The last leg. Hello home.

Monday 17 September 2012 – The time has come.

Day 158 and 0 days to go

So I am now sitting at Sydney airport watching the QANTAS airplanes out on the tarmac, landing and taking off. We have been here since 8.30am, catching an airport shuttle that turned out to be $7 cheaper than catching the train and they picked us up outside the hotel, so we didn’t have to drag our bags through the streets. I highly recommend this as the way to travel.

The day started with the alarm going off at 7am, with Paul getting straight in the shower and me turning on the morning TV before also getting out and showering. With a cuppa downed and bags packed we left our final hotel room and checked out. We then waited outside for our shuttle to arrive at 7.50am. 
The mini van was packed with 12 of us heading to the various terminals at the airport. Once dropped at QANTAS domestic, we did the self-checkin bit, collecting our boarding passes and dropping our bags on the belt. 20 and 23kg not bad we thought. How heavy they would have been if we didn't send home 8 boxes!
We made our way through the security screening, with Paul being felt up again after setting off the metal detectors with his false hip. I am sure he won't miss that. He even wished that our airports were like the US, as they employ whole body scans that require no upstart official causally grabbing at your bits. 
We wandered the terminal stopping for a quick HJ's breakfast before picking up some reading material and heading to gate 10 to await our boarding call. At 9.50am boarding began. The line was ridiculous so we decided to hang back and wait for the line to dissipate before we followed onto the 747 and into our seat. We made ourselves comfortable and waited for our last flight to lift. It took a little longer than expected as there was a line up of planes. 
Joining the precession we soon lifting off and saying goodbye to our last city. By now we had the inflight entertainment up and running with both of us watching Brave. Lunch was served shortly after with us enjoying the choices we made. A third of the journey now over and onto my next film Pirate Captain while Paul watched Dictator. I am assuming he enjoyed it as there were many laugh out loud moments from him. Taking his reaction as a recommendation I tuned into the film only to be left wondering what was so funny. 
Now with three films down we were only a half hour from home and the pilot was beginning the decent. Many familiar buildings and roads came into view and before long we had made a smooth landing and were taxiing to our gate. Unfortunately, as we were early, we were left sitting on the tarmac waiting for another plane to leave. Once it had, we exited the plane and made our way down to the baggage claim with our bags emerging shortly after. With Damon on call he was there to pick us up finally putting an end to our magnificent tour.

Sunny Sydney - A great way to spend our last day

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Sunday 16 September 2012 – Our final day

Day 157 and 1 day to go

After a somewhat restful night’s sleep we woke and staying in bed and watching the morning news show. Paul was out first as usual and was soon calling for me to get out and ready to head out for breakfast.

By 9.30am we were wandering the streets in search of a reasonably priced meal. It proved harder than we first thought. We eventually made it back towards the central station. I searched for my lost sunnies in the hope they would be seen but it was all in vain. Oh well.

We did locate a small café serving breakfast for under $10 so we figured that would have to do.  It was quite substantial and delicious so it was a good choice. Following the breakfast it was a short walk into the station and then on the train to Circular Quay.

It was very busy around the water as there had been a running event on this morning. We made our way through the crowd buying ferry tickets and then joining the line to enter the boat with all of the others. We were able to find a seat inside and shortly after the boat was on its way.

The ride was a smooth one and before we knew it we were docking at Manly wharf. We wandered with the crowd down the main street, checking out the market stalls full of interesting but expensive things.

We finally made it to the water front to check out Manly Beach. The wind was whipping up the surf and there were plenty of people out enjoying the waves and the sun as they laid on the beach soaking up the rays.

We wandered along the waterfront, eventually parking our selves on a bench and watching life go by. We rang home catching up with our mum’s. It is still hard to believe that we will be seeing them in a couple of days.

With enough sun soaking we made our way back along the front and stopped at a café for lunch, enjoying the seafood specials that were on offer. We also had a great view of the traffic driving by.  There were all sorts of interesting cars and bikes.

When we finished we returned to the wharf checking out the bay on this side and the many boats that were out enjoying the water. We bought an ice cream to take on to the ferry and then boarded the waiting vessel that departed only a few minutes later.

As we made our way the swell began pitching and rolling the boat. If we watched from the window the water level would swallow the window on the right and then on the left. Thankfully it didn’t last and as the bridge and opera house came into view we were back to smooth sailing.

When we returned to Circular Quay we wandered the boardwalk towards the Opera House. There were so many people out enjoying drinks and music on this glorious day. We enjoyed taking in the iconic views while warming ourselves in the sun. 

