Takeoff! (0m)

The journey begins... again.

This trip is to Mt Everest Base Camp. Yup, that Mt Everest. The target altitude is 17,000ft, about 5200m!

It's going to be a gruelling adventure, the altitude presents many challenges; but the first challenge, leaving NZ, and saying goodbye to those special to me, is achieved. 

I'm onboard AirNZ NZ282, heading to Nepal via Singapore. I arrive at Kathmandu midday local time, after too many hours in the air. You would think given that the previous entry in this journey is the fin to my flight to San Francisco, and the previous journey before that documented my around the world trip, a short 16 hour trip wouldn't to so bad!

Takeoff is shortly, and I have a lot of entertainment provided onboard, as well as a few audiobooks and videos on my iPhone (scary - no laptop this trip! Lugging a laptop up Everest, even one as light as mine, is not something I relish).

So begins another journey…

Fin

Friday morning, I arrived yesterday morning and somehow managed to keep awake long enough to sleep all of Thursday night.

I would like to point out that I arrived on Thursday. Its always Thursday.

SFO was a surprisingly nice airport, though unlike Auckland International, it didn't have too much to do after security. My previous waxing on the pull of airports was strong here, but that may have had something to do with their being almost nothing to do in this wing.

The flight was rather pleasant again, I do recommend United Economy Plus if you have to fly United.

So this marks the end of this trip.

I gave in to the weather

I gave up my attempts to explore more of the city during my last day here. I'm hiding here in the lounge of my hotel, doing work that I could easily be doing in NZ. The rain is so hard, I saw a sea otter exclaim to me "Fuck this, I'm going somewhere dry", before diving into the ocean.

Want photos of rain? Cause this is how you get photos of rain.

This is my day

Seriously San Francisco? Seriously?

Monday Rain Day

My status of bringer of rain is now firmly earned. The entire day so far has been rain. Not to be deterred (this time), I went for another breakfast at another diner, then walked up to City Hall and visited the San Francisco public library.

I do love the architecture of the city; you have new glass towers going up next to a more gothic style buildings. What i enjoy the most is the tiered shapes. They aren't rectangles, but instead have character. It seems they also frequently have open areas, cafes, etc on the top of the tier, something that I think Auckland buildings really should embrace more.

The TARDIS has shrunk

Super Bowl Sunday

Sunday was the US Super Bowl, but one has to start the morning with a good old fashioned American breakfast, so it was to an American diner that I went, to sit at a counter, drink coffee and eat greasy food. Order up.

I was joined by an old friend who recommended the place, and later took me on a weekend tour of the LinkedIn SF City offices. Remember how I complained, where were the tall buildings in Mountain View? LinkedIn have a 30 something story building, all to themselves. Ok, so that's where they're hiding everyone.

I visited the Millennium Building, infamous that it is a new building that is already sinking and tilting. It's not exactly the Pisa Tower, but its the subject of a number of expensive lawsuits. Around the base it's noticeable once you've been told the story. Cracked pavement, the street to front door is slopped now.

Eventually I met up with a friend that I stayed with last time I was in San Fran, she's moved up in the world and has an awesome apartment. We went to her building after lunch, where they had a *sponsored* Super Bowl party at the apartment buildings common area.

LinkedIn building

I am now an expert at American Football and can give a commentary that the New England Patriots did a stunning victory on a come from behind win, entering the 4th quarter 25 points down, the Falcons defence collapsed, and the game ended with the Patriots up 34-28 in overtime. The most stunning play of the game was the Hail Mary throw from Quarter Back Tom Brady that was almost guaranteed to be intercepted, but Wide Receiver Julian Edelman managed the catch in a manner that had to be seen to be believed.

And that's drained my football knowledge. I only know two positions, and two players, and two teams. So long as I only ever watch those teams, and care about those players, I can sound knowledgable.

Unfortunately whilst the weather had held off most of the day, by the time it came to walking home, the skies had opened up and my status as Rain God was reaffirmed. Despite my ombrophile nature, I chose Uber as my method of transport back to my hotel.

The apartment building has a fireplace in their common area.

New hotel, new places, new things to see

The ride from the station to the hotel led me past the Oakland Bay bridge - which in and of itself is a beautiful bridge - the red one not withstanding.

I'm off for breakfast, but thought I best put at least something here! Last night was a quiet night in, today I'm off for breakfast with a friend, then, assuming the rain does hold off (sshhh! It's currently not raining), I'll go explore some. San Francisco is pretty big.

No sarcastic winding remarks this morning I'm afraid.