Trip report : TX-LA-FL-DC-NYC-AZ-CA
Dec 13th, 2012, 07:42 PM
#101
I am another one enjoying your trip!
If you are into photography, one of your NYC stops must be B&H Photo even if you aren't planning to buy something. That place is unbelievable. I don't know how long you will be in NYC but they are closed Saturdays and open Sun - Fri. Their website has their address and directions bhphotovideo.com
Thanks for sharing with us!
If you are into photography, one of your NYC stops must be B&H Photo even if you aren't planning to buy something. That place is unbelievable. I don't know how long you will be in NYC but they are closed Saturdays and open Sun - Fri. Their website has their address and directions bhphotovideo.com
Thanks for sharing with us!
Dec 14th, 2012, 06:48 PM
#102
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Ahh, yes Nelsonian, we did see the fireworks. They were great! We also saw Epcot's from the ferry on our way back from Downtown Disney. I'm sorry you missed them, they were definitely a Disney highlight for me.
Yes, fourfortravel, the strollers were also interesting, especially the ones with quite big kids in them. I'm afraid if they don't get them out of the strollers they will grow up to be on the scooters!
sundowner, thanks for the B&H photo tip. We'll be in NYC for a week so I'll be sure to pop in there.
propita, Disney is VERY expensive. $94 for a single day pass for Sophie. Worthwhile for a once in a lifetime trip like ours but I am surprised by the number of people who go back year after year.
Magic Kingdom in the daylight was a much happier proposition for me than it had been in the dark for MVSCP. With the benefit of having already seen some of the attractions we had some kind of plan for visiting the rest. Part of this plan was to use the Fastpass system, a sneaky way of beating the queues. You pop your ticket in a machine at some of the busier rides and it gives you another ticket with an hour 'window' to return. When you come back you simply report to the Fastpass lane and skip to the front. This is particularly appealing on attractions where queue waiting times are up to 50minutes.
There's nothing very scary at the Magic Kingdom. It's more about the Disney brand and atmosphere and the stand out to me is that everyone who works there appears so incredibly happy and positive. I know this is essential as part of the role play but I'm guessing that the Walt corporation pays its employees a decent wage because there's no way I could open and shut the same doors or say, 'Please watch your step and stay to the right', thousands of times a day with that sort of smile on my face without an incentive!
Anyway we went on all the rides we could manage, including risking death by boredom on Winnie the Pooh (imagine if we hadn't fast passed that!) and when it got cold we went home. We let Taine choose for dinner and that led us to the T Rex restaurant at Downtown Disney. Dodging the meteor showers that run every 20 minutes, we dined on BBQ ribs and queso and prehistoric themed cocktails (a mocktail in Taine's case!) We also managed to track down Taine's other choice of R2D2 Disney ears.
This morning we had to pack up and leave the haven of the Port Orleans Resort. We really enjoyed our 4 nights there and would recommend it to anyone. We were even able to check in to our Washington flight at the resort, leaving the every increasing pile of bags to them so we could fit the four of us in the rental car to get to the airport.
Luckily we arrived early at the Orlando airport because getting through security there is a lengthy business as four lines of people merge into one to get through the scanners. It was our first experience on Jet Blue and a very positive one. They have lots of leg room and free snacks to keep the kid happy. They also let him into the cockpit to sit in the pilot's seat. Pretty special.
We arrived in the nation's capital at 6.30 and were amused to find so many Obama souvenirs in the airport. The thought that anyone would buy a Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott cap beggars belief.
We knew we were back in the real world when we spotted the line of homeless people lining up at a soup kitchen for dinner across the road from our hotel where expensive car doors were being opened for bejeweled guests heading out to the theatre. In our jeans, trackies and runners we felt pretty under dressed but luckily we ran into a fellow Aussie in the elevator and she was wearing junners too.
Even downtown the capital was very quiet for a Friday night. We found an Irish pub for dinner where we had delicious hamburgers and salad. It is of course a very sad day in the US with the school shooting in Connecticut. The flags are at half mast all over the city out of respect to this unimaginable horror
Yes, fourfortravel, the strollers were also interesting, especially the ones with quite big kids in them. I'm afraid if they don't get them out of the strollers they will grow up to be on the scooters!
sundowner, thanks for the B&H photo tip. We'll be in NYC for a week so I'll be sure to pop in there.
propita, Disney is VERY expensive. $94 for a single day pass for Sophie. Worthwhile for a once in a lifetime trip like ours but I am surprised by the number of people who go back year after year.
