San Francisco

We had a one night stop over in San Francisco. This was our 4th time here and we felt no need to rush around the usual sight seeing stops. I had difficulty booking a hotel in the city here. I found out it was due to a huge conference for Oracle (software/ hardware corp). Apparently there are 50,000 delegates here for it. Thats alot of hotel rooms! We have ended up at a small place we have stayed in before, but it is getting a bit tired now so wouldnt rush back. It is however very convenient to all we wanted to do.

After checking into the hotel, showered and headed out for an afternoon stroll. This is the parking inspectors vehicle.

We went in the vague direction of to the waterfront and Embarcadero area. Passing Chinatown and down through the Financial district. It was not too busy and we enjoyed the old and new architecture.

The waterfront is where the local ferries were leaving from. The market was not quite what I expected. Interesting for sure but not quite like the markets food markets in Melb which is what I was expecting. This was a combo of food and local crafts. There was a wine bar which we stopped in for a sip. We had also spotted an oyser bar and figured we would have a second glass there with some oysters. By the time we got there, the after work folk had arrived. There was a queue of about 50 ppl waiting for a spot at the bar or one of the outside tables. We didnt bother waiting.

We went back to a lovely looking restaurant we had spotted earlier. Delicious octopus carpaccio with chorizo, poached pear & rocket salad, salami & prawn pizza... By the end of the meal, Marks eyes were literally glazing over and closing. We were finished, back to the hotel and in bed by 8pm. Exhausted but happy to have stayed awake until a fairly civilised hour.

The morning was breakfast at a local deli before a cab to airport for our flights to Salt Lake City, via LA.

Is this the meeting place for all lost Marks? And finally we looked up the weather for the next few days in Yellowstone... its looking mighty chilly!!

And finally an update on my 'aches'.. im feeling pretty good after a couple of days of walking. My ribs on my right side hurt when I cough and there is a general dull ache on my right side. All in all... Im ok with that.