Fall Colours
Friday
15th October
Woke up to find the storm never happened. Guess the forecasters here are the same as in Perth, better to be warned than not, just in case it does happen. We were on the bus at 7.50 for an 8 am start. There is a time limit on how long a coach can park in front of the hotel as the street is very narrow and traffic was already starting to get aggro, and as is the norm the horns were blaring. Tom, our driver, had to pull out which meant we were on our way as MJ did the head count. 35 passengers on board, 1 is missing, which the hotel confirmed with a phone call to MJ. After a quick trip around the block we picked up Joyce and were on our way out of New York. MJ gave us a narrative on the way out which was very interesting, I just hope I can make this as interesting.
As we waited at the lights I quickly scribbled down, in my own version of shorthand, what was written on the post office building; "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds". Thought you might like to know that. People often think that New York is an unsafe place to be, and the bank robber shooting probably doesn't help this image, but as MJ told us, Mayor Guiliana did a great job of cleaning up New York city and my experience has been that it is, as long as you don't go wandering down dark alleys. On the way out of New York I only took a few photo's; the public car park near the hotel, interesting to say the least, a statue of Harriet Tubman; The Harlem Children's Zone; a crossing guard and I can't remember what that ball was. MJ or someone that was on the tour and reading this might let me know.
At 9.40 we crossed the border into Connecticut, where the options list for this tour was handed out. There were 3 options at a total cost of $6900, why not do the lot again hey. Drought has cased an issue with the fall colours this season, due to not enough rain the leaves have started falling earlier and MJ is a little concerned that we won't get to see the trees in all their glory. As we travel further north to Newport, the colour change is becoming more evident, giving the promise of a lot more to come. Don't worry MJ, I am sure New England will not let you down. And aren't you all lucky to be getting the chance to view LOTS of photo's of trees :-).
11.50 saw us cross the border into Rhode Island and a lunch stop in Newport. Sorry there is only a photo of a tram but after we had finished lunch and Emie got herself a cup of coffee, we only had time to find an ATM and head back to the bus. Missed checking out the Christmas Shop but I'm sure my credit card is thankful for that. I wouldn't mind another visit to Newport and maybe stay a day or two. It was a pretty coastal area, lots of boats, cute shops and some very interesting stuff to do according to the map. I think a spring or summer visit would be best though as the wind was howling and bitter cold.
Tom, you remember the bus driver, he has already nicknamed me Georgie Girl, just hope he doesn't start singing the song. Travelling onwards through Brenton Point we were on our way to visit The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt's summer home. Wow, what an amazing place and grand display of wealth. The original Breakers burnt down on November 25th 1892 to be rebuilt in 1893-1985. I can understand it taking nearly 2 years to build, it was incredible. Unfortunately there are no photo's of the inside, we were supposed to buy those from the shop at the end of the tour. You can Google images if you wish to see some photo's of the inside. Cornelius rebuilt the house using steel and stone, wouldn't want it to burn down again. There was an outside lounge that we took photo's from. Many parties were held here and I can understand why. The view was beautiful. The name The Breakers was chosen due to the view of watching the water break on the rocks below.
5.25pm and we have now crossed the border into Massachusetts, and of course we have hit the peak (rush) hour traffic, arriving 1/2 an hour late in Plymouth, where a reception to welcome us was held. Emie and I dropped our gear up in our room, cases had already been delivered, and headed back down to the lobby to check out the restaurant & pub for dinner menus. Opted for the pub, there was an old lady playing a piano accordian in the restaurant, not quite my thing. We both ordered a Mayflower beer and I had fish, Mahi Mahi, really good stuff, with rice and asparagus. A singer was setting up his gear whilst we were eating, so we hung around to listen to him. He was good, and sang a lot of stuff that I knew, although he did do some local songs and one he wrote himself, but they were good too so a good night all round. Emie left at 9 leaving about 3/4s of her beer, but me, I stuck around till 11 - 3 beers later, I liked the Samuel Adams Boston lager.
