Couple of days catch up

Monterey 27 October 2016

Well this day was just plain annoying. I had to be out of my motel by 11 am but my bus from Monterey to Salinas (where I needed to catch the Amtrak to San Francisco) didn't leave until 5:10.  The bus depot was low key with no lockers so I had nowhere to store my bags. This effectively stopped me from squeezing another day out of beautiful Monterey. 

I must say that this visit to Monterey and surrounds confirmed the feelings of affinity I felt for it on my last trip - I love you Monterey.

Mr Uber took me to Peet's Coffee House across the road from the bus depot where  I spent the day justifying my long presence in their establishment by eating too much food and drinking too much coffee - besides it was raining outside :)

While I was in there I met Deb - Hi Deb!! She was  great fun and has done a fair bit of travelling herself.  She lives in Carmel now and told me a couple of great tales

• Betty White lives there and is known to frequent the Mission Ranch Restaurant (Clint Eastwood owned). She went there one time with some friends and her blind step son and they  got stuck into 5 or 6 Martinis.  When they left they all stood in  line holding on to the shoulder of the  person in front of them  - with the blind stepson in front leading them out. 

• Doris Day owns the most pet friendly hotel in the the USA - the Cypress Inn. Deb was there one time and went in to one of the reception rooms and there were no people in there - just dogs sitting around on seats like humans.

It was great talking to you Deb ......  you  made the long day go a bit faster and it was much more enjoyable.

At about 4:30 I headed across the road to the bus stop - having no idea where I needed to be. A friendly bus driver showed me where to stand - and I stayed there even when it rained. The bus came on time and we set off to Salinas to meet my train. The most ridiculous thing is -  the bus went  right past the motel I'd left 6 hours beforehand.

I got to Salinas and was notified that the train was running 45 minutes late so..... by the time we reached Oaklands station it was 10.30 and then another bus ride into San Francisco Terminal and the  Mr Uber to my hostel meant it was after midnight by the time I checked in. I was tired and grumpy but I guess not as tired and grumpy as my room mate who was trying to sleep (4 bed dorm). I made my bed - sort of - and fell into it. I had just dozed off and at 2 am another late traveller came in. No-one got much sleep that night.

San Francisco 28 October 2016

Even though I was tired I got up fairly early and Mrs Uberred to Pier 33. I walked around most of the day...... people watching and sight seeing. The weather was drizzly one minute and humid the next - jackets on - jackets off. I hopped on a tour bus that went all over San Francisco and got a $10 "granny discount" - loving it. The bus took us to The Museum of Fine Arts - a very imposing and totally unexpected structure in San Francisco.

Museum of Fine Arts - this photo  posted by
my friend Thomas Ashton. My shots didn't
show the entire complex like this one

We also went across the Golden Gate Bridge. This bridge is quite amazing and before I leave I will walk over it as I did last time I was here but both ways this time. I believe it is 3 miles long. The Bay Bridge is more remarkable structurally and in size (12 miles long) but the Golden Gate is the sentimental favourite . 

Golden Gate Bridge

This is another picture belonging to Thomas
Ashton. This is a  picture of his Aunt and his
mother taken in 1935. In the background is
one of the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It  was another 2  years before the
bridge was finished

The bus also took us to Fort Point which is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. It defended the San Francisco Bay following California's Gold Rush and the Civil War through World War 2. It had 141 cannons mounted on the walls but they were never used.

Fort Point

We drove past all the rich peoples houses in Pacific Heights and the tour guide (who incidentally was the most annoying person I've met in some time for a multitude of reasons I won't go into) said that San Francisco is the most expensive place in the world to live in. I say this hesitantly because so much of what she said was utter crap! lol. The hostel I am staying at is a lovely older building but I wouldn't go out at night because the streets are literally filled with the homeless. There is quite a gap here between the rich and poor and it is heartbreaking.

I went back to Fishermans Wharf and looked for something healthy and non fattening to eat but soon gave up and had fish and chips.

I'll pretend it was healthy :)

It was then 3 hours to go before my night time Alcatraz  Cruise which departed more or less from where I was. Decision time - shall I go back to hostel and sleep for 2 hours (which would probably not be enough and would mess up the next nights sleep) or keep walking and struggle to stay awake and stay where I was.  I had a couple of strong coffees and wandered around some more and managed to keep awake.....just.

The Alcatraz Cruise was excellent but decidedly spooky in the dark. The boat ride only takes 12 minutes and then you can wander around and get any of 3  ferries back. They rig you up with a headset etc and you walk around at your own speed following the instructions given.  Better than having a guide because they incorporate sound effects and they really do make you jump at times.  I saw Al Capone's cell and Robert Stroud's cell (Birdman of Alcatraz). You could see where some escapees tunnelled out using dessert spoons - appropriate as they were in there to get their just desserts ...groan. The prisoners were fed really well - the plan being that's one thing that can be controlled that may cause dissent and riots if it was bad. The cells were tiny - 5 feet x 9 feet about the size of a decent walk in wardrobe.

