Christmas in San Francisco

[RooFlyer]

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Sneaky beer and a coconut slice for the flight up. The FA was quite surprised I asked for a beer 'so early in the morning' and gave me it for free. I was unaware that 11.30am was early?

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Phooey. The correct reply is "I'm flying international, and am already synchronising with the other time zone. Its now 9pm, so I'll have another, thanks."

 

[Justinf]

After a longish wait, we were onboard the ferry for the short hop over to Alcatraz.



The rain had eased off now, but it was still drizzling, but it didn't dampen (get it!) our enthusiasm.
I didn't take many pics on the island as I preferred to wander and let the audio commentary tell me the story. One thing I did find annoying was that the commentary and walking instructions made you double back a few times and walk where you'd already been. I liked Alcatraz, but wasn't wowed by it. Port Arthur is better, but it was still a very interesting way to spend some time.



Some gorgeous views of the city though.



By midarvo it was time to head back as it had started raining again and we'd done the audio tour. Well worth doing. Interesting and considering the prison was only closed relatively recently, the conditions were very harsh.
Back on the ferry and off to Madame Taussauds, which I was apprehensive about. Little did I know that it would be super fun. Be warned...lots of selfies to follow.

 

[Justinf]

After a hearty brunch and a stroll around Alcatraz we decided not to have a late lunch as we were going out for dinner for my stepdaughter's birthday.
It meant we had time for Madam Taussauds and the Dungeon tour.

Shamone


Miss 16 (aka Uma Thurman) with Travolta.



Who can resist George?



Steph Curry? Who's Steph Curry?



It intrigued what Miss 16 knew what to do with Bob Marley.

 

[Justinf]

I have a massive crush on Anne Hathaway and it seemed she felt the same way.



I also have a man crush on Christian Bale.



We drink and we know things...that's what we do...



She lurves Ed Sheeran.



Did I mention I also have a crush on Kate Winslet?


After that we did the Dungeon tour which is literally next door. Again, I was sceptical, but I loved it. I'd encourage anyone to do this. It's an indoor tour of San Francisco's seedy past where you go from room to room and are met by actors who attempt to scare the wits out of you (often succeeding) and often in the dark. They pick random group members to be 'volunteers' for each room which can include being locked in a cage, to ordering prostitutes in a tavern (guess who got picked for that one?). It's fun. It's completely unlike anything I've done and it finishes with a roller coaster type 'escape' from Alcatraz. Loved it. Really good family fun, but definitely not for small children.

 

[drron]

Love your style Justin.A breath of fresh air.Back to the days of the Aussie larrikin-just add selfies!
love your TRs.Dont change a thing.

 

[LadyC]

I love all those selfies! Keep it up!

 

[ozjuice]

Looking forward to the rest of it. COYS!!!

 

[Justinf]

After a quick Uber trip back to our pad, I was absolutely hanging for a beer. It was 5pm this stage and I made my way two doors down to the Speakeasy for a quick couple of pints before our birthday dinner.
The thing I find Australians ignorant of is the beer over in the States. All my mates think they have weak beer with no alcohol content. That is so wrong. The lowest alcohol beer I could find was Bud Light, Miller Lite or Coors Lite. I don't particularly like those beers, but I did have to drink a few of these purely because most of the other beers are well over 5% alcohol. I'm a lightweight these days.



After a couple of cleansing beveridges, it was time to go out for dinner for my stepdaughter's birthday. I have been part of her life for 20 of her 26 years and I love her like she is my own. Her destination of choice was Bartlett Hall, which was a brewpub, which suited me just fine.
A toast to the birthday girl.



I had the fish and chips, which wasn't too bad. Plus they brew their own beer there and I was able to imbibe in a couple of those.



After that we were all feeling the effects of a bit of jetlag so we went back to the house and talked, which was nice, because we not together a lot as a family these days.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and it was exciting for all of us.

 

[TomVexille]

The thing I find Australians ignorant of is the beer over in the States. All my mates think they have weak beer with no alcohol content. That is so wrong. The lowest alcohol beer I could find was Bud Light, Miller Lite or Coors Lite. I don't particularly like those beers, but I did have to drink a few of these purely because most of the other beers are well over 5% alcohol. I'm a lightweight these days.

