April 19, 2008
“Do I really need a guide?” is one of the most frequently asked questions from anglers going on their first fishing trip to a remote lake. It s impossible to accurately answer that question with a “yes” or a “no”, but we can give you the information you need to know to answer the question yourself.
Guides can frequently be worth having as long as you know just exactly what you re getting.
For example, hiring a guide is no guarantee that you re going to catch a ton of trophy fish. The guide will take you to the places known to have fish, but catching them is still up to you.
If you don t know what you re doing, the guide can only help you so much. But, that said, if that s the case, a guide may be well worth it to you.
Since you will be arriving at a lake you ve never been on before, and you only have a few days to catch fish… a guide can really be a big help. Without a guide, you could spend several days just trying to find out where the fish are.
Also, keep in mind that most guides are great anglers themselves. They spend all spring and summer on the lake and surely know what works and what doesn t.
Here are some things to discuss with any potential guide to give you a feel for whether or not you might want to hire him:
-The type of fish you want to catch -Whether you re looking to catch lots of fish, or just trophy sized fish -Has the guide ever fished for the species you re after? -What technique will the guide expect you to use?
This is what you ll typically get when you hire a guide:
-Expert advice on the best locations to fish -Expert tips on how to best catch your fish -A deftly prepared, delicious shore lunch
You must decide if the above is worth paying the price for a guide.
But another option to consider is that you can hire a guide for just a day or two (be up front about this) and then use his (or her) advice on what to do the rest of your fishing trip. This will save you some money and still get you that expert advice you re looking for.
Now, if you re going on a fly-in fishing trip to a lake that you know (from your research and talking to others) is chock full of fish… you probably don t need a guide! There, I even answered your original question for you.
That s because many of the remote lakes have so many fish that even a beginner couldn t help catching all they want.
How much does a guide cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 per day plus a tip of around $25 per person.
So, it simply becomes a matter of how much help a guide can be to you, and whether you re willing to pay for the service.
There, now you can decide if you want to hire a fishing guide.
Copyright 2006 Prepaid Solutions
April 8, 2008
First of all, some important notes. I am speaking on a wide topic, cruising is famous worldwide and many European destinations like the Mediterranean sea will bring a lot of people on the boats. In any case, I am focusing specially in cruises best deals in America, specially on the Bahamas zone, as they are probably some of the most attractive globally from a touristic point of view.
There are basically 3 options you can use in order to get cruises best deals. The first one is the one for the losers, and it consists in browsing several search engines and take the option that appears in first place. Sure, it will be the best of the standard published rates, but there is not reason to write an article about how to do a couple of clicks in a search engine, and for doing it like this you could be paying more than the double of the price that other customers are paying.
The second option to get cruises best deals is the intermediate one, and is the one that consists in looking at several places to find out specially discounted travel deals. There are many places where you can do that, but one that puts all them together in one single search is TravelZoo. They have a top20 list for hotels, airfares, and also one for the cruises best deals, etc, and you can even subscribe in order to receive the best 20 deals from your country once a week.
Taking a look at their offers, for example, I can today find a 7-night Caribbean cruise in January for just 399 dollars, which sounds like a pretty good option compared to the normal fares.
In any case, it exist also a third way, the one for the most intelligent ones, and it is to use places that thank your purchases with travel certificates. There are many places where you can get cruises best deals using this system, but one of the best is an internet free to join shopping mall where you will be able to buy for an amount of $150 during one month and then you will receive a free cruise prize for 2 persons for 2 nights to Bahamas. If we include port taxes, redemption fees, etc, the amount you will save in this way is an 80% compared to the published fares.
And, the golden question: Do I need to spend $150 in shopping? That s a lot isn t it? And what about if I don t have anything to spend this money in? I have the answer for you. As one of the places included in this shopping mall is SkyAuction, simply buy your plane tickets there to Ft Lauderdale and as the cost of the tickets will be more than $150 probably, you automatically have the prize. An easy and intelligent solution to get cruises best deals, I must say! What a shame that I m not American!
