Our first stop of the day was a pharmacy to get Robin's eyes looked at - they are both bloodshot, not sure if it is conjunctivitis or not, there is no discharge, just bloodshot. Have got eye drops, and plan to visit a walk in doctor. Then, Outlets at Orange - to buy Karl and Robin new sneakers and get new shorts for me (I pulled the hem on one pair of mine, and riiip, it tore a big hole in it - trendy, I know, but just not me).
Then, drove down to San Juan Capistrano, where we got caught up in event traffic. What event, we didn't know, but it appeared to be where we were going, and it added a little bit of confusion to our GPS girl as we tried to find parking which was not where she directed us!
Our reason for going to San Juan Capistrano was to go to the mission, founded in 1776. It is one of 21 missions, each spaced a days' horse ride from the other, stretching from Mexico to northern California. This particular one is famous for the annual return of the swallows, which happens each year on 19 March, St Joseph's Day, and which is also celebrated on 22 March (the particular day we were there) with the Swallows Day Parade and Mariachis at the Mission. The Great Stone Church was completed in 1806 and destroyed by an earthquake is 1812, and are still impressive. The Serra Chapel is the only known standing church where Father Serra is known to have said Mass (he founded the missions). It has 400 year old golden retablo, historic paintings and wall decors, and was lovely and peaceful.
The residents of the mission worked hard, including making wine, tanning hides, olive milling, grinding acorns, gardening, etc. The grounds were lovely, and we saw lots of lizards basking on warm rocks.
As part of the Swallows festivities, there was a dance display from the Native Americans.
For more info about the mission swallows, go to www.missionsjc.com.
On our way back to the car, we shared a large bag of freshly popped Kettle Corn, mmm!
Next stop, San Diego! Arrived about 7pm, changed into long trousers (it is cool in the mornings and evenings, but hot in the daytime) and went to meet Eric's aunt, Tante Thea and her friend Ronnie, who are over here from Pennsylvania. They were in the Marriott, much more ostentatious than our accommodation, which is fairly close to the airport, judging by the noise early this morning and the planes we can see out the window!
Great joy in meeting Tante Thea, last seen in NZ in 2011/2012! We shared a lively meal at an Italian restaurant (huge portions!) and were shown the old bank safe and vault at the bottom of the Marriott hotel, an old bank building, before we returned to our humble abode for a well-earned rest.
Exploring San Diego and environs is on the agenda for the next 4 or 5 days.
Lovely for you to meet someone lovely on your travels, the Mission sounds beautiful.
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