The Purple Penguin

After waking up and having breakfast we headed out to find the San Francisco Greenpeace office. Joe had done a search the night before and a Google map check of the location and we worked out which bus to take and where to go. Or so we thought. We found the bus and rode it to where the map search said we should find the road. We walked and checked all the side streets and nothing. So we finally stopped and asked some workmen where the road was. Turns out it’s way out of town no where near where we were. Stupid map.

So we got back on the bus and headed back to Fisherman’s Wharf and the aquarium. The aquarium was nifty but I think Joe got bored. Emphasis was on conservation which was nice and there was lots to see. We also had lunch on the Wharf but again made the mistake of thinking an appetiser wasn’t a full meal – I had to leave most of my main course as it was simply too much food.

We headed back to the hotel to get our jackets and drop off stuff before heading out for our evening tour of Alcatraz. Got to where we thought we left and turns out it was further down. Made it in good time and got our tickets and joined the queue to board the boat. Got to the island about quarter to 5 and had a guided tour up to the cell block. Alcatraz is highly recommended – the audio guide is very good, the views are wonderful, the island history is interesting, and the island itself is nice to wander around. The evening tour is nice, though not as much time to wander around; however, you do get a spectacular sunset under the Golden Gate Bridge. We hope the photos turn out. [editorial note: you get the spectacular sunset if you have a wonderful day like we had. No Mark Twain jokes about coldest winters; we’ve had bright blue skies, sunshine, and warmth. So the sunset was wonderful.]

Back to the hotel yet again to drop stuff off and then to Joe’s favourite sports bar for a small dinner. [Joe: They know what a burger with a fried egg on it is! And the beer is good. Highly recommend Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.] [Kathleen: the wine is pretty bad however.] After dinner we tried to stand up and neither of us could move. Stiff legs and sore feet so not sure what we’ll do tomorrow!