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Before we arrived in America, the West Coast was freezing; people were still wearing jumpers and jeans and I heard there may still have been snow further north. However the day we arrived the temperature soared and this place is now an oven (you're welcome California). On our second day in San Diego we decided we better get our act together and see as much of this beautiful and understated city as possible. Following an itinerary suggested by Ibbs (and after a moderate sleep in until 10am), we walked towards the coastal edge of downtown for what was promised to be the 'best burritos in San Diego' from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Now this 'restaurant' was so hole-in-the-wall that we wandered around 4 blocks trying to find what was essentially a service window on the street. But the burritos were definitely good.
Following an unattractive strip of construction works, we wandered through the heat to the Midway, one of America's longest serving aircraft carriers. Spending hours exploring this massive boat we learnt about life in the Navy and saw a large collection of aircraft. Most of this experience went over my head (never been much into aircraft or modern warfare), but it was still pretty impressive and interesting to see life on board and learning how precise landing on the top deck has to be.
Towards the end of our Midway wanders Sav and I lost Anita and Dumsday, so after visiting the giftshop and buying Dumsday a Master Pilot badge for his birthday, we left the carrier in search of the others. This search (which was also being undertaken at the same time by Anita and Dumsday), saw us wander around for half an hour, with a quick stop off at a giant statue of the Sailor's Kiss (which Sav and I recreated in an sickeningly adorable photo). When we thought all hope was lost we abandoned our search to head off to our next destination, when we happened to run into our elusive couple. You always find things when you stop looking.
Wandering further along the waterfront we visited Seaport Village, an adorable collection of restaurants and shops clustered together. Anita finally got her Ben & Jerry's fix (although none of us could finish our creamy treats in the oppressive heat, except for Sav who wisely chose sorbet), followed by a ferry ride to Coronado Island.
Anita was losing her mind over Coronado Island; the night before, when we were asking Ibbs for sightseeing suggestions, Anita learnt that Coronado Island is where the Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like It Hot was filmed. This was the best news that Anita could have ever heard, but also the worst, with the thought that she nearly missed out on seeing the location of one of her favourite films.
The ferry ride to Coronado was lovely, giving you a beautiful view of San Diego from the river, and glimpses of Mexico in the distance (you can also see the mountains of Mexico from Ibbs and Anna's fake balcony). The Hotel Del Coronado, the main setting from Some Like It Hot, is positioned on the other side of the island to the ferry terminal, but in true strong-willed tourist fashion, we walked from one side to the other in just over an hour. I think the day was around 31 degrees, but California's dry heat made the walk a little less uncomfortable than it would have been back home.
Approaching the Hotel from the wrong side, we did a full tour of the Hotel's exterior before being amazed at the gorgeous interior of this massive 125 year old building. To stay at one of the beach-front bungalows here can cost you around $2000 per night. But located right on the beach with an amazing pool and restaurant area, it is easy to see why you would fork out that cash. Walking along the beach Anita and I took off our shoes and socks to let the sand massage our feet. At the end of the day in our attempt to catch a taxi back to the ferry, we ended up walking the entire way back to the other side of the island. However Coronado is so peaceful and affluent (the police station looked like a Tuscan mansion), so it was a very visually pleasant (if hot and tiring) walk.
Catching a taxi from the ferry back to Ibbs and Anna's by 7pm, we showered and rested before walking through Little Italy (so many fantastic restaurants!) and having dinner and drinks at El Camino. The second we sat down we were presented with tortilla chips and dips, which disappeared in a few seconds, only to be replaced by two more portions, all for free. Super super strong cocktails and fish tacos followed as we sat in an open air bar directly beneath San Diego's flight path. Every now and then a giant roar would fill the air and every head would tilt upwards as a giant plane was framed by the bar's walls as the aircraft made its way to the airport only a few blocks away. Dumsday was in aircraft-nerd heaven that day.
After our feed, Ibbs introduced us to the wonder that is Uber, a taxi-like app service operated by locals out of their own cars. As a user all you need to do is download the app (I think you automatically receive $25 credit) and select the pick up option. The app will then tell you if a driver is in your area, they will then pick you up and drive you home for about half the price of a taxi, and your fare is taken off your account so no cash or cards are ever exchanged. As an 'employee' you just have to have a car that meets certain requirements, you get given a phone with the app already loaded, and you select the call-outs you want, and keep 80% of the fare. Such a brilliant system, and apparently it's also available in Brisbane. Some of us are even thinking of becoming drivers in our spare time for the extra cash, it's that easy.
Arriving back at Ibbs' there was even more drinking and playing with Missy, heading to bed around 1am.
Highlights: recreating the Sailor's Kiss; picturesque Seaport Village; Hotel Del Coronado (and pretty much the whole island); delicious free dip; watching the planes at El Camino
Lowlights: walking so much in the heat; not being able to find a shady spot to eat our burritos; foolishly choosing rich creamy ice cream; losing Anita and Dumsday (much stress)
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