Holiday
Melbourne - Boston
Left Melbourne pretty much on time around 11am. The flight seemed to be fairly full. To my consternation I was sitting near a family with young children. I kept thinking, “Please get off in Auckland, please get off in Auckland.” I don’t mind travelling around children, but not on long-haul flights when I’m trying to sleep. I had my usual aisle seat. For short flights I don’t mind sitting next to the window, but when I’m travelling more that 4 hours or so, I’ll have to go to the toilet. I’m happy to move to let someone else out, but I hate having to disturb other people, so I choose the aisle. Watched the latest Indiana Jones movie - it was pretty bad. I’m glad that I didn’t fork out the money to see it in the theatre.
Arrive on time to Auckland and had the chance to get off and stretch my legs and go to the loo. We had about an hour to wait to re-board. The flight from Auckland to Los Angeles wasn’t very full at all. There were lots of empty seats in the back part of the plane where I was seated. I had 3 seats all to myself - much to my delight. Watched Children of the Silk Road which wasn’t too bad. There wasn’t really much to choose from. Emirates definitely has the best entertainment in my limited experience. I ended up finishing off Sleepers instead. So glad that I’d loaded up my iPod with Torchwood. *g* Despite having 3 seats to myself, I didn’t really sleep well. I’m not the best sleeper on a plane.
We had a few patches of turbulence. One not long after the plane left Auckland - we had a fairly large drop. It was a bit like hitting a giant pothole. Luckily the seat-belt sign was still on so that there were no dramas. The worst turbulence was when I was in the toilet. It is not easy arranging yourself while you’re being tossed around. It was a bit difficult staggering back to my seat, but I managed it.
At least we were able to arrive at the gate. Last time I was over, we landed somehere out in the middle and had to be bussed over to the terminal. It seemed to take forever to reach the immigration queue. Pretty much breezed through immigration in LA. The officer was actually pleasant. I find US immigration to be somewhat scary because on your arrival card you basically sign away your rights to appeal if you’re denied entry. The fingerprint and eye scans were straightforward and painless. Then I had to wait for my suitcase - why does mine always seem to be one of the last ones out? Probably because I’m always really early to check in. *g*
Got directions outside the airport to find the shuttle to my hotel. I do love free transportation. I stayed at the Holiday Inn LAX. I just wanted something close to the airport so that I could break up my travelling time. Checked in and then when up to my room. It was so nice just to lie down. I had a little nap. I didn’t want to sleep too long because I wanted to be able to sleep that night, but I wouldn’t have been able to make it without an hour. Called my sister to let her know that I’d arrived safely. Had McDonalds for tea - yeah really exciting. But, when I’m jet-lagged, I just fancy junk. The regular meal was what we would get upsized to. Didn’t sleep too bad, did wake up early. Read the paper in bed while I drank my coffee. Isn’t that the best way to start a holiday?
Had an early flight to Boston. 7.30am. Left the hotel early, so that I would have plenty of time to check in. I was back to the same terminal that I’d arrived in. Qantas is a codeshare partner with American Airlines so they use that terminal for arrivals. Used the self-check in service. Didn’t seem to be any faster, maybe it is if you don’t actually have checked luggage. I was seated next to a guy who kept encroaching on my seat space. I hate that with a passion. I don’t mind if it’s someone I know, but strangers - grrr!!! Luckily there were a few spare seats so I escaped across the aisle - much better. You have to buy your snacks with AA and they ran out. I’d had the forethought to pick up some crackers before I left, otherwise I would have been starving for 5 hours. Not that it would have done any harm. Drinks are free which was good, and they give you big cans, not the tiny ones like some airlines do. The movie was Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. It was one I had considered seeing but had never got around to it. A nice movie - not too much concentration required.
It didn’t take too long to get my bags and find a shuttle to take me to my hotel. We went through a rather long tunnel. I found out later that it went under the harbour. I stayed at the Hilton Financial District. (It was actually cheaper than some of the other hotels I was looking at.) I was greeted by a doorman - not used to staying in hotels with doormen! I was up on the 5th floor which meant that it was a bit quieter. I went out to explore a bit. The first thing I noticed was the number of red-brick buildings - lots of them. I found something to eat for dinner - having decided that the hotel restaurant wasn’t for me. There wasn’t much on the menu that I would eat. It’s kind of difficult when you don’t eat seafood (other than a bit of fish) or mushrooms. It was a bit pricy too, but I guess that was to be expected. Had an early night because I wanted to be up early the next day to squeeze in as much as I could.
