The Gods of Hawaii

We have now been in Hawaii for four days, gave the weekend to the locals and the cruise ship passengers who were in here on Saturday and Sunday,
Weather has been lovely, no more rain and temperatures up about 89F / 31 C with a nice breeze to keep us cool.
Hotel is very busy but with lots of Japanese tourists and they run all sorts of cultural classes for them, tea sessions, geisha girls, embroidery, flower arranging, etc, and someone somewhere around here either has a lot of money or is making a lot of money.

The shops and the big malls are really nice, top names, and are, if anything dearer than at home, but considering that everything has to be shipped here that could be expected, but for the “High Street” tat, it is cheap imported rubbish which still has a highly inflated price. Only thing here is that you do not get hassled when out and about.
Had a run out on the local trams/ trolly buses, no rails like they plan in Edinburgh, efficient and scoot everywhere. Local bus service is superb but with a single trip ticket costing $2.50. Today we headed off to the countryside and a sea life park, great value on the bus for two forty minute trips and with beautiful scenery. Wed even came across two coach loads of tourists who were visiting the shrines to two of the Island Gods and then washing away their bad feelings into the sea.
Headed out for a grat steak dinner tonight at Vit’s Steak House, Vit being the boss and friend of RGB, lovely chap. Whose chefs dished up three different and excellent steaks tonight.Off to Pearl Harbour in the morning

Hawaii - beach, kings guard and Vit

Couple of pictures to prove we are actually here and on the beach.
The Kings Guard carry out a changing of the guard ceremony opposite the hotel every evening outside their small museum - brilliant - precision drill and I think they have taken part in the Edinburgh Tattoo. We then met Vit, RGB's friend in his steak bar where we had super meal - and look forward to a couple more before the end of the holiday

Hawaii - the sun, shops and sights

Thursday morning, and we had a longer lie in than usual, no bags out and no bus to catch, however we did have to get ourselves packed up for a flight.
Popped over to the World Trade Centre for a breakfast at the little Chinese snack bar, which was fine and we bumped into some of our Oz friends. The wee lady was really nice and pleased to see us again.
Bags packed and downstairs for the super shuttle taxi to the airport. Driver arrived on time and did a couple of other pickups en route, obviously to make it more cost effective for him, but took us longer to get there.
Check in at the United Airlines airport desk was traumatic to say the least, everything automated with supervisors to oversee the process, but for First timers it was difficult and not easy when the staff were both impatient and arrogant !!!
We then learned that there was to be a two hour delay, no reason given and with so few staff around it was impossible to find out any reason, etc. Due to the delay we then ended up having a drink and sandwich in the bar which again was the Classic example of airport daylight robbery. Food was cold from a fridge and grossly overpriced. This was not helped by the fact that the waitress had the cheek to point out that there was no 10% service charge added !!! She was not amused when we explained that she had done nothing to deserve the so called Gratuity.
Last night we had a bill handed to us with suggested gratuities calculated at 10% ; 15% and 20% !!! which I am afraid to say struck me as downright outrageous as some of the service we have had has been poor, but here it is a recognised practice and must be treated as part of their wage.
The plane arrived and we were boarded quite quickly and soon on our way. Next surprise was to discover that only soft drinks were complimentary on this flight, sandwiches and drinks were on offer but again at an inflated price, not helped by the fact that it was a cashless flight so we had to use the beloved “Plastic” which means a hidden add on by the bank for the transaction.
Really uncomfortable flight not helped by the stupid, ignorant women in the row behind us who kept kicking at the back of our seats, and was so bad that the man next to her had to move then allowing her to pass out in both seats – or was she just trying it on.
I would suggest, but I know that the majority think the same, but when you cannot take drinks into the airport that the airlines and airport authorities have us over a barrel, left right and centre.
This is the disposable throwaway society of fast foods, paper cups, plates, plastic cutlery etc and much of the food is the same – so a health warning should be issued to tourists. I cannot believe that the majority of the population here live on rubbish all the time, not when we have been to some beautiful supermarkets and fruit farms – looks like tourists on trips are easy pickings unless they have big fat wallets.
I have commented previously about the phony town of Solvang with its false facades but had forgotten about the artificial lawns in Los Angelas.
Our initial flight over here was pretty good, however this current flight to Hawaii has us back in the cattle class once again – Easy Jet and Ryan Air, all is forgiven.
Arrived in Hawaii and found that it was raining !!, yes, the first rain in two weeks and according tour driver, most unusual for this time of year.

