Sculpture garden

Even the cows were cold!

Frosty morning NZ style

Chilling in New Zealand

After a smooth flight across the Pacific we arrived in NZ. We have been taking it very easy since, frosty mornings and warm(ish) sunny days. We have decided that you would never get tired of the view from the Fear's house and they agree. It is great to catch up with them all. We have perused the shops in Cambridge and Hamilton and today we visited an arboretum and sculture garden, which was quite lovely if a little shady and cool. Tonight we are off to the Woodbox for dinner, which as most of the family remember, provided a lovely dinner in 2010. Back to Auckland in the morning and then home.

Farewell USA

We saw this at our fav supermarket "Wholefoods" and thought it summed up our thoughts perfectly!

Surfing the Bridge

Looking North

Looking South

Last day in USA

As luck would have it Dira was at the drugstore and stood next to one of the few Aussies we have encountered on our trip and he in turn shared his head cold with her. As a consequence, I struck out alone to walk the Golden Gate Bridge. A bus trip over the bridge saw the driver drop off myself and three Spanish speaking women at what did not even appear to be bus stop and was way past the end of the bridge. A bit of careful navigation along a non pedestrian road soon saw me joining the throng of people and cars crossing the bridge. It was a warm sunny day and even the wind was light. The traffic noise (6 lanes of non stop cars, trucks and buses) did not quite allow for the type of walk I had I mind but nothing could beat the view. After crossing I walked over to the Pacific Ocean side to see some coastline, surfers under the bridge and a huge tanker pass by. I also enjoyed great views of the city skyline and the harbour. Returning to the hotel saw Dira feeling well enough to venture out into the warm afternoon sunshine for a final bask before we head even further toward home via the Fears. We know Winter awaits us.

Mad Men

Catching the tram up to the Castro for dinner, opposite there was a man on the train who pulled down his pants and begun to play with himself, no one seemed peturbed by this, this was followed by arriving at the Castro Sqaure where two men were totally naked except for their shoes. I did not quite notice this as we stepped off the tram but nearly ran into them, they were having casual conversations and it appeared to be normal for those around them. Had a great meal at Eiji a resturant in a small room that only seated 20 diners at capacity and run by a quirky Japanese family. The tofu was hand made and we had this amazing tofu dish, sort of like a creme brûlée with a smoky miso sauce. On the way home as we got off the tram and headed back up hill to our hotel, we experienced a horror movie moment, sitting in the window at Burger King was a man with a small silver base ball bat in his hand, when he saw us he looked at us and tapped the bat in his hand, it was freaky, again nobody seemed disturbed by this.. we quickly headed back to the hotel.

Lombard Street

Crazy!

That Bridge!

Bay architecture

Cruising the bay

With the sun shining and a soft breeze we took our favorite tram to Fishermans Wharf and walked along the bay, over the hill to the marina, where the Escape to Alcatraz triathlon was about to commence, San Francisco's finest bodies on display, we thought of joining in but fortunately for us we left our Lycra at the hotel. The homes on the waterfront were to die for and each one so different. We then wandered up the hill to Union St for lunch at Nettie's Crab House, we snacked on crab cakes, fish tacos and beet salad, with a bloody Mary as I have learned this is what you have here for lunch on the weekends. Headed up the hill a bit further to walk down the worlds crookedest street, what a sight. Back down the hill to the Wharf and back on the tram (which are amazing so old - 50's style... I may need a polka dot dress...and great colors). Travelling by public transport here is a breeze and we have the system down pat. Last day tommorow so we plan to head across the bay to Saucilito for the day, as the weather is so fine.

The F tram

Dira and Billy

Haight houses

The Castro

Freedom, peace love and happiness

Today we made our way to Castro St, a famous gay area. After trying to buy a coke in a bar of tired queens, we made our way along the street. Reminded me of Oxford street with a slightly more village feel but felt the history of Harvey Milk there. We then took the bus to Haight Ashbury. We were going to walk through the Golden Gate Park but at the sight of a large number of homelss people and their dogs, with the Police patrolling through the middle of them, we decided to walk through the town instead. We are at a loss to understand why there are so many homelss people in SF along with why so many of these seem unwell and still on the streets. Very sad indeed. The locals were certainly living the (hippie) dream, many dreadlocks, rainbow clothes and unusual people were to be found. We had lunch in an Irish pub with window seats, watching the world pass by (one of our fav pastimes). Dira chatted with Bill, a homeless man selling newspapers like the Big Issue. He had been homeless for 10 years but was a lively character. We then took the fabulous tram to the Ferry Building for dinner. Amazingly there was hardly any wind, unlike the night before where we were nearly blown back to Boston!

Supersize me Pt2

They make those seagulls very large over here...