Magic Kingdom in the daylight was a much happier proposition for me than it had been in the dark for MVSCP. With the benefit of having already seen some of the attractions we had some kind of plan for visiting the rest. Part of this plan was to use the Fastpass system, a sneaky way of beating the queues. You pop your ticket in a machine at some of the busier rides and it gives you another ticket with an hour 'window' to return. When you come back you simply report to the Fastpass lane and skip to the front. This is particularly appealing on attractions where queue waiting times are up to 50minutes.
There's nothing very scary at the Magic Kingdom. It's more about the Disney brand and atmosphere and the stand out to me is that everyone who works there appears so incredibly happy and positive. I know this is essential as part of the role play but I'm guessing that the Walt corporation pays its employees a decent wage because there's no way I could open and shut the same doors or say, 'Please watch your step and stay to the right', thousands of times a day with that sort of smile on my face without an incentive!
Anyway we went on all the rides we could manage, including risking death by boredom on Winnie the Pooh (imagine if we hadn't fast passed that!) and when it got cold we went home. We let Taine choose for dinner and that led us to the T Rex restaurant at Downtown Disney. Dodging the meteor showers that run every 20 minutes, we dined on BBQ ribs and queso and prehistoric themed cocktails (a mocktail in Taine's case!) We also managed to track down Taine's other choice of R2D2 Disney ears.
This morning we had to pack up and leave the haven of the Port Orleans Resort. We really enjoyed our 4 nights there and would recommend it to anyone. We were even able to check in to our Washington flight at the resort, leaving the every increasing pile of bags to them so we could fit the four of us in the rental car to get to the airport.
Luckily we arrived early at the Orlando airport because getting through security there is a lengthy business as four lines of people merge into one to get through the scanners. It was our first experience on Jet Blue and a very positive one. They have lots of leg room and free snacks to keep the kid happy. They also let him into the cockpit to sit in the pilot's seat. Pretty special.
We arrived in the nation's capital at 6.30 and were amused to find so many Obama souvenirs in the airport. The thought that anyone would buy a Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott cap beggars belief.
We knew we were back in the real world when we spotted the line of homeless people lining up at a soup kitchen for dinner across the road from our hotel where expensive car doors were being opened for bejeweled guests heading out to the theatre. In our jeans, trackies and runners we felt pretty under dressed but luckily we ran into a fellow Aussie in the elevator and she was wearing junners too.
Even downtown the capital was very quiet for a Friday night. We found an Irish pub for dinner where we had delicious hamburgers and salad. It is of course a very sad day in the US with the school shooting in Connecticut. The flags are at half mast all over the city out of respect to this unimaginable horror
Dec 15th, 2012, 06:04 AM
#104
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I'm enjoying the report in real time. I went to Disney an eon or two ago but know people who go every year. From your report:
In our jeans, trackies and runners we felt pretty under dressed but luckily we ran into a fellow Aussie in the elevator and she was wearing junners too.
Jeans are pants/trousers
runners are sneaker/tennis shoes
but what are trackies?
In our jeans, trackies and runners we felt pretty under dressed but luckily we ran into a fellow Aussie in the elevator and she was wearing junners too.
Jeans are pants/trousers
runners are sneaker/tennis shoes
but what are trackies?
Dec 15th, 2012, 06:08 AM
#105
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Glad you enjoyed Disney and hope to read great things about D.C. as well. It's possible that most of those Friday night folks were in my grocery store in Maryland! People must be having pre-Christmas parties.
More TR please!
More TR please!
Dec 15th, 2012, 06:25 PM
#106
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Thanks for joining my tour Sally 
Trackies are track suit pants, normally worn to warm up in before sports matches but also very comfortable for traveling and acceptable companions to sneakers on your feet. Junners are jeans accompanied by sneakers, a complete fashion faux pas according to my daughters!
What an amazing day we had in the city of monuments and museums! There's something special about just being in the seat of power in a country, I have the same feeling when I visit Canberra. All the buildings are so proper, practical yet ornate and there's a sense of importance in the air.