Quite formidable..... in the dark
..... when you are a scaredy cat

I'm glad there were a lot of us visiting :)

Real  homely...not.
The little grate jut to the left of the toilet
 is where they tunnelled out into a utility
corridor behind.

I couldn't imagine being confined like this

Al Capone

Wouldn't make Home Beautiful 

I was quite surprised that the guards and their wives and children all lived on that very small island. I'm not sure that would be my cup of tea as only the worst of the worst criminals went there.

It was after 11 when I got back to the hostel - 2 late nights in a row is 2 late nights too many for me. I showered and jammied and realised I couldn't find my glasses. We pulled the place apart and triple checked everything but no go. Next morning I rang Mrs Uber in case I left them in her car and asked at reception - no-one handed in any glasses. This wasn't a critical error as I had my old ones with me as back ups. The only problem is they are no good for distance so it would be a problem for movie going and night driving.


San Francisco 29 October 2016

I  went to bed last night - glasses-less - thinking I would just crash. At 3:30 am I was still wide awake. I must have finally dozed off because I awoke at 8:40 and my 2 room mates had gone out for the day - I never heard a thing. Today I am having a quiet day....  yet another unsuccessful search for my glasses and a trip to the laundromat. At the laundromat I got chatting with a Mexican guy who had a cute dog that was playing with a toy kangaroo - the obvious Australian connection. Missing Derek so much I started playing with Rocky and we were getting on really well and then the  guy told me it was an American Pitbull. I couldn't remember if  the bad press I 'd read about them was true and wondered if at any given point Rocky would suddenly rip my tonsils out. End result - I still have my tonsils and Rocky was lovely - as was his owner.

On my return from the the laundromat - guess what!!!???? Yay!!!???? the lady at reception called me over - she apologised - they had my glasses all the time but she didn't know that. They had been found in the elevator (don't ask - I don't know). I'm so happy to get them back. I've spent the last couple of hours updating this blog and sorting photos - it's now 2:30 - a bit late to go and see anything today and get back  before dark so methinks I will stretch out on the bed - cup of tea in hand and my kindle and let nature take it's course....it bloody does any way lol......... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

PS  my eye is gradually returning to normal although my brow is still quite sore

Getting better all the time :)

Car-mel

Weather Max 20 Min 12

Well I don't care whether its Carmel or Car-mel. On a Tuesday morning on a pristine autumn day, Carmel has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The weather was perfect.  It wasn't crowded. It was clean. The beach had beautiful white sand (albeit imported from elsewhere). If you ever get the chance please go and see and feel it.

Some interesting things about Carmel

• Clint Eastwood was the mayor for 1 term in 1986
• The movies Play Misty For Me and some scenes from Basic Instinct were filmed there.
• There was a law prohibiting the sale and consumption of ice cream in public streets - repealed during Clint Eastwood's mayorship.
• There are no street addresses - your mail goes to a Post Office box
• There are no fast food places or chain restaurants
• You need a permit to wear high heels higher than 2 inches (apparently this is not policed)
• Doris Day and Betty White both own property in Carmel

Clint still owns a restaurant and property here but mostly lives in LA. To me the makes NO SENSE

Hotel owned by Doris Day

I am going to put a lot of pictures on here - just because it is such a picturesque town.

Beautiful clean beach

Picturesque buildings

All ready for Christmas

Don't ask lol - maybe a Halloween thing

 Outside the cafes there are no tables and chairs blocking the footpath - they are all in cute little alcoves and alleys

The feel of the place and the building style is almost European 

 There were quite a lot of cute little cars around the place and conversely an over representation of UPS and Fedex trucks....again.....who knows?

The local Plumber is Mr Rooter - obviously a different meaning in Australian

After  thoroughly exploring Carmel - which is only a square mile -I found my way back to my favourite coffee shop on Cannery Row. More caffeine and more reading. I really will miss that spot - the cute young guy who works there asked me today if I wanted "my usual".   I felt quite at home.

I finally dragged myself away and continued on the path along the ocean front to Pacific Grove. The beach is quite spectacular and the day was made for walking.

This struck me as funny. It's an aquarium and they are advertising tinned fish. Bit like a zoo advertising elephant meat.

Pacific Grove Beach

After three days of literally walking for miles and miles my feet were feeling the strain and I had had enough.  I called Mr Uber and he came and took me back to my motel for a nap.


I revisited Denny's for dinner and don't think I will be awake for long.

