Still California dreaming................

We visited Headlesburg on the first day  - a very picturesque town - very pretty stream running along side of the town. We had a very nice lunch - I am working my way through the American cook book - so I had a pulled pork sandwich  - yum yum. 

Second day we went to Guerneville and to the magnificent Armstrong Redwood National Forest. It was a really great day - the weather was kind - and we even managed to take a picnic lunch with wine along with us - the new Ajayi's!! We saw redwood trees that were 1400 years and so big  - you can't imagine. It was a really beautiful place.

Richie in the Armstrong Redwood Forrest

And it was so nice to see families out - much more organised than us having barbecues and playing ball. We vowed to make more of an effort to visit our local parks for picnics and bbq's once we get home. We used to do that years ago but have gotten lazy in our old age. Will have to find some friends to force along with us! 




After the fabulous forest we went to Sonoma City centre - it has the largest town square in California. We had a beer in a nice pub and got on each others nerves - I blame the large town square!

Sonoma City Centre

We left Santa Rosa today and drove up the coast through Bodega to Mendocino - it is as lovely as everyone promised. Although it is also very small - about the size of Margaret River - in fact at four hours from San Francisco it really is San Fran's Margaret River. 


We are staying in a very cute B&B - the four poster bed is about 8 feet off the floor and has a little step ladder to help you in to bed. The room is called grandmas retreat - very  fitting for us as we are both a bit knackered. Oh and to continue American culinary tour - I had clam chowder today - also yum yum - loved the oyster crackers that came with it. The waitress advised that the pub does a great Ruebins sandwich - so I was in a bit of turmoil but decided I can go back for the Ruebins tommorrow!!

 

I left my heart in San Francisco ..........

Had a painless flight from Dubai to San Francisco. Emirates have changed the lounge rules so I couldn't take Richie in the lounge - so I went in and raided it instead! 
We had no problems at all with visa on arrival - the visa guys was really friendly - so different from what I remember from fifteen years ago. Jay met us at the airport and drove us to his house about 25 minutes away - all too easy. 

Andrew and Jay - such great hosts!

Jay shares his flat with a slightly eccentric Jewish scholar called Andrew - I think Andrew has got pretty sick of sharing his space with couch surfers but we have met the seal of approval. Both Jay and Andrew have been such delightful hosts. 

Contemplating Rodin Gates of Hell - Stamford U

Jay and I and our new friends - Stamford U

 Jay took us to Palo Alto on the Monday - we visited Stamford Uni - what a beauty and how much money does that Uni have - I mean really! Admired their collection of Rodin sculptures - especially the Gates of Hell. 

Our first Seder

We went to a Passover dinner in the evening with a very charming lesbian couple and their friends and children. Was a marvelous evening we all had to take part in reading from the service - Richard got a huge long passage - I only got a short one - we had fun pronouncing the Hebrew words in our worst Australian accents!
Jay lives in the Castro - which is the gay centre of San Fran - it's very cool and has a nice atmosphere if somewhat political. We spent quite a bit of time hanging out with Jay and Andrew in the kitchen just talking. 

Let the food fest begin!

We visited the SFMOMA which was interesting and had a  great shop; The Jewish museum - pretty poor, caught the ferry to Sausilito - small and pretty place - saw a guy balancing rocks on the shore line.

Jays house - The Castro San Fran

We also caught up with Herb, another couch surfer for drinks near Height Ashbury - great people watching spot. 

Artwork -  Sausilito 

Herbs for dinner - southern style - is that Dame Judy?

Finally we bought an Mac book air - it's very cool - a bit hard to get used to but will have fun learning how. 

Jessie - our first ever Airbnb host - Santa Rosa

Airbnb Santa Rosa

We have hired a car and are now in Santa Rosa staying at our first Airbnb place - nice people, really comfortable bed and our own, very small bathroom. 
Drive from San Fran was a bit difficult at first - Richie is doing a great job - it's pretty hard on the left with the 


traffic and narrow lanes. Went to Russian River brewery yesterday - apparently the beer was impressive but place was quite small and really crowded. Oh no one celebrates Good Friday here and everyone works - very strange! But handy for us :-) 

Oman ....... A few days in muscat

Spent a fabulous six days in Muscat. We stayed with "Couch Surfers" Jen and John for three nights - great hosts - we had a great room with ensuite and pretty much did our own thing. 

Jen & John

We hired a car when we arrived in Oman - very smart move as we needed a car to get around - although the driving is somewhat scary - such lovely polite people the Omanis - and then they get behind the wheel!

HRH - The Sultan of Oman 

The Beach Hotel Muscat

We spent another four nights at The Beach hotel near the Intercontinental and in walking distance to the beach and coffee shops. All very civilized. 

Cruising Muscat Beach

I have took Rich to my favorite cheap Lebanese restaurant The Automatic and we have found a brilliant Indian take away across the road. The Indian food is amazing - quite inspired me to try a bit harder with my own Indian cooking - the depth of flavors is amazing. 

Indian food in Muscat - cheap and fabulous!

We visited the Grand Mosque - really beautiful, the souk - but my favorite shop selling nougat and spices was not there anymore - but the great juice shop still was. 

Richie in my favourite juice shop - Muscat souq

So glamorous at the Grand Mosque

We also went to Muscat Expatriate yacht club for a few hours and watched a couple of Omanis swilling back beers in their dish-dashas at an outdoors bar.
Oh also bus from Dubai to Oman was completely painless - bus was empty - will see if it's as good on the way back.


Have decided to buy a small laptop so we can both be online at once.

First week.......

Great to be traveling on holidays instead of work. We have been making great use of the Dubai metro - really easy to use, cost effective and efficient. 

Super efficient Dubai metro

We have been lucky with the weather so far as well not too hot. Has been great staying with our friends - very hospitable.

Rashi B. - what a sweety!

Caught up with Mahul and Geet at their hotel the Grosvenor House Hotel and had tons of drinks and then went to the Buddah Bar for a ton more drinks. Had a foul hangover next day and promised self not to get a hangover in some else's house again!!!!! Was great to see Mahul and Geet and a fun night - didn't mention universities once! 

 We also visited the Dubai Museum - very cool - lots of dioramas which we (and a million other children like). 

The one in yellow is real!

Walked along the marina and ended the day at the Dubai Mall watching the fountain show - who haas impressive for the whole 2 minutes it lasts! Can't believe people queue for so long for so little pleasure. Went to beach area today - but it was way too hot and then onto Jumeirah Residence for lunch - Tiffin place has doses yum!