Train to NYC

This morning we walked down to the Museum of Natural History for our very last activity (and I can salivate, ever so sligtly, over the "Hope" diamond). Washington is an amazing city with every building a grand monument to the department it houses......IRS, EPA, FBI, museums, hotels....all built in a grand and imposing style. A very ordered city where all the avenes (apart from Independence and Costitution) are named after US states and the streets that run E-W are all letters while the N-S direction are all numbers. Even the line-up for the soup kitchen we see as we make our way to the train station is oddly ordered and civilised.

Union Station, built in 1907, is of grandiose proportions housing 70 shops and 50 restaurants and all the Roman soldiers that stand guard around the perimeter maintain the conservative image with their manhood now covered by large shields....mostly.

Would I recommend Washington as a tourist destination? Absolutely....only regret is that we didn't fly directly here and have an extra day or two.

Well we still have a few more hours of 2011 to enjoy but I know, downunder, you have all welcomed 2012 in already. Hope you all had a fabulous time and that the coming year is perhaps not quite as tough as the year just passing. M x

New York, New York...What a fabulous town!

After more than 24 hours travelling - Brisbane, Sydney, Dallas....we have finally hit New York! We had to collect our luggage and go through customs in Dallas before forwarding the luggage onto NY. I asked directions from a man driving one of the airport carts who took pity on us and drove us around to our departure gate, which was great as Dallas Airport is HUGE

Washington DC - contd part 2

Clearly I didn't save my last entry as it didn't post!! Anyways.....our next stop after Arlington was the Museum of American History. Here, there is something for everybody from the Frst Ladies dresses to Julia Child's kitchen....from the star spangled flag that inspired the national anthem back in 1814 to Jefferson's Bible of 1820....from the first car to travel across the U.S. to a full-sized steam train! It's all there and more! The simulated "Cosmic" ride for Gordy and I purchased a NASA outfit for a special little someone and a pair of "Dorothy" shoes for another special little someone.....and yes, the original ones are here on display!

Tonight we went to Equinox on recommendation. It was very nice.....food was creative, service spot on.......so I guess $360 (including tip - 15 - 20% is expected) was OK.

Heading back to NY tomorrow but our little soujourn to Washington has been well worth it!

Talk to you tomorrow!

M x

Washington DC - continued

What an amazing city! The French influence (Washington was designed by Pierre L'enfant)is very evident in the nation's impressive capital. Wide streets and avenues, expansive footpaths, grand, imposing buildings - there is a height restriction of 55 metres, so not a highrise in sight....it's been well worth the visit!

Today we ventured out to Arlington National Cemetery, last resting place of JFK, Bobby, Ted and Jackie. Also home to Arlington House, now a memorial to Robert E. Lee. A walk through this expansive property is a sombre and moving experience. We ventured up to the tomb of the "Unknown Soldier" where the 'changing of the guard' every hour is choreographed with absolute precision and solemnity befitting the occasion.

Washington

Full Day in DC

It must be 'jet-lag' (or old age) as we are still not sleeping all that well! So it's a late start but we set off on the "On/Off" Old Trolley Bus and did both the Orange and the Green Tours which take us on a wonderful tour of the capital of the USA in all its splendour! We gleen all sorts of interesting bits of knowledge from our local guides - such as..... why the "White House" is called the "White House"!! And did you know that the USA (money) notes aren't paper but made of 75% cotton and 25% linen? Amd why can't you see the President's residence from Capital Hill? The Martin Luther King Memorial is a new stop on our route, and is quite extraordinary.

A visit to the National Archives was a must. There we viewed the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights and The Constitution of the United States! Signed back in 1776 when Australia was barely on the map!

Off to the Air and Space Museum where we marvel at the great leaps forward in aviation history. We also watch the 3D presentation of the Hubble Telescope - mind blowing!! It's an easy walk back to the hotel where we have plenty of time to prepare for dinner.

Tonight we are off to Zaytinya.... a fabulous Mediterranean restaurant serving tapa size portions of a wonderful array of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes! After a cleansing ale (?) at the bar we head back to the hotel (taxis are plentiful and cheap - never more than 7.50 so handing over $10, to include the tip is easy). One more cocktail (Napoleon - muddled strawberry, vodka, creme de cassis, lime juice) and it's up to our room! Love to all.....Maz xx

Washington DC

Train down to Washington DC today and booked into the Sofitel. Beautiful hotel and only a block from the White House, so great location. Kimberley, the receptionist and Cynthia, the Concierge, couldn't be more helpful and the room is lovely with L'Occitane goodies in the bathroom - love it! We walk to the train station, which is just around the corner, and head off to Alexandria - which is sublime. The shopping is wonderful but it is also steeped in history - Robert E. Lee lived here! The whole experience is special! Back to Georgetown for shopping and sightseeing and finish the evening at Martin's Tavern, which opened the day after prohibition was repealed in 1933 ...this iconic bar is where JFK proposed to Jackie! Great night and good food!

Tiredness is overcoming us - so after a quick drink(a Maiden Blush - vodka, cointreau and strawberry liquer) in the bar, we agree to an early night!

love to all,
Marilyn

Day 1 in New York

What a day! Lots of walking....with my puffy coat I'm "j-walking" with the locals in no time! I love New York! What an incredible tapestry of sounds, smells, sights...I love it! Lunch at the iconic "Grimaldis" award winning and best known wood-fired pizza in NY. Went to see the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City - which was amazing - then the Alvin Ailey Dance Company - sensational! Had dinner at Tang Pavillion on 55th St on the way home (how nice to be able to get a meal at 9.30 - 10.00pm at night) then called into Bill's Bar (opp our hotel) for a late night drink. Originally a 1923 "speakeasy" we had a ball! Drinking, dancing, singing .. such fun when you know that you don't live here so who cares if you make a fool of yourself?

Hotel Elysees

Excuse my feeble attempts at "blogging"...I'm sure I'll improve :)
Booked into the Hotel Elysees on 54th Street. Very quaint, staff very helpful, Gordy has already collected his pass to the NY Sports Club. Will post photos when I can work out how to do it :(

Five sleeps to go!

Sorry to say, I'm no further advanced in my packing than I was a few days ago!  And I've just had Amex ring to cancel my card as it had been "compromised"!  Apparently some little toad has used it to purchase something in the UK! Not happy Jan......

9 days to go!

Now down to single digits! Suitcases came out today.....I am soooo organised. No packing the night before for me this time! Winter woolies for New York then lots of evening and light gear for the Caribbean!