SAN FRANCISCO

        We made it!  Left the house at 6:45 am, drove to The Parking Spot where we left car, rode van to DFW, checked bags, went through security, found gate, ordered Mc Donald's breakfast, and was eating it an hour after we left home.  Believe me that is a record time.
        After comfortably being seated in 4A and 4B, our flight departed the gate on time.  The 1st class F/A was very new but she did a pretty good job.  Breakfast she served us could have been a lot warmer, but after all, this is airplane food we're talking about.  I had a bit of trouble understanding her Chinese accent.  American Airlines is starting several new routes to China so think they are hiring F/A's who can speak their language.  The Captain said we did not have the usual headwinds so we arrived at the gate in San Jose 20 minutes early.  Yes, our checked luggage made it also.
        I did not reserve any transportation from the airport to downtown San Francisco.  I usually have that done.  I figured we would just jump on a SuperShuttle van but found out you have a reservation or they do not show up at SJC airport.  There were 3 Eagle Airport Shuttle vans sitting there so ask their rate.  It is a 47 mile trip.  They said $110.  After some tough negotiating, I got one down to $99. Glad we did not try a taxi as traffic was stop and go in several places.  It took us over and hour to get to our hotel, the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins.  The famous San Francisco cable cars run by the hotel.

                                                                   Our hotel

        I brought some candy I bought last summer in Russia and presented it to the young lady who was going to check me in.  She was very pleased.  Regent had just booked us in normal room so I asked if we might be upgraded.  She said, "Let me check availability".  We were upgraded to a deluxe room!  Candy is the way to a woman's heart!!  Our room, however, was not ready so we went across the street for a salad,

         Their was a Regent hospitality table so checked in with them for information about our transfer at noon tomorrow to the ship.  The bell hops will start picking up our checked luggage in our room at 9:30 am tomorrow.  She said there will be 3 buses with 30 people in each one going to the ship. Regent never crowds buses.

        After settling is the room we decided to go walk around for awhile.  It is a beautiful, sunny, and warm day here.  Our hotel is located on the top of Nob Hill so you walk down then up hill to go anywhere.  Here are some of the photos we took.

                                                         View from our room

                                                    Fairmont Hotel across street from us.

                                                              Grace Cathedral

                                                                     Cable car

      This is Fairmont Hotel with the flags.  Our hotel in taller one near center of photo.

Glad I am not driving!!

 Top of the Mark is famous place to go for drinks with a good view of the city.  Below is photo of it sitting on top of our hotel.  It opened at 4:30 and we went up for a cocktail and view.

        Looking like we will dine at Sotto Mare tonight.  Good rating on Trip Advisor.  Not a tourist trap like restaurants down at Fisherman's Wharf.  Also it is not far from our hotel.
        Ok, I walked Rebecca to hell and back.  Went to Sotto Mare but it was too hot and not too classy so we walked another 40 miles back to where she wanted to go to begin with.  Tadish Grill is the oldest restaurant in San Francisco.  OMG, Rebecca was right, it was to die for.  Well worth the extra bucks.  Drinks at Top of the Mark then two bottles of chardonnay for dinner so we are ready for beddy bye.  Watching NFL draft now on TV.  Below are pics of our evening.

                                                           I had cioppino

                                                    Rebecca had redfish with crab topping
         Ok, bed time so more tomorrow.