Chapter 26, San Diego, “A day is not enough.”

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One of my last pictures from Hawaii, at the Honolulu International airport.

Our flight to San Diego would have been routine other than for the crying and at times, screaming baby behind us. Not only was this child crying, but for over five hours, he/she was kicking our seats. Mom was helpless, or maybe useless. How can you bring a young child aboard without any games or entertainment? We didn’t say anything preventing a scene. What was to be a relaxing ride, wasn’t.

Kathie booked the Best Western Bayside. We had a delightful room on the 11th floor facing the ship “Star of India” and the San Diego Bay.

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We had an incredible Monday morning in San Diego. The Star of India is down by the bay.

We arrived at our hotel at 11 PM and we needed something to eat.  We went to a restaurant/bar named “Craft and Commerce.” Unfortunately, the kitchen was closed but the bar was still serving. We were the “oldest” people there, but no one noticed except us. It was a “neat” place with entertaining bartenders making all these exotic drinks. A woman named, “Diana,” was more than willing to explain what she was doing. I think it takes a college degree making all these concoctions. I enjoyed a “beer and a Bloody Mary” mix named “Michelada.” We then went  a little crazy with a drink called, “Lay, Lady, Lady.” To say the least, we had a liquid dinner that night.

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A real modern restaurant/bar in downtown San Diego. We enjoyed our time at “Craft and Commerce.”
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That is a Black raspberry floating in a concoction made with raspberry beer from Belgium and in-house ginger. This signature drink is known as “Lay, Lady, Lay.”

The next morning we did the harbor walk.  Our first stop was at “The Star of India.”  It is an impressive ship from the 19th century.

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There is a collection of several ships which makes an interesting outdoors museum.

We came across the Midway Museum. As some of you know, it was a famous air-craft carrier of W.WII.

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The Midway is now a floating Museum in the San Diego harbor area.
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Kathie is trying to hold up this plane on the Midway.

We found the huge statue of that famous pair kissing marking the end of W.W.II. That statue was placed there in 2013. The Bob Hope Memorial is close by. The last time we were in San Diego was in 2005 coming back from Australia. San Diego has changed for the better.

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This statue of a famous event of W.W.II was placed there in 2013.

We met a fellow traveler for lunch. We met Betty on a flight to Greece in 2008. I vividly remember we talked for hours. She lives in the area and was willing to take us for lunch and see some of the sights.

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We met Betty on a flight going to Athens in 2008. We have kept in contact ever since. She loves San Diego, but loves to travel to South America.

We went to a marina south of San Diego called Chula Vista. It was nice catching up from 2008. Betty sparked our interest as she “loves” South America. The farthest south we have ever been was to Costa Rica. Betty has traveled in the remote regions of Argentina and Chile.

Betty made a detour to show us the Latino paintings of Chicano Park. They have taken what would be cold concrete, and did all these remarkable paintings.   It was quite impressive.

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Chicano Park is an interesting place. Thanks to Betty we now know about it.

Kathie and I would later walk in an area called “Little Italy” filled with plenty of Italian restaurants. There is even an arch announcing the neighborhood.

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Little Italy is several blocks long. A lively place at night.

If you have never been to San Diego, it is well worth seeing. There is so much to do, even besides their famous Zoo and Balboa Park. I love the Mediterranean climate. The “cool” morning was a nice contrast from Hawaii.

We didn’t have time to do nearly as much as we would have liked to do.  But,  seeing something is better than nothing.

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The “Seal” ride reminds us of the “Duck” boats in Seattle. One of the many things we did not get to do.

One full day in San Diego, and then off to Cabo San Lucas.

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