So another destination Erich had already been to and a new one for me. We made the mistake in that we could not really sleep on the flight and then got to our hotel at 7am. As the hotel was fully booked we had to take a quick nap in the lounge before leaving our bags and heading out for a great breakfast recommended by the hotel receptionist “Mo’s”. Erich had the biggest pile of scrambled eggs and potatoes I’ve ever seen and the constant refills of coffee were welcomed by us both.
We literally rolled out of Mo’s and headed down through china town and out to the main shopping area. A little trip to Macy’s and around before heading back to the hotel to freshen up and a nap.
Feeling revived we headed out for a night on the town. Coming across our first place “Pinkies cocktail bar”. We both though a nice cocktail would be a good start to the night. We headed in and asked the bar keeper what cocktails they did, the answer being “none”, whilst also not looking too happy he had to break his concentration with the football on the tv. We ordered a couple of drinks and sat to watch a little of the game. No idea after breakfast how we could ever feel hungry again we wondered up the street checking menus only to find an Italian called Mona Lisa where a waited stuck his head out the window and told us to come in. I think we were the only non Italians in the place. Wow the food was delicious, homely massive portions and good wine, we soon felt very comfortable and stuffed yet again. Feeling very full and happy we headed out into the night to continue our adventures. We ended up in a bar/nightclub this time with cocktails and enjoyed the rest of our evening there before heading home for the night.
Our night was not what we had hoped for to catch up on some sleep. Some bad neighbours and then some very sad news about my Grandma left us upset and tired. We had a full on day ahead of us starting with a Segway tour, so looking forward to the distraction we headed out.
The Segway tour was an advanced tour with very strict requirements, so much we had to tell a little white lie how many times Erich had done a Segway tour. As a natural we had no worries about him and I had already done about 8 tours before. We turned up to be given the overly procortious safety video, tips, tests, sign your life away, American cover your backside for everything talk. With only 3 others on the tour who had all been on a Segway many times we headed out. We had great fun and was a great tour. It also included the world famous “Lombard street” one of the steepest and crookidest streets going. We got extra special tips how to take this on. I headed off in the lead with Erich behind and the Canadian lady behind him. Unfortunately she lost control, headed over the top of her Segway and tried to take Erich with her in the process. Erich almost taken out had to also jump off his Segway and I found myself helping him back on and guiding us back to the bottom safely. Bruise ego but luckily the lady was ok, we all carried on, only for her to hit the curb again later on but with less damage this time. Erich and I were on a roll by the, one legged, slalom Segway riders, and certificates to prove it, awesome! Photo bombed by our Segway guide…
We were back at the office and a little gutted it was over. Not wanting the fun to end we headed to pier 45 on fisherman’s wharf to the musee machanique. A place full of old fashioned slot machines, pinball, fortune telling machines, air hockey. Back to the youth and at only 25 cents a play, we were quickly changing some dollars and challenging each other to mini bowls, basket ball, shooting and air hockey which I whipped Erich! Somehow the photo is deleted from my phone! So much fun, I so wish we could keep some of these games, there not made the same anymore.
Our energy gone we headed off to a restaurant recommendation of the Segway guide on the next pier. Scoma’s was not the cheapest restaurant but did some fantastic fish dishes. Standing at the door in our hiking gear we didn’t think they would let us in, the waiters in white dinner jackets and black dickie bows, the guests not far from the same. We are so glad they did let us in, with fantastic “lazy mans cioppino ” and wine it was a fantastic meal.
We stumbled out of the restaurant after nearly 3 hours by which it had gone dark and headed for a tram ride. A small queue and then we got our place. These trams are amazing climbing and dropping the hilly streets of San Fran like a tame Big Dipper ripe. Having spotted a free spot outside at the back next to the driver we stood and could hand out the back of the tram. This was such a treat and my highlight of San Fransisco.
Conveniently the tram ride stopped very near Macy’s again and it was sale time. Shopping at its best and we (or I should I say) reserved a number Of items to try the next morning. A slow walk back to the hotel we decided to head for a nightcap on the bar and watch the end of a very exciting football game, Pittsburg v’s Cincinnati. Our neighbour girlfriend at the bar was so excited she was almost crawling over the bar to shout at the tv screen. A great end to the night, but I think we were more excited to know a bed awaited us upstairs. Shattered!
After a good nights sleep we were eager to go. Our last day in San Francisco as we only had a flying visit this time. I could not leave without picking up the bargain beautiful leather boots I had reserved the day before and having gotten tourist discount also managed to stumble across a lovey new handbag and leather lap top bag to match. You can imagine Erich face by now. I knew our weight restriction with flying was over and had doubled overnight since our last flight and this gave Erich a small heart attack and night sweats. It’s scary when you walk in Macy’s and the staff shout you good morning by you name rembwringvwho you are!
Calming him down we headed for a last wood oven pizza lunch. The pizza was almost bigger than our table and struggling to eat it all we thought we would do what we saw in Hawaii. When people have too much food they get a doggy bag to take home but on the way give it to a homeless person. So we thought the same and gave half our our enormous vegi supreme to a polite gentleman round the corner.
We enjoyed a last leisurely walk back before heading off to the airport again. San Francisco was great but onwards and upwards, San Diego next!!!
britswissmix 