Day 19 – Take me to the bridge

After another rough nights sleep I awoke feeling itch and soon realised that I’d been another midnight snack for something. Got out of there pretty quick but couldn’t get a refund as the manager was conveiniently unavailable. All I can to is to tell anyone reading this never to stay in the America’s best value inn on Wipple Ave.

We had a little trouble finding the Metro, BART, but asking directions at a petrol station a kind lady led us to one. It only took half an hour to get down town but tickets are pretty expensive, cost about a fiver for a return. Emerging from the metro into the street it was like walking onto a film set; right in front of us were the ubiquitous steep roads and street cars.

Heading to the piers we found a sightseeing bus that offered tickets valid for two days and a route that took in the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour covered way more than I can possibly recall but it was definitely a good way to see the city. The only break in the trip we took was to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. We got off at on the south side but to our dismay the bridge was shrouded in fog. Fortunately within minutes it started to lift. We got some superb pictures of the bridge emerging from the fog and within half an hour it was all clear (pictures to follow on flickr asap). Viewing the bridge was a surreal experience; I’ve seen so much of it on TV but in real life its truely awe inspiring. Walking across to the North side gave spectacular views of the city and Alcatraz but is hazardous. At one point Tom suggested I turn around to view the clouds over one of the piers and as I did a cyclist came from nowhere, sending me fling into the air and onto my back. It left me with a sore neck for the rest of the day. Turns out that the cycle lane is only open at certain times, all other times its a free for all and they go pretty fast. Reaching the North side we headed up to the hill top fort to get a spectacular view of the bridge in front of the city. The panoramic view was gob smacking; the sky was blue, the sun blazing and the wind whipped round us; I could have stayed there all day.

Finishing the tour late afternoon we headed to the Alcatraz ferry. Luckily we got there just before closing and secured tickets for a tour tomorrow morning. I didn’t realise that tickets could sell out up to a week in advance. From the piers we headed to Lombard street and walked up the steep Russian Hill to see Crookedest Street (the red bricked twisty street). The view from the top of here with the golden hour for light was amazing, bright sunlight cast long shadows of the tall building across the hill side streets. From there we walked back to the metro via China town. I loved it there, so much life with pungent smells and people scurrying around. It was strange to hear people drop in and out of conversations with their native tongue and English.

Leaving the city we picked up the car and hunted down a new place to stay. Found a descent looking motel for a little less money and a little closer to the city. Best thing was it had a micro wave and I was able to rustle up some veg, chicken and cus cus. Sounds boring but having something healthy, plain and witout cheese was like heaven!