From Broken hill to the Amazon jungle.

[drron]

Yes Virginia there is a restaurant in NYC that you dont have to add 20% to the bill.The catch is that it is Per Se,Thomas Keller's NYC restaurant and the tip is already added.The cost is $275 per head though at lunch instead of the full 9 course meal you can get a 5 course option for $175.There is a vegetable option as well as the chef's selection.
This is an expensive place especially when having wine-thankfully the cheapest option is a Marlborough Sav.Blanc.
Is it worth it-undoubtedly yes.Although it is a 9 course menu you get 2 additional starters and at the end the chocolates just keep coming and if you wish to have an extra dessert they will oblige.
We chose the chef's selection and mrsdrron selected the foie gras with Oregon huckleberries which was a $30 surcharge-it was worth every cent.We both agreed the stand out dish apart from the foie gras was the paring of scallop and pork belly with artichoke fennel and gala apple.
Other dishes included oysters with caviar,pan seared halibut,pekin duck,veal loin with sweetbreads and riblet.
The sweets were also amazing.I had a carribbean chocolate cake with cashew ice cream which worked well.Mrsdrron had a blackberry parfait,lemon verbena sauce and popcorn sorbet.
Service was outstanding.At the end everyone gets a package of pralines to take home.Definitely an experience.
Next-our last 2 days in NYC and some thoughts on the Big Apple.

 

[drron]

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for our last 3 days in the Big apple-it rained most of the time.however with our trusty umbrellas we still got out.NYC is a walking city and there is always something new to see or something you missed before.We first walked to the Upper East side.Quite a few museums,some very nice side streets and of course just the NY scene.I thought i recognised a fellow out walking.His photo was in the next days paper-former governor Eliot Spitzer.We ended up in Mid town East and went to one of our favourite cheap restaurants on 2nd Ave-Sip Sak,a Turkish place.Fantastic octopus for starters then we had different lamb dishes and shared a spinach and mushroom dish as well.Finished with rice pudding and baklava.Have really picked up as a new turkish restaurant has opened 2 blocks away.There are several good restaurants here from 42nd to 52nd streets.Other favourites are Smorgas,Mee Noodles and Boi to go.
On the Sunday we went down Lexington Ave as there was a street fair on-good for people watching and at least all the traffic is taken off the street.As it was still raining we took in a movie at 2nd and 32nd.Then walked to Macy's,back to Grand Central station-a favourite haunt.Through the food market there and on to 44th street and East for some good sushi and sahimi.Just up the road here is the original Boi-an upmarket Vietnamese restaurant which is also reccommended.
If you are going to visit the UN make a point of going through Tudor city-between 1st and 2nd and 41st to 43rd streets.You can go down stairs at the 43rd street end and there are is a small privately owned park there where you can eat your Vietnamese rolls from Boi to go.You may recognise the place.It is used a lot in the Law and Order series.Also a scene in the Bourne Conspiracy.
Now time to say good bye and off to New England leaf peeping next.

 

[drron]

Now its off to New england.Pick up my dark blue,green honda.Has an Ezipass in it that I didnt order and the thing gets picked up even when turned off.See how much it costs when i get back to JFK.Head up the Truway again with just a short stop at Woodbury Commons and mussels at Positano again.
Turn off on I84 to our night time stop-Hilton Garden Inn at Fishkill/Poughkeepsie-love the name.HGI's are a pretty good option out in the country.Virtually all the same with large comfortable rooms,free internet,full breakfast for diamonds and free business services.This i need to photocopy BPs then fax to AA as TN still hasnt credited miles and I need them to requalify EXP.I calculate at years end I will have 100,001 EQPs so cant afford a no poster.
Dinner we go up the road to another chain we go back to-Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse which is a Canadian chain so found in the north of the USA.Reasonable quality at a reasonable price.
Next morning off east on I84 to Danbury,CT and turn north on Hway 7.Quite a scenic route that we will follow all the way to Burlington,VT.Plenty of picturesque small towns,rivers,lakes and mountains.The further north we go the better the fall foliage.
Make a stop at bennington,VT where Ethan Allen defeated the Germans in the War of Independence.Then a stop at Manchester and more factory outlets-generally better value here than most outlets and VT has no tax on clothing.
Stay at the Hilton Burlington and upgraded to a large,corner,lakeview room.Great views over Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks-we like it.
Next adventures in Vermont.

