San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge, Ferry Terminal

We woke up to a cold, foggy morning. Our last day in San Francisco. 

So far, we had been seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, from a distance ... from Coit Tower, from Fisherman's Wharf, but not up close and personal. We missed the chance to visit the last two days when the weather was good, with clear blue sky. 

It was about 10am when we reached the Golden Gate Park. Not many people around. It was really windy and chilly. Hubby dear said he saw more of the bridge today, as compared to the last time he visited. But he would have seen the whole bridge if we had visited yesterday! 

The kids were more interested in the telescope than the bridge itself. But there was nothing to see, except for a patch of whiteness when you looked through the telescope. As usual, they looked for their own entertainment while we were busy taking photographs. They found a statue and a huge cable sample! 

A huge cable with many smaller cables inside. It was interesting learning how these cables can hold up the bridge. Let's push to see if it moves? 

Since it was a Saturday, we thought it would be nice to drop by the Farmer's Market at Ferry Terminal, and to grab some lunch. The crowd was unbearable to us, and there was long queues for toilets and food. We decided to go back to Union Square. 

We were glad the crowd were at the Ferry Terminal, and the Street Car was quite empty when we boarded. 

I was glad I spotted this Thai Restaurant at Hotel Union as we made our way back to Hotel Stratford! We could do a Take-Out! The kids were really tired by then, and were happy when I said we could eat in our room. Yummy duck rice, sausage fried rice, soup noodles ... Drool ...

Hubby dear arranged to meet his former students, who were now studying/working doing in Stanford. I was glad the kids had a good rest before we met up with Pauline and Lin Tin. The boys were not really interested in the cartoons at the Cartoon Museum, our meet-up venue. Our generation would probably appreciate the cartoons more. They were however, happy, as they received a little present .. rocks sample. They also got a treat of cookies! That's how they were occupied, while we talked over a cup of coffee. It was a pity we didn't take any photographs with Pauline and Lin Tin. We were too exhausted to remember.

We would be leaving San Francisco for Yosemite National Park tomorrow. We had to finish packing before going to bed, as we had to check out by 6.30am the next day. 

Till then, sweet dreams! 

San Franisco - Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39

Rise and shine, it's LAUNDRY time!

Yes, we found a coin-operated laundry near our hotel, about three streets away, which was about a 10-minute walk. Hubby dear brought the clothes over after breakfast, while the kids watched TV in the hotel room. No complaints from the kids when it was time for us to walk to the laundromat to dry the clothes, since they rested the whole morning. The shop reminded me of the episode where Mr Bean was doing his laundry in a coin-operated laundromat! While waiting for the clothes to dry, we had an early lunch at the shop next to the laundromat ... Spicy Mongolian Beef Rice, Fried Chicken (Western) and Fish and Chips. Yummy! 

What's the next stop after taking the clothes back to the hotel?

We took a bus to Lombard Street! The most crooked street in San Francisco!

It was a long uphill walk before we even catch a glimpse of the famous street! The boys were full of energy at the start, running up. Barely a couple of minutes, the little one sat down and said "I'm hungry!" As we rested, many cars past us .. all going up the road, then go down the zig-zag street! We were rewarded with a great view of the city when we finally reached the top!

Gosh, there were so many tourists there! And beautiful houses, with lovely flowers, sat by the sides of the hilly zig-zag street. 

Family photographs at the start of the slope, and at the bottom of the slope!

Since we were near Fisherman's Wharf, we decided to talk a slow walk to the cable car boarding station, to board the cable car back to Union Square. Thank goodness it was a downhill walk! This time, we managed to grab seats at the open side of the cable car, instead of the inside. 

The little one was tired out by all the walking and running. The rocking cable car was like a rocking bed to him .... zzz ..... 

Hubby dear got to stand at the side of the cable car ... What a thrilling ride for him! Backpacks were not allowed on the backs of those passengers standing at the side of the cable car. Why? As cable cars passing each other run very close to each other, and with a backpack, you may be pulled off by bags/hands of other passengers in the other cable car! Interesting! 

Where to next when we reach Union Square?

We decided to reward the boys for walking the slopes to Lombard Street ... to the children's playground at the Golden Gate Park! It was quite a long ride to get there, and again, the little one dozed off ... zzz ... 

