Well this day was just plain annoying. I had to be out of my motel by 11 am but my bus from Monterey to Salinas (where I needed to catch the Amtrak to San Francisco) didn't leave until 5:10. The bus depot was low key with no lockers so I had nowhere to store my bags. This effectively stopped me from squeezing another day out of beautiful Monterey.
I must say that this visit to Monterey and surrounds confirmed the feelings of affinity I felt for it on my last trip - I love you Monterey.
Mr Uber took me to Peet's Coffee House across the road from the bus depot where I spent the day justifying my long presence in their establishment by eating too much food and drinking too much coffee - besides it was raining outside :)
While I was in there I met Deb - Hi Deb!! She was great fun and has done a fair bit of travelling herself. She lives in Carmel now and told me a couple of great tales
- Betty White lives there and is known to frequent the Mission Ranch Restaurant (Clint Eastwood owned). She went there one time with some friends and her blind step son and they got stuck into 5 or 6 Martinis. When they left they all stood in line holding on to the shoulder of the person in front of them - with the blind stepson in front leading them out.
- Doris Day owns the most pet friendly hotel in the the USA - the Cypress Inn. Deb was there one time and went in to one of the reception rooms and there were no people in there - just dogs sitting around on seats like humans.
It was great talking to you Deb ...... you made the long day go a bit faster and it was much more enjoyable.
At about 4:30 I headed across the road to the bus stop - having no idea where I needed to be. A friendly bus driver showed me where to stand - and I stayed there even when it rained. The bus came on time and we set off to Salinas to meet my train. The most ridiculous thing is - the bus went right past the motel I'd left 6 hours beforehand.
I got to Salinas and was notified that the train was running 45 minutes late so..... by the time we reached Oaklands station it was 10.30 and then another bus ride into San Francisco Terminal and the Mr Uber to my hostel meant it was after midnight by the time I checked in. I was tired and grumpy but I guess not as tired and grumpy as my room mate who was trying to sleep (4 bed dorm). I made my bed - sort of - and fell into it. I had just dozed off and at 2 am another late traveller came in. No-one got much sleep that night.
San Francisco 28 October 2016
Even though I was tired I got up fairly early and Mrs Uberred to Pier 33. I walked around most of the day...... people watching and sight seeing. The weather was drizzly one minute and humid the next - jackets on - jackets off. I hopped on a tour bus that went all over San Francisco and got a $10 "granny discount" - loving it. The bus took us to The Museum of Fine Arts - a very imposing and totally unexpected structure in San Francisco.
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| Museum of Fine Arts - this photo posted by my friend Thomas Ashton. My shots didn't show the entire complex like this one |
We also went across the Golden Gate Bridge. This bridge is quite amazing and before I leave I will walk over it as I did last time I was here but both ways this time. I believe it is 3 miles long. The Bay Bridge is more remarkable structurally and in size (12 miles long) but the Golden Gate is the sentimental favourite .
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| Golden Gate Bridge |
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| This is another picture belonging to Thomas Ashton. This is a picture of his Aunt and his mother taken in 1935. In the background is one of the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was another 2 years before the bridge was finished |
The bus also took us to Fort Point which is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. It defended the San Francisco Bay following California's Gold Rush and the Civil War through World War 2. It had 141 cannons mounted on the walls but they were never used.
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| Fort Point |
We drove past all the rich peoples houses in Pacific Heights and the tour guide (who incidentally was the most annoying person I've met in some time for a multitude of reasons I won't go into) said that San Francisco is the most expensive place in the world to live in. I say this hesitantly because so much of what she said was utter crap! lol. The hostel I am staying at is a lovely older building but I wouldn't go out at night because the streets are literally filled with the homeless. There is quite a gap here between the rich and poor and it is heartbreaking.
I went back to Fishermans Wharf and looked for something healthy and non fattening to eat but soon gave up and had fish and chips.
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| I'll pretend it was healthy :) |
It was then 3 hours to go before my night time Alcatraz Cruise which departed more or less from where I was. Decision time - shall I go back to hostel and sleep for 2 hours (which would probably not be enough and would mess up the next nights sleep) or keep walking and struggle to stay awake and stay where I was. I had a couple of strong coffees and wandered around some more and managed to keep awake.....just.
The Alcatraz Cruise was excellent but decidedly spooky in the dark. The boat ride only takes 12 minutes and then you can wander around and get any of 3 ferries back. They rig you up with a headset etc and you walk around at your own speed following the instructions given. Better than having a guide because they incorporate sound effects and they really do make you jump at times. I saw Al Capone's cell and Robert Stroud's cell (Birdman of Alcatraz). You could see where some escapees tunnelled out using dessert spoons - appropriate as they were in there to get their just desserts ...groan. The prisoners were fed really well - the plan being that's one thing that can be controlled that may cause dissent and riots if it was bad. The cells were tiny - 5 feet x 9 feet about the size of a decent walk in wardrobe.
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| Quite formidable..... in the dark ..... when you are a scaredy cat |
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| I'm glad there were a lot of us visiting :) |
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| Real homely...not. The little grate jut to the left of the toilet is where they tunnelled out into a utility corridor behind. |
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| I couldn't imagine being confined like this |
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| Al Capone |
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| Wouldn't make Home Beautiful |
I was quite surprised that the guards and their wives and children all lived on that very small island. I'm not sure that would be my cup of tea as only the worst of the worst criminals went there.
It was after 11 when I got back to the hostel - 2 late nights in a row is 2 late nights too many for me. I showered and jammied and realised I couldn't find my glasses. We pulled the place apart and triple checked everything but no go. Next morning I rang Mrs Uber in case I left them in her car and asked at reception - no-one handed in any glasses. This wasn't a critical error as I had my old ones with me as back ups. The only problem is they are no good for distance so it would be a problem for movie going and night driving.
San Francisco 29 October 2016
I went to bed last night - glasses-less - thinking I would just crash. At 3:30 am I was still wide awake. I must have finally dozed off because I awoke at 8:40 and my 2 room mates had gone out for the day - I never heard a thing. Today I am having a quiet day.... yet another unsuccessful search for my glasses and a trip to the laundromat. At the laundromat I got chatting with a Mexican guy who had a cute dog that was playing with a toy kangaroo - the obvious Australian connection. Missing Derek so much I started playing with Rocky and we were getting on really well and then the guy told me it was an American Pitbull. I couldn't remember if the bad press I 'd read about them was true and wondered if at any given point Rocky would suddenly rip my tonsils out. End result - I still have my tonsils and Rocky was lovely - as was his owner.
On my return from the the laundromat - guess what!!!???? Yay!!!???? the lady at reception called me over - she apologised - they had my glasses all the time but she didn't know that. They had been found in the elevator (don't ask - I don't know). I'm so happy to get them back. I've spent the last couple of hours updating this blog and sorting photos - it's now 2:30 - a bit late to go and see anything today and get back before dark so methinks I will stretch out on the bed - cup of tea in hand and my kindle and let nature take it's course....it bloody does any way lol......... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
PS my eye is gradually returning to normal although my brow is still quite sore
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| Getting better all the time :) |
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