 

[Keith009]

Glad you had a good experience at Per Se. Any pics of your delicious dinner?

 

[drron]

Glad you had a good experience at Per Se. Any pics of your delicious dinner?

Unfortunately I am not allowed to have the camera.Even if I did being technologically challenged would make it difficult.I can give you a link to a friend of a cyber friend from chowhound with pictures of the vegetarian option.The sweets from the Blackberry parfait down are exactly as we had.
Per Se: A Vegetarian Feast

 

[drron]

Started off our first full day in Vermont with breakfast at the Hilton.Although the coupon was for a continental breakfast it was indicated we could have the complete buffet including the omelette and waffle station(complete with genuine VT maple syrup-yum).
We then decided to catch up on culture with visits to the Vermont teddy bears factory and then Ben and Jerrys.From there we drove over Stowe mountain(a ski resort in winter) on hway 108.Can reccomend this as a great fall drive.The foliage was at its best and was spectacular.On the way back to Burlington passed a couple of covered bridges.
Our first night we went to the Shanty seafood restaurant just down the hill from the Hilton-it was the last day of their lobstermania promotion-2 1.25lb lobsters for $26 served with a cob of very sweet corn,slaw and choice of potato-fantastic.
For our second night we were going to big Fatty's BBQ(the waiters wear shirts emblazoned with-"be nice to me I pull your pork").However they were closed so it was back to the Shanty where we had mussells followed by sea scallops-both were extremely well done and delicious.
Next-off to Maine via New Hampshire and drron becomes a believer.

 

[drron]

We set off from Burlington down I89 but pull off at Montpelier-Vermont's capital.A funny little place and picturesque.Then strike east on Hway 302.Once out of the industrial areas outside Montpelier it is a great drive-plenty of fall colour,beautiful streams,covered bridges.Crossing into New Hampshire we turn onto 112-across the White Mountains.Again fantastic scenery.
After this we turn south onto I93.Just before we do we see deer.Then a few miles north of Tilton we see this black cat the size of a labrador crossing a road beside the interstate.Drron becomes just another who has seen a mythical black panther.
Stop for a short time at Tilton for yet another outlet-New Hampshire though is a tax free state.I have a sneaking regard for New hampshire-their state politicians have not had a pay rise in 100 years and their salary is $100 per year.Their number plates have the slogan "live free or die".
That night we stay in the Hampton Inn at concord-not a good choice as it is at the junction of I93 and I89-very noisy.
Have dinner at the Siam orchid.Apart from Philly Asian restaurants in the USA are disappointing as they are Americanised-this one is no different.
The next day we head East on Hway4 to Portsmouth before heading north on Hway 1.Stop off at Kittery-the Brookstone outlet here is a mine of tecno gadgets.Very slow through Kennebunkport.Next day we learn because George senior was opening a building at the local Uni.
For the next 3 nights we are at the HGI Freeport-the home of LL Bean.That will be next.

 

[drron]

The US part of our trip is drawing to a close.The HGI at Freeport is relatively new but reasonably expensive-a weekend in fall is prime season.They do have good recognition however and get our bottled water as well as the expected breakfast.If you eat at their restaurant you get 500 bonus hhonors points for spending $25.However we are here for lobster so after checking in it is off to the Taste of Maine on hway 1 Wicasset.One of our favourites.Tonight it is fried oysters-delicious,followed by lazy man's lobster-the meat from 2 1.25 lb lobsters.With a bottle of wine this sets us back$US100.The wine was Nobilo Sav.Blanc which we are finding all over New England.
The next morning is spent wandering Freeport-mainly LL Bean who have Chowdahfest on this weekend.The morning was delightful but it then clouded over so we went for a drive to the coast.First down 123 then route 21 to Bailey Island.Spectacular scenery but not much fall colour yet.Dinner is there at Cook's Lobster house.Again the fried oysters and lazy mans lobster-slightly more expensive but very good.Out of interest the restaurant looks out on the worlds only cribstone bridge.
On the way back we view a magnificent sunset.
Next-a disappointing meet up with a moose.

