Mt Isa to the Adirondacks via Curacao.

[drron]

Friday 28/12 set out for our leisurely 5 day trip back to NYC.This is so mrsdrron can visit those holy placres of shopping-factory outlets.Had snowed again overnight so a lot of snow on the road back into Croghan.Needed a little gas so pulled into the Citigo in Croghan to fill up.As usually I went inside to prepay-always use cash for gas in the US after having CC's compromised twice at gas stations.The woman here however looked bemused when I offered her the cash finally saying"Oh! Youre from the big city.Well you will have to stop the pump yourself when you get to $25 cause we dont have those fancy big city pumps that can stop themselves."Never a dull moment in LOFTAP.
Motor on to Waterloo,NY home of our first factory outlet.Mrsdrron does very well buying at Polo,Coldwater creek and Ann taylor.Pays between 10-20% list price for stuff that will be in DJ's and Myer later in 2008.Say goodbye to our extended family who will be spending a couple of days in the Presidential suite of the Embassy suites at Niagara falls whilst we motor back to Syracuse to stay at an HGI.I do like HGI's-big room,comfy bed,quiet,free full breakfast and wi fi as well as being able to print out a few documents including proof of Explat. status so we can use the F lounges on the way home.
Saturday 29th and we head of to Bennington,VT and a Hampton where we have stayed before so get one of the larger corner rooms.The reason we are in Bennington is to head north to the Manchester Fashion outlets.No not for presents for me but because they have a very good Armani outlet where mrsdrron gets 2 pairs of trousers(and no obvious comments please)and a skirt for less than 10% retail.So fellas dont let your wives read this and assure them Vermont has nothing to reccomend a visit.I at least score a Polo jumper and a Burberry sweater-think she felt a little guilty.
Sunday we head south down route 7 to Massachusets and the outlets at Wrentham.The trip south is through the Berkshires and is truly picturesque.At Pittstown,MA(a sister city with Ballina so it says) we come across a frozen lake with people out skating,sledding and ice fishing-have to stop and take it in for a while.When we reach the outlets the crowds are enormous due to the post christmas sales so we dont stay long this time and head south to Rhode Island.Tonight marks my first stay in a Sheraton for 12 years.Displeased with the lack of promos since becoming Hilton Diamond so in March 2008 will try for a status match with SPG.Already with this stay got a 500 point booking bonus and have registered for a 1000 point stay bonus.As the rate was the same as the nearby Hampton I am quite pleased.Surprised when we check in having booked cheapest rate that we are upgraded to concierge floor and get complimentary waters.Even though at the airport there is no plane noise.
Further updates to come.

 

[drron]

A very easy day now travlling down I95 stopping off at the Clinton crossing outlet centre.Having already loade up on purchases we were a little more restrained but I ended up with Polo trousers and a Polo sports jacket at 75% off.Turned off at Newhaven,visited Yale,then a pleasant drive up 34W alongside the Housatonic river.Still some swans around.Stayed the night in Danbury,CT again at a Sheraton.Once again upgraded to club floor but lounge was closed for NYE.Still got our waters plus chocolates this time.Convincing me I really should do the status match in March.
New years day was to have been spent at Woodbury commons-an upmarket outlet about 50 mile from NYC on I87N.However driving acroos to I87 we went through a heavy snowfall and when we turned south it became rain and wind so decided not to stop as Woodbury is an outdoors mall.We were staying that night at HGI Nanuet about 20 miles south so went to nearby Pallisades centre which we have often passed.An enclosed mall with Macys,Lord & Taylor and Target but also an Imax,12 theatres and an indoor carousel and ferris wheel.We went to the movies then I went to Barnes and Noble whilst mrsdrron indulged her love of retail therapy.
We then had lunch at Legal seafoods-an upmarket chain where we both had the mussels followed by a lobster roll-much more lobster than roll.The array of eating places was great.After that off to the HGI for checkin.I have to say I prefer an HGI over the 2 Sheratons we had stayed out but the HGI's were more expensive but a better room,free wifi and full breakfast included.
This area is well worth considering as it is close to west point and acrooss the Hudson river are a Rockefeller mansion-Kykuit,the Rockefeller church at Potantico with Chagall and Matisse windows,a Vanderbilt mansion and FDR's home and library.All worth visiting.
Today back to NYC for 1 more week.