The trip, in the dark, to the hotel was interesting with us seeing some of the sights we had previously seen in the old TV series Hawaii Five O, and then to the hotel, the Sheraton, and a bit of a dated Sheraton at that. For once It was not me that commented, but another guest who asked me if she was invisible as the Reception clerks were just ignoring us – yes Manyana seems to be the way here , why do today what you can put off till tomorrow..
Found ourselves on the nineteenth floor, good views from the balcony and the music from an assortment of performers on the surrounding squares, hotels drifting up to entertain / annoy us.
However a new day dawned and we ventured out into a Waikiki world of skimpy bums ; surfboards, blue seas, and the biggest range of top class high street shops I have ever seen – this is not the place I had expected but a buzzing multi cultural island with a population of nearly one million – depending on the sea as the major means of supplying the Islands.
Anyway – with the sun shining, we have no complaints.
Found the US army museum in the town by accident, a brilliant free visit – which is rare here as everything cost a fortune – the tourist is the major source of income and every cent is squeezed from them at every opportunity.

Ready for the off again

Just wasting time in the hotel lobby while we wait for the taxi to L A Airport and then it is a five hour flight out to Hawaii where hopefully the sun will be shining and we can have a rest for a few days before the long haul home.
We keep meeting the remnants of the group who are either staying here for a couple of days or heading off to otheWatch this space.r trips, but we are now reduced to six for the week.

That dashed Mercat Bar Hat and scenery

The head that wears the hat travels !! Seen once again in the Mission at Santa Barbara, with a companion ( coincidence) and then in the Spanish/ mexican market in L.A. where we had a wee snack.

In Santa Barbara this morning the mist lay just offshore forming a good backdrop to theses sail boats and tonight the last rays of sunlight on this tower near our hotel was impressive.

Some muddled pics from California

Managed to get a decent internet connection tonight, here in l. A. so I am taking the opportunity of firing a few pictures, no particular theme, onto the web.

The Wine sign, reminiscent of some I know, our chowder waitress in Monterey,

An unusual method of drying my socks, whilst Suzanne sits pensively on the rocky outcrop watching the seals on the 17 Mile Drive, pebble beach,

The rocket boat leaving the harbour at San Francisco did not disturb he basking seals in the slightest; and out Beefeater lookalike !!!!!!!!! off Union Square was not the prettiest of sights.

The Bow and arrow statue on the road into San Francisco, to remind some of the Red Indian heritage, had me thinking of my OSM ritual book,

Our group, posing on the steps of the Old Mission, Santa Barbara, within hours of the end of the trip, being watched by the goldfish shaded in the nearby lily pond.

For Duncan Gemmel, RA Esk 42

The small world syndrome kicked in tonight while we were having dinner in Las Vegas. we were chatting to Leo and Margaret Ryan from the Gold Cost, south of Brisbane, NSW, who started to talk about a holiday they had in Scotland a few years ago. Their friend and host was a Duncan Gemmel from Bishopriggs, paratrooper, etc - none other than the illustrious MEZ of Esk 42.

So if any companion has contact with Duncan before I get back after 3rd Sept, kindly pass on this greeting from down under. Although our tour has ended here we will be following them to Hawaii and hopefully meet up again there.

