9. Pacific Grove

Our day started with a superb breakfast that Carolyn and Brandon had prepared; egg casserole (divine), blueberry scones (pronounced sk-own not skon like we do in NZ), smoked salmon with a dressing to die for, fresh brewed coffee and the company of some of the family relatives.  What a great start.

Most people headed away on their road back home or to the next destination and Tom, Evelyn, Sonia, Abby and I all went to check out the famous Monterey Aquarium.  It didn't get this reputation for nothing.  I was transfixed by the most beautiful jelly fish that looked as though they were floating on a cloud, oblivious to the rest of the world; some resplendent in colour and others mainly translucent but with the most intricate patterns that looked as though they had been etched by hand.  The seahorses were equally as beautiful and difficult to find as they blended in so well with nature.  WOW.

A quick Carl's Jnr lunch had we head home to say our goodbyes to Sonia and Abby who were driving home to Arizona.  I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to meet them both and know that we will miss them.

Back home we all head off for a walk along the beach, a beautiful beach and close to home.  Our walk leads us across a golf course which I find out later is the Spanish Bay course, part of the ever famous Pebble Bay Resort and Golf Course complexes.  The Inn is truly gorgeous and we sit around an outdoor open fire pit enjoying fine food and a drink.

Soon we hear the sound of a Scottish piper in the distance.  The haunting sound gets closer and the piper appears on a knoll just across from where we sit.  He plays traditional scottish misic for a while and then just as serenely as he arrived he slowly turned and moved away through the dunes and grasses.  What a sublime experience.

We walk back home and I move into Carolyn and Brandon's holiday let, where Sonia and Abby had been staying until now.  A gorgeous self contained apartment, beautifully decorated with all of lifes luxuries at my fingertips.  As much as I loved staying in their home with Carolyn and Brandon I was conscious of the fact that they needed their space so this way that could be achieved and I could still be close.  Next time I come back here it will be as a paying guest though.

We spend part of the rest of the evening sharing videos and photos of the wedding before we got to see Dorothy having her first bath where she sat  by herself in the bath.  So many milestones since I arrived.

Another lovely day.

7. It started off rubbish

Early start was the plan so I could get the rental and cruise down to Santa Cruz, check it out and be in Monterey by about 2pm leaving plenty of time to get organised for the wedding rehearsal.  As they say "the best laid plans".  I was all packed and just had to check out catch a cab about 10 blocks, collect the car and away I'd go.

Easier said than done.. After waiting 30 minutes for a pre-ordered cab, I grabbed a limo and went to the rental place.  The queue was down the street but I figured it wouldn't take that long.  WRONG,, WRONG,, WRONG. 2.5 hours later I was at the front of the queue collecting the keys to the car. I could have taken a shuttle and been there by now.

Anyway, seems like Santa Cruz is out, so straight to Monterey, an easy drive, except I missed the airport turnoff and ended up ringing my cousin, who was at the airport waiting for me.  He turned around, came found me and wow there he was, cousin Tom, 34 years later and hadn't changed.  I followed Tom to the airport where I dropped the car off and went back to his hotel where Evelyn, Tom's wife, was waiting.  She hadn't changed either and looked just as beautiful as she did then. Evelyn was our saviour when we had lived in the US and had taken us everywhere and really looked after us.

After a quick bite to eat we go to the church where the wedding rehearsal was being held.  That is when I met Dorothy for the first time.  So gorgeous I wanted to gobble her up.  And as a bonus it was there I met the rest of the family.  Dorothy's mom Carolyn, her Dad Brandon, her gorgeous wee niece Abby with her mom Sonia, the bride to be, my cousin Nikki and groom Ewald and my cousin Eric, Abby's father.  Wow what a great group. I knew I was going to have a great time here..

Dinner after the rehearsal was fun and gave me the chance to catch up with others, but it was once we got home that I got to enjoy the company of my cousins and the two gorgeous wee girls.  I've waited a long time to be here and so pleased that I have arrived.