Tomorrow late afternoon I head for San Francisco and as there is quite a bit of rain predicted I may not get to see much more of Monterey.  Will have to see how it pans out.

I have to add that I have met an incredible number of friendly and helpful people just as I go about my day. Also on the train and the Uber drivers are Uber helpful :)  I've had no time to get lonely or homesick (YES!! I DO miss you Derek xx) and am quite happy with the way things are going.

"I'd love to be...under the sea...in an octopuses garden in the shade" Ringo Starr

Weather Max 22 Min 12

Gorgeous day today. Mild, clear, honking seals and noisy seagulls and sailing boats in a sleepy harbour. Perfection. When I was a kid and did jig saw puzzles this was my ideal scene.

Cannery Row

I started off by going to the Monterey Aquarium. Very impressive and got a decent "old lady discount" :)

$10 Granny Discount

I spent quite a few hours in the aquarium and these photos don't do it justice... it was quite amazing.

This diver was hand feeding the fish

A sign on the wall as you go in and it really felt like you were under the sea

I'm not sure why they thought I would ...but I did stay fully clothed.

 I left the aquarium to go for a wander, not realising I was right next to my coffee house from yesterday so I spent another couple of hours drinking coffee on Cannery Row and reading THE book. Most enjoyable.

I set off to walk the 5 miles back to the Motel and maybe I got lost once or twice...or maybe I didn't. I did end up back at the motel....eventually. Some lovely sights along the way.

Beautiful park area

The Autumn foliage is gorgeous

Fat Old seal.....I don't think he moved except to honk all day

I was relieved to get back to the motel....... I wasn't lost I tell you .......  I just located an up till now undiscovered route ;(   

I'd previously asked the not-so-helpful dude at reception if there was a laundry and he said no. He never mentioned there was a laundromat 300 meters down the road. Jerk!! I came across it by accident. I have found a lot of that attitude and I don't understand it in a service industry. How hard is it say "sorry, no, we don't have a laundry but there is one just down the road"? So easy to provide that extra bit of information.

I spent the next hour or so beating my clothes on the rock at the laundromat and stopped at Denny's for a steak and egg and hash brown.

Last night there were people in the room next door and they stomped and banged around till after midnight - I hope they have moved on tonight. Together with the noise and the cold night - one thin blanket on the bed - I didn't get a lot of sleep. I did end up getting my sleeping bag out and I was warm as toast.

Tomorrow is my last day in this neck of the woods so i'm thinking of heading to Car-mel......not Carmel. If you say Carmel noone knows what you mean. To me it doesn't seem like a huge mispronunciation but you would have thought I had said Woolloomooloo or Yorkey's Knob.  Ok ....I'm obviously tired and fractious so I'll send myself to my room and have an early night lol. Maybe I'll see Clint Eastwood tomorrow ...in Car-Mel.....and he can go ahead and make my day!!

Monterey

Weather Max 19 Min 13 - well it doesn't  sound hot but it was very humid :(

I uberred to Fishermans Wharf in style - a very flash black Mercedes - and wandered around reacquainting myself with the area. The first thing you notice about Fishermen Wharf is a strong smell of fish - not surprisingly - but your nose gets used to it very quickly.  The whole area really does appeal to me. I don't know quite what it is about Monterey but it just feels right. It's a lot bigger than I remember and I walked bout 13 kms today just enjoying the sights.

Fishermans Wharf

Fishermans' Wharf

I skipped breakfast and partook in a bread bowl of clam chowder....was wonderful.

Clam Chowder

Love it

There are big fat old harbour seals vegging all over the place on rocks in the ocean - I would have added  a photo but they just look like rocks lol

Plastic bags for dog poop - great name - Mutt Mitts

Now this is what you call and oxymoron

Cannery Row is the waterfront street in the New Monterey area. It's the site of a number of now defunct sardine canning factories. (The last cannery closed in 1973). The street name, formerly a nickname for Ocean View Ave, became official in 1958 to honour John Steinbeck and his famous novel Cannery Row. In the opening sentence of Cannery Row Steinbeck describes the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream". Very apt.

Cannery Road

Cannery Row

Just about everything I saw was named after Steinbeck....I'm not sure if he would be impressed or horrified. 

Before I left Oz I downloaded Cannery Row so I could sit in  a coffee house on the real Cannery Row and read it and feel it. Was so good. I stayed for so long I didn't have time to do my planned trip to the Aquarium. Never mind. Tomorrow is another day.  Ah retirement.....I am beginning to understand how you work. 

Being short sighted can be an inconvenience but it also brings me many laughs. I often see a sign and what I see from a distance and what it really says will range from the rude to the hysterical to the ridiculous.  This one I read as Nasal Pomegranate School. Each year I need to get closer and closer to read what they really says lol