Day 8...The Windy City... not Chicago

The Windy City... not Chicago


After our brunch, we headed down the now familiar 17th Street, to Castro Street, to take our street car North to Pacific Heights. We had been there a several days ago, but this time after walking through Cow Hollow and the Marina, we would be heading West towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

As we walked down Fillmore Street, the cold wind started to blow. We were sorry we did not bring our polars with us, and wondered how it would be closer to the water.

At the Marina, we were again met with impressive sights of the Bay, Alcatraz and of course the Golden Gate Bridge. When the wind did not blow, the strong sun felt so nice and warm. Just enough to make you wonder if you should take off your jacket, when another cold gust of wind would blow.

We walked towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Our immediate destination was the Palace of Fine Arts, and perhaps to continue until we got to Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The only remaining structure of San Francisco's Panama-Pacific Exhibition of 1915, the Palace of Fine Arts is a classical structure so different from the architecture of the city, yet surprisingly, it fits in so well.

We took a very slow leisurely walk through the complex, and then around the pond. Part of the magic, is the flora. The architecture and the various plants blend together so well, affording a different feel from each vantage point.

Leaving the shelter of Palace, we walked back towards the water. The cold wind again blew hard. We looked towards the bridge, a good walk into the wind, and decided to leave it for another day.

We headed back into town, and walked along Chestnut Street. Peeking into various shops and cafes, and decided to take a break at "The Grove." We ordered a pint of beer and shared a plate of hummus. It felt good to sit, and people watch for a bit.

But soon we were back out, and we hopped onto a street car towards Fisherman's Wharf and got off at Hyde Street. We could have tried our luck and wait for a cable car, but we had seen the hour long line at the beginning of the line to know full well that there would be no place for us. So we decided to hike up the steep hill. It was worth the climb, for each time we looked behind us, another higher view of the Bay, the Bridge and Alcatraz could be seen.

Finally we reached Lombard Street. For one block, Lombard Street is know as the crookedest street in the world. Eight turns were placed in the one block street in the 1920's so that cars could make it down the hill. It is a unique and very pretty street. But we were there too late in the day to fully appreciate it. Early morning, with the rising sun would be better.

We kept walking through the neighborhoods, and then tiring, we hopped on a bus. As long as it headed towards Markets Street, we knew our way home.

We had had brunch at Cafe Flore last Sunday, and Hera wanted to try a meal there. We could have sat outside, as there were out door heaters and the glass enclosures might have protected us from the wind. But we had enough of the cold wind and did not want to risk it. So we found a table inside, and settled down for supper.

I had a well made burger with steak fries, while Hera had a delicious plate of falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, Greek salad and feta, with some baked pita. We also shared a carafe of their lime Margarita.

After a wonderful supper, we were back out into the cold windy city, with our climb to get back home.
 
Cheers,
 
Hera & Anthony

Day 7...A Date with Gail

A Date with Gail


We had a great evening the night before with Warren and Gail, so when Gail offered to meet us today, we eagerly accepted.

It was warm and sunny. Hera decided to wear shorts for the first time on this trip and to let her hair down and commented how wonderful it felt to feel the breeze in her hair. But shortly after meeting up with Gail, we felt a cool breeze and Hera asked for her jacket.

Gail first took us to the Harvey Milk Photography Center, just a few blocks North of our apartment. Unfortunately it was closed, but we saw a notice for a photo-walk that would be occurring in a few days. Perhaps we will take the walk.

Our next stop was a lovely park called Alamo Square Park, which is upstaged by the picturesque set of Victorian houses all lined up in a row, with the sky line of San Francisco as the back drop. What a pretty place for a picnic or to lie on the grassy slope, which so many did.

Gail then drove us across the city to the coast. She parked at Fort Funston, and we made our way into the wind that blew hard against us. The coastline was spectacular, and apparently many hang gliders use this spot to take off from, but the winds were way too strong today. We walked and admired the view, as Hera clicked away.

Chilled by the winds, Gail took us to her lovely home for some rest and refreshments. We chatted away and got to know her much better. Gail showed us several photos that Warren had taken on their various trips as well as several very good shots that she took herself.

Soon we were back out, this time we headed to Land's End. The wind blew even fiercer. But the views of the beach and surf, and latter Golden Gate Bridge were spectacular. The sand bit into our face, and our glasses were encrusted by a fine layer of salt.

