Travel log: WWDC 2004

So, Michael and I are currently in San Francisco for the Apple WWDC 2004. Here are some of the things that have happened to us or that we have seen so far.

Of course we tried to get an iPod Mini, but they seem impossible to get. We haven't tried the San Francisco Apple Store yet, but chances seem to be slim.

Wednesday, June 23rd

We have decided to take a flight a couple of days in advance of the conference to be able to do some shopping at the Apple Company Store and other places. We choose Delta from Munich via Atlanta to San Francisco. The plane was delayed almost 3 hours from Munich and the captain promised to make up some time. However, this airplane easily overtook us on our way:

In Atlanta, the airplane had to wait another hour for a landing slot due to bad weather. When we finally landed and crossed the taxi way, we saw a spectacular number of airplanes lined up for take off.

Immigration went smoothly as due to the delay, we came outside the usual hub time. The flight to San Francisco was also delayed another hour, so we arrived at SF at 11:50pm instead of 7:45pm as originally scheduled. We rented a car and drove down to Silicon Valley. The car they had left was pretty big:

At the hotel I originally wanted to stay which I knew from my last trip the concierge was very annoyed at our arrival and claimed not to have any vacancies. So we had to find another hotel and the one we found was a lot better. My girlfriend, Gaby, always tries to tell me that these things happen, but I never believe her. Maybe I should!

Thursday, June 24th

After getting to bed at 3am, we had to sleep in a bit. Then we took of for a first Jamba Juice and in & out Burger breakfast. After that, we went to the Mall to shop for various items to complete our wardrobe. This took quite a while and when we were finished, we met with Katrin, the US representative of our parent company GeBE for a typical american spare ribs and corn BBQ.

Friday, June 25th

After breakfast (Jamba Juice and chicken teryiaki wraps) we quickly finished our shopping and set off for some sightseeing. Michael decided that he wanted to go to the beaches in Santa Cruz. On the way, we dropped in at the Mystery Spot. Quite a nice tourist trap where you love to spend time and money to be amazed by strange natural phenomena.

After that we went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. A not so innocent tourist trap where you just spend money. There is a nice beach though, and despite the fact that the girls are not sunbathing topless, they are nice to look at.

Also nice to look at is the historical railroad that goes into the redwoods for a look around.

Saturday, June 26th

After breakfast (sandwiches and Jamba Juice), we are off to San Francisco via the Skyline Blvd. In San Francisco we do the sights. First, of course, Twin Peaks for a view on FS Downtown.

Then, to the Golden Gate Park. There we took a ride with a pedal boat. Unfortunately, the boat took on water when I sat in front, so I had to get to the center of the boat and Michael needed to do all the pedalling by himself. I took the helm and safely navigated the boat around the lake.

The Stow Lake is full of turtles:

At the other end of the park is a lake without at slope, so that people can race sail boats like they did in the 1950s without Remote Control:

They use a large stick to keep the boats from crashing into the lake border.

At the Pacific end of the park, the wind was quite strong and blew the sand accross the beach and into our shoes.

Ideal conditions for wind surfing, however.

Last stop, Golden Gate bridge, of course. At Fort Point, every tourist's nightmare comes true:

The rest of the day: Check in at the hotel, the Avis car rental return is just one block away and after a short break to get settled in, we went to a Thai Noodle Cafe for dinner.

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