The Golden Mile (Michigan Ave)

Millennium Park

Built on a site that was controlled by the Illinois Central Railroad for almost 150 years, Millennium Park is seen by Chicagoans as the crowning glory of their city. The 24.5 acre park is much more than just a city park. It’s a day-long adventure for the whole family that has served to not only beautify the city but also bring culture and the arts to locals and visitors of all ages.
History of the Park
Millennium Park is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the North and Monroe Street to the South. It sits in an area that was once considered sacred to the Illinois Central Railroad. City planners developed Grant Park around the railroad tracks but, for decades, many still considered the area to be one of Chicago’s less-than-beautiful spots.

View from SearsTower

The tallest builing in North America

Next stop Chicago

I have a friend that lives in Chicago (another Aussie) so stopped off in Chicago for 2 weeks.

My thoughts on Chicago? loved it, lots of skyscrapers, very multicultural, great food and restaurants. The weather was good, being mid September (some say the best time to see Chicago)

Alcatraz

Pic's of Alcatraz taken from a ferry ride (Green and Gold ferries)

Decided against doing the tour of "the rock"

The Coit Tower

The Coit tower is on the hill in central SFO (you can catch a lift uo to the top of the tower) with sensational views of SFO and out to the bay.

The Bay Bridge from The Coit Tower

The Cable Car's

The cable cars are a great way to travel around SFO and a good way to get from Union Square down to Fishermans Wharf. If you plan to go on one though go early in the morning or on a week day, as they get very busy (especially the start of the run at Market st)

The Golden Gate Bridge

A bridge I have always wanted to visit. My first sight of it took my breath away, it was as fantastic as I thought it would be and such a beautifull structure, towering over the bay.

My initial thought was to walk out onto the bridge to get some photo's of SFO, but once I got onto the bridge and started walking I decided that I couldn't go half way and turn back. So I walked to the other side. A decent walk but well worth it for the sights of the city and surrounds.

Fishermans Wharf.



Well, down at Fishermans Wharf, it is all things touristy!!!! and can get a bit chilly (even if it is warm away from the water (the trick in SFO is to layer, as it can be hot in some parts of the city and bloody cold in other parts) usually down by the bay is much cooler. The first day I went to Fishermans Wharf was on the Monday (Labour day) and way to busy to do anything much other than just have a look around. The queue's to get ferries to Alkatraz and to go out on the bay wre just rediculous. So i just went for a stroll along the promonade, past all the shops selling all the touristy stuff and food shops and stalls, bars etc etc, Met up with a character called Bushman, as I walled along the piers (he is an aging black guy that hides behind his own portable branches and frightens the crap out of any unsupecting tourists that walk past)















Pic tacken from Fishermans Wharf with The
Bay Bridge in the background















Merry go round at the Wharf

Woo Hoo, finally off to the States.


My trip to The United States started on Sunday 9th of September, Leaving Melbourne, Australia, 10.55am with United Airlines, via Sydney. First stop San Francisco.




Arrived SFO 11am Sunday morning, the long weekend for the Labour Day Holiday. The main thing I noticed was the new security measures at the airports, and the no liquids, bans on flights going to the US. Security is much tougher these days and particularly in light of the security scare out of Briton when a plot to blow up planes enroute to the US was foiled just weeks before. Flight was long long long............... and to make matters worse the inflight entertainment stuffed up, so we had no movies for the duration of the trip. Flight time.......... 14 hours. The United staff, all very friendly, and as per usual the male staff, gay.
Arrived SFO to be awestruck at finally being in the United States. Caught my ride from the airport straight to the hotel, The Metropolis Hotel on Mason street. (near the corner Turk And Mason) The dreaded TENDERLION area of SFO. And you know what, the hotel turned out to be very comfortable for the price (about $150 AU) I was impressed, the staff were all great, friendly and helpfull. The only thing about the hotel, when you walked out the entrace at night time, you always made sure you walked left, and then on to Market or wherever you where going (turning right took you straight into The Tenderloin, not a place you wanted to go at night time, or during the day for that matter) The Tenderloin is a place for the homeless, drug dealers, criminals and a mainly black area and if you are a white man in SFO, you just don't go there.

First stop after checking in at the hotel, Union Square. The shopping hub of SFO. If you want to shop, you'll find everything from clothes to shoes to electronics..... well just everything.