Grad trip day 10 (San Francisco)

We drove across to Oakland to visit USS Midway a retired aircraft carrier.
The place where its located is really off the road and the setting looks more like a place where drug dealers trade but nevertheless we found the place.

Student or people with military pass enter at discounted rates i think it was 12.

Inside the carrier there are guided tours. The engine room tour is a bit technical so might not interest everyone although there are some tales that are rather interesting.

The mess happens to be also the torpedo assembly area.

F4

F14

The control tower with the airboss.

eh a bit dumb but well cheap fun.

behind the captupalt

Across the top of the bay bridge

Grad trip day 9 (San Francisco)

Day 10, after sending the HKU group off the previous night, we will be making our way to pick rikki up from the airport today. Threfore staying near the airport actually was a good idea. We had some time to kill and decided to go to the famers market at Half Moon Bay.
The drive was scenic but after driving like three or maybe four times around the main street we did not manage to see the famers market. Just before we were about to give up, i spotted some white tents and we stopped over to take a look and sure enough it was there.
It was not as big as i thought it would be and the signs pointing to it wasn't that eye catching so its easy to give it a miss. Anyway they sell some fresh products and we bought some. The bread was good but expensive.

Golden gate bridge from the golden gate park.

Hmmm let me recall, i think i cross the golden gate bridge at least 5.5 times. 4 times riding the bicycle, once driving across and 0.5 walking across.

The other bridge around san francisco the bay bridge that connects to Oakland.

Grad trip day 7 to 8 (San Francisco)

As usual if you go to the Chinatown and you are sure to look for some dim sum and we found one that was endorse by Yan Can Cook.
The food was ok though not as good as i had expected. Maybe my expectations was raise too high cause i thought SF is the largest Chinatown therefore it must be good.

I am not able to show some of the photos here actually we went to bike the bridge that day which cost us 28 dollars a bike. Haven't exercise for so long hence biking across the 13km trial was damn difficult because we were going against the wind and there are many areas where it is up slope. Maybe getting the comfort bike is better it cost 4 dollars more because i think the standard bike is really crap. Anyway if i go get the photos i will post it up.

The last day with the HKU ppl we took them across the Golden Gate Bridge

through Sonoma and to Napa Valley, the wineries region. We drop them off at Napa factory outlet before going to explore on our own.

We decided to pay the old faithful geyser a visit. Tickets cost 7 dollar a person after a one dollar discount for AAA card.

The four horn goat or something.

The old faithful steams up every maybe 10 to 12 mins so you can definately catch it in action.

After that some self indulge, spa treatment. this one cost us USD 54 a person using coupon. There is a mud bath, jacuzzi and a body wrap which last about an hour. What was lacking in the package to make it perfect would be a body massage.

The Napa wine train.

Graduation Trip Day 6 (San Francisco)

Day 6, we finally reach San Francisco, after picking the HKU group up, Jennifer, Liza and Victor, we went to check in our hotel at Travelodge then we went straight to town. It was probably about 10 to 12 miles to the city and took less than 1/2 an hour to reach there. San Francisco is fame for its hefty parking fees so drive around to scout for cheaper parking.
Downtown San Francisco
Union Square, actually nothing much i should say.

The famous trams of SF. Hmmm one thing the roads in SF are all damn steep so for older folks this is going to be a problem.

The largest Chinatown in North America. Compared to Toronto's Chinatown the SF Chinatown sells more souvenirs than food. So if you are looking for cheap and good souvenirs this is the place to go. Also there are a few good places to park near chinatown and walk to the rest of the city so do recce the place for cheap parking.

Actually the famous places that are a must go are all around the same area so its possible to park and walk to the places that you want within the same day.

If you look behind you will notice it is really steep.

So driving around San Francisco is a problem because of the gradient of the roads. The key is to stop your car slightly over the slope so that you have a better view and brake, if not sometimes you virtually can't see the road in front no kidding.

Another famous landmark the coit tower which offers good view. If you go up the tower there is a 5 dollar charge which i think well its not too expensive but there are also other places for views so it depends on the individual whether you want to pay.

Alcatraz Island, something which we miss caused all the tickets were sold so i would suggest buying the tickets like at least a few days earlier or booking it online. Get it from Pier 33, its the cheapest.

On top of the Coit Tower.

Lombard street the world's crookest street from the Coit Tower view. By the way this is what one person told us, Lombard street is a private project created by the residents to slow down the speed of drivers.
Haha well see what it has become today.

Coit Tower from below.

Our car going down Lombard Street.

Finally for the evening we visited Pier 39 to walk around. You can try driving around to find parking as well. The cheapest is about 7.50 to around 20 dollars a day. If you are eating at some of the restaurants you can validate your parking for free (usually 3 hours)

Permenant residents of Pier 39

behind me a floating restaurant/boat