Traveling means different things to different people. For some people, it might be the adventures, experiences, new cultures, or unplanned moments with strangers along the journey. For me, it feels good to be surrounded by nature, intriguing landscapes and calming remote areas. Emotions will certainly fluctuate when unexpected moments occur during travel, but it is moments like these that lead to lasting memories.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Duration: 25-30 September 2017
Locations: Napa and San Francisco, California, USA
Gear: SONY A7RII; Sony 24-70MM f/2.8 Vario Sonnar T*;
Canon 17mm TS-E f/4L; EF USM III 16-35MM f/2.8L III; vivo x20;
Photography: Bing Qin Yu Xin
Having reliable internet access is crucial for an overseas trip for navigation, research, and communication. Your ability to get around is severely limited when you do not have access to data.
During my trip to the USA, I used the Ediandian Connection global data SIM card. It was super easy to use, as I only had to insert the card into my phone - no need for renting, picking it up, returning it or leaving a deposit with WiFi units. The speed was good, I had unlimited hotspot availability, I used an online translator, and calls to China were RMB 0.08 per minute.
This suitcase has a ribbed construction that is made to better withstand impacts and provide more support. How sturdy was it? Sturdy enough for me to sit on it at the airport and spin around without it being affected at all.
Life on the road has it’s delights and frustrations. The Xiaomi 90 Points metal suitcase was extremely durable, practical, and really nice looking during the entire trip.
One last suggestion.
Gentle autumn winds sweep across the land, loosening leaves one by one. In the valley, the vineyards stretch in ordered rows, each vine so meticulously aligned that the earth appears to have combed them into place.
The trellises run horizontally and vertically, dividing the land into rhythmic blocks of moving lines. It resembles a simple, graceful piece of piano music.
Young people may once leave their hometowns carrying big dreams, yet many eventually return to the towns that raised them tending their vineyards and making wine. No matter where local wine, the familiar scenery, and loved ones remain their deepest attachment.
The exact meaning of \u201cNapa\u201d has been lost to time. Proposed meanings include “Grizzly bear,” “house,” and “homeland.” Locally, however, another interpretation endures: “You will return.”
Even at sunrise when the contrast was strong the vivo x20 handled backlit scenes with ease, it’s impressive for a phone described as a backlight master. The scenery is as intoxicating as the wine: vast vineyards held between water and mountains.
Napa Valley is synonymous with fine red wine and beautiful landscapes. It is America\u2019s best-known wine region. The Napa Valley area is particularly suitable for grape growing because of its Mediterranean-style conditions including warm days and cool nights. The soil in this area is also beneficial.
Napa Valley is northeast of San Francisco and was once considered to be one of the top ten destinations in the world for red wine. Unfortunately, after this visit, wildfires began on the evening of October 8 in Napa and Sonoma as well as surrounding areas. There were high temperatures and dry conditions with strong winds which created a fire threat and varying levels of damage in 8 surrounding counties. Local news outlets reported that hundreds of wineries in Napa County had significant operational shutdowns, and some were destroyed by the fires. At this time, it was impossible to predict the long-term effects on tourism, wine production, and quality.
Napa
It was quick and easy to get to significant attractions in the city from the hotel, including the California Historical Society, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the Museum of the African Diaspora. All were close by.
When traveling abroad, feelings of homesickness can arise, but a hotel room that is warm and tidy can provide modest comfort.
Our exploration of San Francisco was greatly facilitated by the hotel's location at Park Central Hotel near Union Square.
Park Central Hotel
The era that once made the blood race is over. It remains a question for those walking along this street these days: are they hippies, or just drifters?
Several of the old street-facing houses that are part of Haight-Ashbury still hold a distinctly Victorian elegance. The neighborhood’s vintage stores, tattoo shops, bars, craft boutiques, and pipe shops help maintain the neighborhood’s hippie personality.
Spiritual home remains, but the defiant hippies are now grey and nostalgic. There is plenty of graffiti and hippie clothing shops, but for many, the utopia of freedom and joy has vanished. What is left is a place that is increasingly determined by its commercialism.
From one of the second floor shops, there is a pair of legs protruding from the window which are decked out in red high heels and black fishnet stockings.
“If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair…” The opening lines of the 1967 hit by Scott McKenzie drew many idealistic young Americans to the city and tied the song to the Haight-Ashbury district, which was a mecca of hippie culture.
Hippie Culture
Here graffiti has evolved from the casual scrawls that people used to dismiss. The raw and unfiltered artwork that decorates the walls and sometimes the streets is not easily ignored.
