It's Friday and today we met up with TK, one of Karen's friends, and went to the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay for lunch.
It was a lovely drive down along the coast and I couldn't believe how many places were selling hundreds of pumpkins ready for Halloween. They were laid out in the fields and as you came round the corner - that's all you saw, they were in the fields, on the farm buildings, there were huge 'models' of pumpkins - everywhere was orange.
Arrived and the car was taken by the valets to park, we were greeted like royalty and it reminded me of the scene from Pretty Woman when he takes her to his hotel.
We met TK who's really nice and was so interested in my travels and volunteering. We sipped champagne on the terrace and watched the sea breaking on the rocks and a few golfers pottering around the golf course - it was a such a beautiful sunny day too.
The call came to take our table for lunch and we ordered a cheese plate to share as a starter which had lots of cheeses I'd never tasted before, with fruit bread, apricot jam and red wine to wash it down. I had a bacardi cocktail and the waiter, Kasim, was really polite and helpful and had a great sense of humour. Lunch was leisurely with lots of talk and before we knew it, it was going on for 4pm.
We said our goodbyes to TK and Karen took me to La Honda which is Arianna's (Martin's girlfriend) parents house and where Martin filmed a great deal of the Real Gods film. Her mum Toni was there and we sat out on the deck, drinking red wine and enjoying the sun before it was time to go home.
It's been a lovely day.
Hope you're OK mam - see you soon
Love Sue. xx
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Friday, 17 October 2008
Relaxed days
Well I can't believe it's already Friday and I've had such a relaxing time which is very much appreciated after such a hectic time. I sleep so well here and could easily lie in till midday but I do manage to drag myself out of bed by 8.
I haven't ventured too far here as I can sit on Karen's balcony and take in the lovely views of the city. Karen and I did venture down to pier 39 on Wednesday to see the masses of sea lions there - they are very loud and the aroma is not quite your Chanelle, but it took me back to when I first visited San Francisco.
A lot of time has been spent just catching up with Karen and looking at old photos and just reminiscing. In the evenings Frank has come over and we've had dinner whilst talking about his home country - Nicaragua and looking at ways how we can help this very poor country.
It's been good to be able to pick up the phone too and talk to Rubes, Ceri, Dave and Jeanette without worrying about the credit on my phone. I'll catch you in yet Yas!!
It's great to be able to access the internet without worrying about time or whose looking over your shoulder.
Looking forward to seeing you all when I get home next Tuesday
Love Sue xx
I haven't ventured too far here as I can sit on Karen's balcony and take in the lovely views of the city. Karen and I did venture down to pier 39 on Wednesday to see the masses of sea lions there - they are very loud and the aroma is not quite your Chanelle, but it took me back to when I first visited San Francisco.
A lot of time has been spent just catching up with Karen and looking at old photos and just reminiscing. In the evenings Frank has come over and we've had dinner whilst talking about his home country - Nicaragua and looking at ways how we can help this very poor country.
It's been good to be able to pick up the phone too and talk to Rubes, Ceri, Dave and Jeanette without worrying about the credit on my phone. I'll catch you in yet Yas!!
It's great to be able to access the internet without worrying about time or whose looking over your shoulder.
Looking forward to seeing you all when I get home next Tuesday
Love Sue xx
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
San Francisco - Monday
Flight into San Francisco landed early but apparently the equipment to unload the luggage kept failing so I had to wait ages for my rucksack. (pain in the neck!)
It was strange arriving on the same day and before the time that I left New Zealand considering the flight was 12 hours, I left New Zealand on Monday at 7.30 pm and arrived in SF at 11 am on Monday - really freaky!
Karen was there to meet me and it was so good catching up with familiar faces after such a long time away - missed you being there too Yas. That's not to say I didn't want to see my mam and ceri and dave - it's just Karen Yas and I are the 3 witches....
I met Karen's new man Frank in the evening and we talked about his home country - Nicaragua which sounds like another place I should visit.
Had a lovely bath and washed my hair which I actually dried with a hairdryer - it's surprising what you realise you've missed when you've been away.
