Act 9

14 September 2008 – 21 September 2008

14/09/08          We were up at 7am this morning so we could be have breakfast and be ready for the 9am shuttle to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the MotoGP. 

Our seats were up the top of the grandstand (undercover) on the straight but oh there were so many stairs.  We settled in, as comfortably as possible, while waiting for the first race which was 125cc race for 13 to 16 year olds.  It was enjoyable but shortened by 2 laps due to the weather.

It had started to rain just before they started the race and as the race progressed the weather closed in considerably.  The weather was not kind on the day; it was part of the tail end on Hurricane Ike with pouring rain and high winds between 30 to 60mph.  Ah well this is the joys of outdoor sporting events.  They did manage to complete 17 laps of the next race but had to call off the 250cc race as there was way too much water on the track.  (It was hoped it would be run after the MotoGP.)

Finally the weather cleared somewhat and they got most of the water off the track as they prepared to run the MotoGP.  Well the race started but the weather closed back in again as the race was under way and they ended up calling the race at 20 laps.

Valentino Rossi won the race, with Nicky Hayden 2^nd and Jorge Lorenzo 3^rd.  Our Casey Stoner was 4^th. 

As the rain settled in, Officials decided to call off the 250cc race altogether as it was much too dangerous for the riders.

So ended our day and it was a pity that the weather played such an active part.  Reg was looking forward to it and I know he was disappointed it was cut short.  Anyway darling there is Phillip Island in 2009.

As we made our way out of the stadium we ran in to a Canadian couple that Reg had met yesterday and we all went to dinner at a restaurant not far from the track.  Our shuttle driver had given us the idea in the morning and it was good.  The food excellent and we had great company.  They are a lovely couple and we had a great chat with lots of laughs.

Early to bed tonight as we are off to San Francisco tomorrow.

15/09/08          Today was our last really early start of our trip.  We arrived in San Francisco without too many troubles.  Lorrie’s Shuttle to the Chancellor was great and it didn’t take too long from the airport either.

Arriving at the hotel around 2pm we checked in and our room was ready which was great.  We are on the 15^th floor with a view over Union Square.  The room is a reasonable size with a very comfy bed, walk in wardrobe (great for all the bags).

After settling into our room I headed out to a nail salon a couple of doors away.  When I got back we wandered over to have a look at Union Square before having a very late lunch/early dinner.

Once back in our room I collapsed on the bed and had a very early night.  The early mornings and some late nights plus the flying had taken its toll and I was stuffed.

16/09/08          Another day dawned and after a good night’s sleep we are ready to face the day.  We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and although the service was slow as they were very busy the food was excellent.  I would have to say one of the best breakfasts we have had on our trip.  Except for the ones we did for ourselves in New York.

After breakfast we organised what we needed to do today.  Organise the washing, find a hair and nail salon for me for next Monday (before the cruise), find a shoe repair shop and Reg wanted to look for some bike leathers.

So armed with addresses and places to go we set foot in San Francisco.  First stop was the hair salon, then we found the shoe repair shop.  We then headed up Grant Ave and came across the Chinatown Gate and headed left from here to find the Laundromat (for the wash and fold service) on our list.  Well it was only a block away but the staff was not going to be back for 45 minutes.

Oh dear what to do then Reg saw a place just over the road so we headed in there and left our washing there.  Gee we love this wash and fold service idea.  Sure beats watching over a washer and dryer.

Then we caught a cable car back down to Powell St to the turnaround.  We hopped off and there is a Westfield Shopping Centre just over the road so we wandered into there for a little while.  After this we grabbed a cab down to the “Stompers” to look at bike boots.  Alas there were none that would fit his ‘flat and wide’ feet.  Then we walked a couple of blocks to the next place looking for a bike jacket.  Still no luck there either.

Time for a break and just over the road there was “The Eagle Tavern” so we wandered in there for a nice cold beer.  Well the cold beer was good and it went down very well.  It was a good spot and everyone was very friendly.  The bar is decorated in bike memorabilia and the owner has made up sculptures and lights out of old bike parts.  It looks very good and there is even a twist on the theme of ladies knickers on the ceiling.  Here it is men’s jocks and boxers.

The barman even told us where we could have a very late lunch at a cafe just up the road.  Off we headed to the cafe and the food was excellent.  I think the hamburger was one of the best we have had during our travels.  After our meal we headed back to the Tavern where Reg played a few games of pool with some of the guys.  It was after eight before we headed back to the hotel.

We have had a really enjoyable day and had great chats with the locals at the Tavern.

17/09/08          We were up early for breakfast in the hotel dining room as we were on the 9am tour of Alcatraz.  It is cool this morning and after breakfast we grabbed a cab down to the wharf.  The tour was excellent and we definitely recommend it.  The audio tour, that is included with your ticket, takes you through what it was like and how they lived etc and was excellent.  It is narrated by ex prison officers and prisoners.

There was even an ex prisoner there today, who had written a book about his time at Alcatraz, signing copies of his book for people who bought it.

