Sonoma Valley vineyards, originally uploaded by Monty Elm.

Not going to report on my trip in any sequential order, coz they collapse neatly into different locations. Headed out to wine country in northern california from San Francisco for a 1-day wine tasting thing. We visited 3 vineyards: one was Madonna Estate that does organic wines, another was Viansa and the 3rd was Cline Cellars. I preferred the wines at Madonna's... they had this Pinot Grigio that was naturally bubbly - not effervescent like champagne, but just a couple of bubbles here and there in the wine.. yummy. Not gassy of course. The photo here is taken of the vineyards in Sonoma Valley, neighbouring Napa Valley. The heartland of premium californian wines. En route, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, which is shrouded in fog, as usual in the summer months, when the warm winds blow across the cold Californian current, resulting in fog formation across the bay. Really pretty, and makes for some very alarming temperature contrast. It was 30 degrees C in the vineyards, 20 degrees C in San Francisco 40 miles away, and 15 degrees C on the bridge, just next to the city. Unfathomable to think Changi and Jurong are separated by 10 degrees C. You literally go from unbearable heat to cool weather in a 30 mins drive.