This morning we were up early and finished packing our bags, had some breakfast and checked out. Someone had told us that you had to get to the airport at least 2 hours early as they were queued up in the street having their bags weighed with the limits being strictly enforced. Well we were here 3 hours early and walked straight through! Luckily there is free wifi so I was able to update the blog,check mail etc. we are looking forward to cooler weather in San Francisco.
Well our flight was delayed for 1 hour because San Francisco is fogged in. We boarded the plane and after sitting for a while the Captain advised that we were delayed further and we were to get off the plane. New departure time 1:50pm. After sitting at the gate we thought we heard an announcement that we were to move to Gate 9 so we did. We were sitting waiting when we heard our names being paged to go to Gate 8. We wandered over only to be told to run down the gangway as the plane was about to leave! Every one else was on board so it was a bit embarrassing but at least we didn't miss the flight. We eventually arrived in San Francisco at 4pm.
We caught a cab to our hotel. The cab driver said that there was a big conference in town which explains why we had trouble finding affordable accommodation. The hotel leaves a bit to be desired but it is only 4 nights. It has one of those lifts like you see in movies where you open the door and then have to slide open a grill to get in.
After settling in we caught a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. It was quite an experience. There is no engine, one man works the levers and another one works the brake. Not cheap though at $6 a ride. We went past Lombard Street and saw the crookedest street in the world. Will go back there before we go. When we got off the cable car we walked to Pier 33 where we were taking a tour to Alcatraz.
We had a cuppa then joined a queue to board the ferry. Yet another AFP (another f.....g photo)! Everywhere you go you have to have your photo taken and they try and make you buy it at the end.
We boarded the ferry along with a lot of other people and headed off into San Francisco Bay and around to Alcatraz Island. When we got there we took the tram up to the prison as Annamaree had sore feet. We were given audio players for the tour and it was really interesting as some of the former warders and prisoners narrated the tour. While we were looking at the cells I heard a familiar voice talk to me and it was Tania and Teresa again. How amazing to run into them again. After the tour we caut the tram back to the ferry. When we got back to the pier we went to Fisherman's Wharf for tea at Boudain's who make their own sour dough and sell chowder in bread cases. Then we took a taxi back to the motel.
That's it for now.
Cheers
Roz
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