San Francisco, California.... Day 1

 San Francisco!  Always a great place to visit…  I first came here in the 60s when I was a Cadet at the Air Force Academy and have enjoyed each and every visit.  It's such a beautiful city and it's sad to witness the significant population of homeless people here...  just heartbreaking.  I was up very early this morning, going out (in the complete dark) at 5:15 am.  Tried the best I could to capture images of us sailing under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge…  It was quite a site!  Just keep snapping away as we made our way to Pier 27 where we will remain for the next two days.  I had not real plan for the day, just to walk along the waterfront through Fisherman’s Wharf and on past the Ghirardelli Square.  It’s such a scenic city.  I wanted to go up to Coit Tower, high above the city but was pretty sure it was closed to visitors.  Anyway, I really overachieved today, as I sit here, I have walked close to 16 miles for the day and the day isn’t over by a longshot.  This evening, I had a wonderful dinner in the Tamarind Restaurant followed my visiting and catching up with old friends.  I am posting a lot of photos, 88 I believe…  Hope you enjoy them….   Loving every day on the ms Koningsdam!

Avalon, Catalina Island...

 Our first port of call was Avalon, Catalina Island…  I’ve visited here in the past and always thought it to be a lovely place to visit.  I will be coming here a few times on the Koningsdam so I decided to pace myself…  Today, I was on the first tender ashore and had the town of Avalon all to myself in the early morning hours.  I decided to go for a nice 5-mile walk, snapping photos along the way.  The place is just as pretty as I remember it.  When the Scott sisters are here for the next visit, we will rent a golf cart for 2-3 hours and explore the island…  Once my walking and exploring was done, I headed back to the tender and went back to the ship.  Then it was off to the Retreat, a private Cabana area on the ship…  The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the sun, drinking Diet Coke and eating frozen grapes…  Manny, Jeffrey and Raymond, the Cabana staff are providing amazing service….  The is just an amazing start to what I know will be an adventure to remember…  We have a day at sea coming up with heavy seas and strong winds on our way to San Francisco….  San Francisco, here we come!