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.