 

[Keith009]

I must say I do prefer Asian food in Australia and the US on the whole to China or HK (noodle soup and dumplings excepted). The food in Asia invariably tastes overly seasoned and spicy. They tone it down in Australia and the US, and certainly taste a lot better for my taste buds.

 

[drron]

On Sunday we decide to head north as reports suggested fall color was reaching its peak.We decided to go up Hway6/15 and back hway 201 as they are supposed to about the best drives-201 is a National Scenic byway.As well moose can be sighted there.In fact in fridays local paper there was a story of a fellow who whilst driving hit a moose on 201 the day before-he didnt stop and was arrested.
Basically this was a disappointing day-the fall colors were good but the leaf drop was high so the spectacle was not as good as we had already seen.There are some spectacular lake and river views.As we drove alongside the Moose river a float plane took off alongside us.
We hit Hway 201 at Jakeman and stopped at the local park for a convenience stop.As we pulled in behind an F150 towing a trailer we realised the trailer contained a dead moose-gutted with blood dripping off the back.Here i am with PETA.Moose are not that prolific and it seems incredible that a state that proclaims itself green lets this happen.
On the advice of locals we stopped at Waterville on the return and visited Maddens-a local liquidation store-massive.Well there probably are real bargains there but it would take too long to find it.Instead we went next door to the weathervane restaurant and you guessed it had 2 lobsters each again.Cheaper but not as good as the previous 2.If you have a huge appetite then at the Taste of Maine try the world's biggest lobster roll-the meat of 5 lobsters!
Next off to JFK via Groton,CT.

 

[drron]

We set off down I 295 then I 95 with a stop for gas in New Hampshire-down to $3.19,doesnt quite make up for the drop in the aussie though.In Massachusetts we stop off at our last factory outlets at Wrentham-this state also has no tax on clothing so our bags are going to strain a little more.We then turn off on route 184 to the HGI we will stay at tonight.This is certainly a scenic road.
Groton is the USN sub base and they have a very good museum there.Best of all no exchange rate problems as it is free.Also close to Mystic Seaport a living seafarer museum but that does cost and you probably need to spend a little time there which we dont have.CT is probably the one place a GPS might be handy as restaurants are hard to find.instead we just decide to eat at the local HGI.Again they have been good and as diamond have $10 off at the restaurant.Unfortunately they were out of the Nobilo.
The next morning we are all packed.Down I 95 to Milford for a last stop at a Barnes and Noble to spend the last of my gift certificate.Across the road is Krispy Kreme-any variety donut-10 for $5.From here we go over to route 15 the Merritt parkway to continue to NYC.It is cars only and you feel you are in bushland most of the way.In fact we spot a deer grazing beside the road 25 miles from the NY border.In NY this road becomes the Hutchinson River parkway and at the Whitestone bridge to Long Island it becomes I 678 which ends at JFK.
Drop off the car to Hertz and dont have to pay anything for the Ezipass that was in the car.Sclepp the bags to the Airtrain to Terminal 9 and the first class AA checkin.This time we have upgraded to F by using my EVIPs.So easy.After we paid for our tickets at the end of may I was able to ring the AA EXP line and immediately have confirmed upgrades to F and allocated seats 2 D,G.
Next JFK's flagship lounge and dramas with AA.

