Chilly
RIP Tag Fairy
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 14,014
Sunday 3rd April 2011
Today was time to finally start the road trip part of the holiday, to begin with we were going to be driving all over the place but we realised that we were unrealistic with what we could fit in so we ended up only hiring a car for a few days. We woke up early and packed the last few bits, then had a quick breakfast at the hotel for convienence. We walked to the car hire office which thankfully was mainly downhill. We got there to find a long queue so DH got in it and I sat down with the luggage, the office smelled like curry. We finally get to the front of the queue to be told we'd have to wait because they didn't have an SUV there and someone would have to deliver one to the office, I was not impressed, given that we'd pre-booked they knew we were coming. When we finally get the car we're told its only got half a tank of gas even though we'd paid for a full tank becuase their pump wasn't working, Alamo gets an F. The one good thing is that it means the car is parked on the street and not in their multi-story car park. We load the car and then DH attempts to adjust his seat, I do mine no problem but we cannot figure out how to do his until we realise its electric. We head off towards Golden Gate Park which we plan to explore a bit more but we are now running quite behind given how long it took us to get the car. We get to the park to of course find it closed. Luckily it was just that entrance and we enter further up. First stop is the bison, next we see a load of men practising fly fishing, then we decide to leave the park as time is getting on.
We drive to the coast and park up quickly to get out and smell the sea air. We are really excited to be starting our drive down Highway 1.
We set off down the coast with a plan to stop at Santa Cruz for lunch, its a lovely drive, Santa Cruz is very touristy with a fairground and we have to pay a foutune to park. We head to the pier/wharf which is very long and wide and you can drive and park on it. We spot more sealions and perhaps a sea otter. For lunch DH has a cheeseburger and I get a chicken sandwich, both oddly come with melon on the side.
We continue our drive down to Monterey and check into our hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, its very nice, our room has a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. I'm most impressed that you get mouthwash in the bathroom. While DH is checking us in I try to get a good photo of the flags.
cont below
Today was time to finally start the road trip part of the holiday, to begin with we were going to be driving all over the place but we realised that we were unrealistic with what we could fit in so we ended up only hiring a car for a few days. We woke up early and packed the last few bits, then had a quick breakfast at the hotel for convienence. We walked to the car hire office which thankfully was mainly downhill. We got there to find a long queue so DH got in it and I sat down with the luggage, the office smelled like curry. We finally get to the front of the queue to be told we'd have to wait because they didn't have an SUV there and someone would have to deliver one to the office, I was not impressed, given that we'd pre-booked they knew we were coming. When we finally get the car we're told its only got half a tank of gas even though we'd paid for a full tank becuase their pump wasn't working, Alamo gets an F. The one good thing is that it means the car is parked on the street and not in their multi-story car park. We load the car and then DH attempts to adjust his seat, I do mine no problem but we cannot figure out how to do his until we realise its electric. We head off towards Golden Gate Park which we plan to explore a bit more but we are now running quite behind given how long it took us to get the car. We get to the park to of course find it closed. Luckily it was just that entrance and we enter further up. First stop is the bison, next we see a load of men practising fly fishing, then we decide to leave the park as time is getting on.
We drive to the coast and park up quickly to get out and smell the sea air. We are really excited to be starting our drive down Highway 1.
We set off down the coast with a plan to stop at Santa Cruz for lunch, its a lovely drive, Santa Cruz is very touristy with a fairground and we have to pay a foutune to park. We head to the pier/wharf which is very long and wide and you can drive and park on it. We spot more sealions and perhaps a sea otter. For lunch DH has a cheeseburger and I get a chicken sandwich, both oddly come with melon on the side.
We continue our drive down to Monterey and check into our hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, its very nice, our room has a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. I'm most impressed that you get mouthwash in the bathroom. While DH is checking us in I try to get a good photo of the flags.
cont below
You look as if you're having a great trip.
