Wearing flowers in my hair (or - designer jeans in San Francisco)

So finally I am getting around to posting my world trip for 2007 (this way I can be all prepared for a new trip in 2008!)

Anyhow, on April 20, 2007 at around 12ish, I flew out of Sydney. An hour later, I arrived in San Francisco. The international date line certainly makes for one quick trip. It did feel somewhat longer on the plane though. I blame it on the plane seats.

Arriving in San Francisco, I went straight from the airport to my hostel at Fisherman's Wharf. By straight, obviously I mean that I took the scenic tour of San Francisco and suburbs, but given I was slightly jet-lagged, it didn't bother me too much. In fact it was great, as it gave me my bearings of the city. We drove straight through the centre of San Francisco (and additionally past some shops that I immediately placed on my visit list). After an hour or so, I got to Fisherman's Wharf and settled into my room.

Sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge

After dropping off my bag and showering, I realised that I was famished. Plus I had a number of things that I needed to pick up from the supermarket, so I headed down to the local Safeway. Amongst other items including Oreos and wintergreen tic-tacs, and browsing all the strange and wonderful things that one may find in an American supermarket, I picked up some deodorant. Not just any deodorant, but Chai Latte scented deodorant. Aah I love America. Following that, however, and very un-Californian of me, it was back to the hostel for a nap. I blame the jet-lag. I did wake up, however, for an early evening wander of Fisherman's Wharf.

The San Francisco Center

Day 1 in San Francisco - it was raining. While this meant that I couldn't do much sightseeing, it did give me the opportunity to get some shopping out of my system. I headed into San Francisco city centre, and it didn't take long for a seasoned shopper such as myself to find the places to go. All my old favourites! Bloomingdales, Victoria's Secret, Gap and lots lots more. I bought myself a pair of designer jeans. Quite fitting - San Francisco is the home of jeans, in particular Levis. When I entered the Levi's shop to buy a pair for my brother in law, I had never seen so many pairs of jeans in the same place before!

Left: The Golden Gate Bridge, Right: San Francisco terraces and the view to the city centre

The next morning, after partaking in my usual American breakfast of cream cheese bagels as it was a gorgeous day, it was a perfect opportunity to walk to and over the Golden Gate. This is one of the absolute must do's in San Francisco. From someone who walks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge frequently... this is a long bridge. And when I got to the other side? I just kept on walking. Marin County was pretty, and it wasn't far to Sausalito, a really cute bayside town. I spent a couple of hours here, wandering around before I caught the ferry back to San Francisco. Then I just spent some time wandering around, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Nobb Hill!

Left: Coit Tower, Right: Marinas along the path to the Golden Gate

Then it came to my last day in San Fran. I didn't have too much time, so I just wandered into town. A little bit of shopping, and a cable car ride home before I had to head to the airport. No doubt about it, San Francisco is one of the places to go.

Eye candy

Left: Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Right: Bison at Elk Island National Park in Canada

Left: The Chicago Bean, Right: Central Park in New York

Left: High above Dubrovnik on the city walls, Right: Stari Most (Old bridge) at Mostar in Bosnia

So here is a teaser post for those of you who keep asking me for trip photos... As usual with me, I take photos at a rate at which I could represent Australia in the Olympics, so there will be lots to sort through.

Supetar on the island of Brač in Croatia

So far this has been a fabulous trip, I have been to many wonderful places, and have lots of stories to tell when I get back... Watch this space!

Left: Ivangorod Fortress in Russia (taken from Narva, Estonia), Right: The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania