Visit Sausalito

Drove down to Sausalito and went for a walk along the waterfront.It was pretty cold and there was a strong wind blowing .Yet it was pleasant. There were a number of people like us going for a walk. There were quite a few cyclists. It was not a clear day, otherwise we can see the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco clearly from here ,which we did once when we came here.We have come here a number of times for a walk and a cup of Starbucks coffee .

One night we came here ,after the Friday bhajans .Even though it was dark, it was quite romantic to see the lights in the buildings of downtown San Francisco very clearly .Here they do not put off lights in the office buildings in the night after they close their offices for the day. Seems to be the custom . So we could see the city lights simply glittering - across the Ocean. That day it was a very pleasant night and the sky was clear with no fog or any kind of obstruction .A rare and unforgetteable sight. The Angels Island can also be seen from here .

We have come here a number of times in the mornings on a week end and also had breakfast (read biscuits or sandwiches) alongwith some good hot coffee. Sausalito is a very artistically designed small town suburb of San Francisco with restaurants on and along the waterfront. You can also do some very exotic shopping here picking up maybe a Picasso or a Rembrandt painting . You also have some ready made garments shop where the prices will blow you through the roof. A meal in a restaurant specialising in sea food varieites could cost you around $200 or more per person !

Visit Angels Island

Attended the bhajans at Sausalito on Friday.The bhajans were as usual melodious,sweet and dripping with devotion. On 9 th Aug (Sun) Sai decided suddenly that we should go to Angels Island. We left so that we could catch the earliest Ferry which was leaving Tiburon Ferry Terminal at 9.30 am so that we could come back home for lunch .At the Ferry Terminal people had come with bicycles as there are good cycling tracks in the Island. The Trekkers were also all decked up; as there are good hiking trails up in the Island. Many had their knapsacks full of eatables and the inevitable Beer (!) .Overall everybody was out to enjoy themselves.

The “Ferry journey” to the Angels Island was short – maybe 15 minutes or so as the Island is not very far away from Tiburon. The place is breathtakingly beautiful and very well maintained - lush green lawns, tall lovely trees and the bay anchoring several yachts and boats. There is a small Museum which has several photographs and illustrations about the Island’s history .It goes something like this.

In 1775 “San Carlos” the first known Spanish ship to enter the San Francisco Bay, anchored in this Island. While the Commander of the ship, Lt Juan De Ayala directed the first survey of the Bay Area, he named this Island “Isla De Los Angeles (Suspiciously similar to Los Angeles isn’t it?).Since then this Island has been a Mexican rancho, a US military post ,a Bay Defence site and both a quarantine and immigration station.

There were many children, being helped by their Dads and Moms to enjoy themselves. One thing which I have noticed is that a lot of American parents devote all their spare quality time for their children-whether it is for taking them for a basketball/baseball /football game or trekking or cycling. Parents spending quality time with their children is so important for their good upbringing.

Many were enjoying their snacks/lunch packages and one school had come as a group. We went trekking for a short distance and then came back to base. In one open area a caterer’s team was cooking a sumptuous lunch for some Group and was arranging the tables. It was then that we felt that we should also come as a Group here and for an organized picnic. Came back home and had our lunch .