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We always enjoy a San Diego visit and a stay at the Catamaran Resort Hotel on Mission Bay. This time, we went by Amtrak to avoid the drive and get a little work done enroute. Down the walkway along the water is Mizu, a very nice Japanese restaurant. |
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The Catamaran Hotel courtyard - a full-size flower-box with palms, parrots, ducks; oh, my! |
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The hotel has been good to us -- nice view from our suite. If I were only a sailing man -- the Bay looks to be an exquisite place to unfurl. I'll have to learn... |
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The Pacific to the right, and Mission Bay to the left, looking South. The bike-path is excellent for long walks in the early morning. Connects to miles of strand along the beach and all around the bay. |
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The Pacific to the right, and Mission Bay to the left, looking South. |
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Ellen gears up for a shopping excursion nearby. |
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The hotel provides a nice fruit basket and wine -- we've been treated very well, especially since we ran a convention here. Guess we made some money for the hotel! |
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The Sunday champagne brunch is a treat! Background music by harp, the custom-made omlet station to the right and the sushi bar in the rear. Unseen but experienced is a full buffet for salad and meal -- smoked salmon and all! Wonderful. |
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"Mr. Green," one of the hotel's large menagerie. He's named after Jim Green, one of the hotel managers. |
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"Mr. Green," one of the hotel's large menagerie. He's named after Jim Green, one of the hotel managers. |
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"Mr. Green," one of the hotel's large menagerie. He's named after Jim Green, one of the hotel managers. |
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Another view of the scenery; a little cloudy. It does rain here, in winter. |
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Enjoying the view -- looking the wrong way, of course... |
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Then it's a day playing hooky and off to the Zoo! |
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Koala nap time. |
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Actually, Koalas generally look to be asleep. |
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A refracted hippo. |
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And the pandas, of course... |
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A "fishing cat" doing what he does. |
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We have a friend in Santa Barbara named Sydney, so... |
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These sparrows were grabbing drops of the zoo's water, from a leaky faucet. |
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These critters really do have a wide yellow stripe down their backs! |
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Warthog -- Mr. ugly... |
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Klifspringer, from Africa. First time we've seen this animal. |
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A favorite -- the meerkat watches for eagles or other predators, protecting the rest of the clan. |
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...and the backup searcher. |
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Gets chilly in San Diego in winter; Ellen has more trouble than the meerkat in the background. |
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The sign, the animal (going the other way), and the public. |
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Dave Diggle, Asst. Director at Ohio University's Avionics Center, joined us for the zoo visit, and poses here with a friend. |
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"A pig of beauty is a joy forever," says the sign... The back end of the actual critter is visible in the center. |
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Dave wanted a closeup, wallet-size. |
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Everybody wants a little sample of that dinner. |
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And we prepare to bid fond adieu once again. |
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Nice place to visit once or twice a year. |