To find out more about this shopping mall and other travel certificate opportunities: Free Hotels
Looking to travel to Europe, New Zealand or do a Round the World tour? Travel to Europe
For general information on hot travel deals and tricks: Travel Addicts
Dani Alonso
March 26, 2008
For the last eight months continuously without a break from work, I have been slogging. Work long, late hours and the quality of work and most of the time, I did not spend my spouse and children. It is now high time for me to make that decision for a long time and the rest moved to the holiday with his family. I think this is long over due. Dedicated now offer tourists from both home and my extended family on both sides is also a member of enthusiasts in their journey. So many choices, but I Nan sueopseup to choose the perfect destination. Bahamas to explore the landscape can target a lot of wonderful things that I would like to place on the hard. This is a place where I had something to offer, or whether it& 39;s the other children, or elderly couples. Something that all people have to do is to reach any location and enjoy all this.
freeport, capital of the Bahamas island is a great tourist attractions on the island, and nobody is bound to come back to get back into position. All my love, fishing, and now this is the perfect place to let me reassure fiends fishing. The first is that I am my fishing gear you pack; At least I forget the excitement of it. My friends are white beaches treatment is not completely free of garbage and rocks him and sitting in one position for hours and hours. Suit, it& 39;s just soaking in the sun and enjoying time with nature. Many other water activities such as swimming, diving, snorkeling and scuba diving all your senses and just help lull nature.
now enjoy traveling together for a number of travel agents is expected to choose a very difficult task. And some tour operators to scout the web, I have to come across for the tour, and they offer a very good price. In fact, some carriers are also offering discounts on vacation packages to the Bahamas. This is just perfect for someone like me who& 39;s a little shorter ion financial aspects. Actual loan for the holidays to choose for your dream vacation. Suit if you want. Ultimately it is not everyday that the chance of a dream vacation for the whole family can go. All I am prepared to eume made a hotel reservation; last moment, I do not want there to hassle and delay family.
the incredible natural beauty of the island and reach ttaeyi your spouse, if you are planning to go for their honeymoon, so this is Just perfect purpose. Another attraction is the free market, the people live long, and I can talk about beautiful mementos to a hometown friend. Now everything is ready for the holiday was created in a free Bahamas, I just can not wait to go with my family tension. I have fun, work hard.
March 20, 2008
They are not lightweight backpack when you connect to twenty-five pounds for & 39; been a weekend. J & 39; invents these standards to be met, but I & 39; tries to be reasonable & 39;. I backpack under fifteen pounds of total weight for a weekend. With a few new pieces of the chassis, and a little knowledge, you can probably take less & 39; two books for the three days of & 39; trip, and less than thirty for a week long trip in .
Start leaflet weight / body weight formulas. Learn the basics of backpack lighter, and you never close that & 39; they say, you can & 39; whatever it is. And who wants to conduct 25% of their body weight in the range? The question is to ask: & quot; How do I access the secure and comfortable? & Quot;
Lightweight Backpacking Masochistic
The N & 39; is it not the greatest because of the mild or backpack with ultra is to assess the tour. I do not leave behind decisive d & 39; other things makes me unhappy, but I can not give a name to the slight backpacking.
Here & 39; a good rule: Will you as easily as possible, but the things that are important to you (Elements of security, a good book, a bottle of rum?). It does not & 39; acts to make things. It should be carefully choose what you really need & 39; a pleasant, safe route, and instead of things slightly heavier things.
For example, if you really need a cushion & 39; Airbag, get rid 2 and buy a book of the new 13 - Ouncers. My down sleeping bag weighs 17 ounces and has always & 39; m hotter than every 3 or 4 pounds, I & 39; n ai bag. If you replace objects one by one with alternatives more easily, you can also packweight your average half or more.
