4 posts tagged “august”
We didn't exactly start the day off quietly. We had spotted this roller coaster at Mission Beach the first day we were in San Diego and we knew we would have to check it out before we left. The Giant Dipper may have a lame name, but it is a gem. This 83-year-old wooden roller coaster bangs you all around inside the car as you snake around on its nearly 1/2 mile track. So why not come along for our ride. Drew whipped out the Flip video camera so you can share our point of view. The Flip does not do motion very well (the DivX codec just doesn't have enough key-frames for smooth picture) but we still like the way it looks. Depending on your connection you can see the high bitrate version or the lower bitrate version on the left. In the end, the video quality is equally crappy.
The rest of the day was pretty low key. Much needed after the animal overdose of the Zoo on day one and the Wild Animal Park on day two. We did a little shopping, explored some of the neighborhoods, swam in the hotel pool (even though it was probably on 48 degrees with at 15 mph wind) and then ended the day with great Mexican food in Old Town. It was a great way to wrap up our brief stay in frosty San Diego. We will hit Balboa Park in the morning and jump on our flight home in the afternoon.
The park is incredible. The kids decided it was like no "zoo" they had ever experienced before. The highlight was the tour where they had an opportunity to feed the giraffes. The weather finially cooperated with the sunny skies we expected when we booked this vacation last winter. The weather report is a return to 80 degree temperatures... the day after we leave. Oh well.
One of the tour sites pointed out that the cost of entry to the Zoo for four is actually more than a membership. Consequently, this was day two of our exercising our new-found zoo member status. Lots of free stuff besides admission. So lots of new photos from the day, most of them snapped by Kat. She is becoming quite the shooter.
August takes a trip across Victoria harbor on the Star Ferry. He gives us an inside look at his favorite place to sit and why he thinks it is the best bargain in Hong Kong. Click here for his report.
The fleet of twelve ferries operates four routes across the harbor, carrying over 70,000 passengers a day, or 26 million a year. Even though there are now other ways to cross the harbour (by MTR Subway and road tunnels), the Star Ferry continues to provide an efficient, popular and inexpensive mode of crossing from point A to point B. The company's main route runs between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, which is what most people mean by "the Star Ferry". This route has become one of the icons of Hong Kong heritage in the eyes of tourists. From the ferry, one can take in the famous view of the harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.
As we get closer to our departure for Hong Kong, the kids get more excited. This weekend was our last opportunity to shop for all that we will need for the trip. The MoKels have no idea what is in store for us, and frankly, the Pacton family has no idea either. At least we will come bearing gifts.
On a side note, Tamara,,, these are not your gifts. Really. We promise.