We were thankful for the shelter of the car. Hera untangled her hair for the second time. Of all days to let her hair down and to wear shorts.

For supper, Gail had suggested a dumpling place, which sounded delicious.  (San Tung Restaurant 1031 Irving Street) We made our way there. It was crowded and smelled wonderful. It would be a wait, but it seemed to be worth it. Warren soon met us, and the four of us chatted as we waited.

Once again, we were not disappointed by the fine meal we had. Each plate was perfectly seasoned. Spicy, but not too hot or over powering. Sweet dishes, were sweet, but not overly sweet as the dishes back home. Each dish was unique and scrumptious.

When we left the restaurant, we froze! The wind blew hard against us. We walked quickly, and we were thankful once inside the car.

Yesterday we carried our polars and jackets, and roasted in the sun. Today Hera decided on shorts and we froze. What should we wear and carry tomorrow...?
 
Cheers,
 
Hera  & Anthony

Day 6...How to dress...?

How to dress...?

The past few days the temperature has been between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius with winds of about 24km/hour. Today's temperature was to be about the same with gusts up to 34 km/hour.

And today, we were headed to a small island in the middle of the Bay, known as the "Rock." We were sure the bone chilling winds would be horrific on Alcatraz, so we added our polars to my backpack.

While we waited for our street car, Hera took off her jacket and tied it around her waist. At the Pier, waiting for our turn to board, the hot sun beating down on me, I took off my jacket as well, and stuffed it into my backpack. Checking the forecast, it had not changed. Current temperature was 16 degrees, and still predicting gusts up to 34 km/hour, but so far, it was feeling like the hottest day since we arrived.

The ferry ride over provided lovely views of the city, and of the approaching Alcatraz Island.

The tour literature warns of the hike up to the cell blocks with an ascent of 130 feet, or the
equivalent of climbing up a 13 story building. It felt like a piece of cake compared to our two blocks climbs to get to our apartment.

Alcatraz is definitely worth the visit. The provided audio guide adds ambiance as we walked through the various parts of the prison.

Besides the prison, the flowers that grow on the island are spectacular. Plants and flowers were planted throughout the various eras of Alcatraz. And the birds... Many paths are closed because of the nesting birds, and we were able to get relatively close to several nesting cormorants.

Photographer's Note:  I have decided that I will photograph in B&W throughout my visit to Alcatraz.  I change it to color only for the two shots you see above. Nothing is edited. Nor cropped. I used 4000 ISO at times due too low light. No tripod. I think it conveys better the mood in that prison. I intend to do an audio visual in the future about my trip to Alcatraz. Therefor I am keeping the best shots for the audio visual.

Hera had befriended a fellow photographer whom we were to meet at 6pm in Chinatown. We still had some time so we decided to take a cable car up the steep hill to Chinatown and walk around a bit.

We came across a tea shop offering a tea tasting so we walked inside and took a seat. Herman, at Ital Tea leaf was very friendly and informative as he showed and prepared various teas. After tasting several delicious teas, we settled on two to buy.

We met up with Warren and Gail, who then took us to some wonderful streets in Chinatown that we had not seen, some bustling outdoor markets, as well as a Fortune Cookie Shop. It was amazing to see how the machine would pour the batter onto the lower plate, the batter would be spread as the top plate came down, and then it would be flame baked as it went around, to emerge as the plates separated as a soft round cooked cookie. A woman would take the soft cookie, place a fortune in the center, and then hand crimp it to the usual fortune cookie shape we are all accustomed with.

Gail then treated us to some Chinese pastries which were delicious.

We ended up in a non descript looking restaurant called New Woey Loy Goey on 699 Jackson Street. She asked what we liked, and we told her that our palate was very wide. Her selection was wonderful. Each plate was delicious and unique. I would be hard pressed to choose which plate I liked the best, as they all were wonderful. Hera's favorite was the large pork patty followed by the shrimp.

To round off the day, they drove us to Twin Peaks for a spectacular view of San Francisco. Up until then, it was our warmest day yet, but at the look out of Twin Peaks, the biting cold wind that we know so well was finally back.

It was a full and memorable day. Thank you Warren and Gail.

 
 

 
Cheers,
 
Hera & Anthony