San Diego Adventure Post 8

Tuesday – Today was a low-key day.

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We took the trolleys and busses to Costco – always interesting seeing what’s the same and what’s different at various Costcos. Different items – surfboards, numerous spicy sausages (like chorizo), lots and lots of canned and dried beans, and cheap alcohol – 1 litre Baileys for $18.99 (we bought a couple…), too many great deals on wine to mention (we bought a couple….)…. We had a quick bite at their outdoor snack bar – gotta love Costco for a quick, cheap bite….

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The bus ride back was somewhat entertaining – a woman boarded the bus while talking on her phone and sat down kiddie-corner to us. It was truly a vision like watching reality TV. As usual when someone talks on their cell, her voice was greatly amplified; with her hands were greatly animated; and her language GREATLY inappropriate. (Really needed to see it to understand how bizarre it was… e.g. “yo mama f*#% said she didn’t like me”; animated hands, elevated voice….). Unfortunately, she scared a mentally-challenged young man who had to move further away from her.

Earlier in the week, we booked the Full Moon Dinner Cruise with Hornblower Cruises for tonight, the 17th. The night was lovely and clear. We chatted with couples at nearby tables – 2 couples from the area, 2 couples from Arizona. For all, it was the first time doing the dinner cruise.

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We were served a 3 course dinner; Todd opted for the salmon with risotto, I decided on the skirt steak with cheesy scalloped potatoes.

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We spent 3 hours cruising around the Bay.

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The weather was ideal – warmer than the norm and the moon illuminating the sky.

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The night lights of San Diego and Coronado were beautiful. After dinner a DJ played music and we danced….nice….

Wednesday – We boarded the Coaster (Oceanside train) and disembarked in Encinitas. We walked the beach and were entertained.

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Surfers attempted to ride the waves.

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Gulls feasted on kelp.

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One woman was doing a hoola-hoop workout, one was meditating, and one was stretching – over the railing overlooking the bluff.

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Also on the beach was a lone man practising his bagpipes – very impressive…

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From the beach area, we headed to the main drag. We stopped for some beer at one of the bars and checked out some shops. Todd came across a Corvair parked on the street and was quite impressed (Just looked like an old truck to me…).

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We decided on a Peruvian restaurant for lunch. The owner was actually grew up in  Peru – Cusco, so we chatted a bit as we were there in 2007.  Todd asked why there was no “ Cuy “ on the menu…..roasted Guinea Pig served only on special occasions in Peru….her response… no way people here would be very offended !!

We found the following sign kind of odd, but we have seen it in multiple restaurants in the area (not sure what happened in the past).

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We each had the Box Lunch – a tasty green salad with pistachios, cheese (Bleu for Todd, Goat for me) and a light citrus dressing served with a meaty Empanada – very good flavour….

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Last night on the dinner cruise, the DJ said to have some fun and not worry because we would likely never see each other again….Coming back to San Diego from Encinitas we ran into the couple who sat right next to us last night…

San Diego Adventure Post 7

Sunday – lots and lots of walking today. We started the day walking back up to Balboa Park. We wandered through the Desert Garden.

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It was very tranquil – hundreds of different cacti – towering, ground-hugging, flowering, huge spikes….

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While waiting for the Imax movie in the Fleet Science Center, Todd amused us, playing with the hands-on gadgets. The Imax movie (narrated by Johnny Depp and Kite Winslet), Deep Sea, was captivating (my way to deep sea dive).

We timed it right to make the 2PM organ concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion. The pipe organ, donated by the Spreckels brothers for the 1915 Panama-California Expo has 4,518 pipes, the tallest ones being 9.75 metres, the smallest the size of a pencil.

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The organist played various Christmas pieces, entertaining the crowd in the park, those watching the webcast, and her husband and Great Dane watching in the front row.

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Also accompanying the organist on some pieces were the talented San Diego Harmony Ringers.

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Walking back downtown, hungry and thirsty, we stopped at a craft brewery – Beer Co. Everyday is Happy Hour between 2PM and 7PM (score!). Todd had the Bloodshot Red and I had the San Diego Blonde – 16oz. glasses for $3 J. Late lunch consisted of spinach cheese dip with garlic toast ($5) and 4 pork sliders ($6). Great food, great deal…

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Cambridge is known for its nighttime Christmas parade.

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San Diego is known for its  nighttime Parade of Lights – boats decorated with Christmas lights and décor, playing music, spreading cheer, cruising along the shore of the harbour.

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Thousands of people lined the shore shouting out their support. Yachts, motorboats and sailboats of all sizes participated. (Quite the sight….).

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Monday

– spent the day at San Diego Zoo (a place for animals born in captivity or those rescued as orphans in the wild to roam in manmade “natural” habitats). Below is a snippet of the day….

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….Now we just need to visit the “places” to see these animals in the wild (at a distance…. J

San Diego Adventure Post 6

Saturday – Rode the green trolley to Little Italy for the Saturday Mercado.

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Over 160 vendors lined the street – an über farmers’ market.

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Block upon block – veggies, fruits, spreads, meats, seafood, oils, crafts, food stalls…and more.

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We didn’t buy anything, but did lots of people-watching. Here are fresh sea urchins ( live) that lots of people were gathering around as the vendor cut them in half and prepared them for people to sample the yellowy flesh ( or maybe eggs) inside. No chance getting Cindy to try this one J

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We headed into Little Italy – Italian restaurants, colours, and Italian-speaking people. Just when we thought it was time to turn around, we stumbled upon Ballast Point Brewing Company – close enough to noon, so we decided to stop in to taste some of their brews. A great find! Staff were hugely friendly and freely offered samples to taste before ordering. Todd started with a pint of Calico Amber Ale, then sampled the Calico Pepper Amber Ale (with Guajillos + Ghost peppers = heat). I had a glass of India Pale Ale, then switched to Pumpkin Down (spices + herbs = yummy).

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After some beers, we decided it was time to have some food (besides, it was lunchtime….). Great menu at Ballast Point – unique tastes offered. We shared their onion rings (beer battered and huge portion for $5) and the slow-cooked pork sliders (2 burgers with coleslaw served with potato salad for $9). By the time we left, the place was packed with the lunch crowd (a testament on how good it is).

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We returned to the Gas Lamp area and made a stop at our room to doff our sweat tops – 21°C and sunny (…love this weather….).

Next, we walked to Mission Brewery housed in a former bread factory.

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Mission Brewery’s name pays tribute to one of the city’s first breweries that was founded in 1913 and closed in 1919 .

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Todd tried a flight of tasters with the most distinct being Bourbon Barrel (like Christmas cake in a glass – my description – at over 11% alcohol – yummy, but you wouldn’t be able to drink too much….), then he selected on the Mission Amber for a glass.

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I was partial to the Dry Hopped Blonde. Again, another great spot to people-watch… After all the beer tastings, we headed back for a late afternoon nap before heading out for the evening.

 

Observations – there are lots of dogs in San Diego and they seem to be welcome in bars, restaurant patios and most everywhere. The dogs for the most part, seem  well behaved and friendly citizens !