17 Dec, Sunday - Lombard Street, Art Palace, Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco - Part 2
We went to Lombard Street- San Francisco and America's crookedest street. First, we had to climb up a slope because the street is further up and buses are not allow to go up there.

Lombard Street actually consists of 7 very tight bends down a very steep slope. In spring and summer, the street is suppose to be super beautiful with flowers lining the street. Saw the picture on a postcard at a store near Golden Gate Bridge, it really looked beautiful. Something like Butchart Garden. Unfortunately, we couldn't see as we did not visit this place at the right season. Although the climb up the slope was tiring but the view we got from up there of the city made it worthwhile. And I have to admit, I am growing fatter. The cheeks look so roundish. Arrgh. It was even more amazing when we saw cars driving down. The bends are so steep. It is like many times the slope down my condo's car park. The slope down to my condo's car park is already steep, just imagine turning 7 bends.. The drivers must be super careful and skillful to maneuver the cars.
Next stop was at the Palace of the Fine art. The rome-inspired dome shaped structure pictured below was actually built for a 1915 exposition. Today it is maintained as an exploratorium and heritage site. I remembered the tour guide said that it was actually built for display and the people like it so much, they decided to rebuild this structure with proper materials. The architecture is really nice, very Greek-like.

Next on our itinery was the Golden Gate Bridge, landmark of San Francisco. The weather in San Francisco was wonderful that day, sunny and no fog, so we could take many nice photos of the bridge. We also walked halfway onto the bridge to capture the sights of San Francisco. It was so amusing to see these signs. But I am not surprised that people would want to commit suicide. But doesn't the height and water scare you. Beautiful views and the wind was so nice.. Though it kept blowing my hair, hard to take nice pictures without the hair flying all over.