Difference between revisions of "1415T1g1 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Reflection"
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| − | <div style="font-size: 20px">Tour De San Francisco</div> | + | <div style="font-size: 20px">Day 1: Tour De San Francisco</div> |
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<div style="font-size: 20px">Civic Center</div> | <div style="font-size: 20px">Civic Center</div> | ||
| − | + | The city centre of San Francisco is no short of aesthetic virtuosity. With its intricate and exquisite taste inspired from the classical architecture, the buildings are truly remarkable. Having to first experience San Francisco with the Civic centre, I knew that San Francisco is going to be a fantastic city to be in it. | |
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| − | + | <div style="font-size: 20px">Twin Peaks</div> | |
| − | + | Want a panoramic view of the entire city? Look no further, the Twin Peaks is the place to go to. We had a great time taking pictures together at the peak, it was a fun experience as a class, with many selfies and landscape photos!</div> | |
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| − | + | <div style="font-size: 20px">Write the headings here</div> | |
| − | <div style="font-size: 20px"> | + | <div>Write Your Reflections Here</div> |
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| − | <div style="font-size: 20px"> | + | <div style="font-size: 20px">Day 01 - California Winter Dreamin'</div> |
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| + | As itinerary IC, I am know what's going on in the day. I know who is when and what time we will be at which area. | ||
| + | |||
| + | But the tour was something I never expected. When we reached the central library, I expected to meet an obnoxious tour guide, that's my impression of them every time I travel. But Don was friendly, experienced and very knowledgeable. He wasn't pushy, wasn't a clock watcher and most importantly made me feel welcomed. I remember him asking me - Your first time here? Yes, I said and he said Welcome! His warmth and and hospitality was something that I really remembered because it was rare from a tour guide. | ||
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| + | Civic Center was such a beauty. Gold plated, even more astonishing at how they restored the building and made it earthquake proof. | ||
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| + | I remember 7 sisters from the different sitcoms I used to watching growing up. The skyline of SFO at it's back, a nice park at it's front was something that I am way too familiar with. The amount of money made from just sitting that house there earning royalty from the media is a smart move. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Twin peaks was another attraction that I do hope I stop travelling during Winter. The fog made the view not too good, but it was good enough for me. Seeing how the city was compressed into a small area, probably the size of Yew Tee made me realise how small but efficient the city is by having multiple attractions and companies in it. I think that it's important not to judge a city by it's size. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Golden Gate Bridge / Park - The peak of the tour, the highlight of this small city, the golden gate bridge. Never in my wildest dreams that I will ever be on it. It should be known as one of the wonders of the world. Hearing stories from Don on how it was made, the 50th anniversary event and finally how is it today made me realise how big this element of the city was. Took a selfie with one of the pillars. That was a highlight of the tour! | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cruise and Fisherman Wharf - The boat tour was interesting, I was able to take the a photo of the golden gate bridge from the bottom. It was without a doubt a rare opportunity. I was hoping to see a seal or probably a great white. After the cruise we had a short F&E where I purchased Ghirardelli chocolates before having a simple dinner of shrimp rolls. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It was a good start for my month long holiday in USA! | ||
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| + | </div> | ||
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==<div>Melvin</div>== | ==<div>Melvin</div>== | ||
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Revision as of 03:21, 10 December 2014
The city centre of San Francisco is no short of aesthetic virtuosity. With its intricate and exquisite taste inspired from the classical architecture, the buildings are truly remarkable. Having to first experience San Francisco with the Civic centre, I knew that San Francisco is going to be a fantastic city to be in it.
Had a tiring Day 0, travelling and finally arriving in SF! But alas! We're going into the city to see the the tourist sites! Been 10 years since i came back to SF!
We started our tour at the Civic center checking out the different buildings that were built a long long time ago and it was impressive that they were still so well maintained.
Next we moved on to the Vantage point which features the 7 Sisters or some say the 6 Painted Ladies which are 6/7 of the most photographed houses around SF due to their prime location that features the entire SF skyline behind. It featured in the famous sitcom, Full House, which span from 1987 to 1995 - Click HERE for a link to the sitcom's intro which showcases the 7 Sisters.
After our visit to the 7 Sisters we climbed up to the Twin Peaks to get a better vantage point of the entire city, the view was impeccable and breathtaking especially since we were particularly lucky that today was not as misty as when i last came to San Francisco. We could see the entire city if i could i'd showcase pictures i took here but it'd take up too much space - probably link the Facebook images of the others in the future.
Next we visited the Golden Gate Park and Bridge, the park was particularly tranquil and we were able to visit the top of the observatory to get a 360 degree view of the entire park and the city from on top. The Golden Gate Bridge was superbly magnificent standing strong and linking up Marin & San Francisco Bay. We were able to take pictures of the iconic structure which signifies San Francisco as well as walk across to the first pillar. I was amazed by how huge the entire structure was standing at the base of one of the pillars.
At the Fisherman's Wharf, We managed to chomp down on some delectable seafood! Me, Amanda and Jun Ming shared 3 of the more famous dishes that they serve at the pier - Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, Fried Calamari with Fries and the Crab Cocktail. Later, we boarded the Red & White Fleet Cruise which brought us under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island. Once we were done with the cruise we were given some free time to wander around and a group of us went to the Ghirardelli Square where we sat down and had some great chocolate drinks!
