Author: davidscruise

“Touch wood”, everything has worked out very well indeed. My car from San Francisco airport to the Hotel Nikko arrived just minutes after, as instructed, I made the phone call. Hotel staff were ready to transfer my luggage to my hotel room. There was a snag; despite my being in possession of the correct documents, Hotel Nikko wasn’t expecting me until 4th February. Today was Jan. 31st! Hurriedly, they allocated me one of their larger bedrooms for the one night. On request, I presented them with my credit card, and they promptly withdrew $300.00 from my Current Account as surety. When I did return after 4 days away, my protests “went on deaf ears”, but I was assured this would be refunded minus any hotel charges and costs of loss or damage. Although I consider myself widely travelled, I have no recollection of being required to pay “up front” for “stuff that might happen”. However, this also applied on the Queen Mary, so I presume this is now normal. My room for the remaining two nights was much smaller, but equally sumptuous and very comfortable. Being situated in Downtown S.F., eating out, even in traditional diners felt expensive. Breakfast always came in at between 20 and 30 dollars including tax and 15% gratuity. These days, the bill calculates “voluntary” tips at 15, 18, and 20%!

As previously mentioned on numerous occasions, the weather was unusually cold, despite the absence of San Francisco’s notorious fogs which do cool things down considerably anyway; but is local to the city. This particular cold snap has affected all of CA.

I enjoyed the bus tours immensely and would gladly do these again.

Thanks for reading; comments always welcome.

David.

I chose to see as much as possible of San Francisco during my one full day here before leaving California for Honolulu, my last day in the United States, for the time-being. The hotel concierge suggested the San Francisco Big Bus round trip of two and a half hours. That, I felt, was a good use of the few hours available. However, I was going to have to come to terms with how cold it was, and eventually brave riding on the wind-swept top deck, and “just get on with it”. These hop on- hop off buses are, to my mind, far better than many of the organised shore excursions where the tour guide feels compelled to entertain, rather than inform. To begin with, I sat in the sheltered lower deck before venturing up stairs and seeing the spectacular vistas on offer. I hopped off, and back on again firstly at a viewing point which gave something of an opportunity to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge, and panoramic scenes accross the Bay. After around 20 minutes, I continued on a second bus to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39. I didn’t take much persuasion to accept an offer of 30 minute “round the bay” cruise on a tiny motor boat I shared with just two others of Oriental origin. Two of us accepted an offer of driving the boat. This brought to mind a former work colleague who is said to have boasted that he docked the Queen Mary single handedly in New York in 1949. I don’t doubt that he sailed both ways accross the Atlantic even if such a trip was much more of an event in those days. Going anywhere abroad in the late 40ss was very much the exception rather than the rule it is today. I had planned to have “a good lunch” at Fisherman’s Wharf. However, my new-found navigational skills merely allowed time for a coffee, hot dog and muffin! In reality, I was only at the helm of this little vessel for around three minutes! I walked around Pier 39 much as I did in 1991 when it was so much warmer.

Here are some pictures which I hope are fairly self explanatory.

In the evening, I joined the night tour of San Francisco. It was freezing on the open top deck, but the sights of a city bathed in its profusion of light were something to behold in awe. I have seen his kind of thing before, but such magnificence never fails to impress. Among the pictures, an image of Cunard’s Queen Victoria, having arrived for the first of two days. Also worthy of mention are the sea lions which have made (according to the bus guide) their home at the foot of Pier 39, after the 1989 earthquake.

I hope something brings me back to San Francisco; there is so much left to see. And I would very much like to do these bus trips again, and some others.

Tomorrow my journey continues gradually to warmer, then hotter climes.

Thanks for reading.

David.

A disgruntled resident complained on social media yesterday, “I did not move here, at San Francisco prices, to endure unheard of temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius!” Quite! I could say the same for Long Beach, where, whatever time of year I had visited previously, it was always overly hot. I am given to conclude that the Polar Vortex which dropped down on the U.S. recently has impacted significantly, even in areas I would consider as sub tropical.

Late in the morning, I enquired of the hotel concierge, my best options for a day in San Francisco. He suggested the hop on, hop off bus which departs from opposite the hotel every 15-20 minutes and takes just over 2 hours to do an acceptable round trip. Good idea even if I have to dress up as if for a polar expedition! I had hoped my winter attire would have long since been consigned to the far reaches of my large suitcase until required for the last few days of this tour. My breakfast of oatmeal and fruit platter came to $27.65 Then came tax and “compulsory” gratuity. Just yards from me, large numbers of homeless, have, I read, been moved on by the police. Something is very unfair here. I Googled the price range per night of the lovely hotel where I am staying. If you are curious, Google the Nikko Hotel, a wonderful place to rest, refurbished to something beyond the 21st Century. When it comes to modern technology, I am worse than dyslexic. (But, I’m learning slowly).

