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Noyelles Travels 2017
- Blog
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Location Date Oceania 1510963200 Europe 1495839600 South America 1491951600 North America 
1490569200 -
Location Date California
1490569200 Hawaii 1490140800 -
Location Date San Francisco
1490569200 San Diego 1489622400
Monday 27th March
Up at 6 30 today & up on the top deck to see the ship enter the harbour under the Golden Gate bridge which was quite unnerving, as we appeared to have very little clearance. We tied up at Pier 27 at about 9 & left the ship at about 10 to catch a shuttle bus to Pier 29.
It was quite bitter, although sunny, at about 12°C with a sharp wind & we were rugged up for winter.
Here we bought a 2 day pass for a hop on hop off bus but then had to wait for more than 30 minutes for the next bus.
Eventually we set off on the tour with Robin & Freya, which took us to the Golden Gate Bridge where we boarded another bus to cross it & go on to Sausolito, a small & very picturesque town across the Bay. Here we wandered in search of coffee & ended sitting looking across to San Francisco whilst we had lunch.
In the afternoon we returned across the bridge & resumed the tour passing through Haight Ashbury, the 60s hippy suburb & the huge park with an art gallery & a museum in it. On our return to the centre we stopped at Union Square & went for coffee at the CheeseCake Shop above Macy's Department Store. Descending to the basement we had a very frustrating time using their wi-fi before catching the bus again. We arrived back near our ship & walked back to it pretty exhausted. The city is very clean & the place looks quite smart but we were surprised at the road surfaces which were relatively poor.
Tuesday 28th March
Much warmer today so we took the shuttle to Pier 31 to look at the shops, which weren’t much to our taste & then up to Fisherman’s Wharf to catch the hop on hop off bus up to the Ferry Terminal. Here we caught up on our emails in a cafe before we walked across & back towards Pier 23 where we met Steven, a friend who we had met on the Star Clipper in 2007, who lives up state.
We all walked up towards Union Square through various areas including a very tired Chinese zone before we had some lunch at a bistro in the Sir Francis Drake hotel. After a so-so coffee at a Starbucks we walked back down to the Ferry terminal & caught a ferry with Steven to Oakland across the bay as he had parked his car there.
The ferry ride was great as it passed under the double decker Bay bridge which is longer than the Golden Gate one. Oakland is a huge container terminal with several giant ships being off loaded & another being berthed as we arrived. We passed a floating dock which had a Coastguard vessel, under repair, on board. The ferry terminal area is very smart & must have been redeveloped quite recently but it was almost deserted at 5pm when we arrived. The Jack London square is surrounded by cafes shops & hotels & there is a very smart marina with a range of yachts & power boats.
Having said good bye to Steven we returned on the ferry & walked back from the Ferry Terminal to Pier 27, where our ship was berthed. We were quite exhausted as it was by far the longest walk that d*** had made since his knee reconstruction in May last year.
After dinner we went to a short Trad Jazz concert by a local band before falling into bed after a hard day.
Up at 6 30 today & up on the top deck to see the ship enter the harbour under the Golden Gate bridge which was quite unnerving, as we appeared to have very little clearance. We tied up at Pier 27 at about 9 & left the ship at about 10 to catch a shuttle bus to Pier 29.
It was quite bitter, although sunny, at about 12°C with a sharp wind & we were rugged up for winter.
Here we bought a 2 day pass for a hop on hop off bus but then had to wait for more than 30 minutes for the next bus.
Eventually we set off on the tour with Robin & Freya, which took us to the Golden Gate Bridge where we boarded another bus to cross it & go on to Sausolito, a small & very picturesque town across the Bay. Here we wandered in search of coffee & ended sitting looking across to San Francisco whilst we had lunch.
In the afternoon we returned across the bridge & resumed the tour passing through Haight Ashbury, the 60s hippy suburb & the huge park with an art gallery & a museum in it. On our return to the centre we stopped at Union Square & went for coffee at the CheeseCake Shop above Macy's Department Store. Descending to the basement we had a very frustrating time using their wi-fi before catching the bus again. We arrived back near our ship & walked back to it pretty exhausted. The city is very clean & the place looks quite smart but we were surprised at the road surfaces which were relatively poor.
Tuesday 28th March
Much warmer today so we took the shuttle to Pier 31 to look at the shops, which weren’t much to our taste & then up to Fisherman’s Wharf to catch the hop on hop off bus up to the Ferry Terminal. Here we caught up on our emails in a cafe before we walked across & back towards Pier 23 where we met Steven, a friend who we had met on the Star Clipper in 2007, who lives up state.
We all walked up towards Union Square through various areas including a very tired Chinese zone before we had some lunch at a bistro in the Sir Francis Drake hotel. After a so-so coffee at a Starbucks we walked back down to the Ferry terminal & caught a ferry with Steven to Oakland across the bay as he had parked his car there.
The ferry ride was great as it passed under the double decker Bay bridge which is longer than the Golden Gate one. Oakland is a huge container terminal with several giant ships being off loaded & another being berthed as we arrived. We passed a floating dock which had a Coastguard vessel, under repair, on board. The ferry terminal area is very smart & must have been redeveloped quite recently but it was almost deserted at 5pm when we arrived. The Jack London square is surrounded by cafes shops & hotels & there is a very smart marina with a range of yachts & power boats.
Having said good bye to Steven we returned on the ferry & walked back from the Ferry Terminal to Pier 27, where our ship was berthed. We were quite exhausted as it was by far the longest walk that d*** had made since his knee reconstruction in May last year.
After dinner we went to a short Trad Jazz concert by a local band before falling into bed after a hard day.
- comments
Henrietta Hope d*** is feeling better by now. Apart from that you seem to be having a great time. You are changing my ideas about cruise ships with all the interesting activities etc. Keep having fun, Henrietta xx
Moira Keep up the hard work - it's good for you, apparently. Do you want to hear that it's beautifully warm in Perth at the moment? After a very cool summer, autumn is spectacular with a string of days of around 28 - 30 degrees. Our bridge doesn't quite rival the Golden Gate though. Happy travels!
Alison Durham Brought back lots of memories from our time in San Fran. We cycled across the bridge to Sausalito and caught the ferry back. It all sounds wonderful, enjoy. Love Alison
Stephen and Helga Tomkins Dear d*** and Jane, welcome to the Atlantic World. In UK the Spring is underway, the sun is out and the garden full of flowers, but it is still a bit chilly by Perth standards. It will be good to hear from you when you get to your sister's place. Give us a ring when you are sorted. We are hoping to see you in Cambridge and will be here then so far as we know. Our news of our family in Perth is much better. We hope you have a good Atlantic crossing. Stephen and Helga.
Stephen and Helga Tomkins Dear d*** and Jane, welcome to the Atlantic World. In UK the Spring is underway, the sun is out and the garden full of flowers, but it is still a bit chilly by Perth standards. It will be good to hear from you when you get to your sister's place. Give us a ring when you are sorted. We are hoping to see you in Cambridge and will be here then so far as we know. Our news of our family in Perth is much better. We hope you have a good Atlantic crossing. Stephen and Helga.
Kerry Hi Jane and Dick. I am now up to date with your most recent entries, it sounds like all is going well, except for Dick's health. I do hope that he is feeling well again by now, and is no longer able to annoy Jane by coughing! Look forward to the next update Kerry xx
Dianne Great to hear all the news. Sounds like you are having a marvellous time. Glad to hear the knees are holding up (and holding you up) Dick. Keep enjoying.