Traditionally, the main surface for graffiti has been walls. However, by the late 20th century, artists had begun extending their practice to other surfaces. In the 21st century, many young innovators have combined graffiti with hip-hop and fashion, pushing the art form in multiple new directions. Wall-based graffiti remains energetic and bright. \n \nThe Chinese word for “graffiti” dates back to the Tang dynasty. It was said that a poet named Lu Tong described his son’s mischievous writing, and over time, it referred to an art movement that was evolving during the time. \n \nAs soon as we stepped foot on Clarion Alley Street Art, we noticed that colorful, dazzling, and spectacular didn’t even come close. It was so ‘cool’ that nothing else would describe it. \n \nGraffiti Alley \n \nThis remains an oasis, a safe place from the bustling city which has no forests of high buildings or an office worker crowd. Just distinct houses by the hills and water, and a row of yachts on the shore. It breaks from the urban pattern and feels like the Mediterranean edge of Europe. \n \nIf sitting down for a long, relaxed afternoon tea sounds good, and switching off for a bit sounds appealing, then this town will suit you. Many of the scenes from the 2000 romantic film Once in a Lifetime with Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai were filmed here. \n \nWhile Sausalito may not share the energy of San Francisco, it still holds the quietness to counterbalance that easily making it a simple escape from the bustling city. \n \nDuring WWII, Sausalito served as a shipyard, and has since developed into the easy-going and relaxed community it is today. Even the name Sausalito brings about a sense of leisure. \n \nSausalito is a small town right next to San Francisco that has become known among Chinese residents as “Xiaosa Lido,” a poetic name for a romantic seaside town. The Golden Gate Bridge looks like an open arm of San Francisco, welcoming all to Sausalito. Sausalito Downtown San Francisco is located behind the Six Sisters. Alamo Square has a great view of the most important pieces of the city, and the sky at night can be quite beautiful. The backlit HDR of the vivo x20 was particularly good in this situation because it was able to focus quickly, balance the exposure, and retain detail in the darker areas. The nickname the Six Sisters was given to these houses because they were the only ones still standing after a major earthquake of magnitude 8 that affected the entire city. The houses also still stand today!
They appear on so many items including postcards, calendars, magnets, t-shirts, music boxes, and keychains. The Painted Ladies have a beautiful view of Alamo Square and are Queen Anne Victorian style, making them some of the most sought after photos in the city. The Six Sisters The entire city appears to be at your fingertips from this position. After purchasing a ticket from the gift shop on the ground floor, they can take an elevator to the observation deck. There, they will find frames around the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, the central business district, and the vast Pacific Ocean. Coit Tower is located on a slope of Telegraph Hill. At 60 meters tall, it looks like the end of a fire hose. When I went there, there was an $8 ticket range for the elevator that goes to the top. Coit Tower It is very easy to feel the academic culture as soon as you enter the University of California, Berkeley. Countless scholars have passed through these grounds. \ In the first global university rankings by U.S. News & World Report, UC Berkeley ranked third in the world. \ UC Berkeley is also one of the finest public research universities in the United States and one of the most prestigious public universities in the world. \ UC Berkeley \ Like many Catholic churches, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption employs stained glass as a major component of both design and experience. Four bands of stained glass design the cross at the top of the building. \ The design emphasizes a cross with horizontal and vertical lines, drawing the eye up to the great dome. \ The design of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption by Pietro Belluschi and Pier Luigi Nervi completely breaks out of the conventional church shapes;
viewed from above, the main structure's roof is a large cross. \ Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption \ This cathedral may not be old, but it has a deep, enveloping soul quality, appreciated by Americans as an important center of community life. \ Grace Cathedral, built between 1927 and 1964, is situated on Nob Hill and is a replica of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Its front doors are reminiscent of the Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery of Florence. \ I have come to the realization that I have an affinity for churches, no matter what their style, be it Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, Catholic or Protestant. I always find it hard to leave the place because of the deep faith, the genuine and clear chants, and the beautiful design.
Grace Cathedral
San Francisco’s Twin Peaks consists of two hills about 270 meters tall. The early Spanish settlers named the hills, and the hills offer a 360-degree view of the city. They are also said to be the last natural hills in San Francisco.
Every metropolis, like a young woman, is changeable. Sometimes she is modest and elegant, while at other times she is daring and enchanting. This is also the case with San Francisco. The view from Twin Peaks is captivating during the day and at night.
Twin Peaks
We were lucky to get to City Hall on a day without a holiday when there were no more than a handful of people, and it felt almost like a private building.
San Francisco City Hall is almost 50,000 square meters and is a true Beaux-Arts building. It embodies the City Beautiful Movement of the late 19th century. The style derives its essence from grand symmetry and profuse detailing, which creates a stark contrast with modern utilitarianism.
That is an attractive vision of a modern society and of a government that can credibly serve its people.
There was no visible security, no ID checks, and no guards at the entrances. Security was focused on screening for weapons. Areas of work and zones that were off-limits were separated by simple ropes. A government building? That surprised me almost as much as an on-time domestic flight departure.
It was my first time being able to walk into a government building. I had heard government buildings could be visited by the public and figured I just had to take advantage of that opportunity.
City Hall
Victory sits atop the column in the center of the plaza. It is a central and defining symbol of the City Hall. Shoppers at the surrounding high-end stores often stop and rest here.
Union Square in San Francisco has a little park right at its center. It is designed and arranged like a small park with palm trees and flowering shrubs. Union Square looks like it should be a big transportation hub, but actually, it is small.
As I stood in the street, I looked at the climbing flowers that reached the top of the walls. I could see the dedication that people had for keeping the greenery trimmed.
Like every other visitor on foot, I could only take in the cheerful atmosphere from these walkways.
