Nov 24: We didn’t have to get up too early but we woke up anyway. Sadly, I made a huge blunder and packed my black slacks that I was to wear today. Thankfully John has a pair of exercise pants I can wear or I would be wearing a pair of gray leopard PJ bottoms with my new black top!!! ACK! We are not disembarking until 10:30am so we had time to go to the dinning room for the first time for breakfast. We did go there a few times for lunch during the cruise. After breakfast we headed back to our cabins to get our tote bags or backpacks that we will carry off ourselves. We arrived to our departure point in the Explorer Lounge early and when I asked they said everyone is being called to disembark right now so we walked off even earlier than scheduled. After the slow, crowded walk off the ship it was time to locate our luggage. That went fairly fast as well. At that point we decided to get a porter for the 5 of us. We had the 5 suitcases (even though they are mostly small ones), 5 totes or heavy backpacks, and a few assorted bags. It was just easier to get a porter who would take all our things and go with us through customs and also find us a taxi. He said he would find us a van taxi for 5. However, when it came down to it, he could not so we had to take 2 taxis to the Ferry building. Now we have a couple hour wait before the arrival of our Amtrak bus that will take us to the train in Emeryville. Since it is one of the most beautiful days we have ever seen in San Francisco we took up residence at the outside dining area of the Market Bar. I found a restroom and changed into the slacks I retrieved from my suitcase. We can see the bus stop from our seats. First we just had a cold drink and the kids had fries, then a little bit later we had lunch so we would not have to eat lunch on the train. They had delicious clam chowder lunch at the Market Bar. It was called something like the “beggars banquet” and had the huge bowl of soup, a large chunk of cheese, bread and a small much of grapes. All of that was more than enough to fill up the adults. Julianne had fish and chips and Jason had a burger. Soon enough our bus came along. It did seem a bit confusing as there is just one Amtrak agent to scan tickets and control people who are waiting for multiple buses going in different directions. Quite quickly we were on the bus for Emeryville, when we arrived the train had not arrived yet but it showed up in a few minutes and we were then bound for home. A leisurely end to a lovely vacation!
Delicious Cappuccino
Good Morning San Francisco
The Market Bar at the SF Ferry Building
Onboard Amtrak – They got hungry after all!
Good-Bye June and Jason
