Photo Blog - Napa Valley and San Francisco Part II

I am watching Gone with the Wind as I write this.
Clark Gable is so gallant and handsome, Vivien Leigh is so perfect with the right shade of red on her lips...

After dabbling in a little wine-tasting, it was off to satiate our rumbling stomachs in Yountville. I was slightly taken by surprise when we found this little town after driving half an hour from Vallejo. Yountville is somewhat of a gated community surrounded by tall trees in sizeable efforts to segregate itself from the rest of Napa Valley.

Bouchon, by the highly celebrated Thomas Keller, whose marriage of both purist and innovative souls have made the likes of Anthony Bourdain and such sing his praises, making him one of the most world-renowned chefs.



I had to throw this in. It all began on our trip to China.




The little quaint Bouchon bakery. Just situated next door to the restaurant, it was a perfect way to get a little something to nibble while waiting to be seated. This is arguably the home of the most delectable macaron that I have ever savoured. Positively addictive. I've long heard about his bakery but didn't realize its humble size and by the line formed you can see how beloved this bakery is. I was just about to foolishly buy everything off his shelves.



Off to San Francisco! Right at this moment, the excitement of finally arriving into our destination city sends my heart throbbing, the incredulity of actually driving this far for a road trip for the very first time. I start singing I left my Heart in San Francisco.



The steep hills of San Francisco, we face them as we arrive into downtown San Francisco, where our hotel is located.



Our very fine hotel. The Westin St. Francis. Dan got an awesome deal on Priceline. Thanks Michael, for letting us in on that. *wink*


Our elegant room in the Historic Building, built in the eary 1900s. Some of the stylings look almost Victorian with its heavy gold door knobs and a loveable chandelier, Dan tells me that this building has gone through renovations a few times. I'm ashamed to admit to a guilty pleasure: I am in love with American television, what with Comedy Central (not Comedy Network in Canada) and Adult Swim!


An eerie take on our room, very The Shining.


This is one of the very exceptionally few photos I can claim ownership of (though it wasn't taken from my camera). Taken in Union Square on the day of arrival after we dropped our bags in our room, washed our faces and began gallivanting.


CHICKEN FRIED STEAK! Dan wanted to taste something purely American, and what else other than chicken fried steak for breakfast. Ah... it was abit of a disappointment since as one clearly can see that those toasts were burnt and the hashbrowns were soggy.



Me, trying to salvage whats edible of our breakfast, in the diner specifically catered to tourists in the surrounding backdrops.



The cable car arrives! Dan asked if I wanted to ride in one and then suddenly a flood of early 1990s kitschy tourist commercials of happy people riding the cable car inviting the poor sad viewer to "Come to San Francisco and enjoy the sights!", filled my mind. I want to be a traveller, not a tourist, I tell myself.


But then, a picture like this happens. Where it turns out that the ride is in fact exhilarating and sets your heart beating to a faster tempo with so many sights to see as this humble little turn-of-the-century mode of tranportation eagerly climbs the unforgiving hills through Hyde Street and Chinatown.


Througout the ride, we were taken through streets filled with houses like these, reminiscient of Full House. They are so charming and endearing that I felt so urged to part ways with Vancouver and start my life in San Francisco.



Ah.... Ghirardelli Square. Easily home to any fatties' sweet tooth. Ghirardelli used to have a store here in downtown Vancouver on Robson where I would occasionally walk to, after school, to partake in a rootbeer float with their heavenly vanilla ice cream. Memories.

Here's the little fattie, with her sundae and her chocolate rolled cone. In my defence, I bought only bought a ton of chocolate for my family and friends and since Dan was done buying his share first, he went in the store to get this for me.


Of course, a little too much sugar can make you craaaay-zeeee.

Part III of more photos to come. Apologies for the abrupt ending, but responsibilities of having to go to work force me to go to bed. Good Night.