Now, to venture out into San Francisco and revisit the sights which enthralled me when my hair wasn’t grey and almost non existent! (1991)

All the best; thanks for reading,

David.

All of a sudden, darkness has fallen, after a spectacular climb into some dramatic mountainous countryside. It wouldn’t surprise me if we arrived at Oakland on time, after considerable delay earlier.

Dinner in a “genuine” dining car was far better than the burger and fries offered in 1991. I was slightly miffed at being asked to leave, just minutes after settling my bill, so they could “flip the table”. Nevertheless, dinner was most acceptable.

Already tomorrow is my last full day in the U.S.A. At around 5pm the day after, it will be “all aboard” for Hawaii.

It was unusually cold in Long Beach; I imagine the normally warm climes were effected by the unusually freezing conditions affecting most of the rest of the country. I always enjoy being in the States and so far, this trip has been no exception.

Thanks for reading,

David, 20 44hrs(04.44hrs GMT) on board Amtrak’s Coast Starlight.

One final nostalgic glance at some parts of the Queen Mary I became familiar with, one final, hurried breakfast in the Promenade Cafe, and, unbelievably, having completed the check-out necessities, I was two minutes early for my booked car, which, thankfully, was waiting for me outside the main entrance to the ship.

I started to worry a little as the driver seemed uncertain as to the whereabouts of Union Station in Los Angeles. Obviously, I hadn’t a clue; he set his sat-nav system and with pessimistic uncertainty, suggested that an accident on the freeway may scupper my making it onto the Coast Starlight. Great! However, I was in good time for the train and was shown to my seat in Business Class. Now, I know why train seats in the UK don’t line up with the windows; this is an American concept, even in Business Class! Never mind, there’s an observation car which is excellent, a cafe, and dining car, so, I am not stuck in the same place for the next ten hours or so.

I remember less than I thought about my southbound journey on the Coast Starlight 28 years ago. Today, heavy rain made dull and featureless the first hour of this long journey. The suburbs of L.A. seem uninteresting and dull at the best of times. And even as the train climbs into more scenic parts, natural rock faces close to the railway are blighted with meaningless and intrusive graffiti. However, all looked better when the sun put in long term appearance. All of a sudden, the Pacific Ocean manifested itself; not for five minutes as in the brief view of the sea at Dawlish, but for substantial uninterrupted periods. The observervation car proved popular at this time.

Not only does my Business Class seat not line up with the window, those nice folks in front have pulled their curtains, to aid sleep, thus obliterating completely my view out. I have exiled myself just one seat further back, which despite an orange reservation sticker, appears unoccupied. No doubt I shall be turfed out at some point.

Lunch in the dining car was much as I remember it back in 1991. Burgers, crisps, and salad. I was seated opposite a fairly young couple, and next to middle aged lady (probably younger than me). Conversation was pleasant without being obtrusive. In 1991, dinner offered the same menu as lunch. 28 years later, dinner seems more of a quality event. I have booked mine for 7pm, the last sitting.

And now, it’s thrashing it down with more rain; coincidentally, the landscape is less interesting. From what I gather, we are running about an hour late, due to rail traffic congestion and, inclement weather.

The picture above is the most general of views of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, ready for an on-time departure from Union Station, L.A.

Below, Amtrak’s answer to the classic dome car. Similar cars to these were around in 1991, but this has a much better “feel” to it. The lower deck houses the Cafe,where a most acceptable variety of food is offered. Also, various views from the train. Yes, and the Conductor has made me aware that I may be asked to move!

Many thanks for reading.

David.

Tomorrow, it will be time to move on, and I wonder if I may return one last time. Here are some final pictures taken yesterday and today. While initially underwhelmed by my stateroom, I realised, in fact, I was staying in an “absolute treasure”. The layout remains the same as when QM first entered service. The electric fire is still in place. I wish it worked! The floor to ceiling wood panelling remains largely intact. The bakerlite wardrobe and other handles all appear original. A couple of chairs, while resembling closely the dining chairs of the Cabin Class dining room, I am told are reproductions, confirming the attention to detail sort after by those looking after the ship. Many original fittings remain but no longer work.

1st picture: Enlarged image of the front cover of the souvenir launch brochure of the launch. The original run of these brochures was entitled “Launch of 534”. Demand was far greater than anticipated and thus a second almost identical issue was produced as below.

2nd and 3rd pictures: Inside the Cabin Class smoking room. This was not opened to the public this evening, but the door was not locked!

4th 5th and 6th pictures were taken of the stage and ceiling of the former Cabin/First Class lounge. A member of staff opened this place up for me.

Apart from a final image of the wall map in the Cabin dining room, as well as a QM life ring, all other images are labelled.

