Springtime in San Francisco : Thread 2 Updt 6/1 Japanese Tea Garden! About This Page:

[boosmom96]

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I kept asking Cheryl, “Next stop?” Still fighting back laughter, we get off and as soon as the bus pulls away, we all burst out into hysterics. I know people going by us must have thought we were crazy.

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Crazy? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] I think we were the only sane ones on there! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

I'm glad to hear that we didn't have an unusual experience - in an odd way it makes me feel better to know that all the bus rides are like that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

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Cheryl,
I can honestly say your bus ride was fairly tame! San Francisco has far more than it's fair share of unusual characters. Most visitors are not brave enough to tackle public transit!
I'm really glad you guys got a chance to check out Golden Gate Park. Maureen, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Japanese Tea Garden. Did you check out the new DeYoung?

[lauren-roxy]

Another wonderful update Maureen!! Beautiful pictures of the flowers!! Can't wait to read more!

[RobDVC]

Great pictures, hurry back with more!

[statelady01]

Amy- we didn't have too much time in the day left- so we didn't get to check out the DeYoung.

As we made our way from the Conservatory, I think we were all beginning to feel the exhaustion set in just a bit. Mark and Kevan fell behind the pace we had going several times but then again, that could have also been due to all the talking and laughing they were doing. As we passed the deYoung Museum, we noticed a sculpture- I can't remember which one of us made the observation it was a paper clip- or at least closely resembled one!

After the trek, we found our way to the Japanese Tea Garden. A little surprised to find out there was an admission fee for this- we stopped, thought and decided to go on with it. In the end, I certainly felt like this was worth every penny and am pretty sure everyone agreed with me.


Entrance

There were several water gardens among some beautiful bamboo structures and the whole place was delightfully serene and quiet. I'll let these photos tell alot of the story!



Towards the middle of the garden, up on a hill was a neat gift shop and we browsed a bit before viewing gardens behind it.



There were so many lovely winding paths and areas in which to view. We came upon the pagoda and got some more photos:




Before too long, it was nearing time to begin our journey back towards Fisherman's Wharf. We were to be at the Pier 41 to catch our evening tour to Alcatraz. We figured easiest way would be a taxi.

We walked out of the park to the nearest street corner (don't remember which one- Chez is better for details on this sort of thing!) and tried to hail a cab. We tried. And tried. And tried. Mark even tried to call the cab companies for one and was told due to the time of day, it could be over an hour before we got one.

We began to contemplate the bus and made our way around the corner to the nearest MUNI stop. I was trying to look both ways to check for buses coming either direction and realized as soon as one was coming, I was still on the street, and began to step up on to the curb. The bus pulls up and all of a sudden, it occurs to us that I am being told off by the bus driver- I apologized and he kept on with his scolding. I was about to really let him have it and then he pulled away from the stop. I wasn't quick enough up on the curb, I apologized and that should have been the end of it- he was extremely rude and it really ticked me off. Grr.

The bus we needed came along in due time and we took it all the way to Market Street- the furthest we could go. Then began the task of trying to hail a cab on Market to get us to the wharf. We tried a few times, then low and behold, we got a cab-van. It was great luck or as we found out once we were all inside, pixie dust. The driver had a Donald Duck on his dash!

The driver got us to Pier 41 just in time. Our boat was beginning to board. Chez and Mark picked up their tickets at will call, then we all headed for the line- excited about our evening adventure awaiting us.

Coming Up Next: Evening at The Rock

[WDWfan]

Enjoying your TR! I'm anxious ton hear about Alcatraz. I've been to San Francisco 3 times and never made it there.

[chezp]

The Japanese Tea Garden was worth every penny of admission. I'm so glad we went in there, as it was beautiful. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

What a nightmare we had getting back into the city - I never thought I'd come across a place where it was so difficult to find a taxi! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Maureen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Boy, I didn't realize how much I missed San Fran [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Hurry back [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Maureen!! San Francisco was one of the best vacations I ever took!! Can't wait to hear all about Alcatraz!!

[LisaJ]

Is this next segment going to be spooky?? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

[luvdduck]

Great report Maureen!!
Wow, your pictures are making me "homesick" [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]
We just moved back to SC after living in the Bay area for 3 plus years. I just loved it there and so miss California.

We saw several characters ourselves while hanging around in the city, and we too were told off by a Muni bus driver. Didn't get dds stroller folded fast enough.

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Love your photos from Golden Gate Park- the Flower Conservatory is just so beautiful!!

Can't wait to hear what you thought of the Alcatraz night time tour. We did that one- kinda creepy! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

Lovely updates and photos!!! Can't wait to read about "The Rock"

[boosmom96]

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Amy- we didn't have too much time in the day left- so we didn't get to check out the DeYoung.

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Too bad Maureen, the Observatory Tower offers a wonderful view of the city.
A heads up to anyone else visiting the city, you don't need to pay admission to the museum to go up in the tower. You can also visit the museum shop, cafe, mural room and great court for free.

[RobDVC]

Can't wait to hear what you thought of Alcatraz.