Boston
Started the day with coffee and the newspaper. Got to have my morning coffee, then headed out to start my day. I’d pre-purchased a trolley tour, so my plan was to get the ticket first. It was a fairly easy walk to do this. Boston has lots of funny little streets and quite a few one way streets as well. The streets aren’t on much of a grid pattern. I was a bit unsure of where to cross the road at times. It was fine with the cross signals, but they have lines painted like pedestrian crossings, but they don’t have any signage. In the end, I just followed everyone else and hoped I didn’t get run over. After getting my trolley ticket, I made my way to Boston Common. My other plan for the day was to do The Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail takes you post historically significant sites. Some sites are on the trail, others slightly off. First was the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Massachusetts memorial. They were the basis for the civil war movie Glory. Opposite is the State House which I didn’t go into. The Old State House was where the Declaration of Independence was first read, and the events of the Boston Massacre happened in front of it. There are several burying sites along the trail. Old Granary has the victims of the Boston Massacre, several revolutionaries including Paul Revere. I was fascinated by the churches. They have box pews which were designed to keep in the heat during winter. I visited Paul Revere’s house. Saw Faneuil Hall with its grasshopper weathervane. I was really keen to see this because of my Trixie Belden interest. In the town where the books are set, they have a grasshopper weathervane called Hoppy. Susan, I did say hello to Hoppy! (I didn’t wave though.)
Walked out to see the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) It’s the oldest commissioned warship afloat. Did the below decks tour. I was really hot down below. Must have been really unpleasant in the old days, but maybe there’s more breeze when you’re actually out at see. I hadn’t thought about climbing up and down ladders when I dressed that morning - I was wearing a skirt! Oh well. It’s not as if I’m ever likely to see any of those people again. LOL!
I didn’t walk to Bunker Hill because it was getting late and I still had my trolley ticket to use. Plus I was getting exhausted after being on my feet for over 6 hours. Caught my trolley just outside. Went across the river to Cambridge and drove past MIT. Didn’t see any of Harvard. Most of the things we went past I had already seen, but that was okay. The driver still pointed out little things of interest. Got off at the stop by the aquarium and walked back to my hotel. On the way I picked up a guidebook at a shop called “Inside the Hub.” How could I resist a name like that! When I got back to the hotel, it was so nice to flop down on my bed! I ended up getting a little sunburned. I didn’t think I had spent quite that much time out in the open, but I guess I was wrong.
I liked my day in Boston, and wished had more time here. Even if people do call you “Miss.” I had to grin to myself when I thought of Donna’s reaction - “Do I look single?” Hee! Not that I said it out loud. What I really like about Boston is its pride in its history. I love the old brick buildings nestled amongst huge skyscrapers. It’s a city that’s easy to walk around. I’d love to go back and explore further afield. I didn’t do a lot of shopping - just some postcards and magnets.
Boston - New York
Had a buffet breakfast at the hotel. Good variety of food, although not cheap and I didn’t eat enough to get my money’s worth. Chatted to a lady at the next table who was charmed by my accent. My flight wasn’t until early afternoon, so I went back and took a few more photos. Being September 11th, there was a ceremony at the State House. They started reading out the victims names. It was sad hearing parents reading the lists when they would mention their child’s name.
At the airport I was given the option of sticking with my flight to JFK or taking a shuttle flight to La Guardia. Apparently you can get delays at JFK due to the high traffic. Didn’t care either way, so took the shuttle. On Delta shuttle flights, you aren’t assigned a seat, you just choose one when you get on - rather like getting on a bus. Got snacks, which was surprising for an hour flight. Got the shuttle to my hotel - The Affinia Manhattan. It took ages to get through all the traffic. That’s my first impression of New York - traffic! Plus all the tall buildings. Did finally get to the hotel. The guy at check-in asked if it was my first time in the US, I said no, but my first time in New York. He offered to put me up as high as possible - so I ended up on the 20th floor. That’s the highest I’ve ever been! No much of a few, just lots of buildings. It was quite though, couldn’t really hear any street traffic, just occasional sirens. My room had a kitchenette which was fantastic. Now I could have real milk in my coffee instead of that non-dairy creamer! I had 6 pillows on my bed!! It took a little to get up my courage to venture outside. I was on 7th Avenue, a couple of blocks from Macy’s and near the Pennsylvania Station, and Madison Square Garden. I wandered up the street. There were cars everywhere and so many people rushing about. You just about take you life in your hands crossing the road. Cars don’t seem to obey the cross signal - and taxis are the worst of the lot. I was a bit overwhelmed so I escaped into Borders. Nothing like a bookshop to feel relaxed. I was really good and didn’t buy anything though. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake as last time when I bought so many books I had to post them all back to NZ. Picked up a salad, cereal, and some milk at a deli and made my way back to the hotel. Grabbed a map from the concierge’s desk. Checked in with my sister, and had an early night.