My time on board Queen Mary has been hugely enjoyable and, I feel, very well worth while. Unimaginable efforts are put in to ensure this remarkable piece of history can enthrall generations to come. I was sorry not to visit the Cabin swimming pool; it awaits repair as it is no longer safe to visit. However, I did get to see where the Second Class pool used to be; it is now a small cinema for short documentaries in 4D. I found the special effects irritating!

A new chapter tomorrow.

All the best, and thanks for reading,

David.

Cabin Class lounge.

Carnival Imagination.

Below, Carnival Imagination

Engine room views

(Below) Control panel, engine room.

Below, Entrance to the Cabin/First Class swimming pool.

These four pictures depict what was once the Cabin Class dining room. A couple of days ago, I overheard a tour guide explain to his group that the fare from Southampton to New York (presumably in Cabin/First Class) would, before the War buy a house! I doubt whether the most expensive suite on today’s Queen Mary 2 on the same voyage would cost the same as a house in 2019. Perhaps it might. It was those wealthy and high society passengers who would be seen, in their elegant finery, frequenting either this, or on special occasions, the Verandah Grill.

When Queen Mary entered service on May 27th 1936, there were three classes of accommodation, Cabin, Tourist, and Third. After the war, Cunard deemed this terminology inappropriate, and introduced or renamed the classes, First, Cabin, and Tourist. For a long time, I found this confusing, but I do have an official Cunard leaflet from the late 1940s explaining the reason behind this change. I have to say, my photographs do not do justice to this still magnificent dining room, which is only available to the public on Sundays for “Brunch”. Today, being Sunday, I just had to experience dining in the one time Cabin Dining Room. T-shirts, baseball caps and jeans are acceptable attire today, rather than the tuxedos and cocktail dresses of yesteryear, although that does remain the order of the day, from 6pm, on what are now Cunard Gala Nights.

More pictures to follow.

David

Yesterday, my quest to “see as much as possible” was not entirely successful. If I am not careful, I may, again miss several areas of the Queen Mary I had travelled so far to revisit.

Breakfast in the Promenade Cafe this morning consisted of porridge (oatmeal) and Greek yogurt. No ordinary plastic fat reduced tub-full to splatter my on porridge, but an enormous plateful accompanied by a generous selection of prepared fresh fruit.

I traded the nut covered yoghurt for a nut-free portion.

I do feel the restaurant charges are excessive, but if this helps maintain this colossal vessel, then, it is money well spent.

As this morning’s title suggests, I no longer feel the effects of jet lag; and am now enjoying the amenities of my almost unaltered cabin.

More pictures and comment to follow later in the day.

All the best, David.

A few views taken around R.M.S Queen Mary.

1, 2, Entrance to and inside the Promenade Cafe where I would enjoy breakfast and lunch today.

3, 4, 5, and 6, The former Cabin/First Class Library, now one of many souvenir shops.

7, 8, and 9 This accommodation used by Winston Churchill in the early 1950s, now another retail outlet.

10, and 11 Entrance to, and inside the First/Cabin Class Observation Lounge.

12, and 13 Inside my “spooky cabin”

14, One of the numerous dark corridors to staterooms on M Deck.

15, “Queen Mary meets Carnival Splendor”

16, and 17, Now the mist has cleared, an accross the water view of Long Beach.

18, and 19, outside, on board, near Churchill’s Restaurant.

Churchill’s on the Queen Mary has to be among the finest eateries in Southern California. I dined there once, alone, on a previous pilgrimage to the Queen Mary. The resident violinist played a wonderful piece of classical music just for me, at my table. Imagine my utmost surprise and delight when tonight, I was invited by a couple whom I had never met, to join them for dinner. Thank you David and Robyn from Texas for your unexpected and generous hospitality.

I have set no goal for this global wander. However, I should make the most of this 4th visit to the Queen Mary. In fact, years ago, I vowed that no visit to California would be without paying some kind of homage to the Queen Mary. So far, I have kept that pledge and no visit has ever disappointed. In fact, I am thinking about a train and bus ride to Long Beach, this time from New Orleans which I visited last as a 12 stone “almost-youth” in 1971. That really was “back in the day”.

Today started with howling winds, tempestuous frothing waters, torrential rain and a mist that almost obliterated any view of Long Beach accross the water. As this set of pictures suggest, how things can change so suddenly. Nevertheless, I am assured of further tempestuous weather during my brief stay here.

The resident pianist (who is brilliant) is playing “Send in the Clowns”. I feel guilty. Health issues preclude me from any type of drink, including sugar laced soft drinks or fruit juices. Yet I just wish to sit in this lovely bar as favourite melody follows favourite melody almost back to back. If this holiday continues as it has started, this surely will be the trip of a lifetime.

Thank you for reading.

David. 21.50 hrs 04.50hrs GMT 2/1/19