Day 2, 20062008, San Francisco (Part II)

Just a preview about what's gonna come up in Part II: San Francisco's famous Cable Car, Alcatraz Island <- must see!

Well the way that I'm gonna blog may not convince you that the Alcatraz Island is a must-see, but if you ever go to San Francisco, you really ought to go see it. And buy the tickets way beforehand to ensure availability.

We were going to take the world famous cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. The cruise to Alcatraz leaves from a pier there.

While waiting for the others to come down

Ticket to the cable car

The cable car

We were hanging from the sides of the cable car, as in, we stood at the railings so that we can catch perfect views. It was quite dangerous 'cos if you let go of the poles then there you go. Especially uphill/downhill. But still, it was one heck of a ride! =D

Along the way there were gaps that we can see the water. Here's Alcatraz.


As we descended upon Fisherman's Wharf, we had to really brisk walk 'cos the pier was damn far from the cable car stop and we were short of time. I had to reach there 10 minutes prior just in case they sell my tickets to others.


But we were just on time! Phew.

On board the Alcatraz Cruise.




There are many many many many many many many many many many many seagulls residing in Alcatraz.


Like really many many many.

The Alcatraz Island was a prison for the high-profile criminals of San Francisco in the 1934 to 1963. Before that it served for military purposes.

As it was in the middle of the ocean it was thought that no matter what the prisoners won't be able to escape. And considering the high security, they were very sure there were no escapees at all.

However, there were criminals who managed to run away unknowingly. Some were never found, some died instead, and the last big escape was a very bloody one. It resulted in the death of several inmates as well as guards.

Group photo outside the Main Prison entrance

Here's how the cells look like in the prison.

The courtyard where the prisoners get to play

The following picture shows a typical cell, but take note of the wall facing you.


There's a hole!!!!


In fact, there were two. Two inmates escaped by using spoons to dig a hole in the wall. Yea you read it right. Spoons.

After much walking by the audio walking tour, the last stop was their dining hall. I suppose this was their last menu.


Dusk.

And seagull.





Alcatraz from far away

So you've seen it! Go to Alcatraz! It's a lot of history to learn.

I was just telling Ivan that I seem to visit such places whenever I tour. Like going to a concentration camp in Germany and then now to a prison. I wonder what's next.

Day 2, 20062008, San Francisco (Part I)

Time passes and here comes day 2! Plan for today: Chinatown, North Beach, Alcatraz Island. Woohoo!

Rise and shine, breakfast was waffles and pancakes. I wouldn't say this is the best of hostel breakfasts I've ever had as compared to those I had in Europe. 'Cos this breakfast is really just waffles and pancakes. And tea and coffee.

Anyway, San Francisco has the highest number of Chinese in America. But really, I see Chinese on the streets everyday. Guidebooks say that you have to have people who can speak Cantonese in your group so that you'll get treated better. Thank goodness for CY.

Chinatown was just a short walk from Amsterdam Hostel. You know you're there when you see the Chinatown Gate. Which isn't that prominent after all. This is at Bush St and Grant St.


Here's the sign you see dangling from the Chinatown Gate.

天下为公。I don't know why.


Grant Ave. 都板街。I don't know why too that it's called '都板街' when it doesn't sound anywhere near 'Grant'.


The street view that greets you.


And while walking around there were shops selling touristy stuff. And we stumbled upon this.


And so I got one. For USD 1.88 before tax (they tax everything here). It was only when I returned to LA that I realised there was one little hole on the shirt. Shit.

We continued walking and came upon St. Mary's Cathedral. It is quite a prominent cathedral in the vicinity.


Just across the cathedral is Old St. Mary's Square where you can find a statue of the founder of the Chinese Republic, Sun Yat-sen.


The Bank of America. Which was and still is draped in Chinese architecture.


Walked more and we entered Ross Alley.


The point of us walking through this relatively dark alley was because of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company located at 56 Ross St. There weren't any signboard outside so you really gotta find out for yourself.


Ivan bought two packets of cookies and we shared.

This is how a fortune cookie looks like.


Check out my fortune.


I didn't write any letter nor postcard in the end. But I still think I have a charming way with words. I'm charming ma. Muahahahaha.

And that's about the end of Chinatown (There are more stuff but not as important la). Here comes North Beach. It is sort of a Little Italy in San Francisco.

This magnificent-looking building is the Transamerica Pyramid. San Francisco's tallest building.



And this is the original Transamerica Building.


The North Beach area used to be rife with poets who go around the district and read poems to each other. Please think of this in a pleasant way. I can't think of a better way to tell you.

And so the City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio bar were where the poets gathered in the 1950s.



Some more down the street is Broadway. (sounds of musicals. No laa)


This is how most buildings in North Beach look like.


Large mural paintings on the buildings depicting the culture in the area, be it music, arts, poetry...

And you know you're in North Beach when the lampposts have the Italian colours painted on them.


Saints Peter and Paul Church in Washington Square.


Washington Square is a beautiful plot of land surrounded by roads -_- but still tranquil enough.

Just a short walk down the bend we meet the road that will bring us to Coit Tower.


And oh my goodness. The steep slopes -_- The people here must be very good drivers.


I mean it.


Climb and climb and climb but the view is quite rewarding.

And then we climbed some more.


And got more rewarding views.


And finally!


The Coit Tower!


The Oakley Bay Bridge.


A proof that I've really been there.


The tower and a masculine heroine - I can't remember her name.


You can see Alcatraz Island from the Coit Tower.


As well as the GG Bridge.


Put your penny and 50 cents into this machine.


And you get this.


It's actually a machine to press your penny into this shape with such an imprint. It is legal to use this as a usual penny in the USA.

When we took the lift up to the top of the Coit we got to see a near aerial view of San Francisco. Just that instead of gaping holes for us to look, there were windows.

Ta-daa.


GG Bridge.



Bay Bridge.


At the window sill there were many different coins. I never figured out how they got there.


Here's how it looks like. So we see through the three windows at each edge.


赵向积 (camera) could zoom into Fisherman's Wharf. One of the main tourist attractions there is Pier 39, where the sea lions will climb up the pier and 'sun tan' there.


There there, the sea creatures lying lazily under the big red sun.


Next stop: Levi's Headquarters, via the Filbert Steps.




Walked into a clearing and buildings met us again.

Textbooks, anyone?


We got to Levi's. This is how a lift door of the office building looks like.


This is where we can look at some exhibits.



Afterwards we walked back to Chinatown for lunch. Passed by this really steep road.


Notice the writings on the ground - they're poetry.


We were at Jackson St, and opposite the eatery we were going into was some kind of restaurant cum clan and they were playing mahjong upstairs! Like 4 tables in the balcony. I wonder how many more inside. You could hear the shuffling of mahjong tiles distance away.


After lunch we made our way back to the shop where we got the I heart SF shirts from. Divya had to get a new luggage. Jessica wanted to get a camera so she stopped by this camera dealer, and I joined her nearing the end and chatted with the South American salesperson.

So we were talking about where Jessica and I came from etc., and after a while he asked me who the lucky guy is. I was like, huh? He asked, 'No boyfriend?' 'Ohh no no.' When I tour around I usually sling 赵向积 along my neck or shoulder since it is more convenient this way. Then the salesperson spotted my camera and told me he could sell me the wide-end conversion lens for USD 69!!! I checked the lens out at the PC Show where I got 赵向积 from and it cost a hefty SGD 250 lo. I didn't get the lens in the end as I'm not that much of a camera buff, but I think I'm regretting =( And I bet the salesperson found me attractive!!! HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You chose to read this =P

Look out for Part II!