Start ever lighter beside your sweaters, socks, hats, etc. So, if you can afford , buy one of the Big Three (pack, tent, bag), because & 39; is where you want to save the most weight. Of course, the light can be expensive, but I & 39; ai 110 miles away within seven days (no bubbles), with $ 7 of running shoes, so that he & 39; & 39 ; there is not too much weight be.
How?
With equipment and capabilities, we might become in safety and comfort with two books on the back for the weekend. You see, on your next hike. Qu & 39; did you d & 39; use, and what matters to most of & 39; you brought comfort? What can you leave next time? What can you easily with the elements to replace?
My first truly light backpacking trip was a real test in the mountains of Colorado. It is raining or snowing every day. J ai & 39; led 110 miles without a blister, climbed 5 & quot; fourteeners & quot;, remained warm and dry, and never more than 17 pounds on my back. Oh, and I & 39; n have never had as much fun with a serious Pack. This has been easier on his backpack best.
Steve Gillman is a long period and Backpacker, and defender of the light backpack. His advice and stories can be found in http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com
March 19, 2008
Private jet charters, no wonder, offer one of the finest options, which is available for frequent travelers and passengers looking to avoid the slugging formalities of conventional flights. As one would assume, special things come at a special price. Private jet charters are not cheap in any way, but the benefits that they present make it worthwhile of the price.
If we can analyze the factors that contribute the compensation of the price value, the first thing that will come to our mind is the availability of the aircraft to fly in-and-out of almost any airport in the USA. It is pleasantly surprising to know that private jets have access to more than 5,000 airports in the U.S. and Europe! Secondly, the flights are pre-planned and there is no time wasted in clearing the papers, and other formalities. This comes along with the fact that you would have better cabin experience!
There are some sundry items that make private jet charters a luxury. Some of these include making sure that the quality of food is at par with restaurant food; the qualified and trained staff caters to small group of passengers; and most importantly you do not have any stop overs in between destinations, which helps in saving a lot of time.
Services offered to private jet charter travelers
Now that we have briefly considered that some sundry features make private jet charters a luxury for the travelers apart from the main attracting features, we venture to learn more about the special services that are available to travelers who opt for private jet charter services.
The food quality is one of the major points in aviation, and private jet charters have the upper hand in it. Most private jet companies employ favorite chefs cooking the food and maintaining the quality of the food up to the standards of a reputed physical restaurant. The availability of space and food quality make it a pleasure for business travelers to opt for private jet charters.
Business travelers are free to hold meetings within the plane, enjoy time with their families, and prepare for important business proceedings such as seminars, presentations, etc. Time is considered to be most important in any business, and this is what private jet charters help in achieving. This option saves a lot of time.
At the end we can say that private jet charters are a beautiful option available in two modes: you can own a private jet or rent it for your various types of purposes. Private jets do provide ease, security, time-saving, and luxurious options for traveling, whether you want to go for frequent business trips or want to spend some time-off with your family while going on vacations.
March 18, 2008
Ol-5000-acre ranch and game sanctuary along the River Uaso Nyiro river, overlooked by the vast snow-covered Mount Kenya at the bottom, and ignores the Mukagodo Ndorobo home of the nomadic people.
It consists of four very luxurious guest houses built of natural stone with a thatched roof, and a living room and dining room, both with fireplaces, necessary in this part of Kenya.
Each cottage has huge windows to enhance the truly spectacular views, as well as on the water hole and salt lick, and the regular wildlife that comes to visit.
All is around the Bush, and there is a beautiful free-form swimming pool that has incredible views of the valley below.
Ol-Malo was built by the Francombes both born and raised in Kenya, and both knew exactly what was required when it was built, and how they wanted it to be.
Game Drives Bush breakfasts, accompanied walks, night game drives, sundowners, caches feature in all shelters and camps, and the whole world in a safari in Kenya and a luxry Africa Safari have been dealt with some, if not all.
Ol-Malo moves to the rhythm of a drum completely different thanks to the vision of Francombes.
