Hong Kong - December 2017

Got back from my trip and straight back into normal routine.

Jacqui, Eliza and Callum flew to Sydney on 15th so I had a week on my own, before I flew back on the 22nd.

I didn't want to cook, so tried some new places for dinner. This one is a Japanese place near us in Queens Road. Great ramen...

This is my new favourite wonton noodle soup place near my office. Very cheap at HKD35, quick and very tasty...

It's very cold at the moment so this is me in 4 layers...

Went back to my favourite dumpling place in Central one day but 12 was too many !

One Sunday I had Christmas lunch with my hiking friends at Le 39 V which is an upscale French Restaurant on Level 101 of ICC. Great views and food...

They put something on the oyster plate to make it go like this. Dry ice ?

Dessert...

Another night I tried another Japanese restaurant that has just opened near us. Also very good...

Another day I had laksa for lunch. It actually wasn't that good...

One night I went to Shoreditch in Kennedy Town for dinner. HKD10 oysters so I had a dozen...

Then we had a team lunch at Beefbar an upscale steak restaurant. I had the Sydney !

New York - Thursday 30 November 2017

Last day of my trip !

Had a sleep in, then packed and checked out of hotel. Went to Dean and Deluca for breakfast. Last went here in 1997 with Jacqui and Monique.

View of 44th Street from my room...

New York Public Library...

Eataly...

Empire State Building...

Then walked down to Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park.

After that had a coffee at Cafe Grumpy, and then headed to Macy's for some shopping.

Back to hotel to pick up my bag and then a horrendously long Uber to JFK - nearly 2 hours !

Checked in and had a shower in the lounge and some food.

Goodbye New York...

Boarded for the first leg to Vancouver which was a long flight. Had to stay on the plane during the 1.5 hour transit which was different to the trip here where we got off and went through security.

Second leg was 13 hours. Skipped Friday and landed back in HK early Saturday morning.

Glad to be home !

Washington / New York - Wednesday 29 November 2017

Got up and had free breakfast in the hotel. Pretty good. I like this hotel.

Caught the train to Smithsonian and walked to the Washington Monument, and then to the World War II Memorial. Kept going to the Lincoln Memorial and then the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.

Helicopters...

Washington Monument...

World War II Memorial...

Looking towards Lincoln Memorial...

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial...

After that, I walked back to my hotel, getting lunch on the way. It's another spectacular day.

Caught an Uber to Union Station, and train back to NYC. Quick trip but I did everything I wanted to.

Walked back to Row NYC and checked in. This time my room overlooked 44th street.

I then headed to St Mark's Theatre to see a Friends Parody Show. It was pretty funny.





Then had a drink and late dinner nearby and headed back to the hotel.

Washington - Tuesday 28 November 2017

Woke early and checked out. Headed down 8th Ave to Pennsylvania Station. Had breakfast at Tick Tock Diner an old style American Diner nearby.

Boarded the train and quite a relaxing 3.5 hour trip to Washington.



Arriving at Union Station...

Union Station...

Christopher Columbus Memorial, outside Union Station...

Was going to get an Uber to my hotel, but it was a beautiful day, and I wanted to orient myself.

Walked down The Mall and past The White House.

Capitol Building...gorgeous day...

Attractive building on the Mall...not sure what it is...

Washington Monument...

African American Museum...

The White House...

 

Not the quickest way to hotel and I was hot and tired when I got there. It's very warm here.

Checked in to District by Hilton in Foggy Bottom. Really nice big room.

Worked out yet another train system...

Then caught the train from Foggy Bottom to Smithsonian and went to the Natural History Museum which I had wanted to go to for a while. Very impressive.

Then went to Air and Space Museum. I had been here before, in 1997, but wanted to go again. I enjoyed it. All the Smithsonian Museums are free to enter so you don't feel like to have to spend all day there.

After that, I got the train back to hotel and headed to free happy hour. Met some Americans at the bar.

After that I headed out to explore the local area and get some dinner. I got some Mexican which was good. Then tried a few bars and returned to the hotel.

I like this city too !