Many cars drive down Lombard Street for the flowers. The street looks like it has a red-carpet procession just for fun.
As the cars moved at a very slow pace, the people in the cars took turns opening their windows and screaming at the tourists. Many people hung out of the car windows and struck poses.
It was hard to resist the street with flowers and the crooked street, while the photos of the street popped up on my social media feeds.
As soon as I got to San Francisco, I knew I had to go to Lombard Street.
LOMBARD STREET
The Golden Gate Bridge has car lanes and a path for people to walk and cycle. It's towering 200 meters above the ground - that's about 70 stories!
When you are cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge and the world is spread out under you, it feels like you are dominating everything.
The memory of riding a hired bike over the bridge will last a lifetime.
CYCLING ACROSS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Watching the Bay from the bridge puts life into perspective. Time keeps ticking away, and because of that we should appreciate what we have in the moment.
The bridge is San Francisco's most popular tourist attraction and has been featured in movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and X-Men. There is nothing more unforgettable than the bridge’s orange-red towers rising from a sea of fog.
The first design for the Golden Gate Bridge was done by bridge engineer Joseph Strauss. He had designed over 400 small inland bridges, and he spent more than a decade convincing the people of Northern California to build this one.
This construction masterpiece is historically known for its stunning orange-red color and the fog that surrounds it. Unfortunately, it has also become a popular suicide site.
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
In the morning, fishermen leave from Fisherman’s Wharf to catch California Dungeness crab and other seafood. Visitors who like seafood can see fishermen unloading their fish catches at the docks, and they can do this by arriving early. The waters around Fisherman's Wharf contain crabs, shrimp, abalones, squid, sea urchins, and fish like salmon, mackerel, and cod. The best time to go for seafood is November to June. There is no soft sand beach, but many shops and restaurants, along with street performers, can keep visitors entertained for the day. Fisherman's Wharf is right next to Pier 39. Look for a big crab sign and you will find one of the best seafood places in San Francisco. Time moves slowly at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Most of the time, life moves in a blur, so it is good to enjoy the moment, especially when visiting Pier 39 is part of a busy schedule. If you are visiting Union Square and Chinatown, it will be easy to add Pier 39 to your day. Also, you can see sea lions here. The former Italian fishing dock is a beautiful spot where the blue of the sky and water, the distant mountains and the hills come together. Seabirds fly in an over the water, and many boats are the harbor, resting. Lots of people come to Pier 39, and you should too. You can watch performance art, try a 7D motion-simulation game, or even rent a yacht to cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge!
Pier 39
The streets of San Francisco are steep and windy, and an experienced driver may find it difficult to navigate. Hiring a local guide can ease the process as they handle the food, entertainment, and logistics. Plus, they speak your language!
Aside from the iconic ringing of the city’s cable cars, travelers in the United States have the option to hire a vehicle for easy transport. For this trip, I used the ‘Huangbaoche’ Chinese-language private-car travel app to secure a Mercedes that fits seven. My guide, who spoke Chinese, did all the work. She knew the area and was on time, leaving no room for stress with navigating, parking, paying, or any language barriers.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the cable car conductor, and seated passengers will enjoy the smooth ride. Or like me, you can stand and, hold on to the pole by the door for a thrill as you take in the best views of this amazing West Coast city. \n
The cable car gets its name from the ringing sound it makes as it runs. This cheerful transport has been operating on San Francisco’s hills for 150 years.
Cable Car
San Francisco started as a Spanish colony, then became part of Mexico after Mexico won its independence, and then changed hands again to the United States after the Mexican-American War. With a long history, the city also has a mix of cultures which allows a variety of Latin culture to thrive. During the Gold Rush in the 19th Century, a number of Chinese laborers moved to the area to settle. They referred to the region as Gold Mountain. Later, when a gold rush occurred in Melbourne, Australia, the area was named New Gold Mountain as a reference to the gold rush. This also resulted in the area being referred to as Old Gold Mountain. The area referred to Old Gold Mountain is actually is not located in New Gold Mountain. The area is actually known as San Francisco. The name can also be translated into Saint Francis, or in Chinese as San Fan. Driving in San Francisco is challenging because of the steepness of the hills. If you are tired from walking, sitting in a cafe is a great way to watch the people in the city. In central neighborhoods of San Francisco, a wide range of colors is used in the Victorian style houses which are part of everyday life. People can be moved by even small details. Many people have an interest in architecture and are moved by the houses. Walking through the streets of San Francisco has a lot to offer. Small shops and restaurants line the street and are decorated in an independent style. The streets are filled with cable cars that ring and people greet each other warmly. While New York may be too restless, Las Vegas might be too flashy, Buffalo may feel too lonely, and Los Angeles might be too spread out, San Francisco has the right level of liveliness. Only San Francisco occupies this kind of diversity and has this much poetry in its streetscapes.
Liza Ono sings, ‘I left my heart in San Francisco’. That feels just about right.
It is said that a life is fulfilled by raising a child, planting a tree and writing a book.
—Émile Zola
But it can also be about traveling. To see different worlds, walk on different soil, breath different air, and hold the memories for a lifetime.