 

[Keith009]

Sounds like Vermont is worth a stop on my next RTW.
*runs away to check out flights to Bennington*

 

[NM]

We then had lunch at Legal seafoods-an upmarket chain where we both had the mussels followed by a lobster roll-much more lobster than roll.

I had a work colleague who is from New England and always takes us to Legal Seafood when available. He orders "Steamers" for his starter, two bowls of Steamers for main course and a bowl of steamers for dessert. And he washes it down with half beer, half tomato juice (mixed together :shock: ). So he certainly recommends the mussels too!

 

[drron]

Back to NYC.This time staying at the Doubletree suites at Times Square.People often ask which is the best hilton,SPG etc property in NYC and if you mean value there is no right answer.On this occasion the DT suites was the cheapest Hilton property available when I booked and prices as usual for NYC just kept going up.However when we return in September this year the Waldorf Towers was only $40 more than the DT suites so naturally have booked there for part of our stay as well as at the Hilton Club.
I really am doubting the wisdom of OLCI.When looking at the DT was offered rooms on 11th or 12th floors but at checkin given 4104.A bonus from this room is that I can pick up the free wifi from lobby though you cant from 4105.
The main purpose of this stay is the christening of our first grandaughter which was at St.Barts on Park Ave.Just across the street from the W-A.This church was the church of the Vanderbilts in past years.If no services you can come in and look around.Fortunately by Sunday the weather had warmed up a little.On the thursday the max. was 20F.By the tuesday it reached 64F.Everything went well without a tear.
Back in a while with some more restaurants.

 

[drron]

Well here I am sitting in JAL's F lounge in JFK.Didn't have to worry my new status was in the system so BP said Lounge-first.Not that much different to the Sakura lounge.Less crowded with only 1 other in here but no different food offerings.Better wine and as it is about 3pm in Rome I have convinced myself it is time to start drinking.
This last day in NYC has been fun.You probably did not read the story from here where 2 fellows tried to cash their flatmates social security cheque.The cashier insisted on seeing the recipient so they got a wheelchair and wheeled his body down 9th Ave. to the cheque cashing bureau.Unfortunately a cop was having coffee next door.His quote-"It wasa like a weekend at Bernies".Up in Boston last week another loser walked into a bank and handed a note to ther cashier asking for all the money.Apparently he did not notice the uniformed cop next in line.
Back to the restaurant scene.I have mentioned East on 44th before which is a good cheap Japanese restaurant-in fact if you have alwayus wanted to try Japanese but a bit scared of the prospect this would be an ideal place to try it out.This time tried out their branch on West 55th near 8th Ave.Slightly different.A little more Japanese and on Sundays a $12 Shabu shabu which is great value.
For the authentic Japanese experience try Kyu Su Shi at 300 East 41st near 2nd Ave.No signs saying it is a restaurant-you have to know it is.No choice in menu just several courses that the chef has picked from best ingredients only that day.They will ask though if you have any particular allergies or dislikes and substitute.I wouldnt say raw fish though.For 2 with a few sakes-$150 which is good value.
Continuing on the east side-Meltemi-Greek Seafood,at 1st and 51.Good quality reasonably priced.Even better as we were given complimentary desserts and glasses of greek dessert wine.
Over to the Times Square area.Dervish on 47th just round the corner from the doubletree suites.Turkisk,again reasonable food at a reasonable price but the desserts here are fantastic.So good that the next 3 nights we got the desserts to go and had them in our room.
Kyma,46th and 8.Greek.Reasonable but I thought the other 2 previous were a little better.
Again went to Virgils.Remember after 5.30pm you will usually have to wait for a table.It is on 44th.Friends couldnt wait and went to Spankys on 43rd and said it was also good.The name will probably appeal to a few.
Oh well we now have to wait until September when we have another 4 weeks in this great place.Just a word for the budget conscious-the first week in January is much cheaper than December.The christmas decorations are only starting to come down-the Rockefeller tree is coming down today.Add to that the sales are on.It is not as cheap as 2-3 years ago and as more people catch on it will probably start catching up to december in price.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report Dr Ron.

You really make full use of your USA trips.

 

[drron]

Finally a link to some photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/ron.dolton/Curacao
Picasa Web Albums - ron - NYC Christmas
http://picasaweb.google.com/ron.dolton/Christmas2007