Category Archives: Our Ratings

What we feel about the place, accommodation, etc

Our Ratings, USA, World

Northern Exposure

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We rose early on Wednesday and reported to our departure lounge ready for our 06.25 disembarkation. The port of Whittier was grey and foggy and the rain was pouring down, fortunately the Alaskans know how to deal with these conditions and we followed a covered walkway across the quayside to our waiting train. The trip to Mt McKinley Lodge took about 6 hours, the first five were in a glass domed railway carriage which gave us a great view of the Alaskan landscape as we headed inland and north. We were sharing a table with a couple from the Midwest who, like everybody else wanted to talk about Brexit, and after that to find out what we think about Donald Trump!!

Santa
Santa’s little helper!

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3 Cheers, USA, World

Chicago: The Windy City

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Coffee Bean 1
Coffee Bean 1

Chicago is a real contrast to New York, the weather is less humid and the city feels more modern and clean. Apparently it’s called the windy city because when they first built the skyscrapers the wind blew so hard between buildings or alternatively as a result of the political hot air generated when the city was trying to secure the World’s Fair after Paris at the start of the 20th century; take your pick! Continue reading Chicago: The Windy City →

3 Cheers, USA, World

The Big Apple …. 2

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High Line Intro
High Line Intro

Another hot and steamy day in New York City but as yet no rain. After our normal breakfast routine in Bryant Park we headed to the High Line. What a great project this is, taking a 1.5 mile stretch of a disused elevated railway track on the Lower West Side and making it into a park. We didn’t know quite what to expect but it was fantastic, a green road through the city with views across the Hudson River. The plants and trees were great to see but the civil engineering that has been undertaken is fantastic. Design of benches, tables, etc. make a real statement and some fantastic planting ideas bring nature into the city, for instance one section used a planting level well below the walkway on the old rail-line which means visitors can walk through the canopy of the trees; see some of the images we took. On a hot day it was easy to understand what an oasis the High Line Park offers local residents. Continue reading The Big Apple …. 2 →

USA, World, Wow

The Big Apple … Special Edition

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On our special day we wanted to pay our respects at Ground Zero. The last time I was in New York, in 1981, I met a friend for lunch at the restaurant  at the top of the World Trade Centre. To see this site now  it is hard to imagine that this is the same place. What the city and it’s people are doing here is truly inspirational.