 

[drron]

We were at JFK about3.40 hours prior to departure of AA100 to LHR.Arriving at check in there were about 9 in the F line,none in J.Only 2 agents.Another 2 materialised and so were with the agent quickly.Absolutely no problems and soon on our way through security.For the first time on this trip my new knee brace sets off the security.So I get the full pat down.Soon in the flagship lounge.It is bright,very comfortable chairs,free wifi and the food and wine selection not too bad.For lunch they have a selection of nice salad options,pizza and sandwiches.Mrsdrron has the Monkey bay sav.blanc and I have a very quaffable californian merlot.As we are finishing lunch the PA comes out with anyone on flight100 please report to desk and soon after drron please report to desk.I do.
Sorry 100 has been cancelled but we have you on 104 30 minutes later and the same seats.So far so good.Bad news-you have to go down to baggage claim,pick up your bags and recheck them for security reasons-really I guess I am just going to have to do it.Go back and organise everything for mrsdrron,take off my knee brace and set off.Nothing happening so I ask-Oh those bags will be at least 30 minutes.OK so I have time to post the cards we had forgotten so over to terminal 4 and the post office.As I arrive back the bags are just coming onto the carousel.With great difficulty drron schlepps 3 bags upstairs to check them in.
I must say in each leg with AA our largest bag weighed in at 54lbs but not once was anything said about it even on Eagle.However when rechecking the bags the system will only allow one as we have checked in 3 already.After about 10 minutes and with the help of a supervisor the system is overruled and the bags are rechecked.No problems-or so I thought but more later.Fly back to the flagship lounge and settle down-quiet is disturbed by a couple of rowdy English ankle biters-fortunately they were not on 104 as we feared.
Food comes out for dinner and hot choices include a chicken and beef dish as well as 2 soups.Really pretty good but nowhere near SYD Flounge standard.Board on time but a further 30 minute delay on board.Now very happy we left a 4 hour connect at LHR.
Next-our first AA flight in the F suites.

 

[drron]

Boarding is no problem.Seating is 1-2-1 so as a couple we have 2D,G in the middle.Only problem is that the overhead above 2G has the emergency equipment so for couples 3D,G probably better.Still you are quite a distance apart-no holding hands on landing.Seats are very comfortable and as I discovered later are easy to sleep in.
Hit it off with Marvelle one of the FAs.A really friendly guy who made this segment one of the best we have ever flown.Service truly was first class.We had flown NRT-LAX on AA F in 2006.They have really upped their game since then.The food was very much better and attractively presented-sorry I dont take pictures of meals.Start of with the Pommery and then switch to a French red-a Crozes hermitage.The meal stared with smoked salmon and shrimp,then a salad.I had the beef for main and it was superb.Finished off with a huge bowl of ice cream,cheeses and a Graham's vintage port.
Not tired so watch Sex in the City.About an hours shut eye.Declined breakfast before landing in LHR.Some apprehension re the upcoming transfer to IB in view of past experiences at LHR-but that is next.

 

[drron]

At LHR Murphy's law of flying comes into play.We are at furthest gate from the connection point.fortunately i had allowed a 4 hour connection though now down to 3.Fortunately no problems,straight onto bus and to terminal 1 in no time.To security-again no lines but Murphy strikes again.I am wearing my good knee brace with small titanium supports-has gone through all security points only setting off that in JFK and a quick pat down and on my way.Not in LHR.Beeper goes off,I tell them what it probably is but told to sit and wait for a senior officer then off to a side room to drop my pants in front of 2 officers.About 20 minutes wasted but mental note do not wear this brace when returning through LHR.
To Iberia desk.4 Australians in front of us taking their time with endless questions to the single agent-hey I want to get to the lounge.
We finally get our turn and show our BPs to the agent-has to reissue IB ones then says "so you are travelling with only 1 bag."No-3.'Well there is only 1 in the system"he then manually enters the other 2 numbers we had been given and says check at the gate that they are loaded.
So by the time we are at the lounge we are no longer feeling like a short nap.The gnawing feeling is a little relieved when the 2 Aussie women who were in front of us follow us into the lounge and walk past the desk-asked for their boarding passes but are reluctant to show them."we are waiting for an iberia flight and this is where you wait isnt it?"Finally show their BPs and are shown the door with directions to the gate.
The lounge isnt much with 2 free computers,very little food and quite worn chairs.Still it is at least quiet.
Next-IB and Madrid.

