The entrance to Chinatown
The Cable Car Trolley in front of our hotel at Union Square
Nothing like a little fireplace, we had this gigantic room to ourselves.
The Nehman Marcus Lobby
Monday, February 2. Cloudy but fine.
A very busy day for us yesterday, disembarkation is not ever really fun, unless you are sailing into your home port.
4 AM. Doug was up
5 AM. Fellette was up.
6 AM. Under the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco.
7 AM. Have coffee with Ian and Judy.
7.30 AM to 9.00. Get in line to see US Immigration officers. [%#@&*!]
9.00 Have breakfast.
9.20 Vacate our cabin.
10.30 Walk off the ship.
11.15 Check into hotel!!!!!!!!
12.30 Change rooms.
From then on it was great. When checking in we thought that the rooms were a bit tiny so we asked at the desk for larger rooms. We were shown nicer rooms with a sitting area and transferred in jig time. No upgrade charge and complimentary breakfast! I guess they thought we were complaining, but we were just expecting larger rooms.
Doug took at least 10 minutes to get on-line and connected. FREE wireless Internet and light speed again!!!
After a short 'catch-your breath-time', we four hit the streets for an orientation tour. Judy was soon oriented, like a homing pigeon we were in Macy's, [boy they have nice good old-fashioned department stores]. There we had a light late lunch in the cafeteria, sourdough sandwich and coffee. Outside where we soon stumbled into Nehman Marcus, which must be about the most expensive up-market store in North America. More clerks than customers. I suppose that is where the Rich and Famous shop. The building was more like a Cathedral than a store.
Next to Chinatown which was fantastic. Just like in Hong Kong and Singapore. I cannot believe the stores that are selling glass chandeliers and sculptured marble and ivory and jade and all sorts of fanciness. It was like a time warp to be there for an hour, no need for a trip to China, come to San Francisco.
Back to the hotel for a power nap and then out for dinner. Right across the street was 'Sears Fine Food', right out of 1920's San Francisco. Welcome to America! Friendly professional male waiter, we were in heaven, crab, prawns a giant cold local beer. They gave us some metal tokens to put in the slot machine and we got a certificate for 1/2 off the price for our next meal. So we will likely have a farewell dinner there on Wednesday
By now it is 9.30 PM and we are all bagged, but happy, so back to the hotel where we smell a fireplace. The girls source out the smell and we all settle in next to a roaring fire to plan tomorrows adventure.
We are in a king sized bed with linen to die for and a room that is not pitching and tossing for the first time in three weeks.
GREAT SLEEP! Next morning room service with REAL AMERICAN coffee, what a start to today. Thank you Lord.
Our room overlooks the Cable Car Trolley but the occasional clang and track noises soon just became a noise that we never heard unless we wanted to.
During the day I communicated with Jeanette, Craig, Wally, Moe and last but not least our faithful contractor, Scott.
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