Renewal: Day Trip with YAF in Solvang and Santa Barbara

Today (Saturday 07-01-06) was an awesome day... Despite the very early departure (well... supposedly, we met early, but didn't take off until after 9am) and the long drive (over 3 hours) to Solvang, we enjoyed the scenary on the road, chatted about misc. topics, played trivial (Taiwanese style) games with walkie talkies, and took tons of pictures.

The purpose of the trip was to bid farewell to our good friend and brother, Bernie... since it might be the last time we can have outside activities with him before he moves back to Taiwan. It also turned out that today is Amy's 23rd birthday. So we also celebrated that. At the very least, this trip needed to be memorable for both Bernie and Amy. It turned out to be memorable for all of us.

For those of you who couldn't join us: Sorry that we missed you. And I'm sure that you've missed us too... ^^

We went out to sea to fish, and caught a Bernie

The very Danish like town of Solvang. European tour in the US. We really looked like tourists... everyone was contantly taking pictures and Wenko was filming on behalf of Amy. I guess we can expect a documentary on DVD soon, right?

This is everybody (minus Bernie, since he was very busy at the time... on the phone maybe with a hot chick... ai...) at China Pavilion in Santa Barbara.

Wenko, me, Amy, and Tao during dinner. This is before the surprise birthday cake for Amy. Wenko told everyone that we were gonna go get some alcohol... and I was reprimended... hahaha.

Ok, the chronological story begins:

Our first business of the day was of course: food. This is the seafood omelette at the Mustard Seed Restaurant in Solvang: a Danish style town founded by two people according to our guide: Tao.

Here's Bernie and Amy. Our celebrity for a day today.

I like the patterns that the roof makes. This style is very common here.

Famous for it's bakeries...

Marian found a good resting spot under the tree. We did a lot of walking.

Hahaha... so cute

We went for ice cream after this... I think all of us were too busy with the ice cream and we didn't take any photos... hahaha.

Ok, on the road. Next destination: Lumpoc

... actually, the real destination was for the flowers that blooms so beautifully on the side of the road to Lumpoc. We did get to Lumpoc and used the rest rooms... hahaha. Our next destination is the state beaches in Santa Barbara.

The beauties in our midst...

And the always gentle gents... maybe except for Wenko (hahaha) who started all the beach games of dodge frisbee and dodge ball (what's up with all the dodging anyway?). It was LOADS of fun!

We had so much fun that we forgot time... we were tired, thirsty and hungry. So naturally, our next activity would involve some eating and drinking.

Oops, I wasn't referring to this type of drinking... brahahahaha... this is actually one of my favorite type of white wines: Gewurztraminer.

The China Pavillion... Recommended by Ruth as her boss' parents owns this and 8 other high end Chinese restaurants in or near Santa Barbara.

Sydney, Ruth, and Allen.

"Cheers"

So what's after dinner? Going back home? Not so fast, not before we surprise the birthday girl with a cake and un-extinguishable candles (thanks to Wenko).

"Happy birthday, Amy" as she makes her birthday wishes.

And that concludes the day in Solvang and Santa Barbara. Thank you, everyone for this awesome and memorable road trip. Farewell, Bernie. And welcome, Amy.