Ok here we go again, another city, another bus journey (I'd gotten over my hangover by the time we were due to leave but was very tired so slept alot of the way - that'll teach me galavanting around and being led astray in Vegas by Katie and Crystal)at least it wasn't a really long bus journey. We left Vegas and detoured to LA arriving there at 5am!! before heading up to San Francisco. We eventually arrived in San Fran at about 2.00pm and headed off to find a hostel for the next few nights. Hostel was ok but kitchen was useless only had microwaves and no kettle just a boiling hot water tap thingy not very good really but apparantly new cooker is on its way. Also you're not to have any food or alcohol in your rooms - help!!
Once we had freshened up (get very dirty on Greyhound buses!!) we decided to go exploring a wee bit, San Francisco is lovely, felt safe, content reminded us a bit of London, the way the streets are, we were staying right in the heart of the city so had access to bars, restaurants (which pleased Elle) and transport. The four of us me, Elle, Vic and Nic went to a diner for supper which made you think you had stepped back in time, had that 50s feel to it and had juke boxes on the tables, food was ok. We then found an irish bar called Johnny O'Folleys - another one, which was pretty cool but was quiet. Got the tram to the Wharf - oh my god are the streets steep in San Francisco, felt like I was going to fall out at one point but was great fun, found another bar called Jacks and had a couple of drinks - there were a few sexy men there not many though. Got taxi back to hostel which was ok - gotta show your booking form each time you go in - nightmare!!
Ells and I decided we would walk up to Pier 39 and 41 where the ferry takes you to go to Alcatraz. Walked along the waterfront and saw a huge cruise liner and a submarine in the docks which was pretty cool. While walking past a man selling pictures of San Francisco that he had done I think with oils which were really good consequently I bought one. Got to the Wharf and got our tickets for Alcatraz!!
Got the ferry across to Alcatraz, it was quite strange being on the ferry and going towards it after seeing films and hearing so much about it. It looks very derelict and run down once you get to port and is hilly - which didn't please Ells - she doesn't do hills. It was very interesting and the tapes they gave you to listen to while walking around had real footage of inmates and guards who were there at the time and also background noises which were quite freaky - I definately would not have liked to have stayed there plus when the wind blow my god was it cold and very blowy but good views of the skyline though. Didn't really know what to expect it felt eerie and seeing where the inmates stayed and hearing the stories of fights etc gave you goosebumps at time but was pretty cool being there though.
Had a typical touristy photo taken of me with Alcatraz in the background - see pic.
I'm glad I went to see it but would not like to be there at night although they do do a nighttime tour which would be pretty spooky and eerie!!
Got back on mainland and went and had a well deserved drink in the Hard Rock Cafe (and also to try and help get rid of Elle's cold that she had). We had a gorgeous supper in a restaurant called The Crab House, good food, wine and blinding service. Headed back to hostel and surprise surprise ended up in the Irish bar - again and met some of my fellow countrymen.
The views were fantastic and it was a hot day too which was nice. Bought 2 bottles of wine for us to have on the beach in Fiji which will be cool. On way back went over the famous bridge which was cool - although I was asleep - DOH!!
All in all had a very good day and enjoyed the wines!!
Found a scottish pub called the Edinburgh Castle and it was full of quiz buffs so therefore didn't stay for very long!! Although the Jamiesons that Ells had revived her, up to that point she was dying - bad Greyhound buses!!
Having decided that we hadn't had enough exercise we had the bright idea of walking up to Lombard Street which has the very famous crooked street and if you don't like hills its not recommended!! but the views of Alcatraz and the bay were wonderful. Ells then had this mad idea that we should drive down it tomorrow before we head for LA and me being the daft person that I am agreed to it!!
After all that exercise we thought we would treat ourselves to a lovely chinese meal in China Town - could've been better and had better but it was warm!! Looked in at door and saw it was busy turned out to be full of coach parties from Austria or somewhere.
There was a cabaret act one night in irish bar and we couldn't work out if it was a man or a woman one minute he/she was singing high the next was very low (turns out she used to be a man but had the op so is now a woman).
Went back to the Irish bar for our last night and had a laugh, while there Elle met Michael and Lalitta who were to turn out to be our fellow companions for the drive to LA!!
Thoroughly enjoyed my time in San Francisco would like to go back but am looking forward to the next part of the trip which involves a very long drive to LA airport courtesy of Hertz - see you in LA!!