We had breakfast at Starbucks and then set off to explore the National Mall. On the way to the White House we stumbled upon a skating rink in the Sculpture Garden and spent a fun hour there staggering around on the ice. Well, Sophie and Geoff staggered around on the ice, Taine & I clutched the rail and dragged ourselves around the rim.
Our next stop was the museum of Natural History. Taine was in his element checking out the dinosaurs and introducing us to all the settings from 'Night in the Museum'.
The White House is less impressive in person than it is on the TV because it's set so far back in the gardens that it's hard to get more than a glimpse through the fence. Still, it is the White House! The information centre is even less impressive because it's under going extension and housed in a temporary building. There was a lovely school choir singing by the White House Christmas tree and we stopped to hear them sing The Star Spangled Banner. I love the patriotism associated with the anthem here, I wish is would rub off on Australians.
We joined a free walking tour (payment by voluntary tips at the end) of the west end of the National Mall. It was very informative and a real lesson in American history but by the time we got to the Lincoln monument we were exhausted. Despite my reservations about there being no helmets, we collected some bikes from the 'Collect a Bike' stand near Abe's statue and rode all the way back through the mall. It was so much fun and a great way to see everything. I loved the reflecting pond (summoning up images of Forest Gump's 'Jennnnyyy') and the view of the capital as we approached it.
When we got to the Capital we discovered what we thought was a wedding party having their photos taken but it turned out to be a 15th birthday party! I'm not sure what nationality the family were but they told us that this was a tradition for them. Everyone was formally dressed in suits and lots of tulle and there was a huge limo waiting for them. Taine & Geoff joined them for a bit of Gangman dancing and then we rode off on our bikes to explore the grounds of the Capital and its Christmas tree, a giant 74 yr old , 73 ft high spruce bought from Colorado as a gift to the people.
For dinner we walked down to Chinatown to meet up with a friend of Soph's who had been an exchange student in Melbourne a couple of years ago. The delicious food helped restore some energy but didn't help my poor feet at all. Hopefully a good night's sleep will have them back in shape for further exploration tomorrow.
Trackies are track suit pants, normally worn to warm up in before sports matches but also very comfortable for traveling and acceptable companions to sneakers on your feet. Junners are jeans accompanied by sneakers, a complete fashion faux pas according to my daughters!What an amazing day we had in the city of monuments and museums! There's something special about just being in the seat of power in a country, I have the same feeling when I visit Canberra. All the buildings are so proper, practical yet ornate and there's a sense of importance in the air.
We had breakfast at Starbucks and then set off to explore the National Mall. On the way to the White House we stumbled upon a skating rink in the Sculpture Garden and spent a fun hour there staggering around on the ice. Well, Sophie and Geoff staggered around on the ice, Taine & I clutched the rail and dragged ourselves around the rim.
Our next stop was the museum of Natural History. Taine was in his element checking out the dinosaurs and introducing us to all the settings from 'Night in the Museum'.
The White House is less impressive in person than it is on the TV because it's set so far back in the gardens that it's hard to get more than a glimpse through the fence. Still, it is the White House! The information centre is even less impressive because it's under going extension and housed in a temporary building. There was a lovely school choir singing by the White House Christmas tree and we stopped to hear them sing The Star Spangled Banner. I love the patriotism associated with the anthem here, I wish is would rub off on Australians.
We joined a free walking tour (payment by voluntary tips at the end) of the west end of the National Mall. It was very informative and a real lesson in American history but by the time we got to the Lincoln monument we were exhausted. Despite my reservations about there being no helmets, we collected some bikes from the 'Collect a Bike' stand near Abe's statue and rode all the way back through the mall. It was so much fun and a great way to see everything. I loved the reflecting pond (summoning up images of Forest Gump's 'Jennnnyyy') and the view of the capital as we approached it.
When we got to the Capital we discovered what we thought was a wedding party having their photos taken but it turned out to be a 15th birthday party! I'm not sure what nationality the family were but they told us that this was a tradition for them. Everyone was formally dressed in suits and lots of tulle and there was a huge limo waiting for them. Taine & Geoff joined them for a bit of Gangman dancing and then we rode off on our bikes to explore the grounds of the Capital and its Christmas tree, a giant 74 yr old , 73 ft high spruce bought from Colorado as a gift to the people.
