Approaching Alcatraz Island
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Most amusing...
I lay awake last night, wondering why my flight was going to take 29 hours: 08:10, 2 July to 06:10, 4 July, minus 17 hours time difference. It occurred to me that 17 hours (=29-12) was about right, and I wondered if the airline had the arrival time right, as opposed to 18:10 on 3 July. Decided to check that when we arrived at SFO to check in for the flight.
When Allison and I got to the airport just before 07:00 today, I checked my ticket... the bombshell dropped when I realised I had the wrong departure time by 12 hours. My flight leaves at 20:10, or 8:10 pm. This is why 24-hour time is your friend...
So I dropped my big suitcase into a locker at SFO and Allison drove me here, to the tourist area of San Francisco. I've just had croissants for brekky and now get to kill another six hours or so before grabbing a bus back to SFO. It's not too bad - at least now I get to see the city again! Heh. Anyhows - time to tourist!
Yes, LAX. Long story...
Approaching Alcatraz Island |
I spent the day being touristy in San Francisco. Grabbed some money first, then some brekky. Wandered over to the ferry wharves and decided to go see Alcatraz.
 Alcatraz cell block |
I got the first boat: 09:30. Spent a couple of hours having a good look at the infamous Rock.
 Alcatraz exercise yard, with view of San Francisco across the Bay |
Took a bunch of photos and had a good old wander around. Quite interesting.
 Golden Gate Bridge, viewed from Alcatraz |
Even saw an ex-Alcatraz prisoner there - he was signing copies of his book.
 Departing Alcatraz Island |
Grabbed the 11:45 boat back to Pier 41, then wandered down to Pier 39 where I bought some grilled salmon on bannock bread (a fried bread supposedly made by American Indians). Not bad. Wandered Pier 39, buying lots of junk (i.e. being tempted and succumbing, even running for more money at one stage). Decided at 15:00 to start making inquiries on how to get to SFO. The Sheraton Hotel helped out by calling a shuttle van company. Cost me $10 - which required a third trip to an ATM for money.
 Pier 39 |
Got to SFO at 16:00 and decided to see if I could check in early. The fellow happily informed me that the Honolulu-Sydney leg of my flight had been cancelled. He was quick to advise me that I would be re-routed to United flights SFO-LAX-SYD. Not so bad - I prefer the 747 non-stop across the Pacific. And I arrive 20 minutes earlier than expected! I hope if anyone meets me they get there in time!
Anyway, I grabbed my suitcase from the locker, hopped a SFO shuttle but to United and checked in. The chappies told me I'd have to check my staff, and they took some care labelling and packing it. I bought some Ghirardelli chocolate while waiting for the SFO-LAX flight. Bittersweet is sweeter than semi-sweet, in case you were wondering. (I bought both.)
Interlude. I just checked with the US Departure Tax counter after hearing an announcement about it. First thing I heard about this US$18 tax! Luckily it had already been paid as part of my ticket.
But back to the story... I also listened to the Giants/Marlins game on my Walkman while I waited at SFO. Giants were up 3-2 after three innings, when I had to leave. Here at LAX I grabbed a pizza and watched the Chicago Bulls take the fifth NBA playoff game against the New York Knicks in a thriller. Then wandered here to the departure lounge. 14.5 hour flight coming up. Stay tuned.
[And that was all I wrote for this trip. I made it home safely, and my new staff with the malachite ball on the end survived the transit. I didn't realise I had to pick it up from the special luggage counter at Sydney Airport, and spent ages waiting for it at the regular luggage carousel, until I finally inquired and was sent to the right place. The staff still sits in my home today.]
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