6. Fine food and sore feet

Sometimes I get some really stupid ideas.  Today was no different and I set off uphill by foot.  The good thing about my hour long walk was that I did heaps of people watching and saw things I haven't seen before.  The end of my walk was at Union Square where breakfast came in the form of an espresso (in paper cup) with a yummm cinamon bun from Boudins.  My feet were sore from yesterday and this mornings walk didn't help. But so I walk on, checking out Bloomingdale's and Macy's as I go.  Fortunately I'm not in. shopping mood.

Sick of walking I grab a bus and go for a ride through the Golden Gate Park and then through Haight Ashbury where to the music of San Francisco wear some flowers in your hair I was transported back to the 70's.  The Hippies of old have been replaced by homeless people but the smell of marijuana in the air was still the same.  Maybe that's why I had such a great afternoon.   I had booked the bus before I left and it seemed like a great deal and although the tours themselves were really informative the idea of hop-on, hop-off was lost because some of the loops were not regular enough to be able to stop off and explore and then catch the connecting bus.  But I did rest my feet and got to have a chuckle at one of the signs on board!

Continuing back to Union Square I then wandered through China Town unbelieving of the number of shops all selling the same Chinese junk for stupid prices.


Enough, and Im hungry.  As I get to Embarcadero I see in front of me the Waterfront Restaurant. Yes that's me.  Good move.  A perfectly grilled piece of swordfish with a crab mash on the side was divine.  My choice of wine, and Estancia Pinot Grigio from the Napa Valley was perfect.  Tick, tick, tick.

Again I return to Fisherrmans Wharf, smell the crabs and bread, smell and hear the sealions and carry on walking.


Ice Cream at Pier 39 was my next delicacy and then I walk off to check out the Americas Cup base at Marina Green.  An hour later I get there to find it was just closing.  I checked the site last night and no mention of a 5:30pm close.  But there was no buzz, no people.  After the hype we had in NZ it seems so sad.

And so I walk, this time to my hotel in Van Ness.  I start wrapping my clothes, bit by bit, in plastic so keep the cat pee smell out and pack my bag.  And then its time.

Months ago I found out about Helmand Palace, an Afghani Restaurant virtually next door to my hotel.  Tonight I had my first ever Afghani meal.  Koufta Pallow, meatballs cooked in tomato with peas and beans atop spiced baked long grain rice.  Yummmmmmm.  Well worth waiting for.

And so now I sit on my bed writing my last post from San Francisco.  Tomorrow I get to meet the family I haven't met and the ones I haven't seen for 40 years.  I cant wait.......

5. My old Haunts

Waking after a great sleep in an amazing bed with fluffy pillows, crisp sheets and a down duvet like my one at home I am ready to go.  The hotel restaurant has queues outside so rather than make a perc coffee in my room I set off in search of a good espresso. It turned into a long day.

I walk as far as Fisherman's Wharf mentally checking off the places I am going to return to. Fishermans Wharf smelled just the same.  No 9 Fisherman's Grotto is where we ate our very first meal on US soil those many years ago. The crabs in the sidewalk pots were still cooking so no chance at that time for my crab breakfast but I did pick up a seeded sourdough  baguette from Boudins and, yes, it tasted as good as I remembered.

The store was bulging at the seams so rather then wait in a queue for a coffee I take my bread and start walking (the coffee only comes in paper cups which is why I wasnt too fussed).  Nibbling my way to Pier 39 I feel carried along by the throngs of people, all aimlessly wandering, like me.  The Fisherman's Wharf area is California's second biggest tourist attractions after Disneyland and I'm sure today had drawn a good number of  those tourists.

Pier 39 was fun, full of quaint shops, food outlets and people eager to be involved. I didn't venture into any of the amusement areas but there's so much to see something had to get missed.  One shop I checked out was a clothing store for pets.  Back home I struggle to find clothes for Archie. Here I have already seen dozens of stores that sell clothing for pets.  All sorts, all prices and all breeds of dog.  Nothing for cats though.

Continuing on along the Embarcadero I spend some time in the ferry building ogling at the food and checking out the stores.  Just as well I have full suitcases as I could feel a shopping spree coming on. mmmm

Backtracking, for it was now noon and the Americas Cup Village was officially open to the public, I go to explore.  Having been in Auckland when the cup was there I expected a similar thrill.  How totally disappointing. A few entertaining areas, a huge store, lots of staff and very few visitors. Literally the staff outnumbered the visitors by about three to one.  No excitement, no fan fare, no people, no nothing.  Tomorrow I will check out the village which hopefully will be more inspiring.