Without apparent effort to be moved in Africa time, completely controlled by the sunrise and sunset, it will be as if the real world no longer exists, and you may find yourself seeing the abundance of game much closer to a vehicle Safari. You could be high on a camel, horse or on a mountain bike if desired.
One thing is certain it is certain that you will see and get close to game that is so protected and undisturbed by human contact, reach Ol Malo as a place of security and safety. You will almost certainly see elephant, giraffe, leopard, lion, Hyena, Zebra common, and the Grevy& 39;s zebra rare, endangered more than the Rhino.
At night revert to swim maybe a sunset, looking perhaps a herd of elephants arrive at the pond, absolutely memorable cooking, and maybe one night in the game of hide leopards watching closely, but in complete safety.
Ole-Malo is different, very different, and a place to visit in its inescapable Safari in Kenya, and more that someone very high on the list of destinations luxury African safari ..
March 17, 2008
Manchester Airport is home to 95 tour operators offering passengers over 300 domestic and international destinations. Manchester Ringway International Airport handles nearly 20 million passengers per year, so it s hardly surprising that finding the right Manchester Airport parking to suit your needs can be such a nightmare time consuming and expensive. However, the key to finding the right parking for your needs, at the right price, is now divulged for your reading pleasure
There are various Manchester Airport parking options available to passengers travelling through the Airport depending on budget, length of stay and level of service required. Determining which Manchester Airport parking option will best suit your needs is the first step:
* Standard Manchester Airport Parking Manchester short term parking is perfect for collecting or dropping off passengers, or for short trips. Any cars left unattended in the set down or pick up areas, will be towed away by the police and a release fee will be incurred. Therefore, if you need to leave your car unattended, motorists must park in the Manchester short stay car parks available at each Terminal.
* Business Manchester Airport Parking For travellers that need fast access through from parking to the airport can use the premier Park service. A car parking space will be pre-allocated, and on arrival, a staff member will have the booking details, take the car keys and park the car on your behalf. On your return, the car will be ready and waiting.
* Manchester Long Term Parking For passengers travelling away for more than a few days, Manchester long term parking is recommended. This is where the minefield begins. There are a huge number of different options available for Manchester Airport parking, and many companies competing for your business. The long stay car parks are serviced by regular shuttle bus services to the terminal buildings, running from every 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the car park you choose. Passengers using this option must leave plenty of time as the transfer to the airport takes from 30 to 50 minutes. Keep reading for tips on how to make your Manchester Airport parking decision and get the best price.
* Meet and Greet Manchester Airport Parking If you find bus transfers and off-site Manchester Airport parking a hassle, meet and greet Manchester Airport Parking offers customers a convenient valet service. Amongst many benefits, travellers can check-in within minutes of arriving at the airport and drive away minutes after clearing customs. A selection of meet and greet Manchester Airport Parking is available including standard valet service, undercover chauffeured parking or chauffeured parking with a wash and vacuum.
* Disabled Parking at Manchester Airport The blue badge scheme applies to car parks only as there is no waiting outside the terminal buildings themselves. All short stay car parks have dedicated parking bays for blue badge holders so ensure you take your badge with you. All long stay car parks have disabled parking bays situated near the entrances or reception office, however, to arrange long term parking closer to the terminal in the short stay car parks, passengers should call 0161 489 3732. Extra charges may apply and you will need to have your travel details and blue badge number handy.
Now we ve looked at all the options, how do I make sure I get the best quote to save me money? , I hear you ask
* Choose the best option for your needs: Whether this be standard or business Manchester Airport parking, Manchester long term parking, meet and greet or disabled parking * Pre-book: Booking Manchester Airport parking in advance will secure your parking space * Discounts: Online bookings will normally reward you with a further discount * Save time, find the right price and compare your options: Use an online Manchester airport parking price checker to make sure you are not paying over the odds. A price checker enables you to compare parking prices online.
