Medical Care, Balboa Park and more

This morning we were up and away reasonable early, as we wanted to take Robin to see a medical practitioner for suspected conjunctivitis (known here as "pink eye").  We had seen a pharmacist a couple of days ago and got some drops to moisturize his eyes, but no change in the redness of them, so we decided more was needed (he's had it before, but never with the red, bloodshot eyes that he has at present).  We went to a MinuteClinic, which consisted of a booking computer terminal at the back of a huge CVS store with 2 windowless clinic rooms (I would hate to work in them for long periods of time).  We had to wait about 30-40mins before we were seen (I read the boys a story about Great Americans on the Kindle).  The Nurse Practitioner we saw was very friendly and polite, and made our visit quite pleasant.  She went through Robin's history, and took his BP, heart rate, temp etc, and wrote out a script for us - for only $79US - then the medicine cost us an extra $12US - hopefully we can get it back with our travel insurance on our return to NZ.  Luckily Robin is very good with having medicines of all types, so it is quite painless giving him his eyedrops.

Finally, about noon, we arrived at Balboa Park, which is the nation's largest urban cultural park, and has 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, set in about 1,200 acres of land.  The buildings and landscaping were the result of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition (celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal) and the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, and are amazing to see.  The carvings and decorations on them are fascinating, real works of art.  Not all of the museums are open each day, but we went to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, thinking that it would interest the boys.  We only stayed for about 2.5hrs, but were busy the whole time taking in the exhibits and information.  It was set out from early flight (Montgolfier's hotair balloon, the Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh) right up to space flight.  They have the only flying replica of Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis and the actual Apollo 9 Command Module.  Even saw a Curtiss Robin aircraft.  Eric, Robin & I performed amazing stunts on our skateboards, courtesy of a 4D movie experience, and Karl spent the majority of the time in the Kids Aviation Action zone, flying aircraft on a simulator.

Eric was intrigued to see several small cars parked outside the museum, plugged in to power outlets, being charged up!

We met up with Tante Thea and Ronnie (who had arrived at Balboa Park earlier in the day) and spent a few hours with them.  We spent a bit of time at a fountain, where the boys sailed boats, crafted from old plastic bottles, string and plastic bags by a Filipino man (good activity for the Cubs & Scouts - I tried to get some close-ups!).  We wandered round the Desert Garden, and were lucky enough to see a lizard as well as a small hummingbird.  Soon after that, the boys left to go and stay the night with Tante Thea and Ronnie (no longer at the Marriott, but still in a more up-market hotel than our one - luxury for the boys they won't get with us!).

Eric and I used the time to explore a bit more of Balboa Park then more of San Diego and surrounds.  We drove south to the Mexico border, only 25 mins from downtown SD.  There were high fences and what look like banks of spotlights in various locations.  There were also a number of border control vehicles in the area, obviously keeping an eye out for illegal immigrants trying to cross into the US.

From there, we headed north again and crossed over to Coronado on North Island, to see the Coronado Hotel - extremely large and ornate.  Got to see lifeguard stations along the beach - just like in Baywatch!  San Diego, as you know, is a naval town, so we also saw a number of naval ships, aircraft and facilities.

After a stop to pick up some bits so Eric can try to set up wireless internet for us, we picked up some groceries and headed back to our hotel, for a peaceful evening (if you ignore the aircraft and the street noise).  We might remember to meet Tante Thea and Ronnie tomorrow and get re-united with our boys?!