Took the Lorrie Shuttle service from the airport ($15 each) to the San Remo hotel(sanremohotel.com) which is walking distance from the cruise port, Fisherman's Wharf, the Alcatraz ferry and Lombardo street. It's an older clean walkup hotel. Got there at noon and walked to the Alcatraz ferry for our 1pm trip which we booked online. Highly recommend the audio tour at the prison. It's narrated by former guards and prisoners and takes you through the prison at your own pace with your own player and earpiece. It's free with the tour. got back around 4p.m. and walked to fishermans wharf (pier 39) Walk to the end to see the seals on wooden decks out in the harbour. Couldn't count them all. Walked up Hyde Street (and I do mean up) to the top of Lombardo street. A beautiful area of high end real estate. Walked down the crookedest street and stopped at a cafe for some great food and beer. Headed to Powell street to try and catch a cable car but at this time the line is too long at this time. Went back to our hotel for a good sleep. Walked to a little restaurant for breakfast recommended by the desk clerk at the San Remo and got back in time to catch our pickup for a tour of Muir Woods and Sausalito. Great tour bus driver (Jay) Very informative and talked all the way. It's a different world among the Sequoia trees at Muir Woods and Sausilito is a beautiful port town. Back over the golden Gate bridge to the tour office (which we found out was 3 blocks from our hotel. Picked up our suitcases and walked to Pier 35 to catch our ship.
Hot! Walked past the port to the taxis outside the port area and with another couple got a taxi for the day for $12.50 each. Went to the cliff divers (something you should see once). Took us through old and new Alcapulco. Up to the Chapel of Peace which is the big cross on the hill you can see from anywhere. Beautiful rich area. Stopped at a jewellery store (free cold drinks) and a market area. Not too impressive. I believe the taxi driver gets a cut for bringing people here. Silver seems to be the big item in Mexico. I bought a silver money clip for $50 that was marked at $95. I didn't want to bring my wallet on all these day trips but needed some cash for shopping and tours. All and all a pretty good day trip through a city which is overcrowded and tired looking, waiting for spring break.
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA Booked a bus tour with Lee Miles ($35). Went to La Popa Monastery at the top of a mountain (large hill) The trip up was through extreme poverty. All the land here is owned by the monastery and is given to house the poor. Vendors are thick at the gate. Once inside your fine. One vendor caught my eye and I couldn't shake him. He started out with a $15 maraca and he was down to 3 for $5 when I got on the bus. Headed to the old fort (a long walk up) Interesting architecture and history. Off to the "Old City" Reminded me of old San Juan (same builders). Very good living statues and vendors were looking to deal. Bought salad serving fork and spoon made from coconut shells. He wanted $25 and got them for $8. Headed for a shopping mall surrounded by vendors. 20 minutes to walk the circumference. Had a good cuddle with a three toed sloth inside. bought some beer across the street at a local grocery store. (six pack Aguila light $7) and back to the ship. Probably would have had more fun with a smaller group but was a well run tour
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