Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth America

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We spent a year in Montreal, loved it. The metro and Reso are fantastic in winter.

That would be cool - pardon the pun

All photos taken from aircraft should look like this...looking back at the engine and not from behind.

They make good photos...the other way - not so much!

The Notre Dame Basilica is very impressive, it is interesting looking at the different architecture from where the rear was damaged by fire.

They get great use of the building....holding concerts, etc. They were still selling dvd's of a Pavarotti concert held back 1978:shock:

If you're keen you can see the whole concert - here Luciano Pavarotti - Natale a Notre-Dame - Montreal, 1978, full.avi - YouTube

Would have been a fantastic concert/experience

..,. most of the time. Did US pre-clearance in Calgary one late afternoon.

Plane went tech,

<snip>

We made it.

Still avidly following the TR

Thanks RooFlyer I could only imagine the PITA drama this would have caused!

Amaroo, enjoyed reading the TR and it brought back memories of our trip (almost a year to the day)... doing it slightly rougher in whY but with 17yo niece to mind the (then) 8yo and 10yo it saved our sanity.

We all thought it was cold in NYC at slightly below 0deg C so Canadia at -20 would have been not much fun for the slightly confused (and frozen) QLD circulatory system.

Will make notes for the next trip that SWMBO wants to do as a joint 50th in a couple of years time (trying to convince her that the pointy end of the plane might be worth the extra $$)

Thanks petercr Doesn't really matter if it's up the front, in the middle or down the back - all holidays are great! Enjoy the planning...

 

[cove]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Amaroo I really enjoyed your TR especially the photos as I am not a photo taker.
A lovely holiday in North America during an east coast Ice Age did not seem to mess you up too much so well done on taking your tribe on such a big holiday.

 

[TraceyK90]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We were really lucky Winter 2011-2012 was relatively mild. Apart from a couple of hell freeze over days (I remember walking the kids home from school in -17 thinking I was a miserable excuse for a mother,) we had it pretty good. Loving this TR, shame you had to come home!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We did some shopping along Lincoln Rd Mall and strolled around the Art Deco area of South Beach. Got to say I'm not that impressed with Miami. The place seems to be filled with angry people and I doubt we'll return.






Dinner was at Oh Mexico .: Oh! México :. I wouldn't rush back....

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Last day in Miami - have to say we're pretty happy about that!

It's a day for the kids....sleep in watching cartoons in bed, late breakfast and trip to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science

This place is amazing and definitely a must visit - even if you don't have kids to entertain. BTW they are building a massive new building right smack in the middle of Miami.....this place will rock in it's new location! Fly Through | New Museum Blog - Miami Science Museum



Pride of place in the foyer sits the Pan Am Globe The Globe over Time | Miami Science Museum Blog



The kids really enjoyed this one



They had science classes and encouraged the kids to get on stage and be part of the experiment



A huge (IIRC) Kodiak Bear someone shot, stuffed and gave to the museum



They also have a rehabilitation and conservation programme.....not everyday you get close to a Bald Eagle

 

[OATEK]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We did some shopping along Lincoln Rd Mall and strolled around the Art Deco area of South Beach. Got to say I'm not that impressed with Miami. The place seems to be filled with angry people and I doubt we'll return.

Dinner was at Oh Mexico .: Oh! México :. I wouldn't rush back....

One of those dishes looks like Carmen Miranda headwear!

So many people that I have spoken to after a visit to Miami also stated their disappointment. But like so many places, you never know until you get there.

Thanks for such a comprehensive trip report.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

One of those dishes looks like Carmen Miranda headwear!

So many people that I have spoken to after a visit to Miami also stated their disappointment. But like so many places, you never know until you get there.

Thanks for such a comprehensive trip report.

Cheers OATEK

LOL it tasted just liked it looked - rubbish!

Didn't like Miami at all.....most people we came across were angry, rude and right up themselves IMHO. This is the only place where we saw violence - a full on fist fight in the middle of a crowded SoBe Avenue.

One of the nights we had dinner at Osteria del Teatro Welcome and the food was terrific......









The kids mentioned that the waiter was wearing a Taser.....I didn't believe them until he walked passed. Had a chat with him and he confirmed it was a Taser and unfortunately, he needed to use it far too often. This restaurant is located in a prime position in South Beach not some poorly lit back street.

I've never seen a waiter wear a weapon on his belt before and I hope I never see it again. Gives new meaning to the term waiters friend!

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

<snip>

The kids mentioned that the waiter was wearing a Taser.....I didn't believe them until he walked passed. Had a chat with him and he confirmed it was a Taser and unfortunately, he needed to use it far too often. This restaurant is located in a prime position in South Beach not some poorly lit back street.

I've never seen a waiter wear a weapon on his belt before and I hope I never see it again. Gives new meaning to the term waiters friend!

Presumably also if the steak comes out underdone, they can give it a quick zap at the table to bring it up to scratch? Or the kitchen might call them in to tenderize the beef a bit before they cook it?

