Bellingham, WA

MONDAY 19TH - SAN FRANCISCO - Had breakfast at 'Mels Diner' one block from the hotel. A fair dinkum American dinner. Mike had Hash corn beef and eggs. Was great all shinny and just like you imagine a diner to be.

Then we took a cab to the wharf for our trip to Alcatraz. Cold and windy on the boat (we were on the top deck). Great views of the city and the island. Left on the 10.30 crossing and returned on the 2.30pm. Time just flew. So interesting watched a movie on the history of the island. Originally it was a fort built to protect SF. The cell block tour was exceptional. Each person is given a headset and recorder and you just wander around listening, being guided along from site to site. Keeps the crowd (326 on our boat, a boat every half hour) silent and moving. You also get the feel of the place as there are sound effects of clanging doors etc and the commontaters are previous guards and cons.

Mike loved it - we walked around most of the island before leaving.

We then got two buses to the Golden Gate bridge and walked 1.2 mile over it and back. Really glad we did that but it was freezing and loud. The top of the bridge was in fog, quite spooky. Very odd colour 'international orange'.

Caught the bus back and got off at Ghirardelli Square for a 'world famous' chocolate sundae. Lovely chocolate a nice sundae (Swensons are better, Felicity Bug)

Stood in the cold waiting for the cable car, which isnt just a tourist thing the locals use it to hop on, hop off. At least we had a good busker to entertain us.

Had tea at the mall again. Hot clam chowder to warm us up and we shred an Angus Beef plate. Did by chance wander into Nordstrum which is a huge store, not unlike Myers. Mike said thank god it was the beginning of the holiday and we had to carry our packs as by chance there we were in the shoe department - droulling!!!

Back to the hotel wind burnt and shattered - what a great day!!

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