For dinner we walked down to Chinatown to meet up with a friend of Soph's who had been an exchange student in Melbourne a couple of years ago. The delicious food helped restore some energy but didn't help my poor feet at all. Hopefully a good night's sleep will have them back in shape for further exploration tomorrow.
Dec 16th, 2012, 07:23 AM
#107
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Wonderful, Kwaussie. I'm so glad you are enjoying D.C. Yes, White House is much smaller in real life. And you really covered some ground. How did the Chinese food in D.C. compare to what you are used to??
Dec 16th, 2012, 08:10 AM
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The 'oh it's not a wedding' was likely a quinceanera, which is a mexican or latin cultural coming of age celebration from girlhood to womanhood.
I am still stunned that Boston spent so much money implementing those bikes without helmets readily available. But the bike ride sounds like a lovely adventure..
I am still stunned that Boston spent so much money implementing those bikes without helmets readily available. But the bike ride sounds like a lovely adventure..
Dec 16th, 2012, 08:27 AM
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Thanks for the fashion lesson. I'm often a junner myself but don't consider myself on the cutting edge of fashion. A Quinceañera is a big birthday celebration in the latino communities. If you have a sweet 16th party for girls back home, it would be the closest type of celebration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era
Dec 16th, 2012, 08:13 PM
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kwaussie, I am continuing to enjoy your report. Very interesting to see the US through your eyes! I am roadtripping through Texas myself right now, and told our hosts over the last couple of days about your report, and ended up reading the Texas portion aloud to them this morning.
They also enjoyed it very much, and kept complimenting your writing style. And, the minute I read the bit about driving in Texas, and of course on that route between Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, everyone nodded their head. That was a pretty tough route for your first driving experience in the US. It's personally one of my least favorite sections of road to drive.
Carry on!
They also enjoyed it very much, and kept complimenting your writing style. And, the minute I read the bit about driving in Texas, and of course on that route between Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, everyone nodded their head. That was a pretty tough route for your first driving experience in the US. It's personally one of my least favorite sections of road to drive.
Carry on!
Dec 17th, 2012, 05:27 AM
#111
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Thanks for the explanations re the birthday party. It certainly was a very lavish affair! We don't have anything like it except the debutante ball ( a very old fashioned but equally expensive idea).
Thanks for the feedback Toucan. I'm glad your hosts enjoyed my Texas description. I wish we had had more time to spend there (just not on the road!)
After our success with the rent a bikes yesterday we picked up another lot this morning to ride out to Arlington cemetery. Those who know both Washington and me will understand that this was a fairly big challenge but you will be pleased to know I passed it with flying colors.
We rode back down through the Mall and stopped to take a few more photos and then cycled over the Arlington bridge to the cemetery itself. There are 624 acres of grave sites at Arlington, row upon row, upon row of white headstones, adorned at this time of the year by simple Christmas wreaths.
Amongst the rows lie memorials to many famous servicemen and women, including the Challenger and Columbia crews and the Kennedy family. Visiting Jack Kennedy's grave site was even more poignant after being in Dallas last month. He is buried in a beautiful site, alongside Jackie, their stillborn daughter and infant son Patrick. The site overlooks the Lincoln and Washington monuments and is truly a peaceful and lovely place.
We also visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and watched the changing of the guard. The respect and discipline of the young men on this watch is amazing. They perform a routine of measured steps based on the 21 gun salute , walk 21 steps, wait 21 seconds , turn, repeat. On every hour a change over ceremony takes place.
After we'd ridden back over the bridge we took a look at the White House from the front door, the Pennsylvania Ave side. I liked this view much better. They are in the middle of preparations here for the inauguration in January, with the spectator platforms almost complete. While we were there President Obama's helicopter took off for his visit to Connecticut.
It was only when we went to return the bikes that we realised we should have read the instructions more carefully when we rented them. Free for the first 30mins, $2 for up to an hour and then $8 for EACH 30 minutes after that. Times 4 bikes. We'd been on them all day. Ooops!
We wandered through Macy's while we caught up on our Drama student's final VCE scores via email and messenger. We've been sweating on their results for a few weeks and it was great to hear that our class had all done really well.
After two beautifully clear and still days it started to rain as we walked home. Too tired for anything else we resorted to the Irish pub around the corner again for dinner.
Off to Boston tomorrow!
Thanks for the feedback Toucan. I'm glad your hosts enjoyed my Texas description. I wish we had had more time to spend there (just not on the road!)
