Napa Napa!

Wine rack with some recently discovered old wine at Beringer

Wine is surely an intoxicant, but sometimes even a discussion of the subject can make you do unusual things.

Like two good friends who love to trek, Abhinav and me started early morning one Sunday and were deciding on the mountain to climb. This went on absolutely fine, till we passed a road sign which said - Napa 'x' miles. Within minutes, the GPS device was updated with a new address and we were zooming towards Napa valley for wine tasting and possibly some interesting experiences in the wine country tours.

Well, in the beginning the place did kind of disappoint me as I was expecting the valley to be a cozy, and more personal. However, its pretty big and everything is far apart. Of course, goes without saying that having a car is must.

A souvenir shop at Mondavi, beautiful space...

Well...a wine rack

Its a famous landmark at the Mondavi winery, nakedness works always :)

Inside the fairytale castle (The Rhine House) at Beringer

We visited two wineries - Robert Mondavi and Beringer. Beringer was especially fun, as we got to walk around in the very old caves, some of which are still used for storing wine in barrels as it matures. The wineries always have some really interesting stories about their past and its past owners, and they are always rather mesmerizing. Beringer is oldest continuously running winery in Napa, and its also one of the most famous (often credited with starting the wine tourism in the valley in the 1930s).

We (read I) did most of our wine tasting here. Abhi was the designated driver, so he had just one glass while I had about nine in total. It was simply fantastic to be drunk in the middle of the day, when you originally start it with the idea of trekking and surviving on protein bars and water :) Visiting the very cold San Francisco and walking around on the streets later in the day was even more fun!

Jazz performances like these are common on weekends

Not so tough to find pretty people anywhere in the valley :)

Inside the cave (these were mainly built by the Chinese workers in the 19th century)

Stored barrels in the cave

Ah...the tasty wine ;)

The Rhine House!

The most tiring and rewarding trek - Mount Diablo

Abhinav looking into the horizon...

I spent most Sundays in the last quarter working at the Clark center or just walking around and meeting/ making friends. This quarter has been significantly different, with may many trips over the weekends to hills and mountains, hiking and trekking and generally getting very very tired and very very happy.

Mount Diablo, however, a little different. The first time I suggested the place to Abhi, we couldn't do it as he had to get back to Palo Alto by evening, and the trek also seemed to be quite tough from the online descriptions. Also we wanted to trek all the way to the summit (14 miles) and not just do a small trail at the base.

It was only later that we realized how exhausting this trek was. We almost died, and twice! Once when we reached the summit, desperately looking for water and a place to sit, and much more on the way back when we climbed up and down on multiple trails, all alone and falling over with exhaustion. Reaching the summit was quite a task, but the water there was like nectar. We thought we were roaring to trek back and decided to take the trek over the Eagle's peak, however as we reached the parking lot and got into the cars, we literally collapsed and sighed with relief.

Now that I look back at the trek, I sort of feel proud. For a seasonal trekker, it might be an easier trek, but for us it was quite an achievement. It also convinced me to do many more such exhausting and satisfying treks in life. Maybe some dangerous ones as well...

The beginning of the trail

On top of the twin peak...we eventually ended up trekking back on that route

Walking through the hill of flowers...

The Summit!

Abhinav and me at the Eagle's peak

The trek was on walking on top of all these mountains...

Abhinav on the way back

Back to the base :)

In San Diego...yet-not-yet-wet!

City Downtown

'You must be a Mexican!'
'No?????"
'Wait a second...you are most certainly a Lebanese'
'What? You are not a Christian? That's impossible man, you can't possibly a Hindu!'

I smiled and did my best to convince my drunk Mexican tram-mate about India and how Hindus do exist. He was still shaking his head when I got off at Balboa Park and walked into some welcoming cacti.

I was completely on my own after spending my first day with James, and evening with his numerous friends at a party. Even as he was completely hungover the next morning, I decided to explore the city on my own. The day wasn't as sunny as I expected and I ended up taking up very pictures, and eating some very satisfying meals, especially the fish tacos and the tortas.

But I missed out on doing what I really wanted to do...get into water. The water was still cold, and I somehow didn't think I would look respectable flapping around in a wet suit just on the edge of the sea. Nonetheless I had a fantastic time, especially on day one. I helped James with a little bit of farming (wink wink), drove around some of the most beautiful areas in the city, ate and drank with his friends, played some backyard games and also got sloshed.

However, I am still waiting for my sea water dip!

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Just an update...I finally do exist on Facebook - Sid the Wanderer :)

Pretty little Mexican girl :)

Santa Fe Station, early in the morning

A couple at the Old Town

Kids playing at the beach

A woman dressed up as a Mexican at a restaurant in Old Town

Some provocative street art!

That's James looking at his city...

James merging with the rocks at the La Jolla Caves...

And my sumptuous Mexican meal :)

Finally an image of my train :)