Such a common misconception

 

[Justinf]

Such a common misconception

Yep. Most of the beers on draught are well over 5% and two or three of those and I'm ready for bed. i don't drink a lot these days, but I do love the multitude of craft brews in the States so it's one of the things I love about going there.

 

[Justinf]

After a restless night's sleep, I decided to go for a run, but obviously didn't do my research. I ran around the Tenderloin area. Big mistake. Ellis St in particular is full of aggressive homeless people with severe mental issues. I had a full cup of soda thrown at me by one guy and another guy said to me: "You're not a track star...get your skinny white cough off the cough*ing track". He didn't realise it, but he made my day calling me skinny. Within the space of several hundred metres, I was abused no less than five times, some of it really vile stuff. Obviously my fault for not doing any research. I eventually found a small park - Boedekker which was really just a basketball court and a children's playground, but at least it had kids there and a couple of young kids playing basketball. I just ran around that until around 35 minutes and then braced myself for the two block run back to our house. Lesson learned. Justin - do your research before just wandering off willy nilly in a big city known for its homeless problems. I didn't blame these guys at all. I wandered into their territory and was probably wearing $800 worth of running gear. They have mental issues and no home. I can afford $800 worth of running gear just to run and was on a holiday in a far off place.
The girls went shopping in the afternoon and I decided to tag along. It was Christmas Eve and there was a happy vibe in the city around Union Square although very busy.
Stepdaughter surprised Miss 16 with Nutcracker ballet tickets, which was to start at 6pm. They headed off around 5pm, which left the son-in-law (SIL), wife and myself to do whatever we wanted. Wife has a chronic illness so she had no energy and had a nap. SIL went to the gym so I had a free pass to hit some bars and enjoy a couple of beers before the two girls got back from the ballet and we were scheduled to head out for dinner.
I found an Irish bar - Johnny Foley's that was packed, but managed to grab a seat at the bar. I didn't care much for Guinness or Stella so I just had a straight out Budweiser.



After a couple of cleansing ales, it was time to head back to the house. It was Christmas Eve and although we had booked a restaurant for Christmas night, we hadn't done anything about Christmas Eve. Everywhere was booked out. The girls returned from the ballet, which they loved. We eventually found someone to eat that was certainly not upscale, but did the job - Jasper's on the corner of O'Farrell and Taylor Sts. I had the bison meatloaf, which was decent.



After dinner we walked to Union Square where there was a real buzz in the air (and it wasn't from the pints I had).

 

[Justinf]

Up fairly early on Christmas Day and it didn't feel like Christmas Day at all.
We headed out to Honey Honey on the corner of Taylor and Post Sts for breakfast. The place was packed and we stood in line for a while.
Finally we got served and got a table and the food was good although the coffee not great. I did spy a bar called The Owl Tree just opposite which I put into the back of my mind just in case.
With a full day at our disposal, we decided to hop into an Uber and head to the zoo. I normally don't like zoos, but I kept an open mind.



Go Tiges!




Look Mum, I rode a bear.


A rather fat meerkat.



Does my bum look big in this?



My verdict on the zoo? Pretty much confirmed my prior thoughts. The animals looked miserable and bored and the enclosures were inadequate. Seeing a kookaburra in a cage that would have been no bigger than the back seat of a regular sedan was heartbreaking.
I hate being 'thing's are better here' but in this case as far as zoos go, Melbourne and Taronga are streets ahead in conditions. I actually found it rather depressing, although we had a good time. Temp was around 11 degrees, but sunny and quite crisp in the shade.

 

[Justinf]

Back at our Air BnB and it was around 4pm and with dinner reservations at Mortons Steakhouse for 6pm, there was enough time for everyone to chill, except me, who ventured to the Owl Tree, where I got talking with a fantastic gay couple and we hit it off straight away. They were in town to visit family and we arranged to meet again the following night for a drink or two, providing I could get away from the family.
Back at the house and we headed out for a short stroll to Mortons.
Mortons was pretty fancy. It was pricey and I was left to pick up the tab which came to about AUS$650 including tip.
Food was good, but not outstanding. Wine was very nice.
I walked into the restaurant feeling great. By the time we had ordered, I had completely hit the wall and it wasn't through drinking either. Somehow I had developed what I would call 'delayed jetlag'. I simply could not keep my eyes open and was literally falling asleep at the table. Has anyone else had this? Is there even such a thing?