Karen's new place is really lovely and bright and has a great view of the city so tomorrow I will probably go for a little walk after a good night's sleep
Love. Sue xx
It was strange arriving on the same day and before the time that I left New Zealand considering the flight was 12 hours, I left New Zealand on Monday at 7.30 pm and arrived in SF at 11 am on Monday - really freaky!
Karen was there to meet me and it was so good catching up with familiar faces after such a long time away - missed you being there too Yas. That's not to say I didn't want to see my mam and ceri and dave - it's just Karen Yas and I are the 3 witches....
I met Karen's new man Frank in the evening and we talked about his home country - Nicaragua which sounds like another place I should visit.
Had a lovely bath and washed my hair which I actually dried with a hairdryer - it's surprising what you realise you've missed when you've been away.
Karen's new place is really lovely and bright and has a great view of the city so tomorrow I will probably go for a little walk after a good night's sleep
Love. Sue xx
San Francisco - Filling in the gaps
After Mount Cook, Sue drove us back to Christchurch where I would spend the night before my flight to San Francisco.
On route we stopped at a church (as it was Sunday)which had the most spectacular view of a lake from the Altar window. Then we travelled on to a wool wholesalers which was called the "Tin Shed' Quaint little place which was in A TIN Shed and it sold hand creams and merino woollen hats, gloves, jumpers coats etc and it gave away free tea/coffee and cookies.
Outside there were paddocks with sheep, pigs, llamas, chickens and rabbits which you could go in and feed the animals. A really cute place
Back in Christchurch and I'd booked into a lovely hotel which was 'tudor?' style. The room was huge and the double bed so comfortable that I couldn't sleep. Outside was a replica of the Excalibur sword set in a stone and all the rooms had names like Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleaves etc.
We had our farewell meal out in town and it was sad to say 'goodbye' to the people I'd shared the last 21 days with. I know I'll stay in touch with quite a few people that I've met along the way and once I'm back in the UK, there'll be lots of catching up to do.
The following morning I went into Christchurch and did a whistle stop tour of the town with Lisa on an old tram . I then took a look around the Cathedral and took photos of the 'modern' art - A huge chalice and a giant purple sperm which were right in front of the Cathedral - what's that all about!
After Lunch the shuttle bus picked me up from the hotel and off via Auckland to San Francisco. Homeward stretch now!
Love Sue
On route we stopped at a church (as it was Sunday)which had the most spectacular view of a lake from the Altar window. Then we travelled on to a wool wholesalers which was called the "Tin Shed' Quaint little place which was in A TIN Shed and it sold hand creams and merino woollen hats, gloves, jumpers coats etc and it gave away free tea/coffee and cookies.
Outside there were paddocks with sheep, pigs, llamas, chickens and rabbits which you could go in and feed the animals. A really cute place
Back in Christchurch and I'd booked into a lovely hotel which was 'tudor?' style. The room was huge and the double bed so comfortable that I couldn't sleep. Outside was a replica of the Excalibur sword set in a stone and all the rooms had names like Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleaves etc.
We had our farewell meal out in town and it was sad to say 'goodbye' to the people I'd shared the last 21 days with. I know I'll stay in touch with quite a few people that I've met along the way and once I'm back in the UK, there'll be lots of catching up to do.
The following morning I went into Christchurch and did a whistle stop tour of the town with Lisa on an old tram . I then took a look around the Cathedral and took photos of the 'modern' art - A huge chalice and a giant purple sperm which were right in front of the Cathedral - what's that all about!
After Lunch the shuttle bus picked me up from the hotel and off via Auckland to San Francisco. Homeward stretch now!
Love Sue
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Bye to New Zealand
I just have a few minutes before I leave for the airport so I thought I'd say good bye to everyone from New Zealand.
I've spent the morning taking a quick tour of Christchurch on the old tram. I've seen the cathedral, some modern art (including a monument of a purple sperm which is located right outside the cathedral)
Nice place - and much busier than anywhere else I've been
Will update you properly when I get to Karens
Am so looking forward to San Fran and then home.
Love to all
Sue.xx
I've spent the morning taking a quick tour of Christchurch on the old tram. I've seen the cathedral, some modern art (including a monument of a purple sperm which is located right outside the cathedral)
Nice place - and much busier than anywhere else I've been
Will update you properly when I get to Karens
Am so looking forward to San Fran and then home.
Love to all
Sue.xx
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