Open Up Those Golden Gates . . .

. . . We've Arrived!!!

After going across the Golden Gate Bridge we paused to gaze back at

The City. We then crossed back over The Bridge and plunged into our day-long adventure of FUN!

The Academy of Sciences captured our first tourist dollar but clearly I found the Steinhart Aquarium and other exhibits so completely new and exciting, after the extensive remodel since my last visit, that I forgot to take any pics at all of the alligators, fish, African (stuffed) animals, South African (LIVE) penguins, not to mention the FABULOUS tropical rainforest exhibit complete with birds, butterflies, poison dart frogs, leaf cutter ants, and lush flora. The rainforest was my favorite exhibit . . . alas, no pics. : (

A nice young man at the souvenir concession
offered to take our photo
and *DING!*
I remembered I had a camera. : D (L to R: Me, Lydia, Rachel, Aunt Lisa)

We exited the Academy of Sciences
and ventured across the park to
The Japanese Tea Gardens.

(A little plastic tray that ferried our check to us at the Tea House -- so cute!)

This Friendship Gate ushered us into lush and tranquil gardens,

Offering breathtaking vistas,
Peaceful coves inviting personal reflection (*snicker*),
And quiet meandering walks among the well-tended woods.

Brilliantly-hued pagodas . . .
. . . And hillside beauty complete with waterfalls enchanted us.

The still pond waters doubled the beauty of the moment.

We enjoyed the few koi fish we could find,

learning from the gardener that raccoons fish regularly each night

thus depleting the stock.

We took the challenge and climbed high atop the streams for a fresh view. No trip to the Tea Garden would be complete without a pause for tea.

We chose Jasmine tea and a delightful assortment of cookies.

Aunt Lisa enjoyed Jasmine tea for the VERY FIRST TIME!

I recalled fond girlhood memories of tea dates

with my "Nonie" in this very spot.

We all felt very fortunate to be in such a beautiful place,

sharing such a peaceful moment together.

After a trip to the gift shop
(any guess what Miss Rachel purchased?)

we set off for the parking garage as we required transport

to the next exciting item on the agenda.

* * * * *

I'll return soon with photos from our jaunt down to
Fisherman's Wharf

where we dined upon deliciously fresh seafood

and watched with delight

as the sun set on our very special day in The City.