Extraordinary! So what happens? Some-one becomes stroppy, they waiter tasers him and everyone carries on eating and chatting while the subject writhes and screams in agony?

I've never had the slightest inclination to visit Miami and you've vindicated that, thanks

 

[petercr]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We had a bit of an introduction to LA... walking down to onto the Metro platform at Union Station to head to Hollywood and we were confonted with a full police take-down of a violent passenger (lots of swearing, tasers and handcufs). Thanks goodness that was the only violence we saw...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

I agree about Miami. I visited there a couple of years ago when my cousin was living there. It was great to see her but the place itself wasn't so great. We transited MIA twice on our recent trip. Both times arriving late and went straight to the Embassy Suites, heading out again in the morning.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

The best thing about the Miami area is Sawgrass Mills

Sawgrass Mills® Mobile Website - Sunrise, FL 33323-4020 - Simon Malls

 

[drron]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

As the lovely mrsdrron says Go to the burbs.It is like a different country.Great shopping,restaurants with waiters that don't wear tasers and many lovely,polite people.We have not gone into Miami proper in over 20 years.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Today we're leaving the angry and uptight natives of Miami and fly to our last stop of the trip DFW.

AA53 whY 9 A/B/C/D MCE (main cabin extras)

Once again SWMBO BP has EMERALD printed across it - this is 4/4 for this SG getting processed as an OWE Other than LAX where the 4 of us got access (2 x OWE) to the AA Flagship lounge - it didn't provide any additional benefits but it's still interesting why the AA system saw her as OWE:!:



MIA AC lounge near gate 30 - large and uninviting lounge. The food offer was.....disappointing! After realising the lounge wasn't going to get any better, we left. On the way out I gave our drink chits to a thirsty looking random standing at the bar.

Walking to the gate we purchased some Jambon & Fromage Baguettes for breakfast.




Plenty of legroom in these MCE seat....pity AA have decided to cut this Elite perk and shove more seats in their planes



Have never noticed one of these before. For those that can't make out the sign on the side of the AA truck reads "LAVATORY WASTE"




The best way to see Miami....from 30,000 feet as you fly over it

The flight was full. Noticed a trick the FA was using for precious O/head space. He stood at the curtain between the two cabins and had the lockers either side shut.....when he saw staff enter the cabin he nodded and cut into the line, opened the locker, loaded the staff bags and then closed them. This flight had at least 3 AA staff flying down the back including one 4 stripe captain. Once there was no more staff he used the same trick whenever a pretty female walked on board

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

All photos taken from aircraft should look like this...looking back at the engine and not from behind.

Unfortunately most of mine are behind the wing.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Arrived to a rainy DFW. Very nice talkative chap was waiting to pick us up, loaded another SUV and we were on our way.

Special mention to AA - they were stellar in delivering priority boarding and baggage. QF could learn a thing or two from these guys..

Ritz Carlton Dallas - Deluxe 1 Bed Suite

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Quite impressed with the RC. The rooms look a little faux but the public areas are pleasant and the staff are very friendly and professional + their courtesy car is a Bentley and totally free for trips within a 3mi radius + they serve delicious and free guacamole and margaritas between 6-6.30 every night

Funny story - when we first got in the car (I didn't notice the car pulling up)......got in the front seat and the first thing out of my mouth was - what type of Town Car is this The 20 something driver politely explained it was a Bentley....a quick look at the dashboard confirmed it




The Car! This was taken outside the Dallas World Aquarium.



Front view

The DWA was brilliant...more zoo than aquarium however, well worth a visit.

Prior to leaving Oz we booked Fearing's (restaurant of the RC) the meal and night was spectacular and I highly recommend eating here ..:: Dean Fearing ::..

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Fort Worth - Why not!

Fort Worth is 50km West of Dallas and a very easy drive.....on the way you can stop and take a look/tour of Cowboy Stadium - home of the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia this is an impressive stadium and it only cost $1.3B to build :shock:

Arrived in time to see the Fort Worth Stockyard parade....cheesy, touristy and fun.










We then went a had a look at the Kimbell https://www.kimbellart.org/ this is a stunning museum and worth seeing. The buildings are exceptional!

 

[Magpie10]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Amaroo must thank you again for a wonderful TR, great reading.

 

[yo yo ma]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

The kids mentioned that the waiter was wearing a Taser.....I didn't believe them until he walked passed. Had a chat with him and he confirmed it was a Taser and unfortunately, he needed to use it far too often.

Hope you gave him a decent tip then!

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We then went a had a look at the Kimbell https://www.kimbellart.org/ this is a stunning museum and worth seeing. The buildings are exceptional!

I loved the Kimball art and building. There was a lovely very early Picasso of a small child. In the tiny internal courtyard, a statue that the guards had christened, 'Woman Sliding into 3rd Base'. Fort Worth is fun.

Here's 'Woman sliding into 3rd base'.