Woke up to find the storm never happened. Guess the forecasters here are the same as in Perth, better to be warned than not, just in case it does happen. We were on the bus at 7.50 for an 8 am start. There is a time limit on how long a coach can park in front of the hotel as the street is very narrow and traffic was already starting to get aggro, and as is the norm the horns were blaring. Tom, our driver, had to pull out which meant we were on our way as MJ did the head count. 35 passengers on board, 1 is missing, which the hotel confirmed with a phone call to MJ. After a quick trip around the block we picked up Joyce and were on our way out of New York. MJ gave us a narrative on the way out which was very interesting, I just hope I can make this as interesting.
As we waited at the lights I quickly scribbled down, in my own version of shorthand, what was written on the post office building; "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds". Thought you might like to know that. People often think that New York is an unsafe place to be, and the bank robber shooting probably doesn't help this image, but as MJ told us, Mayor Guiliana did a great job of cleaning up New York city and my experience has been that it is, as long as you don't go wandering down dark alleys. On the way out of New York I only took a few photo's; the public car park near the hotel, interesting to say the least, a statue of Harriet Tubman; The Harlem Children's Zone; a crossing guard and I can't remember what that ball was. MJ or someone that was on the tour and reading this might let me know.
At 9.40 we crossed the border into Connecticut, where the options list for this tour was handed out. There were 3 options at a total cost of $6900, why not do the lot again hey. Drought has cased an issue with the fall colours this season, due to not enough rain the leaves have started falling earlier and MJ is a little concerned that we won't get to see the trees in all their glory. As we travel further north to Newport, the colour change is becoming more evident, giving the promise of a lot more to come. Don't worry MJ, I am sure New England will not let you down. And aren't you all lucky to be getting the chance to view LOTS of photo's of trees :-).
11.50 saw us cross the border into Rhode Island and a lunch stop in Newport. Sorry there is only a photo of a tram but after we had finished lunch and Emie got herself a cup of coffee, we only had time to find an ATM and head back to the bus. Missed checking out the Christmas Shop but I'm sure my credit card is thankful for that. I wouldn't mind another visit to Newport and maybe stay a day or two. It was a pretty coastal area, lots of boats, cute shops and some very interesting stuff to do according to the map. I think a spring or summer visit would be best though as the wind was howling and bitter cold.
Tom, you remember the bus driver, he has already nicknamed me Georgie Girl, just hope he doesn't start singing the song. Travelling onwards through Brenton Point we were on our way to visit The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt's summer home. Wow, what an amazing place and grand display of wealth. The original Breakers burnt down on November 25th 1892 to be rebuilt in 1893-1985. I can understand it taking nearly 2 years to build, it was incredible. Unfortunately there are no photo's of the inside, we were supposed to buy those from the shop at the end of the tour. You can Google images if you wish to see some photo's of the inside. Cornelius rebuilt the house using steel and stone, wouldn't want it to burn down again. There was an outside lounge that we took photo's from. Many parties were held here and I can understand why. The view was beautiful. The name The Breakers was chosen due to the view of watching the water break on the rocks below.
5.25pm and we have now crossed the border into Massachusetts, and of course we have hit the peak (rush) hour traffic, arriving 1/2 an hour late in Plymouth, where a reception to welcome us was held. Emie and I dropped our gear up in our room, cases had already been delivered, and headed back down to the lobby to check out the restaurant & pub for dinner menus. Opted for the pub, there was an old lady playing a piano accordian in the restaurant, not quite my thing. We both ordered a Mayflower beer and I had fish, Mahi Mahi, really good stuff, with rice and asparagus. A singer was setting up his gear whilst we were eating, so we hung around to listen to him. He was good, and sang a lot of stuff that I knew, although he did do some local songs and one he wrote himself, but they were good too so a good night all round. Emie left at 9 leaving about 3/4s of her beer, but me, I stuck around till 11 - 3 beers later, I liked the Samuel Adams Boston lager.