The best Manchester airport parking price checker that I have found to compare Manchester airport car parking is available on the Manchester Airport information site:
* Truly Independent - so they get the best deals on parking prices and pass them on to you * Better Rates - the Company goes direct to the Manchester Airport parking operators so they can negotiate better rates * Monitor Competitors - to ensure they offer you the best prices * Information in one screen shot so you can instantly see the best option and price for your needs * Book online traipsing around for the best Manchester Airport parking is a thing of the past!
So next time you travel away, just follow the Manchester Airport parking tips in this simple guide, and you re away - more relaxed and with a few extra pennies in your pocket.
Bethanie Ashley is a frequent traveller keen to pass on time and money saving advice to others. Further useful information such as how to get to the airport, public transport, Manchester Airport parking, Terminal facilities, Airport security, Airlines, destinations, and for booking and paying for airport lounges, car rental, airport parking, travel insurance and foreign currency, can be found on the Manchester Information website.
March 17, 2008
The Staten Island Ferry is a fabulous institution. It is a huge ferry that departs from a very modern, glass enclosed terminal, holds several thousand people and in just about 20 minutes whisks you over to Staten Island, very close to the Statue of Liberty, and all this for free! One thing we really noticed about New York City is that we definitely love the public transportation system. With our week long pass we have been hopping on an off subways as we please and we have found the transit system to be very efficient, pretty clean and quite safe (for the most part).
The Staten Island Ferry is a great insiders way of sneaking a peak at the Statue of Liberty since it passes pretty close by Ellis Island. Not close enough to take really great pictures with a simple digital camera like mine, but I gave it a shot anyway.
As we got off the ferry terminal on Staten Island I had a bit of a hare-brained idea: I suggested that we board one of the buses that was waiting there, just to hop on and ride around and see the island. Of course I didn t have a bus map with me, didn t have any literature about Staten Island, so didn t know where we were going or what the major destinations were on the island. So we got on the 46 bus without any idea where we were going or how long it was going to take. (I guess I figured how big can the island be? Well, it s bigger than I thought…).
But we saw a good chunk of Staten Island s neighbourhoods and there are some pretty nice residential neighbourhoods, although I had expected a more upscale, more landscaped environment. The ethnic mix in the area seemed to be very much characterized by Blacks and Latinos, at least those were pretty much the only people getting on the bus. School had just ended so a bunch of highschool kids had gotten on with us.
Well, we rode the darn bus until the end, which ended up being a non-descript shopping mall called “West Shore Plaza”, where we ended up having a sandwich and strolling around in a sports store which had amazingly good prices on most merchandise. Then finally another bus showed up and we had to run to catch it.
It was a pretty non-eventful bus ride, people of all ages got on and off, then two young black teenage boys got on, but didn t pay. The bus driver didn t question them and we just continued the ride. All of a sudden, I heard a big noise, like someone fists hitting another person and all the people in the bus turned around, and the two young men were beating up a young short Latino teenager. It all took just a few seconds, right before a bus stop. The whole event was too quick for anyone else to react, although I have to say, the crowd showed compassion and shock at what had happened. The minute the bus came to a stop, the two guys jumped out and ran away.
Everybody was shocked. The Latino kid was sitting there, rumpled, stunned, not seriously hurt, but had a very pained expression on his face. After he had calmed down he explained that about 8 kids were trying to extract money form him at the bus stop, he said he didn t have any and gave them an expired transit pass and 2 of the guys followed him onto the bus.
I have never personally witnessed public violence, so this was very shocking to me and I was glad that the kid wasn t really hurt. But I did feel very sorry for the victim and the whole event left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly since we had had the impression that New York City had felt so clean and safe. As a matter of fact we had commented on that a number of times, of how little litter there was in the street, how few street people or hustlers there were, how there was no graffiti in the subways, and how safe it felt to be taking transit at all hours of the day. We heard that former mayor Rudy Giuliani as well as current mayor Michael Bloomberg have really been cleaning up the city, and it shows. I guess it still doesn t prevent all violence from happening.