The reason for this fog is attributed to the warmer temperatures from the land and the cooler temperatures from the surronding waters of the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean - when the two are brought together by sea breeze, condensation results and forms the fog. One interesting thing to note is that when the lands get warmer in summer, it brings about a thick and low cloud layer on the surface and this makes San Francisco cold even during the summer! This makes it a great city to visit all year round because of it's natural "air-conditioning".
Structures and monuments in San Francisco all have its fair share of history to tell. We got a tour round the Civic Center learning about the how the structure withstood the numerous earthquakes and fires that surely will bring any other structures to the ground. The classical architecture of these structures was indeed something that one should stop and admire. We went past blocks of Victorian Houses which were decorated in designs brought from all over the world before arriving at the Painted Ladies which gave us a glimpse of San Francisco's skyline.
Mouthwatering Scenery
Want to view the whole of San Francisco? Twin Peaks is one of the highest points in SF which offers a 360 degrees of panoramic view of the city and the bay. Other than the beautiful scenery it offers, be prepared to enjoy the chilly winds or just the company of your loved ones. Next up, the icon of SF. The Golden Gate Bridge offers yet another photo-taking spree as we started snapping as soon as we alight. You will be fascinated about its history, especially when you learn how much it contributed to SF's suicidal rates and how the bridge ridiculously bent.
For seafood lovers, Fisherman's Wharf Pier is one stop you MUST surely visit. Boosting a variety of international cuisines, it is surely one of the best dining places in San Francisco. Indulge in fresh Dungeness crabs, steaming hot Clam Chowder and tasty Calamari which are served along the outdoor stands of the Wharf. If you still cannot decide the one seafood to try, I recommend getting Seafood Cocktails which are a hit among tourists. A group of us finally treated ourselves to some smooth Hot Chocolate at Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory which is situated a few streets away from the bay.
As itinerary IC, I am know what's going on in the day. I know who is when and what time we will be at which area.
But the tour was something I never expected. When we reached the central library, I expected to meet an obnoxious tour guide, that's my impression of them every time I travel. But Don was friendly, experienced and very knowledgeable. He wasn't pushy, wasn't a clock watcher and most importantly made me feel welcomed. I remember him asking me - Your first time here? Yes, I said and he said Welcome! His warmth and and hospitality was something that I really remembered because it was rare from a tour guide.
Civic Center was such a beauty. Gold plated, even more astonishing at how they restored the building and made it earthquake proof.
I remember 7 sisters from the different sitcoms I used to watching growing up. The skyline of SFO at it's back, a nice park at it's front was something that I am way too familiar with. The amount of money made from just sitting that house there earning royalty from the media is a smart move.
Twin peaks was another attraction that I do hope I stop travelling during Winter. The fog made the view not too good, but it was good enough for me. Seeing how the city was compressed into a small area, probably the size of Yew Tee made me realise how small but efficient the city is by having multiple attractions and companies in it. I think that it's important not to judge a city by it's size.
Golden Gate Bridge / Park - The peak of the tour, the highlight of this small city, the golden gate bridge. Never in my wildest dreams that I will ever be on it. It should be known as one of the wonders of the world. Hearing stories from Don on how it was made, the 50th anniversary event and finally how is it today made me realise how big this element of the city was. Took a selfie with one of the pillars. That was a highlight of the tour!
Cruise and Fisherman Wharf - The boat tour was interesting, I was able to take the a photo of the golden gate bridge from the bottom. It was without a doubt a rare opportunity. I was hoping to see a seal or probably a great white. After the cruise we had a short F&E where I purchased Ghirardelli chocolates before having a simple dinner of shrimp rolls.
It was a good start for my month long holiday in USA!
Since young, I have always been watching American shows but could never get the concepts behind them. It is probably due to the lack of relation between Singapore and San Francisco. However, it really opened my eyes of how San Francisco looks, and more importantly, feels like. Being at the top of Twin Peaks, the feeling was awesome as we had unobstructed view of about a third of San Francisco. Blessed with good weather, we had a phenomenal outlook of the beautiful city. At that moment, one will feel that everything else is so small and insignificant. Subsequently, a trip down to the Golden Gate Bridge was one of the most exciting part of the journey that I was looking forward to. There was only one word to describe the Golden Gate Bridge: Breathtaking. When I look at the bridge, the entire concept of building it seems impossible even by today's standards. It took strong determination and guts in order for such a massive project to succeed. It was really an awesome feat. One interesting fact that we learned is that the painters will have to start over from the beginning of the bridge once they are done with painting the entire bridge. This truly demonstrated the importance of determination when we are doing anything, and not to let critics bring us down even though everything seems impossible. Fisherman's Wharf is the true definition of a port. The number of seagulls, occasional blasting of ship horns, fisherman boats, smell of fresh seawater and the cool sea breeze all made up the picturesque port. Combined with a few street musicians singing a few tunes, it was truly 'American'. This short but meaningful tour really opened my eyes to San Francisco.