The boys were like monkeys unleashed when we reached the playground! 

It was a huge playground that could accommodate children of all ages! From toddlers who just learn to crawl/walk, to teenagers. Most of the bigger kids were found climbing this pyramid structure. It was KW's favourite too! 

The little one loved the slides, the slopes, and the swinging tyre hanging near the pyramid structure. He had a great time going down slides of different heights! 

Even adults loved going down this long cement "slide"!

Take a cardboard, sit on it, and slide!

I had fun watching them slide down =)

It was almost time for dinner when we decided to leave the park.

Instead of going back to Union Square, we went to Pier 39.

The kids were excited they saw the "shark-exhibition" outside the aquarium. 

They got even more excited when they saw a statue of Spongebob!

After a while, it started to get cold and windy. The kids were tired and hungry. Most of the "nice to eat in" restaurants were crowded and at least a 20-minute wait for a table. We settled for "fast-food" instead ... clam-chowder in a bread bowl. Surprisingly, it was very filling. The first picture below showed our lunch, and the other three, our dinner =)

I felt like I was on the amazing race, having covered so many places in a short day! When we asked the boys which place they like best for the day, the answer was "The Playground! That was the best playground!".

San Francisco - Exploratorium

The kids were tired out on the first day, and they didn't sleep well and enough. They woke up at 630am! That's 8.30am Madison Time.

It was a morning with clear sky. A good day to visit the Golden Gate Bridge!

However, with the kids not getting enough sleep, we thought we had better visit the Exploratorium, which was on our to-do list. With activities to engage them, they would probably forget their tiredness?

We went for a cable car ride since we were too early for the Exploratorium.

We were impressed with how the cable car was turned around.

The Powell and Hyde Line brought us to the Fisherman's Wharf, and from there, we could take a bus to the Exploratorium. How did know what bus to take? Well, we obtained a bus guide from the Visitor Centre the day before! We were glad we had the 7-day passport. Each cable car ride cost $5! The ride was fun, but not worth the money without the pass. The kids didn't quite enjoy the "windy" walk along Fisherman's Wharf and kept asking "When are we going the Exploratorium?".

The Palace of Fine Arts : Just beside the Exploratorium. Lovely pond. Lovely architecture. We had a snack here, under the warm sun, watching the ducks, before entering the Exploratorium.

The Exploratorium : The men in the family, big and little, fell in love at once with this place! The kids were suddenly awake, and full of energy.

So much to do, so little time. Though we spent 5 hours at this place, there were some sections which we didn't explore. I was exhausted from the long hours of walking and standing. 

The boys (old and young) deep in concentration =)

Plenty of activities to keep the kids engaged.

Hands-on FUN!

Look at my sand-drawing! Ooo-hooo!

Bubble-Fun! Is my head in the bubble?

Is the toilet bowl clean? Let's check the water =p

After a fun but exhausting day at the Exploratorium, I was actually amazed that somehow, we managed to find our way to Japantown! As usual, we had problem locating the bus stop when leaving the Exploratorium.

See the tiny words 'Bus Stop' on the pole?

We had a great dinner at a Japanese restaurant: Sashimi, sushi, miso soup noddles, yakitori, etc. Yummy! Thanks to dear hubby who suggested this restaurant. We found a shop similar to Daiso near the restaurant. We walked out of the shop with soup bowls and packets of Japanese biscuits.

Great fun, good food!

Sweet dreams =)

To The Bay Area =)

6am : RING!!!

The alarm went off and we jumped out of bed immediately.

It's going to be a tiring day for everyone .... 

Taking a cab to the airport.

Flight from Madison to Denver.

Flight from Denver to San Francisco.

Bus shuttle to downtown San Francisco. 

San Francisco is two hours behind Madison time.

Bedtime for the kids in Madison, is actually dinnertime in San Francisco! Praying that the kids take it well for the first day, with no tantrums .... 

The kids were actually very excited about the trip. 

They knew they would be taking planes, buses and trains to around in Southern California. They got out of bed happily, and were quick in getting ready. We were glad the kids took a nap on the plane.

Hotel Stratford : Conveniently located in downtown San Francisco, near Union Square, MUNI/BART, AMTRAK bus stop, laundromat. Near everything! Breakfast provided too. We were able to fill our thermos with hot water, and our water bottles with juices and cold water. Excellent choice by hubby dear. We stayed there for four nights, and a fifth after our trip back from Yosemite National Park.

