San Francisco - Alcatraz

Another early start to catch the ferry to Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. This was the first stop on the Alcatraz run. An island once used as a military base and also immigration detention centre much like Ellis Island. Today, it is much used by San Franciscans for day trips and hiking. There were lots of families picknicking and groups of kids there today...possibly school tours. We had an hour tour around the island on a trolley car...very breezy and cold. Had a bite to eat at the cafe there as no food is allowed on Alcatraz and then boarded the ferry for the trip across the water to Alcatraz Island.

The weather today was suitably cold and foggy....made the prison seem very grim. It probably would have been a little different on a lovely sunny day. Hoards of people around...apparently the most popular attraction in San Francisco.

Peter spoke briefly to an ex con who was in the gift shop signing his book...an old man now....said he is now reformed...had done time for bank robbery.

The trip back across the bay was much quicker and we caught the open top bus back to Union Square...walked to our hotel to rest up....pack...get ready for dinner...sleep...come home. Yeah!

San Francisco - exploring photos

San Francisco - exploring

Today we spent the day exploring the city using our five day open top bus tickets...coming in very handy!
First stop, Fisherman's Wharf to see if we could get tickets to Alcatraz....no luck today but we're booked for tomorrow. Wanderered around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 to check out the sea lions that have taken up residence there.
Also had a look at the Musee Mechanique....full of old coin operated slot machines and games....quite interesting.
Did the obligatory scary cable car ride up and down the hills, packed in like sardines....hilarious, I thought our driver looked like Morgan Freeman perhaps moonlighting??...even talked like him...he may have been a little on the short side though.
Again hopped on the bus this arvo for a trip up to Golden Gate park...pretty Victorian wooden houses to see on the way as well as streets we hadn't yet seen..
Two more sleeps....and counting...

Photos of Yosemite

Yosemite

A long day..... we were outside our hotel waiting for our pick up at 7.15. All assembled at the Sheraton and set off at 8am for the long drive to Yosemite. It took almost 5 hours including the 30min stop for refreshments. Quite a scary ride as we got closer to to the park with the steep and winding road...I was sitting on the right side of the bus so got the worst view over the edge.
Once inside the park the views really became spectacular....huge granite rocks and waterfalls everywhere. The only way to describe the beauty of it all is to post lots of photos...judge for yourselves.
We had lunch in the shade and watched the little squirrels scamper around us begging for food. $100 fine if we did so we didn't!
After lunch we took the park open shuttle complete with park ranger for commentary around the park for nearly two hours. We definitely saw more than if we had tried to explore independantly.
On the way out of the park around 5pm we saw another black bear (this time a caramel fudge colour??) no photos but I have 25 witnesses that saw it too!
After the long drive home we arrived back in San Francisco around 9.30pm and headed out for a quick meal and a long sleep.
Oh, on the way to dinner we saw a beggar in a wheelchair and on the way back from dinner, the same man get up and push his wheelchair up the road....see miracles do happen!
A great day but I'm ready for home.

Pictures in San Francisco

Golden gate bridge and view of Alcatraz...oh and me.

San Francisco - day 1-2

Saturday.....Well after a good sleep, shower and a bit of unpacking we hit the streets of San Francisco.
Our hotel is close to Union Square so that's where we headed.....found the open top bus right there so off we went. We've paid for a five day pass which is quite handy as it gives us 5 different routes to play with.
First day we did the downtown loop which took us past Fishermen's Wharf and Pier 39. We didn't get off but just took in the views. Nice to be a bit warmer!
We had dinner in the restaurant attached to the hotel....not impressed with the service or the attitude of the staff so we left a SMALL tip. This tip business is wearing a bit thin!
Anyway, we both slept well, waking up this morning around 9.30am!!
Sunday.... more open top bus...this time over the Golden Gate bridge. We got off near Fishermen's Wharf and had fish and chips for lunch.....horrors!! what possesses them to cook chips with masses of garlic?...ugh!
This evening, we ventured into Chinatown and had the most delicious food and bottle of Californian wine. I loved Chinatown...so much to look at, loads of tacky souvenir shops, much fun!
Tomorrow we are booked to do a 13 hour tour to Yosemite Park....hope we see lots of lovely scenery.