A Wet Afternoon in San Francisco.

Throughout the night the regular sound of the ship’s foghorn indicated that the sunshine we had experienced over the last couple of days had now been replaced by fog. As we were due to enter San Francisco Bay at around midday everyone was hoping that we might get some respite at least to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Many of the passengers gathered at the front of the ship as the we approached the bridge, cameras poised attempting to get that iconic shot. Everyone was getting very excited including Victoria and Helena.

Soon we were right under the bridge, it’s tall towers disappearing into the mist….

……and then Alcatraz was right in front of us. The mist made the prison even more threatening than it already was.

The ship seemed to take an age to dock apparently due to a combination of difficult currents and a difficulty lining up to a power supply. When did eventually berth there was only one gangway available leading to queues of frustrated passengers anxious to get off the ship and explore San Francisco. The mist had lifted by now to be relaced by a cloudy sky and occasional showers, we therefore decided that our anoraks would be necessary. What a good decision that was as now sooner had we set foot on land the showers turned to more persistent rain.

First stop on our short tour of the city by the bay was Pier 39 with it’s souvenir shops, restaurants and of course the sea lions. I had heard that attempts had been made to clear these away from the pier but they were here in all their glory.

We were treated to a particularly gruesome spectacle as one sea lion was barking so much he threw up his dinner on the platform. Immediately about twenty seagulls dived in to gorge on the regurgitated food. Sylvia captured the event on camera but I will spare you this sight instead settling for an amiable picture of a single sea lion.

The rain was by now quite heavy and while Sylvia made her way back to the ship I decided to attempt to find one of the best record shops in the USA, Ameoba Records. I started walking towards Haight-Ashbury, stopping along the way to take some photos of the trams...

….but after walking for about 45 minutes I was getting wetter and wetter so changed direction back towards the ship. This route taking me past Union Square and the entrance to China Town.

We are here for most of tomorrow so I may try again then. Tonight we are Grand Children sitting as their parents go off into the city to enjoy a meal.