 

[drron]

At the gate we check with the fellow in charge of loading the luggage.Breathe much easier as he says the 3 bags have made it.Then board.Welcome back to European business class.The 2 class US domestic setup is much better though of course they really shouldnt call the premium cabin first.Same old seats through the plane leaving middle seat vacant for business class.Pity the arm rests are immovable on the IB A319.Flight is reasonably empty so those in y get exactly the same seating as J.Well we do get fed.A choice of lamb or fish.Remembering my inedible lamb on a previous IB flight I go for the fish-passable.Mrsdrron is brave and has the lamb and pronounces it quite reasonable.All with a Spanish Verdejo which in coming days we will get quite used to.Very drinkable.Otherwise uneventful with staff standing up the front talking most of the time.We are in 1A,C.
Once again we are at the gate furthest from baggage carousel.Immigration is done at the gate with a cursory look at passports.When we reach the carousel there is a fair wait for our bags but at least the 3 bright blues all come out.lots of taxis so no waiting and on our way to the Westin palace.Fantastic upgrade to very large suite.Report already written here-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...s-and-reviews/westin-palace-madrid-14922.html
I am starting to love SPG.By the quirks of exchange rate changes what I pay here is just 40c a night more than the Waldorf Towers in NYC.The difference in treatment is unbeleivable.We are tired.It is just on 7pm but virtually nothing is open as far as restaurants go so we wait until 8 and go to the hotels restaurant.I have the venison,wife has pasta and prawns and with 2 creme brulees,a glass of wine and a beer that is E100.
Next Madrid.

 

[drron]

Thursday,our first full day in Madrid.started off with a great breakfast at the westin including a glass of bubbly-Savia viva.Decide to use the hop on/off bus-E20 for the day.In Madrid it turned out to be a reasonable option-fairly short routes and no prolonged stops.Not too much of a crowd as well.For lunch we went to Restaurant Anton on Calle Mayor not far from Palacio Real.Asparagus,mussels,anchovies,paella,creme caramel and a bottle of white-E50.Food was reasonable.
After lunch got back on the bus and hopped off at the plaza Espana-a craft fair there.met up with our only scam artists in madrid-young women wanting you to sign a UNICEF petition then donate(there was a genuine one as well but they all wore a UNICEF smock).There were a couple of police there but were taking no notice.From there we walked to Park templo Debod which has an ancient Egyptian Temple that was a gift to Spain.By this time it was time for the nanny nap.
Friday-walked from hotel to Plaza Del Sol,Plaza Mayor to Palacio Real-however it was closed for a state function.So through the Opera district,Gran Vie and back to the Plaza Mayor for lunch at the Suporto restaurant.Olives,Good lamb cutlets,sucking pig(as writ on the menu),creme caramel and a bottle of white E85.We were having a very good breakfast,lunch~3pm then just something very light at night.This evening 2 frappucinos-E9 or $A18 at current rate.
Saturday-awoke to the police removing all the cars parked around the plaza-4 trucks in continuous action.Today is Espana day so parades everywhere.The air force do a low flyover practising for later in the day.Down to breakfast and have an extra glass of bubbly-to celebrate QF009s mention on FT-sounded like areasonable excuse to me.Back to room and the hospital unions are demonstrating against privatisation(and the rain is pouring down).Poor souls-the financial crisis has probably put paid to that anyway along with the proposed new Sunshine Coast hospital.
Off to the Prado.Lots by Goya-obviously bipolar,Ruebens,El Greco,Velasquez even a Gainsborough.There is a Thomas Lawrence portrait of a relative of my forbears.However mostly it is dark religious works and not our scene.Walk the streets of Old Madrid trying to find a restaurant with space-they are all packed.Finally find Restaurant Maison Gallego-not far from Westin.Only a few customers.We are hungry so go in.Obviously few tourists come here.No English menu so phrase book comes in handy.I have a Galician soup then octopus,mrsdrron has a fillet steak with mushroom sauce-very good,then we both have desserts.With a bottle of reasonable Verdejo bill is E55.At end the proprietor comes up and pours us each a large glass of local liquer on the house-Licore Haberras-reminiscent of Drambuie.
Back to the hotel-a message telling us that tomorrow is a public holiday,there will be parades and traffic will be heavenly!
Thats next.

