Wednesday, 6 November 2024

San Francisco, Day 2

It's actually Friday evening and the Koningsdam is heading back to San Diego and the end of this short seven-day cruise. Today we are docked in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, because of a very old maritime regulation that requires ships leaving from and returning to the US, to stop in at least one foreign port. That's why most Alaskan cruises stop in Victoria or Vancouver and why this ship spent the day in Mexico.

But LFLatSea will reach Ensenada in a few days. For now, the blog returns to San Francisco, where I enjoy another day of bright sunshine and balmy temperatures--beginning with a spectacular sunrise over the Bay Bridge:

Breakfast in the Dining Room is Greek Yogurt, with a very large serving of fresh berries, and Texas Toast French Toast with warm maple syrup, butter, and link sausage.

Today I travel by trolley and Metro to Castro Street, the historic center of gay life in San Francisco. Sadly, there is not much commercial life left, with all the bars and restaurants that I frequented in my much younger days now all gone. Even the Castro Theatre is closed for renovations. The only place I find for lunch is an old-fashioned luncheonette.

I then travel by streetcar all the way back to the Ferry Building, where I explore the gourmet food shops that have recently opened. While the cross-bay ferries still leave from here, the building has become a familiar destination for locals and visitors.

From the ferry building it's a short trolley ride to the Koningsdam. From various viewpoints on the ship I get a few last photos of the city skyline.

Dinner begins with a traditional Dutch pea soup with pumpernickel, followed by a delicious salad of Boston lettuce, tomatoes, red and green peppers, onions, olives, and hard-cooked eggs--drizzled with balsamic dressing. The main course is pan-fried lemon sole, with a little too much breadcrumb coating for my taste.

After dinner, the once-per-cruise "Orange Party" begins and continues well into the early morning hours. The party is celebrated all around the ship, with everyone, passengers and crew alike, wearing something orange. A special chocolate treat is offered to all guests. Since Holland America no longer does its midnight chocolate buffet (too much waste, I suppose), this tiny treat will have to do.

The Koningsdam doesn't sail until 10pm, but I am well finished with dinner and don't have any orange clothes to wear--I soon head off to the quiet of my stateroom.