 

[ozjuice]

I stay awake the first day until approx 9PM when arriving overnight and landing at 6AM. It's tough but if i do that I'm good for the whole trip. Good if you can sleep on the plane though.

 

[drron]

Happens to me nearly every day.I call them nanny naps.
But you are far too young for that!

 

[Justinf]

I awoke on Boxing Day very early and decided to go for another run. This time I avoided the Tenderloin and jogged across to Union Square and did laps. It was 6.45am and people were already lining up at Macy's and various department stores, presumably for the Boxing Day sales. My run was much more pleasant this time. Downtown San Fran is not a good place for joggers. I've jogged in dozens of cities across the planet and I'd put San Fran as the worst as far as downtown goes.
We decided to spend the morning at Pier 39 so after another breakfast at iHop, we wandered around this touristy conglomerate.





After that, it was the part I had been looking forward to the most - the obligatory Golden Gate Bridge. The roads were packed, but an Uber got us out there.
The bridge and its surrounds are simply stunning. No fog - that comes in summer I'm told.







After a wander around, the girls got an Uber to the Japanese Tea Gardens while me and SIL went back to our house. He went to the gym and I went bar hopping. Had a few at the Union Square Sports Bar, where I was sounded out by a 'working girl' for the 2nd time since I arrived in the city (I must look old and desperate) and then met my 'friends' from the previous night at the Owl Tree. Not a late night. Back home for Uber eats and some sleep.
Tomorrow we would be heading to Vegas on Southest Airlines. we didn't do Earlybird booking and we had been assigned B12-16 boarding. I had never flown Southwest before and was very apprehensive about it. Still, two bags fly free.

 

[drron]

No you just looked like you had the cash.My most laughable experience was in Hollywood when I took my son,all of 8 years but already ~5.9,to the convenience store.Waiting to cross Hollywood boulevard and these 2 statuesque African American women in very short skirts and high heeled thigh high boots sidled up to us and asked"Are you guys looking for some fun?"
My son's reply fortunately was "What do they mean Dad?"
"I'll tell you later."

 

[Justinf]

No you just looked like you had the cash.My most laughable experience was in Hollywood when I took my son,all of 8 years but already ~5.9,to the convenience store.Waiting to cross Hollywood boulevard and these 2 statuesque African American women in very short skirts and high heeled thigh high boots sidled up to us and asked"Are you guys looking for some fun?"
My son's reply fortunately was "What do they mean Dad?"
"I'll tell you later."

lol
That's amusing.
I got another two 'propositions' in Vegas as well. She tried to make small talk and asked what I was doing and I simply said 'Waiting for my wife' which made her cancel her drink order and move on quite quickly.

 

[NoName]

Interested to hear what the Japanese Tea Gardens were like. We tried to visit in 2010 but we were there on a day when it was closed.

 

[Justinf]

Up early to get the Air BnB ready for check out. Take out all trash, take linen off the bedding, fill the dishwasher etc.
We needed two Ubers to get us out to SFO as our luggage had mysteriously grown by this stage. I wonder how that happened?
Smooth ride out and Southwest check-in at curbside was handy. We got our BPs and headed towards security - everyone's favourite part of travelling in the US.
Lines were short and with our BPs and IDs checked we breezed through security and into the very miniscule Southwest terminal.
We had plenty of time but when boarding was eventually called, I was ready for a zoo and a mad scramble. What followed was a pleasant surprise.
They call group A first and from A1 through to A60 lines up in their allocated groups and so it goes. Group B (which was us) was called and we were B12-16. We got on the 737-800 and had no trouble finding seats about three-quarters of the way back. So far so good.
Fairly shortly we were airborne for LAS. FAs came through with drink orders and filled them out on a tablet. I found this to be a very good way of doing things as it meant there was no trolley or cart to clog up the aisles for those wanting to use the lavs.




No cash onboard, only credit cards were taken. I had a Bud Light and Miss 16 a hot chocolate.



A small bag of peanuts was offered.



Gorgeous views enroute to LAS.