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Published: February 10th 2014
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6
th February
Monterey
Thank goodness no Immigration but an early start for our 11 hour trip to Monterey and Carmel. Unfortunately we had a late night saying goodbye to our table mates Graham & Ann who were leaving the ship returning to the UK in a few days. Thanks for your company both.
We travelled down the coast road having a comfort break in Davenport, travelling further South through Santa Cruz and the ‘Salad Bowl’ region of California. If you like Artichokes and Strawberries this is the area for you!!!
We arrived in Monterey in sunshine, having set off from San Francisco in dull wet weather.
Monterey has a strong arts community. Museums and entertainment venues abound in the city as do local and internationally known artists.
Among Monterey's notable present-day attractions are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf (every town should have one) and the annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
So orientating ourselves on a quick ride round the centre we stopped for lunch.
The restaurant was called Bubba Gumps
(a chain) with the theme based around Forrest Gump from the film (same name). Great food and where a lot of the locals eat. Suitably fed and wined we had some free time to wander some the shops and delis. Purchased some olives & roasted garlic (in chipotle) not to bring home but to have on the balcony later!! (when we get to the South Pacific). There were also a few wine shops offering tastings but trying to pace ourselves we abstained!!
Notable artists who have made the area their home included John Steinbeck, who very briefly in the city of Monterey. Steinbeck immortalized Monterey in his novels Cannery Row, Tortilla Flat and East of Eden.
Too soon back on the coach for the short hop to Carmel-by-the-Sea which was meant to take us down the famous 17 mile Ocean Drive. However because of a golf tournament on the Pebble Beach course the road was closed to tourists which was a big disappointment.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is on the Monterey peninsula, close to the famous Pebble Beach golf course. This was the retail therapy part of the
tour and the last stop before the 3 hour journey back to the ship.
The city is known for being dog-friendly, with numerous hotels, restaurants and retail establishments admitting guests with dogs. Carmel is also known for several unusual laws, including a prohibition on wearing high-heel shoes without a permit, enacted to prevent lawsuits arising from tripping accidents caused by irregular pavement. This municipal code bans wearing shoes having heels more than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless the wearer has obtained a permit for them. Permits are available without charge at City Hall. Another unusual law, prohibiting selling and eating ice cream on public streets was part of Clint Eastwoods electoral campaign when he became Mayor in 1986 and some of these laws were rescinded after he took office as they were considered to be too restrictive of businesses.
The town has historically pursued a vigorous strategy of planned development to enhance its natural coastal beauty and to retain its character. New buildings must be built
around existing trees and new trees are required on lots that are deemed to have an inadequate number.
Very weird!!
There are also virtually no street signs, just some small posts placed at irregular intervals around the town. The one-square-mile village has no street lights or parking meters. In addition, the businesses, cottages and houses have no. (Originally, the early artists who were the first builders of the homes in the town, named their houses, rather than having numerical addresses.) The Postal Service provides no delivery of mail to individual addresses. Instead, residents go to the centrally located post office to receive their mail. Wouldn’t happen in the UK guys!!
Only we can go shopping and come away with a pound of cheese and some plates from the local deli and ‘Lakeland’ shop. Still it kept LJ away from the jewellery & shoe shops. Check out the boots in the picture!!
Time again too short, back to the ship via Silicon Valley arriving back in the dark for a 7.30pm sail away.
Next stop Honolulu.
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