With time beginning to tick away we made our way back to the train station and returned to Central before our walk back to the hotel and into our room. I was happy to sit around for a while watching TV before organising our lift to the airport tomorrow and then heading to Starbucks to use the net, but with only 30min free on offer I returned to the room deciding to use what was on offer in the hotel instead.

I returned to the room and watched more TV while finishing up the blog.

At 5pm we decided to go and use the spa and pool on the twelfth floor. It was lovely to relax and soak in the warm spa water.  Paul made use of sauna as well before doing a few walking laps in the pool.

By 6 we were ready to return to the room. I had a shower while Paul put some washing on. We got ourselves changed and then went down stairs to the Thai restaurant next door, ordering a few dishes to take back to the room.

Once back, we began eating while watching the Moto 3 race from Missano. it was eventually won by Cortese from Salom and Fenati. I was then able to log into the hotel Internet and post the blog for the past few days as well as check things on the net.

The second race began and with my net time run out I decided it was time for me to head to bed. Paul continued to watch the GP with Jorge, Rossi and Bautista taking out the podium positions for the big race. Once it was complete Paul turned out the lights on our final night away from home.

I still call Australia home!

Saturday 15 September 2012 – I Still Call Australia Home

Day 156 and 2 days to go

After being given the green landing light our metal bird began gliding closer to the ground and before too long the wheels were landing softly on the ground, one very smooth landing. Welcome to Sydney 6.15am, only 17 hours behind where we started our journey.

We worked out that we have now flown with 9 airlines and have been to 17 different airports during this 5 month trip. By Monday it will be 10 and 18.  WOW! What an adventure.

We waited patiently for our turn to exit the plane and then it was time to join the immigration line that took time to clear as they made sure no one unwanted was getting in. Once they declared us fit to re-enter we made our way to the baggage carousel where our bags emerged a short time later and we joined the next line, Customs. I saw the lady with her now awake boys. It was lovely to see someone working at the airport was there to give her a hand.

With nothing to declare we were shepherded to a place to line up our bags and a cute little beagle gave them a good going over eagerly stopping at the American’s bag that was behind us. If the doggie could have got into it he would have had a feast, as there was cheese and salami in it. Why do people bring food in and not declare it? With a face turning more and more beet red he was taken away for further examination. That’ll learn ya!

With our bags of no interest to the beagle we were free to go. We made our way through the airports greeting area following the sign to the train. It was a fair hike, but we eventually found the ticket booth and bought our very expensive ticket, $15.40 each, to Central Station.

We had a short wait on the platform, talking to another couple who had returned from the states also. Once on the train it was only a 15min journey before we reached Central station and we exited the building trying to orientate ourselves with where we needed to be. 

After asking a passer by for directions we were then able to drag our bags the final 500 metres to our apartment. It was such a relief that our room was ready at 8.15am and we were able to go straight to it.

Once in the room I dumped my bags and made a beeline for the shower as I had been in my clothes for 36hours and felt icky. The shower was wonderful and helped to not only freshen up but to wake me up as well.

We watched some of the morning news before heading out at 9.30am. We didn’t have to walk far to enter the Paddy markets where we wandered past the stalls that were just opening. We then walked across the road to a dim sum restaurant. We ordered many of our favourite dishes and were more than full by the time we finished the last one.

Feeling the drain of the past 24 hours we made our way back to the hotel stopping for some soft drink first. Once in the room we put on the Dockers v Adelaide match from last night, though we knew the final score we enjoyed watching the great football. It is a shame that the Dockers couldn’t get the job done going down by 10 points and now out of the finals

Paul began making phone calls to various people to let them know we had returned to Australia and that we would be home in only two short days. It wasn’t long though before we were crawling into bed to catch up on some sleep.  Well Paul did, I just laid there and then decided to get up and sit reading up on Sydney.
By 3 we decided it was time to get out and about so we walked to the station and caught the train to Circular Quay hopping off the train and being immersed in the typical Sydney landscape, Opera House and THE bridge.

Finding a ladies purse on the bench we took it to the info bay and then continued our walk down to the Quay where a P&O boat was parked up at the wharf. There were plenty of tourists down here enjoying the clear day, though it as quite cool.

We walked over to the Rocks, admiring the old buildings of the convict era. They have such character. We finally made our destination, Lord Nelson Brewery, where Paul tried one of their beers that appears in his beer book before picking up a six pack to drink during the Eagles match tonight.

We continued our walk down to the wharf and walking back towards Circular Quay. It was peaceful walking along the jetties and admiring the view and the units and restaurants that have been developed.