We went to the Visitor Centre located at Union Square after a short rest at the hotel. Our 7-day passports, which allowed us to take unlimited rides on buses, cable cars, street cars, was a really useful purchase. We went hopping from one bus to another to get to our destination. 

It took us a while to find the bus stop to get to Coit Tower. 

Can you see the words "Bus Stop" on the black and yellow lamp-post? 

Oh, and we were surprised to see a toilet across the street from where we were waiting for the bus. 

Coit Tower at Telegraph Hill : It offers a panoramic view of downtown San Francisco. We could even see the Golden Gate Bridge as it was a very sunny day. Alcatraz Island too. There was a queue to take the lift up. It was an old fashion lift, those with gates. It was manned by an old chinese man, whose brief introduction to the history of the place ended just as the lift pulled up to the top floor. 

The adults were rewarded with the great views. The kids were too short to see properly and had to be carried ... so they went on their own treasure hunt. They found a pressed penny machine! Slot in two quarters and a penny, select the design, turn the wheel, and tada! You get your pressed penny! The pressed penny you see is the first of the many more to come ....

An interesting advertisement we saw on the bus, as we made our way to Chinatown for dinner.We were glad that we opt not to drive.

To see the city, you need to travel like the locals =)

EggRoll Spinach

We went to the Farmers' Market on Saturday, and bought a big pack of spinach which cost US$2. Spinach, is the other vegetable which the kids like, besides broccoli and cauliflower. The kids like omelette too, so I combine the spinach and omelette together to form an eggroll =)

Season the egg with a little salt.

Melt a little butter in the frying pan.

Fry the omelette. Let cool.

Blanch the spinach. Remove the water in the spinach.

Place a piece of plastic wrap on the sushi mat.

Place the cooled omelette on the wrap.

Place a small piece of nori sheet on top of the omelette.

Place the spinach on the nori sheet.

Sprinkle the spinach with furikake.

Roll the egg omelette with spinach, sushi style.

Another 'fast" way of eating spinach .. the kids finished their vegetables in a flash and asked for more ... but there was no more left ...

Cucumber Plants

The cucumber seeds which we put into the pots have germinated!

Cucumber plants are vine plants. 

We will need to put a wired stake into the pots soon.

I love looking at the plants every morning ... new leaves, holes on the leaves, leaves with different shapes, first flowers. 

Each day is an opportunity for me to learn something new. 

Fried Bee Hoon

This is one dish I missed greatly after entering the woods! Once in a while, I will cook beehoon, as beehoon wins hands down over spaghetti anytime!

The summer vacation has started, and the kids love going outside to play with our neighbours. It is sometimes difficult to get them to come home, just so I can cook their lunch. It is equally difficult to cook lunch, while trying to monitor their whereabouts outside. The solution? To cook lunch in the morning, before I let them out, while hubby dear is still at home.

So this morning, I fried some beehoon, with beef and vegetables, for lunch.

I packed some for hubby's lunchbox, together with some leftover fried chicken breast strips from last night's dinner. Threw a bunch of freshly picked chinese parsley (cilantro) from our pots outside the apartment! Lovely! The orange container in the lunchbox has ketchup inside, for the fried chicken strips.

Bee Hoon

• Soak beehoon in hot water for 15 minutes.
  
• Strain and remove soften beehoon and put aside.

Beef

• Cut beef into thin strips. Add grated ginger.
  
• Season with salt and pepper.
  
• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to pan.
  
• When oil is heated, pour in the beef and stir to cook.
  
• Do not overcook the beef.
  
• Add a tablespoon of Shaoxin wine if you like.

Vegetables

• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a big frying pan.
  
• Add the diced onions.
  
• Add the fresh button mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower.
  
• Add salt to taste.
  
• Remove and set aside.

To fry the Bee Hoon

• Heat up the wok and add a tablespoon of olive oil.
  
• Fry the diced onions.
  
• Fry the beehoon.
  
• Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and mix evenly.
  
• Add the vegetables and beef.
  
• Mix well. Add a little sugar to taste.
  

The taste is different from the beehoon I get from the hawker centres.

But I guess, this is one dish which the kids can tell their friends ... my mom's creation?