Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Friday 17th July
Got up about half 7 and out of the hostel by 8 to get the bus in rush hour to the Greyhound terminal. Thought our bus was at 11, and wanted to be there at 10 so left 2 hrs... except it only took 1hr 20 mins even having walked 17 blocks through some decidedly dodgy neighbourhoods (good thing it was daylight!) that reminded us a lot of Delhi. Seriously. The bus trip from Venice to downtown was interesting too... we got on early so had seats the whole way, but not a great deal of room for our rucksacks! Noticed about half way there that we were pretty much the only people not speaking Spanish, with the exception of a charming black lady who told the bus driver that she shouldn't have to pay bus fare as she was broke and that he should just shut up and drive the f***ing bus, all while she was on her mobile phone. What a nice person. So we were at the terminal by 9.30, only to find that our bus was actually at 11.30, so we had 2 hrs to waste! Well at least we were there in good time!
The bus wasn't as nice as the Greyhounds we had been on in Oz but had our seats for the whole journey, and there didn't appear to be any weirdos on the bus which was good. Stopped in the middle of nowhere for a Burger King stop at about 3pm so braved the 106F heat very briefly, before we headed off and arrived in San Francisco at about 7.30. Walked from the terminal to our hostel on Post Street with me carrying both my bag and Jo's. This was because it would stop her whinging about us walking so far :p At least it did stop her moaning!
Arrived at USA Hostel to found that our booking had been messed up so that we had to change rooms during our 4 nights there.... twice! Did end up getting a private ensuite room for the final 2 nights at the same rate we were paying for a room with communal showers. Not too bad. Also got free internet every time we checked in. So that would be 3 times. The rooms were actually really nice, more like a hotel, with fridge, TV, microwave and iPod dock! Went to a littel creperie 2 blocks away for dinner, which was very nice. MASSIVE portions!
Saturday 18th July
Had to be up and checked out by 10 to recheck in at 2pm to switch rooms for the first time so at least that got us up at a reasonable hour! Left our bags in the luggage room and went out to explore San Francisco.... by foot! Definitely a good workout with some extremely steep hills, with the parked cars looking like they would topple down the slopes at any second! We walked all the way to the bay and Fisherman's Wharf before walking to Pier 39, where we saw a a street 'performer' (more likely homeless) whose trick was to hide behind a couple of branches he was holding and then jumping out and unsuspecting pedestrians. Actually pretty funny. Pier 39 was cool, with lots of nice places to eat. Was pretty busy though what with it being a lovely sunny Saturday during the summer holidays. We walked to the end of the pier to see the sealions basking in the sun. Quite cool, but very smelly and very noisy! We then walked the other way along the bay, to Ghirardelli Square, famous for the chocolate factory that used to be there, and for the chocolate that the same company still makes (which is fantastic!). We treated ourselves to some very posh choccies before joining the queue to ride the famous San Francisco trolley system. We had to queue for 45 mins as it was so busy, but we managed to stand on the outside, hanging on very tightly. It is a very cool way to get around the city. We rode all the way to Union Square in an attempt to avoid walking the hills again. There was a big art exhibition going on so we had a little look at that before walking back to the hostel and checking in for the second time. We then actually walked to the supermarket nearby to get some bits and pieces for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Had a very chilled evening in the room just watching TV and eating our microwaved dinner!
Sunday 19th July
Up early again to change rooms (again). Decided to chill in the hostel until about 2 to catch up on the internet, and use skype, and also to do some overdue laundry! We had intended to do the Alcatraz tour today but we didn't book ahead which meant they were all sold out until the Thursday of this week so we just decided to have a very lazy day. Spent the afternoon in our new room just reading and watching Spongebob. In the evening we walked to the cinema to see Public Enemies. At least we went to bed tonight knowing we wouldn't have to get up and change rooms in the morning!
Monday 20th July
Had a lovely lie in this morning and were out of the hostel at about noon and walked to the bay and piers again but this time went via Lombard Street - the "crookedest street in the world"! It is ridiculous, but is very nicely landscaped and looks quite spectacular. Found a Starbucks (our first in a month or so) for lunch and then walked from there all the way around the bay towards the Golden Gate Bridge but it was so misty that all we could see was the bottom of the piers and the deck. Photos showed the bridge but not in all of their splendour sadly. Walked back to the trolley stop at Ghirardelli Square only to find that the queue was as long as it was on Saturday so we walked back instead. Got back about 4.30 and chilled in the room until going out for dinner at the creperie we went to on Friday evening which was delicious (and cheap!). Chilled before bed and a reasonably early start before flying to Vegas! WOOP WOOP!
- comments