After our return to Manhattan we subwayed it all the way up to 103rd Street and essentially walked all the way down through Central Park, admiring all the recreational facilities and the beauty of this giant green space. Further south we strolled over to 5th Avenue and then down into the Broadway Area just north of Times Square, where we had some quick Italian food at Ray s Pizza. The evening was pretty chilly, probably only about 12 degrees or so and past 11 we headed back home on the Q train, processing the memories of another packed day and studying the behaviour of our fellow transit riders all the way back.
March 16, 2008
Simpler Times?
One of the symptoms - if not one of the pleasures - of growing old is, I suppose, a fondness for remembering times past. I expect this penchant has been the case with ageing folk since a generation after the beginning of Time. And yet … it does seem to me that life was a lot simpler half a century ago.
This thought came to me the other day when watching a television news item in which President Blair came out to spout insincere tosh to the gathered media about some trivia or another. What caught my attention was not the latest presidential soundbite, but the sight of the crowd gathered by the gates which bar public access to Downing Street. It occurred to me then that, until fairly recently, one could walk unhindered into Downing Street, past Number Ten and on into the park beyond. I do know, of course, that in these days of terrorists and extremists who protest violently about this and that and everything in-between, one must have security. One cannot argue about that. Nonetheless, it is a pity that the public cannot now do what I and Joan did many times in the past, sometimes in the hope of spotting a statesman going into or coming out of Number Ten.*
So it is with other things.
I remember very clearly one lovely spring Sunday morning when Joan and I put on our best clothes and walked down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. I had read somewhere that anyone could go to the palace and ask to sign the Visitor s Book, and we thought we would put this to the test. We walked up to the policeman on one of the gates and enquired if we could sign the Palace Visitors Book. The policeman saluted politely and directed us to the door at the right of the palace where he said we would be met by a palace official. We walked across the courtyard and approached the door which was opened by a man in morning dress. He bade us good morning, showed us into a small waiting room and directed us to the Visitors Book which we signed, if my memory serves me correctly, just beneath the signature of an ambassador. Signatures complete, we were shown out again and, as we walked back across the courtyard, realised with a shock that we were now the focus of attention of crowds of people watching our exit. Doubtless, we exist in many fading photographs taken by the various tourists that were there that day.
When I think back, there seemed many things that one could do then that are impossible, or made difficult, these days.
Take, for example, newspaper offices. I recall visiting the offices of the Daily Express in Fleet Street one morning on the off-chance and asking to be shown around. A phone call was made and, not long afterwards, one of the office staff was showing me around the whole operation, including the print room where a compositor presented me with a piece of specially-produced metal type with my name on it.
So it was with the BBC. I can remember visits to Broadcasting House where I was warmly welcomed and shown around the various sound studios. When I once visited the BBC in Glasgow, someone even arranged for me to record a disk of my reciting something or other from that day s newspaper.
My inquisitive streak took me variously to factories, television studios (including the experimental colour television studios in Alexandria Palace), the Foreign Office, the basement storerooms of the British Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms (before they were opened to the public). And there were also a number of docks and the ships in them, as well as many other places where, to use a modern expression, I blagged my way in and was shown around. It was all very interesting and highly instructive.
Some of my evenings were spent hanging around a redundant church near where I lived which was used by the first independent television companies. Indeed, I almost became part of the fixtures and fittings in a couple of them for a time. I was able to watch programmes like Emergency Ward Ten being broadcast live and take home with me afterwards the secrets of how, for instance, anything that was meant to show white in the days of black and white television were actually bright yellow. Thus, doctors white coats and the patients notes they pretended to examine were in reality all bright yellow. It would be unthinkable in this day and age that a teenager could walk into a television studio off the street and make himself comfortable and familiar for weeks on end to the people working there and sometimes running errands for them.
Thinking about it, I suppose the point was that half a century ago people had the time - and the inclination - to talk to an inquisitive young man who showed an intelligent interest and to respond positively to his requests.
