Picnic by the Lake.

We eventually arrived at a picnic spot near a 'lake'. This lake looked quite epic on the map but sadly turned out to be more like a teeny puddle. Still we had a pleasant time eating in the sun together.

Bad Boys Bad Boys, Whatya Gunna Do

On our way to a Nice romantic picnic in the country, Bobbi passed a police car and was traveling 5 miles an hour over the limit. They tailed us and pulled us over. The officer gave us a little grief regading the speed limit and asked for Bobbi's license.

He then went into 9/11 mode and asked for our passports as proof that we should be in the country. We gave him our duplicate passports that we were carrying to which he complained.

Bobbi gave him a mouthfull that we provide our passports to customs on entry and a speeding charge has Nothing to do with 9/11. The officer having been told off lots finally gave up and let us on our way.

Wine'o Adventures

We drove to Nappa valley to visit the world famous wine yards they have there. When we arrived we were met with some of the most beautiful scenery we'd seen in America so far. Our idea to set up a ranch in Canada now had a contender, we could set up a winery of our own. Sure we don't know that much about wine But heck we'd learn if it meant we could live out in the country like this.
The first place we visited was a winery named V. Sattui. The grounds were beautiful with the old fashioned stonework, the small museum about their history of wine making, the surrounding picnic area. All of this together with the wine yards made a beautiful location to spend the day.

We went inside to take part in a tasting. We paid for six samples, 3 white, 2 red and 1 rose. The rose was so yummy that we walked out with a bottle.

Mumms winery came next, famous for their champagne. Paul was feeling a little wined out due to the mixing of wines so we decided to pass on another tasting. We did however check out the grounds which were nice enough. Most memorable was the gallery they had of photographer Robert Turner(see link). His work was amazing. He had an ability to keep absolutely everything near and far in perfect focus. Each photo had a perfect oil painted look to it. Well worth going out of your way to see. We managed to get some advice on taking such pictures even with our humble home camera. Every day is a school day.

Palace of Fine Arts

This place was gorgeous looked like a cross between some epic palace in Rome and one of the buildings in Starwars Episode 1.

It was a beautiful dome like structure with giant pillars and a surrounding pond and garden. This was easily one of the prettiest sights in San Francisco.

America in fact - so far of what we have seen anyway! - Seriously its not all that out here.

Alcatraz & Hyde St Pier

We again head out to the Golden Gate area of San Francisco only this time we decided to check out some of the pier areas. Alcatraz can be seen in the centre of the water away where nobody can escape (unless they are on a tour).

Hyde St Pier further down had a bunch of old fashioned boats docked. There was a sail boat from Glasgow. It looked like something you would see in Pirates of the Caribean. There was also an old tug boat from Newcastle(back home). Even way out in the USA a slice of home is there to meet us.

On our next journey a not so old, rude Chinese woman decided to pull rank on Bobbi's seat as the bus was full. She decided that the 'give up seats for elderly' sign applied to her and vigorously pointed at the sign while grunting. The hillarious thing about it was Bobbi was paying attention to our next stop and not looking in her direction, it still never occured to the not so old lady to quit pointing & maybe just tap Bobbi on her shoulder to get her attention.
(Bloody freak - if you ask me, Bobbi)
It reminded us of how the locals in China would step over their grandmothers in a fight to get a seat on the metro.

The "Shaft" Trolley Ride

One of the days we were out in San Francisco when we decided to take a tram ride. The trams added loads of character to the streets. They gave a little extra class to everything.

Anyways, we got onto a packed tram and ended up on the rear outside area. As we stood filming the city going by, this guy popped out from nowhere, he looked just like 'shaft' and was wearing a security like uniform and hat. He said "Hey, your standin' in my spot!" He was realy territorial over his little standing area. (Typical American who's authority went to his head..) ..was our initial thought until we gathered he meant it in a banter like manner.

There was a small yellow square on the floor to show us where not to stand, silly us. As the tram pulled away again Shaft started to yank with all his strength on this handle. He hurled his entire body weight into turning this handle and nearly knocked us right out of the moving tram. He continued to do this, not seeming to careb if he Bumped us out to our deaths.

Mini Tour of Silicon Valley

This place is not quite what I expected (tall grand looking buildings) and even less how Paul imagined (a Matrix styled city made of green-code). Instead it was just like any other business park only larger and with signs of all the world famous companies in the Industry.

The rest of the area had a nice family oriented estate feel. Lots of pretty wooden houses & remarkably a quiet district.

One of the numerous Cisco Buildings in the district.





This great photo of Intel was taken right next to their "no photography" sign. Sorry guys.









And the Nvidia building ..hmm is that all the photies i took!?

Golden Gate Bridge

Here we are being swept away by the winds - so powerful although elsewhere its blistering hot!

This giant famous bridge was pretty impressive as far as scale was concerned although from far away it was hidden by a blanket of mist. Close up however, it did look a little bit dirty / rusty.
We also thought they would have added some lights to pretty it up a bit at night. After all other bridges in San Fran had them.

I guess at this stage in our journey it takes a lot more to impress - especially after Neon city Tokyo!

This is Alcatraz

Union Square

This 97ft high Dewey Monument dominates the square erected in 1903 to commemorate the Spanish, American war.

Union Square is San Francisco's shopping district huddled among the numerous, bars, restuarants and the scumptious Cheescake Factory.

Lombard Street

The San Francisco Trolley Bus.

So many streets in San Francisco are built on hills. This particular street has been used in loads of Hollywood films one of many "Maid in Manhattan". There were hordes of tourists such as ourselves, falling over eachother to take photos. It seemed like the locals were used to the attention as they would often stop their cars to let people take their shot.


Another famous street that has appeared in many movies. One day we passed here and there were a horde of hells angel like bike riders, all ready to drive down one by one

Home away from Home

Whilst in Santa Clara commonly known as the Silicon Valley area, we stayed with family there Chits, Gaurav & their son Raayan who is such a cutie, Oh and not failing to mention his baby sister! It was so nice to spend time with them as we've been missing family back home quite alot, and we just felt like we were back home whilst staying with them - thanks guys, missing you!

They took us out places in the San Francisco area. We visited some lovely restaurants and cafes with live bands. We were also introduced to the Cheesecake Factory which makes as well as other things, fantastic cheesecake.

Other places we saw in the area with them apart from Silicon Valley itself was the famous Stanford University, along with the other famous sites in San Fran.

First Impressions

We found the American very friendly, we felt that anybody and everybody was happy enough to stop for a chit-chat. Almost everyone you meet the conversation usually begins with not just a simple "Hello" but a "Hello, how are you?" most of the time leading to a full blown conversation.

This initially we found quite overwhelming, but as we have had every one from Australia to Canada be equally as friendly. Its makes us Brits appear rather rude.

However upon arriving on American soil they sure have made it apparant how they wont forget 9'11. It's sure a time that no one can get over, especially those that lost loved ones, but do they really need surface the sore times? Not to mention the not so flattering portrait of Bush.

Flying over an Erupting Volcano

Whislt flying across North America i noticed a pink smoke in the distance on a clear blue sky day which i thought was unusual, i thought it could possibly be an erupting volcano but it was clear until we flew parallel to the plane, where i could see the rim of the volcano.

An amzing sight!

The United States of America!

We're here! - will post soon.