To welcome in 2013 I though I would tick another place off my 'to go visit' list and dragged the mother up to San Francisco. For the big occasion we took a dinner cruise around the bay, and I don't think that we could have chosen something better to do.
I had a nice surprise when we got to the hotel that I had been given a complimentary upgrade to my room, with a corner city view - there are perks for working in events! We had plenty of space to spread out so we were not under each others feet when we were getting ready.
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| Compliments of the Hyatt Hotel |
Another nice surprise awaited us also. Hair half curled and looking slightly scary there was a knock at the door and a young gentleman with a room service selection stood before me with a slightly amused look on his face. After initially trying to send him away he told me that it definitely was for me compliments of the hotel. An event manager from another branch had sent it as a NYE gift.
Together we enjoyed a cheese and meat platter with a bottle of wine and some traditional sour dough bread that had been baked into the shape of a giant crab. It was a work of art in itsel and delicious to eat whilst getting ready. For the evenings activities.
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| The San Francisco Belle |
Once we were all suited and booted we took a cab down to pier three where we embarked on our vessel the San Francisco Belle which is operated by Hornblower Cruises. All the tables were decorated with party hats and either a clacker or a horn. We were on the third deck of the ship which was good as it was only a short staircase away from the roof which gave absolutely spectacular views of the city.
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| Cosmos poured to perfection! |
We were the first people to arrive at our table and so decided to take a window seat to make the most of the view. As people arrive we introduced ourselves and met our fellow revellers. In our immediate part we had Erica and Lee from San Diego, and Gunther whose friend cancelled at the last minute so he decided to come by himself anyway and we all had such a laugh
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| Mum with Erica & Lee |
It was an open bar so we started as we meant to go on and had an evening filled alternating between cosmos and champagne - start as you mean to go on and all that! It was a buffet dinner which was decidedly good, and I once again thought that the star of the feast was the prime rib of beef, although no where near as good as the one Laura G made for us at Christmas!
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| San Francisco City Lights |
The highlight of the evening was definitely the backdrop for the evening. The city-scape was beautiful and I dread to think how many photos I have to go through! We started out by Bay Bridge which was the original suspension bridge in San Francisco. It is not really commonly known about, but really is a beautiful bridge.
Along the coastline you see the varying skyline as we headed out to the main attraction - the Golden Gate Bridge. It really does warrant the term awesome.
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| Bay Bridge under the light of the Moon! |
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| Passing Golden Gate bridge. |
It's imposing structure as it looms above you is really quite remarkable (although hard to get a good photo of at night whilst moving on a boat!).
I stood looking at it for quite a while and had a moment to appreciate just how lucky I am and how far I have come in a year. I appreciated just how different my life is now to a year ago when I stood on a little suspension bridge in Marlow to being underneath the awe-inspiring wonder of a suspension bridge a world away.
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| Me with our new friend Gunther |
The cruise took us out and around Alcatraz and then back towards the Bay Bridge to watch the much talked about Firework display. It did not disappoint. I think the display went on for around 15 minutes or so. They were some of the best fireworks I have ever seen.
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| Fireworks over the Bay |
The boat went crazy as we welcomed in 2013 and everyone made so much noise. Me, mum hooted and clacked along with everyone else and then led a rendition of Aulde Lang Syne as it just wouldn't be proper if you didn't sing it at midnight shaking hands and all moving round in a circle!
There was a live DJ on each level and the remainder of the evening was spent on the dance floor boogieing the night away, and of course the last dance of evening was I left my heart in San Francisco.
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| Mum with Anna & her husband |
We didn't end the party there though. After smuggling some bubbles off the boat, we bumped into revellers Anna and her husband from the other end of our table and enjoyed some Champagne on the pier.
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| Our ride home, Mum with shoes in hand! |
Unfortunately by the time we were ready to bid adieu for the evening (read morning) we were far too late (or early!) for transits and there was not a taxi in sight. Luckily for us, beady eyed mum who had already ditched the heels and was walking barefoot spotted a rickshaw cyclist and managed to flag him down to finally get us back to our hotel at 3.30 am.
I can definitely say that this NYE was celebrated in style! Happy New Year Everyone! :)
I had a nice surprise when we got to the hotel that I had been given a complimentary upgrade to my room, with a corner city view - there are perks for working in events! We had plenty of space to spread out so we were not under each others feet when we were getting ready.
The boat went crazy as we welcomed in 2013 and everyone made so much noise. Me, mum hooted and clacked along with everyone else and then led a rendition of Aulde Lang Syne as it just wouldn't be proper if you didn't sing it at midnight shaking hands and all moving round in a circle!
I was there!!!! It was a great night but our family and friends and those dear to our hearts were not forgotten as we raised our glasses to welcome the new year . Thanks Louise for arranging a fabulous three days in San Francisco what a difference a year makes .
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