We started off this day with a very interesting tour of the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory. We had earlier reserved places on the daily factory tour and first thing in the morning, took a bus to Berkeley for the 1030am tour. The tours are free and are led by very energetic workers that make the whole experience extra special. Free chocolate does that too :) We got to hear about the history of the company, appreciate chocolates made of different % of cocoa and learn about the chocolate making process.
Scharffen Berger is on Heinz Street
The shop of everything SB Chocolate
Heaven for chocoholics
Our very energetic host
Free tastings of chocolate
Wearing protective ear gear and hair net
Machine 1
Machine 2
Machine 3
Scharffen Berger is most famous for their dark chocolate. So for dark chocolate fans, a visit to this factory is a must. There are many differing types of chocolates, factory souvenirs and chocoholic t-shirts for sale after the tour. If you are not a chocolate-on-its-own fan, there is also a cafe in the factory serving products of this chocolate namely drinks and pastries that would also make for a sweet ending to the tour..
The cafe
The next part of Day 2 was meeting up with relatives. These are rellies on Alex’s side of the family. They took us to this yummy place that serves Dim Sum. We were so happy! Chinese food again! Yay! Do give this place a try if you are around the area. Ton Kiang – Hakka Cuisine. It was 1.30pm when we arrived for lunch and still the place was packed. A packed restaurant = good food!
After lunch we wanted an after meal coffee. Starbucks was just a block away so we dropped in to get our fix. Alex and I were pretty taken aback by this outlet. It shared shop space with a bank! How convenient is that? Bank (Wells Fargo) on the right side of the wall, Starbucks on the left side of the wall. I wonder how much the bank employees in that branch spend on coffee a month...
Starbucks on the left, bank on the right!
Bank staff at work - she must smell of coffee each dayOn a separate note, I love the townhouses in San Francisco. I like the colors of the homes, the unique shape of each townhouse even though they are located right next to each other. I’m posting two shots here but it doesn’t really justify the nice-ness of these townhouses.
We then drove to Twin Peaks. Twin peaks is the highest point in San Francisco that provides a sweeping view of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. It was a breathtaking view. The light rain brought on cloudy skies and this hampered our picture taking of the landmarks in the far distance. So we could not get good shots of the two bridges from this vantage point.
Uncle Richard and Alex
Alex and I
City shots
Our next stop was the Crookedest Street. The Crookedest Street is actually part of Lombard Street. It got its name after the earthquake in San Francisco which made a part of this previously straight road, so crooked, it’s the crookedest in the world! The place looked like something out of the show “The Cat in The Hat.”
Look at the bend - I wouldn't like to drive into that garage everyday
Tourists making their way down the street - spot the man with camera in hand
Alex
CherylI was very surprised that there were houses lining the side of this crooked street. Trying to get the car in and out of the house everyday would be hell! Trying to manoeuvre a car down this street is a challenge by itself. That aside, the houses on this street are really pretty. If I were a resident, I would be quite irked by the fact that there are hoards of people outside everyday taking pictures and scores of cars driving through this part of the street.
We then headed to Chinatown. This was the eve of Chinese New Year Eve so Chinatown was bustling with activity and a couple of streets were cordoned off from traffic so shoppers can browse through makeshift stalls selling everything Chinese New Year. I saw many an auntie buying scallops, dried oysters, placing orders for roast pork and roast duck.
Chinese Opera singers!
Faux mandarin orange tree for decoration in the home - necessary for CNY celebrations
We were amused by this nicely painted mini truck parked on the street. One side of the truck had been fitted with a huge glass window so passer bys can see the activity going on in it.
Need a last minute haircut for Chinese New Year? Do not fear! Mobile hair unit is here!
I for one wouldn’t want have my hair cut with scores of strangers staring at me. Much less have my picture taken by pesky tourists and posted on the world wide web. :p
We also stocked up on Chinese bakery goodies. I got my usual steamed egg cake, lotus seed pastry, winter melon pastry and even wife’s cake! For those who don’t know, there is a wife’s cake and a husband’s cake. It is often used during marriage ceremonies as part of an exchange between the in laws prior to the ceremony. It’s impossible to get these things in Canberra and sometimes those in Sydney don’t taste as authentic.
We ended this day with dinner with our relatives at Black Angus. Great steaks! We opted for the dinner set which came with appetizers, soup, mains, dessert and coffee. The portions were huge. Needless to say, we couldn’t finish our food and had some to takeaway. I didn’t take any food pictures so I can’t post them.
Day 2 was great fun. It was good to catch up with relatives I have not yet met and it seems I have more to meet as the year wears on! Big families.... SIGH.
:) More on Day 3 later!
cheryl
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