We woke up for our last day at the farm and we were made some waffles for breakfast!
We went to see one of the kids’ gymnastics performance nearby. This was great to see all of the kids having fun.
Unfortunately we had to leave before it was done and drive to Oslo! We had never been so we wanted to see what it was like so we drove there to stay for our final night in Norway. We stopped in Kongsberg for snack and coffee, of course!
We got rid of the car, which wasn’t super easy to find and it was actually in a parking structure but maps took us to a different location! Once we did that we got ourselves checked in to our hotel which was right on one of the main streets. We had a shower and freshened up before walking for some dinner.
We walked fairly far to get a burger for dinner but it was great as we got to see a lot of the city.
Once dinner was done, we continued our long walk around Oslo and all of the different areas! We also went to the cool looking opera house that they have in Oslo.
For the evening we had a nice relaxing time with snacks in bed and watched some TV.
Day 2
We had free breakfast at the hotel but it was a nightmare! Far too busy for such a small spot.
We walked to the King’s castle and we walked around the park that is attached to the castle. It was such a peaceful place to walk around and the architecture, as is Europe, was beautiful.
We went to ‘Frognerparken’ which is the famous park with a lot of nude sculptures in it, which is one part of it but also it’s a nice park and the sculptures look cool!
We walked to find ourselves a coffee and then walked to Askerhus festing, which is an old castle/military fort.
We walked quite far from here to ‘Gamle Oslo’ which is the old part of town which also has a very new part just around it. We wanted to check this out and we loved it.
We went back to the hotel to get ourselves sorted and then headed to catch the train to the airport.
We flew back to the UK to spend a couple more days there.
Kim’s dad, Tom, picked us up from the airport and we had a McDonald’s for dinner on the way home, of course! It was time to sleep once we got back.
Curtis had a day off today, so he did very little! He played some games, drank a lot of coffee and that was that all day, really!
Curtis did one thing of note, which was get the old sofa finally picked up! We were unable to see it, unfortunately, so instead we paid to have it recycled.
Curtis didn’t have to do much, other than help them through the doors. He did book the elevator too, but unfortunately it was already in use, so he had to use the one other elevator. It was a bit awkward as that elevator was already in a lot of use due to the other one being booked, so people were not too happy when they saw it being used for a sofa! Either way, finally, it’s gone!
We now have SO MUCH ROOM in the apartment, which helps us with a few other plans we have.
Curtis did make a potato salad today for our dinner, though it won’t be as good as Kim’s!
Kim’s Day
Kim had a meeting heavy day today! In the morning Kim joined two interviews. She had a review after the first and then had a daily check in with her new teammate. After the second interview she had a quick chat with one of the people who was also there and then they had the final review in the weekly team meeting.
In the afternoon Kim had a check in with a manager to see how their new employee has been getting on. Then she worked with a teammate for the rest of the afternoon to make plans, work on documents and iron out a few things.
Evening
Once Kim got back home, we had burgers for dinner as well as the potato salad Curtis made and some corn on the cob.
We ate that and watched a bit of TV and then we headed to bed!
We had a lazy morning, just had a bagel each and watched some YouTube.
We eventually got ready and decided we wanted to go out for the day. We hopped in the car and googled to find somewhere fairly close to go as its long weekend, therefore all places places to go will be very busy, so we found somewhere a little different.
We drove for about 30 minutes to get to Steveston.This is a fairly small, former fishing town in Richmond.
We arrived and eventually found some parking. We had a couple of plan for whilst we were there, but we didn’t really know anything about the place.
Coffee, Of Course
We started by finding a coffee spot. We found a really nice, and cheap, place called Rocanini Roasters.
Curtis had a flat white and Kim had a mocha.They were both pretty good, but not the best we have had!
Former Tram
This town used to have a tram system that ran through it.
We went rright across from the coffee shop and there was the tram they used to have!
We walked along the tracks and came to a small forest walk, so we partook in that for a bit.The town is quaint but also a bit built up in some areas, though a lot of the older buildings are still around.
Waterside Walk
We walked along the side of the water for a while, just for something to do.We got to a point and wondered if we should continue as it didn’t seem that there was much going on, but we then saw a cool old building in the distance so wanted to investigate.
Former Fishing Area & Living Quarters
We stumbled upon the former fishing area, where there were living quarters and multiple buildings, which could be entered, which were used during this time.
