Day 10 - Jan 7th 2010

Early rise for most of the touring squad and a quick walk down to the waterfront to check out the World War II aircraft carrier USS Midway. It is now a museum although the decommisioned warplanes on it's flight deck would probably outgun the NZ Airforce. A huge ship but dwarfed by the brand new aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan that was being outfitted across the bay.

Got to San Diego Airport nice and early but were greeted with the news that San Francisco was fogged in and we would be delayed. Eventually got underway about an hour late.

Arrived in San Fran and the change in temperature was quickly apparent. A drop from about 25 degrees C to around 10. The bus driver was delighted to have a rugby team on board. He was from Samoa and gave us a running commentary of the sights on the way in. Wanted to be our waterboy on Saturday.

It was an eye-opener for the boys to drive through the industrial and lower class suburbs south San Francisco. The driver wanted everyone not to get caught South of Market Avenue (SOMA). The hostel is on Post Street between the suburbs The Tenderloin and China Town. The facilities are really good and only 4 of 5 blocks from Union Square, the heart of the city's financial and shopping district.

After a hearty (and hefty) meal at Lefty O'Touls, the management team went for a walk around the CBD and came across an ice skating rink in Union Square. No one was game to take a shot.

Training tomorrow on Treasure Island. Day of work ahead.