hans found a Best Buy vending machine which he knew would sell SIM cards. </p><p>He purchased a SIM card pack and then spent the next half hour trying to get it to work with his iPhone 4. Inserting a nano SIM into a Micro SIM and into his old iPhone 4 was not an exercise for "older" people with poor eyesight and clumsy thick fingers. Yes, it took a while before Hans got it to work. </p><p>Hans was then getting hungry as time approached 12.30pm local time. So Hans bought himself a hamburger and a bottle of water... Almost U$20 including tax... Cough, cough... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-acIgx5L_Rnk/VDWgf9pqVWI/AAAAAAAAdbc/oVdOKgB8FIk/s2048/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-acIgx5L_Rnk/VDWgf9pqVWI/AAAAAAAAdbc/oVdOKgB8FIk/s500/Photo%25252020141008133656.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607491.4502" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p>Yes, it is an airport and the burger was pretty juicy, but $20 was a bit steep in Hans' view.</p><p>Plane number 3 for the day from LAX to SFO departed a few minutes late, but otherwise all good. A very United front there at LAX...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8m2jhsbTc3Q/VDYjWsc4eJI/AAAAAAAAdbs/j5LvYNu3l7E/s2048/Photo%25252020141008225531.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8m2jhsbTc3Q/VDYjWsc4eJI/AAAAAAAAdbs/j5LvYNu3l7E/s500/Photo%25252020141008225531.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607531.0781" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Hans noticed that United Airlines main feature in their inflight magazine was "Three perfect days Melbourne". Und das T-shirt Automat in Fitzroy featured on a full page...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-nMLls4ZPM/VDYjYY57cEI/AAAAAAAAdb0/hXVqiHY-CwI/s2048/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-nMLls4ZPM/VDYjYY57cEI/AAAAAAAAdb0/hXVqiHY-CwI/s500/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607550.9424" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Aerial photography from planes rarely come out well. Anyway, Hans included one picture here over presumably parts of Silicon Valley.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QBhY4SaKTtc/VDYjapjVTFI/AAAAAAAAdb8/tLxxr8sGqQ0/s2048/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QBhY4SaKTtc/VDYjapjVTFI/AAAAAAAAdb8/tLxxr8sGqQ0/s500/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607507.7249" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> At SFO, with the baggage claim, Hans turned a corner and saw his bag appearing as number 4 on the conveyor belt. That was the smoothest and quickest baggage claim ever.</p><p>Then things turned sour. Hans had booked a shuttle with Marin Door to Door. Contact to be made by Hans calling them once he had his luggage. Despite 10 calls or more, the phone line was always engaged. </p><p>There were plenty of shuttle buses operating out of SFO, but Marin Door to Door was nowhere to be found. However, Marin Airporter was there. After a bit of a chat with the driver, Hans jumped on with a vague promise of getting somewhere reasonably close. Hmm...</p><p>Hans got off at a stop called Seminary Drive, a bit further north than Sausolito but not towards the Beldevere Tiberun peninsula. What to do? Where are we?</p><p>Good ol' McDonalds came to rescue. Free wifi, ipad out and result was 1.8 miles and 33 minutes away according to Google Maps. Dusk had passed and night started to set in as Hans finished the trip as he started it, a walk. Perhaps a bit nutty wandering around with backpack and rolling bag in the dark in an unknown area, but Hans got there in the end. Here is Vineet cooking up a bit of dinner for us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z5agSKAuOK3j9vbYXU4HM6SclW8-2wwitgzWB8ZGWkpFPJm8eIoGo5pDd1zk89DDeKO6ggLfXuQip_a8xJRDL2TwdX0_lbUZNdiBYlZmkENpGRhuEYcMS1BJSfA9NBv6muV2u8zvAPM/s2048/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z5agSKAuOK3j9vbYXU4HM6SclW8-2wwitgzWB8ZGWkpFPJm8eIoGo5pDd1zk89DDeKO6ggLfXuQip_a8xJRDL2TwdX0_lbUZNdiBYlZmkENpGRhuEYcMS1BJSfA9NBv6muV2u8zvAPM/s500/Photo%25252020141008225532.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607556.364" class="alignnone" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p> And here is the other man in the house, Hunter, the world's coolest dog. And he still is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RiF_LZKvXDY/VDYjeOxuGxI/AAAAAAAAdcM/9iJm3AfTFNc/s2048/Photo%25252020141008225533.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RiF_LZKvXDY/VDYjeOxuGxI/AAAAAAAAdcM/9iJm3AfTFNc/s500/Photo%25252020141008225533.jpg" id="blogsy-1413036607485.477" class="alignnone" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p>A good meal with a bit of Penfold 8 Cabernet Shiraz and lots of chat chat chat. We did go out for another quick wander. To the local service station to get an icecream each and for Hunter to get another outing.</p><p>The very long day finished after 11pm local time, 5pm Melbourne time, as Hans finished this sentence. Now it's definitely good night.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486563801349985098.post-63781490610210975242014-10-06T12:58:00.003+11:002014-10-06T13:24:05.080+11:00Mon 6 Oct - Melbourne, AUS
<p>Two days before Hans leaves for San Francisco and he is keen, very keen... </p>
<p>Hans' bag is sort of packed and as he had more space there than he really needed, he could afford to be a bit generous with his gear. Some extra comfort items in there... And not the most scrupulous of packing either.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-INh5g2rfeDI/VDH3VOjeklI/AAAAAAAAda8/zHUhsmolVBo/s2048/Photo%25252020141006125800.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-INh5g2rfeDI/VDH3VOjeklI/AAAAAAAAda8/zHUhsmolVBo/s500/Photo%25252020141006125800.jpg" id="blogsy-1412560730673.6814" class="alignnone" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div>
<p>Given our relatively short stay in the US this time, we have a plan as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Wed 8 Oct - Wed 15 Oct: Belvedere / Tiberun, CA. Hans will fly out to San Francisco by himself and stay with his old study buddy Vineet again, for 8 nights. Observant blog readers from our gap year may recall that we stayed with Vineet in two stages when he lived in Scottsdale, AZ. He has obviously since moved.<br>
</li>
<li>
Thu 16 Oct - Sat 18 Oct: <span style="line-height: 1.3em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Belvedere / Tiberun, CA. </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Same as above except that Di will arrive that Thursday and we will both stay with Vineet for a further 3 nights.</span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Sat 18 Oct: Pick up a hire car from downtown San Francisco. We have rented one for 4 nights.</span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 1.3em;">Sun 19 Oct - Tue 21 Oct: South Lake Tahoe, CA. We have booked a motel room there for 3 nights.</span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Wed 23 Oct: Return rental car in downtown San Francisco </span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Wed 23 Oct - Sat 25 Oct: Hostel accommodation for both of us on Mason Street, San Fransisco </span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Fri 24 Oct: Full day bus tour to Monterey / Carmel / back through Silicon Valley. All but $15 for both of us was included in the cost of our airline tickets. So why not?</span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Sun 26 Oct: Di goes home. Bye Di. Arrive in Melbourne Tue 28 Oct early morning</span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Sun 26 Oct - Tue 28 Oct: Hans continue to stay by himself at the hostel in downtown San Francisco </span><br>
</li>
<li>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Wed 29 Oct: Hans goes home too. </span>Arrive in Melbourne Fri 31 Oct early morning<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>That's the broad plan. Sometimes plans work and sometimes not. Hopefully it will work since we don't have that much time.</p>
<p>And yes, absolutely. We have plenty of more travel plans for the future...</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Hans and Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480425591164274782noreply@blogger.com0