This was a museum area and was actually very interesting.
The first building we entered was a building for both hanging nets as well as making things, such as steering wheels for boats.
There was many older artefacts still around and in good condition, as well as a lot of machinery.
We moved on from here to the living quarters.
All of these are segregated, so there were the likes of a Japanese house and a Chinese house.
These were all pretty small for the amount of people that would have lived in them.
Boat House
We finished off in the boat house, which had a few different uses but was used most recently to store and build boats.
We looked around and saw lots of things along with boats, such as a few ddifferent workshops, such as the engine workshop and the blacksmith.
Ice Cream!
We walked back and had previously spotted an ice cream place, so went and got one there.
Kim got salted caramel and chocolate and Curtis had whisky coffee.
We sat outside and had our ice cream and just chatted about our day!
After our ice cream, we got back into the car and drove home.
Hockey Gear
When we got home, Kim vacuumed the car whilst Curtis got his hockey gear ready! He has a team scrimmage tomorrow, which he is very excited for!
Kim went out to get some things from the shop and then when she got back she began to make dinner.
Sweet Chilli Wedges
We have been discussing having sweet chilli wedges for a few days now, so we finally decided to today, and it was an excellent choice.
We ate some dinner, drank some wine and watched some TV. A fun day all around!
After getting up and having breakfast, we had a goal which was to get oir visa information printed so we are able to work in our next location.
We got to the library, which is just a block up from our house, but their printer was under maintenance so we couldn’t print then, but they said it would be available later in the day.
With that, we went back home and did some washing.
Coffee
To waste more time before trying to print again, and for our laundry to complete, we walked for 25 minutes to get a coffee.
We found a place that our Airbnb host had recommended called Bearcat Cafe.
This place was very busy and loud. Curtis ordered a cappucino which was terrific. A little small but more than strong enough.
Kim had an iced mocha that, to start with, tasted only like milk, so she got more chocolate added, which then made it too strong of a chocolate flavour.
We walked past the library on the way back and the printers were still out of action, so we went right home and got ready to go out.
We caught a bus in a different direction to usual.
Longue Vue House & Gardens
We got off the bus after 10 minutes or so and walked for 20 minutes to get to Longue Vue.
Long view is a large estate which has a beautiful gardens with a stunning house.
Due to the time we arrived, we had 45 minutes to see the gardens and then a guided house tour after.
It was starting to rain a little, but we still walked around, pleased with the beautiful gardens and even the golf course in the back of the house!
After we saw the gardens, we ended up bumping into the facilities manager of the house who we had a chat with before the tour. Our tour guide then came over also and we began our tour.
The tour started with some information about who owned the house and why it was there. We won’t spoil too much, but a couple had the house and then decided that they wanted to change the house. Instead of destroying it, they moved the house down the street and built one in its place. This happened around 1942.
The New House
The house was based on English houses they had seen and it is tremendous inside!
Unfortunately, we couldn’t take any photos inside, but we do have some facts.
This house was only the 2nd in the US to get air conditioning, just after the while house!
The house, being built in 1942, is very rare in that as it was during the war time, not many houses were built then.
Everything in the house is original and it is amazing. There are wide hallways and many domed and curved rooms.
Many famous and important people of the time visited the house, such as the president at the time’s wife (Elenor Roosevelt).
We were told about the family history also. The wife’s father owned Sears department store and also did a lot of charitable things, such as funding the building of over 5000 African American schools! The eldest some created the first TV channel in the south of the US also.
This tour was incredibly informative and our guide was wonderful. She was knowledgable but also very kind and was interested in us and our travels. She took us through to the playhouse which wasn’t used for plays but was used for parties and gatherings. This was a beautiful room and this is also where our tour ended, after we had some more conversation.
We began our walk back to the bus stop when a car pulled up and it was our guide, offering to give us a lift to the bus stop! This was incredibly kind of her and we jumped in and were dropped off at the bus stop.
The bus arrived shortly after and we made our way home.
Printing Success
We finally got to print our documents, which ended up taking about an hour to do and that is one less thing to worry about.
We the looked for somewhere to eat and got a bus into the French Quarter.
Dinner
We found a place which we had seen a few times but never gone in called Pierre Masperos. An interesting fact about this place is that it used to be a slave trading building, where slaves would be sold. Not exactly a nice thing, but an interesting fact non the less.
