13th to 25th July 2016,

based at the Grand Hotel, Tijuana.

 

Up.

  

The return home.

 

Sunday 24th July was the day for our return to the airport at San Diego. Jonathan had agreed to pick us up at the hotel after breakfast. We had procured a medical exemption document which allowed us to use a special lane on the border crossing. It is, apparently, the largest border crossing anywhere, with over twenty lanes. It can take many hours to cross depending upon day and time, The Mexican side is rather like a "Shanty Town", with hawkers, refreshment stands and even small restaurants catering for the long long wait to cross the border. Quite an experience! It took us over 90 minutes to get through but, once back in the USA, everything moved very fast.

 

 

  Jonathan took us to a wonderful "The Fish Market" restaurant at Del Mar, some way north of San Diego. This is part of a chain, but the food was excellent: fantastic fresh swordfish steaks. We had a most enjoyable lunch there. We then set off for La Jolla and a great glimpse of this very upmarket and wealthy area. Lots of glorious sandy beaches. We ended up at Café La Rue, attached to the Valencia Hotel. Obviously a great meeting place for tourist and locals alike and very well known. This was a delightful spot to spend the afternoon.

 

The final stage of our journey was the drive to San Diego airport and the 20.40 BA flight home to Heathrow. Jonathan dropped us off and almost immediately we were taken under the wing of a great  helper, who took us to the check in desk and then wheeled Marilyn all the way to the departure gate. The flight was good, although always difficult to sleep on an overnight flight. We arrived at just before 15.00 on Monday 25th at terminal five. The assistance again worked quite well and our driver Cliff was waiting to convey us the long way home to Devon. Altogether an interesting trip.

 

The Fish Market Restaurant at Del Mar.

 

Heading towards La Jolla.

 

Café la Rue.

 

Marilyn with Jonathan at Café la Rue.

 

Café la Rue again.

The view from the Café la Rue Terrace.

 

The final leg in California to San Diego Airport.