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

[statelady01]

After a long winded hiatus- my travel partner for this trip reminded me that I had left it unfinished! Sorry for the long break- let's get this story back on track.

If you want to read the beginnings you can find the first thread here: Thread 1

Picking up where we left off- as we finished lunch at Fisherman's Wharf and strolled down towards Ghiradelli.

As we came closer to Ghiradelli Square, we stopped and took in the scenery of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge right in front of us before moving on.

The Golden Gate is really quite a sight, even though it was under quite a bit of fog. The wind was really kicking up off the water too and hearing the waves rush the shoreline was truly music to the ears.




I don't remember what they were laughing at but then again, they were always laughing..

Must have chocolate. Must have chocolate. We trekked up towards Ghiradelli Square. It’s quite a structure and has multiple levels- areas that house restaurants and shops. We came across the shop (what I assumed to be the only one there) and was thinking about ordering a chocolate soda.




However, as we browsed we discovered they only sold the chocolate as well as coffee and bottled water. This wasn’t like the Downtown Disney version at all! The four of us shopped the many varieties of chocolate on offer- and Kevan picked out a few packages to bring home to our family and friends. I got pretty sticky when I was offered a free sample of the caramel squares. It just oozed out so quick I couldn’t keep up! I have really come to love Ghiradelli- it’s a lovely, smooth taste. (Sidenote- we ran out of it shortly after returning home and am glad I can find it at our local grocers- even though the selection is not near as good as it was in San Francisco!)

We continued to look through the square. There was a charming wine shop and then Kevan spotted the sports memorabilia store so he had a look in there. Low and behold next door? The Ghiradelli Soda Fountain! Argh! I was too sick to my stomach from all the chocolate I had already eaten to think about anything else. Oh well, there’s always the one at DTD!

From there, we decided to make our way to Golden Gate Park for the afternoon’s planned activities. There was a bus stop close to the square and we waited for one to come along and ask the best route to take. I asked the first time and got a driver who told us. However, no of us could understand him so Kevan gave it a go with another bus driver who arrived shortly after.

In time ( there was a bit of a wait) the one we needed pulled up and we boarded. There was a transfer to make and we ended up getting off one stop early but it was a short walk to the next bus stop. On this walk I discovered the raspberry flavor of Ghiradelli Chocolate Squares. So much for being full. I couldn’t put the stuff away!

We made the transfer to the next bus which would take us to Golden Gate Park. And that’s when our small encounter with oddity began.

[lauren-roxy]

Glad you are continuing this report Maureen!! Can't wait for more!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad that you're writing again Maureen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Another great update!

[MickeyMAC]

Glad your continuing!!!!!!!

[Cam22]

Glad to be reading some more of your trip west!

[crystalloubear]

Raspberry Ghiaredlli [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/facelick.gif[/img] Yum!!

Can't wait to hear more - can't imagine seeing oddities in San Fransisco. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

[chezp]

I'm glad to see you're writing again Maureen and bringing back some great memories. Kevan and Mark spent all their time together laughing I seem to recall - and we weren't sure about what! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[WDWfan]

[ QUOTE ]
Must have chocolate. Must have chocolate.

[/ QUOTE ]

I say that often! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] And Ghirardelli is some of the best! Glad you've started your TR up again. Looking forward to more......

[LisaJ]

Uh, oh....oddity? Can't wait to hear more!

[DrDolphin]

great update!!

[statelady01]

Cheryl and Mark were on one side of the bus, facing Kevan and I, who were on the opposite side. It seemed like a pretty long bus ride to me and during one of the stops, a gentleman boarded. He started talking and I looked around to see who he was talking to. Er, that would be no one. And boy it was some conversation because he was a mile a minute.

A few stops later, a woman boards the bus with some pretty heavy layers of clothes on. All of a sudden she just begins digging through the layers like she’s digging for diamonds. It was the oddest thing- and I don’t think she ever found what she was looking for either. This was amusing and we couldn’t help but smile at each other. We weren’t trying to be rude or anything like that- but it was one of those things that was so weird you say to yourself “What the..” and laugh.

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.

We arrived at the very perimeter of Golden Gate Park and enjoyed a beautiful walk first along some rows of gorgeous Victorian homes. We made our way into the park – it was quite the trek but the vastness and greenery of the landscape was truly something to behold.

Pretty soon the Conservatory of Flowers came into view:


We decided it was a must do and Mark headed over to a kiosk to buy entrance admission:



In the meantime, Chez and I went photo happy, snapping photos of the amazing grounds!



We entered the first section of the Conservatory and immediately Kevan’s glasses fogged up from the humidity of the tropical plants display. It was indeed very hot. There were so many species of plants it was almost overwhelming. I really loved the pond- lots of lilly pads but no frogs, at least that I saw!





Moving through the exhibit, there was a terrific Japanese garden archway and more plant displays. Back further was a bug/insect and butterfly display.

I didn’t even notice the sign asking not to touch them- so Mark had to bring that to my attention. Why can’t they all be like Minnie’s Butterfly Garden? The butterflies weren't interested in a human meet and greet anyway.




We made our way back through the front towards the exit to move on towards on journey through Golden Gate Park, and the Japanese Tea Garden- which I had been looking forward to for some time!

Coming Up Next: Is it me or is that a giant paper clip?

[boosmom96]

Maureen,
Unfortunately what you described really isn't an oddity on MUNI, it's kinda more the norm! I'm glad you got a chance to visit The Conservatory. It's a really beautiful building and we're really lucky that it was restored so lovingly after the earthquake. My DD's class was just there on a fieldtrip. I loved the butterfiles!

[statelady01]

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Unfortunately what you described really isn't an oddity on MUNI, it's kinda more the norm!

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[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[WDWfan]

Years ago I visited Golden Gate Park and remember it as being absolutely gorgeous. Your photo's bring back memories! Can't wait for more!

[chezp]

[ QUOTE ]
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]