the steep streets

I was very interested to visit the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel. When I learned -- about a year ago -- that this archetypal post war tiki bar was in danger of being shut down, my interest turned to burning desire...

It started as a nice evening walk from our hotel. We went to and through Union Square, but unfortunately overshot the best streets to ascend Nob Hill, where the Fairmont is located... Instead we climbed four of the steepest streets in the whole city. Poor Kate wasn't feeling well to begin with, but this hike really killed her. Sorry Kate!!! We stopped for rest and a view of the above pagoda at the edge of Chinatown.

The final stretch was the toughest. From a distance we saw a sign at the top of the hill and wondered if it said "Tony's" or "Tonga"...
In the end this very steep street had led us directly to our destination.