News for Family and Friends

Journal of Overseas Trip 31 March to 10 May 2008

(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photographs; then use the back button to return)

David drove us to the San Francisco airport. The flight was delayed due to late arrival of international passengers. On arrival at Las Vegas took a taxi to Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon where we booked in to our room. We spent the afternoon and evening wondering up and down "the strip", looking in different places. Lunch was had at Flamingo's and dinner was consumed at Bill's Steak Restaurant (very posh and somewhat expensive). Las Vegas is all gloss and glitter, very tacky, being devoted to thematic casinos, shops, entertainment ("shows"), constant offers of free entertainment in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation, and people handing out cards showing near naked women which are said to be available to come to your hotel room.

Las Vegas glitz Imitation Montgolfier Balloon at the Paris Casino

Las Vegas - Sphinx One of many forms of the sphinx in Vegas

Early breakfast and then taken by shuttle van for our day at the Grand Canyon. We started with a scenic flight to the South Rim of the canyon which was somewhat bumpier than usual due to high winds. We were supposed to then take a helicopter flight over the canyon, but due to the weather conditions this was cancelled and we were taken to the National Geographic Visitor Center where we saw a good IMAX movie showing the history and scenic views of the canyon, this was a substitute for the helicopter flight. We had a buffet lunch and then were taken by coach to two viewing vantage points over the canyon followed by the flight back to Las Vegas. After freshening up at the hotel we dashed down the strip and booked ourselves in to see the Cirque du Soleil's production (Zumanity). It was an adults only show involving plenty of interactivity with the audience (fortunately not us).

The Hoover Dam taken from the plane.	Grand Canyon
John at the Grand Canyon	The plane
Grand Canyon	Another photo from the aircraft

Woke up early, did not sleep in as late as expected after the late night. Breakfast at Bill's then finished packing and checked out, left our luggage at Bill's and spent the day wandering the strip, saw the lions at MGM, did some shopping. John bought my (Ruth's) birthday gift in Las Vegas (red jacket). Las Vegas is not really our sort of place although perhaps we could warm to it more than we did with more time. Arrived early at the airport, we were under the impression that we were to be provided with a meal on the flight but discovered this was not the case.

MGM Lions: they really couldn't care

Arrived at John F Kennedy (JFK) airport and took the Air train to Jamaica Station and transferred to the Subway to get to the hotel. What a ride! We had to stand up from Jamaica Station to Queens Plaza with our cases and backpacks. The train jerked and swayed all the way. Dropped our cases in the hotel and then took the Subway again. The hotel was nice enough but it is in a very dirty area. Took the Subway to Macy's New York Store (West 34th Street) where we had a chocolate drink. We then walked to the Empire State Building. We got into a long, long queue (the first of many in New York) and finally arrived at the counter and purchased our "City Passes". Further queues and a security check and we finally took the elevator & stairs to the Observation deck. Fantastic views; and the audio commentary which was included with the City Pass was very good. We both took many photographs. Then down to earth and headed north along 5th Avenue and looked at buildings including Lord & Taylor. Then we went to Bryant Park and the adjacent New York Public library and took photographs and went in to see what we could find on Septimus Swyer (John's paternal great grandfather). Found some, which expanded our knowledge of this elusive gentleman. Had dinner and returned to the hotel to book in and settle for the night.

Macy's and traffic from Empire State Building

A view of New York from Empire State Building

Found the library again and continued on with our walk from yesterday (downloaded from the Internet), we then went to see Grand Central Station (it's correct name is apparently Grand Central Terminal). A big place! We caught the Subway to Bowling Green and the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House with the mistaken belief that it was Thursday! So the walk of the Financial District was not happening! Walked around Battery Park and saw the Eternal Flame in memory of those killed in the Twin Towers disaster. Returned to the old Custom House to look at its exhibits, it houses the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian which was very impressive. Went to dinner at Mr Biggs (NZ waitress) and then did the harbour cruise (came as part of the City Pass deal). Very good commentary, saw the skyline in daylight one way and evening the other way. After returning walked down Broadway taking photographs of the dazzling lights.

The Sphere in Battery Park.	Grand Central but, not the Schelling Point.
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House wall and ceiling	Light at Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
John at Mr Biggs Pub	Staten Island Ferry

Visited the Cloisters (a branch of the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art). We travelled by train and bus to get there. A former Roman Catholic Monastery that was well worth the visit. Then we travelled by M4 bus to the main NY Museum of Art. A large institution housing many fine works of sculptures and paintings. Had tea/dinner there and looked some more and then returned to the hotel. Too much for one day - but the entry fee covers both places for one single day.

Cloisters courtyard

Cloisters from outside

Steam pipe in the centre of a New York street at night

Walked over the Brooklyn Bridge in the morning, started from the NY end and then caught the Subway back. Arrived at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in time to wait for it to open. Not as exciting or as large as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The special exhibition on the top floor was mainly about nano technology and was so crowded it was difficult to absorb much. After MoMA continued looking at the buildings of New York including the Rockefeller Center.

Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian level

Brooklyn Bridge motor vehicle level

Rockefeller Center

Most of the day was spent visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty was well worth the visit. We went into the base and saw the museum and then up to the viewing area at the base of the Statue. Wanted to have lunch on Liberty Island but found it too crowded, too slow and too awkward. Found nothing at Ellis Island on Septimus Swyer, but the attendant suggested the Archive in Washington and gave us a brochure. Many immigrants arriving in the US went through Ellis Island. The medical test was done by observing the potential immigrants climb the stairs (several medical conditions checked in about six seconds) and this was followed by an examination of the eyes. If you passed these two then you continued on to the next stage. We returned to Battery Point and then we took a brief walk around the financial district. NY Stock Exchange on Wall Street was heavily guarded. After that we visited Union Square and then had dinner.

Statue of Liberty Museum	Ellis Island
The financial district "Charging Bull" from behind. Some parts are rubbed for good luck.	The Bowling Green Bull - the more popular end for photographing.

We travelled by Subway to the address where Septimus Swyer (John's great grandfather) lived in about 1895. We are not sure if current building was that old, certainly the street level facade seemed relatively recent but we are not experts in NY architecture. Walked through Central Park on the Bridal Path and then visited the Museum of Natural History. We spent the rest of the day there. Again it was impossible to do justice in one day! Returned to the city and had dinner before returning to the hotel.

Central Park

Butterfly at The American Museum of Natural History

Butterfly at The American Museum of Natural History

In the morning we visited the Guggenheim Museum (building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) and weaved our way through the displays up the great spiral ramp to the top. Very interesting. Much of the building was closed due to renovation so our visit was somewhat curtailed. In the afternoon visited another NY Museum and that was followed by a walk to Washington Square Park where we found infants were being minded by their nannies. Also some young people were sun backing. Then dinner after which we did some more walking before returning to Union Square and then we used the Subway to get back to the hotel.

Arch in Washington Square built for the centennial of George Washington's inauguration as President

Blossom in Washington Square New York

Packed up and caught the train to Jamaica Station and transferred to the JFK Air Train and arrived at JFK in plenty of time for our flight to Dulles, Washington. After our special attention TSA check (because we were connecting to an international flight?) had some lunch. John had his boots shined by the boot shine for US$7.00. He said they were good Australian boots! The flight departed on time.