From the end of the jetty we could see across the harbour to Luna Park, the Sydney Bridge looming large as it reached across the great expanse of water. There were climbers out there no doubt enjoying the views and the beautiful afternoon sun.
While we were admiring the landscape another P&O cruise ship entered the harbour blowing her horn that echoed around the harbour. We watched her sail in under the bridge as passengers waved furiously from the decks.

As we continued to walk around the jetties we passed many bridal couples having photos taken down by the water. It is a lovely setting. As we rounded the last jetty passing under the bridge, we could see that the P&O cruise liner that had been parked up was on the move and heading into the harbour, taking it’s next lot of passengers off to interesting destinations.

After watching the large ships for a while we returned to the train, catching it back to Central Station. We then walked back towards the hotel only for me to realise I had dropped my sunnies along the way. They have followed me for 5 months around the world and I loose them with two days left. Grrr.

Feeling hungry we grabbed sandwiches at Subway and brought them back to the room to eat. We watched the 6 O’Clock news seeing what is going on here and abroad before we settled into to watch the West Coast vs Collingwood preliminary final.

The first half was looking good for our home team, though things started going south in the second half and I was almost asleep by the end of the third quarter. The day finally catching up with me.

I ended up heading to bed while Paul turned the TV around so that it could be seen from bed. While trying to sleep I couldn’t help but listen to the commentary and before we knew it the final whistle was blown with the Eagles going down to the Pies by 13pts. Bummer! It was then lights out. 

Bounding Home

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Friday 14 September 2012 – Bounding Home

Day 155 and 3 days to go

So this day would be the shortest on record. An hour and a half into our United Airline flight we were served a meal that Paul and I were both glad for. We had different choices, but both meals were delicious. With the meals complete I was then a little more settled and decided it was time to get some sleep.

I did actually manage to get plenty, waking at 6.30am briefly and then turning around and going back to sleep again for another couple of hours, waking at 9am. I was a little stiff and sore but generally well rested. Meanwhile Paul had managed an hour or two between the movie selections MIB3 and Avengers.  It was now ten hours into the flight.

I returned to my book having only a short amount left to read. It kept me entertained and helped the hours disappear. At 10am I was up going to the loo and stretching out and walking for a bit. It was so good to stand up.

With my book complete, what will I do without the Greys? I listened to the radio and then watched some of the TV shows that were playing. Unfortunately this United 747 flight is old school with no individual TV screens, so it was crane your neck to see the minute screen in the background. They really need to get with the times and upgrade their fleet.

By 11.30am we were served our breakfast thankfully, as we were both starving and devoured the eggs and fruit with gusto.  We returned to the TV as the final miles sailed away beneath us. By now we could see the pink of a new day tinging the sky. From my seat it looked pretty special and I only had a limited view.

With our decent well and truly begun we were held in a holding pattern waiting for our landing number as airlines cannot land before 6am here in Sydney. It was now 1pm Friday afternoon San Francisco time.

View Larger Map
Not quite the route we took but close enough!

Escape to Alcatraz

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Thursday 13 September 2012 Escape from Alcatraz

Happy Birthday Annie

Day 154 and 4 days to go

So here we are the final day on overseas soil. We are well and truly on that final slide into home. Our sleep last night was not as restful, for me it was the excitement of heading home for Paul it was dreaming up ways to set up a Segway business in Perth.

By 8.30am we were unable to hold off the morning any longer so we got ourselves up and showered before beginning the task of packing up the suitcases once more and sorting out exactly what we would require with us on our 15hour flight later. Having done this just a few times in the last five months it was a relatively painless exercise and before long we were all zipped up and heading to the lobby where we were able to store our bags for the day.

Now out on the brisk San Francisco streets we walked toward the 8x bus stop where we caught a very packed bus to the pier area. One advantage of the sardine effect was we squeezed on through the back doors and didn’t have to pay for the ride.

By the time we made our destination the bus was almost empty and we had a seat rather than hanging like chimps from tree branches as we grabbed for anything to stabilise our ride.

We walked across the road and down to Pier 33 where the Alcatraz tour cruises depart and collected our tickets from the ticket window and then with an hour to spare we wandered back along the boardwalk passing two cruise ships that had come into to dock. One of them was the Disney line. We ended up back at Pier 39 where we stopped in at the Wipeout restaurant for brunch with a view over the harbour; a great place to enjoy our pancakes with bacon and eggs.

By now it was 11.45am and as we were expected to board our boat at midday we wandered back to the departure point. Here we were able to read up on some of the Alcatraz history on the various boards and displays they had around the pier. At noon it was time to join the cattle and herd ourselves through the weaving barriers and onto the boat.

