Independence Day Long Weekend Holidays

Berkeley Marina

Early Sunset at Berkeley Marina

Late Sunset at Berkeley Marina

Napa Valley

Sonoma Coast

A friend I knew when I was in Japan (now in Cincinnati, USA) came to pay me a visit over the Independence Day long weekend holidays...I was glad that he came cause I had no plans to celebrate 4th July or to take a holiday over long weekend...We went over to Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy the 20mins fireworks overlooking the bay...it was so crowded and COLD!!!! We couldn't really see clear fireworks shooting over the skies because of the fog and the view was also partially block by people standing all over the place. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was pretty good where everyone was celebrating Independence Day.

The next day, we rented a convertible Ford Mustang for our trip to Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast. We went to two vineyard for wine tasting. We tasted 8 types of wine and I realized that I prefer sweet wine with some fruit taste in it. The drive to Napa was about 1.5hrs while to Sonoma Coast was bout 2.5hrs because of the winding road around the mountains from St. Helena to Bodega Bay. We reached Bodega Bay around 5.30pm, and it was so windy as opposed to the hot weather in Napa. The drive from Bodega Bay to Jenner along the Pacific coast was indeed breathtaking! The sun was shinning brightly and the reflection on the ocean was splendid! After visiting to some of the beaches there, we headed back home to Berkeley along the coastal Route 1, also a winding road along the coast. Along the way, we managed to enjoy the sunset! We came back at about 1030pm...a long but satisfied trip indeed!

On Sunday, we had a good dimsum at Oakland Chinatown, a restaurant called Legendary Palace! I felt so at home cause I was speaking Cantonese to the people there when ordering the food...it was so natural talking to them in chinese and I had 'tau fu fah!' Very satisfied meal indeed! Even the atmosphere was really a typical chinese environment where u can hear people chattering away! After a heartful meal, we went for a drive to Tilden Park to enjoy the scenery before going to UCBerkeley. We spent awhile in the university before heading for Berkeley Marina to enjoy the sunset. It was a sunny day and the sunset was magnificent!