The Rose and Dragon: October 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

San Francisco 3-5/10/12

And the final stop was San Francisco after a 6 hour flight from JFK. Slightly uncomfortable really - we were on American Airlines who two days before grounded their 757 planes as some of the seats came loose... Next time I think we'll fly Delta Airlines.

San Francisco was an interesting experience and frankly didn't quite grab us. The timing was perhaps a little unfortunate as it was "Fleet week", when about 1 million visitors descend on San Francisco to admire the Navy. Tempers and American pride was perhaps a little on the high side...

Still, we did enjoy seeing some of the sights and sounds of the city. I can see San Francisco being a good base for tripping around California rather than a prolonged stay in the future.

Around and about the city

Along the Embacadero

Cable Cars

Alcatraz

Pier 39

Blue Angels - the Navy flight display team

The Bay Bridge - bigger, longer and older than the Golden Gate but less famous!

Transamerica Pyramid AKA Pereira's Prick

Coit Tower up Telegraph Hill

The Palace of Fine Arts - leftover from the World Fair in the 1960's

Presidio Park

Golden Gate Bridge

Sausalito across the Bay...

That's all folks!

The Rose

New York - 30/9 - 3/10/12

Took the Amtrak train from Montreal to New York. Not a trip I'd recommend! Whilst it was a nice way to see some of the Eastern scenery, the train was tiresome with cute aspects such as not assigning seats. We ended up across the aisle from one another until we were able to go up to the dining car. The trip took 10 hours and we were definitely over it by then, especially as the air con had broken down. Next time I think a flight is in order!

We arrived in New York about 9.30pm. I've never been in a city that so completely lives up to its reputation - it was just fantastic. We stayed in the middle of Manhattan (Affinia Hotel, W 31st & 7th Streets) which was a great central location. If you were staying longer e.g. a week, somewhere in Brooklyn or further north probably would make sense however three nights in Manhattan lets you enjoy the energy of New York to the full.

The food was excellent, everything was open all hours and the people were friendly and helpful. It was easy to navigate around and we used the subways from the first day - again, a simple and automated system. I think every second person was a tourist - everyone was taking photos!

The architecture is stunning in New York - every building stands out. We also went to Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera during the trip at the Lincoln Centre - what a great show. Just loved New York and can't recommend it enough :)

Various views along 5th Avenue