After our success with the rent a bikes yesterday we picked up another lot this morning to ride out to Arlington cemetery. Those who know both Washington and me will understand that this was a fairly big challenge but you will be pleased to know I passed it with flying colors.
We rode back down through the Mall and stopped to take a few more photos and then cycled over the Arlington bridge to the cemetery itself. There are 624 acres of grave sites at Arlington, row upon row, upon row of white headstones, adorned at this time of the year by simple Christmas wreaths.
Amongst the rows lie memorials to many famous servicemen and women, including the Challenger and Columbia crews and the Kennedy family. Visiting Jack Kennedy's grave site was even more poignant after being in Dallas last month. He is buried in a beautiful site, alongside Jackie, their stillborn daughter and infant son Patrick. The site overlooks the Lincoln and Washington monuments and is truly a peaceful and lovely place.
We also visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and watched the changing of the guard. The respect and discipline of the young men on this watch is amazing. They perform a routine of measured steps based on the 21 gun salute , walk 21 steps, wait 21 seconds , turn, repeat. On every hour a change over ceremony takes place.
After we'd ridden back over the bridge we took a look at the White House from the front door, the Pennsylvania Ave side. I liked this view much better. They are in the middle of preparations here for the inauguration in January, with the spectator platforms almost complete. While we were there President Obama's helicopter took off for his visit to Connecticut.
It was only when we went to return the bikes that we realised we should have read the instructions more carefully when we rented them. Free for the first 30mins, $2 for up to an hour and then $8 for EACH 30 minutes after that. Times 4 bikes. We'd been on them all day. Ooops!
We wandered through Macy's while we caught up on our Drama student's final VCE scores via email and messenger. We've been sweating on their results for a few weeks and it was great to hear that our class had all done really well.
After two beautifully clear and still days it started to rain as we walked home. Too tired for anything else we resorted to the Irish pub around the corner again for dinner.
Off to Boston tomorrow!
Dec 17th, 2012, 10:14 AM
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While in Boston, perhaps you will consider seeing the Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall. The finest of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Choir put on a remarkable show and some of the balcony seats are more affordable then those bikes yesterday!
http://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/23365/
A couple of years ago, I bought a dozen tickets to enjoy with friends and family and everyone was in aw, a few rather surprised at just how much they loved to see an orchestra up close.
http://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/23365/
A couple of years ago, I bought a dozen tickets to enjoy with friends and family and everyone was in aw, a few rather surprised at just how much they loved to see an orchestra up close.
Dec 17th, 2012, 10:20 AM
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I really need an edit function. That was last years schedule. This is current. If you are not familiar with the BSO they are recognized worldwide as one of the great orchestra's with some of the finest musicians.
http://www.bso.org/Performance?pageN...ands=1182,6425
http://www.bso.org/Performance?pageN...ands=1182,6425
Dec 17th, 2012, 12:40 PM
#115
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Yes dudette, the donated wreaths just look beautiful too. Every now and again there is a different one so I imagine families are able to customise them if they want to.
Lookin_glass, I will check out the orchestra tickets although we really only have 2 days in Boston & will be struggling for time.
I see from Nelsonian's thread that my report is getting too long to load for a lot of people so when I add today's instalment I'll start a new thread.
Lookin_glass, I will check out the orchestra tickets although we really only have 2 days in Boston & will be struggling for time.
I see from Nelsonian's thread that my report is getting too long to load for a lot of people so when I add today's instalment I'll start a new thread.
Dec 17th, 2012, 02:23 PM
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As long as I can find your report, I'll be happy.
Hubby and I were in DC this past Spring, our first real time there (my trip in high school doesn't count). Renting bikes on the Mall would've been great! God, we walked the thing a couple of times! We took amtrak to NYC for a few days.
Can't wait for the Boston leg. Our next trip will likely be NYC for a few days (we found out we LOVE New York!) and then Boston. Or vice-versa. Probably Spring time, again.
Hubby and I were in DC this past Spring, our first real time there (my trip in high school doesn't count). Renting bikes on the Mall would've been great! God, we walked the thing a couple of times! We took amtrak to NYC for a few days.
Can't wait for the Boston leg. Our next trip will likely be NYC for a few days (we found out we LOVE New York!) and then Boston. Or vice-versa. Probably Spring time, again.
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