San Francisco E-Motions

Filmed this when cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge. This was at about 11:30am, so I'd guess its's not peak traffic.





Home stretch towards Sausalito, just after the Golden Gate Bridge. The ride was about 10 miles long. Well worth it. Notice the screeching sound in the background? That was me applying the brakes with one hand to slow down, while holding the camera filming with the other hand. We were going downhill, and it was raining too!

Glimpses of SF

Just for Ms. Kambing

This is to prove to everyone that I am actually at a conference, ok? Did I mention that next year it is in Orlando? Hahaha!

Cycle and Sail Tour

Although Monday's tour was long, it was fairly laid back. So, for a change today, I went for a cycle and sail tour. We started cycling from Fisherman's Wharf towards the Golden Gate bridge. Along the way, I saw some wild herons feeding in a little pond. Also as we stopped just under the bridge to take a rest, we saw some dolphins swimming by. Quite amazing! There were a few stretches where we had to cycled uphill. I have to admit I was puffing and panting a bit along the way. As we were crossing the bridge, I saw a batch of pelicans flying just under the bridge. This place just doesn't stop amazing me. Too bad I did not get a chance to get my camera ready. Was cycling at the time.

Along the ride, we could also take pictures of the bridge from so many various angles. I was taking so many shots that an unsuspecting passerby would easily mistaken me for an architecture student. The final stretch into Sausalito was the easiest as it was all the way downhill. Have taken some video shots, but would upload them when I get back home, as the wifi in my hotel room can't cope with this. Had lunch in Sausalito and then caught the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.

I think, of all the tours that I took this time, this has to be the best. Anyway, tomorrow is the last day of my conference. Will be heading to Seattle for a couple of days before heading back to UK.

Monterey, Carmel & the 17-mile Drive

Well, another good day touring around this area. It was a long day. Left San Francisco at 7am and only got back just before 6pm. Too tired to update on Monday, because after I got back, went to sit the cable car in the city. A just had to do thing in SF.

Anyway, the drive south to Monterey was by the Pacific Ocean coast. Absolutely amazing views. We stopped along the way at a town, and I had deep fried artichoke for the first time in my life. The name escaped me at the moment, but it was the place where Norma Jean / Marilyn Monroe was crowned the first Artichoke Queen. It is a very agicultural area and other than artichoke, they grow lots of pumpkin, cauliflower, brussel sprouts etc.. Also tried dried chilli mango for the first time. Absolutely tasty. I think it would go very nice with a nice piece of steak.

We stopped by the Fisherman's Wharf at Monterey for about half an hour. There were lots of sea lions around. Apparently, they hang around a lot because the fishermen would throw some leftovers from their catch to them. You could hear them barking very loudly. Soon after that, we drove through the 17-mile drive. It's a playground for the rich and famous. There are quite a few of mansions in this area too. All of them came with a price tag of a few million dollars. We also drove by the home of Clint Eastwood's ex-wife. One of the owners here is so rich that he installed a heating system into a stretch of sandy beach so that his guest would not feel so cold when they are walking around! Stopped by the famous Pebble Beach Golf Club, where Bing Crosby used to play.

The drive ends with Carmel. We spend a couple of hours here for our lunch and also a walk around the place. This as you know is the place where Clint Eastwood was the former mayor. He still lives in the area. Unfortunatey, we did not see him! I was quite surprised to discover that things are not expensive at all here. My lunch only cost me about $12. I supposed if I compare everything with "rip-off" Britain, everything is cheap here.

All in all,a very enjoyable day, and one highly to be recommended.

Sunday Brunch on the Bay

Another brilliant day. Boarded the coach at the Moscone Centre North and headed to the pier where Hornblower California docks. That was the boat that took us for the cruise round the bay. The day started of foggy, but towards the end, the sun was out. Funny though, the fog did not fully lift. The buffet was good, which was accompanied by unlimited champagne. Only had one glass though, as I'm not used to drinking alcohol in the day time. We sailed round the Rock / Alcatraz. Managed also to take some snaps of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. In case, you think this is all fun, I managed to fit some lectures as well into my fun pack day.

Ah well! Got to go to bed early tonight as tomorrow is the Monterey and Carmel tour. Yeehaa!

Miss D.C.