We can only imagine what it must have been like and how terrible it was to have San Francisco so close and yet so far away.  The view from the island of the city is breathtaking to say the least.

After spending over 2 hours on the island we headed back to the city on the ferry.  From there we walked down to Pier 39 wandering around the shops and doing a little more souvenir shopping.

Then we headed down to Fisherman’s Wharf and had some clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl for what was a very late lunch.  It was delicious.

By this time it was after 4pm so we waited in the line at the Cable Car turnaround for a ride back to our hotel.

Once back at the Chancellor we stopped in the bar for a couple of drinks and relaxed before going to dinner next door at Sears.  Reg had the pasta and I had French Onion Soup.  The meal was good but we decided we will try the Chancellor the next night.  Although the restaurant is not open they do have a snack menu and it does look good and at reasonable prices.

After dinner we took our weary feet back to our room where it wasn’t long before we were both tucked up sound asleep.

18/09/08          After a sleep in and lazing around we headed to the restaurant for breakfast around 10am or so.  The breakfast was excellent again.

Then we headed out to find another suitcase – yes we have a little more stuff than we can fit in what we already have with us.  We found one at Ross for Less which was very inexpensive and it will take the overflow plus also fit the water and soft drink cans and the wine we will be taking on board with us.

All that over and done with we headed back to the hotel to deposit the suitcase and collapsed and read our books and did very little.

Around 5pm we headed down to the bar for their happy hour and enjoyed a couple of beers and wines as well as trying their snack menu.  The food was very good and very inexpensive with Reg having the Chicken Pasta Alfredo and I had the hamburger with salad.  So we have decided that we will be eating there on Monday night once we are back at the Chancellor.

I cannot praise the hotel enough everyone was totally focused on customer service and making sure that our stay was memorable.  We are looking forward to returning to the Chancellor on Monday.

19/09/08          Our last day in San Francisco, we slept in and had a very late breakfast in Luques Restaurant – again it was delicious.

We were able to put most of our bags into storage at the Chancellor so we only have one bag to take with us for the weekend.  Once that was organised and we had checked out we walked the couple of blocks to the Avis Depot to pick up our rental car.

The agent who was looking after us asked us if we wanted to upgrade to a Nissan 350Z convertible.  Seemed like a great idea at the time so we said yes and then they didn’t have the car in the garage after all.  Oh well we ended up settling for a Cadillac with all the ‘bells and whistles”.

You can even heat or cool your seats – yes I found out the hard way pushing buttons and then wondering why I was feeling so hot – I had pushed the heat seat button.  It is great to drive and handles very well.

Once in the car we headed for Lombard Street for a drive down it and then up to Twin Peaks for the view.  From here it was not far to get onto the road to head south along Highway 1 (coast road).

The views were magnificent of the coastline and it was a great drive down.  We are staying at the Seven Gables Inn which is across the street from the water.  The Inn was built in 1886 and they have some beautiful antiques and paintings inside and the views are amazing. We can see otters swimming from their parlour windows

When we arrived they were just in the middle of the complimentary wine and cheese in the late afternoon.  So we checked in an then enjoyed a couple of glasses of delicious California wine and some cheese, biscuits and fruit before heading to our room.

We are in the Garden Room and it is lovely with beautiful furnishings.  It is quite large and has 2 comfy armchairs and from our room we have a great view of the water.  The gardens are full of lovely flower.  It is a lovely spot and we are so pleased that we picked to stay here.

20/09/08 – 21/09/08    Apologies all I have been a little lax with updating our travels.  We spent this weekend in Monterey and had a lovely stay at the Seven Gables Inn.  We would recommend it to anyone who is going to be in the area.

We took a drive down 17 Mile Drive past Pebble Beach and had a short look around Carmel.  A very quaint spot with lots of art, craft and antique shops.  We then went to the Monterey Jazz Festival for a few hours.

Dinner was at Latitudes which was right on the bay and had a wonderful view and the food was excellent.

Sunday was fairly leisurely and after some shopping at Trader Joes, for supplies for the cruise, we headed to Cannery Row and some lunch.   We had lunch at an English Pub and had their battered cod and chips (normal chips not fries) and it was very good.  After lunch we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf where we saw seals frolicking.

20/09/08 – 21/09/08    Apologies all I have been a little lax with updating our travels.  We spent this weekend in Monterey and had a lovely stay at the Seven Gables Inn.  We would recommend it to anyone who is going to be in the area.

We took a drive down 17 Mile Drive past Pebble Beach and had a short look around Carmel.  A very quaint spot with lots of art, craft and antique shops.  We then went to the Monterey Jazz Festival for a few hours.

Dinner was at Latitudes which was right on the bay and had a wonderful view and the food was excellent.

Sunday was fairly leisurely and after some shopping at Trader Joes, for supplies for the cruise, we headed to Cannery Row and some lunch.   We had lunch at an English Pub and had their battered cod and chips (normal chips not fries) and it was very good.  After lunch we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf where we saw seals frolicking.

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