 

[drron]

Awake on sunday and the traffic is heavenly.The police have blocked the roads into the plaza.Different bubbly for breakfast-not quite as good-Anna Cordonnio.Back from breakfast and the officialEspana day parade has started 2 plazas north of us.The airforce come in low trailing red and yellow smoke-great viewing.Today we walk to the Calle de Ribera de contidores where there is a weekend market.it is a huge market with large crowds but mostly junk.So walk down to the Reina Sofia museum-entry is free today.More our style with plenty of Dalis,miro,picasso(including Guenica) and photos by Man ray and dora Maar.
Lunch in the plaza next door.Go to Pinocchios -a chain.Shared carpaccio for starters.I had the duck confit and mrsdrron the veal with lemon sauce-both quite good.Again washed down with a bottle of verdejo.Total E45.Walk past the botanical gardens and on to the Parque de Retiro-very large and I guess Madrids Central park.Walk back to the hotel once again picking up some frappucinos..
Back in room by 6pm-just in time for the procession across the plaza-front row seats.Goes for nearly 3 hours and plenty of prime movers pulling 2 storey trailers with bands,singers and dancers-a very pleasant evening.Wake the next morning and have my last glass of breakfast cava.Taxi gets caught in traffic but still the fare is E26 this time.Seems our fellow coming from the airport went the long way round.
Next-dramas with IB.

 

[drron]

Rock up at the business check in for IB.Already 2 flights on this sector had been cancelled since we paid in May.So i had checked aa.com that morning and had the latest flight number and times.Get that sinking feeling when it is not on the departures board.Hand over our tickets.Agent says straight away this flight has been cancelled and hands them back.Here is the latest flight number and hand over a piece of paper.Thats cancelled too.So what flight do you have us on.Much hitting of computer keys and finally-you are on that flight tomorrow.
Oh no.We are going to Barcelona today.You should have checked your flight details.We did,this morning.Sorry i cant get you on an official flight you will have to go to the Barcelona Shuttle check in.
Get our bags and off to the Barcelona shuttle checkin.I can only get you on the 1145 shuttle(it is now 1107)Fine.Gives us BPs-These are for row 20-do you have business class.Yes but your tickets are not for business class.Oh yes they are.Get new bps for row 1-bags had already gone.Through security and fortunately that is virtually at the gate.Boarding is nearly complete and on we go.J is only half full.An A 320.Served a snack-small dry roll with ham and olive tampenade.Fortunately it is one of those flights where you get to cruising altitude then descend.Park on the tarmac and bussed to terminal.Very few have baggage and ours fortunately arrives.Straight out into a taxi and to the Hilton diagonal mar-very important to say the Mar part as Hilton Barcelona is also on the diagonal.27E for trip.
Next The hilton and Barcelona.

 

[Keith009]

IB ground service lives up to its reputation. Glad you were able to get out of MAD without too much delay.

 

[drron]

The Hilton Diagonal Mar is a pretty new hotel.Line up at the hhonors sign and a call is made and another agent appears to check us in.Drron you have been upgraded to the Exec floor-do you want to check in at the lounge?
Well seeing we are already here and upgraded you can just go ahead.Room on top floor with mediterranean view-not that you can see much of it with smog-Shanghai standard smog.2 doors down is the Presidential suite.They are having an NBA conference here and this massive african-american comes out having to bend right down to get through the door.Maybe someone famous but I know diddely about basketball.
Room is tastefully furnished and just as we settle in chocolates,cakes and refreshments delivered.Down to check out Exec.lounge.Very nice.Fortunate we stayed when we did as drinks went from midday to 10pm with desserts in the afternoon and tapas from 6-8.30pm.Breakfast reasonable with 3 hot food choices.-However be warned on 29th October they announced as of now drinks and food only 6-8.30 and no hot choices for brekkie.
Also no free internet-24E/day.
Over the road is a large shopping mall with several restaurants.Route 41 bus goes from just over the road.goes to Plaza Catalunya-the centre of town.Fare E1.30 but a card with 10 tickets E7.80.
Next-enjoying barcelona.