WHALES AND PITCHERS

MONDAY 21 AUGUST - SAN DIEGO

JJG decided to get me back for the early morning on Saturday and made sure I was up and at em at 8am. It was time for more big US food - this time at Hashes, a quaint cafe style place. I decided to indulge in a Hash which was turkey mince, bacon, cheese, fried potatoes all mixed in together with a biscuit (scone/rockcake), 2 eggs and a piece of watermelon plus of course a huge fresh OJ. Needless to say there was no way I could eat my way through that but what I did eat was very yummy. More success in the food department.

It was then time to head to Seaworld San Diego. It was a fine day again which was a relief as I had heard all about the 'Soak Zones.'


On entering the park it was straight to the famous Sharmu 'Believe' show (Sharmu being a killer whale) which was rather impressive even after getting majorly splashed (and we were in the 10th row but obvioulsy still in the Soak Zone)! Then it was onto the Raft ride which drenched us even more and JJG literally looked like he had just stepped out of the shower. We decided on the trifecta and went on the Journey to Atlantis ride. JJG had indicated we would get wet but only on our sides.... mmmmm. Yeah right! We sat at the front and as we came hurtling down the track into the water ......whooooosh......mega wave and we were covered all down our shorts. No more water I thought....but was I wrong. Whoosh ...another wave at the end saw us completely saturated. We would have been less wet if our clothes had been washed and spun dried! All part of the experience I was told :)


More rides (cable cars/tower ride) and more shows (pet show with trained dogs, cats, pigs and birds + dolphin show) made the day complete but I was told the day wasnt over yet!


An american style bbq at home was dinner which was nice as was a typical Australian serving rather then a mega American serving which would literally feed 2-3 people.

Next it was on to the baseball at Petco Park with JJG and Juliet. It was a great night with San Diego Padres beating LA Dodgers 4-2. I also experienced 'The 7th Innings Stretch.' A time when the whole ground rises to there feets and sings, karaoke style,'Take Me Out To The Ball Game.' Apparently a tradition around the US. After the game JJG shouted us a ride in a 3 wheeler bike that some poor guy rode around trying to earn a leaving but at $10pp minimum he wasnt doing too bad. Three blocks later we arrived at the 'Field' Irish pub and had a few pints of Irish/English beer...just like what we get in Irish pubs in Oz.


After an unusual request from a guy to swap shirts (he wanted my Superman shirt as had worked on the film) we headed to Henrys for a few more drinks. The music was pretty good and I was aksed for the third time if I was a New Zealander! Im yet to find out why people assume we're NZ in lieu of Aussies! Anyway I still have plenty of time for that.


I also learnt to speak American - 'Whatever'. My new favourite word. AND remember to accentuate your rrrrrrr's! Its rrrroooooom, harrrrrrrd etc.