Sunny Santa Barbara by the Sea, California

25th ( Wed – Solvang to LA)
Tue morning set off from Monterey and headed south on Route 101 through one of the most cultivated regions of this coastal swathe. The valley was about five miles wide, around one hundred miles long and just brimming with all sorts of produce, cabbage; strawberries; asparagus; vines; ground berries; peppers; sometimes with several species in the one field, some growing whilst others were being picked or harvested.
There were literally hundreds of workers out in the fields either tending or lifting the crops which were boxed there and then ready for moving on to the markets.
Working conditions were much better than they had been in the past with big shades over the machines, “portaloos” on trailers and coaches to bring the labour force in and out the area.
It was very hot again, and from the news we found that there was an unusual heat wave in the whole area, 90+F where we were and as high as 114F in Los Vegas, even the locals were commenting.
Our final destination for the day was only a relatively short run of one hundred and twenty miles, the town of Solvang, California, which was even stranger than a mirage in the desert.
This town, many years ago was by passed by the new Interstate highway and found itself literally dying on its feet, so the Town Fathers and people got together and came up with the idea of turning it into a theme village and decided on a Danish theme, so all the properties on street fronts were rebuilt to look like a a Danish Village and the shops sell Danish and Scandanavian type products.



Very surreal experience, however it seems to have worked, the place is busy enough with tourists to keep the locals happy, but that's what it is , a tourist trap.



Off this morning through the cut in the mountains and then down to the coast to Santa Barbarbara where the sea mist was lifting and just lying off shore, while the town was bathed in sunshine and a pleasant 76 F. We went to the Mission there where our driver and Tour Director took group photos using everybodies cameras.

Not sure where we stop next but it is on the outskirts of LA where we are just going to put off time before we get to the final stop at our hotel and the group breaks up.



More news when we get somewhere sensible

Still travelling

Wednesday morning in sunny Solvang, California, and we are about to head south through Santa Barabara and finishing off Los Angelas this evening.

Will write on the bus later.

Pebble Beach Golf Course and resort.

Heading for Pebble Beach we took the "17 Mile Drive" along the beach front and through some of the best real estate in the States, but to do so you have to pay an entry fee and the route is very well policed. Properties all have to be different and building control regulations are very stringent - there is a surprise round every bend and some spectacular views. The Lone Cyprus Tree is the trade mark of the area, Carmel and Monterey, and protected by license.
Into Pebble Beach to the fantastic golf course and beach resort and hotel - absolutely immaculate, what a fantastic place inside and out. I photographed the 1st Tee and the 18th Green. This is a public golf course with open access, however the fees are around $550 plus per person per round !!! which will obviously cut down a bit on the crowds.

We then headed out, stopped briefly in the local shopping centre - classy, before we headed back to Monterey and our bed for the night.

Whales, seals, and pelicans in Monterey

Three days in San Francisco and we are now on the road again, heading south on Route 101 to Monterey for the night.
The last three days have been pretty tiring with the usual early start and out onto the coach for a tour or visit of some description. Yesterday morning it was down to Pier 39 area and onto the boat to Alcatraz, visit, good audio tour and then back to land side to walk and explore.
With so many on the tour it is interesting to hear just where they ended up, how far they walked and just how many got ever so lost. Lots of little individual adventures so it was always interesting when we met up to hear of the day’s adventures, compare notes and decided if anyone had had a real bargain or had been “ripped off”.
Heading south out of the City, nice bright morning with no mist for a change which is apparently unusual, onto the freeways which were five lanes wide each way and jam packed in both directions, so although we do not have a particularly long run it will be a bit slower than usual
We passed San Francisco Airport which we will be transiting through in about ten days time when we eventually make our way homewards, it is within a crick balls throw of the Highway and there were British Airways planes sitting on the apron.
Onwards through the well known “Silicon Valley” which has grown massively over the last ten years, saw the double decked trains heading north to the City, new housing developments, greenery, and a slowly rising thermometer.