The journey from mainland to the island of Alcatraz took only 10 minutes as it is only 2km from shore.

Once we docked we were greeted by a worker giving the run down of the island and then we were free to lock around. We opted t o watch the 15 minute documentary first that outlined the island’s history from civil war times through to it’s close in 1963 when it’s life as a federal penitentiary came to an end.

With the end of the doco we moved up the hill to enter the cell block building. From here we were given audio sets and were able to follow the self-guided tour. This lead us through to the three tiered cells of which there were 349 rooms, most of them only 5x9x7 feet concrete boxes with a metal grate for a door. During it’s time as a prison the rooms were never all full at the same time.

Following the audio guide that was narrated by former prison guards and inmates we made our way to D block. This was the confinement area for those prisoners causing extra hassles. Here they looked out on the bay, not on other prisoners. They saw no other humans in their 24 7 confinement. With only a weekly shower their opportunity to leave the cube.

If they were really naughty they moved further down D block to the ‘Hole’. These cells had solid doors and left them sitting in the dark chasing buttons they would throw around and then attempt to find in the dark to keep themselves amused.

We passed the visitation area, 3 square holes in the wall and then onto the officers area. This was where shift change occurred and where the warden was housed. We left the prison walls and wandered outside taking in the view of the city and the bridges. Today was fairly clear and crisp so we were afforded great views.

When we returned to the prison we listened to stories of prison breaks. 36 people attempted escape all but 5 were accounted for. Many drowned in the bay as the water is so cold and the currents too strong. Some men even managed to carve holes through the concrete cell using metal spoons in which they had removed the head. It took them a year to create a hole that lead to the utility area behind the cells and then they were able to climb to the roof. Desperate times.

The final spot we wandered through was the dining and kitchen area. Considered the most deadly place in the prison as the prisoners had access to cutlery, as a result tear gas canisters were mounted on the walls.

After completing the audio tour we entered the shop, having a look around before emerging outside once again. It was now 2.30pm and we figured we should make it back to the mainland so we joined the long line of other tourists and waited for the 2.45pm boat that we all managed to board.

Once back at the pier we walked along the waterfront to Ghiardelli. This is a well known chocolatier in San Francisco and we figured we should try it out as we had a voucher for discount on their hot fudge sundae. Yum. We sat outside and shared one. It was delicious.

With time ticking away we walked a few blocks to the 30 bus stop and made our way back towards the hotel, walking the final few blocks. We decided we would make use of happy hour in the restaurant, enjoying ½ price drinks and appetizers as our final meal in San Francisco.

By 5.15pm we decided to head upstairs to the club lounge where we could freshen up for our flight and could use the net to upload photos. By 6.15 we had done all we wanted and decided it was time to grab our bags from the bell hop and begin dragging them through the streets to the BART station a few blocks away. Luckily there were escalators to the underground station, saving the heaving of bags.

With tickets sorted we stood on the platform waiting for the yellow train to the airport that arrived shortly after and by 7.30pm we were in the airport and at the check-in counter loading our bags and receiving our boarding passes. We attempted a seat move but were told we had to wait until we were at the gate.

We then moved onto the security and for the final time removed shoes, jackets, belts and emptied pockets as we put everything through x-ray screenings. Of course no sooner are you through the screening you have to do everything in reverse and redress yourself.

We were then left with walking to our gate. The variety of shops was limited including the duty free though we did eventually pick up a couple of bottles to bring home. With our flight not until 11pm we had a fair bit of time to fill in while sitting and waiting at the gate. I worked on the blog as the terminal area began to fill with passengers. We knew it would be a packed flight.

And so now it is 9.15pm and we are still waiting. Airplanes are moving around on the tarmac outside the window. There are lots of lights sparkling in the distance. It is a bit like a pacman game.

Time disappeared fairly quickly as we waited for boarding, finally beginning at 10.10pm, though we had to wait until our section was called at 10.25pm. We watched one poor lady struggle with her two sleeping boys under 5 and her carry on bags. Not one United staffer offered to help her and in the end anolder gent, another passenger, carried one of the sleeping boys for her while struggling with his own bag and she attempted to manage the rest but was forced to leave a bag and come back for it. It really was poor customer service.

We had a long walk as we were sitting at the tail end, second back row and right in the middle. Paul had the aisle while I was in the middle, waiting for whoever would sit on my left, though the seat never filled so I had a bit more room. We had issues with storing our hand luggage, as our bin was full because another passenger had filled it with his bags. I wish airlines would enforce their one carry on per passenger so others who follow the rules are not penalised. We ended up with our bags opposite us, so not too far away.

With the plane now holding all it’s passengers we were moving along the tarmac by 11pm and were finally in the air fifteen minutes later. With no ability to see the view I got suck into my book, as I was not ready to sleep. I think the adrenaline pulsing through knowing we were on the way home was keeping me well awake.

The streets of San Francisco

Wednesday 12 September 2012 – The Streets Of San Francisco – Happy Anniversary to my fabulous husband.

Day 153 and 5 days to go

Oh such a wonderful night’s sleep and what a difference a bed makes. It was so good that I didn’t wake up until 9.30am to the shower. Paul was up and organising himself but I didn’t want to leave the comfort of the wonderful bed. I did eventually force myself out, have a shower and then dressed.

By 10.30 we were ready and out on the street looking for breakfast. There was a small café down the road doing eggs so we stopped in for our fill. When we were done we made our way to the bus station, catching the 30 closer to the bay.

When we passed Lomabard we got off the bus and walked up the street. This sounds easy but the street is STEEP, like many of them here. We made the crawl up the street to the Leavesden cross road. At this point the street then zig zags further up the street. This street has -->has the title of the most crooked street in the world.  
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Now worn out we made the decent down Leavesden towards the pier area. We located the Segway company and then we went for a walk along the front. Get collared by a camera seller we went into the shop and listened to the sales pitch and were dazzled by the bits he had to show. He must have been good at his job as I cam out with 2 new lenses, 2 filters a bag and an 8gb card plus the promise to send him a West Coast Eagles poster! An expensive day out. Happy Anniversary darling

We continued to walk along the piers as we did a lap of the block and returned to the Segway company where we signed the disclosure and then watched the safety video before getting out on the Segways. We were again the only people to have ridden before.  We had a group of seven with four from here, us and another girl from Perth. Small world.

We did our training which was all quicker than Chicago and then we were out on the road. Literally. San Francisco laws dictate segways are not to use the footpath so we were out amongst the traffic and travel on the crappy road.

Our first stop was behind pier 43 to check out an old submarine and navy vessel built in 58 days by women during the war.

We continued to take the segways on to the road heading up some of the smaller hills to and then down others to return to the water and out to a long pier encircling Aquatic Park. From here we had great views of Alcatraz and back over the city. It was a great afternoon. The fog had lifted and it was stunningly blue. We could also watch the yachts whizzing by. Next year they will be back to compete in the America’s Cup.

Our next stop was Marina Green. To do this we firstly rode into the suburbs to check out the houses. This area has been created through landfill and suffered greatest when the earthquake of 89 occurred. The home owners here can not get insurance for protection for any future disasters. The homes are worth 1 – 3 Million, it seems such a waste. They could all be swallowed by liquefaction and they will be left with nothing.

After checking the homes out we made our way back to the water’s edge where we had a good view of the Golden Gate bridge that is painted the colour ‘International Orange’. We were also taken by a cyclist doing tricks on his bike. He was happily bouncing from wall to chair to stair on one wheel.

Our final stop was the Palace of Fine Arts building. We had passed this yesterday during our drive and I was glad we got the chance to return and check it out.  It is a large, ornate building that was built in 1914 for the World Trade Expo. It was originally designed to be removed but was adored by the people so the city decided that it should be recreated in materials designed to last and as such is still there today.

With this spot finished up we took the segways back through the  suburbs

-->on our way back to the Segway office where we returned our Segway reluctantly and then we made our way across to the pier where Paul bought a jumper as he was feeling the cold. It was certainly cool now.

Our next stop was the amusement arcade museum where we had a wander around checking out the old games that still work. They were really cool.  Paul even found a laughing sailor that he remembers from when he would visit Clacton Pier in England, with his folks, as a little boy.

Also along this pier were many seafood restaurants. After checking the various menus we chose Aliotos where we could eat with a view of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge that was now being swallowed by the sea fog. Our meal was delicious and it was a lovely way to celebrate our anniversary.

We left the restaurant and walked to the famous Pier 39. As we walked along we could here the unmistakable sound of the seals. We were able to stand and watch them for a while before completing the lap of the pier. There were plenty of tourist shops to keep people happy.

It was now getting quite cool and with tired feet we made our way to the bus stop to catch the bus back towards the hotel. We were glad to finally make it back to our room at 8pm but we didn’t stay for long, getting into our bathers and heading to the spa.

It was once again so wonderful to relax in the warm water but we didn’t stay too long returning to the room where I loaded the pictures and blog while watching the TV. Before we knew it the time ticked over 10.30pm and it was time to call it a night, our last one not only in the US but also on foreign soil. In a few short days we will be home.