Our server was fantastic and very attentive. She recommended things and suggested things that were spot on!
Kim had chicken and waffles, which you’re meant to have in New Orleans. This had a honey and tobasco sauce which was odd, but the server suggested just maple syrup which was much better.
Curtis had crab cakes which were amazing! Again, our server brought us another sauce to try with it as she prefers that. Both sauces were great, as were the crab cakes.
Dessert
We saw a place just down the road which looked fancy but when going in it had cheap prices! Kim got a ‘brownie sundae’ which was actually just a big brownie with ice cream on. The guy making it had a great time!
Heading Home
We took some of the brownie with us and got a tram back to our bus stop.
We thought the bus was going to take 30 minutes, but the previous bus must have been late so we got on that one which was only a 5 minute wait.
We got home in record time and relaxed with some TV. We had another 8/9 hour day today, and tomorrow won’t be any less!
We took the tram to the city this morning and then had to take another tram to get down to where we needed to be.
We got there at exactly the time we needed to be and then had to stand in line for a while.
We eventually started to board the boat to Alcatraz Island (which means Pelican, by the way!).
The Arrival
We arrived at the island fairly quickly and there were a lot of people!
We first had to stop at the entrance and get a brief talk from a park ranger as Alcatraz is a national park.
The first building itself is quite daunting as thst isn’t even the prison! There is a cool sign at the entrance, too;
Theatre
We made our way up to the theatre and got a seat whilst waiting for the introductory film to play.
The film was about 15 minutes long and just explained the history of Alcatraz.
Workshop
We moved on from here to one of the workshops which was only open for a brief time today.
Along the way, we saw the power station, remains of the officer recreation hall and the former firing range.
The Power Station
Recreation Hall For Officers
We entered the workshop and it was pretty damaged. Most glass was smashed and there were sinks and toilets leftover, as well a sign, for some reason!
There was an art exhibition in another room in here, but it was pretty unrelated to the workshop.
This is the place in which prisoners would work, making things, sometimes for the military but also worked in the laundry area.
There were some incredible views from this island, especially with the weather we had for the start of the day!
The Prison
We walked up to the prison, getting some awesome photos on the way.
The Cell Block
The First Lighthouse In Western America
We got to the start of the audio tour, which was in the shower block of the prison, where there was also clothes from the prison times.
We went from here up some stairs and into the main prison block.
The audio guide told us multiple stories and information about different cells and locations around the prison, including solitary confinement, attempted escapes, living conditions and more.
A Prison Cell Which Someone Escaped From
Solitary Confinement
A Solitary Confinement Cell – Nicer, But The Prisoner Spends 24/7 Here
The Main Hallway
We moved through the library and we were then told about a part of the prison that has marks on the floor from grenade blasts which were thrown in during an attempted escape, via a hole in the roof.
We saw the visitation station, followed by the officer area and then the officer’s control room.
The final area was the most dangerous – The dining hall. This was where everyone ate and therefore had cutlery. A lot of the kitchen equipment is still there, along with a board of the menu for breakfast.
The food was the best here out of all the prisons, so much so that the guards ate the same as the prisoners.
Former Inmate
There was a former inmate, now in his 80’s, who was signing books. He has written a book about being in Alcatraz. His name is William Baker.
The ingredients are fresh and made to order, so it’s fast food, but fresh!
The burgers and the fries were terrific. The fries don’t look great, but they were fresh and delicious!
Cable Car
We were well filled, so we left here and planned to head home, but then saw the old cable car and had to jump on! Our transport passes got us on, too, so that’s a win!
These cable cars were 146 years old and the only city to have them was San Francisco.
We eventually got a chance to ride it hanging off the edge, which was awesome!
New Shoes
We got off the cable car in the shopping district and got Curtis a cheap pair of shoes for summer.
Curtis’ current shoes have lasted well, but they’ve hit the end of their life, so new shoes it is for Curtis. He got some nice Levi’s shoes, weirdly. Just $20 though!
Rammed Tram
We took the tram home, but this was at around 19:00 so it was absolutely rammed for a while.
We got home and were incredibly tired…we have been on our feet for over 9 hours, so laying down and watching TV was great.
Mr & Mrs Hale 