Passed through Castro, the artichoke capitol of the USA, and have arrived in Monterey which is beautiful. Had a walk alolng the piers at the first stop and saw seals and pelicans all within a matter feet from us. A few miles off shore there a number of different species of whales with the seabed as deep as 9000 feet and it is possible to spot whales most days of the year. All the restaurants had samples of their clam chowder on offer so about twenty samples later we had had the equivilant of a bowl of soup !! and even tried arcichokes in garlic, very tasty, along with noodles and beans.
A short distance round the front we arrived at the famour Monerey Canneray where they unloaded hundreds of tons of sardines which were then canned and transported out of the State. It is also the home of the Monterey Acquarium and a few from the coach took the visit there.

Heading for Pebble Beach later on.

Alcatraz and our anniversary

Ruby wedding anniverary today so we were pleased to have a
lovely bright morning in San Francisco for a change, no mist on this side of the town, although we could see the familiar bank of cloud on the other side of Twin Peaks. Bus took us down top Pier 39 and we headed out the the infamous Alcatraz Prison on "The Rock". Just think, if I had committed murder I would have been released by now and here I am being incarcerated !!!!!!! Excellent tour of the prison complex, complete with an audio commentary which took about three hours in total. Lots to write about but once again not enough time.
Back to the shore where we had a wander through Pier 39 and its maze of restaurants and entertainment, stopped for a nice lunch ( bit expensive once they had added all the taxes and gratuities onto it) and then headed back up into the City on the tram again. Bit of excitement as someone had dropped a cigarette into the area beneath the turntable and caused a fire so the Brigade arrived to quell the flames - ever thing is so dry in this heat and then add a mixture of grease and dust.

Up the hill and into Union Square where we then had a slow walk back down Sutter to the hotel. It has been a good three days here, bit expensive, but given time we would have found the haunts of the locals.

Off again early a.m. making southwards down the coast to Monterey / Pebble Beach area.
Having a bit of a problem loading photos, but so are some of the others in the group.

Carlton Hotel, San Francisco - comfortable beds and good staff

Here we are at the Hotel Carlton, Sutter Street, San Francisco, which has actually been very good - rooms are very comfortable, no aircon, but there are ceiling fans so we have been drying our washing on the fan ( NOT) just joking.

The staff are very sociable and do spend time, and enjoy talking to the guests. Tonight when we came in we had a long chat to Adrian and Edgar on the front desk, pity I missed Theo who had been responding to my earlier e mails. In the morning we met his other brother and teamate - they look so alike that the guests get them mixed up all the time.

I would certainly recommend the hotel which has complimentary drinks for the guests between 5.29 p.m. and 6 p.m. nightly ans is only a ten / fifteen minute walk from Union Square, has a few bars and nice restaurants in the mery near vicinity if you do not want to use the breakfast and dinner dining rooms within.

Nice one chaps, had a nice time.

Another busy day in San Francisco

Too many photos and not enough time to get them all sorted out. We were out early again and off over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Sonara wine region which is in the valley south of the better known Knappa Valley. We stopped off for a tasting at a Cave next door to one owned by the Jacuzzie familyand then headed onto Sonora itself, a town formerly built and occupied by the Spaniards /Mexicans. We dropped into a lovely little Cave managed by Jen - will add the name later, but lovely wines. From there back to the North bay area, nice resort, very busy where we saw the man building the balancing stones by the shore - fascinating, while offshore there was multi million $$$$$$$$$$$$ luxury yacht owned by some Ruski chappi. I even had a chat to the local Polis who was very nice and civil. Back to the hotel in time for the happy hour, then out to find the Edinburgh Castle Bar which was nearby - another story, but we made it, staff were brilliant, manager from Rutherglen and barman who had already been to Edinburgh several times. Will add more later when I get sorted.

Off to Alcatraz in the morning - where blokes like me, married for 40 years would have been in and out !!!

Cable cars of San Francisco.

Couple of tarm pics on some very steep hills. They at least work which is mre than can be said for the "one" in Edinburgh