Cruise Round-up Part II

Our third port of call was San Diego.  This is a city we know quite well, although we didn't know the new Gaslamp Quarter which we walked around in the afternoon.  It's a couple of blocks of shops, restaurants and bars that was just getting started for the day's customers.  It's a huge improvement on the old downtown area which used to be quite scuzzy.

The highlight of the visit was a trip around the USS Midway which is now a museum.  I'll  be writing a piece on it for the paper.  Too bad I wasn't able to call in advance and get free tickets - as a powerful member of the elite liberal media!!!!

"The Island" where the admiral controls things.

The aircraft carrier which starred in Tom Cruise's movie, Top Gun, was the biggest ship afloat when it was launched in 1945.  It was finally retired in 1992.

A couple of days ago two S. Californian college football teams played a match on the flight deck, and there was plenty of room for spectators.
The piece in the Sun should come out on Nov 27th.

The Flight Deck - big enough to play a football match!

Our final port of call was the small Mexican town of Ensenada.  Fortunately, the cartels have left this alone so far and we took a shuttle into the center and a walk back.  As usual we were regaled with the usual vendors who all seem to think that they can't sell anything unless they're making a nuisance of themselves.  We had lunch at a real "locals" place called La Comadre.  It was superb. Handmade tacos with a variety of meats to put in them and all sorts of toppings too.  Lunch for three came out at about $7.  I had to have more as well.



On the way  back I took a picture of our travelling companion, Charlie,  with S.W.M.B.O.  The Mexicans do like big flags.



And finally, the sharp end of the Sapphire Princess - it's big!