Hi all,
We left Rosarito Beach on 3/31 about 11 am expecting anywhere from 2-4 hours of a wait to cross the Mexico/San Diego border. We were very lucky as it took us a little less than one hour to cross. Very simple process as we showed our passports and were not asked to exit the vehicle or check the vehicle/trunk or go through our luggage. Check out the photos as we had no idea street vendors would be approaching the vehicle and selling their goods (blankets, clothing, pictures, artwork, etc.) as well as offering many food items. We watched as cars ordered food and the vendor took the order and ran to have it filled and ran back to find the vehicle to provide their food order (some had to run ¼ to ½ mile to catch up to the vehicle). We definitely had to try the fresh churros, one bag when we first started and the second bag as we were approaching the checkpoint – they were hot and delicious!
We left Rosarito Beach on 3/31 about 11 am expecting anywhere from 2-4 hours of a wait to cross the Mexico/San Diego border. We were very lucky as it took us a little less than one hour to cross. Very simple process as we showed our passports and were not asked to exit the vehicle or check the vehicle/trunk or go through our luggage. Check out the photos as we had no idea street vendors would be approaching the vehicle and selling their goods (blankets, clothing, pictures, artwork, etc.) as well as offering many food items. We watched as cars ordered food and the vendor took the order and ran to have it filled and ran back to find the vehicle to provide their food order (some had to run ¼ to ½ mile to catch up to the vehicle). We definitely had to try the fresh churros, one bag when we first started and the second bag as we were approaching the checkpoint – they were hot and delicious!
From the checkpoint we headed to the Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro) to stay for the afternoon and evening on the Queen Mary. (Janet Weisman, thanks for the recommendation to stay here, it was great!). The Queen Mary’s historic maiden voyage was in May, 1936 and was considered at the time the grandest ocean liner ever built. After four years of carrying passengers and mail between South Hampton and New York, the Queen Mary in March, 1940 was drafted into service in World War II. She became a troop carrier and hospital ship and operated under the alias “Grey Ghost.” She was named so because her entire body was painted grey for camouflage as a dense mechanism to avoid the German boats. In 1943 she set the record for carrying the greatest number of people on a floating vessel? How many do you think? Can you believe over 16,000, this record still stands today as the greatest number of people aboard a floating vessel.
In the early 1960s all passenger liners began to lose money. Jet air travel was becoming the primary mode of transatlantic transportation, so the Cunard Line decided to put the Queen Mary up for sale. The largest bidder came from the City of Long Beach, California. Between 1967 and 1971 she was transformed into a floating hotel, a convention center and a tourist attraction. If you ever happen to be in the area of Long Beach prior to a cruise or traveling nearby, do check out the Queen Mary. The total cost including taxes for a room was about $110 a night. Guided and audio tours are available which include views of the officers’ quarters, access to the bridge, Russian submarine, engine room as well as the Queen Mary Historic Booth and Story Timeline.
In the early 1960s all passenger liners began to lose money. Jet air travel was becoming the primary mode of transatlantic transportation, so the Cunard Line decided to put the Queen Mary up for sale. The largest bidder came from the City of Long Beach, California. Between 1967 and 1971 she was transformed into a floating hotel, a convention center and a tourist attraction. If you ever happen to be in the area of Long Beach prior to a cruise or traveling nearby, do check out the Queen Mary. The total cost including taxes for a room was about $110 a night. Guided and audio tours are available which include views of the officers’ quarters, access to the bridge, Russian submarine, engine room as well as the Queen Mary Historic Booth and Story Timeline.
On Tuesday, 4/01 we had lunch at the San Pedro Fish Market. Don’t miss this stop as you can choose your seafood and have it cooked how you want. Since we were leaving on a cruise, we ate lightly and split a fish and chips platter (swordfish). It was great! Our son, Chris selected Tuna and had it blackened with potatoes as a side. Several seafood restaurants are located next to each other and share an outdoor (covered pavilion) overlooking Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles.
As we departed from the port, you will notice Long Beach in the background and see the battleship Iowa which was next to our ship. In the port there are so many cargo ship loading bays transferring containers coming into the US and those that are leaving to go abroad onto the many cargo ships that use this port daily.
We are at sea for the next 4 days before we arrive in Hilo(Hawaii) on April 6. Hope you are enjoying our blogs!
Greg and Sharon Conrad
As we departed from the port, you will notice Long Beach in the background and see the battleship Iowa which was next to our ship. In the port there are so many cargo ship loading bays transferring containers coming into the US and those that are leaving to go abroad onto the many cargo ships that use this port daily.
We are at sea for the next 4 days before we arrive in Hilo(Hawaii) on April 6. Hope you are enjoying our blogs!
Greg and Sharon Conrad
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