June. 2004. After months of talking about it, and making different plans, suddenly we were all surprised that it was Bachelor Party day. Olaf was getting married, and it was time to throw a party. It was also just after I bought a new camera, so I figured it would be a good excuse to try it out. We started off with a few drinks in my place, as all the newly arrived European-based friends got to meet the US-based friends (most of whom were from Europe!). Good conversations developed, and for some reason alcohol was consumed. Olaf was a little worried, because he wasnt sure what we had planned for him!

Then the stretch limo took us all to a waiting catamaran for a sail around San Francisco bay and out under the Golden Gate bridge. Very scenic, even for those of us who live here. Its very easy to take things for granted. Alcatraz. Pier 39, with all the seals. Sailing on a clear sunny day, with views of the city and the bridges always makes people stop and stare. While the weather is warm and sunny in the city, its always a cold breeze on the bay, so we wrapped up and jumped on board, where we discovered some more alcohol!

Back on shore, we agreed to leave the camera off from here on. A brief bar crawl through some of the seediest bars we could find in Chinatown... a lavish meal in a private dining room in a Chinese restaurant... some more bars, then some very elegant bars, then on to the other nightly entertainments that San Francisco has to offer...

Next... The Wedding Day!
John.