By the time I get back to Fisherman's Wharf the crab were ready and I take big breaths taking in that freshly cooked crab smell that I remembered so well.

Still in search for that coffee (in a cup) I keep walking and eventually find myself hopping on a hop-on bus taking me across the bridge. We pass my beloved Palace of Fine Arts.  Such a stunning building; I love it. I was going to get off the bus and walk the bridge and hop-on again at the other side but by the time we got there the wind had picked up and the ribs were giving me a bit of grief so I stayed in my seat and enjoyed the ride.

I eventually hop off the bus at Sausolito and so pleased I had.  It was one place I don't think I went to last time but had always wanted to go there. A delightful seaside village atmosphere with quaint shops and lovely restaurants.  It took me ages to decide what I wanted to eat and eventually settled at a Mexican Place.  Good choice; my ceviche divine and the corona quenched my thirst like nothing else.

The return trip took us through the Presidio and back to the Cannery which I was eager to explore. Maybe my memory is not the best as I am sure I remember hundreds of quaint shops.  I couldn't find them today.  Not to be disappointed I move on to Ghiradelli Square, again, a place that I remember having many quaint hops.  Again I didn't find them, but did find the chocolate shop. Too many choices but I got some samplers and off I set.

I had intended going on to Union Square but by this time it was quite cool, my legs were sore and my stomach eager for sustenance and so I head back to da Vinci Villas. I am greeted by the cat pee smell from my suitcase as I open the door. Ugh.

First I go in search of air sanitzer, suitcases or rubbish bags.  I found the first and carry on wandering along Polk where I find a beauty salon that sells hair decorations.  5 clips later I am desperate for food and set off back to the Thai Place. I went to last night.  A pretty good Larb but terrible Penang Curry later and armed with air santizser I return to my room to tackle the cat pee smell.  It can only have come from one place and it wasn't there when I left home.  Spray can emptied on my suitcase I am ready to hit the sack and hopefully another good sleep.

3. Aunty Katy and her favourite place

Day two dawns and we sit in the most divine back yard and watch the birds and the squirrels while having our breakfast. An oasis in amongst a rather nondescript city.

Our first stop today is to go visit my Aunt Katy, my late father's sister-in-law, the lady we stayed with when we lived here.  Katy has aged (she is 96) got shorter, just like the rest of us but she was so lovely.  Sharp as a pin and so eager to hear about everyone; I'm surprised she remembered them all. It was so cute, she had told everyone about her niece from NZ visiting. Tina and I stayed and had lunch with Katy and then sadly we bid Katy goodbye.

I am amazed by the huge distances we travel to go "just down the road".  Wide lovely roads that go on forever through a landscape totally devoid of character or colour, flat as the eye can see and only interrupted by a few pines or eucalyptus trees and the beige house roofs that top the beige houses.

Tina wanted to take me to her favourite place; Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border about two hours drive from Folsom.  When we lived here we would go regularly with Katy and my late Uncle Louie; the attraction being the casinos on the Nevada side of the township. The lake is very similar to Lake Taupo with pine trees growing  down to the waters edge. By summer it attracts people to the beaches and in winter to the ski slopes (as well as the casinos which are an attraction all year round). I had previously only spent time in the township, a beautiful quaint place with small homely Casinos lining the streets.  Of course that has  all changed and it is now a busy place with tall glass buildings and the usual modern facelessness.  We didn't stay in the village but drove on about another hour to some tiny beaches round the lake. Like Taupo the water is too cold for swimming but we sat on a park bench and watched the people before we headed home again.

We made the most of one of the park benches and rested our feet for a few minutes before heading off on a walk. Gary counted three similar benches and had wanted to try them all but alas no time for that.

Dinner was at a tourist restaurant on the way home where we filled our bellies and had a laugh.

We get home to the news that the Royal Prince had arrived.  Bed called and another day closed.

2. California I'm back

As I sit on my hotel room bed in San Francisco eating a superb SonTam from nearby Polk St I reflect on the days since I wrote the initial post.

