Lovely homes & shopping Malls

Today we saw the lovely homes of Columbia. Very different to our homes or the ugly red brick versions of the New Yorkers. The suburbs are similar to our Highfields in Toowoomba. The city is geographically large with 500000 people, yet feels like Highfields. Very comfortable because it is low density living unlike New York.

Later we spent most of our day at the shopping mall doing Christmas shopping. The people are very polite and friendly. Very curious about our accents. Their accent has that famous Southern drawl. Shopping seemed to us not that different to our shopping centres. Shopping lines at the shop counters moved quickly unlike some of our department stores. Eg Big W clifford Gardens. Australian wine is cheaper here by far. Hmm. Price wise everything is generally the same except food that is greatly cheaper here. One shop keeper told us that the locals are money wise less inclined to spend since the crash. We get the impression that Wall Street types are not liked much. Having met some in New York subway, I certainly can understand that opinion.

It was a great day for the girls as they got to play with some local kids next door. As per the nature of our girls, a follow-up play over was quickly arranged by the girls. Charlotte managed to touch a squirrel, a feat given the cats can't catch them. I suspect the prospect of peanuts probably dulled it's wits long enough for a brief touch.

On the whole a very nice day similar to our spring.

Escape from New York

Unlike the movie, our escape from New York was relatively painless. We left our Hotel at 6am and arrived at the airport at 8.30am after a escape scene similar to the Movie because of traffic. The trip confirmed for us there are no rules on the roads of NewYork; only attitude, horns and might is right. Akin to a roller coaster ride, we were bounced around our seats as the driver executed turns and weaves that would have made "snake" from the movie proud. As I recall with an eye patch our driver could have placed for "snake". Hmmm.

United Airlines did their best, but Australian domestic airlines are superior by far. Airport security was very polite but wanted everything out of it's cases and shoes, belts etc off. It took awhile to get everything back on or in it's case. Easier to come naked through security.

The aircrew were great. We were lucky, it began to snow heavily and there was a chance that plane could be grounded. We were delayed as the wings were de-iced. A quick flight to Washington DC ended with a scramble tlthe next gate and expecting another extensive security check. To our surprise, no security check and 20 metre walk to our new gate! ( You got to win occasionally. )

Again the air crew were great and the flight went well.

Our arrival in Columbia SC was a joyous moment as it ended our "fast paced" part of the trip, George met us at the Airport which was great as it was nice to see a familar face who cared about us. We arrived at George & Chris's lovely home among the oak trees and squirrels. The squirrels quickly became a favourite with the girls. Certainly fascinating watching them jump from tree to tree. I knew they made their nests in trees but in the trunks. The nests are actually in the branches like a rough woody birds nest. They also not only run up and down the trunks but along the branches thick and thin and jump from branch to branch tree to tree.

We finished the day with lovely home cooked meal and great company.

Exploring New York

Today will made use of our bus and water taxi tour. We travelled from uptown westside to midtown by bus. We saw Harlem, central park, The Empire State building, and Rockefeller centre. We stopped midtown to visit the M&M centre. Very addictive stop for all things M&M and any type of paraphanalia with M&M on it including hand bags, cups, dog coats, shirts stationary you wanted it and it would have been there even M&M Monopoly. There was even M&M Mood Translator which told you Which M&M you are.

We returned to our tour, to pass ground zero, wall street, Greenwich village and the wharves. We took a water taxi to see the harbour and the Statue of Liberty. The Statue was amazing. We return to midtown to visit the observation deck of the Rockefeller Centre's 67th floor. Nee York is amazing from above at night! The girls got their visit to Build A Bear. The girls clicked through $$ of there own here!

We took subway home after a very full day. The tour operators were on the whole very good. We found the citizens of New York friendly and curious of our accent and homeland. The exception was perhaps the guys in suits and overcoats. New York was certainly worth a visit!

New York

A very interesting place, and like the other locations, three days will not do it justice! We started the morning in a local diner, the food was plentiful, service good and price fair. The staff were Latin Americans, in fact most of the service staff are either Latin or Afro-American. The amount served in any restaurant we have eaten in is quite large and has stumped us. To get around town we have bought tickets on a tourist bus company Grayline which has various loops around the city and is hop on hop off. We used two of the links yesterday to get to Lion King. The guides and drivers on the bus are usually helpful but the resellers on the streets not so. One unfortnate thing with these buses was that the loop for our part of town finished at 5pm. Our theatre finished at the same time so we discovered the sub way. Bit daunting at first but a very helpful official helper at the station gave us instructions on what to catch to get us home. The speed of the train was amazing.

We visited an amazing ToysRus. Huge.

Lion King was awesome as was the theatre. Even though we were second back row and in the middle, we still had an excellent view. As the theatre was three quarters the size of the Empire. The only thing we missed might have been facial expressions and costume detail. The production was larger than life and used the whole stage so much closer it would have been hard to take it all in. A must to see for anyone who enjoys the theatre. Broadway is chaotic jumble of lights, buildings and people all moving flats-out. An human ant nest.

Today will see us visiting Empire, Top of the Rock and the Statue of Liberty all going well.

