More San Fran

The skating was magnificent. Balmy evening, lights, rock music, almost surreal experience. We followed with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory on top the Macy building; very tasty and great views of Union Square from the outdoor patio.

Anyway back to where I was...

After checking in on Sunday afternoon we went down to check out the downtown. Found a great Apple store, teaming with people as always (go Apple!). Clever Helene suggested we google 'Kosher San Fran' and we found a place called Sabra Grill just 2 blocks from the hotel in Chinatown. Yids and Chinese seem to always go well together, not sure why. So off we went. It was great. We had shashlik skewers, beef and chicken while Nat had a ground beef burger. Met a few local yids and did some Jewish geography before turning in.

Our departure on Wednesday to LA was scheduled for 7:25am (used Qantas points to get on American and that's all they had). The driver was to pick us up at 5:15am which I wasn't looking forward to (meant a 4am alarm). So I spent 2 hour early Monday morning first waiting for Qantas to take my call, then American then back to Qantas. All they could offer was 12:15pm which would make it a full on transit day or 9pm at night. Also the driver couldn't do the 12:15 time as already booked so we went for the 9pm flight. We love SF and this gives a full extra day and means we don't waste it.

While Helene and I were doing this, Gab and Nat took themselves shopping and had a great time being independent. At about 11 we joined them downstairs and headed for the cable car which we rode to Fishermans Wharf. G & N were the ones hanging out over the street on this first trip which they absolutely loved. Broad grins on both their faces while we just held thumbs that they didn't lose their grip.

The day was absolutely stunning , perfect, in fact if the sun too long got schwitzy. We took in the views and then found this legendary bakery / deli for lunch:

http://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm?page_id=6

We had a superb tomato soup in a big bread loaf with the top cut out and placed elsewhere on your plate. They have some great products there and you can watch the bread being made.

After lunch we explored Pier 39 and the wharf area in general. We then took a 4pm, 1 hour bay cruise which took us under the Golden Gate bridge and around Alcatraz Island. The views of the city were superb. By the time we returned and made our way to Ghirardelli Square (pronounced gear-ar-delly) it was getting dark. We shared one of their huge ice cream sundaes ('hot cocoa' is horrible and nothing like our hot chocolates which Helene loves so much). It was then time for Helene and Benj to hang out of the cable car as we took the alternative Hyde line back to Union Square. the ice skating and late dinner followed making it a very full day. And at 9am we were being met for a tour to Muirwoods, Saucilito, Golden Gate and the city!

Any wonder Benj couldn't wake at the appointed time. He was exhausted so the girls took the tour while I stayed in the room to read and catch up on the blog. Benj woke at 12 and the girls have just returned and had a wonderful time. Pics to follow soon.

I love the cosmopolitan nature of this place, in fact most of the palces we've been. Blacks, whites, spanish, Jamaican, whatever, all hanging ou together with their colloquial dialects, different dress styles, etc. It really is rich mix and makes me feel that we're somewhat bland back home. I guess what people from th middle east feel about Oz. But then this is just a 2 second tourist take so probably not necessarily very real. Fascinating to sample nonetheless.