Severely bruised ribs from a serious fall were hampering my efforts to lift suitcases and I was contemplating how I was going to manage leaving home with two suitcases that would have been difficult to lift at the best of times.  Blessed nephew Mike promised to come to the rescue.

Two days before my scheduled departure we were treated to a good wake up call in the form of a decent earthquake and reminded us all that we lived on top of a major fault.  The morning I was due to leave there were more. They subside and I leave for Auckland.  It seems the gods celebrated my departure for not long after I arrived in Auckland the lower north island was the centre of another severe quake.    Do I go back to Wellington where I could help in my civil defense volunteer role and check on family, or do I continue on as usual?  Reassurances received I board and set off for the U S of A.

My upgrade confirmed I spend the next 12 hours stretched out being pampered.  At the odd stage during the night when we hit turbulence I was awoken to the thought that it was an earthquake. Then I realised where I was.

Immigration a breeze, I am through by 12:30pm and register my US SIM.  As agreed  I txt my cousin to let her know I had arrived.  I had planned on catching public transport to Folsom where my cousin lived but was assured that it was going to take me too long (2-3 hours) and so they would come and get me. As they say "the best laid plans"; 2 hours later they arrive and I see my cousin for the first time in 34 years. Great excitement.  My parents and I stayed with cousin Tina's parents when we were in Napa in 1970 but we didn't see too much of one another then as she was away at school.

Eager to show me round San Francisco Tina and her husband Gary take me along the waterfront past some of my old haunts and fighting the horrific traffic (baseball games, school holidays and lovely weather all contributing) we eventually arrive at a seafood restaurant where we could see the boats bringing in the fish.  It was like walking into an NZ restaurant 30 years ago, a real time warp, with menu selections to match.  Weird, quaint but nice.  Scoma's is reputedly one of the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco but neither my cousin Tina's well overcooked prawns, or my overcooked and not nicely presented fish gave that impression.  More like a Fisherman's Table type meal.

Fed and watered we hit the road again and once again strike traffic jams.  About 6 pm we arrive at American Canyon where we used to live.  While we were living here we met an amazing family who had treated us so well and provided us with a huge amount of support during our visit.  We had lost touch and three of the four family members had now sadly passed away; but here I was visiting the sole family survivor.  Seeing Deme again was a highlight.  We both looked vastly different but she was just like her beautiful mother, warm, embracing and so beautiful. Sadly, no time for a long visit but so pleased to have seen this lovely lady again; and so we travel on.

Folsom was a city I hadnt previously visited so I was looking forward to checking it out but alas it was well dark by the time we arrived.  Armed with takeaway pizza we arrived at Tina and Gary's where I meet their three cats.  Too late and too tired to take much in by this time it was about 10pm I call it a day and off to bed.

1. A Dotty Idea

In January 2012 I fell in love again.  This time it was extra special for at that time a wee girl named Dorothy was born to my cousin's daughter in the US.  Dorothy is a magic baby and has captured my heart.  Right from the start I said "I am coming to meet her"; one of those things you say but don't necessarily do.

Then a few months later my cousin's other daughter got engaged.  Ha! Now I have another excuse to go and meet all the family members I haven't yet met AND to go to the wedding AND to meet Dorothy.

Three more sleeps to go and then I will be disembarking in San Francisco and going to see a cousin and my Aunty close to Sacramento.

From there back to San Francisco to support MY TEAM emirates NZ and re-visit some of the places I had come to love when we lived in the Napa Valley in 1970 (ish). A bridge walk is on the plan as is making the most of the local restaurant scene.

A few days there before I go further south to Monterey not only for the wedding but to spend some time with my cousin's children that I have never met and of course meet Dorothy and her wee cousin Abby.

The next stop in San Diego, only because I have never been and always wanted to go, mainly to see the world famous zoo and to do a Segway trip around the seaside area.  Maybe a trip to Tijuana might be on the cards before I head north again as far as Irvine, Orange County, to hopefully meet up with my nephew that I haven't seen for at least 30 years.  Barely time to shop and then I'll be winging my way home again.

So no exploring this time, a sedate family holiday,  and I can't wait.