Over the Pond to New York

Late post, but yesterday we flew into New York from Munich.

We started the day early being in a water taxi at 6.45am. We zipped across Venice's numerous canals to the airport in the pre-dawn gloom. It was a fast trip and we arrived on time. We were sad to leave Venice.

Marco Polo airport was clean, modern and well organized. Checkin went smoothly for the flight to Munich and NewYork. (a great change to Frankfurt). After a flight delay, we flew over the Alps to Munich. We had a very brisk walk but we made our connecting flight to NewYork. Munich was like Marco Polo, a complete contrast to Frankfurt.

The flight to NewYork was comfortable and quick (relatively to the last long haul). Lufthansa air crew did great job, we were well fed and entertained.

Entry into NewYork went smoothly, despite rumours that US officials are over-protective of their borders. JFK airport was ok.

Our trip to our Broadway Hotel took awhile due to traffic and snow.

We will be careful crossing the street in NY as cars seem to rule.

Our Hotel is ok. We have been enjoying European standards so we shouldn' t comment much. Firstly the staff seem helpful and friendly which is very good. Our room is small, about the same size as the girl's room in Basel or Venice. It's a typical motel room you would find in country Australia. The Hotel is clean but tired looking. No safe but has free wireless. Fittings out of a 1940's movie with modern bits added. That said, it will do for 3 nights. We spent more here than in Europe for a Hotel room.

A day in Venice

Today was cold wet and flooded. We spent the majority of the morning and early afternoon indoors. The tide didn't go out until much later. The apartment foyer was partially flood which slowed us down. We spent the morning organising checkin and a expensive water taxi. Still uncertain if we are safely checked in???

We went back to San Marco square and the Doge Palace in the afternoon. Took some more photos and film. Eventually we did a tour of the Doge Palace. The Doge Palace was the government seat of power of the Venetian republic from the 8th to the late 18th century. Sheer size and splendor of the palace takes away one's breath. Venetian power over 1000 years is represented in sheer wealth of the palace's decoration. We took in the sculpure, paintings, murals, gold and gilded walls. Art work of the masters adorned most walls. Ceilings hung from the heavens, and are decorated beyond belief. A grand courtyard of marble and gold is framed by 4 palace wings. We saw perhaps 10% of the palace. The age of the art and palace is easily 5 times Modern Australian settlement in age.

We left the palace in twilight for the Rialto bridge. The Rialto area is traditionally Venice's Market area where cargos of the east entered Europe. The bridge spans the Grand Canal and is 500 years old. It so large, that shops line it's sides.

Later we returned home via several cafes.

Sadly we didn't get to see the grand harbour this visit, perhaps next time.

The adventure of travel part 2

The saga continues with arranging 100.euro (Au$200) water taxi to the airport. Apparently it takes 30 minutes.

The adventure of Travel

We are quickly learning that overseas Airlines overbooked their flights! It means that Internet check in is vital, as in popular flights are usually taken by the time you physically checkin at the airport. We are currently checking in online to avoid disappointment at the airport tommorrow. We suspect this is what happened in Frankfurt. The airlines see it as your problem if you miss out. We are told it is the same in USA so we are lucky in how Australian air travel works.

Exploring Venice

Every where in Venice is rich history and local fellows willing to get your tourist Euro. That said, the typical local is friendly. Prices in Venice are more expensive than Basel. A glass (typical kitchen variety 100 ml) of Fanta will cost you 2-3 euros (Au $5-6). Everywhere someone is willing to sell you something whether you want it or not. We can home this evening with 5 roses and 10 euros less in the pocket. The deal was done so fast my head is still spinning. Not sure what we will do with 5 roses!! Travel by boat is expensive, 26 Euro per ride for the 4 of us. (Europeans generally earn about 2500-3000 euros per month Au$5-6000 so we are at a disadvantage, but cost of living is more expensive.)

The food is very nice. Pastry goods are worth every euro. Pizza was divine but was different in the crust. The crust was crispy and tasty. The coffee is heavenly.

Glassware is beautiful and expensive. We were very lucky today as we were Invited to a glass blowing factory on the island of Murano to see
Glass being blown. We where given a free water taxi ride to the factory, where we saw a horse and bottle being made. Very interesting. We were given a private tour of the factory gallery. The glassware we saw was very unique and beautiful beyond compare. Stunning! We purchased some items... Ouch! We learnt it takes 20 years to master glass blowing.

Venice during winter floods every 6-8 hours. A siren sounds, and depending on the tone tells you the height. The flood tide rises very quickly, in the space of time it took us to get our coats, the water had rose up to our ankles. Locals wear glum-boots. We saw beautifully dressed women (and brides) wearing gum-boots. The tides last 2-3 hours.

Venice is grand place, rich with history. Everywhere is buildings 4-5 times older than modern Australia. The alleyways and lanes are narrow and ancient looking. The palaces are huge and extensively decorated in stone work, art, and gold. It gives you a buzz just walking to the supermarket. It is obivous that Venice was once centre of European trade from the 10th to 16th century. It is equally obivous that it is now a museum city in decline. Certainly Venice's buildings show their age but there is a fair bit of restoration work ongoing.