But it was also undoubtedly the case that in those days life was simpler. Terrorists didn t threaten government leaders, protesters didn t mark their protests with the sort of violence we sometimes see today, and companies maybe didn t guard their secrets as closely as they do now. Offices, studios and other places weren t sealed up like bank vaults and people seemed more at ease generally.
So it is that it is now impossible that we can walk the length of Downing Street or paddle in the Thames at the places that used to be accessible before property developers took over parts of the embankment. Or do or see many of the things we took for granted half a century ago. Maybe, this is and always has been the price of progress.
But, thinking it all over, maybe life wasn t just simpler. It was also quite probably so much less complicated!
* Why are there no real statesmen any more? Did they all die out as a breed to be replaced by the arrogant, spineless bunch of spin-led politicians we have these days?
One can no longer just turn up at the Palace and ask to sign the Visitor s Book. However, one can make an appointment to do so by making written application to the Master of The Royal Household nominating a date and time for the visit. Such visits are permitted even when the Queen in in residence.
Visit Brian MacDonald s website: www.brianmacdonald.info
March 16, 2008
Since our plane landed nice and early we had virtually a whole day left to explore yesterday. The weather was pretty nice, quite sunny when we started, although it clouded over a little and was a little on the cool side, it never got much above 15 degrees Celsius.
Around noon time we hopped on the Q subway line, which is literally 5 minutes from our bed and breakfast, and we made our way into Manhattan. The subway actually emerges at the Manhattan Bridge and we got a good look at the Brooklyn Bridge and the south-eastern tip of Manhattan.
We decided to get off on Times Square, figuring that this would be pretty good place to start exploring NYC. Times Square, with all its neon advertising signs, and promotional displays is something else. The sidewalks were totally full of people strolling and tons of promoters were handing out flyers for broadway shows, comedy shows and other entertainment events. There is so much advertising in the Times Square area with lights and displays blinking everywhere, that the individual advertisements actually started to run into one another in my mind, probably not the effect the advertisers tried to achieve. Indeed, the hustle and bustle in this area is huge and can get a little overwhelming.
We strolled around that area for a while, and walked by Rockefeller Center, although we did not get to explore the whole complex. Then we tracked down Grand Central Terminal and walked through this grandiose historic train station which opened in 1913. There are over 100 commuter train platforms at Grand central and they all run off a glorious central concourse.
The east side of Grand Central opens out almost straight onto the Chrysler Building, and considering that I am a huge fan of Art Deco skyscrapers, I had to go inside this 1929 masterpiece. As a tourist you can only access the lobby, but the central area with its ceiling mural and the authentic Art Deco elevators (and their doors covered in wood marquetry) are definitely worth a little detour.
Then we snaked our way up towards Central Park, mostly on Lexington and Fifth Avenues. We walked by the (apparently just closed) famous Plaza Hotel and into the south end of Central Park, a masterpiece of landscape design and 850 acres of much-needed recreational space by the famous landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead. We only explored the south end, including the Dairy and Sheep Meadow and headed out onto Central Park West with all its stately apartment buildings, including the Dakota Building, in front of which John Lennon was shot in 1980. The Strawberry Fields hillside garden was dedicated to his memory.
Everything is blooming here right now, and New York City is definitely a few weeks ahead of Toronto in terms of the horticultural cycle. Something was in the air, and I had to sneeze about a hundred times, and by the end of the day we both had to pick up some allergy medication since we were both battling major hayfever symptoms.
Then a brief hop on the subway later, we popped up again in Greenwich Village, a beautiful neighbourhood of brownstone townhouses and took in the ambience. We ended up at a nice little restaurant on 7th Avenue, called “Pennyfeathers” where we had a beautiful dinner in an enclosed porch so we could take in the street life.
A couple of subway rides later we came back to our temporary home in Brooklyn where we dropped into bed exhausted from all the walking, trying to catch up on a bit of rest for the next day.
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