Please don't tell my wife! I have indeed left (or am leaving) my heart in San Francisco. You see, I have met the new woman in my life. Judging by the look of her, she had even turned bright red when she first met me. The attraction must be mutual. Her eyes were wide and even her toes had curled up with pleasure. I am absolutely consumed with desire that I had even been taking pictures of her as I undressed her slowly. A bit of a voyeur,you see. Storing the images away for future viewings. Oh! Her legs are so long as well and sexy...and there seemed to be so many of them. I must be hallucinating. Hmmm! It was a pleasure sucking her toes. And that's only the beginning. When my tongue ran over her warm and luscious body, her insides were so soft and juicy. It was an hour of unaldulterated pleasure. Devouring her can only be described as divine pleasure! There was only one problem...

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I said honey," For such a beautiful lady like yourself, why has your parents given you such a funny name like Dungeness Crab? Is this a popular name in San Francisco?"




(Dei......wake up you all, didn't you read earlier that this blog is only rated PG?!!)

San Francisco

Arrived in San Francisco today. Travelled with KLM via Amsterdam to San Francisco. Got the standard "terrorist treatment" from the Homeland Security officer as usual. What this means is that I was again dragged into a small room for some detailed questioning like writing down my parents' name, dates of birth and address. Anyway, I have to say that they are a lot friendlier here than in Orlando. Took a cab from the airport to my hotel in downtown (Air Travel Hotel) which cost me USD51.00. It's a lot cheaper than the conference hotels (which were fully booked anyway), but the standard is not bad. There's free WiFi here.

After a short rest, I hopped over by foot to San Francisco Hilton, which is only about 5 minutes from here to register for my ASA Conference. With that out of the way, I walked to the Chinatown for some sightseeing and food. I had some Japanese food tonight. I have to say that it is the best Jaqpanese food that I had ever eaten. I ordered a Caterpillar Roll and also a bowl of Nabe Udon noodles. The restaurant is called Sushi Rock and their motto is " What we can't rock, we roll.." The bill came up to about $22, which is only about £11. What a bargain! While I was eating my dinner, I thought that perhaps, I am living in the wrong country, or at least the wrong city. On the way back, a busker was playing "Yuet Liang Tai Piau Wor De Sin" - The moon represents my heart (in mandarin).

First impression of San Francisco?............I like it! But perhaps because it has such a strong Chinese flavour to the place.

Summer Recess is Over - Part 2

Ok...ok, I am really neglecting my blog. Sorry about that folks. So, to quickly summarise the summer (haha!)and a bit of autumn, the following are what we have been up to in brief:

May
Two of my aunties (one from Vancouver and the other from Malaysia) were visiting with me. They were touring on their own for most of the time. However, they also managed to stay a few days with us between their mini trips during the months. We managed to bring them for a flying visit to the Lake District for a very short visit. Also managed to visit Lancaster and caught with some very good friends of mine, Jayne and Andy and their beautiful daughter Josephine. We also made a nostalgic visit to our former house. Kept making wrong turns as I had forgotten my way - duh! Hey! It has been 6 years since we left OK?

June
Went for conferences in Cambridge and Monk Fryston, Yorkshire.

Went down to the Canadian Embassy in London to get my visitor's visa. A pain in the neck...but what to do? I am still loyally hanging on to my Malaysia passsport. So, every now and then have to jump thru' some hoops. But what the heck...I don't understand why Malaysians also have to apply for visa to go to Canada. Aren't we suppose to be members of the Commonwealth? Mahathir Mohammed was right on the spot when he said that the "Commonwealth is where the wealth is not common".

July

My wife and daughter went to visit my aunt in Vancouver. I joined them in the third week. Had a great time. Managed to go up to Whistler Mountain. Absolutely amazing views. Will definitely have to go back there for the skiing in the future. Canada is such a huge country. I think that to really visit the country properly, one would have to get a mobile home and tour it for a couple of months at least. Another highlight was getting to meet so many of my relatives there. I can't believe that I had not met the majority of them before in my life!

August

Elected Vice Chairman of my department. Err! Guess, I'd better start behaving myself.

September

Went back to Lancaster for the christening of my goddaughter, Josephine. Thanks for asking me to be her godfather Jayne and Andy. It's such an honour!

Went for conferences in Blackpool and Manchester.

Oh yes! How can I forget! My little girl starts school this month. She looks all grown up in her uniform.

October
Going for an international conference in the place that is famous for the song ...."I left my heart in ___________ (fill in the blanks)" Yesssssssssssssss!!