Christchurch to San Francisco

Afternoon flights are such a good idea. A relaxed start to the day. Time for a haircut, to remember all those things that need to get done before we go.

It is just after 3pm sitting looking out over a sunny Canterbury Plains. A nice cup of tea and cardamon muffin. The journey has begun. Next stop Auckland before our international flight.

A pleasant hour in the new Koru Lounge at Auckland International before boarding the flight to San Francisco. We had an upgrade to Premium economy which was fantastic. In the first 'bulkhead' row so lots of room. We all got some sleep. Lynda slept for more than half the flight.

We arrived on time but then had to wait for 45+ minutes on the runway as another plane was at the gate allocated. This delay saw us in a VERY LONG line for immigration. We had arrived at 12-43 local time and it was 4-20pm when we finally got out of the airport.

The train is the quickest and cheapest way to get to Downtown and it proved to be the case. Straight out of the station and lined up to catch the California St Cable Car. We are staying in the Holiday Inn which is at the far end of this cable car line. We have Muni pass which means we don't have to worry about finding cash for tickets.

Our room is on the 22nd floor with fantastic views across the city. Comfy beds and great pillows.
We caught a bus to Fisherman's wharf. By this time we were both tired and hungry. Dinner was seafood chowder in a loaf of sour dough bread at Boudin's bakery. A San Francisco institution.

After a quick walk around Pier 39 to see the sea lions. Not so many at this time of the year and the wind was both strong and cold. The Golden gate bridge was not visible either as it shrouded in fog. So back on the bus to the hotel by just after 8pm, we almost made 9pm before lights out and sleep.