Day 2, Back in San Fransisco

Yes. Yes. Very long-winded. Still on Day 2. Continuation from here. 

As we got into San Fransisco, it was still rather early. Only 4 pm. Told H that we should go straight to Fisherman's Wharf in our rental car, rather than drive back to the hotel. In any case, we have to pay parking charges anyway....so rather than pay parking charges at hotel, and then paying for tram tickets; might as well just pay for the parking charges at Fisherman's Wharf. 

Waaaa......seems like whole of San Fransisco was at Fisherman's Wharf. 

Why ah?

Even all the car parks were FULL and were quoting USD 40/- per entry 'due to event'. 

Errr...what event???

Blurr blurr aje.

Ohhhhh...it was FLEET WEEK and there were AIR DISPLAYS , NAVY SHIPS, NAVY RECRUITMENT DRIVES, LIVE MUSIC etc etc that was taking place at Fisherman's Wharf. 

No wonder, I have been hearing LOUD booming noises from fighter jets when I was talking to HT the day before.... and saw air displays as we were approaching the Golden Gate Bridge earlier. Now it all made sense.....the large crowds near the Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. 

Back to looking for a parking spot....was of course NOT willing to pay USD 40/- for parking. Rounded a couple of times, and was going to give up and go back to the hotel...and then H saw an empty spot by the street. And what's more??? There was a surplus of 56 minutes left on the parking meter!!! 

I was so happy....like 'chapp tou kamm' (picked up gold) and then H remarked... "Can Spend $$$ on your scrapbooking stuff. Here, save USD 2.50 so happy!" . 

Of course what. Better than nothing maaaa.....

First thing that we did was pop into the Crab House at Pier 39 for an early dinner. Not that we were hungry. It's just that we are crabs people...and just couldn't resist the beckoning call of CRABS!!!

Picture of the Crab House

(Courtesy of the restaurant's website)

We were soooooo 'eaw kui' (hungry ghost) that when the food came, we just whack. The mussels, prawns and crabs.  So...no photos of the yummy seafoods. H did indulge with two glasses of pinot grigio. Me? I had more Chandon bubbly!

After our very satisfying meal, we walked around. Took some photos (to the reluctance of H..., as usual) 

The Rock....

(Did a tour 12-years ago already. So didn't do it again this time round. Wondered what happened to the photos I took then??? Can't seem to find them.)

The Seals at Pier 39

(Apparently, they only decided to call Pier 39 their home after the 1989 Earthquake)

'Scratch my back, please!'

(Very very smelly.....)

From Fisherman's Wharf, we proceeded back to Union Square....we had to find a car park that had a decent rate.... thankfully, the one near the rental car company had an offer of USD 15/- per night for entry after 5.30 pm and exit by 9.30 pm. The hotel's rate was USD 29/- per night. 

Did we go back to the hotel? 

Nope...jalan-jalan around the Union Square area summore, had more ALCOHOLIC drinks over at the Clock Bar in the Westin, and then bought a very sinful toffee pecan cheesecake from the CheeseCake Factory to savour in the room.

My Cocktail at the Clock Bar...

The Cheesecake was indeed very rich, creamy and delicious. What's more, they had given a very generous dollop of whipped cream on the side. Really 'a moment on your lips, a lifetime on your hips' situation. By then, it was kinda late but thought we should go out for a walk in Borders ....hoping that we can shed some of the calories that we have just consumed. :-)

Browsed around Borders  for about half an hour, and as we came down the escalator....I saw a familiar face. He called out H's name... 

Guessed who it was? 

OYSTER!!!!

Fancy meeting here in San Fransisco....of all places. Talk about SMALL WORLD. 

Nope. He doesn't work here...he works in Singapore...and was in Houston for work for the last two weeks. And just so happened decided to spend the weekend in San Fransisco  .....

Who is Oyster? 

My old university mate from Imperial  in London. We used to go to Chinatown  together for meals...as out of the whole Malaysian gang, only two of us had monthly travelcards. Anyways, we decided to sit somewhere to have drinks and catch-up. The Clock Bar was jam-packed at this hour....so we had to find an alternative venue. Ended up at the Marriott. Errr...since I already drank like a fish today, decided on a nice soothing cup of camomile tea. 

It was nice chatting with an old pal......he updated on some of our ex-university mates... some still in London, in Singapore and Hong Kong etc. Actually, both of us were hoping to catch KC who has just moved to San Fransisco some months back...but he was out-of-town the weekend we were there.

I supposed we could have talked on and on...but the wait-staff came to inform us that the bar is closed....heheheheh...that was when we decided to say our goodbyes and head back to our respective hotels for a good night's rest. 

Till next time...